Hilda flushed at this, and answered with some spirit that she did not know, and that if she did she would not tell.
“Of course not,” said the King; “I might have guessed as much, and do but waste my time with ye.—Stand aside—bring forward yonder fellow.”
The hermit was immediately led forward.
“Who art thou?” asked the King.
“An old wanderer on the face of the earth,” replied Christian.
“That is easily seen,” answered the King; “but not too old, it would seem, to do a little mischief when the chance falls in thy way.”
“Methinks, sire,” whispered Jarl Rongvold, “that this fellow is one of those strange madmen who have taken up with that new religion, which I do not profess to understand.”
“Sayest thou so?” exclaimed Harald, “then will I test him.—Ho! fetch me a piece of horse flesh.”
A piece of horse flesh was brought without delay, for some that had been sacrificed in the Drontheim temple had been packed up and carried off among other provisions when the expedition set forth.
“Here, old man, eat thou a portion of that,” said Harald, holding the flesh towards him.