"Not I. If you but use shrewdly your nimble wit, your wedding-seat shall be on the bench of a world-king. As to the maiden, she is an opening bud, whose blossom will prove far fairer than that slant-eyed werwolf."
"Werwolf!"
"Ay," went on Floki, unchecked by the hissing menace in his earl's voice; "I am not blind. That maiden's lips are red as blood; and if ever I saw wolf's eyes in human being--"
Olvir burst into hearty laughter.
"Ho, Floki, you 're dogwise!" he cried. "Not even our little vala owns milder eyes or purer look than my sword-brother's may. Go now; take the ships downstream to the camp where the king's steward waits our coming. I go afoot."
Floki glowered down upon his earl, a wry look on his long, sharp face.
"Good mead in a hoopless cask,--wise words in a loath ear," he croaked; and turning on his heel, he stalked back to the viking wedge.
A word sent the crews leaping aboard their ships, and quickly all five craft were headed downstream.
CHAPTER VII
As he sat on the high-seat,