Historical Tales, Vol. 9 | Page 2

court was held at Ulleraker in Upland, and here she would not let
any one treat her as a woman, dressing always in men's clothing and
bidding her men to call her King Torborg. To fail in this would be at
risk of their heads. As her fame spread abroad, there were many who
came to court her, for she was at once very beautiful and the heiress of
a great kingdom. But she treated all such with laughter and contempt. It
is even said that she put out the eyes of some, and cut off the hands and
feet of others, but this we do not like to believe. At any rate, she drove
away those who troubled her too much with lance and spear. So it was
plain that only a strong and bold man could win this warlike maiden for
his wife.
At that time King Götrik who ruled in Gothland, a country in southern
Sweden, had sent his younger son Rolf to be brought up at the court of
his foster-brother King Ring of Denmark. His elder son Kettil he kept
at home, but did not love him much on account of his pride and
obstinacy. So it happened that when Götrik was very old and like to die,
he decided that Rolf, who was very tall and strong, and very fit and

able, should succeed him, though he was the younger son. All agreed to
this, even Kettil, so Rolf was sent for and made king of Gothland,
which he ruled with skill and valor.
One day Rolf and Kettil, who loved each other as brothers should, were
talking together, and Kettil said that one thing was wanting to the glory
and honor of Rolf's rule, and that was a queen of noble birth and goodly
presence.
"And whom have you in mind?" asked Rolf.
"There is Torborg, the king of Upsala's daughter. If you can win her for
wife it will be the greatest marriage in the north."
To this advice Rolf would not listen. He had heard of how the shrewish
Torborg treated her suitors, and felt that wooing her would be like
taking a wild wolf by the ears. So he stayed unmarried for several years
more, though Kettil often spoke of the matter, and one day said to him
contemptuously:
"Many a man has a large body with little courage, and I fear you are
such a one; for though you stand as a man, you do not dare to speak to
a woman."
"I will show you that I am a man," said Rolf, very angry at these words.
He sent to Denmark for his foster-brother Ingiald, son of King Ring,
and when he came the two set out with sixty armed men for the court of
King Erik in Upsala.
One morning, about this time, Queen Ingerd of Upsala awoke and told
King Erik of a strange dream she had dreamed. She had seen in her
sleep a troop of wolves running from Gothland towards Sweden, a
great lion and a little bear leading them; but these, instead of being
fierce and shaggy, were smooth-haired and gentle.
"What do you think it means?" asked the king.

"I think that the lion is the ghost of a king, and that the white bear is
some king's son, the wolves being their followers. I fancy it means that
Rolf of Gothland and Ingiald of Denmark are coming hither, bent on a
mission of peace, since they appear so tame. Do you think that King
Rolf is coming to woo our daughter, Torborg?"
"Nonsense, woman; the king of so small a realm would show great
assurance to seek for wife so great a princess as our daughter."
So when Rolf and his followers came to Upsala King Erik showed his
displeasure, inviting him to his table but giving him no seat of honor at
the feast. Rolf sat silent and angry at this treatment, but when Erik
asked him why he had come, he told him courteously enough the
reason of his visit.
"I know how fond you Goths are of a joke," said Erik, with a laugh.
"You have a way of saying one thing when you mean another. But I
can guess what brings you. Gothland is little and its revenues are small
and you have many people to keep and feed. Food is now scarce in
Gothland, and you have come here that you may not suffer from hunger.
It was a good thought for you to come to Upsala for help, and you are
welcome to go about my kingdom with your men for a month; then you
can return home plump and well fed."
This jesting speech made Rolf very angry, though he said little in reply.
But when