King Alfreds Viking | Page 6

I could look out on the sea I loved,
and see the long ships pass and the white waves break beneath me.
Now all seemed very peaceful here in the hot haze that brooded over
the still mountains, and there seemed to be nought to fear. We drew
swiftly up to the mound, with the plash of oars only to break the silence,
and there was nought amiss that we could see. They had made it on a
little flat tongue of land that jutted from the mountain's foot into the
deep water, so that on two sides the mound was close to its edge. So we
pulled on softly round the tongue of land, being maybe about fifty
paces from the mound across the water. And when we saw the other
side of Sigurd's resting place, the oars stayed suddenly, and the jarl,
who held the tiller, swung the boat away from the shore, and I think I
knew then what fear was.
The mound was open. There was a wide, brown scar, as of
freshly-moved earth, across its base, reaching from the level to six or
eight feet of its height, as though half the grass-grown side had been
shorn away by a sword cut; and in the midst of that scar was a doorway,
open to the grave's heart, low and stone built. Some of the earth that
had fallen lay before it on the water's edge, but the rest was doubtless in
the water, for there was but a narrow path between bank and mound.
At that sight we stared, thinking we should surely see the grim form of
Sigurd loom gigantic and troll-like {iii} across the doorway; and the
jarl half rose from his seat beside me, and cried out with a great voice:
"Sigurd--my brother!"
I think he knew not what or why he cried thus, for he sank back into his

place and swayed against me, while his cry rang loud among the hills,
and the eagles answered it.
And I grasped my sword hilt, as one does in some sudden terror, staring
at the open mound; while old Thord muttered spells against I know not
what, and Kolgrim looked at me, pale and motionless.
Then came the sharp, mocking cry of a diver, that rang strangely; and at
once, without order. Thord dug his oar blade into the water and swung
the boat round, and when once Kolgrim's back was towards that he
feared, he held water strongly and then the boat was about, and we
were flying from the place towards the ships, before we knew what was
being done, panic stricken.
But Einar said never a word, and the two rowers slackened their pace
only when the bend of the firth hid the mound from our sight.
Then said I, finding that Einar spoke not:
"What are we flying from? there was nought to harm us."
For I began to be ashamed. Thereat Kolgrim stopped rowing, and
Thord must needs do likewise, though he said:
"It is ill for us to stay here. The dead jarl is very wroth."
"I saw nought to fray us; the cry we heard was but that of a loon."
But Thord shook his head. The silence of the place had made all things
seem strange, with the dull light that was over us, and the great heat
among the towering hills.
"The mound was freshly opened," he said. "I saw earth crumbling even
yet from the broken side. The blow we felt was that which Sigurd
struck when he broke free."
Then at last Einar spoke, and his voice was strange:
"I have left my brother unhonoured, and he is angry. What must be

done?"
Now I cannot tell what hardiness took hold of me, but it seemed that I
must needs go back and see more of this. I was drawn to do so, as a
thing they fear will make some men long to face it and know its worst,
not as if they dared so much as when they must.
"I think we should have waited to ask Sigurd that," I said; and Einar
looked strangely at me.
"Would you have us return?" he asked.
"Why not?" said I. "If the great jarl has called us as it seems, needs
must that we know what he wills."
Then said Thord:
"I helped to lay him in that place, and I mind how he looked at that
time. Somewhat we left undone, doubtless. I dare not go back."
Einar looked at the hills, leaning his chin on his hand, and said slowly,
when Thord had done:
"That is the first time Thord has said 'I dare not.' Now I would that I
had stayed to fight Harald and fall under his sword before. I