Maybe he thought it his boar by all right, and was over hasty." "A jealous hunter is no pleasant companion," answered Sighard, with a shrug of his broad shoulders.

"Well, there is no harm done, but to the poor steed yonder." Then I thanked Erling for his promptness, for it was his hand which had swung me out of danger.

Whereon he smiled, and said that he saw it coming in time and risked my wrath.

But I could tell that he had more in his mind, and let the matter rest till we were alone.

But Sighard and the other thane went on growling now and then over the closeness of the mishap, until the horns sounded merrily for the gathering of us all to the barrier, where was even more work for men and hounds than the kings could undertake.