I longed to stand there and look out over all this country, that seemed so fair after the rugged northern lands I had known all my life.

But when we were there we saw a farmstead just below us, on the far slope of the gentle hill; and we thought it well to go there and dismount, and maybe find some food for ourselves and the horses before turning back.
So we went on.

It was but a couple of furlongs distant, and the buildings lay to the right of the road, up a tree-shaded lane of their own.
We turned into this, and before we had gone ten yards along it I halted suddenly.

I had seen somewhat that seemed strange, and unmeet for the lady to set eyes on.
"Bide here, jarl," I said, "and let us go on and see what is here; the place looks deserted." And I looked meaningly at him, glancing at Thora.
But he had seen what had caught my eye, and he stayed at once, turning back into the main road, and beckoning Harek to come with him and Thora, for some reason of his own.
Then Kolgrim and I went on.

What we had seen was a man lying motionless by the farm gate, in a way that was plain enough to me.
And when we came near, we knew that the man had been slain.