TheSonsoftheVikingswereallmountedonponies;andWolf—in—the—Temple，whohadbeenelectedchieftain，ledthetroop.AthissiderodeSkull—Splitter，whowasyetatriflepaleafterhisblood—letting，butbrimmingoverwithambitiontodistinguishhimself.Theyhadalltiedtheirtrouserstotheirlegswithleatherthongs，inordertobeperfectly"OldNorse;"
　　andsomeofthemhadturnedtheirplaidsandsummerovercoatsinsideout，displayingthegorgeouscolorsofthelining.
　　Looselyattachedabouttheirnecksandflyinginthewind，thesecouldeasilyserveforscarletorpurplecloakswroughtonSyrianlooms.Mostoftheboyscarriedalsowoodenswordsandshields，andthechiefhadalongloororAlpinehorn.OnlythevaliantIronbeard，whosefatherwasamilitaryman，hadarealswordandarealscabbardintothebargain.Wolf—in—the—Temple，andErlingtheLop—Sided，hadeachanoldfowling—piece;andBrumle—Knutecarriedadouble—barrelledrifle.This，tobesure，wasnot;
　　quitehistoricallycorrect;butfirearmsaresousefulinthewoods，eveniftheyarenotcorrect，thatitwasresolvednottonoticetheirregularity;fortherewereboarsinthemountains，besideswolvesandfoxesandnoendofsmallergame.
　　Foranhourormoretheprocessionrode，singlefile，upthesteepandruggedmountain—paths;buttheboyswereallinhighspiritsandenjoyedthemselveshugely.ThemerefactthattheywereVikings，onadaringforagingexpeditionintoaneighboringkingdom，impartedawonderfulzesttoeverythingtheydidandsaid.Itmightbefoolish，butitwasonthataccountnonethelessdelightful.Theysentoutscoutstowatchfortheapproachofanimaginaryenemy;theyhadsecretpass—wordsandsigns;theyswore（Vikingstyle）byThor’shammerandbyOdin’seye.Theytalkedappallingnonsensetoeachotherwithadelicioussentimentofitsawfulblood—curdlingcharacter.ItwasaboutnoonwhentheyreachedtheStrandholmsaeter，whichconsistedofthreeturf—thatchedlog—cabinsorchalets，surroundedbyagreeninclosureofhalfadozenacres.Thewidehighlandplain，eightortenmileslong，wasboundedonthenorthandwestbythrongsofsnow—hoodedmountainpeaks，whichrose，onebehindanother，inglitteringgrandeur;andinthemiddleoftheplainthereweretwolakesortarns，connectedbyariverwhichwasmilkywhitewhereitenteredthelakesandclearascrystalwhereitescaped.
　　"Now，Vikings，"criedWolf—in—the—Temple，whentheboyshaddonejusticetotheirdinner，"itbehoovesustodovaliantdeeds，andtoproveourselvesworthyofourfathers."
　　"Hear，hear，"shoutedIronbeard，whowasfourteenyearsoldandhadashadowofamoustache，"Iaminforgreatdeeds，hip，hip，hurrah！"
　　"Holdyourtonguewhenyouhearmespeak，"commandedthechieftain，loftily;"wewilllieinwaitattheford，betweenthetwotarns，andcapturethetravellerswhopassthatway.Ifperchanceaprincessfromtheneighboringkingdompass，onthewaytoherdominions，wewillholdhercaptiveuntilherfather，theking，comestoransomherwithheapsofgoldinringsandfinegarmentsandpreciousweapons."
　　"Butwhatarewetodowithherwhenwehavecaughther？"askedtheSkull—Splitter，innocently.
　　"Wewillkeepherimprisonedintheemptysaeterhut，"
　　Wolf—in—the—Templeresponded."Now，areyouready？We’llleavethehorseshereonthecroft，untilourreturn."
　　ThequestionnowwastoeludeBrumle—Knute’svigilance;fortheSonsoftheVikingshadgoodreasonsforfearingthathemightinterferewiththeirenterprise.TheythereforewaiteduntilBrumle—knutewasinvitedbythedairymaidtositdowntodinner.
　　Nosoonerhadthedoorcloseduponhisstoopingfigure，thantheystoleoutthroughaholeinthefence，creptonall—foursamongthetangleddwarf—birchesandthebiggrayboulders，andfollowingcloseinthetrackoftheirleader，reachedthefordbetweenthelakes.TheretheyobservedtwoenormousheapsofstonesknownastheParsonandtheDeacon;forithadbeenthecustomfromimmemorialtimesforeverytravellertoflingabigstoneasa"sacrifice"forgoodluckupontheParson’sheapandasmallstoneupontheDeacon’s.Behindthesepilesofstonetheboyshidthemselves，keepingawatchfuleyeontheroadandwaitingfortheirchief’ssignaltopounceuponunwarytravellers.Theylayforaboutfifteenminutesinexpectantsilence，andwereonthepointoflosingtheirpatience.
　　"Lookhere，Wolf—in—the—Temple，"criedErlingtheLop—Sided，"youmaythinkthisisfun，butIdon’t.Letustaketheraftthereandgofishing.Thetarnissimplycrowdedwithperchandbass."
　　"Holdyourdisrespectfultongue，"whisperedthechief，warningly，"orI’lldisciplineyousoyou’llrememberittillyourdyingday."
　　"Ho，ho！"laughedtherebel，jeeringly;"bigwordsandfatporkdon’tstickinthethroat.WaittillIgetyoualoneandweshallseewho’llbedisciplined."
　　Erlinghadrisenandwasabouttoemergefromhishiding—place，whensuddenlyhoof—beatswereheard，andahorsewasseenapproaching，carryingonitsbackastalwartpeasantlass，inwhoselapaprettylittlegirloftwelveorthirteenwassitting.
　　Theformerwascladinscarletbodice，ablackembroideredskirt，andasnowy—whitekerchiefwastiedaboutherhead.Herblondehairhungingoldenprofusiondownoverherbackandshoulders.
　　Thelittlegirlwascity—clad，andhadasweetandappealingface.Shewaschatteringguilelesslywithhercompanion，askingmorequestionsthanshecouldpossiblyexpecttohaveanswered.
　　Nearerandnearertheycametothegreatstoneheaps，dreamingofnoharm.
　　"And，Gunbjor，"theSkull—Splitterheardthelittlegirlsay，"youdon’treallybelievethattherearetroldsandfairiesinthemountains，doyou？"
　　"ThemasarewiserthanIamhavebelievedthat，"wasGunbjor’sanswer;"butwedon’thearsomuchaboutthetroldsnowadaysastheydidwhenmygrannywasyoung.Thentheytookyounggirlsintothemountainand————"
　　Herecameawild，piercingyell，astheSonsoftheVikingsrushedforwardfrombehindtherocks，andwithaterriblewar—whoopswoopeddownupontheroad.Wolf—in—the—Temple，wholedtheband，seizedthehorsebythebridle，andflourishinghisswordthreateningly，addressedthefrightenedpeasantlass.
　　"Isthis，perchance，thePrincessKunigunde，theheirtothethroneofmygoodfriend，KingBjorntheVictorious？"heasked，withamagnificentair，seizingthetremblinglittlegirlbythewrist.
　　"Nay，"Gunbjoranswered，assoonasshecouldfindhervoice，"thisistheDeacon’sMaggie，asisgoingtothesaeterwithmetospendSunday."
　　"Shecannotproceedonherway，"saidthechieftain，decisively，"sheismyprisoner."
　　Gunbjor，whohadbeenfrightenedoutofherwitsbythesmallred—andblue—cloakedmen，swarmingamongthestones，takingthemtobetroldsorfairies，nowgraduallyrecoveredhersenses.SherecognizedinErlingtheLop—Sidedthewell—knownfeaturesoftheparson’sson;andassoonasshehadmadethisdiscoveryshehadnogreatdifficultyinidentifyingtherest."Neveryoufear，pet，"shesaidtothechildinherlap，"thesebebadboysaswanttofrightenus.I’llgivethemaswitchingiftheydon’tlookout."
　　"ThePrincessKunigundeismyprisoneruntilitpleasehernoblefathertoransomherfortenpoundsofsilver，"repeatedWolf—in—the—Temple，puttinghisarmaboutlittleMaggie’swaistandtryingtoliftherfromthesaddle.
　　"Youkeepyerhandsoffthechild，orI’llgiveyoutenpoundsofthrashing，"criedGunbjor，angrily.
　　"Sheshallbetreatedwiththerespectduetoherrank，"
　　Wolf—in—the—Templeproceeded，loftily."IgiveKingBjorntheVictoriousthreemoonsinwhichtobringmetheransom."
　　"AndI’llgiveyouthreeboxesontheear，andacutwithmywhip，intothebargain，ifyoudon’tletthehorsealone，andtakeyerhandsoffthechild."
　　"Vikings！"criedthechief，"layhandsonher！Tearherfromthesaddle！Shehasdefiedus！Shedeservesnomercy."
　　Withatremendousyelltheboysrushedforward，brandishingtheirswordsabovetheirheads，andpulledGunbjorfromthesaddle.
　　Butsheheldontoherchargewithavigorousclutch，andassoonasherfeettouchedthegroundshebeganwithherdisengagedhandtolayabouther，withherwhip，inawaythatprovedextremelyunpleasant.Wolf—in—the—Temple，againstwhomherassaultwasespeciallydirected，receivedsomebadcutsacrosshisface，andIronbeardwasdrivenbackwardintotheford，wherehefell，fulllength，androsedrippingwetandmortified.ThoretheHoundgotathumpinhisheadfromGunbjor’sstalwartelbows，andSkull—Splitter，whohadmorecouragethandiscretion，waspitchedintothewaterwithnomoreceremonythanifhehadbeenasuperfluouskitten.Thefactwas——Icannotdisguiseit——withinfiveminutesthewholevaliantbandoftheSonsoftheVikingswereroutedbythatterribleswitch，wieldedbytheintrepidGunbjor.Whenthelastofherfoeshadbittenthedust，shecalmlyremountedherpony，andwiththeDeacon’sMaggieinherlaprode，ataleisurelypace，acrosstheford.
　　"Good—by，lads，"shesaid，noddingherheadatthemoverhershoulder;"yeneedn’tbeafraid.Iwon’ttellonyou."
　　IV.
　　TohavebeenroutedbyawomanwasaterriblehumiliationtothevaliantSonsoftheVikings.Theyweresilentandmoodyduringtheevening，andsatstaringintothebigbonfireonthesaetergreenwithsternandmelancholyfeatures.Theyhadsuffereddefeatinbattle，anditbehoovedthemtoavengeit.Aboutnineo’clocktheyretiredintotheirbunksinthelogcabin，butnosoonerwasBrumle—Knute’srhythmicsnoringperceivedthanWolf—in—the—Templeputhisheadoutandcalledtohiscomradestomeethiminfrontofthehouseforacouncilofwar.Instantlytheyscrambledoutoftheiralcoves，pulledontheircoatsandtrousers;andnoiselesslystoleoutintothenight.Thesunwasyetvisible，butaredveiloffierymistwasdrawnacrosshisface;andamagicairoffairy—talesandstrangeunrealitywasdiffusedovermountains，plainsandlakes.Theriverwoundlikeahuge，blood—redserpentthroughthemountainpastures，andthesnow—hoodedpeaksblazedwithfierysplendor.
　　Theboyswerequitestunnedatthesightofsuchmagnificence，andstoodforsomeminutesgazingatthelandscape，beforegivingheedtothesummonsofthechief.
　　"Comrades，"saidWolf—in—the—Temple，solemnly，"whatislifewithouthonor？"
　　Therewasnotasoulpresentwhocouldanswerthatconundrum，andafterafittingpausethechiefwasforcedtoanswerithimself.
　　"Lifewithouthonor，comrades，"hesaid，severely，"life——withouthonoris——nothing."
　　"Hear，hear！"criedIronbeard;"goodforyou，oldman！"
　　"Silence！"thunderedWolf—in—the—Temple，"Imustbegthegentlementoobservetheproprieties."
　　Thistremendousphraserarelyfailedtorestoreorder，andtheflippantIronbeardwasdulyrebukedbytheglancesofdispleasurewhichmethimonallsides.Butinthemeanwhilethechiefhadlostthethreadofhisspeechandcouldnotrecoverit.
　　"Vikings，"heresumed，clearinghisthroatvehemently，"wehavebeen——thatistosay——wehavesustained————"
　　"Athrashing，"suppliedtheinnocentSkull—Splitter.
　　Buttheawfulstarewhichwasfixeduponhimconvincedhimthathehadmadeamistake;andheshrunkintoanabashedsilence.
　　"Wemustdosomethingtoretrieveourhonor，"continuedthechief，earnestly;"wemust——takesteps——totogetuponourlegsagain，"hefinished，blushingwithembarrassment.
　　"Iwouldsuggestthatwegetuponourlegsfirst，andtakethestepsafterward，"remarkedtheflippantIronbeard，withaslywinkatThoretheHound.
　　Thechiefheldittobebeneathhisdignitytonoticethisinterruption，andafterhavinggazedforawhileinsilenceattheblood—redmountainpeaks，hecontinued，moreathisease：
　　"Ipropose，comrades，thatwegoonabearhunt.Then，whenwereturnwithabear—skinortwo，ourhonorwillbeallright;noonewilldarelaughatus.Thebraveboy—hunterswillbetheadmirationandprideofthewholevalley."
　　"ButBrummle—Knute，"observedtheSkull—Splitter;"doyouthinkhewillallowustogobear—hunting？"
　　"Whatdowecarewhetherheallowsusornot？"criedWolf—in—the—Temple，scornfully;"hesleepslikealog;andI
　　proposethatwetiehishandsandfeetbeforewestart."
　　Thissuggestionmetwithenthusiasticapproval，andalltheboyslaughedheartilyattheideaofBrumle—Knutewakingupandfindinghimselftiedwithropes，likeacalfthatiscarriedtomarket.
　　"Now，comrades，"commandedthechief，withaflourishofhissword，"gettobedquickly.I’llcallyouatfouro’clock;we’llthenstarttochasethemonarchofthemountains."
　　TheSonsoftheVikingsscrambledintotheirbunkswithgreatdespatch;andthoughtheirbedsconsistedofpinetwigs，coveredwithacoarsesheet，andabat，ofstrawforapillow，theyfellasleepwithoutrocking，andsleptmoresoundlythaniftheyhadrestedonsilkenbolstersfilledwitheiderdown.
　　Wolf—in—the—Templewasasgoodashisword，andwakedthempromptlyatfouro’clock;andtheirfirsttask，afterhavingfilledtheirknapsackswithprovisions，wastotieBrumle—Knute’shandsandfeetwiththemostcunningslip—knots，whichwouldtightenmore，themorehestruggledtounloosethem.Ironbeard，whohadservedayearbeforethemast，wasthecontriverofthisdaringenterprise;andhediditsocleverlythatBrumle—Knuteneversuspectedthathislibertywasbeinginterferedwith.Hesnortedalittleandrubbedimaginarycobwebsfromhisface;butsoonlapsedagainintoadeep，snoringunconsciousness.
　　ThefacesoftheSonsoftheVikingsgrewveryseriousastheystartedoutonthisdangerousexpedition.Therewasmorethanoneofthemwhowouldnothaveobjectedtoremainingathome，butwhofearedtoincurthechargeofcowardiceifheopposedthewishesoftherest.Wolf—in—the—Templewalkedattheheadofthecolumn，astheyhastenedwithstealthytreadoutofthesaeterinclosure，andsteeredtheircoursetowardthedensepineforest，thetopsofwhichwerevisibletowardtheeast，wherethemountainslopedtowardthevalley.Hecarriedhisfowling—piece，loadedwithshot，inhisrighthand，andapowder—hornandotherequipmentsforthechasewereflungacrosshisshoulder.ErlingtheLop—Sidedwassimilarlyarmed，andIronbeard，gloryinginarealsword，unsheathediteveryminuteandletitflashinthesun.ItwasagreatconsolationtotherestoftheVikingstoseetheseformidableweapons;fortheywerenotwiseenoughtoknowthatgrown—upbearsarenotkilledwithshot，andthatafowling—pieceisagooddealmoredangerousthannoweaponatall，inthehandsofaninexperiencedhunter.
　　Thesun，whohadexchangedhisflamingrobedenuitfortherosycolorsofmorning，wasnowshootinghisbrightshaftsoflightacrossthemountainplain，andcheeringtheheartsoftheSonsoftheVikings.Theairwasfreshandcool;anditseemedaluxurytobreatheit.Itenteredthelungsinapure，vivifyingstreamlikeanelixiroflife，andsenttheblooddancingthroughtheveins.Itwasimpossibletomopeinsuchair;andIronbeardinterpretedthegeneralmoodwhenhestruckupthetune：
　　"Wewanderwithjoyonthefarmountainpath，Wefollowthestarthatwillguideus;"
　　butbeforehehadfinishedthethirdverse，itoccurredtothechiefthattheywerebear—hunters，andthatitwasveryunsportsmanlikebehaviortosingonthechase.Forallthattheywereallveryjolly，throbbingwithexcitementatthethoughtoftheadventureswhichtheywereabouttoencounter;andconcealingalatentsparkoffearunderanexcessofbravado.Attheendofanhour’smarchtheyhadreachedthepineforest;andastheywereallravenouslyhungrytheysatdownuponthestones，whereaclearmountainbrookrandowntheslope，andunpackedtheirprovisions.Wolf—in—the—Templehadjusthelpedhimself，inoldNorsefashion，toasliceofsmokedham，havingslashedapieceoffatrandomwithhisknife，whenErlingtheLop—Sidedobservedthatthathamhadaverycuriousodor.Everyonehadtotestitssmell;andtheyallagreedthatitdidhaveasingularflavor，thoughitstastewasirreproachable.
　　"Itsmellslikeamenagerie，"saidtheSkull—Splitter，ashehandedittoThoretheHound.
　　"Butthebreadandthebiscuitsmelljustthesame，"saidThoretheHound;"infact，itistheairthatsmellslikeamenagerie."
　　"Boys，"criedWolf—in—the—Temple，"doyouseethattrackinthemud？"
　　"Yes;itisthetrackofabarefootedman，"suggestedtheinnocentSkull—Splitter.
　　IronbeardandErlingtheLop—Sidedflungthemselvesdownamongthestonesandinvestigatedthetracks;andtheywerenolongerindoubtastowherethepungentwildodorcamefrom，whichtheyhadattributedtotheham.
　　"Boys，"saidErling，lookingupwithanexcitedface，"ashe—bearwithoneortwocubshasbeenherewithinafewminutes."
　　"Thisisherdrinking—place，"saidIronbeard："thetracksaremanyandwell—worn;ifshehasn’tbeenherethismorning，sheissuretocomebeforelong."
　　"Weareinluckindeed，"Wolf—in—the—Templeobserved，coolly;"weneedn’tgofarforourbear.Hewillbecomingforus."
　　AtthatmomentthenoteofanAlpinehornwasheard;butitwasimpossibletodeterminehowfaritwasaway;fortheechotookupthenoteandflungitbackandforthwithclearandstrongreverberationsfrommountaintomountain.
　　"ItisBrumle—Knutewhoiscallingus，"saidThoretheHound.
　　"Thedairymaidmusthavereleasedhim.Shallweanswer？"
　　"Never，"criedthechief，proudly;"Iforbidyoutoanswer.Herewehaveourheroicdeedinsight，andIwantnoonetospoilit.
　　Ifthereisacowardamongus，lethimtaketohisheels;nooneshalldetainhim."
　　Therewereperhapsseveralwhowouldhavelikedtoaccepttheinvitation;butnoonedid.Skull—Splitter，bywayofdiversion，plumpedbackwardintothebrook，andsatdowninthecoolpooluptohiswaist.Butnobodylaughedathismishap;becausetheyhadtheirmindsfullofmoreseriousthoughts.Wolf—in—the—Temple，whohadclimbeduponabigmoss—grownboulder，stood，guninhand，andpeeredinamongthebushes.
　　"Boys，"hewhispered，"dropdownonyourbellies——quick."
　　All，crowdingbehindarock，obeyed，pushingthemselvesintopositionwithhandsandfeet.WithwildlybeatingheartstheVikingsgazedupamongthegraywildernessofstoneandunderbrush，andfirstone，thenanother，caughtsightofsomethingbrownandhairythatcametoddlingdowntowardthem，nowrollinglikeaballofyarn，nowturningasomersault，andnowagainpeggingindustriouslyalongonfourclumsypaws.Itwastheprettiestlittlebearcubthateverwokeonitsmossylairinthewoods.Nowitcameshufflingdowninaboozywaytotakeitsmorningbath.Itseemedbuthalfawake;andSkull—Splitterimaginedthatitwasatriflecross，becauseitsmotherhadwakedittooearly.Evidentlyithadmadenotoiletasyet，forbitsofmosswerestickinginitshair;andityawnedonceortwice，andshookitsheaddisgustedly.Skull—Splitterknewsowellthatfeelingandcouldsympathizewiththepooryoungcub.ButWolf—in—the—Temple，whowatcheditnolessintently，wasfilledwithquitedifferentemotions.Herewashisheroicdeed，forwhichhehadhungeredsolong.Toshootabear——thatwasadeedworthyofaNorseman.Onestepmore——thentwo——andthen——uprosethebearcubonitshindlegsandrubbeditseyeswithitspaws.Nowhehadacleanshot——nowornever;
　　andpullingthetriggerWolf—in—the—Templeblazedawayandsentahandfulofshotintothecarcassofthepoorlittlebear.UpjumpedalltheSonsoftheVikingsfrombehindtheirstones，and，withashoutoftriumph，ranupthepathtowherethecubwaslying.Ithadrolleditselfupintoabrownball，andwhimperedlikeachildinpain.Butatthatverymomenttherecameanominousgrowloutoftheunderbrush，andacracklingandcreakingofbrancheswasheardwhichmadetheheartsoftheboysstandstill.
　　"Erling，"criedWolf—in—the—Temple，"handmeyourgun，andloadmineformeasquickasyoucan."
　　Thewordswerescarcelyoutofhismouthwhentheheadofabigbrownshe—bearbecamevisibleamongthebushes.Shepausedinthepath，wherehercubwaslying，turnedhimoverwithherpaw，lickedhisface，grumbledwithalowsoothingtone，snuffedhimalloverandrubbedhernoseagainsthissnout.Butunwarilyshemusthavetouchedsomesorespot;forthecubgaveasharpyelpofpainandwrithedandwhimperedashelookedupintohismother’seyes，clumsilyreturninghercaresses.Theboys，halfemergedfromtheirhiding—places，stoodwatchingthisdemonstrationofaffectionnotwithoutsympathy;andSkull—Splitter，forone，heartilywishedthatthechiefhadnotwoundedthelittlebear.Quiteignorantashewasofthenatureofbears，heallowedhiscompassiontogetthebetterofhisjudgment.Itseemedsuchapitythatthepoorlittlebeastshouldliethereandsufferwithoneeyeputoutandfortyorfiftybitsofleaddistributedthroughitsbody.Itwouldbemuchmoremercifultoputitoutofitsmiseryaltogether.AndaccordinglywhenErlingtheLop—Sidedhandedhimhisguntopassontothechief，Skull—Splitterstartedforward，flungtheguntohischeek，andblazedawayatthelittlebearoncemore，entirelyheedlessofconsequences.Itwasarandom，unskilfulshot，whichwasaboutequallysharedbythecubanditsmother.Andthelatterwasnotinamoodtobetrifledwith.WithanangryroarsheroseonherhindlegsandadvancedagainsttheunhappySkull—Splitterwithtwoupliftedpaws.Inanothermomentshewouldgivehimoneofhervigorous"left—handers，"whichwouldprobablypacifyhimforever.IronbeardgaveascreamofterrorandThoretheHoundbrokedownanalder—saplinginhisexcitement.ButWolf—in—the—Temple，rememberingthathehadswornfoster—brotherhoodwiththisbraveandfoolishlittlelad，thoughtthatnowwasthetimetoshowhisheroism.Hereitwasnolongerplay，butdeadearnest.Downheleapedfromhisrock，andjustastheshe—bearwaswithinafootoftheSkull—Splitter，hedealtherablowintheheadwiththebuttendofhisgunwhichmadethesparksdancebeforehereyes.Sheturnedsuddenlytowardhernewassailant，growlingsavagely，andscratchedherearwithherpaw.AndSkull—Splitter，whohadslippedonthepineneedlesandfallen，scrambledtohisfeetagain，leavinghisgunontheground，andwithafewaimlessstepstumbledoncemoreintothebrook.Ironbeard，seeingthathewasbeingoutdonebyhischief，wasquicktoseizethegun，andrushingforwarddealttheshe—bearanotherblow，which，insteadofdisablingher，onlyexasperatedherfurther.Sheglaredwithhersmallbloodshoteyesnowattheone，nowattheotherboy，asifindoubtwhichshewouldtacklefirst.Itwasanawfulmoment;oneortheothermighthavesavedhimselfbyflight，buteachwasdeterminedtostandhisground.Vikingscoulddie，butneverflee.Withafuriousgrowltheshe—bearstartedtowardherlastassailant，liftingherterriblepaw.Ironbeardbackedafewsteps，pointinghisgunbeforehim;andwithbenumbingforcethepawdescendeduponthegun—barrel，strikingitoutofhishands.
　　Itseemedallofasuddentotheboyasifhisarmswereasleepuptotheshoulders;hehadastingingsensationinhisfleshandahumminginhisears，whichmadehimfearthathislasthourhadcome.Ifthebearrenewedtheattacknow，hewasutterlydefenceless.Hewasnotexactlyafraid，buthewasnumballover.Itseemedtomatterlittlewhatbecameofhim.
　　Butnowastrangethinghappened.Tohisunutterableastonishmenthesawtheshe—beardropdownonallfoursandventherrageonthegun，which，inatrice，wasbentandbrokenintoadozenfragments.ButinthisdiversionshewasinterruptedbyWolf—in—the—Temple，whohammeredawayagainatherheadwiththeheavyendofhisweapon.Againsherose，andpresentedtworowsofwhiteteethwhichlookedasiftheymeantbusiness.Itwasthechief’sturnnowtomeethisfate;anditwasthemoreseriousbecausehishelperwasdisarmedandcouldgivehimnoassistance.Withawildlythumpingheartheraisedthebuttendofhisgunanddashedforward，whenasbyamiracleashotwasheard——asharp，loudshotthatrumbledawaywithmanifoldreverberationsamongthemountains.Inthesameinstantthehugebrownbeartumbledforward，rolledover，withagaspinggrowl，andwasdead.
　　"OBrumle—Knute！Brumle—Knute！"yelledtheboysinjoyouschorus，astheysawtheirresuercomingforwardfrombehindtherocks，"howdidyoufindus？"
　　"IheardyershotsandIsawyertracks，"saidBrumle—Knute，dryly;"butwhenyegobear—huntinganothertimeyehadbetterloadwithbulletsinsteadofbird—shot."
　　"ButBrumle—Knute，weonlywantedtoshootthelittlebear，"
　　protestedWolf—in—the—Temple.
　　"Thatmaybe，"Brumle—Knutereplied;"butthebigbears，theyareacuriouslyunreasonablelot——theyareapttogetmadwhenyoufireattheirlittleones.Nexttimeyoumustrecollecttotakethebigbearintoaccount."
　　IneednottellyouthattheSonsoftheVikingsbecamegreatheroeswhentherumoroftheirbearhuntwasnoisedabroadthroughthevalley.But，forallthat，theydeterminedtodisbandtheirbrotherhood.Wolf—in—the—Templeexpressedthesentimentofallwhen，attheirlastmeeting，hemadeaspeech，inwhichthesewordsoccurred：
　　"Brothers，theworldisn’tquitethesamenowasitwasinthedayswhenourVikingforefathersspreadtheterroroftheirnamethroughtheSouth.Wearenotsostrongastheywere，norsohardy.Whenwemingleblood，wehavetosendforasurgeon.Ifwestealprincesseswemaygotojailforit——or——or——well——nevermind——whatelsemayhappen.Heroismisn’tappreciatedasonceitwasinthiscountry;andI，forone，won’ttrytobeaheroanymore.Iresignmychieftainshipnow，whenIcandoitwithcredit.Letusallmakeourbowsofadieuasbearhunters;andifwedon’tdoanythingmoreintheheroiclineitisnotbecausewecan’t，butbecausewewon’t."
　　PAULJESPERSEN’SMASQUERADE
　　TherewasgreatexcitementinthelittleNorsetown，Bumlebro，becausetherewasgoingtobeamasquerade.Everybodywasbusyinventingthecharacterwhichhewastorepresent，andthecostumeinwhichhewastorepresentit.
　　MissAmeliaNorbeck，theapothecary’sdaughter，hadintendedtobeMarieAntoinette，buthadtogiveitupbecausethesilkstockingsweretoodear，althoughshehadalreadyprocuredthebeauty—patchesandthepowderedwig.
　　MissArctander，thejudge’sdaughter，wastobeNight，inblacktulle，spangledwithsilverstars，andMissHannaBrobywastobeMorning，inwhitetulleandpinkroses.
　　TherehadneverBEENamasqueradeinBumlebro，andtherewouldnothavebeenonenow，ifithadnotbeenfortheenterpriseofyoungArctanderandyoungNorbeck，whohadjustreturnedfromthemilitaryacademyinthecapital，andwereanxioustoexhibitthemselvestotheyounggirlsintheirglory.
　　Ofcourse，theycouldnotaffordtobeexclusive，fortherewerebuttwentyorthirtyfamiliesinthetownthatlaidanyclaimstogentility，andtheyhadalltobeinvitedinordertofillthehallandpaythebills.ThusitcametopassthatPaulJespersen，thebook—keeperinthefish—exportingfirmofBroby&
　　Larsen，receivedacard，although，tobesure，therehadbeenalongdebateinthecommitteeastowherethelineshouldbedrawn.
　　PaulJespersenwasuncommonlyelatedwhenhereadtheinvitation，whichwaswrittenonagilt—edgedcard，requestingthepleasureofMr.Jespersen’scompanyatabalmasqueTuesday，January3d，intheAssociationHall.
　　"Thepleasureofhiscompany！"
　　Thinkofit！Hefeltsoflatteredthatheblushedtothetipsofhisears.ItmusthavebeenMissClaraBrobywhohadinducedthemtobesopolitetohim，forthoseinsolentcadets，whoonlynoddedpatronizinglytohiminresponsetohisdeferentialgreeting，wouldneverhaveaskedfor"thepleasureofhiscompany."
　　Havingsatisfiedhimselfonthispoint，PaulwenttocalluponMissClaraintheevening，inordertopayhersomecomplimentandconsultherinregardtohiscostume;butMissClara，asithappened，wasmuchmoreinterestedinherowncostumethaninthatofMr.Jespersen，andofferednousefulsuggestions.
　　"Whatcharacterwouldyouadvisemetoselect，Mr.Jespersen？"
　　sheinquired，sweetly."MysisterHanna，youknow，isgoingtobeMorning，soIcan’tbethat，anditseemstomeMorningwouldhavesuitedmejustlovely."
　　"GoasBeauty，"suggestedMr.Jespersen，blushingatthethoughtofhisaudacity.
　　"SoIwill，Mr.Jespersen，"sheanswered，laughing，"ifyouwillgoastheBeast."
　　Paul，beingasimple—heartedfellow，failedtoseeanysarcasminthis，butinterpreteditratherasahintthatMissClaradesiredhisescort，asBeauty，ofcourse，onlywouldberecognizableinherpropercharacterbythepresenceoftheBeast.
　　"Ishallbedelighted，MissClara，"hesaid，beamingwithpleasure."IfyouwillbemyBeauty，I’llbeyourBeast."
　　MissClaradidnotknowexactlyhowtotakethis，andwasratherabsent—mindedduringtherestoftheinterview.ShehadbeenchaffingMr.Jespersen，ofcourse，butshedidnotwishtobeabsolutelyrudetohim，becausehewasherfather’semployee，and，assheoftenheardherfathersay，averyvaluableandtrustworthyyoungman.
　　WhenPaulgothomehebeganatoncetoponderuponhischaracterasBeast，andparticularlyasMissClara’sBeast.Itoccurredtohimthathisuncle，thefurrier，hadanenormousbear—skin，withhead，eyes，claws，andallthatwasnecessary，andwithoutdelayhewenttotryiton.
　　Hisuncle，feelingthatthiseventwassomehowtoredoundtothecreditofthefamily，agreedtomakethenecessaryalterationsatatriflingcost，andwhenthenightofthemasqueradearrived，Paulwassostartledathisappearancethathewouldhaverunawayfromhimselfifsuchathinghadbeenpossible.HehadneverimaginedthathewouldmakesuchasuccessfulBeast.
　　Byaningeniouscontrivancewithastring，whichhepulledwithhishand，hewasabletomovehislowerjaw，which，withitsredtongueandterribleteeth，presentedanawfulappearance.Bypatchingtheskinalittlebehind，hisheadwasmadetofitcomfortablyintothebear’shead，andhismildblueeyeslookedoutoftheholesfromwhichthebear’seyeshadbeenremoved.
　　Theskinwaslacedwiththinleatherthongsfromtheneckdown，butthelong，shaggyfurmadethelacinginvisible.
　　PaulJespersenpracticedursinebehaviorbeforethelooking—glassforabouthalfanhour.Then，beinguncomfortablywarm，hestarteddown—stairs，anddeterminedtowalktotheAssociationHall.Hechuckledtohimselfatthethoughtofthesensationhewouldmake，ifheshouldhappentomeetanybodyontheroad.
　　Havingneverattendedamasqueradebefore，hedidnotknowthatdressing—roomswereprovidedforthemaskers，and，beingaversetoneedlessexpenditure，hewouldassoonhavethoughtofflyingasoftakingacarriage.Therewas，infact，butonecarriageonrunnersinthetown，andthatwasalreadyengagedbyhalfadozenparties.
　　Themoonwasshiningfaintlyuponthesnow，andtherewasasharpfrostintheairwhenPaulJespersenputhishairyheadoutofthestreet—doorandreconnoitredtheterritory.
　　Therewasnotasoultobeseen，exceptanoldbeggarwomanwhowashobblingalong，supportingherselfwithtwosticks.Pauldarted，asquicklyashisunwieldlybulkwouldallow，intothemiddleofthestreet.Heenjoyedintenselythefunofwalkingabroadinsuchamonstrousguise.Hecontemplatedwithboyishsatisfactionhisshadowwhichstretched，longandblackandhorrible，acrossthesnow.
　　Itwasabitslippery，andhehadtomanoeuvrecarefullyinordertokeeprightsideup.Presentlyhecaughtupwiththebeggarwoman.
　　"Good—evening！"hesaid.
　　Theoldwomanturnedabout，staredathimhorror—stricken;then，assoonasshehadcollectedhersenses，tooktoherheels，yellingatthetopofhervoice.Abigmastiff，whohadjustbeenletlooseforthenight，begantobarkangrilyinabackyard，andadozencomradesrespondedfromotheryards，andcameboundingintothestreet.
　　"Hello！"thoughtPaulJespersen."Nowlookoutfortrouble."
　　Hefeltanythingbuthilariouswhenhesawthepackofangrydogsdancingandleapingabouthim，barkinginawildlydiscordantchorus.
　　"Why，Hector，youfool，don’tyouknowme？"hesaid，coaxingly，tothejudge’smastiff."Andyou，Sultan，oldman！Yououghttobeashamedofyourself！Here，Caro，that’sagoodfellow！Come，now，don’texciteyourself！"
　　ButHector，Sultan，andCarowereallproofagainstsuchblandishments，andasforBismarck，theapothecary’scollie，hegreweverymomentmorefurious，andshowedhisteethinaveryuncomfortablefashion.
　　Todefendone’sselfwasnottobethoughtof，forwhatdefenceispossibletoashambearagainstadozengenuinedogs？Paulcoulduseneitherhisteethnorhisclawstoanypurpose，whilethedogscouldusetheirs，ashepresentlydiscovered，withexcellenteffect.
　　Hehadjustconcludedtoseeksafetyinflight，whensuddenlyhefeltabiteinhisleftcalf，andsawthebruteBismarcktugawayathislegasifithadbeenamutton—chop.Hehadscarcelyrecoveredfromthissurprisewhenheheardasharpreport，andabulletwhizzedawayoverhishead，afterhavingneatlyputaholethroughtherightear.Paulconcluded，withreason，thatthingsweregettingserious.
　　Ifhecouldonlygetholdofthatblockhead，thejudge’sgroom，whowasviolatingthelawaboutfire—arms，hewouldgivehimanexhibitioninathleticswhichhewouldnotsoonforget;but，beingforthemomentdeprivedofthispleasure，heknewofnothingbettertodothantododgethroughtheneareststreet—door，andimploretheprotectionoftheveryfirstindividualhemightmeet.
　　ItsohappenedthatPaulselectedthehouseoftwomiddle—agedmillinersforthisexperiment.
　　JeminaandMallaHansenwerejustseatedatthetabledrinkingteawiththeironeconstantvisitor，thepost—officeclerk，Mathias，when，allofasudden，theyheardatremendousracketinthehall，andthefuriousbarkingofdogs.
　　Withascreamoffright，thetwooldmaidsjumyedup，droppingtheirprecioustea—cups，andoldMathias，whohadtippedhischairalittlebackward，losthisbalance，andpointedhisheelstowardtheceiling.Beforehehadtimetopickhimselfupthedoorwasburstopenandagreathairymonstersprangintotheroom.
　　"Mercyuponus！"criedJemina."Itisthedevil！"
　　Butnowcametheworstofitall.Thebearputhispawonhisheart，andwiththepolitestbowintheworld，remarked：
　　"Pardonme，ladies，ifIintrude."
　　Hehadmeanttosaymore，buthisaudiencehadvanished;onlytheflyingtailsofMathias’scoatwereseen，asheslammedthedooronthem，inhisprecipitateflight.
　　"Police！police！"someoneshoutedoutofthewindowoftheadjoiningroom.
　　Police！Now，withallduerespectfortheofficersofthelaw，PaulJespersenhadnodesiretomeetthematthepresentmoment.
　　Tobehauledupatthestation—houseandfinedforstreetdisorder——nay，perhapsbelockedupforthenight，if，aswasmorethanlikely，thecaptainofpolicewasatthemasquerade，wasnotatalltoPaul’staste.Anythingratherthanthat！Hewouldbethelaughingstockofthewholetownif，afterhiselaborateefforts，heweretopassthenightinacell，insteadofdancingwithMissClaraBroby.
　　Hearingthecryforpolicerepeated，Paullookedabouthimforsomemeansofescape.Itoccurredtohimthathehadseenaladderinthehallleadinguptotheloft.Therehecouldeasilyhidehimselfuntilthecrowdhaddispersed.
　　Withoutfurtherreflection，herushedoutthroughthedoorbywhichhehadentered，climbedtheladder，thrustopenatrap—door，and，tohisastonishment，foundhimselfunderthewintrysky.
　　Theroofslopedsteeply，andhehadtobalancecarefullyinordertoavoidslidingdownintothemidstofthenoisymobofdogsandstreet—boyswhowerelayingsiegetothedoor.
　　Withtheutmostcautionhecrawledalongtheroof—tree，tremblinglestheshouldbediscoveredbysomelynx—eyedvillaininthethrongofhispursuers.Happily，thebroadbrickchimneyaffordedhimsomeshelter，ofwhichhewasquicktotakeadvantage.Rollinghimselfupintothesmallestpossiblecompass，hesatforalongtimecrouchingbehindthechimney;
　　whilethepolicewererummagingunderthebedsandintheclosetsofthehouse，inthehopeoffindinghim.
　　Hehad，ofcourse，carefullyclosedthetrap—doorbywhichhehadreachedthecomparativesafetyofhispresentposition;andhecouldnothelpchucklingtohimselfatthethoughtofhavingoutwittedtheofficersofthelaw.
　　Thecrowdoutside，afterhavingmadenighthideousbytheirwhoopsandyells，began，attheendofanhour，togrowweary;
　　andthedogsbeingdeniedentrancetothehouse，concludedthattheyhadnofurtherbusinessthere，andslunkofftotheirrespectivekennels.
　　Thepeople，too，scattered，andonlyafewpatientloiterershungaboutthestreetdoor，hopingforfreshdevelopments.ItseemeduselesstoPaultowaituntiltheseprovokingfellowsshouldtakethemselvesaway.Theywereobviouslypreparedtomakeanightofit，andtimewasnoobjecttothem.
　　ItwasthenthatPaul，inhisdespair，resolveduponadaringstratagem.Mr.Broby’shousewasinthesameblockasthatoftheMissesHansen，onlyitwasattheotherendoftheblock.Bycreepingalongtheroof—treesofthehouses，which，happily，differedbutslightlyinheight，hecouldreachtheBrobyhouse，where，nodoubt，MissClarawasnowwaitingforhim，fullofimpatience.
　　Hedidnotdeliberatelongbeforetestingthepracticabilityofthisplan.ThetannerThoresen’shousewasreachedwithoutaccident，althoughhebarelyescapedbeingdetectedbyasmallboywhowasamusinghimselfthrowingsnow—ballsatthechimney.
　　Itwasaslowandwearisomemodeoflocomotion——pushinghimselfforwardonhisbelly;but，aslongasthestreetsweredeserted，itwasaprettysafeone.
　　Hegaveastartwheneverheheardadogbark;fortheechoesoftheear—splittingconcerttheyhadgivenhimwereyetringinginhisbrain.
　　Itwasnojokebeingabear，hethought，andifhehadsuspectedthatitwassuchaseriousbusiness，hewouldnotsorashlyhaveundertakenit.Butnowtherewasnowayofgettingoutofit;
　　forhehadnothingonbuthisunderclothesunderthebear—skin.
　　AtlasthereachedtheBrobyhouse，anddrewasighofreliefatthethoughtthathewasnowattheendofhisjourney.
　　Helookedabouthimforatrap—doorbywhichhecoulddescendintotheinterior，butcouldfindnone.Therewasaninchofsnowontheroof，glazedwithfrost：andiftherewasatrap—door，itwassecurelyhidden.
　　Tojumporslidedownwasoutofthequestion，forhewould，inthatcase，riskbreakinghisneck.Ifhecriedforhelp，thegroom，whowasalwaysreadywithhisgun，mighttakeafancytoshootathim;andthatwouldbestillmoreunpleasant.Itwasamostembarrassingsituation.
　　Paul’seyesfelluponachimney;andthethoughtflashedthroughhisheadthattherewasthesolutionofthedifficulty.Heobservedthatnosmokewascomingoutofit，sothathewouldrunnoriskofbeingconvertedintosmokedhamduringthedescent.
　　Helookeddownthroughthelong，blacktunnel.Itwasagreat，spacious，old—fashionedchimney，andabundantlywideenoughforhispurpose.
　　Apleasantsoundoflaughterandmerryvoicescametohimfromthekitchenbelow.Itwasevidentthegirlswerehavingafrolic.So，withoutfurtherado，PaulJespersenstuffedhisgreathairybulkintothechimneyandproceededtolethimselfdown.
　　Therewerenotchesandironringsinthebrickwall，evidentlyputtherefortheconvenienceofthechimney—sweeps;andhefoundhistaskeasierthanhehadanticipated.Thesoot，tobesure，blindedhiseyes，butwheretherewasnothingtobeseen，thatwasnoseriousdisadvantage.
　　Infact，everythingwasgoingassmoothlyaspossible，whensuddenlyheheardagirl’svoicecryout：
　　"Graciousgoodness！whatisthatinthechimney？"
　　"Probablythechimney—sweep，"aman’svoiceanswered.
　　"Chimney—sweepatthistimeofnight！"
　　Paul，bracinghimselfagainstthewalls，lookeddownandsawaclusterofanxiousfacesallgazinguptowardhim.Acandlewhichoneofthegirlsheldinherhandshowedhimthatthedistancedowntothehearthwasbutshort;so，tomakeanendoftheiruncertainty，hedroppedhimselfdown——quietly，ashethought，butbytheforceofhisfallblowingtheashesaboutinalldirections.
　　Achorusofterrifiedscreamsgreetedhim.Onegirlfainted，oneleapeduponatable，andtherestmadeforthedoor.
　　AndtheresatpoorPaul，intheashesonthehearth，utterlybewilderedbytheconsternationhehadoccasioned.Hepickedhimselfupbyandby，rubbedthesootoutofhiseyeswiththebacksofhispaws，andcrawledoutuponthefloor.
　　Hehadjustmanagedtoraisehimselfuponhishind—legs，whenanawfulapparitionbecamevisibleinthedoor，holdingacandle.
　　ItwasnowPaul’sturntobefrightened.Thepersonwhostoodbeforehimboreacloseresemblancetothedevil.
　　"Whatisallthisracketabout？"hecried，inatoneofauthority.
　　Paulfeltinstantlyrelieved，forthevoicewasthatofhisreveredchief，Mr.Broby，who，henowrecollected，wastofigureatthemasqueradeasMephistopheles.Behindhimpeepedforththefacesofhistwodaughters，oneasMorningandtheotherasSpring.
　　"MayIaskwhatisthecauseofthisunseemlynoise？"repeatedMr.Broby，advancingtothemiddleoftheroom.Thelightofhiscandlenowfelluponthehugebearwhom，afteraslightstart，herecognizedasamasker.
　　"Excuseme，Mr.Broby，"saidPaul，"butMissClaradidmethehonor————"
　　"Ohyes，papa，"MissClarainterruptedhim，steppingforthinallhergloryoftulleandflowers;"itisPaulJespersen，whowasgoingtobemyBeast."
　　"Anditisyouwhohavefrightenedmyservantshalfoutoftheirwits，Jespersen？"saidMr.Broby，laughing.
　　"Hetumbleddownthroughthechimney，sir，"declaredthecook，whohadhalf—recoveredfromherfright.
　　"Well，"saidMr.Broby，withanotherlaugh，"Iadmitthatwasatrifleunconventional.Nexttimeyoucall，Jespersen，youmustcomethroughthedoor."
　　HethoughtJespersenhadchosentoplayapracticaljokeontheservants，and，thoughhedidnotexactlylikeit，hewasinnomoodforscolding.Afterhavingbeencarefullybrushedandrolledinthesnow，PaulofferedhisescorttoMissClara;andshehadnotthehearttotellhimthatshewasnotatallBeauty，butSpring.AndPaulwasnotenoughofanexperttoknowthedifference.
　　LADYCLARE
　　THESTORYOFAHORSE
　　Thekingwasdead，andamongthemanythingsheleftbehindhimwhichhissuccessorhadnouseforwerealotoffancyhorses.
　　Therewerelong—barrelledEnglishhunters，alllegsandneck;
　　therewereKentuckyracers，graceful，swift，andstrong;andtwoArabiansteeds，whichhadbeenpresentedtohislatemajestybytheSultanofTurkey.Toseethebeautifulbeastsprancingandplunging，astheywerebeingledthroughthestreetsbygroomsintheroyallivery，wasenoughtomaketheblooddanceintheveinsofanyloverofhorse—flesh.Andtothinkthattheywerebeingledignominiouslytotheauctionmarttobesoldunderthehammer——knockeddowntothehighestbidder！Itwasasinandashamesurely！Andtheyseemedtofeelitthemselves;andthatwasthereasontheyactedsoobstreperously，sometimesliftingthegroomsofftheirfeetastheyrearedandsnortedandstrucksparkswiththeirsteel—shodhoofsfromthestonepavement.
　　Amongthecrowdofschoolboyswhofollowedtheequineprocession，shriekingandyellingwithgleeandexcitingthehorsesbytheirwantonscreams，wasahandsomeladoffourteen，namedErikCarstens.Hehadfixedhiseyesadmiringlyonacoal—black，four—year—oldmare，amerecolt，whichbroughtuptherearoftheprocession.Howexquisitelyshewasfashioned！Howshedancedoverthegroundwithalightmazurkastep，asifshewereshodwithgutta—perchaandnotwithiron！Andthenshehadaheadsodaintilyshaped，smallandspirited，thatitwasajoytolookather.Erik，who，inspiteofhisyouth，wasnotabadjudgeofahorse，felthisheartbeatlikeatrip—hammer，andamightyyearningtookpossessionofhimtobecometheownerofthatmare.
　　Thoughheknewitwastimefordinnerhecouldnottearhimselfaway，butfollowedtheprocessionuponestreetanddownanother，untilitstoppedatthehorsemarket.Therealotofjockeysandcoarse—lookingdealerswereonhand;andanopportunitywasaffordedthemtotrythehorsesbeforetheauctionbegan.Theyforcedopenthemouthsofthebeautifulanimals，examinedtheirteeth，proddedthemwithwhipstoseeiftheyweregentle，andpokedthemwiththeirfingersorcanes.Butwhenaloutishfellow，inabrowncorduroysuit，indulgedinthatkindofbehaviortowardtheblackmareshegavearesentfulwhinnyandwithoutfurtheradograbbedhimwithherteethbythecoatcollar，liftedhimupandshookhimasifhehadbeenabagofstraw.Thenshedroppedhiminthemud，andraisedherdaintyheadwithanairasiftosaythatsheheldhimtobebeneathcontempt.Thefellow，however，wasnotinclinedtoputupwiththatkindoftreatment.Withavolleyofoathshesprangupandwouldhavestruckthemareinthemouthwithhisclinchedfist，ifErikhadnotdartedforwardandwardedofftheblow.
　　"Howdareyoustrikethatbeautifulcreature？"hecried，indignantly.