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.