Erling the Bold

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Robert Michael Ballantyne. Erling the Bold

Chapter One. In Which the Tale Begins Somewhat Furiously

Chapter Two. Introduces, among others, the Hero and Heroine, and opens up a View of Norse Life in the Olden Time

Chapter Three. Shows how Chief Friends may become Foes, And Cross-Purposes may Produce Cross Consequences, involving Worry and Confusion

Chapter Four. Describes Warlike Preparations, and a Norse Hall in the Olden Time—Tells also of a Surprise

Chapter Five. The Viking Raid—Alric’s Adventure with the Dane—Erling’s Cutter, and the Battle in the Pass

Chapter Six. Evening in the Hall—The Scald tells of Gundalf’s Wooing—The Feast Interrupted and the War Clouds Thicken

Chapter Seven. The Tale Returns to the Springs—Describes a Great Land Fight, and Tells of a Peculiar Style of Extending Mercy to the Vanquished

Chapter Eight. Tells of Discussions and Exciting Deeds at Ulfstede

Chapter Nine. Shows how the Ancient Sea-Kings transacted National Business

Chapter Ten. Proves that the Best of Friends may quarrel about nothing, and that War has two Aspects

Chapter Eleven. Describes our Hero’s Interview with Jarl Rongvold and King Harald Haarfager

Chapter Twelve. Describes a Terrific and Unequal Combat

Chapter Thirteen. Shows that Eloquence does not always flow when it is expected, and that Glumm begins a New Course of Action

Chapter Fourteen. In which Alric boasts a little, discovers Secrets, confesses a little, and distinguishes himself greatly

Chapter Fifteen. Treats of Ancient Diplomacy among the Norsemen, and shows how our Hero turns the Tables on a would-be Assassin

Chapter Sixteen. Relates to such Elementary Matters as the A B C, and touches on Love-making in the Olden Time

Chapter Seventeen. In which Glumm takes to hunting on the Mountains for Consolation, and finds it unexpectedly, while Alric proves himself a Hero

Chapter Eighteen. Shows what some of the Men of Old could do in Cold Blood, and treats of Heathen Festivities at Harald’s Court, mingled with Plot and Counter Plot

Chapter Nineteen. Tells something of the Doings of Solve Klofe and Others, and treats of a few of the Marvellous Adventures of Guttorm Stoutheart

Chapter Twenty. In which the Sky again becomes Overcast—The War-token is sent out—Alric gets a Surprise, and a Berserk catches a Tartar

Chapter Twenty One. Glumm gains a Great Private Victory—The Dalesmen assemble to fight for Freedom—The Foe appears, and the Signal of Battle is sounded

Chapter Twenty Two. Describes a Great Sea Fight and its Consequences

Chapter Twenty Three. The End of an Old Sea-King

Chapter Twenty Four. Hopes and Fears—The Burning of Haldorstede, and Escape of the Family

Chapter Twenty Five. In which is Described a Desperate Attempt at Rescue, a Bold Leap for Freedom, and a Triumphant Escape

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Ulf of Romsdal had a daughter named Hilda. She was fair, and extremely pretty.

The young men said that her brow was the habitation of the lily, her eye the mirror of the heavens, her cheek the dwelling-place of the rose. True, in the ardour of their feelings and strength of their imaginations they used strong language; nevertheless it was impossible to overpraise the Norse maiden. Her nut-brown hair fell in luxuriant masses over her shapely shoulders, reaching far below the waist; her skin was fair, and her manners engaging. Hilda was undoubtedly blue-eyed and beautiful. She was just seventeen at this time. Those who loved her (and there were few who did not) styled her the sunbeam.

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“Forgive my rude manners,” he said. “My soul was chafed by the thoughts that filled my brain, and I scare knew what I did.”

“Truly, thou man of fire,” replied the girl, with an offended look, “I am of half a mind not to pardon thee. See, my kirtle is destroyed by the shower thou didst bestow upon me so freely.”

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