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As the dawn approached the wind lessened, and as the day broke, he called Regnar, and again ascended the berg. On the right hand towered the rock-bound coast of the northern islands and the isolated crags of Bryon.
Descending the berg, a small fragment of ice capable of bearing a man was found, and Regnar, taking the end of his line, stepped upon it, and with his gunstock paddled off to the dead seal, and affixing the line to one of its flippers, pulled himself ashore, and joined the others in towing the game to the berg.
But when all were asleep, and no human eye could pry into his secret sorrows, Regnar seated himself by the flaring lamp, and drawing from his breast a locket, took from it a small folded paper, and a closely-curled ringlet of yellow hair, such as St. Olave, the warrior saint of Norway, laid in the lap of the fair Geyra, princess of Vendland.
"Are we under the lee of Amherst Island?" asked Regnar, in a voice which all could hear. La Salle's answer came below his breath, and only Regnar heard, or could comprehend its meaning: "The dead are the defence of the living, and we are under the lee of Deadman's Berg."
Regnar brought in about twenty bundles more of fir-twigs, which were piled against the wall so as to form a kind of slanting pillow, against which the party might rest their backs and heads in a half-sitting posture, without being chilled by the ice-wall of their narrow dormitory.
Regnar, too, was pale, but not with fear, and his hand grasped the hilt of the antique dagger. "Let me help you to some of this, captain," said La Salle; and rising, he uncovered a small dish before him, and taking from thence a pair of Derringers, presented them at the head of his astounded guest. "Up with your hands, murderer," he said, sternly, "or you die on the instant!"
And Regnar was a real piece of flesh and blood, as King AElla and our Saxon forefathers found to their cost; his awful death-dirge, and the effect which it produced, are well known to historians. We cannot give up Regnar's trousers, for we suspect the key to the whole dragon-question is in the pocket of them.
These were for life-preservers, and vessels for the preservation of water and oil in their anticipated boat-voyage. Regnar cut out no less than three pairs of moccason-boots, choosing the thickest skins, and then prepared them with the brain-paste for curing in the mild warmth of the air around the chimney.
La Salle had listened to the strange story with amazement, which increased as it progressed. "You tell me, Regnie, though, only of good deeds and faithful services rendered by the dead. You say that he loved your father, and served him faithfully as long as he lived." Regnar took up the word in bitter wrath, strangely mingled with regret. "As long as he lived yes!
No man can measure the remorse that burns within me, and yet the world would say that you have let me off too easily." La Salle rang the bell sharply, and a waiter hastened up from the lower landing. "Did you ring, sir?" "Yes. Call a cab at once. Regnar, get my coat and yours. Mr. Randall, we must see you safely home. Where do you board?" "At the Albion; but you need not take that trouble.
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