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Updated: June 25, 2025
Torarin had talked with many men in the course of the day; again and again had he told the story of Herr Arne's death. He had been well entertained too at the assize and had been made to empty many a mug of ale with travellers from afar. Torarin felt dull and heavy and lay down upon his load.
And Marstrand is a fine town in winter-time, Grim, with streets and alleys full of foreign fishermen and chapmen. There will be dancing in the wharves every night of the week. And all the ale that will be flowing in the taverns! That is a thing beyond your understanding." As Torarin said this he bent down over the dog to see whether he was listening to what was said to him.
Torarin racked his brains to find an excuse. "I had no thought of coming to disturb Herr Arne so late in the evening," said he. "My horse turned in here whilst I was unaware. I will go now and find a lodging for the night. If Herr Arne wishes to see me, I can well come again tomorrow." With this Torarin bent forward and struck his horse with the slack of the reins to make him move off.
Torarin turned very quietly to one side in order to pass him. But at that moment Torarin saw behind the Scottish gallant something that looked like another shadow. He saw something long and thin and gray, which floated over the white surface without leaving footprints in the snow or making it crunch.
"Grim, my dog," said Torarin, "if we saw this tonight for the first time we should think we were driving over a great heath. But still we should wonder that the ground was so even and the road free from stones and ruts. What sort of tract can this be, we should say, where there are neither ditches nor fences, and how comes it that no grass or bushes stick up through the snow?
He had conceived so great pity for her that he had offered her lodging in his cramped cabin and a share of the food which he and his mother ate. "This is the only thing I can do for Herr Arne," thought Torarin, "in return for all the times he has bought my fish and allowed me to sit at his table."
He walked with a frown on his brow and seemed vexed, as though full of thoughts that displeased him. Just as Torarin drove past, he turned about and looked behind him as though aware of someone following. Torarin saw plainly that behind Sir Archie stole a young maid in a long gray garment, but Sir Archie did not see her.
"Yes," answered the man, "it is Torarin the fish hawker, who has been this day at the assize at Branehog." Herr Arne's looks seemed to grow more cheerful at this, and Torarin heard him say: "Come forward then, Torarin, and give us news of the assize! I have sat here and waited for half the night." All this had such a real and natural air that Torarin began to feel more and more courageous.
While yet these thoughts were in the mind of Torarin, he saw the old mistress of the house put her hand to her ear to listen. And then she turned to Herr Arne and asked him: "Why are they whetting knives at Branehog?" So deep was the silence in the room that when the old lady asked this question all gave a start and looked up in fright.
We must follow God's commandment and not suffer evildoers amongst us. If you obey me I promise to bring you the chest which holds Herr Arne's money, and you shall share it among you." But to Torarin the skipper said: "Go down to your sledge and cast your fish out on the ice. You shall have other freight anon."
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