THE SWINE-STYE. 
367 
“ By no means,” said Karker. 
We were born on the same night,” said the Jarl, 
“ and the time will not be long between onr deaths.” 
9 
When night came, the Jarl kept himself awake,— 
bnt Karker slept;—a troubled sleep. The Jarl awoke 
him, and asked of what he was dreaming. He an¬ 
swered, “ I was at Lade, and Olaf was laying a gold 
ring about my neck.” 
The Jarl said, “ It will be a red ring about thy neck, 
if he catches thee : from me thou shalt enjoy all that is 
good,—therefore, betray me not!” 
They then both kept them selves awake; “ the one , 
as it were , watching upon the other.” But towards day, 
the Jarl dropped asleep, and in his unquiet slumber he 
drew his heels under him, and raised his neck as if 
going to rise, “ and shrieked fearfully.” On this, Karker, 
“ dreadfully alarmed,” drew a knife from his belt, stuck 
it into the Jarl’s throat, and cut off his head. Late in 
the day he came to Lade, brought the Jarl’s head to 
Olaf, and told his story. 
It is a comfort to know that “ the red ring ” was laid 
round the traitor’s neck; Olaf caused him to be be¬ 
headed. 
