He looked appreciatively at the river beside them, and ahead at the great shining fiord.  Scattered over its sunlit waters trim clipper-built craft rode at anchor; between them, long-oared skiffs darted back and forth like long-legged water-bugs.  Along the shore a chain of ships stretched as far as eye could reach,—­graceful war cruisers, heavily-laden provision ships, substantial trading vessels.  On the flat beach and along the wooded banks rose great storehouses and lines of fine new ship-sheds.  Rich merchandise was piled before them; rows of covered carts stood in waiting.  Everywhere were busy throngs of traders and seamen and slaves.  His eye kindled as it passed from point to point.

“It seems that Northmen are something more than pirates,” he said, thoughtfully.

“It seems that your speech is something more than free,” said Sigurd, in displeasure.

Alwin realized that it had been, and explained:  “I but spoke of you as southerners do who have not seen your country.  I tell you truly that, after England, I believe Norway to be the finest country in the world.”

Sigurd swung along with recovered good-humor.  “I will not quarrel with you over that exception.  And yonder is Valbrand just come ashore,—­at the fore-gangway.  Go and do your errand with him, and then we will walk over to that pier and see what it is that the crowd is gathered about, to make them shout so.”

The attraction proved to be a chattering brown ape that some sailor had brought home from the East.  Part of the spectators regarded it as a strange pagan god; part believed it to be an unfortunate being deformed by witchcraft; and the rest took it for a devil in his own proper person,—­so there was great shrieking and scattering, whichever way it turned its ugly face.  It happened that Sigurd was better informed, having seen a similar specimen kept as a pet at the court of the Norman Duke; so the terror of the others amused him and his companion mightily.  They stayed until the creature put an end to the show by breaking away from its captor and taking refuge in the rigging.

It was a fascinating place altogether,—­that beach,—­and difficult to get away from.  Almost every ship brought back from its voyage some beast or bird or fish so outlandish that it was impossible to pass it by.  Twilight had fallen before the pair turned in among the hills.

Between the trees shone the red glow of the camp-fires.  Through the dusk came the pleasant odors of frying fish and roasting pork, with now and then a whiff of savory garlic.  Alwin turned on his companion in sudden excitement.

“It is likely that Leif is already here!”

Sigurd laughed.  “Do you think it advisable for me to climb a tree?”