The king shook his hand at parting, and said: "I have
this to ask of you: Keep the gold ring on your arm and
do not part with it on any account, unless it be to some
great man to whom you feel yourself bound to give your
best treasure in return for a great favor and much goodness. 15
And now, farewell, and may good luck follow your voyage."
Then Audun, in his fair, rich ship, put to sea.
On his way to Iceland he stopped for a time in a haven
of Norway, where he heard that King Harold was holding
his court. He was desirous of seeing the king, as he had 20
given his word.
King Harold remembered him well and received him
kindly.
"Sit here and tell me how it fared with you in Denmark,"
he said. 25
Audun told him a part of his story.
"But how did King Sweyn repay you for the white bear?"
asked Harold.
"In this wise, my lord," answered Audun: "He took it
and thanked me when I offered it." 30
"I would have repaid you as well myself," said Harold,
"What more did he give you?"
"He asked me to abide in his house, and he gave me his
friendship. He offered me still greater honor if I would
stay longer with him."
"That was good; but I would have done as much.
He must have given you something more." 5
"Yes. He gave me a merchant ship filled with rich
goods for trade in northern ports."
"That was a noble gift," said the king; "but I would
have equaled it. Did he give you anything more?"
Audun answered, "Yes, he gave me a leather bag full of 10
silver; for he said that if the ship and her cargo should be
lost in the sea, yet would I not go penniless."
"That was nobly thought of," said Harold; "and it is
more than I would have done. But what else did he give?"
Then Audun took the gold ring from his arm and put 15
it upon King Harold's arm, saying, "He gave me as a farewell
gift this priceless ring; and he bade me never to part
with it save to some great man to whom I felt myself indebted
for his goodness. And now I have found that man.
For it was in your power to take away not only the bear 20
but my life also, and yet you allowed me to go in peace to
Denmark."
The king looked at the ring and then at the man; for
both were of very great worth. "I thank you, Audun," he
said; and they had much pleasant talk before they parted. 25
And when Audun at length came with his ship to Iceland,
everybody welcomed him as the luckiest man in the world; and
he made his poor mother comfortable for the rest of her life.
1. What was the noblest thing Audun did? Why do you
admire the man? What in the story indicates its old
age?
2. Sketch the relative locations of Iceland,
Norway, and Denmark, showing a possible return
course for Audun.