The Sledge Excursion
"Ho for a sledge ride over the frozen lake!" cried Ring one day; and the
servitors hastened to loose one of the pawing steeds from the royal
stables and harness it before a splendid sledge, over the seat of which
was thrown a silky sealskin.
"'Tis not safe on the lake," said the stranger. "The ice is thin and
weak in some parts, and should it give way, full cold and deep would be
thy bath!"
"Nay, not so easily do monarchs drown," replied the King; "let him who
fears it, go around the shore!"
The stranger said no more, but frowning darkly, hastened to fasten on
his steel skates, while the impatient courser pawed the air and whinnied
loudly.
"Speed on, my steed," cried Ring, "and let us see if thou art sprung
from Sleipner's blood!"
Away dashed the sledge with the speed of the whirlwind, the
stout-hearted old king exulting in the motion and heeding not the
entreaties of his wife; but swift as they flew, the stranger still
outstripped them, circling about in wide curves or cutting figures on
the ice. Meanwhile, false Ran, the spouse of the Sea-god, has marked
what is passing above. She cleaves a broad fissure in the sea's silvery
roof, and into the up-foaming waves plunge horse and sledge. But swift
as the wind flies the stranger thither. Fixing his steel shoes firmly in
the ice, he seizes the horse by the mane and with a mighty jerk, pulls
it and sledge together back on to the ice.
"In sooth," said the King, "that deed doth merit praise; e'en Frithiof
himself could do no better. And now, my Fleet-of-foot, let us back to
the palace again."