<h2 id="c17"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XVII</span> <br/><span class="h2line2">The Sledge Excursion</span></h2>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“’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!”</p>
<p>“Nay, not so easily do monarchs drown,” replied
the King; “let him who fears it, go around the
shore!”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Speed on, my steed,” cried Ring, “and let us
see if thou art sprung from Sleipner’s blood!”</p>
<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div>
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