Erling the Bold

Robert Michael Ballantyne

• Publisher: Booklassic
• eBook ISBN: 9789635253937
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Historical Fiction
• Index: Literature

This is a tale of a Sea-rover, or Viking as they're called. In the author's own words, "The present tale is founded chiefly on the information conveyed in that most interesting work by Snorro Sturleson "The Heimskringla, or Chronicles of the Kings of Norway." It is translated from the Icelandic. On perceiving the intention of the Danes to attack him, Erling's heart was glad, because he now felt sure that to some extent he had them in his power. If they had, on his first appearance, taken to their ships, they might have easily escaped, or some of the smaller vessels might have pulled up the river and attacked his ship, which, in that case, would have had to meet them on unequal terms; but, now that they were about to attack him on land, he knew that he could keep them in play as long as he pleased, and that if they should, on the appearance of reinforcements, again make for their ships, he could effectively harass them, and retard their embarkation.

Table of contents

• Title
• Chapter 1 - In Which the Tale Begins Somewhat Furiously.
• Chapter 2 - Introduces, among others, the Hero and Heroine, and opens up a View of Norse Life in the Olden Time.
• Chapter 3 - Shows how Chief Friends may become Foes, And Cross-Purposes may Produce Cross Consequences, involving Worry and Confusion.
• Chapter 4 - Describes Warlike Preparations, and a Norse Hall in the Olden Time—Tells also of a Surprise.
• Chapter 5 - The Viking Raid—Alric’s Adventure with the Dane—Erling’s Cutter, and the Battle in the Pass.
• Chapter 6 - Evening in the Hall—The Scald tells of Gundalf’s Wooing—The Feast Interrupted and the War Clouds Thicken.
• Chapter 7 - The Tale Returns to the Springs—Describes a Great Land Fight, and Tells of a Peculiar Style of Extending Mercy to the Vanquished.
• Chapter 8 - Tells of Discussions and Exciting Deeds at Ulfstede.
• Chapter 9 - Shows how the Ancient Sea-Kings transacted National Business.
• Chapter 10 - Proves that the Best of Friends may quarrel about nothing, and that War has two Aspects.
• Chapter 11 - Describes our Hero’s Interview with Jarl Rongvold and King Harald Haarfager.
• Chapter 12 - Describes a Terrific and Unequal Combat.
• Chapter 13 - Shows that Eloquence does not always flow when it is expected, and that Glumm begins a New Course of Action.
• Chapter 14 - In which Alric boasts a little, discovers Secrets, confesses a little, and distinguishes himself greatly.
• Chapter 15 - Treats of Ancient Diplomacy among the Norsemen, and shows how our Hero turns the Tables on a would-be Assassin.
• Chapter 16 - Relates to such Elementary Matters as the A B C, and touches on Love-making in the Olden Time.
• Chapter 17 - In which Glumm takes to hunting on the Mountains for Consolation, and finds it unexpectedly, while Alric proves himself a Hero.
• Chapter 18 - Shows what some of the Men of Old could do in Cold Blood, and treats of Heathen Festivities at Harald’s Court, mingled with Plot and Counter Plot.
• Chapter 19 - Tells something of the Doings of Solve Klofe and Others, and treats of a few of the Marvellous Adventures of Guttorm Stoutheart.
• Chapter 20 - In which the Sky again becomes Overcast—The War-token is sent out—Alric gets a Surprise, and a Berserk catches a Tartar.
• Chapter 21 - Glumm gains a Great Private Victory—The Dalesmen assemble to fight for Freedom—The Foe appears, and the Signal of Battle is sounded.
• Chapter 22 - Describes a Great Sea Fight and its Consequences.
• Chapter 23 - The End of an Old Sea-King.
• Chapter 24 - Hopes and Fears—The Burning of Haldorstede, and Escape of the Family.
• Chapter 25 - In which is Described a Desperate Attempt at Rescue, a Bold Leap for Freedom, and a Triumphant Escape.
• Footnotes