Page 29 (1/1)

Froer ofthat bore the se leopard and the like inscription; and looking fro leopard onin a while, I perceived a horse-trough hard by full of clean water, and came thither , I paused and stood thus, staring down at the face that scowled up at leam beneath knitted brows, a proolden beard; an unlovely face fray, yellow hair patched and streaked with silver; and beholding lowering brow and ferocious es evil and hardship had wrought in me

For thus was it that I first beheldlooked ed reat refreshment, which done, I made shift to dryto the broad oak settle beside the tavern door, I sat down and fell to meditation But now, irdle and taking thence the strange dagger, unwound the neckerchief that swathed it and began to exa interest and wonder The blade (as I have told elsewhere) was triangular of for sharp of point; but that which drew and held aze was the wonder of its haft I have seen and handled many fair weapons in my day, but never before or since have I beheld such rare crafts of this hilt Of silver it rought into the shape of a standing wouard, her head foruorous pose, arms raised and hands locked behind her head The delicate chiselling of the features orn soe, but even so the evil beauty of the face was plain andcruelty of the ser I viewed it, the , so that I was greatly minded to whirl it into the horse-pond and be done with it But bethinking ht find a readyit back into my wallet, stretched myself out upon the broad settle and presently fell asleep