The next day when Gudbrand was talking to some of the warriors, Hjorvard came up to him with Ivar in his arms. He put Ivar on Gudbrand’s knees. It was an old custom that the man upon whose knee a child was seated was bound to become his “fosterer.” Hjorvard’s men shouted with joy to see Ivar seated upon the knees of Gudbrand, who was known for his wisdom and bravery. At last the day came when Ivar was to leave his mother. Sigrlin was sad to see him go for he was to be away for long years. Ivar walked down to the shore between his parents, chatting merrily. As the ship left the shore Sigrlin stood on the headland watching it go. Then, with a deep sigh, she went homeward. The wind was fair and after a sail of three days Gudbrand’s ships reached home. Sigrid, his wife, was well pleased when she saw Ivar. She prepared a room for him close to her own. For a few days Ivar was homesick. He missed his father and mother and his playmates. Everything was new and strange. Soon, however, he grew to love his new home and his foster parents. Gudbrand and Sigrid had a son named Hjalmar. He was a year older than Ivar. The two boys became good friends and learned together. As they grew older they were taught gymnastic exercises, games of ball, running, wrestling, jumping, and swimming. They learned how to steer and sail a boat. They learned how to ride. They even learned ship building and worked in the ship yards. Both boys were taught how to write on birch bark and to engrave letters on stone, gold, and silver. Ivar and Hjalmar were better at sports than any other boys of their age. They could swim like eels and could shoot straight. When Ivar was fifteen years old Gudbrand gave him a beautiful ship called _Stallion of the Surf_. Hjalmar also received a beautiful ship called _Deer of the Surf_. Gudbrand took the two boys sailing with him and trained them to build camp and to cook for themselves. Ivar began to wish to see his own people again. Then the two boys sailed to the home of Ivar’s father and mother. They were greeted with great joy by Hjorvard and Sigrlin, who treated Hjalmar as kindly as if he were their own son. [Illustration: TREASURES OF THE OLD SEA KINGS (a)Dragon’s head from prow of boat. (b) An old chest. (c) Old coins. (d) Gold rings which were used for money.] After three years Ivar and Hjalmar were ready to sail the seas on expeditions of their own. They were Vikings, brave and bold. Adapted from Ivar the Viking, Paul du Chaillu. Planting the Flag of Norway at the Bottom of the Earth Crowds of people stood on the banks of the fjord at Oslo in Norway. Bands were playing and flags were waving. Cheer after cheer arose from the crowd as the boat, the _Fram_, came into sight. On the _Fram_ was a brave Norwegian named Nansen who was returning from adventures in Eskimo land.