A Sea Queen's Sailing

s for such a cruise without any warlike ending to it would be about twenty, or perhaps a few less. She pulled sixteen oars a side, and with a war

indward as shifting ballast, so to speak. It is not likely, therefore, that we could have done much better had we managed to shake out the reefs, seeing that t

their low, black hulls were plain to us. It was time we did so

of course, would run us in toward the Norway shore, and I have ever heard that it is as dangerous as any. I do not know it, but the Lady Gerda may do so. If the

at we may be sighted also," said I. "It

cordingly, rousing Dalfin, who slumbered in the sun

w the two ships at once. They were then some eight miles a

said. "We have to try one la

t we should fall into suc

be guided by us. Neither she nor we knew rightly where we were, nor how far it might be to the coas

-sunk rock not far from the land, and so we ourselves may be saved in the boat. I think that is the

t outsail Heidrek, it will be my part to sink on

he said.

ith them, and Dalfin smile

that over the bows here might go on board that other a man with an axe, a

r chance," said I.

s not for the first time. Then Bertric's face cleared, for the ship went to windward like a swallow, her length helping he

Bertric thought, because he could lie no closer to the wind, or else meaning to edge do

astern of us and losing still more rapidly, as he went to leeward. He could not look up to the wind any closer. One of hi

worst was yet to come, as we saw the sun flash from the lo

yet before they overhaul us," I sai

be seen. Only to eastward the sky was dull and grayish, as it were with the loss of light in the sky over

erda broke

said in a still voic

hips, and answered her,

who row tire--that is if the wind holds

d. "Now, is it still in your minds to die

uld have no care for ourselv

ner," she answer

all be as I have said. We will ram

oked at the three of us,

me arm you once more. It is not fitting that you three should fal

lm, and bring what I

rgotten what lay there, but now I could not but remember, and the old dread came back to me. But she did not do so. She pointed to one of the great che

close-knit ring shirts were helms,

ad many foes, and knew how to guard himself. All these would have been rent and spoil

he came eagerly, with a cry of

es and Bertric," she said. "It will be strange if

y active, and Bertric was square and sturdy, and maybe half a head shorter than either of us. But after the way of my forebears, both Norse and Scottish, I was somewhat bi

nd, took up suit after suit of the bright ring mail and stretched them across my shoulders, t

et me have a weapon, and I shall not be

that my champions shall be well ar

if anything better than those we had been choosing from. I

fancy that Thorwald would take it to him in Asgard, for he lies on the Swedish shore, and it

r it," I stammered. "It

sk you to do so, and I t

h the three suits and the helms back to Bertric, and so put them on, Gerda helping us, and I taking the tiller

once more. Dalfin shook himself, as a man will to settle his byrni

an look a foe--aye, and death, in the face joy

as if eager for the coming of Heidrek, and the promised crash of th

miss. It is the song of the swinging swords-

he pleasure of her champions, as she c

ve," she said at onc

lady?" as

ened somewhat, look

," she said. "Now I see you three--prince, jarl, and thane--as I mi

he had doubted. And, after all, not every day are three men of rank of different

ght to forgive, and, indeed, have held ourselves honoured that you took our word

houghts knit up in the steel ri

ng very willing, mayhap, to speak more in this wise. "I will

ery still, and across its dimness the shafts of sunlight--which came through the chinks in the rough timbering of walls and roofs--shifted and glanced as if alive, as the ship swayed

k Valhalla with you, my grandfather. You were wont to a

ross the chamber, sparkling on the arms which hung from the timbers. I

Jarl," Gerda said. "Take it.

w I could see well enough to choose for the others, for the dimness was but the change from the sunshine outside on deck. I took a lighter weapon for Dalfin, and a heavy, short sword for Bertric, and with them shields. No lo

. "I think that if you have but a little time to wear th

I hoped that I might be worthy. Little chance of much fighting were we likely to have--an

od to see and hear him, if only he and myself understood the words. But Heidrek crept u

across the decks, and the sail shivered and filled again. Bertri

" asked Gerd

fog bank," he sa

grown smaller. Heidrek was not a mile astern of us, and still his ships were in brig

decks so thickly that we could barely see from gunwale to gunwale, damp,

but a bank of fog, or if it is everywher

ing the cold sea fogs o

ind. If it is a bank, we shall go with it, and he must lose us. If it is more, we can get on our southward course in

e fog lifts

n now--and we shall be heading do

offhand, and maybe take this ship clear through his. Ge

s fall round the great cleat of the backstay. The wash of the waves round the bows ceased, and there was only the little hiss of the water

on the starboard bow somewhere. Pray Heaven he has not changed his cour

e have tried some such tr

shook

e paid off a bit, for the sake of speed. Even if he did think we were likely to do this, what could he do? He cannot

leaning on the gunwale with parted

dull rumble at first, and then as a trampling, until the roll and click of the long, steadily pulled oars was plain to us.

s hand on his sword hilt. It was just as if they had spied us, and I half expected to see the tall stemhead of the ship come towering through

e of the men who left and came to the oars; but by the time the steady pull began again we had passed the ship by a long way, and lost the sound almo

o shine through it, but we could not see him, and still the wind drifted us and the fo

after the last sounds were heard. B

seen three brave men look death in the face, and they h

m so much as helping her to cross that barrier. We kn

as within the shelter of the awning and its f

seamen know which way you are steering

one course before us. We must needs head south and try to make the Shetlands. Eastward we might not sail for fear of Heidrek, and westward lay th

sea went down until only the long ocean swell was left, lifting the ship easily and slowly wi

rtric said, with a sort of groan. "What i

me, and I could see that Bertric was rel

fro, well nigh at the mercy of the wind, with the chances of a lee shore or of folk who make prey of hapless seafare

asure?" I asked. "Sh

must say," he answered

Dalfi

saved for her. Yet, if it was the will of the old king that it should be set in his grave, I do not know ho

ll my comrades of it, but I thought that, if need was, I might tell Gerda presently. I sai

u go and speak with her. We must not let the