A Sea Queen's Sailing

, for the wind had gone down, and the long, steady roar of the surf was far off and all unlike the ceaseless rush and countless noises of the labouring ship at sea. There came a litt

d then the sunlight crept into the little window, a

eys between them nestled forests, dark and deep, and in one place I saw the thin lines of smoke rising, which told of houses. The hill which made the best part of this island barred my view to the westward, but it was not high enough to hide the mountain tops on

ok stood where he set it. The pigs were shut up somewhere even yet. Then the bell on the roof of the little chapel rang once or twice, and I went near. But this morning there was

e for the service. He, too, looked all the better for the rest, and I dare say that the help of the c

d from her stem, and all along were strewn oars and planking, and the like. It was pitiful enough. But the brothers had toiled till light failed them, for they had saved the other boat and the sledges, and also the sail, tog

ort laugh. "But it will be all that we can do to get these good men to keep what they ha

t sigh, and half turned fr

ramed," he said. "And to come to suc

lame to us," I said

on too long. At best I knew where she was strained, and should have gone on the o

nswered, laughing. "It is easy to thi

nes that I threw the ship away. I shall dream that I am

er misfortune," I answered. "You

what a voyage we might have had if

id not pick us up," I said. "Maybe th

d of a fog befor

d to a place whence we could see the strait between

d either end of the island, were like a mill race, while the heavy sea which still

best of it, for a day or two. Maybe it matters little, for Gerda needs

to his father's place, as we talked last evening," I said. "That all s

ed, staying his steps, a

tly because Norseman and Saxon are kin, while the Irishman was almost as much a stranger to me as to Bertric. Moreover, Dalfin was at home once more, and we were w

r the help of Gerda," I said. "If your home

in that matter, and it need not trouble you. Let me work with you in this, for, indeed, I shall not

rst wish," I answere

ad spoken much with Gerda, sitting on the deck just without the little shelter we ha

t this would be your one thought, and you will be none the worse off for some

hat bargain with a great relie

l I ever heard, a troubled one. A lady is no light charge. Let us see if we can find her before Dalfin wakes. I think we must p

sked Bertric what he would do when our end had been g

will be glad of a pilot into English ports, if none happen

rtman," I said. "Or the Orkney earl w

ays find a place. I do not thi

heltered place. Among the trees wandered half a score of goats, and the ground was white with the wind flowers e

e birds are not feared of us here. They are t

never failed to bring them. Gerda stretched out her hand with some crumbs of bread, an

e asked. "We set it in your cell; but the p

back slowly, Gerda with us. And on the way

let me go back to Norway as soon as I may. Yet I do not kno

ng," I said. "He was Thorwald's friend, as

at us in so

ught from Norway o

and we in Caithness were

ric Bloodaxe, reigns unquietly. Men hate him, and with reason. That terrible name

ertric

at son of Harald, whom our king, At

e had, for all men speak well of him, and it was hoped that he would be back

way if he did return. Good warrior and good Chris

is there, and ask him for help. It will be hard if we cannot find a ship to s

and and speak with Hakon himself. Maybe he will take

, and shook h

cousins who are in the south, and there I may be welcome. At least, I shall be no burden to them, and they a

tains and streams and the flower-edged glaciers, and heard the song of the maidens on t

said presently, and a li

in safety, and in Norway if that may be," I a

t you to follow as your courtmen," added Ber

it is a barren service, though I would not part with you if it must be put in that way. I

t for her, as if we did something wonderful,

"What shall be done with all this troublesome

rts of the Irish kings and that of Sigtryg of Dublin was little intercourse, save when fighting was on hand. But of that there was no need to tell Gerda, there being peace at present, so far as the hermits knew, and good reason for at least

ts lowest and the slack water was more still, Phelim came hastily and told us that there were fishers on the way from their

n it, and I have seldom seen a boat better handled in a sea way. Yet when they came close, it was but a wicker framework, covered with skin

as plain that his folk had feared lest somewhat should be amiss with the hermits. Phelim told them that their prince was here, and then there was much homage done of a humble sort to Dalfin, who took it as a matter of cours

boat to ferry us across to the other side. Then he dismissed them, bidding them use all speed, and again they did homage after their manner, and bent before Phelim, and so paddled out among the waves as swiftly and skilfully as the

ell. It depended mostly on where the king was holding his court, which the fishers did not know. In the

was as well that he was a mighty sleeper, being content to lie on a warm sand hill and slumber between his meals. Bertric and I built a pig stye out of wreck wood for the hermits, which pleased them mightily, and was certainl

rtric and his work down the little glen, when we came suddenly on the old superior, who was walking with

rst time that he had met us; and we were about to pass him quic

e the Lochlannoch who were cas

ather," I answer

s that comes of a dark cell and long biding within it. Only the warm sun had taken him out today, for Phel

ho you are

ast ashore here by mi

he kindly Gaelic of the islands which is not that altogether o

sh lady," I answered. "

erly. "Let me hear the old

on on which to begin, and I hesitated. Gerda asked me softly what was amiss, and

said. "Tell him without say

not come, and then better as I went on. The old

e, with the sound of the piper on the hill and the harper in the hall, with the sough of the summer wind in the fir trees, and the

steady him. His hand felt the cold touch of the great gold bracelet Gerd

War and flame, and the cry of the victors!

Christian folk, father," I

Scottish islands when the Norseman first ca

tland, whence he had fled, with those of his brethren who escaped, to Ireland, coming hither at last to end his day

heathen; and t

nswered. "I suppose that

that I saw you on

it is permitted by you. I have he

htened, and h

ng of the faith

heard never a word of i

warm place, and let me tell you somewhat thereof. It may be the last

her what the old father wished,

d, "and if it will give him ple

se that were in reach and played with them while the father began his words. Presently he saw that Gerda was paying no heed, and he bade me tra

flowers, and was listening, and presently asking questions as might a child who hears the sweetest tale ever told. So still we were, and so soft the voi

red because it had compassion on its Maker as He

ere fain to listen. Odin and the Asir seemed far off at that t

r Asir?" I

om their sons have worshipped; because a man

has become

of the true Allfather," he answered. "I

mewhat which troubled me, "that you Christians hol

ship under those honoured names. There are those among you who know that the Asir were your forefathers. Did

of Odin," I said. "If you speak truth, father, one cou

idly, for she too had h

place for them in the heaven of w

is for the woman as for the

gods, but leading us to see the deeper things which our forebears had forgotten. I listened, and thought it all good; but betimes Gerda wept quietly, and would fain hear more and more. The little

Ragnarok fight of yours for warfare against evil. That fight has begun, and i

ded how useless to me

therein, father--y

r themselves," he answered. "And we are of those

as done. But in the morning there hung on the black cross on the g