t on board the fishing boat, and
Egfrid would fain have come with him. But I signed him back, and
when the fishermen put out oars and pushed from the shore, towing
us with them, he ran waist deep into the water, and clasped my hand
for the last time, weeping.

Then the shore grew dim to my eyes, and I put my head in my hands
and would look no more. Soon I heard only the wash and creak of the
large boat's oars, and a murmured word or two from those on board
her. Then from Burgh Tower came the tolling of the bell, as for the
dying, and that was the last voice of England that I heard as we
went from shore to sea.

But at that sound came hope back to me, for it seemed to me as the
voice of Bosham bell calling for help that should come to myself,
as I had been called in time of need by the like sound to the help
of St. Wilfrith's men. And straightway I remembered the words of
the good prior, and was comforted, for surely if St. Wilfrith's
might could sink the pirate ship it would be put forth for me upon
the waters. So I prayed for that help if it might be given, and for
the Hand of Him who is over all things, even as the prior had
bidden me understand.

Whereupon I was in no more trouble about myself, and now I began to
hope that the still weather might even bring Halfden's ship to find
me.

So we passed from river to broad, and from broad to sea, and went
in tow of the fishing boat until we came to that place, as nearly
as might be, where I had saved Lodbrok. I could see the sparkle of
our village lights, or thought I could.

There they cast us off, and for a few minutes the two boats lay
side by side on the gently-heaving water, for the wind was
offshore, and little sea was running.

Then the earl rose up, lifting his hand and saying, very solemnly:

"Farewell, thou who art innocent. Blame not my blindness, nor think
ill of me. For I do my best, leaving you in the Hand of God, and
not of man!"

So he spoke; then the oars swung and fell, and in a few moments his
boat was gone into the shoreward shadows and we were alone, and I
was glad.

Now I looked at Beorn, and I thought him strangely still, and so
watched him. But I soon saw that he was in some sort of fit or
swoon, and paid no heed to aught. Yet I thought it well to take his
dagger from where it lay, lest he should fall on me in some frenzy.

I took up the weapon, and straightway I longed to draw it and end
his life at once, while all sorts of plans for