head, all awry because of the darkness.

"Quickly," he said.

Then a new hope that came to me made me clasp Osritha's hand and
kiss it before I must see to arming myself; but she clung to me
yet, and I kissed her gently, then turning away sorely troubled
went to work.

Soon I was ready for Halfden's word, and Osritha buckled on my
sword for me, for she had felt and taken it. Halfden opened the
door and went out into the night, speaking low to one whom I could
not see; and so I bade farewell to her whom I loved so dearly, not
knowing if I should ever look on her again.

But she bade me hope ever, for nor she nor I knew what the days to
come might bring us.

"Ready," said Halfden; "follow me as if you were a courtman till we
come to the outer gate."

Then with Osritha's handclasp still warm on mine I went out and
followed him, and she sought the maiden who waited beside the door,
and was gone.

When we came to the great gates, they were shut. The sounds of
feasting went on in the hall, and the red light glared from the
high windows. Forgotten was all but revelling--and the guard who
kept the gate was Raud the forester, my friend. He opened the gates
a little, and we three slipped out and stood for a moment together.
The night was very dark, and the wind howled and sang through the
stockading, and none seemed to be about the place.

There Halfden took my hand and bade me farewell very sadly.

"This is the best I may do for you, my brother. Go with Raud to his
house, and thence he and Rolf and Thoralf your shield man, who all
love you, will take you even to Hedeby, where there are Christian
folk who will help you to the sea and find passage to England. And
fare you well, my brother, for the days we longed for in your land
will never be--"

"Come in the ship to England, that so there may be good times even
yet," I said.

"Aye, to England I shall surely come--not to seek you, but at
Ingvar's bidding. Yet to East Anglia for your sake I will not
come."

Then he grasped my hand again in farewell, and he went inside the
gates and closed them, and Raud and I went quickly to his place.

There we found those two other good friends of mine waiting, and
they told me that all was well prepared to save them from the wrath
of Ingvar, for they had been bidden to carry messages, and other
men of the crew who lived far off would do this for them, for I
feared for their lives also when the flight was known.

Long was th