the women while King Harald
is on his way to the stede. We may yet die in defending them, if we
cannot save them."

"True, my son," said Haldor, clasping his hands, and looking upwards
with a solemnity of expression that was in strong contrast with his
recent burst of passion; "we may perchance save them, as thou sayest;
but woe is me for poor Alric!"

"Alric is safe, I am certain," said Erling energetically, as he turned a
meaning glance on Glumm.

"How knowest thou that?" asked Haldor.

Erling hesitated to reply, not wishing to raise hopes that after all
might prove to be fallacious.

Before the question could be repeated the cutter's keel grated on the
sand of a small bay which was close to the large one, and concealed from
it by a small rocky islet. Here they all jumped ashore--all except
Kettle Flatnose, who, on attempting to rise, found himself so weak that
he fell down again, and nearly fainted.

"This is bad," said Erling. "But come, we have no time to waste. Give
me the chief command of our men, father; I have a plan in my head."

"Do as thou wilt," said Haldor, with a strange mixture of despair,
resignation, and ferocity in his tone.

"Come then, form up, men, and follow me!"

So saying, Erling lifted Kettle in his arms, and hurried away with him
as if he had been no heavier than a little boy! He led the way to the
secret entrance to the cave, where, true as steel to his trust, little
Alric was found with a few men guarding the two warships of Erling and
Glumm.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

THE END OF AN OLD SEA-KING.

Haldor the Fierce said nothing when he heard Alric's blithe voice in the
cavern, but he caught him up in his arms, and gave him a hug that almost
made him cry out.

"Why, father, what ails thee?" asked the boy in surprise, when Haldor
set him free.

"Never mind, lad," interposed Erling, "but lend a hand to keep Kettle in
order. He is a little wild just now, and as I intend to leave him in
thy charge we must restrain him a bit. Hand me that rope."

The boy obeyed in silence, but with much wonder depicted on his face
while Erling lashed Kettle's hands together, and, lifting him in a
half-unconscious state into his ship, bound him in as comfortable a
position as he could, to one of the rowers' banks.

"Now, Alric, come aside with me, quick! I have only time for a few
words. It is enough to tell thee that the day is lost. I go with our
father and the men to save our mo