favour their escape.

Finn pushed on as fast as was possible with a band in which there were
so many almost helpless ones. He carried one of the youngest children
in his arms, and Ivor the Old brought up the rear with a very old woman
leaning on his arm. They were a long time in descending the valley, for
the route Finn had chosen was circuitous, and the first part of it was
extremely trying to the cripples, running as it did over a somewhat high
spur of the mountain which extended down from the main ridge to the
river. Gradually, however, they drew near to the coast, and Finn was in
the act of encouraging them with the assurance that they had now only a
short way to go, when the hearts of all sank within them at the sight of
a band of armed men who suddenly made their appearance in their path.

The wail of despair which burst from some of them at sight of these,
was, however, changed into an exclamation of joy when four of the band
ran hastily towards them, and were recognised to be Haldor, Erling, Ulf,
and Glumm!

"Now thanks be to the gods," said Haldor, stooping to print a kiss on
his wife's lips. "But--but--where are Hilda and Ada?"

Erling and Glumm, glancing quickly round the group with looks of intense
disappointment and alarm, had already put this question to Finn, who
explained the cause of their absence.

"Now this is the worst luck of all," cried Glumm, grinding his teeth
together in passion, and looking at Finn with a dark scowl.

Erling did not speak for a few minutes, but his heaving chest and
dilated nostrils told of the storm that raged within him.

"Art thou sure they went to the hermit's hut?" asked Ulf in a stern
voice.

"Quite sure," replied Finn. "I cautioned them not to go, but--"

"Enough," cried Erling. "Father, wilt thou go back to the cave with the
women, and a few of the men to guard them?"

"I will, my son, and then will I rejoin thee."

"That do, an it please thee. It matters little. Death must come sooner
or later to all.--Come, men, we will now teach this tyrant that though
he may conquer our bodies he cannot subdue our spirits. Up! and if we
fail to rescue the girls, everlasting disgrace be to him who leaves this
vale alive!"

Haldor had already selected a small detachment of men, and turned back
with the women and others, while Erling and his men went on as fast as
they could run. A short time sufficed to bring them to the edge of the
wood near Haldorstede. The