then, for there was yet time, Dalfin
would have us save the wonderful carved wagon which was on the deck
unhurt, and that, too, we took ashore, and with it some of the
casks of food stores which had been so lavishly stored for that
strange voyage. We should not burden the good brothers with this to
help feed us.

For the sea was coming in more heavily still as it gathered weight
with the long gale, which was still blowing hard. It was more than
likely that the ship would go to pieces in the night as the tide
rose again. Now and then the rain squalls came up and drenched us,
and passed; but the brothers cared as little for them as did we,
and enjoyed the unusual work more. It was a wonder to them to see
their young prince working as hard as themselves as we carried the
heavy things up the beach.

"It is a matter which I have learned while on my travels," he said,
when Fergus said somewhat of the sort to him gently. "I have seen
these two friends, who are nobles in their own lands, work as hard
at oar and rope's end as they would at fighting. Moreover, it is
well to do things for myself now and then--as, for instance,
swimming."

Now we loaded the wagon, which was easy to put together, and the
brethren harnessed themselves to it, laughing. They would not
suffer us to help, and we had to walk behind the wagon in a sort of
idle train, not altogether sorry to rest, for we were very weary by
this time. As for the hermits, they made light of the rough way and
the load, being like schoolboys let loose. I do not suppose that
they had laughed thus for many a long day, and it was good to watch
them.

So we came to the huts, and set down our load. Presently the
brothers would bestow the things under cover, but there was no more
to come. So we did but take Gerda her own chest, and have the court
men's to the hut which had been given us. We bade Phelim, as guest
master, take what he would of the provender as he liked, saying it
was theirs altogether; and he thanked us simply, more for our own
sake than theirs, as I know. They would not let us go back to the
shore for the next load.

"Bide and rest," said Fergus; "this is a holiday for us, and we
enjoy it. We shall talk of it all for many a long day; but for you
it is but an added and needless weariness."

So, nothing loath, we sat on the stone blocks which were set for
seats outside Gerda's hut, and watched them go with the wagon.
Presently Gerda came and asked for a little