nd. But of that there was no need to tell Gerda,
there being peace at present, so far as the hermits knew, and good
reason for at least civility when she was concerned. As for the
things we left here, they might he picked up on our way to Norway.
So we planned, and thereafter went back to the cells and to Dalfin,
who woke at noontide or thereabout with a great hunger on him.

So that day wore on in utter quietness and rest, while the wind and
sea fell. Late in that afternoon, when the tide was at its lowest
and the slack water was more still, Phelim came hastily and told us
that there were fishers on the way from their village to us.
Whereat we wondered; for still the sea ran high, and we ourselves
had not dreamed of putting out in our boat.

But when we reached the rocky shore which looked on the strait, so
it was. Rising and falling on the waves came a tiny craft with two
men in it, and I have seldom seen a boat better handled in a sea
way. Yet when they came close, it was but a wicker framework,
covered with skins, the two men kneeling on the floor, and using
narrow, single-bladed paddles, one on either side or both on the
same side as need might be.

They came carefully alongside a flat rock which they were wont to
use as a landing place, and one leapt out, running to Father
Phelim, and kneeling to him for his blessing. It was hard to make
out his rough speech, but it was plain that his folk had feared
lest somewhat should be amiss with the hermits. Phelim told them
that their prince was here, and then there was much homage done of
a humble sort to Dalfin, who took it as a matter of course, though
the manner of it was more cringing and excited than any Norseman
could have put up with. Presently, when all that was over, they
asked him what his commands were, knowing that they had been
summoned for his service.

He told them that they must go to his father, their king, and ask
him to send a guard to meet us as soon as possible at their
village, with all that was needed for our journey to the court.
Thereafter they were to send their largest boat to ferry us across
to the other side. Then he dismissed them, bidding them use all
speed, and again they did homage after their manner, and bent
before Phelim, and so paddled out among the waves as swiftly and
skilfully as they had come. There was never a word of pay or even
reward spoken. It would seem to be enough for them that they should
be honoured in serving their