his day, but I do not
know that it matters if they do. No one is the worse for the boast,
or the better either, for that matter.

Hakon took the ships into the little strait for easier landing than
from the open shore. His men were waiting at the water's edge for
us, but there were no hermits to be seen at first, for it was one
of their hours of service in the chapel. We had heard the faint
ringing of its little bell as we drew up to the opening of the
strait. Bright and clear it was in the early morning sunlight, and
it was peaceful as ever. Even Hakon's men had set aside their mail
here, looking as quiet as the place itself.

Gerda would go ashore with us, and so in no long time we, who had
left here so hastily, stood once more on the shore, and wondered to
find ourselves back again, and safe; for the memory of that flight
came back to us afresh with all we saw. We had forgotten it in the
wild doings of the long day which came thereafter.

Now, there is no need for me to tell of the greetings which were
for us, and for the young king. They were those of men who owed
much on either side, and yet must part again straightway. It seemed
that Hakon's men who had been landed were either Christians, or
else men who had taken the "prime signing" on them, which was the
way in which they proved that they were ready to learn the new
faith. Phelim would call them "catechumens," therefore, and that
word may be known as meaning the same thing. Presently I was to
hear more of that from him. The good hermits were ready to praise
them and their ways to the king, while, as for Asbiorn's men, they
had given no trouble at all, for they were tied up in the cell we
had used. One or two of Hakon's men, who were from Dublin, could
speak the Erse, and that had been good.

So there was gratitude and content when the hermits came and spoke
with Hakon through Dalfin, while I set the men to work getting the
treasure down to the boats. The brothers had buried it as they
promised, risking somewhat as they worked, for Asbiorn's Danes
might have wandered from the beach at any time. When that was done
they fled to the hill, until one of Hakon's men had gone altogether
unarmed and spoken with them, telling them that we and they were
safe.

Now, we had left Fergus behind us with the bishop, and he would
find his way back here shortly. Presently Phelim sought the old
superior and spoke long with him, and at last came and asked Gerda
to do the sam