, and refused to row out to her, saying that the boat
would be swamped in the gale.

Now this ship, although not very large, was the best and staunchest that
I owned, being almost new; moreover, the cargo on board of her, laden
for the Mediterranean, was of great value, so great indeed that its loss
would have been very grievous to me. Therefore, it was plain that I must
see to the matter without delay, since from my servant's account there
was no hope that these rebellious sailors would listen to any lesser man
than myself. So, if I would save the ship and her cargo, I must ride for
the docks at once.

Going back to the eating-chamber, in a few words I told my wife and the
guests how the matter stood, praying the oldest man among the latter
to take my place by the bride, which he did unwillingly, muttering that
this was an unlucky marriage feast.

Then it was that Blanche rose, beseeching me earnestly and almost with
tears that I would take her with me to the docks. I laughed at her, as
did the company, but still she besought with much persistence, till I
began to believe that she must be afraid of something, though the others
cried that it was but love and fear lest I should come to harm.

In the end I made her drink a cup of wine with me, but her hand shook so
much that she spilled the cup and the rich red wine ran down her breast,
staining the whiteness of her robe, whereat some women among the company
murmured, thinking it a bad omen. At length with a kiss I tore myself
away, for I could bide no longer and the horses were waiting presently.
So I was riding for the docks as fast as the storm would suffer, with
tiles from the roofs, and when we were clear of these the torn-off limbs
of trees hurtling round me. Kari, I should say, would have accompanied
me, but I took a serving-man, bidding Kari bide where he was in the
house in case he might be of service.

At last we came safely to the docks where I found all as my cargo-master
had described. The ship _Blanche_ was in great peril and dragging every
minute towards a pierhead which, if she struck, would stave her in and
make an end of her. The men, too, were still feasting in the inn with
their wharfside trollops, and some of them half drunk. I spoke to them,
showing them their shame, and saying that if they would not come, I and
my man would take a boat and get aboard alone and this upon my wedding
day. Then they hung their heads and came.

We won to the ship s