eloved. Or where deemest thou was the garden wherein thou sawest her
standing on the page of the book in that dream of the night? So it is, O
Raven-son, that it is not for nothing that my grandsire's father lieth in
yonder hole of the rocks; for of late he hath made me wise in mighty
lore. Thanks have thou, O kinsman!" And he turned him toward the rock
wherein was the grave.

But Hallblithe said: "What is to do now? Am I not in a land of foemen?"

"Yea, forsooth," said the Puny Fox, "and even if thou knewest where thy
love is, thou shouldst hardly escape from this isle unslain, save for
me."

Said Hallblithe: "Is there not my bark, that I might depart at once? for
I deem not that the Hostage is on the Isle of Ransom."

The Puny Fox laughed boisterously and said: "Nay, she is not. But as to
thy boat, there is so strong a set of the flood-tide toward this end of
the isle, that with the wind blowing as now, from the north-north-east,
thou mayst not get off the shore for four hours at least, and I misdoubt
me that within that time we shall have tidings of a ship of ours coming
into the haven. Thy bark they shall take, and thee also if thou art
therein; and then soon were the story told, for they know thee for a
rebel of the Undying King. Hearken! Dost thou not hear the horn's
voice? Come up hither and we shall see what is towards."

So saying, he led hastily up a kind of stair in the rock-wall, until they
reached a cranny, whence through a hole in the cliff, they could see all
over the haven. And lo! as they looked, in the very gate and entry of it
came a great ship heaving up her bows on the last swell of the outer sea
(where the wind had risen somewhat), and rolling into the smooth, land-
locked water. Black was her sail, and the image of the Sea-eagle
enwrought thereon spread wide over it; and the banner of the Flaming
Sword streamed out from the stern. Many men all-weaponed were on the
decks, and the minstrels high up on the poop were blowing a merry song of
return on their battle-horns.

"Lo, you," said the Puny Fox, "thy luck or mine hath served thee this
time, in that the Flaming Sword did not overhaul thee ere thou madest the
haven. We are well here at least."

Said Hallblithe: "But may not some of them come up hither perchance?"

"Nay, nay," said the Puny Fox; "they fear the old man in the cleft
yonder; for he is not over guest-fain. This mead is mine own, as for
other living men; it is my un