y for my departure."

So he spake, and Hallblithe would have answered him, but by now were they
come to a grassy hollow amidst the dale, where the Erne had already made
the earth-yoke ready. To wit, he had loosened a strip of turf all save
the two ends, and had propped it up with two ancient dwarf-wrought
spears, so that amidmost there was a lintel to go under.

So when he saw those others coming, he gave them the sele of the day, and
said to Hallblithe: "What is it to be? shall I be less than thy brother-
in-arms henceforward?"

Said Hallblithe: "Not a whit less. It is good to have brothers in other
lands than one."

So they made no delay, but clad in all their war-gear, they went under
the earth-yoke one after the other; thereafter they stood together, and
each let blood in his arm, so that the blood of all three mingled
together fell down on the grass of the ancient earth; and they swore
friendship and brotherhood each to each.

But when all was done the Erne spake: "Brother Hallblithe, as I lay awake
in bed this morning I deemed that I would take ship with thee to
Cleveland by the Sea, that I might dwell there a while. But when I came
out of the hall, and saw the dale lying green betwixt hill-side and hill-
side, and the glittering river running down amidmost, and the sheep and
kine and horses feeding up and down on either side the water: and I
looked up at the fells and saw how deep blue they stood up against the
snowy peaks, and I thought of all our deeds on the deep sea, and the
merry nights, in yonder abode of men: then I thought that I would not
leave the kindred, were it but for a while, unless war and lifting called
me. So now I will ride with thee to the ship, and then farewell to
thee."

"It is good," said Hallblithe, "though not as good as it might be. Glad
had we been with thee in the hall of the Ravens."

As he spoke drew anigh the carles leading the horses, and with them came
six of those damsels whom the Erne had given to Hallblithe the night
before; two of whom asked to be brought to their kindred over sea; but
the other four were fain to go with Hallblithe and the Hostage, and
become their sisters at Cleveland by the Sea.

So then they got to horse and rode down the dale toward the haven, and
the carles rode with them, so that of weaponed men they were a score in
company. But when they were half-way to the haven they saw where hard by
three knolls on the way-side were men standing with