He told how the fierce Ragnar sailed for England, how his fleet was wrecked, but still how, with the relics of his forces, he assaulted Northumbria, and was taken captive by Ella the king, who threw him into a hole filled with vipers and toads.

“Sharp the adder’s tooth, but sharper
Spake the sea king to his foes,
Spake while savage brows grew darker,
As he told the countless woes
Which the bear’s fierce cubs should bring
To those who slew their father and their king.”

Then he described the retribution, and the lingering death of Ella under the agonies of the “rista oern” so vividly, that every Danish heart was filled with emulation.

“Well sung!” shouted the Danes.  “Thou dost sing a song worth hearing.  Hast not taught thy son to sing likewise?”

In turn Alfgar was forced to support his assumed character.  Luckily his tenacious memory retained the words of many an old song, and the warriors were well pleased.

“Why must thou go to shore?  We will feed and guerdon thee well if thou wilt stay with us.”

“We are aweary now, and would fain return to our comrades on the shore, but we will return by and by.”

“Do so, here is thy reward;” and one of the speakers threw a gold chain round the gleeman’s neck.  Gold was plentiful with the robbers.

They were allowed to return to their boat; but as they did so, many a keen eye was fixed upon them.  The dawn was already beginning to appear in the east, and every moment was of importance.

“Thou hast borne the test well,” said the gleeman, “and hast not flinched.”

“I could not in your presence.”

At this moment they heard the rapid splash of a boat, manned by many rowers, behind, and a voice shouted aloud to the men on board the ship they had left: 

“Hast seen a boat with a gleeman and harp bearer?”

“They have just left the ship.”

“Follow; they are English spies.  Sweyn will give the weight of their heads in red gold.”

Instantly they heard the sound of hurried voices, the lowering of boats, the splash of numerous oars, and all nearly close behind them.  They took an oar each, and pulled with all the energy of men who pull for life or death.

The light was gradually growing stronger, and their chance of escape seemed feeble, when Alfgar saw before them a dense cloud of mist rolling round the eastern promontory, and uttered a cry of joy as it enfolded them.

“The wind is east, keep it on your right cheek, and steer straight forward.  I will take both oars,” said the gleeman.

It was wonderful with what energetic force and success the gleeman pulled until they had cleared the mist, and saw that they were in the red light of dawn, in the midst of the Solent.

One half-mile behind them a solitary boat pursued.  There appeared to be only five men, four rowing and one steering.  Other boats there were, but wide of the mark.