I wondered now that I had seen nothing of Evan for so long.  Maybe if I had not been so busy the wonder would have passed, for I should have been seasick as he was.  There was some sea over on this coast, and quite enough to upset a landsman.  However, I was content that he did not come, without caring to know why.

Then I became aware that the movement of the ship had changed in some way.  There was less of it, and the roll was longer.  Soon I heard Thorgils calling to his men, and then the creak of the blocks and the thud of folds of canvas on deck told me that the sail was lowered.  After that the long oars rattled as they were run out, and their even roll and click in the rowlocks seemed to say that they were making up to some anchorage or wharf.  The end of the voyage was at hand, and I worked harder than ever at my bonds.  I began to fear that the cords would never chafe through enough for me to snap them, and my heart fell terribly.

Now there was a shout from Thorgils, and his men stopped rowing.  I heard another shout from on shore, as it seemed, and the sound of breakers on rocks was not so very distant as we slipped into smooth water.  The men trampled across the deck over my head and cast the mooring ropes ashore, and then the ship scraped along a landing stage of some sort and came to rest.  I worked wildly at the rope.

Judging from the voices I heard, there seemed to be a number of people on shore, and soon I heard steps coming along the deck towards the cabin door.  Hastily I straightened myself, and got a fold of my blanket over my free forearm just as it opened, and Evan peered in.  Past his shoulder I could see that it was bright moonlight, and I had a glimpse of tall snow-covered cliffs that towered over us.

“How goes it, friend?” he cried in a loud voice.  “Hast slept well?  We are in your own land, and will be ashore soon.”

That was for others to hear.  Then he stood aside to let a little more light into the cabin, and it seemed that he had no suspicions that all was not as he would have it.  He came inside and felt me carelessly enough.

“Well,” he said.  “You are warm in here, and no mistake.  If I mistake not, you have been trying to wriggle out of these bonds.”

He set his hand under some of the lashings and pulled them without uncovering me much, though it would not have mattered if he had done so, as it was very dark in here.

As I knew only too well, they were fast as ever, and he said: 

“Well, we can tie a knot fairly.  Presently we will loosen you a bit—­in the morning maybe.”

He went and closed the door, and I fell to work again.  He would leave me now for a while.

There was a long talk from ship to shore before the gangplank was run out, and presently Thorgils spoke to Evan, seemingly close to the cabin door: 

“Here’s a bit of luck for your princess,” he said.  “Her father is up in the camp yonder, with his guards behind him.  Maybe there is trouble with the Tenby Danefolk, or going to be some.  It is as well that we put in here.  Now he bids us take the lady up to him and bide to feast with him, Will you come with me?”