Rough as it all was, it looked very pleasant to me, and after I had called once or twice I sat down, even as I should have done in our own land, and ate a hearty meal, and drank of the thin ale, and was soon myself again.  I had three silver pennies, besides the gold bracelet on my arm that I wore as the king’s armour bearer and weapon thane, and was sure of welcome, so when I had done I sat by the fire and waited till someone should come whom I might thank.

Once I thought of carrying food to Beorn, but a great hatred and loathing of the man and his deed came over me, and I would not see him again.  And, indeed, it was likely that he would come here also, as I had done, when he woke; so that when at last I heard footsteps I feared lest it should be he.

But this comer whistled cheerfully as he came, and the tune was one that I had often heard men sing when I was with Halfden.  It was the old “Biarkamal”, the song of Biark the Viking.

Now at that I was very glad, for of all things I had most feared lest I should fall on the Frisian shores, for if so, I should surely be made a slave, and maybe sold by the lord of the coast to which I came.  But Danes have no traffic in slaves, holding freedom first of all things.  And that is one good thing that the coming of the Danish host has taught to us, for many a Saxon’s riches came from trading in lives of men.

Then the door was pushed open, for I had left it ajar, and in came a great dog like none we have in England.  I thought him a wolf at first, so gray and strong was he, big enough and fierce enough surely to pull down any forest beast, and I liked not the savage look of him.  But, though he bristled and growled at first sight of me, when he saw that I sat still as if I had some right to be there, he came and snuffed round me, and before his master came we were good friends enough, if still a little doubtful.  But I never knew a dog that would fly at me yet, so that I think they know well enough who are their friends, though by some sign of face or voice that is beyond my knowledge.

Now came the man, who edged through the door with a great bundle of logs for the fire, which he cast down without looking at me, only saying: 

“Ho, Rolf! back again so early?  Where is the Jarl?”

Now I knew that he was a Dane, and so I answered in his own way: 

“Not Rolf, but a stranger who has made free with Rolf’s dinner.”

Whereat the man laughed, setting hands on hips and staring at me.

“So it is!” he said; “settle that matter with brother Rolf when he comes in, for strangers are scarce here.”

Then he scanned my dress closely, and maybe saw that they were sea stained, though hunting gear is made for hard wear and shows little.

“Let me eat first,” he said, sitting down, “and then we will talk.”

But after he had taken a few mouthfuls, he asked: 

“Are there any more of you about?”