I looked out over the sea, for the frank kindness moved me, and I would not show it.  There was a heavy bank of clouds working up, and the wind came from the north, with a smell of snow in it.  Then I saw a great hawk flying inland, and wondered to see it come over sea at this time of year.  It flew so that it would pass over the house, and as it came it wheeled a little and called; and then it swept down and came straight towards me, so that I held out my hand and it perched on my wrist.

And lo! it was Lodbrok’s gerfalcon; and pleased she was to see me once more, fluttering her wings and glancing at me while I smoothed and spoke to her.

But Hubba cried out in wonder, and the men and Ingvar came out to see what his call meant.  Then they, too, were amazed, for they knew the bird and her ways well.

I had spoken of the falcon once or twice, telling the jarls how she had taken to me, and I think they had doubted it a little.  Now the bird had got free in some way, and finding neither of her masters, had fled home, even as Lodbrok said she would.

“Now is your story proved to be true,” said Hubba, smiling gravely at me, but speaking for Ingvar’s ear.

“Aye, over true,” answered his brother; “serve this man well, Raud and Rolf, for he has been a close friend of Jarl Lodbrok.”

“Then should he be in Lodbrok’s house as a guest,” said Raud stoutly, and free of speech as Danes will ever be.

“Maybe he shall be so soon,” said Ingvar.

“I will bide with my first hosts,” I said, not being willing to speak much of this just now.

“That is well said,” was Hubba’s reply, and so we went to have the falcon—­who would not leave me—­hooded and confined; and then I went with the two men back to their hut, and there they vied with each other in kindness to me until night fell, and I gladly went to rest; for since that night within Caistor walls I had had no sleep that was worth considering.  So my sleep was a long sleep, and nothing broke it until I woke of myself, and found only the great dog Vig in the hut, and breakfast ready set out for me, while outside the ground was white with snow.

I was glad to find that no watch was kept on me, for it seemed as if Hubba’s words were indeed true, and that the jarls believed my story.  And my dagger was left me also, hanging still on the wall at my head where I had slept.  Then I thought that the great dog was maybe bidden to guard me, but he paid no heed when I went outside the hut to try if it were so.

Ere an hour had passed Raud came back, and he had news for me.

“Now, friend Wulfric, I am to part with my guest, and not in the way that was yesterday’s.  The jarls bid me say that Wulfric of Reedham, Lodbrok’s preserver, is a welcome guest in their hall, and they would see him there at once.”

“Nevertheless,” I answered, “Raud the forester was the first to shelter me, and I do not forget.”