“Here are fine doings,” said Kolgrim, as the men swarmed on board.  “What is on hand now?”

“It is not done with yet,” said a man:  “look at yon ship.”

Then came Harek, out of breath, and pale.

“Let me on board, King Ranald, or I am a dead man,” he cried.

“Come, then!” I answered; and he ran across the plank, and Kolgrim pulled it in after him.  All my men were come.

Then I looked at the ship spoken of.  Men were swarming into her, and were making ready to sail.  But if she meant to stay our going, she was too far up the harbour, and we were already casting off the shore ropes.

“Hold on,” said Thord; “here come the other scald and two men.”

The crowd that was yet round the fallen men had parted to let Thiodolf pass, and he came quickly.  One of the men bore a chest, and the other a bale of somewhat.  They gave these over the gunwale to my people, and Thiodolf spoke to me from the wharf.

“These are gifts from Harald to Einar’s foster son,” he said.  “He bids me say that you have done your errand well, and that this is to prove it.  Also he says that Ranald, son of Vemund, may need mail to keep his kingship withal, and so he has sent you a suit.”

“That is a hard saying,” I answered; “is it insult?”

“Nay, but a broad hint only.  The gift is most goodly.”

“Well,” said I, “it is plain that he will warn me from Norway.  I will leave you, good friend, to say for me what should be said.  Maybe if I sent a message it would go wrongly from my lips.”

Thiodolf laughed, and bade me farewell.  He paid no heed to Harek, who sat on the deck with his back to him.

Then Kolgrim whistled shrill to his men, and we began to move down to the harbour mouth.  I heard a sharp voice hurrying the men in the other ship; but they could not be ready in time to catch us.

When we were well out to sea, I asked Harek what all this was about.

“Your going has spoiled a plan that Eric, the king’s son, had made.  He wanted your sword, and thought also that to rid himself now of Vemund’s son might save him trouble when the crown came to him, as it will.  You were to be set on as you came from the feast tonight to the guest quarters, as if in a common broil between your men and his.  Then he found you were going, and tried to stay your men, and next to take these gifts from Thiodolf and me, being very angry, even to trying to cut me down.  Lucky for me that his sword turned in his hand.  But he would have had me slain tonight, certainly, for he says that it was our fault that you are getting away.  He fears Thiodolf, however.  Now I must take service with you, if you will have me.”

It seemed to me that I was making friends with one hand and enemies with the other, and that last rather more quickly than was well.  So I laughed, and answered: 

“I suppose that if I have a scald of my own, King Harald will blame me for overmuch kingship.  However, he is angry enough already, and maybe a good friend will balance that to me.  So if you will indeed cast in your lot with me, I am glad!”