So she went on to thank us for all our thought for her, as if we did something wonderful, and we were fain to laugh and make light of it.

“Now we are bound for Norway,” said Bertric.  “What shall be done with all this troublesome treasure?  We cannot hale it all over Ireland.”

We thought it best to leave the bulk of it with the hermits, taking enough for all possible needs in silver coin and in the rings and links of gold, which were easily carried and hidden.  For we had heard from Dalfin how that between the courts of the Irish kings and that of Sigtryg of Dublin was little intercourse, save when fighting was on hand.  But of that there was no need to tell Gerda, there being peace at present, so far as the hermits knew, and good reason for at least civility when she was concerned.  As for the things we left here, they might he picked up on our way to Norway.  So we planned, and thereafter went back to the cells and to Dalfin, who woke at noontide or thereabout with a great hunger on him.

So that day wore on in utter quietness and rest, while the wind and sea fell.  Late in that afternoon, when the tide was at its lowest and the slack water was more still, Phelim came hastily and told us that there were fishers on the way from their village to us.  Whereat we wondered; for still the sea ran high, and we ourselves had not dreamed of putting out in our boat.

But when we reached the rocky shore which looked on the strait, so it was.  Rising and falling on the waves came a tiny craft with two men in it, and I have seldom seen a boat better handled in a sea way.  Yet when they came close, it was but a wicker framework, covered with skins, the two men kneeling on the floor, and using narrow, single-bladed paddles, one on either side or both on the same side as need might be.

They came carefully alongside a flat rock which they were wont to use as a landing place, and one leapt out, running to Father Phelim, and kneeling to him for his blessing.  It was hard to make out his rough speech, but it was plain that his folk had feared lest somewhat should be amiss with the hermits.  Phelim told them that their prince was here, and then there was much homage done of a humble sort to Dalfin, who took it as a matter of course, though the manner of it was more cringing and excited than any Norseman could have put up with.  Presently, when all that was over, they asked him what his commands were, knowing that they had been summoned for his service.

He told them that they must go to his father, their king, and ask him to send a guard to meet us as soon as possible at their village, with all that was needed for our journey to the court.  Thereafter they were to send their largest boat to ferry us across to the other side.  Then he dismissed them, bidding them use all speed, and again they did homage after their manner, and bent before Phelim, and so paddled out among the waves as swiftly and skilfully as they had come.  There was never a word of pay or even reward spoken.  It would seem to be enough for them that they should be honoured in serving their lord, or else they had no choice but to do his bidding.  Maybe that last is most likely.