“Now I am afeared,” said Eric to Skallagrim, as they stood in darkness upon the ship:  “the gale blows from behind us, and yet the mist drives fast in our faces.  What comes now?”

“This is witch-work, lord,” answered Skallagrim, “and in such things no counsel can avail.  Hold the tiller straight and drive on, say I. Methinks the gale lessens more and more.”

So they did for a little while, and all around them sounded the roar of breakers.  Darker grew the sky and darker yet, till at the last, though they stood side by side, they could not see each other’s shapes.

“This is strange sailing,” said Eric.  “I hear the roar of breakers as it were beneath the prow.”

“Lash the helm, lord, and let us go forward.  If there are breakers, perhaps we shall see their foam through the blackness,” said Skallagrim.

Eric did so, and they crept forward on the starboard board right to the prow of the ship, and there Skallagrim peered into the fog and sleet.

“Lord,” he whispered presently, and his voice shook strangely, “what is that yonder on the waters?  Seest thou aught?”

Eric stared and said, “By Odin!  I see a shape of light like to the shape of a woman; it walks upon the waters towards us and the mist melts before it, and the sea grows calm beneath its feet.”

“I see that also!” said Skallagrim.

“She comes nigh!” gasped Eric.  “See how swift she comes!  By the dead, it is Swanhild’s shape!  Look, Skallagrim! look how her eyes flame!—­look how her hair streams upon the wind!”

“It is Swanhild, and we are fey!” quoth Skallagrim, and they ran back to the helm, where Skallagrim sank upon the deck in fear.

“See, Skallagrim, she glides before the Gudruda’s beak! she glides backwards and she points yonder—­there to the right!  Shall I put the helm down and follow her?”

“Nay, lord, nay; set no faith in witchcraft or evil will befall us.”

As he spoke a great gust of wind shook the ship, the music of the breakers roared in their ears, and the gleaming shape upon the waters tossed its arms wildly and pointed to the right.

“The breakers call ahead,” said Eric.  “The shape points yonder, where I hear no sound of sea.  Once before, thou mindest, Swanhild walked the waves to warn us and thereby saved us from the men of Ospakar.  Ever she swore she loved me; now she is surely come in love to save us and all our comrades.  Say, shall I put about?  Look:  once more she waves her arms and points,” and as he spoke he gripped the helm.

“I have no rede, lord,” said Skallagrim, “and I love not witch-work.  We can die but once, and death is all around; be it as thou wilt.”

Eric put down the helm with all his might.  The good ship answered, and her timbers groaned loudly, as though in woe, when the strain of the sea struck her abeam.  Then once more she flew fast across the waters, and fast before her glided the wraith of Swanhild.  Now it pointed here and now there, and as it pointed so Eric shaped his course.  For a while the noise of breakers lessened, but now again came a thunder, like the thunder of waves smiting on a cliff, and about the sides of the Gudruda the waves hissed like snakes.