Part 25 (2/2)

the shi+p sinks!”

And as he called, Skallagrim cas of gold that he had found tiather from the dead and out of the cabin

”Throw all aside and co on to the oars, for the Raven ed before she sank

”There is yet tirim, and one by one he threw pieces down into the boat As the last fell the Raven sank to her bulwarks Then Skallagri deck into the boat, and cut the cord, not too soon

Eric gave ith all his strength, and, as he pulled, when he was no e swirl

”Hold still,” he said, ”or we shall follow”

Round spun the boat in the eddy, she was sucked down till the water trickled over her gunwale, and for a moment they knew not if they were lost or saved Eric held his breath and watched, then slowly the boat lifted her nose, and they were safe froon

”Greed is many a man's bane,” said Eric, ”and it was nearly thine and ear,” he answered; ”and thou seest, lord, it is safe and ith it”

Then they got the boat's head round slowly into the ain to rest, for their strength was spent For two hours they rowed down a gulf, as it were, and on either side of theth the water-way opened out into a great basin, and there, on the further side of the basin, they saw green slopes running down to the water's edge, strehite stock-fish set to dry in the wind and sun, and above the slopes a large hall, and about it booths Moreover, they saw a long dragon of war at anchor near the shore For a while they rowed on, easing now and again Then Eric spoke to Skallagrim

”What thinkest thou of yonder shi+p, Lambstail?”

”I think this, lord: that she is fashi+oned wondrous like to the Gudruda”

”That is in ood if it is she”

They rowed on again, and presently a ray from the sun caht--and, the shi+p having swung a little with the tide, lit upon her prow, and lo! there gleae thing,” said Eric

”Ay, lord, a strange and a merry, for now I shall talk with Hall the rimly

”Thou shalt do no hurt to Hall,” said Eric ”I ae”

”Thy will is ri on the mast till sea-birds nested amidst his bones”

Now they were close to the shi+p, but they could see no rim would have called aloud, but Eric bade hi cannot wake them, or perchance they sleep and ake of the made fast, climb aboard and see with our own eyes”

This, then, they did as silently as ently by the winds and waves, for her shi+eld rail ashed away This they found also, that all men lay deep in sleep

Now, amidshi+ps a fire still burned, and by it was food They careat need Then they took two cloaks that lay on the deck, and, throwing them about them, warmed themselves over the fire: for they were cold and wet, ay, and utterly outworn

As they sat thus war the aiants were aboard, war their weapons, ran towards the thehteyes and Skallagriaunt and grim to see Their cheeks were hollow and their eyes stared ant of sleep Thick was their harness with brine, and open wounds gaped upon their faces and their hands Men saw and fell back in fear, for they held them to be wizards risen from the sea in the shapes of Eric and the Baresark

Then Eric sang this song: