s.

The spasm of agony and anger soon passed, as Jason knew it must, and
then, full of remorse, Sunlocks saw everything in a new light.

"What time of day is it?" he asked.

"Evening," said Jason.

"How many hours since we left Krisuvik?"

"Ten."

"How many miles from there!"

"Twenty."

"Have you carried me all the way?"

"Yes."

There was a moment's pause, then an audible sob, and then Sunlocks
felt for Jason's hand and drew it down to his lips. That kiss was
more than Jason could bear, though he bore the hot words well enough;
so he made a brave show of unconcern, and rattled on with hopeful
talk, saying where they were to go, and what he was to do for both of
them, and how they would be free men to-morrow.

And as he talked of the great task that was before them, his heart
grew strong again, and Sunlocks caught the contagion of his spirit
and cried, "Yes, yes, let us set off. I can walk alone now. Come, let
us go."

At that Jason drew Sunlocks out of the hummock, and helped him to his
feet.

"You are weak still," he said. "Let me carry you again."

"No, no, I am strong. Give me your hand. That's enough," said
Sunlocks.

"Come, then," said Jason, "the guards have gone that way to
Reykjavik. It's this way to Thingvellir--over the hill yonder, and
through the chasm of All Men, and down by the lake to the Mount of
Laws."

Then Jason wound his right arm about the waist of Sunlocks, and
Sunlocks rested his left hand on the shoulder of Jason, and so they
started out again over that gaunt wilderness that was once a sea of
living fire. Bravely they struggled along, with words of courage and
good cheer passing between them, and Sunlocks tried to be strong for
Jason's sake, and Jason tried to be blind for sake of Sunlocks. If
Sunlocks stumbled, Jason pretended not to know it, though his strong
arm bore him up, and when Jason spoke of water and said they would
soon come to a whole lake of it, Sunlocks pretended that he was no
longer thirsty. Thus, like little children playing at make-believe,
they tottered on, side by side, arm through arm, yoked together by a
bond far tighter than ever bound them before, for the love that was
their weakness was God's own strength.

But no power of spirit could take the place of power of body, and
Sunlocks grew faint and very feeble.

"Is the sun still shining?" he asked at one time.

"Yes," said Jason.

Whereupon Sunlocks added, sadly, "And I am blind--blind--blin