then, heave together!"

Several stout men leaned over the side, and, acting in accordance with
these instructions, hauled Ulf and Kettle out of the sea; the former in
a state of great exhaustion, the latter almost dead, for his last dip
had well-nigh choked him.

"It has been a long swim," said Ulf, sitting down and leaning languidly
against the bulwarks, while Glumm and Haldor proceeded to chafe the
Irishman into a state of consciousness. "Once or twice I sank under
him, for he was very wild when he came to himself, after I got hold of
him, and struggled to be up and fight the King; but I held him fast.
Yet methought once or twice," added Ulf, with a smile, "that I had at
last got into Valhalla."

A horn of ale refreshed Ulf, and another of the same was shortly after
given to Kettle, by which his wandering faculties were soon restored.

By this time they were drawing near the bay at Ulfstede, and Erling
urged on the rowers, for they could see that Harald's ships were now
cast loose, and giving chase to those that endeavoured to escape, while
several of the largest, including the Dragon, made direct for the land.

"Our whole effort now," said Haldor, "must be to rescue the women."

"That will not be easy," observed Ulf gloomily.

"But it is not impossible," said Erling with decision. "We shall have
time to get into the woods, and so round to the cave. By the way, does
anyone know aught of Hakon of Drontheim?"

"He is dead," said Glumm.

"Dead!"

At that moment Haldor started up with a wild exclamation, and pointed
towards the spot on which his own dwelling stood, where, above the
trees, there arose a cloud of dense black smoke. The truth was soon all
too plain, for, on rounding the point which had hitherto concealed the
bay from their view, several of the enemy's largest ships were seen with
their bows on the shore. It was evident that part of the left wing of
the enemy, which was first victorious, had, unobserved by them, made for
the shore, and landed a large force of men, who had hastened to
Ulfstede, and, finding it deserted, had pushed on to Haldorstede, which
they had set on fire.

"Now indeed would death be welcome!" cried Haldor, stamping fiercely on
the deck, while every feature of his face blazed with wrath.

We need scarcely say that the hearts of all had sunk within them, but
Erling said--"Death would be unwelcome yet, father. The men, no doubt,
are killed, but be sure they will not hurt