ther and the other women, or to die.
Thou wilt stay here with a few men to guard the ships, and be ready to
cast off at a moment's notice. If we return not before night, do thou
creep out and try to ascertain what has become of us, and if ye have
reason to think we are killed, cut Kettle's bonds and let him do what he
will, poor fellow. At present his head has got a knock that renders him
a dangerous comrade, so he must remain tied. Of course, if the cave is
attacked thou wilt set him free at once. There is a little boat at the
stern of my Swan. Escape if thou canst. But be watchful. We may
return in a few hours. If so, all shall yet be well. Dost understand
me, boy?"

"I do, but methinks ill luck awaits us."

Erling made no reply, but, kissing Alric's forehead, he returned to his
men, of whom there were about sixty, and led them out of the cave,
leaving six with his little brother to guard the ships.

While our hero is thus hastening to the rescue, let us turn aside for a
little to follow the course of Guttorm Stoutheart. That brave old
Sea-king had escaped scathless throughout the whole of the disastrous
day until near the end, when he received his death-wound from a javelin
which pierced his thigh, and cut some important blood vessel, to stanch
which defied the skill of his attendants. He immediately ordered his
ship to be cut loose, and his was among the first to escape round the
southern point of the fiord, just before the battle ended.

At first the men pulled as if their lives depended on it. So great was
their haste that they did not take time to throw their dead comrades
overboard, but left them lying in a ghastly heap on the lower deck.
When, however, they got round the next point, and found that no pursuit
was made, they slackened speed and began to heave out the dead, when
Guttorm, who reclined near the helm, steering the vessel, ordered them
to desist.

"My men," said he, in a voice which had already lost much of its deep
richness of tone, "we will land on the next point. My days are run out.
I go to Odin's halls, and I am glad, for it becomes not an old warrior
to die in his bed, which I had begun to fear was going to be my fate;
besides, now that Norway is to be no longer a free land, it is time that
the small kings should be going home. Ye will carry me to the top of
yonder headland cliff, and leave me where I can see the setting sun, and
the fords and fells of my native land. Would t