inkest thou, Skallagrim?" said Eric beneath his breath.

"I think that I find little faith in yon carle's face," answered
Skallagrim. "Still, I am unfit to fight, and thy strength is spent, so
it seems that we must lie low if we would rise again. They can scarcely
be so base as to do murder having handselled peace to us."

"I am not so sure of that," said Eric; "still, starving beggars must eat
bones. Hearken thou: we take the terms, trusting to your honour; and I
say this: that ye shall get shame and death if ye depart from them to
harm us."

"Have no fear, lord," said the mate, "we are true men."

"That we shall look to your deeds to learn," said Eric, laying down his
sword and shield.

Skallagrim did likewise, though with no good grace. Then men came with
strong cords and bound them fast hand and foot, handling them fearsomely
as men handle a live bear in a net. Then they led them forward to the
prow.

As they went Eric looked up. Yonder, twenty furlongs and more away,
sailed the Gudruda.

"This is good fellowship," said Skallagrim, "thus to leave us in the
trap."

"Nay," answered Eric. "They cannot put about in such a sea, and
doubtless also they think us dead. Nevertheless, if ever it comes about
that Hall and I stand face to face again, there will be need for me to
think of gentleness."

"I shall think little thereon," growled Skallagrim.

Now they were come to the prow, and there was a half deck under which
they were set, out of reach of the wind and water. In the deck was a
stout iron ring, and the men made them fast with ropes to it, so that
they might move but little, and they set their helms and weapons behind
them in such fashion that they could not come at them. Then they flung
cloaks about them, and brought them food and drink, of which they stood
much in need, and treated them well in every way. But for all this
Skallagrim trusted them no more.

"We are new-hooked, lord," he said, "and they give us line. Presently
they will haul us in."

"Evil comes soon enough," answered Eric, "no need to run to greet
it," and he fell to thinking of Gudruda, and of the day's deeds, till
presently he dropped asleep, for he was very weary.

Now it chanced that as Eric slept he dreamed a dream so strong and
strange that it seemed to live within him. He dreamed that he slept
there beneath the Raven's deck, and that a rat came and whispered spells
into his ear. Then he dreamed that Swanhild glided towards