m.
He is worn out."

"He was full of all that would happen when we came as honoured
guests to his father's place, as we talked last evening," I said.
"That all sounds well enough for a time. But thereafter--what are
our plans to be?"

"In what way?" he answered, staying his steps, and looking gravely
at me.

Now this was the first chance we two had had of private talk. As
may be supposed, we had been drawn together much during the voyage,
partly as seamen, and also partly because Norseman and Saxon are
kin, while the Irishman was almost as much a stranger to me as to
Bertric. Moreover, Dalfin was at home once more, and we were
wanderers. So I spoke plainly, not seeing any need to beat about
the bush with this quiet friend, of whom I surely learnt so much in
the long days of peril together.

"I have no plans beyond those I may make for the help of Gerda," I
said. "If your home does not call you maybe it is well for her."

"There are none who will trouble much concerning me until the
autumn," he answered. "I am a free man in that matter, and it need
not trouble you. Let me work with you in this, for, indeed, I shall
not be happy until I have seen her in safety again, and in her own
land, if that may be what she wishes."

"That will be her first wish," I answered, being sure thereof.

In those last days on board the ship, when I was not taking my turn
at the helm, I had spoken much with Gerda, sitting on the deck just
without the little shelter we had rigged for her aft, and ever her
thoughts had gone back to Norway and a home there.

"You and I must see this through together," Bertric said frankly.
"I knew that this would be your one thought, and you will be none
the worse off for someone to help. 'Bare is back without brother
behind it,' as your old saw goes."

I held out my hand to him on that bargain with a great relief, and
he took it and laughed.

"Maybe we are making much of what need be little trouble," he said;
"but we cannot tell. We are in a strange land, and, from all I ever
heard, a troubled one. A lady is no light charge. Let us see if we
can find her before Dalfin wakes. I think we must plan apart from
him for a while, for he is full of our biding always here in
Ireland. Which, of course, is out of the question."

Now we turned back to the village, and as we went I asked Bertric
what he would do when our end had been gained, and Gerda was once
more in Norway, and at rest.

"Make my way home