it.

"Aye, two ships sailing this way."

They were those which we had seen and forgotten. I ran out, and
while Fergus went to Bertric, climbed the little hill beyond the
village, and looked seaward. The ships were six miles away, and
heading due west, having edged somewhat farther from the shore than
when we first sighted them. They were not coming hither.

"There need be no fear of those ships, father," I said. "They are
making a passage past us--bound elsewhere at all events."

"Then," he said at once, "there lies your boat on the shore of the
open sea. Make away to the main land eastward while there is time,
and take to the hills inland. You are not likely to be followed
thither. We will give you some token which the poor folk of the
shore will know."

Now, while the hermit had been speaking, I was translating for the
other two, as was my way by this time.

"Father," cried Gerda, and I spoke her words as she said them,
"will you not fly also?"

He shook his head with a sad smile. Neither he nor any one of his
brethren would leave the place.

"We shall hide in the hill and behind it while we may," he said.
"They may not trouble to hunt us."

"The good father is right," said Bertric. "We must get away as soon
as we can. It is our one chance. I had thought of it, but was not
sure how the shore folk would greet us. Now we must hasten. Ask the
hermit to come and help us launch the boat."

Then he turned to Gerda, who stood with clasped hands waiting to
hear the end of the rapid speech.

"It is our only hope," he said again. "We must take that way,
though it is hard to leave these holy men to their fate."

Then, of a sudden, a light came into Gerda's eyes, and she flushed
as with a fresh hope.

"Those other ships!" she cried. "You said they were not Danish.
Norse or Irish, they would help us, if we could reach them!"

Bertric said never a word, but ran to the place whence he could
look out to sea, and came back with a brighter face.

"They are not Danish," he said. "I am sure thereof. And it is just
a chance that we might reach them. If they see we are in need,
there is another hope for us, for they will meet us, or heave to
for us."

Then some fear took hold of Gerda, born of the chase by Heidrek, as
I believe.

"No," she said, "rather the poor folk ashore than chance what men
we may meet at sea."

"As you will," answered Bertric. "You may be right. Now will you
gather what you must needs take, a