ed over the face of the cold sea. And
it is to be said that whether he wotted or not, it was the very day
twelve months since he had come to that shore along with the Sea-eagle.
So that folk stood and watched the skiff growing less and less upon the
deep till they could scarce see her. Then they turned about and went
into the wood to disport them, for the sun was growing hot. Nevertheless,
there were some of them (and that damsel was one), who came back to the
sea-shore from time to time all day long; and even when the sun was down
they looked seaward under the rising moon, expecting to see Hallblithe's
bark come into the shining path which she drew across the waters round
about the Glittering Land.

CHAPTER XX: SO NOW SAILETH HALLBLITHE AWAY FROM THE GLITTERING PLAIN

But as to Hallblithe, he soon lost sight of the Glittering Plain and the
mountains thereof, and there was nought but sea all round about him, and
his heart swelled with joy as he sniffed the brine and watched the
gleaming hills and valleys of the restless deep; and he said to himself
that he was going home to his Kindred and the Roof of his Fathers of old
time.

He stood as near due north as he might; but as the day wore, the wind
headed him, and he deemed it not well to beat, lest he should make his
voyage overlong; so he ran on with the wind abeam, and his little craft
leapt merrily over the sea-hills under the freshening breeze. The sun
set and the moon and stars shone out, and he still sailed on, and durst
not sleep, save as a dog does, with one eye. At last came dawn, and as
the light grew it was a fair day with a falling wind, and a bright sky,
but it clouded over before sunset, and the wind freshened from the north
by east, and, would he, would he not, Hallblithe must run before it night-
long, till at sunrise it fell again, and all day was too light for him to
make much way beating to northward; nor did it freshen till after the
moon was risen some while after sunset. And now he was so weary that he
must needs sleep; so he lashed the helm, and took a reef in the sail, and
ran before the wind, he sleeping in the stern.

But past the middle of the night, towards the dawning, he awoke with the
sound of a great shout in his ears. So he looked over the dark waters,
and saw nought, for the night was cloudy again. Then he trimmed his
craft, and went to sleep again, for he was over-burdened with slumber.

When he awoke it was broad day