impses of it, as the bows of the round-
ship fell downward into the hollow of the sea. The wind was but light,
as hath been said, and the waves little under it, but there was still a
smooth swell of the sea which came of breezes now dead, and the ship
wallowed thereon and sailed but slowly.

In a while the old man opened his eyes again, and said in a low peevish
voice: "Why standest thou staring at me? why hast thou not gone forward
to look upon the land? True it is that ye Ravens are short of wits."

Said Hallblithe: "Be not wrath, chieftain; I was wondering at thy words,
which are exceeding marvellous; tell me more of this land of the
Glittering Plain."

Said the Grandfather: "Why should I tell it thee? ask of the mariners.
They all know more than thou dost."

"Thou knowest," said Hallblithe, "that these men speak not to me, and
take no more heed of me than if I were an image which they were carrying
to sell to the next mighty man they may hap on. Or tell me, thou old
man," said he fiercely, "is it perchance a thrall-market whereto they are
bringing me? Have they sold her there, and will they sell me also in the
same place, but into other hands."

"Tush!" said the Grandfather somewhat feebly, "this last word of thine is
folly; there is no buying or selling in the land whereto we are bound. As
to thine other word, that these men have no fellowship with thee, it is
true: thou art my fellow and the fellow of none else aboard. Therefore
if I feel might in me, maybe I will tell thee somewhat."

Then he raised his head a little and said: "The sun grows hot, the wind
faileth us, and slow and slow are we sailing."

Even as he spoke there was a stir amidships, and Hallblithe looked and
beheld the mariners handling the sweeps, and settling themselves on the
rowing-benches. Said the elder: "There is noise amidships, what are they
doing?"

The old man raised himself a little again, and cried out in his shrill
voice: "Good lads! brave lads! Thus would we do in the old time when we
drew anear some shore, and the beacons were sending up smoke by day, and
flame benights; and the shore-abiders did on their helms and trembled.
Thrust her through, lads! Thrust her along!" Then he fell back again,
and said in a weak voice: "Make no more delay, guest, but go forward and
look upon the land, and come back and tell me thereof, and then the tale
may flow from me. Haste, haste!" So Hallblithe went down from the poop,
and i