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But we are strangers, as you may see." Then I called to Kolgrim, who was listening open eyed to all this, and backed away from the door a little. "What is this madness, master?" he whispered hoarsely. "No madness at all. Ten minutes' ride to Wareham with the maiden, give her to the fisherman to take to her friends, and then ride away that is all.
"Put me ashore, therefore, before my courage goes," I said; and they pulled the boat to the bank where I could step on a rock and so to shore. And when I was there, Kolgrim rose up and followed me without a word. "Bide here for two hours, jarl, and maybe I will return in that time," I said. "Farewell." So I turned away as they answered me, thinking that Kolgrim held the boat's painter.
I lifted my hand, and he turned his horse and rode away, paying no more heed to me. That was a good tale of things left that Thora had made in case I was seen to be going back to the boat. Then I waxed light hearted enough, and thought of my other plan. Kolgrim saw me coming, and the boat was ready. "Have you flint and steel?" I said to the fisher as I got into the boat.
Whereat the men laughed; and straightway there was the pleasant hustle and talk of those who donned mail shirt and helm and set the throwing weapons to hand with all good will. "Let us keep on our course," I said to Kolgrim. "We will see if we cannot weather on these ships, and anyway shall fight them better apart from the rest. It is a fine breeze for a sailing match."
Odda the ealdorman and I rode gaily into the king's camp in the bright August morning, with Harek and Kolgrim and Thord beside us, and after us fifty of my men in their best array; which was saying much, for Einar the jarl was generous, and we had spoiled Halfdan, the king's son, moreover.
And I grasped my sword hilt, as one does in some sudden terror, staring at the open mound; while old Thord muttered spells against I know not what, and Kolgrim looked at me, pale and motionless. Then came the sharp, mocking cry of a diver, that rang strangely; and at once, without order.
I hold that he called for you." So we went back to the ships, and there for many days the men stared at Kolgrim and me strangely. They say I was very silent for long, and it is likely enough. Moreover, Einar was wont to say that I seemed five years older from that day forward. We went no more to the place of the mound, for it seemed to need no care of earthly hands.
I cannot gainsay his wise words, and I will leave the matter so. Thereafter Kolgrim and I went back to Einar, who yet waited for us. Glad was he to see us return in safety; but both he and Thord were speechless when they saw the jarl's sword girt to me and the jarl's golden ring on my hand.
"It seems that I must go even to the door, and maybe into the mound," I said, whispering. "Not inside," said Kolgrim, taking hold of my arm. But I had grown bolder with the thought that the hero seemed not angry, and now I had set my heart on winning the sword of which the jarl had told me, and I thought that I dared go even inside the tomb to speak with Sigurd.
"That is well," I answered, and with that wasted no more words, but climbed the hillside a little, and then went steadily towards where the mound was, with Kolgrim close at my shoulder, and the jarl and Thord looking fixedly after us till we were out of sight. I will not say that my steps did not falter when we came to whence we could see the mound.
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