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Updated: June 22, 2025
They told us how that Arnkel was carrying on his mastership here with a high hand, being in no wise loved. They said that men blamed him for bringing Heidrek on the land, seeing that he had made terms with him when it would have been as well to fight; and that, moreover, there were not a few who believed that in some way he had a hand in the loss of Gerda.
They were undoubtedly Heidrek's, and were in chase of us. This ship was not to be mistaken even from a long distance. "Heidrek has followed in the track this vessel must needs have taken, and now supposes that some stray fishers have picked her up and are trying to get away with her and the treasure. Well, that is near enough to the truth, too," said Bertric, laughing a short laugh.
Only we did not hang the war boards along the gunwales, and we had no dragon head on the stem, for that Heidrek had not carried at any time. We had no mind to set all men against the ship at first sight as an enemy who came prepared for battle.
And I think that the nearness of death though, in truth, not one of us would have shrunk from the steel that was so ready had taught me how good a thing life might be even yet. Most of the men went away, the matter being settled. Heidrek went also, without another word to his son, and we were left to Asbiorn and a few men of his own crew.
Then supposing he picked up our mast?" "Unlikely enough," I said. "We are raising trouble for ourselves." Bertric shook his head. "I know Heidrek only too well. He may spend this season in hunting for the treasure which he so nearly had. News of a wreck flies fast, and he has but to touch here and there on our track or thereabout to hear of us sooner or later."
"If it were not for you two I doubt if Hakon would not have been fallen on by this time," he said. "There are boats enough, hidden in the village from Heidrek, which can be brought out at any moment." He was speaking in the Dansk, but suddenly took to the Erse with some words or other of common farewell, as a tall Irish chief passed with a scowl at us.
"We waste time," said I. "Come and let us tell them. They may have some hiding place." Then we went swiftly to the cells. Once we looked back to the strait, from the little rise behind which the cells were sheltered, and saw the boat still working against the tide along the far shore. Heidrek had certainly not heard that the wreck was on the island itself.
If it is more, we can get on our southward course in it shortly, and if he sights us again, he will have all his work to catch us, for his men will be tired of rowing." "What if the fog lifts directly?" "We shall be little worse off than now and we shall be heading down on Heidrek before he knows it."
They will search for her, in the first case, and presently think her lost for good." "If there is one thing which I should like more than another," said Dalfin, "it would be to see Arnkel's face when we take back the lady." "So we may but not yet. We must know where Heidrek is. And we have to wait for wind. Eh, well! We had better sleep. I will take first watch."
"I thought we had settled that question. What would you with them?" "That is to be seen. Let me have them." "Pay for them, then," shouted one of the men. "They are over and above your share of plunder." "Aye," said Asbiorn at once, "I claim them for my share. Have them down to the new ship, and set them in the forepeak till I need them." Then old Heidrek laughed harshly.
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