It may be that her long resistance has tired her out, and that she is at the point of consenting to become Sweyn's bride." "I think not that," Siegbert replied.

"When Freda has once made up her mind she is not given to change." "I doubt not her resolution," Edmund said; "but none can blame her if, after all these months, she has begun to despair of rescue; nay, it is even probable that, having Sweyn, who is assuredly a brave and enterprising Viking, always near her, she may have come to love him." "No, Edmund," Siegbert replied.

"I am sure you need have no fear that she has softened towards Sweyn.

But how do you think of proceeding if you land ?" "I will take with me this Dane, and if one of the Genoese nobles will go with me I will take him, and also the man we brought from Marseilles, who acts as an interpreter between us and the Italians." "But why hamper yourself with two men, who would be even more likely to be detected by the Danes than would you yourself ?" "I shall leave them in the outskirts of the place," Edmund replied.

"I would fain see if I can enter into any negotiations with the natives.
Perhaps we may arrange that they shall attack the place on the land side, while the Dragon falls upon the galleys, and in any case we may need an interpreter with the people." One of the young Genoese, upon being asked whether he would take part in the adventure, at once consented, and the four men, attiring themselves as Danes, speedily landed in the Dragon's boat.