Then the time had come, and we up anchor and plunged homewards through the troubled seas of the wide harbour mouth.

It was I who steered, as I ever would of late, while the Dane stood beside me, stroking his hawk and speaking to it now and then.

And once or twice he looked long and earnestly at the breakers, knowing now from what he had escaped; and at last he said to me: "Many a man, I know, would have rather let me go on than have run the risk of saving one from the sea.

Do you dare go against the saying ?" "Why not?
I may not say that it came not into our minds," I answered; "but Christian men will put such ill bodes aside." "Ah! I had forgotten your new faith," said Lodbrok.

"Now from this time I, for one, have naught to say against it, for I think I owe it somewhat." And he was silent for a while.
Now my father came aft, and sitting down by the Dane, asked him how he came to risk sailing in the little boat.
"I know not if you can believe me," answered Lodbrok, "but I will tell you in a few words.