So I prayed for that help if it might be given, and for the Hand of Him who is over all things, even as the prior had bidden me understand.
Whereupon I was in no more trouble about myself, and now I began to hope that the still weather might even bring Halfden's ship to find me.
So we passed from river to broad, and from broad to sea, and went in tow of the fishing boat until we came to that place, as nearly as might be, where I had saved Lodbrok.

I could see the sparkle of our village lights, or thought I could.
There they cast us off, and for a few minutes the two boats lay side by side on the gently-heaving water, for the wind was offshore, and little sea was running.
Then the earl rose up, lifting his hand and saying, very solemnly: "Farewell, thou who art innocent.

Blame not my blindness, nor think ill of me.

For I do my best, leaving you in the Hand of God, and not of man!" So he spoke; then the oars swung and fell, and in a few moments his boat was gone into the shoreward shadows and we were alone, and I was glad.
Now I looked at Beorn, and I thought him strangely still, and so watched him.

But I soon saw that he was in some sort of fit or swoon, and paid no heed to aught.