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.

The young chief smiled a little as he looked again at us, but even Dalfin could not smile back again.
"Now," said Asbiorn, "cast off the lashings from their feet, and let them walk to the ship.

See that they all get there, and set a watch over the place where they are stowed." "Are we sailing at once ?" a man asked.
"Yes, as usual.

The chief has some new plan on foot already." The end of it was that in a short time we were on board our own ship, and safely stowed forward, still bound.