I think I swooned, or slept at that time, for thereafter I can remember no more until the day was almost spent, and a man came and opened the low door that he might bring us food--oaten loaves, and ale in a great jug.

Asbiorn stood outside.
"You may as well loose the men," he said carelessly; "we can mind them well enough." "More likely to have them out on us in some sort of berserk rage," said the man, growling.

"I ken what I would do in their place well enough." Asbiorn stooped and looked in on us.

The light was behind him, and I could not see his face; but he spoke evenly, and not unkindly.
"Will your men bide quiet if I unbind you all ?" he said.
"Aye," I answered.

"Why not ?" "Good reason enough why you should," he said.
"Let them loose." One by one we were unbound, some more men coming forward and watching us, with their weapons ready, in case we tried to fall on them.