Asbiorn steered, and was alone on the after deck.

The two other ships were not to be seen, and I suppose that they outsailed ours, for she had never been of the swiftest, though staunch and seaworthy in any weather.
We were heading due north as if we would make the Faroe Islands, leaving the Orkneys to the starboard.
I wondered if Heidrek had his lair in that far-off spot, whence we should have not the slightest chance of escape in the days to come; but I could say nothing to my comrades.

Men of the crew sat just outside the low doorway, with their backs against the bulkhead, as if set there to overhear what we might say.
I looked among them for those two men of ours who had been ready to join Heidrek as their one chance of life, but I could not see them.
Perhaps this was no wonder, as it is likely that they were drafted to the other ships in order to keep them apart from us.

It was certainly the safest thing to do.
Asbiorn himself seemed to have some thought of this sort with regard to us seven presently.

Before sunset, he called some of the men and bade them bring Dalfin and myself and shut us into the after cabin, under his own feet, as he sat at the steering oar.