We are in evil case, for slavery is the least we have to fear." "Nay," said Dalfin; "death is a lesser evil than that." "A man may make shift to escape from slavery," answered the other, and both were silent.
Then for a moment I had half a hope that help was at hand for us, if too late.

Round the westward point crept two longships under their broad, brown sails, making for our haven.

But a second glance told me that they were the ships belonging to this crew.

Doubtless, they had landed the force somewhere along the coast beyond our ken, and now were coming to see how the raid had fared.

The matter was plain enough to me now.
Half a dozen men came toward us at this time, leaving the rest to sort the piles of plunder they had brought from the village.