The ship sailed wonderfully well and swiftly, even under the shortened canvas, and Bertric was happy as he steered her.

And at his side on the bench sat the Lady Gerda, silently looking ever eastward toward the home she had lost, while I and Dalfin well-nigh dozed in the sun on the warm deck amidships in all content, for things went well with us.
Presently Gerda rose up and came forward, as if she would go to her awning, and I went to help her over the timbers again.
"Come forward with me," she said; "I have something I must say to you." I followed her, and she went to the gunwale, close to the penthouse, where she was screened from Dalfin, and leant on it.
"You are of my own folk," she said, "and of the old faith, and therefore I can tell you what is troubling me.

These other two good friends are of the new faith I have heard of, for I saw them sign their holy sign ere they ate, and you signed Thor's hammer over the meat." "They are Christians," I said; "but I have nothing ill to say of that faith, for I have known many of them in Scotland.

I am Odin's man." "I have heard nothing but ill," she said.

"I was frightened when I knew that they were not Odin's men.