Still no sound came to us, close as the ship must surely be--so close that we might have heard even a foot fall on her deck in the stillness that weighed on us.
Gerda's hand sank to her side, and she swayed against me so that I had to support her hastily, for she was fainting.

I do not know what my face was like as I saw that ghostly greeting, but Dalfin's was white and amazed, and he crossed himself, muttering I know not what prayers.
But for all that I heard what was like a half laugh come from Bertric, and he went quickly aft to the sternpost and rested his hand on it for a moment, still watching the ship.

And as he went, one of that ghostly crew went also, and stood as he stood, with outstretched arm set on the dim sternpost.

Then the fog turned dusky and gray again, and the ship alongside us was gone as it came, suddenly, and in silence, and Bertric came back to us.
Gerda's faintness was passing, for she was but overwrought, though she still leaned against me.
"What is it ?" she asked.

"What does it mean ?" "There is no harm in it, lady," answered Bertric.