I minded at that moment how I had ever heard that one should unship the dragon as the shore was neared, lest the gentle spirits of the land, the Landvaettnir, should be feared.

But that was too late now, and I do not think that I should have troubled concerning it in any wise, on a foreign coast.

The thought came and went from me, but I set Gerda's cloak round her loosely, so that if need was it would fall from her at once; and I belted my mail close, and tried to think how I might save her, if we must take to the water perforce.

I could swim in the mail well enough, and she could swim also.

There might be a chance for her.