"I have a fear of this White Lady myself.

Therefore am I going with Redwald, because I want to see if there is aught to be feared of." "I will come with you," the scald said, hardening his heart, for his mind was full of the wild tales of the old heathen days which he sang, and he feared more than we.
"It is but a lady after all," said Olaf, laughing at Ottar's face.
"I have a sort of fear of living ladies," the scald said, "how much more, therefore, of their ghosts! I had rather meet Danes.

For when one sees them there comes a stiffening of back and knees and fists--whereas--" "Aye, Redwald and I know somewhat of what you mean," laughed Olaf, and then Ottar laughed, and we took our cloaks and were going, but first must seek Rani, and tell him that we were now about to leave the village for an hour or so.
Now no man questioned Olaf as to his lonely walks, as I saw in Normandy, and Rani said nought but: "Take your arms, for there may be wandering Danes about." But we were armed already, though without mail, and as we went not far it seemed unlikely that we should need any.

It was but a half-hour's walk from the house.
Now the mere lies on the south side of the river, which runs into it only by a narrow inlet, and this inlet is so overshadowed by the trees of the thick woodland that when one has passed through the opening it is lost to sight very quickly.

So heavy is the growth of timber round the mere that one can see the water from no place, save for a glimpse as this inlet is passed in going down the river, and many a stranger has passed by all unknowing that such a mere could be near him.