The summer sea lashed furiously against the rocks, and far up the fiord the angry breakers rushed in, so that no boat could live upon their surface for an hour.
That night as Sigurd sat heedless of the hurricane without and feasted with his lords and ladies, they came and told him that a raft had been driven ashore at the foot of the castle, with a man upon it half dead.
Sigurd bade them instantly bring him to the castle, and give him fire and clothing and food, to revive him in his unhappy plight.
This they did, and presently came to the hero with the hews that the man lived and desired to speak with his deliverer.

So Sigurd ordered him to be brought up.

And as the tempest raged without, his heart rejoiced to know that one man at least had been saved from its ravages.
The man was of the common order, and though clothed in a rough woodman's suit it was plain to see he was a soldier.
He fell at the feet of the prince and poured forth his thanks for the shelter given him that night.
"And who art thou ?" asked Sigurd, to whom such thanks were never welcome.
"I am a servant of King Ulf thy brother." At the mention of the king's name the faces of those present fell, and Sigurd asked, sternly-- "And what is thy errand here ?" "I was sent," said the man, "with two others, to spy into your state here.

The king has heard of your merrymakings and of your alliance with the English king.

He bade us see how you were armed and how prepared for a sudden assault, and then return secretly and report it to him." "And is it thus you perform your errand ?" cried Sigurd.