Now to be short, I bid thee come aboard to me if thou wouldst ever hear another word of thy damsel betrothed.

And moreover this need not hinder thee to fight with me if thou hast a mind to it thereafter; for we shall soon come to a land big enough for two to stand on.

Or if thou listest to fight in a boat rocking on the waves, I see not but there may be manhood in that also." Now was the hot wrath somewhat run off Hallblithe, nor durst he lose any chance to hear a word of his beloved; so he said: "Big man, I will come aboard.

But look thou to it, if thou hast a mind to bewray me; for the sons of the Raven die hard." "Well," said the big man, "I have heard that their minstrels are of many words, and think that they have tales to tell.

Come aboard and loiter not." Then Hallblithe waded the surf and lightly strode over the gunwale of the skiff and sat him down.