"Heidrek is not
coming, or he would have sought this ship under oars at once. That
Arnkel must have beaten him soundly--is that likely?"
"I think so," I said. "Every warrior would be in his war gear at
that funeral, and it would be a full gathering of the king's folk.
Now, I wonder how Arnkel explained the making away of the lady to
her people."
"One may think of many lies he could tell. Men do not heed what
goes on behind them when a fight is on hand. He will say that she
fled, or that Heidrek's men took her--as the fight may go. They
will search for her, in the first case, and presently think her
lost for good."
"If there is one thing which I should like more than another," said
Dalfin, "it would be to see Arnkel's face when we take back the
lady."
"So we may--but not yet. We must know where Heidrek is. And we have
to wait for wind. Eh, well! We had better sleep. I will take first
watch."
"No, Bertric," I said; "do you two sleep. I could not if I tried."
"Why not?" he asked, with a great yawn. "I could sleep anywhere at
this minute, and Dalfin is as bad."
"I think that I could not sleep with yonder chief so near me," I
said frankly.
Dalfin laughed, though Bertric did not; but without more ado, they
took the sail from the nearest boat and rolled themselves under it
on the after deck.
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