"You three fall back on that," she said, laughing. "It is no part
of the treasure, and is here by mistake. Yet I know what it holds,
and you may be glad thereof."
Dalfin threw it open, and laughed also. It was full of the holiday
clothes of some half-dozen of the head courtmen of the old king;
blue and brown jerkins, and white and blue hose, short red cloaks,
and fair linen underwear. They had brought it for the feasting
after the mound was made, and had forgotten it in the onset of
Heidrek. I have seen men of some rank wear no better. Thorwald's
men were in good case.
"You have made new men of us from head to foot," said Dalfin
gleefully. "In very truth we have sore need of change."
Now we went to replace the deck planking, and she bethought
herself.
"Let us keep the little chest with the gold where we can reach it
easily," she said. "Supposing we are wrecked it will be well to
have it at hand."
That was wise, and we set it on deck again. It was not more than
one could carry easily, though heavy, having iron rings at either
end as handles. I took it aft out of the way, and set it by the
steering bench. And then we ended our work, and things were
shipshape once more.
It was very hot as the sun rose higher. There was a feeling of
thunder in the air, and Gerda was glad to seek the shelter of her
awning from the heat and glare from sea and sky.
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