We were glad that he would help us therefore, and
hailed his coming accordingly, to his content.
This island where we lay was hilly, and forest clad. The ships were
at anchor in the little sound between it and a smaller island,
hidden and safe, and the ladies were lodged in a house among the
woods on the south side of the hill, near the lodging of Hakon. The
woods were pleasant at this time, with the first touch of autumn on
the leaves of the birches, and the ripe berries of the Norseland
were everywhere.
So it happened that presently, as I went to Hakon's lodging with
some question which I had for him, I must take the nearest way from
the ships by the woodland paths, having to cross the island from
east to south, and leaving Bertric and Asbiorn on board. I had it
in my mind to find Thoralf's good wife presently, and talk to her,
for it seemed to me that this cruise might have much in store for
me. Hakon had told her of our sailing with the morning's tide.
But I heard someone singing in the wood, and knew the voice well.
It was Gerda who was wandering, and gathering the red raspberries,
and I had half a mind to turn aside and keep beyond her sight. That
thought came too late, however, for the path turned, and I came on
her suddenly, and she looked up from the ripe berries she had found
alongside the path and saw me.
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