"And she is loaded with herring also
and saileth on the morrow toward noon. Go, then, and speak freely, as
thou sayest."
Bernulf did so; and the Captain Eric entered heartily into his plans as
Bernulf laid them before him. "The loons!" he exclaimed with a hearty
laugh, as he heard of the journey through the fens. "The witless geese!
And thou hast not once told them that the young lord and his serving-man
came in this direction?"
"Nay, not once. We did but break branches, and make tracks on the edges
of the pools, and ruffle the long grass, and they did read for
themselves that those they sought were just ahead of them. We have hope
that the young lord be, by this time, well and safely sped on his
journey."
"Ay, and by to-morrow at this time will his pursuers be upon their
journey," said Eric. "I am to refuse to let them come aboard, sayest
thou, until they demand permission in the king's name? And then the
moment they be down the companionway I am to hoist the anchor and be
off?"
"Yea," answered Bernulf, "that is it."
"So be it," returned Eric. "And it is a small thing to do for a kinsman
also moreover.
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