As I knew only too well, they were fast as ever, and he said:
"Well, we can tie a knot fairly. Presently we will loosen you a
bit--in the morning maybe."
He went and closed the door, and I fell to work again. He would
leave me now for a while.
There was a long talk from ship to shore before the gangplank was
run out, and presently Thorgils spoke to Evan, seemingly close to
the cabin door:
"Here's a bit of luck for your princess," he said. "Her father is
up in the camp yonder, with his guards behind him. Maybe there is
trouble with the Tenby Danefolk, or going to be some. It is as well
that we put in here. Now he bids us take the lady up to him and
bide to feast with him, Will you come with me?"
"I stay by my goods," answered Evan, with a laugh. "If there is a
levy in the camp there will be men who will need watching among
them."
"Why, then, we six Norsemen can go, and leave you to tend the
ship."
"That will be all right," said Evan, somewhat gladly, as I thought;
"so long as we are here you need have no fear. Every one knows that
a chapman will fight for his goods if need be. But a Welshman will
not meddle with a Welshman's goods."
"So long as he is there to mind them," laughed Thorgils. "Then we
can go. I do not know how soon we can be back, though."
"That is no matter.
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