It will be ill to offend her, or to cross her in aught." "That is the hardest saying that our folk have of her," I said, "but I have heard it many a time." "There is much in that saying," Thrond answered grimly.
"Well," I answered shortly, "I suppose that if any man will set himself against a king or a queen, he has to take the chances." "Small chance for such an one if the queen be--well, such another as I helped to set adrift from our shore." Meaningly that was said, and I had no answer.

I was glad that Thorleif showed himself on the bows of the prize and hailed Thrond.
"Send the Saxon lad on board here," he said; "we have met with a friend of his." That could be none but the atheling, and I leaped up.

The men were heaving on the tow line, and the ships were slowly nearing each other.
"Thrond," I said breathlessly, "will Thorleif let me go ?" "Of course," he answered, smiling.

"We only picked you up again to save your life.

He had a mind to land you on the English shore presently; for he said you had kept faith with us well, and he could not let you suffer therefor." The bows of the trader grated against our stern, and one of the men gave me a hoist over her gunwale with such good will that I landed sprawling among the coils of rope on the fore deck.