I took him aside and walked out into the open with him.
"Erling," I said, "do you mind that tale which Thrond tells concerning a damsel set afloat ?" "Ay, more than mind it--I saw it done! She went from our village.

I was a well-grown lad of fourteen then.

Now I know what you would say.

It is the word of Thrond that this Quendritha, whom men fear so, is she.

He says so, since you spoke to him." "Have you breathed a word thereof to any one ?" I asked, with a sort of cold fear coming on me.
I had no mind to die of poison.
"Not likely; here of all places.