But we are strangers, as you may see." Then I called to Kolgrim, who was listening open eyed to all this, and backed away from the door a little.
"What is this madness, master ?" he whispered hoarsely.
"No madness at all.

Ten minutes' ride to Wareham with the maiden, give her to the fisherman to take to her friends, and then ride away--that is all.

Then we shall be in Poole long before any look for us, for we are in luck's way." Kolgrim laughed.
"Strange dangers must I run with you, master; but that is what one might look for with Ranald of the Sword." Then I got off the horse, which was very strong and seemed quiet, and went to the maiden again.
"It will be best for you to come with us, lady," I said "we will see you safely to Wareham." The light fell on my arms now, and they were splendid enough, being Harald Fairhair's gift, which I had put on for the fight, seeing that the men loved to see their king go bravely, and being, moreover, nowise loth to do so myself.

She seemed to take heart--for she was well nigh weeping now--when she saw that I was not some wandering soldier of the great host.
"My horses, two of them should be here," she said.

"I bade the thralls leave them when they fled." So she thought not that we had loosed them, and did not know her own in the moonlight.