Rising and falling on the waves came a tiny craft with two men in it, and I have seldom seen a boat better handled in a sea way.

Yet when they came close, it was but a wicker framework, covered with skins, the two men kneeling on the floor, and using narrow, single-bladed paddles, one on either side or both on the same side as need might be.
They came carefully alongside a flat rock which they were wont to use as a landing place, and one leapt out, running to Father Phelim, and kneeling to him for his blessing.

It was hard to make out his rough speech, but it was plain that his folk had feared lest somewhat should be amiss with the hermits.

Phelim told them that their prince was here, and then there was much homage done of a humble sort to Dalfin, who took it as a matter of course, though the manner of it was more cringing and excited than any Norseman could have put up with.

Presently, when all that was over, they asked him what his commands were, knowing that they had been summoned for his service.
He told them that they must go to his father, their king, and ask him to send a guard to meet us as soon as possible at their village, with all that was needed for our journey to the court.
Thereafter they were to send their largest boat to ferry us across to the other side.