"The call of Eirinn must take me from you for a time.

It cannot be denied by me." "Come back soon, and as a victor, and you will be forgiven," she answered, laughing, and he stepped into the boat.
Then as he put off she sat down on a rock with the brethren behind her, to watch us, and we saw her wave her hand in farewell.
"Concerning the arms, or the want thereof," said Dalfin presently.
"Our folk hold that a warrior should need naught but his weapons, and that mail or shield are but cowardly devices.

So I have had to leave them, though I am not of that mind myself.

Moreover, I shall be likely to find a long tramp across the hills before me presently, and I have no mind to be set on by my own people as a wandering Dane, for the sake of wearing outland arms to please myself." It was not a quarter of an hour before we were alongside the little tottering landing stage which the fishers had built for themselves of the ribs of some wreck at the foot of their glen.

Some of the children who swarmed in the village of huddled turf huts caught sight of us first, and fled, yelling.