As we slid alongside into the still water under her lee, he cried to us: "Who knows Hakon, and calls on him ?" "An old comrade--Bertric of Lyme." Hakon stared at Bertric under his hand for a moment, and laughed.
"And so it is!" he cried.

"Well met, old friend; but what is that boat astern of you, and why were you in so desperate a hurry ?" "Needs must hurry when the worst pirate in the North Sea is after one.

We have escaped once before from him--from Heidrek the Seafarer." One or two men were beside Hakon, watching us curiously.

One whistled when he heard that name, and spoke quickly to Hakon, who nodded.

Then a line came uncoiling in the air from the ship to us, and across the huddled body of his comrade Phelim caught it, while I lowered the sail.