So Birdalone took off the ring and came back to sight
again laughing; then the wood-woman kissed her and
turned her heels to her, and was gone; but Birdalone
strung her bow, and got to her woodcraft, and presently
had a brace of hares, wherewith she went back home
to the dame; who indeed girded at her for her sloth,
and her little catch in so long a while; but there
it ended.
CHAPTER XIV. OF BIRDALONE’S FISHING
Now were the days wearing toward wheat-harvest, and
nought befel to tell of, save that on a morn the witch-wife
called Birdalone to her, and said: Now is little
to be done till the wheat is ready for the hook, and
thy days are idle; or what is that word that fell from
thee that other day, that there be good swims for
fish about the eyots? Canst thou swim across
bearing thine angle, and back again therewith, and
thy catch withal? Yea, certes, said Birdalone
gaily; with one hand I may swim gallantly, or with
my legs alone, if I stir mine arms ever so little.
I will go straightway if thou wilt, lady; but give
me a length of twine so that I may tie my catch about
my middle when I swim back again.
Therewith she went forth lightly to fetch her angle,
which was in a shed without; but just as she took
it in her hand, a sudden thought came to her, so wary
as she was grown. She undid the bosom of her
gown, and took forth her serpent-ring; for she bore
it next to her skin, made fast to the bosom of her
smock; but now she hid it carefully in the thickest
of her brow-hair, which was very thick and soft.
Withal the tress of Habundia’s hair she bore
ever mingled with her own.
No sooner had she done it, but she was glad; for she
heard the dame calling her, who, when she came to
the house-door, spake and said: Now shall I fare
with thee down to the water, and look to thy garments
lest they be fouled by some straying beast. And
therewith she looked curiously on Birdalone, and knit
her brows when she saw that the maiden changed countenance
in nowise.
Down to the water went they, and the witch sat down
close to where Birdalone should take the water, and
watched her do off her raiment, and eyed her keenly
when she was bare, but said nought. Birdalone
turned her head as she stood knee-deep, and said:
How long shall I abide, lady, if I have luck?
As long as thou wilt, said the dame: most like
I shall be gone by then thou comest back, even if thou
be away no long while.
Fell Birdalone to swimming then, and when she was
more than half over, the witch, stirring no more than
need was, got hold of her raiment, which was but the
old grey coat over a smock, and ransacked it, but
found nought, as well ye may wot. And when she
had done, she sat down again in heavy mood as it seemed,
and watched Birdalone swimming, and when she beheld
her body come forth out of the water, and pass out
of sight amongst the flowers of the eyot, she arose
and went her ways home.
