Now we loaded the wagon, which was easy to put together, and the brethren harnessed themselves to it, laughing.  They would not suffer us to help, and we had to walk behind the wagon in a sort of idle train, not altogether sorry to rest, for we were very weary by this time.  As for the hermits, they made light of the rough way and the load, being like schoolboys let loose.  I do not suppose that they had laughed thus for many a long day, and it was good to watch them.

So we came to the huts, and set down our load.  Presently the brothers would bestow the things under cover, but there was no more to come.  So we did but take Gerda her own chest, and have the court men’s to the hut which had been given us.  We bade Phelim, as guest master, take what he would of the provender as he liked, saying it was theirs altogether; and he thanked us simply, more for our own sake than theirs, as I know.  They would not let us go back to the shore for the next load.

“Bide and rest,” said Fergus; “this is a holiday for us, and we enjoy it.  We shall talk of it all for many a long day; but for you it is but an added and needless weariness.”

So, nothing loath, we sat on the stone blocks which were set for seats outside Gerda’s hut, and watched them go with the wagon.  Presently Gerda came and asked for a little help, and I went and moved her chest for her, and hung a heavy curtain, which I have no doubt was a wrecked boat’s sail once, to its stone pegs across the door.  They had lit a fire for her at the first, and the cell was comfortable altogether.

“Now I shall rest,” she said.  “By and by, no doubt, you will bring me supper, but it is strange not to feel the tossing of the ship.  It is wonderful to be warm and in safety once more.  You have been very good to me.”

But I thought of her patience and cheerfulness through the countless discomforts and dangers of the voyage, and knew that the praise was hers.

“We have said truly that you are a sea-king’s daughter indeed, my queen,” I answered.  “It is enough to hear you say that we are not useless courtmen.”

We three went to our hut and took off our mail, and found dry clothing in the chest, with many thanks to the careful half-dozen warriors who had kept their best therein.  Then in much comfort we saw to our arms, red with the sea rust, and hung them round the cell, which was some nine feet across and about the same height, and by the time that pleasant work was done the brothers were back, and the little bell on the chapel, where it hung in a stone cote, rang for their vespers.

They bade us come also, and Bertric and Dalfin rose up and went gladly.  I had no thought that I could be welcome, and was staying, but Phelim called me.

“Malcolm is a Norse Scot,” said Dalfin quietly.  “He is not of our faith, and I do not know if he may come.

“If he will, he may,” answered the hermit kindly.  “He can be no evil heathen, seeing that he is your friend.”