Phelim saw the men cross the island and groaned, fearing that when they found nothing on the beach or in the sand hills they would pass on to the village at once.  But, like ourselves when we first came ashore, they had no knowledge that a village was there, and it was not to be seen as it nestled in its little valley.  So they bided on the shore and watched the chase as it began.

By the time that the big boat was after us in earnest, we had set a full half mile between us and it, owing to the little delay in landing the men.  Then they hailed us again, but though we heard the hail we paid no heed to it.  So for a little while we held on, until it was plain that the ten oars must needs wear down our four, and then we stepped the mast and made sail, at least holding our own under it and the oars.  The northeast breeze was helping us, though we must sail close-hauled, and my only fear was lest the pursuers should do the same.  But they had no sail with them.

Now we held on thus for a matter of two miles, and neither of the boats seemed to gain much on the other.  It began to come into my mind that we should win after all, if only we did not tire too soon.  They had two fresh men, who could take their turn presently.  And then it came across me that even if we ran ashore before they reached us, we should hardly have time to get away before they, too, were on the beach.  The fisher folk, if there were any huts at the landing place, might all be away at the muster, and no aid might be waiting us.

I know that all these things went through the mind of my comrade at this time, and from the troubled look on the face of Gerda as she steered, it was plain that she, too, had her doubts as to the end of this race.  Then Bertric spoke to me over his shoulder.

“We had better head seaward after all,” he said.  “What think you of our chance of reaching yon ships before we are overhauled?  We shall be caught before we reach a landing, or else taken on the very beach, as we go now.”

I looked at the two strange ships.  They were three miles from shore, and perhaps at the same distance from us eastward, still heading west and a little out to sea.

“It is our best plan,” I answered.  “We shall get the wind abeam, and ought to sail away from that great boat.  It may be a choice of two evils, but one cannot well meet with another Heidrek.”

“We must cut across their course and try to hail them,” said Bertric, somewhat wearily.  “It all depends on how the boat sails on the wind, and if we can keep the oars going.  What say you, Queen Gerda?”

“Do as you think best,” she answered bravely.  “I know how this boat can sail, and I will answer for her.  And I can see no sign of a break in these black cliffs for many a long mile ahead.”

Now Bertric turned and took a long look at the ships, and his face was half toward me.  He seemed puzzled.

“It is hardly possible,” he muttered to me, “but I could almost swear that they were English.  If not, they are Frisian.  But what could have brought either into these seas?  Have we taken to the Viking path?”