been overlooked. We thought we had provided against these by keeping the
ship as our own to wait for us, however, and it will be seen how it all
worked out in the end.

Now Havelok went ashore as soon as the ship was moored; and the moment
that he touched land he made a sign on his breast, and I think that it
was not that of the hammer of Thor, for Goldberga watched him with
bright eyes, and she seemed content as she did so. He went at once to
where the jarl sat on his horse waiting him, and greetings passed. I was
so used to seeing men stare at my brother that I thought little of the
long look that Sigurd gave him; but presently it seemed that he was
mightily taken with this newcomer, for he came on board the ship, that
he might speak more with him and us.

"Presently," he said, "you must come and dine with me at my hall; for
the lady whom I saw as you came in will be weary, and a meal on shore
after a long voyage is ever pleasant. Now what is your errand here?"

"Trading, jarl," answered Havelok.

"I thought you somewhat over warlike-looking for a merchant," said
Sigurd; "what is your merchandise?"

"Lincoln cloth, and bar iron, and such like; and with it all one thing
that is worth showing to you, jarl, for I will sell it to none but
yourself."

Now we went aft slowly, and presently Havelok and the jarl were alone by
the steering oar, by design on our part.