"They have not been to Reedham, or it would not have been thus."

And it was true, for there would have been no sign of joy among
those who had heard the news that waited them there.

I knew not how to bear this meeting, but I was not alone in my
trouble, for nearer me crept Osritha, saying to me alone, while the
people cheered and shouted:

"How shall we tell Halfden?"

The two jarls were busy at the mooring place, and I could only
answer her that I could look to her alone for help. Now at that I
knew what had sprung up in my heart for Osritha, and that not in
this only should I look for help from her and find it, but if it
might be, all my life through. For now in my trouble she looked at
me with a new look, answering:

"I will help you, whatever betide."

I might say no more then, nor were words needed, for I knew all
that she meant. And so my heart was lightened, for now I held that
I was repaid for all that had gone before, and save for that which
had brought me here, gladly would I take my perilous voyage over
again to find this land and the treasure it now held for me.

At last the ship's keel grated on the sand, and the men sprang from
shore waist deep in water, to take her the mighty cables that
should haul her into her berth; and then the long gangplank was run