when the tide is running."

Estein laughed. "I see that I am with a skilful helmsman," he
said.

"And I, that I am with an over-confident crew," she answered.

Only a distant corncrake broke the silence of the lonely channel,
its note sounding more faintly as they left the land behind. The
sun set slowly between the headlands to seaward, and by the time
they reached the shore of the islet the stillness was absolute,
and the northern air was growing chill. Osla led the Viking up a
slope of short sea-turf, and presently crossing the crest of the
land, they came upon a settlement so strange and primitive that it
could scarcely, he thought, have been designed by mortal men.

Facing the land-locked end of the sound, and looking upon a little
bay, a cluster of monastic cells marked the northern limits of the
Christian church. From this outpost it had for the time receded,
and all save two of the rude stone dwellings looked deserted and
forlorn. A thin thread of smoke rose straight heavenward in the
still air, and before the entrance of the cell whence it issued
stood an old and venerable man. Despite a slight stoop, he was
still much beyond the common height of men. His brows were shaggy,
and his grey beard reached well down over his breast; a long and
voluminous cloak, much discoloured by the weather, was bound round
his waist by a rope, and in his hand he carried a great staff.

As Estein approached, his brows bent in an expression of
displeased surprise, but he waited in silence till his daughter