they were presently hauling them in on the sheltered side. Then
the crowd on shore set off for their ships. Ketill, dripping with
water, and bleeding from an arrow wound on the shoulder, watched
them with a grim smile.

"They will find their ships ready for sea," he said.

As he spoke a tongue of flame shot up from one of the long ships,
and Estein turned to him in surprise.

"Then you set them on fire?"

"Ay," replied Ketill; "we slew some guards--who thereby learned
not to sleep at their posts--and made such holes in the ships as
will take them two days to patch. Then I bethought me it were well
to have a burning, if it were only of a long ship; so we kindled
three great fires, one for each vessel, and if the men of Liot
feel cold to-night, it will not be my fault. But have you got
Liot?"

"Here he is," said Estein, pointing to the pinioned captive.

Ketill laughed loud and long.

"Estein," he cried, "I ask your pardon. You may be under a spell,
but you have given us a merry night's work. We have earned a long
drink."