They walked swiftly down the brook. No sentinels were posted in this direction, nor was any lookout kept.
"The danger is yet to come," said the gleeman, in a low tone.
Shortly they reached the river, and then they found a boat hidden in the rushes, which grew tall and strong. They embarked, and Alfgar steered, by the other's direction, straight down the stream, while he rowed for full an hour with remarkable strength and dexterity, so that they drew near the coast, and the cold air from the sea blew in Alfgar's face.
Here the gleeman ceased rowing, and spoke to him in a low tone.
"Do you see those dark figures ahead?"
"I do."
"Well, they are the Danish war ships, and our hour of peril draws near. We must drop down with the tide, which is running out strongly, and I must steer. You can row, I suppose?"
"Yes."
"Well, get the oars ready to pull for your life, if I give the word, but not till then. Now silence."
In perfect silence they drifted down upon the ships. Happily for them there was no moon, and although the stars were bright, there was little danger that their dark-painted bark would be seen at any distance.