One half-mile behind them a solitary boat pursued. There appeared to be only five men, four rowing and one steering. Other boats there were, but wide of the mark.
"Alfgar," said the gleeman, "you will find a quiver of arrows and a long bow at the bottom of the boat behind you."
Alfgar handed them to him.
"The points are passing sharp, and the bow is in order; take your turn to row."
Alfgar obeyed; he could not do otherwise, the gleeman's tone of command was so powerful, but he feared they would loss time by the change.
"You need not hurry yourself; let them approach. They are not likely to have brought other weapons than their swords and axes."
The boat gained on them rapidly, until it was within a hundred and fifty yards.
"Keep just this distance if you can," said the gleeman, and drew an arrow suddenly to its head; it whistled through the air, and the steersman, transfixed, rose, leapt in the boat, and fell in the sea a corpse.
"Gone to seek oysters for King Sweyn's table, I suppose," said the gleeman.
Another steersman promptly took the place, but some yards were lost by the pursuers.