"No, lord. They wait for ransom they have demanded. If it comes not, they will burn and harry all Ulster."
"How many ships, then?" asked Dalfin, on hearing that threat.
"Two ships, lord, and great ones."
The prince laughed at the man.
"What, burn all Ulster with two shiploads of men? That is a great boast which we shall not care for. Where is my father, the king--and where is the muster?"
The man told him that the king was at some place or other, with the mustering warriors. Thereat Dalfin bade the man get him a horse at once, and the fisher threw up his hands and said that there was never a horse within ten miles. Dalfin laughed and spoke to us.
"Just what I thought," he said. "If I get to the muster by sunset I shall be lucky, unless I meet with a horse on the way. And--I am out of condition with these long days on board ship."
He groaned, and we bade him wait till he was sent for; but that he would not hear.
"I shall take a dozen of these knaves as guard--and maybe to carry me betimes. Wish me luck, for I must be going."
Now the wild fishers had been whispering among themselves, and one of them made up his mind to tell somewhat. He came and knelt before Dalfin, and asked him to forgive him.