"True," replied Svein, his anger cooling under Sigurd's reply, "I beg your pardon, Jarl, for my haste. Will you allow my men to search your ships? It may be that the girl has fled on board one of them, seeking shelter with the Lady Sigrid."
"Willingly, King," answered Sigurd, Alfred joining with him.
The King at once sent men in all directions, mounted and on foot; but when Sigurd retired for the night nothing had been found of Astrid.
In the morning Sigurd took leave of King Svein, who, preoccupied with the flight of Astrid, offered no hindrance to his departure, presenting him with many gifts, indeed, which Sigurd returned in kind.
His departure was the occasion for a much more sincere and affectionate farewell between himself and the young Saxons. Alfred and Sigrid stood on the deck of the "Crane" till the last moment, and their eyes were moist as they said good-by.
"Be sure to visit us in England next year," were Alfred's parting words. "We will look for you in the summer at Lincoln!"
Sigurd promised to come if possible, and so the three friends parted. As the "Crane" sailed from the harbor Sigurd's last view was of Sigrid, standing on the forecastle of the "Snake" and waving her scarf in farewell.
"Where are we to pick up Wulf and Astrid?" Sigurd asked Biorn, after they had left the land behind.
"About twenty miles north, Jarl. I sent a man with him who knew of a small river mouth where they can lie hid without danger."
Shortly after noon Biorn, taking the helm, steered the "Crane" carefully in to the land, skirting along the shore, and in half an hour the cutter darted out as they passed.