“Alric is safe, I am certain,” said Erling energetically, as he turned a meaning glance on Glumm.
“How knowest thou that?” asked Haldor.
Erling hesitated to reply, not wishing to raise hopes that after all might prove to be fallacious.
Before the question could be repeated the cutter’s keel grated on the sand of a small bay which was close to the large one, and concealed from it by a small rocky islet. Here they all jumped ashore—all except Kettle Flatnose, who, on attempting to rise, found himself so weak that he fell down again, and nearly fainted.
“This is bad,” said Erling. “But come, we have no time to waste. Give me the chief command of our men, father; I have a plan in my head.”
“Do as thou wilt,” said Haldor, with a strange mixture of despair, resignation, and ferocity in his tone.
“Come then, form up, men, and follow me!”
So saying, Erling lifted Kettle in his arms, and hurried away with him as if he had been no heavier than a little boy! He led the way to the secret entrance to the cave, where, true as steel to his trust, little Alric was found with a few men guarding the two warships of Erling and Glumm.