"But what if the little vala bids her warriors stay? Never doubt, brother; we 'll sail to the North as we sailed to the South,--unless the king sails with us."
"Not he. You Franks are not fond of brine. But with Rothada aboard, we could hold fast all the crews,--Dane and Norse alike."
"I could swear to that. And we shall soon put her power to the test. By nightfall we will overtake the host, and can tell the little maiden of our wish."
"Before nightfall! Already we scale the pass, and Anselm urges on the ox-drovers. Their beasts follow close upon our rear."
"Yet, at the best, they 'll drag their wains all too slowly up these steep gorges," grumbled Roland. "How the grim cliffs tower above us! Here is fitting abode for fiends and evil sprites."
"Rather, for evil-minded Vascons! Look above in the cleft. I saw the glint of steel."
"The spear of a bear-hunter. The sullen mountaineer halts in the chase to watch us pass."
"I saw more spears than one! By Thor! I'm minded to scale the cliff."
"To what end? At the worst, it is only a band of Vascon thieves lying in wait to cut off stragglers."
"Were my vikings here, we 'd not pass by this wasp nest."