"You are abroad betimes, my young master," said she, speaking in the Norse. "And methinks you have work that ill befits such white hands and comely apparel as yours. Let me, I pray you, help you to launch your boat."
"Your words, fair damsel," said the youth as he regarded her in wondering surprise, "surely betoken that you are not of the people of this land."
"And yours, my master, that you are equally foreign to these shores. But tell me, sir, where go you in your boat?"
"I go hence to Islay," said he, "if so be I may without help adventure so far."
"Methinks," said Aasta, "that it were at least wise in you to have the help of a pair of oars."
"There is a pair lying at the foot of the cliff there," said the youth, pointing up the beach.
"Go, then, and bring them," said she, "while I launch your boat; and it may be that, if you are bound for Islay, I will, if it so please you, accompany you."
"Sweet damsel," said he, "surely some strange good fortune hath sent you to my aid!" and at that he ran up the beach to the place where the fishermen had left their oars.
As he went the cry of a peewit rose in the morning air
"Pee-wit, pee-weet-weet!"