When these saw me in the glittering armour,
which in our long idle hours we had polished till it shone like silver,
with the shield upon my arm and the casque upon my head and the great
sword girded about my middle and the black bow in my hand, they screamed
with fear and fell upon their faces, while even Quilla started back and
glanced towards the boat.
"Fear not," I said. "The gods are kind to those who do them service,
though to those who would harm them they are terrible."
Kari also went to them and whispered in their ears what tale I know not.
In the end they rose trembling, and having motioned to me to be seated
in it, with the help of Kari pushed the _balsa_, which I noted with joy
was large and well made, down into the sea. Then one by one they climbed
in, Quilla taking the steering-oar, while Kari and the two maidens
hoisted the little sail and paddled till we were clear of the island,
where the gentle wind caught the _balsa_. Then they shipped the paddles,
and although full laden, we sailed quietly towards the mainland.
Now I was at the bow of the _balsa_ and Quilla was at its stern, and
between us were the others, so that during all that long night's journey
I had no speech with her and must content myself with gazing over my
shoulder at her beauty as best I could, which was not well, because of
Kari, who ever seemed to come between my eyes and hers.
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