Old Rolf stood erect on top of his _kastali_. His mien was savage. It looked inspired. His weapon and hands streamed blood. At his feet, stretched out in a pool of blood, and still palpitating with its ebbing life, lay the body of a white horse that was taken from the stables of the Abbot of St. Denis, bound by the four feet, and raised with the aid of pulleys and cordage to the platform of the _kastali_ in order to be there solemnly sacrificed to Odin and the gods of the North. When the sacrifice was done, the old pirate took his ivory horn and blew three times, giving a particular intonation to each blast. The chief of each vessel put his horn to his own lips and repeated the signal given by Rolf. Thus the signal ran from mouth to mouth, from one end of the fleet to the other. The war-songs of the pirates were hushed, and immediately, obedient to the order given by the blast from their chief's horn, the Northmans maneuvered their sails in such manner that their vessels remained motionless on the current of the stream. The _holkers_ of Gaëlo and of Shigne served as scouts to the _drekar_ of Rolf and sailed a little distance ahead of him. The old pirate hailed the two young leaders and ordered them to board his _drekar_. Both obeyed and crossed over a narrow plank furnished with solid cramp-irons that was thrown out to each of the _holkers_ from the sides of Grimsnoth. The Buckler Maiden, still pale from the loss of blood, wore her head bandaged under the iron hair-net that she used for a casque. At the moment when she was about to ascend the _kastali_ of Rolf, Gaëlo said to the heroine: "Shigne, war has its hazards; I may be killed to-morrow. Become my wife this night. Let our union be consummated." The Buckler Maiden blushed; her eyes, that never before were dropped at the sight of man, now felt veiled by a mist before the ardent gaze of Gaëlo; in a low and trembling voice she answered: "Gaëlo, you vanquished me; I belong to you; I am proud that I do; I could belong to no braver man. Rolf has been a father to me. I should consult him on your request. If he says yes, I will say yes, and from to-night I shall be yours." Without another word the warrior maid preceded Gaëlo to the platform of the _kastali_ where the old pirate stood awaiting them. "Gaëlo," said Rolf, "you and Shigne shall precede the fleet; ply your oars and reach Paris with your two _holkers_." "Never shall I have obeyed you with greater joy."