His commands were faithfully and rapidly obeyed; so that after a short interval the boats returned, bringing with them the whole crew of that unfortunate vessel; and Sir Arinbiorn was the more rejoiced at their safety, as he perceived, by their dress and language, that they were Normans. A young and very handsome man was brought before him as their leader. “Is it possible!” said the sea-monarch; “do mine eyes deceive me, or is it to my good cousin Kolbein that we have done this wrong?” “Ay truly, you have done wrong to burn my fine ship,” said the captive; “and little did I think that I should have you to thank for her destruction.” “Who then gave you permission,” said Sir Arinbiorn, “to venture out on the sea, before you were acquainted with the laws of our watery realm? If a small ship is hailed by a large fleet, it must slacken sail, and return a friendly answer, otherwise friends are turned into foes. You have learned to-day how little right you had to persist in silence.” “Thereupon methinks you might have instructed me without the use of your fiery arrows,” answered Kolbein; “but since you have said so, and I do not forget how renowned and experienced you are upon the seas, I feel convinced that I must be in the wrong, and beseech your forgiveness, if I have behaved in a manner unbecoming and inconsistent with your laws.” “There is no need of apology,” said Sir Arinbiorn; “you have now learned these laws after such manner, that you are not likely ever to forget them.” So they shook hands, and the whole party went happily to the banquet-table together. CHAPTER VIII. How Sir Otto arrived in Norway. It happened on a warm evening in the month of May, that Otto had fallen asleep on deck, and it might be already towards morning, when the cool sea-breeze came over his face and awoke him. He raised himself up, and the light of the full moon, which still shone in the south, revealed a range of high rocky cliffs between him and the blue northern skies. Great forests of pine and beech-trees waved on the lofty summits, and among them were seen at intervals the outlines of massive fortresses and watch-towers; while eagles, and other birds that nestled among the rocks, came forth, hovering and screaming around the vessel. Perceiving all this, the young knight was at once awed and delighted; taking up his harp, which lay beside him, he sung an address to the woods, the foaming waves, the precipitous rocks, and clear moonlight of Norway, being well aware that he had now arrived at the place of his destination. Accordingly, Sir Arinbiorn struck up a few stanzas, bidding him welcome to his native land, where the bold champions, the heaven-inspired bards, with their brimming goblets filled with mead, and their bright gleaming hearths, were waiting to receive him.