"They seem to me like the cliffs at home. Were we there I could climb up." "Seest thou no way here?" asked Frodi. "I see two ways," answered Rolf, "yet neither seems good." Grani asked: "What are my thralls saying?" "The water," said Rolf, "will take thy thralls from thee." But one of the men had heard what had been said, and told Grani. Grani cried: "Why dost thou not try the climb?" "Send one of those," answered Rolf, "who cares to save his life." This he said of a set purpose, for of the men some were heavy and some were old. They all shook their heads and said they could not win to the top of the cliff. Grani said: "I will give thee thy freedom if thou wilt save us." "Is there a farm above?" asked Rolf. One of the men said: "Within a mile." Rolf still stayed where he was. "Why dost thou not go?" cried Grani. "What of the freedom of my fellow?" asked Rolf. "He also shall be free," answered Grani. Then Rolf essayed to climb the cliff by the way which seemed surest; he went up quickly until they lost sight of him, so that they began to say that now he was at the top, and would soon bring a rope. Then something fell with a great splash in the water. "He hath reached the top and thrown down a rock," cried the men. But that was Rolf himself, for he had fallen from near the top; presently they saw his head. All breathless and bruised, he swam to them and waited a while; then he sought to climb by the other way, and that was more in sight of the others; marvellous climbing they agreed it was. After a while he went again out of their sight, and in the end they heard him hail. So they were sure he was at the top. Then they waited for him to bring the rope, and the water rose to the breastbone of Frodi, who was tallest; but it was at the chin of the shortest, who had to float, while Frodi held him. They stayed there a long time, and the water rose still higher; it was cold, and some of the men grew very faint. At last shouts were heard, and a rope came dangling down. Then the shortest man climbed the rope, and he was glad. But others were too weak to climb, and had to be drawn up, one after another. Grani would not go, but sent up the men in the order of their height. When he and Frodi alone were left, Grani said to Frodi: "Go thou next." "Great is thy pride," answered Frodi, "and thou wishest to do a brave deed, yet thy strength is not sufficient. For see, thou art blue about the lips, and I am holding thee upright. How shouldst thou stay alone after I have gone up? But I could stand here yet another hour. Thou must go next." "I will stay to the last," answered Grani. Then the rope came down again. "I will not go," said Grani. "Then I shall tie thee by force, and send thee up," said Frodi.