our folks to-night. But tomorrow shalt thou come to speech with him
who will deal with thee concerning the ransom."

"It is enough," said Hallblithe, "and I thank thee for thy leading:
and as for thy rough and uncomely words which thou hast given me, I
pardon thee for them: for I am none the worse of them: forsooth, if
I had been, my sword would have had a voice in the matter."

"I am well content as it is, Son of the Raven," quoth Fox; "I have
done my bidding and all is well."

"Tell me then who it is hath bidden thee bring me hither?"

"I may not tell thee," said Fox; "thou art here, be content, as I
am."

And he spake no more till they had come to the reef aforesaid, which
was some two furlongs from the place where they had come from out of
the cave. There then they set forth their supper on the stones, and
ate what they would, and drank of that good strong wine while the
horn bare out. And now was Fox of few words, and when Hallblithe
asked him concerning that land, he had little to say. And at last
when Hallblithe asked him of that so perilous house and those who
manned it, he said to him:

"Son of the Raven, it avails not asking of these matters; for if I
tell thee aught concerning them I shall tell thee lies. Once again
let it be enough for thee that thou hast passed over the sea safely
on thy quest; and a more perilous sea it is forsooth than thou
deemest. But now let us have an end of vain words, and make our bed