everything in the world seemed tranquil.

"The end has come," he said.

All at once, on the sheen of the sound, he spied a curious black
mark, far out and vague. Gradually it seemed to steal nearer, till
Estein, looking at it keenly, forgot his thoughts in a rising
curiosity. Then it took shape, and faintly across the water came
the splash of oars and the voices of men. As they drew nearer, he
crouched below a bank and watched their approach with growing
wonder and something too of awe.

"The gods have sent for me," he thought.

They were being carried by the current towards the place where he
stood, and presently they made a landing on the rocks. There
followed a consultation in low tones, and then one man left the
boat and came up the bank. He stood out clearly in the transparent
dusk--a tall, mail-clad figure, walking with a confident carriage.

Estein waited till he was opposite him, and then sprang up, dagger
in hand.

"Who art thou?" he demanded.

The man's hand went straight to his sword, but at the sound of
Estein's voice it fell again.

"Estein, my foster-brother!" he cried.