thine hunting, for if thou come home empty-handed there will be
flyting awaiting thee, or worse.

So Birdalone took off the ring and came back to sight again laughing;
then the wood-woman kissed her and turned her heels to her, and was
gone; but Birdalone strung her bow, and got to her woodcraft, and
presently had a brace of hares, wherewith she went back home to the
dame; who indeed girded at her for her sloth, and her little catch in
so long a while; but there it ended.



CHAPTER XIV. OF BIRDALONE'S FISHING



Now were the days wearing toward wheat-harvest, and nought befel to
tell of, save that on a morn the witch-wife called Birdalone to her,
and said: Now is little to be done till the wheat is ready for the
hook, and thy days are idle; or what is that word that fell from thee
that other day, that there be good swims for fish about the eyots?
Canst thou swim across bearing thine angle, and back again therewith,
and thy catch withal? Yea, certes, said Birdalone gaily; with one
hand I may swim gallantly, or with my legs alone, if I stir mine arms
ever so little. I will go straightway if thou wilt, lady; but give
me a length of twine so that I may tie my catch about my middle when
I swim back again.

Therewith she went forth lightly to fetch her angle, which was in a
shed without; but just as she took it in her hand, a sudden thought