and could by his wit earn food and shelter until they were both old
enough and skilled enough to join some viking ship and win renown
and power. But if Thorgils was to be left behind in Esthonia then
it would not be so easy. Nothing could be done without Thorgils.
So then Olaf thought it would be much wiser in him to try to escape
at once, before he should be taken on board ship.

The chain was tight about his neck and it was fastened behind, so
that he could not loosen it without arousing the men's suspicions
by the noise it would make. He looked at the other end of it, and
saw it was so fastened that he might easily undo it. Little by
little he crept nearer to the post as the men went on with their
game. Before he could do more, however, there was the sound of horse's
feet outside. The two men sprang up from their seats. One of them
went to the door and presently returned with a bundle of clothes,
which he threw down on the floor, bidding Olaf dress himself. Olaf
saw at once that the garments were of very fine woven cloth, and
he wondered much. Even his old master's son Rekoni had never worn
such rich attire as this, and it was passing strange that he, a
bond slave, should be told to clothe himself in such finery.

He was dressing himself--albeit with great trouble, for the
things were strange to him who had hitherto worn naught but a poor
slave's kirtle--when a shrill horn was sounded from without. Then
one of the men came and helped him to lace his sandals and to don
his cloak, and hurried him out into the courtyard. Here were three
horses waiting. The men pointed to one of them, a shaggy brown
pony, and told Olaf to mount.

"I cannot ride," said the boy.