four in the afternoon
Edmund had been looking forward to the meeting with much anxiety , for he had judged that some mode of escape might there open to him . Among the Saxon slaves were several young men of strength and vigour , and Edmund had confided to them his project of stealing a boat and sailing away in it , and they , knowing that he had experience in navigation , had readily consented to join him in making an effort for freedom . The jarl and his family were warmly welcomed by many of their companions in arms , and the day after their arrival Bijorn told Edmund to accompany him to a banquet at which he and his family were to be present . At four in the afternoon they set out and presently arrived at a large tent . Edmund waited without until the attendants carried in the dishes , when he entered with them and prepared to take his place behind his master 's seat . From a few words which had passed between Sweyn and his sisters Edmund doubted not that the companion with whom Bijorn was going to dine was the father of the maiden about whom they had joked him . He was not surprised when on entering he saw Sweyn talking earnestly with a damsel somewhat apart from the rest .