midnight
Landing at the head of Tarbert Bay , Kenric bade Aasta carry the paddles and her basket of fish , and himself taking up the little boat in his two strong arms and raising it upon his back , he thus crossed the mile of dry land . The boat was but a light one , built of pine ribs and covered with hide , and his task was less difficult than it might seem . In half-an-hour 's time the two had arrived at another sheet of water which is called Loch Tarbert , and here launching the coracle again , they seated themselves and sailed down the narrow loch . It was now well upon midnight , and there was no moon ; but there was little danger to be feared , unless , indeed , some of the Norse outposts might surprise them . Kenric spoke little , for , in truth , he was yet doubtful of his companion , who might , he imagined , at any moment turn herself into the form of a wolf . But Aasta was very calm , and there was small need to doubt her , for Earl Kenric had done her a great service in setting her free from her thralldom , and she would have given her life for him at any moment . When at last they emerged from the loch where it enters the open sea they paused a while by the shore to eat their bread cakes and drink the milk that Aasta had brought .