siles and fight, so that
her crew numbered over sixty men. The forecastle and poop were very
high, and the appearance of height was still further increased by the
figurehead--the neck and head of a swan--and by a tail that rose from
the stern-post, over the steersman's head. Both head and tail were
richly gilt; indeed, the whole vessel was gaudily painted. All round
the gunwales, from stem to stern, hung a row of shining red and white
shields, which resembled the scaly sides of some fabulous creature, so
that when the oars, which gave it motion, and not inaptly represented
legs, were dipped, the vessel glided swiftly out of the cavern, like
some antediluvian monster issuing from its den and crawling away over
the dark blue sea. A tall heavy mast rose from the centre of the ship.
Its top was also gilded, as well as the tips of the heavy yard attached
to it. On this they hoisted a huge square sail, which was composed of
alternate stripes of red, white, and blue cloth.

It need scarcely be said that Erling's crew pulled with a will, and that
the waters of the fiord curled white upon the breast of the Swan that
night; but the vikings' boat had got too long a start of them, so that,
when they doubled the ness and pulled towards the Springs, they
discovered the enemy hurrying into their ships and preparing to push off
from the land.

Now, this did not fall in with Erling's purpose at all, for he was well
aware that his little Swan could do nothing against such an overwhelming
force, so he directed his course towards the mouth of a small stream,
beside which there was a spit of sand, and, just behind it, a piece of
level land, of a few acres in extent, covered with short grass. The
river was deep at its mouth. About a hundred yards upstream it flowed
out of a rugged pass in the mountains or cliffs which hemmed in the
fiord. Into this dark spot the Northman rowed his vessel and landed
with his men.

The vikings were much surprised at this manoeuvre, and seemed at a loss
how to act, for they immediately ceased their hurried embarkation and
held a consultation.

"Methinks they are mad," said Skarpedin, on witnessing the movements of
the Swan. "But we will give them occasion to make use of all the spirit
that is in them. I had thought there were more men in the dale, but if
they be few they seem to be bold. They have wisely chosen their ground.
Rocks, however, will not avail them against a host like ours. Methinks