the other foolish acts I have been
guilty of at this time, I left my good battle-axe behind me. This is a
level piece of sward. Shall we await them here?"

"Aye," was Glumm's laconic answer, as he felt the edge of his long
two-handed sword, settled himself more firmly on his seat, and carefully
looked to the fastenings of his armour.

Erling did the same, and both drew up their steeds with their backs
towards an impenetrable thicket. In front lay a level stretch of
ground, encumbered only here and there with one or two small bushes,
beyond which they had a view far into the dark forest, where the armour
of the approaching horsemen could be seen glancing among the tree stems.

"It is likely," muttered Erling, "that they will try to speak us fair at
first. Most assassins do, to throw men off their guard. I counsel that
our words be few and our action quick."

Glumm gave vent to a deep, short laugh, which sounded, however,
marvellously like a growl, and again said--

"Aye."

Next moment the ten horsemen galloped towards them, and reined up at the
distance of a few yards, while two of them advanced. One of these, who
was no other than Krake the berserk, said in a loud, commanding voice--

"Yield thee, Erling, in the name of the King!"

"That for the King!" cried Erling, splitting the head of Krake's horse
with the edge of his sword, and receiving Krake himself on the point of
it as he fell forward, so that it went in at his breast and came out at
his back. At the same time Glumm's horse sprang forward, his long sword
whistled sharply as it flashed through the air, and, next moment, the
head of the second man was rolling on the ground.

So sudden was the onset that the others had barely time to guard
themselves when Glumm's heavy sword cleft the top of the shield and the
helmet of one, tumbling him out of the saddle, while the point of
Erling's lighter weapon pierced the throat of another. The remaining
six turned aside, right and left, so as to divide their opponents, and
then attacked them with great fury--for they were all brave and picked
men. At first Erling and Glumm had enough to do to defend themselves,
without attempting to attack, but at a critical moment the horse of one
of Glumm's opponents stumbled, and his rider being exposed was instantly
cut down. Glumm now uttered a shout, for he felt sure of victory,
having only two to deal with. Erling's sword proved to be too short for
such a combat,