which he returned with such interest with his
axe that Eindrid's head was nearly severed from his body. At the same
moment Glumm cut down a famous berserk who ran at him, and in a few
minutes they had cleared the deck of the ship, and taken possession of
it. But this was scarcely accomplished when a cry arose that the left
wing under King Hakon was giving way.

At once Erling and Glumm ran back to their cutters, and made towards
that part of the line, followed by several of the loose ships. Here
they found that King Hakon was very hard pressed by Sigurd of Royer, so
they pushed in among the ships, and soon Erling's well-known war-cry was
heard, and his tall form was seen sweeping men down before him with his
great axe, like a mower cutting grass. Glumm, however, did not keep
close to him this time, but made direct for Hakon's ship, for he
remembered that he was Ada's father, and thought he might do him some
service.

As he was coming near he saw Swankie, a famous berserk, fighting
furiously on board Hakon's ship, and roaring, as was the wont of
berserkers sometimes, like a wild bull. Hakon's men had formed a
shield-circle round their chief, and were defending him bravely; but the
berserk was an uncommonly stout man, very brisk and active, and
exceedingly furious, as well as dexterous with his weapons. He slew so
many men that the shield-circle was broken, and he made at Hakon just as
Glumm leaped into the ship at the stern. King Hakon was a stout man and
brave, but he was getting old, and not so active as he used to be.
Nevertheless he met Swankie like a man, and dealt him a blow on his
helmet which made him stagger. The berserk uttered a fearful roar, and
struck at Hakon so fiercely that he split the upper part of his shield
and cut open his helmet. Hakon fell, but before he could repeat the
blow Glumm was upon him.

"What! is it thou, Swankie?" he cried. "Dog, methought I had killed
thee long ago!"

"That is yet to be done," cried the berserk, leaping upon Glumm with a
sweeping blow of his sword. Glumm stooped quickly, and the blow passed
over his head; then he fetched a sudden cut at Swankie, and split him
down from the neck to the waist, saying, "It is done now, methinks," as
he drew out his sword. Glumm did not go forward, but let his men drive
back the foe, while he turned and kneeled beside Hakon.

"Has the dog hurt thee badly?" he asked, raising the old warrior's head
on his knee, and speaking