coats by the mighty girth of his chest, nor could any be found
large enough to hold him properly. For he was too hugely built to be
able to use the arms of any other man. At last, when he was bursting
even his father's coat of mail by the violent compression of his body,
Wermund ordered it to be cut away on the left side and patched with a
buckle; thinking it mattered little if the side guarded by the shield
were exposed to the sword. He also told him to be most careful in fixing
on a sword which he could use safely. Several were offered him; but
Uffe, grasping the hilt, shattered them one after the other into
flinders by shaking them, and not a single blade was of so hard a temper
but at the first blow he broke it into many pieces. But the king had a
sword of extraordinary sharpness, called "Skrep", which at a single blow
of the smiter struck straight through and cleft asunder any obstacle
whatsoever; nor would aught be hard enough to check its edge when driven
home. The king, loth to leave this for the benefit of posterity, and
greatly grudging others the use of it, had buried it deep in the earth,
meaning, since he had no hopes of his son's improvement, to debar
everyone else from using it. But when he was now asked whether he had a
sword worthy of the strength of Uffe, he said that he had one which, if
he could recognize the lie of the ground and find what he had consigned
long ago to earth, he could offer him as worthy of his bodily strength.
Then he bade them lead him into a field, and kept questioning his
companions over all the ground. At last he recognised the tokens, found
the spot where he had buried the sword, drew it out of its hole, and
handed it to his son. Uffe saw it was frail with great age and rusted
away; and, not daring to strike with it, asked if he must prove this
one also like the rest, declaring that he must try its temper before
the battle ought to be fought. Wermund replied that if this sword were
shattered by mere brandishing, there was nothing left which could serve
for such strength as his. He must, therefore, forbear from the act,
whose issue remained so doubtful.

So they repaired to the field of battle as agreed. It is fast
encompassed by the waters of the river Eider, which roll between, and
forbid any approach save by ship. Hither Uffe went unattended, while
the Prince of Saxony was followed by a champion famous for his strength.
Dense crowds on either side, eager to see, thronged each