we stood face to face, Ospakar," said Eric, "and it seems
that hitherto thou hast won no great glory. Now it shall be proved if
thy luck has bettered."

"Art yet healed, lord, of that prick in the shoulder which thou camest
by on Horse-Head Heights?" roared Skallagrim.

For answer, Ospakar seized a spear and hurled it straight at Eric, and
it had been his death had he not caught it in his hand as it flew. Then
he cast it back, and that so mightily that it sped right through the
shield of Ospakar and was the bane of a man who stood beside him.

"A gift for a gift!" laughed Eric. On rushed the Gudruda, but now the
cable was strained six fathoms from her bow that held together the ships
of Ospakar and it was too strong for breaking. Eric looked and saw. Then
he drew Whitefire, and while all men wondered, leaped over the prow of
the ship and, clasping the golden dragon's head with his arm, set his
feet upon its claws and waited. On sped the ship and spears flew thick
and fast about him, but there Brighteyes hung. Now the Gudruda's bow
caught the great rope and strained it taut and, as it rose beneath her
weight, Eric smote swift and strong with Whitefire and clove it in two,
so that the severed ends fell with a splash into the quiet water.

Eric sprang back to deck while stones and spears hissed about him.

"That was well done, lord," said Skallagrim; "now we shall be snugly
berthed."

"In oars and out grappling-irons," shouted Eric.

Up rose the rowers, and their war-gear rattled as they rose. They drew
in the long oars, and not before it was time, for now the Gudruda forced
her way between the two dragons of Ospakar and lay with her bow to their
sterns. Then with a shout Eric's men cast the irons and soon the ships
were locked fast and the fight began. The spears flew thick, and on
either side some got their death before them. Then the men of that
vessel, named the Raven, which was to larboard of the Gudruda, made
ready to board. On they came with a rush, and were driven back, though
hardly, for they were many, and those who stood against them few. Again
they came, scrambling over the bulwarks, and this time a score of them
leapt aboard. Eric turned from the fight against the dragon of Ospakar
and saw it. Then, with Skallagrim, he rushed to meet the boarders as
they swarmed along the hold, and naught might they withstand the axe and
sword.

Through and through them swept the mighty pair, now Whitefire flashed,
an