me and disgrace for men to hear in other lands, if we lie by with an
overwhelming host while he sails the high road of the seas outside.'

Earl Eric answered: 'Sire, let this swift long-ship pass if she will. I
can tell you good tidings: that Olaf Tryggvason has not sailed by us,
and this day you will have the chance of fighting with him. There are
here now many chiefs, and I expect of this bout that we shall all have
plenty of work.'

Still they said, when this long-ship and many craft had gone by: 'That
must have been Long Snake. And Earl Eric,' said the Danes, 'will never
fight to avenge his father if he do not so now.'

The Earl answered much in wrath, and said that the Danes would not be
found less loath to fight than himself and his men.

They waited not long ere three ships came sailing, whereof one, by far
the largest, bore a golden dragon's head. Then all said that the Earl
had spoken truth, and there now was Long Snake.

Earl Eric answered: 'That is not Long Snake.' But he bade them attack if
they would.

And at once Sigvaldi took his long-ship and rowed out to the ships,
holding up a white shield; they, on the other hand, lowered their sails
and waited. But that large ship was the Crane, steered by Thorkell
Dydrill, the King's kinsman. They asked of Sigvaldi what tidings he had
to tell them. He declared he could tell them tidings of Sweyn, the
Danish king, which it were right Olaf Tryggvason should know--he was
setting a snare for him if he were not on his guard. Then Thorkell and
his men let their ship float, and waited for the King.

Then saw King Sweyn four ships of great size sailing, and one by far the
largest, and on it a dragon's head conspicuous, all of gold. And they
all at once said: 'A wondrous big ship and a beautiful one is the Long
Snake. There will be no long-ship in the world to match her for beauty,
and much glory is there in causing to be made such a treasure.'

Then said Sweyn, the Danish king, out loud: 'The Long Snake shall bear
me; I shall steer it this evening before set of sun.'

Whereat Earl Eric said, but so that few men heard: 'Though Olaf
Tryggvason had no more ships than may now be seen, never will Danish
king steer this ship if they two and their forces have dealings
together.'

Sigvaldi, when he saw where the ships were sailing, bade Thorkell
Dydrill draw his ship under the island; but Thorkell said the wind sat
better for them to sail out at sea than to keep under th