e land with
large ships and light breeze. But they gathered them under the island,
these last four, because they saw some of their ships rowing under the
island, and suspected that there might be some new tidings; so they
tacked and stood in close to the island, and lowered their sails and
took to their oars. The large ship of this group was named Short Snake.

And now the chiefs saw three very large ships sailing, and a fourth last
of all. Then said Earl Eric to King Sweyn and to Olaf, the Swedish king:
'Now stand ye up and to your ships; none will now deny that Long Snake
sails by, and there ye may meet Olaf Tryggvason.'

Whereat silence fell on the chiefs, and none spake; and great fear was
on the crews, and many a one there dreaded his bane.

Olaf Tryggvason saw where his men had laid them under the island, and,
feeling sure that they must have heard some tidings, he also turned
these ships inwards to the island, and they lowered sail. Earl Sigvaldi
steered his ship inwards along the island to meet the fleet of the other
kings that was coming out from the harbour inside. Therefore sang
Stefnir about Sigvaldi, the foul traitor who drew Tryggvason into a
trap.

[Illustration: 'None will now deny that "Long Snake" sails by']

Sweyn, the Danish king, and Olaf, the Swedish king, and Earl Eric had
made this agreement between them, that, if they slew Olaf Tryggvason, he
of them who should be nearest at the time should own the ship and all
the share of booty taken in the battle; but of the realm of the Norse
king they should each have a third.

Then saw Olaf Tryggvason and all his men that they were betrayed, for lo
the whole sea about them was covered with ships; but Olaf had a small
force, as his fleet had sailed on before him. And now lay in his place
each one of those three chiefs, Sweyn, King of Danes, with his force;
Olaf, King of Swedes, with his host; while in the third place Earl Eric
set his men in array.

[Illustration: KING OLAF LEAPS OVERBOARD]

Then talked with King Olaf a wise man, Thorkell Dydrill, and said: 'Here
are overwhelming odds to fight against. Hoist we our sails, and sail we
after our fleet out to sea; for in no man is it cowardice to know his
own measure.'

King Olaf answered with loud voice: 'Bind we our ships together with
ropes, and let men don their war apparel and draw their swords; my men
must not think of flight.'

And Olaf Tryggvason asked his men: 'Who is chief over this force