board and best manned. And while there were men to do so, they
had gone thither aboard, and though some of the crew had perished, the
ship had maintained its full numbers. But when Short Snake and Crane
were disabled, then Earl Eric had them cut away, and thereafter Iron Ram
lay broadside to broadside with Long Snake.

This battle was so stubborn as to stir wonder, first for the brave
attack, but still more for the defence. When ships made at the Snake
from all sides yet the defenders so hasted to meet them that they even
stepped over the bulwarks into the sea and sank with their weapons,
heedless of all else save, as in a land fight, to press ever forwards.

The men fell there first in the ship's waist, where the board was
lowest, while forward about the prow and aft in the space next the poop
they held out longest. And when Earl Eric saw that the Snake was
defenceless amidships he boarded it with fifteen men. But when Wolf the
Red and other forecastlemen saw that, then they advanced from the
forecastle and charged so fiercely on where the Earl was that he had to
fall back to his ship. And when he came on board the Ram the Earl roused
his men to attack bravely; and they boarded the Snake a second time with
a large force.

By this time Wolf and all the forecastlemen had come to the poop, and
all the foreship was disabled, Earl Eric's force attacking King Olaf's
on every side. Earl Eric with his men then charged aft on the space next
the poop, and a stubborn resistance was there. King Olaf had been all
that day on the poop of the Snake; he bare a golden shield and helm,
heavy ring-mail, strong so that nought could pierce it, though 'tis
said that there was no stint of missiles showered on the poop, for all
men knew the King, as his armour was easily recognised and he stood high
on the stern-castle. And by him stood Kolbjorn, his marshal, clad in
armour like to the King's.

Now, this battle went as might be looked for when brave men on both
sides met: those lost who were fewer in numbers. And when all King
Olaf's force had fallen, then leapt he overboard himself, holding his
shield above his head; and so did Kolbjorn, his marshal, but his shield
was under him on the sea, and he could not manage to dive, wherefore the
men who were in the small ships took him, but he received quarter from
the Earl. And after this all leapt overboard who yet lived; but most of
these were wounded, and those who received quarter were taken