asked: "Why is it that
thou hast no sword or axe, Uncle Howard?" Howard replied: "It may be
that we shall meet Thorbiorn, and when the meeting is over I shall not
be a swordless man, but it is likely that I shall have Warflame, that
mighty weapon, the best of swords; and here I have a good spear."

These words seemed to them all a good omen, and as they rowed towards
Bathstead they saw a flock of ravens, which encouraged them yet more,
since the raven was the bird of Odin, the haunter of fields of strife
and bloodshed.

When they reached Bathstead they sprang on the jetty, carried their
boat over the ridge of shingle to the quiet pool by the boathouse, and
hid themselves where they could see, but remain themselves unseen.
Howard took command, and appointed their places, bidding them be wary,
and not stir till he gave the word.

Thorbiorn's Return

Late that evening, just before dusk, Thorbiorn and Vakr came home,
bringing their kinsmen with them, a party of ten in all. They had no
suspicion of any ambush, and Thorbiorn said to Vakr: "It is a fine
night, and dry, Vakr; we will leave the boat here--she will take no
hurt through the night--and thou shalt carry our swords and spears up
to the boathouse."

Vakr obeyed, and bore all the weapons to the boathouse. Howard's men
would have slain him then but Howard forbade, and let him return to
the jetty for more armour. When Vakr had gone back Howard sent to the
boathouse for the magic sword, Warflame; drawing it, he gripped it
hard and brandished it, for he would fain avenge Olaf with the weapon
which had slain him. When Vakr came towards the ambush a second time
he was laden with shields and helmets. Howard's men sprang up to take
him, and he turned to flee as he saw and heard them. But his foot
slipped, and he fell into the pool, and lay there weighed down by all
the armour, till he died miserably--a fitting end for one so ignoble
and cruel.

Thorbiorn's Death

Howard's men shouted and waved their weapons, and ran down to the
beach to attack their enemies; but Thorbiorn, seeing them, flung
himself into the sea, swimming towards a small rocky islet. When
Howard saw this he took Warflame between his teeth, and, old as he
was, plunged into the waves and pursued Thorbiorn. The latter had,
however, a considerable start, and was both younger and stronger than
his adversary, so that he was already on the rock and prepared to dash
a huge stone at Howard, when the old m