e of the benches and gave him ale and covered
him with a blood-stained cloak taken from a dead man.

I also drank of the ale and drew a cloak about me, for the air was keen.
Then I said,

"Let us go to the other ships and see what has chanced there."

They got out the oars and rowed to Ragnar's vessel, where we saw men
stirring.

"How went it with you?" I asked of one who stood upon the prow.

"Not so ill, Olaf," he answered. "We won, and but now, with the new
light, have finished the game. They are all quiet yonder," he added,
nodding at the vessel of Athalbrand, to which they were still grappled.

"Where is Ragnar?" I asked.

"Come on board and see," answered the man.

A plank was thrust out and I ran across it, fear gripping at my heart.
Resting against the mast sat Ragnar, dying.

"Good morrow to you, Olaf," he gasped. "I am glad you live, that there
may be one left to sit at Aar."

"What do you mean, my brother?"

"I mean, Olaf, that our father, Thorvald, is dead. They called it to us
from yonder." And he pointed with his red sword to our father's ship,
that lay side by side with one of Athalbrand's. "Athalbrand is dead,
for I slew him, and ere the sun is well clear of the sea I also shall
be dead. Oh, weep not, Olaf; we have won a great fight, and I travel
to Valhalla with a glorious company of friends and foes, there to await
you. I say that had I lived to be old, never could I have found a better
death, who then at last might have died like a cow. Get the ships to
Fladstrand, Olaf, and gather more men to put all Lesso to the sword.
Give us good burial, Olaf, and build a great mound over us, that we may
stand thereon at moonrise and mock the men of Lesso as they row past,
till Valhalla is full and the world dies. Is Steinar dead? Tell me that
Steinar is dead, for then I'll speak with him presently."

"No, Ragnar, I have taken Steinar captive."

"Captive! Why captive? Oh, I understand; that he may lie on Odin's
altar. Friends, swear to me that Steinar shall lie on Odin's altar,
Steinar, the bride-thief, Seiner the traitor. Swear it, for I do not
trust this brother of mine, who has woman's milk in his breasts. By
Thor, he might spare him if he had his way. Swear it, or I'll haunt your
beds o' nights and bring the other heroes with me. Swift now, while my
ears are open."

Then from both ships rose the cry of

"We swear! Fear not, Ragnar, we swear."

"That's well," said Ragnar. "Kiss me now, Olaf.