fierce in the fore-hold, but
because that there were now come up on to the 'Serpent' even as many men
of the Earl as the ship would hold, and seeing that his ships were lying
on all sides around the 'Serpent,' & moreover few folk left on her for
defence against so strong a host, fell the main of the men of Olaf very
shortly thereafter, albeit were they men both strong and stout of heart.
Then did King Olaf himself, and Kolbiorn, leap over-board each on his
own side. Now the men of the Earl had put out small boats & were busy
slaying those that took to the sea, and when the King leapt overboard
would they have taken him captive and brought him before Earl Eirik, had
not King Olaf held up his shield above him and dived headlong into the
deep. Kolbiorn, on the other part, thrust his shield under him and thus
protected himself against the javelins which were being thrown up from
the boats beneath, but he fell into the sea in such wise that his shield
was beneath him & therefore could he in no wise dive so swiftly, & so
was he taken & haled up into a boat. Then the foe deeming him to be the
King brought him before the Earl, but when the Earl discovered that it
was not King Olaf but Kolbiorn, gave he the latter quarter. At this
moment did all they of the King's folk who were still alive leap
overboard from the 'Serpent'; and Hallfrod saith that Thorkel Nefia,
he that was brother to the King, leapt last of all overboard:

'Stroke-doughty Thorkel saw the "Crane,"
Yea, and the "Serpents" twain floating deserted;
Boldly had he fought e'er the wearer of the arm-rings,
Stout-hearted in combat, into the sea plunged,
And by swimming saved his life.'

|| Now hath it been afore fair written that Earl Sigvaldi joined forces
with King Olaf in Wendland; ten ships had the Earl and withal an
eleventh whereon Astrid, she that was daughter to the King and wife to
Sigvaldi, had her men.

When King Olaf leapt overboard all the hosts shouted cries of victory,
and then did the Earl and his men unship their oars & row to the fight.
Of this speaketh Halldor the Unchristened:

'From far and near the Wendmen's craft
To battle hastened;
The lean sword-clashers
Clanged with iron mouths;
Din of swords at sea was there
(Wolves' fare the eagle tore),
The lads' dear leader strove
Ere many from him fled.'

|| Now rowed away the Wendland cutter, whereon were Astrid's men, back to
Wendland, and straightway did many men