out
their oars.

Now, when the men on board the other ship saw the Gudruda drawing on,
they took to their oars at once and rowed swiftly for the sea, and at
this a great roar of laughter went down Eric's ship.

"They shall not slip from us so easily," said Eric; "give way, comrades,
and after them."

But the men were much wearied with fighting, and the decks were all
cumbered with dead and wounded, so that by the time that the Gudruda had
put about, and come to the mouth of the waterway, Ospakar's vessel
had shaken out her sails and caught the wind, that now blew strong off
shore, and sped away six furlongs or more from Eric's prow.

"Now we shall see how the Gudruda sails," said Eric, and they spread
their canvas and gave chase.

Then Eric bade men clear the decks of the dead, and tend the wounded. He
had lost seven men slain outright, and three were wounded, one to death.
But on board the ship there lay of Ospakar's force twenty and three dead
men.

When all were cast into the sea, men ate and rested.

"We have not done so badly," said Eric to Skallagrim.

"We shall do better yet," said Skallagrim to Eric; "rather had I seen
Ospakar's head lying in the scuppers than those of all his carles; for
he may get more men, but never another head!"

Now the wind freshened till by midnight it blew strongly. The mate Hall
came to Eric and said:

"The Gudruda dips her nose deep in Ran's cup. Say, Eric, shall we
shorten sail?"

"Nay," answered Eric, "keep her full and bail. Where yonder Raven flies,
my Sea-stag must follow," and he pointed to the warship that rode the
waves before them.

After midnight clouds came up, with rain, and hid the face of the
night-sun and the ship they sought. The wind blew ever harder, till at
length, when the rain had passed and the clouds lifted, there was much
water in the hold and the bailers could hardly stand at their work.

Men murmured, and Hall the mate murmured most of all; but still Eric
held on, for there, not two furlongs ahead of them, rode the dragon of
Ospakar. But now, being afraid of the wind and sea, she had lowered
her sail somewhat, and made as though she would put about and run for
Iceland.

"That she may not do," called Eric to Skallagrim, "if once she rolls
side on to those seas Ran has her, for she must fill and sink."

"So they hold, lord," answered Skallagrim; "see, once more she runs!"

"Ay, but we run faster--she is outsailed. Up, men, up: for presently