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My axe broke, and I took to sword Helmbiter, and once Kolgrim went Berserker, and howled, and leaped from my side into a throng which fell on us, and drove them back, slaying three outright, and meeting with no hurt. Our wedge held steady. Men fell, but we closed up; and there grew a barrier of slain before us.
So we held on; and the two great ships to windward of us began to gain on us slowly, which was a thing that had never been done by any ship before. I do not know that even Harald Fairhair had any swifter ship than this that Halfdan had taken in his flight from home. Kolgrim waxed very wroth when it became plain that these could outsail us.
But there they would not be beaten." "Ho!" said Kolgrim, in another minute or so, "yonder is a fire." The wind had come round the hillside and swept the mist away for a moment, and below us in the valley was a speck of red light that made a wide glow in the denser fog that hung there.
I had stayed still and gazed on that strange sight without stirring for what seemed but a little while. Yet I had thought long thoughts in that time, and I mind every single thing in that dim chamber, even to the markings on the stones that made its walls and roof and floor. "See," I said, "Jarl Sigurd has given me the sword!" Kolgrim gazed in wonder.
It did not seem to me that I had any part in the king's business with the Danes, and so presently I thought that I could do no better than ride to Taunton to see Thora, who I feared might be in trouble or doubt as to my safety. So I rode there with Kolgrim.
But Einar said never a word, and the two rowers slackened their pace only when the bend of the firth hid the mound from our sight. Then said I, finding that Einar spoke not: "What are we flying from? there was nought to harm us." For I began to be ashamed. Thereat Kolgrim stopped rowing, and Thord must needs do likewise, though he said: "It is ill for us to stay here. The dead jarl is very wroth."
Then from the heather almost under our feet rose a great bustard that ran down wind with outstretched wings before us, seeking the lonelier country. Kolgrim whooped, and slipped the leash, and the hounds sprang after it, and we followed cheering.
He was a farm thrall, and he had a pitchfork in his hand, the shaft of which was half cut through, as with a sword stroke that he had warded from him, though he had not stayed a second cut, for so he was killed. "Here is somewhat strangely wrong," I said. "Outlaws' work," answered Kolgrim; for the wartime had made the masterless folk very bold everywhere, and the farm was lonely enough.
"Shall we go to Exeter, or back to Mercia?" I said. "Exeter they say; but I know not. Why not go and ask Jarl Osmund himself or follow the crowd and hinder no one with questions?" He hurried on; but then some men began to question us about the doings off Swanage, and Kolgrim told them such tales that they shivered, and soon we had a crowd round us listening.
So I went back to my own ship and sat under the after awning, in no good temper. Thord and Kolgrim were yet busy in and about the vessels, making all secure, and setting men to work on what needed repairing. Presently Harek the scald came and sat with me, and I grumbled to my heart's content about this Saxon carelessness and throwing away of good luck.
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