Part 22 (2/2)
”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 c.u.mbered 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 sh.o.r.e, 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 s.h.i.+p 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 wars.h.i.+p that rode the waves before them.
After midnight clouds came up, with rain, and hid the face of the night-sun and the s.h.i.+p they sought. The wind blew ever harder, till at length, when the rain had pa.s.sed 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 the fight begins.”
”It is bad to join battle in such a sea,” quoth Hall.
”Good or bad,” growled Skallagrim, ”do thou thy lord's bidding,” and he half lifted up his axe.
The mate said no more, for he mis...o...b..ed him of Skallagrim Lambstail and his axe.
Then men made ready for the fray as best they might, and stood, sword in hand and drenched with foam, clinging to the bulwarks of the Gudruda as she wallowed through the seas.
Eric went aft to the helm and seized it. Now but a length ahead Ospakar's s.h.i.+p laboured on beneath her small sail, but the Gudruda rushed towards her with all canvas set and at every leap plunged her golden dragon beneath the surf and shook the water from her foredeck.
”Make ready the grapnel!” shouted Eric through the storm. Skallagrim seized the iron and stood by. Now the Gudruda rushed alongside the Raven, and Eric steered so skilfully that there was a fathom s.p.a.ce, and no more, between the s.h.i.+ps.
Skallagrim cast the iron well and truly, so that it hooked and held. On sped the Gudruda and the cable tautened--now her stern kissed the bow of Ospakar's s.h.i.+p, as though she was towing her, and thus for a s.p.a.ce they travelled through the seas.
Eric's folk shouted and strove to cast spears; but they did this but ill, because of the rocking of the vessel. As for Ospakar's men, they clung to their bulwarks and did nothing, for all the heart was out of them between fear of Eric and terror of the sea. Eric called to a man to hold the helm, and Skallagrim crept aft to where he stood.
”What counsel shall we take now?” said Eric, and as he spoke a sea broke over them--for the gale was strong.
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