XLVI
THE “LONG SERPENT”
Queen Thyra had gained her point, for King Olaf began to prepare in earnest to battle with Sweyn of Denmark for the queen’s estates. The chieftains of all the shires received the notice of war and were apprised of their duty to help furnish vessels for the king’s fleet. Olaf’s own ship, which had been built at the Nidaros shipyard, was the famous “Long Serpent.” All over the Northern country had been spread the report of the beauty and speed of this vessel. Nothing like the “Long Serpent” had ever been seen on the waters of the North Sea or the Atlantic.
It measured fifty-six Norwegian ells, or one hundred and twenty feet from prow to stern. On each side fifty oarsmen could be seated, while over six hundred men composed the crew. Not a man over sixty or a youth under twenty was allowed on board, with the exception of Einar Thambsbarkelver, the skilful archer, who was but eighteen, but his skill seemed to atone for his lack of years.
All of the preceding summer, when the sun hung at midnight as high as it hung at noonday, and the children played games in the fields through the un-
