leaving him almost alone at the mercy of a false friend. Song and story of that memorable day beside the Island of Svolder tell us that sun and sky and wave were pictures of springtide beauty.
Upon the island the three chiefs with their crews were straining their gaze for a sight of King Olaf’s fleet. At last they found the noble ships just under the far horizon, and they hastened to their own ships to prepare a warlike reception.
The “Short Serpent” came into view; and from its fine proportions King Sweyn believed it to be Olaf’s own ship, and asked: “Where is his dragon head? They said it would rear so high. Afraid is Olaf Tryggevesson to-day and will not lift the dragon’s head.”
Earl Erik came up. “That ship with the striped sails,” said he, “is not the king’s; it belongs to Olaf’s brother-in-law, Erling Skjalsson of Sole. Let Erling pass, for it serves us not well to-day to meet his strong fighters from Hordaland.”
When the “Short Serpent” and the other fine craft of the Norse chieftains had passed before the wondering gaze of the watchers, out of sight, the fleet of Earl Sigvalde came into view. From his station on the deck the earl received and answered the signals of the three watchers. Then suddenly Earl Sigvalde gave command to his ships, and they turned the course of the fleet around to the back of the island. Thorkill Dyrdill came just in the wake of Earl Sigvalde’s
