caught his hand and held it to her face, resting her tear-wet cheek upon the broad palm.
“Nay! nay! dearest, thou must now be brave.” Olaf’s voice was full of soothing gentleness. “The fight is not yet lost.” He released his hand from her grasp and placing her upon the cushions went up to the deck to take command of the combat. Thyra sank down in silent despair. Tears failed her now in this great crisis. The prophetic voice that sounds in every woman’s soul when danger approaches her loved ones rose clear to Thyra in that moment; and its tone revealed the final note, the last sad end of her lord’s love and noble patience.
When Olaf reached the deck Danes and Swedes had begun to attack the “Long Serpent.” Ten to one were the enemies of the Norsemen and King Olaf’s men could give themselves no respite. The marvellous bravery and skill of the Norsemen almost overcame the advantage the Danes and Swedes possessed in the greater number of their ships and men.
Not until Earl Erik came up with his huge “Iron Ram” did the “Long Serpent” begin to waver; but Earl Erik’s men were Norsemen too, and they routed King Olaf’s men with great slaughter. Every one of King Olaf’s ships had been cut adrift, and the “Iron Ram,” making a violent onslaught on the beautiful “Long Serpent,” had almost shivered the famous ship in the terrible blow.
As the ships met in the strong force of the compact,
