Then will these others trust their lives to the sea, which surely will give us more mercy than Jarl Erik’s horde.”
Kolbjorn sprang into the water and Olaf followed quickly. Seeing the first figure that leaped over, and not noting the second, the crew of the “Iron Ram” cried out, “Olaf Tryggevesson hath gone into the sea!” and they sent the rowboats to capture the swimmer. Kolbjorn, exhausted from the fight, swam for a space and then, overcome with loss of blood and weakness, sank under the waves.
As the rowers of Earl Erik noted the disappearance of the tall form under the water, they cried out to their chief, “Olaf Tryggevesson hath been lost in the sea! We have seen him drowned.”
Earl Erik replied, “Then indeed is my father Haakon avenged! Olaf Tryggevesson is dead in the sea, and I am overlord of Norway.”
Olaf and his few faithful men followed Kolbjorn into the water. The king dived far under the waves and reappeared some distance away. He swam rapidly towards a small black object that he knew was the Lady Aastrid’s galley. As he came nearer, the crew rowed forward to meet him. He was taken on board and tenderly nursed by his kinswoman and Maidoch. Then the galley put out to sea, and by the king’s desire, and pledged by him to silence, he was landed on the south coast.
Here the great king went ashore and travelled out
