“Well pulled, truly,” said Skallagrim as he struggled to his haunches:  “I am marked about the middle with rope-twists for many a day to come, that I will swear.  What next, lord?”

“Whitefire,” answered Eric.

Now, their arms were piled a fathom or more from where they sat, and right in the prow of the ship.  Hither, then, they must crawl upon their knees, and this was weary work, for ever as the ship rolled they fell, and could in no wise save themselves from hurt.  Eric was bleeding at the brow, and bloody was the hooked nose of Skallagrim, before they came to where Whitefire was.  At length they reached the sword, and pushed aside the bucklers that were over it with their heads.  The great war-blade was sheathed, and Eric must needs lie upon his breast and draw the weapon somewhat with his teeth.

“This is an ill razor to shave with,” he said, rising, for the keen blade had cut his chin.

“So some have thought and perchance more shall think,” answered Skallagrim.  “Now set the rope on the edge and rub.”

This they did, and presently the thick cord that bound them was in two.  Then Eric knelt upon the deck and pressed the bonds that bound his legs upon the blade, and after him Skallagrim.  They were free now, except for their hands, and it was no easy thing to cut away the bonds upon their wrists.  It was done thus:  Skallagrim sat upon the deck, and Eric pushed the sword between his fingers with his feet.  Then the Baresark rose, holding the sword, and Eric, turning back to back with him, fretted the cords upon his wrists against the blade.  Twice he cut himself, but the third time the cord parted and he was free.  He stretched his arms, for they were stiff; then took Whitefire and cut away the bonds of Skallagrim.

“How goes it with that hurt of thine?” he asked.

“Better than I had thought,” answered Skallagrim; “the soreness has come out with the bruise.”

“That is good news,” said Eric, “for methinks, unless Swanhild walked the seas for nothing, thou wilt soon need thine arms.”

“They have never failed me yet,” said Skallagrim and took his axe and shield.  “What counsel now?”

“This, Skallagrim:  that we lie down as we were, and put the cloaks about us as though we were yet in bonds.  Then, if these knaves come, we can take them unawares as they think to take us.”

So they went again to where they had been bound, and lay down upon their shields and weapons, drawing cloaks over them.  Scarcely had they done this and rested a while, when they saw the mate and all the crew coming along both boards towards them.  They bore no weapons in their hands.

“None too soon did Swanhild walk,” said Eric; “now we shall learn their purpose.  Be thou ready to leap forth when I give the word.”

“Ay, lord,” answered Skallagrim as he worked his stiff arms to and fro.  “In such matters few have thought me backward.”