Now they were close to the ship, but they could see no man.  Skallagrim would have called aloud, but Eric bade him hold his peace.

“Either they are dead, and thy calling cannot wake them, or perchance they sleep and will wake of themselves.  We will row under the stern, and, having made fast, climb aboard and see with our own eyes.”

This, then, they did as silently as might be, and saw that the Gudruda had not been handled gently by the winds and waves, for her shield rail was washed away.  This they found also, that all men lay deep in sleep.  Now, amidships a fire still burned, and by it was food.  They came there and ate of the food, of which they had great need.  Then they took two cloaks that lay on the deck, and, throwing them about them, warmed themselves over the fire:  for they were cold and wet, ay, and utterly outworn.

As they sat thus warming themselves, a man of the crew awoke and saw them, and being amazed, at once called to his fellows, saying that two giants were aboard, warming themselves at the fire.  Now men sprang up, and, seizing their weapons, ran towards them, and among them was Hall the mate.

Then suddenly Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail threw aside the cloaks and stood up.  They were gaunt and grim to see.  Their cheeks were hollow and their eyes stared wide with want of sleep.  Thick was their harness with brine, and open wounds gaped upon their faces and their hands.  Men saw and fell back in fear, for they held them to be wizards risen from the sea in the shapes of Eric and the Baresark.

Then Eric sang this song: 

     “Swift and sure across the Swan’s Bath
     Sped Sea-stag on Raven’s track,
     Heav’d Ran’s breast in raging billows,
     Stream’d gale-banners through the sky! 
     Yet did Eric the war-eager
     Leap with Baresark-mate aboard,
     Fierce their onset on the foemen! 
     Wherefore brake the grapnel-chain?”

Hall heard and slunk back, for now he saw that these were indeed Eric and Skallagrim come up alive from the sea, and that they knew his baseness.

Eric looked at him and sang again: 

     “Swift away sped ship Gudruda,
     Left her lord in foeman’s ring;
     Brighteyes back to back with Baresark
     Held his head ’gainst mighty odds. 
     Down amidst the ballast tumbling,
     Ospakar’s shield-carles were rolled. 
     Holy peace at length they handselled,
     Eric must in bonds be laid!

     “Came the Grey Rat, came the Earl’s wife,
     Came the witch-word from afar;
     Cag’d wolves roused them, and with struggling
     Tore their fetter from its hold. 
     Now they watch upon their weapons;
     Now they weep and pray for life;
     Now they leap forth like a torrent—­
     Swept away in foeman’s strength!