At these words Steinar moaned aloud, then said: 

“For the second time you have saved my life.”

“Aye, Steinar; but who knows whether I can do so for a third time?  Yet take comfort, for if I may I will, for thus shall I be best avenged.”

“A white vengeance,” said Steinar.  “Oh, this is not to be borne.”  And drawing a knife he wore at his girdle, he strove to kill himself.

But I, who was watching, snatched it away, then gave an order.

“Bind this man and keep him safe.  Also bring him drink and a cloak to cover him.”

“Best kill the dog,” grumbled the captain, to whom I spoke.

“I kill that one who lays a finger on him,” I replied.

Someone whispered into the captain’s ear, whereon he nodded and laughed savagely.

“Ah!” he exclaimed, “I am a thickhead.  I had forgotten Odin and his sacrifice.  Yes, yes, we’ll keep the traitor safe.”

So they bound Steinar to one of the benches and gave him ale and covered him with a blood-stained cloak taken from a dead man.

I also drank of the ale and drew a cloak about me, for the air was keen.  Then I said,

“Let us go to the other ships and see what has chanced there.”

They got out the oars and rowed to Ragnar’s vessel, where we saw men stirring.

“How went it with you?” I asked of one who stood upon the prow.

“Not so ill, Olaf,” he answered.  “We won, and but now, with the new light, have finished the game.  They are all quiet yonder,” he added, nodding at the vessel of Athalbrand, to which they were still grappled.

“Where is Ragnar?” I asked.

“Come on board and see,” answered the man.

A plank was thrust out and I ran across it, fear gripping at my heart.  Resting against the mast sat Ragnar, dying.

“Good morrow to you, Olaf,” he gasped.  “I am glad you live, that there may be one left to sit at Aar.”

“What do you mean, my brother?”

“I mean, Olaf, that our father, Thorvald, is dead.  They called it to us from yonder.”  And he pointed with his red sword to our father’s ship, that lay side by side with one of Athalbrand’s.  “Athalbrand is dead, for I slew him, and ere the sun is well clear of the sea I also shall be dead.  Oh, weep not, Olaf; we have won a great fight, and I travel to Valhalla with a glorious company of friends and foes, there to await you.  I say that had I lived to be old, never could I have found a better death, who then at last might have died like a cow.  Get the ships to Fladstrand, Olaf, and gather more men to put all Lesso to the sword.  Give us good burial, Olaf, and build a great mound over us, that we may stand thereon at moonrise and mock the men of Lesso as they row past, till Valhalla is full and the world dies.  Is Steinar dead?  Tell me that Steinar is dead, for then I’ll speak with him presently.”

“No, Ragnar, I have taken Steinar captive.”