They had a two-mile
sail to the island now, but the Danes stood and watched the coming
of the boat as if unconcerned. Doubtless they had not seen what
happened to their comrades, and thought they were returning.
"Tell me about these ships," Hakon said to Bertric when the boat
had gone. "Is there to be fighting, as this Asbiorn says?"
"Heidrek will not fight without surety of gain," my comrade
answered. "His ships are full of men, but he cannot tell that you
are under-manned. He can see that he must needs lose heavily in
boarding, for you have the advantage in height of side. I doubt if
he will chance it. There is an Irish levy waiting ashore for him,
and he has not faced that--or has been driven off."
"Rid the seas of him," growled Earl Osric. "Get to windward of him
and run his ships down, and have done."
"There is not a seaman in the North Sea who will not thank you if
you do so," said Bertric. "Those two ships are a pest."
"See to it, Osric," answered Hakon.
Then he glanced at us and saw our arms lying at our feet, for his
men had brought them from the boat.
"I was going to offer to arm you, but there is no need. Bertric and
I have drawn sword together against Danes before now, but I do not
know whether Malcolm may not owe some fealty to Eric, my half
brother.
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