204 Norivay and the Norwegians 



arms like the king's, and was a remarkably stout and 

 handsome man, went up to the king on the quarter- 

 deck. The battle was still going on fiercely, even in the 

 forehold. But as many of the earl's men had now got 

 into the Serpent as could find room, and his ships lay 

 all round her, and few were the people left in the 

 Serpent for defence against so great a force ; and in a 

 short time most of the Serpeoifs men fell, brave and 

 stout though they were. King Olaf and Kolbjorn, the 

 marshal, both sprang overboard, each on his own side 

 of the ship ; but the earl's men had laid out boats 

 around the Serpent, and killed those who leaped over- 

 board. Now, when the king had sprung overboard, 

 they tried to seize him witli their hands and bring him 

 to Earl Erik, but King Olaf threw his shield over his 

 head, and sank beneath the waters. 



Such is the vivid account which the Saga gives of the 

 famous battle called the Battle of Svold, and of the 

 death of the greatest hero of Norse history. 



