With a heavy two-handed sword he cleaved a space at the end of the boat, and kept the whole of Cuthbert's party at bay.
At last Cnut, who had been engaged elsewhere, came to the front, and a tough fight ensued between them.
It might have ended badly for the brave forester, for his lack of armor gave an enormous advantage to his opponent.

Soon, however, the count's foot slipped on the boards of the deck, and before he could recover himself the mace of Cnut descended with tremendous force upon his head, which was unprotected, as he had taken off his casque on arriving at the ship.

Without a word or a cry the count fell forward on the deck, killed as a bullock by a blow of a poleax.
While this conflict had been going on, occasionally the loud screams of a woman had been heard below.
Cuthbert, attended by Cnut and two of his followers, now descended.
At the bottom of the steps they found a man-at-arms placed at the door of a cabin.

He challenged as they approached, but being speedily convinced that the vessel was in their hands, and that his employer and party were all conquered, he made a virtue of necessity, and laid down his arms.
"You had better go in alone," Cnut said, "Master Cuthbert.

The lady is less likely to be frightened by your appearance than by us, for she must wonder indeed what is going on." On entering the cabin, which had evidently been fitted up for the use of a lady, Cuthbert saw standing at the other end the princess, whom of course he knew well by sight.