We must stop them in some way, for the king's plan is to starve them out, as it seems." We had left the king at that time, for we would not suffer him to join in pursuit, which has its dangers, if men turn desperate and make a stand, as many did, dying like brave warriors that they were.

So I rode on quickly with my followers, and came to the river bank below the bridge.

The Danes were swarming on the ramparts of the fortress like angry bees, and in the ships, which lay beneath the walls, men were busy, even as Thord had guessed they would be, making ready to sail when tide served.

We could not reach them by any means, for every boat had been taken from this side long ago, when the first news of defeat was brought back by flying horsemen.
Then Thord's face glowered under his helm, and he pointed to the ship that was farthest from the bridge, and therefore likely to be the first to start away when the tide was full.

It was my own ship, which they had got afloat.
"Thor's hammer smite them!" he growled; "they have launched the old keel without finishing her painting--just as I left her.