Page:Stories of Norse Gods and Heroes.djvu/91

Rh The arrows flew faster and faster. Eric called one of his men to shoot the brave bow-man.

An arrow broke Einar's bow in his hands, but he only laughed.

Olaf said, "Take my bow and shoot Eric."

Einar drew the arrow over its head the first time he bent the bow.

Then he threw the bow down and sprang on board Eric's ship with his sword in his hand.

All day long the battle raged until the decks were red, and Olaf's ships were only wrecks. Then Eric's men boarded them.

Olaf stood on the deck with the spears flying about him.

As Eric's men rushed across the deck, Olaf's captain sprang to his side and held his shield in front of the king.

For a moment the captain whispered in the king's ear.

Then the two men sprang over the side of the ship. Eric's men only saw the flash of their golden hair. Then they were gone, and there was nothing left but two shields floating on the water.

The people thought that Olaf stripped off his