I suppose that we stood into the river over the falling tide for five miles or more.  Then Heidrek took to his oars, finding that he was chased in earnest, and Hakon did so likewise at once.  It was a beautiful river, wide and clear, with great, green hills on either side, and thick forests at their feet.  But never a boat on its waters, or man on its shores did we see.  Only from each hilltop the smoke of the war beacons rose and eddied.

The channel narrowed presently as we held on, going with all caution.  Then we opened out a wide valley, down which ran a fair stream, and there we saw the Irish at last.  High up they were, crossing the valley in a column of black-garbed warriors which seemed endless.  There was no sparkle of mail among them, but here and there a speck of light flashed from an axe blade or spear point, to tell us that they were armed men.  They were keeping pace with Heidrek’s ships by crossing from point to point, and how long they may have watched him and us from the forests I cannot say.

Now the river took a sharp bend, and I heard the pilot say to his mate that Heidrek had better have a care at this stage of tide, while Asbiorn, forward, was watching intently.  The tide was almost at its lowest by this time, and Heidrek’s hindmost ship was about half a mile ahead of us.  Hakon meant to pen them in some stretch of the river which the pilot knew, and there deal with them.  It was said to be a deep reach with a bar at its head, beyond which no ship might pass until high water.

Suddenly there came a shout from the men forward, and the pilot cried to the oarsmen to cease rowing.  Heidrek’s second ship had gone aground.  We could see her crew trying to pole her off, and Hakon asked if we could reach her.

“Not by five score yards,” answered the pilot; “but see what happens.”

I suppose that he knew the Irish ways, for he had hardly spoken when somewhat did happen.  Out of the fringe of thicket and forest along the bank of the river swarmed the Irish, with yells and howls which reached us plainly, and flung themselves into the water to wade out to the ship.  The bank was black with them, and the light from their axes overhead shimmered and sparkled in a wave of brightness.  The water was full shoulder deep round the ship, but they did not heed that.  Nor did they pay any attention to us, for we could not reach them, and they knew it.  They would deal with us presently in one way or another.  Meanwhile, this ship was at their mercy.

Heidrek’s other ship held on round the bend, and may have been out of sight of her consort before she grounded, as the river bent with its channel close under the banks.  At all events, she did not return to help.

“This affair is off our hands,” said Hakon.  “Best not meddle therewith, even if we could.  It is a great fight.”