Now the wind freshened till by midnight it blew strongly. The mate Hall came to Eric and said:
“The Gudruda dips her nose deep in Ran’s cup. Say, Eric, shall we shorten sail?”
“Nay,” answered Eric, “keep her full and bail. Where yonder Raven flies, my Sea-stag must follow,” and he pointed to the warship that rode the waves before them.
After midnight clouds came up, with rain, and hid the face of the night-sun and the ship they sought. The wind blew ever harder, till at length, when the rain had passed and the clouds lifted, there was much water in the hold and the bailers could hardly stand at their work.
Men murmured, and Hall the mate murmured most of all; but still Eric held on, for there, not two furlongs ahead of them, rode the dragon of Ospakar. But now, being afraid of the wind and sea, she had lowered her sail somewhat, and made as though she would put about and run for Iceland.
“That she may not do,” called Eric to Skallagrim, “if once she rolls side on to those seas Ran has her, for she must fill and sink.”
“So they hold, lord,” answered Skallagrim; “see, once more she runs!”
“Ay, but we run faster—she is outsailed. Up, men, up: for presently the fight begins.”
“It is bad to join battle in such a sea,” quoth Hall.
“Good or bad,” growled Skallagrim, “do thou thy lord’s bidding,” and he half lifted up his axe.