“This,” said Eric, and he told him the dream that he had dreamed.
“That was a fey dream,” said Skallagrim, “and now we must do as the wraith bade thee.”
“Easy to say, but hard to do,” quoth Eric; “this is a great rope that holds us, and a strong.”
“Yes, it is great and strong; still, we must burst it.”
Now Eric and Skallagrim were made fast in this fashion: their hands were bound behind them, and their legs were lashed above the feet and above the knee. Moreover, a thick cord was fixed about the waist of each, and this cord was passed through the iron ring and knotted there. But it chanced that beneath the hollows of their knees ran an oaken beam, which held the forepart of the dragon together.
“We may try this,” said Eric: “to set our feet against the beam and strain with all our strength upon the rope; though I think that no two men can part it.”
“We shall know that presently,” said Skallagrim, gathering up his legs.
Then they set their feet against the beam and pulled till it groaned; but, though the rope gave somewhat, it would not break. They rested a while, then strained again till the sweat burst out upon them and the rope cut into their flesh, but still it would not part.
“We have found our match,” said Eric.
“That is not altogether proved yet,” answered the Baresark. “Many a shield is riven at the third stroke.”