‘See what? Ha, ha!’ laughed Anika; ‘I can see you don’t know who I am; but look out for yourself, and be gone, or you shall feel Anika’s fists fall like blows from a hammer on your wicked skull!’
The stranger, however, did not allow himself to be disconcerted, but stood bolt upright before Anika.
‘Just so, my little friend,’ said Anika. ‘I see you are not wanting in courage.’
‘No; I am not much afraid of you.’
‘Perhaps you have even come here on purpose to fight me?’
‘You are quite right.’
‘Very well. I am glad of that,’ said Anika. ‘You shall have your wish fulfilled, and you shall choose the weapons. What will you fight with?’
‘With a sword, and in armour,’ said Ambrose; and he cast off his overcoat and stood transformed into a soldier, with a sword in his belt, and clad in a shining coat of mail.
The island was now full of life. The news flew like lightning from one boat’s crew to another that a strange soldier had arrived, who was going to fight a duel with the much-dreaded Anika. All work stopped, and the people crowded together from all parts to see the stranger. The crew of Anika’s ship also came ashore to be present at the fight. A place was chosen on Fiskerö where the fight was to take place. At last they made their way thither, each with his own company: Anika with his sailors, and Ambrose followed by the fishermen. The place was cleared and enclosed by a circle of stones, and it is still shown to visitors, even after a lapse of more than three hundred years.
The two combatants placed themselves inside the ring, while the fishermen crowded together, and in silence formed a living wall around them.