Though Olvir had been the first to come ashore, while Ivar had taken time to capture the seal, it was decided by the umpires that the best swimmer of the two was Ivar, to the great satisfaction of all the maidens and women that were present, and of all his male friends as well; but none was as pleased as Randalin.
Then came the contest in swimming clad in full war dress. Not many dared to try this contest. Hjalmar took his helmet, chain-armor, and sword, wrapped them in his cloak, making a bundle of them, which he tied on his back. Then he broke off his spear handle and threw it far off into the water, and swam towards the broken handle. He caught it, then swam farther, to an island far away. No one swam as far as he, so he won the championship that morning, to the great delight of Astrid.
After the day’s meal and the drinking hour were over, Thorgrim, the eldest son of Hervard, called his brothers, and they went down to the shore; and Thorgrim said to Gisli: “I trust to thee to drown Hjalmar while competing with him to-day.”
Gisli answered that it would be difficult to do so, and then Thorgrim asked Bui to undertake it. Bui replied that he was doubtful of success, but consented to try. Then Bui went to challenge Hjalmar, and Hjalmar accepted, saying to himself: “Now I need not spare myself, as I should like better to contend with him than with any other of these berserks.”
Bui asked if they should try a long swimming match.
“We may do so,” replied Hjalmar, “as thou mayest have the better of it in the other modes of swimming.”
When they had been swimming for a long time, Bui seemed anxious to go back, but Hjalmar kept on. Bui swam somewhat more slowly, and asked, shortly after: “Art thou to swim longer?”
“I think thou wilt be able to swim alone towards the shore,” replied Hjalmar. “I will swim farther.”
“Very well,” said Bui, “I will risk going back;” and he turned, but had not gone far before he became exhausted. Hjalmar swam to him, and asked how it went with him, but Bui’s pride prevented him from acknowledging his weakness, and he told him he might go his way.
Hjalmar replied: “I think thou deservest that we both go together, for I do not want thee to be drowned. Lay thy hands on my back, and thus support thyself;” and in this way they came to land.