And even as the queen came to the top step, where there
was no rail, for the steps were not amidships, but alongside the
gunwale, one of these jerks came; and in a moment she was in the sea,
and in a moment also Arngeir was after her, for he was a fine swimmer.
The Vikings cried out as they saw this, but the poor queen said no word,
nor did she ever rise again after the first time. It is likely that she
was drawn under the longship at once.
So for a little while there was no talk of terms or fighting, but all
held their breath as they watched to see if the queen floated alongside
anywhere; but there was only Arngeir, who swam under the lee of the
Viking, and called to her men for guidance. They threw him a rope's end
as he came to the stern, and he clung to it for a little while, hoping
to see the flash of a white hood that the queen wore, over the white
wave crests: but at last he gave up, and the Vikings hauled him on
board, praising him for his swimming, as he had on his mail.
Then the chief turned to my father, and spoke to him across the few
fathoms of water that were between the ships.
"We meet again, Grim, as time comes round; and now I have a mind to let
you go, though I have that old grudge against you, for I think that your
wife is loss enough."
"Not my wife, Arnvid, but a passenger--one whom I would not have lost
for all that you can take from me.
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