Then, I do not know how it was rightly, for I was aft with my father,
there began a quarrel between the Vikings and our men; and though both
Grim and the chief tried to stop it, five of our few were slain
outright, and three more badly hurt before it was ended. The rest of our
crew took refuge on the fore deck, and there bided after that. The whole
fray was over in a few minutes, and it seemed that the Vikings half
expected somewhat of the sort.
Then they took all the linen and woollen goods, and our spare sails, and
all the arms and armour from the men and from the chests to their own
ship. Only they left my father and Arngeir their war gear, saying that
it were a shame to disarm two brave men.
Then the chief said, "Little cargo have you, friend Grim, and therefore
I am the more sure that you have store of money with you. Even flight
from Hodulf would not prevent you from taking that wherewith to trade.
So I must have it; and it rests with you whether we tear your ship to
splinters in hunting for your hiding place or not."
"I suppose there is no help for it, but I will say that the most of what
I have is not mine," said my father.
"Why, what matter? When one gives gold into the hands of a seafarer, one
has to reckon with such chances as this. You must needs hand it over."
So, as there was naught else to do, Grim brought out the jarl's heavy
bag, and gave it to the chief, who whistled to himself as he hefted it.
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