Kveldulf had in his hand a battle-axe; but when he got on board, he bade his men go along the outer
way by the gunwale and cut the tent from its forks, while he himself rushed aft to the stern-castle. And
it is said that he then had a fit of shape-strength, as had also several of his comrades. They slew all that
came in their way, the same did Skallagrim where he boarded the ship; nor did father and son stay
hands till the ship was cleared. When Kveldulf came aft to the stern-castle, he brandished high his
battle-axe, and smote Hallvard right through helm and head, so that the axe sank in even to the shaft;
then he snatched it back towards him so forcibly that he whirled Hallvard aloft, and slung him
overboard. Skallagrim cleared the forecastle, slaying Sigtrygg. Many men plunged into the sea; but
Skallagrim’s men took one of the boats, and rowed after and slew all that were swimming.

There were lost with Hallvard fifty men in all. The ship and the wealth that was in it Skallagrim’s men
took. Two or three men whom they deemed of least note they seized, and gave them their lives, asking
of them who had been in the ship, and what had been the purport of the voyage. After learning all the
truth about this, they looked over the slain who lay on ship-board. It was found that more had leapt
overboard, and so perished, than had fallen on the ship. The sons of Guttorm had leapt overboard and
perished. Of these, one was twelve years old, the other ten, and both were lads of promise.

Then Skallagrim set free the men whose lives he had spared, and bade them go to king Harold and tell
him the whole tale of what had been done there, and who had been the doers of it. ’Ye shall also,’ said
he, ’bear to the king this ditty:

’For a noble warrior slain

Vengeance now on king is ta’en:

Wolf and eagle tread as prey

Princes born to sovereign sway.

Hallvard’s body cloven through

Headlong in the billows flew;

Wounds of wight once swift to fare

Swooping vulture’s beak doth tear.’

After this Skallagrim and his men took out to their ships and captured ship and her cargo. And then
they made an exchange, loading the ship they had taken, but emptying one of their own which was
smaller; and in this they put stones, and bored holes and sank it. Then, as soon as ever the wind was
fair, they sailed out to sea.

It is said of shape-strong men, or men with a fit of Berserk fury on them, that while the fit lasted they
were so strong that nought could withstand them; but when it passed off, then they were weaker than
their wont. Even so it was with Kveldulf. When the shape-strong fit went from him, then he felt
exhaustion from the onset he had made, and became so utterly weak that he lay in bed.

And now a fair wind took them out to sea. Kveldulf commanded the ship which they had taken from
Hallvard. With the fair wind the ships kept well together, and for long time were in sight of each other.