Chapter 45 - Flight of Egil.
Egil went in the night and sought the places where boats were. But wheresoever he came to the strand,
men were always there before him. He went thus through the whole night, and found never a boat. But
when day dawned, he was standing on a certain ness. He saw then another island, and between him
and it lay a very wide sound. This was then his counsel: he took helmet, sword, and spear, breaking off
the spear-shaft and casting it out into the sea; but the weapons he wrapped round in his cloak and
made thereof a bundle which he bound on his back. Then he plunged into the water, nor stayed his
swimming till he came to the island. It was called Sheppey; it was an island of no great size covered
with brushwood. There were cattle on it, both sheep and oxen, belonging to Atla-isle. But when he
came to the island, he wrung his clothes dry.

By this time it was broad daylight, and the sun was risen. King Eric had Atla-island well searched as
soon as it was light; this took some time, the island being large, and Egil was not found. Then the king
made them row to other islands and seek him. It was evening when twelve men rowed to Sheppey.
They were to look for Egil, and had also to bring from thence some cattle for slaughter. Egil saw the
boat coming to the island; he then lay down and hid himself in the brushwood before the boat came to
land. They left three men behind with the boat; but nine went up, and they separated into three search
parties, with three in each. But when a rise in the ground was between them and the boat, then Egil
stood up (having before got his weapons ready), and made straight across for the sea, and then along
the shore. They who guarded the boat were not aware of it till Egil was upon them. He at once smote
one with a death-blow; but another took to his heels, and he had to leap up something of a bank. Egil
followed him with a blow cutting off his foot. The third man leapt out into the boat, and pushed off
with the pole. Egil drew the boat to him with the rope, and leapt out into it. Few blows were
exchanged ere Egil slew him, and pushed him overboard. Then he took oars and rowed the boat away.
He went all that night and the day after, nor stayed till he came to lord Thorir’s.

As for Aulvir and his comrades, the king let them go in peace, as guiltless in this matter.

But the men who were in Sheppey were there for many nights, and killed cattle for food, and made a
fire and cooked them, and piled a large fuel-heap on the side of the island looking towards Atla-isle,
and set fire thereto, and let folk know their plight. When that was seen, men rowed out to them, and
brought to land those who yet lived.

The king was by this time gone away; he went to another banquet.