I must go into the hall and find out, whatever the risk, for it was certain that it held the rest of the pirates.
"Leave men here to guard the gates," I said to Thormod.

"Needs must that we see more of this." Ten men stayed at the gate, lest Jomsburgers lurked in the houses to fall on us, and we went across to the great porch.

The door was open, nor could we see much within; and there was silence.
"Stand by," said Thormod, and picked up a helm that lay at his feet.
He hurled it through the door, and it clanged and leapt from the further wall across the cold hearthstone.

Then there was a stir of feet and click of arms inside, and we knew that the hall was full of men.
I know not what my thoughts were--but woe to any pirate who came within my reach.
"Show yourselves like men!" shouted Thormod, standing back.
Then, seeing that there was no hope that we should fall into this trap they had laid, there came into the doorway a great, black-haired Jomsburg Lett, clad in mail of hardened deerskin, such as the Lapp wizards make, and helmed with a wolf's head over the iron head piece.

He carried a long-handled bronze axe, and a great sword was by his side.
"Yield yourselves!" said Thormod.
The savage hove up his axe, stepping one pace nearer into the porch.
"What terms ?" he said in broken Danish.
"Give up your prisoners and arms, and you shall go free," answered Thormod, for he feared lest if any captives were left alive they would be slain if we fought.
"Come and take them!" spoke back the Jomsburger in his harsh voice, and with a sneering laugh.
Now I could not bear this any longer, and on that I swung my axe and shouted, rushing on the man.