King Eric heard the concluding words of Egil that he spake last at the Thing,
and his wrath waxed hot.
But all men had gone weaponless to the Thing,
therefore the king attempted no attack.
He bade his men hasten to their ships, and they did as he bade.
Then, when they came to the strand,
the king summoned his household Thing,
and told them his purpose.
'We must now,' said he,
'untent our ships and row after Arinbjorn and Egil,
and this I will have you know,
that we will take Egil's life if we get the chance,
and spare no man who shall stand up for him.'
After that they went aboard,
made all ready as speedily as might be,
and pushed out the ships and rowed to the place
where Arinbjorn's ships had been.
These were now all gone.
Then the king bade that they should row after
them northwards by the sound.
And when he came to Sogn-sea,
then there was Arinbjorn's company rowing in towards Sheeping-sound,
and thither the king turned in after them,
and he came up with Arinbjorn's ship in the inner part of Sheeping-sound.
At once the king made for it, and they exchanged words.
The king asked whether Egil was in the ship. Arinbjorn answered.
'Egil is not here,' he said; 'that, O king, thou mayest at once see.
Here on board on none but those whom thou knowest;
and Egil will not be found down under the benches,
though thou shouldst seek him there.'