It happened one day, that a few men, who had been sent forward in order to explore the country, returned in great haste, and informed Sir Otto, that a powerful troop of horse, much more numerous than that which he commanded, was in advance to meet him. According to their armour and accoutrements, they were not Finlanders, but noble Swedes; so that it seemed possible the battle might have been unfortunate, and this might be a part of the Christian army now retreating. At these words the brow of every brave Norman was furrowed with disappointment and apprehension; but Sir Otto, having quickly resolved what it was best for him to do, left the command of the troop to the same youth who had rode the race with him at Sir Arinbiorn’s castle, and went forwards alone. He directed that his troop should for the present halt, nor advance farther until he gave the signal by a powerful blast from a war-horn, which he always carried with him, and which had been the gift of the sea-monarch. Some of his knights entreated that he, as their commander, would not thus expose himself on the first approach of danger; to which he answered kindly, but resolutely, “The great Sigurd, of whom you have so many favourite ballads, always rode out alone when he wished to learn the position of the enemy. Let me for once imitate him.” With these words he set spurs to his horse, and trotted along through some low-lying thickets, after which he made his way to the top of an eminence, from whence he could have a good view of the surrounding country.