“The older boy said: ‘Who is the noble-looking man sitting here? Saw never I a better-looking or more dignified man.’ Thorkel answered: ‘Thou speakest well; I am called Thorkel.’ The boy said: ‘The sword in thy hand must be very precious; wilt thou allow me to look at it?’ Thorkel answered: ‘This is strange, but I will allow thee to look,’ and handed the sword to him. The boy took the sword, turned a little aside, unloosed the peace bands and drew the sword. When Thorkel saw this, he said: ‘I did not allow thee to draw the sword.’ ‘I asked no leave from thee,’ said the boy; and he brandished the sword and struck at the neck of Thorkel, taking off his head” (Gisli Sursson’s Saga, ch. 55).[96] A Valkyria says to Helgi: I know swords lying In Sigarsholm Four less Than fifty; One is The best of them all. The harmer of war-knittings[97] Covered with gold. For him who gets it A ring is in the guard, Courage in the middle, Terror in the point, A blood-dyed serpent Lies along the edge, The serpent throws its tail On the valbost.[98] (Helgi Hjörvardsson.) _Spears._—Different kinds of spears are mentioned, such as _kesja_; _höggspjót_ (hewing-spear); _gaflak_ (javelin); _snœris-spjót_ (string-spear); which last was thrown with the aid of a string fastened to the spear; _pál-staf_ (pole-staff), a pole provided with an iron spike; _skepti-fletta_ (cord-shaft), a shaft with a cord attached to it; _atgeir_, a kind of halberd. The sockets were often richly ornamented with gold or silver inlaid in beautiful patterns, sometimes with fine notches of silver, or were covered over with sheets of silver, upon which were engraved the serpentine ornamentation peculiar to the North. [Illustration: Fig. 844.—⅔ real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 845.—Spear-head. ½ real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 846.—Damascene spear-head, found with a fragment of a single-edged sword with hilt, a key, a scythe, iron blade, &c. ⅓ real size.—Norway. ] [Illustration: Fig. 847.—Spear-head. In a tumulus. The upper line in the handle has been filled with silver. ⅓ real size.—Norway. ] [Illustration: Fig. 848.—Spear-point, with lower part plated with silver and gold. ⅓ real size.—Götland. ] [Illustration: Fig. 849.—Spear-head, found with two swords, iron knife, and three bronze buckles. ¼ real size.—Götland. ] [Illustration: Fig. 850.—Spear-point, ⅓ real size, found in Kragehul bog. ] [Illustration: Fig. 851.—Spear-head. ½ real size.—Norway. ] [Illustration: Fig. 852.—Spear-point. ⅓ real size.—Norway. ] [Illustration: