midday
Loud and shrill sounded the war horns from both sides . Nearer and nearer King Sweyn of Denmark drew onward to the attack . The wind had fallen , the sea was calm ; the sun hung hot and glaring in a cloudless sky , flashing on burnished helmet and gilded dragon head . King Olaf 's prows were pointed towards the north , so that the enemy as they came down upon him had the strong midday sunlight in their eyes . King Sweyn Fork Beard opened his attack with a shower of arrows directed at the stem defenders of the Long Serpent . King Olaf 's archers at once replied in like manner . This exchange of arrows was continued without ceasing while Sweyn 's ships came onward at their fullest speed .