Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/373

 spring began to set in, King Harald and Ms brother King Gudrod proclaimed that they were to make a viking cruise, as usual, either in the West sea, or the Baltic. The people accordingly assembled, launched the ships into the sea, and made themselves ready to sail. When they were drinking the farewell ale,—and they drank bravely,—much and many things were talked over at the drink-table, and, among other things, were comparisons between different men, and at last between the kings themselves. One said that King Harald excelled his brothers by far, and in every way. On this King Gudrod was very angry-, and said that he was in no respect behind Harald, and was ready to prove it. Instantly both parties were so inflamed that they challenged each other to battle, and ran to their arms. But some of the guests who were less drunk, and had more understanding, came between them, and quieted them; and each went to his ship, but nobody expected that they would all sail together. Gudrod sailed eastward along the land, and Harald went out to sea, saying he would go to the westward; but when he came outside of the islands he steered east along the coast, outside of the rocks and isles. Gudrod, again, sailed inside, through the usual channel, to Viken, and eastwards to Folden. He then sent a message to King Tryggve to meet him, that they might make a cruise together in summer in the Baltic to plunder. Tryggve accepted willingly, and as a friend, the invitation; and as he heard King Gudrod had but few people with him, he came to meet him with a single boat. They met at Yegger, to the east of Sotaness; but just as they were come to the meeting place, Gudrod's men ran up and killed King Tryggve and twelve men. He lies buried at a place called Tryggve's Cairn.

King Harald sailed far outside of the rocks and isles; but set his course to Viken, and came in the