Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/426

 He replies, "I am called Sigurd, and am Bue's son. But are all the Jomsburg vikings dead?"

Eric says, "Thou art certainly Bue's son. Wilt thou now take life and peace?"

"That depends," says he, " upon who it is that offers it."

"He offers who has the power to do it—Earl Eric."

"That will I," says he, "from his hands." And now the rope was loosened from him.

Then said Thorkel Leire, "Although thou should give all these men life and peace, earl, Vagn Aakeson shall never come from this with life." And he ran at him with uplifted axe; but the viking Skarde swung himself in the rope, and let himself fall just before Thorkel's feet, so that Thorkel fell over him, and Vagn caught the axe and mave Thorkel a death-wound. Then said the earl, "Vagn, wilt thou accept life?

"That I will," says he, "if you give it to all of us."

"Loose them from the rope," said the earl; and it was done. Eighteen were killed, and twelve got their lives.

Earl Hakon, and many with him, were sitting upon a piece of wood, and a bow-string twanged from Bue's ship, and the arrow struck Gissur from Valders, who was sitting next the earl, and was clothed splendidly. Thereupon the people went on board, and found Haavard Hogvande standing on his knees at the ship's railing, for his feet had been cut off, and he had a bow in his hand. When they came on board the ship Haavard asked, "Who fell by that shaft?"

They answered, "A man called Gissur."