Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/472

 Serpent the Long, and the other Serpent the Short. The long Serpent had thirty-four benches for rowers. The head and the arched tail were both gilt, and the bulwarks were as high as in sea-going ships. This ship was the best and most costly ship ever made in Norway.

Earl Eric, the son of Earl Hakon, and his brother, with many other valiant men their relations, had left the country after Earl Hakon's fall. Earl Eric went eastward to Sweden, to Olaf the Swedish king, and he and his people were well received. King Olaf gave the earl peace and freedom in the land, and great fiefs; so that he could support himself and his men well. Thord Kolbeinsson speaks of this in the verses before given. Many people who fled from the country on account of King Olaf Tryggvesson came out of Norway to Earl Eric; and the earl resolved to fit out ships and go a cruising, in order to get property for himself and his people. First he steered to Gotland, and lay there long in summer watching for merchant vessels sailing towards the land, or for vikings. Sometimes he landed and ravaged all round upon the seacoasts. So it is told in the "Banda-drapa:"—

Afterwards Earl Eric sailed south to Vendland, and at Staurin found some viking ships, and gave them battle. Eric gained the victory, and slew the vikings. So it is told in the " Banda-drapa:"—

Earl Eric, he who stoutly wields

The battle-axe in storm of shields,