Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/15

 out of the woods he lost many people, and many were wounded; but at last, late in the evening, he got to the ships. The Finlanders conjured up in the night, by their witchcraft, a dreadful storm and bad weather on the sea; but the king ordered the anchors to be weighed and sail hoisted, and beat off all night to the outside of the land. The king's luck prevailed more than the Finlanders' witchcraft; for he had the luck to beat round the Balagard's-side in the night, and so got out to sea. So says Sigvat:—

King Olaf sailed from thence to Denmark, where he met Thorkel the Tall, brother of Earl Sigvald, and went into partnership with him; for he was just ready to set out on a cruise. They sailed southwards to the Jutland coast, to a place called Sudurvik, where they overcame many viking ships. The vikings, who usually have many people to command, give themselves the title of kings, although they have no lands to rule over. King Olaf went into battle with them, and it was severe; but King Olaf gained the victory, and a great booty. So says Sigvat:—

Hark! hark! The war-shout

Through Sudurvik rings,

And the vikings brings out

To fight the two kings.