Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/275

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 2G7 beg for mercy ; " and at the same moment lie rushed saga vn out, having his shield over his head, and his drawn sword in his hand. It was not so much light that he could see clearly. He struck his sword at the kin^; but Arnbiorn Arneson ran in, and the thrust pierced him under his armour into his stomach, and Arnbiorn got his death-wound. Griotgard was killed immediately, and most of his people with him. After this event the king turned back to the south to Yiken. Now when the kins: came to Tunsberg he sent Chafpib & V^^V. .V, ^^^^v,x & CLXXVII. men out to all the districts, and ordered the people King oiaf out upon a levy. He had but a small provision of JJj"^^£ shipping, and there were only bonders' vessels to be a^ goods. got. From the districts in the near neighbourhood many people came to him, but few from any distance ; and it was soon found that the people had turned away from the king. King Olaf sent people to Gotland for his ships, and other goods and wares which had been left there in autumn ; but the progress of these men was very slow, for it was no better now than in autumn to sail through the Sound, as King Canute had in spring fitted out an army throughout the whole of the Danish dominions, and had no fewer than 1200 vessels. The news came to Norway that King Canute had Chajter assembled an immense armament through all Den- KingOiafs mark, with which he intended to conquer Norway. When this became known the people were less will- ing to join King Olaf, and he got but little aid from the bonders. The king's men often spoke about this among themselves. Sigvat tells of it thus : — " Our men are few, our ships are small, While England's king is strong in all ; But yet our king is not afraid — O ! never be such king betrayed ! 'Tis evil counsel to deprive Our king of countrymen to strive counsels.