Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/395

 Aarhuus. KINGS OF NORWAY. ' 387 people, Swend fled back to Scania, and from thence to saga vm. Gotland, which was a safe refuge if he needed it, and stood open to him. King Magnus returned to Jut- land, where he remained all winter with many people, and had a guard to watch his ships. Arnold, the earl's scald, speaks of this: — " At Re our battle-loving lord In bloody meeting stained his sword, — At Re, upon the western shore, In Westland warriors' blood once more." Swend Ulfsson went directly to his ships as soon as Chapter he heard that King Magnus had left his fleet. He Battle at drew to him all the men he could, and went round in winter among the islands, Sealand, Fyen, and others. Towards Yule he sailed to Jutland, and went into Lymfiord, where many people submitted to him. He imposed scatt upon some, but some joined King Mag- nus. Now when King Magnus heard what Swend was doing, he betook himself to his ships with all the Northmen then in Denmark, and a part of the Danish troops, and steered south along the land. Swend was then in Aarhuus with a great force ; and when he heard of King Magnus he laid his vessels without the town, and prepared for battle. When King Magnus heard for certain where Swend was, and that the distance between them was but short, he held a House-thing, and addressed his people thus : u It is reported to me that the earl and his fleet are lying not far from us, and that he has many people. Now I would let you know that I intend to go out against 'the earl and fight for it, although we have fewer people. We will, as formerly, put our trust in God, and Saint Olaf my father, who has given us victory sometimes when we fought, even though we had fewer men than the enemy. Now I would have you get ready to seek out the enemy, and give battle the mo- ment we find him by rowing all to the attack, and C c 2