Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/142

 130 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XT. plundering wherever he came with his men ; and the country people fled in all directions, some into Scot- land-fiord *, others south to Cantire, or out to Ireland : some obtained life and safety by entering into his service. So says Biorn Cripplehand: — " In Lewis Isle with fearful blaze The house-destroying fire plays; To hills and rocks the people fly, Fearing all shelter but the sky. In Uist the king deep crimson made The lightning of his glancing blade ; The peasant lost his land and life Who dared to bide the Norseman's strife. " The hungry battle-birds were fiUed In Skye with blood of foemen killed. And wolves on Tyree's lonely shore Dyed red their hairy jaws in gore. The men of Mull were tired of flight; The Scottish foemen would not fight. And many an island-girl's wail Was heard as through the isles we sail." Chapte* King Magnus came with his forces to the Holy Island Of Lag. (lona), and gave peace and safety to all men there. madr,King j^ jg ^^i^ ^]^r^^ i^q kiuoT opcncd the door of the little Gudrod s i t^* i i i t i • i son. Columb s Ivirk there, but did not go m, but instantly locked the door again, and said that no man should be so bold as to go into that church hereafter ; which has been the case ever since. From thence King Magnus sailed to Islay, where he plundered and burnt ; and when he had taken that country he proceeded south around Cantire, marauding on both sides in Scotland and Ireland, and advanced with his foray to Man, where he plundered. So says Biorn Cripple- hand : — ''On Sanda'st plain our shields they spy: From Isla smoke rose heaven-high. mainland of Scotland. t Sandey is here probably the small isle Sandera, beyond the Mull of Cantire.
 * Skotland-fiord is the sea between the northern Hebudes and the