Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/158

 146 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XI. and we will clear ourselves fast enough when we get upon firm ground." The Irish shot boldly ; and although they fell in crowds, there came always two in the place of one. Now when the king had come to the nearest ditch there was a very difficult crossing, and few places were passable ; so that many Northmen fell there. Then the king called to his lenderman Thorgrim Skindhue, who was an Upland man, and ordered him to go over the ditch with his division. " We shall defend you," said he, " in the mean time, so that no harm shall come to you. Go out then to those holms, and shoot at them from thence ; for ye are good bow- men." When Thorgrim and his men came over the ditch they cast their shields behind their backs, and set off to the ships. When the king saw this, he said, '' Thou art de- serting thy king in an unmanly way. I was foolish in making thee a lenderman, and driving Sigurd Hund out of the country ; for never would he have be- haved so." King Magnus received a wound, being pierced by a spear through both thighs above the knees. The king laid hold of the shaft between his legs, broke the spear in two, and said, " Thus we break spear- shafts, my lads ; let us go briskly on. Nothing hurts me." A little after King Magnus was struck in the neck with an Irish axe, and this was his death- wound. Then those who were behind fled. Yidkunner Johnsson instantly killed the man who had given the king his death-wound, and fled, after having received three wounds; but brought the king's banner and the sword Legbiter to the ships. Yidkunner was the last man who fled ; the other next to him was Sigurd riranesson, and the third before him Dag Eilifsson. There fell with King Magnus, Eyvind Olboge, Ulf