Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/18

 6 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA IX. in the box, — there you see your own mark upon it." Accordingly the lot which was left behind was ex- amined, and all men saw that Gyrger's mark was upon it, and accordingly the judgment was given that the Vaeringers had gained the first choice in all they had been quarrelling about. There were many things they quarrelled about, but the end always was that Harald got his own way. Chapteb They went out all on a campaign in summer. Haraid's Whcu thc wholc army was thus assembled Harald expedition ^qy,i his mcu out of the battle, or wherever he saw in the land -^ p ., . of the Sa- the least danger, under pretext oi savmg his men ; racens. j^^^ whcrc lic was aloue with his own men only, he fought so desperately that they must either come off victorious or die. It thus happened often that when he commanded the army he gained victories, while Gyrger could do nothing. The troops observed this, and insisted they would be more successful if Harald alone was chief of the whole army, and upbraided the general Avith never eifecting any thing, neither himself, nor his people. Gyrger again said that the V^ringers would give him no assistance, and ordered Harald to go with his men somewhere else, and he, with the rest of his army, would win what they could. Harald accordingly left the army with the Yasringers and the Latin men, and Gyrger on his side went off with the Greek troops. Then it was seen what each could do. Harald always gained victories and booty ; but the Greeks went home to Constantinople with their army, all except a few brave men, who, to gain booty and money, joined themselves to Harald, and took him for their leader. He then went with his troops west- ward to Africa, which the Ya3ringers call Saracen's land, where he was strengthened with many men. In the Saracen's land he took eighty castles, some of which surrendered, and others were stormed. He then went to Sicily. So says Thiodolf : —