Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/21

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 9 people to arm themselves. It was towards daybreak saga ix. that they went into the passage. When they got to the end of it they dug over their heads until they came upon stones laid in lime, which was the floor of a stone hall. They broke open the floor, and rose into the hall. There sat many of the castle-men eating and drinking, and not in the least expecting such un- invited wolves ; for the Vaeringers instantly attacked them sword in hand, and killed some, and those who could get away fled. The Vaeringers pursued them; and some seized the castle gate, and opened it, so that the whole body of the army got in. The people of the castle fled ; but many asked quarter from the troops, which was granted to all who surrendered. In this way Harald got possession of the place, and found an immense booty in it. They came to a third castle, the greatest and Chaptfr strongest of them all, and also the richest in property Battle at a and fullest of people. Around this castle there were t^irdcastie. great ditches, so that it evidently could not be taken by the same device as the former ; and they lay a long time before it without doing any thing. When the castle-men saw this they became bolder, drew up their array on the castle walls, threw open the castle gates, and shouted to the Y^ringers, urging them, and jeer- ing at them, and telling them to come into the castle, and that they were no more fit for battle than so many poultry. Harald told his men to make as if they did not know what to do, or did not understand what was said. " For," says he, "if we do make an assault we can efi*ect nothing, as they can throw their weapons under their feet among us ; and if we get into the castle with a party of our people, they have it in their power to shut them in, and shut out the others ; for they have all the castle gates beset with men. We shall therefore show them the same scorn they show us, and let them see we do not fear them.