Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/225

 KINGS OF NORAVAY. 213 account the Crowd-winter. King Harald came to saga xm. Bergen on Christmas eve, and landed with his fleet at Flora vaag ; but would not fight on account of the sacred time. But King Magnus prepared for defence in the town. He erected a stone-slinging machine out on the holm, and had iron chains and wooden booms laid across over the passage from the King's bridge to the North-ness, and to the Monks' bridge. He had foot-traps made, and throAvn into Saint John's Field, and did not suspend these works except during the three sacred days of Christmas. The last holy day of Yule, King Harald ordered his war-horns to sound the gathering of his men for going to the town ; and, during the Yule holy days, his army had been increased by about 900 men. King Harald made a promise to King Olaf the Saint Chapter for victory, that he would build an Olaf's church in King Mag. the town at his own expense. King Magnus drew "".^ ^""^"^'^ up his men in the Christ-church yard ; but King Harald laid his vessels first at the North-ness. Now when King Magnus and his people saw that, they turned round towards the town, and to the end of the shore ; but as they passed through the streets many of the burgesses ran into their houses and homes, and those who went across the fields fell into the foot- traps. Then King Magnus and his men perceived that King Harald had rowed with all his men across to Hegravik, and landed there, and had gone from thence the upper road up the hill opposite to the town. Now Magnus returned back again through the streets, and then his men fled from him in all directions ; some up to the Fielde, some up to the neighbourhood of the convent of nuns, some to churches, or hid themselves as they best could. King Magnus fled to his ship ; but there was no possibility of getting away, for the iron chains outside prevented the passage of vessels. He had also but few men