Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/233

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 221 chiefs. Early in the day, when we began to assault saga xm. the castle, they defended themselves first with arrows and spears ; then they fought against us with stones ; and now with sticks and staves, as against dogs. I see from this that they are in want of weapons and means of defence; so we shall make one more hard assault, and try their strength." It was as he said, that they now fought with stakes ; because, in the first assault, they had imprudently used up all their missile weapons and stones ; and now when the Christians saw the number of their stakes diminishing, they clave each stake in two. The heathens now made a very hot attack, and rested themelves between whiles, and on both sides they were exhausted. During a rest the Vendland king Rettibur again offered terms, and that they should retain the weapons, clothes, and silver they could carry out of the castle. Ssemund Huus- freya had fallen, and the men who remained gave the counsel to deliver up the castle and themselves into the power of the heathens : but it was a foolish coun- sel ; for the heathens did not keep their promises, but took all people, men, women, and children, and killed all of them who were wounded or young, or could not easily be carried with them. They took all the goods that were in the castle ; went into the Cross church, and plundered it of all its ornaments. The priest Andreas gave King Rettibur a silver-mounted gilt sceptre, and to his sister's son Dunimiz he gave a gold ring. They supposed from this that he was a man of great importance in the town, and held him in higher respect than the others. They took away with them the holy cross, and also the tables Avhich stood before the altar, which Sigurd had got made in the Greek country, and had brought home himself. These they took, and laid flat down on the steps be- fore the altar. Then the heathens went out of the church. Rettibur said, '' This house has been adorned