Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/254

 242 CHRONICLE of the SAGA XIV. and lie stood in the door with drawn sword. Sigurd stood a little way from the door ; and observing that nobody was very ready to attack, he took his Avolf- skin coat and wound it around his arm, drew his sword, and went up to the house. He was in his shirt, and had nothing upon his head. He rushed into the house, quick as an arrow, past Beinteili. Beintein struck at him, but missed him. Sigurd turned instantly on Beintein ; and after exchanging blows Sigurd gave him his death-stroke, and came out presently bearing his head in his hands. From this it may be seen what a sharp, quick, and brave man he was. Ivar tells of it thus : — "■ Past Agder steering. The East Ness clearing, At Lister meet Brave Sigurd's fleet. His men on shore The land drive o'er: Where houses stood Stands smoking wood. " On the dotted plain Lie the owners slain. Red is the sky; All people fly. To the forest side Men run to hide; But Beintein stood. And they spilt his blood." They took all the goods that were in the farm- house, carried the booty to their ships, and sailed away. When King Inge and his friends, and also Kolbein's sons Sigurd and Gyrder the brothers of Beintein, heard of Beintein's murder, the king sent a great force against Sigurd Slembe and his followers ; and also travelled himself, and took a ship from Hakon Paulsson Pungelt, who was a daughter's son of Aslak a son of Erling Skialgsson of Sole, and cousin of Hakon Mage. King Inge drove Hakon and his followers up the country, and took all their gear.