Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/349

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 337 John Kettling, Sigurd, and William joined them; saga xvi. and when they proceeded afterwards from Nidaros up Orkadal, they could number nearly 2000 men. They afterwards went to the Uplands, and on to Thoten and Hadaland, and from thence to Rin- garige, and subdued the country wheresoever they came. Kins^ MaoT^us went eastward to Yiken in autumn (Chapter With a part of his men, and with him Orm the king's 1-1,^ flu " brother ; but Earl Erlino^ remained behind in Bero'en ^! ^^"» to meet the Birkebemers in case they took the sea route. King Magnus went to Tunsberg, where he and Orm held their Yule. When Kins; Mao^nus heard that the Birkebeiners were up in Ee, the king and Orm proceeded there with their men. There was much snow, and it was dreadfully cold. When they came to the farm they left the beaten track on the road, drew up their array outside of the fence, and trod a path through the snow with their men, who were not quite 1500 in number. The Birkebeiners Avere dispersed here and there in other farms, a few men in each house. When they perceived King Magnus's army they assembled, and drew up in regular order; and as they thought their force was larger than his, Avhich it actually was, they resolved to fight ; but when they hurried forward to the road only a few could advance at a time, which broke their array, and the men fell who first advanced upon the beaten way. Then the Birkebeiners' banner was cut down ; those who were nearest gave way, and some took to flight. King Magnus's men pursued them, and killed one after the other as they came up with them. Thus the Birkebeiners could never form themselves in array ; and being exposed to the Aveapons of the enemy singly, many of them fell, and many fled. It hap- pened here, as it often does, that although men be VOL. III. z