280 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XV. ness stretched out between their fleet and Hakon's, so that they could not see each other. Now when Hakon and his men, who had taken counsel with each other in a meeting, saw the boat-squadron rowing down the river, some thought King Inge intended to give them battle ; but many believed they did not dare, for it looked as if the attack was given up ; and they, besides, were very confident, both in their preparations and men. There were many great people with Hakon : there were Sigurd of Royr, and Simun's sons, Onund and Andreas ; Nicolas Skiald- varsson ; Eindrid, a son of John Mornef, who was the most gallant and popular man in the Drontheim country ; and many other lendermen and warriors. Now when they saw that King Inge's men with many ships were rowing out of the river, Hakon and his men believed they were going to fly ; and there- fore they cut their land-ropes with which they lay fast at the piles, seized their oars, and rowed after them in pursuit. The ships ran fast down with the stream ; but when they came farther down the river, abreast of the ness, they saw King Inge's main strength lying quiet at the island Hising. King Inge's people saw Hakon's ships under way, and believed they were coming to attack them ; and now there was great bustle and clash of arms, and they en- couraged each other by a great war-shout. Hakon with his fleet turned northwards a little to the land, where there was a turn in the bight of the river, and where there was no current. They made ready for battle, car- ried land-ropes to the shore, turned the stems of their ships outwards, and bound them all together. They laid the large East-country traders Avithout the other vessels, the one above, the other below, and bound them to the long-ships. In the middle of the fleet lay the king's ship, and next to it Sigurd's; and on the other side of the king's ship lay Nicolas, and next
