144 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XI. Ireland with his fleet, and plundered there. King Moriartak came to his assistance, and they conquered a great part of the country, both Dublin and Dyflinar- skiri (Dublin shire). King Magnus was in winter up in Connaught with King Moriartak, but set men to defend the country he had taken. Towards spring both kings went westward with their army all the way to Ulster*, where they had many battles, subdued the country, and had conquered the greatest part of Ulster when Moriartak returned home to Con- naught. f x"xvr King Magnus rigged his ships, and intended re- King turning to Norway, but set his men to defend the ^^ray"on^ couutry of DubHu. He lay at Ulster ready for sea ti.-j land, with his wholc fleet. As they thought they needed cattle for ship-provision. King Magnus sent a message to King Moriartak, telling him to send some cattle for slaughter ; and appointed the day before Bartho- lomew's day as the day they should arrive, if the messengers reached him in safety ; but the cattle had not made their appearance the evening before Bartho- lomew's mass. On the mass-day itself, when the sun rose in the sky, King Magnus went on shore him- self with the greater part of his men, to look after his people, and to carry ofl" cattle from the coast. The weather was calm, the sun shone, and the road lay through mires and mosses, and there were paths cut through ; but there was brushwood on each side of the road. When they came somewhat farther, they reached a height from which they had a wide view. They saw from it a great dust rising up the country, as of horsemen, and they said to each other That must be the Irish army;" but others said, " It was their own men returning with the cattle." They halted there; and Eyvind Olboge said, "How, sire, do you ♦ Uladstir is Ulster. f Kunnacter is Connaught.
