282 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XV. God suffers such monstrous wickedness as his : but it may be God's will that we shall now put him doAvn. Let us fight then manfully, and God will give us victory ; and, if we fall, will repay us with joys unspeakable for now allowing the might of the wicked to prevail over us. Go forth then in confi- dence, and be not afraid when the battle begins. Let each watch over his own and his comrade's safety, and God protect us all." There went a good report abroad of this speech of Sigurd, and all promised fairly, and to do their duty. King Hakon went on board of the great East-country ship, and a shield- bulwark was made around him ; but his standard re- mained on the long- ship in which it had been before. Chapter ]^ow must wc tell about King Inge and his men. Of King When they saw that King Hakon and his people ngcsm . ^^g^g ready for battle, and the river only was between them, they sent a light vessel to recal the rest of the fleet which had rowed away ; and in the mean time the king waited for them, and arranged the troops for the attack. Then the chiefs consulted in presence of the army, and told their opinions : first, which ships should lie nearest to the enemy ; and then where each should attack. Gregorius spoke thus : " We have many and fine men ; and it is my advice. King Inge, that you do not go to the assault with us, for every thing is preserved if you are safe. And no man knows where an arrow may hit, even from the hands of a bad bowman : and they have prepared themselves so, that missiles and stones can be thrown from the high stages upon the merchant ships ; so that there is less danger for those who are farthest from them. They have not more men than we lendermen can very well engage with. I shall lay my ship alongside their largest ship, and I expect the conflict between us will be but short ; for it has often been so in our former meetings, although
