KINGS OF NORWAY. 307 fleet, and put him on board the king's ship. On saga xvr. Friday, immediately after matins, they sailed to Stein- avog ; and King Hakon, with thirteen ships, was lying in a harbour in the neighbourhood. He himself and his men were up at play upon the island, and the lendermen were sitting on the hill, when they saw a boat rowing from the south with two men in it, w^ho were bending back deep towards the keel, and taking hasty strokes with their oars. When they came to the shore they did not belay the boat, but both ran from it. The great men seeing this, said to each other, '* These men must have some news to tell;" and got up to meet them. When they met, Onund Si- munsson asked, " Have ye any news of Erling Skakke, that ye are running so fast?" They answered, as soon as they could get out the words, for they had lost their breath, " Here comes Erling against you, sailing from the south, Avith twenty-one ships, or thereabouts, of Avhich many are great enough; and now ye will soon see their sails." Then said Eindrid Unge, " Too near to the nose, said the peasant, when his eye was knocked out." They went in haste now to where the games were playing, and immediately the war-horns resounded, and with the battle-call all the people were gathered down to the ships in the greatest haste. It was just the time of day when their meat was nearly cooked. All the men rushed to the shi2)s, and each ran on board the vessel that was nearest to him, so that the ships were unequally manned. Some took to the oars ; some raised the masts, turned the heads of the vessels to the north, and steered for Yeoy, where they expected much assistance from the townspeople. Soon after they saw the sails of Erhng's fleet, and [.Ciiaiteh both fleets came in sight of each other. Eindrid Unge p-an of had a ship called Draglon, which was a large buss- J^j^'J-^'^^ like long-ship, but which had but a small crew ; for X 2
