312 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XVI. asked for their lives should obtain quarter, but they only should get leave to remain in the country who had not been guilty of any great offences against Erling. And when Sigurd's adherents heard that they would not get leave to remain in the country, they held together in one body; for there were many among them who knew for certain that Erling would look upon them as guilty of offences against him. Philippus Gyrdarsson made terms with Erling, got his property back, and went home to his farm ; but soon after Sigurd's men came there, and killed him. They committed many crimes against each other, and many men were slain in their mutual persecution ; but here what was committed by the chiefs only is written down. CHArxEii j^ -^as in the beginning of Lent that news came to Erling gets Erllug that Earl Sigurd intended to come upon him ; Ea'rfsf- ^^^ news of him came here and there, sometimes gurd. nearer, sometimes farther off. Erling sent out spies in all quarters around to discover where they were. Every evening he assembled all the men-at arms by the war-horn out of the town ; and for a long time in the winter they lay under arms all night, ready to be drawn up in array. At last Erling got intelligence that Sigurd and his followers were not far distant, up at the farm Re. Erling then began his expedition out of the town, and took with him all the towns- people who were able to carry arms and' had arms, and likewise all the merchants ; and left only twelve men behind to keep watch in the town. Erling went out of the town on Thursday afternoon, in the second week of Lent ; and every man had two days' provisions with him. They marched by night, and it was late before they got out of the town with the men. Two men were with each shield and each horse; and the people, when mustered, were about 1300 men. When they met their spies, they
