KINGS OF NORWAY. 325 in life. Erling said this was mere folly and idle talk, saga xvi. Erling now made it known that he would go to Unarheim to the Gangadag-thing* ; and ordered a cutter of twenty rowing benches to be fitted out, a boat of fifteen benches, and a provision-ship. AVhen the vessels were ready, there came a strong southerly gale. On the Thursday of the Ascension week, Erling called his people by sound of trumpet to their depar- ture ; but the men were loath to leave the town, and were ill inclined to row against the wind. Erling brought his vessels to Biskopshafn. "Well," said Erling, " since ye are so unwilling to row against the wind, raise the mast, hoist the sails, and let the ship go north." They did so, and sailed northwards both day and night. On Wednesday, in the evening, they sailed in past Agdanes, where they found a fleet assembled of many merchant vessels, rowing craft, and boats, all going towards the town to the celebra- tion of the festival, — some before them, some behind them ; so that the townspeople paid no attention to the long-ships coming. Erling came to the town just as vespers was being Chapter sung in Christ church. He and his men ran into the of Erling town, to where it was told them that the lenderman p^^p^^^^f Alf Rode, a son of Ottar Birting, was still sitting at Drontheim. table, and drinking with his men. Erling fell upon them; and Alf was killed, with almost all his men. Few other men were killed ; for they had almost all gone to church, as this was the night before Christ's ascension day. In the morning early, Erling called all the people by sound of trumpet to a Thing out upon Ore. At the Thing Erling laid a charge against the Drontheim people, accusing them of intending to betray the country, and take it from the king ; and named Baard Standal, Paal Andresson, and Raza
- Gangadag-thing — a Thing held on the procession days in Ascen-
sion week. Y 3
