They rowed now on both sides all they could.The Danish ships flew lighter before the oars; for the Northmen's ships were both soaked with water and heavily laden, so that the Danes approached nearer and nearer.Then Harald, whose own dragon-ship was the last of the fleet, saw that he could not get away; so he ordered his men to throw overboard some wood, and lay upon it clothes and other good and valuable articles; and it was so perfectly calm that these drove about with the tide.Now when the Danes saw their own goods driving about on the sea, they who were in advance turned about to save them; for they thought it was easier to take what was floating freely about, than to go on board the Northmen to take it.They dropped rowing and lost ground.Now when King Svein came up to them with his ship, he urged them on, saying it would be a great shame if they, with so great a force, could not overtake and master so small a number.The Danes then began again to stretch out lustily at their oars.When King Harald saw that the Danish ships went faster he ordered his men to lighten their ships, and cast overboard malt, wheat, bacon, and to let their liquor run out, which helped a little.Then Harald ordered the bulwarkscreens, the empty casks and puncheons and the prisoners to be thrown overboard; and when all these were driving about on the sea, Svein ordered help to be given to save the men.This was done; but so much time was lost that they separated from each other.The Danes turned back and the Northmen proceeded on their way.So says Thorleik the Fair: --"Svein drove his foes from Jutland's coast, --The Norsemen's ships would have been lost, But Harald all his vessels saves, Throwing his booty on the waves.
The Jutlanders saw, as he threw, Their own goods floating in their view;His lighten'd ships fly o'er the main While they pick up their own again."King Svein returned southwards with his ships to Hlesey, where he found seven ships of the Northmen, with bondes and men of the levy.When King Svein came to them they begged for mercy, and offered ransom for themselves.So says Thorleik the Fair: --"The stern king's men good offers make, If Svein will ransom for them take;Too few to fight, they boldly say Unequal force makes them give way.
The hasty bondes for a word Would have betaken them to the sword, And have prolonged a bloody strife --Such men can give no price for life."36.OF HARALD.
King Harald was a great man, who ruled his kingdom well in home-concerns.Very prudent was he, of good understanding; and it is the universal opinion that no chief ever was in northern lands of such deep judgment and ready counsel as Harald.He was a great warrior; bold in arms; strong and expert in the use of his weapons beyond any others, as has been before related, although many of the feats of his manhood are not here written down.This is owing partly to our uncertainty about them, partly to our wish not to put stories into this book for which there is no testimony.Although we have heard, many things talked about, and even circumstantially related, yet we think it better that something may be added to, than that it should be necessary to take something away from our narrative.A great part of his history is put in verse by Iceland men, which poems they presented to him or his sons, and for which reason he was their great friend.He was, indeed.a great friend to all the people of that country; and once, when a very dear time set in, he allowed four ships to transport meal to Iceland, and fixed that the shippund should not be dearer than 100 ells of wadmal.He permitted also all poor people, who could find provisions to keep them on the voyage across the sea, to emigrate from Iceland to Norway; and from that time there was better subsistence in the country, and the seasons also turned out better.King Harold also sent from Norway a bell for the church of which Olaf the Saint had sent the timbers to Iceland, and which was erected on the Thing-plain.Such remembrances of King Harald are found here in the country, besides many great gifts which he presented to those who visited him.
37.OF HALDOR SNORRASON.
Haldor Snorrason and Ulf Uspakson, as before related, came to Norway with King Harald.They were, in many respects, of different dispositions.Haldor was very stout and strong, and remarkably handsome in appearance.King Harald gave him this testimony, that he, among all his men, cared least about doubtful circumstances, whether they betokened danger or pleasure; for, whatever turned up, he was never in higher nor in lower spirits, never slept less nor more on account of them, nor ate or drank but according to his custom.Haldor was not a man of many words, but short in conversation, told his opinion bluntly and was obstinate and hard; and this could not please the king, who had many clever people about him zealous in his service.Haldor remained a short time with the king; and then came to Iceland, where he took up his abode in Hjardarholt, and dwelt in that farm to a very advanced age.
38.OF ULF USPAKSON.
Ulf Uspakson stood in great esteem with King Harald; for he was a man of great understanding, clever in conversation, active and brave, and withal true and sincere.King Harald made Ulf his marshal, and married him to Jorun, Thorberg's daughter, a sister of Harald's wife, Thora.Ulf and Jorun's children were Joan the Strong of Rasvol, and Brigida, mother of Sauda-Ulf, who was father of Peter Byrdar-Svein, father of Ulf Fly and Sigrid.Joan the Strong's son was Erlend Himalde, father of Archbishop Eystein and his brothers.King Harald gave Ulf the marshal the rights of a lenderman and a fief of twelve marks income, besides a half-district in the Throndhjem land.Of this Stein Herdison speaks in his song about Ulf.
39.OF THE BUILDING OF CHURCHES AND HOUSES.
