en the spies came back
they went to the king, and said that they had seen King Hakon's forces,
and all his ships which lay at the stakes in the river, and Hakon's
men had bound the stems of their vessels to them. They had two great
East-country trading vessels, which they had laid outside of the fleet,
and on both these were built high wooded stages (castles). When King
Inge heard the preparations they had made, he ordered a trumpet to call
a House-thing of all the men; and when the Thing was seated he asked
his men for counsel, and applied particularly to Gregorius Dagson, his
brother-in-law Erling Skakke, and other lendermen and ship-commanders,
to whom he related the preparations of Hakon and his men.

Then Gregorius Dagson replied first, and made known his mind in the
following words:--"Sometimes we and Hakon have met, and generally they
had the most people; but, notwithstanding, they fell short in battle
against us. Now, on the other hand, we have by far the greatest force;
and it will appear probable to the men who a short time ago lost gallant
relations by them, that this will be a good occasion to get vengeance,
for they have fled before us the greater part of the summer; and we have
often said that if they waited for us, as appears now to be the case, we
would have a brush with them. Now I will tell my opinion, which is, that
I will engage them, if it be agreeable to the king's pleasure; for I
think it will go now as formerly, that they must give way before us if
we attack them bravely; and I shall always attack where others may think
it most difficult."

The speech was received with much applause, and all declared they were
ready to engage in battle against Hakon. Then they rowed with all the
ships up the river, until they came in sight of each other, and then
King Inge turned off from the river current under the island. Now the
king addressed the lendermen again, and told them to get ready for
battle. He turned himself especially to Erling Skakke, and said, what
was true, that no man in the army had more understanding and knowledge
in fighting battles, although some were more hot. The king then
addressed himself to several of the lendermen, speaking to them by name;
and ended by desiring that each man should make his attack where he
thought it would be of advantage, and thereafter all would act together.

6. ERLING'S SPEECH.

Erling Skakke replied thus to the king's speech: "It is my duty, sire,
not