untry with a part of the forces in case
Erling should come from the south. Erling and his fleet came to Agder,
and went straight north to Bergen, where they killed Arne Brigdarskalle,
King Hakon's officer, and came back immediately against King Hakon. Earl
Sigurd, who had not observed the journey of Erling and his followers
from the south, was at that time east in the Gaut river, and King Hakon
was in Tunsberg. Erling brought up at Hrossanes, and lay there some
nights. In the meantime King Hakon made preparations in the town. When
Erling and his fleet were coming up to the town, they took a merchant
vessel, filled it with wood and straw, and set fire to it; and the wind
blowing right towards the town, drove the vessel against the piers.
Erling had two cables brought on board the vessel, and made fast to two
boats, and made them row along as the vessel drove. Now when the fire
was come almost abreast of the town, those who were in the boats held
back the vessel by the ropes, so that the town could not be set on fire;
but so thick a smoke spread from it over the town, that one could not
see from the piers where the king's array was. Then Erling drew the
whole fleet in where the wind carried the fire, and shot at the enemy.
When the townspeople saw that the fire was approaching their houses,
and many were wounded by the bowmen, they resolved to send the priest
Hroald, the long-winded speaker, to Erling, to beg him to spare them and
the town; and they dissolved the array in favour of Hakon, as soon
as Hroald told them their prayer was granted. Now when the array of
towns-people had dispersed, the men on the piers were much thinned:
however, some urged Hakon's men to make resistance: but Onund Simonson,
who had most influence over the army, said, "I will not fight for Earl
Sigurd's earldom, since he is not here himself." Then Onund fled,
and was followed by all the people, and by the king himself; and they
hastened up the country. King Hakon lost many men here; and these verses
were made about it:--

"Onund declares he will not go
In battle 'gainst Earl Sigurd's foe,
If Earl Sigurd does not come,
But with his house-men sits at home.
King Magnus' men rush up the street,
Eager with Hakon's troop to meet;
But Hakon's war-hawks, somewhat shy,
Turn quick about, and off they fly."

Thorbjorn Skakkaskald also said:--

"The Tunsberg men would not be slow
In thy good cause to ri