ich was small, and not difficult to cross,
as its banks were flat; and they did so. Earl Sigurd's array proceeded
up along the ridge right opposite to them; but as the ridge ended, and
the ground was good and level over the river, Erling told his men
to sing a Paternoster, and beg God to give them the victory who best
deserved it. Then they all sang aloud "Kyrie Eleison", and struck
with their weapons on their shields. But with this singing 300 men of
Erling's people slipped away and fled. Then Erling and his people went
across the river, and the earl's men raised the war-shout; but there was
no assault from the ridge down upon Erling's array, but the battle began
upon the hill itself. They first used spears then edge weapons; and the
earl's banner soon retired so far back, that Erling and his men scaled
the ridge. The battle lasted but a short time before the earl's men
fled to the forest, which they had close behind them. This was told Earl
Sigurd, and his men bade him fly; but he replied, "Let us on while we
can." And his men went bravely on, and cut down on all sides. In this
tumult fell Earl Sigurd and Jon Sveinson, and nearly sixty men. Erling
lost few men, and pursued the fugitives to the forest. There Erling
halted his troops, and turned back. He came just as the king's slaves
were about stripping the clothes off Earl Sigurd, who was not quite
lifeless. He had put his sword in the sheath, and it lay by his side.
Erling took it, struck the slaves with it, and drove them away. Then
Erling, with his troops, returned, and sat down in Tunsberg. Seven days
after Earl Sigurd's fall Erling's men took Eindride Unge prisoner, and
killed him, with all his ship's crew.

15. MARKUS OF SKOG, AND SIGURD SIGURDSON.

Markus of Skog, and King Sigurd, his foster-son, rode down to Viken
towards spring, and there got a ship; but when Erling heard it he went
eastwards against them, and they met at Konungahella. Markus fled with
his followers to the island Hising; and there the country people of
Hising came down in swarms, and placed themselves in Markus's and
Sigurd's array. Erling and his men rowed to the shore; but Markus's men
shot at them. Then Erling said to his people, "Let us take their ships,
but not go up to fight with a land force. The Hisingers are a bad set
to quarrel with,--hard, and without understanding. They will keep this
troop but a little while among them, for Hising is but a small
spot." This was done: they