side slant off obliquely from it. He was to compose the
successive ranks of each squadron in the following way: the front should
begin with two men, and the number in each succeeding rank should only
increase by one; he was, in fact, to post a rank of three in the second
line, four in the third, and so on behind. And thus, when the men
mustered, all the succeeding ranks were to be manned at the same rate
of proportion, until the end of (the edge that made) the junction of men
came down to the wings; each wing was to be drawn up in ten lines from
that point. Likewise after these squadrons he was to put the young men,
equipped with lances, and behind these to set the company of aged men,
who would support their comrades with what one might call a veteran
valour if they faltered; next, a skilful reckoner should attach wings of
slingers to stand behind the ranks of their fellows and attack the enemy
from a distance with missiles. After these he was to enroll men of any
age or rank indiscriminately, without heed of their estate. Moreover, he
was to draw up the rear like the vanguard, in three separated divisions,
and arranged in ranks similarly proportioned. The back of this, joining
on to the body in front would protect it by facing in the opposite
direction. But if a sea-battle happened to occur, he should withdraw a
portion of his fleet, which when he began the intended engagement, was
to cruise round that of the enemy, wheeling to and fro continually.
Equipped with this system of warfare, he forestalled matters in Sweden,
and killed Ing and Olaf as they were making ready to fight. Their
brother Ingild sent messengers to beg a truce, on pretence of his
ill-health. Harald granted his request, that his own valour, which had
learnt to spare distress, might not triumph over a man in the hour
of lowliness and dejection. When Ingild afterwards provoked Harald
by wrongfully ravishing his sister, Harald vexed him with long and
indecisive war, but then took him into his friendship, thinking it
better to have him for ally than for enemy.

After this he heard that Olaf, King of the Thronds, had to fight with
the maidens Stikla and Rusila for the kingdom. Much angered at this
arrogance on the part of women, he went to Olaf unobserved, put on dress
which concealed the length of his teeth, and attacked the maidens. He
overthrew them both, leaving to two harbours a name akin to theirs. It
was then that he gave a notable exhibition of val