d
suspicion, thereon drawing their swords ran they forward to the gates.
When the townsmen saw this advanced they bravely to meet them, standing
fully armed, and thereon ensued a dire fight within the gates.

To the Vaering folk pertained neither shield nor buckler, & in default
thereof wrapped they their cloaks round their left arm; some were
wounded, some killed, & all were hard pressed.

Harald & the men with him who were in the camp hastened to their
succour, but by then were the townsfolk come up on to the walls from
whence they shot at & stoned those coming thitherwards. Yet more fierce
grew the fight, & those within the gates bethought them help came at a
slower gait than they could desire. Scarce was Harald come to the gates
ere was slain his banner-bearer; then said he: 'Halldor, do thou take up
the banner!' Halldor picked up the banner-staff, but he spoke unwisely:
'Who will bear thy banner for thee when thou followest it so
faint-heartedly as thou hast done now this while past?' These were words
more of anger than of truth, for Harald stood the stoutest among men.
Then hied they them into the gate, and great were the strokes given; but
the outcome thereof was such wise that the victory was to Harald and he
stormed the gates. Sore smote was Halldor, a deep wound gat he in the
countenance, and to him was it a blemish all the days of his life.Sec.

|| The fourth town whereunto Harald was come together with his host was
the stoutest of all those whereof we have yet told. So strong was it
that they wist there was no hope that it could be taken by assault, and
thereon beset they the town even by getting a ring around it so that no
victuals could be taken therein.

Now it chanced when Harald had been before it a while, fell he sick and
betook himself to his bed; & he caused his tent be placed away from
other tents so that he might have the ease that he should not hear the
noise and disquiet of the host. Backwards & forwards to him oft fared
his men, craving his counsel, and this was noted of the townsfolk who
argued rightly that something had befallen the Vaerings, and thereon set
they spies to discover what it might be. When the spies were come back
even into the town brought they intelligence that the chief of the
Vaerings lay sick, & for that cause had they not advanced on the town.
As time waxed big grew the strength of Harald small, and his men became
sorrowful and were heavy of heart.

Now of all this h