rom the prows and
sterns, as the custom was in those times. Now there was a current in the
sound, and all the ships were driven into shore, so the Earl bade his
folk rest on their oars, and drift to land at such place where he should
deem it best to land; and when the ships grounded, the Earl and all his
host sallied forth and haled them up on the beach, so that their foemen
might not drag them forth again. Then did the Earl array his men on the
banks, and shouted defiance to Ragnfrod to land, but they that were with
Ragnfrod lay-to farther out, and though for a while they shot at one
another, would Ragnfrod in no wise come ashore, and thereafter they
parted. Ragnfrod sailed with his fleet southward to Stad, for he feared
him that the land hosts might assemble and flock to Earl Hakon. But that
earl waged war no more for unto his mind the difference betwixt the
ships was over-great. In the autumn fared he north to Throndhjem, &
there abode during the winter. King Ragnfrod therefore held all the land
south of Stad: the Fjords, Sogn, Hordaland, and Rogaland. Many men were
at his beck throughout that winter, and when the spring-tide came called
he a muster and gat him many more. Moreover sent he far & wide over all
these counties to gather together men and ships and what other stores
whereof he had need.

|| When spring was come Earl Hakon summoned men from out the very north
of the country; many gat he from Halogaland, & Naumdal, so that right
from Byrda to Stad came men to him from all the sea-boards. He reared a
host from all the districts of Throndhjem, and likewise from Raumsdal.
It was said that he had men from four counties; with him fared seven
earls, and in their train were an exceeding large company. Thus it is
said in the Vellekla:

'Thereafter, full of lust for slaughter,
Did the defender of the folk of More
Bring from the north a tale of men to Sogn.
From counties four called forth that warrior hosts,
Seeing in them sure help for all his folk.
To the war-gathering on the longships
Swiftly, to meet their warrior chieftain,
Hie lords of the land in number seven.
All Norway trembled at the warrior host;
Beyond the capes were borne unnumbered fallen.'

|| Then Earl Hakon set sail with the whole of this host southward past
Stad; and when it came to his ears that King Ragnfrod with his host had
entered into the Sognfjord thither led he his men and there encountered
him.

Thereafter hav