They went out all on a campaign in summer. When the whole army was thus
assembled Harald kept his men out of the battle, or wherever he saw the
least danger, under pretext of saving his men; but where he was alone
with his own men only, he fought so desperately that they must either
come off victorious or die. It thus happened often that when he
commanded the army he gained victories, while Gyrger could do nothing.
The troops observed this, and insisted they would be more successful if
Harald alone was chief of the whole army, and upbraided the general with
never effecting anything, neither himself, nor his people. Gyrger again
said that the Varings would give him no assistance, and ordered Harald
to go with his men somewhere else, and he, with the rest of his army,
would win what they could. Harald accordingly left the army with the
Varings and the Latin men, and Gyrger on his side went off with the
Greek troops. Then it was seen what each could do. Harald always gained
victories and booty; but the Greeks went home to Constantinople with
their army, all except a few brave men, who, to gain booty and money,
joined themselves to Harald, and took him for their leader. He then went
with his troops westward to Africa, which the Varings call Serkland,
where he was strengthened with many men. In Serkland he took eighty
castles, some of which surrendered, and others were stormed. He then
went to Sicily. So says Thiodolf:--
"The serpent's bed of glowing gold
He hates--the generous king, the bold!
He who four score towers laid low,
Ta'en from the Saracenic foe.
Before upon Sicilian plains,
Shield joined to shield, the fight he gains,
The victory at Hild's war game;
And now the heathens dread his name."