In the evening, when people were going to bed, some of the ship's men
were still at their games up in the country. Harald was with those who
played on the land, and told his footboy to go out to the ship, make his
bed, and wait for him there. The lad did as he was ordered. The king had
gone to sleep; and as the boy thought Harald late, he laid himself in
Harald's berth. Svein Rimhildson said, "It is a shame for brave men to
be brought from their farms at home, and to have here serving boys to
sleep beside them." The lad said that Harald had ordered him to come
there. Svein Rimhildson said, "We do not so much care for Harald himself
lying here, if he do not bring here his slaves and beggars;" and seized
a riding-whip, and struck the boy on the head until the blood flowed
from him. The boy ran immediately up the country, and told Harald what
had happened, who went immediately out to the ship, to the aft part of
the forecastle, and with a pole-axe struck Svein so that he received a
severe wound on his hands; and then Harald went on shore. Svein ran to
the land after him, and, gathering his friends, took Harald prisoner,
and they were about hanging him. But while they were busy about this,
Sigurd Sigurdson went out to the king's ship and awoke him. When the
king opened his eyes and recognised Sigurd, he said. "For this reason
thou shalt die, that thou hast intruded into my presence; for thou
knowest that I forbade thee:" and with these words the king sprang up.
Sigurd replied, "That is in your power as soon as you please; but other
business is more urgent. Go to the land as quickly as possible to help
thy brother; for the Rogaland people are going to hang him."
Then said the king, "God give us luck, Sigurd! Call my trumpeter, and
let him call the people all to land, and to meet me."
The king sprang on the land, and all who knew him followed him to where
the gallows was being erected. The king instantly took Harald to him;
and all the people gathered to the king in full armour, as they heard
the trumpet. Then the king ordered that Svein and all his comrades
should depart from the country as outlaws; but by the intercession of
good men the king was prevailed on to let them remain and hold their
properties, but no mulct should be paid for Svein's wound.
Then Sigurd Sigurdson asked if the king wished that he should go forth
out of the country.
"That will I not," said the king; "for I can never be without thee."