Now must we tell about King Inge and his men. When they saw that King
Hakon and his people were ready for battle, and the river only was
between them, they sent a light vessel to recall the rest of the fleet
which had rowed away; and in the meantime the king waited for them,
and arranged the troops for the attack. Then the chiefs consulted in
presence of the army, and told their opinions; first, which ships should
lie nearest to the enemy; and then where each should attack.
Gregorius spoke thus: "We have many and fine men; and it is my advice,
King Inge, that you do not go to the assault with us, for everything is
preserved if you are safe. And no man knows where an arrow may hit, even
from the hands of a bad bowman; and they have prepared themselves so,
that missiles and stones can be thrown from the high stages upon the
merchant ships, so that there is less danger for those who are farthest
from them. They have not more men than we lendermen can very well engage
with. I shall lay my ship alongside their largest ship, and I expect the
conflict between us will be but short; for it has often been so in our
former meetings, although there has been a much greater want of men
with us than now." All thought well of the advice that the king himself
should not take part in the battle.
Then Erling Skakke said, "I agree also to the counsel that you, sire,
should not go into the battle. It appears to me that their preparations
are such, that we require all our precaution not to suffer a great
defeat from them; and whole limbs are the easiest cured. In the council
we held before to-day many opposed what I said, and ye said then that
I did not want to fight; but now I think the business has altered its
appearance, and greatly to our advantage, since they have hauled off
from the piles, and now it stands so that I do not dissuade from giving
battle; for I see, what all are sensible of, how necessary it is to put
an end to this robber band who have gone over the whole country with
pillage and destruction, in order that people may cultivate the land in
peace, and serve a king so good and just as King Inge who has long had
trouble and anxiety from the haughty unquiet spirit of his relations,
although he has been a shield of defence for the whole people, and has
been exposed to manifold perils for the peace of the country." Erling
spoke well and long, and many other chiefs also; and all to the same
purpose--all urging to battle. In the meantime they waited until all the
fleet should be assembled. King Inge had the ship Baekisudin; and, at
the entreaty of his friends, he did not join the battle, but lay still
at the island.