14. EARL SIGURD'S FALL.

Erling Skakke's army wished to go on to the bridge; but Erling told them

to go up along the river, which was small, and not difficult to cross,

as its banks were flat; and they did so. Earl Sigurd's array proceeded

up along the ridge right opposite to them; but as the ridge ended, and

the ground was good and level over the river, Erling told his men

to sing a Paternoster, and beg God to give them the victory who best

deserved it. Then they all sang aloud "Kyrie Eleison", and struck

with their weapons on their shields. But with this singing 300 men of

Erling's people slipped away and fled. Then Erling and his people went

across the river, and the earl's men raised the war-shout; but there was

no assault from the ridge down upon Erling's array, but the battle began

upon the hill itself. They first used spears then edge weapons; and the

earl's banner soon retired so far back, that Erling and his men scaled

the ridge. The battle lasted but a short time before the earl's men

fled to the forest, which they had close behind them. This was told Earl

Sigurd, and his men bade him fly; but he replied, "Let us on while we

can." And his men went bravely on, and cut down on all sides. In this

tumult fell Earl Sigurd and Jon Sveinson, and nearly sixty men. Erling

lost few men, and pursued the fugitives to the forest. There Erling

halted his troops, and turned back. He came just as the king's slaves

were about stripping the clothes off Earl Sigurd, who was not quite

lifeless. He had put his sword in the sheath, and it lay by his side.

Erling took it, struck the slaves with it, and drove them away. Then

Erling, with his troops, returned, and sat down in Tunsberg. Seven days

after Earl Sigurd's fall Erling's men took Eindride Unge prisoner, and

killed him, with all his ship's crew.

Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway · 第 982 / 1013 题