As the people of the town were coming from matins the last day of
Marymas (September 8th), Eirik came up to Nikolas, and said, "Here are
some fishermen come from the sea, who report that some long-ships are
sailing into the fjord; and people conjecture that these may be the
Birkebeins. It would be advisable to call the townspeople together with
the war-horns, to meet under arms out on Eyrar."
Nikolas replies, "I don't go after fishermen's reports; but I shall send
out spies to the fjord, and in the meantime hold a Thing to-day."
Eirik went home; but when they were ringing to high mass, and Nikolas
was going to church, Eirik came to hint again, and said, "I believe the
news to be true; for here are men who say they saw them under sail; and
I think it would be most advisable to ride out of town, and gather men
with arms; for it appears to me the townspeople will be too few."
Nikolas replies, "Thou art mixing everything together; let us first hear
mass, and then take our resolution."
Nikolas then went into the church. When the mass was over Eirik went to
Nikolas, and said, "My horses are saddled; I will ride away."
Nikolas replies, "Farewell, then: we will hold a Thing to-day on the
Eyrar, and examine what force of men there may be in the town."
Eirik rode away, and Nikolas went to his house, and then to dinner.