The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade) Part 14

Then looked they at the lot, and all knew the mark to be that of Gyrgir.

So was it adjudged that the Vaerings should have the choice in all those matters about which there had been strife. Sundry things befell likewise on which saw they not eye to eye, but ever it ended in such a fas.h.i.+on that Harald had his way.

-- Plundering & pillaging whithersoever they went fared together both hosts during the summer, but when a battle was imminent would Harald cause his men to hold aloof therefrom, or at least over against that part where was the fight most open.

Ever said he that he would take good care that he did not lose those that were of his company; but when a fight chanced and he with his men only were opposed to an enemy so fierce was he in battle that either must he win the day or die. For this reason oft-times it befell that when Harald was captain of the men the victory fell to him, whereas Gyrgir won naught.

Now when the warriors saw how oft did this come to pa.s.s, said they one to the other that their cause would have better advancement an Harald were alone captain of the host; and blamed they the leader of the band, saying that he and his men were but bootless. To this Gyrgir made answer that the Vaerings would not yield him support, & bade them begone, whiles he fared with the rest of the host to be successful as far as in them lay. Even so, thereon went Harald from the host, and with him likewise the Vaerings and the Latin men, but Gyrgir kept the host of the Greeks. Then came to pa.s.s that which all had awaited, to wit, that Harald ever gained the victory & the plunder. Thereupon fared the Greeks home to Miklagard save only the young men who desired to win riches for themselves, and they gathered round Harald and took him for their leader.

Then went he with his host westward to northern Africa, which the Vaerings called Serkland,-- and there he gained addition to his host.

In Serkland won he eighty walled towns, some thereof surrendered to him, whereas others took he by might.

Thereafter went he to Sikiley (Sicily). Thus saith Thiodolf:

'Towns ten times eight in Serkland, Say I, then were taken, The young hater of red-glowing gold Rushed into the peril.

Before the fighter went to rouse With clas.h.i.+ng s.h.i.+elds the Hilds, Were they long the Serk-men's foe, On the plains of Sicily.'

Thus saith Illugi, the skald from Bryn:

'Harald under Michael strove For south-lands with his sword The son of Budli, as 'twas said Showed friends.h.i.+p by his fellows.h.i.+p.'[--]

-- Now it came to pa.s.s that at this season was Michael King of Greece.

Many winters abode he in Africa, and to himself acquired goods and chattels in plenty, gold likewise and all manner of precious things; but all the wealth which he took and thereof had not need for his maintenance sent he by his trusty men to Holmgard (Novgarod), to be bestowed into the hands and care of King Jarizleif.

Exceeding wealth did he collect together there, as was like to be, forasmuch as he was pillaging in that part of the world the which is richest in gold and costly things. And so much did he accomplish withal that, as has been writ before, took he as many as eighty towns.

-- And being come to Sikiley did Harald lay waste on that isle, and set he his host over against a large town in which were many people.

So strong were the walls thereof that he feared it were doubtful an he could brake them down. Now the townsfolk had enough of victuals and other commodities which were required to withstand a siege, so hit Harald on the craft of bidding his fowlers to catch small birds, which had nests in the town & flew out during the day to seek food. On the backs of these birds caused he to be tied shavings of red pine-wood on which had he poured melted wax and brimstone; fire thereto was set, and the birds even so soon as they were loose, flew with one accord at once to the town with the intent to seek their young and to hie them to their own nests which were under the roofs.

And these roofs were thatched with reeds or straw.

Then the fire from the birds spread to the eaves, and though each bird bore but a little burden of fire nevertheless in a brief s.p.a.ce was kindled a great fire, for many birds bore fire to the roofs that were of the town. Thereafter there burned one house after the other until the town itself was all aflame, and all the people came out therefrom and begged for grace.

Yea was this that same folk that for many a day had talked proudly and with mocking despite of the Greek host and the chief thereof. Harald gave quarter to all men who craved it, and thereafter held authority over this town.

-- Another town was there to which Harald went with his host, & right well peopled was it and strong withal, so much so indeed that it could not be thought that he would be able to make a.s.sault thereon. Flat land and hard lay round about the walls thereof, so Harald set his men to dig a trench from the place whence a brook flowed, & that in a deep gulley wherein men from the town could not spy.

The earth of the trench threw they out into the water and let the stream bear it away; and in this work they continued even both by night and by day with fresh s.h.i.+fts after a spell.

After this fas.h.i.+on did the host advance on the town day by day; and the townsmen flocked to the battlements & both sides shot at one another, but by night did all betake themselves to sleep.

Now when Harald wot that this hole that was in the earth was so long that it must have come under and past the walls of the town bade he his men arm themselves, & towards dawn went they into the trench, and when they came to the end thereof dug they up above their heads until they came to stones set in lime; and this was the floor of a stone hall. Anon they brake up the floor and ascended into the hall, and there sat many of the townsmen eating and drinking, and great was the mischance of these good men for they were taken unawares. The Vaerings went about with drawn swords, and straightway killed some of them though others fled, to wit, those who could get out.

Some of the Vaerings sought after these townsmen while others went to the gates to set them open, and by this way in marched the host that pertained unto Harald.

Then did the townsfolk flee, though many prayed for mercy, and mercy did all receive who gave themselves up.

In this way was it that Harald was possessed of the town, and therewith acquired exceeding wealth.

-- The third town to which they came was the one that of all of the island had waxed largest and strongest, and to it pertained most importance both by reason of the wealth and the number within its walls.

Even about this town lay great ditches, and the Vaerings marked that they could not win it by craft after such fas.h.i.+on as they had possessed themselves of the other towns aforesaid. And so it came to pa.s.s that long lay they before the town yet did they accomplish nothing, and the townsfolk seeing this waxed even bolder, and set up their array on the walls, & anon opened the gates of the town and called to the Vaerings, egging them on & bidding them enter; and they mocked at them for lack of boldness, averring that for fighting were they no better than so many hens. Harald bade his men behave themselves as though they wist not after what fas.h.i.+on were such things said: 'Nought shall we accomplish,'

said he, 'even if we storm the town; they will fling their weapons down under their feet upon us; and albeit an entrance we perchance effect with sundry of our folk, yet is the foe strong enough to shut them in, and shut the others out at their pleasure for they have put watches at all the gates of the town.

No less mock will we make of them, however, and we will flaunt in their faces that we have no fear of them. Our men shall go forth on the plain as near the town as may be, having care nevertheless lest they come within bowshot, and weaponless must they go & hold sports one with another so that the townsfolk may wot that we care naught for their array.'

After this fas.h.i.+on did they behave themselves for sundry days.

-- Now of the Icelanders that were with Harald at this time is it recorded that Halldor the son of Snorri the Priest-- he it was who took this chronicle back to his own land-- and in the second place Ulf the son of Uspak, the son of Usvif the Wise, were the twain of them very strong & valiant men and much cherished of Harald.

The pair were alike foremost in the sports on the plain. When things had thus happened for these sundry days, were the townsfolk minded to show even greater arrogance, & discarding their weapons mounted they up on to the walls and defiantly set open the gates of the town. Now the Vaerings seeing this betook themselves one day to their sports in such fas.h.i.+on that the swords that pertained to them were concealed beneath their cloaks and their helms beneath their hats. And after they had vied with one another awhile saw they that the townsfolk in no fas.h.i.+on entertained suspicion, thereon drawing their swords ran they forward to the gates.

When the townsmen saw this advanced they bravely to meet them, standing fully armed, and thereon ensued a dire fight within the gates.

To the Vaering folk pertained neither s.h.i.+eld nor buckler, & in default thereof wrapped they their cloaks round their left arm; some were wounded, some killed, & all were hard pressed.

Harald & the men with him who were in the camp hastened to their succour, but by then were the townsfolk come up on to the walls from whence they shot at & stoned those coming thitherwards. Yet more fierce grew the fight, & those within the gates bethought them help came at a slower gait than they could desire. Scarce was Harald come to the gates ere was slain his banner-bearer; then said he: 'Halldor, do thou take up the banner!' Halldor picked up the banner-staff, but he spoke unwisely: 'Who will bear thy banner for thee when thou followest it so faint-heartedly as thou hast done now this while past?' These were words more of anger than of truth, for Harald stood the stoutest among men.

Then hied they them into the gate, and great were the strokes given; but the outcome thereof was such wise that the victory was to Harald and he stormed the gates. Sore smote was Halldor, a deep wound gat he in the countenance, and to him was it a blemish all the days of his life.--

-- The fourth town whereunto Harald was come together with his host was the stoutest of all those whereof we have yet told. So strong was it that they wist there was no hope that it could be taken by a.s.sault, and thereon beset they the town even by getting a ring around it so that no victuals could be taken therein.

Now it chanced when Harald had been before it a while, fell he sick and betook himself to his bed; & he caused his tent be placed away from other tents so that he might have the ease that he should not hear the noise and disquiet of the host. Backwards & forwards to him oft fared his men, craving his counsel, and this was noted of the townsfolk who argued rightly that something had befallen the Vaerings, and thereon set they spies to discover what it might be. When the spies were come back even into the town brought they intelligence that the chief of the Vaerings lay sick, & for that cause had they not advanced on the town.

As time waxed big grew the strength of Harald small, and his men became sorrowful and were heavy of heart.

Now of all this had the townsfolk full knowledge.

To such a pa.s.s came it that the sickness pressed Harald hard and his death was told throughout the whole host. Then went the Vaerings to speak with the townsmen, telling them of the death of their chief, & praying the priests to grant him a tomb in the town.

Now when the townsfolk heard these tidings many were there, rulers of monasteries or of other big churches in the town, who wished much, each one of them, to have the body for his church, for well wotted each that it would bring them great offerings; so the whole mult.i.tude of the priests clad themselves in their vestments and walked forth out of the town in procession well favoured and solemn, bearing shrines and holy relics.

But made the Vaerings also a mighty funeral train; covered with a costly pall was the coffin borne aloft, and above this again were held many banners, & after the coffin in this wise had been borne in through the town-gates was it set down right athwart them in front of the opening thereof. Then did the Vaerings blow a war-blast from all their trumpets, & drew their swords, and the whole host of the Vaerings rushed out of their tents fully armed, and ran towards the town shouting and crying.

The monks & other priests who had been walking in this funeral train vying with one another to be the foremost to go out and receive the offering, now vied twofold as speedily to be the farthest off, for the Vaerings slew every one who was nearest to them be he clerk or layman.

After this fas.h.i.+on did they go about the whole of the town, putting the men to the sword and pillaging the churches, whence s.n.a.t.c.hed they exceeding great wealth.

-- Many summers fared Harald in warfare after this fas.h.i.+on alike in Serkland and Sikiley.

Thereafter led he his host back to Miklagard, and abode there a short s.p.a.ce ere set he again forth on a journey to Jorsalaheim (Palestine).-- There he left behind him all the gold he had gotten as payment from the Greek King, & the same did all the Vaerings who went on the journey with him.