s."

After breakfast the next morning the guests went out and stood by their
horses ready to go, but before they mounted, thralls brought a horn of
mead to each man. That was called the stirrup-horn, because after they
drank it the men put their feet to the stirrups and sprang upon their
horses and started. King Harald and his people rode a little way with
them.

All men said that that was the richest funeral feast that ever was
held.

FOOTNOTES:

[6] See note about feast hall on page 196.

[7] See note about tables on page 196.

[Illustration]

Harald's Battle

Now King Halfdan had many foes. When he was alive they were afraid to
make war upon him, for he was a mighty warrior. But when Harald became
king, they said:

"He is but a lad. We will fight with him and take his land."

So they began to make ready. King Harald heard of this and he laughed
and said:

"Good! 'Foes'-fear' is thirsty, and my legs are stiff with much
sitting."

He called three men to him. To one he gave an arrow, saying:

"Run and carry this arrow north. Give it into the hands of the master of
the next farm, and say that all men are to meet here within two weeks
from this day. They must come ready for war and mounted on horses. Say
also that if a man does not obey this call, or if he receives this arrow
and does not carry it on to his next neighbor, he shall be outlawed
from this country, and his land shall be taken from him."

He gave arrows to the other two men and told them to run south and east
with the same message.

So all through King Harald's country men were soon busy mending helmets
and polishing swords and making shields. There was blazing of forges and
clanging of anvils all through the land.

On the day set, the fields about King Harald's house were full of men
and horses. After breakfast a horn blew. Every man snatched his weapons
and jumped upon his horse. Men of the same neighborhood stood together,
and their chief led them. They waited for the starting horn. This did
not look like our army. There were no uniforms. Some men wore helmets,
some did not. Some wore coats of mail, but others wore only their
jackets and tights of bright-colored wool. But at each man's left side
hung a great shield. Over his right shoulder went his sword-belt and
held his long sword under his left hand. Above most men's heads shone
the points of their tall spears. Some men carried axes in their belts.
Some carried bows and a