he came with his men; and the country people fled in all
directions, some into Scotland-fjord, others south to Cantire, or out to
Ireland; some obtained life and safety by entering into his service. So
says Bjorn Krephende:--

"In Lewis Isle with fearful blaze
The house-destroying fire plays;
To hills and rocks the people fly,
Fearing all shelter but the sky.
In Uist the king deep crimson made
The lightning of his glancing blade;
The peasant lost his land and life
Who dared to bide the Norseman's strife.
The hunger battle-birds were filled
In Skye with blood of foemen killed,
And wolves on Tyree's lonely shore
Dyed red their hairy jaws in gore.
The men of Mull were tired of flight;
The Scottish foemen would not fight,
And many an island-girl's wail
Was heard as through the isles we strife sail."

10. OF LAGMAN, KING GUDROD'S SON.

King Magnus came with his forces to the Holy Island (Iona), and gave
peace and safety to all men there. It is told that the king opened the
door of the little Columb's Kirk there, but did not go in, but instantly
locked the door again, and said that no man should be so bold as to go
into that church hereafter; which has been the case ever since. From
thence King Magnus sailed to Islay, where he plundered and burnt;
and when he had taken that country he proceeded south around Cantire,
marauding on both sides in Scotland and Ireland, and advanced with his
foray to Man, where he plundered. So says Bjorn Krephende:--

"On Sandey's plain our shield they spy:
From Isla smoke rose heaven-high,
Whirling up from the flashing blaze
The king's men o'er the island raise.
South of Cantire the people fled,
Scared by our swords in blood dyed red,
And our brave champion onward goes
To meet in Man the Norseman's foes."

Lagman (Lawman) was the name of the son of Gudrod, king of the Hebudes.
Lawman was sent to defend the most northerly islands; but when King
Magnus and his army came to the Hebudes, Lawman fled here and there
about the isles, and at last King Magnus's men took him and his ship's
crew as he was flying over to Ireland. The king put him in irons to
secure him. So says Bjorn Krephende:--

"To Gudrod's son no rock or cave,
Shore-side or hill, a refuge gave;
Hunted around from isle to isle,
This Lawman found no safe asyle.
From isle to