westward with their army all the way
to Ulster, where they had many battles, subdued the country, and had
conquered the greatest part of Ulster when Myrkjartan returned home to
Connaught.

26. KING MAGNUS'S FORAY ON THE LAND.

King Magnus rigged his ships, and intended returning to Norway, but set
his men to defend the country of Dublin. He lay at Ulster ready for
sea with his whole fleet. As they thought they needed cattle for
ship-provision, King Magnus sent a message to King Myrkjartan, telling
him to send some cattle for slaughter; and appointed the day before
Bartholomew's day as the day they should arrive, if the messengers
reached him in safety; but the cattle had not made their appearance the
evening before Bartholomew's mass. On the mass-day itself, when the sun
rose in the sky, King Magnus went on shore himself with the greater part
of his men, to look after his people, and to carry off cattle from the
coast. The weather was calm, the sun shone, and the road lay through
mires and mosses, and there were paths cut through; but there was
brushwood on each side of the road. When they came somewhat farther,
they reached a height from which they had a wide view. They saw from
it a great dust rising up the country, as of horsemen, and they said
to each other, "That must be the Irish army;" but others said, "It was
their own men returning with the cattle." They halted there; and Eyvind
Olboge said, "How, sire, do you intend to direct the march? The men
think we are advancing imprudently. You know the Irish are treacherous;
think, therefore, of a good counsel for your men." Then the king said,
"Let us draw up our men, and be ready, if there be treachery." This was
done, and the king and Eyvind went before the line. King Magnus had a
helmet on his head; a red shield, in which was inlaid a gilded lion;
and was girt with the sword of Legbit, of which the hilt was of tooth
(ivory), and handgrip wound about with gold thread; and the sword was
extremely sharp. In his hand he had a short spear, and a red silk short
cloak, over his coat, on which, both before and behind, was embroidered
a lion in yellow silk; and all men acknowledged that they never had
seen a brisker, statelier man. Eyvind had also a red silk cloak like the
king's; and he also was a stout, handsome, warlike man.

27. FALL OF KING MAGNUS.

When the dust-cloud approached nearer they knew their own men, who were
driving the cattle. The Irish king