the hook slipped to one side, or Gregorius
would have been dragged over-board. Gregorius, however, was but little
wounded, for he had on a plate coat of armour. Ivar called out to him,
that he had a "thick bark." Gregorius replied, that if Ivar went on so
he would "require it all, and not have too much." It was very near then
that Gregorius and his men had sprung overboard; but Aslak Unge threw an
anchor into their ship, and dragged them off the ground. Then Gregorius
laid himself against Ivar's ship, and they fought a long while; but
Gregorius's ship being both higher sided and more strongly manned,
many people fell in Ivar's ship, and some jumped overboard. Ivar was so
severely wounded that he could not take part in the fight. When his ship
was cleared of the men, Gregorius let Ivar be carried to the shore, so
that he might escape; and from that time they were constant friends.

11. KING HAKON'S FLIGHT.

When King Inge and his men saw that Gregorius was aground, he encouraged
his crew to row to his assistance. "It was," he said, "the most
imprudent advice that we should remain lying here, while our friends are
in battle; for we have the largest and best ship in all the fleet. But
now I see that Gregorius, the man to whom I owe the most, is in need of
help; so we must hasten to the fight where it is sharpest. It is also
most proper that I should be in the battle; for the victory, if we win
it, will belong to me. And if I even knew beforehand that our men were
not to gain the battle, yet our place is where our friends are; for I
can do nothing if I lose the men who are justly called the defence of
the country, who are the bravest, and have long ruled for me and my
kingdom." Thereupon he ordered his banner to be set up, which was done;
and they rowed across the river. Then the battle raged, and the king
could not get room to attack, so close lay the ships before him. First
he lay under the East-country trading ship, and from it they threw down
upon his vessel spears, iron-shod stakes, and such large stones that
it was impossible to hold out longer there, and he had to haul off. Now
when the king's people saw that he was come they made place for him, and
then he laid alongside of Eindride Jonson's ship. Now King Hakon's men
abandoned the small ships, and went on board the large merchant vessels;
but some of them sprang on shore. Erling Skakke and his men had a
severe conflict. Erling himself was on the forecastle, a