ered into partnership with him; and after plundering in Scotland,
they subdued Caithness and Sutherland, as far as Ekkjalsbakke. Earl
Sigurd killed Melbridge Tooth, a Scotch earl, and hung his head to his
stirrup-leather; but the calf of his leg were scratched by the teeth,
which were sticking out from the head, and the wound caused inflammation
in his leg, of which the earl died, and he was laid in a mound at
Ekkjalsbakke. His son Guthorm ruled over these countries for about a
year thereafter, and died without children. Many vikings, both Danes and
Northmen, set themselves down then in those countries.
ENDNOTES: (1) Skerries are the uninhabited dry or halt-tide rocks of a
coast.--L.
23. HARALD HAS HIS HAIR CLIPPED.
After King Harald had subdued the whole land, he was one day at a feast
in More, given by Earl Ragnvald. Then King Harald went into a bath, and
had his hair dressed. Earl Ragnvald now cut his hair, which had been
uncut and uncombed for ten years; and therefore the king had been called
Lufa (i.e., with rough matted hair). But then Earl Ragnvald gave him the
distinguishing name--Harald Harfager (i.e., fair hair); and all who saw
him agreed that there was the greatest truth in the surname, for he had
the most beautiful and abundant head of hair.
24. ROLF GANGER DRIVEN INTO BANISHMENT.
Earl Ragnvald was King Harald's dearest friend, and the king had the
greatest regard for him. He was married to Hild, a daughter of Rolf
Nefia, and their sons were Rolf and Thorer. Earl Ragnvald had also three
sons by concubines,--the one called Hallad, the second Einar, the third
Hrollaug; and all three were grown men when their brothers born in
marriage were still children Rolf became a great viking, and was of so
stout a growth that no horse could carry him, and wheresoever he went he
must go on foot; and therefore he was called Rolf Ganger. He plundered
much in the East sea. One summer, as he was coming from the eastward on
a viking's expedition to the coast of Viken, he landed there and made
a cattle foray. As King Harald happened, just at that time, to be in
Viken, he heard of it, and was in a great rage; for he had forbid,
by the greatest punishment, the plundering within the bounds of the
country. The king assembled a Thing, and had Rolf declared an outlaw
over all Norway. When Rolf's mother, Hild heard of it she hastened to
the king, and entreated peace for Rolf; but the king was so enraged
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