to row the harder again, and when King Harald saw
that they were making way bade he his men lighten their ships by
throwing overboard malt and wheat and swine-flesh, even to chopping open
their kegs of drink, and for a while these aids availed them well. Then
did King Harald command that the war-hurdles should be taken, also
casks, and empty barrels, and be cast overboard and on them and in them
were placed prisoners of war.

Now when King Svein saw all of these floating together on the sea he
ordered that the men should be rescued, and accordingly was this done.
While his men were occupied in this their task, grew greater the
distance between the fleets, and when the Danes were again about the
chase had the Norwegians already made good their escape. Thus saith
Thorleik the Fair:

'I heard tell in what manner Svein
The eastmen put to flight at sea,
How the other King quick-minded gat him gone;
All the plunder of the Thrond-folk's King
On the Jutland sea was floating;
And sundry ships lost he withal.'

|| Under Lesey, did King Svein withdraw his fleet, and there found he
seven Norwegian ships, but aboard them were only peasants and men who
had been mustered for war.

When King Svein took them begged they for quarter and offered money in
ransom. Thus saith Thorleik the Fair:

'For grace did Harald's friends stout-hearted
Pray the King, and they few laid down their arms;
The peasants ready-witted refused to fight thereafter,
Speaking because their lives out they wished to live.'

|| Anent King Harald be it said that he was masterful and a strong ruler
in his own land, a very sage man withal, & it be common talk that there
was never a chief in the Northlands so wise or ready in resource as he.

A great warrior also, and very valiant, stronger, & defter with weapons
than any other man; but all this have we recorded before.

Nevertheless the greater number of his doughty deeds go unrecorded, and
this in part by reason of our lack of knowledge thereof, & in part by
reason that we will not put in books tales for which there is no
witness, even though in our hearing have such things been told. It
beseemeth us better that something may be added hereafter than that much
should need to be taken herefrom. About King Harald are many tales set
forth in lays which the Icelandic men made to him or to his sons, & for
this reason was he a firm friend to them. A firm friend also was he to
all our country