15.

Now our deep-enquiring Sovereign encounter’d the horrid powers of enchantment, and the abominations of an impious race.  The troubled flood tore many fair gallies from their moorings and swept them anchorless before its waves.

     16.

A magic-raised watery tempest blew upon our warriors, ambitious of conquest, and against the floating habitations[84] of the brave.  The roaring billows and stormy blast threw shielded companies of our adventurous nation on the Scottish strand.

When the Scotch saw that the vessels had run aground, they assembled together, and advancing against the Norwegians, attacked them with missile weapons.  They, however, defended themselves gallantly under cover of their ships; the Scotch made several attempts, at different times, but killed few, tho’ many were wounded.  King Haco, as the wind was now somewhat abated, sent in some boats with a reinforcement, as is here mentioned.

     17.

The victorious breaker of gleaming weapons, attentive of soul, then sent his bands to the hard-fought field, where breast-plates rang.  Our troops, by the slaughter of the suspicious foe, established their Monarch’s fame, vilified by the dwellers of the vallies.[85]

Afterwards the Sovereign himself, attended by Thorlaug Bosa, set sail in a barge belonging to the Masters of the Lights.[86] As soon as the King’s men approached the land the Scotch retired; and the Norwegians continued ashore all night.  The Scotch, however, during the darkness, entered the transport,[87] and carried off as much of the lading as they could.  On the morning, the King with a numerous reinforcement came on shore; and he ordered the transport to be lightened, and towed out to the ships.

In a little time, they descried the Scottish army, and it was so numerous that they supposed the King of Scotland was present.  Ogmund Kraekidants with his company was stationed on a hill.  The Scottish van skirmished with his men; and, their main body coming on, the Norwegians entreated the King, as they were anxious for his safety, to row to his fleet and to send them help.  The King insisted on remaining on shore; but they would not assent to his continuing any longer so exposed; he, therefore, sailed out in a barge to his ships at the Cumbras.  The following Barons remained on land, Lord Andrew Nicolson, Ogmund Kraekidants, Erling Alfson, Andrew Pott, Ronald Urka, Thorlaug Bosi, Paul Soor.  The whole number of soldiers with them was eight or nine hundred.  Two hundred men were upon the rising-ground with Ogmund; but the rest of the troops were posted down upon the beach.

The Scottish army now advanced, and it was conjectured to consist of near fifteen hundred knights.[88] All their horses had breast-plates; and there were many Spanish steeds in complete armour.  The Scottish King had, besides, a numerous army of foot soldiers, well accoutred.  They generally had bows and spears.