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194) EARLY KINGS OF NORWAY. thinks Hakon, "and gird it up into a safe and de- fensive posture." Hakon sailed accordingly, with a strong fleet; adjusting and rectifying among his Hehrides as he went long, and landing withal on the Scotch coast to plunder and punish as he thought fit. The Scots say he had claimed of them Arran, Bute, and the Two Cumhraes ("given my ancestors by Donald Bain," said Hakon, to the amazement of the Scots) " as part of the Sudoer " (Southern Isles) : — so far from selling that fine kingdom ! — and that it was after taking both Arran and Bute that he made his descent at Largs. Of Largs there is no mention whatever in Norse books. But beyond any doubt, such is the other evidence, Hakon did land there ; land and fight, not conquering, probably rather beaten; and very cer- tainly 'retiring to his ships,' as in either case he behoved to do ! It is further certain he was dread- fully maltreated by the weather on those wild coasts ; and altogether credible, as the Scotch records bear, that he was so at Largs very specially. The Norse Ilecords or Sagas say merely, he lost many of his ships by the tempests, and many of his men by land