Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/148

136 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA XI. killed those they could get near. King Magnus was easily known. He was a very stout man, and had a red short cloak over him, and bright yellow hair like silk that fell over his shoulders. Ogmund Skoptesson, who was a tall and handsome man, rode on one side of the king. He said, " Sire, give me that cloak." The king said, " What would you do with it ?" " I would like to have it," said Ogmund ; " and you have given me greater gifts, sire." The road was such that there Avere great and wide plains, so that the Gotlanders and Northmen were always in sight of each other, unless where clumps of wood and bushes concealed them from each other now and then. The king gave Ogmund the cloak, and he put it on. When they came out again upon the plain ground, Ogmund and his people rode off right across the road. The Gotlanders, supposing this must be the king, rode all after him, and the king proceeded to the ships. Ogmund escaped with great difficulty; however he reached the ships at last in safety. King Magnus then sailed down the river, and proceeded north to Viken. ^^v7^ When King Miagnus was east in Yiken, there came Magnus's to him a foreigner called Gifford. He gave himself bauie with ^^^ ^^^ ^ E^^^ knight, and offered his services to King Inge at Maguus J for he understood that in the king's do- minions there was something to be done. The king received him well. At that time the king was pre- paring to go to Gotland, on Avhich country the king had pretensions ; and besides he would repay the Got- land people the disgrace they had occasioned him in spring, when he was obliged to fly from them. He had then a great force in arms, and the West Gotland- ers in the northern districts- submitted to him. He set up his camp on the borders, intending to make a foray from thence. When King Inge heard of this he collected troops, and hastened to oppose King