154 WAR-SHIPS. 



They were square, and consequently good speed could only be 

 attained with fair wind. 



The following poetical names were given to sails : The cloak 

 of the wind ; the tapestry of the masthead ; the sheet spun by 

 women ; the cloth of the wind ; the beard of the yard ; the fine 

 shirt of the tree (mast). 



" When the King on his return from Jerusalem wished to 

 sail to Mikligard (Constantinople), he lay still for half a month 



Fig. 933. Runic stone, Hallingbo, Gotland, o feet 9 inches above ground. 



with his entire fleet, although every day it blew a good stern- 

 wind ; but he waited for a side-wind, so that the sails could be 

 set lengthways on the ships. The sails were mostly covered 

 with pell (a sort of velvet) on both sides, as those in stem and 

 stern wanted to see an equally handsome side. When he came 

 into Mikligard, he sailed close to the shore, from which could 

 be seen the whole width of the sails, which were so slightly 



