1(10 



WAR-SHIPS. 



wrapped with grey cloth. He had a few rowers in rooms fore 

 and aft, while most of his men sat very low in the ship. King 

 Knut's watchmen saw the ship, and talked among themselves 

 about what kind of ship it might be. They thought it was loaded 

 with salt or herrings, for they saw that the men were few and 

 rowing badly, and the ship looked grey, and not tarred and dried 

 in the sun. They also saw it was deep in the water. But 

 when Harek got well forward in the Sound past the host, he 



Fig. 938. From Bayeux tapestry. Ship with dragon's head, striped sails, and 



carrying horses. 



raised the mast, hoisted the sail, and set up the gilt weather- 

 vane. The sail was white as new-fallen snow, and striped with 

 blue ami red " (St. Olaf, c 168). 



Some of the harbours built by the Northmen must have 

 been very spacious. 



Palnatoki, jarl of Fjon, who also had a jarldom in Bretland 

 (Wal-s\ made one summer warfare in Vindland. The king, 

 Bur i slat', sent a message that he desired friendship and peace 

 with him, and invited him to come and see him. 



