92 



The quivers from the earlier iron age were occasionally 

 of wood, sometimes with bronze mountings, and were made 

 to hold a score of arrows. Some arrows were orna- 

 mented \\itli gold, were long, and often barbed with 

 iron or bone. The arrow-shafts, of wood, were two 

 or three feet long, with four rows of feathers, fastened 

 into pitched thread; they, as well as the spears, 

 often bore the marks of ownership; while some 

 were engraved with runes. 



Svein (England's conqueror), King Harald's 

 son, Palnatoki's foster-son, went on warfare in 

 his father's realm and fought a battle at sea 

 against him near Bornholm. He was defeated 

 and shut up in a bay, Harald's ships lying 

 across it, each stem being fastened to the 

 . other. 



bf. 



" The same evening Palnatoki came to the 

 island with twenty-four ships. He laid his 

 ships on the other side of the cape, and there 

 tented over his host (on board). Thereupon 

 he went ashore alone with his bow and arrows, 

 and his sword at his belt. Now it must be 

 told of King Harald that he went ashore with 

 eleven men. They walked into the wood, 

 made a iire there, and warmed themselves at 

 it. They sat on a felled tree, and it had be- 

 come dark as the night fell on. Palnatoki 

 went into the wood opposite where the king- 

 sat, and stood there. The king warmed him- 

 self at the fire, and came with his back close 

 Arrow-heads, i real to it. Clothes were laid under him. He was 

 on his knees, and stooped forward so low while 

 warming his back and shoulders that the hind part of his thighs 

 stood out. Palnatoki heard the king's voice, and recognised that 

 of his father's brother, Fjolnir. He laid an arrow on his (bow) 

 string and shot at the king, and, it is told, that the arrow hit the 

 Icing straight between his thighs and came out of his mouth. 

 The king fell dead, as was to be expected. When his followers 

 saw what had happened, Fjolnir said : ' A great mishap has 

 occurred to the man who lias done this deed, or caused it to 

 be done. A strange wonder is the way in which this deed has 

 been committed.' He asked what should be done. They left 



