446 SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS. 



it could resist his blows. Ormar also fought exceedingly well 

 in the Gota-host, though the wounds he had got in the former 

 battle were scarcely cured. Wherever Angantyr went among 

 the host all drew back ; no one whom he was able to reach 

 with Tyrfing had a chance to live ; now so much blood was on 

 the battle-field that it reached up to the belt (of the warriors). 



" At the end of the day they went to their tents, and dressed 

 the wounds of their men. The Gotar grumbled much, for the 

 Hunar always had the best of it. Still they went to the battle 

 the fifth day, and defended themselves valiantly, for Angantyr 

 always fought most bravely. Late in the day they heard a 

 war-blast and beating of drums ; Herlaug was there with sixty 

 thousand men to help Angantyr. Angantyr said he was 

 welcome in his need ; then they raised war-booths for them- 

 selves, and the host slept during the night. When it was 

 light enough for fighting they began the battle ; so many fell 

 that clay that no one knew their number, and the horses waded 

 in the blood up to the saddle-girths; they could no longer 

 fight in the battle-field because of the bodies of the dead, and 

 the battle turned much against the Hunar. The ninth day 

 Hlocl sent Angantyr word that they should rest themselves 

 that day in order to make handles to the spears and repair 

 their shields. Angantyr assented. None of the chiefs were 

 then wounded. Angantyr had no fewer men than when the 

 battle began (fifty thousand) for warriors had gathered to him 

 all the time by night and day ; Hlod had no more left of his 

 host than forty thousand, and of his men three times one 

 hundred thousand, and eight hundred had fallen. It is not 

 told how many Angantyr had lost, and old sagas name 

 this battle only as the greatest north of the sea. 



" When the tenth day came, they wanted to fight it out, so 

 the one or the other should be free at night. Hlodver urged 

 the Hunar on as well as he could, and said it would not be easy 

 to ask the Gotar to spare their lives ; ' I want to find Gizr the 

 Old before this battle is ended, for we have something to talk 

 over.' On the other side Angantyr said to his men : ' Let us 

 go forward like warriors, and defend our freedom and foster- 

 land.' Herlaug replied he would willingly follow him, and he had 

 to take revenge on the Hunar for his sister's daughter. Then 

 both the hosts put horns to their mouths and blew a war blast, 

 so that the mountains echoed it, and it could be heard more 

 than twenty miles away when they rode to the battle. Then they 

 drew their swords and began fighting, and no man's courage 

 needed to be sneered at. Hlod rode forth foremost of his men, 

 and slew warriors to right and left like the most savage lion ; 

 and wherever he met a thick array he killed twelve with one 



