302 HEROIC CONDUCT. 



200 fell in compact and beautiful order around the 

 corpse of tlieir much-loved lord. 



Another instance of devotion worthy of record also 

 occurred at this time. At the commencement of the 

 fight at Kungahall, the wife of Parson Brunsson, together 

 with other women, fled to the hamlet of Solberg with 

 intelligence of the enemy's landing ; and hence the news 

 was soon sjiread over the surrounding country. When 

 the Sdrbiid, or war messenger, reached Skurberg, he 

 found all the people at a Gdstabud, or banquet. Amongst 

 the guests was a young peasant named Olfvver Stormund. 

 On learning what had happened, he sprang to his feet ; 

 and seizing his helm, shield, and battle-axe, exclaimed, 

 " Good men and true, let us hasten to the assistance of 

 the townspeople, who are bravely risking their lives for 

 our sakes. It is better to rid our fatherland of the 

 heathen than to sit here getting drunk on ale ! " But all 

 refused, alleging they were sure to be slaughtered, and 

 without their friends beins? benefited bv tlieir death. 

 "Then, as none of you will accompany me," rejoined the 

 hei'oic man, " I will go alone and cut down one or two of 

 the enemy before I am killed myself." With these 

 words he set off for the fortress alone, though followed in 

 the distance by several of his friends, who were anxious to 

 see how the adventure would terminate. 



When the pirates observed Olfwer approaching, eight 

 of them rushed forward and attacked him. He, however, 

 swung his battle-axe around his head with such force and 

 dexterity as at one and the same blow, not only to cut 

 the throat of the man behind him, but to " brain " the 

 one in his front. The second time he lifted his formidable 

 w^eapon two other heathens were also killed ; and after- 

 wards he made such good use of it as badly to wound the 

 remaining four, and to cause them to take to flight. 

 Though covered with Avounds, he started in pursuit ; and. 



