300 SURPRISED BY THE WENDIANS. 



Brunsson, the parson, used his utmost efforts to allay 

 the panic. On Whitsunday he held a remarkable dis- 

 course to the people, telling them that instead of deserting 

 the place they should take courage, be careful of fire, 

 be constantly on the watch against the assaults of their 

 enemies, and leave the rest to God ; but his good 

 counsels, as well as other warnings they received, were 

 soon forgotten. 



On St. Laurence's Day, however, when the greater 

 portion of the townspeople were in church, hearing a 

 sermon from Anders Brunsson, Einar, a brother of the 

 latter, rushed into the sacred edifice with the astounding 

 intelligence that innumerable vessels were rapidly ap- 

 proaching by both branches of the river, and that a large 

 body of cavalry were crossing Braltas, a hill in the 

 vicinity. Taken so completely by surprise, people knew 

 not what to believe; but many thought it mightbc tin- 

 King of Denmark, from whom no hostile attack was to 

 be apprehended. They, nevertheless, armed themselves 

 in all haste, and rushed down to the bridge, where 

 their worst anticipations were reali/ed ; for Ilettibur, 

 king of the Wendians,* and his lieutenants DunimiN 

 and Unibur, with a fleet of 250 war-galleys, carrying 

 11,000 men and 500 horses, was, in truth, at their 

 very doors. 



There were then lying near to the bridge eleven large 

 ships, called OsterKJof'arorc, or such as traded to the Baltic. 

 These the heathens attacked in the first instance. The 

 townspeople defended themselves manfully, and the com- 

 bat raged fiercely for a long time. Showers of javelins 

 and arrows were poured on the assailants, as well from 

 the beleaguered ships as the bridge it sell', which was lined 



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