damasked blade hewed the mail of hostile tribes, ere the
Scot, nimble as the hound, would leave the field to the
followers of our all-conquering king.

The Scotch then left the eminence, and fled, where they could, away to
their mountains. The Norwegians, perceiving this, retired to their
boats, and rowing out to their ships, luckily escaped the storm. On
the morning they came back in search of the bodies of those who had
dropt. Among the dead were Haco of Steini, and Thorgisl Gloppa, both
belonging to King Haco's household. There fell also a worthy vassal
called Karlhoved, from Drontheim, and another vassal named Halkel,
from Fiorde. Besides, there died three Masters of the Lights,
Thorstein Bat, John Ballhoved, and Halward Buniard. It was impossible
for the Norwegians to tell how many were killed of the Scotch, because
those who dropt were taken up and removed to the woods. King Haco
ordered his dead to be carried to a church.

Five days after, King Haco commanded his men to weigh anchor and to
bring his ship close under the Cumbras. He was soon joined by the
squadron which had been in Loch-long. On the fast day following, the
weather was good, and the King sent some retainers ashore to burn the
vessels which had been stranded; that same day the King sailed past
Cumbra to Melansey,[93] where he lay some nights. Here he was met by
the Commissioners he had sent to Ireland, who assured him that the
Irish Ostmen would willingly engage to maintain his army till he freed
them from the dominion of the English. King Haco was extremely
desirous of sailing for Ireland, and, as the wind was not favourable,
he held a Council on the subject, but the whole army was against this
plan. He, therefore, told them that as he was short of provisions he
would steer for the Hebrides. The King then ordered the body of Ivar