EARLY in the spring Thorfinn sent word to his kinsman Rögnvald, and asked him to go out with him on an expedition, bringing as many men as he could. As soon as Rögnvald received this message, he collected together as many men and vessels as he could, and when he was ready he went to meet Earl Thorfinn, who was also ready with his band. He received his kinsman Rögnvald very well; and they joined their forces. During the summer they plundered in the Sudreyar (Hebrides), and in Ireland, and in Scotland’s Fiord;[265] and Thorfinn conquered the land wherever he went. They had a great battle at a place called Vatnsfiord.[266] It began early in the morning, and the kinsmen gained the victory. This is mentioned by Arnór Jarlaskáld: Know ye that place, Vatnsfiord? There was I in greatest danger; Marks are there of my Lord’s doings, He who tries the strength of warriors. Forth the people quickly carried From the ships the shields of many; Then was heard the dismal howling Of the gray wolf o’er the corpses. After this battle they returned to the Orkneys, and stayed at home during the winter. Thus eight winters passed that Earl Rögnvald had two-thirds of the islands without any objection on the part of Earl Thorfinn. Every summer they went out on war expeditions, sometimes both together, sometimes separately, as Arnór says: The chief beloved did many deeds. Everywhere there fell before him Irishmen, or British people; Fire devoured the Scottish kingdom. The kinsmen agreed very well whenever they met; but when bad men went between them dissensions often arose. Earl Thorfinn dwelt for the most part in Caithness, at the place called Gaddgedlar,[267] where Scotland and England (?) meet. CHAPTER XII OF EARL THORFINN’S WARFARE. ONE summer Earl Thorfinn made war in the Sudreyar (Hebrides) and in Scotland. He had sent men into England to foray, and they carried away all the spoil they could find. But when the English became aware of the presence of the Vikings, they gathered together and attacked them. They took from them all the cattle, and killed all the men that were of any note, but sent back some of the reivers, and requested them to tell Earl Thorfinn how they had made the Vikings tired of plunder and rapine, to which they added many insulting words. Thereupon the reivers went to Earl Thorfinn and told him of their mishaps. He was greatly annoyed at the loss of his men, yet he said he could not then do anything, and that they would have to refrain at this time; but he said he was quite able to repay the Englishmen for their mockery, and would do so if he were well next summer. CHAPTER XIII OF EARL THORFINN’S EXPEDITION TO ENGLAND.