Giermund drew forth his right arm with the hand smitten off at the wrist.
"By this token may you know that these ships have come," said he.
Then Earl Hakon questioned the man closely concerning this new come enemy, and Giermund told him that the men were vikings of Jomsburg, and that they had slain many people of the land, and had robbed far and wide.
"Swiftly northward are they coming," said he, "and full eagerly, and no long time will wear by ere they are come upon you."
So thereupon the earl rowed through the firths with his fleet to meet his foes.
The Jomsvikings had sailed northward along the coast, plundering and ravaging wherever they landed. They made great coast raids, and often burned towns and hamlets. They were lying in Ulfasound, off Stad, when they and Hakon Jarl heard of each other. They were in want of food at this time, and Vagn Akison and Olaf Triggvison went on their skiff to the island of Hoed, not knowing that the earl lay in the bay near the island. Vagn and Olaf landed with their men, wishing to make a shore raid if they could, and they happened to meet a shepherd driving three cows and twelve goats.
Vagn cried to his men: "Take the cows and goats and slaughter them for our ships."
The shepherd asked: "Who commands the men on board your ship?"
"Vagn Akison, of Jomsburg," was the answer.
"I think then, that there are not very far from you bigger cattle for slaughter than my poor cows and goats," said the shepherd.