Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/146

 136 EAKLY KINGS OF NORWAY. Skjalgson's country, when he got sure notice of an endless multitude of ships, war-ships, armed merchant ships, all kinds of shipping-craft, down to fishennen's boats, just getting under way against him, under the 'Command of Erling Skjalgson, — the powerfullest of his subjects, once much a friend of Olaf 's, but now gone against him to this length, thanks to Olaf's severity of justice, and Knut's abundance in gold and promises for years back. To that complexion had it come with Erling ; sailing with this immense assemblage of the naval people and populace of Nor- way to seize King Olaf, and bring him to the great Knut dead or alive. Erling had a grand new ship of his own, which far outsailed the general miscellany of rebel ships, and was visibly fast gaining distance on Olaf himself, — who well understood what Erling's puzzle was, be- tween the tail of his game (the miscellany of rebel ships, namely) that could not come up, and the head or general prize of the game which was crowding all sail to get away; and Olaf took advantage of the same. " Lower your sails ! " said Olaf to his men (though we must go slower). "Ho you, we have