Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/67

 KEIGN OF OLAF TRYGGVESON. 57 parted from her boy, — who also was sold, and again sold ; but did at last fall in with a kinsman high in the Eussian service; did from him find redemption and help, and so rose, in a distinguished manner, to manhood, victorious self-help, and recovery of his kingdom at last. He even met his mother again, he as king of Norway, she as one wonderfully lifted out of darkness into new life and happiness still in store. Grown to manhood, Tryggveson, now become ac- quainted with his birth, and with his, alas, hopeless claims ; left Eussia for the one profession open to him, that of sea-robbery ; and did feats without number in that questionable line in many seas and scenes, — in England latterly, and most conspicuously of all. In one of his courses thither, after long labours in the Hebrides, Man, Wales, and down the western shores to the very Land's End and farther, he paused at the Scilly Islands for a little while. He was told of a wonderful Christian hermit living strangely in these sea-solitudes ; had the curiosity to seek him out, exa- mine, question, and discourse with him ; and, after some reflection, accepted Christian baptism from the venerable man. In Snorro the story is involved in