Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/90

 80 EARLY KINGS OF NORWAY. skies, to the admiration of both shores. Such a fleet, with its shining Serpents, long and short, and perfec- tion of equipment and appearance, the Baltic never saw before. Jarl Sigwald joined with new ships by the way : " Had," he too, " a visit to King Burislav to pay ; how could he ever do it in better companj'- ? " and studiously and skilfully ingratiated himself with King Olaf. Old Burislav, when they arrived, proved altogether courteous, handsome, and amenable ; agreed at once to Olaf 's claims for his now queen, did the rites of hospitality with a generous plenitude to Olaf; who cheerily renewed acquaintance with that country, known to him in early days (the cradle of his fortunes in the viking line), and found old friends there still surviving, joyful to meet him again. Jarl Sigwald encouraged these delays, King Svein and Co. not being yet quite ready. "Get ready!" Sigwald directed them, and they diligently did. Olaf s men, their business now done, were impatient to be home ; and grudged every day of loitering there ; but, till Sigwald pleased, such his power of flattering and cajoling Tryggveson, they could not get away. At length, Sigwald's secret messengers reporting all