Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/319

 Rogaland. It was blowing a heavy storm at the time; but Gudrod was bent on sailing, and would not consent to wait. Thiodolf sang thus:—

Gudrod set off in spite of what Thiodolf could say; and when they came off Jedderen the vessel sunk with them, and all on board were lost.

King Harald's son, Biorn, ruled over Westfold at that time, and generally lived at Tunsberg, and went but little on war expeditions. Tunsberg at that time was much frequented by merchant vessels, both from Viken and the north country, and also from the south, from Denmark, and Saxonland. King Biorn had also merchant ships on voyages to other lands, by which he procured for himself costly articles, and such things as he thought needful; and therefore his brothers called him the Freightman, and the Merchant. Biorn was a man of sense and understanding, and promised to become a good ruler. He made a good and suitable marriage, and had a son by his wife, who was named Gudrod. Eric Bloodyaxe came from his Baltic cruise with ships of war, and a great force, and required his brother Biorn to deliver to him King Harald's share of the scatt and incomes of Westfold. But it had always been the custom before, that Biorn himself either delivered the money into the king's hands, or sent men of his own with it; and therefore he would continue with the old custom, and would not deliver the money. Eric again wanted provisions, tents, and liquor. The brothers quarrelled about this;