Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/11

 viking cruise, received the title of king immediately, although they had no land or kingdom. Rane sat at the helm; and some say that Olaf himself was but a common rower, although he was king of the men-at-arms. They steered east along the land, and came first to Denmark. So says Ottar Swarte, in his lay which he made about King Olaf:—

Towards autumn he sailed eastward to the Swedish dominions, and there harried and burnt all the country round; for he thought he had good cause of hostility against the Swedes, as they killed his father Harald. Ottar Swarte says distinctly that he came from the east, out by way of Denmark:—

The same autumn Olaf had his first battle at Chapter Sotholm, which lies in the Swedish skerry circle. He fought there with some vikings, whose leader was