Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/156

 148 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. ma ined in Halogaland the greater part of the sum- mer, went to all the Things, and baptized all the people. Thorer Hund dwelt at that time in the island Biarko. He was the most powerful man in the North, and also became one of Olaf's lendermen. Many sons of great bonders resolved also to follow King Olaf from Halogaland. Towards the end of summer King Olaf left the North, and sailed back to Drontheim, and landed at Nidaros*, where he passed the winter. It was then that Thorkel the Fosterer came from the West from Orkney, after killing Einar Rangmud, as before related. This autumn corn was dear in Drontheim, after a long course of good sea- sons, and the farther north the dearer was the corn ; but there was corn enough in the East country, and in the Uplands, and it was of great help to the peo- ple of Drontheim that many had old corn remaining beside them. In autumn the news was brought to King Olaf that the bonders had had a great feast on the first winter-day's eve, at which there was a numerous Drontheim attendance and much drinking ; and it was told the people. . <-> ' king that all the remembrance-cups to the Assers, or old gods, were blessed according to the old heathen forms ; and it was added, that cattle and horses had been slain, and the altars sprinked with their blood, and the sacrifices accompanied with the prayer that , was made to obtain good seasons. It was also re- ported, that all men saw clearly that the gods were offended at the Halogaland people turning Christian. Now when the king heard this news he sent men into the Drontheim country, and ordered several bonders, whose names he gave, to appear before him. There was a man called Olver of Egge, so called after his farm on which he lived. He was Chapter CXIII. Of the sacrifices of the The town of Drontheim.