Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/176

 168 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VII. be at home in thy conversation. Let us now drink, my friend, and we shall see to-morrow what can be done in thy business." They did so, and were very merry all the evening. The following day Erling and Asbiorn talked over the matter again; and Erling said, " I have found out a way for you to purchase corn, Asbiorn. It is the same thing to you whoever is the seller." He an- swered that he did not care of whom he bought the corn, if he got a good right to his purchase. Erling said, " It appears to me probable that my slaves have quite as much corn as you require to buy ; and they are not subject to law, or land regulation, like other men." Asbiorn agreed to the proposal. The slaves were now spoken to about the purchase, and they brought forward corn and malt, which they sold to Asbiorn, so that he loaded his vessel with what he wanted. When he was ready for sea Erling followed him on the road, made him presents of friendship, and they took a kind farewell of each other. Asbiorn got a good breeze, landed in the evening at Kormtsund, near to Augvaldsness, and remained there for the night. Thorer Sel had heard of Asbiorn's voyage, and also that his vessel was deeply laden. Thorer summoned people to him in the night, so that before daylight he had sixty men ; and with these he went against Asbiorn as soon as it was light, and went out to the ship just as Asbiorn and his men were putting on their clothes. Asbiorn saluted Thorer, and Thorer asked what kind of goods Asbiorn had in the vessel. He replied, " Corn and malt." Thorer said, " Then Erling is doing as he usually does, and despising the king's orders, and is unwearied in opposing him in all things, insomuch that it is wonderful the king suffers it." Thorer went on scolding in this way, and when he