Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/177

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 169 was silent Asbiorn said that Erling's slaves had owned sa ga v h. the corn. Thorer replied hastily, that he did not regard Er- ling's tricks. "And now, Asbiorn, there is no help for it : ye must either go on shore, or we will throw you overboard ; for we will not be troubled with you while we are discharging the cargo." Asbiorn saw that he had not men enough to resist Thorer ; therefore he and his people landed, and Thorer took the whole cargo out of the vessel. When the vessel was discharged Thorer went through the ship, and observed, " Ye Halogalanders have good sails : take the old sail of our vessel and give it them ; it is good enough for those who are sailing in a light vessel." Thus the sails were exchanged. When this was done Asbiorn and his comrades sailed away north along the coast, and did not stop until they reached home early in winter. This expedition was talked of far and wide, and Asbiorn had no trouble that winter in making feasts at home. Thorer Hund invited Asbiorn and his mother, and also all whom they pleased to take along with them, to a Yule feast ; but Asbiorn sat at home, and would not travel, and it was to be seen that Thorer thought Asbiorn despised his invitation, since he would not come. Thorer scoffed much at Asbiorn's voyage. " Now," said he, "it is evident that Asbiorn makes a great difference in his respect towards his relations; for in summer he took the greatest trouble to visit his relation Erling in Jederen, and now will not take the trouble to come to me in the next house. I don't know if he thinks there may be a Thorer Sel in his way upon every holm." Such words, and the like sarcasms, Asbiorn heard of ; and very ill satisfied he was with his voyage, which had thus made him a laughing-stock to the country, and he remained at home all winter, and went to no feasts.