Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/182

 174 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. had determined in case Asbiorn ran away. Asbiorn replies, that Thorarin need not be afraid of him. Thorarin sat a long while with him during the day. and slept there all night. On Saturday the king arose and went to the early mass, and from thence he went to the Thing, where a great many bonders were assembled, who had many complaints to be deter- mined. The king sat there long in the day, and it was late before the people went to high mass. There- after the king went to table. When he had got meat he sat drinking for a while, so that the tables were not removed. Thorarin went out to the priest who had the church under his care, and gave him two marks of silver to ring in the Sabbath as soon as the king's table was taken away. When the king had drunk as much as he wished the tables were removed. Then said the king, that it was now the time for the slaves to go to the murderer and put him to death. In the same moment the bell rang in the Sabbath. Then Thorarin went before the king, and said, u The Sabbath-peace this man must have, although he has done evil." The king said, " Do thou take care, Thorarin, that he do not escape." The king then went to the church, and attended the vesper service, and Thorarin sat the whole day with Asbiorn. On Sunday the bishop visited Asbiorn, confessed him, and gave him orders to hear high mass. Thorarin then went to the king, and asked him to appoint men to guard the murderer. " I will now," he said, " be free of this charge." The king thanked him for his care, and ordered men to watch over Asbiorn who was again laid in chains. When the people went to high mass Asbiorn was led to the church, and he stood outside of the church with his guard ; but the king and all the people stood in the church at mass.