Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/183

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 175 Now we must again take up our story where we left saga vil it, — that Erling and his son Skialg held a council on Chapter this affair, and according to the resolution of Erling, e^X il and of Skialg and his other sons, it was determined reconejiia- to assemble a force and send out message-tokens. A King oiaf. great multitude of people accordingly came together. They got ready with all speed, rigged their ships, and when they reckoned upon their force they found they had nearly 1500 men. With this war-force they set off, and came on Sunday to Augvaldsnees on Kormt Island. They went straight up to the house with all the men, and arrived just as the Scripture lesson was read. They went directly to the church, took Asbiorn, and broke off his chains. At the tumult and clash of arms all who were outside of the church ran into it ; but they who were in the church looked all towards them, except the king, who stood still, without looking around him. Erling and his sons drew up their men on each side of the path which led from the church to the hall, and Erling with his sons stood next to the hall. When high mass was finished the king went immediately out of the church, and first went through the open space between the ranks drawn up, and then his retinue, man by man ; and as he came to the door Erling placed himself before the door, bowed to the king, and saluted him. The king saluted him in re- turn, and prayed God to help him. Erling took up the word first, and said, " My relation Asbiorn, it is reported to me, has been guilty of misdemeanor, king ; and it is a great one, if he has done any thing that in- curs your displeasure. Now I am come to entreat for him peace, and such penalties as you yourself may determine ; but that thereby he redeem life and limb, and his remaining here in his native land." The king replies, " It appears to me, Erling, that thou thinkest the case of Asbiorn is now in thy own power, and I do not therefore know why thou speakest