Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/206

 198 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VII. Chapter CXLII. King Canute's embas- sadors to Onund of Sweden. Chapter CXLITI. The expe- dition to Biarme- land. and King Olaf made preparations for taking his winter abode at Sarpsburg. In autumn King Canute the Great came to Den- mark, and remained there all winter with a numerous army. It was told him that embassadors with mes- sages had been passing between the Swedish and Norwegian kings, and that some great plans must be concerting between them. In winter King Canute sent messengers to Sweden, to King Onund, with great gifts and messages of friendship. He also told Onund that he might sit altogether quiet in this strife between him and Olaf the Thick ; " for thou, Onund," says he, " and thy kingdom, shall be in peace as far as I am concerned." When the embassadors came to King Onund they presented the gifts which King Canute sent him, together with the friendly message. King Onund did not hear their speech very willingly, and the embassadors could observe that King Onund was most inclined to a friendship with King Olaf. They returned accordingly, and told King Canute the result of their errand, and told him not to depend much upon the friendship of King Onund. This winter King Olaf sat in Sarpsburg, and was surrounded by a very great army of people. He sent the Halogalander Carl to the north country upon his business. Carl went first to the Uplands, then across the Dovrefield, and came down to Nidaros, where he received as much money as he had the king's order for, together with a good ship, such as he thought suitable for the voyage which the king had ordered him upon ; and that was to proceed north to Biarmeland.* It was settled that the king should be in partnership with Carl, and each of them have the half of the profit. Early in spring Carl directed his course to Halogaland, where his brother Gunstein
 * The coasts of the White Sea.