Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/235

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 227 known that he would send people to Jemteland to saga vh. collect the scatt ; but nobody had any great desire to go on this business, after the fate of those whom King Olaf had sent before, — namely, Thrand White and others, twelve in number, who lost their lives, as be- fore related ; and the Jemtelanders had ever since been subject to the Swedish king. Thorodd Snorres- son now offered to undertake this journey, for he cared little what became of him if he could but become his own master again. The king consented, and Thorodd set out with eleven men in company. They came east to Jemteland, and went to a man called Thorer, who was lagman, and a person in high estimation. They met with an hospitable reception ; and when they had been there a while, they explained their business to Thorer. He replied, that other men and chiefs of the country had in all respects as much power and right to give an answer as he had, and for that pur- pose he would call together a Thing. It was so done ; the message-token was sent out, and a numerous Thing assembled. Thorer went to the Thing, but the mes- sengers in the mean time remained at home. At the Thing, Thorer laid the business before the people, but all were unanimous that no scatt should be paid to the king of Norway ; and some were for hanging the mes- sengers, others for sacrificing them to the gods. At last it was resolved to hold them fast until the king of Sweden's sheriffs arrived, and they could treat them as they pleased with consent of the people ; and that, in the mean time, this decision should be con- cealed, and the messengers treated well, and detained under pretext that they must wait until the scatt is collected ; and that they should be separated, and placed two and two, as if for the convenience of board- ing them. Thorodd and another remained in Thorer's house. There was a great Yule feast and ale-drink- ing, to which each brought his own liquor ; for there Q 2