Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/259

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 251 measures as we find serviceable. If you, however, saga vh. will prefer to travel across our country, and go over- land to Norway, it shall be free for you to do so." King Olaf thanked King Onund for his friendly offer. " But if I may advise," says he, "then we should take another resolution, and keep together the forces we have still remaining. I had in the first of summer, before I left Norway, 350 ships ; but when I left the country I chose from among the whole war- levy those I thought to be the best, and with them I manned 60 ships ; and these I still have. Now it ap- pears to me that the part of your war-force which has now run away is the most worthless, and of least assistance ; but now I see here all your chiefs and leaders, and I know well that the people who belong to the court-troops* are by far the best suited to carry arms. We have here chosen men and superb ships, and we can very well lie all winter in our ships, as vikings' custom is. But Canute cannot lie long in Helge river; for the harbour will not hold so many vessels as he has. If he steers eastward after us, we can escape from him, and then people will soon gather to us ; but if he return to the harbours where his fleet can lie, I know for certain that the desire to return home will not be less in his army than in ours. I think, also, we have ravaged so widely in summer, that the villages, both in Sealand and Scania, know well whose favour they have to seek. Canute's army will thus be dispersed so widely, that it is uncertain to whom fate may at the last give the victory ; but let us first find out what resolution he takes." Thus King Olaf ended his speech, and it found much applause, and his advice was followed. Spies were sent into King Canute's army, and both the kings Olaf and Onund remained lying where they were.
 * The thingmen, or hired body-guard attending the court.