Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/294

 286 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VII. through proceeds to Russia. forest to Vermeland, then to Vatsbo, and the forests in which there are roads, until he came out in Nerike district. There dwelt a rich and power- ful man in that part called Sigtryg, who had a son, Ivar, who afterwards became a distinguished person. Olaf staid with Sigtryg all spring ; and when summer came he made ready for a journey, procured a ship for himself, and without stopping went on to Russia to King Jarisleif and his queen Ingigerd; but his own queen Astrid, and their daughter Ulfhild, re- mained behind in Sweden, and the king took his son Magnus eastward with him. King Jarisleif received King Olaf in the kindest manner, and made him the offer to remain with him, and to have so much land as was necessary for defraying the expense of the enter- tainment of his followers. King Olaf accepted this offer thankfully, and remained there. It is related that King Olaf was distinguished all his life for pious habits, and zeal in his prayers to God. But after- wards, when he saw his own power diminished, and that of his adversaries augmented, he turned all his mind to God's service ; for he was not distracted by other thoughts, or by the labour he formerly had upon his hands, for during all the time he sat upon the throne he was endeavouring to promote what was most useful : and first to free and protect the country from foreign chiefs' oppressions, then to convert the people to the right faith ; and also to establish law and the rights of the country, which he did by letting justice have its way, and punishing evil-doers. It had been an old custom in Norway that the sons of lendermen, or other great men, went out in war-ships to gather property, and they marauded both KinJToiaf. in the country and out of the country. But after King Olaf came to the sovereignty he protected the country, so that he abolished all plundering there; and even if they were the sons of powerful men who com- Chapter CXCII. Causes of the revolt against