Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/307

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 299 voyage. When Olaf came to the island of Gotland saga vn. with his ships he heard the news — which was told as truth, both in Sweden, Denmark, and over all Nor- way — that Earl Hakon was missing, and Norway with- out a head. This gave the king and his men good hope of the issue of their journey. From thence they sailed, when the wind suited, to Sweden, and went into the Maalare lake, to Westeraas, and sent men to the Swedish King Onund appointing a meeting. King Onund received his brother-in-law's message in the kindest manner, and went to him according to his invitation. Astrid also came to King Olaf, with the men who had attended her; and great was the joy on all sides at this meeting. The Swedish king also received his brother-in-law King Olaf with great joy when they met. Now we must relate what, in the mean time, was Chapter going on in Norway. Thorer Hund, in these two of the winters, had made a Lapland iournev, and each winter *^ rons in 7 x. o ^ j i .Norway. had been a long time on the Fielde, and had gathered to himself great wealth by trading in various wares with the Laplanders. He had twelve large coats of reindeer-skin made for him, with so much Lapland witchcraft that no weapon could cut or pierce them any more than if they were armour of ring-mail, nor so much. The spring thereafter Thorer rigged a long-ship which belonged to him, and manned it with his house-servants. He summoned the bonders, de- manded a levy from the most northern Thing district, collected in this way a great many people, and pro- ceeded with this force southwards. Harek of Thiotto had also collected a great number of people; and in this expedition many people of consequence took a part, although these two were the most distinguished. They made it known publicly that with this war- force they were going against King Olaf, to defend the