Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/70

 62 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VII. Chapter LXI. Thrand White's murder. Chapter LXII. Christian- ity pro- claimed in Viken. Chapter LXIII. Hroa's fall. very large head-farm of the district. Bryniulf composed a song about these gifts, of which the refrain was — " The song-famed hero to my hand Gave a good sword, and Vettaland." The king afterwards gave him the title of Lender- man, and Bryniulf was ever after the king's greatest friend. This winter Thrand White from Drontheim went east to Jemt eland, to take up scatt upon account of King Olaf. But when he had collected the scatt he was surprised by men of the Swedish king, who killed him and his men, twelve in all, and brought the scatt to the Swedish king. King Olaf was very ill pleased when he heard this news. King Olaf made Christian law to be proclaimed in Viken, in the same way as in the North country. It succeeded well, because the people of Viken were better acquainted with the Christian customs than the people in the north ; for, both winter and summer, there w r ere many merchants in Viken, both Danish and Saxon. The people of Viken, also, had much trading intercourse with England, and Saxony, and Flan- ders, and Denmark; and some had been on viking ex- peditions, and had had their winter abode in Christian lands. About spring time King Olaf sent a message that Eyvind Urarhorn should come to him; and they spake together in private for a long time. Thereafter Eyvind made himself ready for a viking cruise. He sailed south towards Viken, and brought up at the Eker Isles without Hising Isle. There he heard that Hroa Skialge had gone northwards towards the island Ordost, and had there made a levy of men and goods on account of the Swedish king, and was ex- pected from the north. Eyvind rowed in by Hauge sound, and Hroa came rowing from the north, and