Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/313

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 301 the Crusader, was nearest by propinquity of descent saga xvi to the crown of Norway. ' ' And here is also a man to be his adviser, and whose duty it is to take care of him and of the kingdom ; and that man is his father Erhng, who is both prudent, brave, experienced in war, and an able man in governing the kingdom: he wants no capability of bringing this counsel into effect, if luck be with him." Many thought well of this advice. Erling replied to it, " As far as I can see or hear in this meeting, the most will rather be excused from taking upon themselves such a difficult business. Now it appears to me altogether uncertain, provided we begin this work, whether he who puts himself at the head of it will gain any honour ; or whether mat- ters will go as they have done before when any one undertakes such great things, — that he loses all his property, and possibly his life. But if this counsel be adopted, there may be men who will undertake to carry it through ; but he who comes under such an obligation must seek, in every way, to prevent any opposition or enmity from those who are now in this council." All gave assurance that they would enter into this confederacy with perfect fidelity. Then said Erling, " I can say for myself that it would almost be my death to serve King Hakon ; and however dangerous it may be, I will rather venture to adopt your advice, and take upon me to lead this force, if that be the will, counsel, and desire of you all, and if you will all bind yourselves to this agreement by oath." To this they all agreed ; and in this meeting it was determined to take Erling's son Magnus to be king. They afterwards held a Thing in the town; and at this Thing Magnus Erlingsson, then five years old, was elected king of the whole country. All who had been servants of King Inge went into his service, and