Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/53

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 41 <^ I see great Tambarskelver go, saga ix. With mighty pomp, and pride, ami show, Across the ebb-shore up the land, — Before, behind, an armed band. This bonder-leader thinks to rule. And fill himself the royal stool. A goodly earl I have known With fewer followers of his own. He who strikes fire from the shield, Einar, may some day make us yield. Unless our axe-edge quickly ends. With sudden kiss, what he intends." Einar remained several days in the town. One day there was a meetino^ held in the town, at Chapter which the king himself was present. A thief had Thefaiiof been taken in the town, and he was brouo:ht before ^^"j'': f"^ the Thing. The man had before been m the service of Einar, who had been very well satisfied with him. This was told to Einar, and he well knew the king would not let the man off, and the more because he took an interest in the matter. Einar, therefore, let his men get under arms, went to the Thing, and took the man by force. The friends on both sides then came between, and endeavoured to effect a reconciliation; and they succeeded so far that a meeting-place was appointed, to which both should come. There was a Thing-room in the king's house at the river Nid, and the king went into it with a few men, while the most of his people were out in the yard. The king ordered the shutters of the loft-opening to be turned, so that there was but a little space left clear. When Einar came into the yard with his people, he told his son Endrid to remain outside Avith the men, " for there is no danger here for me." Endrid remained standing outside at the room-door. When Einar came into the Thing-room, he said, "It is dark in the king's Thing- room." At that moment some men ran against him, and assaulted him, — some with spears, some with swords. When Endrid heard this he drcAV his sword, and rushed into the room ; but he was instantly killed