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he king would assist him in getting hold of Olaf Trygvason; to conduct him to Norway; where Gunhild would bring him up。 The king gave Hakon people with him; and he rode with them to Hakon the Old; where Hakon desired; with many friendly expressions; that Olaf should go with him。 Hakon the Old returned a friendly answer; saying that it depended entirely upon Olaf's mother。 But Astrid would on no account listen to the proposal; and the messengers had to return as they came; and to tell King Eirik how the matter stood。 The ambassadors then prepared to return home; and asked the king for some assistance to take the boy; whether Hakon the Old would or not。 The king gave them again some attendants; and when they came to Hakon the Old; they again asked for the boy; and on his refusal to deliver him they used high words and threatened violence。 But one of the slaves; Buste by name; attacked Hakon; and was going to kill him; and they barely escaped from the thralls without a cudgelling; and proceeded home to Norway to tell Gunhild their ill success; and that they had only seen Olaf。
5。 OF SIGURD EIRIKSON。
Astrid had a brother called Sigurd; a son of Eirik Bjodaskalle; who had long been abroad in Gardarike (Russia) with King Valdemar; and was there in great consideration。 Astrid had now a great inclination to travel to her brother there。 Hakon the Old gave her good attendants; and what was needful for the journey; and she set out with some merchants。 She had then been two years (A。D。 965…966) with Hakon the Old; and Olaf was three years of age。 As they sailed out into the Baltic; they were captured by vikings of Eistland; who made booty both of the people and goods; killing some; and dividing others as slaves。 Olaf was separated from his mother; and an Eistland man called Klerkon got him as his share along with Thorolf and Thorgils。 Klerkon thought that Thorolf was too old for a slave; and that there was not much work to be got out of him; so he killed him; but took the boys with him; and sold them to a man called Klerk for a stout and good ram。 A third man; called Reas; bought Olaf for a good cloak。 Reas had a wife called Rekon; and a son by her whose name was Rekone。 Olaf was long with them; was treated well; and was much beloved by the people。 Olaf was six years in Eistland in this banishment (A。D。 987…972)。
6。 OLAF IS SET FREE IN EISTLAND。
Sigurd; the son of Eirik (Astrid's brother); came into Eistland from Novgorod; on King Valdemar's business to collect the king's taxes and rents。 Sigurd came as a man of consequence; with many followers and great magnificence。 In the market…place he happened to observe a remarkably handsome boy; and as he could distinguish that he was a foreigner; he asked him his name and family。 He answered him; that his name was Olaf; that he was a son of Trygve Olafson; and Astrid; a daughter of Eirik Bjodaskalle; was his mother。 Then Sigurd knew that the boy was his sister's son; and asked him how he came there。 Olaf told him minutely all his adventures; and Sigurd told him to follow him to the peasant Reas。 When he came there he bought both the boys; Olaf and Thorgils; and took them with him to Holmgard。 But; for the first; he made nothing known of Olaf's relationship to him; but treated him well。
7。 KLERKON KILLED BY OLAF。
Olaf Trygvason was one day in the market…place; where there was a great number of people。 He recognized Klerkon again; who had killed his foster…father Thorolf Lusarskeg。 Olaf had a little axe in his hand; and with it he clove Klerkon's skull down to the brain; and ran home to his lodging; and told his friend Sigurd what he had done。 Sigurd immediately took Olaf to Queen Allogia's house; told her what had happened; and begged her to protect the boy。 She replied; that the boy appeared far too comely to allow him to be slain; and she ordered her people to be drawn out fully armed。 In Holmgard the sacredness of peace is so respected; that it is law there to slay whoever puts a man to death except by judgment of law; and; according to this law and usage; the whole people stormed and sought after the boy。 It was reported that he was in the Queen's house; and that there was a number of armed men there。 When this was told to the king; he went there with his people; but would allow no bloodshed。 It was settled at last in peace; that the king should name the fine for the murder; and the queen paid it。 Olaf remained afterwards with the queen; and was much beloved。 It is a law at Holmgard; that no man of royal descent shall stay there without the king's permission。 Sigurd therefore told the queen of what family Olaf was; and for what reason he had come to Russia; namely; that he could not remain with safety in his own country: and begged her to speak to the king about it。 She did so; and begged the king to help a king's son whose fate had been so hard; and in consequence of her entreaty the king promised to assist him; and accordingly he received Olaf into his court; and treated him nobly; and as a king's son。 Olaf was nine years old when he came to Russia; and he remained nine years more (A。D。 978…981) with King Valdemar。 Olaf was the handsomest of men; very stout and strong; and in all bodily exercises he excelled every Northman that ever was heard of。
8。 OF HAKON EARL OF HLADER。
Earl Hakon; Sigurd's son; was with the Danish king; Harald Gormson; the winter after he had fled from Norway before Gunhild's sons。 During the winter (A。D。 969) the earl had so much care and sorrow that he took to bed; and passed many sleepless nights; and ate and drank no more than was needful to support his strength。 Then he sent a private message to his friends north in Throndhjem; and proposed to them that they should kill King Erling; if they had an opportunity; adding; that he would come to them in summer。 The same winter the Throndhjem people accordingly; as before related; killed King Erling。 There was great friendship between Earl Hakon and Gold Harald; and Harald told Hakon all his intentions。 He told him that he was tired of a ship…life; and wanted to settle on the land; and asked Hakon if he thought his brother King Harald would agree to divide the kingdom with him if he asked it。 〃I think;〃 replied Hakon; 〃that the Danish king would not deny thy right; but the best way to know is to speak to the king himself。 I know for certain so much; that you will not get a kingdom if you don't ask for it。〃 Soon after this conversation Gold Harald spoke to the king about the matter; in the presence of many great men who were friends to both; and Gold Harald asked King Harald to divide the kingdom with him in two equal parts; to which his royal birth and the custom of the Danish monarchy gave him right。 The king was highly incensed at this demand; and said that no man had asked his father Gorm to be king over half of Denmark; nor yet his grandfather King Hordaknut; or Sigurd Orm; or Ragnar Lodbrok; and he was so exasperated and angry; that nobody ventured to speak of it to him。
9。 OF GOLD HARALD。
Gold Harald was now worse off than before; for he had got no kingdom; and had got the king's anger by proposing it。 He went as usual to hi