第59章

When they had rowed a short way from the island the brothers hoisted the sail, while Harek was seated at the helm; and they sailed away from the island.Then the two brothers went aft to where Harek the bonde was sitting; and Sigurd says to him, "Now thou must choose one of these conditions, -- first, that we brothers direct this voyage; or, if not, that we bind thee fast and take the command; or, third, that we kill thee." Harek saw how matters stood with him.As a single man, he was not better than one of those brothers, even if he had been as well armed; so it appeared to him wisest to let them determine the course to steer, and bound himself by oath to abide by this condition.On this Sigurd took the helm, and steered south along the land, the brothers taking particular care that they did not encounter people.The wind was very favourable; and they held on sailing along until they came south to Throndhjem and to Nidaros, where they found the king.Then the king called Harek to him, and in a conference desired him to be baptized.Harek made objections;and although the king and Harek talked over it many times, sometimes in the presence of other people, and sometimes alone, they could not agree upon it.At last the king says to Harek, "Now thou mayst return home, and I will do thee no injury; partly because we are related together, and partly that thou mayst not have it to say that I caught thee by a trick: but know for certain that I intend to come north next summer to visit you Halogalanders, and ye shall then see if I am not able to punish those who reject Christianity." Harek was well pleased to get away as fast as he could.King Olaf gave Harek a good boat of ten or twelve pair of oars, and let it be fitted out with the best of everything needful; and besides he gave Harek thirty men, all lads of mettle, and well appointed.

83.EYVIND KINRIFA'S DEATH.

Harek of Thjotta went away from the town as fast as he could; but Hauk and Sigurd remained in the king's house, and both took baptism.Harek pursued his voyage until he came to Thjotta.He sent immediately a message to his friend Eyvind Kinrifa, with the word that he had been with King Olaf; but would not let himself be cowed down to accept Christianity.The message at the same time informed him that King Olaf intended coming to the north in summer against them, and they must be at their posts to defend themselves; it also begged Eyvind to come and visit him, the sooner the better.When this message was delivered to Eyvind, he saw how very necessary it was to devise some counsel to avoid falling into the king's hands.He set out, therefore, in a light vessel with a few hands as fast as he could.When he came to Thjotta he was received by Harek in the most friendly way, and they immediately entered into conversation with each other behind the house.When they had spoken together but a short time, King Olaf's men, who had secretly followed Harek to the north, came up, and took Eyvind prisoner, and carried him away to their ship.

They did not halt on their voyage until they came to Throndhjem, and presented themselves to King Olaf at Nidaros.Then Eyvind was brought up to a conference with the king, who asked him to allow himself to be baptized, like other people; but Eyvind decidedly answered he would not.The king still, with persuasive words, urged him to accept Christianity, and both he and the bishop used many suitable arguments; but Eyvind would not allow himself to be moved.The king offered him gifts and great fiefs, but Eyvind refused all.Then the king threatened him with tortures and death, but Eyvind was steadfast.Then the king ordered a pan of glowing coals to be placed upon Eyvind's belly, which burst asunder.Eyvind cried, "Take away the pan, and Iwill say something before I die," which also was done.The king said, "Wilt thou now, Eyvind, believe in Christ?" "No," said Eyvind, "I can take no baptism; for I am an evil spirit put into a man's body by the sorcery of Fins because in no other way could my father and mother have a child." With that died Eyvind, who had been one of the greatest sorcerers.

84.HALOGALAND MADE CHRISTIAN.

The spring after (A.D.999) King Olaf fitted out and manned his ships, and commanded himself his ship the Crane.He had many and smart people with him; and when he was ready, he sailed northwards with his fleet past Bryda, and to Halogaland.

Wheresoever he came to the land, or to the islands, he held a Thing, and told the people to accept the right faith, and to be baptized.No man dared to say anything against it, and the whole country he passed through was made Christian.King Olaf was a guest in the house of Harek of Thjotta, who was baptized with all his people.At parting the king gave Harek good presents; and he entered into the king's service, and got fiefs, and the privileges of lendsman from the king.

85.THORER HJORT'S DEATH.

There was a bonde, by name Raud the Strong, who dwelt in Godey in Salten fjord.Raud was a very rich man, who had many house servants; and likewise was a powerful man, who had many Fins in his service when he wanted them.Raud was a great idolater, and very skillful in witchcraft, and was a great friend of Thorer Hjort, before spoken of.Both were great chiefs.Now when they heard that King Olaf was coming with a great force from the south to Halogaland, they gathered together an army, ordered out ships, and they too had a great force on foot.Raud had a large ship with a gilded head formed like a dragon, which ship had thirty rowing benches, and even for that kind of ship was very large.

Thorer Hjort had also a large ship.These men sailed southwards with their ships against King Olaf, and as soon as they met gave battle.A great battle there was, and a great fall of men; but principally on the side of the Halogalanders, whose ships were cleared of men, so that a great terror came upon them.Raud rode with his dragon out to sea, and set sail.Raud had always a fair wind wheresoever he wished to sail, which came from his arts of witchcraft; and, to make a short story, he came home to Godey.