GUNNAR GOES ABROAD.
So Gunnar fared abroad, and Kolskegg with him. They sailed first to
Tönsberg,[13] and were there that winter. There had then been a shift of
rulers in Norway, Harold Grayfell was then dead, and so was Gunnhillda.
Earl Hacon the Bad, Sigurd's son, Hacon's son, Gritgarth's son, then
ruled the realm. The mother of Hacon was Bergliot, the daughter of Earl
Thorir. Her mother was Olof harvest-heal. She was Harold Fair-hair's
daughter.
Hallvard asks Gunnar if he would make up his mind to go to Earl Hacon?
"No; I will not do that," says Gunnar. "Hast thou ever a long-ship?"
"I have two," he says.
"Then I would that we two went on warfare; and let us get men to go with
us."
"I will do that," says Hallvard.
After that they went to the Bay, and took with them two ships, and
fitted them out thence. They had good choice of men, for much praise was
said of Gunnar.
"Whither wilt thou first fare?" says Gunnar.
"I wish to go south-east to Hisingen, to see my kinsman Oliver," says
Hallvard.
"What dost thou want of him?" says Gunnar.
He answered--"He is a fine brave fellow, and he will be sure to get us
some more strength for our voyage".
"Then let us go thither," says Gunnar.
So, as soon as they were "boun," they held on east to Hisingen, and had
there a hearty welcome. Gunnar had only been there a short time ere
Oliver made much of him. Oliver asks about his voyage, and Hallvard says
that Gunnar wishes to go a-warfaring to gather goods for himself.
"There's no use thinking of that," says Oliver, "when ye have no force."
"Well," says Hallvard, "then you may add to it."
"So I do mean to strengthen Gunnar somewhat," says Oliver; "and though
thou reckonest thyself my kith and kin, I think there is more good in
him."
"What force, now, wilt thou add to ours?" he asks.
"Two long-ships, one with twenty, and the other with thirty seats for
rowers."
"Who shall man them?" asks Hallvard.
"I will man one of them with my own house-carles, and the freemen around
shall man the other. But still I have found out that strife has come
into the river, and I know not whether ye two will be able to get away;
for _they_ are in the river."
"Who?" says Hallvard.
"Brothers twain," says Oliver; "one's name is Vandil and the other's
Karli, sons of Sjolf the Old, east away out of Gothland."
Hallvard told Gunnar that Oliver had added some ships to theirs, and
Gunnar was glad at that. They busked them for their voyage thence, till
they were "all-boun". Then Gunnar and Hallvard went before Oliver, and
thanked him; he bade them fare warily for the sake of those brothers.