When Earl Ragnvald in More heard of the death of his brother Earl
Sigurd, and that the vikings were in possession of the country, he sent
his son Hallad westward, who took the title of earl to begin with, and
had many men-at-arms with him. When he arrived at the Orkney Islands,
he established himself in the country; but both in harvest, winter, and
spring, the vikings cruised about the isles plundering the headlands,
and committing depredations on the coast. Then Earl Hallad grew tired
of the business, resigned his earldom, took up again his rights as an
allodial owner, and afterwards returned eastward into Norway. When Earl
Ragnvald heard of this he was ill pleased with Hallad, and said his son
were very unlike their ancestors. Then said Einar, "I have enjoyed but
little honour among you, and have little affection here to lose: now
if you will give me force enough, I will go west to the islands, and
promise you what at any rate will please you--that you shall never see
me again." Earl Ragnvald replied, that he would be glad if he never came
back; "For there is little hope," said he, "that thou will ever be an
honour to thy friends, as all thy kin on thy mother's side are born
slaves." Earl Ragnvald gave Einar a vessel completely equipped, and he
sailed with it into the West sea in harvest. When he came to the Orkney
Isles, two vikings, Thorer Treskeg and Kalf Skurfa, were in his way with
two vessels. He attacked them instantly, gained the battle, and slew the
two vikings. Then this was sung:--
"Then gave he Treskeg to the trolls,
Torfeinar slew Skurfa."
He was called Torfeinar, because he cut peat for fuel, there being no
firewood, as in Orkney there are no woods. He afterwards was earl over
the islands, and was a mighty man. He was ugly, and blind of an eye, yet
very sharp-sighted withal.