The winter after, King Olaf came from Halogaland (A.D. 1000), he had a
great vessel built at Hladhamrar, which was larger than any ship in the
country, and of which the beam-knees are still to be seen. The length of
keel that rested upon the grass was seventy-four ells. Thorberg Skafhog
was the man's name who was the master-builder of the ship; but there
were many others besides,--some to fell wood, some to shape it, some to
make nails, some to carry timber; and all that was used was of the best.
The ship was both long and broad and high-sided, and strongly timbered.
While they were planking the ship, it happened that Thorberg had to go
home to his farm upon some urgent business; and as he remained there a
long time, the ship was planked up on both sides when he came back. In
the evening the king went out, and Thorberg with him, to see how the
vessel looked, and everybody said that never was seen so large and so
beautiful a ship of war. Then the king returned to the town. Early next
morning the king returns again to the ship, and Thorberg with him. The
carpenters were there before them, but all were standing idle with their
arms across. The king asked, "what was the matter?" They said the ship
was destroyed; for somebody had gone from, stem to stern, and cut one
deep notch after the other down the one side of the planking. When the
king came nearer he saw it was so, and said, with an oath, "The man
shall die who has thus destroyed the vessel out of envy, if he can be
discovered, and I shall bestow a great reward on whoever finds him out."
"I can tell you, king," said Thorberg, "who has done this piece of
work."--
"I don't think," replies the king, "that any one is so likely to find it
out as thou art."