Erling had always at home on his farm thirty slaves, besides other
serving-people. He gave his slaves a certain day's work; but after it he
gave them leisure, and leave that each should work in the twilight and
at night for himself, and as he pleased. He gave them arable land to sow
corn in, and let them apply their crops to their own use. He laid upon
each a certain quantity of labour to work themselves free by doing it;
and there were many who bought their freedom in this way in one year, or
in the second year, and all who had any luck could make themselves free
within three years. With this money he bought other slaves: and to some
of his freed people he showed how to work in the herring-fishery, to
others he showed some useful handicraft; and some cleared his outfields
and set up houses. He helped all to prosperity.