There was a man from the Uplands called Fin the Little, and some said of
him that he was of Finnish (1) race. He was a remarkable little man, but
so swift of foot that no horse could overtake him. He was a particularly
well-excercised runner with snow-shoes, and shooter with the bow. He had
long been in the service of King Hrorek, and often employed in errands
of trust. He knew the roads in all the Upland hills, and was well known
to all the great people. Now when King Hrorek was set under guards on
the journey Fin would often slip in among the men of the guard, and
followed, in general, with the lads and serving-men; but as often as he
could he waited upon Hrorek, and entered into conversation with him. The
king, however, only spoke a word or two with him at a time, to prevent
suspicion. In spring, when they came a little way beyond Viken, Fin
disappeared from the army for some days, but came back, and stayed
with them a while. This happened often, without anyone observing it
particularly; for there were many such hangers-on with the army.
ENDNOTES: (1) The Laplanders are called Fins In Norway and Sweden.--L.