136. OF THE PEOPLE OF THE FAREY ISLANDS.

The same summer (A.D. 1024) there came from the Farey Islands to Norway,

on the king's invitation, Gille the lagman, Leif Ossurson, Thoralf of

Dimun, and many other bondes' sons. Thord of Gata made himself ready for

the voyage; but just as he was setting out he got a stroke of palsy,

and could not come, so he remained behind. Now when the people from

the Farey Isles arrived at King Olaf's, he called them to him to a

conference, and explained the purpose of the journey he had made them

take, namely, that he would have scat from the Farey Islands, and also

that the people there should be subject to the laws which the king

should give them. In that meeting it appeared from the king's words that

he would make the Farey people who had come answerable, and would bind

them by oath to conclude this union. He also offered to the men whom he

thought the ablest to take them into his service, and bestow honour and

friendship on them. These Farey men understood the king's words so, that

they must dread the turn the matter might take if they did not submit to

all that the king desired. Although they held several meetings about

the business before it ended, the king's desire at last prevailed.

Leif, Gille, and Thoralf went into the king's service, and became his

courtmen; and they, with all their travelling companions, swore the oath

to King Olaf, that the law and land privilege which he set them should

be observed in the Farey Islands, and also the scat be levied that he

laid upon them. Thereafter the Farey people prepared for their return

home, and at their departure the king gave those who had entered into

his service presents in testimony of his friendship, and they went their

way. Now the king ordered a ship to be rigged, manned it, and sent men

to the Farey Islands to receive the scat from the inhabitants which they

should pay him. It was late before they were ready; but they set off at

last: and of their journey all that is to be told is, that they did not

come back, and no scat either, the following summer; for nobody had come

to the Farey Isles, and no man had demanded scat there.

Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway · 第 424 / 1013 题