King Olaf and King Onund sailed eastward to the Swedish king's
dominions; and one day, towards evening, landed at a place called
Barvik, where they lay all night. But then it was observed of the Swedes
that they were home-sick; for the greater part of their forces sailed
eastward along the land in the night, and did not stop their course
until they came home to their houses. Now when King Onund observed
this he ordered, as soon as the day dawned, to sound the signal for a
House-thing; and the whole people went on shore, and the Thing sat down.
Then King Onund took up the word, and spake thus: "So it is, King Olaf,
that, as you know, we have been assembled in summer, and have forayed
wide around in Denmark, and have gained much booty, but no land. I
had 350 vessels, and now have not above 100 remaining with me. Now
it appears to me we can make no greater progress than we have made,
although you have still the 60 vessels which have followed you the whole
summer. It therefore appears to me best that we come back to my kingdom;
for it is always good to drive home with the wagon safe. In this
expedition we have won something, and lost nothing. Now I will offer
you, King Olaf, to come with me, and we shall remain assembled during
the winter. Take as much of my kingdom as you will, so that you and the
men who follow you may support yourselves well; and when spring comes
let us take such measures as we find serviceable. If you, however, will
prefer to travel across our country, and go overland to Norway, it shall
be free for you to do so."
King Olaf thanked King Onund for his friendly offer. "But if I may
advise," says he, "then we should take another resolution, and keep
together the forces we have still remaining. I had in the first of
summer, before I left Norway, 350 ships; but when I left the country I
chose from among the whole war-levy those I thought to be the best, and
with them I manned 60 ships; and these I still have. Now it appears to
me that the part of your war-force which has now run away is the most
worthless, and of least resistance; but now I see here all your
chiefs and leaders, and I know well that the people who belong to the
court-troops (1) are by far the best suited to carry arms. We have here
chosen men and superb ships, and we can very well lie all winter in our
ships, as viking's custom is. But Canute cannot lie long in Helga river;
for the harbour will not hold so many vessels as he has. If he steers
eastward after us, we can escape from him, and then people will soon
gather to us; but if he return to the harbours where his fleet can lie,
I know for certain that the desire to return home will not be less
in his army than in ours. I think, also, we have ravaged so widely in
summer, that the villagers, both in Scania and in Halland, know well
whose favour they have to seek. Canute's army will thus be dispersed
so widely, that it is uncertain to whom fate may at the last give the
victory; but let us first find out what resolution he takes."
Thus King Olaf ended his speech, and it found much applause, and his
advice was followed. Spies were sent into King Canute's army, and both
the kings Olaf and Onund remained lying where they were.
ENDNOTES: (1) The thingmen, or hired body-guard attending the court.--L.