While King Olaf lay there, he had frequently conferences and
consultations with his people. One night Egil Halson and Tofe Valgautson
had the watch upon the king's ship. Tofe came from West Gautland,
and was a man of high birth. While they sat on watch they heard much
lamentation and crying among the people who had been taken in the war,
and who lay bound on the shore at night. Tofe said it made him ill to
hear such distress, and asked Egil to go with him, and let loose these
people. This work they set about, cut the cords, and let the people
escape, and they looked upon it as a piece of great friendship; but the
king was so enraged at it, that they themselves were in the greatest
danger. When Egil afterwards fell sick the king for a long time would
not visit him, until many people entreated it of him. It vexed Egil
much to have done anything the king was angry at, and he begged his
forgiveness. The king now dismissed his wrath against Egil, laid his
hands upon the side on which Egil's pain was, and sang a prayer; upon
which the pain ceased instantly, and Egil grew better. Tofe came, after
entreaty, into reconciliation with the king, on condition that he should
exhort his father Valgaut to come to the king. He was a heathen; but
after conversation with the king he went over to Christianity, and died
instantly when he was baptized.