Then Kalf Arnason desired to speak. "It is highly necessary," says
he, "that this business we have on hand do not turn out a mockery and
child-work, now that an army is collected. Something else is needful, if
we are to stand battle with King Olaf, than that each should shove the
danger from himself; for we must recollect that although King Olaf has
not many people compared to this army of ours, the leader of them is
intrepid, and the whole body of them will be true to him, and obedient
in the battle. But if we who should be the leaders of this army show any
fear, and will not encourage the army and go at the head of it, it must
happen that with the great body of our people the spirit will leave
their hearts, and the next thing will be that each will seek his own
safety. Although we have now a great force assembled, we shall find our
destruction certain, when we meet King Olaf and his troops, if we, the
chiefs of the people, are not confident in our cause, and have not the
whole army confidently and bravely going along with us. If it cannot
be so, we had better not risk a battle; and then it is easy to see that
nothing would be left us but to shelter ourselves under King Olaf's
mercy, however hard it might be, as then we would be less guilty than we
now may appear to him to be. Yet I know there are men in his ranks who
would secure my life and peace if I would seek it. Will ye now adopt my
proposal--then shalt thou, friend Thorer, and thou, Harek, go under the
banner which we will all of us raise up, and then follow. Let us all be
speedy and determined in the resolution we have taken, and put ourselves
so at the head of the bondes' army that they see no distrust in us; for
then will the common man advance with spirit when we go merrily to work
in placing the army in battle-order, and in encouraging the people to
the strife."
When Kalf had ended they all concurred in what he proposed, and all
would do what Kalf thought of advantage. All desired Kalf to be the
leader of the army, and to give each what place in it he chose.