would be so imprudent as to remove them to
churches, for they are all robbers and evil-doers." When he had ended
his speech it was hailed with the loudest applause, and all unanimously
agreed to act according to his recommendation.

231. OF THE LENDERMEN.

The lendermen who had come together appointed meetings with each other,
and consulted together how they should draw up their troops, and who
should be their leader. Kalf Arnason said that Harek of Thjotta was best
fitted to be the chief of this army, for he was descended from Harald
Harfager's race. "The king also is particularly enraged against him on
account of the murder of Grankel, and therefore he would be exposed to
the severest fate if Olaf recovered the kingdom; and Harek withal is a
man experienced in battles, and a man who does much for honour alone."

Harek replies, that the men are best suited for this who are in the
flower of their age. "I am now," says he, "an old and decaying man, not
able to do much in battle: besides, there is near relationship between
me and King Olaf; and although he seems not to put great value upon that
tie, it would not beseem me to go as leader of the hostilities against
him, before any other in this meeting. On the other hand, thou, Thorer,
art well suited to be our chief in this battle against King Olaf; and
thou hast distinct grounds for being so, both because thou hast to
avenge the death of thy relation, and also hast been driven by him as an
outlaw from thy property. Thou hast also promised King Canute, as well
as thy connections, to avenge the murder of thy relative Asbjorn; and
dost thou suppose there ever will be a better opportunity than this of
taking vengeance on Olaf for all these insults and injuries?"

Thorer replies thus to his speech: "I do not confide in myself so much
as to raise the banner against King Olaf, or, as chief, to lead on
this army; for the people of Throndhjem have the greatest part in this
armament, and I know well their haughty spirit, and that they would not
obey me, or any other Halogaland man, although I need not be reminded of
my injuries to be roused to vengeance on King Olaf. I remember well my
heavy loss when King Olaf slew four men, all distinguished both by birth
and personal qualities; namely, my brother's son Asbjorn, my sister's
sons Thorer and Grjotgard, and their father Olver; and it is my duty
to take vengeance for each man of them. I will not conceal that I have
selected