y news of
Astrid. Then they rode after her the way she had taken, and late
at night they came to Bjorn Eiterkveisa in Skaun, and took up their
quarters there. Hakon asked Bjorn if he knew anything about Astrid, and
he said some people had been there in the evening wanting lodgings;
"but I drove them away, and I suppose they have gone to some of the
neighbouring houses." Thorstein's labourer was coming from the forest,
having left his work at nightfall, and called in at Bjorn's house
because it was in his way; and finding there were guests come to the
house, and learning their business, he comes to Thorstein and tells him
of it. As about a third part of the night was still remaining, Thorstein
wakens his guests and orders them in an angry voice to go about their
business; but as soon as they were out of the house upon the road,
Thorstein tells them that Gunhild's messengers were at Bjorn's house,
and are upon the trace of them. They entreat of him to help them, and
he gave them a guide and some provisions. He conducted them through a
forest to a lake, in which there was an islet overgrown with reeds. They
waded out to the islet, and hid themselves among the reeds. Early in the
morning Hakon rode away from Bjorn's into the township, and wherever he
came he asked after Astrid; and when he came to Thorstein's he asked if
she had been there. He said that some people had been there; but as soon
as it was daylight they had set off again, eastwards, to the forest.
Hakon made Thorstein go along with them, as he knew all the roads and
hiding-places. Thorstein went with them; but when they were come into
the woods, he led them right across the way Astrid had taken. They went
about and about the whole day to no purpose, as they could find no trace
of her, so they turned back to tell Gunhild the end of their travel.
Astrid and her friends proceeded on their journey, and came to Svithjod,
to Hakon Gamle (the Old), where she and her son remained a long time,
and had friendly welcome.

4. HAKON'S EMBASSY TO SWEDEN.

When Gunhild, the mother of the kings, heard that Astrid and her son
Olaf were in the kingdom of Svithjod, she again sent Hakon, with a
good attendance, eastward, to Eirik king of Sweden, with presents and
messages of friendship. The ambassadors were well received and well
treated. Hakon, after a time, disclosed his errand to the king, saying
that Gunhild had sent him with the request that the king would assist
him