ied already that he might think himself well off. Harald says,
"Asta is a good and clever woman; but she is not so well born as I am."
Sigrid replies, "It may be that thou art of higher birth, but I think
she is now pregnant with both your fortunes." They exchanged but few
words more before the queen rode away. King Harald was now depressed in
mind, and prepared himself again to ride up the country to meet Queen
Sigrid. Many of his people dissuaded him; but nevertheless he set off
with a great attendance, and came to the house in which the queen dwelt.
The same evening came another king, called Vissavald, from Gardarike
(Russia), likewise to pay his addresses to Queen Sigrid. Lodging was
given to both the kings, and to all their people, in a great old room
of an out-building, and all the furniture was of the same character; but
there was no want of drink in the evening, and that so strong that all
were drunk, and the watch, both inside and outside, fell fast asleep.
Then Queen Sigrid ordered an attack on them in the night, both with fire
and sword. The house was burnt, with all who were in it and those who
slipped out were put to the sword. Sigrid said that she would make these
small kings tired of coming to court her. She was afterwards called
Sigrid the Haughty (Storrada).

49. BIRTH OF OLAF, SON OF HARALD GRENSKE.

This happened the winter after the battle of the Jomsborg vikings at
Hjorungavag. When Harald went up the country after Sigrid, he left Hrane
behind with the ships to look after the men. Now when Hrane heard that
Harald was cut off, he returned to Norway the shortest way he could, and
told the news. He repaired first to Asta, and related to her all that
had happened on the journey, and also on what errand Harald had visited
Queen Sigrid. When Asta got these tidings she set off directly to her
father in the Uplands, who received her well; but both were enraged at
the design which had been laid in Svithjod, and that King Harald had
intended to set her in a single condition. In summer (A.D. 995) Asta,
Gudbrand's daughter, was confined, and had a boy child, who had water
poured over him, and was called Olaf. Hrane himself poured water over
him, and the child was brought up at first in the house of Gudbrand and
his mother Asta.

50. ABOUT EARL HAKON.

Earl Hakon ruled over the whole outer part of Norway that lies on the
sea, and had thus sixteen districts under his sway. The arrangement
introduc