ON COMES TO NORWAY.

On this Thorer sails westward to Ireland, and hears that Ole is in
Dublin with his wife's father King Olaf Kvaran. Thorer, who was a
plausible man, immediately got acquainted with Ole; and as they often
met, and had long conversations together, Ole began to inquire
about news from Norway, and above all of the Upland kings and great
people,--which of them were in life, and what dominations they now had.
He asked also about Earl Hakon, and if he was much liked in the country.
Thorer replies, that the earl is such a powerful man that no one dares
to speak otherwise than he would like; but that comes from there being
nobody else in the country to look to. "Yet, to say the truth, I know
it to be the mind of many brave men, and of whole communities, that
they would much rather see a king of Harald Harfager's race come to the
kingdom. But we know of no one suited for this, especially now that it
is proved how vain every attack on Earl Hakon must be." As they often
talked together in the same strain, Olaf disclosed to Thorer his name
and family, and asked him his opinion, and whether he thought the bondes
would take him for their king if he were to appear in Norway. Thorer
encouraged him very eagerly to the enterprise, and praised him and his
talents highly. Then Olaf's inclination to go to the heritage of his
ancestors became strong. Olaf sailed accordingly, accompanied by Thorer,
with five ships; first to the Hebrides, and from thence to the Orkneys.
At that time Earl Sigurd, Hlodver's son, lay in Osmundswall, in the
island South Ronaldsa, with a ship of war, on his way to Caithness. Just
at the same time Olaf was sailing with his fleet from the westward to
the islands, and ran into the same harbour, because Pentland Firth was
not to be passed at that tide. When the king was informed that the earl
was there, he made him be called; and when the earl came on board to
speak with the king, after a few words only had passed between them, the
king says the earl must allow himself to be baptized, and all the people
of the country also, or he should be put to death directly; and he
assured the earl he would lay waste the islands with fire and sword, if
the people did not adopt Christianity. In the position the earl found
himself, he preferred becoming Christian, and he and all who were with
him were baptized. Afterwards the earl took an oath to the king, went
into his service, and gave him his son, whose name was