way the earth
that he dug out, and laid wood over it. Thora brought the tidings to
the earl that Olaf Trygvason had come from sea into the fjord, and had
killed his son Erlend. Then the earl and Kark both went into the hole.
Thora covered it with wood, and threw earth and dung over it, and drove
the swine upon the top of it. The swine-style was under a great stone.

54. ERLEND'S DEATH.

Olaf Trygvason came from sea into the fjord with five long-ships,
and Erlend, Hakon's son, rowed towards him with three ships. When the
vessels came near to each other, Erlend suspected they might be enemies,
and turned towards the land. When Olaf and his followers saw long-ships
coming in haste out of the fjord, and rowing towards them, they thought
Earl Hakon must be here; and they put out all oars to follow them.
As soon as Erlend and his ships got near the land they rowed aground
instantly, jumped overboard, and took to the land; but at the same
instant Olaf's ship came up with them. Olaf saw a remarkably handsome
man swimming in the water, and laid hold of a tiller and threw it at
him. The tiller struck Erlend, the son of Hakon the earl, on the head,
and clove it to the brain; and there left Erlend his life. Olaf and his
people killed many; but some escaped, and some were made prisoners, and
got life and freedom that they might go and tell what had happened. They
learned then that the bondes had driven away Earl Hakon, and that he had
fled, and his troops were all dispersed.

55. EARL HAKON'S DEATH.

The bondes then met Olaf, to the joy of both, and they made an agreement
together. The bondes took Olaf to be their king, and resolved, one and
all, to seek out Earl Hakon. They went up Gaulardal; for it seemed to
them likely that if the earl was concealed in any house it must be at
Rimul, for Thora was his dearest friend in that valley. They come up,
therefore, and search everywhere, outside and inside the house, but
could not find him. Then Olaf held a House Thing (trusting), or council
out in the yard, and stood upon a great stone which lay beside the
swine-stye, and made a speech to the people, in which he promised to
enrich the man with rewards and honours who should kill the earl. This
speech was heard by the earl and the thrall Kark. They had a light in
their room.

"Why art thou so pale," says the earl, "and now again black as earth?
Thou hast not the intention to betray me?"

"By no means," replies Kark.

"