first to have a
conference with the chief people of the country; and when the meeting
was numerous the king set forth his errand,--that he desired them,
according to his proposal, to allow themselves to be baptized. Then said
Olmod the Old, "We relations have considered together this matter, and
have come to one resolution. If thou thinkest, king, to force us who are
related together to such things as to break our old law, or to bring us
under thyself by any sort of violence, then will we stand against thee
with all our might: and be the victory to him to whom fate ordains it.
But if thou, king, wilt advance our relations' fortunes, then thou shalt
have leave to do as thou desirest, and we will all serve thee with zeal
in thy purpose."

The king replies, "What do you propose for obtaining this agreement?"

Then answers Olmod, "The first is, that thou wilt give thy sister Astrid
in marriage to Erling Skjalgson, our relation, whom we look upon as the
most hopeful young man in all Norway."

King Olaf replied, that this marriage appeared to him also very
suitable; "as Erling is a man of good birth, and a good-looking man in
appearance: but Astrid herself must answer to this proposal."

Thereupon the king spoke to his sister. She said, "It is but of little
use that I am a king's sister, and a king's daughter, if I must marry
a man who has no high dignity or office. I will rather wait a few years
for a better match." Thus ended this conference.

63. HORDALAND BAPTIZED.

King Olaf took a falcon that belonged to Astrid, plucked off all its
feathers, and then sent it to her. Then said Astrid, "Angry is my
brother." And she stood up, and went to the king, who received her
kindly, and she said that she left it to the king to determine her
marriage. "I think," said the king, "that I must have power enough in
this land to raise any man I please to high dignity." Then the king
ordered Olmod and Erling to be called to a conference, and all their
relations; and the marriage was determined upon, and Astrid betrothed to
Erling. Thereafter the king held the Thing, and recommended Christianity
to the bondes; and as Olmod, and Erling, and all their relations, took
upon themselves the most active part in forwarding the king's desire,
nobody dared to speak against it; and all the people were baptized, and
adopted Christianity.

64. ERLING SKJALGSON'S WEDDING.

Erling Skjalgson had his wedding in summer, and a great many peopl