he was a good
scholar, and a clever man. The king would not have him in his house upon
account of his misdeeds; but gave him the errand to go to Iceland, and
bring that land to the Christian faith. The king gave him a merchant
vessel: and, as far as we know of this voyage of his, he landed first in
Iceland at Austfjord in the southern Alptfjord, and passed the winter in
the house of Hal of Sida. Thangbrand proclaimed Christianity in Iceland,
and on his persuasion Hal and all his house people, and many other
chiefs, allowed themselves to be baptized; but there were many more
who spoke against it. Thorvald Veile and Veterlide the skald composed
a satire about Thangbrand; but he killed them both outright. Thangbrand
was two years in Iceland, and was the death of three men before he left
it.

81. OF SIGURD AND HAUK.

There was a man called Sigurd, and another called Hauk, both of
Halogaland, who often made merchant voyages. One summer (A.D. 998) they
had made a voyage westward to England; and when they came back to Norway
they sailed northwards along the coast, and at North More they met King
Olaf's people. When it was told the king that some Halogaland people
were come who were heathen, he ordered the steersmen to be brought to
him, and he asked them if they would consent to be baptized; to which
they replied, no. The king spoke with them in many ways, but to no
purpose. He then threatened them with death and torture: but they would
not allow themselves to be moved. He then had them laid in irons, and
kept them in chains in his house for some time, and often conversed with
them, but in vain. At last one night they disappeared, without any man
being able to conjecture how they got away. But about harvest they came
north to Harek of Thjotta, who received them kindly, and with whom they
stopped all winter (A.D. 999), and were hospitably entertained.

82. OF HAREK OF THJOTTA.

It happened one good-weather day in spring (A.D. 999) that Harek was
at home in his house with only few people, and time hung heavy on his
hands. Sigurd asked him if he would row a little for amusement. Harek
was willing; and they went to the shore, and drew down a six-oared
skiff; and Sigurd took the mast and rigging belonging to the boat out of
the boat-house, for they often used to sail when they went for amusement
on the water. Harek went out into the boat to hang the rudder. The
brothers Sigurd and Hauk, who were very strong men, we