ay
as in the North country. It succeeded well, because the people of Viken
were better acquainted with the Christian customs than the people in the
north; for, both winter and summer, there were many merchants in Viken,
both Danish and Saxon. The people of Viken, also, had much trading
intercourse with England, and Saxony, and Flanders, and Denmark; and
some had been on viking expeditions, and had had their winter abode in
Christian lands.

63. HROE'S FALL.

About spring-time (A.D. 1017) King Olaf sent a message that Eyvind
Urarhorn should come to him; and they spake together in private for a
long time. Thereafter Eyvind made himself ready for a viking cruise. He
sailed south towards Viken, and brought up at the Eikreys Isles without
Hising Isle. There he heard that Hroe Skialge had gone northwards
towards Ordost, and had there made a levy of men and goods on account
of the Swedish king, and was expected from the north. Eyvind rowed in
by Haugasund, and Hroe came rowing from the north, and they met in the
sound and fought. Hroe fell there, with nearly thirty men; and Eyvind
took all the goods Hroe had with him. Eyvind then proceeded to the
Baltic, and was all summer on a viking cruise.

64. FALL OF GUDLEIK AND THORGAUT.

There was a man called Gudleik Gerske, who came originally from Agder.
He was a great merchant, who went far and wide by sea, was very
rich, and drove a trade with various countries. He often went east
to Gardarike (Russia), and therefore was called Gudleik Gerske (the
Russian). This spring (A.D. 1017) Gudleik fitted out his ship, and
intended to go east in summer to Russia. King Olaf sent a message to
him that he wanted to speak to him; and when Gudleik came to the king he
told him he would go in partnership with him, and told him to purchase
some costly articles which were difficult to be had in this country.
Gudleik said that it should be according to the king's desire. The
king ordered as much money to be delivered to Gudleik as he thought
sufficient, and then Gudleik set out for the Baltic. They lay in a sound
in Gotland; and there it happened, as it often does, that people cannot
keep their own secrets, and the people of the country came to know
that in this ship was Olaf the Thick's partner. Gudleik went in summer
eastwards to Novgorod, where he bought fine and costly clothes, which
he intended for the king as a state dress; and also precious furs, and
remarkably splendid table u