in partnership with Karle, and each of them have
the half of the profit. Early in spring Karle directed his course to
Halogaland, where his brother Gunstein prepared to accompany him, having
his own merchant goods with him. There were about twenty-five men in the
ship; and in spring they sailed north to Finmark. When Thorer Hund heard
this, he sent a man to the brothers with the verbal message that he
intended in summer to go to Bjarmaland, and that he would sail with
them, and that they should divide what booty they made equally between
them. Karle sent him back the message that Thorer must have twenty-five
men as they had, and they were willing to divide the booty that might
be taken equally, but not the merchant goods which each had for himself.
When Thorer's messenger came back he had put a stout long-ship he owned
into the water, and rigged it, and he had put eighty men on board of
his house-servants. Thorer alone had the command over this crew, and he
alone had all the goods they might acquire on the cruise. When Thorer
was ready for sea he set out northwards along the coast, and found Karle
a little north of Sandver. They then proceeded with good wind. Gunstein
said to his brother, as soon as they met Thorer, that in his opinion
Thorer was strongly manned. "I think," said he, "we had better turn back
than sail so entirely in Thorer's power, for I do not trust him." Karle
replies, "I will not turn back, although if I had known when we were at
home on Langey Isle that Thorer Hund would join us on this voyage with
so large a crew as he has, I would have taken more hands with us." The
brothers spoke about it to Thorer, and asked what was the meaning of
his taking more people with him than was agreed upon between them. He
replies, "We have a large ship which requires many hands, and methinks
there cannot be too many brave lads for so dangerous a cruise." They
went in summer as fast in general as the vessels could go. When the wind
was light the ship of the brothers sailed fastest, and they separated;
but when the wind freshened Thorer overtook them. They were seldom
together, but always in sight of each other. When they came to
Bjarmaland they went straight to the merchant town, and the market
began. All who had money to pay with got filled up with goods. Thorer
also got a number of furs, and of beaver and sable skins. Karle had a
considerable sum of money with him, with which he purchased skins and
furs. When the fair