For at Helga river's side
They would not his sword abide."

Thord Sjarekson also sang these lines in his death song of King Olaf:--

"King Olaf, Agder's lord,
Ne'er shunned the Jutland king,
But with his blue-edged sword
Broke many a panzer ring.
King Canute was not slow:
King Onund filled the plain
With dead, killed by his bow:
The wolf howled o'er the slain."

161. KING OLAF AND KING ONUND'S PLANS.

King Olaf and King Onund sailed eastward to the Swedish king's
dominions; and one day, towards evening, landed at a place called
Barvik, where they lay all night. But then it was observed of the Swedes
that they were home-sick; for the greater part of their forces sailed
eastward along the land in the night, and did not stop their course
until they came home to their houses. Now when King Onund observed
this he ordered, as soon as the day dawned, to sound the signal for a
House-thing; and the whole people went on shore, and the Thing sat down.
Then King Onund took up the word, and spake thus: "So it is, King Olaf,
that, as you know, we have been assembled in summer, and have forayed
wide around in Denmark, and have gained much booty, but no land. I
had 350 vessels, and now have not above 100 remaining with me. Now
it appears to me we can make no greater progress than we have made,
although you have still the 60 vessels which have followed you the whole
summer. It therefore appears to me best that we come back to my kingdom;
for it is always good to drive home with the wagon safe. In this
expedition we have won something, and lost nothing. Now I will offer
you, King Olaf, to come with me, and we shall remain assembled during
the winter. Take as much of my kingdom as you will, so that you and the
men who follow you may support yourselves well; and when spring comes
let us take such measures as we find serviceable. If you, however, will
prefer to travel across our country, and go overland to Norway, it shall
be free for you to do so."

King Olaf thanked King Onund for his friendly offer. "But if I may
advise," says he, "then we should take another resolution, and keep
together the forces we have still remaining. I had in the first of
summer, before I left Norway, 350 ships; but when I left the country I
chose from among the whole war-levy those I thought to be the best, and
with them I manned 60 ships; and these I still have. Now it appears to
me