The king's men often spoke
about this among themselves. Sigvat tells of it thus:--

"Our men are few, our ships are small,
While England's king is strong in all;
But yet our king is not afraid--
O! never be such king betrayed!
'Tis evil counsel to deprive
Our king of countrymen to strive
To save their country, sword in hand:
Tis money that betrays our land."

The king held meetings with the men of the court, and sometimes
House-things with all his people, and consulted with them what
they should, in their opinion, undertake. "We must not conceal from
ourselves," said he, "that Canute will come here this summer; and that
he has, as ye all know, a large force, and we have at present but few
men to oppose to him; and, as matters now stand, we cannot depend much
on the fidelity of the country people." The king's men replied to his
speech in various ways; but it is said that Sigvat the skald replied
thus, advising flight, as treachery, not cowardice, was the cause of
it:--

"We may well fly, when even our foe
Offers us money if we go.
I may be blamed, accused of fear;
But treachery, not faith, rules here.
Men may retire who long have shown
Their faith and love, and now alone
Retire because they cannot save--
This is no treachery in the brave."

179. HAREK OF THJOTTA BURNS GRANKEL AND HIS MEN.

The same spring (A.D. 1028) it happened in Halogaland that Harek of
Thjotta remembered how Asmund Grankelson had plundered and beaten his
house-servants. A cutter with twenty rowing-benches, which belonged
to Harek, was afloat in front of the house, with tent and deck, and
he spread the report that he intended to go south to Throndhjem. One
evening Harek went on board with his house-servants, about eighty men,
who rowed the whole night; and he came towards morning to Grankel's
house, and surrounded it with his men. They then made an attack on the
house, and set fire to it; and Grankel with his people were burnt, and
some were killed outside; and in all about thirty men lost their lives.
After this deed Harek returned home, and sat quietly in his farm. Asmund
was with King Olaf when he heard of it; therefore there was nobody in
Halogaland to sue Harek for mulct for this deed, nor did he offer any
satisfaction.

180. KING CANUTE'S EXPEDITION TO NORWAY.

Canute the Great collected his forces, and went to Limfjord. When he was
ready