and take their weapons. They did so, and went to the tents of the brothers, and went in as they all lay asleep and seized them all and bound them, and led them out bound, one after the other; and Freydis had each of them put to death as he came out. Now all the men were killed; but the women were left, and nobody would kill them. Then said Freydis, "Give me an axe in my hand." This was done, and she turned on those five women, and did not give over till they were all dead. Now they returned to their own huts after this evil deed; and people could only observe that Freydis thought she had done exceedingly well; and she said to her comrades, "If it be our lot to return to Greenland, I shall take the life of the man who speaks of this affair; and we shall say that we left them here when we went away." Now they got ready the ship early in spring which had belonged to the brothers, with all the goods they could get, or that the ship could carry, sailed out to sea, and had a good voyage; and the ship came early in summer to Eiriksfiord. Karlsefne was there still, and had his ship ready for sea, but waited a wind; and it was a common saying, that never had a richer ship sailed from Greenland than that which he steered. Freydis went home now to her house, which had stood without damage in the meantime. She bestowed many gifts on her followers that they might conceal her wickedness; and she remained now on her farm. All were not so silent about their misdeed and wickedness, that something did not come up about it. This came at last to the ears of Leif her brother, and he thought this report was very bad. Leif took three men of Freydis's followers, and tortured them to speak, and they acknowledged the whole affair, and their tales agreed together. "I do not care," says Leif, "to treat my sister Freydis as she deserves; but this I will foretell of them, that their posterity will never thrive." And it went so that nobody thought anything of them but evil from that time.

CHAPTER VIII.—Of Thorfin Karlsefne and his Descendants.

Now we have to say that Karlsefne got ready his ship and sailed out to sea. He came on well, and reached Norway

safely, and remained there all winter and sold his wares; and he and his wife were held in esteem by the most considerable people in Norway. Now in the following spring he fitted out his ship for Iceland; and when he was quite ready, and his ship lay outside the pier waiting a wind, there came to him a South-country man from Bremen in Saxonland, who would deal with him for his house-besom.* "I will not sell it," said he. "I will give thee a half mark of gold for it," said the South-country man. Karlsefne thought it was a good offer, and sold it accordingly. The South-country man went away with the house-broom, and Karlsefne did not know what the wood was. It was mosur-wood from Vinland. Now Karlsefne put to sea, and his ship came to land north at Skagafiord, and there he put up his vessel for the winter. In spring he purchased Glaumbajarland, where he took up his abode, and dwelt there as long as he lived, and was a man of great consideration; and many men are descended from him and his wife Gudrid, and it was a good family. When Karlsefne died Gudrid took the management of his estate, and Snorre her son, who was born in Vinland. And when Snorre was married Gudrid went out of the country, and went to the south and came back again to Snorre's estate, and he had built a church at Glamba. Afterwards Gudrid became a nun, and lived a hermit-life, and did so as long as she lived. Snorre had a son called Thorgeir, who was father to Bishop Brand's mother Yngvild. The daughter of Snorre Karlsefneson was called Halfrid. She was mother of Runolf, the father of Bishop Thorlak. Karlsefne and Gudrid had a son also called Biorn. He was father of Thorun, the mother of Bishop Biorn. Many people are descended from Karlsefne, and his kin have been lucky; and Karlsefne has given the most particular accounts of all these travels of which here something is related.

* Husasnotra is translated house-besom, the exact meaning of the word not being known. A besom shaft would be too small, however rare the wood, to be made into anything. The bar for securing the housedoor was as common and necessary in every house, and is probably meant. Fin Magnusen translates it with broom.-L.

VII.

SAGA OF KING OLAF HARALDSON THE SAINT.*

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

OLAF HARALDSON the Saint's Saga is the longest, the most important, and the most finished of all the sagas in Heimskringla. The life of Olaf will be found treated more or less freely in Agrip, in Historia Norvegia, in Thjodrek the Monk, in the legendary saga, and in Fagrskinna. Other old Norse literature relating to this epoch :

Are's Islendingabok

Landnama.

Kristni Saga.

Biskupa-sögur.

Njala.

Gunlaugs Saga Ormstungu.

Bjarnar Saga Hitdælakappa.

Hallfredar Thattr Vandrædaskalds.

Eyrbyggia.

Viga Styrs Saga.

Laxdæla.

Fostbrædra.

Gretla.

Liosvetninga.

Færeyinga.

Orkneyinga.

Olaf Haraldson was born 995, went as a viking at the age of twelve, 1007; visited England, one summer and three winters, 1009-1012; in France two summers and one winter, 1012-1013; spent the winter in Normandy, 1014; returned to Norway and was recognised as King, April 3, 1015; fled from Norway the winter of 1028-1029; fell at Stiklestad, July 29 (or August 31), 1030.

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King Olaf the Saint reigned from about the year 1015 to 1030. The death of King Olaf Trygveson was in the year 1000; and Earl Eirik held the government for the Danish and Swedish kings about fifteen years.-L.

Skalds quoted in this saga are:-Ottar Svarte, Sigvat Skald, Thord Kolbeinson, Berse Torfason, Brynjolf, Arnor Jarlaskald, Thord Siarekson, Harek, Thorarin Loftunga, Halvard Hareksblese, Bjarne Gulbraskald, Jokul Bardson, Thormod Kolbrunarskald, Gissur, Thorfin Mun, Hofgardaref.

CHAPTER I.-Of Saint Olaf's bringing up.

Olaf, Harald Grenske's son, was brought up by his stepfather Sigurd Syr and his mother Asta. Hrane the Far-travelled lived in the house of Asta, and fostered this Olaf Haraldson. Olaf came early to manhood, was handsome in countenance, middlesized in growth, and was even when very young of good understanding and ready speech. Sigurd his stepfather was a careful householder, who kept his people closely to their work, and often went about himself to inspect his corn-rigs and meadow-land, the cattle, and also the smith-work, or whatsoever his people had on hand to do.

CHAPTER II.-Of Olaf and King Sigurd Syr.

It happened one day that King Sigurd wanted to ride from home, but there was nobody about the house; so he told his step-son Olaf to saddle his horse. Olaf went to the goats' pen, took out the he-goat that was the largest, led him forth, and put the king's saddle on him, and then went in and told King Sigurd he had saddled his riding horse. Now when King Sigurd came out and saw what Olaf had done, he said, "It is easy to see that thou wilt little regard my orders; and thy mother will think it right

that I order thee to do nothing that is against thy own inclination. I see well enough that we are of different dispositions, and that thou art far more proud than I am." Olaf answered little, but went his way laughing.

CHAPTER III.-Of King Olaf's Accomplishments.

When Olaf Haraldson grew up he was not tall, but middle-sized in height, although very thick, and of good strength. He had light brown hair, and a broad face, which was white and red. He had particularly fine eyes, which were beautiful and piercing, so that one was afraid to look him in the face when he was angry. Olaf was very expert in all bodily exercises, understood well to handle his bow, and was distinguished particularly in throwing his spear by hand he was a great swimmer, and very handy, and very exact and knowing in all kinds of smithwork, whether he himself or others made the thing. He was distinct and acute in conversation, and was soon perfect in understanding and strength. Ile was beloved by his friends and acquaintances, eager in his amusements, and one who always liked to be the first, as it was suitable he should be from his birth and dignity. He was called Olaf the Great.*

CHAPTER IV.-Beginning of King Olaf's War Expeditions.

Olaf Haraldson was twelve years old when he, for the first time, went on board a ship of war [1007]. His * He was called Olaf Digri, the latter word referring not only to the size of the body, but also to qualities of the mind.