Eric sailed along the land and came to Denmark, and went to King Harald Gormeson, and staid with him all winter. In spring the Danish king sent him north to Norway, and gave him an earldom, and the government of Yingulmark and Raumarige, on the same terms as the small scatt-paying kings had formerly held these domains. So says Eyolf Dadaskald:—
" South through ocean's spray
His dragon flew away
To Gormson's hall renowned,
Where the bowl goes bravely round.
And the Danish king did place
This youth of noble race
Where, shield and sword in hand,
He would aye defend his land,"
Eric became afterwards a great chief.
Chapter. XXI.
Olaf Tryggvesson's journey from Russia.
All this time Olaf Tryggvesson was in Russia, and highly esteemed by King Valdemar, and beloved by the queen. King Valdemar made him chief over the men-at-arms whom he sent out to defend the land. So says Hallarstein:—
"The hater of the niggard hand,[1]
The chief who loves the Northman's land,
Was only twelve years old when he
His Russian war-ships put to sea.
The wain that ploughs the sea was then
Loaded with war-gear by his men—
With swords, and spears, and helms; and deep
Out to the sea his good ships sweep."
Olaf had several battles, and was lucky as a leader of troops. He himself kept a great many men-at-arms at his own expense out of the pay the king gave him. Olaf was very generous to his men, and therefore very popular. But then it came to pass, what so often happens when a foreigner is raised to
- ↑ The original figure of expression is, "hater of the fire of the bow's seat:" viz. the seat of the bow is the hand; the fire of the hand the gold-rings worn on the fingers; the hater of this fire he who does not care for it, but parts with it readily—the generous man.
