Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/435

markably handsome and hopeful young man, had the command of. When night came the earl dispersed his people, and ordered them to go through the forest roads into Orkadal; "for nobody will molest you," said he, "when I am not with you. Send a message to Erlend to sail out of the fiord, and meet me in More. In the mean time I will conceal myself from the bonders." Then the earl went his way with one thrall or slave, called Karker, attending him. There was ice upon the river of Guldal, and the earl drove his horse upon it, and left his coat lying upon the ice. They then went to a hole, since called the Earl's Hole, where they slept. When Karker awoke he told his dream,—that a black threatening man had come into the hole, and was angry that people should have entered it; and that the man had said, "Ulle is dead." The earl said that his son Erlend must be killed. Karker slept again, and was again disturbed in his sleep; and when he awoke he told his dream,—that the same man had again appeared to him, and bade him tell the earl that all the Sounds were closed. From this dream the earl began to suspect that it betokened a short life to him. They stood up, and went to the house of Rimol. The earl now sends Karker to Thora, and begs of her to come secretly to him. She did so, and he took it very kind of her, and begged her to conceal him for a few nights until the army of the bonders had dispersed. "Here about my house," said she, "you will be hunted after, both inside and outside; for many know that I would willingly help you if I can. There is but one place about the house where they could never expect to find such a man as you, and that is the swine-stye." When they came there the earl said, u Well, let it be made ready for us; as to save our life is the first and foremost concern." The slave dug a great hole in it, bore away the earth that he dug out, and laid wood