Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/44

36 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. message-stick went to Orkedal, and thence to Gula- dal, where the whole war-force was to assemble. Chapter King Olaf proceeded with his men down into Orke- King oiars dal, and advanced in peace and with all gentleness ; progress in |) U £ wnen } ie came to Griotar he met the assembled Drontheim. . bonders, amounting to more than 700 men. lhen the king arrayed his army, for he thought the bon- ders were to give battle. When the bonders saw this, they also began to put their men in order ; but it went on very slowly, for they had not agreed beforehand who among them should be commander. Now when King Olaf saw there was confusion among the bonders, he sent to them Thorer Gudsbrandson ; and when he came he told them King Olaf did not want to fight them, but named twelve of the ablest men in their flock of people, who were desired to come to King Olaf. The bonders agreed to this ; and the twelve men went over a rising ground which is there, and came to the place where the king's army stood in array. The king said to them, " Ye bonders have done well to give me an opportunity to speak with you, for now I will explain to you my errand here to the Drontheim country. First I must tell you, what ye already must have heard, that Earl Hakon and I met in summer ; and the issue of our meeting was, that he gave me the whole kingdom he possessed in the Drontheim country, which, as ye know, consists of Orkedal, Guledal, Strind district, and Strind. As a proof of this, I have here with me the very men who were present, and saw the earl's and my own hands given upon it, and heard the word and oath, and witnessed the agreement the earl made with me. Now I offer you peace and law, the same as King Olaf Tryggvesson offered before me." The king spoke well, and long ; and ended by proposing to the bonders two conditions — either to go into his service and be subject to him, or to fight him. There-