Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/211

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KINGS OF NORWAY.
203

KINGS OF NORWAY. 203 Carl and his people were far off from land. Both saga vn. vessels sailed across the White sea. The nights were clear, so that both ships sailed night and day ; until one day, towards the time the day turns to shorten, Carl and his people took up the land near an island, let down the sail, cast anchor, and waited until the slack-tide set in, for there was a strong rost* be- fore them. Now Thorer came up, and lay at anchor there also. Thorer and his people then put out a boat, went into it, and rowed to Carl's ship. Thorer came on board, and the brothers saluted him. Tho- rer told Carl to give him the ornament. " I think," said he, " that I have best earned the ornaments that have been taken, for methinks ye have to thank me for getting away without any loss of men ; and also I think thou, Carl, set us in the greatest fright." Carl replies, " King Olaf has the half part of all the goods I gather on this voyage, and I intend the ornament for him. Go to him, if you like, and it is possible he will give thee the ornament, although I took it from Jomala." Then Thorer insisted that they should go upon the island, and divide the booty. Gun stein says, " It is now the turn of the tide, and it is time to sail." Whereupon they began to raise their anchor. When Thorer saw that, he returned to his boat and rowed to his own ship. Carl and his men had hoisted sail, and were come a long way before Thorer got under way. They now sailed so that the brothers were always in advance, and both vessels made all the haste they could. They sailed thus until they came to Geirsvaer, which is the first roadstead of the traders to the North. They both came there towards even-

  • Rost, or race, the heavy sea made by a strong current running

against the wind.