KINGS OF NORWAY. 323 to out-of-the-way corners in the woods or rocks. No s aga v it. man would be so imprudent as to remove them to churches, for they are all robbers and evil-doers." When he had ended his speech it was hailed with the loudest applause, and all unanimously agreed to act according to his recommendation. The lendermen who had come together appointed c 9^xxi meetings with each other, and consulted together how of the they should draw up their troops, and who should be en ermen - their leader. Kalf Arneson said that Harek of Thi- otto was best fitted to be the chief of this army, for he was descended from Harald Haarfa^er's race. " The king also is particularly enraged against him on account of the murder of Grankel, and therefore he would be exposed to the severest fate if Olaf re- covered the kingdom: and Harek withal is a man experienced in battles, and a man who does much for honour alone." Harek replies, that the men are best suited for this who are in the flower of their age. " I am now," says he, " an old and decaying man, not able to do much in battle : besides, there is near relationship between me and King Olaf; and although he seems not to put great value upon that tie, it would not be- seem me to go as leader of the hostilities against him, before any other in this meeting. On the other hand, thou, Thorer, art well suited to be our chief in this battle against King Olaf; and thou hast distinct grounds for being so, both because thou hast to avenge the death of thy relation, and also hast been driven by him as an outlaw from thy property. Thou hast also promised King Canute, as well as thy con- nections, to avenge the murder of thy relative As- biorn ; and dost thou suppose there ever will be a better opportunity than this of taking vengeance on Olaf for all these insults and injuries ? " Thorer replies thus to his speech : " I do not con- y 2
