KINGS OF NORWAY. 71 This counsel appeared to Biorn and Ingeborg to be saga vil the wisest, and they resolved upon it among them- selves. Ingeborg put Hialte in a position to travel ; gave him two Gotland men with him, and ordered them to follow him, and assist him with their ser- vice, and also to go wherever he might have occa- sion to send them. Besides, Ingeborg gave him twenty marks of weighed silver money for travelling expenses, and sent word and token by him to the Swedish king Olaf's daughter, Ingigerd, that she should give all her assistance to Hialte' s business, whenever he should find himself under the the neces- sity of craving her help. Hialte set off as soon as he was ready. When he came to King Olaf he soon found the scalds Gissur and Ottar, and they were very glad at his coming. Without delay they went to the king, and told him that a man was come who was their countryman, and one of the most considerable in their native land, and requested the king to receive him well. The king told them to take Hialte and his fellow-travellers into their company and quarters. Now when Hialte had resided there a short time, and got acquainted with people, he was much respected by every body. The scalds were often in the king's house, for they were well-spoken men ; and often in the daytime they sat in front of the king's high seat, and Hialte, to whom they paid the highest respect in all things, by their side. He became thus known to the king, who willingly entered into conversation with him, and heard from him news about Iceland. It happened that before Biorn set out from home Chapter he asked Sigvat the scald, who at that time was with of sigvat King Olaf, to accompany him on his journey. It thescakl *. was a journey for which people had no great inclin- ation. There was, however, great friendship between Biorn and Sigvat. Then Sigvat sang: — f 4
