KINGS OF NORWAY. 117 thing is held. Hakon thanked the people for their saga xr. support which they had given him, and got ready to travel east to Viken. But he first held a meeting in the town, where, in a speech, he asked the people for their friendship, promising them his; and added, that he had some suspicions of his relation King Magnus's intentions. Then King Hakon mounted his horse, and was ready to travel. All men promised him their good-will and support whenever he required them, and the people followed him out to the foot of the Steinberg. From thence King Hakon proceeded up the Dovrefield ; but as he was going over the Fielde he rode all day after a ptarmigan, which flew up be- side him, and in this chase a sickness overfell him, which ended in his death ; and he died on the Fielde. His body was carried north, and came to the merchant town just half a month after he left it. The whole townspeople went to meet the body, sorrowing, and the most of them weeping; for all people loved him with sincere afi^ection. King Hakon 's body was in- terred in Christ church, and Hakon and Magnus had ruled the country for two years. Hakon was a man full twenty-five years old, and was one of the chiefs the most beloved by all the people. He had made a journey to Biarmeland, where he had given battle and gained a victory. King Magnus sailed in autumn eastward to Viken; Chapter but when spring approached he went southwards to Q^ ^ ^ Halland*, and plundered far and wide. He laid inHaiiand. waste Viskardal and many other districts, and re- turned with a great booty back to his own kingdom. So says Biorn Cripplehand in his song on Magnus : — " Through Halland wide around The clang and shriek resound ;
- Halland was the district about the Gotha river belonging to Sweden,
and formerly to Denmark. I 3
