KINGS OF NORWAY. 141 Skopte Ogmunclsson came into variance with King saga xt. Magnus, and they quarrelled about the inheritance chapter of a deceased person which Skopte retained ; but the or ul^ king demanded it with so much earnestness, that it quarrel of had a dangerous appearance. Many meetings were nuTand^^" held about the affair, and Skopte took the resolution Skopte Og- , T . mundsson. that he and his son should never put themselves into the king's power at the same time ; and besides there was no necessity to do so. When Skopte was with the king he represented to him that there Avas rela- tionship between the king and him ; and also that he, Skopte, had always been the king's friend, and his father's likcAvise, and that their friendship had never been shaken. He added, " People might know that I have sense enough not to hold a strife, sire, with you, if I was wrong in what I asked ; but it is in- herited from my ancestors to defend my rights against any man, without distinction of persons." The king was just the same on this point, and his resolution was by no means softened by such a speech. Then Skopte went home. Then Finn Skoptesson went to the king, spoke with Chaiter him, and entreated him to render justice to the father Finn and son in this business. The kine: answers anerrily skoptes- <-> . son s pro- and sharply. Then said Finn, 1 expected something ceedings. else, sire, from you, than that you would use the law's vexations against me when I took my seat in Qual- dinsey Island, which few of your other friends would do ; as they said, what was true, that those who were left there were deserted and doomed to death, if King Inge had not shown greater generosity to us than you did ; although many consider that we brought shame and disgrace only from thence." The king was not to be moved by this speech, and Finn re- turned home. Then came Ogmund Skoptesson to the king ; and Chapter when he came before him he produced his errand, ogmund
