[Footnote 1:  One hundred = 120 X 30 = 3600 x 120 = 432,000 ells altogether.]

CHAP.  XXI

Olaf the Peacock goes to Ireland, A.D. 955

Now Hoskuld came back from the Thing and heard these tidings, and was very much displeased.  But seeing that his near akin were concerned in the matter, he quieted down and let things alone.  Olaf and his companions had a good voyage, and came to Norway.  Orn urges Olaf to go to the court of King Harald, who, he said, bestowed goodly honour on men of no better breeding than Olaf was.  Olaf said he thought he would take that counsel.  Olaf and Orn now went to the court, and were well received.  The king at once recognised Olaf for the sake of his kindred, and forthwith bade him stay with him.  Gunnhild paid great heed to Olaf when she knew he was Hrut’s brother’s son; but some men would have it, that she took pleasure in talking to Olaf without his needing other people’s aid to introduce him. [Sidenote:  Olaf wishes to leave Norway] As the winter wore on, Olaf grew sadder of mood.  Orn asked him what was the matter of his sorrow?  Olaf answered, “I have on hand a journey to go west over the sea; and I set much store by it and that you should lend me your help, so that it may be undertaken in the course of next summer.”  Orn bade Olaf not set his heart on going, and said he did not know of any ships going west over the sea.  Gunnhild joined in their talk, and said, “Now I hear you talk together in a manner that has not happened before, in that each of you wants to have his own way!” Olaf greeted Gunnhild well, without letting drop their talk.  After that Orn went away, but Gunnhild and Olaf kept conversing together.  Olaf told her of his wish, and how much store he set by carrying it out, saying he knew for certain that Myrkjartan, the king, was his mother’s father.  Then Gunnhild said, “I will lend you help for this voyage, so that you may go on it as richly furnished as you please.”  Olaf thanked her for her promise.  Then Gunnhild had a ship prepared and a crew got together, and bade Olaf say how many men he would have to go west over the sea with him.  Olaf fixed the number at sixty; but said that it was a matter of much concern to him, that such a company should be more like warriors than merchants.  She said that so it should be; and Orn is the only man mentioned by name in company with Olaf on this journey.  The company were well fitted out. [Sidenote:  Olaf’s voyage] King Harald and Gunnhild led Olaf to his ship, and they said they wished to bestow on him their good-luck over and above other friendship they had bestowed on him already.  King Harald said that was an easy matter; for they must say that no goodlier a man had in their days come out of Iceland.  Then Harald the king asked how old a man he was.  Olaf answered, “I am now eighteen winters.”  The king replied, “Of exceeding worth, indeed, are such men as you are, for as yet you have left