CHAP.  XXIX

Olaf’s Second Journey to Norway, A.D. 975

[Sidenote:  Olaf’s meeting with Giermund] It is told how one spring Olaf broke the news to Thorgerd that he wished to go out voyaging—­“And I wish you to look after our household and children.”  Thorgerd said she did not much care about doing that; but Olaf said he would have his way.  He bought a ship that stood up in the West, at Vadill.  Olaf started during the summer, and brought his ship to Hordaland.  There, a short way inland, lived a man whose name was Giermund Roar, a mighty man and wealthy, and a great Viking; he was an evil man to deal with, but had now settled down in quiet at home, and was of the bodyguard of Earl Hakon.  The mighty Giermund went down to his ship and soon recognised Olaf, for he had heard him spoken of before.  Giermund bade Olaf come and stay with him, with as many of his men as he liked to bring.  Olaf accepted his invitation, and went there with seven men.  The crew of Olaf went into lodgings about Hordaland.  Giermund entertained Olaf well.  His house was a lofty one, and there were many men there, and plenty of amusement all the winter. [Sidenote:  Hakon Earl gives Olaf timber] And towards the end of the winter Olaf told Giermund the reason of his voyage, which was that he wished to get for himself some house-timber, and said he set great store by obtaining timber of a choice kind.  Giermund said, “Earl Hakon has the best of woods, and I know quite well if you went to see him you would be made welcome to them, for the Earl receives well, men who are not half so well-bred as you, Olaf, when they go to see him.”  In the spring Olaf got ready to go and find Hakon Earl; and the Earl gave him exceeding good welcome, and bade Olaf stay with him as long as he liked.  Olaf told the Earl the reason of his journey, “And I beg this of you, sir, that you give us permission to cut wood for house-building from your forests.”  The Earl answered, “You are welcome to load your ship with timber, and I will give it you.  For I think it no every-day occurrence when such men as you come from Iceland to visit me.”  At parting the Earl gave him a gold-inlaid axe, and the best of keepsakes it was; and therewith they parted in the greatest friendship. [Sidenote:  Giermund goes with Olaf] Giermund in the meantime set stewards over his estates secretly, and made up his mind to go to Iceland in the summer in Olaf’s ship.  He kept this secret from every one.  Olaf knew nothing about it till Giermund brought his money to Olaf’s ship, and very great wealth it was.  Olaf said, “You should not have gone in my ship if I had known of this before-hand, for I think there are those in Iceland for whom it would be better never to have seen you.  But since you have come with so much goods, I cannot drive you out like a straying cur.”  Giermund said, “I shall not return for all your high words, for I mean to be your passenger.”  Olaf and his got on board,