Part 114 - Of The Sacrifices By The People Of The Interior Of The Throndhjem District

Afterwards, when winter was advanced, it was told the king that the people of the interior of Throndhjem had assembled in great number at Maerin, and that there was a great sacrifice in the middle of winter, at which they sacrificed offerings for peace and a good season. Now when the king knew this on good authority to be true, he sent men and messages into the interior, and summoned the bondes whom he thought of most understanding into the town.

The bondes held a council among themselves about this message; and all those who had been upon the same occasion in the beginning of winter were now very unwilling to make the journey. Olver, however, at the desire of all the bondes, allowed himself to be persuaded. When he came to the town he went immediately before the king, and they talked together.

The king made the same accusation against the bondes, that they had held a mid- winter sacrifice.

Olver replies, that this accusation against the bondes was false.

"We had,"

said he,

"Yule feasts and drinking feasts wide around in the districts; and the bondes do not prepare their feasts so sparingly, sire, that there is not much left over, which people consume long afterwards.

At Maerin there is a great farm, with a large house on it, and a great neighbourhood all around it, and it is the great delight of the people to drink many together in company."

The king said little in reply, but looked angry, as he thought he knew the truth of the matter better than it was now represented.

He ordered the bondes to return home.

"I shall some time or other,"

said he,

"come to the truth of what you are now concealing, and in such a way that ye shall not be able to contradict it. But, however, that may be, do not try such things again."

The bondes returned home, and told the result of their journey, and that the king was altogether enraged.