days
afterwards, Brask wrote the monarch: "A report is spread that Norby has
seized some seven or eight small craft and two large ships. I do not
comprehend his purpose. Merchants just arrived from Denmark add that the
Germans have handed Gotland over to the Danes, though on the other hand
it is declared that Lubeck has sent a strong force of men and ammunition
to the isle." The day following the writing of this letter, Gustavus
despatched a note to Finland, with a warning to beware of Norby, for the
news had reached him secretly that the pirate was about to make an
incursion into Finland. This was followed, after a week's interval, by
another letter announcing that Norby's fleet was lying at anchor, all
ready to set sail. The monarch's apprehensions proved to be unfounded.
Norby had important business nearer home. Christiern had not wintered in
Norway, as some persons had supposed he would, but had continued his
efforts to raise a force in Holland. His efforts had been attended with
some measure of success, and early in May the Swedish Cabinet had word
that Christiern had despatched a force of seven or eight thousand men
under Gustaf Trolle to make an attack on Denmark. While this fleet was
believed to be under sail, the tortuous Norby wrote to Denmark that he
was ready to sacrifice his life for Fredrik, and took the opportunity to
charge Gustavus with every sort of crime. The expedition of Christiern
appears to have miscarried, but it so startled Fredrik that he hastened
to rid himself of his doubtful ally, Norby. On pretence of wanting an
escort for his daughter, about to sail for Prussia, he asked the pirate
to come to Copenhagen. Norby, willing though he was to sacrifice his
life for Fredrik, thought he scented bait. He could not go, he said,
unless he did so in his own vessel attended by seven hundred of his men,
and as an additional guaranty demanded at the outset that his men be
paid. This was a little more than Fredrik could digest. His answer was a
letter to Gustavus, declaring that the pirate was in constant
communication with Christiern, and meantime spared no efforts to stir up
discord between Gustavus and himself. He was now preparing with a fleet
and body of seven hundred men to make an incursion into Sweden. Should
this occur, Gustavus might rely upon the aid of Fredrik. For this
generous assurance Gustavus in his answer thanked the king, and
promised, in return, that if the pirate should make war on Denma