mar's business to collect the king's taxes and
rents. Sigurd came as a man of consequence, with many followers and
great magnificence. In the market-place he happened to observe a
remarkably handsome boy; and as he could distinguish that he was a
foreigner, he asked him his name and family. He answered him, that
his name was Olaf; that he was a son of Trygve Olafson; and Astrid, a
daughter of Eirik Bjodaskalle, was his mother. Then Sigurd knew that the
boy was his sister's son, and asked him how he came there. Olaf told him
minutely all his adventures, and Sigurd told him to follow him to the
peasant Reas. When he came there he bought both the boys, Olaf and
Thorgils, and took them with him to Holmgard. But, for the first, he
made nothing known of Olaf's relationship to him, but treated him well.

7. KLERKON KILLED BY OLAF.

Olaf Trygvason was one day in the market-place, where there was a
great number of people. He recognized Klerkon again, who had killed his
foster-father Thorolf Lusarskeg. Olaf had a little axe in his hand, and
with it he clove Klerkon's skull down to the brain, and ran home to his
lodging, and told his friend Sigurd what he had done. Sigurd immediately
took Olaf to Queen Allogia's house, told her what had happened, and
begged her to protect the boy. She replied, that the boy appeared far
too comely to allow him to be slain; and she ordered her people to
be drawn out fully armed. In Holmgard the sacredness of peace is so
respected, that it is law there to slay whoever puts a man to death
except by judgment of law; and, according to this law and usage, the
whole people stormed and sought after the boy. It was reported that
he was in the Queen's house, and that there was a number of armed men
there. When this was told to the king, he went there with his people,
but would allow no bloodshed. It was settled at last in peace, that the
king should name the fine for the murder; and the queen paid it. Olaf
remained afterwards with the queen, and was much beloved. It is a law
at Holmgard, that no man of royal descent shall stay there without the
king's permission. Sigurd therefore told the queen of what family Olaf
was, and for what reason he had come to Russia; namely, that he could
not remain with safety in his own country: and begged her to speak to
the king about it. She did so, and begged the king to help a king's son
whose fate had been so hard; and in consequence of her entreaty the king
promise