appened, king, as is known to you, that I
have come here after a long and difficult journey; but when I had once
crossed the ocean and heard of your greatness, it appeared to me unwise
to go back without having seen you in your splendour and glory. Now it
is a law between Iceland and Norway, that Iceland men pay landing due
when they come into Norway, but while I was coming across the sea I took
myself all the landing dues from my ship's people; but knowing that thou
have the greatest right to all the power in Norway, I hastened hither to
deliver to you the landing dues." With this he showed the silver to the
king, and laid ten marks of silver in Gissur Black's lap.

The king replies, "Few have brought us any such dues from Norway for
some time; and now, Hjalte, I will return you my warmest thanks for
having given yourself so much trouble to bring us the landing dues,
rather than pay them to our enemies. But I will that thou shouldst take
this money from me as a gift, and with it my friendship."

Hjalte thanked the king with many words, and from that day set himself
in great favour with the king, and often spoke with him; for the king
thought, what was true, that he was a man of much understanding and
eloquence. Now Hjalte told Gissur and Ottar that he was sent with
tokens to the king's daughter Ingegerd, to obtain her protection and
friendship; and he begged of them to procure him some opportunity to
speak with her. They answered, that this was an easy thing to do; and
went one day to her house, where she sat at the drinking table with many
men. She received the skalds in a friendly manner, for they were known
to her. Hjalte brought her a salutation from the earl's wife, Ingebjorg;
and said she had sent him here to obtain friendly help and succour
from her, and in proof whereof produced his tokens. The king's
daughter received him also kindly, and said he should be welcome to her
friendship. They sat there till late in the day drinking. The king's
daughter made Hjalte tell her much news, and invited him to come often
and converse with her. He did so: came there often, and spoke with the
king's daughter; and at last entrusted her with the purpose of Bjorn's
and his comrade's journey, and asked her how she thought the Swedish
king would receive the proposal that there should be a reconciliation
between the kings. The king's daughter replied, that, in her opinion,
it would be a useless attempt to propose to the king any r