CHAP. XLI

Bolli returns to Iceland, A.D. 999


Kalf Asgeirson went to see Kjartan and asks what he was minded to do
that summer. Kjartan said, "I have been thinking chiefly that we had
better take our ship to England, where there is a good market for
Christian men. But first I will go and see the king before I settle
this, for he did not seem pleased at my going on this journey when we
talked about it in the spring." Then Kalf went away and Kjartan went
to speak to the king, greeting him courteously. The king received him
most kindly, and asked what he and his companion (Kalf) had been
talking about. [Sidenote: Kjartan stays in Norway] Kjartan told what
they had mostly in mind to do, but said that his errand to the king
was to beg leave to go on this journey. "As to that matter, I will
give you your choice, Kjartan. Either you will go to Iceland this
summer, and bring men to Christianity by force or by expedients; but
if you think this too difficult a journey, I will not let you go away
on any account, for you are much better suited to serve noble men than
to turn here into a chapman." Kjartan chose rather to stay with the
king than to go to Iceland and preach the faith to them there, and
said he could not be contending by force against his own kindred.
"Moreover, it would be more likely that my father and other chiefs,
who are near kinsmen of mine, would go against thy will with all the
less stubbornness the better beholden I am under your power." The king
said, "This is chosen both wisely and as beseems a great man." The