talk. After that Orn went away, but Gunnhild and Olaf kept conversing
together. Olaf told her of his wish, and how much store he set by
carrying it out, saying he knew for certain that Myrkjartan, the king,
was his mother's father. Then Gunnhild said, "I will lend you help for
this voyage, so that you may go on it as richly furnished as you
please." Olaf thanked her for her promise. Then Gunnhild had a ship
prepared and a crew got together, and bade Olaf say how many men he
would have to go west over the sea with him. Olaf fixed the number at
sixty; but said that it was a matter of much concern to him, that such
a company should be more like warriors than merchants. She said that
so it should be; and Orn is the only man mentioned by name in company
with Olaf on this journey. The company were well fitted out.
[Sidenote: Olaf's voyage] King Harald and Gunnhild led Olaf to his
ship, and they said they wished to bestow on him their good-luck over
and above other friendship they had bestowed on him already. King
Harald said that was an easy matter; for they must say that no
goodlier a man had in their days come out of Iceland. Then Harald the
king asked how old a man he was. Olaf answered, "I am now eighteen
winters." The king replied, "Of exceeding worth, indeed, are such men
as you are, for as yet you have left the age of child but a short way
behind; and be sure to come and see us when you come back again." Then
the king and Gunnhild bade Olaf farewell. Then Olaf and his men got on
board, and sailed out to sea. They came in for unfavourable weather
through the summer, had fogs plentiful, and little wind, and what
there was was unfavourable; and wide about the main they drifted, and
on most on board fell "sea-bewilderment." But at last the fog lifted
over-head; and the wind rose, and they put up sail. Then they began to
discuss in which direction Ireland was to be sought; and they did not
agree on that. Orn said one thing, and most of the men went against
him, and said that Orn was all bewildered: they should rule who were