to consult farther in his neighborhood, and to correspond by messages;
the result is, Olaf resolutely pushing forward himself, resolves to
call a Thing, and openly claim his kingship there. The Thing itself
was willing enough: opposition parties do here and there bestir
themselves; but Olaf is always swifter than they. Five kinglets
somewhere in the Uplands,[11]--all descendants of Haarfagr; but averse
to break the peace, which Jarl Eric and Hakon Jarl both have always
willingly allowed to peaceable people,--seem to be the main opposition
party. These five take the field against Olaf with what force they
have; Olaf, one night, by beautiful celerity and strategic practice
which a Friedrich or a Turenne might have approved, surrounds these
Five; and when morning breaks, there is nothing for them but either
death, or else instant surrender, and swearing of fealty to King Olaf.
Which latter branch of the alternative they gladly accept, the whole
five of them, and go home again.

This was a beautiful bit of war-practice by King Olaf on land. By
another stroke still more compendious at sea, he had already settled
poor young Hakon, and made him peaceable for a long while. Olaf by
diligent quest and spy-messaging, had ascertained that Hakon, just
returning from Denmark and farewell to Papa and Knut, both now under
way for England, was coasting north towards Trondhjem; and intended on
or about such a day to land in such and such a fjord towards the end
of this Trondhjem voyage. Olaf at once mans two big ships, steers
through the narrow mouth of the said fjord, moors one ship on the
north shore, another on the south; fixes a strong cable, well sunk
under water, to the capstans of these two; and in all quietness waits
for Hakon. Before many hours, Hakon's royal or quasi-royal barge
steers gaily into this fjord; is a little surprised, perhaps, to see
within the jaws of it two big ships at anchor, but steers gallantly