Hakon having vanished in this dark way, there ensued a pause, both on
Knut's part and on Norway's. Pause or interregnum of some months,
till it became certain, first, whether Hakon were actually dead,
secondly, till Norway, and especially till King Knut himself, could
decide what to do. Knut, to the deep disappointment, which had to
keep itself silent, of three or four chief Norway men, named none of
these three or four Jarl of Norway; but bethought him of a certain
Svein, a bastard son of his own,--who, and almost still more his
English mother, much desired a career in the world fitter for him,
thought they indignantly, than that of captain over Jomsburg, where
alone the father had been able to provide for him hitherto. Svein was
sent to Norway as king or vice-king for Father Knut; and along with
him his fond and vehement mother. Neither of whom gained any favor
from the Norse people by the kind of management they ultimately came
to show.

Olaf on news of this change, and such uncertainty prevailing
everywhere in Norway as to the future course of things, whether Svein
would come, as was rumored of at last, and be able to maintain himself
if he did,--thought there might be something in it of a chance for
himself and his rights. And, after lengthened hesitation, much
prayer, pious invocation, and consideration, decided to go and try it.
The final grain that had turned the balance, it appears, was a
half-waking morning dream, or almost ocular vision he had of his
glorious cousin Olaf Tryggveson, who severely admonished, exhorted,
and encouraged him; and disappeared grandly, just in the instant of
Olaf's awakening; so that Olaf almost fancied he had seen the very
figure of him, as it melted into air. "Let us on, let us on!" thought
Olaf always after that. He left his son, not in Russia, but in Sweden