472 SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS. 



" The king had this announced to his men, some of whom 

 desired it. and others opposed it. At last the king decided 

 that he would accept these conditions if King yEthelstan let 

 him have the whole of Northumberland with the taxes and 

 tributes thereto belonging. The messengers asked for a 

 further delay of three days, and that Olaf would then send 

 to hear from ^Ethelstan if he would accept these terms ; they 

 said that they thought King yEthelstan was very anxious to 

 conclude the agreement. Olaf consented, and sent his mes- 

 sengers, who found JEthelstan in the burgh which was nearest 

 south of the heath. They spoke of their errand, and the offer 

 of reconciliation ; the men of ^Ethelstan told also what they 

 had offered to Olaf, and that it was the advice of *wise men 

 thus to delay the battle, as the king had not arrived. ^Ethelstan 

 quickly gave decision, and said to the messengers : ' Carry 

 these my words to Olaf, that I will allow him to go back to 

 Scotland with his men if he pays back all the property he 

 took wrongly here in the land. Let us then make peace 

 between our countries, and let neither make war on the other. 

 Olaf shall become my man, and hold Scotland from me, and 

 be my under-king Go back and tell him this.' The mes- 

 sengers went back that evening, and came to Olaf about 

 midnight. They awoke him, and delivered their message, 

 The king immediately called the jarls and other chiefs, and 

 had the messengers tell the result of their errand and the 

 words of ^Ethelstan. As this was made known among the 

 warriors, all said that they must make ready for battle. The 

 messengers also told that King ^thelstan had a great many 

 men, and that he had arrived to the burgh the same day as 

 they. Adils jarl said : ' Now my words have proved true, 

 king, that you would experience the cunning of the English. 

 We have remained here a long time, and waited while they 

 have gathered all their men, and their king has probably not 

 been anywhere near here when we came. They must have 

 gathered many men since that time. It is my advice that 

 I and my brother ride at once in advance of you this night 

 with our men. It may be that they have now no fear about 

 themselves, as they have heard that their king is near with 

 a large host. Then we will attack them, and as they flee they 

 will lose many men, and be less bold afterwards in fighting 

 against us.' The king thought tins a good advice, and agreed 

 to make his army ready at dawn and meet him. They 

 decided upon this and then parted. 



" Hring, and Adils his brother, made ready and went in 

 the night south to the heath. When it became light the 

 sentinels of Thorolf saw the host ; there was blown a war-blast, 



