VIII.] Til UR ED'S LOVER. 105 



to attach a certain amount of credit to them. This particu- 

 lar story is the more interesting as its denouement, abruptly 

 left in the blankest mystery by one Saga, is incidentally re- 

 vealed to us in the course of another, relating to events with 

 which the first had no connection. 1 



It seems that Snorre had a beautiful sister, named Thured 

 of Froda, with whom a certain gallant gentleman — called 

 Bjorn, the son of Astrand — fell head and ears in love. Un- 

 fortunately, a rich rival appears in the field ; and though she 

 had given her heart to Bjorn, Snorre — who, we have already 

 seen, was a prudent man — insisted upon her giving her hand 

 to his rival. Disgusted by such treatment, Bjorn sails away 

 to the coasts of the Baltic, and joins a famous company of 

 sea-rovers, called the Jomsburg Vikings. In this worthy 

 society he so distinguishes himself by his valour and daring 

 that he obtains the title of the Champion of Breidavik. After 

 many doughty deeds, done by sea and land, he at last returns, 

 loaded with wealth and honours, to his native country. 



In the summer-time of the year 999, soon after his arrival, 

 was held a great fair at Froda, whither all the merchants, 

 "clad in coloured garments," congregated from the adjacent 

 country. Thither came also Bjorn' s old love, the Lady of 

 Froda ; " and Bjorn went up and spoke to her, and it was 

 thought likely their talk would last long, since they for such a 

 length of time had not seen each other." But to this renewal 

 of old acquaintance both the lady's husband and her brother 

 very much objected; and "it seemed to Snorre that it would 

 be a good plan to kill Bjorn." So, about the time of hay- 

 making, off he rides, with some retainers, to his victim's home, 

 having fully instructed one of them how to deal the first blow. 

 Bjorn was in the home-field (tun), mending his sledge, when 

 the cavalcade appeared in sight ; and, guessing what motive 

 had inspired the visit, went straight up to Snorre, who rode 

 in front, " in a blue cloak," and held the knife with which he 



1 From internal evidence it is certain that the chronicle which contains 

 these Sagas must have been written about the beginning of the thir- 

 teenth century. 



