Olaf and his men stood between them and their ships.
The rebel camp seethed and boiled with men, but seeing that Olaf made no move to attack them, their haste quieted somewhat, and in a few minutes two well-appareled chiefs left the tents and with a dozen men approached the King.
"Have we safe conduct, King Olaf?" shouted one.
"Have no fear," replied Olaf, "come in peace."
As they approached, men who knew them whispered to the King that these were Raud the Strong and Thori Hart. Both were of lofty stature and magnificently built, with strong, vigorous features. They stopped a dozen paces from the King.
"From your appearance you are Olaf Triggveson," said one. "I am Raud the Strong, and this is Thori Hart. Have you come in peace or in war, oh, King?"
A smile ran around Olaf's men, and he himself laughed outright.
"That is a strange question, Raud, when you have attacked my people and declared your intention of driving me from the land!"