He sailed southward along the coast, no one knowing him or suspecting his errand. One day, as he was sitting in his tent on the beach, whittling a spear handle, a peasant entered and looked hard at him.
"Who art thou?" he asked.
"I am a merchant," said Olaf.
"Likely enough," rejoined the peasant, "art thou a merchant; but I know the eyes of Olaf Tryggvesson, and I believe that thou wilt soon meet Earl Haakon and win a great victory."
"If it be true, as thou sayest," responded the prince, "thou mayst come to me and thou shalt profit by my victory."
The shrewdness of Olaf's plan to avoid all warlike display was demonstrated by the issue. In Saudung Sound he succeeded in capturing the young Earl Haakon, who, without thought of danger, was sailing along with a single ship and a small retinue. When Olaf saw him he marvelled at his beauty. The earl was but seventeen years old, tall, and well shaped. His hair fell in golden curls upon his shoulders and shone like silk. About his head he wore a fillet of gold.
"It is true what is said about you and your race," said Olaf, "you are indeed very beautiful. But now your luck has forsaken you."
"I see no sign that our luck has forsaken us," answered the youth proudly; "even if such a thing as this may happen. It is ever so, that sometimes the one is victorious and sometimes the other. I myself am young and inexperienced, and I was expecting no breach of the peace, and could therefore make no defence. Another time, perhaps, I shall do better."
"But art thou not aware," retorted Olaf, "that from this time forth there can be no question either of victory or defeat in thy case?"
"That all depends upon you," said the earl, fearlessly.