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CHAPTER XXX.

Nor should we omit to mention how, after the completion of this journey, the power of the Lord was
manifested to the Swedes. For a certain people named Cori* had in former time been in subjection to
the Swedes, but had a long while since rebelled and refused to be in subjection. The Danes, being
aware of this, at the time when the bishop had come into Swedish territory, collected a large
number of ships, and proceeded to this country, eager to seize their goods and to subject them to
themselves. Their kingdom contained five towns. When the inhabitants knew of their coming, they
gathered together arid began to resist manfully and to defend their property. I laving obtained the
victory they massacred half the Danes arid plundered their ships, obtaining from them gold and
silver and much spoil. On hearing this, King Olaf and the Swedes, who wished to win for themselves
the reputation that they could do what the Danes had not done, and because this people had formerly
been subject to them, collected an immense army arid proceeded to these parts. In the first
instance they came to a town in their kingdom called Seeburg. This town, which contained seven
thousand fighting men, they ravaged and despoiled and burnt. They left it with strengthened hopes
and, having sent away their ships, set out on a five-days journey arid hastened with savage intent
to another of their towns called Aputra in which there were fifteen thousand fighting men. When
they reached it, these were shut up in the town, and whilst the one party vigorously attacked the
town from outside, the other party defended it from within. In this way eight days went by with the
result that, though they fought and waged war from morning till night, and many fell on both sides,
neither side obtained the victory. On the ninth day the Swedes, being exhausted by the daily
slaughter, began to be distressed, and in their terror considered only how they might get away.
"Here," they said, we effect nothing and we are far from our ships." For, as we have said, it was
five days' journey to the port which contained their ships. As they were greatly disturbed and knew
not what they should do, they resolved to enquire by casting lots whether their gods were willing
to aid them either to obtain a victory or to get away from the place where they were. Having cast
lots they failed to discover any god who was willing to aid them. And when this was announced to
the people there arose much outcry and lamentation in their camp, and all their courage left them.
"What," said they, " shall we, unhappy people, do? The gods have departed from us and none of them
will aid us. Whither shall we flee? Our ships are far away, and if we flee (those in the city) will
follow after us and will utterly destroy us. What hope have we? " When they were in this great
difficulty some merchants, who remembered the teaching and instruction given by the bishop, offered
them advice. " The God of the Christians," they said, " frequently helps those who cry to Him and
His help is all powerful. Let us enquire whether He will be on our side, and let us with a willing
mind promise offerings that will be agreeable to Him." Accordingly, at their unanimous request,
lots were cast and it was found that Christ was willing to help them. When this had been publicly
notified, the hearts of all were forthwith so greatly encouraged that they wished to proceed
immediately to make a bold attack on the town. "What," said they," have we now to fear or dread?
Christ is with us; let us fight and behave like men; nothing can withstand us, nor shall we fail to
secure certain victory, for we have the mightiest of the gods as our helper. " When all were
gathered together with courage and joy to attack the town, and they had invested it and were eager
to commence the fight, those inside asked that an opportunity for speech be afforded them, and when
the Swedish King had agreed, they immediately said, "We desire peace rather than fighting, and we
wish to enter into an agreement with you. In the first place we are prepared to give you for the
sake of securing an agreement all the gold and the arms that we took as spoil from the Danes last
year. Furthermore, we offer half a pound of silver for each individual man now in this town, and in
addition we will pay you the tribute which we formerly paid and will give hostages, for we desire
henceforth to be subject and obedient to your rule, as we were in former time