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In her high widowhood she had naturally many wooers; but treated them in a manner unexampled. By ill-luck for them they came once, from the far West, Graenske; from the far East, the Russian; and arrived both together at Sigrid's court, to prosecute their importunate, and to her odious and tiresome suit; much, how very much, to her impatience and disdain.
"Too bold is Queen Sigrid's son," cried Olaf, "if he thinks to board the Long Serpent. Now have I got you in my power and might put an end to you and your worship of heathen idols. But never shall it be said that Olaf Triggvison struck down a foe who was unarmed. Pick up your blade, proud King of the Swedes, and let us see who is the better man, you or I."
But when at last Sigrid heard that Olaf had given protection to Sweyn's sister, and made Thyra his queen, she renewed her urging with increased earnestness, and so well did she succeed that Sweyn was roused to great anger against King Olaf, and he resolved to get ready his forces and abide by Queen Sigrid's counsel.
Earl Erik, the son of the late Earl Hakon, was at this time the guest and friend of Sigrid's son, Olaf the Swede King; and these three King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark, King Olaf of Sweden, and Earl Erik of Lade had each a private cause of enmity against Olaf Triggvison. It was they who, two years afterwards, united their forces in the great sea fight in which Olaf the Glorious lost his life.
"If indeed the truth must be spoken," said the elder of the two, "then we have found this, O queen, that there is false metal in the ring." "Prove what you say!" cried the queen. And she let them break the ring asunder and lo! it was shown to be made of copper and not of gold. Then into Sigrid's eyes there flashed an angry light.
"Now we must sign our names;" and after much discussion and laughter the twelve names appeared on the paper, written in a circle without any beginning or end, Sigrid's and Hilma's and Oscar's and Gerda's and all. "Put it in the box and we'll nail on the cover," cried Oscar, picking up the hammer and pounding as if he were driving a dozen nails at once.
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