15G ANNALS OP KOGEE DE HOVEDEN. A.D. 10/4. English shore, in order to take back the run-away hostage of the king. This was stoutly resisted by the Norwegians, whose wish it was that they should steer onward in the course they had so prosperously begun ; upon which a division arose, and prevailed to such a degree that each party took up arms against the other. But as the force of the Norwegians was superior, the boldness of the ambassadors very speedily subsided, and the nearer they approached to land, the more did they humble themselves to the others. Upon their arrival there, the runaway youth behaved himself becomingly and modestly, showed himself grateful to the nobles and principal men, and came under the notice of king Olaf, who being of a very pious turn of mind, was in the habit of reading holy books, and giving his attention to literature amid the cares of state. He would also frequently stand by the priest at the altar, and assist him in putting on the holy vestments, jrouringthe water upon his hands, and with great devotion performing other duties of a similar nature. Accordingly, on hearing that a clerk had come over from England, a thing that seemed somewhat unusual at that period, he employed him as his own master in learning the Psalms ; in consequence of which he lived in extreme affluence, the bounty of the king and nobles flowing in upon him apace. His mind, however, was often smitten, in a spirit of compunction, with contempt for the world, and, whenever he was able, he would withdraw himself from the banquets of the revellers, and take delight in solitude, praying to God with tears that he would direct him in the paths of salvation. But, inasmuch as religious aspirations, when subjected to delay, frequently change, his mind by degrees fell away from this state, and in consequence of the success which attended his pursuits, the pleasures of this world had too great attractions for him. But he, who, when invited, was unwilling to come of his own accord, at a future time, by compulsion, entered the house of his heavenly Father. For some years after, he was returning home by ship with a large sum of money ; but when out at sea, the vessel was wrecked in a most violent storm, and his companions perishing, he lost the whole of his property, having, with some five or six others, with the greatest difficulty saved his life. Coming to Durham for the purpose of offering up his prayers, he informed bishop Walcher of every thing