第217章

After this Fin Arnason thought he had cause to be an enemy of the king upon account of his brother Kalf's death; and said the king had betrayed Kalf to his fall, and had also deceived him by making him entice his brother Kalf to come over from the West and trust to King Harald's faith.When these speeches came out among people, many said that it was very foolish in Fin to have ever supposed that Kalf could obtain the king's sincere friendship and favour; for they thought the king was the man to seek revenge for smaller offences than Kalf had committed against the king.The king let every one say what he chose, and he himself neither said yes or no about the affair; but people perceived that the king was very well pleased with what had happened.King Harald once made these verses: --"I have, in all, the death-stroke given To foes of mine at least eleven;Two more, perhaps, if I remember, May yet be added to this number, I prize myself upon these deeds, My people such examples needs.

Bright gold itself they would despise, Or healing leek-herb underprize, If not still brought before their eyes."Fin Arnason took the business so much to heart that he left the country and went to Denmark to King Svein, where he met a friendly reception.They spoke together in private for a long time; and the end of the business was that Fin went into King Svein's service, and became his man.King Svein then gave Fin an earldom, and placed him in Halland, where he was long earl and defended the country against the Northmen.

56.OF GUTHORM GUNHILDSON.

Ketil Kalf and Gunhild of Ringanes had a son called Guthorm, and he was a sister's son to King Olaf and Harald Sigurdson.Guthorm was a gallant man, early advanced to manhood.He was often with King Harald, who loved him much, and asked his advice; for he was of good understanding, and very popular.Guthorm had also been engaged early in forays, and had marauded much in the Western countries with a large force.Ireland was for him a land of peace; and he had his winter quarters often in Dublin, and was in great friendship with King Margad.

57.GUTHORM'S JUNCTION WITH THE IRISH KING MARGAD.

The summer after King Margad, and Guthorm with him, went out on an expedition against Bretland, where they made immense booty.

But when the king saw the quantity of silver which was gathered he wanted to have the whole booty, and regarded little his friendship for Guthorm.Guthorm was ill pleased that he and his men should be robbed of their share; but the king said, "Thou must choose one of two things, -- either to be content with what we determine, or to fight; and they shall have the booty who gain the victory; and likewise thou must give up thy ships, for them Iwill have." Guthorm thought there were great difficulties on both sides; for it was disgraceful to give up ships and goods without a stroke, and yet it was highly dangerous to fight the king and his force, the king having sixteen ships and Guthorm only five.Then Guthorm desired three days' time to consider the matter with his people, thinking in that time to pacify the king, and come to a better understanding with him through the mediation of others; but he could not obtain from the king what he desired.

This was the day before St.Olaf's day.Guthorm chose the condition that they would rather die or conquer like men, than suffer disgrace, contempt and scorn, by submitting to so great a loss.He called upon God, and his uncle Saint Olaf, and entreated their help and aid; promising to give to the holy man's house the tenth of all the booty that fell to their share, if they gained the victory.Then he arranged his men, placed them in battle order against the great force, prepared for battle, and gave the assault.By the help of God, and the holy Saint Olaf, Guthorm won the battle.King Margad fell, and every man, old and young, who followed him; and after that great victor, Guthorm and all his people returned home joyfully with all the booty they had gained by the battle.Every tenth penny of the booty they had made was taken, according to the vow, to King Olaf the Saint's shrine; and there was so much silver that Guthorm had an image made of it, with rays round the head, which was the size of his own, or of his forecastle-man's head; and the image was seven feet high.The image thus produced was given by Guthorm to King Olaf of the Saint's temple, where it has since remained as a memorial of Guthorm's victory and King Olaf the Saint's miracle.

58.MIRACLE OF KING OLAF IN DENMARK.

There was a wicked, evil-minded count in Denmark who had a Norwegian servant-girl whose family belonged to Throndhjem district.She worshipped King Olaf the Saint, and believed firmly in his sanctity.But the above mentioned count doubted all that was told of the holy man's miracles, insisted that it was nothing but nonsense and idle talk, and made a joke and scorn of the esteem and honour which all the country people showed the good king.Now when his holyday came, on which the mild monarch ended his life, and which all Northmen kept sacred, this unreasonable count would not observe it, but ordered his servant-girl to bake and put fire in the oven that day.She knew well the count's mad passion, and that he would revenge himself severely on her if she refused doing as he ordered.She went, therefore, of necessity, and baked in the oven, but wept much at her work; and she threatened King Olaf that she never would believe in him, if he did not avenge this misdeed by some mischance or other.And now shall ye come to hear a well-deserved vengeance, and a true miracle.It happened, namely, in the same hour that the count became blind of both eyes, and the bread which she had shoved into the oven was turned into stone!

Of these stones some are now in St.Olaf's temple, and in other places; and since that time O1afsmas has been always held holy in Denmark.

59.KING OLAF'S MIRACLE ON A CRIPPLE.