Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/166

 158 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vii. your very blood when he comes into the Thing. But since thou sayest thy God is so great, let him make it so that to-morrow we have a cloudy day but without rain, and then let us meet again." The king accordingly returned home to his lodging, taking Gudbrand's son as a hostage ; but he gave them a man as hostage in exchange. In the evening the king asked Gudbrand's son what like their god was. He replied, that he bore the likeness of Thor ; had a hammer in his hand; was of great size, but hollow within ; and had a high stand, upon which he stood when he was out. " Neither gold nor silver are want- ing about him, and every day he receives four cakes of bread, besides meat." They then went to bed, but the king watched all night in prayer. When day dawned the king went to mass, then to table, and from thence to the Thing. The weather was such as Gudbrand desired. Now the bishop stood up in his choir-robes, with bishop's coif upon his head, and bishop's staff in his hands. He spoke to the bonders of the true faith, told the many wonderful acts of God, and concluded his speech well. Thord Istromaga replies, " Many things we are told of by this horned man with the staff in his hand crooked at the top like a ram's horn ; but since ye say, comrades, that your god is so powerful, and can do so many wonders, tell him to make it clear sunshine to-morrow forenoon, and then we shall meet here again, and do one of two things, — either agree with you about this business, or tight you." And they separated for the day. Chapter There was a man with Kim? Olaf called Kolbein CXIX • Dale Gui- Sterki (the Strong), who came from a family in the baptLd. Fiorde district. Usually he was so equipt that he was girt with a sword, and besides carried a great
 * Alluding to the bishop's coif.