Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/168

 160 CHRONICLE OF THE saga vn. frighten us with thy god, who is both blind and deaf, and can neither save himself nor others, and cannot even move about without being carried ; but now I expect it will be but a short time before he meets his fate : for turn your eyes towards the east, — behold our God advancing in great light." The sun was rising, and all turned to look. At that moment Kolbein gave their god a stroke, so that the idol burst asunder ; and there ran out of it mice as big almost as cats, and reptiles, and adders. The bonders were so terrified that some fled to their ships ; but when they sprang out upon them they filled with water, and could not get away. Others ran to their horses, but could not find them. The king then ordered the bonders to be called together, saying he wanted to speak with them ; on which the bonders came back, and the Thing was again seated. The king rose up and said, " I do not understand what your noise and running mean. Ye see yourselves what your god can do, — the idol ye adorned with gold and silver, and brought meat and provisions to. Ye see now that the protecting powers who used it were the mice and adders, reptiles and paddocks ; and they do ill who trust to such, and will not abandon this folly. Take now your gold and ornaments that are lying strewed about on the grass, and give them to your wives and daughters ; but never hang them here- after upon stock or stone. Here are now two conditions between us to choose upon, — either accept Christianity, or fight this very day ; and the victory be to them to whom the God we worship gives it." Then Dale Gudbrand stood up and said, " T e have sustained great damage upon our god ; but since he will not help us, we will believe in the God thou believest in." Then all received Christianity. The bishop baptized Gudbrand and his son. King Olaf and Bishop Sigurd