Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/173

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 161 tertainment ; and when all things were provided which saga xn are suitable for an entertainment given by a great feast for the personage to persons of high dignity, King Sigurd comtan*^^^ ordered his men to go to the street in the city where tinopie. fire-wood was sold, as they would require a great quantity to prepare the feast. They said the king need not be afraid of wanting fire-wood, for every day many loads were brought into the town. When it was necessary, however, to have fire-wood, it was found that it was all sold, which they told the king. He replied, " Go and try if you can get walnuts. They will answer as well as wood for fuel." They went and got as many as they needed. Now came the emperor, and his grandees and court, and sat down to table. All was very splendid ; and King Sigurd re- ceived the emperor with great state, and entertained him magnificently. When the queen and the em- peror found that nothing was awanting, she sent some persons to inquire what they had used for fire-wood ; and they came to a house filled* with walnuts, and they came back and told the queen. " Truly," said she, '' this is a magnificent king, who spares no ex- pense where his honour is concerned." She had con- trived this to try what they would do when they could get no fire- wood to dress their feast with. King Sigurd soon after prepared for his return cha home. He gave the emperor all his ships ; and the j^^,^^^ valuable figure-heads which were on the king's ships sigurd the were set up in Peter's church, where they have since been to be seen. The emperor gave the king many h^^^- horses and guides to conduct him through all his do- minions, and appointed markets for him in his terri- tories at which he could buy food and drink. Then King Sigurd left Constantinople; but a great many Northmen remained, and went into the emperor's pay. Then King Sigurd travelled from Bulgaria, and VOL. III. M LPTER Crusader's return