Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/206

 194 CHRONICLE or THE SAGA XII. Ireland about it: we are wagering here, and not there." Harald on this went to bed, and would not speak to him more about it. This was in Opslo. The follow- in o" morning, when the early mass was over, Magnus rode up the street, and sent a message to Harald to come to him. When Harald came he was dressed thus. He had on a shirt and trousers which were bound with ribands under his foot-soles, a short cloak, an Irish hat on his head, and a spear-shaft in his hand. Magnus set up a mark for the race. Harald said, "Thou hast made the course too long;" but Magnus thought if it were even longer, it would still be too short. There were many spectators. They began the race, and Harald followed always the horse's pace; and when they came to the end of the race-course, Magnus said, " Thou hadst hold of the saddle-girths, and the horse dragged thee along." Magnus had his swift runner, the Gotland horse. They began the race again, and Harald ran the whole race-course before the horse. When they came to the end Harald asked, " Had I hold of the saddle-girths now?" Magnus replied, " Thou hadst the start at first." Then Magnus let his horse breathe a while, and when he was ready he put spurs to him, and set off in full gallop. Harald stood still, and Magnus looked back, and called out, " Set off now." Then Harald ran quickly past the horse, and came to the end of the course so long before him that he lay do^vn, and got up and saluted Magnus as he came in. Then they went home to the town. In the mean time King Sigurd had been at high mass, and knew nothing of this until after he had dined that day. Then he said to Magnus angrily, " Thou callest Harald useless ; but I think thou art a great fool, and knowest nothing of the customs of foreign people. Dost thou