ore than thirty banks of rowers; and
forward on the bow was a great buffalo head, and aft on the stern-post
was its tail. Both the head and the tail, and both sides of the ship,
were gilded over. Of this speaks Arnor, the earls' skald:--

"The white foam lashing o'er the deck
Oft made the glided head to shake;
The helm down, the vessel's heel
Oft showed her stem's bright-glacing steel.
Around Stavanger-point careering,
Through the wild sea's white flames steering,
Tackle loud singing to the strain,
The storm-horse flies to Denmark's plain."

King Magnus set out to sea from Agder, and sailed over to Jutland. So
says Arnor:--

"I can relate how through the gale
The gallant Bison carried sail.
With her lee gunwale in the wave,
The king on board, Magnus the brave!
The iron-clad Thingmen's chief to see
On Jutland's coast right glad were we,--
Right glad our men to see a king
Who in the fight his sword could swing."

21. KING MAGNUS COMES TO DENMARK.

When King Magnus came to Denmark he was joyfully received. He appointed
a Thing without delay, to which he summoned the people of the country,
and desired they would take him as king, according to the agreement
which had been entered into. As the highest of the chiefs of the country
were bound by oath to King Magnus, and were desirous of keeping their
word and oath, they endeavoured zealously to promote the cause with
the people. It contributed also that King Canute the Great, and all his
descendants, were dead; and a third assistance was, that his father King
Olaf's sanctity and miracles were become celebrated in all countries.

22. KING MAGNUS CHOSEN KING OF DENMARK.

King Magnus afterwards ordered the people to be summoned to Viborg to a
Thing. Both in older and later times, the Danes elected their kings at
the Viborg Thing. At this Thing the Danes chose Magnus Olafson to be
king of all the Danish dorninions. King Magnus remained long in Denmark
during the summer (A.D. 1042); and wherever he came the people received
him joyfully, and obeyed him willingly. He divided the country into
baronies and districts, and gave fiefs to men of power in the land. Late
in autumn he returned with his fleet to Norway, but lay for some time at
the Gaut river.

23. OF SVEIN ULFSON.

There was a man, by name Svein, a son of Earl Ulf, and grandson of
Thorgils Sprakaleg. Svein's mother