mighty a man, that his invitation
was good enough for her. But although she had replied to their errand
differently from what they wished, they saw no chance, on this occasion,
of taking her with them against her will; so they prepared to return.
When they were ready, and the people followed them out, Gyda said to the
messengers, "Now tell to King Harald these my words. I will only agree
to be his lawful wife upon the condition that he shall first, for my
sake, subject to himself the whole of Norway, so that he may rule
over that kingdom as freely and fully as King Eirik over the Swedish
dominions, or King Gorm over Denmark; for only then, methinks, can he be
called the king of a people."

4. KING HARALD'S VOW.

Now came the messengers back to King Harald, bringing him the words of
the girl, and saying she was so bold and foolish that she well deserved
that the king should send a greater troop of people for her, and inflict
on her some disgrace. Then answered the king, "This girl has not spoken
or done so much amiss that she should be punished, but rather she should
be thanked for her words. She has reminded me," said he, "of something
which it appears to me wonderful I did not think of before. And now,"
added he, "I make the solemn vow, and take God to witness, who made me
and rules over all things, that never shall I clip or comb my hair
until I have subdued the whole of Norway, with scat (1), and duties, and
domains; or if not, have died in the attempt." Guthorm thanked the
king warmly for his vow; adding, that it was royal work to fulfil royal
words.

ENDNOTES: (1) Scat was a land-tax, paid to the king in money, malt,
meal, or flesh-meat, from all lands, and was adjudged by the Thing
to each king upon his accession, and being proposed and
accepted as king.

5. THE BATTLE IN ORKADAL.

After this the two relations gather together a great force, and
prepare for an expedition to the Uplands, and northwards up the valley
(Gudbrandsdal), and north over Dovrefjeld; and when the king came
down to the inhabited land he ordered all the men to be killed, and
everything wide around to be delivered to the flames. And when the
people came to know this, they fled every one where he could; some down
the country to Orkadal, some to Gaulardal, some to the forests. But some
begged for peace, and obtained it, on condition of joining the king and
becoming his men. He met no opposition until he came to