up again, which, however, he could in no way accomplish, which
showed sufficiently the difference in their strength. They were under
water so long that Kjartan was almost drowned. They then came up, and
swam to land. This Northman asked what the Icelander's name was. Kjartan
tells his name.

He says, "Thou art a good swimmer; but art thou expert also in other
exercises?"

Kjartan replied, that such expertness was of no great value.

The Northman asks, "Why dost thou not inquire of me such things as I
have asked thee about?"

Kjartan replies, "It is all one to me who thou art, or what thy name
is."

"Then will I," says he, "tell thee: I am Olaf Trygvason."

He asked Kjartan much about Iceland, which he answered generally, and
wanted to withdraw as hastily as he could; but the king said, "Here is a
cloak which I will give thee, Kjartan." And Kjartan took the cloak with
many thanks.) (1)

ENDNOTES: (1) The part included in parenthesis is not found in the
original text of "Heimskringla", but taken from "Codex
Frisianus".

89. BAPTISM OF THE ICELANDERS.

When Michaelmas came, the king had high mass sung with great splendour.
The Icelanders went there, listening to the fine singing and the sound
of the bells; and when they came back to their ships every man told his
opinion of the Christian man's worship. Kjartan expressed his pleasure
at it, but most of the others scoffed at it; and it went according to
the proverb, "the king had many ears," for this was told to the king.
He sent immediately that very day a message to Kjartan to come to him.
Kjartan went with some men, and the king received him kindly. Kjartan
was a very stout and handsome man, and of ready and agreeable speech.
After the king and Kjartan had conversed a little, the king asked him to
adopt Christianity. Kjartan replies, that he would not say no to that,
if he thereby obtained the king's friendship; and as the king promised
him the fullest friendship, they were soon agreed. The next day Kjartan
was baptized, together with his relation Bolle Thorlakson, and all their
fellow-travelers. Kjartan and Bolle were the king's guests as long
as they were in their white baptismal clothes, and the king had much
kindness for them. Wherever they came they were looked upon as people of
distinction.

90. HALFRED VANDREDASKALD BAPTIZED.

As King Olaf one day was walking in the street some men met him, and he
who went the foremost sal