to where Olaf held his
ground looked she searchingly up into his face and asked of what manner
of man was he. Then did he make answer that he was Oli, and said: 'I am
not of the country born nor bred.' Saith Gyda: 'Wilt thou have me? Even
upon that then will I choose thee.' 'I will not say nay to it,' quoth
he, and asked her name and lineage. 'I am,' said she, 'a King's daughter
of Ireland, but I was wedded into this country, to an earl who held
dominion here. Since the time that he died have I ruled the land; divers
men have wooed me, but none that I would wed, & my name is Gyda.'

Youthful was she and fair, and Olaf and she communed over this matter
even until they became of one accord, and thereafter was Olaf betrothed
to Gyda. This was but sour in the mouth of Alwin, but there was a custom
in England that when two contended about a matter they should meet in
single combat, and Alwin therefore bade Olaf Tryggvason fight with him
on this matter.

The time and place were appointed, & on either side were there chosen
twelve men. Then when they were met said Olaf unto his men that they
were to do even as he did, and a great axe had he in his hand. Now as
Alwin was minded to drive his sword into him Olaf struck it out of his
hand, & at the second stroke Alwin himself so that he fell to the
ground. Then did Olaf bind him fast, & in this manner also was treatment
meted out to the men that were with Alwin, to wit, to be beaten and
bound, and thereafter were taken home to Olaf's lodging. Then did he bid
Alwin depart from out the land & nevermore therein set foot again, and
thereafter Olaf took possession of all his lands.

[Illustration]

|| So it came to pass that Olaf wedded Gyda & abode for the most part in
England, but sometimes in Ireland. Once when Olaf was out on a foray, it
fell that it was needful that they should foray ashore for provisions,
and accordingly went his men to land and drove down a number of cattle
to the shore. Then came a peasant after them & prayed Olaf give him back
his cows, & Olaf bade him take his cows could he find them; 'but let him
not delay our journey.' The peasant had with him a big cattle-dog. This
dog sent he into the herd of neat whereof were being driven many
hundreds, and the animal hither and thither ran among the drove,
singling out as many cows as the peasant said he owned, and all of them
were marked in the same manner.

Now knowing that the dog had chosen rightly it seeme