Thor: he had a hammer in his
hand, and was tall of stature, hollow within, and there was a pedestal
under him on which he stood when out-of-doors; nor was there lack of
gold and silver upon him. Four loaves of bread were brought to him every
day, and flesh-meat therewith. After this talk they went to bed. But the
King was awake all night and at his prayers.

With dawn of day the King went to mass, then to meat, then to the
assembly. And the weather was just what Gudbrand had bargained for. Then
stood up the bishop in his gown, with mitre on head and crozier in hand;
and he spoke of the faith before the country-folk, and told of the many
miracles which God had wrought, and brought his speech to an eloquent
conclusion.

Then answered Thord Fat-paunch: 'Plenty of words has that horned one who
holds a staff in his hand crooked at the top like a wether's horn. But
seeing that you, my good fellows, claim that your God works so many
miracles, bespeak of Him for to-morrow that He let it be bright
sunshine; and meet we then, and do one of the twain, either agree on
this matter or do battle.'

And with that they broke up the assembly for the time.

There was a man with King Olaf named Kolbein Strong; he was from the
Firths by kin. He had ever this gear, that he was girded with a sword,
and had a large cudgel or club in his hand. The King bade Kolbein be
close to him on the morrow. And then he said to his men:

'Go ye to-night where the country-folk's ships are, and bore holes in
them all, and drive away from their farm-buildings their yoke-horses.'
And they did so.

But the King spent the night in prayer, praying God that He would solve
this difficulty of His goodness and mercy. And when service times were
over (and that was towards daybreak) then went he to the assembly. When
he came there but few of the country-folk had come. But soon they saw a
great multitude coming to the assembly; and they bare among them a huge
image of a man, all glittering with gold and silver; which when those
who were already at the assembly saw, they all leapt up and bowed before
this monster. Then was it set up in the middle of the place of assembly:
on the one side sat the folk of the country, on the other the King and
his men.

Then up stood Gudbrand of the Dales and spake: 'Where is now thy God, O
King? Methinks now He boweth His beard full low; and, as I think, less
is now thy bragging and that of the horned one whom ye call bishop, and