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 saluted the king. The king asked the man his name, and he called himself Halfred. "Art thou the skald?" said the king. "I can compose poetry," replied he. "Wilt thou then adopt Christianity, and come into my service?" asked the king. "If I am baptized," replies he, "it must be on one condition,--that thou thyself art my godfather; for no other will I have." The king replies, "That I will do." And Halfred was baptized, the king holding him during the baptism. Afterwards the king said, "Wilt thou enter into my service?" Halfred replied, "I was formerly in Earl Hakon's court; but now I will neither enter into thine nor into any other service, unless thou promise me it shall never be my lot to be driven away from thee."