Now let us glance at the last appearance of Thor on the stage of this world. The Norse king, Olaf the saint, was eagerly pursuing his work of Christian reform in Norway, and we find him sailing with fit escort along the western shore of that county from haven to haven, dispensing justice or doing other royal work. On leaving a certain haven, it is found that a stranger of grave eyes and aspect, with red beard and of a robust and stately figure, has stepped in. The courtiers address him; his answers surprise by their pertinency and depth. At length he is brought to the king. The strangers conversation here is not less remarkable, as they sail along the beautiful shore; but after awhile he addresses King Olaf thus: Yes, King Olaf, it is all beautiful, with the sun shining on it there; green, fruitful, a right fair home for you; and many a sore day had Thor, many a wild fight with the mountain giants, before he could make it so. And now you seem minded to put away Thor. King Olaf, have a care! said the stranger, knitting his brows; and when they looked again he was nowhere to be found. This is the last myth of Thor, a protest against the advance of Christianity, no doubt reproachfully set forth by some conservative pagan.[71] Footnote 60: Thor’s. Footnote 61: From _Tales of a Wayside Inn_. Footnote 62: _Bil_ is a common word in Norseland, meaning _moment_. Footnote 63: But see also Vocabulary, under the word _Mjolner_. Footnote 64: Holmgang (literally _isle-gang_) is a duel taking place on a small island. Each combatant was attended by a second who had to protect him with a shield. The person challenged had the right to strike the first blow. When the opponent was wounded, so that his blood stained the ground, the seconds might interfere and put an end to the combat. He that was the first wounded had to pay the holmgang fine. Footnote 65: A name for Thor. Footnote 66: A Orvandel, from _aur_, earth, and _vendill_, the sprout (_vöndr_), ruler = the seed. Footnote 67: This Geirrod must not be confounded with Odin’s foster-son Geirrod, son of Hraudung (see p. 228). Footnote 68: The next best thing is William Edward Frye’s translation of Œlenschlæger’s work entitled _The Gods of the North_. London, 1845. Footnote 69: Loke. Footnote 70: The goddess who presides over marriages. Footnote 71: Thomas Carlyle, _Heroes and Hero-worship_. CHAPTER V. VIDAR.