The purpose of calling attention to the story in Arnason's collection is
that it may aid in showing what kind of story the dragon story in the
saga really is. That the most terrible kind of troll attacks the
cattle[68] of the famous King Hrolf Kraki and is dispatched by the noted
hero Bothvar Bjarki does not alter the nature of the story.

A possible objection remains, which should be removed. When the warders
in the morning saw the dead propped-up dragon, they said "that the beast
was advancing rapidly to attack the town." And "the king bade his men be
courageous, [and said] each one should help, according as he had courage
for it, and proceed against the monster." But it is plain that, since
the beast was apparently coming in the morning, in broad daylight,
instead of at night, it seemed to have changed its tactics, and no one
could tell what it intended to do. It was the part of wisdom to prepare
for the worst. Besides, the men would have better prospects of success,
or at least of avoiding injury, in an encounter with it in daylight
when its maneuvers could be watched and guarded against. That the
warders in a state of excitement said that "the beast was advancing
rapidly to attack the town," is of no significance. They merely
expressed the thought that came to their minds; and they were palpably
wrong when they said that it "was advancing rapidly." But it is an
exquisite touch on the part of the saga-man to have the warders utter
these words. They got one view of the monster and hastened back. Of
course, the beast was advancing and advancing rapidly; it would never
occur to them, unless they had paused to take note of it, which they did
not do, that the monster was standing still.

It may seem that too much attention is devoted to this feature of the
story. But it is important to establish, if possible, the type of story