One of the last scuffles I remember of Olaf's having with his
refractory heathens, was at a Thing in Hordaland or Rogaland, far in
the North, where the chief opposition hero was one Jaernskaegg
("ironbeard") Scottice ("Airn-shag," as it were!). Here again was a
grand heathen temple, Hakon Jarl's building, with a splendid Thor in
it and much idol furniture. The king stated what was his constant
wish here as elsewhere, but had no sooner entered upon the subject of
Christianity than universal murmur, rising into clangor and violent
dissent, interrupted him, and Ironbeard took up the discourse in
reply. Ironbeard did not break down; on the contrary, he, with great
brevity, emphasis, and clearness, signified "that the proposal to
reject their old gods was in the highest degree unacceptable to this
Thing; that it was contrary to bargain, withal; so that if it were
insisted on, they would have to fight with the king about it; and in
fact were now ready to do so." In reply to this, Olaf, without word
uttered, but merely with some signal to the trusty armed men he had
with him, rushed off to the temple close at hand; burst into it,
shutting the door behind him; smashed Thor and Co. to destruction;
then reappearing victorious, found much confusion outside, and, in
particular, what was a most important item, the rugged Ironbeard done
to death by Olaf's men in the interim. Which entirely disheartened
the Thing from fighting at that moment; having now no leader who dared
to head them in so dangerous an enterprise. So that every one
departed to digest his rage in silence as he could.

Matters having cooled for a week or two, there was another Thing held;
in which King Olaf testified regret for the quarrel that had fallen
out, readiness to pay what _mulct_ was due by law for that unlucky
homicide of Ironbeard by his people; and, withal, to take the fair