intend to witness the combat, I beg you to take your stand as far
as possible away from the vikings. And when the fight is over --
whatever be the result--make your way over the river and keep
well hidden in old Grim Ormson's hut. There you will be safe from
all discovery until after the vikings have departed."

Now Olaf had no notion of hiding himself thus. He was not personally
afraid of Klerkon, neither did he believe that the viking would
go to much trouble to secure his prize even if his horse should be
successful. Olaf had heard that that horse had been brought from
England, and he did not believe that anything good could come from
a country so far away. His uncle's horse, on the other hand, was
celebrated all through Gardarike, and it had never been beaten
either in the race or in the fight. Why, then, should there be any
fear for the result of the coming contest?

But Sigurd Erikson was wiser, and knew better that his steed
was at last to meet its equal. Never before had he seen an animal
so strong and fierce as the stallion that Klerkon the Viking had
matched against Sleipner.

Many horses were led forth into the circle, and they were taken in
pairs to the middle, where they fought one against the other. Each
horse was followed by its owner or the trainer, who supported and
urged it on, inciting it with his stick. The crowd of onlookers was
very large, for among the Northmen no amusement was more popular
than the horse fight, unless it were the combat between men. But
at first there was not much excitement, because many of the horses
would not fight, and others were too easily beaten. At last Sleipner
and the English horse were led forth into the centre. When they