114 EARLY KINGS OF NORWAY. ■who, on the contrary, drew up his troops, rode him- self at the head of them, and began a speech to the Bonders, in which he invited them to adopt Chris- tianity, as the one true faith for mortals. Far from consenting to this, the Bonders raised a general shout, smiting at the same time their shields with their weapons ; but Olaf 's men advancing on them swiftly, and flinging spears, they turned and ran, leaving Gudbrand's son behind, a prisoner, to whom Olaf gave his life : " Go home now to thy father, and tell him I mean to be with him soon." The son goes accordingly, and advises his father not to face Olaf; but Gudbrand angrily replies:
- 'Ha, coward! I see thou, too, art taken by the
folly that man is going about with " ; and is resolved to fight. That night, however, Gudbrand has a most remarkable Dream, or Yision, — A Man surrounded by light, bringing great terror with him, who warns Gudbrand against doing battle with Olaf. " If thou dost, thou and all thy people will fall ; wolves will drag away thee and thine, ravens will tear thee in stripes ! " And lo, in telling this to Thord Potbelly, a sturdy neighbour of his and henchman in the
