Page:Stories of Norse Gods and Heroes.djvu/87

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KING OLAF.
81

He could hunt, and skate, and swim, and walk on snow-shoes.

When he was at sea, he could run outside the ship on the oars. He could stand on the ship rail when the sea was the roughest.

He could use his sword with either hand and throw two spears at once.

When he was grown to be a man, the king gave him ships and an army so that he might go and get back his kingdom.

At that same time another king was going with a great army to conquer Olaf's kingdom.

Olaf went into the church to pray for a blessing on his journey. While he was praying, one of his warriors hurried in to tell him that the other king had set sail.

But Olaf would not go until he had finished his prayer. Then he set sail. He could see the ships far ahead.

Soon they came in sight of Olaf's kingdom. Then Olaf prayed the sea to roll over the land and make a shorter way for him.

The sea swept over the land and Olaf sailed on. As the water covered the ground, the hill trolls ran out and cursed him.

Olaf said, "Be turned into stones till I return." The trolls changed to pebbles and rolled down