Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/174

164 EARLY KINGS OF NORWAY. and lie a formidable person withal. This was Harald, half-brother of the late Saint Olaf ; uncle or half- uncle, therefore, of Magnus himself. Indisputable son of the Saint's mother by St. Olaf 's step-father, who was himself descended straight from Harald Haarfagr. This new Harald was already much heard of in the world. As an ardent Boy of fifteen he had fought at King Olaf *s side at Stickelstad ; would not be admonished by the Saint to go away. Got smitten down there, not killed; was smuggled away that night from the field by friendly help ; got cured of his wounds, forwarded to Eussia, where he grew to man's estate, under bright auspices and successes. Fell in love with the Bussian Princess, but could not get her to wife ; went off thereupon to Constantinople as Vceringer (Life-Guardsman of the Greek Kaiser) ; became Chief Captain of the Yaeringers, invincible champion of the poor Kaisers that then were, and filled all the East with the shine and noise of his exploits. An authentic Waring or Baring, such the surname we now have derived from these people ; who were an important institution in those Greek countries for several ages : Yseringer Life-Guard, consisting of