laNGS OF NORWAY. 335 same kind of dress in his youth ; but when he grew saga xvi. up, and acted for himself, he dressed very sump- tuously. King Magnus was of a light turn of mind, full of jokes ; a great lover of mirth, and not less of women. Nicolas was a son of Sigurd Hranesson and of Chapter Skialdvor a daughter of Bryniolf Ulfalde, and a sister of Nicolas*. of Haldor Bryniolfsson by the father's side, and of King Magnus Barefoot by the mother's side. Nicolas was a distinguished chief, who had a farm at Aungul in Halogaland, which was called Steig. Nicolas had also a house in Nidaros, below Saint John's church, where Thorgeir the scribe lately dwelt. Nicolas was often in the town, and was the president of the towns- people. Skialdvor, Nicolas's daughter, was married to Eric Arneson, who was also a lenderman. As the people of the town were coming from matins Chapter the last day of Marymas, Eric came up to Nicolas, ofEHcand and said, " Here are some fishermen come from the Nicolas. sea, who report that some long- ships are sailing into the fiord; and people conjecture that these may be the Birkebeiners. It would be advisable to call the townspeople together with the war-horns, to meet under arms out on the Ore." Nicolas replies, " I don't go after fishermen's re- ports ; but I shall send out spies to the fiord, and in the mean time hold a Thing to-day." Eric went home ; but when they were ringing to high mass, and Nicolas was going to church, Eric came to him again, and said, I believe the news to be true ; for here are men who say they saw them under sail: and I think it would be most advisable to ride out of town, and gather men with arms ; for it appears to me the townspeople will be too few." Nicolas replies, Thou art mixing every thing to- gether : let us first hear mass, and then take our resolution."
