see.  The king, I take it, is one of great good luck and his guardian spirit mighty, and, besides, he has a faithful guard watching both day and night.”  Kjartan said that what most men failed in was daring, however valiant they might otherwise be.  Bolli said it was not so certain who would have to be taunted for want of courage in the end.  But here many men joined in, saying this was but an idle talk. [Sidenote:  King Olaf and the Icelanders] Now when the king’s spies had overheard this, they went away and told the king all that had been said.  The next morning the king wished to hold a meeting, and summoned all the Icelanders to it; and when the meeting was opened the king stood up and thanked men for coming, all those who were his friends and had taken the new faith.  Then he called to him for a parley the Icelanders.  The king asked them if they would be baptized, but they gave little reply to that.  The king said they were making for themselves the choice that would answer the worst.  “But, by the way, who of you thought it the best thing to do to burn me in my hall?” Then Kjartan answered, “You no doubt think that he who did say it would not have the pluck to confess it; but here you can see him.” [Sidenote:  The king’s preaching] “I can indeed see you,” said the king, “man of no small counsels, but it is not fated for you to stand over my head, done to death by you; and you have done quite enough that you should be prevented making a vow to burn more kings in their houses yet, for the reason of being taught better things than you know and because I do not know whether your heart was in your speech, and that you have bravely acknowledged it, I will not take your life.  It may also be that you follow the faith the better the more outspoken you are against it; and I can also see this, that on the day you let yourself be baptized of your own free will, several ships’ crews will on that day also take the faith.  And I think it likely to happen that your relations and friends will give much heed to what you speak to them when you return to Iceland.  And it is in my mind that you, Kjartan, will have a better faith when you return from Norway than you had when you came hither.  Go now in peace and safety wheresoever you like from the meeting.  For the time being you shall not be tormented into Christianity, for God says that He wills that no one shall come to Him unwillingly.”  Good cheer was made at the king’s speech, though mostly from the Christian men; but the heathen left it to Kjartan to answer as he liked.  Kjartan said, “We thank you, king, that you grant safe peace unto us, and the way whereby you may most surely draw us to take the faith is, on the one hand, to forgive us great offences, and on the other to speak in this kindly manner on all matters, in spite of your this day having us and all our concerns in your power even as it pleases you.  Now, as for myself, I shall receive the faith in Norway on that understanding alone that I shall give some little worship to Thor