KING OLA.F THE THICK-SET'S VIKING DAYS. 97

ended self and kingdom altogetlier. Aasta was greatly shocked ; composed herself however ; married a new husband, Sigurd Syr, a kinglet, and a great-grandson of Harald Fairhair, a man of great wealth, prudence, and influence in those countries ; in whose house, as favourite and well-beloved stepson, little Olaf was wholesomely and skilfully brought up. In Sigurd's house he had, withal, a special tutor entertained for him, one Eane, known as Rane the Far-travelled, by whom he could be trained, from the earliest basis, in Norse accomplishments and arts. ITew children came, one or two ; but Olaf, from his mother, seems always to have known that he was the distinguished and royal article there. One day his Foster-father, hurrying to leave home on business, hastily bade Olaf, no other being by, saddle his horse for him. Olaf went out with the saddle, chose the biggest he- goat about, saddled that, and brought it to the door- by way of horse. Old Sigurd, a most grave man,,, grinned sardonically at the sight. " Hah, I see thou hast no mind to take commands from me ; thou art of too high a humour to take commands. To which, says Snorro, Boy Olaf answered little except by-