While Olaf Trygvason lay in the Scilly Isles he heard of a seer, or
fortune-teller, on the islands, who could tell beforehand things not
yet done, and what he foretold many believed was really fulfilled. Olaf
became curious to try this man's gift of prophecy. He therefore sent
one of his men, who was the handsomest and strongest, clothed him
magnificently, and bade him say he was the king; for Olaf was known
in all countries as handsomer, stronger, and braver than all others,
although, after he had left Russia, he retained no more of his name than
that he was called Ole, and was Russian. Now when the messenger came
to the fortune-teller, and gave himself out for the king, he got the
answer, "Thou art not the king, but I advise thee to be faithful to thy
king." And more he would not say to that man. The man returned, and told
Olaf, and his desire to meet the fortune-teller was increased; and now
he had no doubt of his being really a fortune-teller. Olaf repaired
himself to him, and, entering into conversation, asked him if he could
foresee how it would go with him with regard to his kingdom, or of any
other fortune he was to have. The hermit replies in a holy spirit of
prophecy, "Thou wilt become a renowned king, and do celebrated deeds.
Many men wilt thou bring to faith and baptism, and both to thy own and
others' good; and that thou mayst have no doubt of the truth of this
answer, listen to these tokens: When thou comest to thy ships many of
thy people will conspire against thee, and then a battle will follow
in which many of thy men will fall, and thou wilt be wounded almost to
death, and carried upon a shield to thy ship; yet after seven days thou
shalt be well of thy wounds, and immediately thou shalt let thyself be
baptized." Soon after Olaf went down to his ships, where he met some
mutineers and people who would destroy him and his men. A fight took
place, and the result was what the hermit had predicted, that Olaf was
wounded, and carried upon a shield to his ship, and that his wound was
healed in seven days. Then Olaf perceived that the man had spoken truth,
that he was a true fortune-teller, and had the gift of prophecy. Olaf
went once more to the hermit, and asked particularly how he came to have
such wisdom in foreseeing things to be. The hermit replied, that the
Christian God himself let him know all that he desired; and he
brought before Olaf many great proofs of the power of the Almighty.
In consequence of this encouragement Olaf agreed to let himself be
baptized, and he and all his followers were baptized forthwith. He
remained here a long time, took the true faith, and got with him priests
and other learned men.