King Olaf was more expert in all exercises than any man in Norway whose
memory is preserved to us in sagas; and he was stronger and more agile
than most men, and many stories are written down about it. One is that
he ascended the Smalsarhorn, and fixed his shield upon the very peak.
Another is, that one of his followers had climbed up the peak after him,
until he came to where he could neither get up nor down; but the king
came to his help, climbed up to him, took him under his arm, and bore
him to the flat ground. King Olaf could run across the oars outside of
the vessel while his men were rowing the Serpent. He could play with
three daggers, so that one was always in the air, and he took the one
falling by the handle. He could walk all round upon the ship's rails,
could strike and cut equally well with both hands, and could cast two
spears at once. King Olaf was a very merry frolicsome man; gay and
social; was very violent in all respects; was very generous; was very
finical in his dress, but in battle he exceeded all in bravery. He was
distinguished for cruelty when he was enraged, and tortured many of his
enemies. Some he burnt in fire; some he had torn in pieces by mad
dogs; some he had mutilated, or cast down from high precipices. On this
account his friends were attached to him warmly, and his enemies
feared him greatly; and thus he made such a fortunate advance in his
undertakings, for some obeyed his will out of the friendliest zeal, and
others out of dread.