Moreover, he is a man of the North, no treacherous Greek, and the men of the North are brave and upright.

Once, when I was a free prince, I had some of them in my service, and I loved them well.

Our nephew, the Emperor, offered a large sum to a Northman to blind or murder me, but he would not do it, and was dismissed from the service of the Empire because he spoke his mind and prayed his heathen gods to bring a like fate upon Constantine himself.

Lead me to this governor; I would talk with him." So they brought Nicephorus to me, though doubtfully, and when he was near I rose from my seat and saluted him.

Thereon they all gabbled again with their split tongues, till at length he understood and flushed with pleasure.
"General Olaf," he said to me, "I thank you for your courtesy to a poor prisoner, forgotten by God and cruelly oppressed by man.