17。GLUM\'SSLAYING
NowGlumcalledmentofollowhim,andThiostolfgotreadyandwentwiththem。SotheywentupSouthReykiardaleandthenupalongbyBaugagilandsosouthtoCrossfell。ButsomeofhisbandhesenttotheSulafells,andtheyallfoundverymanysheep。Someofthem,too,wentbywayofScoradale,anditcameaboutatlastthatthosetwain,GlumandThiostolf,wereleftalonetogether。TheywentsouthfromCrossfellandfoundthereaflockofwildsheep,andtheywentfromthesouthtowardsthefell,andtriedtodrivethemdown;butstillthesheepgotawayfromthemuponthefell。Theneachbegantoscoldtheother,andThiostolfsaidatlastthatGlumhadnostrengthsavetotumbleaboutinHallgerda\'sarms。
ThenGlumsaid,“`Aman\'sfoesarethoseofhisownhouse。\'
ShallItakeupbraidingfromthee,runawaythrallasthouart?“
Thiostolfsaid,“ThoushaltsoonhavetoownthatIamnothrall,forIwillnotyieldaninchtothee。“
ThenGlumgotangry,andcutathimwithhishand-axe,buthethrewhisaxeintheway,andtheblowfellonthehaftwithadownwardstrokeandbitintoitaboutthebreadthoftwofingers。
Thiostolfcutathimatoncewithhisaxe,andsmotehimontheshoulder,andthestrokehewedasundertheshoulderboneandcollarbone,andthewoundbledinwards。GlumgraspedatThiostolfwithhislefthandsofast,thathefell;butGlumcouldnotholdhim,fordeathcameoverhim。ThenThiostolfcoveredhisbodywithstones,andtookoffhisgoldring。ThenhewentstraighttoVarmalek。Hallgerdawassittingoutofdoors,andsawthathisaxewasbloody。Hesaid,“Iknownotwhatthouwiltthinkofit,butItelltheeGlumisslain。“
“Thatmustbethydeed,“shesays。
“Soitis,“hesays。
Shelaughedandsaid,“Thoudostnotstandfornothinginthissport。“
“Whatthinkestthouisbesttobedonenow?“heasked。
“GotoHrut,myfather\'sbrother,“shesaid,“andlethimseeaboutthee。“
“Idonotknow,“saysThiostolf,“whetherthisisgoodadvice;
butstillIwilltakethycounselinthismatter。“
Sohetookhishorse,androdewesttoHrutstedethatnight。Hebindshishorseatthebackofthehouse,andthengoesroundtothedoor,andgivesagreatknock。Afterthathewalksroundthehouse,northabout。IthappenedthatHrutwasawake。Hesprangupatonce,andputonhisjerkinandpulledonhisshoes。Thenhetookuphissword,andwrappedacloakabouthisleftarm,upasfarastheelbow。Menwokeupjustashewentout;therehesawatallstoutmanatthebackofthehouse,andknewitwasThiostolf。Hrutaskedhimwhatnews?
“ItelltheeGlumisslain。“saysThiostolf。
“Whodidthedeed?“saysHrut。
“Islewhim,“saysThiostolf。
“Whyrodestthouhither?“saysHrut。
“Hallgerdasentmetothee,“saysThiostolf。
“Thenshehasnohandinthisdeed,“saysHrut,anddrewhissword。Thiostolfsawthat,andwouldnotbebehindhand,sohecutsatHrutatonce。Hrutgotoutofthewayofthestrokebyaquickturn,andatthesametimestruckthebackoftheaxesosmartlywithaside-longblowofhislefthand,thatitflewoutofThiostolf\'sgrasp。ThenHrutmadeablowwithhisswordinhisrighthandatThiostolf\'sleg,justabovetheknee,andcutitalmostoffsothatithungbyalittlepiece,andspranginuponhimatthesametime,andthrusthimhardback。Afterthathesmotehimonthehead,anddealthimhisdeath-blow。
Thiostolffelldownonhisbackatfulllength,andthenoutcameHrut\'smen,andsawthetokensofthedeed。HrutmadethemtakeThiostolfaway,andthrowstonesoverhisbody,andthenhewenttofindHauskuld,andtoldhimofGlum\'sslaying,andalsoofThiostolf\'s。HethoughtitharmthatGlumwasdeadandgone,butthankedhimforkillingThiostolf。Alittlewhileafter,ThorarinRagi\'sbrotherhearsofhisbrotherGlum\'sdeath,thenherideswithelevenmenbehindhimwesttoHauskuldstede,andHauskuldwelcomedhimwithbothhands,andheistherethenight。
HauskuldsentatonceforHruttocometohim,andhewentatonce,andnextdaytheyspokemuchoftheslayingofGlum,andThorarinsaid“Wiltthoumakemeanyatonementformybrother,forIhavehadagreatloss?“
Hauskuldanswered,“Ididnotslaythybrother,nordidmydaughterplothisdeath;butassoonaseverHrutknewitheslewThiostolf。“
ThenThorarinheldhispeace,andthoughtthematterhadtakenabadturn。ButHrutsaid,“Letusmakehisjourneygood;hehasindeedhadaheavyloss,andifwedothatweshallbewellspokenof。Soletusgivehimgifts,andthenhewillbeourfriendeverafterwards。“
Sotheendofitwas,thatthosebrothersgavehimgifts,andherodebacksouth。HeandHallgerdachangedhomesteadsinthespring,andshewentsouthtoLaugarnessandhetoVarmalek。AndnowThorarinisoutofthestory。
18。FIDDLEMORD\'SDEATH
NowitmustbetoldhowFiddleMordtookasicknessandbreathedhislast;andthatwasthoughtgreatscathe。HisdaughterUnnatookallthegoodsheleftbehindhim。Shewasthenstillunmarriedthesecondtime。Shewasverylayish,andunthriftyofherproperty;sothathergoodsandreadymoneywastedaway,andatlastshehadscarceanythingleftbutlandandstock。
19。GUNNARCOMESINTOTHESTORY
TherewasamanwhosenamewasGunnar。HewasoneofUnna\'skinsmen,andhismother\'snamewasRannveig1。Gunnar\'sfatherwasnamedHamond2。GunnarHamond\'ssondweltatLithend,intheFleetlithe。Hewasatallmaningrowth,andastrongman——
bestskilledinarmsofallmen。Hecouldcutorthrustorshootifhechoseaswellwithhisleftaswithhisrighthand,andhesmotesoswiftlywithhissword,thatthreeseemedtoflashthroughtheairatonce。Hewasthebestshotwiththebowofallmen,andnevermissedhismark。Hecouldleapmorethanhisownheight,withallhiswar-gear,andasfarbackwardsasforwards。Hecouldswimlikeaseal,andtherewasnogameinwhichitwasanygoodforanyonetostrivewithhim;andsoithasbeensaidthatnomanwashismatch。Hewashandsomeoffeature,andfairskinned。Hisnosewasstraight,andalittleturnedupattheend。Hewasblue-eyedandbright-eyed,andruddy-cheeked。Hishairthick,andofgoodhue,andhangingdownincomelycurls。Themostcourteousofmenwashe,ofsturdyframeandstrongwill,bountifulandgentle,afastfriend,buthardtopleasewhenmakingthem。Hewaswealthyingoods。Hisbrother\'snamewasKolskegg;hewasatallstrongman,anoblefellow,andundauntedineverything。Anotherbrother\'snamewasHjort;hewastheninhischildhood。OrmSkogarnefwasabase-
bornbrotherofGunnar\'s;hedoesnotcomeintothisstory。
ArngudawasthenameofGunnar\'ssister。Hroar,thepriestatTongue,hadhertowife3。
ENDNOTES:
1ShewasthedaughterofSigfuss,thesonofSighvattheRed;
hewasslainatSandholFerry。
2HewasthesonofGunnarBaugsson,afterwhomGunnar\'sholtiscalled。Hamond\'smother\'snamewasHrafnhilda。ShewasthedaughterofStorolfHeing\'sson。StorolfwasbrothertoHrafntheSpeakeroftheLaw,thesonofStorolfwasOrintheStrong。
3HewasthesonofUnitheUnborn,Gardar\'ssonwhofoundIceland。Arnguda\'ssonwasHamondtheHalt,whodweltatHamondstede。
20。OFNJALANDHISCHILDREN
TherewasamanwhosenamewasNjal。HewasthesonofThorgeirGelling,thesonofThorolf。Njal\'smother\'snamewasAsgerda1。NjaldweltatBergthorsknollintheland-isles;hehadanotherhomesteadonThorolfsfell。Njalwaswealthyingoods,andhandsomeofface;nobeardgrewonhischin。Hewassogreatalawyer,thathismatchwasnottobefound。Wisetoohewas,andforeknowingandforesighted2。Ofgoodcounsel,andreadytogiveit,andallthatheadvisedmenwassuretobethebestforthemtodo。Gentleandgenerous,heunravelledeveryman\'sknottypointswhocametoseehimaboutthem。Bergthorawashiswife\'sname;shewasSkarphedinn\'sdaughter,averyhigh-
spirited,brave-heartedwoman,butsomewhathard-tempered。Theyhadsixchildren,threedaughtersandthreesons,andtheyallcomeafterwardsintothisstory。
ENDNOTES:
1ShewasthedaughterofLordArtheSilent。ShehadcomeouthithertoIcelandfromNorway,andtakenlandtothewestofMarkfleet,betweenAuldastoneandSelialandsmull。
HersonwasHolt-Thorir,thefatherofThorleifCrow,fromwhomtheWood-dwellersaresprung,andofThorgrimtheTall,andSkorargeir。
2ThismeansthatNjalwasoneofthosegiftedbeingswho,accordingtothefirmbeliefofthatage,hadamorethanhumaninsightintothingsabouttohappen。ItanswersverynearlytotheScottish“secondsight。“
21。UNNAGOESTOSEEGUNNAR
NowitmustbetoldhowUnnahadlostallherreadymoney。ShemadeherwaytoLithend,andGunnargreetedhiskinswomanwell。
Shestayedtherethatnight,andthenextmorningtheysatoutofdoorsandtalked。Theendoftheirtalkwas,thatshetoldhimhowheavilyshewaspressedformoney。
“Thisisabadbusiness,“hesaid。
“Whathelpwiltthougivemeoutofmydistress?“sheasked。
Heanswered,“TakeasmuchmoneyasthouneedestfromwhatIhaveoutatinterest。“
“Nay,“shesaid,“Iwillnotwastethygoods。“
“Whatthendostthouwish?“
“IwishtheetogetbackmygoodsoutofHrut\'shands,“sheanswered。
“That,methinks,isnotlikely,“saidhe,“whenthyfathercouldnotgetthemback,andyethewasagreatlawyer,butIknowlittleaboutlaw。“
Sheanswered,“Hrutpushedthatmatterthroughratherbyboldnessthanbylaw;besides,myfatherwasold,andthatwaswhymenthoughtitbetternottodrivethingstotheuttermost。Andnowthereisnoneofmykinsmentotakethissuitupifthouhastnotdaringenough。
“Ihavecourageenough,“hereplied,“togetthesegoodsback;
butIdonotknowhowtotakethesuitup。“
“Well!“sheanswered,“goandseeNjalofBergthorsknoll,hewillknowhowtogivetheeadvice。Besides,heisagreatfriendofthine。“
“\'Tislikeenoughhewillgivemegoodadvice,ashegivesittoeveryoneelse,“saysGunnar。
Sotheendoftheirtalkwas,thatGunnarundertookhercause,andgaveherthemoneysheneededforherhousekeeping,andafterthatshewenthome。
NowGunnarridestoseeNjal,andhemadehimwelcome,andtheybegantotalkatonce。
ThenGunnarsaid,“Iamcometoseekabitofgoodadvicefromthee。“
Njalreplied,“Manyofmyfriendsareworthyofthis,butstillI
thinkIwouldtakemorepainsfornonethanforthee。“
Gunnarsaid,“IwishtolettheeknowthatIhaveundertakentogetUnna\'sgoodsbackfromHrut。“
“Averyhardsuittoundertake,“saidNjal,“andoneveryhazardoushowitwillgo;butstillIwillgetitupfortheeinthewayIthinklikeliesttosucceed,andtheendwillbegoodifthoubreakestnoneoftherulesIlaydown;ifthoudost,thylifeisindanger。“
“Neverfear;Iwillbreaknoneofthem,“saidGunnar。
ThenNjalheldhispeaceforalittlewhile,andafterthathespokeasfollows:——
22。NJAL\'SADVICE
Ihavethoughtoverthesuit,anditwilldoso。Thoushaltridefromhomewithtwomenatthyback。Overallthoushalthaveagreatroughcloak,andunderthat,arussetkirtleofcheapstuff,andunderall,thygoodclothes。Thoumusttakeasmallaxeinthyhand,andeachofyoumusthavetwohorses,onefat,theotherlean。Thoushaltcarryhardwareandsmith\'sworkwiththeehence,andyemustrideoffearlyto-morrowmorning,andwhenyearecomeacrossWhitewaterwestwards,mindandslouchthyhatwelloverthybrows。Thenmenwillaskwhoisthistallman,andthymatesshallsay,`HereisHucksterHedinntheBig,amanfromEyjafirth,whoisgoingaboutwithsmith\'sworkforsale。\'
ThisHedinnisill-temperedandachatterer——afellowwhothinkshealoneknowseverything。Veryoftenhesnatchesbackhiswares,andfliesatmenifeverythingisnotdoneashewishes。SothoushaltridewesttoBorgarfirthofferingallsortsofwaresforsale,andbesureoftentocryoffthybargains,sothatitwillbenoisedabroadthatHucksterHedinnistheworstofmentodealwith,andthatnolieshavebeentoldofhisbadbehaviour。SothoushaltridetoNorthwaterdale,andtoHrutfirth,andLaxriverdale,tillthoucomesttoHauskuldstede。Therethoumuststayanight,andsitinthelowestplace,andhangthyheaddown。HauskuldwilltellthemallnottomeddlenormakewithHucksterHedinn,sayingheisarudeunfriendlyfellow。NextmorningthoumustbeoffearlyandgotothefarmnearestHrutstede。Therethoumustofferthygoodsforsale,praisingupallthatisworst,andtinkeringupthefaults。Themasterofthehousewillpryaboutandfindoutthefaults。Thoumustsnatchthewaresawayfromhim,andspeakilltohim。Hewillsay,\'twasnottobehopedthatthouwouldstbehavewelltohim,whenthoubehavestilltoeveryoneelse。
Thenthoushaltflyathim,thoughitisnotthywont,butmindandsparethystrength,thatthoumayestnotbefoundout。ThenamanwillbesenttoHrutstedetotellHruthehadbestcomeandpartyou。Hewillcomeatonceandasktheetohishouse,andthoumustaccepthisoffer。ThoushaltgreetHrutandhewillanswerwell。AplacewillbegiventheeonthelowerbenchoveragainstHrut\'shighseat。HewillaskifthouartfromtheNorth,andthoushaltanswerthatthouartamanofEyjafirth。
Hewillgoontoaskifthereareverymanyfamousmenthere。
`Shabbyfellowsenoughandtospare,\'thoumustanswer。`DostthouknowReykiardaleandthepartsabout?\'hewillask。Towhichthoumustanswer,`IknowallIcelandbyheart。\'
“`ArethereanystoutchampionsleftinReykiardale?\'hewillask。`Thievesandscoundrels,\'thoushaltanswer。ThenHrutwillsmileandthinkitsporttolisten。YoutwowillgoontotalkofthemenintheEastfirthQuarter,andthoumustalwaysfindsomethingtosayagainstthem。AtlastyourtalkwillcomeRangrivervale,andthenthoumustsay,thereissmallchoiceofmenleftinthosepartssinceFiddleMorddied。AtthesametimesingsomestavetopleaseHrut,forIknowthouartaskald。
HrutwillaskwhatmakestheesaythereisneveramantocomeinMord\'splace?andthenthoumustanswer,thathewassowiseamanandsogoodatakerupofsuits,thathenevermadeafalsestepinupholdinghisleadership。Hewillask,`Dostthouknowhowmattersfaredbetweenmeandhim?\'
“`Iknowallaboutit,\'thoumustreply,`hetookthywifefromthee,andthouhadstnotawordtosay。\'“
ThenHrutwillask,`Dostthounotthinkitwassomedisgracetohimwhenhecouldnotgetbackhisgoods,thoughhesetthesuitonfoot?\'
“`Icananswertheethatwellenough,\'thoumustsay。`Thouchallengedsthimtosinglecombat;buthewasold,andsohisfriendsadvisedhimnottofightwiththee,andthentheyletthesuitfalltotheground。\'
“`Trueenough,\'Hrutwillsay。`Isaidso,andthatpassedforlawamongfoolishmen;butthesuitmighthavebeentakenupagainatanotherThingifhehadtheheart。\'
“`Iknowallthat,\'thoumustsay。
Thenhewillask,`Dostthouknowanythingaboutlaw?\'
“`UpintheNorthIamthoughttoknowsomethingaboutit,\'thoushaltsay。`ButstillIshouldliketheetotellmehowthissuitshouldbetakenup。\'
“`Whatsuitdostthoumean?\'hewillask。
“`Asuit,\'thoumustanswer,`whichdoesnotconcernme。IwanttoknowhowamanmustsettoworkwhowishestogetbackUnna\'sdower。\'
“ThenHrutwillsay,`InthissuitImustbesummonedsothatI
canhearthesummons,orImustbesummonedhereinmylawfulhouse。\'
“`Recitethesummons,then,\'thoumustsay,\'andIwillsayitafterthee。\'
“ThenHrutwillsummonhimself;andmindandpaygreatheedtoeverywordhesays。AfterthatHrutwillbidtheerepeatthesummons,andthoumustdoso,andsayitallwrong,sothatnomorethaneveryotherwordisright。“
ThenHrutwillsmileandnotmistrustthee,butsaythatscarceawordisright。Thoumustthrowtheblameonthycompanions,andsaytheyputtheeout,andthenthoumustaskhimtosaythewordsfirst,wordbyword,andtolettheesaythewordsafterhim。Hewillgivetheeleave,andsummonhimselfinthesuit,andthoushaltsummonafterhimthereandthen,andthistimesayeverywordright。Whenitisdone,askHrutifthatwererightlysummoned,andhewillanswer,`Thereisnoflawtobefoundinit。\'Thenthoushaltsayinaloudvoice,sothatthycompanionsmayhear,`IsummontheeinthesuitwhichUnna,Mord\'sdaughter,hasmadeovertomewithherplightedhand。\'
“Butwhenmenaresoundasleep,youshallriseandtakeyourbridlesandsaddles,andtreadsoftly,andgooutofthehouse,andputyoursaddlesonyourfathorsesinthefields,andsorideoffonthem,butleavetheothersbehindyou。Youmustrideupintothehillsawayfromthehomepasturesandstaytherethreenights,foraboutsolongwilltheyseekyou。Afterthatridehomesouth,ridingalwaysbynightandrestingbyday。Asforus,wewillthenridethissummertotheThing,andhelptheeinthysuit。“SoGunnarthankedNjal,andfirstofallrodehome。
23。HUCKSTERHEDINN。
Gunnarrodefromhometwonightsafterwards,andtwomenwithhim;theyrodealonguntiltheygotonBluewoodheathandthenmenonhorsebackmetthemandaskedwhothattallmanmightbeofwhomsolittlewasseen。ButhiscompanionssaiditwasHucksterHedinn。Thentheotherssaidaworsewasnottobelookedforbehind,whensuchamanashewentbefore。Hedinnatoncemadeasthoughhewouldhavesetuponthem,butyeteachwenttheirway。SoGunnarwentondoingeverythingasNjalhadlaiditdownforhim,andwhenhecametoHauskuldstedehestayedtherethenight,andthencehewentdownthedaletillhecametothenextfarmtoHrutstede。Thereheofferedhiswaresforsale,andHedinnfellatonceuponthefarmer。ThiswastoldtoHrut,andhesentforHedinn,andHedinnwentatoncetoseeHrut,andhadagoodwelcome。Hrutseatedhimoveragainsthimself,andtheirtalkwentprettymuchasNjalhadguessed;butwhentheycametotalkofRangrivervale,andHrutaskedaboutthementhere,Gunnarsungthisstave——
“Meninsoothareslowtofind——
Sothepeoplespeakbystealth,Oftenthishathreachedmyears——
AllthroughRangar\'srollingvales。
StillItrowthatFiddleMord,Triedhishandinfightofyore;
Surewasnevergold-bestower,Suchamanformightandwit。“
ThenHrutsaid,“Thouartaskald,Hedinn。ButhastthouneverheardhowthingswentbetweenmeandMord?“ThenHedinnsunganotherstave——
“OnceIweenIheardtherumour,HowtheLordofrings1bereftthee;
Fromthinearmsearth\'soffspring2tearing,Trickfullheandtrustfulthou。
Thenthemen,thebuckler-bearers,Beggedthemightygold-begetter,Sharpswordoftofoldhereddened,Nottostandinstrifewiththee。“
Sotheywenton,tillHrut,inanswertoldhimhowthesuitmustbetakenup,andrecitedthesummons。Hedinnrepeateditallwrong,andHrutburstoutlaughing,andhadnomistrust。Thenhesaid,Hrutmustsummononcemore,andHrutdidso。ThenHedinnrepeatedthesummonsasecondtime,andthistimeright,andcalledhiscompanionstowitnesshowhesummonedHrutinasuitwhichUnna,Mord\'sdaughter,hadmadeovertohimwithherplightedhand。Atnighthewenttosleeplikeothermen,butassoonaseverHrutwassoundasleep,theytooktheirclothesandarms,andwentoutandcametotheirhorses,androdeoffacrosstheriver,andsoupalongthebankbyHiardarholttillthedalebrokeoffamongthehills,andsotheretheyareuponthefellsbetweenLaxriverdaleandHawkdale,havinggottoaspotwherenoonecouldfindthemunlesshehadfallenonthembychance。
HauskuldwakesupthatnightatHauskuldstede,androusedallhishousehold。“Iwilltellyoumydream,“hesaid。“IthoughtI
sawagreatbeargooutofthishouse,andIknewatoncethisbeast\'smatchwasnottobefound;twocubsfollowedhim,wishingwelltothebear,andtheyallmadeforHrutstedeandwentintothehousethere。AfterthatIwoke。NowIwishtoaskifanyofyousawaughtaboutyontallman。“
Thenonemanansweredhim,“Isawhowagoldenfringeandabitofscarletclothpeepedoutathisarm,andonhisrightarmhehadaringofgold。“
Hauskuldsaid,“Thisbeastisnoman\'sfetch,butGunnar\'sofLithend,andnowmethinksIseeallaboutit。Up!letusridetoHrutstede,“Andtheydidso。Hrutlayinhislockedbed,andaskswhohavecomethere?Hauskuldtellswhoheis,andaskedwhatguestsmightbethereinthehouse?
“OnlyHucksterHedinnishere,“saysHrut。
“Abroadermanacrosstheback,itwillbe,Ifear,“saysHauskuld,“IguessheremusthavebeenGunnarofLithend。“
“Thentherehasbeenaprettytrialofcunning,“saysHrut。
“Whathashappened?“saysHauskuld。
“ItoldhimhowtotakeupUnna\'ssuit,andIsummonedmyselfandhesummonedafter,andnowhecanusethisfirststepinthesuit,anditisrightinlaw。“
“Therehas,indeed,beenagreatfallingoffofwitononeside,“
saidHauskuld,“andGunnarcannothaveplanneditallbyhimself;
Njalmustbeatthebottomofthisplot,forthereisnothismatchforwitinalltheland。“
NowtheylookforHedinn,butheisalreadyoffandaway;afterthattheygatheredfolk,andlookedforthemthreedays,butcouldnotfindthem。GunnarrodesouthfromthefelltoHawkdaleandsoeastofSkard,andnorthtoHoltbeaconheath,andsoonuntilhegothome。
ENDNOTES:
1“Lordofrings,“aperiphrasisforachief,thatis,Mord。
2“Earth\'soffspring,“aperiphrasisforwoman,thatis,Unna。
24。GUNNARANDHRUTSTRIVEATTHETHING。
GunnarrodetotheAlthing,andHrutandHauskuldrodethithertoowithaverygreatcompany。Gunnarpursueshissuit,andbeganbycallingonhisneighbourstobearwitness,butHrutandhisbrotherhaditintheirmindstomakeanonslaughtonhim,buttheymistrustedtheirstrength。
GunnarnextwenttothecourtofthemenofBroadfirth,andbadeHrutlistentohisoathanddeclarationofthecauseofthesuit,andtoalltheproofswhichhewasabouttobringforward。Afterthathetookhisoath,anddeclaredhiscase。Afterthathebroughtforwardhiswitnessesofthesummons,alongwithhiswitnessesthatthesuithadbeenhandedovertohim。AllthistimeNjalwasnotatthecourt。NowGunnarpursuedhissuittillhecalledonthedefendanttoreply。ThenHruttookwitness,andsaidthesuitwasnaught,andthattherewasaflawinthepleading;hedeclaredthatithadbrokendownbecauseGunnarhadfailedtocallthosethreewitnesseswhichoughttohavebeenbroughtbeforethecourt。Thefirst,thatwhichwastakenbeforethemarriage-bed,thesecond,beforetheman\'sdoor,thethird,attheHillofLaws。BythistimeNjalwascometothecourtandsaidthesuitandpleadingmightstillbekeptaliveiftheychosetostriveinthatway。
“No,“saysGunnar,“Iwillnothavethat;IwilldothesametoHrutashedidtoMordmykinsman;or,arethosebrothersHrutandHauskuldsonearthattheymayhearmyvoice。“
“Hearitwecan,“saysHrut。“Whatdostthouwish?“
Gunnarsaid,“Nowallmenherepresentbeear-witnesses,thatI
challengetheeHruttosinglecombat,andweshallfightto-dayontheholm,whichishereinOxwater。Butifthouwiltnotfightwithme,thenpayupallthemoneythisveryday。“
AfterthatGunnarsungastave——
“Yes,somustitbe,thismorning——
Nowmymindisfulloffire——
HrutwithmeonyonderislandRaisesroarofhelmandshield。
Allthatbearmywordsbearwitness,WarriorsgraspingWoden\'sguard,UnlessthewealthywightdownpayethDowerofwifewithflowingveil。“
AfterthatGunnarwentawayfromthecourtwithallhisfollowers。HrutandHauskuldwenthometoo,andthesuitwasneverpursuednordefendedfromthatdayforth。Hrutsaid,assoonashegotinsidethebooth,“Thishasneverhappenedtomebefore,thatanymanhasofferedmecombatandIhaveshunnedit。“
“Thenthoumustmeantofight,“saysHauskuld,“butthatshallnotbeifIhavemyway;forthoucomestnonearertoGunnarthanMordwouldhavecometothee,andwehadbetterbothofuspayupthemoneytoGunnar。“
Afterthatthebrothersaskedthehouseholdersoftheirowncountrywhattheywouldlaydown,andtheyoneandallsaidtheywouldlaydownasmuchasHrutwished。
“Letusgothen,“saysHauskuld,“toGunnar\'sbooth,andpaydownthemoneyoutofhand。“ThatwastoldtoGunnar,andhewentoutintothedoorwayofthebooth,andHauskuldsaid,“Nowitisthinetotakethemoney。“
Gunnarsaid,“Payitdown,then,forIamreadytotakeit。“
Sotheypaiddownthemoneytrulyoutofhand,andthenHauskuldsaid,“Enjoyitnow,asthouhastgottenit。“ThenGunnarsanganotherstave:——
“MenwhowieldthebladeofbattleHoardedwealthmaywellenjoy,Guilelessgottenthisatleast,GoldenmeedIfearlesstake;
Butifweforwoman\'squarrel,Warriorsborntobrandishsword,Glutthewolfwithmanlygore,Worsethelotofbothwouldbe。“
Hrutanswered,“IIIwillbethymeedforthis。“
“Bethatasitmay,“saysGunnar。
ThenHauskuldandhisbrotherwenthometotheirbooth,andhehadmuchuponhismind,andsaidtoHrut,“WillthisunfairnessofGunnar\'sneverbeavenged?“
“Notso,“saysHrut;“\'twillbeavengedonhimsureenough,butweshallhavenosharenorprofitinthatvengeance。Andafterallitismostlikelythathewillturntoourstocktoseekforfriends。“
Afterthattheyleftoffspeakingofthematter。GunnarshowedNjalthemoney,andhesaid,“Thesuithasgoneoffwell。“
“Ay,“saysGunnar,“butitwasallthydoing。“
NowmenrodehomefromtheThing,andGunnargotverygreathonourfromthesuit。GunnarhandedoverallthemoneytoUnna,andwouldhavenoneofit,butsaidhethoughtheoughttolookmoreforhelpfromherandherkinhereafterthanfromothermen。
Shesaid,soitshouldbe。
25。UNNA\'SSECONDWEDDING
TherewasamannamedValgard,hekepthouseatHofbyRangriver,hewasthesonofJorundthePriest,andhisbrotherwasWolfAurpriest1。Thosebrothers,WolfAurpriest,andValgardtheGuileful,setofftowooUnna,andshegaveherselfawaytoValgardwithouttheadviceofanyofherkinsfolk。ButGunnarandNjal,andmanyothersthoughtillofthat,forhewasacross-grainedmanandhadfewfriends。Theybegotbetweenthemason,whosenamewasMord,andheislonginthisstory。Whenhewasgrowntoman\'sestate,heworkedilltohiskinsfolkbutworstofalltoGunnar。Hewasacraftymaninhistemper,butspitefulinhiscounsels。
NowwewillnameNjal\'ssons。Skarphedinnwastheeldestofthem。Hewasatallmaningrowth,andstrongwithal;agoodswordsman;hecouldswimlikeaseal,theswiftest-lootedofmen,andboldanddauntless;hehadagreatflowofwordsandquickutterance;agoodskaldtoo;butstillforthemostparthekepthimselfwellinhand;hishairwasdarkbrown,withcrispcurlylocks;hehadgoodeyes;hisfeaturesweresharp,andhisfaceashenpale,hisnoseturnedupandhisfrontteethstuckout,andhismouthwasveryugly。Stillhewasthemostsoldierlikeofmen。
GrimwasthenameofNjal\'ssecondson。Hewasfairoffaceandworehishairlong。Hishairwasdark,andhewascomeliertolookonthanSkarphedinn。Atallstrongman。
HelgiwasthenameofNjal\'sthirdson。Hetoowasfairoffaceandhadfinehair。Hewasastrongmanandwell-skilledinarms。
Hewasamanofsenseandknewwellhowtobehave。Theywereallunweddedatthattime,Njal\'ssons。
HauskuldwasthefourthofNjal\'ssons。Hewasbaseborn。HismotherwasRodny,andshewasHauskuld\'sdaughter,thesisterofIngialldoftheSprings。
NjalaskedSkarphedinnonedayifhewouldtaketohimselfawife。Hebadehisfathersettlethematter。ThenNjalaskedforhishandThorhilda,thedaughterofRanvirofThorolfsfell,andthatwaswhytheyhadanotherhomesteadthereafterthat。
SkarphedinngotThorhilda,buthestayedstillwithhisfathertotheend。GrimwooedAstridofDeepback;shewasawidowandverywealthy。Grimgothertowife,andyetlivedonwithNjal。
ENDNOTES:
1ThesonofRanveigtheSilly,thesonofValgard,thesonofAefar,thesonofVemundWordstopper,thesonofThorolfHooknose,thesonofThrandtheOld,thesonofHaroldHilditann,thesonofHraereckRingscatterer。ThemotherofHaroldHilditann,wasAudthedaughterofIvarWidefathom,thesonofHalfdantheClever。ThebrotherofValgardtheGuilefulwasWolfAurpriest——fromwhomthePointdwellerssprung——WolfAurpriestwasthefatherofSwart,thefatherofLodmund,thefatherofSigfus,thefatherofSaemundtheWise。ButfromValgardissprungKolbeintheYoung。
26。OFASGRIMANDHISCHILDREN
TherewasamannamedAsgrim1。HewasEllidagrim\'sson。ThebrotherofAsgrimEllidagrim\'ssonwasSigfus2。GaukTrandil\'ssonwasAsgrim\'sfoster-brother,whoissaidtohavebeenthefairestmanofhisday,andbestskilledinallthings;
butmatterswentillwiththem,forAsgrimslewGauk。
Asgrimhadtwosons,andeachofthemwasnamedThorhall。Theywerebothhopefulmen。GrimwasthenameofanotherofAsgrim\'ssons,andThorhallawashisdaughter\'sname。Shewasthefairestofwomen,andwellbehaved。
NjalcametotalkwithhissonHelgi,andsaid,“Ihavethoughtofamatchforthee,ifthouwiltfollowmyadvice。“
“ThatIwillsurely,“sayshe,“forIknowthatthoubothmeanestmewell,andcanstdowellforme;butwhitherhastthouturnedthineeyes。“
“WewillgoandwooAsgrimEllidagrim\'sson\'sdaughter,forthatisthebestchoicewecanmake。“
ENDNOTES:
1EllidagrimwasAsgrim\'sson,AundottheCrow\'sson。Hismother\'snamewasJorunn,andshewasthedaughterofTeit,thesonofKettlebjorntheOldofMossfell。ThemotherofTeitwasHelga,daughterofThordSkeggi\'sson,Hrapp\'sson,Bjorn\'ssontheRoughfooted,Grim\'sson,theLordofSogninNorway。ThemotherofJorunnwasOlofHarvest-heal,daughterofBodvar,Viking-Kari\'sson。
2HisdaughterwasThorgerda,motherofSigfus,thefatherofSaemundtheLearned。
27。HELGINJAL\'SSON\'SWOOING
AlittleaftertheyrodeoutacrossThursowater,andfaredtilltheycameintoTongue。Asgrimwasathome,andgavethemaheartywelcome;andtheyweretherethatnight。Nextmorningtheybegantotalk,andthenNjalraisedthequestionofthewooing,andaskedforThorhallaforhissonHelgi\'shand。Asgrimansweredthatwell,andsaidtherewerenomenwithwhomhewouldbemorewillingtomakethisbargainthanwiththem。Theyfella-talkingthenaboutterms,andtheendofitwasthatAsgrimbetrothedhisdaughtertoHelgi,andthebridaldaywasnamed。
Gunnarwasatthatfeast,andmanyotherofthebestmen。AfterthefeastNjalofferedtofosterinhishouseThorhall,Asgrim\'sson,andhewaswithNjallongafter。HelovedNjalmorethanhisownfather。Njaltaughthimlaw,sothathebecamethegreatestlawyerinIcelandinthosedays。
28。HALLVARDCOMESOUTTOICELAND
TherecameashipoutfromNorway,andranintoArnbael\'sOyce1,andthemasteroftheshipwasHallvardtheWhite,amanfromtheBay2。HewenttostayatLithend,andwaswithGunnarthatwinter,andwasalwaysaskinghimtofareabroadwithhim。Gunnarspokelittleaboutit,butyetsaidmoreunlikelythingsmighthappen;andaboutspringhewentovertoBergthorsknolltofindoutfromNjalwhetherhethoughtitawisestepinhimtogoabroad。
“Ithinkitiswise,“saysNjal;“theywillthinktheethereanhonourableman,asthouart。“
“WiltthouperhapstakemygoodsintothykeepingwhileIamaway,forIwishmybrotherKolskeggtofarewithme;butIwouldthatthoushouldstseeaftermyhouseholdalongwithmymother。“
“Iwillnotthrowanythinginthewayofthat,“saysNjal;“leanonmeinthisthingasmuchasthoulikest。“
“Goodgowiththeeforthywords,“saysGunnar,andheridesthenhome。
TheEasterling3fellagaintotalkwithGunnarthatheshouldfareabroad。Gunnaraskedifhehadeversailedtootherlands?
HesaidhehadsailedtoeveryoneofthemthatlaybetweenNorwayandRussia,andso,too,IhavesailedtoBiarmaland4。
“Wiltthousailwithmeeastwardho?“saysGunnar。
“ThatIwillofasurety,“sayshe。
ThenGunnarmadeuphismindtosailabroadwithhim。NjaltookallGunnar\'sgoodsintohiskeeping。
ENDNOTES:
1“Oyce,“anorthcountrywordforthemouthofariver,fromtheIcelandic。
2“TheBay“comp。ch。ii。,andotherpassages,thenamegiventothegreatbayintheeastofNorway,theentranceofwhichfromtheNorthSeaistheCattegat,andattheendofwhichistheChristianiaFirth。ThenamealsoappliestothelandroundtheBay,whichthusformedadistrict,theboundaryofwhich,ontheoneside,wasthepromontorycalledLindesnaes,ortheNaze,andontheother,theGota-Elf,theriveronwhichtheSwedishtownofGottenburgstands,andoffthemouthofwhichliestheislandofHisingen,mentionedshortlyafter。
3Easterling,i。e。,theNorsemanHallvard。
4Permia,thecountryonecomestoafterdoublingtheNorthCape。
29。GUNNARGOESABROAD
SoGunnarfaredabroad,andKolskeggwithhim。TheysailedfirsttoTonsberg1,andweretherethatwinter。TherehadthenbeenashiftofrulersinNorway。HaroldGrayfellwasthendead,andsowasGunnhillda。EarlHacontheBad,Sigurd\'sson,Hacon\'sson,Gritgarth\'sson,thenruledtherealm。ThemotherofHaconwasBergliot,thedaughterofEarlThorir。HermotherwasOlofHarvest-heal。ShewasHaroldFair-hair\'sdaughter。
HallvardasksGunnarifhewouldmakeuphismindtogotoEarlHacon?
“No;Iwillnotdothat,“saysGunnar。“Hastthoueveralong-
ship?“
“Ihavetwo,“hesays。
“ThenIwouldthatwetwowentonwarfare;andletusgetmentogowithus。“
“Iwilldothat,“saysHallvard。
AfterthattheywenttotheBay,andtookwiththemtwoships,andfittedthemoutthence。Theyhadgoodchoiceofmen,formuchpraisewassaidofGunnar。
“Whitherwiltthoufirstfare?“saysGunnar。
“Iwishtogosouth-easttoHisingen,toseemykinsmanOliver,“
saysHallvard。
“Whatdostthouwantofhim?“saysGunnar。
Heanswered,“Heisafinebravefellow,andhewillbesuretogetussomemorestrengthforourvoyage。“
“Thenletusgothither,“saysGunnar。
So,assoonastheywere“boun,“theyheldoneasttoHisingen,andhadthereaheartywelcome。GunnarhadonlybeenthereashorttimeereOlivermademuchofhim。Oliverasksabouthisvoyage,andHallvardsaysthatGunnarwishestogoa-warfaringtogathergoodsforhimself。
“There\'snousethinkingofthat,“saysOliver,“whenyehavenoforce。“
“Well“saysHallvard,“thenyoumayaddtoit。“
“SoIdomeantostrengthenGunnarsomewhat,“saysOliver;“andthoughthoureckonestthyselfmykithandkin,Ithinkthereismoregoodinhim。“
“Whatforce,now,wiltthouaddtoours?“heasks。
“Twolong-ships,onewithtwenty,andtheotherwiththirtyseatsforrowers。“
“Whoshallmanthem?“asksHallvard。
“Iwillmanoneofthemwithmyownhouse-carles,andthefreemenaroundshallmantheother。ButstillIhavefoundoutthatstrifehascomeintotheriver,andIknownotwhetheryetwowillbeabletogetaway;fortheyareintheriver。“
“Who?“saysHallvard。
“Brotherstwain,“saysOliver;“one\'snameisVandil,andtheother\'sKarli,sonsofSjolftheOld,eastawayoutofGothland。“
HallvardtoldGunnarthatOliverhadaddedsomeshipstotheirs,andGunnarwasgladatthat。Theybuskedthemfortheirvoyagethence,tilltheywere“allboun。“ThenGunnarandHallvardwentbeforeOliver,andthankedhim;hebadethemfarewarilyforthesakeofthosebrothers。
ENDNOTES:
1AtownatthemouthoftheChristianiaFirth。Itwasagreatplacefortrafficinearlytimes,andwaslongtheonlymartinthesouth-eastofNorway。
30。GUNNARGOESA-SEA-ROVING
SoGunnarheldonoutoftheriver,andheandKolskeggwerebothonboardoneship。ButHallvardwasonboardanother。Now,theyseetheshipsbeforethem,andthenGunnarspoke,andsaid,“Letusbereadyforanythingiftheyturntowardsus!butelseletushavenothingtodowiththem。“
Sotheydidthat,andmadeallreadyonboardtheirships。Theotherspartedtheirshipsasunder,andmadeafarewaybetweentheships。Gunnarfaredstraightonbetweentheships,butVandilcaughtupagrappling-iron,andcastitbetweentheirshipsandGunnar\'sship,andbeganatoncetodragittowardshim。
OliverhadgivenGunnaragoodsword;Gunnarnowdrewit,andhadnotyetputonhishelm。HeleaptatonceontheforecastleofVandil\'sship,andgaveonemanhisdeath-blow。KarliranhisshipalongsidetheothersideofGunnar\'sship,andhurledaspearathwartthedeck,andaimedathimaboutthewaist。Gunnarseesthis,andturnedhimaboutsoquicklythatnoeyecouldfollowhim,andcaughtthespearwithhislefthand,andhurleditbackatKarli\'sship,andthatmangothisdeathwhostoodbeforeit。KolskeggsnatchedupagrapnelandcastitatKarli\'sship,andtheflukefellinsidethehold,andwentoutthroughoneoftheplanksandinrushedthecoal-bluesea,andallthemensprangonboardotherships。
NowGunnarleaptbacktohisownship,andthenHallvardcameup,andnowagreatbattlearose。Theysawnowthattheirleaderwasunflinching,andeverymandidaswellashecould。SometimesGunnarsmotewiththesword,andsometimeshehurledthespear,andmanyamanhadhisbaneathishand。Kolskeggbackedhimwell。AsforKarli,hehastenedinashiptohisbrotherVandil,andthencetheyfoughtthatday。DuringthedayKolskeggtookarestonGunnar\'sship,andGunnarseesthat。Thenhesungasong——
“Fortheeagleravine-eager,Ravenofmyrace,to-dayBettersurelyhastthoucatered,Lordofgold,thanforthyself;
HerethemorncomegreedyravensManyanyarillofwolf1tosup,Buttheeburningthirstdown-beareth,Princeofbattle\'sParliament!“
AfterthatKolskeggtookabeakerfullofmead,anddrankitoff,andwentonfightingafterwards;andsoitcameaboutthatthosebrotherssprangupontheshipofVandilandhisbrother,andKolskeggwentononeside,andGunnarontheother。AgainstGunnarcameVandil,andsmoteatonceathimwithhissword,andtheblowfellonhisshield。Gunnargavetheshieldatwistastheswordpiercedit,andbrokeitshortoffatthehilt。ThenGunnarsmotebackatVandil,andthreeswordsseemedtobealoft,andVandilcouldnotseehowtoshuntheblow。ThenGunnarcutbothhislegsfromunderhim,andatthesametimeKolskeggranKarlithroughwithaspear。Afterthattheytookgreatwarspoil。
ThencetheyheldonsouthtoDenmark,andthenceeasttoSmoland,2andhadvictorywherevertheywent。Theydidnotcomebackinautumn。ThenextsummertheyheldontoReval,andfellintherewithsea-rovers,andfoughtatonce,andwonthefight。
AfterthattheysteeredeasttoOsel,3andlaytheresomewhileunderaness。Theretheysawamancomingdownfromthenessabovethem;Gunnarwentonshoretomeettheman,andtheyhadatalk。Gunnaraskedhimhisname,andhesaiditwasTofi。
Gunnaraskedagainwhathewanted。
“TheeIwanttosee,“saystheman。“Twowarshipslieontheothersideundertheness,andIwilltelltheewhocommandthem:
twobrothersarethecaptains——one\'snameisHallgrim,andtheother\'sKolskegg。Iknowthemtobemightymenofwar;andI
knowtoothattheyhavesuchgoodweaponsthatthelikearenottobehad。Hallgrimhasabillwhichhehadmadebyseething-
spells;andthisiswhatthespellssay,thatnoweaponshallgivehimhisdeath-blowsavethatbill。Thatthingfollowsittoothatitisknownatoncewhenamanistobeslainwiththatbill,forsomethingsingsinitsoloudlythatitmaybeheardalongwayoff——suchastrongnaturehasthatbillinit。“
ThenGunnarsangasong——
“SoonshallIthatspearheadseize,Andtheboldsea-roverslay,Himwhoseblowsonheadpiecering,Heaperupofpilesofdead。
ThenonEndil\'scourser4bounding,O\'erthesea-depthsIwillride,Whilethewretchwhospellsabuseth,LifeshallloseinSigar\'sstorm。“5
“Kolskegghasashortsword;thatisalsothebestofweapons。
Force,too,theyhave——athirdmorethanye。Theyhavealsomuchgoods,andhavestowedthemawayonland,andIknowclearlywheretheyare。Buttheyhavesentaspy-shipofftheness,andtheyknowallaboutyou。Nowtheyaregettingthemselvesreadyasfastastheycan;andassoonastheyare`boun,\'theymeantorunoutagainstyou。Nowyouhaveeithertorowawayatonce,ortobuskyourselvesasquicklyasyecan;butifyewinthedaythenIwillleadyoutoalltheirstoreofgoods。“
Gunnargavehimagoldenfinger-ring,andwentafterwardstohismenandtoldthemthatwar-shipslayontheothersideoftheness,“andtheyknowallaboutus;soletustaketoourarmsandbuskuswell,fornowthereisgaintobegot。“
Thentheybuskedthem;andjustwhentheywere`boun\'theyseeshipscominguptothem。Andnowafightsprungupbetweenthem,andtheyfoughtlong,andmanymenfell。Gunnarslewmanyaman。
HallgrimandhismenleaptonboardGunnar\'sship。Gunnarturnstomeethim,andHallgrimthrustathimwithhisbill。Therewasaboomathwarttheship,andGunnarleaptnimblybackoverit。
Gunnar\'sshieldwasjustbeforetheboom,andHallgrimthrusthisbillintoit,andthroughit,andsoonintotheboom。GunnarcutatHallgrim\'sarmhard,andlamedtheforearm,buttheswordwouldnotbite。Thendownfellthebill,andGunnarseizedthebill,andthrustHallgrimthrough,andthensangasong——
“Slainishewhospoiledthepeople,Lashingthemwithflashingsteel;
HeardhaveIhowHallgrim\'smagicHelm-rodforgedinforeignland;
Allmenknow,ofheart-stringsdoughty,Howthisbillhathcometome,Deftinfight,thewolf\'sdearfeeder,Deathaloneustwoshallpart。“
AndthatvowGunnarkept,inthatheborethebillwhilehelived。ThosenamesakesthetwoKolskeggsfoughttogether,anditwasanearthingwhichwouldgetthebetterofit。ThenGunnarcameup,andgavetheotherKolskegghisdeath-blow。
Afterthatthesea-roversbeggedformercy。Gunnarletthemhavethatchoice,andheletthemalsocounttheslain,andtakethegoodswhichthedeadmenowned,buthegavetheotherswhomhesparedtheirarmsandtheirclothing,andbadethembeofftothelandsthatfosteredthem。Sotheywentoff,andGunnartookallthegoodsthatwereleftbehind。
ToficametoGunnerafterthebattle,andofferedtoleadhimtothatstoreofgoodswhichthesea-rovershadstowedaway,andsaidthatitwasbothbetterandlargerthanthatwhichtheyhadalreadygot。
Gunnarsaidhewaswillingtogo,andsohewentashore,andTofibeforehim,toawood,andGunnarbehindhim。Theycametoaplacewhereagreatheapofwoodwaspiledtogether。Tofisaysthegoodswereunderthere,thentheytossedoffthewood,andfoundunderitbothgoldandsilver,clothes,andgoodweapons。
Theyborethosegoodstotheships,andGunnarasksTofiinwhatwayhewishedhimtorepayhim。
Tofianswered,“IamaDanskmanbyrace,andIwishthouwouldstbringmetomykinsfolk。“
Gunnaraskswhyhewasthereawayeast?
“Iwastakenbysea-rovers,“saysTofi,“andtheyputmeonlandhereinOsel,andhereIhavebeeneversince。“
ENDNOTES:
1Rillofwolf——streamofblood。
2AprovinceofSweden。
3AnislandintheBaltic,offthecoastofEsthonia。
4“Endil\'scourser“——periphrasisforaship。
5“Sigar\'sstorm“——periphrasisforasea-fight。
31。GUNNARGOESTOKINGHAROLDGORM\'SSONANDEARLHACON
GunnartookTofionboard,andsaidtoKolskeggandHallvard,“Nowwewillholdourcourseforthenorthlands。“
Theywerewellpleasedatthat,andbadehimhavehisway。SoGunnarsailedfromtheeastwithmuchgoods。Hehadtenships,andraninwiththemtoHeidarbyinDenmark。KingHaroldGorm\'ssonwasthereupthecountry,andhewastoldaboutGunnar,andhowtoothattherewasnomanhismatchinallIceland。Hesentmentohimtoaskhimtocometohim,andGunnarwentatoncetoseetheking,andthekingmadehimaheartywelcome,andsathimdownnexttohimself。Gunnarwastherehalfamonth。ThekingmadehimselfsportbylettingGunnarprovehimselfindiversfeatsofstrengthagainsthismen,andtherewerenonethatwerehismatcheveninonefeat。
ThenthekingsaidtoGunnar,“Itseemstomeasthoughthypeerisnottobefoundfarornear,“andthekingofferedtogetGunnarawife,andtoraisehimtogreatpowerifhewouldsettledownthere。
Gunnarthankedthekingforhisofferandsaid,“IwillfirstofallsailbacktoIcelandtoseemyfriendsandkinsfolk。“
“Thenthouwiltnevercomebacktous,“saystheking。
“Fatewillsettlethat,lord,“saysGunnar。
Gunnargavethekingagoodlong-ship,andmuchgoodsbesides,andthekinggavehimarobeofhonour,andgolden-seamedgloves,andafilletwithaknotofgoldonit,andaRussianhat。
ThenGunnarfarednorthtoHisingen。Oliverwelcomedhimwithbothhands,andhegavebacktoOliverhisships,withtheirlading,andsaidthatwashisshareofthespoil。Olivertookthegoods,andsaidGunnarwasagoodmanandtrue,andbadehimstaywithhimsomewhile。HallvardaskedGunnarifhehadamindtogotoseeEarlHacon。Gunnarsaidthatwasnearhisheart,“fornowIamsomewhatproved,butthenIwasnottriedatallwhenthoubadestmedothisbefore。“
AfterthattheyfarednorthtoDrontheimtoseeEarlHacon,andhegaveGunnaraheartywelcome,andbadehimstaywithhimthatwinter,andGunnartookthatoffer,andeverymanthoughthimamanofgreatworth。AtYuletheEarlgavehimagoldring。
GunnarsethisheartonBergliota,theEarl\'skinswoman,anditwasoftentobeseenfromtheEarl\'sway,thathewouldhavegivenhertohimtowifeifGunnarhadsaidanythingaboutthat。
32。GUNNARCOMESOUTTOICELAND
Whenthespringcame,theEarlasksGunnarwhatcoursehemeanttotake。HesaidhewouldgotoIceland。TheEarlsaidthathadbeenabadyearforgrain,“andtherewillbelittlesailingouttoIceland,butstillthoushalthavemealandtimberbothinthyship。“
Gunnarfittedouthisshipasearlyashecould,andHallvardfaredoutwithhimandKolskegg。Theycameoutearlyinthesummer,andmadeArnbael\'sOycebeforetheThingmet。
Gunnarrodehomefromtheship,butgotmentostripherandlayherup。Butwhentheycamehomeallmenweregladtoseethem。
Theywereblitheandmerrytotheirhousehold,norhadtheirhaughtinessgrownwhiletheywereaway。
GunnarasksifNjalwereathome;andhewastoldthathewasathome;thenheletthemsaddlehishorse,andthosebrothersrodeovertoBergthorsknoll。
Njalwasgladattheircoming,andbeggedthemtostaytherethatnight,andGunnartoldhimofhisvoyages。
Njalsaidhewasamanofthegreatestmark,“andthouhastbeenmuchproved;butstillthouwiltbemoretriedhereafter;formanywillenvythee。“
“WithallmenIwouldwishtostandwell,“saysGunnar。
“Muchbadwillhappen,“saidNjal,“andthouwiltalwayshavesomequarreltowardoff。“
“Sobeit,then,“saysGunnar,“sothatIhaveagoodgroundonmyside。“
“Sowillitbetoo,“saysNjaI,“ifthouhastnottosmartforothers。“
NjalaskedGunnarifhewouldridetotheThing。Gunnarsaidhewasgoingtoridethither,andasksNjalwhetherheweregoingtoride;buthesaidhewouldnotridethither,“andifIhadmywillthouwouldstdothelike。“
Gunnarrodehome,andgaveNjalgoodgifts,andthankedhimforthecarehehadtakenofhisgoods。KolskeggurgedhimonmuchtoridetotheThing,saying,“Therethyhonourwillgrow,formanywillflocktoseetheethere。“
“Thathasbeenlittletomymind,“saysGunnar,“tomakeashowofmyself;butIthinkitgoodandrighttomeetgoodandworthymen。“
Hallvardbythistimewasalsocomethither,andofferedtoridetothethingwiththem。
33。GUNNAR\'SWOOING
SoGunnarrode,andtheyallrode。ButwhentheycametotheThingtheyweresowellarrayedthatnonecouldmatchtheminbravery;andmencameoutofeveryboothtowonderatthem。
GunnarrodetotheboothsofthemenofRangriver,andwastherewithhiskinsmen。ManymencametoseeGunnar,andasktidingsofhim;andhewaseasyandmerrytoallmen,andtoldthemalltheywishedtohear。
IthappenedonedaythatGunnarwentawayfromtheHillofLaws,andpassedbytheboothsofthemenfromMossfell;thenhesawawomancomingtomeethim,andshewasingoodlyattire;butwhentheymetshespoketoGunnaratonce。Hetookhergreetingwell,andaskswhatwomanshemightbe。ShetoldhimhernamewasHallgerda,andsaidshewasHauskuld\'sdaughter,Dalakoll\'sson。
Shespokeupboldlytohim,andbadehimtellherofhisvoyages;
buthesaidhewouldnotgainsayheratalk。Thentheysatthemdownandtalked。Shewassocladthatshehadonaredkirtle,andhadthrownoverherascarletcloaktrimmedwithneedleworkdowntothewaist。Herhaircamedowntoherbosom,andwasbothfairandfull。GunnarwascladinthescarletclotheswhichKingHaroldGorm\'ssonhadgivenhim;hehadalsothegoldringonhisarmwhichEarlHaconhadgivenhim。
Sotheytalkedlongoutloud,andatlastitcameaboutthatheaskedwhethershewereunmarried。Shesaid,soitwas,“andtherearenotmanywhowouldruntheriskofthat。“
“Thinkestthounonegoodenoughforthee?“
“Notthat,“shesays,“butIamsaidtobehardtopleaseinhusbands。“
“Howwouldstthouanswer,wereItoaskforthee?“
“Thatcannotbeinthymind,“shesays。
“Itisthough,“sayshe。
“Ifthouhastanymindthatway,goandseemyfather。“
Afterthattheybrokeofftheirtalk。
GunnarwentstraightwaytotheDalesmen\'sbooths,andmetamanoutsidethedoorway,andaskswhetherHauskuldwereinsidethebooth?
Themansaysthathewas。ThenGunnarwentin,andHauskuldandHrutmadehimwelcome。Hesatdownbetweenthem,andnoonecouldfindoutfromtheirtalkthattherehadeverbeenanymisunderstandingbetweenthem。AtlastGunnar\'sspeechturnedthither;howthesebrotherswouldanswerifheaskedforHallgerda?
“Well,“saysHauskuld,“ifthatisindeedthymind。“
Gunnarsaysthatheisinearnest,“butwesopartedlasttime,thatmanywouldthinkitunlikelythatweshouldeverbeboundtogether。“
“Howthinkestthou,kinsmanHrut?“saysHauskuld。
Hrutanswered,“Methinksthisisnoevenmatch。“
“Howdostthoumakethatout?“saysGunnar。
Hrutspoke,“InthiswisewillIanswertheeaboutthismatter,asistheverytruth。Thouartabriskbravemanwelltodo,andunblemished;butsheismuchmixedupwithillreport,andIwillnotcheattheeinanything。“
“Goodgowiththeeforthywords,“saysGunnar,“butstillI
shallholdthatfortrue,thattheoldfeudweighswithye,ifyewillnotletmemakethismatch。“
“Notso,“saysHrut,“\'tismorebecauseIseethatthouartunabletohelpthyself;butthoughwemakenobargain,wewouldstillbethyfriends。“
“Ihavetalkedtoheraboutit,“saysGunnar,“anditisnotfarfromhermind。“
Hrutsays,“Iknowthatyouhavebothsetyourheartsonthismatch;and,besides,yetwoarethosewhorunthemostriskastohowitturnsout。“
HruttoldGunnarunaskedallaboutHallgerda\'stemper,andGunnaratfirstthoughtthattherewasmorethanenoughthatwaswanting;butatlastitcameaboutthattheystruckabargain。
ThenHallgerdawassentfor,andtheytalkedoverthebusinesswhenshewasby,andnow,asbefore,theymadeherbetrothherself。ThebridalfeastwastobeatLithend,andatfirsttheyweretosetaboutitsecretly;buttheendafterallwasthateveryoneknewofit。
GunnarrodehomefromtheThing,andcametoBergthorsknoll,andtoldNjalofthebargainhehadmade。Hetookitheavily。
GunnarasksNjalwhyhethoughtthissounwise?
“Becausefromher,“saysNjal,“willariseallkindofillifshecomeshithereast。“
“Nevershallshespoilourfriendship,“saysGunnar。
“Ah!butyetthatmaycomeverynear,“saysNjal;“and,besides,thouwilthavealwaystomakeatonementforher。“
GunnaraskedNjaltothewedding,andallthoseaswellwhomhewishedshouldbeatitfromNjal\'shouse。
Njalpromisedtogo;andafterthatGunnarrodehome,andthenrodeaboutthedistricttobidmentohiswedding。
34。OFTHRAINSIGFUS\'SON
TherewasamannamedThrain,hewasthesonofSigfus,thesonofSighvattheRed。HekepthouseatGritwateronFleetlithe。
HewasGunnar\'skinsman,andamanofgreatmark。HehadtowifeThorhilldaSkaldwife;shehadasharptongueofherown,andwasgiventojeering。Thrainlovedherlittle。Heandhiswifewerebiddentothewedding,andsheandBergthora,Skarphedinn\'sdaughter,Njal\'swife,waitedontheguestswithmeatanddrink。
KettlewasthenameofthesecondsonofSigfus;hekepthouseintheMark,eastofMarkfleet。HehadtowifeThorgerda,Njal\'sdaughter。ThorkellwasthenameofthethirdsonofSigfus;thefourth\'snamewasMord;thefifth\'sLambi;thesixth\'sSigmund;
theseventh\'sSigurd。ThesewereallGunnar\'skinsmen,andgreatchampions。Gunnarbadethemalltothewedding。
GunnarhadalsobiddenValgardtheGuileful,andWolfAurpriest,andtheirsonsRunolfandMord。
HauskuldandHrutcametotheweddingwithaverygreatcompany,andthesonsofHauskuld,Thorleik,andOlof,werethere;thebride,too,camealongwiththem,andherdaughterThorgerdacamealso,andshewasoneofthefairestofwomen;shewasthenfourteenwintersold。Manyotherwomenwerewithher,andbesidestherewereThorkatlaAsgrimEllidagrim\'sson\'sdaughter,andNjal\'stwodaughters,ThorgerdaandHelga。
Gunnarhadalreadymanygueststomeetthem,andhethusarrangedhismen。Hesatonthemiddleofthebench,andontheinside,awayfromhim,ThrainSigfus\'son,thenWolfAurpriest,thenValgardtheGuileful,thenMordandRunolf,thentheothersonsofSigfus,Lambisatoutermostofthem。
NexttoGunnarontheoutside,awayfromhim,satNjal,thenSkarphedinn,thenHelgi,thenGrim,thenHauskuldNjal\'sson,thenHafrtheWise,thenIngialldfromtheSprings,thenthesonsofThorirfromHoltawayeast。Thorirwouldsitoutermostofthemenofmark,foreveryonewaspleasedwiththeseathegot。
Hauskuld,thebride\'sfather,satonthemiddleofthebenchoveragainstGunnar,buthissonssatontheinsideawayfromhim;
HrutsatontheoutsideawayfromHauskuld,butitisnotsaidhowtheotherswereplaced。Thebridesatinthemiddleofthecrossbenchonthedais;butononehandofhersatherdaughterThorgerda,andontheotherThorkatlaAsgrimEllidagrim\'sson\'sdaughter。
Thorhilldawentaboutwaitingontheguests,andBergthoraborethemeatontheboard。
NowThrainSigfus\'sonkeptstaringatThorgerdaGlum\'sdaughter;
hiswifeThorhilldasawthis,andshegotwroth,andmadeacoupletuponhim。
“Thrain,“shesays,“Gapingmouthsarenowisegood,Goggleeyneareinthyhead。“
Heroseatonceupfromtheboard,andsaidhewouldputThorhilldaaway。“Iwillnotbearherjibesandjeersanylonger;“andhewassoquarrelsomeaboutthis,thathewouldnotbeatthefeastunlesssheweredrivenaway。Andsoitwas,thatshewentaway;andnoweachmansatinhisplace,andtheydrankandwereglad。
ThenThrainbegantospeak,“Iwillnotwhisperaboutthatwhichisinmymind。ThisIwillaskthee,HauskuldDalakoll\'sson,wiltthougivemetowifeThorgerda,thykinswoman?“
“Idonotknowthat,“saysHauskuld;“methinksthouartillpartedfromtheonethouhadstbefore。Butwhatkindofmanishe,Gunnar?“
Gunnaranswers,“Iwillnotsayaughtabouttheman,becauseheisnearofkin;butsaythouabouthim,Njal,“saysGunnar,“forallmenwillbelieveit。“
Njalspoke,andsaid,“Thatistobesaidofthisman,thatthemaniswelltodoforwealth,andapropermaninallthings。A
man,too,ofthegreatestmark;sothatyemaywellmakethismatchwithhim。“
ThenHauskuldspoke,“Whatthinkestthouweoughttodo,kinsmanHrut?“
“Thoumaystmakethematch,becauseitisanevenoneforher,“
saysHrut。
Thentheytalkaboutthetermsofthebargain,andaresoonofonemindonallpoints。
ThenGunnarstandsup,andThraintoo,andtheygotothecrossbench。Gunnaraskedthatmotheranddaughterwhethertheywouldsayyestothisbargain。Theysaidtheywouldfindnofaultwithit,andHallgerdabetrothedherdaughter。Thentheplacesofthewomenwereshiftedagain,andnowThorhallasatebetweenthebrides。Andnowthefeastspedonwell,andwhenitwasover,Hauskuldandhiscompanyridewest,butthemenofRangriverrodetotheirownabode。Gunnargavemanymengifts,andthatmadehimmuchliked。
Hallgerdatookthehousekeepingunderher,andstoodupforherrightsinwordanddeed。ThorgerdatooktohousekeepingatGritwater,andwasagoodhousewife。
35。THEVISITTOBERGTHORSKNOLL
NowitwasthecustombetweenGunnarandNjal,thateachmadetheotherafeast,winterandwinterabout,forfriendship\'ssake;
anditwasGunnar\'sturntogotofeastatNjal\'s。SoGunnarandHallgerdasetoffforBergthorsknoll,andwhentheygotthereHelgiandhiswifewerenotathome。NjalgaveGunnarandhiswifeaheartywelcome,andwhentheyhadbeentherealittlewhile,HelgicamehomewithThorhallahiswife。ThenBergthorawentuptothecrossbench,andThorhallawithher,andBergthorasaidtoHallgerda,“Thoushaltgiveplacetothiswoman。“
Sheanswered,“TonoonewillIgiveplace,forIwillnotbedrivenintothecornerforanyone。“
“Ishallrulehere,“saidBergthora。AfterthatThorhallasatdown,andBergthorawentroundthetablewithwatertowashtheguests\'hands。ThenHallgerdatookholdofBergthora\'shand,andsaid,“There\'snotmuchtochoose,though,betweenyoutwo。Thouhasthangnailsoneveryfinger,andNjalisbeardless。“
“That\'strue,“saysBergthora,“yetneitherofusfindsfaultwiththeotherforit;butThorwald,thyhusband,wasnotbeardless,andyetthouplottedsthisdeath。“
ThenHallgerdasaid,“ItstandsmeinlittlesteadtohavethebravestmaninIcelandifthoudostnotavengethis,Gunnar!“
Hesprangupandstrodeacrossawayfromtheboard,andsaid,“HomeIwillgo,anditweremoreseemlythatthoushouldestwranglewiththoseofthineownhousehold,andnotunderothermen\'sroofs;butasforNjaI,Iamhisdebtorformuchhonour,andneverwillIbeeggedonbytheelikeafool。“
Afterthattheysetoffhome。
“MindthisBergthora,“saidHallgerda,“thatweshallmeetagain。“
Bergthorasaidsheshouldnotbebetteroffforthat。Gunnarsaidnothingatall,butwenthometoLithend,andwasthereathomeallthewinter。AndnowthesummerwasrunningontowardstheGreatThing。
36。KOLSLEWSWART
GunnarrodeawaytotheThing,butbeforeherodefromhomehesaidtoHallgerda,“BegoodnowwhileIamaway,andshownoneofthineilltemperinanythingwithwhichmyfriendshavetodo。“
“Thetrollstakethyfriends,“saysHallgerda。
SoGunnarrodetotheThing,andsawitwasnotgoodtocometowordswithher。NjalrodetotheThingtoo,andallhissonswithhim。
Nowitmustbetoldofwhattidingshappenedathome。NjalandGunnarownedawoodincommonatRedslip;theyhadnotsharedthewood,buteachwaswonttohewinitasheneeded,andneithersaidawordtotheotheraboutthat。Hallgerda\'sgrieve\'s1
namewasKol;hehadbeenwithherlong,andwasoneoftheworstofmen。TherewasamannamedSwart;hewasNjal\'sandBergthora\'shousecarle;theywereveryfondofhim。NowBergthoratoldhimthathemustgoupintoRedslipandhewwood;
butshesaid,“Iwillgetmentodrawhomethewood。“
Hesaidhewoulddotheworkshesethimtowin;andsohewentupintoRedslip,andwastobethereaweek。
SomegangrelmencametoLithendfromtheeastacrossMarkfleet,andsaidthatSwarthadbeeninRedslip,andhewnwood,anddoneadealofwork。
“So,“saysHallgerda,“Bergthoramustmeantorobmeinmanythings,butI\'lltakecarethathedoesnothewagain。“
Rannveig,Gunnar\'smother,heardthat,andsaid,“Therehavebeengoodhousewivesbeforenow,thoughtheyneversettheirheartsonmanslaughter。“
Nowthenightworeaway,andearlynextmorningHallgerdacametospeaktoKol,andsaid,“Ihavethoughtofsomeworkforthee;“
andwiththatsheputweaponsintohishands,andwentontosay——“FarethoutoRedslip;therewiltthoufindSwart。“