第3章
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  “WhatshallIdotohim?“hesays。

  “Askestthouthat,whenthouarttheworstofmen?“shesays。

  “Thoushaltkillhim。“

  “Icangetthatdone,“hesays,“but\'tismorelikelythatI

  shalllosemyownlifeforit。“

  “Everythinggrowsbiginthyeyes,“shesays,“andthoubehavestilltosaythisafterIhavespokenupfortheeineverything。I

  mustgetanothermantodothisifthoudarestnot。“

  Hetooktheaxe,andwasverywroth,andtakesahorsethatGunnarowned,andridesnowtillhecomeseastofMarkfleet。

  Therehegotoffandbidedinthewood,tilltheyhadcarrieddownthefirewood,andSwartwasleftalonebehind。ThenKolsprangonhim,andsaid,“Morefolkcanhewgreatstrokesthanthoualone;“andsohelaidtheaxeonhishead,andsmotehimhisdeath-blow,andrideshomeafterwards,andtellsHallgerdaoftheslaying。

  Shesaid,“Ishalltakesuchgoodcareofthee,thatnoharmshallcometothee。“

  “Maybeso,“sayshe,“butIdreamtalltheotherwayasIsleptereIdidthedeed。“

  Nowtheycomeupintothewood,andfindSwartslain,andbearhimhome。HallgerdasentamantoGunnarattheThingtotellhimoftheslaying。GunnarsaidnohardwordsatfirstofHallgerdatothemessenger,andmenknewnotatfirstwhetherhethoughtwellorillofit。Alittleafterhestoodup,andbadehismengowithhim:theydidso,andfaredtoNjal\'sbooth。

  GunnarsentamantofetchNjal,andbeggedhimtocomeout。

  Njalwentoutatonce,andheandGunnarfella-talking,andGunnarsaid,“Ihavetotelltheeoftheslayingofaman,andmywifeandmygrieveKolwerethosewhodidit;butSwart,thyhousecarle,fellbeforethem。“

  Njalheldhispeacewhilehetoldhimthewholestory。ThenNjalspoke,“Thoumusttakeheednottoletherhaveherwayineverything。“

  Gunnarsaid,“Thouthyselfshaltsettletheterms。“

  Njalspokeagain,“\'TwillbehardworkfortheetoatoneforallHallgerda\'smischief;andsomewhereelsetherewillbeabroadertrailtofollowthanthiswhichwetwonowhaveasharein,andyet,evenheretherewillbemuchawantingbeforeallbewell;

  andhereinweshallneedtobearinmindthefriendlywordsthatpassedbetweenusofold;andsomethingtellsmethatthouwiltcomewelloutofit,butstillthouwiltbesoretried。“

  ThenNjaltooktheawardintohisownhandsfromGunnar,andsaid,“Iwillnotpushthismattertotheuttermost;thoushaltpaytwelveouncesofsilver;butIwilladdthistomyaward,thatifanythinghappensfromourhomesteadaboutwhichthouhasttoutteranaward,thouwiltnotbelesseasyinthyterms。“

  Gunnarpaidupthemoneyoutofhand,androdehomeafterwards。

  Njal,too,camehomefromtheThing,andhissons。Bergthorasawthemoney,andsaid,“Thisisveryjustlysettled;butevenasmuchmoneyshallbepaidforKolastimegoeson。“

  GunnarcamehomefromtheThingandblamedHallgerda。Shesaid,bettermenlayunatonedinmanyplaces。Gunnarsaid,shemighthaveherwayinbeginningaquarrel,“buthowthematteristobesettledrestswithme。“

  HallgerdawasforeverchatteringofSwart\'sslaying,butBergthoralikedthatill。OnceNjalandhersonswentuptoThorolfsfelltoseeaboutthehouse-keepingthere,butthatselfsamedaythisthinghappenedwhenBergthorawasoutofdoors:

  sheseesamanrideuptothehouseonablackhorse。Shestayedthereanddidnotgoin,forshedidnotknowtheman。Thatmanhadaspearinhishand,andwasgirdedwithashortsword。Sheaskedthismanhisname。

  “Atliismyname,“sayshe。

  Sheaskedwhencehecame。

  “IamanEastfirther,“hesays。

  “Whithershaltthougo?“shesays。

  “Iamahomelessman,“sayshe,“andIthoughttoseeNjalandSkarphedinn,andknowiftheywouldtakemein。“

  “Whatworkishandiesttothee?“saysshe。

  “Iamamanusedtofield-work,“hesays,“andmanythingselsecomeveryhandytome;butIwillnothidefromtheethatIamamanofhardtemper,andithasbeenmanyaman\'slotbeforenowtobindupwoundsatmyhand。“

  “Idonotblamethee,“shesays,“thoughthouartnomilksop。“

  Atlisaid,“Hastthouanyvoiceinthingshere?“

  “IamNjal\'swife,“shesays,“andIhaveasmuchtosaytoourhousefolkashe。“

  “Wiltthoutakemeinthen?“sayshe。

  “Iwillgivetheethychoiceofthat,“saysshe。“IfthouwiltdoalltheworkthatIsetbeforethee,andthat,thoughIwishtosendtheewhereaman\'slifeisatstake。“

  “Thoumusthavesomanymenatthybeck,“sayshe,“thatthouwiltnotneedmeforsuchwork。“

  “ThatIwillsettleasIplease,“shesays。

  “Wewillstrikeabargainontheseterms,“sayshe。

  Thenshetookhimintothehousehold。NjalandhissonscamehomeandaskedBergthorawhatmanthatmightbe?

  “Heisthyhouse-carle,“shesays,“andItookhimin。“Thenshewentontosayhewasnosluggardatwork。

  “Hewillbeagreatworkerenough,Idaresay,“saysNjal,“butI

  donotknowwhetherhewillbesuchagoodworker。“

  SkarphedinnwasgoodtoAtli。

  NjalandhissonsridetotheThinginthecourseofthesummer;

  GunnarwasalsoattheThing。

  Njaltookoutapurseofmoney。

  “Whatmoneyisthat,father?“

  “HereisthemoneythatGunnarpaidmeforourhousecarlelastsummer。“

  “Thatwillcometostandtheeinsomestead,“saysSkarphedinn,andsmiledashespoke。

  ENDNOTES:

  1Grieve,i。e。,bailiff,headworkman。

  37。THESLAYINGOFKOL,WHOMATLISLEW

  Nowwemusttakeupthestoryandsay,thatAtliaskedBergthorawhatworkheshoulddothatday?

  “Ihavethoughtofsomeworkforthee,“shesays;“thoushaltgoandlookforKoluntilthoufindhim;fornowshaltthouslayhimthisveryday,ifthouwiltdomywill。“

  “Thisworkiswellfitted,“saysAtli,“foreachofustwoarebadfellows;butstillIwillsolaymyselfoutforhimthatoneorotherofusshalldie。“

  “Wellmaystthoufare,“shesays,“andthoushaltnotdothisdeedfornothing。“

  Hetookhisweaponsandhishorse,androdeuptoFleetlithe,andtheremetmenwhowerecomingdownfromLithend。TheywereathomeeastintheMark。TheyaskedAtliwhitherhemeanttogo?

  Hesaidhewasridingtolookforanoldjade。Theysaidthatwasasmallerrandforsuchaworkman,“butstill\'twouldbebettertoaskthosewhohavebeenaboutlastnight。“

  “Whoarethey?“sayshe。

  “Killing-Kol,“saythey,“Hallgerda\'shouse-carle,faredfromthefoldjustnow,andhasbeenawakeallnight。“

  “IdonotknowwhetherIdaretomeethim,“saysAtli,“heisbad-tempered,andmaybethatIshallletanother\'swoundbemywarning。“

  “Thoubearestthatlookbeneaththebrowsasthoughthouwertnocoward,“theysaid,andshowedhimwhereKolwas。

  Thenhespurredhishorseandridesfast,andwhenhemeetsKo1,Atlisaidtohim,“Gothepack-saddlebandswell,“saysAtli。

  “That\'snobusinessofthine,worthlessfellow,norofanyoneelsewhencethoucomest。“

  Atlisaid,“Thouhastsomethingbehindthatisearnestwork,butthatistodie。“

  AfterthatAtlithrustathimwithhisspear,andstruckhimabouthismiddle。Kolsweptathimwithhisaxe,butmissedhim,andfelloffhishorse,anddiedatonce。

  AtlirodetillhemetsomeofHallgerda\'sworkmen,andsaid,“Goyeuptothehorseyonder,andlooktoKol,forhehasfallenoff,andisdead。“

  “Hastthouslainhim?“saythey。

  “Well,\'twillseemtoHallgerdaasthoughhehasnotfallenbyhisownhand。“

  AfterthatAtlirodehomeandtoldBergthora;shethankedhimforthisdeed,andforthewordswhichhehadspokenaboutit。

  “Idonotknow,“sayshe,“whatNjalwillthinkofthis。“

  “Hewilltakeitwelluponhishands,“shesays,“andIwilltelltheeonethingasatokenofit,thathehascarriedawaywithhimtotheThingthepriceofthatthrallwhichwetooklastspring,andthatmoneywillnowserveforKol;butthoughpeacebemadethoumuststillbewareofthyself,forHallgerdawillkeepnopeace。“

  “WiltthousendatallamantoNjaltotellhimoftheslaying?“

  “Iwillnot,“shesays,“IshouldlikeitbetterthatKolwereunatoned。“

  Thentheystoppedtalkingaboutit。

  HallgerdawastoldofKol\'sslaying,andofthewordsthatAtlihadsaid。ShesaidAtlishouldbepaidoffforthem。ShesentamantotheThingtotellGunnarofKol\'sslaying;heansweredlittleornothing,andsentamantotellNjal。Hetoomadenoanswer,butSkarphedinnsaid,“Thrallsaremenofmoremettlethanofyore;theyusedtoflyateachotherandfight,andnoonethoughtmuchharmofthat;butnowtheywilldonaughtbutkill,“andashesaidthishesmiled。

  Njalpulleddownthepurseofmoneywhichhungupinthebooth,andwentout:hissonswentwithhimtoGunnar\'sbooth。

  Skarphedinnsaidtoamanwhowasinthedoorwayofthebooth,“SaythoutoGunnarthatmyfatherwantstoseehim。“

  Hedidso,andGunnarwentoutatonceandgaveNjalaheartywelcome。Afterthattheybegantotalk。

  “\'Tisilldone,“saysNjal,“thatmyhousewifeshouldhavebrokenthepeace,andletthyhouse-carlebeslain。“

  “Sheshallnothaveblameforthat,“saysGunnar。

  “Settletheawardthyself,“saysNjal。

  “SoIwilldo,“saysGunnar,“andIvaluethosetwomenatanevenprice,SwartandKol。Thoushaltpaymetwelveouncesinsilver。“

  NjaltookthepurseofmoneyandhandedittoGunnar。Gunnarknewthemoney,andsawitwasthesamethathehadpaidNjal。

  Njalwentawaytohisbooth,andtheywerejustasgoodfriendsasbefore。WhenNjalcamehome,heblamedBergthora;butshesaidshewouldnevergivewaytoHallgerda。HallgerdawasverycrosswithGunnar,becausehehadmadepeaceforKol\'sslaying。

  GunnartoldherhewouldneverbreakwithNjalorhissons,andsheflewintoagreatrage;butGunnartooknoheedofthat,andsotheysatforthatyear,andnothingnoteworthyhappened。

  38。THEKILLINGOFATLITHETHRALL

  NextspringNjalsaidtoAtli,“Iwishthatthouwouldstchangethyabodetotheeastfirths,sothatHallgerdamaynotputanendtothylife?“

  “Iamnotafraidofthat,“saysAtli,“andIwillwillinglystayathomeifIhavethechoice。“

  “Stillthatislesswise,“saysNjal。

  “Ithinkitbettertolosemylifeinthyhousethantochangemymaster;butthisIwillbegofthee,ifIamslain,thatathrall\'spriceshallnotbepaidforme。“

  “Thoushaltbeatonedforasafreeman;butperhapsBergthorawillmaketheeapromisewhichshewillfulfil,thatrevenge,manforman,shallbetakenforthee。“

  Thenhemadeuphismindtobeahiredservantthere。

  NowitmustbetoldofHallgerdathatshesentamanwesttoBearfirth,tofetchBrynjolftheUnruly,herkinsman。HewasabasesonofSwan,andhewasoneoftheworstofmen。Gunnarknewnothingaboutit。Hallgerdasaidhewaswellfittedtobeagrieve。SoBrynjolfcamefromthewest,andGunnaraskedwhathewastodothere?Hesaidhewasgoingtostaythere。

  “Thouwiltnotbetterourhousehold,“saysGunnar,“afterwhathasbeentoldmeofthee,butIwillnotturnawayanyofHallgerda\'skinsmen,whomshewishestobewithher。“

  Gunnarsaidlittle,butwasnotunkindtohim,andsothingswentontilltheThing。GunnarridestotheThingandKolskeggridestoo,andwhentheycametotheThingtheyandNjalmet,forheandhissonswereattheThing,andallwentwellwithGunnarandthem。

  BergthorasaidtoAtli,“GothouupintoThorolfsfellandworkthereaweek。“

  Sohewentupthither,andwasthereonthesly,andburntcharcoalinthewood。

  HallgerdasaidtoBrynjolf,“IhavebeentoldAtliisnotathome,andhemustbewinningworkonThorolfsfell。“

  “Whatthinkestthoulikeliestthatheisworkingat,“sayshe。

  “Atsomethinginthewood,“shesays。

  “WhatshallIdotohim?“heasks。

  “Thoushaltkillhim,“saysshe。

  Hewasratherslowinansweringher,andHallgerdasaid,“\'TwouldgrowlessinThiostolf\'seyestokillAtliifhewerealive。“

  “Thoushalthavenoneedtogoadmeonmuchmore,“hesays,andthenheseizedhisweapons,andtakeshishorseandmounts,andridestoThorolfsfell。Therehesawagreatreekofcoalsmokeeastofthehomestead,soheridesthither,andgetsoffhishorseandtieshimup,buthegoeswherethesmokewasthickest。

  Thenheseeswherethecharcoalpitis,andamanstandsbyit。

  Hesawthathehadthrusthisspearinthegroundbyhim。

  Brynjolfgoesalongwiththesmokerightuptohim,buthewaseagerathiswork,andsawhimnot。Brynjolfgavehimastrokeontheheadwithhisaxe,andheturnedsoquickroundthatBrynjolfloosedhisholdoftheaxe,andAtligraspedthespear,andhurleditafterhim。ThenBrynjolfcasthimselfdownontheground,butthespearflewawayoverhim。

  “LuckyfortheethatIwasnotreadyforthee,“saysAtli,“butnowHallgerdawillbewellpleased,forthouwilttellherofmydeath;butitisacomforttoknowthatthouwilthavethesamefatesoon;butcomenowtakethyaxewhichhasbeenhere。“

  Heansweredhimneveraword,nordidhetaketheaxebeforehewasdead。ThenherodeuptothehouseonThorolfsfell,andtoldoftheslaying,andafterthatrodehomeandtoldHallgerda。ShesentmentoBergthorsknoll,andletthemtellBergthorathatnowKol\'sslayingwaspaidfor。

  AfterthatHallgerdasentamantotheThingtotellGunnarofAtli\'skilling。

  Gunnarstoodup,andKolskeggwithhim,andKolskeggsaid,“UnthriftywillHallgerda\'skinsmenbetothee。“

  ThentheygotoseeNjal,andGunnarsaid,“IhavetotelltheeofAtli\'skilling。“Hetoldhimalsowhoslewhim,andwenton,“AndnowIwillbidtheeatonementforthedeed,andthoushaltmaketheawardthyself。“

  Njalsaid,“Wetwohavealwaysmeantnevertocometostrifeaboutanything;butstillIcannotmakehimoutathrall。“

  Gunnarsaidthatwasallright,andstretchedouthishand。

  Njalnamedhiswitnesses,andtheymadepeaceonthoseterms。

  Skarphedinnsaid,“Hallgerdadoesnotletourhousecarlesdieofoldage。“

  Gunnarsaid,“Thymotherwilltakecarethatblowgoesforblowbetweenthehouses。“

  “Ay,ay,“saysNjal,“therewillbeenoughofthatwork。“

  AfterthatNjalfixedthepriceatahundredinsilver,butGunnarpaiditdownatonce。Manywhostoodbysaidthattheawardwashigh;Gunnargotwroth,andsaidthatafullatonementwasoftenpaidforthosewhowerenobriskermenthanAtli。

  WiththattheyrodehomefromtheThing。

  BergthorasaidtoNjalwhenshesawthemoney,“Thouthinkestthouhastfulfilledthypromise,butnowmypromiseisstillbehind。“

  “Thereisnoneedthatthoushouldstfulfilit,“saysNjal。

  “Nay,“saysshe,“thouhastguesseditwouldbeso;andsoitshallbe。“

  HallgerdasaidtoGunnar,“HastthoupaidahundredinsilverforAtli\'sslaying,andmadehimafreeman?“

  “Hewasfreebefore,“saysGunnar,“andbesides,IwillnotmakeNjal\'shouseholdoutlawswhohaveforfeitedtheirrights。“

  “There\'snotapintochoosebetweenyou,“shesaid,“forbothofyouaresoblate?“

  “That\'sasthingsprove,“sayshe。

  ThenGunnarwasforalongtimeveryshortwithher,tillshegavewaytohim;andnowallwasstillfortherestofthatyear;

  inthespringNjaldidnotincreasehishousehold,andnowmenridetotheThingaboutsummer。

  39。THESLAYINGOFBRYNJOLFTHEUNRULY

  TherewasamannamedThord,hewassurnamedFreedmanson。

  Sigtryggwashisfather\'sname,andhehadbeenthefreedmanofAsgerd,andhewasdrownedinMarkfleet。ThatwaswhyThordwaswithNjalafterwards。Hewasatallmanandastrong,andhehadfosteredallNjal\'ssons。HehadsethisheartonGudfinnaThorolf\'sdaughter,Njal\'skinswoman;shewashousekeeperathomethere,andwasthenwithchild。

  NowBergthoracametotalkwithThordFreedmanson;shesaid,“ThoushaltgotokillBrynjolf,Hallgerda\'skinsman。“

  “Iamnoman-slayer,“hesays,“butstillIwilldowhateverthouwilt。“

  “Thisismywill,“shesays。

  AfterthathewentuptoLithend,andmadethemcallHallgerdaout,andaskedwhereBrynjolfmightbe。

  “What\'sthywillwithhim,“shesays。

  “IwanthimtotellmewherehehashiddenAtli\'sbody;Ihaveheardsaythathehasburieditbadly。“

  ShepointedtohimandsaidhewasdownyonderinAcretongue。

  “Takeheed,“saysThord,“thatthesamethingdoesnotbefallhimasbefellAtli。“

  “Thouartnoman-slayer,“shesays,“andsonaughtwillcomeofitevenifyetwodomeet。“

  “NeverhaveIseenman\'sblood,nordoIknowhowIshouldfeelifIdid,“hesays,andgallopsoutofthe“town“anddowntoAcretongue。

  Rannveig,Gunnar\'smother,hadheardtheirtalk。

  “Thougoadesthismindmuch,Hallgerda,“shesays,“butIthinkhimadauntlessman,andthatthykinsmanwillfind。“

  Theymetonthebeatenway,ThordandBrynjolf;andThordsaid,“Guardthee,Brynjolf,forIwilldonodastard\'sdeedbythee。“

  BrynjolfrodeatThord,andsmoteathimwithhisaxe。Hesmoteathimatthesametimewithhisaxe,andhewedinsunderthehaftjustaboveBrynjolf\'shands,andthenhewedathimatonceasecondtime,andstruckhimonthecollar-bone,andtheblowwentstraightintohistrunk。Thenhefellfromhorseback,andwasdeadonthespot。

  ThordmetHallgerda\'sherdsman,andgaveouttheslayingasdonebyhishand,andsaidwherehelay,andbadehimtellHallgerdaoftheslaying。AfterthatherodehometoBergthorsknoll,andtoldBergthoraoftheslaying,andotherpeopletoo。

  “Goodluckgowiththyhands,“shesaid。

  TheherdsmantoldHallgerdaoftheslaying;shewassnappishatit,andsaidmuchillwouldcomeofit,ifshemighthaveherway。

  40。GUNNARANDNJALMAKEPEACEABOUTBRYNJOLF\'SSLAYING

  NowthesetidingscometotheThing,andNjalmadethemtellhimthetalethrice,andthenhesaid,“Moremennowbecomeman-

  slayersthanIweened。“

  Skarphedinnspoke,“Thatman,though,musthavebeentwicefey,“

  hesays,“wholosthislifebyourfoster-father\'shand,whohasneverseenman\'sblood。Andmanywouldthinkthatwebrotherswouldsoonerhavedonethisdeedwiththeturnoftemperthatwehave。“

  “Scantspacewiltthouhave,“saysNjal,“erethelikebefallsthee;butneedwilldrivetheetoit。“

  ThentheywenttomeetGunnar,andtoldhimoftheslaying。

  Gunnarspokeandsaidthatwaslittleman-scathe,“butyethewasafreeman。“

  Njalofferedtomakepeaceatonce,andGunnarsaidyes,andhewastosettlethetermshimself。Hemadehisawardthereandthen,andlaiditatonehundredinsilver。Njalpaiddownthemoneyonthespot,andtheywereatpeaceafterthat。

  41。SIGMUNDCOMESOUTTOICELAND

  TherewasamanwhosenamewasSigmund。HewasthesonofLambi,thesonofSighvattheRed。Hewasagreatvoyager,andacomelyandacourteousman;talltoo,andstrong。Hewasamanofproudspirit,andagoodskald,andwelltrainedinmostfeatsofstrength。Hewasnoisyandboisterous,andgiventojibesandmocking。HemadethelandeastinHomfirth。Skiolldwasthenameofhisfellow-traveller;hewasaSwedishman,andilltodowith。TheytookhorseandrodefromtheeastoutofHornfirth,anddidnotdrawbridlebeforetheycametoLithend,intheFleetlithe。Gunnargavethemaheartywelcome,forthebondsofkinshipwereclosebetweenthem。GunnarbeggedSigmundtostaytherethatwinter,andSigmundsaidhewouldtaketheofferifSkiolldhisfellowmightbetheretoo。

  “Well,Ihavebeensotoldabouthim,“saidGunnar,“thatheisnobettererofthytemper;butasitis,thouratherneedesttohaveitbettered。This,too,isabadhousetostayat,andI

  wouldjustgivebothofyouabitofadvice,mykinsman,nottofireupattheeggingonofmywifeHallgerda;forshetakesmuchinhandthatisfarfrommywill。“

  “Hishandsarecleanwhowarnsanother,“saysSigmund。

  “Thenmindtheadvicegiventhee,“saysGunnar,“forthouartsuretobesoretried;andgoalongalwayswithme,andleanuponmycounsel。“

  AfterthattheywereinGunnar\'scompany。HallgerdawasgoodtoSigmund;anditsooncameaboutthatthingsgrewsowarmthatsheloadedhimwithmoney,andtendedhimnoworsethanherownhusband;andmanytalkedaboutthat,anddidnotknowwhatlayunderit。

  OnedayHallgerdasaidtoGunnar,“ItisnotgoodtobecontentwiththathundredinsilverwhichthoutookestformykinsmanBrynjolf。IshallavenuehimifImay,“shesays。

  Gunnarsaidhehadnomindtobandywordswithher,andwentaway。HemetKolskegg,andsaidtohim,“GoandseeNjal;andtellhimthatThordmustbewareofhimselfthoughpeacehasbeenmadefor,methinks,thereisfaithlessnesssomewhere。“

  HerodeoffandtoldNjal,butNjaltoldThord,andKolskeggrodehome,andNjalthankedthemfortheirfaithfulness。

  Onceonatimetheytwowereoutinthe“town,“NjalandThord;ahe-goatwaswonttogoupanddowninthe“town,“andnoonewasallowedtodrivehimaway。ThenThordspokeandsaid,“Well,thisisawondrousthing!“

  “Whatisitthatthousee\'stthatseemsafterawondrousfashion?“saysNjal。

  “Methinksthegoatlieshereinthehollow,andheisallonegoreofblood。“

  Njalsaidthattherewasnogoatthere,noranythingelse。

  “Whatisitthen?“saysThord。

  “Thoumustbea`fey\'man,“saysNjal,“andthoumusthaveseenthefetchthatfollowsthee,andnowbewareofthyself。“

  “Thatwillstandmeinnostead,“saysThord,“ifdeathisdoomedforme。“

  ThenHallgerdacametotalkwithThrainSigfus\'son,andsaid,“I

  wouldthinktheemyson-in-lawindeed,“shesays,“ifthouslayestThordFreedmanson。“

  “Iwillnotdothat,“hesays,“forthenIshallhavethewrathofmykinsmanGunnar;andbesides,greatthingshangonthisdeed,forthisslayingwouldsoonbeavenged。“

  “Whowillavengeit?“sheasks;“isitthebeardlesscarle?“

  “Notso,“sayshe,“hissonswillavengeit。“

  Afterthattheytalkedlongandlow,andnomanknewwhatcounseltheytooktogether。

  OnceithappenedthatGunnarwasnotathome,butthosecompanionswere。ThrainhadcomeinfromGritwater,andthenheandtheyandHallgerdasatoutofdoorsandtalked。ThenHallgerdasaid,“Thishaveyetwobrothersinarms,SigmundandSkiolld,promisedtoslayThordFreedmanson;butThrainthouhastpromisedmethatthouwouldststandbythemwhentheydidthedeed。“

  Theyallacknowledgedthattheyhadgivenherthispromise。

  “NowIwillcounselyouhowtodoit,“shesays:“YeshallrideeastintoHomfirthafteryourgoods,andcomehomeaboutthebeginningoftheThing,butifyeareathomebeforeitbegins,GunnarwillwishthatyeshouldridetotheThingwithhim。NjalwillbeattheThingandhissonsandGunnar,butthenyetwoshallslayThord。“

  Theyallagreedthatthisplanshouldbecarriedout。AfterthattheybuskedthemeasttotheFirth,andGunnarwasnotawareofwhattheywereabout,andGunnarrodetotheThing。NjalsentThordFreedmansonawayeastunderEyjafell,andbadehimbeawaythereonenight。Sohewenteast,buthecouldnotgetbackfromtheeast,fortheFleethadrisensohighthatitcouldnotbecrossedonhorsebackeversofarup。Njalwaitedforhimonenight,forhehadmeanthimtohaveriddenwithhim;andNjalsaidtoBregthorathatshemustsendThordtotheThingassoonaseverhecamehome。Twonightsafter,Thordcamefromtheeast,andBergthoratoldhimthathemustridetotheThing,“ButfirstthoushaltrideupintoThorolfsfellandseeaboutthefarmthere,anddonotbetherelongerthanoneortwonights。“

  42。THESLAYINGOFTHORDFREEDMANSON

  ThenSigmundcamefromtheeastandthosecompanions。HallgerdatoldthemthatThordwasathome,butthathewastoridestraightwaytotheThingafterafewnights\'space。“Nowyewillhaveafairchanceathim,“shesays,“butifthisgoesoff,yewillnevergetnighhim。“MencametoLithendfromThorolfsfell,andtoldHallgerdathatThordwasthere。HallgerdawenttoThrainSigfus\'son,andhiscompanions,andsaidtohim,“NowisThordonThorolfsfell,andnowyourbestplanistofallonhimandkillhimashegoeshome。“

  “Thatwewilldo,“saysSigmund。Sotheywentout,andtooktheirweaponsandhorsesandrodeonthewaytomeethim。

  SigmundsaidtoThrain,“Nowthoushalthavenothingtodowithit;forweshallnotneedallofus。“

  “Verywell,soIwill,“sayshe。

  ThenThordrodeuptothemalittlewhileafter,andSigmundsaidtohim,“Givethyselfup,“hesays,“fornowshaltthoudie。“

  “Thatshallnotbe,“saysThord,“comethoutosinglecombatwithme。“

  “Thatshallnotbeeither,“saysSigmund;“wewillmakethemostofournumbers;butitisnotstrangethatSkarphedinnisstrong,foritissaidthatafourthofafoster-child\'sstrengthcomesfromthefoster-father。

  “Thouwiltfeeltheforceofthat,“saysThord,“forSkarphedinnwillavengeme。“

  Afterthattheyfallonhim,andhebreaksaspearofeachofthem,sowelldidheguardhimself。ThenSkiolldcutoffhishand,andhestillkeptthemoffwithhisotherhandforsometime,tillSigmundthrusthimthrough。Thenhefelldeadtoearth。Theydrewoverhimturfandstones;andThrainsaid,“Wehavewonanillwork,andNjal\'ssonswilltakethisslayingillwhentheyhearofit。“

  TheyridehomeandtellHallgerda。Shewasgladtohearoftheslaying,butRannveig,Gunnar\'smother,said,“Itissaid`butashortwhileishandfainofblow,\'andsoitwillbehere;butstillGunnarwillsettheefreefromthismatter。ButifHallgerdamakestheetakeanotherflyinthymouth,thenthatwillbethybane。“

  HallgerdasentamantoBergthorsknoll,totelltheslaying,andanothermantotheThing,totellittoGunnar。BergthorasaidshewouldnotfightagainstHallgerdawithillwordsaboutsuchamatter;“That,“quothshe,“wouldbenorevengeforsogreataquarrel。“

  43。NJALANDGUNNARMAKEPEACEFORTHESLAYINGOFTHORD

  ButwhenthemessengercametotheThingtotellGunnaroftheslaying,thenGunnarsaid,“Thishashappenedill,andnotidingscouldcometomyearswhichIshouldthinkworse;butyetwewillnowgoatonceandseeNjal。Istillhopehemaytakeitwell,thoughhebesorelytried。“

  SotheywenttoseeNjal,andcalledhimtocomeoutandtalktothem。HewentoutatoncetomeetGunnar,andtheytalked,norwerethereanymoremenbyatfirstthanKolskegg。

  “HardtidingshaveItotellthee,“saysGunnar;“theslayingofThordFreedmanson,andIwishtooffertheeselfdoomfortheslaying。“

  Njalheldhispeacesomewhile,andthensaid,“Thatiswelloffered,andIwilltakeit;butyetitistobelookedforthatIshallhaveblamefrommywifeorfrommysonsforthat,foritwillmislikethemmuch;butstillIwillruntherisk,forIknowthatIhavetodealwithagoodmanandtrue;nordoIwishthatanybreachshouldariseinourfriendshiponmypart。

  “Wiltthouletthysonsbeby,pray?“saysGunnar。

  “Iwillnot,“saysNjal,“fortheywillnotbreakthepeacewhichImake,butiftheystandbywhilewemakeittheywillnotpullwelltogetherwithus。“

  “Soitshallbe,“saysGunnar。“Seethoutoitalone。“

  Thentheyshookoneanotherbythehand,andmadepeacewellandquickly。

  ThenNjalsaid,“TheawardthatImakeistwohundredinsilver,andthatthouwiltthinkmuch。“

  “Idonotthinkittoomuch,“saysGunnar,andwenthometohisbooth。

  Njal\'ssonscamehome,andSkarphedinnaskedwhencethatgreatsumofmoneycame,whichhisfatherheldinhishand。

  Njalsaid,“Itellyouofyourfoster-father\'sThord\'sslaying,andwetwo,GunnarandI,havenowmadepeaceinthematter,andhehaspaidanatonementforhimasfortwomen。“

  “Whoslewhim?“saysSkarphedinn。

  “SigmundandSkiolld,butThrainwasstandingneartoo,“saysNjal。

  “Theythoughttheyhadneedofmuchstrength,“saysSkarphedinn,andsangasong——

  “Boldindeedsofderring-do,Burdenersofocean\'ssteeds,StrengthenoughitseemstheyneededA11toslayasingleman;

  Whenshallweourhandsuplift?

  Wewhobrandishburnishedsteel——

  Famousmenerstreddenedweapons,When?ifnowwequietsit?“

  “Yes!whenshallthedaycomewhenweshallliftourhands?“

  “Thatwillnotbelongoff,“saysNjal,“andthenthoushaltnotbebaulked;butstill,methinks,IsetgreatstoreonyournotbreakingthispeacethatIhavemade。“

  “Thenwewillnotbreakit,“saysSkarphedinn,“butifanythingarisesbetweenus,thenwewillbearinmindtheoldfeud。“

  “ThenIwillaskyoutosparenoone,“saysNjal。

  44。SIGMUNDMOCKSNJALANDHISSONS

  NowmenridehomefromtheThing;andwhenGunnarcamehome,hesaidtoSigmund,“ThouartamoreunluckymanthanIthought,andturnestthygoodgiftstothineownill。ButstillIhavemadepeacefortheewithNjalandhissons;andnow,takecarethatthoudostnotletanotherflycomeintothymouth。Thouartnotatallaftermymind,thougoestaboutwithjibesandjeers,withscornandmocking;butthatisnotmyturnofmind。ThatiswhythougettestonsowellwithHallgerda,becauseyetwohaveyourmindsmorealike。“

  Gunnarscoldedhimalongtime,andheansweredhimwell,andsaidhewouldfollowhiscounselmoreforthetimetocomethanhehadfollowedithitherto。Gunnartoldhimthentheymightgetontogether。GunnarandNjalkeptuptheirfriendshipthoughtherestoftheirpeoplesawlittleofoneanother。IthappenedoncethatsomegangrelwomencametoLithendfromBergthorsknoll;theyweregreatgossipsandratherspitefultongued。Hallgerdahadabower,andsateofteninit,andtheresatewithherherdaughterThorgerda,andtheretoowereThrainandSigmund,andacrowdofwomen。Gunnarwasnotthere,norKolskegg。Thesegangrelwomenwentintothebower,andHallgerdagreetedthem,andmaderoomforthem;thensheaskedthemfornews,buttheyhadnonetotell。Hallgerdaaskedwheretheyhadbeenovernight;theysaidatBergthorsknoll。

  “WhatwasNjaldoing?“shesays。

  “Hewashardatworksittingstill,“theysaid。

  “WhatwereNjal\'ssonsdoing?“shesays;“theythinkthemselvesmenatanyrate。“

  “Tallmentheyareingrowth,“theysay,“butasyettheyarealluntried;Skarphedinnwhettedanaxe,Gimfittedaspearheadtotheshaft,Helgirivetedahiltonasword,Hauskuldstrengthenedthehandleofashield。“

  “Theymustbebentonsomegreatdeed,“saysHallgerda。

  “Wedonotknowthat,“theysay。

  “WhatwereNjal\'shouse-carlesdoing?“sheasks。

  “Wedon\'tknowwhatsomeofthemweredoing,butonewascartingdungupthehill-side。“

  “Whatgoodwasthereindoingthat?“sheasks。

  “Hesaiditmadetheswathebettertherethananywhereelse,“

  theyreply。“WitlessnowisNjal,“saysHallgerda,“thoughheknowshowtogivecounseloneverything。“

  “Howso?“theyask。

  “Iwillonlybringforwardwhatistruetoproveit,“saysshe;

  “whydoesn\'themakethemcartdungoverhisbeardthathemaybelikeothermen?Letuscallhim`theBeardlessCarle\':buthissonswewillcall`Dung-beardlings\';andnowdopraygivesomestaveaboutthem,Sigmund,andletusgetsomegoodbythygiftofsong。“

  “Iamquitereadytodothat,“sayshe,andsangtheseverses:

  “Ladyproudwithhawkinhand,Pritheewhyshoulddungbeardboys,Reftofreason,daretohammerHandlefastonbattleshield?

  Fortheseladsofloathlyfeature——

  Ladyscatteringswanbath\'sbeams1——

  ShaftnotshunthisdittyshamefulWhichIshapeuponthemnow。

  HethebeardlesscarleshalllistenWhileIlashhimwithabuse,Loonatwhomourstomachssicken,Soonshallbearthesewordsofscorn;

  FartooniceforsuchbasefellowsIsthenamemybountygives,Eenmymuseherhelprefuses,Makingmirthofdungbeardboys。

  HereIfindanicknamefittingForthosenoisomedungbeardboys,——

  LoathamItobreakmybargainLinkedwithsuchanobleman——

  Knitweallourtauntstogether——

  Knowntomeismindofman——

  Callwenowwithoutburstcommon,Him,thatchurl,thebeardlesscarle。“

  Thouartajewelindeed,“saysHallgerda;“howyieldingthouarttowhatIask!“

  JustthenGunnarcamein。Hehadbeenstandingoutsidethedoorofthebower,andheardallthewordsthathadpassed。Theywereinagreatfrightwhentheysawhimcomein,andthenallheldtheirpeace,butbeforetherehadbeenburstsoflaughter。

  Gunnarwasverywroth,andsaidtoSigmund,“Thouartafoolishman,andonethatcannotkeeptogoodadvice,andthourevilestNjal\'ssons,andNjalhimselfwhoismostworthofall;andthisthoudoestinspiteofwhatthouhastalreadydone。Mind,thiswillbethydeath。Butifanymanrepeatsthesewordsthatthouhastspoken,ortheseversesthatthouhastmade,thatmanshallbesentawayatonce,andhavemywrathbeside。“

  Buttheywereallsosoreafraidofhim,thatnoonedaredtorepeatthosewords。Afterthathewentaway,butthegangrelwomentalkedamongthemselves,andsaidthattheywouldgetarewardfromBergthoraiftheytoldherallthis。

  Theywentthenawayafterwardsdownthither,andtookBergthoraasideandtoldherthewholestoryoftheirownfreewill。

  Bergthoraspokeandsaid,whenmensatedowntotheboard,“Giftshavebeengiventoallofyou,fatherandsons,andyewillbenotruemenunlessyerepaythemsomehow。“

  “Whatgiftsarethese?“asksSkarphedinn。

  “You,mysons,“saysBergthora,“havegotonegiftbetweenyouall。Yearenicknamed`Dungbeardlings,\'butmyhusband`theBeardlessCarle。\'“

  “Oursisnowoman\'snature,“saysSkarphedinn,“thatweshouldflyintoarageateverylittlething。“

  “AndyetGunnarwaswrothforyoursakes,“saysshe,“andheisthoughttobegood-tempered。Butifyedonottakevengeanceforthiswrong,yewillavengenoshame。“

  “Thecarline,ourmother,thinksthisfinesport,“saysSkarphedinn,andsmiledscornfullyashespoke,butstillthesweatburstoutuponhisbrow,andredfleckscameoverhischecks,butthatwasnothiswont。Grimwassilentandbithislip。Helgimadenosign,andhesaidneveraword。HauskuldwentoffwithBergthora;shecameintotheroomagain,andfrettedandfoamedmuch。

  Njalspokeandsaid,“`Slowandsure,\'saystheproverb,mistress!andsoitiswithmanythings,thoughtheytrymen\'stempers,thattherearealwaystwosidestoastory,evenwhenvengeanceistaken。“

  ButatevenwhenNjalwascomeintohisbed,heheardthatanaxecameagainstthepanelandrangloudly,buttherewasanothershutbed,andtheretheshieldswerehungup,andheseesthattheyareaway。Hesaid,“Whohavetakendownourshields?“

  “Thysonswentoutwiththem,“saysBergthora。

  Njalpulledhisshoesonhisfeet,andwentoutatonce,androundtotheothersideofthehouse,andseesthattheyweretakingtheircourserightuptheslope;hesaid,“Whitheraway,Skarphedinn?“

  “Tolookafterthysheep,“heanswers。

  “Youwouldnotthenbearmed,“saidNjal,“ifyoumeantthat,andyourerrandmustbesomethingelse。“

  ThenSkarphedinnsangasong,“Squandererofhoardedwealth,Sometherearethatownrichtreasure,Oreofseathatclaspstheearth,Andyetcaretocounttheirsheep;

  Thosewhoforgesharpsongsofmocking,Deathsongs,scarcelycanpossessSenseofsheepthatcropthegrass;

  SuchastheseIseekinfight;“

  andsaidafterwards,“Weshallfishforsalmon,father。“

  “\'Twouldbewellthenifitturnedoutsothatthepreydoesnotgetawayfromyou。“

  Theywenttheirway,butNjalwenttohisbed,andhesaidtoBergthora,“Thysonswereoutofdoorsallofthem,witharms,andnowthoumusthaveeggedthemontosomething。“

  “Iwillgivethemmyheartfeltthanks,“saidBergthora,“iftheytellmetheslayingofSigmund。“

  ENDNOTES:

  1“Swanbath\'sbeams“——periphrasisforgold。

  45。THESLAYINGOFSIGMUNDANDSKIOLLD

  Nowthey,Njal\'ssons,fareuptoFleetlithe,andwerethatnightundertheLithe,andwhenthedaybegantobreak,theycameneartoLithend。ThatsamemorningbothSigmundandSkiolldroseupandmeanttogotothestudhorses;theyhadbitswiththem,andcaughtthehorsesthatwereinthe“town“androdeawayonthem。

  Theyfoundthestud-horsesbetweentwobrooks。Skarphedinncaughtsightofthem,forSigmundwasinbrightclothing。

  Skarphedinnsaid,“Seeyounowtheredelfyonder,lads?“Theylookedthatway,andsaidtheysawhim。

  Skarphedinnspokeagain:“Thou,Hauskuld,shalthavenothingtodowithit,forthouwiltoftenbesentaboutalonewithoutdueheed;butImeanSigmundformyself;methinksthatislikeaman;

  butGrimandHelgi,theyshalltrytoslaySkiolld。“

  Hauskuldsathimdown,buttheywentuntiltheycameuptothem。

  SkarphedinnsaidtoSigmund,“Takethyweaponsanddefendthyself;thatismoreneedfulnowthantomakemockingsongsonmeandmybrothers。“

  Sigmundtookuphisweapons,butSkarphedinnwaitedthewhile。

  SkiolldturnedagainstGrimandHelgi,andtheyfellhotlytofight。Sigmundhadahelmonhishead,andashieldathisside,andwasgirtwithasword,hisspearwasinhishand;nowheturnsagainstSkarphedinn,andthrustsatonceathimwithhisspear,andthethrustcameonhisshield。Skarphedinndashesthespearhaftintwo,andliftsuphisaxeandhewsatSigmund,andcleaveshisshielddowntobelowthehandle。SigmunddrewhisswordandcutatSkarphedinn,andtheswordcutsintohisshield,sothatitstuckfast。Skarphedinngavetheshieldsuchaquicktwist,thatSigmundletgohissword。ThenSkarphedinnhewsatSigmundwithhisaxe;the“Ogressofwar。“Sigmundhadonacorselet,theaxecameonhisshoulder。Skarphedinnclefttheshoulder-bladerightthrough,andatthesametimepulledtheaxetowardshim。Sigmundfelldownonbothknees,butsprangupagainatonce。

  “Thouhastliltedlowtomealready,“saysSkarphedinn,“butstillthoushaltfalluponthymother\'sbosomerewetwopart。“

  “IIIisthatthen,“saysSigmund。

  Skarphedinngavehimablowonhishelm,andafterthatdealtSigmundhisdeath-blow。

  GrimcutoffSkiolld\'sfootattheankle-joint,butHelgithrusthimthroughwithhisspear,andhegothisdeaththereandthen。

  SkarphedinnsawHallgerda\'sshepherd,justashehadhewnoffSigmund\'shead;hehandedtheheadtotheshepherd,andbadehimbearittoHallgerda,andsaidshewouldknowwhetherthatheadhadmadejeeringsongsaboutthem,andwiththathesangasong——

  “Here!thisheadshaltthou,thatheapestHoardsfromocean-cavernswon,1

  BeartoHallgerdwithmygreeting,Herthathurriesmentofight;

  SureamI,Ofirewoodsplitter!

  Thatyonspendthriftknowsitwell,AndwillanswerifiteverUtteredmockingsongsonus。“

  Theshepherdcaststheheaddownassoonasevertheyparted,forhedarednotdosowhiletheireyeswereonhim。TheyfaredalongtilltheymetsomemendownbyMarkfleet,andtoldthemthetidings。SkarphedinngavehimselfoutastheslayerofSigmundandGrimandHelgiastheslayersofSkiolld;thentheyfaredhomeandtoldNjalthetidings。Heanswersthem,“GoodlucktoyourhandsIHerenoself-doomwillcometopassasthingsstand。“

  Nowwemusttakeupthestory,andsaythattheshepherdcamehometoLithend。HetoldHallgerdathetidings。

  “SkarphedinnputSigmund\'sheadintomyhands,“hesays,“andbademebringitthee;butIdarednotdoit,forIknewnothowthouwouldstlikethat。“

  “\'Twasillthatthoudidstnotdothat,“shesays;“IwouldhavebroughtittoGunnar,andthenhewouldhaveavengedhiskinsman,orhavetobeareveryman\'sblame。“

  AfterthatshewenttoGunnarandsaid,“ItelltheeofthykinsmanSigmund\'sslaying:Skarphedinnslewhim,andwantedthemtobringmethehead。“

  “Justwhatmightbelookedfortobefallhim,“saysGunnar,“forillredesbringillluck,andbothyouandSkarphedinnhaveoftendoneoneanotherspitefulturns。“

  ThenGunnarwentaway;heletnostepsbetakentowardsasuitformanslaughter,anddidnothingaboutit。Hallgerdaoftenputhiminmindofit,andkeptsayingthatSigmundhadfallenunatoned。Gunnargavenoheedtothat。

  NowthreeThingspassedaway,ateachofwhichmenthoughtthathewouldfollowupthesuit;thenaknottypointcameonGunnar\'shands,whichheknewnothowtosetabout,andthenherodetofindNjal。HegaveGunnaraheartywelcome。GunnarsaidtoNjal,“Iamcometoseekabitofgoodcounselatthyhandsaboutaknottypoint。“

  “Thouartworthyofit,“saysNjal,andgavehimcounselwhattodo。ThenGunnarstoodupandthankedhim。Njalthenspoke,andsaid,andtookGunnarbythehand,“OverlonghaththykinsmanSigmundbeenunatoned。“

  “Hehasbeenlongagoatoned,“saysGunnar,“butstillIwillnotflingbackthehonourofferedme。“

  GunnarhadneverspokenanillwordofNjal\'ssons。NjalwouldhavenothingelsethanthatGunnarshouldmakehisownawardinthematter。Heawardedtwohundredinsilver,butletSkiolldfallwithoutaprice。Theypaiddownallthemoneyatonce。

  GunnardeclaredthistheiratonementattheThingskalaThing,whenmostmenwereatit,andlaidgreatweightonthewayinwhichtheyNjalandhissonshadbehaved;hetoldtoothosebadwordswhichcostSigmundhislife,andnomanwastorepeatthemorsingtheverses,butifanysungthem,themanwhoutteredthemwastofallwithoutatonement。

  BothGunnarandNjalgaveeachothertheirwordsthatnosuchmattersshouldeverhappenthattheywouldnotsettleamongthemselves;andthispledgewaswellkepteverafter,andtheywerealwaysfriends。

  ENDNOTES:

  1“Thou,thatheapestboards,“etc——merelyaperiphrasisforman,andscarcelyfitting,exceptinirony,toasplitteroffirewood。

  46。OFGIZURTHEWHITEANDGEIRTHEPRIEST

  TherewasamannamedGizurtheWhite;hewasTeit\'sson;

  KettlebjorntheOld\'sson,ofMossfell。1BishopIsleifwasGizur\'sson。GizurtheWhitekepthouseatMossfell,andwasagreatchief。ThatmanisalsonamedinthisstorywhosenamewasGeirthePriest;hismotherwasThorkatla,anotherdaughterofKettlebjorntheOldofMossfell。GeirkepthouseatLithe。HeandGizurbackedoneanotherineverymatter。AtthattimeMordValgard\'ssonkepthouseatHofontheRangrivervales;hewascraftyandspiteful。Valgardhisfatherwasthenabroad,buthismotherwasdead。HewasveryenviousofGunnarofLithend。Hewaswealthy,sofarasgoodswent,buthadnotmanyfriends。

  ENDNOTES:

  1Teit\'smother\'snamewasHelga。ShewasadaughterofThordLongbeard,whowasthesonofHrapp,whowasthesonofBjorntheRough-footed,whowasthesonofGrim,theLordofSogninNorway。Gizur\'smother\'snamewasOlof。ShewasadaughterofLordBaudvar,Viking-Kari\'sson。

  47。OFOTKELLINKIRKBY

  TherewasamannamedOtkell;hewasthesonofSkarf,thesonofHallkell,whofoughtwithGrimofGrimsness,andfelledhimontheholm。1ThisHallkellandKettlebjorntheOldwerebrothers。

  OtkellkepthouseatKirkby;hiswife\'snamewasThorgerda;shewasadaughterofMar,thesonofRunolf,thesonofNaddadoftheFaroeIsles。Otkellwaswealthyingoods。Hisson\'snamewasThorgeir;hewasyounginyears,andabolddashingman。

  Skamkellwasthenameofanotherman;hekepthouseatanotherfarmcalledHof2;hewaswelloffformoney,buthewasaspitefulmanandaliar;quarrelsometoo,andilltodealwith。

  HewasOtkell\'sfriend。HallkellwasthenameofOtkell\'sbrother;hewasatallstrongman,andlivedtherewithOtkell;

  theirbrother\'snamewasHallbjorntheWhite;hebroughtouttoIcelandathrall,whosenamewasMalcolm;hewasIrish,andhadnotmanyfriends。

  HallbjornwenttostaywithOtkell,andsodidhisthrallMalcolm。ThethrallwasalwayssayingthatheshouldthinkhimselfhappyifOtkellownedhim。Otkellwaskindtohim,andgavehimaknifeandbelt,andafullsuitofclothes,butthethrallturnedhishandtoanyworkthatOtkellwished。

  Otkellwantedtomakeabargainwithhisbrotherforthethrall;

  hesaidhewouldgivehimthethrall,butsaid,too,thathewasaworsetreasurethanhethought。ButassoonasOtkellownedthethrall,thenhedidlessandlesswork。OtkelloftensaidoutrighttoHallbjorn,thathethoughtthethralldidlittlework;andhetoldOtkellthattherewasworseinhimyettocome。

  Atthattimecameagreatscarcity,sothatmenfellshortbothofmeatandhay,andthatspreadoverallpartsofIceland。

  Gunnarsharedhishayandmeatwithmanymen;andallgotthemwhocamethither,solongashisstoreslasted。AtlastitcameaboutthatGunnarhimselffellshortbothofhayandmeat。ThenGunnarcalledonKolskeggtogoalongwithhim;hecalledtooonThrainSigfus\'son,andLambiSigurd\'sson。TheyfaredtoKirkby,andcalledOtkellout。Hegreetedthem,andGunnarsaid,“ItsohappensthatIamcometodealwiththeeforhayandmeat,iftherebeanyleft。“

  Otkellanswers,“Thereisstoreofboth,butIwillselltheeneither。“

  “Wiltthougivemethemthen,“saysGunnar,“andruntheriskofmypayingtheebacksomehow?“

  “Iwillnotdothateither,“saysOtkell。

  Skamkellallthewhilewasgivinghimbadcounsel。

  ThenThrainSigfus\'son,said,“Itwouldservehimrightifwetakebothhayandmeatandlaydowntheworthoftheminstead。“

  Skamkellanswered,“AllthemenofMossfellmustbedeadandgonethen,ifye,sonsofSigfus,aretocomeandrobthem。“

  “Iwillhavenohandinanyrobbery,“saysGunnar。

  “Wiltthoubuyathrallofme?“saysOtkell。

  “I\'llnotsparetodothat,“saysGunnar。AfterthatGunnarboughtthethrall,andfaredawayasthingsstood。

  Njalhearsofthis,andsaid,“Suchthingsareilldone,torefusetoletGunnarbuy;anditisnotagoodoutlookforothersifsuchmenashecannotgetwhattheywant。“

  “What\'sthegoodofthytalkingsomuchaboutsuchalittlematter,“saysBergthora;“farmorelikeamanwoulditbetolethimhavebothmeatandhay,whenthoulackestneitherofthem。“

  “Thatisclearasday,“saysNjal,“andIwillofasuretysupplyhisneedsomewhat。“

  ThenhefareduptoThorolfsfell,andhissonswithhim,andtheyboundhayonfifteenhorses;butonfivehorsestheyhadmeat。

  NjalcametoLithend,andcalledGunnarout。Hegreetedthemkindly。

  “Hereishayandmeat,“saidNjal,“whichIwillgivethee;andmywishis,thatthoushouldstneverlooktoanyoneelsethantomeifthoustandestinneedofanything。“

  “Goodarethygifts,“saysGunnar,“butmethinksthyfriendshipisstillmoreworth,andthatofthysons。“

  AfterthatNjalfaredhome,andnowthespringpassesaway。

  ENDNOTES:

  1Thatis,slewhiminaduel。

  2MordValgard\'ssonlivedattheotherfarmcalledHof。

  48。HOWHALLGERDAMAKESMALCOLMSTEALFROMKIRKBY

  NowGunnarisabouttoridetotheThing,butagreatcrowdofmenfromtheSide1eastturnedinasguestsathishouse。

  Gunnarbadethemcomeandbehisguestsagain,astheyrodebackfromtheThing;andtheysaidtheywoulddoso。

  NowtheyridetotheThing,andNjalandhissonswerethere。

  ThatThingwasstillandquiet。

  Nowwemusttakeupthestory,andsaythatHallgerdacomestotalkwithMalcolmthethrall。

  “Ihavethoughtofanerrandtosendtheeon,“shesays;“thoushaltgotoKirkby。“

  “AndwhatshallIdothere?“hesays。

  “Thoushaltstealfromthencefoodenoughtoloadtwohorses,andmindandhavebutterandcheese;butthoushaltlayfireinthestorehouse,andallwillthinkthatithasarisenoutofheedlessness,butnoonewillthinkthattherehasbeentheft。“

  “BadhaveIbeen,“saidthethrall,“butneverhaveIbeenathief。“

  “Hearawonder!“saysHallgerda,“thoumakestthyselfgood,thouthathastbeenboththiefandmurderer;butthoushaltnotdaretodoaughtelsethango,elsewillIlettheebeslain。“

  Hethoughtheknewenoughofhertobesurethatshewouldsodoifhewentnot;sohetookatnighttwohorsesandlaidpacksaddlesonthem,andwenthiswaytoKirkby。Thehouse-dogknewhimanddidnotbarkathim,andranandfawnedonhim。

  Afterthathewenttothestorehouseandloadedthetwohorseswithfoodoutofit,butthestorehouseheburnt,andthedogheslew。

  HewentupalongbyRangriver,andhisshoe-thongsnapped;sohetakeshisknifeandmakestheshoeright,butheleavestheknifeandbeltlyingtherebehindhim。

  HefarestillhecomestoLithend;thenhemissestheknife,butdaresnottogoback。

  NowhebringsHallgerdathefood,andsheshowedherselfwellpleasedatit。

  NextmorningwhenmencameoutofdoorsatKirkbytheretheysawgreatscathe。ThenamanwassenttotheThingtotellOtkell;

  heborethelosswell,andsaiditmusthavehappenedbecausethekitchenwasnexttothestorehouse;andallthoughtthatthatwashowithappened。

  NowmenridehomefromtheThing,andmanyrodetoLithend。

  Hallgerdasetfoodontheboard,andincamecheeseandbutter。

  Gunnarknewthatsuchfoodwasnottobelookedforinhishouse,andaskedHallgerdawhenceitcame?

  “Thence,“shesays;“whencethoumightestwelleatofit;

  besides,itisnoman\'sbusinesstotroublehimselfwithhousekeeping。“

  Gunnergotwrothandsaid,“IllindeedisitifIamapartakerwiththieves;“andwiththathegaveheraslaponthecheek。

  Shesaidshewouldbearthatslapinmindandrepayitifshecould。

  Soshewentoffandhewentwithher,andthenallthatwasontheboardwasclearedaway,butflesh-meatwasbroughtininstead,andallthoughtthatwasbecausethefleshwasthoughttohavebeengotinabetterway。

  NowthemenwhohadbeenattheThingfareaway。

  ENDNOTES:

  1Thatis,fromthesea-sideorshore,thelongnarrowstripofhabitablelandbetweenthemountainsandtheseainthesouth-eastofIceland。

  49。OFSKAMKELL\'SEVILCOUNSEL

  NowwemusttellofSkamkell。HeridesaftersomesheepupalongRangriver,andheseessomethingshininginthepath。Hefindsaknifeandbelt,andthinksheknowsbothofthem。HefareswiththemtoKirkby;OtkellwasoutofdoorswhenSkamkellcame。Hespoketohimandsaid,“Knowestthouaughtoftheseprettythings?“

  “Ofasurety,“saysOtkell,“Iknowthem。“

  “Whoownsthem?“asksSkamkell。

  “Malcolmthethrall,“saysOtkell。

  “Thenmoreshallseeandknowthemthanwetwo,“saysSkamkell,“fortruewillIbetotheeincounsel。“

  Theyshowedthemtomanymen,andallknewthem。ThenSkamkellsaid,“Whatcounselwiltthounowtake?“

  “WeshallgoandseeMordValgard\'sson,“answersOtkell,“andseekcounselofhim。“

  SotheywenttoHof,andshowedtheprettythingstoMord,andaskedhimifheknewthem?

  Hesaidheknewthemwellenough,butwhatwasthereinthat?

  “DoyouthinkyouhavearighttolookforanythingatLithend?“

  “Wethinkithardforus,“saysSkamkell,“toknowwhattodo,whensuchmightymenhaveahandinit。“

  “Thatisso,sureenough,“saysMord,“butyetIwillgettoknowthosethings,outofGunnar\'shousehold,whichnoneofyouwilleveryknow。“

  “Wewouldgivetheemoney,“theysay,“ifthouwouldstsearchoutthisthing。“

  “ThatmoneyIshallbuyfulldear,“answeredMord,“butstill,perhaps,itmaybethatIwilllookatthematter。“

  Theygavehimthreemarksofsilverforlendingthemhishelp。

  Thenhegavethemthiscounsel,thatwomenshouldgoaboutfromhousetohousewithsmallware,andgivethemtothehousewives,andmarkwhatwasgiventheminreturn。

  “For,“hesays,“\'tistheturnofmindofallmenfirsttogiveawaywhathasbeenstolen,iftheyhaveitintheirkeeping,andsoitwillbeherealso,ifthishath-happenedbythehandofman。Yeshallthencomeandshowmewhathasbeengiventoeachineachhouse,andIshallthenbefreefromfarthershareinthismatter,ifthetruthcomestolight。“

  Tothistheyagreed,andwenthomeafterwards。

  Mordsendswomenaboutthecountry,andtheywereawayhalfamonth。Thentheycameback,andhadbigbundles。Mordaskedwheretheyhadmostgiventhem?

  TheysaidthatatLithendmostwasgiventhem,andHallgerdahadbeenmostbountifultothem。

  Heaskedwhatwasgiventhemthere。

  “Cheese,“saythey。

  Hebeggedtoseeit,andtheyshowedittohim,anditwasingreatslices。Thesehetookandkept。

  Alittleafter,MordfaredtoseeOtkell,andbadethathewouldbringThorgerda\'scheese-mould;andwhenthatwasdone,helaidtheslicesdowninit,andlo!theyfittedthemouldineveryway。

  Thentheysaw,too,thatawholecheesehadbeengiventothem。

  ThenMordsaid,“NowmayyeseethatHallgerdamusthavestolenthecheese;“andtheyallpassedthesamejudgment;andthenMordsaid,thatnowhethoughthewasfreeofthismatter。

  Afterthattheyparted。

  ShortlyafterKolskeggfelltotalkingwithGunnarandsaid,“III

  isittotell,butthestoryisineveryman\'smouth,thatHallgerdamusthavestolen,andthatshewasatthebottomofallthatgreatscathethatbefellatKirkby。“

  Gunnersaidthathetoothoughtthatmustbeso。“Butwhatistobedonenow?“

  Kolskegganswered,“Thouwiltthinkitthymostboundendutytomakeatonementforthywife\'swrong,andmethinksitwerebestthattboufaresttoseeOtkell,andmakesthimahandsomeoffer。“

  “Thisiswellspoken,“saysGunnar,“andsoitshallbe。“

  AlittleafterGunnarsentafterThrainSigfus\'sonandLambiSigurd\'sson,andtheycameatonce。

  Gunnartoldthemwhitherhemeanttogo,andtheywerewellpleased。GunnarrodewithelevenmentoKirkby,andcalledOtkellout。Skamkellwastheretoo,andsaid,“Iwillgooutwiththee,anditwillbebestnowtohavethebalanceofwitonthyside。AndIwouldwishtostandclosestbytheewhenthouneedestitmost,andnowthiswillbeputtotheproof。Methinksitwerebestthatthouputtestonanairofgreatweight。“

  Thenthey,OtkellandSkamkell,andHallkell,andHallbjorn,wentoutallofthem。

  TheygreetedGunnar,andhetooktheirgreetingwell。Otkellaskswhitherhemeanttogo?

  “Nofartherthanhere,“saysGunnar,“andmyerrandhitheristotelltheeaboutthatbadmishap,howitarosefromtheplottingofmywifeandthatthrallwhomIboughtfromthee。“

  “\'Tisonlywhatwastobelookedfor,“saysHallbjorn。

  “NowIwillmaketheeagoodoffer,“saysGunnar,“andtheofferisthis,thatthebestmenhereinthecountryroundsettlethematter。“

  “Thisisafair-soundingoffer,“saidSkamkell,“butanunfairandunevenone。Thouartamanwhohasmanyfriendsamongthehouseholders,butOtkellhasnotmanyfriends。“

  “Well,“saysGunnar,“thenIwilloffertheethatIshallmakeanaward,andutterithereonthisspot,andsowewillsettlethematter,andmygood-willshallfollowthesettlement。ButIwillmaketheeanatonementbypayingtwicetheworthofwhatwaslost。“

  “Thischoiceshaltthounottake,“saidSkamkell;“anditisunworthytogiveuptohimtherighttomakehisownaward,whenthououghtesttohavekeptitforthyself。“

  SoOtkellsaid,“Iwillnotgiveuptothee,Gunnar,therighttomakethineownaward。“

  “Iseeplainly,“saidGunnar,“thehelpofmenwhowillbepaidoffforitoneday,Idaresay;butcomenow,utteranawardforthyself。“

  OtkellleanttowardSkamkellandsaid,“WhatshallIanswernow?“

  “Thisthoushaltcallagoodoffer,butstillputthysuitintothehandsofGizurtheWhite,andGeirthePriest,andthenmanywillsaythis,thatthoubehavestlikeHallkell,thygrandfather,whowasthegreatestofchampions。“

  “Wellofferedisthis,Gunnar,“saidOtkell,“butstillmywillisthouwouldstgivemetimetoseeGizurtheWhite。“

  “Donowwhateverthoulikestinthematter,“saidGunnar;“butmenwillsaythis,thatthoucouldstnotseethineownhonourwhenthouwouldsthavenoneofthechoicesIofferthee。“

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