“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。“