ThenGunnarrodehome，andwhenhehadgoneaway，Hallbjornsaid，“HereIseehowmuchmandiffersfromman。Gunnarmadetheegoodoffers，butthouwouldsttakenoneofthem；orhowdostthouthinktostrivewithGunnarinaquarrel，whennooneishismatchinfight。Butnowheisstillsokind-heartedamanthatitmaybehewilllettheseoffersstand，thoughthouartonlyreadytotakethemafterwards。MethinksitwerebestthatthoufaresttoseeGizurtheWhiteandGeirthePriestnowthisveryhour。“
Otkellletthemcatchhishorse，andmadereadyineveryway。
Otkellwasnotsharpsighted，andSkamkellwalkedonthewayalongwithhim，andsaidtoOtkell，“Methoughtitstrangethatthybrotherwouldnottakethistoilfromthee，andnowIwillmaketheeanoffertofareinsteadofthee，forIknowthatthejourneyisirksometothee。“
“Iwilltakethatoffer，“saysOtkell，“butmindandbeastruthfulaseverthoucanst。“
“Soitshallbe，“saysSkamkell。
ThenSkamkelltookhishorseandcloak，butOtkellwalkshome。
Hallbjornwasoutofdoors，andsaidtoOtkell，“Illisittohaveathrallforone\'sbosomfriend，andweshallruethisforeverthatthouhastturnedback，anditisanunwisesteptosendthegreatestliaronanerrand，ofwhichonemaysospeakthatmen\'sliveshangonit。“
“Thouwouldstbesoreafraid，“saysOtkell，“ifGunnarhadhisbillaloft，whenthouartsoscarednow。“
“Nooneknowswhowillbemostafraidthen，“saidHallbjorn；“butthisthouwilthavetoown，thatGunnardoesnotlosemuchtimeinbrandishinghisbillwhenheiswroth。“
“Ah！“saidOtkell，“yeareallofyouforyieldingbutSkamkell。“
Andthentheywerebothwroth。
50。OFSKAMKELL\'SLYING
SkamkellcametoMossfell，andrepeatedalltheofferstoGizur。
“Itsoseemstome，“saysGizur，“asthoughthesehavebeenbravelyoffered；butwhytookhenottheseoffers？“
“Thechiefcausewas，“answersSkamkell，“thatallwishedtoshowtheehonour，andthatwaswhyhewaitedforthyutterance；
besides，thatisbestforall。“
SoSkamkellstayedtherethenightover，butGizursentamantofetchGeirthePriest；andhecamethereearly。ThenGizurtoldhimthestoryandsaid，“Whatcourseistobetakennow？“
“Asthounodoubthastalreadymadeupthymind——tomakethebestofthebusinessforbothsides。“
“NowwewillletSkamkelltellhistaleasecondtime，andseehowherepeatsit。“
Sotheydidthat，andGizursaid，“Thoumusthavetoldthisstoryright；butstillIhaveseentheetobethewickedestofmen，andthereisnofaithinfacesifthouturnestoutwell。“
Skamkellfaredhome，andridesfirsttoKirkbyandcallsOtkellout。HegreetsSkamkellwell，andSkamkellbroughthimthegreetingofGizurandGeir。
“Butaboutthismatterofthesuit，“besays，“thereisnoneedtospeaksoftly，howthatitisthewillofbothGizurandGeirthatthissuitshouldnotbesettledinafriendlyway。Theygavethatcounselthatasummonsshouldbesetonfoot，andthatGunnarshouldbesummonedforhavingpartakenofthegoods，butHallgerdaforstealingthem。“
“Itshallbedone，“saidOtkell，“ineverythingastheyhavegivencounsel。“
“Theythoughtmostofthis，“saysSkamkell，“thatthouhadstbehavedsoproudly；butasforme，ImadeasgreatamanoftheeineverythingasIcould。“
NowOtkelltellsallthistohisbrothers，andHallbjornsaid，“Thismustbethebiggestlie。“
NowthetimegoesonuntilthelastofthesummoningdaysbeforetheAlthingcame。
ThenOtkellcalledonhisbrothersandSkamkelltorideonthebusinessofthesummonstoLithend。
Hallbjornsaidhewouldgo，butsaidalsothattheywouldruethissummoningastimewenton。
NowtheyrodetwelveofthemtogethertoLithend，butwhentheycameintothe“town，“therewasGunnaroutofdoors，andknewnaughtoftheircomingtilltheyhadriddenrightuptothehouse。
Hedidnotgoin-doorsthen，andOtkellthunderedoutthesummonsthereandthen；butwhentheyhadmadeanendofthesummoningSkamkellsaid，“Isitallright，master？“
“Yeknowthatbest；“saysGunnar，“butIwillputtheeinmindofthisjourneyoneofthesedays，andofthygoodhelp。“
“Thatwillnotharmus，“saysSkamkell，“ifthybillbenotaloft。“
Gunnarwasverywrothandwentin-doors，andtoldKolskegg，andKolskeggsaid，“Illwasitthatwewerenotoutofdoors；theyshouldhavecomehereonthemostshamefuljourney，ifwehadbeenby。“
“Everythingbidesitstime，“saysGunnar；“butthisjourneywillnotturnouttotheirhonour。“
AlittleafterGunnarwentandtoldNjal。
“Letitnotworrytheeajot，“saidNjal，“forthiswillbethegreatesthonourtothee，erethisThingcomestoanend。Asforus，wewillallbacktheewithcounselandforce。“
Gunnarthankedhimandrodehome。
OtkellridestotheThing，andhisbrotherswithhimandSkamkell。
51。OFGUNNAR
GunnarrodetotheThingandallthesonsofSigfus；Njalandhissonstoo，theyallwentwithGunnar；anditwassaidthatnobandwassowellknitandhardyastheirs。
GunnarwentonedaytotheboothoftheDalemen；HrutwasbytheboothandHauskuld，andtheygreetedGunnarwell。NowGunnartellsthemthewholestoryofthesuituptothattime。
“WhatcounselgivesNjal？“asksHrut。
“Hebademeseekyoubrothers，“saysGunnar，“andsaidhewassurethatheandyouwouldlookatthematterinthesamelight。“
“Hewishesthen，“saysHrut，“thatIshouldsaywhatIthinkforkinship\'ssake；andsoitshallbe。ThoushaltchallengeGizurtheWhitetocombatontheisland，iftheydonotleavethewholeawardtothee；butKolskeggshallchallengeGeirthePriest。AsforOtkellandhiscrew，menmustbegotreadytofallonthem；andnowwehavesuchgreatstrengthallofustogether，thatthoumaystcarryoutwhateverthouwilt。“
GunnarwenthometohisboothandtoldNjal。
“JustwhatIlookedfor，“saidNjal。
WolfAurpriestgotwindofthisplan，andtoldGizur，andGizursaidtoOtkell，“WhogavetheethatcounselthatthoushouldstsummonGunnar？“
“SkamkelltoldmethatwasthecounselofbothGeirthePriestandthyself。“
“Butwhereisthatscoundrel？“saysGizur，“whohasthuslied。“
“Heliessickupatourbooth，“saysOtkell。
“Mayheneverrisefromhisbed，“saysGizur。“NowwemustallgotoseeGunnar，andofferhimtherighttomakehisownaward；
butIknownotwhetherhewilltakethatnow。“
ManymenspokeillofSkamkell，andhelaysickallthroughtheThing。
GizurandhisfriendswenttoGunnar\'sbooth；theircomingwasknown，andGunnarwastoldashesatinhisbooth，andthentheyallwentoutandstoodinarray。
GizurtheWhitecamefirst，andafterawhilehespokeandsaid，“Thisisouroffer——thatthou，Gunnar，makestthineownawardinthissuit。“
“Then，“saysGunnar，“itwasnodoubtfarfromthycounselthatI
wassummoned。“
“Igavenosuchcounsel，“saysGizur，“neitherInorGeir。“
“Thenthoumustclearthyselfofthischargebyfittingproof。“
“Whatproofdostthouask？“saysGizur。
“Thatthoutakestanoath，“saysGunnar。
“ThatIwilldo，“saysGizur，“ifthouwilttaketheawardintothineownhands。“
“ThatwastheofferImadeawhileago，“saysGunnar；“butnow，methinks，Ihaveagreatermattertopassjudgmenton。“
“Itwillnotberighttorefusetomakethineownaward，“saidNjal；“forthegreaterthematter，thegreaterthehonourinmakingit。“
“Well，“saidGunnar，“Iwilldothistopleasemyfriends，anduttermyaward；butIgiveOtkellthisbitofadvice，nevertogivemecauseforquarrelhereafter。“
ThenHrutandHauskuldweresentfor，andtheycamethither，andthenGizurtheWhiteandGierthePriesttooktheiroaths；butGunnarmadehisaward，andspokewithnomanaboutit，andafterwardsheuttereditasfollows:
“Thisismyaward，“hesays；“first，Ilayitdownthatthestorehousemustbepaidfor，andthefoodthatwastherein；butforthethrall，Iwillpaytheenofine，forthatthouhiddesthisfaults；butIawardhimbacktothee；forasthesayingis，`Birdsofafeatherflockmosttogether。\'Then，ontheotherhand，Iseethatthouhastsummonedmeinscornandmockery，andforthatIawardtomyselfnolessasumthanwhatthehousethatwasburntandthestoresinitwereworth；butifyethinkitbetterthatwebenotsetatoneagain，thenIwillletyouhaveyourchoiceofthat，butifsoIhavealreadymadeupmymindwhatIshalldo，andthenIwillfulfilmypurpose。“
“Whatweask，“saidGizur，“isthatthoushouldstnotbehardonOtkell，butwebegthisofthee，ontheotherhand，thatthouwouldstbehisfriend。“
“Thatshallneverbe，“saidGunnar，“solongasIlive；butheshallhaveSkamkell\'sfriendship；onthathehaslongleant。“
“Well，“answersGizur，“wewillclosewiththeeinthismatter，thoughthoualonelayestdowntheterms。“
Thenallthisatonementwasmadeandhandswereshakenonit，andGunnarsaidtoOtkell，“Itwerewisertogoawaytothykinsfolk；
butifthouwiltbehereinthiscountry，mindthatthougivestmenocauseofquarrel。“
“Thatiswholesomecounsel，“saidGizur；“andsoheshalldo。“
SoGunnarhadthegreatesthonourfromthatsuit，andafterwardsmenrodehomefromtheThing。
NowGunnarsitsinhishouseathome，andsothingsarequietforawhile。
52。OFRUNOLF，THESONOFWOLFAURPRIEST
TherewasamannamedRunolf，thesonofWolfAurpriest，hekepthouseattheDale，eastofMarkfleet。HewasOtkell\'sguestoncewhenherodefromtheThing。Otkellgavehimanox，allblack，withoutaspotofwhite，ninewintersold。Runolfthankedhimforthegift，andbadehimcomeandseehimathomewheneverhechosetogo；andthisbiddingstoodoverforsomewhile，sothathehadnotpaidthevisit。Runolfoftensentmentohimandputhiminmindthatheoughttocome；andhealwayssaidhewouldcome，butneverwent。
NowOtkellhadtwohorses，duncoloured，withablackstripedowntheback；theywerethebeststeedstorideinallthecountryround，andsofondofeachotherthatwheneveronewentbeforetheotherranafterhim。
TherewasanEasterlingstayingwithOtkell，whosenamewasAudulf；hehadsethisheartonSigny，Otkell\'sdaughter。Audulfwasatallmaningrowth，andstrong。
53。HOWOTKELLRODEOVERGUNNAR
IthappenednextspringthatOtkellsaidthattheywouldrideeasttotheDale，topayRunolfavisit，andallshowedthemselveswellpleasedatthat。Skamkellandhistwobrothers，andAudulfandthreemenmore，wentalongwithOtkell。Otkellrodeoneofthedunhorses，buttheotherranloosebyhisside。
TheyshapedtheircourseeasttowardsMarkfleet；andnowOtkellgallopsahead，andnowthehorsesraceagainsteachother，andtheybreakawayfromthepathuptowardstheFleetlithe。
Now，Otkellgoesfasterthanhewished，andithappenedthatGunnarhadgoneawayfromhomeoutofhishouseallalone；andhehadacorn-sieveinonehand，butintheotherahand-axe。Hegoesdowntohisseedfieldandsowshiscornthere，andhadlaidhiscloakoffinestuffandhisaxedownbyhisside，andsohesowsthecornawhile。
Now，itmustbetoldhowOtkellridesfasterthanhewould。Hehadspursonhisfeet，andsohegallopsdownovertheploughedfield，andneitherofthemseestheother；andjustasGunnarstandsupright，OtkellridesdownuponhimanddrivesoneofthespursintoGunnar\'sear，andgiveshimagreatgash，anditbleedsatoncemuch。
JustthenOtkell\'scompanionsrodeup。
“Yemaysee，allofyou，“saysGunnar，“thatthouhastdrawnmyblood，anditisunworthytogoonso。Firstthouhastsummonedme，butnowthoutreadestmeunderfoot，andridestoverme。“
Skamkellsaid，“Wellitwasnoworse，master，butthouwastnotonewhitlesswrothattheThing，whenthoutookesttheselfdoomandclutchedstthybill。“
Gunnarsaid，“Whenwetwonextmeetthoushaltseethebill。“
Afterthattheypartthus，andSkamkellshoutedoutandsaid，“Yeridehard，lads！“
Gunnarwenthome，andsaidneverawordtoanyoneaboutwhathadhappened，andnoonethoughtthatthiswoundcouldhavecomebyman\'sdoing。
Ithappened，though，oneday，thathetoldittohisbrotherKolskegg，andKolskeggsaid，“Thisthoushalttelltomoremen，sothatitmaynotbesaidthatthoulayestblameondeadmen；
foritwillbegainsaidifwitnessesdonotknowbeforehandwhathaspassedbetweenyou。“
ThenGunnartoldittohisneighbours，andtherewaslittletalkaboutitatfirst。
OtkellcomeseasttotheDale，andtheygetaheartywelcomethere，andsitthereaweek。
SkamkelltoldRunolfallabouttheirmeetingwithGunnar，andhowithadgoneoff；andonemanhappenedtoaskhowGunnarbehaved。
“Why，“saidSkamkell，“ifitwerealow-bornmanitwouldhavebeensaidthathehadwept。“
“Suchthingsareillspoken，“saysRunolf，“andwhenyetwonextmeet，thouwilthavetoownthatthereisnovoiceofweepinginhisframeofmind；anditwillbewellifbettermenhavenottopayforthyspite。NowitseemstomebestwhenyewishtogohomethatIshouldgowithyou，forGunnarwilldomenoharm。“
“Iwillnothavethat，“saysOtkell；“butIwillrideacrosstheFleetlowerdown。“
RunolfgaveOtkellgoodgifts，andsaidtheyshouldnotseeoneanotheragain。
Otkellbadehimthentobearhissonsinmindifthingsturnedoutso。
54。THEFIGHTATRANGRIVER
Nowwemusttakeupthestory，andsaythatGunnarwasoutofdoorsatLithend，andseeshisshepherdgallopinguptotheyard。
Theshepherdrodestraightintothe“town；andGunnarsaid，“Whyridestthousohard？“
“Iwouldbefaithfultothee，“saidtheman；“IsawmenridingdownalongMarkfleet，eightofthemtogether，andfourofthemwereincolouredclothes。“
Gunnarsaid，“ThatmustbeOtkell。“
Theladsaid，“Ihaveoftenheardmanytemper-tryingwordsofSkamkell\'s；forSkamkellspokeawaythereeastatDale，andsaidthatthousheddesttearswhentheyrodeoverthee；butItellittheebecauseIcannotbeartolistentosuchspeechesofworthlessmen。“
“Wemustnotbeword-sick，“saysGunnar，“butfromthisdayforththoushalldonootherworkthanwhatthouchoosestforthyself。“
“ShallIsayaughtofthistoKolskeggthybrother？“askedtheshepherd。
“Gothouandsleep，“saysGunnar；“IwilltellKolskegg。“
Theladlaidhimdownandfellasleepatonce，butGunnartooktheshepherd\'shorseandlaidhissaddleonhim；hetookhisshield，andgirdedhimwithhissword，Oliver\'sgift；hesetshishelmonhishead；takeshisbill，andsomethingsungloudinit，andhismother，Rannveig，heardit。Shewentuptohimandsaid“Wrathfulartthounow，myson，andneversawItheethusbefore。“
Gunnargoesout，anddrivesthebuttofhisspearintotheearth，andthrowshimselfintothesaddle，andridesaway，Hismother，Rannveig，wentintothesitting-room，wheretherewasagreatnoiseoftalking。
“Yespeakloud，“shesays，“butyetthebillgavealoudersoundwhenGunnarwentout。“
Kolskeggheardwhatshesaid，andspoke，“Thisbetokensnosmalltidings。
“Thatiswell，“saysHallgerda，“nowtheywillsoonprovewhetherhegoesawayfromthemweeping。“
Kolskeggtakeshisweaponsandseekshimahorse，andridesafterGunnarasfastashecould。
GunnarridesacrossAcretongue，andsotoGeilastofnaandthencetoRangriver，anddownthestreamtothefordatHof。Thereweresomewomenatthemilking-postthere。Gunnarjumpedoffhishorseandtiedhimup。Bythistimetheotherswereridinguptowardshim；therewereflatstonescoveredwithmudinthepaththatleddowntotheford。
Gunnarcalledouttothemandsaid，“Nowisthetimetoguardyourselves；herenowisthebill，andherenowyewillputittotheproofwhetherIshedonetearforallofyou。“
Thentheyallofthemsprangofftheirhorses\'backsandmadetowardsGunnar。Hallbjornwastheforemost。
“Donotthoucomeon，“saysGunnar；“theelastofallwouldI
harm；butIwillsparenooneifIhavetofightformylife。“
“ThatIcannotdo，“saysHallbjorn；“thouwiltstrivetokillmybrotherforallthat，anditisashameifIsitidlyby。“AndashesaidthishethrustatGunnarwithagreatspearwhichheheldinbothhands。
Gunnarthrewhisshieldbeforetheblow，butHallbjornpiercedtheshieldthrough。Gunnarthrusttheshielddownsohardthatitstoodfastintheearth1，buthebrandishedhisswordsoquicklythatnoeyecouldfollowit，andhemadeablowwiththesword，anditfellonHallbjorn\'sarmabovethewrits，sothatitcutitoff。
SkamkellranbehindGunnar\'sbackandmakesablowathimwithagreataxe。Gunnarturnedshortrounduponhimandparriestheblowwiththebill，andcaughttheaxeunderoneofitshornswithsuchawrenchthatitflewoutofSkamkell\'shandawayintotheriver。
ThenGunnarsangasong:
“Oncethouaskedst，foolishfellow，Ofthisman，thisseahorseracer，WhenasfastasfeetcouldfootitForthyefledfromfarmofmine，Whetherthatwererightlysummoned？
Nowwithgorethespearweredden，Battle-eager，andavengeusThusonthee，vilesourceofstrife。“
Gunnargivesanotherthrustwithhisbill，andthroughSkamkell，andliftshimupandcastshimdowninthemuddypathonhishead。
AudulftheEasterlingsnatchesupaspearandlaunchesitatGunnar。Gunnarcaughtthespearwithhishandintheair，andhurleditbackatonce，anditflewthroughtheshieldandtheEasterlingtoo，andsodownintotheearth。
OtkellsmitesatGunnarwithhissword，andaimsathislegjustbelowtheknee，butGunnarleaptupintotheairandhemisseshim。ThenGunnarthrustsathimthebillandtheblowgoesthroughhim。
ThenKolskeggcomesup，andrushesatonceatHallkellanddealthimhisdeath-blowwithhisshortsword。Thereandthentheyslayeightmen。
Awomanwhosawallthis，ranhomeandtoldMord，andbesoughthimtopartthem。
“Theyalonewillbethere，“hesays，“ofwhomIcarenotthoughtheyslayoneanother。“
“Thoucanstnotmeantosaythat，“shesays，“forthykinsmanGunnar，andthyfriendOtkellwillbethere。“
“Baggage，thatthouart，“hesays，“thouartalwayschattering，“
andsohelaystillin-doorswhiletheyfought。
GunnarandKolskeggrodehomeafterthiswork，andtheyrodehardupalongtheriverbank，andGunnarleaptoffhishorseandcamedownonhisfeet。
ThenKolskeggsaid，“Hardnowthouridest，brother！“
“Ay，“saidGunnar，“thatwaswhatSkamkellsaidwhenheutteredthoseverywordswhentheyrodeoverme。“
“Well，thouhastavengedthatnow，“saysKolskegg。
“Iwouldliketoknow，“saysGunnar，“whetherIambysomuchthelessbriskandboldthanothermen，becauseIthinkmoreofkillingmenthanthey？“
ENDNOTES:
1Thisshewsthattheshieldswereoblong，runningdowntoapoint。
55。NJAL\'SADVICETOGUNNAR
Nowthosetidingsareheardfarandwide，andmanysaidthattheythoughttheyhadnothappenedbeforeitwaslikely。GunnarrodetoBergthorsknollandtoldNjalofthesedeeds。
Njalsaid，“Thouhastdonegreatthings，butthouhastbeensorelytried。“
“Howwillitnowgohenceforth？“saysGunnar。
“WiltthouthatItelltheewhathathnotyetcometopass？“asksNjal。“ThouwiltridetotheThing，andthouwiltabidebymycounselandgetthegreatesthonourfromthismatter。Thiswillbethebeginningofthymanslayings。“
“Butgivemesomecunningcounsel，“saysGunnar。
“Iwilldothat，“saysNjal，“neverslaymorethanonemaninthesamestock，andneverbreakthepeacewhichgoodmenandtruemakebetweentheeandothers，andleastofallinsuchamatterasthis。“
Gunnarsaid，“Ishouldhavethoughttherewasmoreriskofthatwithothersthanwithme。“
“Likeenough，“saysNjal，“butstillthoushaltsothinkofthyquarrels，thatifthatshouldcometopassofwhichIhavewarnedthee，thenthouwilthavebutalittlewhiletolive；butotherwise，thouwiltcometobeanoldman。“
Gunnarsaid，“Dostthouknowwhatwillbethineowndeath？“
“Iknowit，“saysNjal。
“What？“asksGunnar。
“That，“saysNjal，“whichallwouldbethelasttothink。“
AfterthatGunnarrodehome。
AmanwassenttoGizurtheWhiteandGeirthePriest，fortheyhadtheblood-feudafterOtkell。Thentheyhadameeting，andhadatalkaboutwhatwastobedone；andtheywereofonemindthatthequarrelshouldbefollowedupatlaw。Thensomeonewassoughtwhowouldtakethesuitup，butnoonewasreadytodothat。
“Itseemstome，“saysGizur，“thatnowthereareonlytwocourses，thatoneofustwoundertakesthesuit，andthenweshallhavetodrawlotswhoitshallbe，orelsethemanwillbeunatoned。Wemaymakeupourminds，too，thatthiswillbeaheavysuittotouch；Gunnarhasmanykinsmenandismuchbeloved；
butthatoneofuswhodoesnotdrawthelot，shallridetotheThingandneverleaveituntilthesuitcomestoanend。“
Afterthattheydrewlots，andGeirthePriestdrewthelottotakeupthesuit。
Alittleafter，theyrodefromthewestovertheriver，andcametothespotwherethemeetinghadbeenbyRangriver，anddugupthebodies，andtookwitnesstothewounds。Afterthattheygavelawfulnoticeandsummonednineneighbourstobearwitnessinthesuit。
TheyweretoldthatGunnarwasathomewithaboutthirtymen；
thenGeirthePriestaskedwhetherGizurwouldrideagainsthimwithonehundredmen。
“Iwillnotdothat，“sayshe，“thoughthebalanceofforceisgreatonourside。“
Afterthattheyrodebackhome。Thenewsthatthesuitwassetonfootwasspreadalloverthecountry，andthesayingranthattheThingwouldbeverynoisyandstormy。
56。GUNNARANDGEIRTHEPRIESTSTRIVEATTHETHING
TherewasamannamedSkapti。HewasthesonofThorod1。
Thatfatherandsonweregreatchiefs，andverywellskilledinlaw。Thorodwasthoughttoberathercraftyandguileful。TheystoodbyGizurtheWhiteineveryquarrel。
AsfortheLithemenandthedwellersbyRangriver，theycameinagreatbodytotheThing。Gunnarwassobelovedthatallsaidwithonevoicethattheywouldbackhim。
NowtheyallcometotheThingandfituptheirbooths。IncompanywithGizurtheWhitewerethesechiefs:SkaptiThorod\'sson，AsgrimEllidagrim\'sson，OddiofKidberg，andHalldorOrnolf\'sson。
NowonedaymenwenttotheHillofLaws，andthenGeirthePrieststoodupandgavenoticethathehadasuitofmanslaughteragainstGunnarfortheslayingofOtkell。AnothersuitofmanslaughterhebroughtagainstGunnarfortheslayingofHalljborntheWhite；then，too，hewentoninthesamewayastotheslayingofAudulf，andso，too，astotheslayingofSkamkell。Then，too，helaidasuitofmanslaughteragainstKolskeggfortheslayingofHallkell。
Andwhenhehadgivenduenoticeofallhissuitsofmanslaughteritwassaidthathespokewell。Heasked，too，inwhatQuartercourtthesuitslay，andinwhathouseinthedistrictthedefendantsdwelt。AfterthatmenwentawayfromtheHillofLaws，andsotheThinggoesontillthedaywhenthecourtsweretobesettotrysuits。Theneithersidegatheredtheirmentogetheringreatstrength。
GeirthePriestandGizurtheWhitestoodatthecourtofthemenofRangriverlookingnorth，andGunnarandNjalstoodlookingsouthtowardsthecourt。
GeirthePriestbadeGunnartolistentohisoath，andthenhetooktheoath，andafterwardsdeclaredhissuit。
Thenheletmenbearwitnessofthenoticegivenbythesuit；
thenhecalledupontheneighbourswhoweretoformtheinquesttotaketheirseats；thenhecalledonGunnartochallengetheinquest；andthenhecalledontheinquesttouttertheirfinding。Thentheneighbourswhoweresummonedontheinquestwenttothecourtandtookwitness，andsaidthattherewasabartotheirfindinginthesuitastoAudulf\'sslaying，becausethenextofkinwhooughttofollowitupwasinNorway，andsotheyhadnothingtodowiththatsuit。
AfterthattheyutteredtheirfindinginthesuitastoOtkell，andbroughtinGunnarastrulyguiltyofkillinghim。
ThenGeirthePriestcalledonGunnarforhisdefence，andtookwitnessofallthestepsinthesuitwhichhadbeenproved。
ThenGunnar，inhisturn，calledonGeirthePriesttolistentohisoath，andtothedefencewhichhewasabouttobringforwardinthesuit。Thenhetooktheoathandsaid，“ThisdefenceI
maketothissuit，thatItookwitnessandoutlawedOtkellbeforemyneighboursforthatbloodywoundwhichIgotwhenOtkellgavemeahurtwithhisspur；butthee，GeirthePriest，Iforbidbyalawfulprotestmadebeforeapriest，topursuethissuit，andso，too，Iforbidthejudgestohearit；andwiththisImakeallthestepshithertotakeninthissuitvoidandofnone-effect。I
forbidtheebyalawfulprotest，afull，fair，andbindingprotest，asIhavearighttoforbidtheebythecommoncustomoftheThingandbythelawoftheland。
“Besides，IwilltelltheesomethingelsewhichImeantodo，“
saysGunnar。
“What！“saysGeir，“wiltthouchallengemetotheislandasthouartwont，andnotbearthelaw？“
“Notthat，“saysGunnar；“IshallsummontheeattheHillofLawsforthatthoucalledstthosemenontheinquestwhohadnorighttodealwithAudulf\'sslaying，andIwilldeclaretheeforthatguiltyofoutlawry。“
ThenNjalsaid，“Thingsmustnottakethisturn，fortheonlyendofitwillbethatthisstrifewillbecarriedtotheuttermost。
Eachofyou，asitseemstome，hasmuchonhisside。Therearesomeofthesemanslaughters，Gunnar，aboutwhichthoucanstsaynothingtohinderthecourtfromfindingtheeguilty；butthouhastsetonfootasuitagainstGeir，inwhichhe，too，mustbefoundguilty。Thoutoo，GeirthePriest，shaltknowthatthissuitofoutlawrywhichhangsovertheeshallnotfalltothegroundifthouwiltnotlistentomywords。“
ThorodthePriestsaid，“Itseemstousasthoughthemostpeacefulwaywouldbethatasettlementandatonementwerecometointhesuit。Butwhysayestthousolittle，GizurtheWhite？“
“Itseemstome，“saysGizur，“asthoughweshallneedtohavestrongpropsforoursuit；wemaysee，too，thatGunnar\'sfriendsstandnearhim，andsothebestturnforusthatthingscantakewillbethatgoodmenandtrueshouldutteranawardonthesuit，ifGunnarsowillsit。“
“Ihaveeverbeenwillingtomakemattersup，“saysGunnar；“andbesides，yehavemuchwrongtofollowup，butstillIthinkIwasharddriventodoasIdid。“
Andnowtheendofthosesuitswas，bythecounselofthewisestmen，thatallthesuitswereputtoarbitration；sixmenweretomakethisaward，anditwasutteredthereandthenattheThing。
TheawardwasthatSkamkellshouldbeunatoned。ThebloodmoneyforOtkell\'sdeathwastobesetoffagainstthehurtGunnargotfromthespur；andasfortherestofthemanslaughters，theywerepaidforaftertheworthofthemen，andGunnar\'skinsmengavemoneysothatallthefinesmightbepaidupattheThing。
ThenGeirthePriestandGizurtheWhitewentupandgaveGunnarpledgesthattheywouldkeepthepeaceingoodfaith。
GunnarrodehomefromtheThing，andthankedmenfortheirhelp，andgavegiftstomany，andgotthegreatesthonourfromthesuit。
NowGunnarsitsathomeinhishonour。
ENDNOTES:
1Thorod\'smotherwasThorvor，shewasdaughterofThormodSkapti\'sson，sonofOleiftheBroad，sonofOliverBarncarle。
57。OFSTARKADANDHISSONS
TherewasamannamedStarkad；hewasasonofBorktheWaxy-
toothed-blade，thesonofThorkellClubfoot，whotookthelandroundaboutThreecornerasthefirstsettler。Hiswife\'snamewasHallbera1。ThesonsofStarkadandHallberawerethese:
ThorgeirandBorkandThorkell。HildigunnatheLeechwastheirsister。
Theywereveryproudmenintemper，hard-heartedandunkind。
Theytreatedmenwrongfully。
TherewasamannamedEgil；hewasasonofKol，whotooklandasasettlerbetweenStorlekandReydwater。ThebrotherofEgilwasAunundofWitchwood，fatherofHalltheStrong，whowasattheslayingofHolt-ThorirwiththesonsofKettletheSmooth-
tongued。
EgilkepthouseatSandgil；hissonswerethese:Kol，andOttar，andHauk。Theirmother\'snamewasSteinvor；shewasStarkad\'ssister。
Egil\'ssonsweretallandstrifeful；theyweremostunfairmen。
TheywerealwaysononesidewithStarkad\'ssons。TheirsisterwasGudrunaNightsun，andshewasthebestbredofwomen。
EgilhadtakenintohishousetwoEasterlings；theone\'snamewasThorirandtheother\'sThorgrim。Theywerenotlongcomeouthitherforthefirsttime，andwerewealthyandbelovedbytheirfriends；theywerewellskilledinarms，too，anddauntlessineverything。
Starkadhadagoodhorseofchesnuthue，anditwasthoughtthatnohorsewashismatchinfight。OnceithappenedthatthesebrothersfromSandgilwereawayundertheThreecorner。TheyhadmuchgossipaboutallthehouseholdersintheFleetlithe，andtheyfellatlasttoaskingwhethertherewasanyonethatwouldfightahorseagainstthem。
Butthereweresomementherewhospokesoastoflatterandhonourthem，thatnotonlywastherenoonewhowoulddaredothat，butthattherewasnoonethathadsuchahorseThenHildigunnaanswered，“Iknowthatmanwhowilldaretofighthorseswithyou。“
“Namehim，“theysay。
“Gunnarhasabrownhorse，“shesays，“andhewilldaretofighthishorseagainstyou，andagainstanyoneelse。“
“Asforyouwomen，“theysay，“youthinknoonecanbeGunnar\'smatch；butthoughGeirthePriestorGizurtheWhitehavecomeoffwithshamefrombeforehim，stillitisnotsettledthatweshallfareinthesameway。“
“Yewillfaremuchworse，“shesays:andsotherearoseoutofthisthegreateststrifebetweenthem。ThenStarkadsaid，“MywillisthatyetryyourhandsonGunnarlastofall；foryewillfindithardworktogoagainsthisgoodluck。“
“Thouwiltgiveusleave，though，toofferhimahorsefight？“
“Iwillgiveyouleave，ifyeplayhimnotrick。“
Theysaidtheywouldbesuretodowhattheirfathersaid。
NowtheyrodetoLithend；Gunnarwasathome，andwentout，andKolskeggandHjortwentwithhim，andtheygavethemaheartywelcome，andaskedwhithertheymeanttogo？
“Nofartherthanhither，“theysay。“Wearetoldthatthouhastagoodhorse，andwewishtochallengetheetoahorse-fight。“
“Smallstoriescangoaboutmyhorse，“saysGunnar；“heisyounganduntriedineveryway。“
“Butstillthouwiltbegoodenoughtohavethefight，forHildigunnaguessedthatthouwouldestbeeasyinmatchingthyhorse。“
“Howcameyetotalkaboutthat？“saysGunnar。
“Thereweresomemen，“saythey，“whoweresurethatnoonewoulddaretofighthishorsewithours。“
“Iwoulddaretofighthim，“saysGunnar；“butIthinkthatwasspitefullysaid。“
“Shallwelookuponthematchasmade，then？“theyasked。
“Well，yourjourneywillseemtoyoubetterifyehaveyourwayinthis；butstillIwillbegthisofyou，thatwesofightourhorsesthatwemakesportforeachother，butthatnoquarrelmayarisefromit，andthatyeputnoshameuponme；butifyedotomeasyedotoothers，thentherewillbenohelpforitbutthatIshallgiveyousuchabuffetasitwillseemhardtoyoutoputupwith。Inaword，Ishalldothenjustasyedofirst。“
Thentheyridehome。Starkadaskedhowtheirjourneyhadgoneoff；theysaidthatGunnarhadmadetheirgoinggood。
“Hegavehiswordtofighthishorse，andwesettledwhenandwherethehorse-fightshouldbe；butitwasplainineverythingthathethoughthefellshortofus，andhebeggedandprayedtogetoff。“
“Itwilloftenbefound，“saysHildigunna，“thatGunnarisslowtobedrawnintoquarrels，butahardhitterifhecannotavoidthem。“
GunnarrodetoseeNjal，andtoldhimofthehorse-fight，andwhatwordshadpassedbetweenthem，“Buthowdostthouthinkthehorse-fightwillturnout？“
“Thouwiltbeuppermost，“saysNjal，“butyetmanyaman\'sbanewillariseoutofthisfight。“
“Willmybaneperhapscomeoutofit？“asksGunnar。
“Notoutofthis，“saysNjal；“butstilltheywillbearinmindboththeoldandthenewfeudwhofareagainstthee，andthouwilthavenaughtleftforitbuttoyield。“
ThenGunnarrodehome。
ENDNOTES:
1ShewasdaughterofHroaldtheRedandHildigunnaThorsteinTitling\'sdaughter。ThemotherofHildigunnawasAudEyvindKarf\'sdaughter，thesisterofModolftheWiseofMosfell，fromwhomtheModylfingsaresprung。
58。HOWGUNNAR\'SHORSEFOUGHT
JustthenGunnarheardofthedeathofhisfather-in-lawHauskuld；afewnightsafter，Thorgerda，Thrain\'swife，wasdeliveredatGritwater，andgavebirthtoaboychild。Thenshesentamantohermother，andbadeherchoosewhetheritshouldbecalledGlumorHauskuld。ShebadecallitHauskuld。Sothatnamewasgiventotheboy。
GunnarandHallgerdahadtwosons，theone\'snamewasHogniandtheother\'sGrani。Hogniwasabravemanoffewwords，distrustfulandslowtobelieve，buttruthful。
Nowmenridetothehorse-fight，andaverygreatcrowdisgatheredtogetherthere。Gunnarwasthereandhisbrothers，andthesonsofSigfus。Njalandallhissons。TheretoowascomeStarkadandhissons，andEgilandhissons，andtheysaidtoGunnarthatnowtheywouldleadthehorsestogether。
Gunnarsaid，“Thatwaswell。“
Skarphedinnsaid，“WiltthouthatIdrivethyhorse，kinsmanGunnar？“
“Iwillnothavethat，“saysGunnar。
“Itwouldn\'tbeamissthough，“saysSkarphedinn；“wearehot-
headedonbothsides。“
“Yewouldsayordolittle，“saysGunnar，“beforeaquarrelwouldspringup；butwithmeitwilltakelonger，thoughitwillbeallthesameintheend。“
Afterthatthehorseswereledtogether；Gunnarbuskedhimtodrivehishorse，butSkarphedinnledhimout。Gunnarwasinaredkirtle，andhadabouthisloinsabroadbelt，andagreatriding-rodinhishand。
Thenthehorsesranatoneanother，andbiteachotherlong，sothattherewasnoneedforanyonetotouchthem，andthatwasthegreatestsport。
ThenThorgeirandKolmadeuptheirmindsthattheywouldpushtheirhorseforwardjustasthehorsesrushedtogether，andseeifGunnarwouldfallbeforehim。
Nowthehorsesranatoneanotheragain，andbothThorgeirandKolranalongsidetheirhorses\'flank。
Gunnarpusheshishorseagainstthem，andwhathappenedinatricewasthis，thatThorgeirandhisbrotherfalldownflatontheirbacks，andtheirhorsea-topofthem。
ThentheyspringupandrushatGunnar。GunnarswingshimselffreeandseizesKol，castshimdownonthefield，sothatheliessenseless。ThorgeirStarkad\'ssonsmoteGunnar\'shorsesuchablowthatoneofhiseyesstartedout。GunnarsmoteThorgeirwithhisriding-rod，anddownfallsThorgeirsenseless；butGunnargoestohishorse，andsaidtoKolskegg，“Cutoffthehorse\'shead；heshallnotliveamaimedandblemishedbeast。“
SoKolskeggcuttheheadoffthehorse。
ThenThorgeirgotonhisfeetandtookhisweapons，andwantedtoflyatGunnar，butthatwasstopped，andtherewasagreatthrongandcrush。
Skarphedinnsaid，“Thiscrowdweariesme，anditisfarmoremanlythatmenshouldfightitoutwithweapons；andsohesangasong:
“AttheThingthereisathrong；
Pastallboundsthecrowdingcomes；
Hard\'twillbetopatchuppeace\'Twixtthemen。Thisweariesme；
WorthierisitfarformenWeaponsredwithgoretostain；
IforonewouldsoonertameHungerhugeofcubofwolf。“
Gunnarwasstill，sothatonemanheldhim，andspokenoillwords。
Njaltriedtobringaboutasettlement，ortogetpledgesofpeace；butThorgeirsaidhewouldneithergivenortakepeace；
farrather，hesaid，wouldheseeGunnardeadfortheblow。
Kolskeggsaid，“Gunnarhasbeforenowstoodtoofast，thanthatheshouldhavefallenforwordsalone，andsoitwillbeagain。“
Nowmenrideawayfromthehorse-field，everyonetohishome。
TheymakenoattackonGunnar，andsothathalfyearpassedaway。
AttheThing，thesummerafter，GunnarmetOlafthepeacock，hiscousin，andheaskedhimtocomeandseehim，butyetbadehimbewareofhimself；“For，“sayshe，“theywilldousalltheharmtheycan，andmindandfarealwayswithmanymenatthyback。“
Hegavehimmuchgoodcounselbeside，andtheyagreedthatthereshouldbethegreatestfriendshipbetweenthem。
59。OFASGRIMANDWOLFUGGIS\'SON
AsgrimEllidagrim\'ssonhadasuittofollowupattheThingagainstWolfUggis\'son。Itwasamatterofinheritance。Asgrimtookitupinsuchawayaswasseldomhiswont；fortherewasabartohissuit，andthebarwasthis，thathehadsummonedfiveneighbourstobearwitness，whenheoughttohavesummonednine。
Andnowtheyhavethisastheirbar。
ThenGunnarspokeandsaid，“Iwillchallengetheetosinglecombatontheisland，WolfUggis\'son，ifmenarenottogettheirrightsbylaw；andNjalandmyfriendHelgiwouldlikethatIshouldtakesomeshareindefendingthycause，Asgrim，iftheywerenotherethemselves。“
“But，“saysWolf，“thisquarrelisnotonebetweentheeandme。“
“Stillitshallbeasgoodasthoughitwere，“saysGunnar。
Andtheendofthesuitwas，thatWolfhadtopaydownallthemoney。
ThenAsgrimsaidtoGunnar，“Iwillasktheetocomeandseemethissummer，andIwilleverbewiththeeinlawsuits，andneveragainstthee。“
GunnarrideshomefromtheThing，andalittlewhileafterheandNjalmet。NjalbesoughtGunnartobewareofhimself，andsaidhehadbeentoldthatthoseawayundertheThreecornermeanttofallonhim，andbadehimnevergoaboutwithasmallcompany，andalwaystohavehisweaponswithhim。Gunnarsaidsoitshouldbe，andtoldhimthatAsgrimhadaskedhimtopayhimavisit，“andImeantogonowthisharvest。“
“Letnomenknowbeforethoufaresthowlongthouwiltbeaway，“
saidNjal；“but，besides，Ibegtheetoletmysonsridewiththee，andthennoattackwillbemadeonthee。“
Sotheysettledthatamongthemselves。
Nowthesummerwearsawaytillitwaseightweekstowinter，andthenGunnarsaystoKolskegg，“Maketheereadytoride，forweshallridetoafeastatTongue。“
“ShallwesayanythingaboutittoNjal\'ssons？“saidKolskegg。
“No，“saysGunnar；“theyshallfallintonoquarrelsforme。“
60。ANATTACKAGAINSTGUNNARAGREEDON
Theyrodethreetogether，Gunnarandhisbrothers。Gunnarhadthebillandhissword，Oliver\'sgift；butKolskegghadhisshortsword；Hjort，too，hadproperweapons。
NowtheyrodetoTongue，andAsgrimgavethemaheartywelcome，andtheyweretheresomewhile。Atlasttheygaveitoutthattheymeanttogohomethereandthen。Asgrimgavethemgoodgifts，andofferedtorideeastwiththem，butGunnarsaidtherewasnoneedofanysuchthing；andsohedidnotgo。
SigurdSwineheadwasthenameofamanwhodweltbyThursowater。
HecametothefarmundertheThreecorner，forhehadgivenhiswordtokeepwatchonGunnar\'sdoings，andsohewentandtoldthemofhisjourneyhome；“and，“quothhe，“therecouldneverbeafinerchancethanjustnow，whenhehasonlytwomenwithhim。“
“Howmanymenshallweneedtohavetolieinwaitforhim？“saysStarkad。
“Weakmenshallbeasnothingbeforehim，“hesays；“anditisnotsafetohavefewerthanthirtymen。“
“Whereshallwelieinwait？“
“ByKnafaholes，“hesays；“therehewillnotseeusbeforehecomesonus。“
“GothoutoSandgilandtellEgilthatfifteenofthemmustbuskthemselvesthence，andnowotherfifteenwillgohencetoKnafaholes。“
ThorgeirsaidtoHildigunna，“ThishandshallshowtheeGunnardeadthisverynight。“
“Nay，butIguess，“saysshe，“thatthouwilthangthyheadafteryetwomeet。“
Sothosefour，fatherandsons，fareawayfromtheThreecorner，andelevenmenbesides，andtheyfaredtoKnafaholes，andlayinwaitthere。
SigurdSwineheadcametoSandgilandsaid，“HitheramIsentbyStarkadandhissonstotellthee，Egil，thatye，fatherandsons，mustfaretoKnafaholestolieinwaitforGunnar。“
“Howmanyshallwefareinall？“saysEgil。
“Fifteen，reckoningme，“hesays。
Kolsaid，“NowImeantotrymyhandonKolskegg。“
“ThenIthinkthoumeanesttohaveagooddealonthyhands，“
saysSigurd。
EgilbeggedhisEasterlingstofarewithhim。TheysaidtheyhadnoquarrelwithGunnar；“andbesides，“saysThorir，“yeseemtoneedmuchhelphere，whenacrowdofmenshallgoagainstthreemen。“
ThenEgilwentawayandwaswroth。
ThenthemistressofthehousesaidtotheEasterling，“InanevilhourhathmydaughterGudrunahumbledherself，andbrokenthepointofhermaidenlypride，andlainbythysideasthywife，whenthouwiltnotdaretofollowthyfather-in-law，andthoumustbeacoward，“shesays。
“Iwillgo，“hesays，“withthyhusband，andneitherofustwoshallcomeback。“
AfterthathewenttoThorgrimhismessmate，andsaid，“Takethounowthekeysofmychests；forIshallneverunlockthemagain。
Ibidtheetakeforthineownwhateverofourgoodsthouwilt；
butsailawayfromIceland，anddonotthinkofrevengeforme。
Butifthoudostnotleavetheland，itwillbethydeath。“
SotheEasterlingjoinedhimselftotheirband。
61。GUNNAR\'SDREAM
NowwemustgobackandsaythatGunnarrideseastoverThursowater，butwhenhehadgonealittlewayfromtheriver，hegrewverydrowsy，andbadethemliedownandrestthere。
Theydidso。Hefellfastasleep，andstruggledmuchasheslumbered。
ThenKolskeggsaid，“Gunnardreamsnow。“ButHjortsaid，“I
wouldliketowakehim。“
“Thatshallnotbe，“saidKolskegg，“butheshalldreamhisdreamout。“
Gunnarlay，averylongwhile，andthrewoffhisshieldfromhim，andhegrewverywarm。Kolskeggsaid，“Whathastthoudreamt，kinsman？“
“ThathaveIdreamt，“saysGunnar，“whichifIhaddreamtitthere，IwouldneverhaveriddenwithsofewmenfromTongue。“
“Tellusthydream，“saysKolskegg。
ThenGunnarsangasong:
“Chief，thatchargestfoesinfight！
NowIfearthatIhaveriddenShortofmenfromTongue，thisharvest；
Raven\'sfastIsureshallbreak。
Lord，thatscattersOcean\'sfire！1
This，atleast，Ilongtosay，KitewithwolfshallfightformarrowIllIdreamtwithwanderingthought。“
“Idreamt，methought，thatIwasridingonbyKnafaholes，andthereIthoughtIsawmanywolves，andtheyallmadeatme；butI
turnedawayfromthemstraighttowardsRangriver，andthenmethoughttheypressedhardonmeonallsides，butIkeptthematbay，andshotallthosethatwereforemost，tilltheycamesoclosetomethatIcouldnotusemybowagainstthem。ThenI
tookmysword，andIsmotewithitwithonehand，butthrustatthemwithmybillwiththeother。ShieldmyselfthenIdidnot，andmethoughtthenIknewnotwhatshieldedme。ThenIslewmanywolves，andthou，too，Kolskegg；butHjortmethoughttheypulleddown，andtoreopenhisbreast，andonemethoughthadhisheartinhismaw；butIgrewsowroththatIhewedthatwolfasunderjustbelowthebrisket，andafterthatmethoughtthewolvesturnedandfled。Nowmycounselis，brotherHjort，thatthouridestbackwesttoTongue。“
“Iwillnotdothat，“saysHjort；“thoughIknowmydeathissure，Iwillstandbytheestill。“
ThentheyrodeandcameeastbyKnafaholes，andKolskeggsaid，“Seestthou，kinsman！Manyspearsstandupbytheholes，andmenwithweapons。“
“Itdoesnottakemeunawares，“saysGunnar，“thatmydreamcomestrue。“
“Whatisbesttobedonenow？“saysKolskegg；“Iguessthouwiltnotrunawayfromthem。“
“Theyshallnothavethattojeerabout，“saysGunnar，“butwewillrideondowntothenessbyRangriver；thereissomevantagegroundthere。“
Nowtheyrodeontotheness，andmadethemreadythere，andastheyrodeonpastthem，Kolcalledoutandsaid，“Whitherartthourunningtonow，Gunnar？“
ButKolskeggsaid，“Saythesamethingfartheronwhenthisdayhascometoanend。“
ENDNOTES:
1。“Ocean\'sfire，“aperiphrasisfor“gold。“Thewholelineisaperiphrasisfor“bountifulchief。“
62。THESLAYINGOFHJORTANDFOURTEENMEN
AfterthatStarkadeggedonhismen，andthentheyturndownuponthemintotheness。SigurdSwineheadcamefirstandhadaredtarge，butinhisotherhandheheldacutlass。Gunnarseeshimandshootsanarrowathimfromhisbow；heheldtheshieldupaloftwhenhesawthearrowflyinghigh，andtheshaftpassesthroughtheshieldandintohiseye，andsocameoutatthenapeofhisneck，andthatwasthefirstmanslain。
AsecondarrowGunnarshotatUlfhedinn，oneofStarkad\'smen，andthatstruckhimaboutthemiddleandhefellatthefeetofayeoman，andtheyeomanoverhim。Kolskeggcastastoneandstrucktheyeomanonthehead，andthatwashisdeathblow。
ThenStarkadsaid，“\'Twillneveranswerourendthatheshouldusehisbow，butletuscomeonwellandstoutly。“Theneachmaneggedontheother，andGunnarguardedhimselfwithhisbowandarrowsaslongashecould；afterthathethrowsthemdown，andthenhetakeshisbillandswordandfightswithbothhands。
Thereislongthehardestfight，butstillGunnarandKolskeggslewmanafterman。
ThenThorgeir，Starkad\'sson，said，“IvowedtobringHildigunnathyhead，Gunnar。“
ThenGunnarsangasong:
“Thou，thatbattle-sleetdownbringeth，ScarceItrowthouspeakesttruth；
She，thegirlwithgoldenarmlets，Cannotcareforsuchagift；
But，Oserpent\'shoarddespoiler！
Ifthemaidmusthavemyhead——
MaidwhosewristRhine\'sfire1wreatheth，Closercometocrashofspear。“
“Shewillnotthinkthatsomuchworthhaving，“saysGunnar；“butstilltogetitthouwilthavetocomenearer！“
Thorgeirsaidtohisbrothers，“Letusrunallofusuponhimatonce；hehasnoshieldandweshallhavehislifeinourhands。“
SoBorkandThorkelbothranforwardandwerequickerthanThorgeir。BorkmadeablowatGunnar，andGunnarthrewhisbillsohardintheway，thattheswordflewoutofBork\'shand；thenheseesThorkelstandingonhisotherhandwithinstrokeofsword。Gunnarwasstandingwithhisbodyswayedalittleononeside，andhemakesasweepwithhissword，andcaughtThorkelontheneck，andoffflewhishead。
KolEgil\'sson，said，“LetmegetatKolskegg，“andturningtoKolskegghesaid，“ThisIhaveoftensaid，thatwetwowouldbejustaboutanevenmatchinfight。“
“Thatwecansoonprove，“saysKolskegg。
Kolthrustathimwithhisspear；Kolskegghadjustslainamanandhadhishandsfull，andsohecouldnotthrowhisshieldbeforetheblow，andthethrustcameuponhisthigh，ontheoutsideofthelimbandwentthroughit。
Kolskeggturnedsharpround，andstrodetowardshim，andsmotehimwithhisshortswordonthethigh，andcutoffhisleg，andsaid，“Didittouchtheeornot？“
“Now，“saysKol，“Ipayforbeingbareofmyshield。“
Sohestoodawhileonhisotherlegandlookedatthestump。
“Thouneedestnottolookatit，“saidKolskegg；“\'tisevenasthouseest，thelegisoff。“
ThenKolfelldowndead。
ButwhenEgilseesthis，herunsatGunnarandmakesacutathim；Gunnarthrustsathimwiththebillandstruckhiminthemiddle，andGunnarhoistshimuponthebillandhurlshimoutintoRangriver。
ThenStarkadsaid，“Wretchthatthouartindeed，“ThorirEasterling，“whenthousittestby；butthyhost，andfather-in-
lawEgil，isslain。“
ThentheEasterlingsprungupandwasverywroth。Hjorthadbeenthedeathoftwomen，andtheEasterlingleaptonhimandsmotehimfullonthebreast。ThenHjortfelldowndeadonthespot。
GunnarseesthisandwasswifttosmiteattheEasterling，andcutshimasunderatthewaist。
AlittlewhileafterGunnarhurlsthebillatBork，andstruckhiminthemiddle，andthebillwentthroughhimandstuckintheground。
ThenKolskeggcutoffHaukEgil\'sson\'shead，andGunnarsmitesoffOtter\'shandattheelbow-joint。ThenStarkadsaid，“Letusflynow。Wehavenottodowithmen！“
Gunnarsaid，“Yetwowillthinkitasadstoryifthereisnaughtonyoutoshowthatyehavebothbeeninthebattle。“
ThenGunnarranafterStarkadandThorgeir，andgavethemeachawound。Afterthattheyparted；andGunnarandhisbrothershadthenwoundedmanymenwhogotawayfromthefield，butfourteenlosttheirlives，andHjortthefifteenth。
GunnarbroughtHjorthome，laidoutonhisshield，andhewasburiedinacairnthere。Manymengrievedforhim，forhehadmanydearfriends。
Starkadcamehome，too，andHildigunnadressedhiswoundsandThorgeir\'s，andsaid，“YewouldhavegivenagreatdealnottohavefallenoutwithGunnar。“
“Sowewould，“saysStarkad。
ENDNOTES:
1“Rhine\'sfire，“aperiphrasisforgold。
63。NJAL\'SCOUNSELTOGUNNAR
Steinvor，atSandgil，besoughtThorgrimtheEasterlingtotakeinhandthecareofhergoods，andnottosailawayfromIceland，andsotokeepinmindthedeathofhismessmateandkinsman。
“MymessmateThorir，“saidhe，“foretoldthatIshouldfallbyGunnar\'shandifIstayedhereintheland，andhemusthaveforeseenthatwhenheforeknewhisowndeath。“
“Iwillgivethee，“shesays，“Gudrunamydaughtertowife，andallmygoodsintothebargain。“
“Iknewnot，“hesaid，“thatthouwouldestpaysuchalongprice。“
Afterthattheystruckthebargainthatheshallhaveher，andtheweddingfeastwastobethenextsummer。
NowGunnarridestoBergthorsknoll，andKolskeggwithhim。Njalwasoutofdoorsandhissons，andtheywenttomeetGunnarandgavethemaheartywelcome。Afterthattheyfella-talking，andGunnarsaid，“HitheramIcometoseekgoodcounselandhelpatthyhand。“
“Thatisthydue，“saidNjal。
“Ihavefallenintoagreatstrait，“saysGunnar，“andslainmanymen，andIwishtoknowwhatthouwiltmakeofthematter？“
“Manywillsaythis，“saidNjal，“thatthouhastbeendrivenintoitmuchagainstthywill；butnowthoushaltgivemetimetotakecounselwithmyself。“
ThenNjalwentawayallbyhimself，andthoughtoveraplan，andcamebackandsaid，“NowhaveIthoughtoverthemattersomewhat，anditseemstomeasthoughthismustbecarriedthrough——ifitbecarriedthroughatall——withhardihoodanddaring。
ThorgeirhasgotmykinswomanThorfinnawithchild，andIwillhandovertotheethesuitforseduction。AnothersuitofoutlawryagainstStarkadIhandoveralsotothee，forhavinghewntreesinmywoodontheThreecornerridge。Boththesesuitsshaltthoutakeup。Thoushaltfaretoo，tothespotwhereyefought，anddigupthedead，andnamewitnessestothewounds，andmakeallthedeadoutlaws，forthattheycameagainsttheewiththatmindtogivetheeandthybrotherswoundsorswiftdeath。ButifthisbetriedattheThing，anditbebroughtupagainsttheethatthoufirstgaveThorgeirablow，andsomaystneitherpleadthineowncausenorthatofothers，thenIwillanswerinthatmatter，andsaythatIgavetheebackthyrightsattheThingskala-Thing，sothatthoushouldestbeabletopleadthineownsuitaswellasthatofothers，andthentherewillbeananswertothatpoint。ThoushaltalsogotoseeTyrfingofBerianess，andhemusthandovertotheeasuitagainstAunundofWitchwood，whohasthebloodfeudafterhisbrotherEgil。“
ThenfirstofallGunnarrodehome；butafewnightsafterNjal\'ssonsandGunnarrodethitherwherethebodieswere，anddugthemupthatwereburiedthere。ThenGunnarsummonedthemallasoutlawsforassaultandtreachery，androdehomeafterthat。
64。OFVALGARDANDMORD
ThatsameharvestValgardtheGuilefulcameouttoIceland，andfaredhometoHof。ThenThorgeirwenttoseeValgardandMord，andtoldthemwhatastraittheywereinifGunnarweretobeallowedtomakeallthosemenoutlawswhomhehadslain。
ValgardsaidthatmustbeNjal\'scounsel，andyeteverythinghadnotcomeoutyetwhichhewaslikelytohavetaughthim。
ThenThorgeirbeggedthosekinsmenforhelpandbacking，buttheyheldoutalongwhile，andatlastaskedfor，andgotalargesumofmoney。
That，too，waspartoftheirplan，thatMordshouldaskforThorkatla，GizurtheWhite\'sdaughter，andThorgeirwastorideatoncewestacrosstheriverwithValgardandMord。
SothedayaftertheyrodetwelveofthemtogetherandcametoMossfell。Theretheywereheartilywelcomed，andtheyputthequestiontoGizuraboutthewooing，andtheendofitwasthatthematchshouldbemade，andtheweddingfeastwastobeinhalfamonth\'sspaceatMossfell。
Theyridehome，andafterthattheyridetotheweddingandtherewasacrowdofgueststomeetthem，anditwentoffwell。
ThorkatlawenthomewithMordandtookthehousekeepinginhand，butValgardwentabroadagainthenextsummer。
NowMordeggsonThorgeirtosethissuitonfootagainstGunnar，andThorgeirwenttofindAunund；hebidshimnowtobeginasuitformanslaughterforhisbrotherEgilandhissons；“butIwillbeginoneforthemanslaughterofmybrothers，andforthewoundsofmyselfandmyfather。“
Hesaidhewasquitereadytodothat，andthentheysetout，andgivenoticeofthemanslaughter，andsummonnineneighbourswhodweltnearesttothespotwherethedeedwasdone。ThisbeginningofthesuitwasheardofatLithend；andthenGunnarridestoseeNjal，andtoldhim，andaskedwhathewishedthemtodonext。
“Now，“saysNjal，“thoushaltsummonthosewhodwellnexttothespot，andthyneighbours；andcallmentowitnessbeforetheneighbours，andchooseoutKolastheslayerinthemanslaughterofHjortthybrother:forthatislawfulandright；thenthoushaltgivenoticeofthesuitformanslaughteratKol\'shand，thoughhebedead。Thenshaltthoucallmentowitness，andsummontheneighbourstoridetotheAllthingtobearwitnessofthefact，whetherthey，Kolandhiscompanions，wereonthespot，andinonslaughtwhenHjortwasslain。ThoushaltalsosummonThorgeirforthesuitofseduction，andAunundatthesuitofTyrfing。“
GunnarnowdidineverythingasNjalgavehimcounsel。Thismenthoughtastrangebeginningofsuits，andnowthesematterscomebeforetheThing。GunnarridestotheThing，andNjal\'ssonsandthesonsofSigfus。Gunnarhadsentmessengerstohiscousinsandkinsmen，thattheyshouldridetotheThing，andcomewithasmanymenastheycould，andtoldthemthatthismatterwouldleadtomuchstrife。Sotheygatheredtogetherinagreatbandfromthewest。
MordrodetotheThingandRunolfoftheDaIe，andthoseundertheThreecorner，andAunundofWitchwood。ButwhentheycometotheThing，theyjointheminonecompanywithGizurtheWhiteandGeirthePriest。
65。OFFINESANDATONEMENTS
Gunnar，andthesonsofSigfus，andNjal\'ssons，wentaltogetherinoneband，andtheymarchedsoswiftlyandcloselythatmenwhocameintheirwayhadtotakeheedlesttheyshouldgetafall；
andnothingwassooftenspokenaboutoverthewholeThingasthesegreatlawsuits。
Gunnarwenttomeethiscousins，andOlafandhismengreetedhimwell。TheyaskedGunnaraboutthefight，buthetoldthemallaboutit，andwasjustinallhesaid；hetoldthem，too，whatstepshehadtakensince。
ThenOlafsaid，“\'TisworthmuchtoseehowcloseNjalstandsbytheeinallcounsel。“
Gunnarsaidheshouldneverbeabletorepaythat，butthenhebeggedthemforhelp；andtheysaidthatwashisdue。
Nowthesuitsonbothsidescamebeforethecourt，andeachpleadshiscause。
Mordasked，“Howitwasthatamancouldhavetherighttosetasuitonfootwho，likeGunnar，hadalreadymadehimselfanoutlawbystrikingThorgeirablow？“
“Wastthou，“answeredNjal，“atThingskala-Thinglastautumn？“
“SurelyIwas，“saysMord。
“Heardestthou，“asksNjal，“howGunnarofferedhimfullatonement？ThenIgavebackGunnarhisrighttodoalllawfuldeeds。“
“Thatisrightandgoodlaw，“saysMord，“buthowdoesthematterstandifGunnarhaslaidtheslayingofHjortatKol\'sdoor，whenitwastheEasterlingthatslewhim？“
“Thatwasrightandlawful，“saysNjal，“whenhechosehimastheslayerbeforewitnesses。“
“Thatwaslawfulandright，nodoubt，“saysMord；“butforwhatdidGunnarsummonthemallasoutlaws？“
“Thouneedestnottoaskaboutthat，“saysNjal，“whentheywentouttodealwoundsandmanslaughter。“
“Yes，“saysMord，“butneitherbefellGunnar。“
“Gunnar\'sbrothers，“saidNjal，“KolskeggandHjort，werethere，andoneofthemgothisdeathandtheotherafleshwound。“
“Thouspeakestnothingbutwhatislaw，“saysMord，“thoughitishardtoabidebyit。“
ThenHialltiSkeggi\'ssonofThursodale，stoodforthandsaid。“I
havehadnoshareinanyofyourlawsuits；butIwishtoknowwhetherthouwiltdosomething，Gunnar，forthesakeofmywordsandfriendship。“
“Whataskestthou？“saysGunnar。
“This，“hesays，“thatyelaydownthewholesuittotheawardandjudgmentofgoodmenandtrue。“
“IfIdoso，“saidGunnar，“thenthoushaltneverbeagainstme，whatevermenImayhavetodealwith。“
“Iwillgivemywordtothat，“saysHjallti。
AfterthathetriedhisbestwithGunnar\'sadversaries，andbroughtitaboutthattheywereallsetatoneagain。Andafterthateachsidegavetheotherpledgesofpeace；butforThorgeir\'swoundcamethesuitforseduction，andforthehewinginthewood，Starkad\'swound。Thorgeir\'sbrotherswereatonedforbyhalffines，buthalffellawayfortheonslaughtonGunnar。Egil\'sslayingandTyrfing\'slawsuitweresetoffagainsteachother。ForHjort\'sslaying，theslayingofKolandoftheEasterlingweretocome，andasforalltherest，theywereatonedforwithhalffines。
Njalwasinthisaward，andAsgrimEllidagrim\'sson，andHjalltiSkeggi\'sson。
NjalhadmuchmoneyoutatinterestwithStarkad，andatSandgiltoo，andhegaveitalltoGunnartomakeupthesefines。
SomanyfriendshadGunnarattheThing，thathenotonlypaidupthereandthenallthefinesonthespot，butgavebesidesgiftstomanychiefswhohadlenthimhelp；andhehadthegreatesthonourfromthesuit；andallwereagreedinthis，thatnomanwashismatchinalltheSouthQuarter。
SoGunnarrideshomefromtheThingandsitsthereinpeace，butstillhisadversariesenviedhimmuchforhishonour。