66。OFTHORGEIROTKELL\'SSON
NowwemusttellofThorgeirOtkell\'sson;hegrewuptobeatallstrongman,true-heartedandguileless,butrathertooreadytolistentofairwords。Hehadmanyfriendsamongthebestmen,andwasmuchbelovedbyhiskinsmen。
OnceonatimeThorgeirStarkad\'ssonhadbeentoseehiskinsmanMord。
“Icanillbrook,“hesays,“thatsettlementofmatterswhichweandGunnarhad,butIhaveboughtthyhelpsolongaswetwoareaboveground;Iwishthouwouldestthinkoutsomeplanandlayitdeep;thisiswhyIsayitrightout,becauseIknowthatthouartGunnar\'sgreatestfoe,andhetoothine。Iwillmuchincreasethinehonourifthoutakestpainsinthismatter。“
“ItwillalwaysseemasthoughIweregreedyofgain,butsoitmustbe。Yetitwillbehardtotakecarethatthoumayestnotseemtobeatruce-breaker,orpeace-breaker,andyetcarryoutthypoint。ButnowIhavebeentoldthatKolskeggmeanstotryasuit,andregainafourthpartofMoeidsknoll,whichwaspaidtothyfatherasanatonementforhisson。Hehastakenupthissuitforhismother,butthistooisGunnar\'scounsel,topayingoodsandnottoletthelandgo。Wemustwaittillthiscomesabout,andthendeclarethathehasbrokenthesettlementmadewithyou。HehasalsotakenacornfieldfromThorgeirOtkell\'sson,andsobrokenthesettlementwithhimtoo。ThoushaltgotoseeThorgeirOtkell\'sson,andbringhimintothematterwiththee,andthenfallonGunnar;butifyefailinaughtofthis,andcannotgethimhunteddown,stillyeshallsetonhimoverandoveragain。ImusttelltheethatNjalhas“spaed“hisfortune,andforetoldabouthislife,ifheslaysmorethanonceinthesamestock,thatitwouldleadhimtohisdeath,ifitsofelloutthathebrokethesettlementmadeafterthedeed。
ThereforeshaltthoubringThorgeirintothesuit,becausehehasalreadyslainhisfather;andnow,ifyetwoaretogetherinanaffray,thoushaltshieldthyself;buthewillgoboldlyon,andthenGunnarwillslayhim。Thenhehasslaintwiceinthesamestock,butthoushaltflyfromthefight。Andifthisistodraghimtohisdeathhewillbreakthesettlementafterwards,andsowemaywaittillthen。“
AfterthatThorgeirgoeshomeandtellshisfathersecretly。
Thentheyagreedamongthemselvesthattheyshouldworkoutthisplotbystealth。
67。OFTHORGEIRSTARKAD\'SSON
SometimeafterThorgeirStarkad\'ssonfaredtoKirkbytoseehisnamesake,andtheywentasidetospeak,andtalkedsecretlyallday;butattheendThorgeirStarkad\'ssongavehisnamesakeaspearinlaidwithgold,androdehomeafterwards;theymadethegreatestfriendshiptheonewiththeother。
AttheThingskala-Thingintheautumn,KolskegglaidclaimtothelandatMoeidsknoll,butGunnartookwitness,andofferedreadymoney,oranotherpieceoflandatalawfulpricetothoseundertheThreecorner。
Thorgeirtookwitnessalso,thatGunnarwasbreakingthesettlementmadebetweenthem。
AfterthattheThingwasbrokenup,andsothenextyearworeaway。
Thosenamesakeswerealwaysmeeting,andtherewasthegreatestfriendshipbetweenthem。KolskeggspoketoGunnarandsaid,“I
amtoldthatthereisgreatfriendshipbetweenthosenamesakes,anditisthetalkofmanymenthattheywillproveuntrue,andI
wouldthatthouwouldstbewareofthyself。“
“Deathwillcometomewhenitwillcome,“saysGunnar,“whereverImaybe,ifthatismyfate。“
Thentheyleftofftalkingaboutit。
Aboutautumn,Gunnargaveoutthattheywouldworkoneweekthereathome,andthenextdownintheisles,andsomakeanendoftheirhay-making。Atthesametime,heletitbeknownthateverymanwouldhavetoleavethehouse,savehimselfandthewomen。
ThorgeirunderThreecornergoestoseehisnamesake,butassoonastheymettheybegantotalkaftertheirwont,andThorgeirStarkad\'sson,said,“IwouldthatwecouldhardenourheartsandfallonGunnar。“
“Well,“saysThorgeirOtkell\'sson,“everystrugglewithGunnarhashadbutoneend,thatfewhavegainedtheday;besides,methinksitsoundsilltobecalledapeace-breaker。“
“Theyhavebrokenthepeace,notwe,“saysThorgeirStarkad\'sson。“Gunnartookawayfromtheethycornfield;andhehastakenMoeidsknollfrommyfatherandme。“
AndsotheysettleitbetweenthemtofallonGunnar;andthenThorgeirsaidthatGunnarwouldbeallaloneathomeinafewnights\'space,“andthenthoushaltcometomeetmewithelevenmen,butIwillhaveasmany。“
AfterthatThorgeirrodehome。
68。OFNJALANDTHOSENAMESAKES
NowwhenKolskeggandthehouse-carleshadbeenthreenightsintheisles,ThorgeirStarkad\'ssonhadnewsofthat,andsendswordtohisnamesakethatheshouldcometomeethimonThreecornerridge。
AfterthatThorgeiroftheThreecornerbuskedhimwithelevenmen;heridesupontheridgeandtherewaitsforhisnamesake。
AndnowGunnarisathomeinhishouse,andthosenamesakesrideintoawoodhardby。Theresuchadrowsinesscameoverthemthattheycoulddonaughtelsebutsleep。Sotheyhungtheirshieldsupintheboughs,andtetheredtheirhorses,andlaidtheirweaponsbytheirsides。
NjalwasthatnightupinThorolfsfell,andcouldnotsleepatall,butwentoutandinbyturns。
ThorhildaaskedNjalwhyhecouldnotsleep?
“Manythingsnowflitbeforemyeyes,“saidhe;“IseemanyfetchesofGunnar\'sbitterfoes,andwhatisverystrangeisthis,theyseemtobemadwithrage,andyettheyfarewithoutplanorpurpose。“
Alittleafter,amanrodeuptothedoorandgotoffhishorse\'sbackandwentin,andtherewascometheshepherdofThorhildaandherhusband。
“Didstthoufindthesheep?“sheasked。
“Ifoundwhatmightbemoreworth,“saidhe。
“Whatwasthat?“askedNjal。
“Ifoundtwenty-fourmenupinthewoodyonder;theyhadtetheredtheirhorses,butsleptthemselves。Theirshieldstheyhadhungupintheboughs。“
Butsocloselyhadhelookedatthemthathetoldofalltheirweaponsandwargearandclothes,andthenNjalknewplainlywhoeachofthemmusthavebeen,andsaidtohim,“\'Tweregoodhiringifthereweremanysuchshepherds;andthisshalleverstandtothygood;butstillIwillsendtheeonanerrand。“
Hesaidatoncehewouldgo。
“Thoushaltgo,“saysNjal,“toLithendandtellGunnarthathemustfaretoGritwater,andthensendaftermen;butIwillgotomeetwiththosewhoareinthewoodandscarethemaway。Thisthinghathwellcometopass,sothattheyshallgainnothingbythisjourney,butlosemuch。“
TheshepherdsetoffandtoldGunnarasplainlyashecouldthewholestory。ThenGunnarrodetoGritwaterandsummonedmentohim。
NowitistobetoldofNjalhowheridestomeetthesenamesakes。
“Unwarilyyeliehere,“hesays,“orforwhatendshallthisjourneyhavebeenmade?AndGunnarisnotamantobetrifledwith。Butifthetruthmustbetoldthen,thisisthegreatesttreason。Yeshallalsoknowthis,thatGunnarisgatheringforce,andhewillcomehereinthetwinklingofaneye,andslayyouall,unlessyerideawayhome。“
Theybestirredthematonce,fortheywereingreatfear,andtooktheirweapons,andmountedtheirhorsesandgallopedhomeundertheThreecorner。
NjalfaredtomeetGunnarandbadehimnottobreakuphiscompany。
“ButIwillgoandseekforanatonement;nowtheywillbefinelyfrightened;butforthistreasonnolessasumshallbepaidwhenonehastodealwithallofthem,thanshallbepaidfortheslayingofoneorotherofthosenamesakes,thoughsuchathingshouldcometopass。ThismoneyIwilltakeintomykeeping,andsolayitoutthatitmaybereadytothyhandwhenthouhastneedofit。“
69。OLAFTHEPEACOCK\'SGIFTSTOGUNNAR
GunnarthankedNjalforhisaid,andNjalrodeawayundertheThreecorner,andtoldthosenamesakesthatGunnarwouldnotbreakuphisbandofmenbeforehehadfoughtitoutwiththem。
Theybegantooffertermsforthemselves,andwerefullofdread,andbadeNjaltocomebetweenthemwithanofferofatonement。
Njalsaidthatcouldonlybeiftherewerenoguilebehind。Thentheybeggedhimtohaveashareintheaward,andsaidtheywouldholdtowhatheawarded。
NjalsaidhewouldmakenoawardunlessitwereattheThing,andunlessthebestmenwereby;andtheyagreedtothat。
ThenNjaIcamebetweenthem,sothattheygaveeachotherpledgesofpeaceandatonement。
Njalwastouttertheaward,andtonameashisfellowsthosewhomhechose。
AlittlewhileafterthosenamesakesmetMordValgard\'sson,andMordblamedthemmuchforhavinglaidthematterinNjal\'shands,whenhewasGunnar\'sgreatfriend。Hesaidthatwouldturnoutillforthem。
NowmenridetotheAlthingaftertheirwont,andnowbothsidesareattheThing。
Njalbeggedforahearing,andaskedallthebestmenwhowerecomethither,whatrightatlawtheythoughtGunnarhadagainstthosenamesakesfortheirtreason。Theysaidtheythoughtsuchamanhadgreatrightonhisside。
Njalwentontoask,whetherhehadarightofactionagainstallofthem,orwhethertheleadershadtoanswerforthemallinthesuit?
Theysaythatmostoftheblamewouldfallontheleaders,butagreatdealstillonthemall。
“Manywillsaythis,“saidMord,“thatitwasnotwithoutacausewhenGunnarbrokethesettlementmadewiththosenamesakes。“
“Thatisnobreachofsettlement,“saysNjal,“thatanymanshouldtakethelawagainstanother;forwithlawshallourlandbebuiltupandsettled,andwithlawlessnesswastedandspoiled。“
ThenNjaltellsthemthatGunnarhadofferedlandforMoeidsknoll,orothergoods。
ThenthosenamesakesthoughttheyhadbeenbeguiledbyMord,andscoldedhimmuch,andsaidthatthisfinewasallhisdoing。
Njalnamedtwelvemenasjudgesinthesuit,andtheneverymanpaidahundredinsilverwhohadgoneout,buteachofthosenamesakestwohundred。
Njaltookthismoneyintohiskeepingbuteithersidegavetheotherpledgesofpeace,andNjalgaveouttheterms。
ThenGunnarrodefromtheThingwesttotheDales,tillhecametoHjardarholt,andOlafthePeacockgavehimaheartywelcome。
Therehesathalfamonth,androdefarandwideabouttheDales,andallwelcomedhimwithjoyfulhands。ButattheirpartingOlafsaid,“Iwillgivetheethreethingsofprice,agoldring,andacloakwhichMoorkjartantheErsekingowned,andahoundthatwasgivenmeinIreland;heisbig,andnoworsefollowerthanasturdyman。Besides,itispartofhisnaturethathehasman\'swit,andhewillbayateverymanwhomheknowsisthyfoe,butneveratthyfriends;hecansee,too,inanyman\'sface,whetherhemeanstheewellorill,andhewilllaydownhislifetobetruetothee。Thishound\'snameisSam。“
Afterthathespoketothehound,“NowshaltthoufollowGunnar,anddohimalltheservicethoucanst。“
ThehoundwentatoncetoGunnarandlaidhimselfdownathisfeet。
OlafbadeGunnartobewareofhimself,andsaidhehadmanyenviers,“Fornowthouartthoughttobeafamousmanthroughoutalltheland。“
Gunnarthankedhimforhisgiftsandgoodcounsel,androdehome。
NowGunnarsitsathomeforsometime,andallisquiet。
70。MORD\'SCOUNSEL
Alittleafter,thosenamesakesandMordmet,andtheywerenotatallofonemind。TheythoughttheyhadlostmuchgoodsforMord\'ssake,buthadgotnothinginreturn;andtheybadehimsetonfootsomeotherplotwhichmightdoGunnarharm。
Mordsaidsoitshouldbe。“Butnowthisismycounsel,thatthou,ThorgeirOtkell\'ssonshouldestbeguileOrmilda,Gunnar\'skinswoman;butGunnarwilllethisdispleasuregrowagainsttheeatthat,andthenIwillspreadthatstoryabroadthatGunnarwillnotsuffertheetodosuchthings。ThenyetwoshallsometimeaftermakeanattackonGunnar,butstillyemustnotseekhimathome,forthereisnothinkingofthatwhilethehoundisalive。“
Sotheysettledthisplanamongthemthatitshouldbebroughtabout。
ThorgeirbegantoturnhisstepstowardsOrmilda,andGunnarthoughtthatill,andgreatdislikearosebetweenthem。
Sothewinterworeaway。Nowcomesthesummer,andtheirsecretmeetingswentonoftenerthanbefore。
AsforThorgeiroftheThreecornerandMord,theywerealwaysmeeting;andtheyplananonslaughtonGunnarwhenheridesdowntotheislestoseeaftertheworkdonebyhishouse-caries。
OnedayMordwaswareofitwhenGunnarrodedowntotheisles,andsentamanoffundertheThreecornertotellThorgeirthatthenwouldbethelikeliesttimetotrytofallonGunnar。
Theybestirredthematonce,andfarethencetwelvetogether,butwhentheycametoKirkbytheretheyfoundthirteenmenwaitingforthem。
ThentheymadeuptheirmindstoridedowntoRangriverandlieinwaitthereforGunnar。
ButwhenGunnarrodeupfromtheisles,Kolskeggrodewithhim。
Gunnarhadhisbowandhisarrowsandhisbill。Kolskegghadhisshortswordandweaponstomatch。
71。THESLAYINGOFTHORGEIROTKELL\'SSON
ThattokenhappenedasGunnarandhisbrotherrodeuptowardsRangriver,thatmuchbloodburstoutonthebill。
Kolskeggaskedwhatthatmightmean。
Gunnarsays,“Ifsuchtokenstookplaceinotherlands,itwascalled`wound-drops,\'andMasterOlivertoldmealsothatthisonlyhappenedbeforegreatfights。“
Sotheyrodeontilltheysawmensittingbytheriverontheotherside,andtheyhadtetheredtheirhorses。
Gunnarsaid,“Nowwehaveanambush。“
Kolskegganswered,“Longhavetheybeenfaithless;butwhatisbesttobedonenow?“
“Wewillgallopupalongsidethemtotheford,“saysGunnar,“andtheremakereadyforthem。“
Theotherssawthatandturnedatoncetowardsthem。
Gunnarstringshisbow,andtakeshisarrowsandthrowsthemonthegroundbeforehim,andshootsassoonasevertheycomewithinshot;bythatGunnarwoundedmanymen,butsomeheslew。
ThenThorgeirOtkell\'ssonspokeandsaid,“Thisisnouse;letusmakeforhimashardaswecan。“
Theydidso,andfirstwentAunundtheFair,Thorgeir\'skinsman。
Gunnarhurledthebillathim,anditfellonhisshieldandcloveitintwain,butthebillrushedthroughAunund。AugmundShockheadrushedatGunnarbehindhisback。KolskeggsawthatandcutoffatoncebothAugmund\'slegsfromunderhim,andhurledhimoutintoRangriver,andhewasdrownedthereandthen。
Thenahardbattlearose;Gunnarcutwithonehandandthrustwiththeother。Kolskeggslewsomemenandwoundedmany。
ThorgeirStarkad\'ssoncalledouttohisnamesake,“Itlooksverylittleasthoughthouhadstafathertoavenge。“
“Trueitis,“heanswers,“thatIdonotmakemuchway,butyetthouhastnotfollowedinmyfootsteps;stillIwillnotbearthyreproaches。“
WiththatherushesatGunnaringreatwrath,andthrusthisspearthroughhisshield,andsoonthroughhisarm。
Gunnargavetheshieldsuchasharptwistthatthespearheadbrokeshortoffatthesocket。Gunnarseesthatanothermanwascomewithinreachofhissword,andhesmitesathimanddealshimhisdeath-blow。Afterthat,heclutcheshisbillwithbothhands;justthen,ThorgeirOtkell\'ssonhadcomenearhimwithadrawnsword,andGunnarturnsonhimingreatwrath,anddrivesthebillthroughhim,andliftshimupaloft,andcastshimoutintoRangriver,andhedriftsdowntowardstheford,andstuckfastthereonastone;andthenameofthatfordhassincebeenThorgeir\'sford。
ThenThorgeirStarkad\'ssonsaid,“Letusflynow;novictorywillbefatedtousthistime。“
Sotheyallturnedandfledfromthefield。
“Letusfollowthemupnow,“saysKolskegg“andtakethouthybowandarrows,andthouwiltcomewithinbowshotofThorgeirStarkad\'sson。“
ThenGunnarsangasong:
“Reaverofrichriver-treasure,Plunderedwillourpursesbe,Thoughto-daywewoundnootherWarriorswightinplayofspearsAye,ifIforallthesesailorsLowlylying,finesmustpay——
ThisiswhyIholdmyhand,Hearken,brotherdear,tome。“_
“Ourpurseswillbeemptied,“saysGunnar,“bythetimethattheseareatonedforwhonowlieheredead。“
“Thouwiltneverlackmoney,“saysKolskegg;“butThorgeirwillneverleaveoffbeforehecompassesthydeath。“
Gunnarsanganothersong:
“Lordofwater-skates1thatskimSea-king\'sfields,moregoodashe,Sheddingwounds\'redstream,muststandInmywayereIshallwince。
I,thegoldenarmlets\'warder,Snakeliketwinedaroundmywrist,Ne\'ershallshunafoeman\'sfaulchionFlashingbrightindinoffight。“
“He,andafewmoreasgoodashe,“saysGunnar,“muststandinmypathereIamafraidofthem。“
Afterthattheyridehomeandtellthetidings。Hallgerdawaswellpleasedtohearthem,andpraisedthedeedmuch。
Rannveigsaid,“Maybethedeedisgood;butsomehow,“shesays,“Ifeeltoodowncastaboutittothinkthatgoodcancomeofit。“
ENDNOTES:
1“Water-skates,“aperiphrasisforships。
72。OFTHESUITSFORMANSLAUGHTERATTHETHING
Thesetidingswerespreadfarandwide,andThorgeir\'sdeathwasagreatgrieftomanyaman。GizurtheWhiteandhismenrodetothespotandgavenoticeofthemanslaughter,andcalledtheneighboursontheinquesttotheThing。Thentheyrodehomewest。
NjalandGunnarmetandtalkedaboutthebattle。ThenNjalsaidtoGunnar,“Nowbewareofthyself。Nowhastthouslaintwiceinthesamestock;andsonowtakeheedtothybehaviour,andthinkthatitisasmuchasthylifeisworth,ifthoudostnotholdtothesettlementthatismade。“
“NordoImeantobreakitinanyway,“saysGunnar,“butstillI
shallneedthyhelpattheThing。“
“Iwillholdtomyfaithfulnesstothee,“saidNjal,“tillmydeathday。“
ThenGunnarrideshome。NowtheThingdrawsnear;andeachsidegatheragreatcompany;anditisamatterofmuchtalkattheThinghowthesesuitswillend。
Thosetwo,GizurtheWhite,andGeirthePriest,talkedwitheachotherastowhoshouldgivenoticeofthesuitofmanslaughterafterThorgeir,andtheendofitwasthatGizurtookthesuitonhishand,andgavenoticeofitattheHillofLaws,andspokeinthesewords:——
“IgavenoticeofasuitforassaultlaiddownbylawagainstGunnarHamond\'sson;forthatherushedwithanonslaughtlaiddownbylawonThorgeirOtkell\'sson,andwoundedhimwithabodywound,whichprovedadeathwound,sothatThorgeirgothisdeath。
“Isayonthischargeheoughttobecomeaconvictedoutlaw,nottobefed,nottobeforwarded,nottobehelpedorharbouredinanyneed。
“Isaythathisgoodsareforfeited,halftomeandhalftothemenoftheQuarter,whoserightitisbylawtoseizethegoodsofoutlaws。
“IgivenoticeofthischargeintheQuarterCourt,intowhichthissuitoughtbylawtocome。
“IgivethislawfulnoticeinthehearingofallmenattheHillofLaws。
“Igivenoticenowofthissuit,andoffullforfeitureandoutlawryagainstGunnarHamond\'sson。“
AsecondtimeGizurtookwitness,andgavenoticeofasuitagainstGunnarHamond\'sson,forthathehadwoundedThorgeirOtkell\'ssonwithabodywoundwhichwasadeathwound,andfromwhichThorgeirgothisdeath,onsuchandsuchaspotwhenGunnarfirstsprangonThorgeirwithanonslaught,laiddownbylaw。
Afterthathegavenoticeofthisdeclarationashehaddoneofthefirst。ThenheaskedinwhatQuarterCourtthesuitlay,andinwhathouseinthedistrictthedefendantdwelt。
Whenthatwasover,menlefttheHillofLaws,andallsaidthathespokewell。
Gunnarkepthimselfwellinhandandsaidlittleornothing。
NowtheThingwearsawaytillthedaywhenthecourtsweretobeset。
ThenGunnarstoodlookingsouthbythecourtofthemenofRangriver,andhismenwithhim。
Gizurstoodlookingnorth,andcallshiswitnesses,andbadeGunnartolistentohisoath,andtohisdeclarationofthesuit,andtoallthestepsandproofswhichhemeanttobringforward。
Afterthathetookhisoath,andthenhebroughtforwardthesuitinthesameshapebeforethecourt,ashehadgivennoticeofitbefore。Thenhemadethembringforwardwitnessofthenotice,thenhebadetheneighboursontheinquesttotaketheirseats,andcalleduponGunnartochallengetheinquest。
73。OFTHEATONEMENT
ThenNjalspokeandsaid,“NowIcannolongersitstillandtakenopart。Letusgotowheretheneighbourssitontheinquest。“
Theywentthitherandchallengedfourneighboursoutoftheinquest,buttheycalledonthefivethatwerelefttoanswerthefollowingquestioninGunnar\'sfavour,“WhetherthosenamesakeshadgoneoutwiththatmindtotheplaceofmeetingtodoGunnaramischiefiftheycould?“
Butallborewitnessatoncethatsoitwas。
ThenNjalcalledthisalawfuldefencetothesuit,andsaidhewouldbringforwardproofofitunlesstheygaveoverthesuittoarbitration。
Thenmanychiefsjoinedinprayingforanatonement,andsoitwasbroughtaboutthattwelvemenshouldutteranawardinthematter。
Theneithersidewentandhandselledthissettlementtotheother。Afterwardstheawardwasmade,andthesumtobepaidsettled,anditwasalltobepaiddownthenandthereattheThing。
Butbesides,GunnarwastogoabroadandKolskeggwithhim,andtheyweretobeawaythreewinters;butifGunnardidnotgoabroadwhenhehadachanceofapassage,thenhewastobeslainbythekinsmenofthosewhomhehadkilled。
Gunnarmadenosign,asthoughhethoughtthetermsofatonementwerenotgood。HeaskedNjalforthatmoneywhichhehadhandedovertohimtokeep。Njalhadlaidthemoneyoutatinterestandpaiditdownallatonce,anditjustcametowhatGunnarhadtopayforhimself。
Nowtheyridehome。GunnarandNjalrodebothtogetherfromtheThing,andthenNjalsaidtoGunnar,“Takegoodcare,messmate,thatthoukeepesttothisatonement,andbearinmindwhatwehavespokenabout;forthoughthyformerjourneyabroadbroughttheetogreathonour,thiswillbeafargreaterhonourtothee。
Thouwiltcomebackwithgreatglory,andlivetobeanoldman,andnomanherewillthentreadonthyheel;butifthoudostnotfareaway,andsobreakestthyatonement,thenthouwiltbeslainhereintheland,andthatisillknowingforthosewhoarethyfriends。“
Gunnarsaidhehadnomindtobreaktheatonement,andherideshomeandtoldthemofthesettlement。
Rannveigsaiditwaswellthathefaredabroad,forthentheymustfindsomeoneelsetoquarrelwith。
74。KOLSKEGGGOESABROAD
ThrainSigfus\'sonsaidtohiswifethathemeanttofareabroadthatsummer。Shesaidthatwaswell。SohetookhispassagewithHognitheWhite。
GunnartookhispassagewithArnfinoftheBay;andKolskeggwastogowithhim。
GrimandHelgi,Njal\'ssons,askedtheirfather\'sleavetogoabroadtoo,andNjalsaid,“Thisforeignvoyageyewillfindhardwork,sohardthatitwillbedoubtfulwhetheryekeepyourlives;butstillyetwowillgetsomehonourandglory,butitisnotunlikelythataquarrelwillariseoutofyourjourneywhenyecomeback。“
Stilltheykeptonaskingtheirfathertoletthemgo,andtheendofitwasthathebadethemgoiftheychose。
ThentheygotthemapassagewithBardtheBlack,andOlofKettle\'ssonofElda;anditisthetalkofthewholecountrythatallthebettermeninthatdistrictwereleavingit。
BythistimeGunnar\'ssons,HogniandGrani,weregrownup;theyweremenofverydifferentturnofmind。Granihadmuchofhismother\'stemper,butHogniwaskindandgood。
Gunnarmademenbeardownthewaresofhisbrotherandhimselftotheship,andwhenallGunnar\'sbaggagehadcomedown,andtheshipwasallbut“boun,“thenGunnarridestoBergthorsknoll,andtootherhomesteadstoseemen,andthankedthemallforthehelptheyhadgivenhim。
Thedayafterhegetsreadyearlyforhisjourneytotheship,andtoldallhispeoplethathewouldrideawayforgoodandall,andmentookthatmuchtoheart,butstilltheysaidthattheylookedtohiscomingbackafterwards。
Gunnarthrewhisarmsroundeachofthehouseholdwhenhewas“boun,“andeveryoneofthemwentoutofdoorswithhim;heleansonthebuttofhisspearandleapsintothesaddle,andheandKolskeggrideaway。
TheyridedownalongMarkfleet,andjustthenGunnar\'shorsetrippedandthrewhimoff。HeturnedwithhisfaceuptowardstheLitheandthehomesteadatLithend,andsaid,“FairistheLithe;sofairthatithasneverseemedtomesofair;thecornfieldsarewhitetoharvestandthehomemeadismown;andnowI
willridebackhome,andnotfareabroadatall。“
“Donotthisjoytothyfoes,“saysKolskegg,“bybreakingthyatonement,fornomancouldthinkthouwouldstdothus,andthoumaystbesurethatallwillhappenasNjalhassaid。“
“Iwillnotgoawayanywhither,“saidGunnar,“andsoIwouldthoushouldestdotoo。“
“Thatshallnotbe,“saysKolskegg;“Iwillneverdoabasethinginthis,norinanythingelsewhichislefttomygoodfaith;
andthisisthatonethingthatcouldtearusasunder;buttellthistomykinsmanandtomymotherthatInevermeantoseeIcelandagain,forIshallsoonlearnthatthouartdead,brother,andthentherewillbenothinglefttobringmeback。“
Sotheypartedthereandthen。GunnarrideshometoLithend,butKolskeggridestotheship,andgoesabroad。
HallgerdawasgladtoseeGunnarwhenhecamehome,buthismothersaidlittleornothing。
HowGunnarsitsathomethatfallandwinter,andhadnotmanymenwithhim。
Nowthewinterleavesthefarmyard。OlafthePeacockaskedGunnarandHallgerdatocomeandstaywithhim;butasforthefarm,toputitintothehandsofhismotherandhissonHogni。
Gunnarthoughtthatagoodthingatfirst,andagreedtoit,butwhenitcametothepointhewouldnotdoit。
ButattheThingnextsummer,GizurtheWhite,andGeirthePriest,gavenoticeofGunnar\'soutlawryattheHillofLaws;andbeforetheThingbrokeupGizursummonedallGunnar\'sfoestomeetinthe“GreatRift。“1HesummonedStarkadundertheThreecorner,andThorgeirhisson;MordandValgardtheGuileful;
GeirthePriestandHjaltiSkeggi\'sson;ThorbrandandAsbrand,Thorleik\'ssons;Eyjulf,andAunundhisson。AunundofWitchwoodandThorgrimtheEasterlingofSandgil。
TheGizurspokeandsaid,“Iwillmakeyouallthisoffer,thatwegooutagainstGunnarthissummerandslayhim。“
“IgavemywordtoGunnar,“saidHjalti,“hereattheThing,whenheshowedhimselfmostwillingtoyieldtomyprayer,thatI
wouldneverbeinanyattackuponhim;andsoitshallbe。“
ThenHjaltiwentaway,butthosewhowereleftbehindmadeuptheirmindstomakeanonslaughtonGunnar,andshookhandsonthebargain,andlaidafineonanyonethatlefttheundertaking。
Mordwastokeepwatchandspyoutwhentherewasthebestchanceoffallingonhim,andtheywerefortymeninthisleague,andtheythoughtitwouldbealightthingforthemtohuntdownGunnar,nowthatKolskeggwasaway,andThrainandmanyotherofGunnar\'sfriends。
MenridefromtheThing,andNjalwenttoseeGunnar,andtoldhimofhisoutlawry,andhowanonslaughtwasplannedagainsthim。
“Methinksthouartthebestoffriends,“saysGunnar;“thoumakestmeawareofwhatismeant。“
“Now,“saysNjal,“IwouldthatSkarphedinnshouldcometothyhouse,andmysonHauskuld;theywilllaydowntheirlivesforthylife。“
“Iwillnot,“saysGunnar,“thatthysonsshouldbeslainformysake,andthouhastarighttolookforotherthingsfromme。“
“Allthycarewillcometonothing,“saysNjal;“quarrelswillturnthitherwardwheremysonsareassoonasthouartdeadandgone。“
“Thatisnotunlikely,“saysGunnar,“butstillitwouldmislikemethattheyfellintothemforme;butthisonethingIwillaskofthee,thatyeseeaftermysonHogni,butIsaynaughtofGrani,forhedoesnotbehavehimselfmuchaftermymind。“
Njalrodehome,andgavehiswordtodothat。
ItissaidthatGunnarrodetoallmeetingsofmen,andtoalllawfulThings,andhisfoesneverdaredtofallonhim。
Andsosometimewentonthathewentaboutasafreeandguiltlessman。
ENDNOTES:
1“GreatRift,“Almannagja——Thegreatvolcanicrift,or“geo,“asitwouldbecalledinOrkneyandShetland,whichboundstheplainoftheAllthingononeside。
75。THERIDINGTOLITHEND
NextautumnMordValgard\'ssonsentwordthatGunnarwouldbeallaloneathome,butallhispeoplewouldbedownintheislestomakeanendoftheirhaymaking。ThenGizurtheWhiteandGeirthePriestrodeeastovertheriversassoonasevertheyheardthat,andsoeastacrossthesandstoHof。ThentheysentwordtoStarkadundertheThreecorner,andtheretheyallmetwhoweretofallonGunnar,andtookcounselhowtheymightbestbringitabout。
MordsaidthattheycouldnotcomeonGunnarunawares,unlesstheyseizedthefarmerwhodweltatthenexthomestead,whosenamewasThorkell,andmadehimgoagainsthiswillwiththemtolayhandsonthehoundSam,andunlesshewentbeforethemtothehomesteadtodothis。
ThentheysetouteastforLithend,butsenttofetchThorkell。
Theyseizedhimandboundhim,andgavehimtwochoices——onethattheywouldslayhim,orelsehemustlayhandsonthehound;
buthechoosesrathertosavehislife,andwentwiththem。
Therewasabeatensunkroad,betweenfences,abovethefarmyardatLithend,andtheretheyhaltedwiththeirband。MasterThorkellwentuptothehomestead,andthetykelayonthetopofthehouse,andheenticesthedogawaywithhimintoadeephollowinthepath。Justthenthehoundseesthattherearemenbeforethem,andheleapsonThorkellandtearshisbellyopen。
AunundofWitchwoodsmotethehoundontheheadwithhisaxe,sothatthebladesunkintothebrain。Thehoundgavesuchagreathowlthattheythoughtitpassingstrange,andhefelldowndead。
76。GUNNAR\'SSLAYING
Gunnarwokeupinhishallandsaid,“Thouhastbeensorelytreated,Sam,myfosterling,andthiswarningissomeantthatourtwodeathswillnotbefarapart。“
Gunnar\'shallwasmadeallofwood,androofedwithbeamsabove,andtherewerewindow-slitsunderthebeamsthatcarriedtheroof,andtheywerefittedwithshutters。
Gunnarsleptinaloftabovethehall,andsodidHallgerdaandhismother。
NowwhentheywerecomeneartothehousetheyknewnotwhetherGunnarwereathome,andbadethatsomeonewouldgostraightuptothehouseandseeifhecouldfindout。Buttherestsatthemdownontheground。
ThorgrimtheEasterlingwentandbegantoclimbuponthehall;
Gunnarseesthataredkirtlepassedbeforethewindowslit,andthrustsoutthebill,andsmotehimonthemiddle。Thorgrim\'sfeetslippedfromunderhim,andhedroppedhisshield,anddownhetoppledfromtheroof。
ThenhegoestoGizurandhisbandastheysatontheground。
Gizurlookedathimandsaid,“Well,isGunnarathome?
“Findthatoutforyourselves,“saidThorgrim;“butthisIamsureof,thathisbillisathome,“andwiththathefelldowndead。
Thentheymadeforthebuildings。Gunnarshotoutarrowsatthem,andmadeastoutdefence,andtheycouldgetnothingdone。
Thensomeofthemgotintotheouthousesandtriedtoattackhimthence,butGunnarfoundthemoutwithhisarrowstherealso,andstilltheycouldgetnothingdone。
Soitwentonforawhile,thentheytookarest,andmadeasecondonslaught。Gunnarstillshotoutatthem,andtheycoulddonothing,andfelloffthesecondtime。ThenGizurtheWhitesaid,“Letuspressonharder;nothingcomesofouronslaught。“
Thentheymadeathirdboutofit,andwerelongatit,andthentheyfelloffagain。
Gunnarsaid,“Thereliesanarrowoutsideonthewall,anditisoneoftheirshafts;Iwillshootatthemwithit,anditwillbeashametothemiftheygetahurtfromtheirownweapons。“
Hismothersaid,“Donotso,myson;norrousethemagainwhentheyhavealreadyfallenofffromtheattack。“
ButGunnarcaughtupthearrowandshotitafterthem,andstruckEylifAunund\'sson,andhegotagreatwound;hewasstandingallbyhimself,andtheyknewnotthathewaswounded。
“Outcameanarmyonder,“saysGizur,“andtherewasagoldringonit,andtookanarrowfromtheroof,andtheywouldnotlookoutsideforshaftsiftherewereenoughindoors;andnowyeshallmadeafreshonslaught。“
“Letusburnhimhouseandall,“saidMord。
“Thatshallneverbe,“saysGizur,“thoughIknewthatmylifelayonit;butitiseasyfortheetofindoutsomeplan,suchacunningmanasthouartsaidtobe。“
Someropeslaythereontheground,andtheywereoftenusedtostrengthentheroof。ThenMordsaid,“Letustaketheropesandthrowoneendovertheendofthecarryingbeams,butletusfastentheotherendtotheserocksandtwistthemtightwithlevers,andsopulltheroofoffthehall。“
Sotheytooktheropesandalllentahandtocarrythisout,andbeforeGunnarwasawareofit,theyhadpulledthewholeroofoffthehall。
ThenGunnarstillshootswithhisbowsothattheycouldnevercomenighhim。ThenMordsaidagainthattheymustburnthehouseoverGunnar\'shead。ButGizursaid,“Iknownotwhythouwiltspeakofthatwhichnooneelsewishes,andthatshallneverbe。“
JustthenThorbrandThorleik\'sson,sprangupontheroof,andcutsasunderGunnar\'sbowstring。Gunnarclutchesthebillwithbothhands,andturnsonhimquicklyanddrivesitthroughhim,andhurlshimdownontheground。
ThenupsprungAsbrandhisbrother。Gunnarthrustsathimwithhisbill,andhethrewhisshieldbeforetheblow,butthebillpassedcleanthroughtheshieldandbrokebothhisarms,anddownhefellfromthewall。
Gunnarhadalreadywoundedeightmenandslainthosetwain1。
BythattimeGunnarhadgottwowounds,andallmensaidthatheneveroncewincedeitheratwoundsordeath。
ThenGunnarsaidtoHallgerda,“Givemetwolocksofthyhair,andyetwo,mymotherandthou,twistthemtogetherintoabowstringforme。“
“Doesaughtlieonit?“shesays。
“Mylifeliesonit;“hesaid;“fortheywillnevercometoclosequarterswithmeifIcankeepthemoffwithmybow。“
“Well!“shesays,“nowIwillcalltothymindthatslaponthefacewhichthougavestme;andIcareneverawhitwhetherthouholdestoutalongwhileorashort。“
ThenGunnarsangasong:
“EachwhohurtsthegoryjavelinHathsomehonourofhisown,Nowmyhelpmeetwimple-hoodedHurriesallmyfametoearth。
Nooneownerofawar-shipOftenasksforlittlethings,Woman,fondofFrodi\'sflour2,Wendsherhandassheiswont。“
“Everyonehassomethingtoboastof,“saysGunnar,“andIwillasktheenomoreforthis。“
“Thoubehavestill,“saidRannveig,“andthisshameshalllongbehadinmind。“
Gunnarmadeastoutandbolddefence,andnowwoundsothereightmenwithsuchsorewoundsthatmanylayatdeath\'sdoor。Gunnarkeepsthemalloffuntilhefellwornoutwithtoil。Thentheywoundedhimwithmanyandgreatwounds,butstillhegotawayoutoftheirhands,andheldhisownagainstthemawhilelonger,butatlastitcameaboutthattheyslewhim。
Ofthisdefenceofhis,ThorkelltheSkaldofGota-Elfsangintheverseswhichfollow——
“WehaveheardhowsouthinIcelandGunnarguardedwellhimself,Boldlybattle\'sthunderwielding,Fiercestfoemanonthewave;
Heroofthegoldencollar,Sixteenwiththeswordhewounded;
IntheshockthatOdinloveth,Twobeforehimtasteddeath。“
ButthisiswhatThormodOlaf\'ssonsang——
“Nonethatscatteredsea\'sbrightsunbeams3,WonmoregloriousfamethanGunnar,SorunsfameofoldinIceland,Fittingfameofheathenmen;
Lordoffightwhenhelmswerecrashing,Livesoffoemantwainhetook,WieldingbittersteelhesorelyWoundedtwelve,andfourbesides。“
ThenGizurspokeandsaid,“Wehavenowlaidlowtoearthamightychief,andhardworkhasitbeen,andthefameofthisdefenceofhisshalllastaslongasmenliveinthisland。“
AfterthathewenttoseeRannveigandsaid,“Wiltthougrantusearthherefortwoofourmenwhoaredead,thattheymaylieinacairnhere?“
“Allthemorewillinglyfortwo,“shesays,“becauseIwishwithallmyheartIhadtograntittoallofyou。“
“Itmustbeforgiventhee,“hesays,“tospeakthus,forthouhasthadagreatloss。“
Thenhegaveordersthatnomanshouldspoilorrobanythingthere。
Afterthattheywentaway。
ThenThorgeirStarkad\'ssonsaid,“WemaynotbeinourhouseathomeforthesonsofSigfus,unlessthouGizurorthouGeirbeheresouthsomelittlewhile。“
“Thisshallbeso,“saysGizur,andtheycastlots,andthelotfellonGeirtostaybehind。
AfterthathecametothePoint,andsetuphishousethere;hehadasonwhosenamewasHroald;hewasbaseborn,andhismother\'snamewasBiartey4;heboastedthathehadgivenGunnarhisdeathblow。HroaldwasatthePointwithhisfather。
ThorgeirStarkad\'ssonboastedofanotherwoundwhichhehadgiventoGunnar。
GizursatathomeatMossfell。Gunnar\'sslayingwasheardof,andillspokenofthroughoutthewholecountry,andhisdeathwasagreatgrieftomanyaman。
ENDNOTES:
1ThorgrimEasterlingandThorbrand。
2“Frodi\'sflour,“aperiphrasisfor“gold。“
3“Sea\'sbrightsunbeams,“aperiphrasisfor“gold。“
4ShewasasisterofThorwaldtheScurvy,whowasslainatHorsebeckinGrimsness。
77。GUNNARSINGSASONGDEAD
NjalcouldillbrookGunnar\'sdeath,norcouldthesonsofSigfusbrookiteither。
TheyaskedwhetherNjalthoughttheyhadanyrighttogivenoticeofasuitofmanslaughterforGunnar,ortosetthesuitonfoot。
Hesaidthatcouldnotbedone,asthemanhadbeenoutlawed;butsaiditwouldbebetterworthtryingtodosomethingtowoundtheirglory,byslayingsomemeninvengeanceafterhim。
TheycastacairnoverGunnar,andmadehimsituprightinthecairn。Rannveigwouldnothearofhisbillbeingburiedinthecairn,butsaidhealoneshouldhaveitashisown,whowasreadytoavengeGunnar。Sonoonetookthebill。
ShewassohardonHallgerda,thatshewasonthepointofkillingher;andshesaidthatshehadbeenthecauseofherson\'sslaying。
ThenHallgerdafledawaytoGritwater,andhersonGraniwithher,andtheysharedthegoodsbetweenthem;HogniwastohavethelandatLithendandthehomesteadonit,butGraniwastohavethelandletoutonlease。
NowthistokenhappenedatLithend,thattheneat-herdandtheserving-maidweredrivingcattlebyGunnar\'scairn。Theythoughtthathewasmerry,andthathewassinginginsidethecairn。
TheywenthomeandtoldRannveig,Gunnar\'smother,ofthistoken,butshebadethemgoandtellNjal。
ThentheywentovertoBergthorsknollandtoldNjal,buthemadethemtellitthreetimesover。
Afterthat,hehadalongtalkallalonewithSkarphedinn;andSkarphedinntookhisweaponsandgoeswiththemtoLithend。
RannveigandHognigavehimaheartywelcome,andwereverygladtoseehim。Rannveigaskedhimtostaytheresometime,andhesaidhewould。
HeandHogniwerealwaystogether,athomeandabroad。Hogniwasabrisk,braveman,well-bredandwell-trainedinmindandbody,butdistrustfulandslowtobelievewhathewastold,andthatwaswhytheydarednottellhimofthetoken。
Nowthosetwo,SkarphedinnandHogni,wereoutofdoorsoneeveningbyGunnar\'scairnonthesouthside。Themoonandstarswereshiningclearandbright,buteverynowandthenthecloudsdroveoverthem。Thenallatoncetheythoughttheysawthecairnstandingopen,andlo!Gunnarhadturnedhimselfinthecairnandlookedatthemoon。Theythoughttheysawfourlightsburninginthecairn,andnoneofthemthrewashadow。TheysawthatGunnarwasmerry,andheworeajoyfulface。Hesangasong,andsoloud,thatitmighthavebeenheardthoughtheyhadbeenfurtheroff。
“Hethatlavishedringsinlargesse,Whenthefights\'redrain-dripsfell,Brightofface,withheart-stringshardy,Hogni\'sfathermethisfate;
Thenhisbrowwithhelmetshrouding,Bearingbattle-shield,hespake,`Iwilldiethepropofbattle,Soonerdiethanyieldaninch,Yes,soonerdiethanyieldaninch。“
Afterthatthecairnwasshutupagain。
“WouldstthoubelievethesetokensifNjalorItoldthemtothee?“saysSkarphedinn。
“Iwouldbelievethem,“hesays,“ifNjaltoldthem,foritissaidheneverlies。“
“Suchtokensasthesemeanmuch,“saysSkarphedinn,“whenheshowshimselftous,hewhowouldsoonerdiethanyieldtohisfoes;andseehowhehastaughtuswhatweoughttodo。“
“Ishallbeabletobringnothingtopass,“saysHogni,“unlessthouwiltstandbyme。“
“Now,“saysSkarphedinn,“willIbearinmindhowGunnarbehavedaftertheslayingofyourkinsmanSigmund;nowIwillyieldyousuchhelpasImay。MyfathergavehiswordtoGunnartodothatwheneverthouorthymotherhadneedofit。“
AfterthattheygohometoLithend。
78。GUNNAROFLITHENDAVENGED
“Nowweshallsetoffatonce,“saysSkarphedinn,“thisverynight;foriftheylearnthatIamhere,theywillbemorewaryofthemselves。“
“Iwillfulfilthycounsel,“saysHogni。
Afterthattheytooktheirweaponswhenallmenwereintheirbeds。Hognitakesdownthebill,anditgaveasharpringingsound。
Rannveigsprangupingreatwrathandsaid,“Whotouchesthebill,whenIforbadeeveryonetolayhandonit?“
“Imean,“saysHogni,“tobringittomyfather,thathemaybearitwithhimtoValhalla,andhaveitwithhimwhenthewarriorsmeet。“
“Rathershaltthounowbearit,“sheanswered,“andavengethyfather;forthebillhasspokenofoneman\'sdeathormore。“
ThenHogniwentout,andtoldSkarphedinnallthewordsthathisgrandmotherhadspoken。
AfterthattheyfaretothePoint,andtworavensflewalongwiththemalltheway。TheycametothePointwhileitwasstillnight。Thentheydrovetheflockbeforethemuptothehouse,andthenHroaldandTjorfiranoutanddrovetheflockupthehollowpath,andhadtheirweaponswiththem。
Skarphedinnsprangupandsaid,“Thouneedestnottostandandthinkifitbereallyasitseems。Menarehere。“
ThenSkarphedinnsmitesTjorfihisdeathblow。Hroaldhadaspearinhishand,andHognirushesathim;Hroaldthrustsathim,butHognihewedasunderthespear-shaftwithhisbill,anddrivesthebillthroughhim。
Afterthattheyleftthemtheredead,andturnawaythenceundertheThreecorner。
Skarphedinnjumpsuponthehouseandplucksthegrass,andthosewhowereinsidethehousethoughtitwascattlethathadcomeontheroof。StarkadandThorgeirtooktheirweaponsandupperclothing,andwentoutandroundaboutthefenceoftheyard。
ButwhenStarkadseesSkarphedinnhewasafraid,andwantedtoturnback。
Skarphedinncuthimdownbythefence。ThenHognicomesagainstThorgeirandslayshimwiththebill。
ThencetheywenttoHof,andMordwasoutsideinthefield,andbeggedformercy,andofferedthemfullatonement。
SkarphedinntoldMordtheslayingofthosefourmen,andsangasong:
“FourwhowieldedwarlikeweaponsWehaveslain,allmenofworth,Thematonce,gold-greedyfellow,Thoushaltfollowonthespot;
Letuspressthispinch-purseso,Pouringfearintohisheart;
Wretch!reachouttoGunnar\'ssonRighttosettlealldisputes。“
“Andthelikejourney,“saysSkarphedinn,“shaltthoualsofare,orhandovertoHognitherighttomakehisownaward,ifhewilltaketheseterms。“
Hognisaidhismindhadbeenmadeupnottocometoanytermswiththeslayersofhisfather;butstillatlasthetooktherighttomakehisownawardfromMord。
79。HOGNITAKESANATONEMENTFORGUNNAR\'SDEATH
Njaltookashareinbringingthosewhohadtheblood-feudafterStarkadandThorgeirtotakeanatonement,andadistrictmeetingwascalledtogether,andmenwerechosentomaketheaward,andeverymatterwastakenintoaccount,eventheattackonGunnar,thoughhewasanoutlaw;butsuchafineaswasawarded,allthatMordpaid;fortheydidnotclosetheirawardagainsthimbeforetheothermatterwasalreadysettled,andthentheysetoffoneawardagainsttheother。
Thentheywereallsetatoneagain,butattheThingtherewasgreattalk,andtheendofitwas,thatGeirthePriestandHogniweresetatoneagain,andthatatonementtheyheldtoeverafterwards。
GeirthePriestdweltintheLithetillhisdeathday,andheisoutofthestory。
NjalaskedasawifeforHogniAlfeidathedaughterofWeatherlidtheSkald,andshewasgivenawaytohim。TheirsonwasAri,whosailedforShetland,andtookhimawifethere;fromhimiscomeEinartheShetlander,oneofthebriskestandboldestofmen。
HognikeptuphisfriendshipwithNjal,andheisnowoutofthestory。
80。OFKOLSKEGG:HOWHEWASBAPTIZED
NowitistobetoldofKolskegghowhecomestoNorway,andisintheBayeastthatwinter。ButthesummerafterhefareseasttoDenmark,andboundhimselftoSweynForkbeardtheDane-king,andtherehehadgreathonour。
Onenighthedreamtthatamancametohim;hewasbrightandglistening,andhethoughthewokehimup。Hespoke,andsaidtohim,“Standupandcomewithme。“
“Whatwiltthouwithme?“heasks。
“Iwillgettheeabride,andthoushaltbemyknight。“
Hethoughthesaidyeatothat,andafterthathewokeup。
Thenhewenttoawizardandtoldhimthedream,buthereaditsothatheshouldfaretosouthernlandsandbecomeGod\'sknight。
KolskeggwasbaptizedinDenmark,butstillhecouldnotrestthere,butfaredeasttoRussia,andwasthereonewinter。ThenhefaredthenceouttoMicklegarth1,andtheretookservicewiththeEmperor。Thelastthatwasheardofhimwas,thatheweddedawifethere,andwascaptainovertheVarangians,andstayedtheretillhisdeathday;andhe,too,isoutofthisstory。
ENDNOTES:
1Constantinople。
81。OFTHRAIN:HOWHESLEWKOL
Nowwemusttakeupthestory,andsayhowThrainSigfus\'soncametoNorway。TheymadethelandnorthinHelgeland,andheldonsouthtoDrontheim,andsotoHlada1。ButassoonasEarlHaconheardofthat,hesentmentothem,andwouldknowwhatmenwereintheship。Theycamebackandtoldhimwhothemenwere。
ThentheearlsentforThrainSigfus\'son,andhewenttoseehim。Theearlaskedofwhatstockhemightbe。HesaidthathewasGunnarofLithend\'snearkinsman。Theearlsaid,“Thatshallstandtheeingoodstead;forIhaveseenmanymenfromIceland,butnonehismatch。“
“Lord,“saidThrain,“isityourwillthatIshouldbewithyouthiswinter?“
Theearltooktohim,andThrainwastherethatwinter,andwasthoughtmuchof。
TherewasamannamedKol,hewasagreatsea-rover。HewasthesonofAsmundAshside,eastoutofSmoland。HelayeastintheGota-Elf,andhadfiveships,andmuchforce。
ThenceKolsteeredhiscourseoutoftherivertoNorwayandlandedatFold2,inthebightofthe“Bay,“andcameonHallvardSotiunawares,andfoundhiminaloft。Hekeptthemoffbravelytilltheysetfiretothehouse,thenhegavehimselfup;buttheyslewhim,andtooktheremuchgoods,andsailedthencetoLodese3。
EarlHaconheardthesetidings,andmadethemmakeKolanoutlawoverallhisrealm,andsetapriceuponhishead。
Onceonatimeitsohappenedthattheearlbegantospeakthus,“ToofarofffromusnowisGunnarofLithend。Hewouldslaymyoutlawifhewerehere;butnowtheIcelanderswillslayhim,anditisillthathehathnotfaredtous。“
ThenThrainSigfus\'sonanswered,“IamnotGunnar,butstillI
amnearakintohim,andIwillundertakethisvoyage。“
Theearlsaid,“Ishouldbegladofthat,andthoushaltbeverywellfittedoutforthejourney。“
AfterthathissonEricbegantospeak,andsaid,“Yourword,father,isgoodtomanymen,butfulfillingitisquiteanotherthing。Thisisthehardestundertaking;forthissea-roveristoughandilltodealwith,whereforethouwiltneedtotakegreatpains,bothastomenandshipsforthisvoyage。“
Thrainsaid,“Iwillsetoutonthisvoyage,thoughitlooksugly。“
Afterthattheearlgavehimfiveships,andallwelltrimmedandmanned。AlongwithThrainwasGunnarLambi\'sson,andLambiSigurd\'sson。GunnarwasThrain\'sbrother\'sson,andhadcometohimyoung,andeachlovedtheothermuch。
Eric,theearl\'sson,wentheartilyalongwiththem,andlookedafterstrengthforthem,bothinmenandweaponsandmadesuchchangesinthemashethoughtwereneedful。Aftertheywere“boun,“Ericgotthemapilot。Thentheysailedsouthalongtheland;butwherevertheycametoland,theearlallowedthemtodealwithwhatevertheyneededastheirown。
SotheyheldoneasttoLodese,andthentheyheardthatKolwasgonetoDenmark。Thentheyshapedtheircoursesouththither;
butwhentheycamesouthtoHelsingborg,theymetmeninaboatwhosaidthatKolwastherejustbeforethem,andwouldbestayingthereforawhile。
Onedaywhentheweatherwasgood,Kolsawtheshipsastheysaileduptowardshim,andsaidhehaddreamtofEarlHaconthenightbefore,andtoldhispeoplehewassurethesemustbehismen,andbadethemalltotaketheirweapons。
Afterthattheybuskedthem,andafightarose;andtheyfoughtlong,sothatneithersidehadthemastery。
ThenKolspranguponThrain\'sship,andclearedthegangwaysfast,andslaysmanymen。Hehadagildedhelm。
NowThrainseesthatthisisnogood,andnowheeggsonhismentogoalongwithhim,buthehimselfgoesfirstandmeetsKol。
Kolhewsathim,andtheblowfellonThrain\'sshield,andcleftitdownfromtoptobottom。ThenKolgotablowonthearm,fromastoneandthendownfellhissword。
ThrainhewsatKol,andthestrokecameonhislegsothatitcutitoff。AfterthattheyslewKol,andThraincutoffhishead,andtheythrewthetrunkoverboard,butkepthishead。
Theytookmuchspoil,andthentheyheldonnorthtoDrontheim,andgotoseetheearl。
TheearlgaveThrainaheartywelcome,andheshewedtheearlKol\'shead,buttheearlthankedhimforthatdeed。
Ericsaiditwasworthmorethanwordsalone,andtheearlsaidsoitwas,andbadethemcomealongwithhim。
Theywentthither,wheretheearlhadmadethemmakeagoodshipthatwasnotmadelikeacommonlong-ship。Ithadavulture\'shead,andwasmuchcarvedandpainted。
“Thouartagreatmanforshow,Thrain,“saidtheearl,“andsohavebothofyou,kinsmen,been,Gunnarandthou;andnowIwillgivetheethisship,butitiscalledtheVulture。Alongwithitshallgomyfriendship;andmywillisthatthoustayestwithmeaslongasthouwilt。“
Hethankedhimforhisgoodness,andsaidhehadnolongingtogotoIcelandjustyet。
TheearlhadajourneytomaketothemarchesofthelandtomeettheSwede-king。Thrainwentwithhimthatsummer,andwasashipmasterandsteeredtheVulture,andsailedsofastthatfewcouldkeepupwithhim,andhewasmuchenvied。ButitalwayscameoutthattheearllaidgreatstoreonGunnar,forhesetdownsternlyallwhotriedThrain\'stemper。
SoThrainwasallthatwinterwiththeearl,butnextspringtheearlaskedThrainwhetherhewouldstaythereorfaretoIceland;
butThrainsaidhehadnotyetmadeuphismind,andsaidthathewishedfirsttoknowtidingsfromIceland。
Theearlsaidthatsoitshouldbeashethoughtitsuitedhimbest;andThrainwaswiththeearl。
ThenthosetidingswereheardfromIceland,whichmanythoughtgreatnews,thedeathofGunnarofLithend。ThentheearlwouldnotthatThrainshouldfareoutofIceland,andsotherehestayedwithhim。
ENDNOTES:
1HladaorLada,andsometimesinthepluralLadir,wastheoldcapitalofDrontheim,beforeNidaros——thepresentDrontheim——wasfounded。Drontheimwasoriginallythenameofthecountryroundthefirthofthesamename,andisnotusedintheoldsagasforatown。
2ThecountryroundtheChristianiaFirth,atthetopof“theBay。“
3AtowninSwedenontheGota-Elf。
82。NJAL\'SSONSSAILABROAD
NowitmustbetoldhowNjal\'ssons,GrimandHelgi,leftIcelandthesamesummerthatThrainandhisfellowswentaway;andintheshipwiththemwereOlafKettle\'ssonofElda,andBardtheBlack。Theygotsostrongawindfromthenorththattheyweredrivensouthintothemain;andsothickamistcameoverthemthattheycouldnottellwhithertheyweredriving,andtheywereoutalongwhile。Atlasttheycametowherewasagreatgroundsea,andthoughtthentheymustbenearland。SothenNjal\'ssonsaskedBardifhecouldtellatalltowhatlandtheywerelikelytobenearest。
“Manylandsthereare,“saidhe,“whichwemighthitwiththeweatherwehavehad——theOrkneys,orScotland,orIreland。“
Twonightsafter,theysawlandonbothboards,andagreatsurfrunningupinthefirth。Theycastanchoroutsidethebreakers,andthewindbegantofall;andnextmorningitwascalm。Thentheyseethirteenshipscomingouttothem。
ThenBardspokeandsaid,“Whatcounselshallwetakenow,forthesemenaregoingtomakeanonslaughtonus?“
Sotheytookcounselwhethertheyshoulddefendthemselvesoryield,butbeforetheycouldmakeuptheirminds,theVikingswereuponthem。Theneachsideaskedtheothertheirnames,andwhattheirleaderswerecalled。Sotheleadersofthechapmentoldtheirnames,andaskedbackwholedthathost。OnecalledhimselfGritgard,andtheotherSnowcolf,sonsofMoldanofDuncansbyinScotland,kinsmenofMalcolmtheScotking。
“Andnow,“saysGritgard,“wehavelaiddowntwochoices,onethatyegoonshore,andwewilltakeyourgoods;theotheris,thatwefallonyouandslayeverymanthatwecancatch。“
“Thewillofthechapmen,“answersHelgi,“istodefendthemselves。“
Butthechapmencalledout,“Wretchthatthouarttospeakthus!
Whatdefencecanwemake?Ladingislessthanlife。“
ButGrim,hefelluponaplantoshoutouttotheVikings,andwouldnotletthemhearthebadchoiceofthechapmen。
ThenBardandOlafsaid,“ThinkyenotthattheseIcelanderswillmakegameofyousluggards;takeratheryourweaponsandguardyourgoods。“
Sotheyallseizedtheirweapons,andboundthemselves,onewithanother,nevertogiveupsolongastheyhadstrengthtofight。
83。OFKARISOLMUND\'SSON
ThentheVikingsshotatthemandthefightbegan,andthechapmenguardthemselveswell。SnowcolfsprangaboardandatOlaf,andthrusthisspearthroughhisbody,butGrimthrustatSnowcolfwithhisspear,andsostoutly,thathefelloverboard。
ThenHelgiturnedtomeetGrim,andtheytwodrovedownalltheVikingsastheytriedtoboard,andNjal\'ssonswereeverwheretherewasmostneed。ThentheVikingscalledouttothechapmenandbadethemgiveup,buttheysaidtheywouldneveryield。
Justthensomeonelookedseaward,andtheretheyseeshipscomingfromthesouthroundtheNess,andtheywerenotfewerthanten,andtheyrowhardandsteerthitherwards。Alongtheirsideswereshieldonshield,butonthatshipthatcamefirststoodamanbythemast,whowascladinasilkenkirtle,andhadagildedhelm,andhishairwasbothfairandthick;thatmanhadaspearinlaidwithgoldinhishand。
Heasked,“Whohaveheresuchanunevengame?“
Helgitellshisname,andsaidthatagainstthemareGritgardandSnowcolf。
“Butwhoareyourcaptains?“heasks。
Helgianswered,“BardtheBlack,wholives,buttheother,whoisdeadandgone,wascalledOlaf。“
“AreyemenfromIceland?“sayshe。
“Sureenoughweare,“Helgianswers。
Heaskedwhosesonstheywere,andtheytoldhim,thenheknewthemandsaid,“Wellknownnameshaveyeall,fatherandsonsboth。
“Whoartthou?“asksHelgi。
“MynameisKari,andIamSolmund\'sson。“
“Whencecomestthou?“saysHelgi。
“FromtheSouthernIsles。“
“Thenthouartwelcome,“saysHelgi,“ifthouwiltgiveusalittlehelp。“
“I\'llgiveyeallthehelpyeneed,“saysKari;“butwhatdoyeask?“
“Tofallonthem,“saysHelgi。
Karisaysthatsoitshallbe。Sotheypulleduptothem,andthenthebattlebeganthesecondtime;butwhentheyhadfoughtalittlewhile,KarispringsuponSnowcolf\'sship;heturnstomeethimandsmitesathimwithhissword。Karileapsnimblybackwardsoverabeamthatlayathwarttheship,andSnowcolfsmotethebeamsothatbothedgesoftheswordwerehidden。ThenKarismitesathim,andtheswordfellonhisshoulder,andthestrokewassomightythathecleftintwainshoulder,arm,andall,andSnowcolfgothisdeaththereandthen。GritgardhurledaspearatKari,butKarisawitandsprangupaloft,andthespearmissedhim。JustthenHelgiandGrimcameupbothtomeetKari,andHelgispringsonGritgardandthrustshisspearthroughhim,andthatwashisdeathblow;afterthattheywentroundthewholeshiponbothboards,andthenmenbeggedformercy。Sotheygavethemallpeace,buttookalltheirgoods。Afterthattheyranalltheshipsoutundertheislands。
84。OFEARLSIGURD
SigurdwasthenameofanearlwhoruledovertheOrkneys;hewasthesonofHlodver,thesonofThorfinntheskullsplitter,thesonofTurf-Einar,thesonofRognvald,EarlofMoeren,thesonofEysteintheNoisy。KariwasoneofEarlSigurd\'sbody-guard,andhadjustbeengatheringscattsintheSouthernIslesfromEarlGilli。NowKariasksthemtogotoHrossey1,andsaidtheearlwouldtaketothemwell。Theyagreedtothat,andwentwithKariandcametoHrossey。Kariledthemtoseetheearl,andsaidwhatmentheywere。
“Howcamethey,“saystheearl,“tofalluponthee?“
“Ifoundthem,“saysKari,“inScotland\'sfirths,andtheywerefightingwiththesonsofEarlMoldan,andheldtheirownsowellthattheythrewthemselvesaboutbetweenthebulwarks,fromsidetoside,andwerealwaystherewherethetrialwasgreatest,andnowIaskyoutogivethemquartersamongyourbody-guard。“
“Itshallbeasthouchoosest,“saystheearl,“thouhastalreadytakenthemsomuchbythehand。“
Thentheyweretherewiththeearlthatwinter,andwereworthilytreated,butHelgiwassilentasthewinterworeon。Theearlcouldnottellwhatwasatthebottomofthat,andaskedwhyhewassosilent,andwhatwasonhismind。“Thinkestthouitnotgoodtobehere?“
“Good,methinks,itishere,“hesays。
“Thenwhatartthouthinkingabout?“askstheearl。
“HastthouanyrealmtoguardinScotland?“asksHelgi。
“Sowethink,“saystheearl,“butwhatmakestheethinkaboutthat,orwhatisthematterwithit?“
“TheScots,“saysHelgi,“musthavetakenyoursteward\'slife,andstoppedallthemessengers,thatnoneshouldcrossthePentlandFirth。“
“Hastthouthesecondsight?“saidtheearl。
“Thathasbeenlittleproved,“answersHelgi。
“Well,“saystheearl,“Iwillincreasethyhonourifthisbeso,otherwisethoushaltsmartforit。“
“Nay,“saysKari,“Helgiisnotthatkindofman,andlikeenoughhiswordsaresooth,forhisfatherhasthesecondsight。“
AfterthattheearlsentmensouthtoStraumey2toArnljot,hisstewardthere,andafterthatArnljotsentthemacrossthePentlandFirth,andtheyspiedoutandlearntthatEarlHundiandEarlMelsnatihadtakenthelifeofHavardinThraswick,EarlSigurd\'sbrother-in-law。SoArnljotsentwordtoEarlSigurdtocomesouthwithagreathostanddrivethoseearlsoutofhisrealm,andassoonastheearlheardthat,hegatheredtogetheramightyhostfromalltheisles。