GUNNAR OF LITHEND AVENGED.
"Now we shall set off at once," says Skarphedinn, "this very night; for
if they learn that I am here, they will be more wary of themselves."
"I will fulfil thy counsel," says Hogni.
After that they took their weapons when all men were in their beds.
Hogni takes down the bill, and it gave a sharp ringing sound.
Rannveig sprang up in great wrath and said--
"Who touches the bill, when I forbade every one to lay hand on it?"
"I mean," says Hogni, "to bring it to my father, that he may bear it
with him to Valhalla, and have it with him when the warriors meet."
"Rather shalt thou now bear it," she answered, "and avenge thy father;
for the bill has spoken of one man's death or more."
Then Hogni went out, and told Skarphedinn all the words that his
grandmother had spoken.
After that they fare to the Point, and two ravens flew along with them
all the way. They came to the Point while it was still night. Then they
drove the flock before them up to the house, and then Hroald and Tjorfi
ran out and drove the flock up the hollow path, and had their weapons
with them.
Skarphedinn sprang up and said, "Thou needest not to stand and think if
it be really as it seems. Men are here."
Then Skarphedinn smites Tjorfi his death-blow. Hroald had a spear in his
hand, and Hogni rushes at him; Hroald thrusts at him, but Hogni hewed
asunder the spear-shaft with his bill, and drives the bill through him.
After that they left them there dead, and turn away thence under the
Threecorner.
Skarphedinn jumps up on the house and plucks the grass, and those who
were inside the house thought it was cattle that had come on the roof.
Starkad and Thorgeir took their weapons and upper clothing, and went out
and round about the fence of the yard. But when Starkad sees Skarphedinn
he was afraid, and wanted to turn back.
Skarphedinn cut him down by the fence. Then Hogni comes against Thorgeir
and slays him with the bill.
Thence they went to Hof, and Mord was outside in the field, and begged
for mercy, and offered them full atonement.
Skarphedinn told Mord the slaying of those four men, and sang a song.
Four who wielded warlike weapons
We have slain, all men of worth,
Them at once, gold-greedy fellow,
Thou shalt follow on the spot;
Let us press this pinch-purse so,
Pouring fear into his heart;
Wretch! reach out to Gunnar's son
Right to settle all disputes.
"And the like journey," says Skarphedinn, "shalt thou also fare, or hand
over to Hogni the right to make his own award, if he will take these
terms."
Hogni said his mind had been made up not to come to any terms with the
slayers of his father; but still at last he took the right to make his
own award from Mord.