There came a ship out from Norway, and ran into Arnbael's Oyce
(1), and the master of the ship was Hallvard the White, a man
from the Bay (2). He went to stay at Lithend, and was with
Gunnar that winter, and was always asking him to fare abroad with
him. Gunnar spoke little about it, but yet said more unlikely
things might happen; and about spring he went over to
Bergthorsknoll to find out from Njal whether he thought it a wise
step in him to go abroad.
"I think it is wise," says Njal; "they will think thee there an
honourable man, as thou art."
"Wilt thou perhaps take my goods into thy keeping while I am
away, for I wish my brother Kolskegg to fare with me; but I would
that thou shouldst see after my household along with my mother."
"I will not throw anything in the way of that," says Njal; "lean
on me in this thing as much as thou likest."
"Good go with thee for thy words," says Gunnar, and he rides
then home.
The Easterling (3) fell again to talk with Gunnar that he should
fare abroad. Gunnar asked if he had ever sailed to other lands?
He said he had sailed to every one of them that lay between
Norway and Russia, and so, too, I have sailed to Biarmaland (4).
"Wilt thou sail with me eastward ho?" says Gunnar.
"That I will of a surety," says he.
Then Gunnar made up his mind to sail abroad with him. Njal took
all Gunnar's goods into his keeping.