Now those tidings are heard far and wide, and many said that they
thought they had not happened before it was likely. Gunnar rode
to Bergthorsknoll and told Njal of these deeds.
Njal said, "Thou hast done great things, but thou hast been
sorely tried."
"How will it now go henceforth?" says Gunnar.
"Wilt thou that I tell thee what hath not yet come to pass?" asks
Njal. "Thou wilt ride to the Thing, and thou wilt abide by my
counsel and get the greatest honour from this matter. This will
be the beginning of thy manslayings."
"But give me some cunning counsel," says Gunnar.
"I will do that," says Njal, "never slay more than one man in the
same stock, and never break the peace which good men and true
make between thee and others, and least of all in such a matter
as this."
Gunnar said, "I should have thought there was more risk of that
with others than with me."
"Like enough," says Njal, "but still thou shalt so think of thy
quarrels, that if that should come to pass of which I have warned
thee, then thou wilt have but a little while to live; but
otherwise, thou wilt come to be an old man."