He lived in Sheepisles, that lie out in Broadfirth. He was called
Sheepisles' Priest. He was rich, and a mighty man of his hand. Hall
was the name of his brother. He was big, and had the makings of a man
in him; he was, however, a man of small means, and looked upon by most
people as an unprofitable sort of man. The brothers did not usually
agree very well together. Ingjald thought Hall did not shape himself
after the fashion of doughty men, and Hall thought Ingjald was but
little minded to lend furtherance to his affairs. There is a fishing
place in Broadfirth called Bjorn isles. These islands lie many
together, and were profitable in many ways. At that time men went
there a great deal for the fishing, and at all seasons there were a
great many men there. Wise men set great store by people in outlying
fishing-stations living peacefully together, and said that it would be
unlucky for the fishing if there was any quarrelling; and most men
gave good heed to this. It is told how one summer Hall, the brother of
Ingjald, the Sheepisles' Priest, came to Bjorn isles for fishing.
[Sidenote: Thorolf's quarrel] He took ship as one of the crew with a
man called Thorolf. He was a Broadfirth man, and was well-nigh a
penniless vagrant, and yet a brisk sort of a man. Hall was there for
some time, and palmed himself off as being much above other men. It
happened one evening when they were come to land, Hall and Thorolf,
and began to divide the catch, that Hall wished both to choose and to
divide, for he thought himself the greater man of the two. Thorolf
would not give in, and there were some high words, and sharp things
were said on both sides, as each stuck to his own way of thinking. So
Hall seized up a chopper that lay by him, and was about to heave it at
Thorolf's head, but men leapt between them and stopped Hall; but he
was of the maddest, and yet unable to have his way as at this time.
The catch of fish remained undivided. Thorolf betook himself away that
evening, and Hall took possession of the catch that belonged to them
both, for then the odds of might carried the day. Hall now got another
man in Thorolf's place in the boat, and went on fishing as before.
Thorolf was ill-contented with his lot, for he felt he had come to
shame in their dealings together; yet he remained in the islands with
the determination to set straight the humble plight to which he had
been made to bow against his will. [Sidenote: Hall's death] Hall, in
the meantime, did not fear any danger, and thought that no one would
dare to try to get even with him in his own country. So one
fair-weather day it happened that Hall rowed out, and there were three
of them together in the boat. The fish bit well through the day, and
as they rowed home in the evening they were very merry. Thorolf kept
spying about Hall's doings during the day, and is standing in the
landing-place when Hall came to land. Hall rowed in the forehold of
the boat, and leapt overboard, intending to steady the boat; and as he
jumped to land Thorolf happens to be standing near, and forthwith hews
at him, and the blow caught him on his neck against the shoulder, and
off flew his head. Thorolf fled away after that, and Hall's followers
were all in a flurried bustle about him. The story of Hall's murder
was told all over the islands, and every one thought it was indeed
great news; for the man was of high birth, although he had had little
good luck. Thorolf now fled from the islands, for he knew no man there
who would shelter him after such a deed, and he had no kinsmen he
could expect help from; while in the neighbourhood were men from whom
it might be surely looked for that they would beset his life, being
moreover men of much power, such as was Ingjald, the Sheepisles'
Priest, the brother of Hall. [Sidenote: Thorolf's flight] Thorolf got
himself ferried across to the mainland. He went with great secrecy.
Nothing is told of his journey, until one evening he came to
Goddistead. Vigdis, the wife of Thord Goddi, was some sort of relation
to Thorolf, and on that account he turned towards that house. Thorolf
had also heard before how matters stood there, and how Vigdis was
endowed with a good deal more courage than Thord, her husband. And
forthwith the same evening that Thorolf came to Goddistead he went to
Vigdis to tell her his trouble, and to beg her help. Vigdis answered
his pleading in this way: "I do not deny our relationship, and in this
way alone I can look upon the deed you have done, that I deem you in
no way the worser man for it. Yet this I see, that those who shelter
you will thereby have at stake their lives and means, seeing what
great men they are who will be taking up the blood-suit. And Thord,"
she said, "my husband, is not much of a warrior; but the counsels of
us women are mostly guided by little foresight if anything is wanted.
Yet I am loath to keep aloof from you altogether, seeing that, though
I am but a woman, you have set your heart on finding some shelter
here." After that Vigdis led him to an outhouse, and told him to wait
for her there, and put a lock on the door. Then she went to Thord, and
said, "A man has come here as a guest, named Thorolf. He is some sort
of relation of mine, and I think he will need to dwell here some long
time if you will allow it." Thord said he could not away with men
coming to put up at his house, but bade him rest there over the next
day if he had no trouble on hand, but otherwise he should be off at
his swiftest. [Sidenote: Vigdis takes in Thorolf] Vigdis answered, "I
have offered him already to stay on, and I cannot take back my word,
though he be not in even friendship with all men." After that she
told Thord of the slaying of Hall, and that Thorolf who was come there
was the man who had killed him. Thord was very cross-grained at this,
and said he well knew how that Ingjald would take a great deal of
money from him for the sheltering that had been given him already,
seeing that doors here have been locked after this man. Vigdis
answered, "Ingjald shall take none of your money for giving one
night's shelter to Thorolf, and he shall remain here all this winter
through." Thord said, "In this manner you can checkmate me most
thoroughly, but it is against my wish that a man of such evil luck
should stay here." Still Thorolf stayed there all the winter. Ingjald,
who had to take up the blood-suit for his brother, heard this, and so
arrayed him for a journey into the Dales at the end of the winter, and
ran out a ferry of his whereon they went twelve together. They sailed
from the west with a sharp north-west wind, and landed in
Salmon-river-Mouth in the evening. They put up their ferry-boat, and
came to Goddistead in the evening, arriving there not unawares, and
were cheerfully welcomed. Ingjald took Thord aside for a talk with
him, and told him his errand, and said he had heard of Thorolf, the
slayer of his brother, being there. [Sidenote: Ingjald's bargain with
Thord] Thord said there was no truth in that. Ingjald bade him not to
deny it. "Let us rather come to a bargain together: you give up the
man, and put me to no toil in the matter of getting at him. I have
three marks of silver that you shall have, and I will overlook the
offences you have brought on your hands for the shelter given to
Thorolf." Thord thought the money fair, and had now a promise of
acquittal of the offences for which he had hitherto most dreaded and
for which he would have to abide sore loss of money. So he said, "I
shall no doubt hear people speak ill of me for this, none the less
this will have to be our bargain." They slept until it wore towards
the latter end of the night, when it lacked an hour of day.
CHAP. XV
Thorolf's Escape with Asgaut the Thrall
Ingjald and his men got up and dressed. Vigdis asked Thord what his
talk with Ingjald had been about the evening before. Thord said they
had talked about many things, amongst others how the place was to be
ransacked, and how they should be clear of the case if Thorolf was not
found there. "So I let Asgaut, my thrall, take the man away." Vigdis
said she had no fondness for lies, and said she should be very loath
to have Ingjald sniffing about her house, but bade him, however, do as
he liked. After that Ingjald ransacked the place, and did not hit upon
the man there. [Sidenote: The flight of Thorolf and Asgaut] At that
moment Asgaut came back, and Vigdis asked him where he had parted with
Thorolf. Asgaut replied, "I took him to our sheephouses as Thord told
me to." Vigdis replied, "Can anything be more exactly in Ingjald's way
as he returns to his ship? nor shall any risk be run, lest they should
have made this plan up between them last night. I wish you to go at
once, and take him away as soon as possible. You shall take him to
Sheepfell to Thorolf; and if you do as I tell you, you shall get
something for it. I will give you your freedom and money, that you may
go where you will." Asgaut agreed to this, and went to the sheephouse
to find Thorolf, and bade him get ready to go at once. At this time
Ingjald rode out of Goddistead, for he was now anxious to get his
money's worth. As he was come down from the farmstead (into the plain)
he saw two men coming to meet him; they were Thorolf and Asgaut. This
was early in the morning, and there was yet but little daylight.
Asgaut and Thorolf now found themselves in a hole, for Ingjald was on
one side of them and the Salmon River on the other. The river was
terribly swollen, and there were great masses of ice on either bank,
while in the middle it had burst open, and it was an ill-looking river
to try to ford. Thorolf said to Asgaut, "It seems to me we have two
choices before us. One is to remain here and fight as well as valour
and manhood will serve us, and yet the thing most likely is that
Ingjald and his men will take our lives without delay; and the other
is to tackle the river, and yet that, I think, is still a somewhat
dangerous one." Asgaut said that Thorolf should have his way, and he
would not desert him, "whatever plan you are minded to follow in this
matter." [Sidenote: The crossing of the river] Thorolf said, "We will
make for the river, then," and so they did, and arrayed themselves as
light as possible. After this they got over the main ice, and plunged
into the water. And because the men were brave, and Fate had ordained
them longer lives, they got across the river and upon the ice on the
other side. Directly after they had got across, Ingjald with his
followers came to the spot opposite to them on the other side of the
river. Ingjald spoke out, and said to his companions, "What plan shall
we follow now? Shall we tackle the river or not?" They said he should
choose, and they would rely on his foresight, though they thought the
river looked impassable. Ingjald said that so it was, and "we will
turn away from the river;" and when Thorolf and Asgaut saw that
Ingjald had made up his mind not to cross the river, they first wring
their clothes and then make ready to go on. They went on all that day,
and came in the evening to Sheepfell. They were well received there,
for it was an open house for all guests; and forthwith that same
evening Asgaut went to see Thorolf Rednose, and told him all the
matters concerning their errand, "how Vigdis, his kinswoman, had sent
him this man to keep in safety." Asgaut also told him all that had
happened between Ingjald and Thord Goddi; therewithal he took forth
the tokens Vigdis had sent. Thorolf replied thus, "I cannot doubt
these tokens. I shall indeed take this man in at her request. I
think, too, that Vigdis has dealt most bravely with this matter and it
is a great pity that such a woman should have so feeble a husband. And
you, Asgaut, shall dwell here as long as you like." Asgaut said he
would tarry there for no length of time. Thorolf now takes unto him
his namesake, and made him one of his followers; and Asgaut and they
parted good friends, and he went on his homeward journey. [Sidenote:
Ingjald returns to Thord] And now to tell of Ingjald. He turned back
to Goddistead when he and Thorolf parted. By that time men had come
there from the nearest farmsteads at the summons of Vigdis, and no
fewer than twenty men had gathered there already. But when Ingjald and
his men came to the place, he called Thord to him, "You have dealt in
a most cowardly way with me, Thord," says he, "for I take it to be the
truth that you have got the man off." Thord said this had not happened
with his knowledge; and now all the plotting that had been between
Ingjald and Thord came out. Ingjald now claimed to have back his money
that he had given to Thord. [Sidenote: The returning of the money]
Vigdis was standing near during this talk, and said it had fared with
them as was meet, and prayed Thord by no means to hold back this
money, "For you, Thord," she said, "have got this money in a most
cowardly way." Thord said she must needs have her will herein. After
that Vigdis went inside, and to a chest that belonged to Thord, and
found at the bottom a large purse. She took out the purse, and went
outside with it up to where Ingjald was, and bade him take the money.
Ingjald's brow cleared at that, and he stretched out his hand to take
the purse. Vigdis raised the purse, and struck him on the nose with
it, so that forthwith blood fell on the earth. Therewith she
overwhelmed him with mocking words, ending by telling him that
henceforth he should never have the money, and bidding him go his way.
Ingjald saw that his best choice was to be off, and the sooner the
better, which indeed he did, nor stopped in his journey until he got
home, and was mightily ill at ease over his travel.
CHAP. XVI
Thord becomes Olaf's Foster Father, A.D. 950
About this time Asgaut came home. Vigdis greeted him, and asked him
what sort of reception they had had at Sheepfell. He gave a good
account of it, and told her the words wherewith Thorolf had spoken out
his mind. [Sidenote: The reward of Asgaut] She was very pleased at
that. "And you, Asgaut," she said, "have done your part well and
faithfully, and you shall now know speedily what wages you have worked
for. I give you your freedom, so that from this day forth you shall
bear the title of a freeman. Therewith you shall take the money that
Thord took as the price for the head of Thorolf, my kinsman, and now
that money will be better bestowed." Asgaut thanked her for her gift
with fair words. The next summer Asgaut took a berth in Day-Meal-Ness,
and the ship put to sea, and they came in for heavy gales, but not a
long sea-voyage, and made Norway. After that Asgaut went to Denmark
and settled there, and was thought a valiant and true man. And
herewith comes to an end the tale of him. But after the plot Thord
Goddi had made up with Ingjald, the Sheepisles priest, when they made
up their minds to compass the death of Thorolf, Vigdis' kinsman, she
returned that deed with hatred, and divorced herself from Thord Goddi,
and went to her kinsfolk and told them the tale. Thord Yeller was not
pleased at this; yet matters went off quietly. Vigdis did not take
away with her from Goddistead any more goods than her own heirlooms.
The men of Hvamm let it out that they meant to have for themselves
one-half of the wealth that Thord was possessed of. And on hearing
this he becomes exceeding faint-hearted, and rides forthwith to see
Hoskuld to tell him of his troubles. Hoskuld said, "Times have been
that you have been terror-struck, through not having with such
overwhelming odds to deal." Then Thord offered Hoskuld money for his
help, and said he would not look at the matter with a niggard's eye.
Hoskuld said, "This is clear, that you will not by peaceful consent
allow any man to have the enjoyment of your wealth." Answers Thord,
"No, not quite that though; for I fain would that you should take
over all my goods. That being settled, I will ask to foster your son
Olaf, and leave him all my wealth after my days are done; for I have
no heir here in this land, and I think my means would be better
bestowed then, than that the kinsmen of Vigdis should grab it."
[Sidenote: Thord goes to Hoskuld] To this Hoskuld agreed, and had it
bound by witnesses. This Melkorka took heavily, deeming the fostering
too low. Hoskuld said she ought not to think that, "for Thord is an
old man, and childless, and I wish Olaf to have all his money after
his day, but you can always go to see him at any time you like."
Thereupon Thord took Olaf to him, seven years old, and loved him very
dearly. Hearing this, the men who had on hand the case against Thord
Goddi thought that now it would be even more difficult than before to
lay claim to the money. Hoskuld sent some handsome presents to Thord
Yeller, and bade him not be angry over this, seeing that in law they
had no claim on Thord's money, inasmuch as Vigdis had brought no true
charges against Thord, or any such as justified desertion by her.
"Moreover, Thord was no worse a man for casting about for counsel to
rid himself of a man that had been thrust upon his means, and was as
beset with guilt as a juniper bush is with prickles." But when these
words came to Thord from Hoskuld, and with them large gifts of money,
then Thord allowed himself to be pacified, and said he thought the
money was well placed that Hoskuld looked after, and took the gifts;
and all was quiet after that, but their friendship was rather less
warm than formerly. [Sidenote: Olaf surnamed the Peacock] Olaf grew up
with Thord, and became a great man and strong. He was so handsome that
his equal was not to be found, and when he was twelve years old he
rode to the Thing meeting, and men in other countrysides looked upon
it as a great errand to go, and to wonder at the splendid way he was
made. In keeping herewith was the manner of Olaf's war-gear and
raiment, and therefore he was easily distinguished from all other men.
Thord got on much better after Olaf came to live with him. Hoskuld
gave Olaf a nickname, and called him Peacock, and the name stuck to
him.
CHAP. XVII
About Viga Hrapp's Ghost, A.D. 950
The tale is told of Hrapp that he became most violent in his
behaviour, and did his neighbours such harm that they could hardly
hold their own against him. But from the time that Olaf grew up Hrapp
got no hold of Thord. Hrapp had the same temper, but his powers waned,
in that old age was fast coming upon him, so that he had to lie in
bed. [Sidenote: Hrapp's death] Hrapp called Vigdis, his wife, to him,
and said, "I have never been of ailing health in life," said he, "and
it is therefore most likely that this illness will put an end to our
life together. Now, when I am dead, I wish my grave to be dug in the
doorway of my fire hall, and that I be put: thereinto, standing there
in the doorway; then I shall be able to keep a more searching eye on
my dwelling." After that Hrapp died, and all was done as he said, for
Vigdis did not dare do otherwise. And as evil as he had been to deal
with in his life, just so he was by a great deal more when he was
dead, for he walked again a great deal after he was dead. People said
that he killed most of his servants in his ghostly appearances. He
caused a great deal of trouble to those who lived near, and the house
of Hrappstead became deserted. Vigdis, Hrapp's wife, betook herself
west to Thorstein Swart, her brother. He took her and her goods in.
And now things went as before, in that men went to find Hoskuld, and
told him all the troubles that Hrapp was doing to them, and asked him
to do something to put an end to this. Hoskuld said this should be
done, and he went with some men to Hrappstead, and has Hrapp dug up,
and taken away to a place near to which cattle were least likely to
roam or men to go about. After that Hrapp's walkings-again abated
somewhat. Sumarlid, Hrapp's son, inherited all Hrapp's wealth, which
was both great and goodly. Sumarlid set up household at Hrappstead the
next spring; but after he had kept house there for a little time he
was seized of frenzy, and died shortly afterwards. [Sidenote:
Thorstein Swart leaves home] Now it was the turn of his mother,
Vigdis, to take there alone all this wealth; but as she would not go
to the estate of Hrappstead, Thorstein Swart took all the wealth to
himself to take care of. Thorstein was by then rather old, though
still one of the most healthy and hearty of men.
CHAP. XVIII
Of the Drowning of Thorstein Swart
At that time there rose to honour among men in Thorness, the kinsmen
of Thorstein, named Bork the Stout and his brother, Thorgrim. It was
soon found out how these brothers would fain be the greatest men
there, and were most highly accounted of. And when Thorstein found
that out, he would not elbow them aside, and so made it known to
people that he wished to change his abode, and take his household to
Hrappstead, in Salmon-river-Dale. Thorstein Swart got ready to start
after the spring Thing, but his cattle were driven round along the
shore. Thorstein got on board a ferry-boat, and took twelve men with
him; and Thorarin, his brother-in-law, and Osk, Thorstein's daughter,
and Hild, her daughter, who was three years old, went with them too.
Thorstein fell in with a high south-westerly gale, and they sailed up
towards the roosts, and into that roost which is called
Coal-chest-Roost, which is the biggest of the currents in Broadfirth.
[Sidenote: The wreck] They made little way sailing, chiefly because
the tide was ebbing, and the wind was not favourable, the weather
being squally, with high wind when the squalls broke over, but with
little wind between whiles. Thorstein steered, and had the braces of
the sail round his shoulders, because the boat was blocked up with
goods, chiefly piled-up chests, and the cargo was heaped up very high;
but land was near about, while on the boat there was but little way,
because of the raging current against them. Then they sailed on to a
hidden rock, but were not wrecked. Thorstein bade them let down the
sail as quickly as possible, and take punt poles to push off the ship.
This shift was tried to no avail, because on either board the sea was
so deep that the poles struck no bottom; so they were obliged to wait
for the incoming tide, and now the water ebbs away under the ship.
Throughout the day they saw a seal in the current larger by much than
any others, and through the day it would be swimming round about the
ship, with flappers none of the shortest, and to all of them it seemed
that in him there were human eyes. Thorstein bade them shoot the seal,
and they tried, but it came to nought. [Sidenote: Gudmund's story] Now
the tide rose; and just as the ship was getting afloat there broke
upon them a violent squall, and the boat heeled over, and every one on
board the boat was drowned, save one man, named Gudmund, who drifted
ashore with some timber. The place where he was washed up was
afterwards called Gudmund's Isles. Gudrid, whom Thorkell Trefill had
for wife, was entitled to the inheritance left by Thorstein, her
father. These tidings spread far and near of the drowning of Thorstein
Swart, and the men who were lost there. Thorkell sent straightway for
the man Gudmund, who had been washed ashore, and when he came and met
Thorkell, he (Thorkell) struck a bargain with him, to the end that he
should tell the story of the loss of lives even as he (Thorkell) was
going to dictate it to him. Gudmund agreed. Thorkell now asked him to
tell the story of this mishap in the hearing of a good many people.
Then Gudmund spake on this wise: "Thorstein was drowned first, and
then his son-in-law, Thorarin"--so that then it was the turn of Hild
to come in for the money, as she was the daughter of Thorarin. Then he
said the maiden was drowned, because the next in inheritance to her
was Osk, her mother, and she lost her life the last of them, so that
all the money thus came to Thorkell Trefill, in that his wife Gudrid
must take inheritance after her sister. Now this tale is spread abroad
by Thorkell and his men; but Gudmund ere this had told the tale in
somewhat another way. [Sidenote: The ordeal] Now the kinsmen of
Thorarin misdoubted this tale somewhat, and said they would not
believe it unproved, and claimed one-half of the heritage against
Thorkell; but Thorkell maintained it belonged to him alone, and bade
that ordeal should be taken on the matter, according to their custom.
This was the ordeal at that time, that men had had to pass under
"earth-chain," which was a slip of sward cut loose from the soil, but
both ends thereof were left adhering to the earth, and the man who
should go through with the ordeal should walk thereunder. Thorkell
Trefill now had some misgivings himself as to whether the deaths of
the people had indeed taken place as he and Gudmund had said the
second time. Heathen men deemed that on them rested no less
responsibility when ceremonies of this kind had to be gone through
than Christian men do when ordeals are decreed. He who passed under
"earth-chain" cleared himself if the sward-slip did not fall down upon
him. Thorkell made an arrangement with two men that they should feign
quarrelling over something or another, and be close to the spot when
the ordeal was being gone through with, and touch the sward-slip so
unmistakably that all men might see that it was they who knocked it
down. After this comes forward he who was to go through with the
ordeal, and at the nick of time when he had got under the
"earth-chain," these men who had been put up to it fall on each other
with weapons, meeting close to the arch of the sward-slip, and lie
there fallen, and down tumbles the "earth-chain", as was likely
enough. Then men rush up between them and part them, which was easy
enough, for they fought with no mind to do any harm. Thorkell Trefill
then asked people as to what they thought about the ordeal, and all
his men now said that it would have turned out all right if no one
had spoilt it. Then Thorkell took all the chattels to himself, but the
land at Hrapstead was left to lie fallow.
CHAP. XIX
Hrut Comes to Iceland