and that he is a great chieftain. [Sidenote: Hrut in Norway] He had in
his keep a great deal of money that belonged to his (half) brother,
Hrut, Herjolf's son. Many men would have it that Hoskuld's means would
be heavily cut into if he should be made to pay to the full the
heritage of his (Hrut's) mother. Hrut was of the bodyguard of King
Harald, Gunnhild's son, and was much honoured by him, chiefly for the
reason that he approved himself the best man in all deeds of manly
trials, while, on the other hand, Gunnhild, the Queen, loved him so
much that she held there was not his equal within the guard, either in
talking or in anything else. Even when men were compared, and noblemen
therein were pointed to, all men easily saw that Gunnhild thought that
at the bottom there must be sheer thoughtlessness, or else envy, if
any man was said to be Hrut's equal. [Sidenote: Hrut comes to Iceland]
Now, inasmuch as Hrut had in Iceland much money to look after, and
many noble kinsfolk to go and see, he desired to go there, and now
arrays his journey for Iceland. The king gave him a ship at parting,
and said he had proved a brave man and true. Gunnhild saw Hrut off to
his ship, and said, "Not in a hushed voice shall this be spoken, that
I have proved you to be a most noble man, in that you have prowess
equal to the best man here in this land, but are in wits a long way
before them". Then she gave him a gold ring and bade him farewell.
Whereupon she drew her mantle over her head and went swiftly home.
Hrut went on board his ship, and put to sea. He had a good breeze, and
came to Broadfirth. He sailed up the bay, up to the island, and,
steering in through Broadsound, he landed at Combness, where he put
his gangways to land. The news of the coming of this ship spread
about, as also that Hrut, Herjolf's son, was the captain. Hoskuld gave
no good cheer to these tidings, and did not go to meet Hrut. Hrut put
up his ship, and made her snug. He built himself a dwelling, which
since has been called Combness. Then he rode to see Hoskuld, to get
his share of his mother's inheritance. Hoskuld said he had no money to
pay him, and said his mother had not gone without means out of Iceland
when she met with Herjolf. Hrut liked this very ill, but rode away,
and there the matter rested. All Hrut's kinsfolk, excepting Hoskuld,
did honour to Hrut. [Sidenote: Hoskuld's treatment of Hrut] Hrut now
lived three winters at Combness, and was always demanding the money
from Hoskuld at the Thing meetings and other law gatherings, and he
spoke well on the matter. And most men held that Hrut had right on his
side. Hoskuld said that Thorgerd had not married Herjolf by his
counsel, and that he was her lawful guardian, and there the matter
dropped. That same autumn Hoskuld went to a feast at Thord Goddi's,
and hearing that, Hrut rode with twelve men to Hoskuldstead and took
away twenty oxen, leaving as many behind. Then he sent some men to
Hoskuld, telling them where he might search for the cattle. Hoskuld's
house-carles sprang forthwith up, and seized their weapons, and words
were sent to the nearest neighbours for help, so that they were a
party of fifteen together, and they rode each one as fast as they
possibly could. Hrut and his followers did not see the pursuit till
they were a little way from the enclosure at Combness. And forthwith
he and his men jumped off their horses, and tied them up, and went
forward unto a certain sandhill. Hrut said that there they would make
a stand, and added that though the money claim against Hoskuld sped
slowly, never should that be said that he had run away before his
thralls. [Sidenote: Hrut's fight] Hrut's followers said that they had
odds to deal with. Hrut said he would never heed that; said they
should fare all the worse the more they were in number. The men of
Salmon-river-Dale now jumped off their horses, and got ready to fight.
Hrut bade his men not trouble themselves about the odds, and goes for
them at a rush. Hrut had a helmet on his head, a drawn sword in one
hand and a shield in the other. He was of all men the most skilled at
arms. Hrut was then so wild that few could keep up with him. Both
sides fought briskly for a while; but the men of Salmon-river-Dale
very soon found that in Hrut they had to deal with one for whom they
were no match, for now he slew two men at every onslaught. After that
the men of Salmon-river-Dale begged for peace. Hrut replied that they
should surely have peace. All the house-carles of Hoskuld who were yet
alive were wounded, and four were killed. Hrut then went home, being
somewhat wounded himself; but his followers only slightly or not at
all, for he had been the foremost in the fight. The place has since
been called Fight-Dale where they fought. After that Hrut had the
cattle killed. Now it must be told how Hoskuld got men together in a
hurry when he heard of the robbery and rode home. Much at the same
time as he arrived his house-carles came home too, and told how their
journey had gone anything but smoothly. Hoskuld was wild with wrath at
this, and said he meant to take at Hrut's hand no robbery or loss of
lives again, and gathered to him men all that day. Then Jorunn, his
wife, went and talked to him, and asked him what he had made his mind
up to. He said, "It is but little I have made up my mind to, but I
fain would that men should oftener talk of something else than the
slaying of my house-carles". [Sidenote: Jorunn's good advice] Jorunn
answered, "You are after a fearful deed if you mean to kill such a man
as your brother, seeing that some men will have it that it would not
have been without cause if Hrut had seized these goods even before
this; and now he has shown that, taking after the race he comes from,
he means no longer to be an outcast, kept from what is his own. Now,
surely he cannot have made up his mind to try his strength with you
till he knew that he might hope for some backing-up from the more
powerful among men; for, indeed, I am told that messages have been
passing in quiet between Hrut and Thord Yeller. And to me, at least,
such matters seem worthy of heed being paid to them. No doubt Thord
will be glad to back up matters of this kind, seeing how clear are the
bearings of the case. Moreover you know, Hoskuld, that since the
quarrel between Thord Goddi and Vigdis, there has not been the same
fond friendship between you and Thord Yeller as before, although by
means of gifts you staved off the enmity of him and his kinsmen in the
beginning. I also think, Hoskuld," she said, "that in that matter,
much to the trial of their temper, they feel they have come off worst
at the hands of yourself and your son, Olaf. Now this seems to me the
wiser counsel: to make your brother an honourable offer, for there a
hard grip from greedy wolf may be looked for. I am sure that Hrut will
take that matter in good part, for I am told he is a wise man, and he
will see that that would be an honour to both of you." Hoskuld quieted
down greatly at Jorunn's speech, and thought this was likely to be
true. [Sidenote: Hoskuld and Hrut become friends] Then men went
between them who were friends of both sides, bearing words of peace
from Hoskuld to Hrut. Hrut received them well, and said he would
indeed make friends with Hoskuld, and added that he had long been
ready for their coming to terms as behoved kinsmen, if but Hoskuld had
been willing to grant him his right. Hrut also said he was ready to do
honour to Hoskuld for what he on his side had misdone. So now these
matters were shaped and settled between the brothers, who now take to
living together in good brotherhood from this time forth. Hrut now
looks after his homestead, and became mighty man of his ways. He did
not mix himself up in general things, but in whatever matter he took a
part he would have his own way. Hrut now moved his dwelling, and abode
to old age at a place which now is called Hrutstead. He made a temple
in his home-field, of which the remains are still to be seen. It is
called Trolls' walk now, and there is the high road. Hrut married a
woman named Unn, daughter of Mord Fiddle. Unn left him, and thence
sprang the quarrels between the men of Salmon-river-Dale and the men
of Fleetlithe. Hrut's second wife was named Thorbjorg. She was Armod's
daughter. Hrut married a third wife, but her we do not name. Hrut had
sixteen sons and ten daughters by these two wives. And men say that
one summer Hrut rode to the Thing meeting, and fourteen of his sons
were with him. Of this mention is made, because it was thought a sign
of greatness and might. All his sons were right goodly men.
CHAP. XX
Melkorka's Marriage and Olaf the Peacock's Journey, A.D. 955
[Sidenote: Of Thorliek Hoskuldson] Hoskuld now remained quietly at
home, and began now to sink into old age, and his sons were now all
grown up. Thorliek sets up household of his own at a place called
Combness, and Hoskuld handed over to him his portion. After that he
married a woman named Gjaflaug, daughter of Arnbjorn, son of Sleitu
Bjorn, and Thordaug, the daughter of Thord of Headland. It was a noble
match, Gjaflaug being a very beautiful and high-minded woman. Thorliek
was not an easy man to get on with, but was most warlike. There was
not much friendship between the kinsmen Hrut and Thorliek. Bard
Hoskuld's son stayed at home with his father, looked after the
household affairs no less than Hoskuld himself. The daughters of
Hoskuld do not have much to do with this story, yet men are known who
are descended from them. Olaf, Hoskuld's son, was now grown up, and
was the handsomest of all men that people ever set eyes on. He arrayed
himself always well, both as to clothes and weapons. Melkorka, Olaf's
mother, lived at Melkorkastead, as has been told before. Hoskuld
looked less after Melkorka's household ways than he used to do, saying
that that matter concerned Olaf, her son. Olaf said he would give her
such help as he had to offer her. [Sidenote: Melkorka's plans]
Melkorka thought Hoskuld had done shamefully by her, and makes up her
mind to do something to him at which he should not be over pleased.
Thorbjorn Skrjup had chiefly had on hand the care of Melkorka's
household affairs. He had made her an offer of marriage, after she had
been an householder for but a little while, but Melkorka refused him
flatly. There was a ship up by Board-Ere in Ramfirth, and Orn was the
name of the captain. He was one of the bodyguard of King Harald,
Gunnhild's son. Melkorka spoke to Olaf, her son, and said that she
wished he should journey abroad to find his noble relations, "For I
have told the truth that Myrkjartan is really my father, and he is
king of the Irish and it would be easy for you betake you on board the
ship that is now at Board-Ere." Olaf said, "I have spoken about it to
my father, but he seemed to want to have but little to do with it; and
as to the manner of my foster-father's money affairs, it so happens
that his wealth is more in land or cattle than in stores of islandic
market goods." [Sidenote: Melkorka's marriage] Melkorka said, "I
cannot bear your being called the son of a slave-woman any longer; and
if it stands in the way of the journey, that you think you have not
enough money, then I would rather go to the length even of marrying
Thorbjorn, if then you should be more willing than before to betake
yourself to the journey. For I think he will be willing to hand out to
you as much wares as you think you may need, if I give my consent to
his marrying me. Above all I look to this, that then Hoskuld will like
two things mightily ill when he comes to hear of them, namely, that
you have gone out of the land, and that I am married." Olaf bade his
mother follow her own counsel. After that Olaf talked to Thorbjorn as
to how he wished to borrow wares of him, and a great deal thereof.
Thorbjorn answered, "I will do it on one condition, and that is that I
shall marry Melkorka for them; it seems to me, you will be as welcome
to my money as to that which you have in your keep." Olaf said that
this should then be settled; whereupon they talked between them of
such matters as seemed needful, but all these things they agreed
should be kept quiet. Hoskuld wished Olaf to ride with him to the
Thing. Olaf said he could not do that on account of household affairs,
as he also wanted to fence off a grazing paddock for lambs by Salmon
River. Hoskuld was very pleased that he should busy himself with the
homestead. Then Hoskuld rode to the Thing; but at Lambstead a wedding
feast was arrayed, and Olaf settled the agreement alone. Olaf took out
of the undivided estate thirty hundred ells' worth of wares, and
should pay no money for them.[1] Bard, Hoskuld's son, was at the
wedding, and was a party with them to all these doings. [Sidenote:
Olaf goes to Norway] When the feast was ended Olaf rode off to the
ship, and found Orn the captain, and took berth with him. Before Olaf
and Melkorka parted she gave him a great gold finger-ring, and said,
"This gift my father gave me for a teething gift, and I know he will
recognise it when he sees it." She also put into his hands a knife and
a belt, and bade him give them to her nurse: "I am sure she will not
doubt these tokens." And still further Melkorka spake, "I have fitted
you out from home as best I know how, and taught you to speak Irish,
so that it will make no difference to you where you are brought to
shore in Ireland." After that they parted. There arose forthwith a
fair wind, when Olaf got on board, and they sailed straightway out to
sea.
[Footnote 1: One hundred = 120 X 30 = 3600 x 120 = 432,000 ells
altogether.]
CHAP. XXI
Olaf the Peacock goes to Ireland, A.D. 955
Now Hoskuld came back from the Thing and heard these tidings, and was
very much displeased. But seeing that his near akin were concerned in
the matter, he quieted down and let things alone. Olaf and his
companions had a good voyage, and came to Norway. Orn urges Olaf to go
to the court of King Harald, who, he said, bestowed goodly honour on
men of no better breeding than Olaf was. Olaf said he thought he would
take that counsel. Olaf and Orn now went to the court, and were well
received. The king at once recognised Olaf for the sake of his
kindred, and forthwith bade him stay with him. Gunnhild paid great
heed to Olaf when she knew he was Hrut's brother's son; but some men
would have it, that she took pleasure in talking to Olaf without his
needing other people's aid to introduce him. [Sidenote: Olaf wishes to
leave Norway] As the winter wore on, Olaf grew sadder of mood. Orn
asked him what was the matter of his sorrow? Olaf answered, "I have on
hand a journey to go west over the sea; and I set much store by it and
that you should lend me your help, so that it may be undertaken in the
course of next summer." Orn bade Olaf not set his heart on going, and
said he did not know of any ships going west over the sea. Gunnhild
joined in their talk, and said, "Now I hear you talk together in a
manner that has not happened before, in that each of you wants to have
his own way!" Olaf greeted Gunnhild well, without letting drop their
talk. After that Orn went away, but Gunnhild and Olaf kept conversing
together. Olaf told her of his wish, and how much store he set by
carrying it out, saying he knew for certain that Myrkjartan, the king,
was his mother's father. Then Gunnhild said, "I will lend you help for
this voyage, so that you may go on it as richly furnished as you
please." Olaf thanked her for her promise. Then Gunnhild had a ship
prepared and a crew got together, and bade Olaf say how many men he
would have to go west over the sea with him. Olaf fixed the number at
sixty; but said that it was a matter of much concern to him, that such
a company should be more like warriors than merchants. She said that
so it should be; and Orn is the only man mentioned by name in company
with Olaf on this journey. The company were well fitted out.
[Sidenote: Olaf's voyage] King Harald and Gunnhild led Olaf to his
ship, and they said they wished to bestow on him their good-luck over
and above other friendship they had bestowed on him already. King
Harald said that was an easy matter; for they must say that no
goodlier a man had in their days come out of Iceland. Then Harald the
king asked how old a man he was. Olaf answered, "I am now eighteen
winters." The king replied, "Of exceeding worth, indeed, are such men
as you are, for as yet you have left the age of child but a short way
behind; and be sure to come and see us when you come back again." Then
the king and Gunnhild bade Olaf farewell. Then Olaf and his men got on
board, and sailed out to sea. They came in for unfavourable weather
through the summer, had fogs plentiful, and little wind, and what
there was was unfavourable; and wide about the main they drifted, and
on most on board fell "sea-bewilderment." But at last the fog lifted
over-head; and the wind rose, and they put up sail. Then they began to
discuss in which direction Ireland was to be sought; and they did not
agree on that. Orn said one thing, and most of the men went against
him, and said that Orn was all bewildered: they should rule who were
the greater in number. Then Olaf was asked to decide. He said, "I
think we should follow the counsel of the wisest; for the counsels of
foolish men I think will be of all the worse service for us in the
greater number they gather together." And now they deemed the matter
settled, since Olaf spake in this manner; and Orn took the steering
from that time. [Sidenote: They get to Ireland] They sailed for days
and nights, but always with very little wind. One night the watchmen
leapt up, and bade every one wake at once, and said they saw land so
near that they had almost struck on it. The sail was up, but there was
but little wind. Every one got up, and Orn bade them clear away from
the land, if they could. Olaf said, "That is not the way out of our
plight, for I see reefs all about astern; so let down the sail at
once, and we will take our counsel when there is daylight, and we know
what land this is." Then they cast anchors, and they caught bottom at
once. There was much talk during the night as to where they could be
come to; and when daylight was up they recognised that it was Ireland.
Orn said, "I don't think we have come to a good place, for this is far
away from the harbours or market-towns, whose strangers enjoy peace;
and we are now left high and dry, like sticklebacks, and near enough,
I think, I come to the laws of the Irish in saying that they will lay
claim to the goods we have on board as their lawful prize, for as
flotsam they put down ships even when sea has ebbed out shorter from
the stern (than here)." Olaf said no harm would happen, "But I have
seen that to-day there is a gathering of men up inland; so the Irish
think, no doubt, the arrival of this ship a great thing. During the
ebb-tide to-day I noticed that there was a dip, and that out of the
dip the sea fell without emptying it out; and if our ship has not been
damaged, we can put out our boat and tow the ship into it." There was
a bottom of loam where they had been riding at anchor, so that not a
plank of the ship was damaged. [Sidenote: The Irish] So Olaf and his
men tow their boat to the dip, cast anchor there. Now, as day drew on,
crowds drifted down to the shore. At last two men rowed a boat out to
the ship. They asked what men they were who had charge of that ship,
and Olaf answered, speaking in Irish, to their inquiries. When the
Irish knew they were Norwegians they pleaded their law, and bade them
give up their goods; and if they did so, they would do them no harm
till the king had sat in judgment on their case. Olaf said the law
only held good when merchants had no interpreter with them. "But I can
say with truth these are peaceful men, and we will not give ourselves
up untried." The Irish then raised a great war-cry, and waded out into
the sea, and wished to drag the ship, with them on board, to the
shore, the water being no deeper than reaching up to their armpits, or
to the belts of the tallest. But the pool was so deep where the ship
was floating that they could not touch the bottom. Olaf bade the crew
fetch out their weapons, and range in line of battle from stem to
stern on the ship; and so thick they stood, that shield overlapped
shield all round the ship, and a spear-point stood out at the lower
end of every shield. Olaf walked fore to the prow, and was thus
arrayed: he had a coat of mail, and a gold-reddened helmet on his
head; girt with a sword with gold-inlaid hilt, and in his hand a
barbed spear chased and well engraved. A red shield he had before him,
on which was drawn a lion in gold. When the Irish saw this array fear
shot through their hearts, and they thought it would not be so easy a
matter as they had thought to master the booty. So now the Irish break
their journey, and run all together to a village near. [Sidenote: Olaf
meets Myrkjartan] Then there arose great murmur in the crowd, as they
deemed that, sure enough, this must be a warship, and that they must
expect many others; so they sent speedily word to the king, which was
easy, as he was at that time a short way off, feasting. Straightway he
rides with a company of men to where the ship was. Between the land
and the place where the ship lay afloat the space was no greater than
that one might well hear men talking together. Now Olaf stood forth in
the same arrayal whereof is written before, and men marvelled much how
noble was the appearance of the man who was the captain of the ship.
But when the shipmates of Olaf see how a large company of knights
rides towards them, looking a company of the bravest, they grow
hushed, for they deemed here were great odds to deal with. But when
Olaf heard the murmur which went round among his followers, he bade
them take heart, "For now our affairs are in a fair way; the Irish are
now greeting Myrkjartan, their king." Then they rode so near to the
ship, that each could hear what the other said. [Sidenote: Their talk
together] The king asked who was the master of the ship. Olaf told his
name, and asked who was the valiant-looking knight with whom he then
was talking. He answered, "I am called Myrkjartan." Olaf asked, "Are
you then a king of the Irish?" He said he was. Then the king asked
Olaf for news commonly talked of, and Olaf gave good answers as to all
news he was asked about. Then the king asked whence they had put to
sea, and whose men they were. And still the king asked, more
searchingly than before, about Olaf's kindred, for the king found that
this man was of haughty bearing, and would not answer any further than
the king asked. Olaf said, "Let it be known to you that we ran our
ship afloat from the coast of Norway, and these are of the bodyguard
of King Harald, the son of Gunnhild, who are here on board. And as for
my race, I have, sire, to tell you this, that my father lives in
Iceland, and is named Hoskuld, a man of high birth; but of my mother's
kindred, I think you must have seen many more than I have. For my
mother is called Melkorka, and it has been told me as a truth that she
is your daughter, king. Now, this has driven me upon this long
journey, and to me it is a matter most weighty what answer you give in
my case." The king then grew silent, and had a converse with his men.
The wise men asked the king what might be the real truth of the story
that this man was telling. The king answered, "This is clearly seen
in this Olaf, that he is high-born man, whether he be a kinsman of
mine or not, as well as this, that of all men he speaks the best of
Irish." [Sidenote: Melkorka's tokens accepted] After that the king
stood up, and said, "Now I will give answer to your speech, in so far
as we grant to you and all your shipmates peace; but on the kinship
you claim with us, we must talk more before I give answer to that."
After that they put out their gangways to the shore, and Olaf and his
followers went on land from the ship; and the Irish now marvel much
how warrior-like these men are. Olaf greeted the king well, taking off
his helmet and bowing to the king, who welcomes Olaf with all
fondness. Thereupon they fall to talking together, Olaf pleading his
case again in a speech long and frank; and at the end of his speech he
said he had a ring on his hand that Melkorka had given him at parting
in Iceland, saying "that you, king, gave it her as a tooth gift." The
king took and looked at the ring, and his face grew wondrous red to
look at; and then the king said, "True enough are the tokens, and
become by no means less notable thereby that you have so many of your
mother's family features, and that even by them you might be easily
recognised; and because of these things I will in sooth acknowledge
your kinship, Olaf, by the witnessing of these men that here are near
and hear my speech. And this shall also follow that I will ask you to
my court, with all your suite, but the honour of you all will depend
thereon of what worth as a man I find you to be when I try you more."
After that the king orders riding-horses to be given to them, and
appoints men to look after their ship, and to guard the goods
belonging to them. The King now rode to Dublin, and men thought this
great tidings, that with the king should be journeying the son of his
daughter, who had been carried off in war long ago when she was only
fifteen winters old. [Sidenote: Melkorka's foster-mother] But most
startled of all at these tidings was the foster-mother of Melkorka,
who was then bed-ridden, both from heavy sickness and old age; yet she
walked with no staff even to support her, to meet Olaf. The king said
to Olaf, "Here is come Melkorka's foster-mother, and she will wish to
hear all the tidings you can tell about Melkorka's life." Olaf took
her with open arms, and set the old woman on his knee, and said her
foster-daughter was well settled and in a good position in Iceland.
Then Olaf put in her hands the knife and the belt, and the old woman
recognised the gifts, and wept for joy, and said it was easy to see
that Melkorka's son was one of high mettle, and no wonder, seeing what
stock he comes of. The old woman was strong and well, and in good
spirits all that winter. The king was seldom at rest, for at that time
the lands in the west were at all times raided by war-bands. The king
drove from his land that winter both Vikings and raiders. [Sidenote:
Olaf's life in Ireland] Olaf was with his suite in the king's ship,
and those who came against them thought his was indeed a grim company
to deal with. The king talked over with Olaf and his followers all
matters needing counsel, for Olaf proved himself to the king both
wise and eager-minded in all deeds of prowess. But towards the latter
end of the winter the king summoned a Thing, and great numbers came.
The king stood up and spoke. He began his speech thus: "You all know
that last autumn there came hither a man who is the son of my
daughter, and high-born also on his father's side; and it seems to me
that Olaf is a man of such prowess and courage that here such men are
not to be found. Now I offer him my kingdom after my day is done, for
Olaf is much more suitable for a ruler than my own sons." Olaf thanked
him for this offer with many graceful and fair words, and said he
would not run the risk as to how his sons might behave when Myrkjartan
was no more; said it was better to gain swift honour than lasting
shame; and added that he wished to go to Norway when ships could
safely journey from land to land, and that his mother would have
little delight in life if he did not return to her. The king bade Olaf
do as he thought best. Then the Thing was broken up. [Sidenote: Olaf
comes to Norway again] When Olaf's ship was ready, the king saw him
off on board; and gave him a spear chased with gold, and a
gold-bedecked sword, and much money besides. Olaf begged that he might
take Melkorka's foster-mother with him; but the king said there was no
necessity for that, so she did not go. Then Olaf got on board his
ship, and he and the king parted with the greatest friendship. Then
Olaf sailed out to sea. They had a good voyage, and made land in
Norway; and Olaf's journey became very famous. They set up their
ship; and Olaf got horses for himself, and went, together with his
followers, to find King Harald.
CHAP. XXII
Olaf the Peacock comes Home to Iceland, A.D. 957