the dairy where Helgi was, and with him the men that were named
before. In the morning Helgi told his shepherd to go through the woods
in the neighbourhood of the dairy and look out for people passing, and
take heed of whatever else he saw, to tell news of, "for my dreams
have gone heavily to-night." The lad went even as Helgi told him. He
was away awhile, and when he came back Helgi asked what he had seen to
tell tidings of. He answered, "I have seen what I think is stuff for
tidings." Helgi asked what that was. He said he had seen men, "and
none so few either, and I think they must have come from beyond this
countryside." Helgi spoke: "Where were they when you saw them, and
what were they doing, or did you take heed of the manner of raiment,
or their looks?" He answered, "I was not so much taken aback at the
sight as not to mind those matters, for I knew you would ask about
them." He also said they were but short away from the dairy, and were
eating their morning meal. Helgi asked if they sat in a ring or side
by side in a line. He said they sat in a ring, on their saddles.
[Sidenote: The description of Helgi's enemies] Helgi said, "Tell me
now of their looks, and I will see if I can guess from what they
looked like who the men may be." The lad said, "There sat a man in a
stained saddle, in a blue cloak. He was great of growth, and
valiant-looking; he was bald in front and somewhat 'tooth-bare.'"
Helgi said, "I know that man clearly from your tale. There you have
seen Thorgils Hallason, from west out of Hord-Dale. I wonder what he
wants with us, the hero." The lad spoke: "Next to him sat a man in a
gilded saddle; he had on a scarlet kirtle, and a gold ring on his arm,
and a gold-embroidered fillet was tied round his head. This man had
yellow hair, waving down over his shoulders; he was fair of hue, with
a knot on his nose, which was somewhat turned up at the tip, with very
fine eyes--blue-eyed and swift-eyed, and with a glance somewhat
restless, broad-browed and full-cheeked; he had his hair cut across
his forehead. He was well grown as to breadth of shoulders and depth
of chest. He had very beautiful hands, and strong-looking arms. All
his bearing was courteous, and, in a word, I have never seen a man so
altogether doughty-looking. He was a young-looking man too, for his
lips had grown no beard, but it seemed to me he was aged by grief."
Then Helgi answers: "You have paid a careful heed, indeed, to this
man, and of much account he must needs be; yet this man, I think, I
have never seen, so I must make a guess at it who he is. There, I
think, must have been Bolli Bollison, for I am told he has in him the
makings of a man." [Sidenote: The description continued] Then the lad
went on: "Next there sat a man on an enamelled saddle in a yellow
green kirtle; he had a great finger ring on his hand. This man was
most goodly to behold, and must still be young of age; his hair was
auburn and most comely, and in every way he was most courtly." Helgi
answers, "I think I know who this man is, of whom you have now been
telling. He must be Thorleik Bollison, and a sharp and mindful man you
are." The lad said again, "Next sat a young man; he was in a blue
kirtle and black breeches, and his tunic tucked into them. This man
was straight-faced, light of hair, with a goodly-featured face,
slender and graceful." Helgi answered, "I know that man, for I must
have seen him, though at a time when he was quite young; for it must
be Thord Thordson, fosterling of Snorri the Priest. And a very courtly
band they have, the Westfirthers. What is there yet to tell?" Then the
lad said, "There sat a man on a Scotch saddle, hoary of beard and very
sallow of hue, with black curly hair, somewhat unsightly and yet
warrior like; he had on a grey pleated cape." Helgi said, "I clearly
see who that man is; there is Lambi, the son of Thorbjorn, from
Salmon-river-Dale; but I cannot think why he should be in the train of
these brothers." [Sidenote: Further description of the men] The lad
spake: "There sat a man on a pommelled saddle, and had on a blue cloak
for an overall, with a silver ring on his arm; he was a farmer-looking
sort of man and past the prime of life, with dark auburn long curly
hair, and scars about his face." "Now the tale grows worse by much,"
said Helgi, "for there you must have seen Thorstein the Black, my
brother-in-law; and a wondrous thing indeed I deem it, that he should
be in this journey, nor would I ever offer him such a home-raid. But
what more is there still to tell?" He answered, "Next there sat two
men like each other to look upon, and might have been of middle age;
most brisk they looked, red of hair, freckled of face, yet goodly to
behold." Helgi said, "I can clearly understand who those men are.
There are the sons of Armod, foster-brothers of Thorgils, Halldor and
Ornolf. And a very trustworthy fellow you are. But have you now told
the tale of all the men you saw?" He answered, "I have but little to
add now. Next there sat a man and looked out of the circle; he was in
a plate-corselet and had a steel cap on his head, with a brim a hand's
breadth wide; he bore a shining axe on his shoulder, the edge of which
must have measured an ell in length. This man was dark of hue,
black-eyed, and most viking like." Helgi answered, "I clearly know
this man from your tale. There has been Hunbogi the Strong, son of Alf
o' Dales. But what I find so hard to make out is, what they want
journeying with such a very picked company." The lad spoke again: "And
still there sat a man next to this strong-looking one, dark auburn of
hair, thick-faced and red-faced, heavy of brow, of a tall middle
size." Helgi said, "You need not tell the tale further, there must
have been Svein, son of Alf o' Dales, brother of Hunbogi. Now it would
be as well not to stand shiftless in the face of these men; for near
to my mind's foreboding it is, that they are minded to have a meeting
with me or ever they leave this countryside; moreover, in this train
there are men who would hold that it would have been but due and meet,
though this our meeting should have taken a good long time before
this. Now all the women who are in the dairy slip on quickly men's
dress and take the horses that are about the dairy and ride as quickly
as possible to the winter dwelling; it may be that those who are
besetting us about will not know whether men or women be riding there;
they need give us only a short respite till we bring men together
here, and then it is not so certain on which side the outlook will be
most hopeful." The women now rode off, four together. [Sidenote: Hrapp
joins the brothers and Thorgils] Thorgils misdoubts him lest news of
their coming may have reached Helgi, and so bade the others take their
horses and ride after them at their swiftest, and so they did, but
before they mounted a man came riding up to them openly in all men's
sight. He was small of growth and all on the alert, wondrously swift
of glance and had a lively horse. This man greeted Thorgils in a
familiar manner, and Thorgils asked him his name and family and also
whence he had come. He said his name was Hrapp, and he was from
Broadfirth on his mother's side. "And then I grew up, and I bear the
name of Fight-Hrapp, with the name follows that I am nowise an easy
one to deal with, albeit I am small of growth; but I am a southlander
on my father's side, and have tarried in the south for some winters.
Now this is a lucky chance, Thorgils, I have happened of you here, for
I was minded to come and see you anyhow, even though I should find it
a business somewhat hard to follow up. [Sidenote: His talk and
behaviour] I have a trouble on hand; I have fallen out with my master,
and have had from him a treatment none of the best; but it goes with
the name, that I will stand no man such shameful mishandling, so I
made an outset at him, but I guess I wounded him little or not at all,
for I did not wait long enough to see for myself, but thought myself
safe when I got on to the back of this nag, which I took from the
goodman." Hrapp says much, but asks for few things; yet soon he got to
know that they were minded to set on Helgi, and that pleased him very
much, and he said they would not have to look for him behind.
CHAP. LXIV
The Death of Helgi, A.D. 1019
Thorgils and his followers, as soon as they were on horseback, set off
at a hard ride, and rode now out of the wood. They saw four men
riding away from the dairy, and they rode very fast too. Seeing this,
some of Thorgils' companions said they had better ride after them at
their swiftest. [Sidenote: The women leave the dairy] Then said
Thorleik Bollison, "We will just go to the dairy and see what men are
there, for I think it less likely that these be Helgi and his
followers. It seems to me that those are only women." A good many of
them gainsaid this. Thorgils said that Thorleik should rule in the
matter, for he knew that he was a very far-sighted man. They now
turned to the dairy. Hrapp rode first, shaking the spear-stick he
carried in his hand, and thrusting it forward in front of himself, and
saying now was high time to try one's self. Helgi and his followers
were not aware of anything till Thorgils and his company had
surrounded the dairy. Helgi and his men shut the door, and seized
their weapons. Hrapp leapt forthwith upon the roof of the dairy, and
asked if old Reynard was in. Helgi answered, "You will come to take
for granted that he who is here within is somewhat hurtful, and will
know how to bite near the warren." And forthwith Helgi thrust his
spear out through the window and through Hrapp, so that he fell dead
to earth from the spear. Thorgils bade the others go heedfully and
beware of mishaps, "for we have plenty of means wherewith to get the
dairy into our power, and to overcome Helgi, placed as he is now, for
I am given to think that here but few men are gathered together."
[Sidenote: The breaking of the beam] The dairy was rigged over one
roof-beam, resting on two gables so that the ends of the beam stuck
out beyond each gable; there was a single turf thatch on the house,
which had not yet grown together. Then Thorgils told some of his men
to go to the beam ends, and pull them so hard that either the beam
should break or else the rafters should slip in off it, but others
were to guard the door lest those within should try and get out. Five
they were, Helgi and his within the dairy--Hardbien, his son, to wit,
he was twelve years old--his shepherd and two other men, who had come
to him that summer, being outlaws--one called Thorgils, and the other
Eyolf. Thorstein the Black and Svein, son of Alf o' Dales, stood
before the door. The rest of the company were tearing the roof off the
dairy. Hunbogi the Strong and the sons of Armod took one end of the
beam, Thorgils, Lambi, and Gudrun's sons the other end. They now pull
hard at the beam till it broke asunder in the middle; just at this
Hardbien thrust a halberd out through where the door was broken, and
the thrust struck the steel cap of Thorstein the Black and stuck in
his forehead, and that was a very great wound. Then Thorstein said, as
was true, that there were men before them. Next Helgi leapt so boldly
out of the door so that those nearest shrunk aback. Thorgils was
standing near, and struck after him with a sword, and caught him on
the shoulder and made a great wound. Helgi turned to meet him, and had
a wood-axe in his hand, and said, "Still the old one will dare to look
at and face weapons," and therewith he flung the axe at Thorgils, and
the axe struck his foot, and a great wound that was. [Sidenote:
Helgi's death] And when Bolli saw this he leapt forward at Helgi with
Footbiter in his hand, and thrust Helgi through with it, and that was
his death-blow. Helgi's followers leapt out of the dairy forthwith,
and Hardbien with them. Thorleik Bollison turned against Eyolf, who
was a strong man. Thorleik struck him with his sword, and it caught
him on the leg above the knee and cut off his leg, and he fell to
earth dead. Hunbogi the Strong went to meet Thorgils, and dealt a blow
at him with an axe, and it struck the back of him, and cut him asunder
in the middle. Thord Cat was standing near where Hardbien leapt out,
and was going to set upon him straightway, but Bolli rushed forward
when he saw it, and bade no harm be done to Hardbien. "No man shall do
a dastard's work here, and Hardbien shall have life and limbs spared."
Helgi had another son named Skorri. He was brought up at Gugland in
Reekdale the southernmost.
CHAP. LXV
Of Gudrun's Deceit
[Sidenote: Thorgils' return] After these deeds Thorgils and his band
rode away over the neck to Reekdale, where they declared these
manslaughters on their hands. Then they rode the same way eastward as
they had ridden from the west, and did not stop their journey till
they came to Hord-Dale. They now told the tidings of what had happened
in their journey, which became most famous, for it was thought a great
deed to have felled such a hero as was Helgi. Thorgils thanked his men
well for the journey, and the sons of Bolli did the same. And now the
men part who had been in Thorgils' train; Lambi rode west to
Salmon-river-Dale, and came first to Herdholt and told his kinsmen
most carefully the tidings of what had happened in Skorradale. They
were very ill-pleased with his journey and laid heavy reproaches upon
him, saying he had shown himself much more of the stock of Thorbjorn
"Skrjup" than of that of Myrkjartan, the Irish king. Lambi was very
angry at their talk, and said they knew but little of good manners in
overwhelming him with reproaches, "for I have dragged you out of
death," says he. After that they exchanged but few words, for both
sides were yet more fulfilled of ill-will than before. Lambi now rode
home to his manor. Thorgils Hallason rode out to Holyfell, and with
him the sons of Gudrun and his foster-brothers Halldor and Ornolf.
[Sidenote: Gudrun receives them] They came late in the evening to
Holyfell, when all men were in bed. Gudrun rose up and bade the
household get up and wait upon them. She went into the guest-chamber
and greeted Thorgils and all the others, and asked for tidings.
Thorgils returned Gudrun's greeting; he had laid aside his cloak and
his weapons as well, and sat then up against the pillars. Thorgils had
on a red-brown kirtle, and had round his waist a broad silver belt.
Gudrun sat down on the bench by him. Then Thorgils said this stave--
"To Helgi's home a raid we led,
Gave ravens corpse-repast to swallow,
We dyed shield-wands[9] with blood all red,
As Thorleik's lead our band did follow.
And at our hands there perished three
Keen helmet-stems,[10] accounted truly
As worthies of the folk--and we
Claim Bolli now's avenged full duly."
Gudrun asked them most carefully for the tidings of what had happened
on their journey. Thorgils told her all she wished. Gudrun said the
journey had been most stirringly carried out, and bade them have her
thanks for it. After that food was set before them, and after they had
eaten they were shown to bed, and slept the rest of the night. The
next day Thorgils went to talk to Gudrun, and said, "Now the matter
stands thus, as you know, Gudrun, that I have brought to an end the
journey you bade me undertake, and I must claim that, in a full manly
wise, that matter has been turned out of hand; you will also call to
mind what you promised me in return, and I think I am now entitled to
that prize." [Sidenote: Thorgils discovers Gudrun's trick] Then
Gudrun said, "It is not such a long time since we last talked together
that I should have forgotten what we said, and my only aim is to hold
to all I agreed to as concerning you. Or what does your mind tell you
as to how matters were bespoken between us?" Thorgils said she must
remember that, and Gudrun answered, "I think I said that of men within
this land I would marry none but you; or have you aught to say against
that?" Thorgils said she was right. "That is well then," said Gudrun,
"that our memory should be one and the same on this matter. And I will
not put it off from you any longer, that I am minded to think that it
is not fated to me to be your wife. Yet I deem that I fulfil to you
all uttered words, though I marry Thorkell Eyjolfson, who at present
is not in this land." [Sidenote: Gest's prophecy fulfilled] Then
Thorgils said, and flushed up very much, "Clearly I do see from whence
that chill wave comes running, and from thence cold counsels have
always come to me. I know that this is the counsel of Snorri the
Priest." Thorgils sprang up from this talk and was very angry, and
went to his followers and said he would ride away. Thorleik disliked
very much that things should have taken such a turn as to go against
Thorgils' will; but Bolli was at one with his mother's will herein.
Gudrun said she would give Thorgils some good gifts and soften him by
that means, but Thorleik said that would be of no use, "for Thorgils
is far too high-mettled a man to stoop to trifles in a matter of this
sort." Gudrun said in that case he must console himself as best he
could at home. After this Thorgils rode from Holyfell with his
foster-brothers. He got home to Tongue to his manor mightily ill at
ease over his lot.
[Footnote 9: Shield-wands = swords.]
[Footnote 10: Helmet-stems, those who upbear the helmet = men, specially
warriors.]
CHAP. LXVI
Osvif and Gest die
That winter Osvif fell ill and died, and a great loss that was deemed,
for he had been the greatest of sages. Osvif was buried at Holyfell,
for Gudrun had had a church built there. That same winter Gest
Oddliefson fell ill, and as the sickness grew heavy on him, he called
to him Thord the Low, his son, and said, "My mind forebodes me that
this sickness will put an end to our living together. I wish my body
to be carried to Holyfell, for that will be the greatest place about
these countrysides, for I have often seen a light burning there."
Thereupon Gest died. The winter had been very cold, and there was much
ice about, and Broadfirth was laid under ice so far out that no ship
could get over it from Bardistrand. [Sidenote: The funeral of Gest and
Osvif] Gest's body lay in state two nights at Hegi, and that very
night there sprang up such a gale that all the ice was drawn away from
the land, and the next day the weather was fair and still. Then Thord
took a ship and put Gest's body on board, and went south across
Broadfirth that day, and came in the evening to Holyfell. Thord had a
good welcome there, and stayed there through the night. In the morning
Gest's body was buried, and he and Osvif rested in one grave. So
Gest's soothsaying was fulfilled, in that now it was shorter between
them than at the time when one dwelt at Bardistrand and the other in
Saelingsdale. Thord the Low then went home as soon as he was ready.
That next night a wild storm arose, and drove the ice on to the land
again, where it held on long through the winter, so that there was no
going about in boats. Men thought this most marvellous, that the
weather had allowed Gest's body to be taken across when there was no
crossing before nor afterwards during the winter.
CHAP. LXVII
The Death of Thorgils Hallason, A.D. 1020
Thorarin was the name of a man who lived at Longdale: he was a
chieftain, but not a mighty one. His son was named Audgisl, and was a
nimble sort of a man. Thorgils Hallason took the chieftainship from
them both, father and son. [Sidenote: Snorri advises Audgisl] Audgisl
went to see Snorri Godi, and told him of this unfairness, and asked
him to help. Snorri answered only by fair words, and belittled the
whole affair; but answered, "Now that Halla's-grig is getting too
forward and swaggering. Will Thorgils then happen on no man that will
not give in to him in everything? No doubt he is a big man and
doughty, but men as good as he is have also been sent to Hel." And
when Audgisl went away Snorri gave him an inlaid axe. The next spring
Thorgils Hallason and Thorstein the Black went south to Burgfirth, and
offered atonement to the sons of Helgi and his other kinsmen, and they
came to terms of peace on the matter, and fair honour was done (to
Helgi's side). Thorstein paid two parts of the atonement for the
manslaughter, and the third part Thorgils was to pay, payment being
due at the Thing. In the summer Thorgils rode to the Thing, but when
he and his men came to the lava field by Thingvellir, they saw a woman
coming to meet them, and a mighty big one she was. Thorgils rode up to
her, but she turned aside, and said this--
"Take care
If you go forward,
And be wary
Of Snorri's wiles,
No one can escape,
For so wise is Snorri."
And after that she went her way. Then Thorgils said, "It has seldom
happened so before, when luck was with me, that you were leaving the
Thing when I was riding to it." He now rode to the Thing and to his
own booth. And through the early part the Thing was quiet. [Sidenote:
Thorgils' cloak] It happened one day during the Thing that folk's
clothes were hung out to dry. Thorgils had a blue hooded cloak, which
was spread out on the booth wall, and men heard the cloak say thus--
"Hanging wet on the wall,
A hooded cloak knows a braid (trick);
I do not say he does not know two,
He has been lately washed."
This was thought a most marvellous thing. The next day Thorgils went
west over the river to pay the money to the sons of Helgi. [Sidenote:
Thorgils' death] He sat down on the lava above the booths, and with
him was his foster-brother Halldor and sundry more of them were there
together. The sons of Helgi came to the meeting. Thorgils now began to
count out the money. Audgisl Thorarinson came near, and when Thorgils
had counted ten Audgisl struck at him, and all thought they heard the
head say eleven as it flew off the neck. Audgisl ran to the booth of
the Waterfirthers and Halldor rushed after him and struck him his
death-blow in the door of the booth. These tidings came to the booth
of Snorri Godi how Thorgils was slain. Snorri said, "You must be
mistaken; it must be that Thorgils Hallason has slain some one." The
man replied, "Why, the head flew off his trunk." "Then perhaps it is
time," said Snorri. This manslaughter was peacefully atoned, as is
told in the Saga of Thorgils Hallason.
CHAP. LXVIII
Gudrun's Marriage with Thorkell Eyjolfson
The same summer that Thorgils Hallason was killed a ship came to
Bjorn's-haven. It belonged to Thorkell Eyjolfson. He was by then such
a rich man that he had two merchant ships on voyages. The other ship
came to Ramfirth to Board-Eyr; they were both laden with timber. When
Snorri heard of the coming of Thorkell he rode at once to where the
ship was. Thorkell gave him a most blithe welcome; he had a great deal
of drink with him in his ship, and right unstintedly it was served,
and many things they found to talk about. Snorri asked tidings of
Norway, and Thorkell told him everything well and truthfully. Snorri
told in return the tidings of all that had happened here while
Thorkell had been away. [Sidenote: Thorkell proposes to Gudrun] "Now
it seems to me," said Snorri, "you had better follow the counsel I set
forth to you before you went abroad, and should give up voyaging about
and settle down in quiet, and get for yourself the same woman to wife
of whom we spoke then." Thorkell replied, "I understand what you are
driving at; everything we bespoke then is still uppermost in my mind,
for indeed I begrudge me not the noblest of matches could it but be
brought about." Snorri spake, "I am most willing and ready to back
that matter up on your behalf, seeing that now we are rid of both the
things that seemed to you the most troublesome to overcome, if you
were to get Gudrun for wife at all, in that Bolli is revenged and
Thorgils is out of the way." Thorkell said, "Your counsels go very
deep, Snorri, and into this affair I go heart and soul." Snorri stayed
in the ship several nights, and then they took a ten-oared boat that
floated alongside of the merchant ship and got ready with
five-and-twenty men, and went to Holyfell. Gudrun gave an exceeding
affectionate welcome to Snorri, and a most goodly cheer they had; and
when they had been there one night Snorri called Gudrun to talk to
him, and spake, "Matters have come to this, that I have undertaken
this journey for my friend Thorkell, Eyjolf's son, and he has now come
here, as you see, and his errand hither is to set forth the wooing of
you. Thorkell is a man of noble degree. You know yourself all about
his race and doings in life, nor is he short of wealth either. To my
mind, he is now the one man west about here who is most likely to
become a chieftain, if to that end he will put himself forward.
Thorkell is held in great esteem when he is out there, but by much is
he more honoured when he is in Norway in the train of titled men."
[Sidenote: Gudrun accepts his proposal] Then answers Gudrun: "My sons
Thorleik and Bolli must have most to say in this matter; but you,
Snorri, are the third man on whom I shall most rely for counsels in
matters by which I set a great store, for you have long been a
wholesome guide to me." Snorri said he deemed it a clear case that
Thorkell must not be turned off. Thereupon Snorri had the sons of
Gudrun called in, and sets forth the matter to them, laying down how
great an help Thorkell might afford them by reason of his wealth and
wise foresight; and smoothly he framed his speech on this matter. Then
Bolli answered: "My mother will know how most clearly to see through
this matter, and herein I shall be of one mind with her own will. But,
to be sure, we shall deem it wise to set much store by your pleading
this matter, Snorri, for you have done to us mightily well in many
things." Then Gudrun spake: "In this matter we will lean most on
Snorri's foresight, for to us your counsels have been wholesome."
Snorri urged the matter on by every word he spoke, and the counsel
taken was, that Gudrun and Thorkell should be joined in marriage.
Snorri offered to have the wedding at his house; and Thorkell, liking
that well, said: "I am not short of means, and I am ready to furnish
them in whatever measure you please." Then Gudrun spake: "It is my
wish that the feast be held here at Holyfell. I do not blench at
standing the cost of it, nor shall I call upon Thorkell or any one
else to trouble themselves about this matter." "Often, indeed, you
show, Gudrun," said Snorri, "that you are the most high-mettled of
women." So this was now settled that the wedding should take place
when it lacked six weeks of summer. [Sidenote: They are married] At
matters thus settled Snorri and Thorkell went away, Snorri going home
and Thorkell to his ship, and he spent the summer, turn and turn
about, at Tongue or at his ship. Time now wore on towards the wedding
feast. Gudrun made great preparation with much ingatherings. Snorri
came to the feast together with Thorkell, and they brought with them
well-nigh sixty men, and a very picked company that was, for most of
the men were in dyed raiments. Gudrun had well-nigh a hundred and
twenty first-bidden guests. The brothers Bolli and Thorleik, with the
first-bidden guests, went to meet Snorri and his train; and to him and
his fellowship was given a right cheery welcome, and their horses are
taken in hand, as well as their clothes. They were shown into the
guest-chamber, and Thorkell and Snorri and their followers took seats
on the bench that was the upper one, and Gudrun's guests sat on the
lower.
CHAP. LXIX
The Quarrel about Gunnar at the Feast