Chapter 81
Bodvar Egil's son was just now growing up; he was a youth of great promise, handsome, tall and strong as had been Egil or Thorolf at his age. Egil loved him dearly, and Bodvar was very fond of his father. One summer it happened that there was a ship in White-river, and a great fair was held there. Egil had there bought much wood, which he was having conveyed home by water: for this his house-carles went, taking with them an eight-oared boat belonging to Egil. It chanced one time that Bodvar begged to go with them, and they allowed him so to do. So he went into the field with the house-carles. They were six in all on the eight-oared boat. And when they had to go out again, high-water was late in the day, and, as they must needs wait for the turn of tide, they did not start till late in the evening. Then came on a violent south-west gale, against which ran the stream of the ebb. This made a rough sea in the firth, as can often happen. The end was that the boat sank under them, and all were lost. The next day the bodies were cast up: Bodvar's body came on shore at Einars-ness, but some came in on the south shore of the firth, whither also the boat was driven, being found far in near Reykjarhamar.
Egil heard these tidings that same day, and at once rode to seek the bodies: he found Bodvar's, took it up and set it on his knees, and rode with it out to Digra-ness, to Skallagrim's mound. Then he had the mound opened, and laid Bodvar down there by Skallagrim. After which the mound was closed again; this task was not finished till about nightfall. Egil then rode home to Borg, and, when he came home, he went at once to the locked bed-closet in which he was wont to sleep. He lay down, and shut himself in, none daring to crave speech of him.
It is said that when they laid Bodvar in earth Egil was thus dressed: his hose were tight-fitting to his legs, he wore a red kirtle of fustian, closely-fitting, and laced at the sides: but they say that his muscles so swelled with his exertion that the kirtle was rent off him, as were also the hose.
On the next day Egil still did not open the bed-closet: he had no meat or drink: there he lay for that day and the following night, no man daring to speak with him. But on the third morning, as soon as it was light, Asgerdr had a man set on horseback, who rode as hard as he could westwards to Hjardarholt, and told Thorgerdr all these tidings; it was about nones when he got there. He said also that Asgerdr had sent her word to come without delay southwards to Borg. Thorgerdr at once bade them saddle her a horse, and two men attended her. They rode that evening and through the night till they came to Borg. Thorgerdr went at once into the hall. Asgerdr greeted her, and asked whether they had eaten supper. Thorgerdr said aloud, 'No supper have I had, and none will I have till I sup with Freyja. I can do no better than does my father: I will not overlive my father and brother.' She then went to the bed-closet and called, 'Father, open the door! I will that we both travel the same road.' Egil undid the lock. Thorgerdr stepped up into the bed-closet, and locked the door again, and lay down on another bed that was there.
Then said Egil, 'You do well, daughter, in that you will follow your father. Great love have you shown to me. What hope is there that I shall wish to live with this grief?' After this they were silent awhile. Then Egil spoke: 'What is it now, daughter? You are chewing something, are you not?' 'I am chewing samphire,' said she, 'because I think it will do me harm. Otherwise I think I may live too long.' 'Is samphire bad for man?' said Egil. 'Very bad,' said she; 'will you eat some?' 'Why should I not?' said he. A little while after she called and bade them give her drink. Water was brought to her. Then said Egil, 'This comes of eating samphire, one ever thirsts the more.' 'Would you like a drink, father?' said she. He took and swallowed the liquid in a deep draught: it was in a horn. Then said Thorgerdr: 'Now are we deceived; this is milk.' Whereat Egil bit a sherd out of the horn, all that his teeth gripped, and cast the horn down.
Then spoke Thorgerdr: 'What counsel shall we take now? This our purpose is defeated. Now I would fain, father, that we should lengthen our lives, so that you may compose a funeral poem on Bodvar, and I will grave it on a wooden roller; after that we can die, if we like. Hardly, I think, can Thorstein your son compose a poem on Bodvar; but it were unseemly that he should not have funeral rites. Though I do not think that we two shall sit at the drinking when the funeral feast is held.' Egil said that it was not to be expected that he could now compose, though he were to attempt it. 'However, I will try this,' said he.
Egil had had another son named Gunnar, who had died a short time before.
So then Egil began the poem, and this is the beginning.
SONA-TORREK (SONS' LOSS).
1.
'Much doth it task meMy tongue to move,Through my throat to utterThe breath of song.Poesy, prize of Odin,Promise now I may not,A draught drawn not lightlyFrom deep thought's dwelling.
2.
'Forth it flows but hardly;For within my breastHeaving sobbing stiflesHindered stream of songBlessed boon to mortalsBrought from Odin's kin,Goodly treasure, stolenFrom Giant-land of yore.
3.
'He, who so blamelessBore him in life,O'erborne by billowsWith boat was whelmed.Sea-wavesflood that whilomWelled from giant's woundSmite upon the grave-gateOf my sire and son.
4.
'Dwindling now my kindredDraw near to their end,Ev'n as forest-saplingsFelled or tempest-strown.Not gay or gladsomeGoes he who bearethBody of kinsmanOn funeral bier.
5.
'Of father fallenFirst I may tell;Of much-loved motherMust mourn the loss.Sad store hath memoryFor minstrel skill,A wood to bloom leafyWith words of song.
6.
'Most woful the breach,Where the wave in-brakeOn the fenced holdOf my father's kin.Unfilled, as I wot,And open doth standThe gap of son rentBy the greedy surge.
7.
'Me Ran, the sea-queen,Roughly hath shaken:I stand of beloved onesStript and all bare.Cut hath the billowThe cord of my kin,Strand of mine own twistingSo stout and strong.
8.
'Sure, if sword could vengeSuch cruel wrong,Evil times would waitgir, ocean-god.That wind-giant's brotherWere I strong to slay,'Gainst him and his sea-broodBattling would I go.
9.
'But I in no wiseBoast, as I ween,Strength that may striveWith the stout ships' Bane.For to eyes of allEasy now 'tis seenHow the old man's lotHelpless is and lone.
10.
'Me hath the mainOf much bereaved;Dire is the tale,The deaths of kin:Since he the shelterAnd shield of my houseHied him from lifeTo heaven's glad realm.
11.
'Full surely I know,In my son was waxingThe stuff and the strengthOf a stout-limbed wight:Had he reached but ripenessTo raise his shield,And Odin laid handOn his liegeman true.
12.
'Willing he followedHis father's word,Though all opposingShould thwart my rede:He in mine householdMine honour upheld,Of my power and ruleThe prop and the stay.
13.
'Oft to my mindMy loss doth come,How I brotherless bideBereaved and lone.Thereon I bethink me,When thickens the fightThereon with much searchingMy soul doth muse:
14.
'Who staunch stands by meIn stress of fight,Shoulder to shoulder,Side by side?Such want doth weakenIn war's dread hour;Weak-winged I fly,Whom friends all fail.
15.
'Son's place to his sire(Saith a proverb true)Another son bornAlone can fill.Of kinsmen none(Though ne'er so kind)To brother can standIn brother's stead.
16.
'O'er all our ice-fields,Our northern snows,Few now I findFaithful and true.Dark deeds men love,Doom death to their kin,A brother's bodyBarter for gold.
17.
'Unpleasing to meOur people's mood,Each seeking his ownIn selfish peace.To the happier bees' homeHath passed my son,My good wife's childTo his glorious kin.
18.
'Odin, mighty monarch,Of minstrel mead the lord,On me a heavy handHarmful doth lay.Gloomy in unrestEver I grieve,Sinks my drooping brow,Seat of sight and thought.
19.
'Fierce fire of sicknessFirst from my homeSwept off a sonWith savage blow:One who was heedful,Harmless, I wot,In deeds unblemished,In words unblamed.
20.
'Still do I mind me,When the Friend of menHigh upliftedTo the home of godsThat sapling stoutOf his father's stem,Of my true wife bornA branch so fair.
21.
'Once bare I goodwillTo the great spear-lord,Him trusty and trueI trowed for friend:Ere the giver of conquest,The car-borne god,Broke faith and friendshipFalse in my need.
22.
'Now victim and worshipTo Vilir's brother,The god once honoured,I give no more.Yet the friend of MimirOn me hath bestowedSome boot for bale,If all boons I tell.
23.
'Yea he, the wolf-tamer,The war-god skilful,Gave poesy faultlessTo fill my soul:Gave wit to know wellEach wily trickster,And force him to face meAs foeman in fight.
24.
'Hard am I beset;Whom Hela, the sisterOf Odin's fell captive,On Digra-ness waits.Yet shall I gladlyWith right good welcomeDauntless in bearingHer death-blow bide.'
Egil began to cheer up as the composing of the poem went on; and when the poem was complete, he brought it before Asgerdr and Thorgerdr and his family. He rose from his bed, and took his place in the high-seat. This poem he called 'Loss of Sons.' And now Egil had the funeral feast of his son held after ancient custom. But when Thorgerdr went home, Egil enriched her with good gifts.
Chapter 82
Long time did Egil dwell at Borg, and became an old man. But it is not told that he had lawsuits with any here in the land; nor is there a word of single combats, or war and slaughter of his after he settled down here in Iceland. They say that Egil never went abroad out of Iceland after the events already related. And for this the main cause was that Egil might not be in Norway, by reason of the charges which (as has been told before) the kings there deemed they had against him. He kept house in munificent style, for there was no lack of money, and his disposition led him to munificence.
King Hacon, Athelstan's foster-son, long ruled over Norway; but in the latter part of his life Eric's sons came to Norway and strove with him for the kingdom; and they had battles together, wherein Hacon ever won the victory. The last battle was fought in Hordaland, on Stord-island, at Fitjar: there king Hacon won the victory, but also got his death-wound. After that Eric's sons took the kingdom in Norway.
Lord Arinbjorn was with Harold Eric's son, and was made his counsellor, and had of him great honours. He was commander of his forces and defender of the land. A great warrior was Arinbjorn, and a victorious. He was governor of the Firth folk. Egil Skallagrimsson heard these tidings of the change of kings in Norway, and therewith how Arinbjorn had returned to his estates in Norway, and was there in great honour. Then Egil composed a poem about Arinbjorn, whereof this is the beginning:
ARINBJORN'S EPIC, OR A PART THEREOF.
1.
'For generous princeSwift praise I find,But stint my wordsTo stingy churl.Openly sing IOf king's true deeds,But silence keepOn slander's lies.
2.
'For fabling braggartsFull am I of scorn,But willing speak IOf worthy friends:Courts I of monarchsA many have sought,A gallant minstrelOf guileless mood.
3.
'Erewhile the angerOf Yngling's sonI bore, prince royalOf race divine.With hood of daringO'er dark locks drawnA lord right nobleI rode to seek.
4.
'There sate in mightThe monarch strong,With helm of terrorHigh-throned and dread;A king unbendingWith bloody bladeWithin York cityWielded he power.
5.
'That moon-like brightnessMight none behold,Nor brook undauntedGreat Eric's brow:As fiery serpentHis flashing eyesShot starry radianceStern and keen.
6.
'Yet I to this rulerOf fishful seasMy bolster-mate's ransomMade bold to bear,Of Odin's gobletO'erflowing dewEach listening ear-mouthEagerly drank.
7.
'Not beauteous in seemingMy bardic feeTo ranks of heroesIn royal hall:When I my hood-knollWolf-gray of hueFor mead of OdinFrom monarch gat.
8.
'Thankful I took it,And therewithalThe pit-holes blackOf my beetling brows;Yea and that mouthThat for me bareThe poem of praiseTo princely knees.
9.
'Tooth-fence took I,And tongue likewise,Ears' sounding chambersAnd sheltering eaves.And better deemed IThan brightest goldThe gift then givenBy glorious king.
10.
'There a staunch stayStood by my side,One man worth manyOf meaner wights,Mine own true friendWhom trusty I found,High-couraged everIn counsels bold.
11.
'ArinbjornAlone us savedForemost of championsFrom fury of king;Friend of the monarchHe framed no liesWithin that palaceOf warlike prince.
12.
'Of the stay of our houseStill spake he truth,(While much he honouredMy hero-deeds)Of the son of Kveldulf,Whom fair-haired kingSlew for a slander,But honoured slain.
13.
'Wrong were it if heWho wrought me good,Gold-splender lavish,Such gifts had castTo the wasteful tractOf the wild sea-mew,To the surge rough-riddenBy sea-kings' steeds.
14.
'False to my friendWere I fairly called,An untrue stewardOf Odin's cup;Of praise unworthy,Pledge-breaker vile,If I for such goodGave nought again.
15.
'Now better seethThe bard to climbWith feet poeticThe frowning steep,And set forth openIn sight of allThe laud and honourOf high-born chief.
16.
'Now shall my voice-planeShape into songVirtues full manyOf valiant friend.Ready on tongueTwofold they lie,Yea, threefold praisesOf Thorir's son.
17.
'First tell I forthWhat far is known,Openly bruitedIn ears of all;How generous of moodMen deem this lord,Bjorn of the hearth-fireThe birchwood's bane.
18.
'Folk bear witnessWith wond'ring praise,How to all guestsGood gifts he gives:For Bjorn of the hearth-stoneIs blest with storeFreely and fullyBy Frey and Njord.
19.
'To him, high scionOf Hroald's tree,Fulness of richesFlowing hath come;And friends ride thitherIn thronging crowdBy all wide ways'Neath windy heaven.
20.
'Above his earsAround his browA coronal fair,As a king, he wore.Beloved of gods,Beloved of men,The warrior's friend,The weakling's aid.
21.
'That mark he hittethThat most men miss;Though money they gather,This many lack:For few be the bounteousAnd far between,Nor easily shaftedAre all men's spears.
22.
'Out of the mansionOf Arinbjorn,When guested and restedIn generous wise,None with hard jest,None with rude jeer,None with his axe-handUngifted hie.
23.
'Hater of moneyIs he of the Firths,A foe to the gold-dropsOf Draupnir born.. . . . .
24.
'Rings he scatters,Riches he squanders,Of avarice thievishAn enemy still.. . . . .
25.
'Long course of lifeHis lot hath been,By battles broken,Bereft of peace.. . . . .
26.
'Early waked I,Word I gathered,Toiled each morningWith speech-moulding tongue.A proud pile built IOf praise long-lastingTo stand unbrokenIn Bragi's town.'
Chapter 83
There was a man named Einar. He was the son of Helgi, the son of Ottar, the song of Bjorn Easterling, who took land in Broad-firth. Einar was brother of Osvif the seer. Einar at an early age was tall and strong, and most doughty. He began to compose poetry when quite young, and was eager for learning. One summer at the Thing Einar went to the booth of Egil Skallagrimsson, and they began to talk, and soon their talk took this turn that they spoke of poetry. In this converse both of them found pleasure. After this Einar often went to talk with Egil, and a great friendship was struck up between them.
Einar had not long returned to Iceland from foreign travel. Egil asked Einar much of tidings from the east, and about his friends, and withal about those that he deemed his enemies. He asked also much about men of rank. Einar in turn asked Egil about the events that had happened in his travels, and about his exploits. This talk pleased Egil, and was kept up briskly. Einar asked Egil on what occasion his prowess had been most hardly tried; this he begged him to say. Egil then sang:
'One with eight I battled,Eleven faced I twice,Made for wolf a meal,Myself the bane of all.Shields shook by sword-strokesSmitten fast and furious;Angry fire forth-flashingFlew my ashen spear.'
Egil and Einar pledged them to friendship on parting. Einar was long abroad from Iceland with men of rank. Einar was open-handed, and often short of money, but noble-hearted and manly. He was in the body-guard of earl Hacon Sigurd's son. At that time there was in Norway much war, the battles between earl Hacon and Eric's sons; and now one, now the other, was driven from the land. King Harold, Eric's son, fell south in Denmark, at Hals in Lima-firth; this was by treachery. He was then fighting with Harold Knut's son, who was called Gold-Harold, and earl Hacon was there. There fell also with king Harold lord Arinbjorn, of whom much has already been told. And when Egil heard of the fall of Arinbjorn, then he sang:
'Mead-givers, glorious men,Gold-spending warrior wightsAre spent and gone. Where seekSuch lavish donors now?Erewhile, beyond the sea,Earth's islet-studded belt,Such on my high hawk-perchHailed down the silver shower.'
Einar Helgi's son the poet was nicknamed Skala-glam. He composed a poem about earl Hacon, which is called 'Dearth of Gold'; and for a long time the earl would not hear the poem because he was wroth with Einar. Then Einar sang:
'Song made I on a chiefSupreme o'er land enthroned;While others slept, I wrought,Whereof I much repent.Hither the earl to seekEager I came, nor thoughtFrom brave free-handed princeFar-comers worse would fare.'
And further he sang:
'Seek we that earl whose swordSpreads banquet for the wolf:To Sigvald's ship well-oared,Shield-fenced, my sword I lend.Wielder of wound-snake, heWill not my succour scorn:I to his sea-borne barqueMy buckler now will bear.'
The earl did not wish Einar to go away; so he granted a hearing to the poem, and thereafter gave Einar a shield, which was a most costly work. It was inscribed with old tales; and between the writing were overlaid spangles of gold with precious stones set therein. Einar went to Iceland and lodged with his brother Osvif: but in autumn he rode east and came to Borg, and was guest there. Egil was just then not at home, having gone to the northern part of the district, but was expected home. Einar waited for him three nights: longer than three nights it was not the custom to stay on a friendly visit. Then Einar made him ready to go; but when ready he went to Egil's place in the hall, and there he hung up that precious shield, and told the house-carles that he left it a gift for Egil. Then he rode away.
But on that same day Egil came home. And when he came in to his place, then he saw the shield, and asked whose was that costly work. It was told him that Einar Skala-glam had come there, and had left the shield as a gift for him. Then said Egil: 'The wretched man, to give it! He means that I should bide awake and compose poetry about his shield. Now, bring my horse. I must ride after him and slay him.' He was told that Einar had ridden away early in the morning. 'He will,' they said, 'by this be come westwards to the dales.' Soon after Egil composed a poem, whereof this is the beginning:
'Of shield, the ship's bright guard,To show the praise ''tis time,Home to my hand is givenThe treasure-sender's gift.Sure hath Skala-glamTo skilful guidance lent(Speak, ye who list my lay)The reins of minstrel lore.'
Egil and Einar remained friends so long as they both lived. But about the shield's fortune at last this is told, that Egil took it with him to the wedding when he went north to Broadmoor with Thorkettle Gunnvald's son and Red-Bjorn's sons Trefill and Helgi. There the shield was spoilt by falling into a tub of sour whey. After this Egil had the outer ornaments taken off: and there were twelve ounces of gold in the spangles.
Chapter 84
Thorstein Egil's son when he grew up was a most handsome man, white-haired, bright-faced. Tall he was and strong, yet not so much so as his father. Thorstein was wise, gentle, quite of temper, calm above other men. Egil loved him little; nor was Thorstein affectionate with his father; but Asgerdr and Thorstein loved each other dearly. Egil was now beginning to age much.
One summer Thorstein rode to the Thing, but Egil sat at home. Before Thorstein left home he and Asgerdr managed to take from Egil's chest without his knowledge the silken robe given him by Arinbjorn, and Thorstein took it to the Thing. But when he wore it at the Thing it trailed behind him, and became soiled at the hem as they were going to the hill of laws. And when he came home, Asgerdr put the robe in the chest where it was before. Long after, when Egil opened his chest, he found that the robe was spoilt, and questioned Asgerdr how that had come about. She told him the truth. Then Egil sang:
'Him who from me inheritsI hold no worthy heir.A son deceives me living,Deceit I call his deed.Well might he, wave-horse-rider,Wait but awhile, till meSea-skimming shipmen coverWith shroud of piled stones.'
Thorstein married Jofridr, daughter of Gunnar son of Hlif: her mother was Helga daughter of Olaf Feilan, sister of Thord Gellir. Jofridr had before been wife of Thorod the son of Tongue-Odd.
Soon after this Asgerdr died. After her death Egil gave up his housekeeping to Thorstein, and went south to Moss-fell to Grim, his son-in-law, for he loved Thordis his step-daughter most of all who were then living. One summer a ship came out and put into Loam Bay, steered by a man named Thormod. He was a Norwegian, a house-carle of Thorstein Thora's son. He was to take with him a shield, which Thorstein had sent to Egil Skallagrimsson: it was a valuable treasure. Thormod brought Egil the shield, and he received it with thanks. In the following winter Egil composed a poem about the gift of the shield: it is called Buckler-poem, and this is the beginning:
'List to the stream of layFrom long-haired Odin flowing,Thane of a king, and bidThy folk due silence keep.For thee, sea-raven's ruler,Rained from the eagle's beakFull oft shall shower of songIn Horda's shore be heard.'
Thorstein Egil's son dwelt at Borg. He had two illegitimate sons, Hrifla and Hrafn. But after his marriage he and Jofridr had ten children. Helga the fair was their daughter, she about whom quarrelled Skald-Hrafn and Gunnlaug Wormstongue. Grim was their eldest son, the second Skuli, the third Thorgeir, the fourth Kollsvein, the fifth Hjorleif, the sixth Hall, the seventh Egil, the eighth Thord. The other daughter was Thora, who was married to Thormod Kleppjarn's son. From Thorstein's children sprang a large progeny, and many great men. They are called Myra-men, all those that sprang from Skallagrim.
Chapter 85
Aunund Sjoni dwelt at Anabrekka, while Egil dwelt at Borg. Aunund married Thorgerdr daughter of Thorbjorn the Stout, of Snæfell-strand: the children of Aunund and his wife were a son Steinar, and a daughter Dalla. And when Aunund grew old and his sight was dim, then he gave up the housekeeping to Steinar his son. Father and son had much wealth.
Steinar was above other men tall and strong, ill-favoured, with a stoop, long in the legs, short in the body. He was a very quarrelsome man, vehement, overbearing, and obstinate, a most headstrong fellow. And when Thorstein Egil's son came to dwell at Borg, there was at once a coolness between him and Steinar. South of Hafs-brook lies a moor called Stack-moor. In winter this is under water, but in spring, when the ice breaks up, such good grazing for cattle is there, that it was deemed equal to stacked hay. Hafs-brook by old custom marked the boundary; but in spring Steinar's cattle encroached much on Stack-moor, when driven out to Hafs-brook, and Thorstein's house-carles complained of it. Steinar took no notice of this; and so matters went on for the first summer without anything happening. But in the second spring Steinar continued to take the pasturage; wherefore Thorstein spoke with him about it, but quietly, asking him to control the grazing of his kine, as had been the old usage. Steinar said the cattle should go where they would. He spoke on the whole matter with obstinacy, and he and Thorstein had words about it. Thorstein then had the cattle turned back to the moor beyond Hafs-brook. This when Steinar knew, he charged Grani his thrall to sit by the cattle on Stack-moor, and he sat there every day. This was in the latter part of the summer: all the pasture south of Hafs-brook had been grazed by then.
Now it happened one day that Thorstein had mounted a knoll to look round. He saw where Steinar's cattle were moving. Out he went on to the moor: it was late in the day. He saw that the cattle had now come far out on the fenny hollow. Thorstein ran out on the moor. And when Grani saw that, he drove the cattle away apace till they came to the milking-shed. Thorstein followed, and he and Grani met in the gate. Thorstein slew him there: and it has been called since Grani's gate: it is in the wall of the enclosure. Thorstein pulled down the wall over Grani, and so covered his body. Then he went home to Borg, but the women who came to the milking-shed found Grani where he lay. After that they carried him home to the house, and told Steinar these tidings. Steinar buried him up on the hillside, and soon got another thrall to go with the cattle, whose name is not told. Thorstein made as though he knew nothing about the pasture for the remainder of the summer.
It now happened that Steinar in the early part of the winter went out to Snæfell-strand and stayed there awhile. There he saw a thrall named Thrand, who was tall and strong above other men. Steinar, wishing to buy him, bid a large sum: but his owner valued him at three marks of silver, which was twice the price of a common thrall, and at this sum the bargain was made. Steinar took Thrand home with him, and when they came home, then spoke Steinar with Thrand: 'Now stand matters so that I will have work of you. But as all the work is already arranged, I will put on you a task of but little trouble: you shall sit by my cattle. I make a great point of their being well kept at pasture. I would have you go by no man's rule but your own, take them wherever the pasture on the moor is best. I am no judge of a man's look if you have not courage and strength enough to hold your own against any house-carle of Thorstein's.'
Steinar delivered into Thrand's hand a large axe. whose blade was an ell long, it was keen as a razor. 'This I think of you, Thrand,' said Steinar, 'that you would not regard the priesthood of Thorstein if ye two were face to face.' Thrand answered: 'No duty do I, as I deem, owe to Thorstein; and methinks I understand what work you have laid before me. You think you risk little where I am; and I believe I shall come well out of it if I and Thorstein try our strength together.'
After this Thrand took charge of the cattle. He understood, ere he had been long there, whither Steinar had had his cattle taken, and he sat by them on Stack-moor. When Thorstein was aware of this, he sent a house-carle to seek Thrand, bidding him tell Thrand the boundary between his land and Steinar's. When the house-carle came to Thrand, he told him his errand, and bade him take the cattle otherwither, saying that the land on which they were belonged to Thorstein Egil's son. Thrand said, 'I care not a jot who owns the land; I shall take the cattle where I think the pasture is best.' Then they parted: the house-carle went home and told him the thrall's answer. Thorstein let the matter rest, and Thrand took to sitting by the cattle night and day.