Jordan Ashley Moore's Blog

A maiden youngin Munarvagwith the setting of the sunmeets a man at herding.
Who is all alonecome into this island?Get you nowto your night-lodgings!
I will not leavefor my night-lodgings,because I knownone of the islanders;say you, hurry,before you go from here:where are Hjorvardh���showes known to be?
Ask you not of this;wise are you not,friend of pirates,you are wanting of way;let us fare fast,as our legs might lead us,all is outsidemenacing to men!
A treasure we offer to youin reward for your talk;a friend of warriors will not beeasy to dissuade:never will move meso magnificent things,fair rings,that I fare not.
Foolish seems to me,he who here faresa man all alonethe dread darkness;fire is all adrift,the graves are opened,burn both earth and fen;let us fare forth fast.
Let us not be frightenedwith such phantasms,though across all the islandthe fires burn;let us not ourselvesthe departed deadso shamefully shake;we should with them speak.
Was then the herdsmanhastened to the forestmost quickly from the matterof this maiden;and hard-turnedthe heart and the breastfor such sakeswelled of Hervor.
Wake thou, Angantyr,wakes thee Hervor,only daughterengendered of you and Tofa;sell thou to me from the gravethe sharpened sword,that which for Svafrlamislaked the dwarves.
Hervardh, Hjorvardh, Hrani, Angantyr!I rouse you allunder root of tree,with helm and with mail,with sharpened sword,with shield and with rim,with reddened spear.
Overmuch are you becomesons of Arngrimreckless relationsto dally with the dust,when no soul shallamong the sons of Eyfurawith me speakin Munarvag.
So may you allbe inwardly rivenas you in the antmounds waste away,save that you release the sword,that which Dvalinn slaked;unfit it is to draugsa dear weapon to conceal.
Hervor daughter,why damn you sowith foul oaths?���Twill fare for you at ill!Listless are you becomeand lost of wit,wild of will,that you wake men dead.
Buried me not my fathernor my family other;they held Tyrfingtwo, who lived;yet came the wielderone alone at last.
Say thou one truth to me,so let thee the godshale in the tombif you have notTyrfing with thee;shameful it is to turnthy inheritance, Angantyr,from your only daughter.
Sunken is the hell gate,the graves are opened.All is in firethe island earth to see;terrible it is outwardall about to look;hurry, maiden, if you shallto thy ships.
Burn not soBales in the night,that I with these firesof thine falter;shakes not the maiden���smind or heart,though she a draug might seestand in the doors.
Say I to thee, Hervor,hear thou yet more,wise daughter,that which is to be;Will this Tyrfing,if trust you may,your bloodline, maiden,all blacken.
You will a son beget,he who will afterTyrfing bearand with true might.Him they will Heidhrekthe people hight,he shall be most nobly bornunder the sun���s enclosure.
I enchant sothe champions dead,that you shallall liedead with the draugsdecaying in the grave;give to me, Angantyr,out of the gravethe smithwork of the dwarves,it serves you not to conceal.
I will not say thee, maiden young,to men pleasing,when you among the gravesmove in the nightwith a graven spearand with a blade of the Goths,with helm and with mailbefore the doors of the hall.
A man I seemedmost human as for that,before I thy hallto seek resolved;give thou to me from out the grave,that which mars the mail,treacherous to shieldsthe bane of Hjalmar.
Under my shoulders liesHjalmar���s bane,all is he from withoutin fire swept;I know of no maidenover all the earthwho would dare that swordto take in hand.
I will dareand in hand takethe sharpened sword,if I to hold it may;fear I notfire burning,at once the flames flicker,as I look them over.
Foolish are thou, Hervor,able of thought,when you by your eyesinto the fire rush;still will I sell to youthe sword out of the grave,maiden so young,I may not deny it to you.
Well have you done,son of Vikings,that you have sold to methe sword out of the grave;better I seem now,prince, to farethan if I Norwayall might take.
Know you not,wretched you are of speech,false-minded woman,why you should rejoice;for this Tyrfing will,if trust thou may,your bloodline, maiden,all blemish.
I will goto the steeds of the waves;now is the helm���s maidenin good spirits;little reck I that,son of princes,how my sonsafter fare.
You shall haveand enjoy long,take you by the sheathHjalmar���s bane,take you not by its edges,poison is in both;that is a man���s fate-giverworse than disease.
Fare well, daughter,readily would I have given youtwelve men���s lives,if believe thou might,life and endurance,all of it noble,that which the sons of Arngrimleft of themselves.
May you dwell all,the road beckons me,hale in the hollow,from here will I swiftly;most strongly do I think nowat home to be,because me all aroundthe fires burn.

A maiden youngin Munarvagwith the setting of the sunmeets a man at herding.
Who is all alonecome into this island?Get you nowto your night-lodgings!
I will not leavefor my night-lodgings,because I knownone of the islanders;say you, hurry,before you go from here:where are Hjorvardh’showes known to be?
Ask you not of this;wise are you not,friend of pirates,you are wanting of way;let us fare fast,as our legs might lead us,all is outsidemenacing to men!
A treasure we offer to youin reward for your talk;a friend of warriors will not beeasy to dissuade:never will move meso magnificent things,fair rings,that I fare not.
Foolish seems to me,he who here faresa man all alonethe dread darkness;fire is all adrift,the graves are opened,burn both earth and fen;let us fare forth fast.
Let us not be frightenedwith such phantasms,though across all the islandthe fires burn;let us not ourselvesthe departed deadso shamefully shake;we should with them speak.
Was then the herdsmanhastened to the forestmost quickly from the matterof this maiden;and hard-turnedthe heart and the breastfor such sakeswelled of Hervor.
Wake thou, Angantyr,wakes thee Hervor,only daughterengendered of you and Tofa;sell thou to me from the gravethe sharpened sword,that which for Svafrlamislaked the dwarves.
Hervardh, Hjorvardh, Hrani, Angantyr!I rouse you allunder root of tree,with helm and with mail,with sharpened sword,with shield and with rim,with reddened spear.
Overmuch are you becomesons of Arngrimreckless relationsto dally with the dust,when no soul shallamong the sons of Eyfurawith me speakin Munarvag.
So may you allbe inwardly rivenas you in the antmounds waste away,save that you release the sword,that which Dvalinn slaked;unfit it is to draugsa dear weapon to conceal.
Hervor daughter,why damn you sowith foul oaths?‘Twill fare for you at ill!Listless are you becomeand lost of wit,wild of will,that you wake men dead.
Buried me not my fathernor my family other;they held Tyrfingtwo, who lived;yet came the wielderone alone at last.
Say thou one truth to me,so let thee the godshale in the tombif you have notTyrfing with thee;shameful it is to turnthy inheritance, Angantyr,from your only daughter.
Sunken is the hell gate,the graves are opened.All is in firethe island earth to see;terrible it is outwardall about to look;hurry, maiden, if you shallto thy ships.
Burn not soBales in the night,that I with these firesof thine falter;shakes not the maiden’smind or heart,though she a draug might seestand in the doors.
Say I to thee, Hervor,hear thou yet more,wise daughter,that which is to be;Will this Tyrfing,if trust you may,your bloodline, maiden,all blacken.
You will a son beget,he who will afterTyrfing bearand with true might.Him they will Heidhrekthe people hight,he shall be most nobly bornunder the sun’s enclosure.
I enchant sothe champions dead,that you shallall liedead with the draugsdecaying in the grave;give to me, Angantyr,out of the gravethe smithwork of the dwarves,it serves you not to conceal.
I will not say thee, maiden young,to men pleasing,when you among the gravesmove in the nightwith a graven spearand with a blade of the Goths,with helm and with mailbefore the doors of the hall.
A man I seemedmost human as for that,before I thy hallto seek resolved;give thou to me from out the grave,that which mars the mail,treacherous to shieldsthe bane of Hjalmar.
Under my shoulders liesHjalmar’s bane,all is he from withoutin fire swept;I know of no maidenover all the earthwho would dare that swordto take in hand.
I will dareand in hand takethe sharpened sword,if I to hold it may;fear I notfire burning,at once the flames flicker,as I look them over.
Foolish are thou, Hervor,able of thought,when you by your eyesinto the fire rush;still will I sell to youthe sword out of the grave,maiden so young,I may not deny it to you.
Well have you done,son of Vikings,that you have sold to methe sword out of the grave;better I seem now,prince, to farethan if I Norwayall might take.
Know you not,wretched you are of speech,false-minded woman,why you should rejoice;for this Tyrfing will,if trust thou may,your bloodline, maiden,all blemish.
I will goto the steeds of the waves;now is the helm’s maidenin good spirits;little reck I that,son of princes,how my sonsafter fare.
You shall haveand enjoy long,take you by the sheathHjalmar’s bane,take you not by its edges,poison is in both;that is a man’s fate-giverworse than disease.
Fare well, daughter,readily would I have given youtwelve men’s lives,if believe thou might,life and endurance,all of it noble,that which the sons of Arngrimleft of themselves.
May you dwell all,the road beckons me,hale in the hollow,from here will I swiftly;most strongly do I think nowat home to be,because me all aroundthe fires burn.

Nú skipar Hrafnkell á Aðalbóli búi sínum mönnum. Þóri, son sinn, setr hann á Hrafnkelsstaði, hefir nú goðorð yfir öllum sveitum. Ásbjörn var með föður sínum, því at hann var yngri.
   Sámr sat á Leikskálum þenna vetr. Hann var hljóðr ok fáskiptinn. Fundu margir þat, at hann unði lítt við sinn hlut.
   En um vetrinn, er daga lengði, fór Sámr við annan mann ok hafði þrjá hesta yfir brú ok þaðan yfir Möðrudalsheiði ok svá yfir Jökulsá uppi á fjalli, svá til Mývatns, þaðan yfir Fljótsheiði ok Ljósavatnsskarð ok létti eigi fyrr en hann kom vestr í Þorskafjörð. Er þar tekit vel við honum. Þá var Þorkell nýkominn út ór för. Hann hafði verit útan fjóra vetr.
   Sámr var þar viku ok hvíldi sik. Síðan segir hann þeim viðskipti þeira Hrafnkels ok beiðir þá bræðr ásjá ok liðsinnis enn sem fyrr.
   Þorgeirr hafði meir svör fyrir þeim bræðrum í þat sinni, kvaðst fjarri sitja. "Er langt á milli vár. Þóttumst vér allvel í hendr þér búa, áðr vér gengum frá, svá at þér hefði hægt verit at halda. Hefir þat farit eftir því, sem ek ætlaða, þá er þú gaft Hrafnkeli líf, at þess mundir þú mest iðrast. Fýstum vit þik, at þú skyldir Hrafnkel af lífi taka, en þú vildir ráða. Er þat nú auðsét, hverr vizkumunr ykkarr hefir orðit, er hann lét þik sitja í friði ok leitaði þar fyrst á, er hann gat þann af ráðit, er honum þótti þér vera meiri maðr. Megum vit ekki hafa at þessu gæfuleysi þitt. Er okkr ok ekki svá mikil fýst at deila við Hrafnkel, at vit nennim at leggja þar við virðing okkra oftar. En bjóða viljum vit þér hingat með skuldalið þitt allt undir okkarn áraburð, ef þér þykkir hér skapraunarminna en í nánd Hrafnkeli."
   Sámr kveðst ekki því nenna, segist vilja heim aftr ok bað þá skipta hestum við sik. Var þat þegar til reiðu. Þeir bræðr vildu gefa Sámi góðar gjafar, en hann vildi engar þiggja ok sagði þá vera litla í skapi. Reið Sámr heim við svá búit ok bjó þar til elli. Fekk hann aldri uppreist móti Hrafnkeli, meðan hann lifði.
   En Hrafnkell sat í búi sínu ok helt virðingu sinni. Hann varð sóttdauðr, ok er haugr hans í Hrafnkelsdal út frá Aðalbóli. Var lagit í haug hjá honum mikit fé, herklæði hans öll ok spjót hans it góða.
   Synir hans tóku við mannaforráði. Þórir bjó á Hrafnkelsstöðum, en Ásbjörn á Aðalbóli. Báðir áttu þeir goðorðit saman ok þóttu miklir menn fyrir sér.



Ok lýkr þar frá Hrafnkeli at segja.

Hrafnkell reið heim ok sagði tíðendi þessi. Hann etr mat, ok eftir þat safnar hann mönnum at sér, svá at hann fær sjau tigi manna, ok ríðr við þetta vestr yfir heiði ok kemr á óvart til Aðalbóls, tekr Sám í rekkju ok leiðir hann út.
   Hrafnkell mælti þá: "Nú er svá komit kosti þínum, Sámr, at þér myndi ólíkligt þykkja fyrir stundu, at ek á nú vald á lífi þínu. Skal ek nú eigi vera þér verri drengr en þú vart mér. Mun ek bjóða þér tvá kosti, at vera drepinn, hinn er annarr, at ek skal einn skera ok skapa okkar í milli."
   Sámr kvaðst heldr kjósa at lifa, en kvaðst þó hyggja, at hvárrtveggi myndi harðr.
   Hrafnkell kvað hann þat ætla mega, -- "því at vér eigum þér þat at launa, ok skylda ek hálfu betr við þik gera, ef þess væri vert. Þú skalt fara burt af Aðalbóli ofan til Leikskála, ok sezt þar í bú þitt. Skaltu hafa með þér auðæfi þau, sem Eyvindr hefir átt. Þú skalt ekki heðan fleira hafa í fémunum útan þat, er þú hefir hingat haft. Þat skaltu allt í burtu hafa. Ek vil taka við goðorði mínu, svá ok við búi ok staðfestu. Sé ek, at mikill ávöxtr hefir á orðit á gózi mínu, ok skaltu ekki þess njóta. Fyrir Eyvind, bróður þinn, skulu engar bætr koma fyrir því, at þú mæltir herfiliga eftir inn fyrra frænda þinn, ok hafið þér ærnar bætr þó eftir Einar, frænda yðvarn, þar er þú hefir haft ríki ok fé sex vetr. En eigi þykkir mér meira vert dráp Eyvindar ok manna hans en meiðsl við mik ok mína menn. Þú gerðir mik sveitarrækan, en ek læt mér líka, at þú sitir á Leikskálum, ok mun þat duga, ef þú ofsar þér eigi til vansa. Minn undirmaðr skaltu vera, meðan vit lifum báðir. Máttu ok til þess ætla, at þú munt því verr fara, sem vit eigumst fleira illt við."
   Sámr ferr nú brott með lið sitt ofan til Leikskála ok sezt þar í bú sitt.

Þess er getit, at skip kom af hafi í Reyðarfjörð, ok var stýrimaðr Eyvindr Bjarnason. Hann hafði útan verit sjau vetr. Eyvindr hafði míkit við gengizt um menntir ok var orðinn inn vaskasti maðr. Eru honum sögð brátt þau tíðendi, er gerzt höfðu, ok lét hann sér um þat fátt finnast. Hann var fáskiptinn maðr.
   Ok þegar Sámr spyrr þetta, þá ríðr hann til skips. Verðr nú mikill fagnafundr með þeim bræðrum. Sámr býðr honum vestr þangat, en Eyvindr tekr því vel ok biðr Sám ríða heim fyrir, en senda hesta á móti varningi hans. Hann setr upp skip sitt ok býr um. Sámr gerir svá, ferr heim ok lætr reka hesta á móti Eyvindi.
   Ok er hann hefir búit um varnað sinn, býr hann ferð sína til Hrafnkelsdals, ferr upp eftir Reyðarfirði. Þeir váru fimm saman. Inn sétti var skósveinn Eyvindar. Sá var íslenzkr at kyni, skyldr honum. Þenna svein hafði Eyvindr tekit af válaði ok flutt útan með sér ok haldit sem sjálfan sik. Þetta bragð Eyvindar var uppi haft, ok var þat alþýðu rómr, at færi væri hans líkar.
   Þeir ríða upp Þórisdalsheiði ok ráku fyrir sér sextán klyfjaða hesta. Váru þar húskarlar Sáms tveir, en þrír farmenn. Váru þeir ok allir í litklæðum ok riðu við fagra skjöldu. Þeir riðu um þveran Skriðudal ok yfir háls yfir til Fljótsdals, þar sem heita Bulungarvellir, ok ofan á Gilsáreyri. Hon gengr austan at fljótinu milli Hallormsstaða ok Hrafnkelsstaða. Ríða þeir upp með Lagarfljóti fyrir neðan völl á Hrafnkelsstöðum ok svá fyrir vatnsbotninn ok yfir Jökulsá at Skálavaði. Þá var jafnnær rismálum ok dagmálum.
   Kona ein var við vatnit ok þó léreft sín. Hon sér ferð manna. Griðkona sjá sópar saman léreftunum ok hleypr heim. Hon kastar þeim niðr úti hjá viðarkesti, en hleypr inn. Hrafnkell var þá eigi upp staðinn, ok nökkurir vildarmenn lágu í skálanum, en verkmenn váru til iðnar farnir. Þetta var um heyjaannir.
   Konan tók til orða, er hon kom inn: "Satt er flest þat, er fornkveðit er, at svá ergist hverr sem eldist. Verðr sú lítil virðing, sem snemma leggst á, ef maðr lætr síðan sjálfr af með ósóma ok hefir eigi traust til at reka þess réttar nökkurt sinni, ok eru slík mikil undr um þann mann, sem hraustr hefir verit. Nú er annan veg þeira lífi, er upp vaxa með föður sínum, ok þykkja yðr einskis háttar hjá yðr, en þá er þeir eru frumvaxta, fara land af landi ok þykkja þar mestháttar, sem þá koma þeir, koma við þat út ok þykkjast þá höfðingjum meiri. Eyvindr Bjarnason reið hér yfir á á Skálavaði með svá fagran skjöld, at ljómaði af. Er hann svá menntr, at hefnd væri í honum.
   Lætr griðkonan ganga af kappi.
   Hrafnkell ríss upp ok svarar henni, "Kann vera, at þú mælir helzti margt satt, eigi fyrir því, at þér gangi gott til. Er nú vel, at þér aukist erfiði. Far þú hart suðr á Víðuvöllu eftir Hallsteinssonum, Sighvati ok Snorra. Bið þá skjótt til mín koma með þá menn, sem þar eru vápnfærir."
   Aðra griðkonu sendir hann út á Hrólfsstaði eftir þeim Hrólfssonum, Þórði ok Halla, ok þeim, sem þar váru vápnfærir. Þessir hvárirtveggju váru gildir menn ok allvel menntir. Hrafnkell sendi ok eftir húskörlum sínum. Þeir urðu alls átján saman. Þeir vápnuðust harðfengiliga, ríða þar yfir á sem hinir fyrri.

18. Hrafnkell felldi Eyvind ok bar undan.
Þá váru þeir Eyvindr komnir upp á heiðina. Eyvindr ríðr, þar til er hann kom vestr á miðja heiðina. Þar heita Bersagötur. Þar er svarðlaus mýrr, ok er sem ríði í efju eina fram, ok tók jafnan í kné eða í miðjan legg, stundum í kvið, þá er undir svá hart sem hölkn. Þá er hraun stórt fyrir vestan.
   Ok er þeir koma á hraunit, þá lítr sveinninn aftr ok mælti til Eyvindar: "Menn ríða þar eftir oss", segir hann, "eigi færi en átján. Er þar mikill maðr á baki í blám klæðum, ok sýnist mér líkt Hrafnkeli goða. Þó hefi ek nú lengi eigi sét hann."
   Eyvindr svarar: "Hvat mun oss skipta? Veit ek mér einskis ótta ván af reið Hrafnkels. Ek hefi honum eigi í móti gert. Mun hann eiga erendi vestr til dals at hitta vini sína."
   Sveinninn svarar: "Þat býðr mér í hug, at hann muni þik hitta vilja."
   "Ekki veit ek", segir Eyvindr, "til hafa orðit með þeim Sámi, bróður mínum, síðan þeir sættust."
   Sveinninn svarar: "Þat vilda ek, at þú riðir undan vestr til dals. Muntu þá geymðr. Ek kann skapi Hrafnkels, at hann mun ekki gera oss, ef hann náir þér eigi. Er þá alls gætt, ef þín er, en þá er eigi dýr í festi, ok er vel, hvat sem af oss verðr."
   Eyvindr sagðist eigi mundu brátt undan ríða, -- "því at ek veit eigi, hverir þessir eru. Myndi þat mörgum manni hlægiligt þykkja, ef ek renn at öllu óreyndu."
   Þeir ríða nú vestr af hrauninu. Þá er fyrir þeim önnur mýrr,er heitir Oxamýrr. Hon er grösug mjök. Þar eru bleytur, svá at náliga er ófært yfir. Af því lagði Hallfreðr karl inar efri götur, þó at þær væri lengri. Eyvindr ríðr vestr á mýrina. Lá þá drjúgum í fyrir þeim. Dvalðist þá mjök fyrir þeim. Hina bar skjótt eftir, er lausir riðu. Ríða þeir Hrafnkell nú leið sína á mýrina. Þeir Eyvindr eru þá komnir af mýrinni. Sjá þeir þá Hrafnkel ok sonu hans báða.
   Þeir báðu Eyvind þá undan at ríða. "Eru nú af allar torfærur. Muntu ná til Aðalbóls, meðan mýrrin er á millum.
   Eyvindr svarar: "Eigi mun ek flýja undan þeim mönnum, er ek hefi ekki til miska gert."
   Þeir ríða þá upp á hálsinn. Þar standa fjöll lítil á hálsinum. Útan í fjallinu er meltorfa ein, blásin mjök. Bakkar hávir váru umhverfis. Eyvindr ríðr at torfunni. Þar stígr hann af baki ok bíðr þeira.
   Eyvindr segir: "Nú munum vér skjótt vita þeira erendi."
   Eftir þat gengu þeir upp á torfuna ok brjóta þar upp grjót nökkurt. Hrafnkell snýr þá af götunni ok suðr at torfunni. Hann hafði engi orð við Eyvind ok veitti þegar atgöngu. Eyvindr varðist vel ok drengiliga.
   Skósveinn Eyvindar þóttist ekki kröftugr til orrustu ok tók hest sinn ok ríðr vestr yfir háls til Aðalbóls ok segir Sámi, hvat leika er. Sámr brá skjótt við ok sendi eftir mönnum. Urðu þeir saman tuttugu. Var þetta lið vel búit. Ríðr Sámr austr á heiðina ok at þar, er vættfangit hafði verit.
   Þá er umskipti á orðit með þeim. Reið Hrafnkell þá austr frá verkunum. Eyvindr var þá fallinn ok allir hans menn. Sámr gerði þat fyrst, at hann leitaði lífs með bróður sínum. Var þat trúliga gert. Þeir váru allir líflátnir, fimm saman. Þar váru ok fallnir af Hrafnkeli tólf menn, en sex riðu burt. Sámr átti þar litla dvöl, bað menn ríða þegar eftir. Þeir Hrafnkell ríða undan sem máttu ok hafa þó mædda hesta.
   Þá mælti Sámr: "Ná megum vér þeim, því at þeir hafa mædda hesta, en vér höfum alla hraða, ok mun nálægt verða, hvárt vér nám þeim eða eigi, áðr en þeir komast af heiðinni."
   Þá var Hrafnkell kominn austr yfir Oxamýri. Ríða nú hvárirtveggju allt til þess, at Sámr kemr á heiðarbrúnina. Sá hann þá, at Hrafnkell var kominn lengra ofan í brekkurnar. Sér Sámr, at hann mun undan taka ofan í heraðit.
   Hann mælti þá: "Hér munum vér aftr snúa, því at Hrafnkeli mun gott til manna verða."
   Snýr Sámr þá aftr við svá búit, kemr þar til, er Eyvindr lá, tekr til ok verpr haug eftir hann ok félaga hans. Er þar ok kölluð Eyvindartorfa ok Eyvindarfjöll ok Eyvindardalr.
 

Sámr ferr þá með allan varnaðinn heim á Aðalból. Ok er hann kemr heim, sendir Sámr eftir þingmönnum sínum, at þeir skyldi koma þar um morguninn fyrir dagmál. Ætlar hann þá austr yfir heiði. "Verðr ferð vár slík sem má."
   Um kveldit ferr Sámr í hvílu, ok var þar drjúgt komit manna.


It is told that a ship came from the sea into Reydharfjord, and the captain was Eyvind Bjarnason. He had been away seven winters. Eyvind had accomplished much and was become the boldest of men. Those tidings are soon told to him, which had occurred, and he regarded that little. He was a reserved man.And as soon as Sam his this he rides to the ship. A great joy is meeting is held between the brothers. Sam bids him, and Eyvind takes this well and ask Sam to write home before, and to send horses for his wares. He arranges his ship and prepares accordingly. Sam does so, rides home and has horses prepared to meet Eyvind.And when he has prepared his wares, he prepares his journey to Hrafnkelsdal, fares up after Reydharfjord. They were five together. The sixth was the servant of Eyvind. He was Icelandic by heritage, related to him.’s this boy Eyvind had taken from poverty and borne with him abroad and kept as Delius himself. This conduct of Eyvind became well-known, and it was the talk of the people, that few were his like.They ride up Thorisdalheidh and drive before them sixteen loaded horses. Two domestic servants of Sam’s were there, and three sailors. They were also all in colored clothes and rode with fair shields. They rode across Skridhudal and over the ridge to Fljotsdal, as is called Bulungarvellir, and over onto Gilsareyrir. It extends from the east to the river between Hallormstadhir and Hrafnkelsstadhir. They ride up along Lagarfljot down the valley at Hrafnkelsstadhir and so before the head of the lake and over Jokulsa at Skalavadhi. It was then equally between morning and noon.A woman was at the water and washed her linens. She sees a group of men. That woman gathers together her clothes and hurries home. She casts them down outside near pile of wood, and rushes inside. Hrafnkel was then not yet risen, and certain of his favorite retainers lay in the sleeping hall, and the workmen were gone to their work. That was then in the haying season.The woman took to words, when she came in: “That is most true, which is said of old, that he grows cowardly who grows old. It amounts to little honor, as is quickly seen, if a man tolerates dishonor and has not the faith to redress these wrongs at some point, and it is a great wonder regarding this man, who has until now been so valiant. Now that is another way of life for those who grow up with their father, and think you of no importance, and then when they are fully grown, fare in land after land and are accorded great prestige, when they arrived there, and come with that same prestige away and think themselves then greater than chieftains. Eyvind Bjarnason Road here over the river onto Skalavadh with so fair a shield, that the sun shone upon it. He is so well bred, that vengeance might be exacted upon him.”The serving woman let yield her argument.Hrafnkel rises up and answers her, “It may be, that you speak most true, and not because any good will come to you. It is now well, that your toil is increased. Fare you hard south onto Vidhuvoll after the sons of Hallstein, Sighvat and Snorri. Bid them come to me quickly with those men who are able to bear arms.”Other serving women he sends out onto Hrolfsstadh after the sons of Hrolf, Thordh and Hall, and for them who were able to their weapons. These were both men who were worthy and well bred. Hrafnkel sent also after his house servants. They amounted together to eighteen. They armed themselves in rough fashion, ride out over the river as those who have gone before.Then were Eyvind and the others come onto the heath. Eyvind rides until he comes west onto the middle of the heath. That is called Bersagotur. There is a grassless moor, and it is as if riding into a mire, and it took ever into the knee up into the middle leg, sometimes up to the trunk, and it is beneath as hard as hard rock. There is the rocky ground vast from the west.And when they come onto the rocky ground, then looks the boy behind and says to Eyvind: “Men ride there after us,” says he, “no fewer than eighteen. There is a great man on horseback in dark clothes, and it seems to me like Hrafnkel godhi. Though have I now long not seen him.”Eyvind answers: “What has that to do with us? I know of no reason to fear the riding of Hrafnkel. I have done nothing untoward against him. He must have an errand west in the dale to meet his friends.”The boy answers: “It comes to my mind that he will wish to meet you.”“I do not know,” says Eyvind, “what has occurred between him and Sam, my brother, since they were reconciled.”The boy answers “This I would wish, that you ride west to the dale. You would be then mindful. I know the mood of Hrafnkel, that he will do nothing to us, if he reach you not. All is then well, if you are, and the deer is not in the trap, and it is well, whatsoever comes of us.”Eyvind said that he would not so rashly ride forth-- “Because I know not, who these men are. That would seem to many a man laughable, if I run without purpose.”They ride now west from the rocky ground. There was before them then another mire, which is called Oxamyrr. It is quite grassy. There are swampy patches of ground, so that it is nearly unpassable. Because of this Hallfredh the upper paths, though they were longer. Eyvind rides west onto the mire. It lay then for a long while before them. They were delayed greatly. He was borne more quickly who rode free of cargo. Hrafnkel and his men ride now their way onto the mire. Eyvind and his men are then come from the mire. See they then Hrafnkel and both his sons.They bade Eyvind to ride away from there. “All of the difficult roads now are behind. You must go now to Adhalbol, while the mire is between us.”Eyvind answers: “I will not fly in the face of those men, to whom I have done no wrong.”They ride now up onto the ridge. There stand little fells on the ridge. On the outer edge of the fell is a little turf knoll, much worn by the wind. High banks were around. Eyvind rides to the knoll. There he steps from his horse and awaits them.Eyvind says: “Now we will shortly know their errand.”After that they went up onto the knoll and broke up some stones. Hrafnkel turns then from the path and south towards the knoll. He has no words with Eyvind and they immediately commences attack. Eyvind defends himself well and admirably.The servant of Eyvind was deemed of no use in battle and took his horse and rides west over the ridge to Adhalbol and says to Sam what has occurred. Sam stirs quickly and sends after men. They amounted to twenty together. That band was well prepared. Rides Sam east onto the heath and to that place where the battlefield had been.There a momentous thing had happened between them. Hrafnkel rode then east from the stoneworks. Eyvind was fallen and all of his men. Sam did that first, that he sought for life in his brother. That was faithfully done. They were all devoid of life, five together. There were also fallen from Hrafnkel twelve men, and six rode away. Sam made then little delay, bade his men ride immediately after them. Hrafnkel and his men ride away as they can and yet had weary horses.Then said Sam: “We may reach them, because they have tired horses, and ours are all fresh, but it will be a close thing, whether we reach them or not, before they come from the heath.”Then was Hrafnkel come east before Oxamyrr. Each of them ride until Sam comes onto the edge of the heath. Saw he then, that Hrafnkel was come long above into the hillsides. Sees Sam, that he will escape into the district above.He said then: “Here will we turn back, because Hrafnkel will gather many men.”Sam turns back then so decided, comes to that point, where Eyvind lay, takes him and raises a grave mound over him and his fellows. And that is called Eyvindartorfa and Eyvindarfjoll and Eyvindardal.Sam fares then with all the goods home on to Adhalbol. And when he is come home, sends Sam after his followers, that they should come there in the morning before breakfast. Reckons he then east over the heath. “Our journey will be such as it may.”In the evening Sam goes to bed, and was then come a good number of men.

16. Hrafnkell eignaðist goðorð meira enn áðr.
Hrafnkell spurði austr í Fljótsdal, at Þjóstarssynir höfðu týnt Freyfaxa ok brennt hofit.
   Þá svarar Hrafnkell: "Ek hygg þat hégóma at trúa á goð". Ok sagðist hann þaðan af aldri skyldu á goð trúa, ok þat efndi hann síðan, at hann blótaði aldri.
   Hrafnkell sat á Hrafnkelsstöðum ok rakaði fé saman. Hann fekk brátt miklar virðingar í heraðinu. Vildi svá hverr sitja ok standa sem hann vildi. Í þenna tíma kómu sem mest skip af Noregi til Íslands. Námu menn þá sem mest land í heraðinu um Hrafnkels daga. Engi náði með frjálsu at sitja, nema Hrafnkel bæði orlofs. Þá urðu ok allir honum at heita sínu liðsinni. Hann hét ok sínu trausti. Lagði hann land undir sik allt fyrir austan Lagarfljót. Þessi þinghá varð brátt miklu meiri ok fjölmennari en sú, er hann hafði áðr haft. Hon gekk upp um Skriðudal ok upp allt með Lagarfljóti. Var nú skipan á komin á land hans.
   Maðrinn var miklu vinsælli en áðr. Hafði hann ina sömu skapsmuni um gagnsemð ok risnu, en miklu var maðrinn nú vinsælli ok gæfari ok hægri en fyrr at öllu. Oft fundust þeir Sámr ok Hrafnkell á mannamótum, ok minntust þeir aldri á sín viðskipti. Leið svá fram sjau vetr.
   Sámr var vinsæll af sínum þingmönnum, því at hann var hægr ok kyrr ok góðr órlausna ok minntist á þat, er þeir bræðr höfðu ráðit honum. Sámr var skartsmaðr mikill.

Hrafnkel was informed east in Fljotsdal, that the sons of Thostr had destroyed Freyfaxi and burned the Temple.Then answered Hrafnkel: “I think it folly to believe in the gods”-- and said that from that point forward he would never trust in the gods, and he fulfilled this afterwards, that he sacrificed never.Hrafnkel sat at Hrafnkelstadhir and gathered together resources. He attained quickly great esteem in the district. Each man would sit and stand as he willed.In that time a great deal of ships came from Norway to Iceland. Men often took land in the district around Hrafnkel’s time. No man could sit freely, save that he ask permission of Hrafnkel. Then all men came to vow to him their aid. He vowed also his protection. He gathered land to himself from east of Lagarfljot. This legislative district became soon much greater and more populous than that which he had before owned. It went up around Skridhudal and up along Lagarfljot. Now was a change come upon his temperament. The man was much more popular than before. He had the same disposition in aid and hospitality, and yet the man was greatly more popular and mild and easy-going than before.Oft they met, Sam and Hrafnkel, in meeting, and spoke never on their dealings. Six winters went so forward.Sam was popular with his followers, because he was easy-going and quiet and good in difficult times and kept in mind that which the brothers had counseled him. Sam was a considerable dandy.

Sámr setti bú á Aðalbóli eftir Hrafnkel, ok síðan efnir hann veizlu virðuliga ok býðr til öllum þeim, sem verit höfðu þingmenn hans. Sámr býðst til at vera yfirmaðr þeira í stað Hrafnkels. Menn játuðust undir þat ok hugðu þó enn misjafnt til.
   Þjóstarssynir réðu honum þat, at hann skyldi vera blíðr ok góðr fjárins ok gagnsamr sínum mönnum, styrktarmaðr hvers, sem hans þurfa við. "Þá eru þeir eigi menn, ef þeir fylgja þér eigi vel, hvers sem þú þarft við. En því ráðum vit þér þetta, at vit vildim, at þér tækist allt vel, því at þú virðist okkr vaskr maðr. Gættu nú vel til, ok vertu varr um þik, af því at vant er við vándum at sjá."
   Þjóstarssynir létu senda eftir Freyfaxa ok liði hans ok kváðust vilja sjá gripi þessa, er svá gengu miklar sögur af. Þá váru hrossin heim leidd. Þeir bræðr líta á hrossin.
   Þorgeirr mælti: "Þessi hross lítast mér þörf búinu. Er þat mitt ráð, at þau vinni slíkt er þau megu til gagnsmuna, þangat til er þau mega eigi lifa fyrir aldrs sökum. En hestr þessi sýnist mér eigi betri en aðrir hestar, heldr því verri, at margt illt hefir af honum hlotist. Vil ek eigi, at fleiri víg hljótist af honum en áðr hafa af honum orðit. Mun þat nú makligt, at sá taki við honum, er hann á."
   Þeir leiða nú hestinn ofan eftir vellinum. Einn hamarr stendr niðr við ána, en fyrir framan hylr djúpr. Þar leiða þeir nú hestinn fram á hamarinn. Þjóstarssynir drógu fat eitt á höfuð hestinum, taka síðan hávar stengr ok hrinda hestinum af fram, binda stein við hálsinn ok týndu honum svá. Heitir þar síðan Freyfaxahamarr.
   Þar ofan frá standa goðahús þau, er Hrafnkell hafði átt. Þorkell vildi koma þar. Lét hann fletta goðin öll. Eftir þat lætr hann leggja eld í goðahúsit ok brenna allt saman.
   Síðan búast boðsmenn í burtu. Velr Sámr þeim ágæta gripi báðum bræðrum, ok mæla til fullkominnar vináttu með sér ok skiljast allgóðir vinir, ríða nú rétta leið vestr í Fjörðu ok koma heim í Þorskafjörð með virðingu.
   En Sámr setti Þorbjörn niðr at Leikskálum. Skyldi hann þar búa, en kona Sáms fór til bús með honum á Aðalból, ok býr Sámr þar um hríð.

 Sam set forth a homestead at Adhalbol after Hrafnkel, and afterwards he arranged a great feast and bid join him all of those who had been his supporters at the Thing. Sam offered himself up to be their leader in place of Hrafnkel. Men agreed to this and yet had their doubts.
The sons of Thjostr counseled him, that he should be gracious and generous of wealth and helpful to his men, a benefactor of whichever man might have need of him. “Then are they not men, if they follow you not well, howsoever you have need. And in this we counsel you thus, that it is our will, that all goes well with you, because you have proven yourself to us to be a brave man. Watch yourself now well, and be aware, because it is seldom easy to see in a difficult matter.”
The sons of Thjostr arranged to send after Freyfaxi and his retinue and said that they wished to see these valuable things, from whom went forth such great tidings. Then were the horses led home. The brothers looked on the horses.Thorgeirr said: “These horses seem to me sufficient for the farmstead. It is my counsel, that they serve such as they may for use, until that point when they might not live for old age’s sake. But this horse seems to me know better than other horses, and in this much the worse, that he has led to such evil. I do not wish that anymore slayings are performed in his name than have already occurred. It will then be fit, that he shall take with him, who owns him.”They lead now the horse for the valley. A ridge stood low in the valley, where there was a deep hole. They lead it now the horse forward onto the ridge. The sons of Thjostr drew a bag over the head of the horse, take afterwards long poles and drive the horse forward, bind stones against his neck and destroyed him thus. That place was afterwards called Freyfaxahamar. Thereover stand those temples, which Hrafnkel had owned. Thorkell wished to come there. He commanded all the gods to be defaced. After that he had a fire set in the temple and burned all of it together.Afterwards all the guests prepared for the road. Sam offered to both brothers marvelous valuables, and spoke of the great friendship between them, and they parted dear friends. They right now a straight road west into the fjord and come home into Thorskafjord with honor. And Sam set Thorbjorn down at Leikskalar. He would then dwell there. And Sam’s wife fared to the home with him at Adhalbol and Sam dwelt there for a while.

Þorgeirr valði lið sitt ok lét sér fylgja fjóra tigu manna. Sámr hafði ok fjóra tigu manna. Var þat lið vel búit at vápnum ok hestum.
   Eftir þat ríða þeir alla ina sömu leið, þar til er þeir koma í nætrelding í Jökulsdal, fara yfir brú á ánni, ok var þetta þann morgin, er féránsdóm átti at heyja. Þá spyrr Þorgeirr, hversu mætti helzt á óvart koma. Sámr kvaðst mundu kunna ráð til þess. Hann snýr þegar af leiðinni ok upp á múlann ok svá eftir hálsinum milli Hrafnkelsdals ok Jökulsdals, þar til er þeir koma útan undir fjallit, er bærinn stendr undir niðri á Aðalbóli. Þar gengu grasgeilar í heiðina upp, en þar var brekka brött ofan í dalinn, ok stóð þar bærinn undir niðri.
   Þar stígr Sámr af baki ok mælti: "Látum lausa hesta vára, ok geymi tuttugu menn, en vér sex tigir saman hlaupum at bænum, ok get ek, at fátt muni manna á fótum."
   Þeir gerðu nú svá, ok heita þar síðan Hrossageilar. Þá bar skjótt at bænum. Váru þá liðin rismál. Eigi var fólk upp staðit. Þeir skutu stokki á hurð ok hlupu inn. Hrafnkell hvíldi í rekkju sinni. Taka þeir hann þaðan ok alla hans heimamenn, þá er vápnfærir váru. Konur ok börn var rekit í eitt hús. Í túninu stóð útibúr. Af því ok heim á skálavegginn var skotit váðási einum. Þeir leiða Hrafnkel þar til ok hans menn.
   Hann bauð mörg boð fyrir sik ok sína menn. En er þat tjáði eigi, þá bað hann mönnum sínum lífs, -- "því at þeir hafa ekki til sakar gert við yðr, en þat er mér engi ósæmð, þótt þér drepið mik. Mun ek ekki undan því mælast. Undan hrakningum mælumst ek. Er yðr engi sæmð í því."
   Þorkell mælti: "Þat höfum vér heyrt, at þú hafir lítt verit leiðitamr þínum óvinum, ok er vel nú, at þú kennir þess í dag á þér."
   Þá taka þeir Hrafnkel ok hans menn ok bundu hendr þeira á bak aftr. Eftir þat brutu þeir upp útibúrit ok tóku reip ofan ór krókum, taka síðan knífa sína ok stinga raufar á hásinum þeira ok draga þar í reipin ok kasta þeim svá upp yfir ásinn ok binda þá svá átta saman.
   Þá mælti Þorgeirr: "Svá er komit nú kosti yðrum, Hrafnkell, sem makligt er, ok myndi þér þykkja þetta ólíkligt, at þú mundir slíka skömm fá af nökkurum manni, sem nú er orðit. Eða hvárt viltu, Þorkell, nú gera, at sitja hér hjá Hrafnkeli ok gæta þeira, eða viltu fara með Sámi ór garði á brott í örskotshelgi við bæinn ok heyja féránsdóm á grjóthól nökkurum, þar sem hvárki er akr né eng?"
   Þetta skyldi í þann tíma gera, er sól væri í fullu suðri.
   Þorkell sagði: "Ek vil hér sitja hjá Hrafnkeli. Sýnist mér þetta starfaminna."
   Þeir Þorgeirr ok Sámr fóru þá ok háðu féránsdóm, ganga heim eftir þat ok tóku Hrafnkel ofan ok hans menn ok settu þá niðr í túninu, ok var sigit blóð fyrir augu þeim.
   Þá mælti Þorgeirr til Sáms, at hann skyldi gera við Hrafnkel slíkt, sem hann vildi, -- "því at mér sýnist nú óvandleikit við hann."
   Sámr svarar: "Tvá kosti geri ek þér, Hrafnkell, sá annarr, at þik skal leiða ór garði brott ok þá menn, sem mér líkar, ok vera drepinn. En með því at þú átt ómegð mikla fyrir at sjá, þá vil ek þess unna þér, at þú sjáir þar fyrir. Ok ef þú villt líf þiggja, þá far þú af Aðalbóli með allt lið þitt ok haf þá eina fémuni, er ek skep þér, ok mun þat harðla lítit, en ek skal taka staðfestu þína ok mannaforráð allt. Skaltu aldri tilkall veita né þínir erfingjar. Hvergi skaltu nær vera en fyrir austan Fljótsdalsherað, ok máttu nú eiga handsöl við mik, ef þú villt þenna upp taka."
   Hrafnkell mælti: "Mörgum myndi betr þykkja skjótr dauði en slíkar hrakningar, en mér mun fara sem mörgum öðrum, at lífit mun ek kjósa, ef kostr er. Geri ek þat mest sökum sona minna, því at lítil mun vera uppreist þeira, ef ek dey frá."
   Þá er Hrafnkell leystr, ok seldi hann Sámi sjálfdæmi. Sámr skipti Hrafnkeli af fé slíkt, er hann vildi, ok var þat raunar lítit. Spjót sitt hafði Hrafnkell með sér, en ekki fleira vápna. Þenna dag færði Hrafnkell sik burt af Aðalbóli ok allt sitt fólk.
   Þorkell mælti þá við Sám: "Eigi veit ek, hví þú gerir þetta. Muntu þessa mest iðrast sjálfr, er þú gefr honum líf."
   Sámr kvað þá svá vera verða.

14. Frá athöfnum Hrafnkels.
Hrafnkell færði nú bú sitt austr yfir Fljótsdalsherað ok um þveran Fljótsdal fyrir austan Lagarfljót. Við vatnsbotninn stóð einn lítill bær, sem hét at Lokhillu. Þetta land keypti Hrafnkell í skuld, því at eigi var kostrinn meiri en þurfti til búshluta at hafa.
   Á þetta lögðu menn mikla umræðu, hversu hans ofsi hafði niðr fallit, ok minnist nú margr á fornan orðskvið, at skömm er óhófs ævi.
   Þetta var skógland mikit ok mikit merkjum, vánt at húsum, ok fyrir þat efni keypti hann landit litlu verði. En Hrafnkell sá ekki mjök í kostnað ok felldi mörkina, því at hon var stór, ok reisti þar reisiligan bæ, þann er síðan hét á Hrafnkelsstöðum. Hefir þat síðan verit kallaðr jafnan góðr bær. Bjó Hrafnkell þar við mikil óhægindi in fyrstu misseri. Hann hafði mikinn atdrátt af fiskinum. Hrafnkell gekk mjök at verkum, meðan bær var í smíði. Hrafnkell dró á vetr kálf ok kið in fyrstu misseri, ok hann helt vel, svá at nær lifði hvatvetna þat, er til ábyrgðar var. Mátti svá at kveða, at náliga væri tvau höfuð á hverju kvikindi.
   Á því sama sumri lagðist veiðr mikil í Lagarfljót. Af slíku gerðist mönnum búshægindi í heraðinu, ok þat helst vel hvert sumar.


 Thorgeir gathered his host and ordered forty men to follow him. That host was well provided with weapons and horses.After that they ride all the same road, until they come at the first light of dawn to Jokulsdal, fare over the bridge on the river, and this was that morning, on which the court of confiscation was to be held. Then asks Thorgeir, how they might best come on undetected. Sam said that he would give counsel regarding this. He turns immediately from the road and up onto a ridge and so along the crest of the hill between Hrafnkelsdal and Jokulsdal, until they come out under the fell, where the manor stands underneath on Adhalbol. There run grassy lanes up into the heath, and there was a broad slope extending from above into the dale, and the manor stood there beneath.There steps Sam from the back of the horse and said: “Let us release our horses, and let twenty men stand guard, and we sixty together rush the manor, and I suppose that few men will be afoot.”They did so now, and that place was later called Hrossageilar. From there was but little way to the manor. The time to rise had passed. The folk of the house were not about. They rammed a log against the door and broke in. Hrafnkel lay in his bed. They take him from their and all his men of the household, those who were able to bear weapons. The women and children were driven into a separate room. Within the fenced enclosure stood an outbuilding. From this and from the home on a wall of the hall was run a wooden pole. They lead Hrafnkel there and his men.He offered many things in exchange for himself and his men. And when that availed not, he asked for the life of his men;-- “For they have done nothing against you, and that is to me no disgrace, though you kill me. I will not plead against this. Only against humiliation do I speak. There is for you no honor in this.”Thorkell: “that have we heard, that you have been little gentle with your enemies, and it is now well, that you know the same on this day for yourself.”Then they take Hrafnkel and his men and bound their hands to their backs. After this they broke up the outbuilding and took rope out of the hooks, take afterwards their knives and cut holes in their tendons and cast them so up over the pole and bind them so eight together.Then said Thorgeir: “so is come your choice, Hrafnkel, as is fitting, and it may seem to you unlikely, that you will have borne such shame from such a man, as now has occurred. What wish you, Thorkell, now to do, to sit here with Hrafnkel and guard them, or will you fare with Sam out of the enclosure onto the road within arrow shot of the manor and hold the court of confiscation on that rocky mound, where there is neither field nor meadow?”This should be done in that time, when the sun is fully in the south.Thorkell said: “I will remain here with Hrafnkel. That seems to me less work.”Thorgeir and Sam went and held the court of confiscation, come back afterward and took Hrafnkel down and his men and set them down in the enclosure, and then was the blood sunken from their eyes.Then said Thorgeir to Sam, that he should do with Hrafnkel such as he would-- “because it seems to me now less than difficult to deal with him.”Sam answers: “Two choices I give to you, Hrafnkel, the one, that I shall lead you from this place quickly and those men, as pleases me, and you will be slain. And because you have many dependents for whom to care, this will I then grant you, that you might continue to oversee them. And if you will receive life, then when you fare from Adhalbol with all of your retinue and have those valuables alone, which I will divide with you, and that will be painfully little, and I shall take up your homestead and your chiefdom. You shall never make claim over it, nor your heirs. Never shall you be near her than Fljotsdalsheradh, and you may now shake hands with me, if you will take up this offer.”Hrafnkel said: “To many would better seem a swift death than such humiliation, and yet for me it will fare as with many others, that I would choose life, if such a choice there is. I do this most for the sake of my sons, because poor would be their upbringing, if I were to die.”Then is Hrafnkel unbound, and he gives up to Sam his freedom. Sam divided with Hrafnkel those valuables, which he would, and those were pitiful remnants. His spear Hrafnkel had with him, and no weapons more. That day made Hrafnkel his way from Adhalbol and all his people.Thorkell said then with Sam: “I know not, why you do this. You will most strongly come to regret this, that you have given him life.”Sam said that what would be would be.Hrafnkel moved his home east over Fljotsdalsheradh and over against Fljotsdal east of Lagarfljot. Against the head of the lake stood a little farmstead, called Lokhill. That land Hrafnkel bought through debt, because the cost was no more than was necessary to maintain farming.Regarding this man made much discussion, how his pride had fallen low, and many a man remembered the old saying, that shame is ever the result of pride.That was a great forest land and much covered with forests, devoid of houses, and for that reason he bought the house at little cost. And Hrafnkel so not much in its cost and felled the forest, because he was strong, and raised a magnificent home, that which is called Hrafnkelsstadhir. It has ever since been called a fine home. Hrafnkel dwelt there with great discomfort in the first season. He had much provision of fish. Hrafnkel went often to work, while the home was in development. Hrafnkel maintained through the winter calf and kid in the first season, and he held well, so that nearly all lived, for which he was responsible. It might thus be said that it was as if two heads were on each creature.In this same summer great hunting and fishing was to be had in Lagarfljot. For this reason men were hired on to help run the household throughout the district, and that held well through each summer.

Þat var einn morgin snemma, at Þorbjörn karl vaknar. Hann vekr Sám ok bað hann upp standa. "Má ek ekki sofa."
   Sámr stendr upp ok ferr í klæði sín. Þeir ganga út ok ofan at Öxará, fyrir neðan brúna. Þar þvá þeir sér.
   Þorbjörn mælti við Sám: "Þat er ráð mitt, at þú látir reka at hesta vára, ok búumst heim. Er nú sét, at oss vill ekki annat en svívirðing.
   Sámr svarar: "Þat er vel, af því at þú vildir ekki annat en deila við Hrafnkel ok vildir eigi þá kosti þiggja, er margr myndi gjarna þegit hafa, sá er eftir sinn náunga átti at sjá. Frýðir þú oss mjök hugar ok öllum þeim, er í þetta mál vildu eigi ganga með þér. Skal ek nú ok aldri fyrr af láta en mér þykkir fyrir ván komit, at ek geta nökkut at gert."
   Þá fær Þorbirni svá mjök, at hann grætr.
   Þá sjá þeir vestan at ánni, hóti neðar en þeir sátu, hvar fimm menn gengu saman frá einni búð. Sá var hár maðr ok ekki þrekligr, er fyrstr gekk, í laufgrænum kyrtli ok hafði búit sverð í hendi, réttleitr maðr ok rauðlitaðr ok vel í yfirbragði, ljósjarpr á hár ok mjök hærðr. Sá maðr var auðkenniligr, því at hann hafði ljósan lepp í hári sínu inum vinstra megin.
   Sámr mælti: "Stöndum upp ok göngum vestr yfir ána til móts við þessa menn."
   Þeir ganga nú ofan með ánni, ok sá maðr, sem fyrir gekk, heilsar þeim fyrri ok spyrr, hverir þeir væri. Þeir sögðu til sín. Sámr spurði þenna mann at nafni, en hann nefndist Þorkell ok kvaðst vera Þjóstarsson. Sámr spurði, hvar hann væri ættaðr eða hvar hann ætti heima. Hann kvaðst vera vestfirzkr at kyni ok uppruna, en eiga heima í Þorskafirði.
   Sámr mælti: "Hvárt ertu goðorðsmaðr?"
   Hann kvað þat fjarri fara.
   "Ertu þá bóndi?" sagði Sámr.
   Hann kvaðst eigi þat vera.
   Sámr mælti: "Hvat manna ertu þá?"
   Hann svarar: "Ek em einn einhleypingr. Kom ek út í fyrra vetr. Hefi ek verit útan sjau vetr ok farit út í Miklagarð, en em handgenginn Garðskonunginum, en nú em ek á vist með bróður mínum, þeim er Þorgeirr heitir.
   "Er hann goðorðsmaðr?" segir Sámr.
   Þorkell svarar: "Goðorðsmaðr er hann víst um Þorskafjörð ok víðara um Vestfjörðu."
   "Er hann hér á þinginu?" segir Sámr.
   "Hér er hann víst."
   "Hversu margmennr er hann?"
   "Hann er við sjau tigu manna," segir Þorkell.
   "Eru þér fleiri bræðrnir?" segir Sámr.
   "Er inn þriði", segir Þorkell.
   Hverr er sá?" segir Sámr.
   "Hann heitir Þormóðr", segir Þorkell, "ok býr í Görðum á Álftanesi. Hann á Þórdísi, dóttur Þórólfs Skalla-Grímssonar frá Borg."
   "Villtu nökkut liðsinni okkr veita?" segir Sámr.
   "Hvers þurfið þit við?" segir Þorkell.
   "Liðsinnis ok afla höfðingja", segir Sámr, "því at vit eigum málum at skipta við Hrafnkel goða um víg Einars Þorbjarnarsonar, en vit megum vel hlíta okkrum flutningi með þínu fulltingi."
   Þorkell svarar: "Svá er sem ek sagða, at ek em engi goðorðsmaðr."
   "Hví ertu svá afskipta gerr, þar sem þú ert höfðingjason sem aðrir bræðr þínir?"
   Þorkell sagði: "Eigi sagða ek þér þat, at ek ætta þat eigi, en ek selda þat í hendr Þorgeiri, bróður mínum, mannaforráð mitt, áðr en ek fór útan. Síðan hefi ek eigi við tekit, fyrir því at mér þykkir vel komit, meðan hann varðveitir. Gangið þit á fund hans, biðið hann ásjá. Hann er skörungr í skapi ok drengr góðr ok í alla staði vel menntr, ungr maðr ok metnaðargjarn. Eru slíkir menn vænstir til at veita ykkr liðsinni.
   Sámr segir: "Af honum munum vit ekki fá, nema þú sért í flutningi með okkr."
   Þorkell segir: "Því mun ek heita at vera heldr með ykkr en móti, með því at mér þykkir ærin nauðsyn til at mæla eftir náskyldan mann. Farið þit nú fyrir til búðarinnar ok gangið inn í búðina. Er mannfólk í svefni. Þit munuð sjá, hvar standa innar um þvera búðina tvau húðföt, ok reis ek upp ór öðru, en í öðru hvílir Þorgeirr, bróðir minn. Hann hefir haft kveisu mikla í fætinum, síðan hann kom á þingit, ok því hefir hann lítit sofit um nætr. En nú sprakk fótrinn í nótt, ok er ór kveisunaglinn, en nú hefir hann sofnat síðan ok hefir réttan fótinn út undan fötunum fram á fótafjölina sakar ofrhita, er á er á fætinum. Gangi sá inn gamli maðr fyrir ok svá innar eftir búðinni. Mér sýnist hann mjök hrymðr bæði at sýn ok elli. Þá er þú, maðr", segir Þorkell, "kemr at húðfatinu, skaltu rasa mjök ok fall á fótafjölina ok tak í tána þá, er um er bundit, ok hnykk at þér ok vit, hversu hann verðr við."
   Sámr mælti: "Heilráðr muntu okkr vera, en eigi sýnist mér þetta ráðligt."
   Þorkell svarar: "Annathvárt verði þit at gera, at hafa þat, sem ek legg til, eða leita ekki ráða til mín."
   Sámr mælti ok segir: "Svá skal gera sem hann gefr ráð til."
   Þorkell kvaðst mundu ganga síðar, -- "því at ek bíð manna minna."

10. Þjóstarssynir hétu Sámi liðveizlu.
Ok nú gengu þeir Sámr ok Þorbjörn ok koma í búðina. Sváfu þar menn allir. Þeir sjá brátt, hvar Þorgeirr lá. Þorbjörn karl gekk fyrir ok fór mjök rasandi. En er hann kom at húðfatinu, þá fell hann á fótafjölina ok þrífr í tána, þá er vanmátta var, ok hnykkir at sér, en Þorgeirr vaknar við ok hljóp upp í húðfatinu ok spurði, hverr þar færi svá hrapalliga, at hlypi á fætr mönnum, er áðr váru vanmátta. En þeim Sámi varð ekki at orði.
   Þá snaraði Þorkell inn í búðina ok mælti til Þorgeirs, bróður síns: "Ver eigi svá bráðr né óðr, frændi, um þetta, því at þik mun ekki saka. En mörgum tekst verr en vill, ok verðr þat mörgum, at þá fá eigi alls gætt jafnvel, er honum er mikit í skapi. En þat er várkunn, frændi, at þér sé sárr fótr þinn, er mikit mein hefir í verit. Muntu þess mest á þér kenna. Nú má ok þat vera, at gömlum manni sé eigi ósárari sonardauði sinn, en fá engar bætr ok skorti hvetvetna sjálfr. Mun hann þess gerst kenna á sér, ok er þat at vánum, at sá maðr gæti eigi alls vel, er mikit býr í skapi."
   Þorgeirr segir: "Ekki hugða ek, at hann mætti mik þessa kunna, því at eigi drap ek son hans, ok má hann af því eigi á mér þessu hefna."
   "Eigi vildi hann á þér þessu hefna", segir Þorkell, "en fór hann at þér harðara en hann vildi, ok galt hann óskygnleika síns, en vænti sér af þér nökkurs trausts. Er þat nú drengskapr at veita gömlum manni ok þurftugum. Er honum þetta nauðsyn, en eigi seiling, þó at hann mæli eftir son sinn, en nú ganga allir höfðingjar undan liðveizlu við þessa menn ok sýna í því mikinn ódrengskap."
   Þorgeirr mælti: "Við hvern eiga þessir menn at kæra?"
   Þorkell svaraði: "Hrafnkell goði hefir vegit son hans Þorbjarnar saklausan. Vinnr hann hvert óverk at öðru, en vill engum manni sóma vinna fyrir."
   Þorgeirr mælti: "Svá mun mér fara sem öðrum, at ek veit eigi mik þessum mönnum svá gott eiga upp at inna, at ek vilja ganga í deilur við Hrafnkel. Þykkir mér hann einn veg fara hvert sumar við þá menn, sem málum eigu at skipta við hann, at flestir menn fá litla virðing eða enga, áðr lúki, ok sé ek þar fara einn veg öllum. Get ek af því flesta menn ófúsa til, þá sem engi nauðsyn dregr til."
   Þorkell segir: "Þat má vera, at svá færi mér at, ef ek væri höfðingi, at mér þætti illt at deila við Hrafnkel. En eigi sýnist mér svá, fyrir því at mér þætti við þann bezt at eiga, er allir hrekjast fyrir áðr, ok þætti mér mikit vaxa mín virðing eða þess höfðingja, er á Hrafnkel gæti nökkura vík róit, en minnkast ekki, þó at mér færi sem öðrum, fyrir því at má mér þat, sem yfir margan gengr. Hefir sá ok jafnan, er hættir."
   "Sé ek", segir Þorgeirr, "hversu þér er gefit, at þú villt veita þessum mönnum. Nú mun ek selja þér í hendr goðorð mitt ok mannaforráð, ok haf þú þat, sem ek hefi haft áðr, en þaðan af höfum vit jöfnuð af báðir, ok veittu þá þeim, er þú villt."
   "Svá sýnist mér", segir Þorkell, "sem þá muni goðorð várt bezt komit, er þú hafir sem lengst. Ann ek engum svá vel sem þér at hafa, því at þú hefir marga hluti til menntar um fram alla oss bræðr, en ek óráðinn, hvat er ek vil af mér gera at bragði. En þú veizt, frændi, at ek hefi til fás hlutazt, síðan ek kom til Íslands. Má ek nú sjá, hvat mín ráð eru. Nú hefi ek flutt sem ek mun at sinni. Kann vera, at Þorkell leppr komi þar, at hans orð verði meir metin."
   Þorgeirr segir: "Sé ek nú, hversu horfir, frændi, at þér mislíkar, en ek má þat eigi vita, ok munum vit fylgja þessum mönnum, hversu sem ferr, ef þú villt."
   Þorkell mælti: "Þessa eins bið ek, at mér þykkir betr, at veitt sé."
   "Til hvers þykkjast þessir menn færir", segir Þorgeirr, "svá at framkvæmð verði at þeira máli?"
   "Svá er sem ek sagða í dag, at styrk þurfum vit af höfðingjum, en málaflutning á ek undir mér."
   Þorgeirr kvað honum þá gott at duga, -- "ok er nú þat til, at búa mál til sem réttligast. En mér þykkir sem Þorkell vili, at þit vitið hans, áðr dómar fara út. Munuð þit þá hafa annathvárt fyrir ykkart þrá nökkura hugan eða læging enn meir en áðr ok hrelling ok skapraun. Gengið nú heim ok verið kátir, af því at þess munu þit við þurfa, ef þit skuluð deila við Hrafnkel, at þit berið ykkr vel upp um hríð, en segi þit engum manni, at vit höfum liðveizlu heitit ykkr."
  Þá gengu þeir heim til búðar sinnar, váru þá einteitir. Menn undruðust þetta allir, hví þeir hefði svá skjótt skapskipti tekit, þar sem þeir váru óglaðir, er þeir fóru heiman.

11. Sámr gerði Hrafnkel sekan.
Nú sitja þeir, þar til er dómar fara út. Þá kveðr Sámr upp menn sína ok gengr til lögbergs. Var þar þá dómr settr. Sámr gekk djarfliga at dóminum. Hann hefr þegar upp váttnefnu ok sótti mál sitt at réttum landslögum á hendr Hrafnkeli goða, miskviðalaust með sköruligum flutningi. Þessu næst koma þeir Þjóstarssynir með mikla sveit manna. Allir menn vestan af landi veittu þeim lið, ok sýndist þat, at Þjóstarssynir váru menn vinsælir.
   Sámr sótti málit í dóm, þangat til, er Hrafnkeli var boðit til varnar, nema sá maðr væri þar við staddr, er lögvörn vildi frammi hafa fyrir hann at réttu lögmáli. Rómr varð mikill at máli Sáms. Kvaðst engi vilja lögvörn fram bera fyrir Hrafnkel.
   Menn hlupu til búðar Hrafnkels ok sögðu honum, hvat um var at vera. Hann veikst við skjótt ok kvaddi upp menn sína ok gekk til dóma, hugði, at þar myndi lítil vörn fyrir landi. Hafði hann þat í hug sér at leiða smámönnum at sækja mál á hendr honum. Ætlaði hann at hleypa upp dóminum fyrir Sámi ok hrekja hann af málinu. En þess var nú eigi kostr. Þar var fyrir sá mannfjölði, at Hrafnkell komst hvergi nær. Var honum þröngt frá í burtu með miklu ofríki, svá at hann náði eigi at heyra mál þeira, er hann sóttu. Var honum því óhægt at færa lögvörn fram fyrir sik. En Sámr sótti málit til fullra laga, til þess er Hrafnkell var alsekr á þessu þingi.
   Hrafnkell gengr þegar til búðar ok lætr taka hesta sína ok ríðr á brott af þingi ok unði illa við sínar málalykðir, því at hann átti aldri fyrr slíkar. Ríðr hann þá austr Lyngdalsheiði ok svá austr á Síðu, ok eigi léttir hann fyrr en heima í Hrafnkelsdal ok sezt á Aðalból ok lét sem ekki hefði í orðit.
   En Sámr var á þingi ok gekk mjök uppstertr. Mörgum mönnum þykkir vel, þó at þann veg hafi at borist, at Hrafnkell hafi hneykju farit, ok minnast nú, at hann hefir mörgum ójafnað sýnt.

12. Ráðagerð Þjóstarssona.
Sámr bíðr til þess, at slitit er þinginu. Búast menn þá heim. Þakkar hann þeim bræðrum sína liðveizlu, en Þorgeirr spurði Sám hlæjandi, hversu honum þætti at fara. Hann lét vel yfirþví.
   Þorgeirr mælti: "Þykkist þú nú nökkuru nær en áðr?"
   Sámr mælti: "Beðit þykki mér Hrafnkell hafa sneypu, er lengi mun uppi vera þessi hans sneypa, ok er þetta við mikla fémuni."
   "Eigi er maðrinn alsekr, meðan eigi er háðr féránsdómr, ok hlýtr þat at hans heimili at gera. Þat skal vera fjórtán náttum eftir vápnatak."
   En þat heitir vápnatak er alþýða ríðr af þingi.
   "En ek get", segir Þorgeirr, "at Hrafnkell mun heim kominn ok ætli at sitja á Aðalbóli. Get ek, at hann mun halda mannaforráð fyrir yðr. En þú munt ætla at ríða heim ok setjast í bú þitt, ef þú náir, at bezta kosti. Get ek, at þú hafir þat svá þinna mála, at þú kallar hann skógarmann, en slíkan ægishjálm, get ek, at hann beri yfir flestum sem áðr, nema þú hljótir at fara nökkuru lægra."
   "Aldri hirði ek þat", segir Sámr.
   "Hraustr maðr ertu", segir Þorgeirr, "ok þykki mér sem Þorkell frændi vili eigi gera endamjótt við þik. Hann vill nú fylgja þér, þar til er ór slítr með ykkr Hrafnkeli, ok megir þú þá sitja um kyrrt. Mun yðr þykkja nú vit skyldastir at fylgja þér, er vér höfum áðr mest í fengizt. Skulum vit nú fylgja þér um sinnsakar í Austfjörðu, eða kanntu nökkura þá leið til Austfjarða, at eigi sé almannavegr?"
   Sámr kveðst fara mundu ina sömu leið, sem hann fór austan. Sámr varð þessu feginn.


It was one morning early, that Thorbjorn the old man awakes. He wakes Sam and bade him stand up. “I cannot sleep.”Sam stands up and gets into his clothes. They go out and over to Oxara, below the bridges. There they washed themselves.Thorbjorn spoke with Sam: “That is my counsel, that you have our horses brought out, and we prepare to go home. It can be seen now that for us there will be nothing other than disgrace.”Sam answers: “That is well, because you wanted nothing other than to deal with Hrafnkel and would not accept those terms, which many a man would gladly have taken, he who after his kinsman was obliged to see. You have brought into question our character and all those who would enter into this suit with you. Never again shall I agree to anything save that it seems to me likely that I can accomplish it.”Then Thorbjorn was so overwrought, that he wept.Then they see from the west on the river, a little lower than they sat, where five men walked together from one booth. That was a tall man and yet not stout, who walked foremost, in a leaf green shirt and girt with sword in hand, a smoothly featured man and ruddy faced and distinguished of appearance, of light chestnut hair and well-haired. This man was easily recognized, for he had a light lock of hair on the left side.Sam said: “Let us stand up and go west over the river to meet with these men.”They go now over the river, and that man, who walked first, hails them from afar and asks who they might be. They introduced themselves. Sam asked the man for his name, and he named himself Thorkell and said himself to be the son of Thjost. Sam asked from where he was descended or were he made his home. He declared himself to be of the west firth by lineage and upbringing, and to have his home in Thorskafjordh.Sam said: “Are you then a chieftain?”He said that was far from the case.“Are you then a yeoman?” said Sam.He said that was not the case.Sam said: “What manner of man are you then?”He answers: “I am a land loper. I came out in the last winter. I have been abroad seven winters and fared into Constantinople, chosen as retainer to the Byzantine Emperor, and now I have lodgings with my brother, who is called Thorgeir.”“Is he a chieftain?” says Sam.Thorkell answers: “Chieftain is he certainly throughout Thorskafjordh and more widely about Vestfjordh.”“Is he at the Thing?” says Sam.“Certainly he is here.”“With how many men is he?”“He is with seventy men,” says Thorkell.“Are there more brothers?” says Sam.“There is the third,” says Thorkell.“Who is that?” says Sam.“He is called Thormod,” says Thorkell, “and he dwells in Gardhar on Alptanes. He has as wife Thordis, daughter of Thorolf Skalla-Grimsson from Borg.”“Will you give us any help?” says Sam.“What sort of help do you need?” says Thorkell.“The help and the power of chieftains,” says Sam, “because we have a lawsuit to settle with Hrafnkel godhi concerning the slaying of Einar Thorbjarnarson, and we might well rely on your aid in our case.”Thorkell: “it is just as I have said, that I am not a chieftain.”“Why are you cut off from your inheritance so, when you are a chieftain’s son just as your other brothers?”Thorkell said: “I did not say  to you that I had it not, but that I gave my authority into the hands of Thorgeir, my brother, before I went abroad. I have not taken with it since, because it seems to me to have been in good hands while he has kept it. Go you and meet with him, bid him his aid. He is a noble man in spirit and a brave fellow and well bred in all things, a young man and eager after renown. Such men are most likely to give you aid.”Sam says: “From him we will get nothing, save that you are with us in pleading.”Thorkell says: “in this I will how to be more with you than against you, because there seems to me to be sufficient need to speak after a closely related man. Go you now to the booths and walk inside them. The men are asleep. You will see where two leather hammocks stand athwart the booths, and one rises above another, and in the other sleeps Thorgeir, my brother. He has had a tremendous boil on his foot, since he came to the Thing, and for this reason he has slept little in the night. And now his foot has burst in the night, and the pus in the boil is out, and now he is slept since and kept his foot raised on a footboard due to the excessive heat on the foot. Let the old man walk on and so into the booth. He seems to me greatly stricken both in sight and age. Then when you, man,” says Thorkell, “come to the hammock, you shall rush forward and fall on the foot rest and take hold on that toe, which is bound, and jerk it toward you, and we shall see how he responds.”Sam said: “Wise of counsel you might be, but that does not seem to me advisable.”Thorkell answers: “Either you do what I suggest, or seek not my counsel.”Sam spoke and says: “So it shall be done as he counsels.”Thorkell said he would come later-- “For I await my men.”And now go Sam and Thorbjorn and come into the tent. All the men sleep there. They see quickly where Thorgeir lay. Thorbjorn the old man goes forward and rushes on. And when he came to the hammock, then fell he onto the foot rest and takes the toe, the one which is sore, and pulls it violently, and Thorgeir awakens and leapt up in the hammock and asked who would come there so headlong as to leap onto the feet of a man which were clearly sore. And to this Sam and his friend had no answer.Then came Thorkell quickly into the booth and said to Thorgeir, his brother: “Be not so hasty nor so angry, kinsman, over this, because it will not harm you. And for many a man things go not so well as he wishes, so that he is not mindful, so great a trouble is in his heart. And it is to be excused, kinsman, that your foot is sore, in which so much pain has been suffered. Of all things you must be most aware of this. Now that might also be, that to an old man no less a pain is the death of his son, when he gets no compensation and is destitute in all ways himself. He will always be made mindful of this, and it is to be expected that this man will not be much aware, in whom so great a sorrow is borne.”Thorgeir says: “I wouldn’t think that he could blame me, because I didn’t kill his son, and for that reason he can’t avenge himself on me.”“He would not avenge himself on you,” says Thorkell, “and he came on you harder than he intended, for which he has his poor sight to blame, and he hoped for some help from you. It is noble to give to a man old and needy. It is to him a great need, and not greed, that he speak after his son, and now all of the chieftains withdraw from aiding these men and display in this a great lack of nobility.”Thorgeir said: “With whom do these men lay charge?”Thorkell answered: “Hrafnkel godhi has slain the son of Thorbjorn without cause. He commits injustices against any whom he pleases, and will compensate no man for the same.”Thorgeir said: “So it will go with me as with others, that I know of no reason to do such a thing for these men that I will go into a dispute with Hrafnkel. It seems to me that it has gone one way with him each summer against those men who carry cases against him, that most of these men receive but small compensation or nothing, before the end, and I see it fare one way for them all. For this reason I believe most men to be uneager in this, when no need draws them.”Thorkell says: “That may be, that were it in my power and I were chieftain, that it would seem to me ill to deal with Hrafnkel. But it does not seem to me so, because it seems to me the best thing to do, when all men are driven away in defeat, and I would think that my fame would grow, or whatsoever chieftain who got a row over Hrafnkel, and would not lessen, though it fared for me as for others, because the same might befall me as it has many others. He prospers ever, who dares.”“See I,” says Thorgeir, “how your thought is given you, that you will give aid to these men. Now I will give to you in hand my position as chieftain and my authority, and have you that, as I have had it before, and from here on we show each have it equally; and grant you then them, as you will.”“So it seems to me,” says Thorkell, “that our chieftaindom will be best served, just as you have held it so long. I desire no man so well as you to have it, because you have many natural qualities in further abundance above all of us brothers, and I am undecided, as to what I will do at the moment. And you know, kinsman, that I have taken part in little, since I came to Iceland. I may now see, what my counsel is. Now have I done as I will do for the time. Let it be, that Thorkell of the lock of hair come there, that his word be more highly esteemed.”Thorgeir says: “See I now, how it turns, kinsman, that it displeases you, and though I do not understand it we will follow these men, howsoever it fares, if it is your will.”Thorkell said: “This one thing I ask, which seems to me better, that it be granted.”“In what way do these men think themselves capable,” says Thorgeir, “that the case might be met with prosperity?”“So it is as I said earlier in the day, that we need the strength of the chieftains, but I will carry the argument myself.”Thorgeir said to him that this was good-- “and it is now time to prepare the case as best you may. And to me it seems as Thorkell wills, that you go to him, before the judgments are doled out. You will then have for your stubbornness either some consolation or disgrace still more than before, as well as affliction and vexation. Go home now and be merry, because you will have need of this, if you shall deal with Hrafnkel, that you bear yourselves well for a while, and say to no man, that we have given you aid.”Then went they home to their booth, and were then much merry with ale. All men wondered at this, why they had so quickly taken a change of spirits, when they had been so unhappy when they had left from home.Now they sit and wait, until the courts go out. Then calls Sam up his men and goes to the law rock. There was the court set. Sam walked boldly to the court. He delivers up immediately the calling of witnesses and sought his case by the right laws of the land against Hrafnkel godhi, without flaw in procedure, with distinguished performance. Immediately after come the sons of Sam requests that the Thing be ended. Prepare men then to go home. He thinks the brothers for their aid, and Thorgeir asked Sam laughing, how he thought things had gone. He allowed that things had gone well.Thorgeir said: “Think you yourself now any nearer than before?”Sam said: “It seems to me that Hrafnkel has brought this shame on himself, this shame which will long be upon him, and that with much wealth.”“Never is a man fully outlawed, so long as the court of confiscation has not been held, and that must be performed at his homestead. That shall be fourteen nights after the taking of weapons.”And that is called the weapon taking when all the people ride from the Thing.“And I suppose,” says Thorgeir, “that Hrafnkel will have come home and chosen to remain at Adhalbol. I suppose that he will hold authority over you. And you will think to ride home and settle in your home, if you can, on the best terms. I suppose that you have in your speech called him an outlaw, and yet such a helm of terror, I suppose, shall he bear over most men as before, unless you deign to press a little further.”“I never intended that,” says Sam.“A brave man are you,” says Thorgeir, “and it seems to me that Thorkell my kinsman will not leave you in the lurch. He will now follow you, until that point when your business is concluded with Hrafnkel, and may you then abide in peace. It will now seem to you that we are bound to follow you, in that we had taken much part before. We shall now follow you for this one time’s sake into Austfjordhr, or do you know something of the way to Austfjordhr, that is not a part of the way of all men?”Sam said that he would fare the same way as he traveled from the east. Sam became much glad with this.

Þorbjörn spyrr yfir á Hól víg Einars, sonar síns. Hann kunni illa tíðendum þessum. Nú tekr hann hest sinn ok ríðr yfir á Aðalból ok beiðir Hrafnkel bóta fyrir víg sonar síns.
   Hann kvaðst fleiri menn hafa drepit en þenna einn. "Er þér þat eigi ókunnigt, at ek vil engan mann fé bæta, ok verða menn þat þó svá gert at hafa. En þó læt ek svá sem mér þykki þetta verk mitt í verra lagi víga þeira, er ek hefi unnit. Hefir þú verit nábúi minn langa stund, ok hefir mér líkat vel til þín ok hvárum okkar til annars. Myndi okkr Einari ekki hafa annat smátt til orðit, ef hann hefði eigi riðit hestinum. En vit munum oft þess iðrast, er vit erum of málgir, ok sjaldnar mundum vit þessa iðrast, þó at vit mæltim færa en fleira. Mun ek þat nú sýna, at mér þykkir þetta verk mitt verra en önnur þau, er ek hefi unnit. Ek vil birgja bú þitt með málnytu í sumar, en slátrum í haust. Svá vil ek gera við þik hvert misseri, meðan þú villt búa. Sonu þína ok dætr skulum vit í burtu leysa með minni forsjá ok efla þau svá, at þau mætti fá góða kosti af því. Ok allt, er þú veizt í mínum hirzlum vera ok þú þarft at hafa heðan af, þá skaltu mér til segja ok eigi fyrir skart sitja heðan af um þá hluti, sem þú þarft at hafa. Skaltu búa, meðan þér þykkir gaman at, en fara þá hingat, er þér leiðist. Mun ek þá annast þik til dauðadags. Skulum vit þá vera sáttir. Vil ek þess vænta, at þat mæli fleiri, at sjá maðr sé vel dýrr".
   "Ek vil eigi þennan kost", segir Þorbjörn.
   "Hvern viltu þá?" segir Hrafnkell.
   Þá segir Þorbjörn: "Ek vil, at vit takim menn til gerðar með okkr".
   Hrafnkell svarar: "Þá þykkist þú jafnmenntr mér, ok munum vit ekki at því sættast".
   Þá reið Þorbjörn í brott ok ofan eftir heraði. Hann kom til Laugarhúsa ok hittir Bjarna, bróður sinn, ok segir honum þessi tíðendi, biðr, at hann muni nökkurn hlut í eiga um þessi mál.
   Bjarni kvað eigi sitt jafnmenni við at eiga, þar er Hrafnkell er, -- "en þó at vér stýrim penningum miklum, þá megum vér ekki deila af kappi við Hrafnkel, ok er þat satt, at sá er svinnr,er sik kann. Hefir hann þá marga málaferlum vafit, er meira bein hafa í hendi haft en vér. Sýnist mér þú vitlítill við hafa orðit, er þú hefir svá góðum kostum neitat. Vil ek mér hér engu af skipta.
   Þorbjörn mælti þá mörg herfilig orð til bróður síns ok segir því síðr dáð í honum sem meira lægi við. Hann ríðr nú í brott, ok skiljast þeir með lítilli blíðu. Hann léttir eigi, fyrr en hann kemr ofan til Leikskála, drepr þar á dyrr. Var þar til dura gengit. Þorbjörn biðr Sám út ganga. Sámr heilsaði vel frænda sínum ok bauð honum þar at vera. Þorbjörn tók því öllu seint. Sámr sér ógleði á Þorbirni ok spyrr tíðenda, en hann sagði víg Einars, sonar síns.
   "Þat eru eigi mikil tíðendi", segir Sámr, "þótt Hrafnkell drepi menn.
   Þorbjörn spyrr, ef Sámr vildi nökkura liðveizlu veita sér. "Er þetta mál þann veg, þótt mér sé nánastr maðrinn, at þó er yðr eigi fjarri höggvit".
   "Hefir þú nökkut eftir sæmðum leitat við Hrafnkel?"
   Þorbjörn sagði allt it sanna, hversu farit hafði með þeim Hrafnkeli.
   "Eigi hefi ek varr orðit fyrri", segir Sámr, "at Hrafnkell hafi svá boðit nökkurum sem þér. Nú vil ek ríða með þér upp á Aðalból, ok förum vit lítillátliga at við Hrafnkel, ok vita, ef hann vill halda in sömu boð. Mun honum nökkurn veg vel fara.
   "Þat er bæði", segir Þorbjörn, "at Hrafnkell mun nú eigi vilja, enda er mér þat nú eigi heldr í hug en þá, er ek reið þaðan".
   Sámr segir: "Þungt get ek at deila kappi við Hrafnkel um málaferli".
   Þorbjörn svarar: "Því verðr engi uppreist yðar ungra manna, at yðr vex allt í augu. Hygg ek, at engi maðr muni eiga jafnmikil auðvirði at frændum sem ek. Sýnist mér slíkum mönnum illa farit sem þér, er þykkist lögkænn vera ok ert gjarn á smásakir, en villt eigi taka við þessu máli, er svá er brýnt. Mun þér verða ámælissamt, sem makligt er, fyrir því at þú ert hávaðamestr ór ætt várri. Sé ek nú, hvat sök horfir".
   Sámr svarar: "Hverju góðu ertu þá nær en áðr, þótt ek taka við þessu máli ok sém vit þá báðir hrakðir?"
   Þorbjörn svarar: "Þó er mér þat mikil hugarbót, at þú takir við málinu. Verðr at þar, sem má."
   Sámr svarar: "Ófúss geng ek at þessu. Meir geri ek þat fyrir frændsemi sakir við þik. En vita skaltu, at mér þykkir þar heimskum manni at duga, sem þú ert."
   Þá rétti Sámr fram höndina ok tók við málinu af Þorbirni.

8. Sámr ok Hrafnkell riðu til alþingis.
Sámr lætr taka sér hest ok ríðr upp eftir dal ok ríðr á bæ einn ok lýsir víginu, fær sér menn á hendr Hrafnkeli. Hrafnkell spyrr þetta ok þótti hlægiligt, er Sámr hefir tekit mál á hendr honum.
   Leið nú á vetrinn, en at vári, þá er komit var at stefnudögum, ríðr Sámr heiman upp á Aðalból ok stefnir Hrafnkeli um víg Einars. Eftir þat ríðr Sámr ofan eftir dalnum ok kvaddi búa til þingreiðar, ok sitr hann um kyrrt, þar til er menn búast til þingreiðar.
   Hrafnkell sendi þá menn ofan eftir dalnum ok kvaddi upp menn. Hann ferr ór þingmönnum sínum, sjau tögum manns. Með þenna flokk ríðr hann austr yfir Fljótsdalsherað ok svá fyrir vatnsbotninn ok um þveran háls til Skriðudals ok upp eftir Skriðdal ok suðr á Öxarheiði til Berufjarðar ok rétta þingmannaleið á Síðu. Suðr ór Fljótsdal eru sjautján dagleiðir á Þingvöll.
   En eftir þat er hann var á brott riðinn ór heraði, þá safnar Sámr at sér mönnum. Fær hann mest til reiðar með sér einhleypinga ok þá, er hann hafði saman kvatt. Ferr Sámr ok fær þessum mönnum vápn ok klæði ok vistir. Sámr snýr aðra leið ór dalnum. Hann ferr norðr til brúa ok svá yfir brú ok þaðan yfir Möðrudalsheiði, ok váru í Möðrudal um nátt. Þaðan riðu þeir til Herðibreiðstungu ok svá fyrir ofan Bláfjöll ok þaðan í Króksdal ok svá suðr á Sand ok kómu ofan í Sauðafell ok þaðan á Þingvöll, ok var þar Hrafnkell eigi kominn, ok fórst honum því seinna, at hann átti lengri leið. Sámr tjaldar búð yfir sínum mönnum hvergi nær því, sem Austfirðingar eru vanir at tjalda.
   En nökkuru síðar kom Hrafnkell á þing. Hann tjaldar búð sína, svá sem hann var vanr, ok spurði, at Sámr var á þinginu. Honum þótti þat hlægiligt.
   Þetta þing var harðla fjölmennt. Váru þar flestir höfðingjar, þeir er váru á Íslandi. Sámr finnr alla höfðingja ok bað sér trausts ok liðsinnis, en einn veg svöruðu allir, at engi kvaðst eiga svá gott Sámi upp at gjalda, at ganga vildi í deild við Hrafnkel goða ok hætta svá sinni virðingu, segja ok þat einn veg flestum farit hafa, þeim er þingdeilur við Hrafnkel hafa haft, at hann hafi alla menn hrakit af málaferlum þeim, er við hann hafa haft.
   Sámr gengr heim til búðar sinnar, ok var þeim frændum þungt í skapi ok uggðu, at þeira mál myndi svá niðr falla, at þeir myndi ekki fyrir hafa nema skömm ok svívirðing. Ok svá mikla áhyggju hafa þeir frændr, at þeir njóta hvárki svefns né matar, því at allir höfðingjarnir skárust undan liðsinni við þá frændr, jafnvel þeir, sem þeir væntu, at þeim myndi lið veita.

9. Sámr hitti Þorkel Þjóstarsson.
Þat var einn morgin snemma, at Þorbjörn karl vaknar. Hann vekr Sám ok bað hann upp standa. "Má ek ekki sofa."
   Sámr stendr upp ok ferr í klæði sín. Þeir ganga út ok ofan at Öxará, fyrir neðan brúna. Þar þvá þeir sér.
   Þorbjörn mælti við Sám: "Þat er ráð mitt, at þú látir reka at hesta vára, ok búumst heim. Er nú sét, at oss vill ekki annat en svívirðing.
   Sámr svarar: "Þat er vel, af því at þú vildir ekki annat en deila við Hrafnkel ok vildir eigi þá kosti þiggja, er margr myndi gjarna þegit hafa, sá er eftir sinn náunga átti at sjá. Frýðir þú oss mjök hugar ok öllum þeim, er í þetta mál vildu eigi ganga með þér. Skal ek nú ok aldri fyrr af láta en mér þykkir fyrir ván komit, at ek geta nökkut at gert."
   Þá fær Þorbirni svá mjök, at hann grætr.
   Þá sjá þeir vestan at ánni, hóti neðar en þeir sátu, hvar fimm menn gengu saman frá einni búð. Sá var hár maðr ok ekki þrekligr, er fyrstr gekk, í laufgrænum kyrtli ok hafði búit sverð í hendi, réttleitr maðr ok rauðlitaðr ok vel í yfirbragði, ljósjarpr á hár ok mjök hærðr. Sá maðr var auðkenniligr, því at hann hafði ljósan lepp í hári sínu inum vinstra megin.
   Sámr mælti: "Stöndum upp ok göngum vestr yfir ána til móts við þessa menn."
   Þeir ganga nú ofan með ánni, ok sá maðr, sem fyrir gekk, heilsar þeim fyrri ok spyrr, hverir þeir væri. Þeir sögðu til sín. Sámr spurði þenna mann at nafni, en hann nefndist Þorkell ok kvaðst vera Þjóstarsson. Sámr spurði, hvar hann væri ættaðr eða hvar hann ætti heima. Hann kvaðst vera vestfirzkr at kyni ok uppruna, en eiga heima í Þorskafirði.
   Sámr mælti: "Hvárt ertu goðorðsmaðr?"
   Hann kvað þat fjarri fara.
   "Ertu þá bóndi?" sagði Sámr.
   Hann kvaðst eigi þat vera.
   Sámr mælti: "Hvat manna ertu þá?"
   Hann svarar: "Ek em einn einhleypingr. Kom ek út í fyrra vetr. Hefi ek verit útan sjau vetr ok farit út í Miklagarð, en em handgenginn Garðskonunginum, en nú em ek á vist með bróður mínum, þeim er Þorgeirr heitir.
   "Er hann goðorðsmaðr?" segir Sámr.
   Þorkell svarar: "Goðorðsmaðr er hann víst um Þorskafjörð ok víðara um Vestfjörðu."
   "Er hann hér á þinginu?" segir Sámr.
   "Hér er hann víst."
   "Hversu margmennr er hann?"
   "Hann er við sjau tigu manna," segir Þorkell.
   "Eru þér fleiri bræðrnir?" segir Sámr.
   "Er inn þriði", segir Þorkell.
   Hverr er sá?" segir Sámr.
   "Hann heitir Þormóðr", segir Þorkell, "ok býr í Görðum á Álftanesi. Hann á Þórdísi, dóttur Þórólfs Skalla-Grímssonar frá Borg."
   "Villtu nökkut liðsinni okkr veita?" segir Sámr.

  "Hvers þurfið þit við?" segir Þorkell.
   "Liðsinnis ok afla höfðingja", segir Sámr, "því at vit eigum málum at skipta við Hrafnkel goða um víg Einars Þorbjarnarsonar, en vit megum vel hlíta okkrum flutningi með þínu fulltingi."
   Þorkell svarar: "Svá er sem ek sagða, at ek em engi goðorðsmaðr."
   "Hví ertu svá afskipta gerr, þar sem þú ert höfðingjason sem aðrir bræðr þínir?"
   Þorkell sagði: "Eigi sagða ek þér þat, at ek ætta þat eigi, en ek selda þat í hendr Þorgeiri, bróður mínum, mannaforráð mitt, áðr en ek fór útan. Síðan hefi ek eigi við tekit, fyrir því at mér þykkir vel komit, meðan hann varðveitir. Gangið þit á fund hans, biðið hann ásjá. Hann er skörungr í skapi ok drengr góðr ok í alla staði vel menntr, ungr maðr ok metnaðargjarn. Eru slíkir menn vænstir til at veita ykkr liðsinni.
   Sámr segir: "Af honum munum vit ekki fá, nema þú sért í flutningi með okkr."
   Þorkell segir: "Því mun ek heita at vera heldr með ykkr en móti, með því at mér þykkir ærin nauðsyn til at mæla eftir náskyldan mann. Farið þit nú fyrir til búðarinnar ok gangið inn í búðina. Er mannfólk í svefni. Þit munuð sjá, hvar standa innar um þvera búðina tvau húðföt, ok reis ek upp ór öðru, en í öðru hvílir Þorgeirr, bróðir minn. Hann hefir haft kveisu mikla í fætinum, síðan hann kom á þingit, ok því hefir hann lítit sofit um nætr. En nú sprakk fótrinn í nótt, ok er ór kveisunaglinn, en nú hefir hann sofnat síðan ok hefir réttan fótinn út undan fötunum fram á fótafjölina sakar ofrhita, er á er á fætinum. Gangi sá inn gamli maðr fyrir ok svá innar eftir búðinni. Mér sýnist hann mjök hrymðr bæði at sýn ok elli. Þá er þú, maðr", segir Þorkell, "kemr at húðfatinu, skaltu rasa mjök ok fall á fótafjölina ok tak í tána þá, er um er bundit, ok hnykk at þér ok vit, hversu hann verðr við."
   Sámr mælti: "Heilráðr muntu okkr vera, en eigi sýnist mér þetta ráðligt."
   Þorkell svarar: "Annathvárt verði þit at gera, at hafa þat, sem ek legg til, eða leita ekki ráða til mín."
   Sámr mælti ok segir: "Svá skal gera sem hann gefr ráð til."
   Þorkell kvaðst mundu ganga síðar, -- "því at ek bíð manna minna."

10. Þjóstarssynir hétu Sámi liðveizlu.
Ok nú gengu þeir Sámr ok Þorbjörn ok koma í búðina. Sváfu þar menn allir. Þeir sjá brátt, hvar Þorgeirr lá. Þorbjörn karl gekk fyrir ok fór mjök rasandi. En er hann kom at húðfatinu, þá fell hann á fótafjölina ok þrífr í tána, þá er vanmátta var, ok hnykkir at sér, en Þorgeirr vaknar við ok hljóp upp í húðfatinu ok spurði, hverr þar færi svá hrapalliga, at hlypi á fætr mönnum, er áðr váru vanmátta. En þeim Sámi varð ekki at orði.
   Þá snaraði Þorkell inn í búðina ok mælti til Þorgeirs, bróður síns: "Ver eigi svá bráðr né óðr, frændi, um þetta, því at þik mun ekki saka. En mörgum tekst verr en vill, ok verðr þat mörgum, at þá fá eigi alls gætt jafnvel, er honum er mikit í skapi. En þat er várkunn, frændi, at þér sé sárr fótr þinn, er mikit mein hefir í verit. Muntu þess mest á þér kenna. Nú má ok þat vera, at gömlum manni sé eigi ósárari sonardauði sinn, en fá engar bætr ok skorti hvetvetna sjálfr. Mun hann þess gerst kenna á sér, ok er þat at vánum, at sá maðr gæti eigi alls vel, er mikit býr í skapi."
   Þorgeirr segir: "Ekki hugða ek, at hann mætti mik þessa kunna, því at eigi drap ek son hans, ok má hann af því eigi á mér þessu hefna."
   "Eigi vildi hann á þér þessu hefna", segir Þorkell, "en fór hann at þér harðara en hann vildi, ok galt hann óskygnleika síns, en vænti sér af þér nökkurs trausts. Er þat nú drengskapr at veita gömlum manni ok þurftugum. Er honum þetta nauðsyn, en eigi seiling, þó at hann mæli eftir son sinn, en nú ganga allir höfðingjar undan liðveizlu við þessa menn ok sýna í því mikinn ódrengskap."
   Þorgeirr mælti: "Við hvern eiga þessir menn at kæra?"
   Þorkell svaraði: "Hrafnkell goði hefir vegit son hans Þorbjarnar saklausan. Vinnr hann hvert óverk at öðru, en vill engum manni sóma vinna fyrir."
   Þorgeirr mælti: "Svá mun mér fara sem öðrum, at ek veit eigi mik þessum mönnum svá gott eiga upp at inna, at ek vilja ganga í deilur við Hrafnkel. Þykkir mér hann einn veg fara hvert sumar við þá menn, sem málum eigu at skipta við hann, at flestir menn fá litla virðing eða enga, áðr lúki, ok sé ek þar fara einn veg öllum. Get ek af því flesta menn ófúsa til, þá sem engi nauðsyn dregr til."
   Þorkell segir: "Þat má vera, at svá færi mér at, ef ek væri höfðingi, at mér þætti illt at deila við Hrafnkel. En eigi sýnist mér svá, fyrir því at mér þætti við þann bezt at eiga, er allir hrekjast fyrir áðr, ok þætti mér mikit vaxa mín virðing eða þess höfðingja, er á Hrafnkel gæti nökkura vík róit, en minnkast ekki, þó at mér færi sem öðrum, fyrir því at má mér þat, sem yfir margan gengr. Hefir sá ok jafnan, er hættir."
   "Sé ek", segir Þorgeirr, "hversu þér er gefit, at þú villt veita þessum mönnum. Nú mun ek selja þér í hendr goðorð mitt ok mannaforráð, ok haf þú þat, sem ek hefi haft áðr, en þaðan af höfum vit jöfnuð af báðir, ok veittu þá þeim, er þú villt."
   "Svá sýnist mér", segir Þorkell, "sem þá muni goðorð várt bezt komit, er þú hafir sem lengst. Ann ek engum svá vel sem þér at hafa, því at þú hefir marga hluti til menntar um fram alla oss bræðr, en ek óráðinn, hvat er ek vil af mér gera at bragði. En þú veizt, frændi, at ek hefi til fás hlutazt, síðan ek kom til Íslands. Má ek nú sjá, hvat mín ráð eru. Nú hefi ek flutt sem ek mun at sinni. Kann vera, at Þorkell leppr komi þar, at hans orð verði meir metin."
   Þorgeirr segir: "Sé ek nú, hversu horfir, frændi, at þér mislíkar, en ek má þat eigi vita, ok munum vit fylgja þessum mönnum, hversu sem ferr, ef þú villt."
   Þorkell mælti: "Þessa eins bið ek, at mér þykkir betr, at veitt sé."
   "Til hvers þykkjast þessir menn færir", segir Þorgeirr, "svá at framkvæmð verði at þeira máli?"
   "Svá er sem ek sagða í dag, at styrk þurfum vit af höfðingjum, en málaflutning á ek undir mér."
   Þorgeirr kvað honum þá gott at duga, -- "ok er nú þat til, at búa mál til sem réttligast. En mér þykkir sem Þorkell vili, at þit vitið hans, áðr dómar fara út. Munuð þit þá hafa annathvárt fyrir ykkart þrá nökkura hugan eða læging enn meir en áðr ok hrelling ok skapraun. Gengið nú heim ok verið kátir, af því at þess munu þit við þurfa, ef þit skuluð deila við Hrafnkel, at þit berið ykkr vel upp um hríð, en segi þit engum manni, at vit höfum liðveizlu heitit ykkr."
   Þá gengu þeir heim til búðar sinnar, váru þá einteitir. Menn undruðust þetta allir, hví þeir hefði svá skjótt skapskipti tekit, þar sem þeir váru óglaðir, er þeir fóru heiman.

11. Sámr gerði Hrafnkel sekan.
Nú sitja þeir, þar til er dómar fara út. Þá kveðr Sámr upp menn sína ok gengr til lögbergs. Var þar þá dómr settr. Sámr gekk djarfliga at dóminum. Hann hefr þegar upp váttnefnu ok sótti mál sitt at réttum landslögum á hendr Hrafnkeli goða, miskviðalaust með sköruligum flutningi. Þessu næst koma þeir Þjóstarssynir með mikla sveit manna. Allir menn vestan af landi veittu þeim lið, ok sýndist þat, at Þjóstarssynir váru menn vinsælir.
   Sámr sótti málit í dóm, þangat til, er Hrafnkeli var boðit til varnar, nema sá maðr væri þar við staddr, er lögvörn vildi frammi hafa fyrir hann at réttu lögmáli. Rómr varð mikill at máli Sáms. Kvaðst engi vilja lögvörn fram bera fyrir Hrafnkel.
   Menn hlupu til búðar Hrafnkels ok sögðu honum, hvat um var at vera. Hann veikst við skjótt ok kvaddi upp menn sína ok gekk til dóma, hugði, at þar myndi lítil vörn fyrir landi. Hafði hann þat í hug sér at leiða smámönnum at sækja mál á hendr honum. Ætlaði hann at hleypa upp dóminum fyrir Sámi ok hrekja hann af málinu. En þess var nú eigi kostr. Þar var fyrir sá mannfjölði, at Hrafnkell komst hvergi nær. Var honum þröngt frá í burtu með miklu ofríki, svá at hann náði eigi at heyra mál þeira, er hann sóttu. Var honum því óhægt at færa lögvörn fram fyrir sik. En Sámr sótti málit til fullra laga, til þess er Hrafnkell var alsekr á þessu þingi.
   Hrafnkell gengr þegar til búðar ok lætr taka hesta sína ok ríðr á brott af þingi ok unði illa við sínar málalykðir, því at hann átti aldri fyrr slíkar. Ríðr hann þá austr Lyngdalsheiði ok svá austr á Síðu, ok eigi léttir hann fyrr en heima í Hrafnkelsdal ok sezt á Aðalból ok lét sem ekki hefði í orðit.
   En Sámr var á þingi ok gekk mjök uppstertr. Mörgum mönnum þykkir vel, þó at þann veg hafi at borist, at Hrafnkell hafi hneykju farit, ok minnast nú, at hann hefir mörgum ójafnað sýnt.

12. Ráðagerð Þjóstarssona.
Sámr bíðr til þess, at slitit er þinginu. Búast menn þá heim. Þakkar hann þeim bræðrum sína liðveizlu, en Þorgeirr spurði Sám hlæjandi, hversu honum þætti at fara. Hann lét vel yfirþví.
   Þorgeirr mælti: "Þykkist þú nú nökkuru nær en áðr?"
   Sámr mælti: "Beðit þykki mér Hrafnkell hafa sneypu, er lengi mun uppi vera þessi hans sneypa, ok er þetta við mikla fémuni."
   "Eigi er maðrinn alsekr, meðan eigi er háðr féránsdómr, ok hlýtr þat at hans heimili at gera. Þat skal vera fjórtán náttum eftir vápnatak."
   En þat heitir vápnatak er alþýða ríðr af þingi.
   "En ek get", segir Þorgeirr, "at Hrafnkell mun heim kominn ok ætli at sitja á Aðalbóli. Get ek, at hann mun halda mannaforráð fyrir yðr. En þú munt ætla at ríða heim ok setjast í bú þitt, ef þú náir, at bezta kosti. Get ek, at þú hafir þat svá þinna mála, at þú kallar hann skógarmann, en slíkan ægishjálm, get ek, at hann beri yfir flestum sem áðr, nema þú hljótir at fara nökkuru lægra."
   "Aldri hirði ek þat", segir Sámr.
   "Hraustr maðr ertu", segir Þorgeirr, "ok þykki mér sem Þorkell frændi vili eigi gera endamjótt við þik. Hann vill nú fylgja þér, þar til er ór slítr með ykkr Hrafnkeli, ok megir þú þá sitja um kyrrt. Mun yðr þykkja nú vit skyldastir at fylgja þér, er vér höfum áðr mest í fengizt. Skulum vit nú fylgja þér um sinnsakar í Austfjörðu, eða kanntu nökkura þá leið til Austfjarða, at eigi sé almannavegr?"
   Sámr kveðst fara mundu ina sömu leið, sem hann fór austan. Sámr varð þessu feginn.

13. Sámr gerði Hrafnkel brott af Aðalbóli.
Þorgeirr valði lið sitt ok lét sér fylgja fjóra tigu manna. Sámr hafði ok fjóra tigu manna. Var þat lið vel búit at vápnum ok hestum.
   Eftir þat ríða þeir alla ina sömu leið, þar til er þeir koma í nætrelding í Jökulsdal, fara yfir brú á ánni, ok var þetta þann morgin, er féránsdóm átti at heyja. Þá spyrr Þorgeirr, hversu mætti helzt á óvart koma. Sámr kvaðst mundu kunna ráð til þess. Hann snýr þegar af leiðinni ok upp á múlann ok svá eftir hálsinum milli Hrafnkelsdals ok Jökulsdals, þar til er þeir koma útan undir fjallit, er bærinn stendr undir niðri á Aðalbóli. Þar gengu grasgeilar í heiðina upp, en þar var brekka brött ofan í dalinn, ok stóð þar bærinn undir niðri.



Thorbjorn hears at Hol of the slaying of Einar, his son. He takes ill to these tidings. Now takes he his horse and rides on to Adhalbol and bids Hrafnkel make amends for the slaying of his son.He responds that he has slain more men than this one. “It is not unknown to you, that I will compensate no man in property, and yet men must accept it so. And yet I will allow, as it seems to me, that this my work is among the worst of those slayings which I have undertaken. You have been my neighbor for some time, and I have been fond of you and each of us to the other. Nothing in the slightest would have come of Einar and me if he had not ridden on the horse. And we will often regret that over which we have spoken, and we will seldom regret that, though we have spoken less rather than more. I will now demonstrate that this my work seems worse to me than those others which I have undertaken. I will provide your homestead with milk cows in the summer, and with meat in the autumn. So will I do for you each season, so long as you will dwell there. Your sons and daughters we will allow to travel with my protection, and they will win for themselves so that they might receive good rewards thereof. And all that which you know to be in my possession and which you need to have thereof, thus shall you say to me and never sit short thereon of those things which you need to have. You shall dwell, so long as it pleases you, and fare where the road takes you. Thus will I care for you until your dying day. Then shall we be settled. This I wish fondly, that many might say, that that man was well dear.”“I will not take this offer,” says Thorbjorn.“What then do you wish?” says Hrafnkel.Then says Thorbjorn: “it is my will that we take men to the law courts with us.”Hrafnkel answers: “Think you yourself then to be of equal bearing with me, and in this we will not be settled.”Then rode Thorbjorn on his way and over across the district. He came to Laugarhus and comes upon Bjarni, his brother, and says to him these tidings, and asks him whether he might take some part in these matters.Bjarni said that his bearing was not such, as Hrafnkel’s was-- “And though we might divert great wealth toward it, yet could we never deal in conflict with Hrafnkel, and it is true, that he is wise, who knows himself. He has to this day entangled many in lawsuits, who have had more bone in hand than we. You seem to me to have been small-witted, when you denied such good terms. For myself I will have no part in this.”Thorbjorn uttered then many bitter words to his brother, and says that there is less courage in him to whom more is given. He rides now on his way, and they part with little love. He halts not till he comes over onto Leikskali, and knocks there on the door. One came then to the door. Thorbjorn asks Sam to come outside. Sam hails his kinsman well and bids him to stay. Thorbjorn took with this very coldly. Sam sees unhappiness and Thorbjorn and asks for tidings, and he declares the slaying of Einar, his son.“Those are not great tidings,” says Sam, “though Hrafnkel kill men.”Thorbjorn asks if Sam will give him any aid. “The matter lies thus, though I be the man nearest of kin, that the burden falls yet not far from you.”“Have you sought any terms with Hrafnkel?”Thorbjorn relates all and truly, how it had fared with him and Hrafnkel.“I have not before been aware,” says Sam, “that Hrafnkel has so offered to any as he has to you. Now will I ride with you up on to Adhalbol, and we will go humbly before Hrafnkel, and see if he will uphold the same offer. Perhaps he will be in a good way.”“It is both the case,” says Thorbjorn, “that Hrafnkel will not now be willing, and more importantly it is not now more agreeable to me than when I first rode from there.”Sam says: “Burdensome, I think, will it be to contend with Hrafnkel in a lawsuit.”Thorbjorn answers: “In this there is no prospect for you younger men, for whom all waxes large in the eye. I think that no man could possibly have more worthless wretches as kinsmen than I. It seems to me ill fared for such men as you, who wish to appear knowledgeable in the law and are eager for small suits, and will not take with this matter, which is so urgent. In this there will be much shame for you, as is fit, for you are the most brash man in our family. I see now, how this matter turns.”Sam answers: “How much better are you then than before, though I take with this case and we are both driven away?”Thorbjorn answers: “That would yet be a comfort to me, that you would take with the case. What will be, will be.”Sam answers: “Unwilling I enter into this. More do I do this for the sake of our kinship than for you. And you shall know, that it is done for a foolish man, such as you are.”Then Sam reached forth his hand and took the case with Thorbjorn.Sam has a horse brought to him and rides up the dale and rides to a hall there and makes known the slaying, gathers to himself men against Hrafnkel. Hrafnkel hears this and thinks it laughable, that Sam has taken up suit against him.The winter passed on, and in the spring, when it was come to the summoning days, Sam rides from his home up on to Adhalbol and summons Hrafnkel for the slaying of Einar. After that rides Sam over the dale and called up men. The gathers together out of his thingmen seventy men. With this group he rides east over Fljotsdalheradh and so over the head of the lake and across the ridge to Skridhudal and up over Skridhudal and south onto Oxarheidh to Berufjordh and reaches the path of the thingmen in Sidha. South out of Fljotsdal is seventeen days’ journey to the Thing field.And after he was ridden out of the district Sam then gathered together man. Most of all gathered to the ride land lopers and those whom he had called before. Sam goes and brings to these men weapons and clothes and provisions. Sam turns another way out of the dales. he fares north to the bridges and so over the bridge and from there over Modhrudalsheith, and they were in Modhrudal through the night. From there they rode to Herdhibreithstung and so over Blafjoll and from there into Kroksdal and so south onto Sand and came over into Saudhafell and from there onto the Thingvoll, and Hrafnkel was not come there, and he fared more slowly because he had a longer road. Sam set up his booth over his men nowhere near where the Austfirthingar are want to set booth.And somewhat later came Hrafnkel to the Thing. Most of the chieftains were there who were then in Iceland. Sam seeks all of the chieftains and bade them their support and aid, and one way answer they all, that no one owed Sam so well as to enter into conflict with Hrafnkel godhi and risk such humiliation, saying also that it had fared one way for most who had entered into Thing suits with Hrafnkel, that he had driven all men from those lawsuits which had been sought with him.Sam goes home to his booth, and for those kinsmen was heart heavy, and they feared that their suit would fall so short that they would have nothing but shame and disgrace. And such great anxiety did the kinsmen have, that they enjoyed neither sleep nor food, because all the chieftains had withdrawn support from those kinsmen, equally well those whom they had wished might lend them aid.It was one morning early, that Thorbjorn the old man awakes. He wakes Sam and bade him stand up. “I cannot sleep.”Sam stands up and gets into his clothes. They go out and over to Oxara, below the bridges. There they washed themselves.Thorbjorn spoke with Sam: “That is my counsel, that you have our horses brought out, and we prepare to go home. It can be seen now that for us there will be nothing other than disgrace.”Sam answers: “That is well, because you wanted nothing other than to deal with Hrafnkel and would not accept those terms, which many a man would gladly have taken, he who after his kinsman was obliged to see. You have brought into question our character and all those who would enter into this suit with you. Never again shall I agree to anything save that it seems to me likely that I can accomplish it.”Then Thorbjorn was so overwrought, that he wept.Then they see from the west on the river, a little lower than they sat, where five men walked together from one booth. That was a tall man and yet not stout, who walked foremost, in a leaf green shirt and girt with sword in hand, a smoothly featured man and ruddy faced and distinguished of appearance, of light chestnut hair and well-haired. This man was easily recognized, for he had a light lock of hair on the left side.Sam said: “Let us stand up and go west over the river to meet with these men.”They go now over the river, and that man, who walked first, hails them from afar and asks who they might be. They introduced themselves. Sam asked the man for his name, and he named himself Thorkell and said himself to be the son of Thjost. Sam asked from where he was descended or were he made his home. He declared himself to be of the west firth by lineage and upbringing, and to have his home in Thorskafjordh.Sam said: “Are you then a chieftain?”He said that was far from the case.“Are you then a yeoman?” said Sam.He said that was not the case.Sam said: “What manner of man are you then?”He answers: “I am a land loper. I came out in the last winter. I have been abroad seven winters and fared into Constantinople, chosen as retainer to the Byzantine Emperor, and now I have lodgings with my brother, who is called Thorgeir.”“Is he a chieftain?” says Sam.Thorkell answers: “Chieftain is he certainly throughout Thorskafjordh and more widely about Vestfjordh.”“Is he at the Thing?” says Sam.“Certainly he is here.”“With how many men is he?”“He is with seventy men,” says Thorkell.“Are there more brothers?” says Sam.“There is the third,” says Thorkell.“Who is that?” says Sam.“He is called Thormod,” says Thorkell, “and he dwells in Gardhar on Alptanes. He has as wife Thordis, daughter of Thorolf Skalla-Grimsson from Borg.”“Will you give us any help?” says Sam.“What sort of help do you need?” says Thorkell.“The help and the power of chieftains,” says Sam, “because we have a lawsuit to settle with Hrafnkel godhi concerning the slaying of Einar Thorbjarnarson, and we might well rely on your aid in our case.”Thorkell: “it is just as I have said, that I am not a chieftain.”“Why are you cut off from your inheritance so, when you are a chieftain’s son just as your other brothers?”Thorkell said: “I did not say  to you that I had it not, but that I gave my authority into the hands of Thorgeir, my brother, before I went abroad. I have not taken with it since, because it seems to me to have been in good hands while he has kept it. Go you and meet with him, bid him his aid. He is a noble man in spirit and a brave fellow and well bred in all things, a young man and eager after renown. Such men are most likely to give you aid.”Sam says: “From him we will get nothing, save that you are with us in pleading.”Thorkell says: “in this I will how to be more with you than against you, because there seems to me to be sufficient need to speak after a closely related man. Go you now to the booths and walk inside them. The men are asleep. You will see where two leather hammocks stand athwart the booths, and one rises above another, and in the other sleeps Thorgeir, my brother. He has had a tremendous boil on his foot, since he came to the Thing, and for this reason he has slept little in the night. And now his foot has burst in the night, and the pus in the boil is out, and now he is slept since and kept his foot raised on a footboard due to the excessive heat on the foot. Let the old man walk on and so into the booth. He seems to me greatly stricken both in sight and age. Then when you, man,” says Thorkell, “come to the hammock, you shall rush forward and fall on the foot rest and take hold on that toe, which is bound, and jerk it toward you, and we shall see how he responds.”Sam said: “Wise of counsel you might be, but that does not seem to me advisable.”Thorkell answers: “Either you do what I suggest, or seek not my counsel.”Sam spoke and says: “So it shall be done as he counsels.”Thorkell said he would come later-- “For I await my men.”And now go Sam and Thorbjorn and come into the tent. All the men sleep there. They see quickly where Thorgeir lay. Thorbjorn the old man goes forward and rushes on. And when he came to the hammock, then fell he onto the foot rest and takes the toe, the one which is sore, and pulls it violently, and Thorgeir awakens and leapt up in the hammock and asked who would come there so headlong as to leap onto the feet of a man which were clearly sore. And to this Sam and his friend had no answer.Then came Thorkell quickly into the booth and said to Thorgeir, his brother: “Be not so hasty nor so angry, kinsman, over this, because it will not harm you. And for many a man things go not so well as he wishes, so that he is not mindful, so great a trouble is in his heart. And it is to be excused, kinsman, that your foot is sore, in which so much pain has been suffered. Of all things you must be most aware of this. Now that might also be, that to an old man no less a pain is the death of his son, when he gets no compensation and is destitute in all ways himself. He will always be made mindful of this, and it is to be expected that this man will not be much aware, in whom so great a sorrow is borne.”Thorgeir says: “I wouldn’t think that he could blame me, because I didn’t kill his son, and for that reason he can’t avenge himself on me.”“He would not avenge himself on you,” says Thorkell, “and he came on you harder than he intended, for which he has his poor sight to blame, and he hoped for some help from you. It is noble to give to a man old and needy. It is to him a great need, and not greed, that he speak after his son, and now all of the chieftains withdraw from aiding these men and display in this a great lack of nobility.”Thorgeir said: “With whom do these men lay charge?”Thorkell answered: “Hrafnkel godhi has slain the son of Thorbjorn without cause. He commits injustices against any whom he pleases, and will compensate no man for the same.”Thorgeir said: “So it will go with me as with others, that I know of no reason to do such a thing for these men that I will go into a dispute with Hrafnkel. It seems to me that it has gone one way with him each summer against those men who carry cases against him, that most of these men receive but small compensation or nothing, before the end, and I see it fare one way for them all. For this reason I believe most men to be uneager in this, when no need draws them.”Thorkell says: “That may be, that were it in my power and I were chieftain, that it would seem to me ill to deal with Hrafnkel. But it does not seem to me so, because it seems to me the best thing to do, when all men are driven away in defeat, and I would think that my fame would grow, or whatsoever chieftain who got a row over Hrafnkel, and would not lessen, though it fared for me as for others, because the same might befall me as it has many others. He prospers ever, who dares.”“See I,” says Thorgeir, “how your thought is given you, that you will give aid to these men. Now I will give to you in hand my position as chieftain and my authority, and have you that, as I have had it before, and from here on we show each have it equally; and grant you then them, as you will.”“So it seems to me,” says Thorkell, “that our chieftaindom will be best served, just as you have held it so long. I desire no man so well as you to have it, because you have many natural qualities in further abundance above all of us brothers, and I am undecided, as to what I will do at the moment. And you know, kinsman, that I have taken part in little, since I came to Iceland. I may now see, what my counsel is. Now have I done as I will do for the time. Let it be, that Thorkell of the lock of hair come there, that his word be more highly esteemed.”Thorgeir says: “See I now, how it turns, kinsman, that it displeases you, and though I do not understand it we will follow these men, howsoever it fares, if it is your will.”Thorkell said: “This one thing I ask, which seems to me better, that it be granted.”“In what way do these men think themselves capable,” says Thorgeir, “that the case might be met with prosperity?”“So it is as I said earlier in the day, that we need the strength of the chieftains, but I will carry the argument myself.”Thorgeir said to him that this was good-- “and it is now time to prepare the case as best you may. And to me it seems as Thorkell wills, that you go to him, before the judgments are doled out. You will then have for your stubbornness either some consolation or disgrace still more than before, as well as affliction and vexation. Go home now and be merry, because you will have need of this, if you shall deal with Hrafnkel, that you bear yourselves well for a while, and say to no man, that we have given you aid.”Then went they home to their booth, and were then much merry with ale. All men wondered at this, why they had so quickly taken a change of spirits, when they had been so unhappy when they had left from home.Now they sit and wait, until the courts go out. Then calls Sam up his men and goes to the law rock. There was the court set. Sam walked boldly to the court. He delivers up immediately the calling of witnesses and sought his case by the right laws of the land against Hrafnkel godhi, without flaw in procedure, with distinguished performance. Immediately after come the sons of