The Story of Burnt Njal (Icelandic Saga). Anonymous

Hauskuld's daughter?"

      "Yes! I will ask for her," said Thorwald.

      "But that is not a match that will suit either of you," Oswif went on to say, "for she has a will of her own, and thou art stern-tempered and unyielding."

      "For all that I will try my luck there," said Thorwald, "so it's no good trying to hinder me."

      "Ay!" said Oswif, "and the risk is all thine own."

      After that they set off on a wooing journey to Hauskuldstede, and had a hearty welcome. They were not long in telling Hauskuld their business, and began to woo; then Hauskuld answered—

      "As for you, I know how you both stand in the world, but for my own part I will use no guile towards you. My daughter has a hard temper, but as to her looks and breeding you can both see for yourselves."

      "Lay down the terms of the match," answered Thorwald, "for I will not let her temper stand in the way of our bargain."

      Then they talked over the terms of the bargain, and Hauskuld never asked his daughter what she thought of it, for his heart was set on giving her away, and so they came to an understanding as to the terms of the match. After that Thorwald betrothed himself to Hallgerda, and rode away home when the matter was settled.

      CHAPTER X.

       HALLGERDA'S WEDDING.

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      Hauskuld told Hallgerda of the bargain he had made, and she said—

      "Now that has been put to the proof which I have all along been afraid of, that thou lovest me not so much as thou art always saying, when thou hast not thought it worth while to tell me a word of all this matter. Besides, I do not think the match as good a one as thou hast always promised me."

      So she went on, and let them know in every way that she thought she was thrown away.

      Then Hauskuld said—

      "I do not set so much store by thy pride as to let it stand in the way of my bargains; and my will, not thine, shall carry the day if we fell out on any point."

      "The pride of all you kinsfolk is great," she said, "and so it is not wonderful if I have some of it."

      With that she went away, and found her foster-father Thiostolf, and told him what was in store for her, and was very heavy-hearted. Then Thiostolf said—

      "Be of good cheer, for thou wilt be married a second time, and then they will ask thee what thou thinkest of the match; for I will do in all things as thou wishest, except in what touches thy father or Hrut."

      After that they spoke no more of the matter, and Hauskuld made ready the bridal feast, and rode off to ask men to it. So he came to Hrutstede and called Hrut out to speak with him. Hrut went out, and they began to talk, and Hauskuld told him the whole story of the bargain, and bade him to the feast, saying—

      "I should be glad to know that thou dost not feel hurt though I did not tell thee when the bargain was being made."

      "I should be better pleased," said Hrut, "to have nothing at all to do with it; for this match will bring luck neither to him nor to her; but still I will come to the feast if thou thinkest it will add any honour to thee."

      "Of course I think so," said Hauskuld, and rode off home.

      Oswif and Thorwald also asked men to come, so that no fewer than one hundred guests were asked.

      There was a man named Swan, who dwelt in Bearfirth, which lies north from Steingrimsfirth. This Swan was a great wizard, and he was Hallgerda's mother's brother. He was quarrelsome, and hard to deal with, but Hallgerda asked him to the feast, and sends Thiostolf to him; so he went, and it soon got to friendship between him and Swan.

      Now men come to the feast, and Hallgerda sat upon the cross-bench, and she was a very merry bride. Thiostolf was always talking to her, though he sometimes found time to speak to Swan, and men thought their talking strange. The feast went off well, and Hauskuld paid down Hallgerda's portion with the greatest readiness. After he had done that, he said to Hrut—

      "Shall I bring out any gifts beside?"

      "The day will come," answered Hrut, "when thou wilt have to waste thy goods for Hallgerda's sake, so hold thy hand now."

      CHAPTER XI.

       THORWALD'S SLAYING.

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      Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice. Oswif turned to his son and said—

      "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

      "Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me. Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

      "I don't think her laughter so hearty as thou dost," answered Oswif, "but this will be put to the proof by and by."

      So they ride on till they come home, and at night she took her seat by her husband's side, and made room for Thiostolf next herself on the inside. Thiostolf and Thorwald had little to do with each other, and few words were thrown away between them that winter, and so time went on. Hallgerda was prodigal and grasping, and there was nothing that any of their neighbours had that she must not have too, and all that she had, no matter whether it were her own or belonged to others, she waited. But when the spring came there was a scarcity in the house, both of meal and stock fish, so Hallgerda went up to Thorwald and said—

      "Thou must not be sitting indoors any longer, for we want for the house both meal and fish."

      "Well," said Thorwald, "I did not lay in less for the house this year than I laid in before, and then it used to last till summer."

      "What care I," said Hallgerda, "if thou and thy father have made your money by starving yourselves."

      Then Thorwald got angry and gave her a blow on the face and drew blood, and went away and called his men and ran the skiff down to the shore. Then six of them jumped into her and rowed out to the Bear-isles, and began to load her with meal and fish.

      Meantime it is said that Hallgerda sat out of doors heavy at heart. Thiostolf went up to her and saw the wound on her face, and said—

      "Who has been playing thee this sorry trick?"

      "My husband Thorwald," she said, "and thou stoodst aloof, though thou wouldst not if thou hadst cared at all for me."

      "Because I knew nothing about it," said Thiostolf, "but I will avenge it."

      Then he went away down to the shore and ran out a six-oared boat, and held in his hand a great axe that he had with a haft overlaid with iron. He steps into the boat and rows out to the Bear-isles, and when he got there all the men had rowed away but Thorwald and his followers, and he stayed by the skiff to load her, while they brought the goods down to him. So Thiostolf came up just then and jumped into the skiff and began to load with him, and after a while he said—

      "Thou canst do but little at this work, and that little thou dost badly."

      "Thinkest thou thou canst do it better?" said Thorwald.

      "There's one thing to be done which I can do better than thou," said Thiostolf, and then he went on—

      "The woman who is thy wife has made a bad match, and you shall not live much longer together."

      Then Thorwald snatched up a fishing-knife that lay by him, and made a stab at Thiostolf; he had lifted his axe to his shoulder and dashed it down. It came on Thorwald's arm and crushed the wrist, but down fell the knife. Then Thiostolf lifted up his axe a second time and gave Thorwald a blow on the