were shining clear and bright, but every now and then the clouds
drove over them. Then all at once they thought they saw the
cairn standing open, and lo! Gunnar had turned himself in the
cairn and looked at the moon. They thought they saw four lights
burning in the cairn, and none of them threw a shadow. They saw
that Gunnar was merry, and he wore a joyful face. He sang a
song, and so loud, that it might have been heard though they had
been further off.
“He that lavished rings in largesse,
When the fights’ red rain-drips fell,
Bright of face, with heart-strings hardy,
Hogni’s father met his fate;
Then his brow with helmet shrouding,
Bearing battle-shield, he spake,
`I will die the prop of battle,
Sooner die than yield an inch,
Yes, sooner die than yield an inch.”
After that the cairn was shut up again.
“Wouldst thou believe these tokens if Njal or I told them to
thee?” says Skarphedinn.
“I would believe them,” he says, “if Njal told them, for it is
said he never lies.”
“Such tokens as these mean much,” says Skarphedinn, “when he
shows himself to us, he who would sooner die than yield to his
foes; and see how he has taught us what we ought to do.”
“I shall be able to bring nothing to pass,” says Hogni, “unless
thou wilt stand by me.”
“Now,” says Skarphedinn, “will I bear in mind how Gunnar behaved
after the slaying of your kinsman Sigmund; now I will yield you
such help as I may. My father gave his word to Gunnar to do that
whenever thou or thy mother had need of it.”
After that they go home to Lithend.
78. GUNNAR OF LITHEND AVENGED
“Now we shall set off at once,” says Skarphedinn, “this very
night; for if they learn that I am here, they will be more wary
of themselves.”
“I will fulfil thy counsel,” says Hogni.
After that they took their weapons when all men were in their
beds. Hogni takes down the bill, and it gave a sharp ringing
sound.
Rannveig sprang up in great wrath and said, “Who touches the
bill, when I forbade every one to lay hand on it?”
“I mean,” says Hogni, “to bring it to my father, that he may bear
it with him to Valhalla, and have it with him when the warriors
meet.”
“Rather shalt thou now bear it,” she answered, “and avenge thy
father; for the bill has spoken of one man’s death or more.”
Then Hogni went out, and told Skarphedinn all the words that his
grandmother had spoken.
