It so happened one morning that Thangbrand was out early and made
them pitch a tent on land, and sang mass in it, and took much
pains with it, for it was a great high day.
Hall spoke to Thangbrand and asked, “In memory of whom keepest
thou this day?”
“In memory of Michael the archangel,” says Thangbrand.
“What follows that angel?” asks Hall.
“Much good,” says Thangbrand. “He will weigh all the good that
thou doest, and he is so merciful, that whenever any one pleases
him, he makes his good deeds weigh more.”
“I would like to have him for my friend,” says Hall.
“That thou mayest well have,” says Thangbrand, “only give thyself
over to him by God’s help this very day.”
“I only make this condition,” says Hall, “that thou givest thy
word for him that he will then become my guardian angel.”
“That I will promise,” says Thangbrand.
Then Hall was baptized, and all his household.
ENDNOTES:
(1) He was the son of Ari, the son of Mar, the son of Atli, the
son of Wolf Squinteye, the son of Hogni the White, the son
of Otryg, the son of Oblaud, the son of Hjorleif the lover
of women, King of Hordaland.
97. OF THANGBRAND’S JOURNEYS
The spring after Thangbrand set out to preach Christianity, and
Hall went with him. But when they came west across Lonsheath to
Staffell, there they found a man dwelling named Thorkell. He
spoke most against the faith, and challenged Thangbrand to single
combat. Then Thangbrand bore a rood-cross (1) before his shield,
and the end of their combat was that Thangbrand won the day and
slew Thorkell.
Thence they fared to Hornfirth and turned in as guests at
Borgarhaven, west of Heinabergs sand. There Hilldir the Old
dwelt (2), and then Hilldir and all his household took upon them
the new faith.
Thence they fared to Fellcombe, and went in as guests to
Calffell. There dwelt Kol Thorstein’s son, Hall’s kinsman, and
he took upon him the faith and all his house.
Thence they fared to Swinefell, and Flosi only took the sign of
the cross, but gave his word to back them at the Thing.
Thence they fared west to Woodcombe, and went in as guests at
Kirkby. There dwelt Surt Asbjorn’s son, the son of Thorstein,
the son of Kettle the Foolish. These had all of them been
Christians from father to son.
After that they fared out of Woodcombe on to Headbrink. By that
time the story of their journey was spread far and wide. There
was a man named Sorcerer-Hedinn who dwelt in Carlinedale. There
heathen men made a bargain with him that he should put Thangbrand
to death with all his company. He fared upon Arnstacksheath, and
there made a great sacrifice when Thangbrand was riding from the
