Then they talked over the matter, and could not agree which
should first utter how great he thought the fine ought to be, and
so the end of it was that they cast lots, and the lot fell on
Snorri to utter it.
Then Snorri said, “I will not sit long over this, I will now tell
you what my utterance is, I will let Hauskuld be atoned for with
triple manfines, but that is six hundred in silver. Now ye shall
change it, if ye think it too much or too little.”
They said that they would change it in nothing.
“This too shall be added,” he said, “that all the money shall be
paid down here at the Thing.”
Then Gizur the White spoke and said, “Methinks that can hardly
be, for they will not have enough money to pay their fines.”
“I know what Snorri wishes,” said Gudmund the Powerful, “he wants
that all we daysmen should give such a sum as our bounty will
bestow, and then many will do as we do.”
Hall of the Side thanked him, and said he would willingly give as
much as any one else gave, and then all the other daysmen agreed
to that.
After that they went away, and settled between them that Hall
should utter the award at the Hill of Laws.
So the bell was rung, and all men went to the Hill of Laws, and
Hall of the Side stood up and spoke, “In this suit, in which we
have come to an award, we have been all well agreed, and we have
awarded six hundred in silver, and half this sum we the daysmen
will pay, but it must all be paid up here at the Thing. But it
is my prayer to all the people that each man will give something
for God’s sake.”
All answered well to that, and then Hall took witness to the
award, that no one should be able to break it.
Njal thanked them for their award, but Skarphedinn stood by, and
held his peace, and smiled scornfully.
Then men went from the Hill of Laws and to their booths, but the
daysmen gathered together in the freemen’s churchyard the money
which they had promised to give.
Njal’s sons handed over that money which they had by them, and
Kari did the same, and that came to a hundred in silver.
Njal took out that money which he had with him, and that was
another hundred in silver.
So this money was all brought before the Hill of Laws, and then
men gave so much, that not a penny was wanting.
Then Njal took a silken scarf and a pair of boots and laid them
on the top of the heap.
After that, Hall said to Njal, that he should go to fetch his
sons, “But I will go for Flosi, and now each must give the other
pledges of peace.”
Then Njal went home to his booth, and spoke to his sons and said,
“Now are our suits come into a fair way of settlement, now are
we men atoned, for all the money has been brought together in one
place; and now either side is to go and grant the other peace and
