fall on thee; there are many things which lead to this. Thou art
a man of great birth, and a mighty chief, stout of heart, and
strong of body, and wise withal, and so we think it best that
thou shouldst see to all that is needful in the quarrel.”
“It is most fitting,” said Flosi, “that I should agree to
undertake this as your prayer asks; and now I will lay down the
course which we shall follow, and my counsel is, that each man
ride home from the Thing, and look after his household during the
summer, so long as men’s haymaking lasts. I, too, will ride
home, and be at home this summer; but when that Lord’s day comes
on which winter is eight weeks off, then I will let them sing me
a mass at home, and afterwards ride west across Loomnips Sand;
each of our men shall have two horses. I will not swell our
company beyond those which have now taken the oath, for we have
enough and to spare if all keep true tryst. I will ride all the
Lord’s day and the night as well, but at even on the second day
of the week, I shall ride up to Threecorner ridge about mideven.
There shall ye then be all come who have sworn an oath in this
matter. But if there be any one who has not come, and who has
joined us in this quarrel, then that man shall lose nothing save
his life, if we may have our way.”
“How does that hang together,” said Kettle, “that thou canst ride
from home on the Lord’s day, and come the second day of the week
to Threecorner ridge?”
“I will ride,” said Flosi “up from Skaptartongue, and north of
the Eyjafell Jokul, and so down into Godaland, and it may be done
if I ride fast. And now I will tell you my whole purpose, that
when we meet there all together, we shall ride to Bergthorsknoll
with all our band, and fall on Njal’s sons with fire and sword,
and not turn away before they are all dead. Ye shall hide this
plan, for our lives lie on it. And now we will take to our
horses and ride home.”
Then they all went to their booths.
After that Flosi made them saddle his horses, and they waited for
no man, and rode home.
Flosi would not stay to meet Hall his father-in-law, for he knew
of a surety that Hall would set his face against all strong
deeds.
Njal rode home from the Thing and his sons. They were at home
that summcr. Njal asked Kari his son-in-law whether he thought
at all of riding east to Dyrholms to his own house.
“I will not ride east,” answered Kari, “for one fate shall befall
me and thy sons.
Njal thanked him, and said that was only what was likely from
him. There were nearly thirty fighting men in Njal’s house,
reckoning the housecarles.
One day it happened that Rodny Hauskuld’s daughter, the mother of
Hauskuld Njal’s son, came to the Springs. Her brother Ingialld
greeted her well, but she would not take his greeting, but yet
bade him go out with her. Ingialld did so, and went out with
