brothers were with him, Thorleif Crow and Thorgrim the Big. They
came to Hof, to Mord Valgard’s son’s house, and bided there till
he was ready. Mord had gathered every man who could bear arms,
and they could see nothing about him but that he was most
steadfast in everything, and now they rode until they came west
across the rivers. Then they waited for Hjallti Skeggi’s son.
He came after they had waited a short while, and they greeted him
well, and rode afterwards all together till they came to Reykia
in Bishop’s tongue, and bided there for Asgrim Ellidagrim’s son,
and he came to meet them there. Then they rode west across
Bridgewater. Then Asgrim told them all that had passed between
him and Flosi; and Thorgeir said, “I would that we might try
their bravery ere the Thing closes.”
They rode until they came to Baitvale. There Gizur the White
came to meet them with a very great company, and they fell to
talking together. Then they rode to the Upper Field, and drew up
all their men in array there, and so rode to the Thing.
Flosi and his men all took to their arms, and it was within an
ace that they would fall to blows. But Asgrim and his friends
and their followers would have no hand in it, and rode to their
booths; and now all was quiet that day, so that they had naught
to do with one another. Thither were come chiefs from all the
Quarters of the land; there had never been such a crowded Thing
before, that men could call to mind.
137. OF EYJOLF BOLVERK’S SON
There was a man named Eyjolf. He was the son of Bolverk, the son
of Eyjolf the Guileful, of Otterdale (1). Eyjolf was a man of
great rank, and best skilled in law of all men, so that some said
he was the third best lawyer in Iceland. He was the fairest in
face of all men, tall and strong, and there was the making of a
great chief in him. He was greedy of money, like the rest of his
kinsfolk.
One day Flosi went to the booth of Bjarni Broddhelgi’s son.
Bjarni took him by both hands, and sat Flosi down by his side.
They talked about many things, and at last Flosi said to Bjarni,
“What counsel shall we now take?”
“I think,” answered Bjarni, “that it is now hard to say what to
do, but the wisest thing seems to me to go round and ask for
help, since they are drawing strength together against you. I
will also ask thee, Flosi, whether there be any very good lawyer
in your band; for now there are but two courses left; one to ask
if they will take an atonement, and that is not a bad choice, but
the other is to defend the suit at law, if there be any defence
to it, though that will seem to be a bold course; and this is why
I think this last ought to be chosen, because ye have hitherto
fared high and mightily, and it is unseemly now to take a lower
course.”
“As to thy asking about lawyers said Flosi, “I will answer thee
at once that there is no such man in our band; nor do I know
where to look for one except it be Thorkel Geitir’s son, thy
