her property; so that her goods and ready money wasted away, and
at last she had scarce anything left but land and stock.
19. GUNNAR COMES INTO THE STORY
There was a man whose name was Gunnar. He was one of Unna’s
kinsmen, and his mother’s name was Rannveig (1). Gunnar’s father
was named Hamond (2). Gunnar Hamond’s son dwelt at Lithend, in
the Fleetlithe. He was a tall man in growth, and a strong man —
best skilled in arms of all men. He could cut or thrust or shoot
if he chose as well with his left as with his right hand, and he
smote so swiftly with his sword, that three seemed to flash
through the air at once. He was the best shot with the bow of
all men, and never missed his mark. He could leap more than his
own height, with all his wargear, and as far backwards as
forwards. He could swim like a seal, and there was no game in
which it was any good for any one to strive with him; and so it
has been said that no man was his match. He was handsome of
feature, and fair skinned. His nose was straight, and a little
turned up at the end. He was blue-eyed and bright-eyed, and
ruddy-cheeked. His hair thick, and of good hue, and hanging down
in comely curls. The most courteous of men was he, of sturdy
frame and strong will, bountiful and gentle, a fast friend, but
hard to please when making them. He was wealthy in goods. His
brother’s name was Kolskegg; he was a tall strong man, a noble
fellow, and undaunted in everything. Another brother’s name was
Hjort; he was then in his childhood. Orm Skogarnef was a baseborn brother of Gunnar’s; he does not come into this story.
Arnguda was the name of Gunnar’s sister. Hroar, the priest at
Tongue, had her to wife (3).
ENDNOTES:
(1) She was the daughter of Sigfuss, the son of Sighvat the Red;
he was slain at Sandhol Ferry.
(2) He was the son of Gunnar Baugsson, after whom Gunnar’s holt
is called. Hamond’s mother’s name was Hrafnhilda. She was
the daughter of Storolf Heing’s son. Storolf was brother to
Hrafn the Speaker of the Law, the son of Storolf was Orin
the Strong.
(3) He was the son of Uni the Unborn, Gardar’s son who found
Iceland. Arnguda’s son was Hamond the Halt, who dwelt at
Hamondstede.
20. OF NJAL AND HIS CHILDREN
There was a man whose name was Njal. He was the son of Thorgeir
Gelling, the son of Thorolf. Njal’s mother’s name was Asgerda
(1). Njal dwelt at Bergthorsknoll in the land-isles; he had
another homestead on Thorolfsfell. Njal was wealthy in goods,
and handsome of face; no beard grew on his chin. He was so great
a lawyer, that his match was not to be found. Wise too he was,
and foreknowing and foresighted (2). Of good counsel, and ready
to give it, and all that he advised men was sure to be the best
for them to do. Gentle and generous, he unravelled every man’s
knotty points who came to see him about them. Bergthora was his
