Then Hrut will smile and not mistrust thee, but say that scarce a
word is right. Thou must throw the blame on thy companions, and
say they put thee out, and then thou must ask him to say the
words first, word by word, and to let thee say the words after
him. He will give thee leave, and summon himself in the suit,
and thou shalt summon after him there and then, and this time say
every word right. When it is done, ask Hrut if that were rightly
summoned, and he will answer, `There is no flaw to be found in
it.’ Then thou shalt say in a loud voice, so that thy companions
may hear, `I summon thee in the suit which Unna, Mord’s daughter,
has made over to me with her plighted hand.’
“But when men are sound asleep, you shall rise and take your
bridles and saddles, and tread softly, and go out of the house,
and put your saddles on your fat horses in the fields, and so
ride off on them, but leave the others behind you. You must ride
up into the hills away from the home pastures and stay there
three nights, for about so long will they seek you. After that
ride home south, riding always by night and resting by day. As
for us, we will then ride this summer to the Thing, and help thee
in thy suit.” So Gunnar thanked Njal, and first of all rode
home.
23. HUCKSTER HEDINN.
Gunnar rode from home two nights afterwards, and two men with
him; they rode along until they got on Bluewoodheath and then men
on horseback met them and asked who that tall man might be of
whom so little was seen. But his companions said it was Huckster
Hedinn. Then the others said a worse was not to be looked for
behind, when such a man as he went before. Hedinn at once made
as though he would have set upon them, but yet each went their
way. So Gunnar went on doing everything as Njal had laid it down
for him, and when he came to Hauskuldstede he stayed there the
night, and thence he went down the dale till he came to the next
farm to Hrutstede. There he offered his wares for sale, and
Hedinn fell at once upon the farmer. This was told to Hrut, and
he sent for Hedinn, and Hedinn went at once to see Hrut, and had
a good welcome. Hrut seated him over against himself, and their
talk went pretty much as Njal had guessed; but when they came to
talk of Rangrivervale, and Hrut asked about the men there, Gunnar
sung this stave —
“Men in sooth are slow to find —
So the people speak by stealth,
Often this hath reached my ears —
All through Rangar’s rolling vales.
Still I trow that Fiddle Mord,
Tried his hand in fight of yore;
Sure was never gold-bestower,
Such a man for might and wit.”
Then Hrut said, “Thou art a skald, Hedinn. But hast thou never
heard how things went between me and Mord?” Then Hedinn sung
