(1) That is, from the sea-side or shore, the long narrow strip
of habitable land between the mountains and the sea in the
southeast of Iceland.
49. OF SKAMKELL’S EVIL COUNSEL
Now we must tell of Skamkell. He rides after some sheep up along
Rangriver, and he sees something shining in the path. He finds a
knife and belt, and thinks he knows both of them. He fares with
them to Kirkby; Otkell was out of doors when Skamkell came. He
spoke to him and said, “Knowest thou aught of these pretty
things?”
“Of a surety,” says Otkell, “I know them.”
“Who owns them?” asks Skamkell.
“Malcolm the thrall,” says Otkell.
“Then more shall see and know them than we two,” says Skamkell,
“for true will I be to thee in counsel.”
They showed them to many men, and all knew them. Then Skamkell
said, “What counsel wilt thou now take?”
“We shall go and see Mord Valgard’s son,” answers Otkell, “and
seek counsel of him.”
So they went to Hof, and showed the pretty things to Mord, and
asked him if he knew them?
He said he knew them well enough, but what was there in that?
“Do you think you have a right to look for anything at Lithend?”
“We think it hard for us,” says Skamkell, “to know what to do,
when such mighty men have a hand in it.”
“That is so, sure enough,” says Mord, “but yet I will get to know
those things, out of Gunnar’s household, which none of you will
every know.”
“We would give thee money,” they say, “if thou wouldst search out
this thing.”
“That money I shall buy full dear,” answered Mord, “but still,
perhaps, it may be that I will look at the matter.”
They gave him three marks of silver for lending them his help.
Then he gave them this counsel, that women should go about from
house to house with small ware, and give them to the housewives,
and mark what was given them in return.
“For,” he says, “‘tis the turn of mind of all men first to give
away what has been stolen, if they have it in their keeping, and
so it will be here also, if this hath-happened by the hand of
man. Ye shall then come and show me what has been given to each
in each house, and I shall then be free from farther share in
this matter, if the truth comes to light.”
To this they agreed, and went home afterwards.
Mord sends women about the country, and they were away half a
month. Then they came back, and had big bundles. Mord asked
where they had most given them?
They said that at Lithend most was given them, and Hallgerda had
been most bountiful to them.
He asked what was given them there.
“Cheese,” say they.
