The Red Romance Book, page 39 by Various Authors

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40

master, and he would gladly stay where he was if Njal would grant him the atonement due to a free man.

This Njal granted, and Atli remained in his house.

Hallgerda soon came to know what had happened, and she sent messengers both to Bergthora and to Gunnar at the Thing to tell them about it.

* * * * *

'Hallgerda my wife has caused Atli to be slain!' said Gunnar to Njal and to Skarphedinn his son. 'What atonement must I make for him?'

'The atonement will be heavy, for he was no thrall, but a freeman, and I fear it may cause strife between us,' replied Njal; but Gunnar stretched out his hand and said that no woman should sow strife betwixt him and Njal. Then Njal fixed a hundred ounces of silver, and Gunnar laid it down before him.

'Hallgerda does not let our servants die of old age,' said Skarphedinn, as they rode home from the Thing.

* * * * *

Now the words came true, that Gunnar had spoken, and 'blow for blow' grew to be the rule between Hallgerda and Bergthora; but for all that there was no quarrel between Njal and Gunnar.

So the years went by, and many Things had been held, and much blood-money had been paid, when one spring there was a great dearth of hay throughout all Iceland, and much cattle died. Gunnar, who was wise as well as rich, had seen what was coming and had laid up stores of both dried meat and of hay. As long as they lasted, he shared them with his neighbours, but when his barns were empty he called Kolskegg his brother and two of his friends, and they all fared to Kirkby, where dwelt Otkell the son of Skarf.

This Otkell owned many flocks and herds and wide pastures, and Gunnar hoped that his barns might yet be full.

'I have come to buy meat and hay, if there is any in your storehouses, for mine are empty!' said Gunnar.

'I have yet many storehouses untouched,' answered Otkell, 'but I will sell you nothing.'

'Will you give me them, then?' asked Gunnar, 'and I will pay you back some time in what you will.' < previous  next >