The Story of Rolf and the Viking's Bow

the Priest and Grettir the Outlaw, there lived at Cragness above Broadfirth a man named Hiarandi, called the Un

er to ships. It had no harbor, but a little cove among the rocks, where Hiarandi kept his boat; and many ships were wrecked on the headland, bringing fortune to the owners of Cragn

quarrelsome he became; and judgments heaped heavy on him, until at last he was so hard put that he must sell all his outlying lands. So the farm, from a

iled again for home he counted on a fair future. But the ship was wrecked in a storm, and few of the men came ashore; and Hiarandi himself was saved by means of a maid who dwelt at the place, who dragged him from the surf. So Hiarandi came home on foot, his clothe

ght neither dowry nor kinship of any power. So men said that Hiarandi had no wish to rise in the world. He lived upon his farm, with two thralls and a bondservant; and husbanding his goods well, by little

he boy Hiarandi changed his ways, and became more gay, going to fairs and meetings for the sake of Rolf. And Hiarandi taught the lad all he knew of weapon

g before they could fly, and both for food. So skilled was he in this that he was called Craggeir, the Cragsman; and no man could surpass him, whether in daring or skill. But

for him stronger bows and heavier arrows, until at the age of fourteen Rolf used the bow of a man. Then one win

hen it came to shooting with the bow, Hiarandi put Rolf forward, and it was seen who was the best at that play. For though the men shot, Rolf surpassed them all, not in distance but in skill. He hit the smalle

t covetous, and fond of show, and fond of praise. There lived with him one named Ondott, an Eastfirther w

"how proud is Hia

he will shine among these churls when he re

arl will he be, and no farmer of

this lad," remarked Ondott,

should hear him, "they are better bowmen than her

his tale. "Have a care," said they. "Thy

swered Hiarandi with a laugh, "for

mind; but Hiarandi forgot all that had been said, nor did he reme

the riches that came to Hiarandi from the wrecks, in firewood, timber, and merchandise. And once a whale came ashore, and that was great f

Hiarandi. "The wind howls for a s

o sat by the fire, looked up an

in a low voice. "The woman is s

it is likely that ships wil

remember the time thou camest

orget it?" resp

water here," said Asdis, "to

di. "I am sorry for the mari

nt raised her head

a bring

is b

then t

ngs good

sat silent and

uddering. "But we prosper thro

be done?" as

de a fire-beacon, people could steer from shor

iarandi, "that

do it?" a

raised her head

is a

aves o

rt 'gai

butter th

gainst shipwreck. All men agree to take the fortune of the sea;

that is right

i, "the sea is but giving m

dis, "give thee true happiness t

with nothing to begin the world with? For my own ear

wise were to do better. Now canst thou have the heart that men sh

se and paced up and down before the

what i

an i

sketh

th or

im his

ood upright,

er no

ppen

punis

aven be

gh Hiarandi had heard the carline sing many times before, ne

ondservant

will

con's l

irit's

ng false

ng with grea

God d

ate sh

the

ou no

ty's

de is

o the

ve fro

ma

fate i

ther

d once

he listened, the storm roared louder. Then he seized his cloak,

Out they went with Hiarandi into the storm, and kindled a great fire at the edge of the cliff. And Rolf toiled too; but Asdis did best of all, for she brought out in a kettle great strips of whal

heir fear they held the vessel where she was; and by the broad light of the fire every man of them was visible to the Cragness-dwellers. To Rolf that was a dreadful sight. But the bit of a sail was set, an

ep the fire, and went back to the hall with

rocks?" she asked, yet

," answere

hy evil fortune on thyself, and it wi

iarandi, "even though I

may be safe, though without riches, if thou wi

t the old gods, and canst work witchcraft. Speak no more of this matter in my house;

on thy fate. And I see clearly that thou art not he who was

our stock," answered Hiarandi, "has but one of the

is branch of thy race. Snorri the Priest is one of those two, as all men know. But thou

believed," said

eyond that upon which she looked. "More misfortune is coming than

and a witch," said h

. Hiarandi, I have worked long in thy hou

oaking to another man's board! But this little prophecy I

answered. "Never have I been believed." Th

go in the storm

"Heed thou this, Hiarandi. Beware the m

ed Hiarandi, "whom

said the carline agai

her. "But stay! I send not people from my door penniless. Nothi

u wilt need all thou hast." A