The Story of Rolf and the Viking's Bow

ood-day, yet asked him not to join their company. And he saw how men of power rode with their Thingmen behind them, all in colored clothes and well armed. He saw Hrut, the famo

its; and as he compared his father's state with his own, he who went alone and unnotic

d stabled his horse under the cliff, and spent the night alone amid the throng. Then on the morrow, at midday, he

nch at the door. But it was bitter to him that he shoul

en within, and he knew the voice of his neighbor Einar. And E

an-for Snorri was advanced in years-saying: "Small

nd all she had said to him: how he should forget himself in struggling for her sa

de Snorri is, on that side has fallen the judgment for this score of years. And the twists of the law are too h

And Hiarandi, as he went to the court of the Westfirthers, saw where Einar walked also thither with Snorri, keeping close by his elbow, a

lone, without counsel, and spoke for himself. Soon he saw that the case went against him. For Einar and his friends knew so much of the law that their wiles were many, and Hiarandi was soon confused, so

andi's elbow, and said: "Thou should

a cloak, so that his face was not to be seen. Then

s always permitted to

counsel can save me her

the man. "Dost thou forget

lp him. Once more, thinking again of Asdis and Rolf, he went to ask help of Snorri the Priest; but he was not at his booth, and men said he would be at the courts all day. At that Hiarandi went away again; and he wandered about the Thing-field, seeing no one whom he could ask for help, but behol

at pleadeth his own cause hath a fool for his client.' For a s

have done?" a

ve asked aid of S

i, "has been in talk w

en used to pledge himself to all who come t

uncle, so also was Gisli the slayer of his father. So Snorri is both against us and for us by

haracter. Yet at least thou couldst have let

orri casteth his weight where is the grea

stranger. "Yet methinks that even in matters which concern h

, "shall I go to Snor

vening Snorri holdeth counsel on weighty matters concerning ch

hou persuade me to ask a stay of judg

"know more of the law than tho

" answered Hi

peak on the next day. "And this shalt thou do even though thou seest Snorri in company wit

ey seem merry together, though Einar laughs the most. Nevertheless, Hiarandi stands up when his case

pay down the worth of three hundreds in

my punishment. But wilt thou take this offer, that we hands

again, Einar did not wish the outlawing of Hiarandi; but he felt sure that Snorri would lay a blood-fine,

wil

nd agreeing to abide by his decision. Then Snorri stood up to speak. Einar smiled a

ms to me," said Snorri. "The case of Hiarandi was a good one at the beginning, yet he has well-nigh spoiled it. But the case of Einar seems strong, yet it is weak. For he has named as witnesses two men of kin to the slain man; also he has not ca

, who should make the jury, were chosen as Snorri had said. The

empt of the Thing, for one who goes to serve summons in a suit is free to go and come unscathed, and is under the protection of the men of the Quarter. Therefore I doom Hiarandi to the lesser outlawry, after this manner: he shall remain upon his farm for the space of one year, nor go b

for who told him that the jury was wrongly constituted? And Einar was wroth, complaining that Snorri was tender of his relative. But Hia

s clearly seen," quoth he, "how much Snorri thinks of

ad nothing

rri, "how I always favor the ric

andi, "that thou wert

lp thee when he can." But he would take no more thanks, advising Hiarandi to go home and set his af

ou losest not thy life from carelessnes

di betook h