"Next spring Gudmundur hired another shepherd, named Grímur, who
was tall and strong, and boasted of being able to resist anybody.
But the farmer, in spite of the man's boldness and strength, warned
him to be careful how he ran risks, and on Christmas Eve bade him
drive the sheep early into the pens, and come home to the farm
while it was still daylight. But in the evening Grímur did not
come, and though search was made far and near for him, was never
found. People made all sorts of guesses about the cause of his
disappearance, but the farmer was full of grief, and after this
could not get any one to act as shepherd for him.

"At this time there lived a poor widow at Sjávarborg, who had
several children, of whom the eldest, aged fourteen years, was
named Sigurdur.

"To this woman the farmer at last applied, and offered her a large
sum of money if she would allow her son to act as shepherd for him.
Sigurdur was very anxious that his mother should have all this
money, and declared himself most willing to undertake the office;
so he went with the farmer, and during the summer was most
successful in his new situation, and never lost a sheep.

"At the end of a certain time the farmer gave Sigurdur a wether, a
ewe, and a lamb as a present, with which the youth was much
pleased.

"Gudmundur became much attached to him, and on Christmas Eve begged
him to come home from his sheep before sunset.

"All day long the boy watched the sheep, and when evening