might--namely, not only to put up with his kinsmen being left
unatoned, but to be made himself a hireling to boot--he calls together
a meeting of his kinsmen, and began his speech in this wise: "You all
know what dealings there have been between me and King Harald, the
which there is no need of setting forth; for a greater need besets us,
to wit, to take counsel as to the troubles that now are in store for
us. I have true news of King Harald's enmity towards us, and to me it
seems that we may abide no trust from that quarter. [Sidenote:
Ketill's speech] It seems to me that there are two choices left us,
either to fly the land or to be slaughtered each in his own seat. Now,
as for me, my will is rather to abide the same death that my kinsmen
suffer, but I would not lead you by my wilfulness into so great a
trouble, for I know the temper of my kinsmen and friends, that ye
would not desert me, even though it would be some trial of manhood to
follow me." Bjorn, the son of Ketill, answered: "I will make known my
wishes at once. I will follow the example of noble men, and fly this
land. For I deem myself no greater a man by abiding at home the
thralls of King Harald, that they may chase me away from my own
possessions, or that else I may have to come by utter death at their
hands." At this there was made a good cheer, and they all thought it
was spoken bravely. This counsel then was settled, that they should
leave the country, for the sons of Ketill urged it much, and no one
spoke against it. Bjorn and Helgi wished to go to Iceland, for they
said they had heard many pleasing news thereof. They had been told
that there was good land to be had there, and no need to pay money for
it; they said there was plenty of whale and salmon and other fishing
all the year round there. But Ketill said, "Into that fishing place I
shall never come in my old age." So Ketill then told his mind, saying
his desire was rather to go west over the sea, for there was a
chance of getting a good livelihood. He knew lands there wide about,