time will pass before the neighbours of Kotkell will have brand new cases
against him and his, and Thorliek, as is most fitting, will abide the
greatest hurt from them. In a short while many will become his enemies
from whom heretofore he has only had good will. But I shall not stop you
from doing whatever hurt you please to Kotkell and his, if other men do
not come forward to drive them out of the countryside or to take their
lives, by the time that three winters have worn away." Gudrun and her
brothers said it should be as he said. Kotkell and his did not do much in
working for their livelihood, but that winter they were in no need to buy
hay or food; but an unbefriended neighbourhood was theirs, though men did
not see their way to disturbing their dwelling because of Thorliek.




CHAP. XXXVII

About Hrut and Eldgrim, A.D. 995


One summer at the Thing, as Thorliek was sitting in his booth, a very
big man walked into the booth. [Sidenote: Eldgrim of Burgfirth] He
greeted Thorliek, who took well the greeting of this man and asked his
name and whence he was. He said he was called Eldgrim, and lived in
Burgfirth at a place called Eldgrimstead--but that abode lies in the
valley which cuts westward into the mountains between Mull and
Pigtongue, and is now called Grimsdale. Thorliek said, "I have heard
you spoken of as being no small man." Eldgrim said, "My errand here is
that I want to buy from you the stud-horses, those valuable ones that
Kotkell gave you last summer." Thorliek answered, "The horses are not