CHAP.  LXXX.

Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother out to Drangey.

Thorbiorn Angle had a foster-mother, Thurid by name, exceeding old, and meet for little, as folk deemed, very cunning she had been in many and great matters of lore, when she was young, and men were yet heathen; but men thought of her as of one, who had lost all that.  But now, though Christ’s law were established in the land, yet abode still many sparks of heathendom.  It had been law in the land, that men were not forbidden to sacrifice secretly, or deal with other lore of eld, but it was lesser outlawry if such doings oozed out.  Now in such wise it fared with many, that hand for wont did yearn, and things grew handiest by time that had been learned in youth.

So now, whenas Thorbiorn Angle was empty of all plots, he sought for help there, whereas most folk deemed it most unlike that help was—­at the hands of his foster-mother, in sooth, and asked, what counsel was in her therefor.

She answered, “Now belike matters have come to this, even as the saw says—­To the goat-house for wool:  but what could I do less than this, to think myself before folk of the country-side, but be a man of nought, whenso anything came to be tried? nor see I how I may fare worse than thou, though I may scarce rise from my bed.  But if thou art to have my rede, then shall I have my will as to how and what things are done.”

He gave his assent thereto, and said that she had long been of wholesome counsel to him.

Now the time wore on to Twainmonth of summer; and one fair-weather day the carline spake to Angle,

“Now is the weather calm and bright, and I will now that thou fare to Drangey and pick a quarrel with Grettir; I shall go with thee, and watch how heedful he may be of his words; and if I see them, I shall have some sure token as to how far they are befriended of fortune, and then shall I speak over them such words as seem good to me.”

Angle answered, “Loth am I to be faring to Drangey, for ever am I of worser mind when I depart thence than when I come thereto.”

Then said the carline, “Nought will I do for thee if thou sufferest me to rule in no wise.”

“Nay, so shall it not be, foster-mother,” said he; “but so much have I said, as that I would so come thither the third time that somewhat should be made of the matter betwixt us.”

“The chance of that must be taken,” said the carline “and many a heavy labour must thou have, or ever Grettir be laid to earth; and oft will it be doubtful to thee what fortune thine shall be, and heavy troubles wilt thou get therefrom when that is done; yet art thou so bounden here-under, that to somewhat must thou make up thy mind.”

Thereafter Thorbiorn Angle let put forth a ten-oared boat, and he went thereon with eleven men, and the carline was in their company.