The second day of Yule men went afresh to try to bring Glam to church; drag horses were put to him, but could move him nowhere where they had to go on even ground and not down hill; then folk had to go away therefrom leaving things done so far.

The third day the priest fared with them, and they sought all day, but found not Glam.  The priest would go no more on such search, but the herdsman was found whenso the priest was not in their company.  Then they let alone striving to bring him to church, and buried him there whereto he had been brought.

A little time after men were ware that Glam lay not quiet.  Folk got great hurt therefrom, so that many fell into swoons when they saw him, but others lost their wits thereby.  But just after Yule men thought they saw him home at the farm.  Folk became exceeding afeard thereat, and many fled there and then.  Next Glam took to riding the house-roofs at night, so that he went nigh to breaking them in.  Now he walked well-nigh night and day.  Hardly durst men fare up into the dale, though they had errands enough there.  And much scathe the men of the country-side deemed all this.

CHAP.  XXXIII.

Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead.

In the spring Thorhall got serving-men, and set up house at his farm; then the hauntings began to go off while the sun was at its height; and so things went on to midsummer.  That summer a ship came out to Hunawater, wherein was a man named Thorgaut.  He was an outlander of kin, big and stout, and two men’s strength he had.  He was unhired and single, and would fain do some work, for he was moneyless.  Now Thorhall rode to the ship, and asked Thorgaut if he would work for him.  Thorgaut said that might be, and moreover that he was not nice about work.

“Be sure in thy mind,” said Thorhall, “that mannikins are of small avail there because of the hauntings that have been going on there for one while now; for I will not draw thee on by wiles.”

Thorgaut answers, “I deem not myself given up, though I should see some wraithlings; matters will not be light when I am scared, nor will I give up my service for that.”

Now they come speedily to a bargain, and Thorgaut is to watch the sheep when winter comes.  So the summer wore on, and Thorgaut betook himself to the shepherding at winter nights, and all liked him well.  But ever came Glam home and rode the house-roofs; this Thorgaut deemed sport enough, and quoth he—­

“The thrall must come nigher to scare me.”

Thorhall bade him keep silence over that.  “Better will it be that ye have no trial together.”

Thorgaut said, “Surely all might is shaken out of you, nor shall I drop down betwixt morn and eve at such talk.”

Now so things go through the winter till Yule-tide.  On Yule eve the shepherd would fare out to his sheep.  Then said the good wife—­