to be done by you, Thorkell, is not to push things on so hotly; and now you can see what a stirring woman Gudrun is, as she overrules both of us together.”  Thorkell said he had promised his namesake, Thorleik Geitir’s son, that he would kill Gunnar if he came into the countrysides of the west.  “And he is my greatest friend,” Snorri spake.  “You are much more in duty bound to act as we wish; and for yourself, it is a matter of the greatest importance, for you will never find such another woman as Gudrun, however far you may seek.”  And because of Snorri’s reasoning, and seeing that he spoke the truth, Thorkell quieted down, and Gunnar was sent away that evening.  The feast now went forward well and bravely, and when it was over the guests got ready to go away.  Thorkell gave to Snorri very rich gifts, and the same to all the chief men.  Snorri asked Bolli Bollison to go home with him, and to live with him as long as he liked.  Bolli accepted this with thanks, and rides home to Tongue.  Thorkell now settled down at Holyfell, and took in hand the affairs of the household, and it was soon seen that he was no worse a hand at that than at trade-voyaging.  He had the hall pulled down in the autumn and a new one built, which was finished when the winter set in, and was both large and lofty. [Sidenote:  Gudrun has her way] Between Gudrun and Thorkell dear love now grew up, and so the winter passed on.  In the spring Gudrun asked how Thorkell was minded to look out for Gunnar the slayer of Thridrandi.  He said that Gudrun had better take the management of that matter, “for you have taken it so hard in hand, that you will put up with nothing but that he be sent away with honour.”  Gudrun said he guessed aright:  “I wish you to give him a ship, and therewithal such things as he cannot do without.”  Thorkell said and smiled, “You think nothing small on most matters, Gudrun, and would be ill served if you had a mean-minded man for a husband; nor has that ever been your heart’s aim.  Well, this shall be done after your own will”—­and carried out it was.  Gunnar took the gifts most gratefully.  “I shall never be so ‘long-armed’ as to be able to repay all this great honour you are doing to me,” he said.  Gunnar now went abroad and came to Norway, and then went to his own estates.  Gunnar was exceeding wealthy, most great-hearted, and a good and true man withal.

CHAP.  LXX

Thorleik goes to Norway

Thorkell Eyjolfson became a great chieftain; he laid himself out much for friendships and honours.  He was a masterful man within his own countryside, and busied himself much about law-suits; yet of his pleadings at court there is no tale to tell here.  Thorkell was the richest man in Broadfirth during his lifetime next after Snorri. [Sidenote:  Thorleik wishes to leave Iceland] Thorkell kept his house in good order.  He had all the houses at Holyfell rebuilt large and strong.  He also had the ground