you do this matter willingly and take in return our friendship; but the other, clearly a worse one, is, that you now stretch out your hand against your own will and sell me the land of Herdholt.”  But when Thorstein spoke in this outrageous manner, Halldor leapt up so suddenly that the brooch was torn from his cloak, and said, “Something else will happen before I utter that which is not my will.”  “What is that?” said Thorstein.  “A pole-axe will stand on your head from one of the worst of men, and thus cast down your insolence and unfairness.”  Thorkell answered, “That is an evil prophecy, and I hope it will not be fulfilled; and now I think there is ample cause why you, Halldor, should give up your land and have nothing for it.” [Sidenote:  Thorkell and Thorstein return home disgusted] Then Halldor answered, “Sooner you will be embracing the sea-tangle in Broadfirth than I sell my land against my own will.”  Halldor went home after that, and the men he had sent for came crowding up to the place.  Thorstein was of the wrothest, and wanted forthwith to make an onset on Halldor.  Thorkell bade him not to do so, “for that is the greatest enormity at such a season as this; but when this season wears off, I shall not stand in the way of his and ours clashing together.”  Halldor said he was given to think he would not fail in being ready for them.  After that they rode away and talked much together of this their journey; and Thorstein, speaking thereof, said that, truth to tell, their journey was most wretched.  “But why, kinsman Thorkell, were you so afraid of falling on Halldor and putting him to some shame?” Thorkell answered, “Did you not see Beiner, who stood over you with the axe reared aloft?  Why, it was an utter folly, for forthwith on seeing me likely to do anything, he would have driven that axe into your head.”  They rode now home to Lea-shaws; and Lent wears and Passion Week sets in.

CHAP.  LXXVI

The Drowning of Thorkell, A.D. 1026

[Sidenote:  Thorkell goes for his wood] On Maundy Thursday, early in the morning, Thorkell got ready for his journey.  Thorstein set himself much against it:  “For the weather looks to me uncertain,” said he.  Thorkell said the weather would do all right.  “And you must not hinder me now, kinsman, for I wish to be home before Easter.”  So now Thorkell ran out the ferry-boat, and loaded it.  But Thorstein carried the lading ashore from out the boat as fast as Thorkell and his followers put it on board.  Then Thorkell said, “Give over now, kinsman, and do not hinder our journey this time; you must not have your own way in this.”  Thorstein said, “He of us two will now follow the counsel that will answer the worst, for this journey will cause the happening of great matters.”  Thorkell now bade them farewell till their next meeting, and Thorstein went home, and was exceedingly downcast.  He went to the guest-house, and bade them lay a pillow