I fain would that you should take over all my goods.  That being settled, I will ask to foster your son Olaf, and leave him all my wealth after my days are done; for I have no heir here in this land, and I think my means would be better bestowed then, than that the kinsmen of Vigdis should grab it.” [Sidenote:  Thord goes to Hoskuld] To this Hoskuld agreed, and had it bound by witnesses.  This Melkorka took heavily, deeming the fostering too low.  Hoskuld said she ought not to think that, “for Thord is an old man, and childless, and I wish Olaf to have all his money after his day, but you can always go to see him at any time you like.”  Thereupon Thord took Olaf to him, seven years old, and loved him very dearly.  Hearing this, the men who had on hand the case against Thord Goddi thought that now it would be even more difficult than before to lay claim to the money.  Hoskuld sent some handsome presents to Thord Yeller, and bade him not be angry over this, seeing that in law they had no claim on Thord’s money, inasmuch as Vigdis had brought no true charges against Thord, or any such as justified desertion by her.  “Moreover, Thord was no worse a man for casting about for counsel to rid himself of a man that had been thrust upon his means, and was as beset with guilt as a juniper bush is with prickles.”  But when these words came to Thord from Hoskuld, and with them large gifts of money, then Thord allowed himself to be pacified, and said he thought the money was well placed that Hoskuld looked after, and took the gifts; and all was quiet after that, but their friendship was rather less warm than formerly. [Sidenote:  Olaf surnamed the Peacock] Olaf grew up with Thord, and became a great man and strong.  He was so handsome that his equal was not to be found, and when he was twelve years old he rode to the Thing meeting, and men in other countrysides looked upon it as a great errand to go, and to wonder at the splendid way he was made.  In keeping herewith was the manner of Olaf’s war-gear and raiment, and therefore he was easily distinguished from all other men.  Thord got on much better after Olaf came to live with him.  Hoskuld gave Olaf a nickname, and called him Peacock, and the name stuck to him.

CHAP.  XVII

About Viga Hrapp’s Ghost, A.D. 950

The tale is told of Hrapp that he became most violent in his behaviour, and did his neighbours such harm that they could hardly hold their own against him.  But from the time that Olaf grew up Hrapp got no hold of Thord.  Hrapp had the same temper, but his powers waned, in that old age was fast coming upon him, so that he had to lie in bed. [Sidenote:  Hrapp’s death] Hrapp called Vigdis, his wife, to him, and said, “I have never been of ailing health in life,” said he, “and it is therefore most likely that this illness will put an end to our life together.  Now, when I am dead, I wish my grave to be dug in the doorway of my fire hall, and that