that you cannot pay out for their doings such scoundrels as Thorkell is.”  Halldor answered little to that, but bade Thorgerd do what she liked about the lad’s service.  A few days after Halldor rode from home, he and sundry other men together.  He went to Goat-Peaks, and surrounded Thorkell’s house.  Thorkell was led out and slain, and he met his death with the utmost cowardice.  Halldor allowed no plunder, and they went home when this was done.  Thorgerd was well pleased over this deed, and thought this reminder better than none.  That summer all was quiet, so to speak, and yet there was the greatest ill-will between the sons of Olaf and Bolli.  The brothers bore themselves in the most unyielding manner towards Bolli, while he gave in to his kinsmen in all matters as long as he did not lower himself in any way by so doing, for he was a very proud man.  Bolli had many followers and lived richly, for there was no lack of money.  Steinthor, Olaf’s son, lived in Danastead in Salmon-river-Dale.  He had for wife Thurid, Asgeir’s daughter, who had before been married to Thorkell Kuggi.  Their son was Steinthor, who was called “Stone-grig.”

CHAP.  LIII

Thorgerd’s Egging, A.D. 1007

[Sidenote:  Thorgerd goes to see Tongue] The next winter after the death of Olaf Hoskuldson, Thorgerd, Egil’s daughter, sent word to her son Steinthor that he should come and meet her.  When the mother and son met she told him she wished to go up west to Saurby, and see her friend Aud.  She told Halldor to come too.  They were five together, and Halldor followed his mother.  They went on till they came to a place in front of the homestead of Saelingsdale Tongue.  Then Thorgerd turned her horse towards the house and asked, “What is this place called?” Halldor answered, “You ask this, mother, not because you don’t know it.  This place is called Tongue.”  “Who lives here?” said she.  He answered, “You know that, mother.” [Sidenote:  She eggs on her sons] Thorgerd said and snorted, “I know that well enough,” she said.  “Here lives Bolli, the slayer of your brother, and marvellously unlike your noble kindred you turn out in that you will not avenge such a brother as Kjartan was; never would Egil, your mother’s father, have behaved in such a manner; and a piteous thing it is to have dolts for sons; indeed, I think it would have suited you better if you had been your father’s daughter and had married.  For here, Halldor, it comes to the old saw:  ‘No stock without a duffer,’ and this is the ill-luck of Olaf I see most clearly, how he blundered in begetting his sons.  This I would bring home to you, Halldor,” says she, “because you look upon yourself as being the foremost among your brothers.  Now we will turn back again, for all my errand here was to put you in mind of this, lest you should have forgotten it already.”  Then Halldor answered, “We shall not put it down as your fault, mother, if this should slip out