After that Njal fixed the price at a hundred in silver, but Gunnar paid it down at once.  Many who stood by said that the award was high; Gunnar got wroth, and said that a full atonement was often paid for those who were no brisker men than Atli.

With that they rode home from the Thing.

Bergthora said to Njal when she saw the money—­“Thou thinkest thou hast fulfilled thy promise, but now my promise is still behind”.

“There is no need that thou shouldst fulfil it,” says Njal.

“Nay,” says she, “thou hast guessed it would be so; and so it shall be.”

Hallgerda said to Gunnar—­

“Hast thou paid a hundred in silver for Atli’s slaying, and made him a free man?”

“He was free before,” says Gunnar, “and besides, I will not make Njal’s household outlaws who have forfeited their rights.”

“There’s not a pin to choose between you,” she said, “for both of you are so blate.”

“That’s as things prove,” says he.

Then Gunnar was for a long time very short with her, till she gave way to him; and now all was still for the rest of that year; in the spring Njal did not increase his household, and now men ride to the Thing about summer.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

THE SLAYING OF BRYNJOLF THE UNRULY.

There was a man named Thord, he was surnamed Freedmanson.  Sigtrygg was his father’s name, and he had been the freedman of Asgerd, and he was drowned in Markfleet.  That was why Thord was with Njal afterwards.  He was a tall man and a strong, and he had fostered all Njal’s sons.  He had set his heart on Gudfinna Thorolf’s daughter, Njal’s kinswoman; she was housekeeper at home there, and was then with child.

Now Bergthora came to talk with Thord Freedmanson; she said—­

“Thou shalt go to kill Brynjolf, Hallgerda’s kinsman.”

“I am no man-slayer,” he says, “but still I will do what ever thou wilt.”

“This is my will,” she says.

After that he went up to Lithend, and made them call Hallgerda out, and asked where Brynjolf might be.

“What’s thy will with him?” she says.

“I want him to tell me where he has hidden Atli’s body; I have heard say that he has buried it badly.”

She pointed to him, and said he was down yonder in Acretongue.

“Take heed,” says Thord, “that the same thing does not befall him as befell Atli.”

“Thou art no man-slayer,” she says, “and so nought will come of it even if ye two do meet.”

“Never have I seen man’s blood, nor do I know how I should feel if I did,” he says, and gallops out of the “town” and down to Acretongue.

Rannveig, Gunnar’s mother, had heard their talk.

“Thou goadest his mind much, Hallgerda,” she says, “but I think him a dauntless man, and that thy kinsman will find.”

They met on the beaten way, Thord and Brynjolf; and Thord said—­“Guard thee, Brynjolf, for I will do no dastard’s deed by thee”.