as to the kind wherein it should be paid, and the bargain was settled with Thorarin.  But the buying was not done in the presence of witnesses, for there were not so many men there at the time as were lawfully necessary.  Bolli and Gudrun rode home after that.  But when Kjartan Olafson hears of these tidings he rides off with twelve men, and came to Tongue early one day.  Thorarin greeted him well, and asked him to stay there. [Sidenote:  Kjartan’s bargain] Kjartan said he must ride back again in the morning, but would tarry there for some time.  Thorarin asked his errand, and Kjartan said, “My errand here is to speak about a certain sale of land that you and Bolli have agreed upon, for it is very much against my wishes if you sell this land to Bolli and Gudrun.”  Thorarin said that to do otherwise would be unbecoming to him, “For the price that Bolli has offered for the land is liberal, and is to be paid up speedily.”  Kjartan said, “You shall come in for no loss even if Bolli does not buy your land; for I will buy it at the same price, and it will not be of much avail to you to speak against what I have made up my mind to have done.  Indeed it will soon be found out that I shall want to have the most to say within this countryside, being more ready, however, to do the will of others than that of the men of Laugar.”  Thorarin answered, “Mighty to me will be the master’s word in this matter, but it would be most to my mind that this bargain should be left alone as I and Bolli have settled it.”  Kjartan said, “I do not call that a sale of land which is not bound by witnesses.  Now you do one of two things, either sell me the lands on the same terms as you agreed upon with the others, or live on your land yourself.”  Thorarin chooses to sell him the land, and witnesses were forthwith taken to the sale, and after the purchase Kjartan rode home.  That same evening this was told at Laugar.  Then Gudrun said, “It seems to me, Bolli, that Kjartan has given you two choices somewhat harder than those he gave Thorarin—­that you must either leave the countryside with little honour, or show yourself at some meeting with him a good deal less slow than you have been heretofore.”  Bolli did not answer, but went forthwith away from this talk. [Sidenote:  Kjartan rides to Saurby] All was quiet now throughout what was left of Lent.  The third day after Easter Kjartan rode from home with one other man, on the beach, for a follower.  They came to Tongue in the day.  Kjartan wished Thorarin to ride with them to Saurby to gather in debts due to him, for Kjartan had much money-at-call in these parts.  But Thorarin had ridden to another place.  Kjartan stopped there awhile, and waited for him.  That same day Thorhalla the Chatterbox was come there.  She asked Kjartan where he was minded to go.  He said he was going west to Saurby.  She asked, “Which road will you take?” Kjartan replied, “I am going by Saelingsdale to the west, and by Swinedale from the west.”  She asked how long he would be.  Kjartan answered,