the animals scattered everywhere in the snow and injured by the weather; some had strayed into the mountains.  Then they came upon some well-marked tracks up above in the valley.  The stones and earth were torn up all about as if there had been a violent tussle.  On searching further they came upon Glam lying on the ground a short distance off.  He was dead; his body was as black as Hel and swollen to the size of an ox.  They were overcome with horror and their hearts shuddered within them.  Nevertheless they tried to carry him to the church, but could not get him any further than the edge of a gully a short way off.  So they left him there and went home to report to the bondi what had happened.  He asked what could have caused Glam’s death.  They said they had tracked him to a big place like a hole made by the bottom of a cask thrown down and dragged along up below the mountains which were at the top of the valley, and all along the track were great drops of blood.  They concluded that the evil spirit which had been about before must have killed Glam, but that he had inflicted wounds upon it which were enough, for that spook was never heard of again.  On the second day of the festival they went out again to bring in Glam’s body to the church.  They yoked oxen to him, but directly the downward incline ceased and they came to level ground, they could not move him; so they went home again and left him.  On the third day they took a priest with them, but after searching the whole day they failed to find him.  The priest refused to go again, and when he was not with them they found Glam.  So they gave up the attempt to bring him to the church and buried him where he was under a cairn of stones.

It was not long before men became aware that Glam was not easy in his grave.  Many men suffered severe injuries; some who saw him were struck senseless and some lost their wits.  Soon after the festival was over, men began to think they saw him about their houses.  The panic was great and many left the neighbourhood.  Next he began to ride on the house-tops by night, and nearly broke them to pieces.  Almost night and day he walked, and people would scarcely venture up the valley, however pressing their business.  The district was in a grievous condition.

CHAPTER XXXIII

DOINGS OF GLAM’S GHOST. AWFUL CONDITION OF VATNSDAL

In the spring Thorhall procured servants and built a house on his lands.  As the days lengthened out the apparitions became less, until at midsummer a ship sailed up the Hunavatn in which was a man named Thorgaut.  He was a foreigner, very tall and powerful; he had the strength of two men.  He was travelling on his own account, unattached, and being without money was looking out for employment.  Thorhall rode to the ship, saw him and asked if he would take service with him.  Thorgaut said he would indeed, and that there would be no difficulties.