Broddi.—­Well, you have thought out everything, brother-in-law; to me this plan of war seems in every regard the best.

Thorolf.—­If it is followed, Thord will never return west alive over the Blanda River, should he attack us.

Asbjorn.—­Thord will be able to get over the Kjol Mountains or the Sprengisand Desert, down to the Eyafirth.  There he will call upon his friends and attack us in the flank.

Thorolf.—­That is unthinkable.  In order to reach either of these ways Thord would have to journey around the whole island, and then overcome Hjalti the bishop’s son, and Gissur’s men.  I should think it likeliest that Hjalti would flee north over the Kjol should he be defeated, and come our way some little time before Thord, who would have to go by a farther way and would waste his time in getting the men of Eyafirth to rise.  Kolbein’s plan of war is the best that can be chosen.

Kolbein.—­It is most often Thorolf Bjarnason who best comprehends my plans.

Broddi (aside, clinching his hand against his breast).—­Does he understand them best?

Brand.—­All shall be done as you bid, kinsman Kolbein.  I myself shall send three hundred men as guard into Hunathing.

Kolbein.—­Then all is well, kinsman Brand!

Salvor.—­You speak too much, my lord!

Kolbein.—­I must speak to-day; to-day to-morrow is not sure to me (to the others).  The third matter is the apportionment of the districts after my death.

Salvor.—­Speaking irritates your wound, my lord, and you may become delirious.

Kolbein.—­Let come what may!  I will that my kinsman Brand have Skagafirth and Hunathing after my death.  But Eyafirth and all districts east of the Heath I give to—­(He becomes delirious.  Lady HELGA makes a motion and stops him.)

Kolbein.—­See, wife, now fly the swans from Holar in Hjaltadale.

Botolf (to DEACON SIGURD).—­He is dreaming about the messengers of the Holy Church, the sick man!

Sigurd (to BISHOP BOTOLF).—­He will not live till to-morrow’s matins!

Helga (bending down over KOLBEIN).—­Appoint Thorolf Bjarnason!

Broddi.—­Who is to get Eyafirth?

Brand.—­I heard no one named.

Kolbein.—­I name you, Thorolf Bjarnason!

Broddi.—­For what do you name Thorolf Bjarnason?

Helga.—­For the chieftainship over Eyafirth and all districts north of the Heath.

Broddi.—­I claim that I have better title to it than Thorolf.

Thorolf.—­It will prove a troublesome business for you to wrench Eyafirth out of my hands. (In a whisper to HELGA, to whom he has approached more closely.) Am I given Eyafirth then?

Helga (whispers back).—­Do not let it be seen that you are whispering to me.  They will become suspicious.  My position is difficult.