“Often, indeed, you show, Gudrun,” said Snorri, “that you are the most high-mettled of women.”  So this was now settled that the wedding should take place when it lacked six weeks of summer. [Sidenote:  They are married] At matters thus settled Snorri and Thorkell went away, Snorri going home and Thorkell to his ship, and he spent the summer, turn and turn about, at Tongue or at his ship.  Time now wore on towards the wedding feast.  Gudrun made great preparation with much ingatherings.  Snorri came to the feast together with Thorkell, and they brought with them well-nigh sixty men, and a very picked company that was, for most of the men were in dyed raiments.  Gudrun had well-nigh a hundred and twenty first-bidden guests.  The brothers Bolli and Thorleik, with the first-bidden guests, went to meet Snorri and his train; and to him and his fellowship was given a right cheery welcome, and their horses are taken in hand, as well as their clothes.  They were shown into the guest-chamber, and Thorkell and Snorri and their followers took seats on the bench that was the upper one, and Gudrun’s guests sat on the lower.

CHAP.  LXIX

The Quarrel about Gunnar at the Feast

[Sidenote:  Gunnar at the wedding feast] That autumn Gunnar, the slayer of Thridrandi, had been sent to Gudrun for “trust and keep,” and she had taken him in, his name being kept secret.  Gunnar was outlawed because of the slaying of Thridrandi, Geitir’s son, as is told in the Niard-wickers’ Saga.  He went about much “with a hidden head,” for that many great men had their eyes upon him.  The first evening of the feast, when men went to wash, a big man was standing by the water; he was broad of shoulder and wide of chest, and this man had a hat on his head.  Thorkell asked who he was.  He named himself as it seemed best to him.  Thorkell says:  “I think you are not speaking the truth; going by what the tale tells you would seem more like to Gunnar, the slayer of Thridrandi.  And if you are so great a hero as other men say, you will not keep hidden your name.”  Then said Gunnar:  “You speak most eagerly on this matter; and, truth to tell, I think I have no need to hide myself from you.  You have rightly named your man; but then, what have you chiefly bethought yourself of having done to me?” Thorkell said he would like that he should soon know it, and spake to his men, ordering them to lay hands on him.  Gudrun sat on the dais at the upper end of the hall, together with other women all becoifed with white linen, and when she got aware of this she rises up from the bridal bench and calls on her men to lend Gunnar help, and told them to give quarter to no man who should show any doubtful behaviour. [Sidenote:  The quarrel] Gudrun had the greatest number of followers, and what never was meant to happen seemed like to befall.  Snorri Godi went between both sides and bade them allay this storm.  “The one thing clearly