agreed to that, and Olaf now went home.  Thorliek and Bard now share the goods between them.  Bard had the estate and lands, which was what most men held to, as he was the most popular; but Thorliek got for his share more of the chattels.  Olaf and Bard got on well together, but Olaf and Thorliek rather snappishly.  Now the next winter passed, and summer comes, and time wears on towards the Thing.  The sons of Hoskuld got ready to go to the Thing.  It was soon seen clearly enough how Olaf took the lead of the brothers.  When they got to the Thing they set up three booths, and make themselves comfortable in a handsome manner.

CHAP.  XXVII

The Funeral Feast for Hoskuld

[Sidenote:  Olaf’s invitation to the chiefs] It is told how one day when people went to the law rock Olaf stood up and asked for a hearing, and told them first of the death of his father, “and there are now here many men, kinsmen and friends of his.  It is the will of my brothers that I ask you to a funeral feast in memory of Hoskuld our father.  All you chieftains, for most of the mightier men are such, as were bound by alliances to him, I let it be known that no one of the greater men shall go away giftless.  And herewith I bid all the farmers and any who will accept—­rich or poor—­to a half month’s feast at Hoskuldstead ten weeks before the winter.”  And when Olaf finished his speech good cheer was made thereto, and his bidding was looked upon as a right lordly one.  And when Olaf came home to the booth he told his brothers what he had settled to do.  The brothers were not much pleased, and thought that this was going in for far too much state.  After the Thing the brothers rode home and the summer now wears on. [Sidenote:  The funeral feast] Then the brothers got ready for the feast, and Olaf put forward unstintedly his third part, and the feast was furnished with the best of provisions.  Great stores were laid in for this feast, for it was expected many folk would come.  And when the time came it is said that most of the chief men came that were asked.  There were so many that most men say that there could not be far short of nine hundred (1080).  This is the most crowded burial feast that has been in Iceland, second to that which the sons of Hialti gave at the funeral of their father, at which time there were 1440 guests.  But this feast was of the bravest in every way, and the brothers got great honour therefrom, Olaf being at the head of the affair throughout.  Olaf took even share with his brothers in the gifts; and gifts were bestowed on all the chiefs.  When most of the men had gone away Olaf went to have a talk with Thorliek his brother, and said, “So it is, kinsman, as you know, that no love has been lost between us; now I would beg for a better understanding in our brotherhood.  I know you did not like when I took the heirlooms my father gave me on his dying day.  Now if you think yourself wronged in this, I will do