After that he rode home.  He scarce ever met Njal’s sons, and when he did meet them, he was cross, and that was part of their plan.

The slaying of Hauskuld was heard over all the land, and was ill-spoken of.  Njal’s sons went to see Asgrim Ellidagrim’s son, and asked him for aid.

“Ye very well know that ye may look that I shall help you in all great suits, but still my heart is heavy about this suit, for there are many who have the blood feud, and this slaying is ill-spoken of over all the land.”

Now Njal’s sons fare home.

CHAPTER CXII.

THE PEDIGREE OF GUDMUND THE POWERFUL.

There was a man named Gudmund the powerful, who dwelt at Modruvale in Eyjafirth.  He was the son of Eyjolf the son of Einar.  Gudmund was a mighty chief, wealthy in goods; he had in his house a hundred hired servants.  He overbore in rank and weight all the chiefs in the north country, so that some left their homesteads, but some he put to death, and some gave up their priesthoods for his sake, and from him are come the greatest part of all the picked and famous families in the land, such as “the Point-dwellers” and the “Sturlungs” and the “Hvamdwellers,” and the “Fleetmen,” and Kettle the bishop, and many of the greatest men.

Gudmund was a friend of Asgrim Ellidagrim’s son, and so he hoped to get his help.

CHAPTER CXIII.

OF SNORRI THE PRIEST, AND HIS STOCK.

There was a man named Snorri, who was surnamed the Priest.  He dwelt at Helgafell before Gudruna Oswif’s daughter bought the land of him, and dwelt there till she died of old age; but Snorri then went and dwelt at Hvamsfirth on Saelingdale’s tongue.  Thorgrim was the name of Snorri’s father, and he was a son of Thorstein codcatcher.  Snorri was a great friend of Asgrim Ellidagrim’s son, and he looked for help there also.  Snorri was the wisest and shrewdest of all these men in Iceland who had not the gift of foresight.  He was good to his friends, but grim to his foes.

At that time there was a great riding to the Thing out of all the Quarters, and men had many suits set on foot.

CHAPTER CXIV.

OF FLOSI THORD’S SON.

Flosi hears of Hauskuld’s slaying, and that brings him much grief and wrath, but still he kept his feelings well in hand.  He was told how the suit had been set on foot, as has been said, for Hauskuld’s slaying, and he said little about it.  He sent word to Hall of the Side, his father-in-law, and to Ljot his son, that they must gather in a great company at the Thing.  Ljot was thought the most hopeful man for a chief away there east.  It had been foretold that if he could ride three summers running to the Thing, and come safe and sound home, that then he would be the greatest chief in all his family, and the oldest man.  He had then ridden one summer to the Thing, and now he meant to ride the second time.