Kari Solmund’s son declared his suits against Kol Thorstein’s son, and Gunnar Lambi’s son, and Grani Gunnar’s son, and it was the common talk of men that he spoke wondrous well.

Thorleif crow declared his suit against all the sons of Sigfus, but Thorgrim the big, his brother, against Modolf Kettle’s son, and Lambi Sigurd’s son, and Hroar Hamond’s son, brother of Leidolf the strong.

Asgrim Ellidagrim’s son declared his suit against Leidolf and Thorstein Geirleif’s son.  Arni Kol’s son, and Grim the red.

And they all spoke well.

After that other men gave notice of their suits, and it was far on in the day that it went on so.

Then men fared home to their booths.

Eyjolf Bolverk’s son went to his booth with Flosi; they passed east around the booth, and Flosi said to Eyjolf—­

“See’st thou any defence in these suits?”

“None,” says Eyjolf.

“What counsel is now to be taken?” says Flosi.

“I will give thee a piece of advice,” said Eyjolf.  “Now thou shalt hand over thy priesthood to thy brother Thorgeir, but declare that thou hast joined the Thing of Askel the priest the son of Thorkettle, north away in Reykiardale; but if they do not know this, then may be that this will harm them, for they will be sure to plead their suit in the Eastfirther’s court, but they ought to plead it in the Northlanders’ court, and they will overlook that, and it is a Fifth Court matter against them if they plead their suit in another court than that in which they ought, and then we will take that suit up, but not until we have no other choice left.”

“May be,” said Flosi, “that we shall get the worth of the ring.”

“I don’t know that,” says Eyjolf; “but I will stand by thee at law, so that men shall say that there never was a better defence.  Now, we must send for Askel, but Thorgeir shall come to thee at once, and a man with him.”

A little while after Thorgeir came, and then he took on him Flosi’s leadership and priesthood.

By that time Askel was come thither too, and then Flosi declared that he had joined his Thing, and this was with no man’s knowledge save theirs.

Now all is quiet till the day when the courts were to go out to try suits.

CHAPTER CXLI.

NOW MEN GO TO THE COURTS.

Now the time passes away till the courts were to go out to try suits.  Both sides then made them ready to go thither, and armed them.  Each side put war-tokens on their helmets.

Then Thorhall Asgrim’s son said—­

“Walk hastily in nothing, father mine, and do everything as lawfully and rightly as ye can, but if ye fall into any strait let me know as quickly as ye can, and then I will give you counsel.”

Asgrim and the others looked at him, and his face was as though it were all blood, but great teardrops gushed out of his eyes.  He bade them bring him his spear, that had been a gift to him from Skarphedinn, and it was the greatest treasure.