After that they ceased speaking about it.

CHAPTER CXLVI.

THE AWARD OF ATONEMENT WITH THORGEIR CRAGGEIR.

Hall of the Side and his son Kol, seven of them in all, rode west over Loomnip’s Sand, and so west over Arnstacksheath, and did not draw bridle till they came into Myrdale.  There they asked whether Thorgeir would be at home at Holt, and they were told that they would find him at home.

The men asked whither Hall meant to go.

“Thither to Holt,” he said.

They said they were sure he went on a good errand.

He stayed there some while and baited their horses, and after that they mounted their horses and rode to Solheim about even, and they were there that night, but the day-after they rode to Holt.

Thorgeir was out of doors, and Kari too, and their men, for they had seen Hall’s coming.  He rode in a blue cape, and had a little axe studded with silver in his hand; but when they came into the “town,” Thorgeir went to meet him, and helped him off his horse, and both he and Kari kissed him and led him in between them into the sitting-room, and sate him down in the high seat on the dais, and they asked him tidings about many things.

He was there that night.  Next morning Hall raised the question of the atonement with Thorgeir, and told him what terms they offered him; and he spoke about them with many fair and kindly words.

“It may be well known to thee,” answers Thorgeir, “that I said I would take no atonement from the Burners.”

“That was quite another matter then,” says Hall; “ye were then wroth with fight, and, besides, ye have done great deeds in the way of manslaying since.”

“I daresay ye think so,” says Thorgeir, “but what atonement do ye offer to Kari?”

“A fitting atonement shall be offered him,” says Hall, “if he will take it.”

Then Kari said—­

“I pray this of thee, Thorgeir, that thou wilt be atoned, for thy lot cannot be better than good.”

“Methinks,” says Thorgeir, “it is ill done to take an atonement, and sunder myself from thee, unless thou takest the same atonement as I.”

“I will not take any atonement,” says Kari, “but yet I say that we have avenged the Burning; but my son, I say, is still unavenged, and I mean to take that on myself alone, and see what I can get done.”

But Thorgeir would take no atonement before Kari said that he would take it ill if he were not atoned.  Then Thorgeir handselled a truce to Flosi and his men, as a step to a meeting for atonement; but Hall did the same on behalf of Flosi and the sons of Sigfus.

But ere they parted, Thorgeir gave Hall a gold ring and a scarlet cloak, but Kari gave him a silver brooch, and there were hung to it four crosses of gold.  Hall thanked them kindly for their gifts, and rode away with the greatest honour.  He did not draw bridle till he came to Swinefell, and Flosi gave him a hearty welcome.  Hall told Flosi all about his errand and the talk he had with Thorgeir, and also that Thorgeir would not take the atonement till Kari told him he would quarrel with him if he did not take it; but that Kari would take no atonement.