After that he was there, and kept himself down a little white, but then it was the old story, he seemed to spoil all the good he found; for he gave way to no one save to Hallgerda alone, but she never took his side in his brawls with others.  Thorarin, Glum’s brother, blamed him for letting him be there, and said ill luck would come of it, and all would happen as had happened before if he were there.  Glum answered him well and kindly, but still kept on in his own way.

CHAPTER XVI.

GLUM’S SHEEP HUNT.

Now once on a time when autumn came, it happened that men had hard work to get their flocks home, and many of Glum’s wethers were missing.  Then Glum said to Thiostolf—­

“Go thou up on the fell with my house-carles and see if ye cannot find out anything about the sheep.”

“’Tis no business of mine,” says Thiostolf, “to hunt up sheep, and this one thing is quite enough to hinder it.  I won’t walk in thy thralls’ footsteps.  But go thyself, and then I’ll go with thee.”

About this they had many words.  The weather was good, and Hallgerda was sitting out of doors.  Glum went up to her and said—­

“Now Thiostolf and I have had a quarrel, and we shall not live much longer together.”  And so he told her all that they had been talking about.

Then Hallgerda spoke up for Thiostolf, and they had many words about him.  At last Glum gave her a blow with his hand, and said—­

“I will strive no longer with thee,” and with that he went away.

Now she loved him much, and could not calm herself, but wept out loud.  Thiostolf went up to her and said—­

“This is sorry sport for thee, and so it must not be often again.”

“Nay,” she said, “but thou shalt not avenge this, nor meddle at all whatever passes between Glum and me.”

He went off with a spiteful grin.

CHAPTER XVII.

GLUM’S SLAYING.

Now Glum called men to follow him, and Thiostolf got ready and went with them.  So they went up South Reykiardale and then up along by Baugagil and so south to Crossfell.  But some of his band he sent to the Sulafells, and they all found very many sheep.  Some of them, too, went by way of Scoradale, and it came about at last that those twain, Glum and Thiostolf, were left alone together.  They went south from Crossfell and found there a flock of wild sheep, and they went from the south towards the fell, and tried to drive them down; but still the sheep got away from them up on the fell.  Then each began to scold the other, and Thiostolf said at last that Glum had no strength save to tumble about in Hallgerda’s arms.

Then Glum said—­

“‘A man’s foes are those of his own house.’  Shall I take upbraiding from thee, runaway thrall as thou art?”

Thiostolf said—­

“Thou shalt soon have to own that I am no thrall, for I will not yield an inch to thee.”