“’I summon thee in the suit which Unna Mord’s daughter has made over to me with her plighted hand.’

“But when men are sound asleep, you shall rise and take your bridles and saddles, and tread softly, and go out of the house, and put your saddles on your fat horses in the fields, and so ride off on them, but leave the others behind you.  You must ride up into the hills away from the home pastures and stay there three nights, for about so long will they seek you.  After that ride home south, riding always by night and resting by day.  As for us we will then ride this summer to the Thing, and help thee in thy suit.”  So Gunnar thanked Njal, and first of all rode home.

CHAPTER XXIII.

HUCKSTER HEDINN.

Gunnar rode from home two nights afterwards, and two men with him; they rode along until they got on Bluewoodheath, and then men on horseback met them and asked who that tall man might be of whom so little was seen.  But his companions said it was Huckster Hedinn.  Then the others said a worse was not to be looked for behind, when such a man as he went before.  Hedinn at once made as though he would have set upon them, but yet each went their way.  So Gunnar went on doing everything as Njal had laid it down for him, and when he came to Hauskuldstede he stayed there the night, and thence he went down the dale till he came to the next farm to Hrutstede.  There he offered his wares for sale, and Hedinn fell at once upon the farmer.  This was told to Hrut, and he sent for Hedinn, and Hedinn went at once to see Hrut, and had a good welcome.  Hrut seated him over against himself, and their talk went pretty much as Njal had guessed; but when they came to talk of Rangrivervale, and Hrut asked about the men there, Gunnar sung this stave—­

  Men in sooth are slow to find,—­
  So the people speak by stealth,
  Often this hath reached my ears,—­
  All through Rangar’s rolling vales. 
  Still I trow that Fiddle Mord,
  Tried his hand in fight of yore;
  Sure was never gold-bestower,
  Such a man for might and wit.

Then Hrut said, “Thou art a skald, Hedinn.  But hast thou never heard how things went between me and Mord?” Then Hedinn sung another stave—­

  Once I ween I heard the rumour,
  How the Lord of rings[8] bereft thee;
  From thine arms earth’s offspring[9] tearing,
  Trickful he and trustful thou. 
  Then the men, the buckler-bearers,
  Begged the mighty gold-begetter,
  Sharp sword oft of old he reddened,
  Not to stand in strife with thee.