They were told that Gunnar was at home with about thirty men; then Geir the priest asked whether Gizur would ride against him with one hundred men.

“I will not do that,” says he, “though the balance of force is great on our side.”

After that they rode back home.  The news that the suit was set on foot was spread all over the country, and the saying ran that the Thing would be very noisy and stormy.

CHAPTER LVI.

GUNNAR AND GEIR THE PRIEST STRIVE AT THE THING.

There was a man named Skapti.  He was the son of Thorod.  That father and son were great chiefs, and very well skilled in law.  Thorod was thought to be rather crafty and guileful.  They stood by Gizur the white in every quarrel.

As for the Lithemen and the dwellers by Rangriver, they came in a great body to the Thing.  Gunnar was so beloved that all said with one voice that they would back him.

Now they all come to the Thing and fit up their booths.  In company with Gizur the white were these chiefs:  Skapti Thorod’s son, Asgrim Ellidagrim’s son, Oddi of Kidberg, and Halldor Ornolf’s son.

Now one day men went to the Hill of Laws, and then Geir the priest stood up and gave notice that he had a suit of manslaughter against Gunnar for the slaying of Otkell.  Another suit of manslaughter he brought against Gunnar for the slaying of Hallbjorn the white; then too he went on in the same way as to the slaying of Audulf, and so too as to the slaying of Skamkell.  Then too he laid a suit of manslaughter against Kolskegg for the slaying of Hallkell.

And when he had given due notice of all his suits of manslaughter it was said that he spoke well.  He asked, too, in what Quarter court the suits lay, and in what house in the district the defendants dwelt.  After that men went away from the Hill of Laws, and so the Thing goes on till the day when the courts were to be set to try suits.  Then either side gathered their men together in great strength.

Geir the priest and Gizur the white stood at the court of the men of Rangriver looking north, and Gunnar and Njal stood looking south towards the court.

Geir the priest bade Gunnar to listen to his oath, and then he took the oath, and afterwards declared his suit.

Then he let men bear witness of the notice given of the suit; then he called upon the neighbours who were to form the inquest to take their seats; then he called on Gunnar to challenge the inquest; and then he called on the inquest to utter their finding.  Then the neighbours who were summoned on the inquest went to the court and took witness, and said that there was a bar to their finding in the suit as to Audulf’s slaying, because the next of kin who ought to follow it up was in Norway, and so they had nothing to do with that suit.

After that they uttered their finding in the suit as to Otkell, and brought in Gunnar as truly guilty of killing him.