more than in other things, though I would
sooner marry Thured to some one else." Thorgerd went away and thought
her business had sped well, and now told Giermund the upshot of it. He
thanked her for her help and her determination, and Giermund broached
the wooing a second time to Olaf, and now won the day easily. After
that Giermund and Thured were betrothed, and the wedding was to be
held at the end of the winter at Herdholt. The wedding feast was a
very crowded one, for the new hall was finished. Ulf Uggason was of
the bidden guests, and he had made a poem on Olaf Hoskuldson and of
the legends that were painted round the hall, and he gave it forth at
the feast. This poem is called the "House Song," and is well made.
Olaf rewarded him well for the poem. Olaf gave great gifts to all the
chief men who came. Olaf was considered to have gained in renown by
this feast.

CHAP. XXX

About Giermund and Thured, A.D. 978

[Sidenote: Giermund leaves Iceland] Giermund and Thured did not get on
very well together, and little love was lost between them on either
side. When Giermund had stayed with Olaf three winters he wished to go
away, and gave out that Thured and his daughter Groa should remain
behind. This little maid was by then a year old, and Giermund would
not leave behind any money for them. This the mother and daughter
liked very ill, and told Olaf so. Olaf said, "What is the matter now,
Thorgerd? is the Eastman now not so bounteous as he was that autumn
when he asked for the alliance?" They could get Olaf to do nothing,
for he was an easygoing man, and said the girl should remain until she
wished to go, or knew how in some way to shift for herself. At parting
Olaf gave Giermund the merchant ship all fitted out. Giermund thanked
him well therefor, and said it was a noble gift. Then he got on board
his ship, and sailed out of the Salmon-river-Mouth by a north-east
breeze, which dropped as they came out to the islands. He now lies by
Oxe-isle half a month without a fair wind rising for a start.
[Sidenote: Thured follows Giermund] At that time Olaf had to leave
home to look after his foreshore drifts. Then Thured, his daughter,
called to his house-carles, and bade them come with her. She had the
maid Groa with her, and they were a party of ten together. She lets
run out into the water a ferry-boat that belonged to Olaf, and Thured
bade them sail and row down along Hvamfirth, and when they came out to
the islands