eir doings such scoundrels as Thorkell is."
Halldor answered little to that, but bade Thorgerd do what she liked
about the lad's service. A few days after Halldor rode from home, he
and sundry other men together. He went to Goat-Peaks, and surrounded
Thorkell's house. Thorkell was led out and slain, and he met his death
with the utmost cowardice. Halldor allowed no plunder, and they went
home when this was done. Thorgerd was well pleased over this deed, and
thought this reminder better than none. That summer all was quiet, so
to speak, and yet there was the greatest ill-will between the sons of
Olaf and Bolli. The brothers bore themselves in the most unyielding
manner towards Bolli, while he gave in to his kinsmen in all matters
as long as he did not lower himself in any way by so doing, for he was
a very proud man. Bolli had many followers and lived richly, for there
was no lack of money. Steinthor, Olaf's son, lived in Danastead in
Salmon-river-Dale. He had for wife Thurid, Asgeir's daughter, who had
before been married to Thorkell Kuggi. Their son was Steinthor, who
was called "Stone-grig."

CHAP. LIII

Thorgerd's Egging, A.D. 1007

[Sidenote: Thorgerd goes to see Tongue] The next winter after the
death of Olaf Hoskuldson, Thorgerd, Egil's daughter, sent word to her
son Steinthor that he should come and meet her. When the mother and
son met she told him she wished to go up west to Saurby, and see her
friend Aud. She told Halldor to come too. They were five together, and
Halldor followed his mother. They went on till they came to a place in
front of the homestead of Saelingsdale Tongue. Then Thorgerd turned her
horse towards the house and asked, "What is this place called?"
Halldor answered, "You ask this, mother, not because you don't know
it. This place is called Tongue." "Who lives here?" said she. He
answered, "You know that, mother." [Sidenote: She eggs on her sons]
Thorgerd said and snorted, "I know that well enough," she said. "Here
lives Bolli, the slayer of your brother, and marvellously unlike your
noble kindred you turn out in that you will not avenge such a brother
as Kjartan was; never would Egil, your mother's father, have behaved
in such a manner; and a piteous thing it is to have dolts for sons;
indeed, I think it would have suited you better if you had been your
father's daughter and had married. For here, Halldor, it comes to the
old saw: 'No stock without a duffer,' and this is the ill-lu