up
their minds to set on the sons of Olaf, and to put them to sore
penalties; they said that now they lacked of nothing to bring the sons
of Olaf to terms of equality, since Thorleik was a liegeman of King
Olaf, and Bolli was the son-in-law of such a chief as Snorri was.
Snorri answered in this way: "For the slaying of Bolli enough has come
in return, in that the life of Helgi Hardbeinson was paid therefor;
the troubles of men have been far too great already, and it is high
time that now at last they be put a stop to." Bolli said, "What now,
Snorri? are you less keen now to stand by us than you gave out but a
little while ago? Thorleik would not have told you our mind as yet if
he had first taken counsel with me thereon. And when you claim that
Helgi's life has come in revenge for Bolli, it is a matter well known
to men that a money fine was paid for the slaying of Helgi, while my
father is still unatoned for." When Snorri saw he could not reason
them into a change of mind, he offered them to try to bring about a
peaceful atonement between them and the sons of Olaf, rather than that
any more manslaughters should befall; and the brothers agreed to this.
[Sidenote: The peace settled] Then Snorri rode with some men to
Herdholt. Halldor gave him a good welcome, and asked him to stay
there, but Snorri said he must ride back that night. "But I have an
urgent errand with you." So they fell to talking together, and Snorri
made known his errand, saying it had come to his knowledge that
Thorleik and Bolli would put up with it no longer that their father
should be unatoned at the hands of the sons of Olaf. "And now I would
endeavour to bring about peace, and see if an end cannot be put to the
evil luck that besets you kinsmen." Halldor did not flatly refuse to
deal further with the case. "I know only too well that Thorgils
Hallason and Bolli's sons were minded to fall on me and my brothers,
until you turned elsewhere their vengeance, so that thence-forward it
seemed to them best to slay Helgi Hardbeinson. In these matters you
have taken a good part, whatever your counsels may have been like in
regard to earlier dealings between us kinsmen." Snorri said, "I set a
great store by my errand turning out well and that it might be brought
about which I have most at heart, that a sound peace should be settled
between you kinsmen; for I know the minds of the men who have to deal
with you in this case so well, that they will keep faithfully