into the bargain as much as we shall agree upon." In
the beginning Halldor took the matter as if it were not so very far
from his mind, and they exchanged words concerning the terms of the
purchase; and when they felt that he was not so far from coming to
terms, Thorkell joined eagerly in the talk, and tried to bring the
bargain to a point. [Sidenote: He refuses to deal with them] Then
Halldor began to draw back rather, but they pressed him all the more;
yet at last it came to this, that he was the further from the bargain
the closer they pressed him. Then said Thorkell, "Do you not see,
kinsman Thorstein, how this is going? Halldor has delayed the matter
for us all day long, and we have sat here listening to his fooling and
wiles. Now if you want to buy the land we must come to closer
quarters." Thorstein then said he must know what he had to look
forward to, and bade Halldor now come out of the shadow as to whether
he was willing to come to the bargain. Halldor answered, "I do not
think I need keep you in the dark as to this point, that you will have
to go home to-night without any bargain struck." Then said Thorstein,
"Nor do I think it needful to delay making known to you what we have
in our mind to do; for we, deeming that we shall get the better of you
by reason of the odds on our side, have bethought us of two choices
for you: one choice is, that you do this matter willingly and take in
return our friendship; but the other, clearly a worse one, is, that
you now stretch out your hand against your own will and sell me the
land of Herdholt." But when Thorstein spoke in this outrageous manner,
Halldor leapt up so suddenly that the brooch was torn from his cloak,
and said, "Something else will happen before I utter that which is not
my will." "What is that?" said Thorstein. "A pole-axe will stand on
your head from one of the worst of men, and thus cast down your
insolence and unfairness." Thorkell answered, "That is an evil
prophecy, and I hope it will not be fulfilled; and now I think there
is ample cause why you, Halldor, should give up your land and have
nothing for it." [Sidenote: Thorkell and Thorstein return home
disgusted] Then Halldor answered, "Sooner you will be embracing the
sea-tangle in Broadfirth than I sell my land against my own will."
Halldor went home after that, and the men he had sent for came
crowding up to the place. Thorstein was of the wrothest, and wanted
forthwith to make an onset on Halldor.