Thorkell bade him not to do so,
"for that is the greatest enormity at such a season as this; but when
this season wears off, I shall not stand in the way of his and ours
clashing together." Halldor said he was given to think he would not
fail in being ready for them. After that they rode away and talked
much together of this their journey; and Thorstein, speaking thereof,
said that, truth to tell, their journey was most wretched. "But why,
kinsman Thorkell, were you so afraid of falling on Halldor and putting
him to some shame?" Thorkell answered, "Did you not see Beiner, who
stood over you with the axe reared aloft? Why, it was an utter folly,
for forthwith on seeing me likely to do anything, he would have driven
that axe into your head." They rode now home to Lea-shaws; and Lent
wears and Passion Week sets in.

CHAP. LXXVI

The Drowning of Thorkell, A.D. 1026

[Sidenote: Thorkell goes for his wood] On Maundy Thursday, early in
the morning, Thorkell got ready for his journey. Thorstein set himself
much against it: "For the weather looks to me uncertain," said he.
Thorkell said the weather would do all right. "And you must not hinder
me now, kinsman, for I wish to be home before Easter." So now Thorkell
ran out the ferry-boat, and loaded it. But Thorstein carried the
lading ashore from out the boat as fast as Thorkell and his followers
put it on board. Then Thorkell said, "Give over now, kinsman, and do
not hinder our journey this time; you must not have your own way in
this." Thorstein said, "He of us two will now follow the counsel that
will answer the worst, for this journey will cause the happening of
great matters." Thorkell now bade them farewell till their next
meeting, and Thorstein went home, and was exceedingly downcast. He
went to the guest-house, and bade them lay a pillow under his head,
the which was done. The servant-maid saw how the tears ran down upon
the pillow from his eyes. And shortly afterwards a roaring blast
struck the house, and Thorstein said, "There, we now can hear roaring
the slayer of kinsman Thorkell." [Sidenote: The drowning of Thorkell]
Now to tell of the journey of Thorkell and his company: they sail this
day out, down Broadfirth, and were ten on board. The wind began to
blow very high, and rose to full gale before it blew over. They pushed
on their way briskly, for the men were most plucky. Thorkell had with
him the sword Skofnung, which was laid in the locker. Thorkell and