a brave man and true. Gunnhild saw Hrut off to
his ship, and said, "Not in a hushed voice shall this be spoken, that
I have proved you to be a most noble man, in that you have prowess
equal to the best man here in this land, but are in wits a long way
before them". Then she gave him a gold ring and bade him farewell.
Whereupon she drew her mantle over her head and went swiftly home.
Hrut went on board his ship, and put to sea. He had a good breeze, and
came to Broadfirth. He sailed up the bay, up to the island, and,
steering in through Broadsound, he landed at Combness, where he put
his gangways to land. The news of the coming of this ship spread
about, as also that Hrut, Herjolf's son, was the captain. Hoskuld gave
no good cheer to these tidings, and did not go to meet Hrut. Hrut put
up his ship, and made her snug. He built himself a dwelling, which
since has been called Combness. Then he rode to see Hoskuld, to get
his share of his mother's inheritance. Hoskuld said he had no money to
pay him, and said his mother had not gone without means out of Iceland
when she met with Herjolf. Hrut liked this very ill, but rode away,
and there the matter rested. All Hrut's kinsfolk, excepting Hoskuld,
did honour to Hrut. [Sidenote: Hoskuld's treatment of Hrut] Hrut now
lived three winters at Combness, and was always demanding the money
from Hoskuld at the Thing meetings and other law gatherings, and he
spoke well on the matter. And most men held that Hrut had right on his
side. Hoskuld said that Thorgerd had not married Herjolf by his
counsel, and that he was her lawful guardian, and there the matter
dropped. That same autumn Hoskuld went to a feast at Thord Goddi's,
and hearing that, Hrut rode with twelve men to Hoskuldstead and took
away twenty oxen, leaving as many behind. Then he sent some men to
Hoskuld, telling them where he might search for the cattle. Hoskuld's
house-carles sprang forthwith up, and seized their weapons, and words
were sent to the nearest neighbours for help, so that they were a
party of fifteen together, and they rode each one as fast as they
possibly could. Hrut and his followers did not see the pursuit till
they were a little way from the enclosure at Combness. And forthwith
he and his men jumped off their horses, and tied them up, and went
forward unto a certain sandhill. Hrut said that there they would make
a stand, and added that though the money claim against Hoskuld sped
slowly, never should that be