more in land or cattle than in stores of islandic
market goods." [Sidenote: Melkorka's marriage] Melkorka said, "I
cannot bear your being called the son of a slave-woman any longer; and
if it stands in the way of the journey, that you think you have not
enough money, then I would rather go to the length even of marrying
Thorbjorn, if then you should be more willing than before to betake
yourself to the journey. For I think he will be willing to hand out to
you as much wares as you think you may need, if I give my consent to
his marrying me. Above all I look to this, that then Hoskuld will like
two things mightily ill when he comes to hear of them, namely, that
you have gone out of the land, and that I am married." Olaf bade his
mother follow her own counsel. After that Olaf talked to Thorbjorn as
to how he wished to borrow wares of him, and a great deal thereof.
Thorbjorn answered, "I will do it on one condition, and that is that I
shall marry Melkorka for them; it seems to me, you will be as welcome
to my money as to that which you have in your keep." Olaf said that
this should then be settled; whereupon they talked between them of
such matters as seemed needful, but all these things they agreed
should be kept quiet. Hoskuld wished Olaf to ride with him to the
Thing. Olaf said he could not do that on account of household affairs,
as he also wanted to fence off a grazing paddock for lambs by Salmon
River. Hoskuld was very pleased that he should busy himself with the
homestead. Then Hoskuld rode to the Thing; but at Lambstead a wedding
feast was arrayed, and Olaf settled the agreement alone. Olaf took out
of the undivided estate thirty hundred ells' worth of wares, and
should pay no money for them.[1] Bard, Hoskuld's son, was at the
wedding, and was a party with them to all these doings. [Sidenote:
Olaf goes to Norway] When the feast was ended Olaf rode off to the
ship, and found Orn the captain, and took berth with him. Before Olaf
and Melkorka parted she gave him a great gold finger-ring, and said,
"This gift my father gave me for a teething gift, and I know he will
recognise it when he sees it." She also put into his hands a knife and
a belt, and bade him give them to her nurse: "I am sure she will not
doubt these tokens." And still further Melkorka spake, "I have fitted
you out from home as best I know how, and taught you to speak Irish,
so that it will make no difference to you where you are brought to
shore in Irela