"

"Then some will say," says Hauskuld, "that I am flying thence for fear's
sake, and that I will not have said."

"Then it is more likely that great trouble will arise," says Flosi.

"Ill is that then," says Hauskuld, "for I would rather fall unatoned,
than that many should reap ill for my sake."

Hauskuld busked him to ride home a few nights after, but Flosi gave him
a scarlet cloak, and it was embroidered with needlework down to the
waist.

Hauskuld rode home to Ossaby, and now all is quiet for a while.

Hauskuld was so much beloved that few men were his foes, but the same
ill-will went on between him and Njal's sons the whole winter through.

Njal had taken as his foster-child, Thord, the son of Kari. He had also
fostered Thorhall, the son of Asgrim Ellidagrim's son. Thorhall was a
strong man, and hardy both in body and mind, he had learnt so much law
that he was the third greatest lawyer in Iceland.

Next spring was an early spring, and men are busy sowing their corn.

CHAPTER CIX.

OF MORD AND NJAL'S SONS.

It happened one day that Mord came to Bergthorsknoll. He and Kari and
Njal's sons fell a-talking at once, and Mord slanders Hauskuld after his
wont, and has now many new tales to tell, and does naught but egg
Skarphedinn and them on to slay Hauskuld, and said he would be
beforehand with them if they did not fall on him at once.

"I will let thee have thy way in this," says Skarphedinn, "if thou wilt
fare with us, and have some hand in it."

"That I am ready to do," says Mord, and so they bound that fast with
promises, and he was to come there that evening.

Bergthora asked Njal--

"What are they talking about out of doors?"

"I am not in their counsels," says Njal, "but I was seldom left out of
them when their plans were good."

Skarphedinn did not lie down to rest that evening, nor his brothers, nor
Kari.

That same night, when it was well-nigh spent, came Mord Valgard's son,
and Njal's sons and Kari took their weapons and rode away. They fared
till they came to Ossaby, and bided there by a fence. The weather was
good, and the sun just risen.

CHAPTER CX.

THE SLAYING OF HAUSKULD, THE PRIEST OF WHITENESS.

About that time Hauskuld, the Priest of Whiteness, awoke; he put on his
clothes, and threw over him his cloak, Flosi's gift. He took his
corn-sieve, and had his sword in his other hand, and walks towards the
fence, and sows the corn as he goes.

Skarphedinn and hi