ceress), from her
supposed skill in enchantments. Kiartan, the son of Thurida, a boy of
excellent promise, was the only person of the household to whom
Thorgunna showed much affection; and she was much vexed at times when
the childish petulance of the boy made an indifferent return to her
kindness.

After this mysterious stranger had dwelt at Froda for some time, and
while she was labouring in the hay-field with other members of the
family, a sudden cloud from the northern mountain led Thorodd to
anticipate a heavy shower. He instantly commanded the hay-workers to
pile up in ricks the quantity which each had been engaged in turning to
the wind. It was afterwards remembered that Thorgunna did not pile up
her portion, but left it spread on the field. The cloud approached with
great celerity, and sank so heavily around the farm, that it was scarce
possible to see beyond the limits of the field. A heavy shower next
descended, and so soon as the clouds broke away and the sun shone forth
it was observed that it had rained blood. That which fell upon the ricks
of the other labourers soon dried up, but what Thorgunna had wrought
upon remained wet with gore. The unfortunate Hebridean, appalled at the
omen, betook herself to her bed, and was seized with a mortal illness.
On the approach of death she summoned Thorodd, her landlord, and
intrusted to him the disposition of her property and effects.

"Let my body," said she, "be transported to Skalholt, for my mind
presages that in that place shall be founded the most distinguished
church in this island. Let my golden ring be given to the priests who
shall celebrate my obsequies, and do thou indemnify thyself for the
funeral charges out of my remaining effects. To thy wife I bequeath my
purple mantle, in order that, by this sacrifice to her avarice, I may
secure the right of disposing of the rest of my effects at my own
pleasure. But for my bed, with its coverings, hangings, and furniture, I
entreat they may be all consigned to the flames. I do not desire this
because I envy any one the possession of these things after my death,
but because I wish those evils to be avoided which I plainly foresee
will happen if my will be altered in the slightest particular."

Thorodd promised faithfully to execute this extraordinary testament in
the most exact manner. Accordingly, so soon as Thorgunna was dead, her
faithful executor prepared a pile for burning her splendid bed. Thurida
entered, a