e Bolli, the son of
Thorliek, who at this time was three winters old. They parted now with
the utmost affection, and Bolli went home to Herdholt with Olaf.
Thorgerd received him well, and Bolli grew up there and was loved no
less than their own children.

CHAP. XXVIII

The Birth of Kjartan, Olaf's Son, A.D. 978

[Sidenote: Birth of Kjartan] Olaf and Thorgerd had a son, and the boy
was sprinkled with water and a name was given him, Olaf letting him be
called Kjartan after Myrkjartan his mother's father. Bolli and Kjartan
were much of an age. Olaf and Thorgerd had still more children; three
sons were called Steinthor and Halldor and Helgi, and Hoskuld was the
name of the youngest of Olaf's sons. The daughters of Olaf and his
wife were named Bergthora, Thorgerd, and Thorbjorg. All their children
were of goodly promise as they grew up. At that time Holmgang Bersi
lived in Saurby at an abode called Tongue. He comes to see Olaf and
asked for Halldor his son to foster. Olaf agreed to this and Halldor
went home with him, being then one winter old. That summer Bersi fell
ill, and lay in bed for a great part of the summer. [Sidenote: Bersi
and Halldor] It is told how one day, when all the men were out
haymaking at Tongue and only they two, Bersi and Halldor, were left in
the house, Halldor lay in his cradle and the cradle fell over under
the boy and he fell out of it on to the floor, and Bersi could not
get to him. Then Bersi said this ditty:

Here we both lie
In helpless plight,
Halldor and I,
Have no power left us;
Old age afflicts me,
Youth afflicts you,
You will get better
But I shall get worse.

Later on people came in and picked Halldor up off the floor, and Bersi
got better. Halldor was brought up there, and was a tall man and
doughty looking. Kjartan, Olaf's son, grew up at home at Herdholt. He
was of all men the goodliest of those who have been born in Iceland.
He was striking of countenance and fair of feature, he had the finest
eyes of any man, and was light of hue. He had a great deal of hair as
fair as silk, falling in curls; he was a big man, and strong, taking
after his mother's father Egil, or his uncle Thorolf. Kjartan was
better proportioned than any man, so that all wondered who saw him. He
was better skilled at arms than most men; he was a deft craftsman, and
the best swimmer of all men. In all deeds of strength he was far
before others, more gentle than any o