set much store by it, and feel yourself in a difficult
position in this matter, then, for your words I will do this; for then
I was best contented with my lot in life when I lived abroad. And I
know you will not treat my son Bolli any the worse for my being
nowhere near; for of all men I love him the best." Olaf said, "You
have, indeed, taken an honourable course in this matter, if you do
after my prayer; but as touching Bolli, I am minded to do to him
henceforth as I have done hitherto, and to be to him and hold him no
worse than my own sons." After that the brothers parted in great
affection. Thorliek now sold his land, and spent his money on his
journey abroad. He bought a ship that stood up in Daymealness; and
when he was full ready he stepped on board ship with his wife and
household. That ship made a good voyage, and they made Norway in the
autumn. Thence he went south to Denmark, as he did not feel at home in
Norway, his kinsmen and friends there being either dead or driven out
of the land. After that Thorliek went to Gautland. It is said by most
men that Thorliek had little to do with old age; yet he was held a man
of great worth throughout life. And there we close the story of
Thorliek.

CHAP. XXXIX

Of Kjartan's Friendship for Bolli

[Sidenote: Osvif's counsel] At that time, as concerning the strife
between Hrut and Thorliek, it was ever the greatest gossip throughout
the Broadfirth-Dales how that Hrut had had to abide a heavy lot at the
hands of Kotkell and his sons. Then Osvif spoke to Gudrun and her
brothers, and bade them call to mind whether they thought now it would
have been the best counsel aforetime then and there to have plunged
into the danger of dealing with such "hell-men" (terrible people) as
Kotkell and his were. Then said Gudrun, "He is not counsel-bereft,
father, who has the help of thy counsel." Olaf now abode at his manor
in much honour, and all his sons are at home there, as was Bolli,
their kinsman and foster-brother. Kjartan was foremost of all the sons
of Olaf. Kjartan and Bolli loved each other the most, and Kjartan went
nowhere that Bolli did not follow. Often Kjartan would go to the
Saelingdale-spring, and mostly it happened that Gudrun was at the
spring too. Kjartan liked talking to Gudrun, for she was both a woman
of wits and clever of speech. It was the talk of all folk that of all
men who were growing up at the time Kjartan was the most even match
for Gudrun. Between