ad-shouldered, slender of waist, with fine
limbs and well-made hands and feet. Hrut was of all men the fairest of
feature, and like what Thorstein, his mother's father, had been, or
like Ketill Flatnose. And all things taken together, he was a man of
the greatest mettle. Herjolf now fell ill and died, and men deemed
that a great loss. After that Thorgerd wished to go to Iceland to
visit Hoskuld her son, for she still loved him best of all men, and
Hrut was left behind well placed with his relations. Thorgerd arrayed
her journey to Iceland, and went to find Hoskuld in his home in
Salmonriver-Dale. He received his mother with honour. She was
possessed of great wealth, and remained with Hoskuld to the day of her
death. A few winters after Thorgerd came to Iceland she fell sick and
died. Hoskuld took to himself all her money, but Hrut his brother
owned one-half thereof.

CHAP. IX

Hoskuld's Marriage, A.D. 935

[Sidenote: Of Jorunn Bjorn's daughter] At this time Norway was ruled
by Hakon, Athelstan's fosterling. Hoskuld was one of his bodyguard,
and stayed each year, turn and turn about, at Hakon's court, or at his
own home, and was a very renowned man both in Norway and in Iceland.
Bjorn was the name of a man who lived at Bjornfirth, where he had
taken land, the firth being named after him. This firth cuts into the
land north from Steingrim's firth, and a neck of land runs out between
them. Bjorn was a man of high birth, with a great deal of money: Ljufa
was the name of his wife. Their daughter was Jorunn: she was a most
beautiful woman, and very proud and extremely clever, and so was
thought the best match in all the firths of the West. Of this woman
Hoskuld had heard, and he had heard besides that Bjorn was the
wealthiest yeoman throughout all the Strands. Hoskuld rode from home
with ten men, and went to Bjorn's house at Bjornfirth. He was well
received, for to Bjorn his ways were well known. [Sidenote: Hoskuld
marries Jorunn] Then Hoskuld made his proposal, and Bjorn said he was
pleased, for his daughter could not be better married, yet turned the
matter over to her decision. And when the proposal was set before
Jorunn, she answered in this way: "From all the reports I have heard
of you, Hoskuld, I cannot but answer your proposal well, for I think
that the woman would be well cared for who should marry you; yet my
father must have most to say in this matter, and I will agree in this
with his wishes." And the