n, and 'blow for blow'
grew to be the rule between Hallgerda and Bergthora; but for all that
there was no quarrel between Njal and Gunnar.

So the years went by, and many Things had been held, and much
blood-money had been paid, when one spring there was a great dearth of
hay throughout all Iceland, and much cattle died. Gunnar, who was wise
as well as rich, had seen what was coming and had laid up stores of both
dried meat and of hay. As long as they lasted, he shared them with his
neighbours, but when his barns were empty he called Kolskegg his brother
and two of his friends, and they all fared to Kirkby, where dwelt Otkell
the son of Skarf.

This Otkell owned many flocks and herds and wide pastures, and Gunnar
hoped that his barns might yet be full.

'I have come to buy meat and hay, if there is any in your storehouses,
for mine are empty!' said Gunnar.

'I have yet many storehouses untouched,' answered Otkell, 'but I will
sell you nothing.'

'Will you give me them, then?' asked Gunnar, 'and I will pay you back
some time in what you will.'

'I will neither give nor sell,' said Otkell.

'Let us take what we want and leave the money,' said Thrain, who had
come with Gunnar, but Gunnar answered: 'I am no robber!' and was turning
to go when Otkell stopped him.

'Will you buy a thrall from me? He is a good thrall,' said Otkell, 'but
I have no need of him.'

And Gunnar bought the thrall, and they all went home to Lithend
together.

When Njal heard that Otkell would not sell to Gunnar, he was very wroth
and rode up into the hills with all his sons, and took meat from his
storehouses and bound it upon five horses, and hay from his barns and
bound it upon ten horses, and they drove them all to Lithend, which was
Gunnar's house.

'Never ask another man for aught when you can ask me,' said Njal, and
Gunnar answered:

'Your gifts are great, but truly your love is greater.'

In a few weeks the summer began, and, as was his custom, Gunnar rode to
the Thing, leaving Hallgerda in the house at Lithend.

The day after he had ridden away with his men Hallgerda sent for Malcolm
the thrall, and said to him:

'I have somewhat for you to do! Take with you two horses besides the one
you ride, and go to Kirkby and steal meat enough to load the two horses,
and butter and cheese as well. But take heed, when all is done, to set
the storehouses on fire, so that none can trace that the goods have
vanished.'

Malcolm the thra