word by
word, and to let thee say the words after him. He will give thee leave,
and summon himself in the suit, and thou shalt summon after him there
and then, and this time say every word right. When it is done, ask Hrut
if that were rightly summoned, and he will answer 'there is no flaw to
be found in it'. Then thou shalt say in a loud voice, so that thy
companions may hear--

"'I summon thee in the suit which Unna Mord's daughter has made over to
me with her plighted hand.'

"But when men are sound asleep, you shall rise and take your bridles and
saddles, and tread softly, and go out of the house, and put your saddles
on your fat horses in the fields, and so ride off on them, but leave the
others behind you. You must ride up into the hills away from the home
pastures and stay there three nights, for about so long will they seek
you. After that ride home south, riding always by night and resting by
day. As for us we will then ride this summer to the Thing, and help thee
in thy suit." So Gunnar thanked Njal, and first of all rode home.

CHAPTER XXIII.

HUCKSTER HEDINN.

Gunnar rode from home two nights afterwards, and two men with him; they
rode along until they got on Bluewoodheath, and then men on horseback
met them and asked who that tall man might be of whom so little was
seen. But his companions said it was Huckster Hedinn. Then the others
said a worse was not to be looked for behind, when such a man as he went
before. Hedinn at once made as though he would have set upon them, but
yet each went their way. So Gunnar went on doing everything as Njal had
laid it down for him, and when he came to Hauskuldstede he stayed there
the night, and thence he went down the dale till he came to the next
farm to Hrutstede. There he offered his wares for sale, and Hedinn fell
at once upon the farmer. This was told to Hrut, and he sent for Hedinn,
and Hedinn went at once to see Hrut, and had a good welcome. Hrut seated
him over against himself, and their talk went pretty much as Njal had
guessed; but when they came to talk of Rangrivervale, and Hrut asked
about the men there, Gunnar sung this stave--

Men in sooth are slow to find,--
So the people speak by stealth,
Often this hath reached my ears,--
All through Rangar's rolling vales.
Still I trow that Fiddle Mord,
Tried his hand in fight of yore;
Sure was never gold-bestower,
Such a man for might and wit.

Then Hrut said, "Thou art a skald, He