not throw anything in the way of that," says Njal; "lean on me
in this thing as much as thou likest."

"Good go with thee for thy words," says Gunnar, and he rides then home.

The Easterling [the Norseman Hallvard] fell again to talk with Gunnar
that he should fare abroad. Gunnar asked if he had ever sailed to other
lands? He said he had sailed to every one of them that lay between
Norway and Russia, and so, too, I have sailed to Biarmaland.[12]

"Wilt thou sail with me eastward ho?" says Gunnar.

"That I will of a surety," says he.

Then Gunnar made up his mind to sail abroad with him. Njal took all
Gunnar's goods into his keeping.

CHAPTER XXIX.

GUNNAR GOES ABROAD.

So Gunnar fared abroad, and Kolskegg with him. They sailed first to
Toensberg,[13] and were there that winter. There had then been a shift of
rulers in Norway, Harold Grayfell was then dead, and so was Gunnhillda.
Earl Hacon the Bad, Sigurd's son, Hacon's son, Gritgarth's son, then
ruled the realm. The mother of Hacon was Bergliot, the daughter of Earl
Thorir. Her mother was Olof harvest-heal. She was Harold Fair-hair's
daughter.

Hallvard asks Gunnar if he would make up his mind to go to Earl Hacon?

"No; I will not do that," says Gunnar. "Hast thou ever a long-ship?"

"I have two," he says.

"Then I would that we two went on warfare; and let us get men to go with
us."

"I will do that," says Hallvard.

After that they went to the Bay, and took with them two ships, and
fitted them out thence. They had good choice of men, for much praise was
said of Gunnar.

"Whither wilt thou first fare?" says Gunnar.

"I wish to go south-east to Hisingen, to see my kinsman Oliver," says
Hallvard.

"What dost thou want of him?" says Gunnar.

He answered--"He is a fine brave fellow, and he will be sure to get us
some more strength for our voyage".

"Then let us go thither," says Gunnar.

So, as soon as they were "boun," they held on east to Hisingen, and had
there a hearty welcome. Gunnar had only been there a short time ere
Oliver made much of him. Oliver asks about his voyage, and Hallvard says
that Gunnar wishes to go a-warfaring to gather goods for himself.

"There's no use thinking of that," says Oliver, "when ye have no force."

"Well," says Hallvard, "then you may add to it."

"So I do mean to strengthen Gunnar somewhat," says Oliver; "and though
thou reckonest thyself my kith and kin, I think there is more good in
him."

"Wh