horsknoll, and let them tell Bergthora, that now Kol's slaying was
paid for.

After that Hallgerda sent a man to the Thing to tell Gunnar of Atli's
killing.

Gunnar stood up, and Kolskegg with him, and Kolskegg said--

"Unthrifty will Hallgerda's kinsmen be to thee."

Then they go to see Njal, and Gunnar said--

"I have to tell thee of Atli's killing." He told him also who slew him,
and went on, "and now I will bid thee atonement for the deed, and thou
shall make the award thyself".

Njal said--"We two have always meant never to come to strife about
anything; but still I cannot make him out a thrall".

Gunnar said that was all right, and stretched out his hand.

Njal named his witnesses, and they made peace on those terms.

Skarphedinn said, "Hallgerda does not let our house-carles die of old
age".

Gunnar said--"Thy mother will take care that blow goes for blow between
the houses".

"Ay, ay," says Njal, "there will be enough of that work."

After that Njal fixed the price at a hundred in silver, but Gunnar paid
it down at once. Many who stood by said that the award was high; Gunnar
got wroth, and said that a full atonement was often paid for those who
were no brisker men than Atli.

With that they rode home from the Thing.

Bergthora said to Njal when she saw the money--"Thou thinkest thou hast
fulfilled thy promise, but now my promise is still behind".

"There is no need that thou shouldst fulfil it," says Njal.

"Nay," says she, "thou hast guessed it would be so; and so it shall be."

Hallgerda said to Gunnar--

"Hast thou paid a hundred in silver for Atli's slaying, and made him a
free man?"

"He was free before," says Gunnar, "and besides, I will not make Njal's
household outlaws who have forfeited their rights."

"There's not a pin to choose between you," she said, "for both of you
are so blate."

"That's as things prove," says he.

Then Gunnar was for a long time very short with her, till she gave way
to him; and now all was still for the rest of that year; in the spring
Njal did not increase his household, and now men ride to the Thing about
summer.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

THE SLAYING OF BRYNJOLF THE UNRULY.

There was a man named Thord, he was surnamed Freedmanson. Sigtrygg was
his father's name, and he had been the freedman of Asgerd, and he was
drowned in Markfleet. That was why Thord was with Njal afterwards. He
was a tall man and a strong, and he had fostered all Njal's son