Laxdæla Saga | Page 7

marry you; yet my
father must have most to say in this matter, and I will agree in this with
his wishes." And the long and short of it was, that Jorunn was promised
to Hoskuld with much money, and the wedding was to be at
Hoskuldstead. Hoskuld now went away with matters thus settled, and
home to his abode, and stays now at home until this wedding feast was
to be held. Bjorn came from the north for the wedding with a brave
company of followers. Hoskuld had also asked many guests, both
friends and relations, and the feast was of the grandest. Now, when the

feast was over each one returned to his home in good friendship and
with seemly gifts. Jorunn Bjorn's daughter sits behind at Hoskuldstead,
and takes over the care of the household with Hoskuld. It was very
soon seen that she was wise and well up in things, and of manifold
knowledge, though rather high-tempered at most times. Hoskuld and
she loved each other well, though in their daily ways they made no
show thereof. Hoskuld became a great chieftain; he was mighty and
pushing, and had no lack of money, and was thought to be nowise less
of his ways than his father, Koll. [Sidenote: Hoskuld's children]
Hoskuld and Jorunn had not been married long before they came to
have children. A son of theirs was named Thorliek. He was the eldest
of their children. Bard was another son of theirs. One of their daughters
was called Hallgerd, afterwards surnamed "Long-Breeks." Another
daughter was called Thurid. All their children were most hopeful.
Thorliek was a very tall man, strong and handsome, though silent and
rough; and men thought that such was the turn of his temper, as that he
would be no man of fair dealings, and Hoskuld often would say, that he
would take very much after the race of the men of the Strands. Bard,
Hoskuld's son, was most manly to look at, and of goodly strength, and
from his appearance it was easy to see that he would take more after his
father's people. Bard was of quiet ways while he was growing up, and a
man lucky in friends, and Hoskuld loved him best of all his children.
The house of Hoskuld now stood in great honour and renown. About
this time Hoskuld gave his sister Groa in marriage to Velief the Old,
and their son was "Holmgang"-Bersi.

CHAP. X
Of Viga Hrapp
Hrapp was the name of a man who lived in Salmon-river-Dale, on the
north bank of the river on the opposite side to Hoskuldstead, at the
place that was called later on Hrappstead, where there is now waste
land. [Sidenote: Of Hrapp and Vigdis] Hrapp was the son of Sumarlid,
and was called Fight-Hrapp. He was Scotch on his father's side, and his
mother's kin came from Sodor, where he was brought up. He was a

very big, strong man, and one not willing to give in even in face of
some odds; and for the reason that was most overbearing, and would
never make good what he had misdone, he had had to fly from
West-over-the-sea, and had bought the land on which he afterwards
lived. His wife was named Vigdis, and was Hallstein's daughter; and
their son was named Sumarlid. Her brother was named Thorstein Surt;
he lived at Thorsness, as has been written before. Sumarlid was brought
up there, and was a most promising young man. Thorstein had been
married, but by this time his wife was dead. He had two daughters, one
named Gudrid, and the other Osk. Thorkell trefill married Gudrid, and
they lived in Svignaskard. He was a great chieftain, and a sage of wits;
he was the son of Raudabjorn. Osk, Thorstein's daughter, was given in
marriage to a man of Broadfirth named Thorarin. He was a valiant man,
and very popular, and lived with Thorstein, his father-in-law, who was
sunk in age and much in need of their care. Hrapp was disliked by most
people, being overbearing to his neighbours; and at times he would hint
to them that theirs would be a heavy lot as neighbours, if they held any
other man for better than himself. All the goodmen took one counsel,
and went to Hoskuld and told him their trouble. Hoskuld bade them tell
him if Hrapp did any one any harm, "For he shall not plunder me of
men or money."

CHAP. XI
About Thord Goddi and Thorbjorn Skrjup
[Sidenote: Thord Goddi and his wife Vigdis] Thord Goddi was the
name of a man who lived in Salmon-river-Dale on the northern side of
the river, and his house was Vigdis called Goddistead. He was a very
wealthy man; he had no children, and had bought