whether we sink or swim, bring forward our
business by a foreman." All replied that
they agreed to his words, and chose him as
foreman; after which they went to the bath.
In the meantime, most of these proceedings
were carried to the Ting. On hearing this,
Teit hastened out of the bath-house in merely
his shirt and linen breeches, with a gold band
round his brows; and, throwing on a red
and brown striped cloak, lined with grey fur,
hurried away. In a moment all the Icelanders
had assembled, and, rushing off to the
prison to be beforehand with the Ting's
people, broke open the prison doors, fetched
out Gisle, knocked off his fetters, and placing
him in the midst of them, hurried him off to
the court.

When the Ting had assembled, and a great
deal had been said on the subject—one party
urgently pleading the cause of the criminal,
and the other as urgently demanding the
most severe punishment for his unheard-of
offence—Gisle himself came forward and
prayed permission to say a few words. The
king granted this permission, and he said:
"I will begin from the time of my father's
murder, which Giafald committed when I
was six years old, and my brother Thormod
nine. We were both together when our
father was murdered. Giafald said that we
two brothers ought also to be killed; and,
sir, it is almost a shame to tell it, but I
cried."

"Thou hast gained some courage since
then," interrupted the king.

"I will not deny," continued Gisle, "that I
have for a long time had my eye on Giafald
with hostile intentions. Twice was the occasion
favourable to me; but in the one case I
was prevented by regard to the church, and
in the second by the evening bell. I have
made a song about you, king, which I should
like you to hear."

"Sing it and welcome," said the king.

Gisle repeated the song rapidly. After
that he turned to Teit, and said:

"You have shown much courage on my
account; but I will no longer place you in
danger. I submit myself to the king's power,
and offer him my head."

He laid aside his weapon, crossed the Ting-court,
and placed his head upon the king's
knee, with these words: " Do what you like
with my head. I shall thank you if you forgive
me, and make me useful in any way you
may think fitting."

To this the king replied: " Keep thy head;
and sit down at the table in Giafald's place.
His fare and his wages shall be thine, and
thou shalt do his service."

The same confidence in the noble humanity
of his enemy was shown by the Norwegian
Thorsten, son of Ketill Raumur, when only
eighteen years of age. The incident is well
worthy of record, if it were only for the
curious picture of life and manners which it
presents:—

The forest between Raumsdale and Uppland,
in Norway, was infested by a formidable
robber, who made the road unsafe for
travellers. Young Thorsten, who wished to
distinguish himself by some brave action,
went thither to put a stop to this mischief.
Advancing on his way, he saw a footpath
which turned off from the main road, and led
into the depth of the forest. After following
this path for some time he arrived at a large,
well-built cottage. He found it to contain
large coffers and great store of goods.
The bed which stood there was so much
larger and so much broader than any
which Thorsten had seen before, that he
thought to himself the man for whom it was
intended must be very large and tall indeed.
Handsome coverlets were thrown over the
bed; and the table, which stood in the
room, was spread with a clean cloth, on
which were placed excellent meat and good
drink.

Towards evening a loud noise was heard
outside, and a tall, large, and very good-looking
man entered, kindled the fire, washed
himself, dried himself on a clean towel, and
sat down to eat and drink, and then went
to rest.

Thorsten—who had concealed himself behind
some large packages, and who had silently
watched the man's proceedings—stepped softly
forth as soon as he was soundly asleep; and,
taking up his own sword smote it with all
his strength into his breast. The man
started up hastily, and, seizing Thorsten,
lifted him upon the bed, and laid him between
himself and the wall. The man asked
him his parentage and name; on learning
which he said, " Least of all have I deserved
this from thee or thy father, for I never did
either of you any harm. Thou hast been too
hasty, and I have been too dilatory; for I
have intended for some time to give up this
way of life. It is in my power to let thee
now either live or die, and, if I should treat
thee as thou deservest, thou wouldst have
no opportunity to tell of this our meeting.
But it may be that some good will come of it,
and therefore I will spare thy life. I am
called Jökul, and am the son of Ingemund
Jarl of Götaland. According to the custom
of high-born men, although in a manner
which may not contribute to my honour, I
have endeavoured to acquire property; though
I had even now determined to pursue this
course no longer. And see now, if I should do
a great kindness by granting to thee thy life,
thou must go to my father. But endeavour,
in the first place, to have a little private talk
with my mother Vigdis. Tell her all that
has happened; greet her most affectionately
from me, and beseech of her to obtain the
goodwill and the friendship of the Jarl for
thee, so that he may give thee his daughter,
my sister Thordis, in marriage. Thou must
deliver this gold ring to my mother, as an
undoubted token that I have sent thee. And,