524 THE THING. 



they loved each other well ; he left off all warfare and made 

 laws in the land ; he chose twelve of the wisest men to judge 

 in important cases in his realm, and prevented all warfare 

 in his land ; he became a great chief and was well liked " 

 (Hervarar Saga, c. 14). 



Gunnar, when attacked, slew Thorgeir Otkelsson, and was 

 summoned before the Thing to answer for it. 



" Many chiefs tried to effect a reconciliation, and the result 

 was that twelve men were to arbitrate in the case " (Njala, 

 c. 74). 



King Olaf, of Sweden, always had with him twelve of the 

 wisest men, who assisted him in difficult cases. 



