THE FIGHT BETWEEN ODD AND HJALMAli. 1 If, 



those who are ashore ; I will land with the other half and go 

 along the forest and there raise another battle-cry ; then it 

 may be that they get somewhat startled ; I think they will 

 flee away into the forest and that no more is needed.' " It is 

 told of Hjalmar and his men that they were not in the least 

 startled when they heard the battle-cry of Gudimmd. When 

 they heard another battle-cry upon land they stopped the 

 play while it lasted and then continued as before. Now Odd 

 and Gudmund went to the other side of the ness and met. 

 Odd said : ' I know not for certain whether these men are so 

 full of fear whom we have found here.' ' What wilt thou now 

 do ?' said Gudmund. ' That is soon told,' said Odd ; ' we will 

 not steal at these men ; we will stay this night at the ness 

 (cape) till morning.' Next morning they went ashore with all 

 their men towards Hjalmar, who had his men w ar-dressed when 

 he saw them go up on land and went to meet them. Hjalmar 

 asked when they met who was the leader. Odd answered : 

 ' There are more chiefs than one here.' ' What is thy name ? ' 

 said Hjalmar. ' My name is Odd, son of Grim Lodinkinni (hairy 

 cheek) from Hranfista.' ' Art thou the Odd who went to Bjar- 

 maland shortly ago, and what is thy errand hither ? ' Odd said : 

 ' I wish to know which of us is the greater man.' ' How many 

 ships hast thou?' asked Hjalmar. 'I have five ships,' said 

 Odd, ' and how many have you?' 'W T e have fifteen ships,' 

 answered Hjalmar. ' That is great odds,' said Odd. ' Ten 

 ship-crews shall not take part in the battle,' said Hjalmar, 

 'and man fight against man.' Both made themselves ready 

 for battle, arrayed their men and fought all day. At night 

 the peace-shield was raised, and Hjalmar asked Odd how he 

 liked the fight of that day ; Odd answered : ' Well.' ' Wilt 

 thou play this game oftener?' said Hjalmar. 'No other 

 intention have I,' answered Odd, 'for I never found better or 

 hardier champions ; we will begin the battle again in full 

 daylight.' This was done ; the men went to their war-booths 

 and dressed their wounds. Next morning both arrayed their 

 men for battle and fought all that day ; when it began to 

 grow dark a peace-shield was raised. Odd asked how Hjalmar 

 liked the fighting of that day ; he said : ' Well.' ' Wilt thou,' 

 said Hjalmar, ' try this game the third day ? ' Odd replied : 

 ' Then we shall fight it out.' Thord said : ' Can we expect 

 much property on your ships ? ' ' Far from that,' said Odd, 

 ' we have got no property this summer.' ' I think,' said 

 Thord, 'I have nowhere met more foolish men than here, I'm- 

 we only fight out of pride and rivalry.' ' What wilt thou 

 then ? '"said Odd. (Orvar Odd Saga, c. 9). 



I 2 



