240 DEBTS AND ROBBERY. 



The king neither received nor paid afang, as his things 

 could be used by other people, and he could use other people's 

 things. 



" No man shall take the ship or horse of a man except with 

 the leave of the owner. If he takes it he shall pay one eyrir 

 and a half. If the owner finds him on the ship or horse and 

 asks afang it is well if he will pay. If he will not, the fine is 

 doubled, and a ranbaug (robbery-fine) is to be paid to the 

 king " (Gulathing, 92). 



Spoiling the property of another was called spellvirld 

 (spoiling-deed) ; if the damage was more than half a mark 

 the owner received damages according to the valuation, and 

 doubtless also according to his rett. If the spoiler would 

 not pay he was outlawed. 



" No man shall spoil another man's things. If he spoils so 

 much that the loss amounts to half a mark it is a spoiling-deed \ 

 of all which is valued as much as half a mark. If a man 

 cuts off the tail of another's horse so high that he cuts some 

 of its skin, then it is a spoiling-deed. If a man makes a cut 

 into the side of a ship, fore or aft, worth half a mark, it is a 

 spoiling-deed" 1 (Gulathing, 96). 



Frostath. Law, x. 46, applies this to other cattle also. 



