376 IDEOTTIR. 



were used up by the men of Botn, as they often walked there ; 

 and the hide of an ox was cut up into shoes. 1 The people 

 thought Kolgrim wanted to know about the disappearance of 

 the ox, and therefore had had these games ; he thought he 

 recognized the hide of the ox on their feet. Then they were 

 called ox-men, and again were ill-used. At home they talked 

 about this ill-treatment, and said they would soon give up the 

 games. Hord spoke harshly to them, saying that they were 

 great cowards if they dared not to take revenge, and were only 

 ready for evil doings. Then Thord and Thorgeir Gyrclil- 

 skeggi, an outlaw, had come to Hord. Hord had made horn 

 scrapers during the night. Every man was ready to go to the 

 game when Hord went, though they were rather backward 

 before. Onund Thormodsson of Brekka was to play against 

 Hord ; he was a popular and strong man. The game was very 

 rough, and before evening six of the men of Strandir lay dead, 

 but none of the men of Botn ; and both parties went home " 

 (Herd's Saga, ch. 29). 



" One day the sous of the King (Njorfi) and of Jarl 

 Viking played at ball ; as usual the sons of Njorfi were very 

 keen, and Thorstein spared his strength. He played against 

 Jokul, and Olaf against Thorir, and the others according to 

 their age. Thus it was during the day. Thorir threw down the 

 ball so hard that it bounded over Olaf and fell a long way 

 off. Olaf got angry and fetched the ball. When he came 

 back the men were preparing to go home. Then Olaf struck 

 at Thorir with the bat, and when Thorir saw it he ran under 

 the bat, which hit his head and bruised it. Thorstein and 

 others ran between them, and they were parted " (Thorstein 

 Vikiugsson, 1C). 2 



One day two unknown men came to Thorgnyr Jarl in Jot- 

 land, and said they were brothers. 



" There often were games of ball ; many asked the brothers 

 to go to the games : they said they had often been at these 

 games and were rather rough-handed. The Jaii's men said 

 they would take care of themselves whatever might happen. 

 The next morning the brothers went to the games, and 

 generally had the ball during the day ; they pushed men and 

 let them fall roughly, and beat others. At night thjee men 

 had their arms broken, and many were bruised or maimed ; 



1 Their foot-gear was made of un- | 2 Of. also Giingu Hrolfs Saga, is. 

 dressed ox-hide. 



