80 DANIEL BRUUN. 
after which they drew the gangway m. Thorkel goaded his people 
on to attack, as it was his intention to fight Skuf and his companions if 
they would not deliver Thormod to them. Skuf then remarked: 
“Thou takest this case well violently, farmer Thorkel if thou really 
wilst kill Thormod who is thy guest and King Olaf's courtier and bard. — 
Should King Olaf get to know that you had killed the man he had recom- 
mended to thy help and protection — if it should be necessary —, you 
would pay dearly for it. It has happened here as so often before, 
that one, in anger cannot see that which is just. Now on Thormod's 
behalf we will pay you finds in money for slaughter and the injury 
which has been inflicted on you thereby. Thorkel's anger cooled at 
Skuf's remonstrances: there were besides many who took part in trying 
to arrange a reconciliation between them and it ended with Skuf leaving 
it to Thorkel to decide the fines for Lodm's death. Thormod then went 
to Stokkaness, where he remained.” 
Here he laid plans to take bloody revenge on Thorgrim Trolle 
and his family — for which purpose he had come to Greenland. Skuf's 
man gil, а big strong man, ugly in appearance, clumsy and un- 
intelligent, for which he was called Fool-Egil, became his companion 
later on. 
"The summer after these occurences, people went to the assize at 
Gardar in Ericsfiord. They who came from Ericsfiord arranged their 
tent booths on a spot where a little hill lay between them and the place 
where the inhabitants of Einarsfiord had raised their tents. Thorgrim 
had not yet arrived when most of the others had covered their assize 
booths. Shortly after, they saw him come in a procession. His ship 
was magnificent and his warriors both selected and well equipped. 
Thorgrim's arrogance was so great, that people hardly dared speak to 
him. When Thorgrim's ship reached land, people went down to the 
shore to see his, and his people's magnificence and armour equipment. 
Greenlanders always used to have hunting and fishing implements on 
their vessels, and Thormod who was also present, took a seal harpoon, 
which had been thrown on land, and examined it. But one of Thorgrim's 
attendants grasped the harpoon saying: "Let go, man! It is of little 
use for thee to have that in thy hand. I do not suppose thou under- 
standest even in hunting, how to use it.” 
To which was answered: 
"It is also doubtful whether thou understandest shooting better 
than I do.” 
“I do without doubt!” 
Thormod then chanted: 
"He who runs quickly on rocks, 
merrily boasts 
that he the harpoon better 
than we understand to swing. 
mm 
