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But go and see Gizur the white and Geir the priest at once, and see if the offers of Gunnar do not seem good to them! For he is a just and gentle-hearted man, and perchance he will still hearken to you, if you accept them. So Otkell, who ever listened to the last speaker, bade, them bring out his horse and set forth, Skamkell walking by his side.
In a little while, when they had gone a mile or two, Skamkell said: 'You have much to look to at Kirkby, and no one but yourself can see after the men. Get home, therefore, and let me ride to Gizur the white and Geir the priest instead of you. 'Go, then, answered Otkell, who was lazy and never took the trouble to think for himself; 'but see you do not tell them lies, as you are wont to do.
Otkell listened in amaze and then answered that he had done so because of the counsel that Gizur himself and Geir the priest had told Skamkell. 'He lied, then, replied Gizur; 'we gave no such counsel; and Gunnar and his friends were called, and Gizur stood forth and bade Gunnar make his own award.
'Let us take what we want and leave the money, said Thrain, who had come with Gunnar, but Gunnar answered: 'I am no robber! and was turning to go when Otkell stopped him. 'Will you buy a thrall from me? He is a good thrall, said Otkell, 'but I have no need of him. And Gunnar bought the thrall, and they all went home to Lithend together.
'You must make atonement to Otkell, and it is better there should be no delay, replied Kolskegg. 'I will do your bidding, said Gunnar; and, mounting his horse, he took eleven with him, beside Thrain and Lambi his friends, and they all fared to Kirkby. There, Otkell came out to greet them, and with him were Skamkell and two other men, Hallkell and Hallbjorm.
'Gizur and Geir greet you, said Skamkell, 'and they wish that this matter should have a peaceful ending. They will that Gunnar shall be summoned as having received and eaten the goods, likewise Hallgerda for stealing them! So Otkell followed this counsel, and five days before the opening of the Althing he rode with his brother and Skamkell and a great following to Lithend.
'Who can tell who will fear most at the sound of that singing? But this you know well, that when the fight has begun Gunnar does not give his bill much time to sing! Now when Skamkell reached Mossfell, he told truly to Gizur the white the offers Gunnar had made. 'Why did not Otkell accept them? asked Gizur, 'they were generous and noble, as Gunnar's offers are.
And after that he rode home with his men. Then Hallbjorm spoke to Otkell, saying: 'Ill was it to refuse the offers of Gunnar, which were good offers, as you know well. Can it be that you think yourself a match for Gunnar in fight, when he has proved himself better than any man in the island?
'I will lie no more than I can help, master, answered Skamkell, jumping on Otkell's horse. Otkell fared home and found Hallbjorm in front of the house.
'Has anything befallen you that you have returned on foot? asked he; and Otkell, who feared him, said hurriedly: 'I had many men to look over, and much work to do, so I sent Skamkell in my stead, But Hallbjorm held his peace and eyed him scornfully. 'He who makes a thrall his friend rues it ever more, he answered at last.
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