Chapter 43 - Of Aulvir and Egil.

There was a man named Aulvir, a house-carle of Thorir's, who was manager and bailiff over his estate. He had the getting in of debts, and was treasurer. Aulvir was past his youth, but was still quite a hale man. It so happened that Aulvir had to leave home to get in some rents of Thorir's that had stood over from the spring. He had a row-boat, on board which went twelve of Thorir's house-carles. Just then Egil began to recover, and rose from his bed. He thought it was dull work at home when everybody was gone away. So he spoke with Aulvir, and said he would like to go with him. But Aulvir thought one good comrade would not overload them, as there was enough ship-room. So Egil prepared to go. He had his weapons, sword, halberd, and buckler.

They went their way when they were ready. They had the wind blowing hard against them, and sharp gale and troublesome; but they pursued their journey vigorously, taking to their oars. And their progress was such, that on the evening of a day they came to Atla-isle, and there put in to land. In this island, not far up from the shore, was a large farm belonging to king Eric. The overlooker thereof was a man named Bard. He was called Bard of Atla-isle, and was a good business man and worker; not of high birth, but much prized by the king and Gunnhilda.

Aulvir and his men drew up their ship beyond flood-tide mark. They then went to the farm buildings, and found Bard outside, and told him of their journey, and withal that they would fain be there for the night. Bard saw that they were very wet, and led them to a fire-hall that stood apart from the other buildings. There he had a large fire made for them, at which their clothes were dried. When they had put them on again, Bard came in. 'Now will we,' said he, 'set you a table here. I know you will be glad to sleep; you are weary from your wetting.'

Aulvir liked that well. Soon the table was set, and food given them, bread and butter and large bowls of curds set forth. Bard said: 'Right sorry am I that there is no ale in the house, that I might receive you as I would; you will have to make out with what there is.'

Aulvir and his folk were very thirsty, and drank up the curds. Then Bard had oat-drink brought in, and they drank that. 'I should like,' said Bard, 'to give you better drink if I had any.'

There was no lack of straw in the room. Then he bade them lie down to sleep.

 



43. kafli - Af ferðurn Ölvis ok Egils.

Ölvir hét maðr. Hann var húskarl Þóris ok var forstjóri ok ráðamaðr fyrir búi hans. Hafði hann skuldaheimtur ok var féhirðir. Ölvir var af æskualdri ok þó maðr inn hressasti.

Svá bar til, at Ölvir átti heimanferð at heimta landskyldir Þóris, þær er eftir höfðu staðit um várit. Hafði hann róðrarferju, ok váru þar á tólf húskarlar Þóris. Þá tók Egill at hressast, ok reis hann þá upp. Honum þótti þá gerast daufligt heima, er alþýða manna var á brott farin. Kom hann at máli við Ölvi ok sagði, at hann vildi fara með honum. En Ölvi þótti eigi góðum liðsmanni ofaukit, því at skipkostr var ærinn. Réðst Egill til ferðar þeirar. Egill hafði vápn sín, sverð ok kesju ok buklara. Fara þeir ferðar sinnar, er þeir váru búnir, ok fengu veðrabálk harðan, hvöss veðr ok óhagstæð, en þeir sóttu ferðina knáliga, tóku róðrarleiði.

Svá bar til ferð þeira, at þeir kómu aftan dags til Atleyjar ok lögðu þar at landi, en þar var í eyjunni skammt upp bú mikit, er átti Eiríkr konungr. En þar réð fyrir maðr sá, er Bárðr hét. Hann var kallaðr Atleyjar-Bárðr ok var sýslumaðr mikill ok starfsmaðr góðr. Ekki var hann kynstórr maðr, en kærr mjök Eiríki konungi ok Gunnhildi dróttningu.

Þeir Ölvir drógu upp skip sitt ór flæðarmáli, gengu síðan til bæjar ok hittu Bárð úti ok sögðu honum um ferð sína, svá þat, at þeir vildu þar vera um nóttina. Bárðr sá, at þeir váru vátir mjök, ok fylgði hann þeim til eldahúss nökkurs. Var þat brott frá öðrum húsum. Hann lét gera eld mikinn fyrir þeim, ok váru þar þurrkuð klæði þeira.

En er þeir höfðu tekit klæði sín, þá kom Bárðr þar. "Nú munum vér," segir hann, "hér setja yðr borð. Ek veit, at yðr mun vera títt at sofa. Þér eruð menn móðir af vási."

Ölvi líkaði þat vel. Síðan var sett borð ok gefinn þeim matr, brauð ok smjör, ok settir fram skyraskar stórir.

Bárðr sagði: "Harmr er þat nú mikill, er öl er ekki inni, þat er ek mega yðr fagna sem ek vilda. Verðið þér nú at bjargast við slíkt, sem til er."

Þeir Ölvir váru þyrstir mjök ok supu skyrit. Síðan lét Bárðr bera inn afr, ok drukku þeir þat.

"Fúss mynda ek," kvað Bárðr, "at gefa yðr betra drykk, ef til væri."

Hálm skorti þar eigi inni. Bað hann þar þá niðr leggjast til svefns.

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