Thereafter Thorolf went to his ship, and put it in order. And when all was ready they moved the ship
out to Digra-ness, and it lay there waiting a wind. Then Asgerdr went to the ship with him. But before
Thorolf left Borg Skallagrim went and took down from the rafters over the door the axe, the king’s gift
- and came out with it. The haft was now black with smoke, and the blade rusted. Skallagrim looked at
the axe’s edge. Then he handed it to Thorolf, reciting this stave:

’The fierce would-wolf’s tooth-edge

Hath flaws not a few,

An axe all deceitful,

A wood cleaver weak.

Begone! worthless weapon,

With shaft smoke-begrimed:

A prince ill-beseemed it

Such present to send.’

Chapter 39 - Kettle Blund comes out to Iceland.
This had happened while Thorolf was away, that one summer a merchant-ship from Norway came into
Borgar-firth. Merchant-ships used then commonly to be drawn up into rivers, brook-mouths, or
ditches. This ship belonged to a man named Kettle, and by-named Blund; he was a Norwegian of
noble kin and wealthy. His son, named Geir, who was then of full age, was with him in the ship. Kettle
meant to make his home in Iceland; he came late in the summer. Skallagrim knew all about him, and
offered him lodging for himself and all his company. This Kettle took, and was with Skallagrim for
the winter. That winter Geir, Kettle’s son, asked to wife Thorunn, Skallagrim’s daughter, and the
match was made, and Geir took her.

Next spring Skallagrim showed Kettle to land above Oleif’s land, by White-river, from Flokadale-
river mouth to Reykjadale-river mouth, and all the tongue that lay between the rivers up to Redgill,
and all Flokadale above the slopes. Kettle dwelt at Thrandarholt; Geir at Geirs-lithe; he had another
farm in Reykjadale at Upper Reykir. He was called Geir the wealthy; his sons were Blund-Kettle and
Thorgeir-blund. A third was Hrisa-blund, who first dwelt at Hrisa.

Chapter 40 - Of Egil’s and Skallagrim’s games.
Skallagrim took much pleasure in trials of strength and games; he liked to talk about such. Ball-play
was then a common game. Plenty of strong men there were at that time in the neighbourhood, but not
one of strength to match with Skallagrim. He was now somewhat stricken in years. There was a man
named Thord, son of Grani, at Granastead, who was of great promise; he was then young; very fond
he was of Egil, Skallagrim’s son. Egil often engaged in wrestling; he was headstrong and hot-
tempered, but all had the sense to teach their sons to give way to Egil. A game of ball was held at
White-river-dale in the early winter, to which was a great gathering of people from all the country-
side. Thither went many of Skallagrim’s household to the game. Chief among them was Thord,
Grani’s son. Egil asked Thord to let him go with him to the game; he was then in his seventh winter.
Thord let him do so, and Egil mounted behind him. But when they came to the play-meeting, then the
men made up sides for the play. Many small boys had come there too, and they made up a game for
themselves. For this also sides were chosen.