It now happened that Steinar in
the early part of the winter went out to
Snæfell-strand and stayed there awhile.
There he saw a thrall named Thrand,
who was tall and strong above other men.
Steinar, wishing to buy him,
bid a large sum:
but his owner valued him at
three marks of silver,
which was twice the price
of a common thrall,
and at this sum
the bargain was made.
Steinar took Thrand home with him,
and when they came home,
then spoke Steinar with Thrand:
'Now stand matters so that
I will have work of you.
But as all the work
is already arranged,
I will put on you a task
of but little trouble:
you shall sit by my cattle.
I make a great point of their
being well kept at pasture.
I would have you go by
no man's rule but your own,
take them wherever
the pasture on the moor is best.
I am no judge of a man's look if
you have not courage and
strength enough to hold your own
against any house-carle of Thorstein's.'