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Page 38
"I am certain," she said, "that it will fare ill with you to-day
if you commit this sin."
Glam told her that she should bring his food, or that it would be
the worse for her. She did not dare to do otherwise than as he
bade her. When he had eaten he went out, his breath smelling
abominably. It was very dark; there was driving snow, the wind
was howling and it became worse as the day advanced. The
shepherd's voice was heard in the early part of the day, but less
later on. Blizzards set in and a terrific storm in the evening.
People went to mass and so the time passed. In the evening Glam
did not return. They talked about going out to look for him, but
the storm was so violent and the night so dark that no one went.
The night passed and still he had not returned; they waited till
the time for mass came. When it was full day some of the men set
forth to search. They found the animals scattered everywhere in
the snow and injured by the weather; some had strayed into the
mountains. Then they came upon some well-marked tracks up above
in the valley. The stones and earth were torn up all about as if
there had been a violent tussle. On searching further they came
upon Glam lying on the ground a short distance off. He was dead;
his body was as black as Hel and swollen to the size of an ox.
They were overcome with horror and their hearts shuddered within
them. Nevertheless they tried to carry him to the church, but
could not get him any further than the edge of a gully a short
way off. So they left him there and went home to report to the
bondi what had happened. He asked what could have caused Glam's
death. They said they had tracked him to a big place like a hole
made by the bottom of a cask thrown down and dragged along up
below the mountains which were at the top of the valley, and all
along the track were great drops of blood. They concluded that
the evil spirit which had been about before must have killed
Glam, but that he had inflicted wounds upon it which were enough,
for that spook was never heard of again. On the second day of
the festival they went out again to bring in Glam's body to the
church. They yoked oxen to him, but directly the downward
incline ceased and they came to level ground, they could not move
him; so they went home again and left him. On the third day they
took a priest with them, but after searching the whole day they
failed to find him. The priest refused to go again, and when he
was not with them they found Glam. So they gave up the attempt
to bring him to the church and buried him where he was under a
cairn of stones.
It was not long before men became aware that Glam was not easy in
his grave. Many men suffered severe injuries; some who saw him
were struck senseless and some lost their wits. Soon after the
festival was over, men began to think they saw him about their
houses. The panic was great and many left the neighbourhood.
Next he began to ride on the house-tops by night, and nearly
broke them to pieces. Almost night and day he walked, and people
would scarcely venture up the valley, however pressing their
business. The district was in a grievous condition.
CHAPTER XXXIII
DOINGS OF GLAM'S GHOST. AWFUL CONDITION OF VATNSDAL
In the spring Thorhall procured servants and built a house on his
lands. As the days lengthened out the apparitions became less,
until at midsummer a ship sailed up the Hunavatn in which was a
man named Thorgaut. He was a foreigner, very tall and powerful;
he had the strength of two men. He was travelling on his own
account, unattached, and being without money was looking out for
employment. Thorhall rode to the ship, saw him and asked if he
would take service with him. Thorgaut said he would indeed, and
that there would be no difficulties.
"You must be prepared," said Thorhall, "for work which would not
be fitting for a weak-minded person, because of the apparitions
which have been there lately. I will not deceive you about it."
"I shall not give myself up as lost for the ghostlings," he said.
"Before I am scared some others will not be easy. I shall not
change my quarters on that account."
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