Then they called from the house that man who had brought the news. Because he was an outlander he was easily persuaded to swear to Kiartan's death. Einar gave him money, both for himself and to pay his passage outward. Then witnesses were called to hear the oath; and on the morrow the man departed, and took ship for Ireland, and he is out of the story. CHAPTER V THE SUMMONING OF HIARANDI When that man who had brought the news and made the false swearing was well out of the country, then Ondott bestirred himself to go against Hiarandi. Said he to Einar: "It is time that we summon Hiarandi soon to answer to the blood-suit, for the sitting of the Althing draws nigh." To that Einar assented, and on the morrow Ondott bade two men arm themselves and go with them to Cragness. "Why need we men?" asked Einar. "We must have witnesses to the summoning," answered Ondott. "But it is not necessary to bear arms," said Einar. "We will prepare ourselves," replied Ondott, "as becomes thy dignity and as regards thy safety, for Hiarandi hath a quick temper." Then Einar said no more, and they rode to Cragness. But Ondott knew well that at such summonings quarrels often arose; and he said privily to his men, Hallmund and Hallvard: "Look that your swords be loose in their sheaths." They rode into the yard at Cragness and called Hiarandi from his house. Hiarandi came, and with him Rolf, bearing his bow, for he was about to go out for birds. "Hiarandi," said Einar, "we have come to speak of the blood-suit for the slaying of my kinsman." "That thy kinsman is slain I knew," answered Hiarandi, "but I see not how it affects me in any way, so long as my brother be living." "But thy brother is dead," replied Einar, and told that Kiartan was shipwrecked in the Orkneys. "This is the first I have heard of it," said Hiarandi. Then Ondott spoke. "Knowing thy suspicious nature," said he, "I brought with us the men who were witnesses to the oath the messenger made. Thus canst thou know thy brother is truly dead." Hallvard and Hallmund said they had witnessed the oath. Hiarandi answered no word, but looked from one to the other. "Now," said Ondott, "these same men will be witnesses to what we say here together." And this he said in a manner to provoke Hiarandi, yet he still answered nothing. "Is it not better," asked Einar, "that this matter be settled here quietly, between neighbors, rather than be brought before the judges at the Althing?" "Quietly settled is always best," answered Hiarandi. "Yet I see not how this matter is to be settled at all, seeing I have no money to make atonement." "Now," said Ondott quickly to Einar, "let me speak for thee in this affair." Then Einar gave the matter into the hands of Ondott.