He was not a chief, however, but an honest
and worthy yeoman.
"Now this man's place was greatly haunted, so that he could scarcely
get a shepherd to stay with him, and although he asked the opinion of
many as to what he ought to do, he could find none to give him advice
of any worth.
"One summer at the Althing, or yearly assembly of the people, Thorhall
went to the booth of Skafti, the law man, who was the wisest of men
and gave good counsel when his opinion was asked. He received
Thorhall in a friendly way, because he knew he was a man of means, and
asked him what news he had.
"'I would have some good advice from you,' said Thorhall.
'"I am little able to give that,' said Skafti; 'but what is the
matter?'
"'This is the way of it,' said Thorhall, 'I have had very bad luck
with my shepherds of late. Some of them get injured, and others will
not serve out their time; and now no one that knows how the case
stands will take the place at all.'
"'Then there must be some evil spirit there,' said Skafti, 'when men
are less willing to herd your sheep, than those of others.
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