Njal begged for a hearing, and asked all the best men who were come thither, what right at law they thought Gunnar had against those namesakes for their treason. They said they thought such a man had great right on his side.
Njal went on to ask, whether he had a right of action against all of them, or whether the leaders had to answer for them all in the suit?
They say that most of the blame would fall on the leaders, but a great deal still on them all.
"Many will say this," said Mord, "that it was not without a cause when Gunnar broke the settlement made with those namesakes."
"That is no breach of settlement," says Njal, "that any man should take the law against another; for with law shall our land be built up and settled, and with lawlessness wasted and spoiled."
Then Njal tells them that Gunnar had offered land for Moeidsknoll, or other goods.
Then those namesakes thought they had been beguiled by Mord, and scolded him much, and said that this fine was all his doing.
Njal named twelve men as judges in the suit, and then every man paid a hundred in silver who had gone out, but each of those namesakes two hundred.
Njal took this money into his keeping, but either side gave the other pledges of peace, and Njal gave out the terms.
Then Gunnar rode from the Thing west to the Dales, till he came to Hjardarholt, and Olaf the peacock gave him a hearty welcome. There he sat half a month, and rode far and wide about the Dales, and all welcomed him with joyful hands. But at their parting Olaf said—