When four winters were passed from the drowning of
Thorkell Eyjolfson a ship came into Islefirth belonging to Bolli
Bollison, most of the crew of which were Norwegians. Bolli brought
out with him much wealth, and many precious things that lords
abroad had given him. Bolli was so great a man for show when he
came back from this journey that,:he would wear no clothe but of
scarlet and fur, and all his weapons were bedight with gold: he was
called Bolli the Grand. He made it known to his ship-masters that
he was going west to his own country-sides, and he left his ship
and goods in the hands of his crew. Bolli rode from the ship with
twelve men, and all his followers were dressed in scarlet, and rode
on gilt saddles, and all were they a trusty band, though Bolli was
peerless among them. He had on the clothes of fur which the
Garth-king had given him, he had over all a scarlet cape; and he
had Footbiter girt on him, the hilt of which was dight with gold,
and the grip woven with gold, he had a gilded helmet on his head,
and a red shield on his flank, with a knight painted on it in gold.
He had a dagger in his hand, as is the custom in foreign lands; and
whenever they took quarters the women paid heed to nothing but
gazing at Bolli and his grandeur, and that of his followers. In
this state Bolli rode into the western parts all the way till he
came to Holyfell with his following. Gudrun was very glad to see
her son. Bolli did not stay there long till he rode up to
Saelingsdale Tongue to see Snorri, his father-in-law, and his wife
Thordis, and their meeting was exceeding joyful. Snorri asked Bolli
to stay with him with as many of his men as he liked. Bolli
accepted the invitation gratefully, and was with Snorri all the
winter, with the men who had ridden from the north with him. Bolli
got great renown from this journey. Snorri made it no less his
business now to treat Bolli with every kindness than when he was
with him before.
