CHAPTER VIII
The Birth of Hrut and Thorgerd's
Second Widowhood, A.D. 916.
Online Medieval and Classical Library Release
#32
Herjolf and Thorgerd had not long been together before
they had a son. The boy was sprinkled with water, and was given the
name of Hrut. He was at an early age both big and strong as he grew
up; and as to growth of body, he was goodlier than any man, tall
and broad-shouldered, slender of waist, with fine limbs and
well-made hands and feet. Hrut was of all men the fairest of
feature, and like what Thorstein, his mother's father, had been, or
like Ketill Flatnose. And all things taken together, he was a man
of the greatest mettle. Herjolf now fell ill and died, and men
deemed that a great loss. After that Thorgerd wished to go to
Iceland to visit Hoskuld her son, for she still loved him best of
all men, and Hrut was left behind well placed with his relations.
Thorgerd arrayed her journey to Iceland, and went to find Hoskuld
in his home in Salmonriver-Dale. He received his mother with
honour. She was possessed of great wealth, and remained with
Hoskuld to the day of her death. A few winters after Thorgerd came
to Iceland she fell sick and died. Hoskuld took to himself all her
money, but Hrut his brother owned one-half thereof.
