In the tenth century Iceland suffered severely
from a bad year, so that there was a large amount
of destitution throughout the country; and, unless
something were done by the wealthy bonders to
relieve it, there was a certainty of many poor
householders perishing during the approaching
winter. Then Svathi, a heathen chief, stepped
forward and undertook to provide for a considerable
number of sufferers. Accordingly, the poor
starving wretches assembled at his door, and were
ordered by him to dig a large pit in his tun, 0r
home meadow. They complied with alacrity, and
in the evening they were gathered into a barn, the
door was locked upon them, and it was explained
to them that on the following morning they were
to be buried alive in the pit of their own digging.
“You will at once perceive,” said Svathi, “that if a number of you be put out of your misery, the number of mouths wanting food will be reduced, and there will be more victuals for those who remain.”
There was truth in what Svathi said; but the poor wretches did not view the matter in the same light as he, nor appreciate the force of his argument; and they spent the night howling with despair. Thorwald of Asi, a Christian, wh
