Prehistoric Remains
Thor's and guardian of his temple, for which reason he was called Thorolf, and on account of his magnificent beard (for names had always a meaning in those days), Mostbeard. His son Stein he dedicated to Thor, and called Thorstein. When Thorolf died he was buried in a howe upon Holy Fell, which was a place so sacred that it was not considered fitting that men should even look towards it, and pray with unwashen face. Thorstein one harvest had fared to Hoskuldsey to the fishing, and on an evening while he was away, a shepherd, seeking after his sheep north of Holy Fell, saw the fell open. Inside the fell “he saw mighty fires and heard loud clangour therein and the clank of drinking horns: and when he hearkened, if perchance he might hear any words clear of others, he heard that there was welcomed Thorstein Codbiter and his crew, and he was bidden to sit in the high-seat over against his father.” When
the shepherd returned, he told what he
87
