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The Saga of Grettir the Strong: Grettir's Saga

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Title: The Saga of Grettir the Strong: Grettir's Saga

Author: Unknown


        
Release date: July 5, 2008 [eBook #347]

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/347

Credits: Produced by Douglas B. Killings, and David Reid, and John Servilio, and David Widger


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SAGA OF GRETTIR THE STRONG: GRETTIR'S SAGA ***




Produced by Douglas B. Killings, and David Reid, and John Servilio





THE SAGA OF GRETTIR THE STRONG

GRETTIR'S SAGA

By Unknown Author


Written in Icelandic, sometime in the early 14th Century.




CHAPTER I. THE FAMILY AND EARLY WARS OF ONUND THE SON OF OFEIG


There was a man named Onund, the son of Ofeig Clumsyfoot, who was the
son of Ivar Horsetail. Onund was the brother of Gudbjorg, the mother of
Gudbrand Knob, the father of Asta, the mother of King Olaf the Saint.
His mother came from the Upplands, while his father's relations were
mostly in Rogaland and Hordland. He was a great viking and used to harry
away in the West over the sea. He was accompanied on these expeditions
by one Balki, the son of Blaeing from Sotanes, and by Orm the Wealthy.
Another comrade of theirs was named Hallvard. They had five ships, all
well equipped. They plundered the Hebrides, reaching the Barra Isles,
where there ruled a king named Kjarval, who also had five ships. These
they attacked; there was a fierce battle between them, in which Onund's
men fought with the utmost bravery. After many had fallen on both sides,
the battle ended with the king taking to flight with a single ship; the
rest were captured by Onund's force, along with much booty. They stayed
there for the winter, and spent the succeeding three summers harrying
the coasts of Ireland and Scotland, after which they returned to Norway.




CHAPTER II. THE BATTLE OF HAFRSFJORD


At that time Norway was very disturbed. Harald Shockhead, the son of
Halfdan the Black, till then king of the Upplands, was aiming at the
supreme kingship. He went into the North and fought many battles there,
in which he was always victorious. Then he marched harrying through
the territories to the South, bringing them into subjection wherever he
came. On reaching Hordland he was opposed by a motley multitude led by
Kjotvi the Wealthy, Thorir Long-chin, and Soti and King Sulki from South
Rogaland. Geirmund Swarthyskin was then away in the West, beyond the
sea, so he was not present at the battle, although Hordland belonged to
his dominion.

Onund and his party had arrived that autumn from the western seas, and
when Thorir and Kjotvi heard of their landing they sent envoys to ask
for their aid, promising to treat them with honour.

They were very anxious for an opportunity of distinguishing themselves,
so they joined Thorir's forces, and declared that they would be in the
thickest part of the battle. They met King Harald in a fjord in Rogaland
called Hafrsfjord. The forces on each side were very large, and the
battle was one of the greatest ever fought in Norway. There are many
accounts of it, for one always hears much about those people of whom the
saga is told. Troops had come in from all the country around and from
other countries as well, besides a multitude of vikings. Onund brought
his ship alongside of that of Thorir Long-chin in the very middle of the
battle. King Harald made for Thorir's ship, knowing him to be a terrible
berserk, and very brave. The fighting was desperate on either side. Then
the king ordered his berserks, the men called Wolfskins, forward. No
iron could hurt them, and when they charged nothing could withstand
them. Thorir defended himself bravely and fell on his ship fighting
valiantly. The whole ship from stem to stern was cleared and her
fastenings were cut, so that she fell out of the line of battle. Then
they attacked Onund's ship, in the forepart of which he was standing and
fighting manfully. The king's men said: "He bears himself well in the
forecastle. Let us give him something to remind him of having been in
the battle." Onund was stepping out with one foot on to the bulwark, and
as he was striking they made a thrust at him with a spear; in parrying
it he bent backwards, and at that moment a man on the forecastle of the
king's ship struck him and took off his leg below the knee, disabling
him at a blow. With him fell the greater number of his men. They carried
him to a ship belonging to a man named Thrand, a son of Bjorn and
brother of Eyvind the Easterner. He was fighting against King Harald,
and his ship was lying on the other side of Onund's. Then there was a
general flight. Thrand and the rest of the vikings escaped any way they
could, and sailed away westwards. They took with them Onund and Balki
and Hallvard Sugandi. Onund recovered and went about for the rest of his
life with a wooden leg, wherefore he was called Onund Treefoot as long
as he lived.




CHAPTER III. MEETING OF DEFEATED CHIEFS IN THE WEST AND MARRIAGE OF
ONUND


There were then in the western parts many distinguished men who had fled
from their homes in Norway before King Harald, for he declared all who
fought against him outlaws, and seized their property. As soon as Onund
had recovered from his wound, Thrand went with his party to Geirmund
Swarthyskin, who was the most eminent of the vikings in the West. They
asked him whether he was not going to try and regain his kingdom in
Hordland, and offered to join him, hoping by this means to do something
for their own properties, for Onund was very wealthy and his kindred
very powerful. Geirmund answered that Harald had such a force that there
was little hope of gaining any honour by fighting when the whole country
had joined against him and been beaten. He had no mind, he said,
to become the king's thrall, and to beg for that which he had once
possessed in his own right. Seeing that he was no longer in the vigour
of his youth he preferred to find some other occupation. So Onund and
his party returned to the Southern Islands, where they met many of their
friends.

There was a man named Ofeig, nicknamed Grettir. He was the son of Einar,
the son of Olvir the Babyman. He was a brother of Oleif the Broad, the
father of Thormod Shaft. Another son of Olvir was named Steinolf, the
father of Una, whom Thorbjorn the Salmon-man married. A third son of
Olvir was Steinmod, who was the father of Konal, the father of Alfdis
of the Barra Isles. Konal's son was named Steimnod; he was the father of
Halldora, whom Eilif, the son of Ketil the One-handed, married.

Ofeig Grettir married Asny, the daughter of Vestar, the son of Haeing.
His sons were Asmund the Beardless and Asbjorn, and his daughters were
named Aldis, Aesa, and Asvor. Ofeig had fled from the wrath of King
Harald into the West over the sea, along with his kinsman Thormod Shaft
and all their families. They ravaged far and wide in the western seas.
Thrand and Onund Treefoot were going West to Ireland to join Thrand's
brother, Eyvind the Easterner, who had command of the Irish defences.
Eyvind's mother was named Hlif; she was the daughter of Hrolf, the son
of Ingjald, the son of King Frodi, while Thrand's mother was Helga, the
daughter of Ondott Crow. The father of Eyvind and Thrand was Bjorn, the
son of Hrolf of Ar. He had had to leave Gautland because he had burnt
in his house Sigfast the father-in-law of King Solvi. Then he went to
Norway and spent the winter with Grim the Hersir, a son of Kolbjorn
the Sneak, who wanted to murder him for his money. Thence Bjorn went
to Ondott Crow, who lived in Hvinisfjord in Agdir. There he was well
received, stayed the winter, and went campaigning with Ondott in the
summer until his wife Hlif died. Eventually Ondott gave Bjorn his
daughter Helga, and Bjorn then no longer went out to fight. Eyvind had
taken over his father's ships and become a great chief in the western
parts. He married Rafarta, the daughter of the Irish king Kjarval. Their
sons were Helgi the Lean and Snaebjorn.

When Thrand and Onund came to the Southern Islands they found there
Ofeig Grettir and Thormod Shaft, with whom they became very friendly,
for each thought the others had risen from the dead, their last meeting
having been in Norway when the war was at its worst. Onund was very
silent, and Thrand, when he noticed it, asked what was on his mind.
Onund answered with a verse:

     "No joy is mine since in battle I fought.
     Many the sorrows that o'er me lower.
     Men hold me for nought; this thought is the worst
     of all that oppresses my sorrowing heart."

Thrand said: "Why, you still seem as full of vigour as ever you were.
You may yet settle down and marry. You shall have my good word and my
interest if you will only tell me whom you fancy."

Onund said he behaved nobly; but said there had once been a time when
his chances of making a profitable marriage had been better.

Thrand said: "Ofeig has a daughter named Aesa; we might mention it if
you like."

Onund said he would like it, and soon afterwards Ofeig was approached on
the subject. He received the proposal favourably, saying he knew the
man to be of good lineage and to have some wealth in movable property,
though his lands were not worth much. "But," he said, "I do not think he
is very wise. Why, my daughter is quite a child."

Thrand said that Onund was more vigorous than many a man whose legs were
sounder.

So with the aid of Thrand the terms were settled. Ofeig was to give his
daughter a portion in cash, for neither would reckon anything for his
lands in Norway. Soon afterwards Thrand was betrothed to the daughter of
Thormod Shaft. Both the maids were to remain plighted for three years.

Then they went on fighting expeditions in the summer, remaining in the
Barra Isles during the winter.




CHAPTER IV. FIGHT WITH VIKINGS VIGBJOD AND VESTMAR


There were two Vikings from the Southern Isles, named Vigbjod and
Vestmar; they were abroad both summer and winter. They had eight ships,
and harried mostly round the coast of Ireland, where they did many an
evil deed until Eyvind undertook the defence of the coast, when they
retired to the Hebrides to harry there, and right in to the Scotch
firths. Thrand and Onund went out against them and learned that they had
sailed to an island called Bot. Onund and Thrand followed them thither
with five ships, and when the vikings sighted them and saw how many
there were, they thought their own force was sufficient, so they took to
their arms and advanced to the attack. Onund ordered his ships to
take up a position between two rocks where there was a deep but narrow
channel, open to attack from one side only, and by not more than five
ships at once. Onund was a very wily man. He sent his five ships forward
into the channel so that, as there was plenty of sea room behind them,
they could easily retire by merely backing their oars. One ship he
brought under an island lying on their beam, and carried a great stone
to a place on the front of the rock where it could not be seen from the
enemy's ships. The Vikings came boldly on, thinking they had caught them
in a trap. Vigbjod asked who they were that he had hemmed in. Thrand
answered that he was a brother of Eyvind the Easterner, and the man with
him was his comrade, Onund Treefoot. The vikings laughed and said:

     "Trolls take the rascal Treefoot
     and lay him even with the ground.

Never yet did I see men go to battle who could not carry themselves."

Onund said that could not be known until it was tried. Then the ships
came together. There was a great battle in which both sides fought
bravely. When the battle was thick Onund ordered his ships to back their
oars. The vikings seeing it thought they were taking to flight, and
pushed on with all their might, coming under the rock just at the moment
when the party which had been dispatched for that purpose arrived. They
launched upon the vikings stones so huge that nothing could hold against
them. A number of the vikings were killed, and others were so injured
that they could fight no more. Then the vikings tried to escape, but
could not, as their ships were in the narrowest part of the channel and
were impeded both by the current and by the enemy's ships. Onund's men
vigorously attacked the wing commanded by Vigbjod while Thrand engaged
Vestmar, but effected little. When the men on Vigbjod's ship had been
somewhat reduced, Onund's men, he himself with them, prepared to board
her. On seeing that, Vigbjod spurred on his men resolutely. He turned
against Onund, most of whose men gave way. Onund was a man of immense
strength and he bade his followers observe how it fared with them. They
shoved a log under the stump of his leg, so that he stood pretty firm.
The viking dashed forward, reached Onund and hewed at him with his
sword, which cut right through his shield and into the log beneath his
leg, where it remained fixed. As Vigbjod bent down to pull his sword
clear again, Onund dealt him a blow on his shoulder, severing his arm
and disabling him. When Vestmar saw his comrade fall, he sprang on to
the outermost ship and escaped along with all who could get on to her.
Then they examined the dead. Vigbjod had already expired. Onund went up
to him and said:

     "Bloody thy wounds.  Didst thou see me flee?
     'One-leg' no hurt received from thee.
     Braver are many in word than in deed.
     Thou, slave, didst fail when it came to the trial."

They took a large quantity of booty and returned to the Barra Isles in
the autumn.




CHAPTER V. VISIT OF ONUND AND THRAND TO EYVIND IN IRELAND


The following summer they made ready for a voyage to the West, to
Ireland. At the same time Balki and Hallvard sailed westwards,
to Iceland, where they had heard that good land was available for
occupation. Balki took up some land at Hrutafjord, and had his abode in
two places called Balkastad. Hallvard occupied Sugandafjord and Skalavik
as far as Stigi, where he lived.

Thrand and Onund went to visit Eyvind the Easterner, who welcomed
joyfully his brother Thrand; but when he heard that Onund had also come,
he became very angry and wanted to fight him. Thrand asked him not to
do so, and said it would ill become him to quarrel with men from Norway,
especially with such as had given no offence. Eyvind said that he had
given offence before, when he made war on Kjarval the king, and that he
should now pay for it. The brothers had much to say to each other about
the matter, till at last Thrand said that he and Onund should share
their fortune together. Then Eyvind allowed himself to be appeased.
They stayed there a long time in the summer and went with Eyvind on his
expeditions. Eyvind found Onund to be a man of the greatest valour. In
the autumn they went to the Hebrides, and Eyvind made over to Thrand all
his share in their father Bjorn's patrimony in the event of Bjorn dying
before Thrand. They stayed in the Hebrides until they married and some
years after.




CHAPTER VI. DEATH OF BJORN; DISPUTES OVER HIS PROPERTY IN NORWAY


The next thing that happened was the death of Thrand's father Bjorn.
When the news of it reached Grim the Hersir he proceeded against Ondott
Crow and claimed Bjorn's estate. Ondott held Thrand to be the rightful
heir of his father, but Grim contended that Thrand was away in the West.
Bjorn, he said, came from Gautland, and the succession to the estate of
all foreigners passed to the king. Ondott said that he would hold the
property on behalf of Thrand, who was his daughter's son. Grim then
departed, having effected nothing by his claim.

Thrand, when he heard of his father's death, prepared to leave the
Hebrides, and Onund Treefoot decided to go with him. Ofeig Grettir and
Thormod Shaft went to Iceland with all their belongings, landing at
Eyrar in the South. They spent the first winter with Thorbjorn the
Salmon-man, and then occupied Gnupverjahrepp. Ofeig took the outer part
lying between the rivers Thvera and Kalfa, and lived at Ofeigsstad near
Steinsholt, while Thormod took the eastern part, living at Skaptaholt.
Thormod's daughters were named Thorvor and Thorve; the former afterwards
became the mother of Thorodd the Godi at Hjalli, Thorve of Thorstein the
Godi the father of Bjarni the Wise.

We now return to Thrand and Onund, who sailed back from the West to
Norway. A strong wind blew in their favour, so that they arrived at the
house of Ondott Crow before any one knew of their journey. He welcomed
Thrand and told him of the claim which Grim the Hersir had raised for
Bjorn's estate.

"To my thinking, kinsman," he said, "it is better that the property
should go to you than to the king's thralls. It is a fortunate thing for
you that no one knows of your having come here, for I expect that Grim
will make an attack upon one or the other of us if he can. I should
prefer if you would take over your property and stay in other
countries."

Thrand said that he would do so. He took over the property and prepared
to leave Norway. Before leaving he asked Onund Treefoot whether he would
not come to Iceland. Onund said he wanted first to visit some of his
relations and friends in the South.

"Then," said Thrand, "we must part. I should be glad if you would give
my kinsmen your support, for our enemies will certainly try to take
revenge upon them when I am gone. I am going to Iceland, and I want you
to come there too."

Onund said he would come, and they parted with great friendship. Thrand
went to Iceland, where he met with a welcome from Ofeig and Thormod
Shaft. He took up his dwelling at Thrandarholt to the west of Thjorsa.




CHAPTER VII. MURDER OF ONDOTT CROW, AND THE VENGEANCE THEREFOR


Onund went to Rogaland in the South and visited many of his relations
and friends. He lived there in concealment with a man named Kolbeinn. He
there learned that King Harald had taken all his property and given it
into the charge of a man named Harekr, one of his officials. Onund
went by night to Harekr's house and caught him at home; he was led to
execution. Then Onund took possession of all the loose property which he
found and burnt the building.

That autumn Grim the Hersir murdered Ondott Crow because he had not
succeeded in getting the property for the king. Ondott's wife Signy
carried off all their loose property that same night to a ship and
escaped with her sons Asmund and Asgrim to her father Sighvat. A little
later she sent her sons to Hedin, her foster-father in Soknadal, where
they remained for a time and then wanted to return to their mother. They
left at last, and at Yule-tide came to Ingjald the Trusty at Hvin.
His wife Gyda persuaded him to take them in, and they spent the winter
there. In the spring Onund came to northern Agdir, having learned of the
murder of Ondott. He met Signy and asked her what assistance they would
have of him. She said they were most anxious to punish Grim for the
death of Ondott. So the sons were sent for, and when they met Onund
Treefoot they all joined together and had Grim's doings closely watched.

In the summer there was a beer-brewing at Grim's for a jarl named Audun,
whom he had invited. When Onund and the sons of Ondott heard of it, they
appeared at his house unexpectedly and set fire to it. Grim the Hersir
and about thirty men were burnt in the house. They captured a quantity
of valuables. Then Onund went into the forest, while the two brothers
took the boat of their foster-father Ingjald, rowed away and lay in
hiding a little way off. Soon jarl Audun appeared, on his way to the
feast, as had been arranged, but on arriving he missed his host. So
he collected his men around him and stayed there a few nights, quite
unaware of Onund and his companions. He slept in a loft with two other
men. Onund knew everything that was going on in the house and sent for
the two brothers to come to him. On their arrival he asked them whether
they preferred to keep watch on the house or to attack the jarl. They
chose to attack. They then battered the entrance of the loft with beams
until the door gave way. Asmund seized the two men who were with the
jarl and threw them to the ground with such violence that they were
well-nigh killed.

Asgrim rushed at the jarl and demanded of him weregild for his father,
for he had been in league with Grim and took part in the attack when
Ondott was murdered. The jarl said he had no money about him and asked
for time. Asgrim then placed the point of his spear against his breast
and ordered him to pay up on the spot. Then the jarl took a necklace
from his neck and gave it to him with three gold rings and a velvet
mantle. Asgrim took the things and bestowed a name upon the jarl. He
called him Audun Nannygoat.

When the farmers and people about heard of the disturbances they all
came out to help the jarl. Onund had a large force with him, and there
was a great battle in which many a good farmer and many a follower of
the jarl were slain. The brothers returned to Onund and reported what
had occurred with the jarl. Onund said it was a pity they had not killed
him. It would, he said, have been something to make up for the losses
which he had suffered from King Harald. They said the disgrace was far
worse for the jarl as it was, and they went off to Surnadal to Eirik
Beery, a Landman there, who took them all in for the winter. At
Yule-tide they had a great drinking bout with a man named Hallsteinn,
nicknamed Stallion. Eirik opened the feast and entertained them
generously. Then it was Hallsteinn's turn, and they began to quarrel.
Hallsteinn struck Eirik with a deer's horn, for which Eirik got no
revenge, but had to go home with it, to the great annoyance of Ondott's
sons. A little later Asgrim went to Hallsteinn's house and gave him a
severe wound. All the people who were present started up and attacked
Asgrim. He defended himself vigorously and escaped in the dark, leaving
them under the belief that they had killed him. Onund and Asmund, on
hearing that Asgrim had been killed, were at a loss what they could do
in the matter. Eirik's advice was that they should betake themselves to
Iceland, for it would never do for them to remain in the land where the
king could get at them. This they determined to do. Each of them had his
own ship and they made ready for the voyage to Iceland. Hallsteinn was
laid low with his wound and died before Onund sailed with his party.
Kolbeinn, the man who was mentioned before, went in the ship with Onund.




CHAPTER VIII. ONUND AND ASMUND SAIL TO ICELAND


Onund and Asmund set sail directly when they were ready and their ships
kept together. Onund said:

     "Hallvard and I were aforetime deemed
     worthy in storm of swords to bear us.
     With one foot now I step on the ship
     towards Iceland.  The poet's day is o'er."

They had a rough passage with cross winds, mostly from the south, so
that they drifted away to the north. They made Iceland right in the
North, at Langanes, where they regained their reckonings. The ships were
near enough to each other for them to speak together. Asmund said they
had better make for Eyjafjord, and this was agreed to. They kept under
the land and heavy weather set in from the south-east. Just as Onund
was tacking, the yard was carried away; they lowered the sail and were
driven out to sea. Asmund got under the lee of Hrisey, where he waited
until a fair wind set in which took him up to Eyjafjord. Helgi the Lean
gave him the whole of Kraeklingahlid, and he lived at South-Glera. A few
years later his brother Asgrim came to Iceland and took up his residence
at North-Glera. His son was Ellidagrim the father of Asgrim.




CHAPTER IX. ONUND SETTLES IN KALDBAK


Onund Treefoot was driven away from the shore for several days, after
which the wind shifted and blew towards the land. Then they made land
again, which those of them who had been there before recognised as the
western coast of the Skagi peninsula. They sailed in to Strandafloi,
almost to Sudrstrandir. There came rowing towards them a ten-oared boat
with six men on board, who hailed the sea-going ship and asked who was
their captain. Onund told them his name and asked whence they came.
They said they were the men of Thorvald from Drangar. Then Onund asked
whether all the land round that coast was occupied; they answered there
was very little left at Sudrstrandir and none at all in the North. So
Onund asked his men whether they would seek some land further to the
West or take that of which they had just been told. They said they would
first explore a little further. They sailed in along the coast of the
bay and anchored off a creek near Arnes, where they put off in a boat to
the shore.

Here dwelt a wealthy man named Eirik Snare, who had taken the land
between Ingolfsfjord and Ofaera in Veidileysa. On hearing that Onund had
arrived in those parts, he offered to let him have such portion as he
needed from his own lands, adding that there was little land which had
not already been taken up. Onund said he would first like to see what
there was.

Then they went further into the bay past some fjords and came to Ofaera,
where Eirik said: "Here is what there is to see. From here down to the
lands of Bjorn is unoccupied." A high range of mountains, on which snow
had fallen, rose from beside the river. Onund looked at the mountains
and spoke a verse:

     "My lands and my might have drifted away
       as drifts the ship on the ocean.
     My friends and my home I have left behind me,
       and bartered my acres for Kaldbak."

"Many a man," answered Eirik, "has lost so much in Norway that it
may not be mended. I expect too that nearly all the lands in the main
districts have been taken, so that I will not urge you to leave these
parts and seek elsewhere. I will keep to my word and let you have
whatever lands of my own you may require."

Onund said he would take advantage of his offer, and in the end he took
some of the Ofaera land and the three creeks Byrgisvik, Kolbeinsvik,
and Kaldbaksvik as far as Kaldbak's Cliff. Afterwards Eirik gave him
Veidileysa with Reykjarfjord and the outer part of Reykjanes on that
side. Nothing was settled about the drift which came to the coast,
because there was so much of it that every one could have what he
wanted. Onund made his home in Kaldbak and had a large household. His
property increased and he had another house in Reykjarfjord. Kolbeinn
lived in Kolbeinsvik and for some years Onund lived quietly at home.




CHAPTER X. OFEIG GRETTIR IS KILLED. VISIT OF ONUND TO AUD THE
DEEP-MINDED


Onund was a man of such valour that few, even of those whose limbs were
sound, could measure themselves against him. His name, too, was renowned
throughout the whole country on account of his ancestry. It happened
that a dispute arose between Ofeig Grettir and one Thorbjorn called
Jarlakappi, which ended in Ofeig being killed by Thorbjorn in
Grettisgeil near Haell. The feud was taken up by Ofeig's sons who
assembled a large force of men. Onund Treefoot was sent for, and in the
spring he rode South to Hvamm, where he stayed with Aud the Deep-Minded.
He had been with her over the sea in the West, and she received him with
welcome. Her grandson, Olaf Feilan, was then grown up, and Aud was very
infirm. She consulted Onund concerning her kinsman Olaf, for whom she
wished to ask in marriage Alfdis of the Barra Isles, the cousin of
Onund's wife Aesa. Onund thought it a very suitable match, and Olaf rode
with him to the South. Then Onund met friends and kinsmen, who made him
their guest. The matter of the dispute was talked over between them, and
finally laid before the Kjalarnes Thing, for the All-Thing had not yet
been established. Eventually it was settled by arbitration and heavy
weregilds were imposed for the murder. Thorbjorn Jarlakappi was exiled.
His son was Solmund, the father of Svidukari. These kinsmen were long
abroad after that. Thrand invited Onund and Olaf with his party to stay
with him, as did Thormod Shaft. The matter of Olaf's marriage was
then pressed, and an agreement easily arrived at, for Aud's rank and
influence were well known to them. The settlement was arranged and
Onund's party rode home again. Aud thanked him for his aid in behalf of
Olaf, who married Alfdis of the Barra Isles that autumn. Then Aud the
Deep-Minded died, as is told in the Laxdaela Saga.




CHAPTER XI. DEATH OF ONUND. DISPUTES BETWEEN THE SONS OF ONUND AND OF
EIRIK


Onund and Aesa had two sons; the elder was named Thorgeir, the younger
Ofeig Grettir. Soon afterwards Aesa died and Onund married a second
wife, Thordis Thorgrim's daughter of Gnup in Midfjord, a kinsman of
Skeggi of Midfjord. By her Onund had a son named Thorgrim, who grew
up quickly to manhood, tall and strong, wise and a good manager. Onund
continued to live at Kaldbak until his old age. He died a natural
death and lies in Treefoot's howe. He was the boldest and most active
one-legged man that ever came to Iceland.

Among Onund's sons Thorgrim was the foremost, although the others were
older. When he was twenty-five years old his hair was grey, whence they
nick-named him Greyhead. His mother Thordis married again, taking as her
second husband Audun Skokull. They had a son named Asgeir of Asgeirsa.
Thorgrim Greyhead and his brothers had a large property, which they
managed together without dividing it up.

Eirik lived, as was mentioned, at Arnes. He had married Alof, the
daughter of Ingolf of Ingolfsfjord, by whom he had a son named Flosi, a
very promising young man with many friends.

There came to that part of Iceland three brothers, named Ingolf, Ofeig,
and Eyvind, and took the three fjords which are called by their names,
where they lived. Eyvind had a son named Olaf. He at first lived at
Eyvindsfjord, but went later to Drangar. He was a most capable man.

So long as their fathers were living no disputes arose among these men;
but when Eirik was dead it occurred to Flosi that those of Kaldbak had
no legal title to the lands which Eirik had given to Onund. Out of
this serious dissensions arose between them. Thorgrim and his brothers
continued in possession of the lands as before, but they would not join
in games together. Thorgeir, the eldest brother, was managing the farm
at Reykjarfjord, and often rowed out fishing, as the fjords were full
of fish. The men of Vik now laid their plans. Flosi had a man in Arnes
named Thorfinn, and sent him to fetch Thorgeir's head. This man hid
himself in the boatshed. One morning when Thorgeir was preparing to
row out with two other men, one of whom was named Brand, Thorgeir was
walking ahead with a leather skin on his back containing some drink. It
was very dark, and as he passed the boat-house Thorfinn sprang out upon
him and dealt him a blow with an axe between his shoulders. The axe
went into something and made a squeaking noise. Thorfinn let go his
axe, feeling quite sure that no bandages would be needed, and being very
anxious to escape as fast as he could. He ran North, and reaching Arnes
before the day had quite broken, said that he had killed Thorgeir and
that Flosi must protect him. The only thing to be done was to offer some
compensation in money. "That," he said, "will be the best thing for us
after such a terrible piece of work."

Flosi said he must first learn more about it, and that he thought
Thorfinn seemed very frightened after his doughty deed.

We must now tell what had happened to Thorgeir. He turned round when he
was struck, but the blow had gone into the leather bottle, and he was
unhurt. They could make no search for the man because it was dark,
so they rowed on down the fjord to Kaldbak, where they told what had
happened. People made great game of the affair and called him Thorgeir
Bottleback, a name which stuck to him ever after. A verse was made:

     "In days gone by men bathed their blades
     in the streaming gore of a foeman's wound.
     But now a wretch of all honour bereft
     reddens his dastard axe in whey."




CHAPTER XII. BATTLE AT RIFSKER


At that time there came over Iceland a famine the like of which had
never been seen before. Nearly all the fisheries failed, and also the
drift wood. So it continued for many years.

One autumn some traders in a sea-going ship, who had been driven out of
their course, were wrecked at Vik. Flosi took in four or five of
them with their captain, named Steinn. They all found shelter in the
neighbourhood of Vik and tried to rig up a ship out of the wreckage, but
were not very successful. The ship was too narrow in the bow and stern
and too broad amidships. In the spring a northerly gale set in which
lasted nearly a week, after which men began to look for drift.

There was a man living in Reykjanes named Thorsteinn. He found a whale
stranded on the south side of the promontory at the place now called
Rifsker. It was a large rorqual, and he at once sent word by a messenger
to Flosi in Vik and to the nearest farms.

At Gjogr lived a man named Einar, a tenant of the Kaldbak men whom they
employed to look after the drift on that side of the fjord. He got to
know of the whale having been stranded and at once rowed across the
fjord in his boat to Byrgisvik, whence he sent a messenger to Kaldbak.
When Thorgrim and his brother heard the news they got ready to go with
all speed to the spot. There were twelve of them in a ten-oared boat,
and six others, with Ivar and Leif, sons of Kolbeinn. All the farmers
who could get away went to the whale.

In the meantime Flosi had sent word to his kinsmen in the North at
Ingolfsfjord and Ofeigsfjord and to Olaf the son of Eyvind who lived at
Drangar. The first to arrive were Flosi and the men of Vik, who at once
began to cut up the whale, carrying on shore the flesh as it was cut.
At first there were about twenty men, but more came thronging in. Then
there came the men of Kaldbak with four ships. Thorgrim laid claim to
the whale and forbade the men of Vik to cut, distribute, or carry away
any portion of it. Flosi called upon him to show proof that Eirik had
in express words given over the drift to Onund; if not, he said he would
prevent them by force. Thorgrim saw that he was outnumbered and would
not venture on fighting. Then there came a ship across the fjords, the
men rowing with all their might. They came up; it was Svan of Hol from
Bjarnarfjord with his men, and he at once told Thorgrim not to let
himself be robbed. The two men had been great friends, and Svan offered
Thorgrim his aid, which the brothers accepted, and they attacked
valiantly. Thorgeir Bottleback was the first to get on to the whale
where Flosi's men were. Thorfinn, who was spoken of before, was cutting
it up, standing near the head on the place where he had been carving.
"Here I bring you your axe," said Thorgeir. Then he struck at Thorfinn's
neck and cut off his head. Flosi was up on the beach and saw it. He
urged on his men to give it them back. They fought for a long time and
the Kaldbak people were getting the best of it. Most of them had no
weapons but the axes with which they were cutting up the whale and short
knives. The men of Vik were driven from the whale on to the sandbanks.
The men from the East, however, were armed and able to deal wounds.
Their captain Steinn cut off the leg of Kolbeinn's son Ivar, and Ivar's
brother Leif beat one of Steinn's men to death with a rib of the whale.
Then they fought with anything they could get, and men were slain on
both sides. At last Olaf came up with a number of ships from Drangar and
joined Flosi; the men of Kaldbak were then overpowered by numbers. They
had already loaded their ships, and Svan told them to get on board. They
therefore retired towards the ships, the men of Vik after them. Svan on
reaching the sea struck at Steinn their captain, wounding him badly, and
then sprang into his own ship. Thorgrim gave Flosi a severe wound and
escaped. Olaf wounded Ofeig Grettir fatally, but Thorgeir carried him
off and sprang on to his ship with him. The Kaldbak men rowed into the
fjord and the two parties separated.

The following verse was composed on these doings:

     "Hard were the blows which were dealt at Rifsker;
     no weapons they had but steaks of the whale.
     They belaboured each other with rotten blubber.
     Unseemly methinks is such warfare for men."

After this they made peace, and the dispute was laid before the
All-Thing. On the side of the Kaldbak men were Thorodd the Godi, Skeggi
of Midfjord, and many others from the South. Flosi was exiled, along
with several others who had been with him. He was put to great expense,
for he insisted upon paying all the fines himself. Thorgrim and his
brothers were unable to show that they had paid any money either for the
land or for the drift which Flosi claimed. The Lawman was Thorkell Mani,
and the question was referred to him. He declared that by law something
must have been paid, though not necessarily the full value.

"There was a case in point," he said, "between my grandfather Ingolf and
a woman named Steinvor the Old. He gave her the whole of Rosmhvalanes
and she gave him a dirty cloak for it; the transfer was afterwards held
to be valid. That was a much more important affair than this. My advice
is that the land be divided in equal portions between the two; and
henceforward it shall be legally established that all drift shall be the
property of the owner of the land upon which it has been stranded."

This was agreed to. Thorgrim and his brothers were to give up
Reykjarfjord with all on that side, and were to keep Kamb. For Ofeig
a large sum of money was paid, and Thorfinn was assessed at nothing at
all; Thorgeir received compensation for the attack made upon his life,
and all the parties were reconciled. Flosi went to Norway with Steinn
the captain and sold his lands in Vik to Geirmund Hvikatimbr, who lived
there thenceforward.

The ship which Steinn's sailors had built was rather a tub. She was
called Trekyllir--Tree-sack. Flosi went on his journey in her, but
was driven back to Oxarfjord; out of this arose the saga of Bodmod the
Champion and Grimolf.




CHAPTER XIII. THORGRIM SETTLES AT BJARG AND MARRIES. HIS SON ASMUND
VISITS NORWAY AND MARRIES TWICE


After these events Thorgrim and his brothers divided up the property
between them. Thorgrim took the movable property and Thorgeir the lands.
Then Thorgrim went inland to Midfjord and bought some land at Bjarg
with the aid of Skeggi. He married Thordis, the daughter of Asmund
from Asmund's peak who had land in Thingeyrasveit. They had a son named
Asmund, a great man and strong, also wise, and notable for his abundance
of hair, which turned grey very early. He was called Longhair.

Thorgrim occupied himself with the management of his estate and kept all
the men of his household hard at work. Asmund did not want to work,
so that he and his father got on rather badly together. This continued
until Asmund was grown up, when he asked his father to give him the
means to go abroad. Thorgrim said he should have little enough, but he
gave him some ready cash. So Asmund went away and soon increased his
capital. He sailed to divers lands, became a great trader and very
wealthy. He was popular and enjoyed good credit, and had many friends
among the leading men of Norway.

One autumn Asmund was in the East on a visit to a certain magnate named
Thorsteinn. His family came from the Upplands, and he had a sister named
Rannveig who had excellent prospects. Asmund asked this girl in marriage
and obtained her through the interest of her brother Thorsteinn; he
settled there for a time and was highly thought of. He and Rannveig had
a son named Thorsteinn, who became a handsome man, strong, and with a
powerful voice. He was very tall and rather sluggish in his movements,
wherefore he was nicknamed Dromund. When young Thorsteinn was half grown
up his mother fell ill and died, and Asmund cared no more for Norway.
Thorsteinn was taken over by his mother's relations along with his
property, while Asmund went on voyages and became famous.

Asmund came in his ship to Hunavain, where Thorkell Krafla was chief
of the Vatnsdalers. On hearing of Asmund's arrival Thorkell went to the
ship and invited him to stay, and Asmund went to visit him in Marsstadir
in Vatnsdal where he lived. Thorkell was a son of Thorgrim, the Godi of
Karnsa, and a man of great experience. This was soon after the arrival
of Bishop Fridrek and Thorvald the son of Kodran, who were living at
Laekjamot when these events happened, preaching Christianity for the
first time in the North of the island. Thorkell and many of his men
received the prima signatio. Many things might be told of the dealings
between the bishop's men and the Northerners, which, however, do not
belong to this saga.

There was a girl named Asdis who was being brought up in Thorkell's
house. She was a daughter of Bard the son of Jokull, the son of Ingimund
the Old, the son of Thorsteinn, the son of Ketil Raum. Her mother's
name was Aldis, whom we have already heard of as the daughter of Ofeig
Grettir. Asdis was not betrothed as yet, and was a most desirable match,
both on account of her connections and her wealth. Asmund now became
sick of travelling about and wanted to settle down in Iceland. So he
spoke up and asked for Asdis as his wife. Thorkell knew all about him
and knew that he was a man of wealth, able to manage his affairs, so the
marriage was arranged. Asmund married Asdis, and became a close friend
of Thorkell. He was a great man of affairs, learned in the law and
very strenuous. Soon afterwards Thorgrim Greyhead died at Bjarg; Asmund
succeeded to his property and took up his residence at Bjarg.




CHAPTER XIV. ASMUND'S CHILDREN. GRETTIR'S CHILDHOOD


Asmund Longhair now set up a large and sumptuous household in Bjarg,
where he maintained a numerous retinue and became very popular. His
children were as follows: The eldest was Atli, an able and accomplished
man, tactful and easy to deal with; he was much liked by all. His second
son was called Grettir. He was very hard to manage in his bringing up.
He spoke little and was rough in his manners and quarrelsome, both in
words and deeds. He got little affection from his father Asmund, but his
mother loved him dearly. Grettir was a handsome man in appearance, with
a face rather broad and short, red-haired and somewhat freckled; not
very precocious in his youth. There was a daughter named Thordis,
who afterwards married Glum the son of Ospak, Kjallak's son from
Skridinsenni. Another daughter was named Rannveig; she married Gamli the
son of Thorhall of Vineland, and they dwelt at Melar in Hrutafjord and
had a son named Grim. Glum and Thordis had a son named Ospak who fell
into a dispute with Odd the son of Ofeig, which is told of in the "Saga
of the Banded Men."

Grettir grew up at Bjarg until he was ten years old, when he began to
develop a little. Asmund told him that he must do some work. Grettir
said that would not suit him very well, but asked what he was to do.

"You must mind the geese," said Asmund.

"That is wretched work, only fit for an idiot," Grettir answered.

"You do that properly," his father said, "and we shall get on better
together."

So Grettir went to mind the geese. There were fifty of them, and a
number of goslings. Before long he began to find them troublesome, and
the goslings would not come on quickly enough. This put him out, for he
could never control his temper. Soon afterwards some wanderers found the
goslings lying outside dead, and the geese with their wings broken.
This was in the autumn. Asmund was very much annoyed and asked Grettir
whether he had killed the birds. Grettir grinned and answered:

     "Always when winter is coming on
     I like to wring the goslings' necks.
     If among them there are geese
     I treat the creatures all alike."

"You shan't twist any more of their necks," said Asmund.

"The friend aye warns his friend of ill," answered Grettir.

"I will give you other work to do."

"He knoweth most who most hath tried. But what am I to do now?" Grettir
asked.

"You shall rub my back when I am sitting by the fire, as I am in the
habit of having it done."

"Warm work for the hands." he answered. "It is only fit for an idiot."

This for a time was Grettir's occupation. As the autumn advanced Asmund
wanted more warmth, and was constantly telling Grettir to rub his back
hard. It was the custom in those days for people to have large rooms
with long fires in them in their houses, where men sat by the fire in
the evenings on benches, sleeping afterwards at the side away from the
fires. By day the women carded their wool there.

One evening when Grettir had to scratch Asmund's back his father said to
him: "Now you will have to put aside your laziness, you good-for-nothing
you."

Grettir answered: "`Tis ill to rouse a hasty temper."

"You are fit for nothing at all," said Asmund.

Grettir saw some wood-combs lying on one of the benches; he took up one
of them and drew it along Asmund's back. Asmund sprang up and was going
to thrash him with his stick, but he escaped. His mother came up and
asked what they were fighting about. Grettir answered in a verse:

     "Oh lady, the giver of treasure, I see,
     has dire intent to burn my hands.
     With nails uncut I was stroking his back.
     Clearly I see the bird of wounds."

His mother was much vexed with Grettir for what he had done and said he
would not grow up very prudent. The affair did not improve the relations
between Asmund and his son.

Soon after this Asmund spoke to Grettir and told him to look after his
horses. Grettir said that would be better than back-fire-warming.

"You are to do what I tell you," said Asmund. "I have a dun mare with
a dark stripe down her back whom I call Keingala. She is very knowing
about the weather and about rain coming. When she refuses to graze it
never fails that a storm will follow. You are then to keep the horses
under shelter in the stables, and when cold weather sets in keep them
to the north of the ridge. I hope you will perform this duty better than
the two which I gave you before."

Grettir said: "That is cold work, and fit for a man to do; but it seems
to me rash to trust to the mare, when to my knowledge no one has done so
before."

So Grettir took to minding the horses, and went on until Yule-tide was
past, when very cold weather set in, with snow, so that grazing was
difficult. He was very badly provided with clothes and little hardened
to the weather. He began to feel it very cold, and Keingala always chose
the windiest places whatever the weather was. She never came to the
meadow early enough to get home before nightfall. Grettir then thought
he would play a trick upon Keingala to pay her out for her wanderings.
One morning early he came to the stables, opened the door and found
Keingala standing in front of the manger. She had taken the whole of
the fodder which had been given to all the horses for herself. Grettir
jumped upon her back, with a sharp knife in his hand which he drew
across her shoulder and along her back on both sides. The horse was fat
and fresh; she shied back very frightened and kicked out till her hoofs
rattled against the walls. Grettir fell off, but picked himself up and
tried to mount her again. There was a sharp struggle, which ended in his
shaving all the skin on her back down to her flank. Then he drove the
horses out to the meadow. Keingala would not take a bite except off her
back, and soon after noon she bolted off to the stables. Grettir locked
the door and went home. Asmund asked him where the horses were; he said
he had looked after them as usual. Asmund said there must be a storm
close at hand if the horses would not stay out in such weather as there
was then.

Grettir said: "Many seem wise who are lacking in wit."

The night passed and there was no storm. Grettir drove out the horses,
but Keingala could not endure the pasture. Asmund thought it very
strange that no change came in the weather. On the third morning he went
himself to the horses and on seeing Keingala he said: "Ill indeed have
the horses fared in this beautiful weather! Thy back will not deceive
me, my Bleikala."

"The likely may happen--also the unlikely," said Grettir.

Asmund stroked the back of the horse and all her coat came off on
his hand. He could not understand how she had got into that state and
thought Grettir must have done it. Grettir grinned and said nothing.
Asmund went home and became very abusive. He heard his wife say: "My
son's watching of the horses must have prospered well."

Then he spoke a verse:

     "He has cheated me sorely, and Keingala shorn.
     'Tis the pride of a woman that urges her tongue.
     Artful he holds my commands in derision.
     Consider my verses, oh wife of my heart."

"I do not know," she said, "which seems to me the more perverse, for you
to make him work, or for him always to get out of it in the same way."

"Now there shall be an end to it," said Asmund. "He must have something
worse than merely making good the damage."

"Let neither speak of it to the other," said Grettir, and so it
remained.

Asmund had Keingala killed. Many more childish pranks did Grettir play
which are not told in the saga. He now began to grow very big, but men
did not clearly know what strength he had because he had never been
tried in wrestling. He kept making verses and ditties which were always
a little ironical. He did not sleep in the common room and was generally
very silent.




CHAPTER XV. GAMES AT MIDFJORDVATN


There were then a good many youths growing up in Midfjord. A certain
Skaldtorfa, whose home was in Torfustadir, had a son named Bersi, an
accomplished young man and a clever poet. Two brothers named Kormak
and Thorgils lived at Mel and had with them a youth named Odd, who was
dependent upon them, and was nicknamed Odd the Needy-Skald. Another
was named Audun; he grew up in Audunarstad in Vididal, a pleasant
good-natured youth and the strongest of his age in the North. Kalf the
son of Asgeir and his brother Thorvald lived at Asgeirsa. Grettir's
brother Atli was then growing to a man; he was most gracious in manners
and universally liked.

These youths used to play at ball together at Midfjord Water. Those from
Midfjord and from Vididal used to meet there, and there came many from
Vestrhop and Vatnsnes with some from Hrutafjord. Those who came from
afar used to lodge there. Those who were about equal in the ball-game
were matched together, and generally they had much fun in the autumn.
Grettir went to the sports when he was fourteen years old at the request
of his brother Atli. The parties were made up. Grettir was matched
against Audun, the youth already mentioned, who was a few years the
elder. Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head so that he could not
reach it, and it bounded far away over the ice. Grettir lost his temper,
thinking he had done it out of mischief, but he fetched the ball,
brought it back and going up to Audun drove it straight into his
forehead, so that the skin was broken.

Audun then struck at Grettir with the bat that he was holding, but
Grettir ducked and the blow missed him. Then they seized each other
with their arms and wrestled. It was evident to the people around that
Grettir was stronger than they had supposed, for Audun was very strong
indeed of body. They struggled long together until at last Grettir was
thrown. Audun then set his knees on his stomach and dealt unmercifully
with him. Atli and Bersi and a number of the others ran up and separated
them. Grettir said they need not hold him like a mad dog, and added:
"The thrall alone takes instant vengeance, the coward never."

The rest had no mind to let the affair create discord among them,
and the brothers Kalf and Thorvald tried to reconcile them. Audun and
Grettir were distantly related to each other. The games went on and
there was no further disturbance.




CHAPTER XVI. GRETTIR KILLS SKEGGI AND IS OUTLAWED FOR THREE YEARS


Thorkell Krafla now began to grow very old. He was a great chieftain and
held the Vatnsdal Godord. He was a close friend of Asmund Longhair, as
befitted the near relations in which they stood to each other. He had,
therefore, been in the habit of riding every year in the spring to Bjarg
to visit his kinsmen there, and he did so in the spring which followed
the events just related. Asmund and Asdis received him with both hands.
He stayed there three nights and many a matter did the kinsmen discuss
together. Thorkell asked Asmund what his heart told him about his sons,
and what professions they were likely to follow. Asmund said that Atli
would probably be a great landowner, very careful and wealthy.

"A useful man, like yourself," said Thorkell. "But what can you tell me
of Grettir?"

"I can only say," he replied, "that he will be a strong man; but
headstrong and quarrelsome. A heavy trial has he been to me."

"That does not look very promising, kinsman!" said Thorkell. "But how
are we to arrange our journey to the Thing in the summer?"

"I am getting difficult to move," he said. "I would rather stay at
home."

"Would you like Atli to go for you?"

"I don't think I can spare him," Asmund said, "because of the work and
the provisioning. Grettir will not do anything. But he has quite wit
enough to carry out the duties at the Thing on my behalf under your
guidance."

"It shall be as you please," said Thorkell.

Then Thorkell made himself ready and rode home; Asmund dismissed him
with presents.

A little later Thorkell journeyed to the Thing with sixty men. All
the men of his godord went with him. They passed through Bjarg, where
Grettir joined them. They rode South through the heath called Tvidaegra.
There was very little grazing to be had in the hills, so they
rode quickly past them into the cultivated land. When they reached
Fljotstunga they thought it was time to sleep, so they took the bits
from their horses and turned them loose with their saddles. They lay
there well on into the day, and when they woke began to look for their
horses. Every horse had gone off in a different direction and some had
been rolling. Grettir could not find his horse at all. The custom was
at that time that men should find their own provisions at the Thing, and
most of them carried their sacks over their saddles. When Grettir found
his horse its saddle was under its belly, and the sack of provisions
gone. He searched about but could not find it. Then he saw a man running
very fast and asked him who he was. He said his name was Skeggi and that
he was a man from Ass in Vatnsdal in the North.

"I am travelling with Thorkell," he said. "I have been careless and lost
my provision-bag."

"Alone in misfortune is worst. I also have lost my stock of provisions;
so we can look for them together."

Skeggi was well pleased with this proposal, and so they went about
seeking for a time. Suddenly, when Grettir least expected it, Skeggi
started running with all his might along the moor and picked up the
sack. Grettir saw him bend and asked what it was that he had picked up.

"My sack," he said.

"Who says so besides yourself?" Grettir asked. "Let me see it! Many a
thing is like another."

Skeggi said no one should take from him what was his own. Grettir seized
hold of the sack and they both pulled at it for a time, each trying to
get his own way.

"You Midfjord men have strange notions," said Skeggi, "if you think that
because a man is not so wealthy as you are, he is not to dare to hold to
his own before you."

Grettir said it had nothing to do with a man's degree, and that each
should have that which was his own.

Skeggi replied: "Audun is now too far away to strangle you as he did at
the ball-play."

"That is well," said Grettir; "but however that may have been you shall
not strangle me."

Skeggi then seized his axe and struck at Grettir, who on seeing it
seized the handle of the axe with his left hand and pulled it forward
with such force that Skeggi at once let go. The next moment it stood in
his brain and he fell dead to the earth. Grettir took the sack, threw it
across his saddle and rode back to his companions.

Thorkell rode on, knowing nothing of what had happened. Soon Skeggi was
missed in the company, and when Grettir came up they asked him what news
he had of Skeggi. He answered in a verse:

     "Hammer-troll ogress has done him to death.
     Thirsting for blood the war-fiend came.
     With hard-edged blade she gaped, o'er his head,
     nor spared she his teeth.  I saw it myself."

Then Thorkell's men sprang up and said it was impossible that a troll
should have taken the man in full daylight. Thorkell was silent for a
moment. Then he said: "There must be something more in it. Grettir must
have killed him. What was it that really happened, Grettir?"

Grettir then told him all about their fight. Thorkell said: "It is a
most unfortunate occurrence, because Skeggi was entrusted to my service,
and was a man of good family. I will take the matter upon myself and pay
whatever compensation is adjudged. But a question of banishment does
not lie with me. Now, Grettir, there are two things for you to choose
between. Either you can go on to the Thing with us and take the chance
of what may happen there, or you can turn back and go home."

Grettir decided to go on to the Thing, and to the Thing he went. The
matter was taken up by the heirs of the man slain. Thorkell gave his
hand to pay the compensation and Grettir was to be banished for three
years.

On their way back from the Thing all the chiefs halted at Sledaass
before they parted company. It was then that Grettir lifted a stone
lying in the grass, which is still known as Grettishaf. Many went
afterwards to see this stone and were astounded that so young a man
should have lifted such a mountain.

Grettir rode home to Bjarg and told his father about his adventures.
Asmund was much put out and said he would be a trouble to everybody.




CHAPTER XVII. GRETTIR SAILS FOR NORWAY AND IS WRECKED ON HARAMARSEY


There dwelt at Reydarfell on the banks of the Hvita a man named Haflidi,
a mariner, owning a ship of his own which was lying in dock in the Hvita
river. He had as his mate a man named Bard who had a young and pretty
wife. Asmund sent a man to Haflidi asking him to take Grettir and look
after him. Haflidi answered that he had heard that Grettir was very
difficult to get on with, but out of friendship for Asmund he took him.
Grettir, therefore, prepared to go to sea. His father would not give
him any outfit for his voyage beyond his bare provisions and a little
wadmal. Grettir asked him to give him some sort of weapon. Asmund
answered: "You have never been obedient to me. Nor do I know what you
would do with a weapon that would be of any profit. I shall not give you
any."

Grettir said: "Work not done needs no reward."

Father and son parted with little love between them. Many wished him a
good voyage, but few a safe return. His mother went with him along the
road. Before they parted she said: "You have not been sent off in the
way that I should have wished, my son, or in a way befitting your birth.
The most cruel thing of all, I think, is that you have not a weapon
which you can use. My heart tells me that you will want one."

Then she took from under her mantle a sword all ready for use, a
valuable possession. She said: "This was the sword of Jokull, my
father's father and of the ancient Vatnsdal men, in whose hands it was
blessed with victory. I give it to you; use it well."

Grettir thanked her warmly and said it would be more precious to him
than any other possession though of greater value. Then he went on his
way and Asdis wished him all possible happiness. He rode South over the
heath and did not stop till he reached his ship. Haflidi received him
well and asked him about his outfit for the voyage. Grettir spoke a
verse:

     "Oh trimmer of sails I my father is wealthy,
     but poorly enough he sent me from home.
     My mother it was who gave me this sword.
     True is the saying: The mother is best."

Haflidi said it was evident that she had most thought for him.

Directly they were ready and had a wind they got under way. When they
were out of shallow water they hoisted their sail. Grettir made himself
a corner under the ship's boat, whence he refused to stir either to bale
or to trim the sails or to do any work in the ship, as it was his duty
to do equally with the other men; nor would he buy himself off. They
sailed to the South, rounded Reykjanes and left the land behind them,
when they met with stormy weather. The ship was rather leaky and became
very uneasy in the gale; the crew were very much exhausted. Grettir only
let fly satirical verses at them, which angered them sorely.

One day when it was very stormy and very cold the men called out to
Grettir to get up and work; they said their claws were quite frozen. He
answered:

     "Twere well if every finger were froze
     on the hands of such a lubberly crew."

They got no work out of him and liked him even worse than before,
and said they would pay him out on his person for his squibs and his
mutinous behaviour.

"You like better," they said, "to pat the belly of Bard the mate's wife
than to bear a hand in the ship. But we don't mean to stand it."

The weather grew steadily worse; they had to bale night and day, and
they threatened Grettir. Haflidi when he heard them went up to Grettir
and said: "I don't think your relations with the crew are very good. You
are mutinous and make lampoons about them, and they threaten to pitch
you overboard. This is most improper."

"Why cannot they mind their own business?" Grettir rejoined. "But I
should like one or two to remain behind with me before I go overboard."

"That is impossible," said Haflidi. "We shall never get on upon those
terms. But I will make you a proposal about it."

"What is that?"

"The thing which annoys them is that you make lampoons about them. Now
I suggest that you make a lampoon about me. Then, perhaps, they will
become better disposed towards you."

"About you I will never utter anything but good," said he. "I am not
going to compare you with the sailors."

"But you might compose a verse which should at first appear foul, but on
closer view prove to be fair."

"That," he answered, "I am quite equal to."

Haflidi then went to the sailors and said: "You have much toil; and it
seems that you don't get on with Grettir."

"His lampoons," they answered, "annoy us more than anything else."

Then Haflidi, speaking loud, said: "It will be the worse for him some
day."

Grettir, when he heard himself being denounced, spoke a verse:

     "Other the words that Haflidi spake
     when he dined on curds at Reydarfell.
     But now two meals a day he takes
     in the steed of the bays mid foreland shores."

The sailors were very angry and said he should not lampoon Haflidi for
nothing. Haflidi said: "Grettir certainly deserves that you should take
him down a little, but I am not going to risk my good name because of
his ill-temper and caprice. This is not the time to pay him out, when we
are all in such danger. When you get on shore you can remember it if you
like."

"Shall we not endure what you can endure?" they said. "Why should a
lampoon hurt us more than it does you?"

Haflidi said so it should be, and after that they cared less about
Grettir's lampoons.

The voyage was long and fatiguing. The ship sprung a leak, and the
men began to be worn out. The mate's young wife was in the habit of
stitching Grettir's sleeves for him, and the men used to banter him
about it. Haflidi went up to Grettir where he was lying and said:

     "Arise from thy den! deep furrows we plough!
     Remember the word thou didst speak to the fair.
     Thy garment she sewed; but now she commands
     that thou join in the toil while the land is afar."

Grettir got up at once and said:

     "I will rise, though the ship be heavily rolling.
     The woman is vexed that I sleep in my den.
     She will surely be wrath if here I abide
     while others are toiling at work that is mine."

Then he hurried aft where they were baling and asked what they wanted
him to do. They said he would do little good. He replied: "A man's help
is something." Haflidi told them not to refuse his help. "Maybe," he
said, "he is thinking of loosening his hands if he offers his services."

In those days in sea-going ships there were no scuppers for baling; they
only had what is called bucket or pot-baling, a very troublesome and
fatiguing process. There were two buckets, one of which went down while
the other came up. The men told Grettir to take the buckets down, and
said they would try what he could do. He said the less tried the better,
and went below and filled his bucket. There were two men above to
empty the buckets as he handed them. Before long they both gave in
from fatigue. Then four others took their places, but the same thing
happened. Some say that before they were done eight men were engaged
in emptying the buckets for him. At last the ship was baled dry. After
this, the seamen altered their behaviour towards Grettir, for they
realised the strength which was in him. From that time on he was ever
the forwardest to help wherever he was required.

They now held an easterly course out to sea. It was very dark. One night
when they least expected it, they struck a rock and the lower part of
the ship began to fill. The boats were got out and the women put into
them with all the loose property. There was an island a little way off,
whither they carried as much of their property as they could get off in
the night. When the day broke, they began to ask where they were. Some
of them who had been about the country before recognised the coast of
Sunnmore in Norway. There was an island lying a little off the mainland
called Haramarsey, with a large settlement and a farm belonging to the
Landman on it.




CHAPTER XVIII. ADVENTURE IN THE HOWE OF KAR THE OLD


The name of the Landman who lived in the island was Thorfinn. He was a
son of Kar the Old, who had lived there for a long time. Thorfinn was a
man of great influence.

When the day broke, the people on the island saw that there were some
sailors there in distress and reported it to Thorfinn, who at once set
about to launch his large sixteen-oared boat. He put out as quickly as
possible with some thirty men to save the cargo of the trader, which
then sank and was lost, along with much property. Thorfinn brought all
the men off her to his house, where they stayed for a week drying their
goods. Then they went away to the South, and are heard of no more in
this story.

Grettir stayed behind with Thorfinn, keeping very quiet and speaking
little. Thorfinn gave him his board, but took little notice of him.
Grettir held rather aloof, and did not accompany him when he went abroad
every day. This annoyed Thorfinn, but he did not like to refuse Grettir
his hospitality; he was a man who kept open house, enjoyed life and
liked to see other men happy. Grettir liked going about and visiting the
people in the other farms on the island. There was a man named Audun,
who dwelt at Vindheim. Grettir went to see him daily and became very
intimate with him, sitting there all day long.

One evening very late when Grettir was preparing to return home, he saw
a great fire shoot up on the headland below Audun's place, and asked
what new thing that might be. Audun said there was no pressing need for
him to know.

"If they saw such a thing in our country," said Grettir, "they would say
the fire came from some treasure."

"He who rules that fire," answered the man, "is one whom it will be
better not to inquire about."

"But I want to know," Grettir said.

"On that headland," said Audun, "there is a howe, wherein lies Kar
the Old, the father of Thorfinn. Once upon a time father and son had a
farm-property on the island; but ever since Kar died his ghost has been
walking and has scared away all the other farmers, so that now the
whole island belongs to Thorfinn, and no man who is under Thorfinn's
protection suffers any injury."

"You have done right to tell me," said Grettir. "Expect me here
to-morrow morning, and have tools ready for digging."

"I won't allow you to have anything to do with it," said Audun, "because
I know that it will bring Thorfinn's wrath down upon you."

Grettir said he would risk that.

The night passed; Grettir appeared early the next morning, and the
bondi, who had got all the tools for digging ready, went with Grettir to
the howe. Grettir broke open the grave, and worked with all his might,
never stopping until he came to wood, by which time the day was already
spent. He tore away the woodwork; Audun implored him not to go down, but
Grettir bade him attend to the rope, saying that he meant to find out
what it was that dwelt there. Then he descended into the howe. It was
very dark and the odour was not pleasant. He began to explore how it was
arranged, and found the bones of a horse. Then he knocked against a sort
of throne in which he was aware of a man seated. There was much treasure
of gold and silver collected together, and a casket under his feet, full
of silver. Grettir took all the treasure and went back towards the rope,
but on his way he felt himself seized by a strong hand. He left the
treasure to close with his aggressor and the two engaged in a merciless
struggle. Everything about them was smashed. The howedweller made a
ferocious onslaught. Grettir for some time gave way, but found that no
holding back was possible. They did not spare each other. Soon they came
to the place where the horse's bones were lying, and here they struggled
for long, each in turn being brought to his knees. At last it ended in
the howedweller falling backwards with a horrible crash, whereupon Audun
above bolted from the rope, thinking that Grettir was killed. Grettir
then drew his sword Jokulsnaut, cut off the head of the howedweller and
laid it between his thighs. Then he went with the treasure to the rope,
but finding Audun gone he had to swarm up the rope with his hands. First
he tied the treasure to the lower end of the rope, so that he could haul
it up after him. He was very stiff from his struggle with Kar, but he
turned his steps towards Thorfinn's house, carrying the treasure along
with him. He found them all at supper. Thorfinn cast a severe glance at
him and asked what he had found so pressing to do that he could not keep
proper hours like other men.

"Many a trifle happens at eve," he replied.

Then he brought out all the treasure which he had taken from the howe
and laid it on the table. One thing there was upon which more than
anything else Grettir cast his eyes, a short sword, which he declared to
be finer than any weapon which he had ever seen. It was the last thing
that he showed. Thorfinn opened his eyes when he saw the sword, for it
was an heirloom of his family and had never been out of it.

"Whence came this treasure?" he asked.

Grettir then spake a verse:

     "Scatterer of gold! 'twas the lust of wealth
     that urged my hand to ravish the grave.
     This know; but none hereafter, I ween,
     will be fain to ransack Fafnir's lair."

Thorfinn said: "You don't seem to take it very seriously; no one ever
before had any wish to break open the howe. But since I know that all
treasure which is hidden in the earth or buried in a howe is in a wrong
place I hold you guilty of no misdeed, especially since you have brought
it to me."

Grettir answered:

     "The monster is slain! in the dismal tomb
     I have captured a sword, dire wounder of men.
     Would it were mine I a treasure so rare
     I never would suffer my hand to resign."

"You have spoken well," Thorfinn answered. "But before I can give you
the sword you must display your prowess in some way. I never got it from
my father whilst he lived."

Grettir said: "No one knows to whom the greatest profit will fall ere
all is done."

Thorfinn took the treasure and kept the sword in his own custody
near his bed. The winter came on bringing Yule-tide, and nothing more
happened that need be told of.




CHAPTER XIX. BERSERKS AT HARAMARSEY


The following summer jarl Eirik the son of Hakon was preparing to leave
his country and sail to the West to join his brother-in-law King Knut
the Great in England, leaving the government of Norway in the hands of
Hakon his son, who, being an infant, was placed under the government and
regency of Eirik's brother, jarl Sveinn.

Before leaving Eirik summoned all his Landmen and the larger bondis to
meet him. Eirik the jarl was an able ruler, and they had much discussion
regarding the laws and their administration. It was considered a scandal
in the land that pirates and berserks should be able to come into the
country and challenge respectable people to the holmgang for their money
or their women, no weregild being paid whichever fell. Many had lost
their money and been put to shame in this way; some indeed had lost
their lives. For this reason jarl Eirik abolished all holmgang in Norway
and declared all robbers and berserks who disturbed the peace outlaws.
Thorfinn the son of Kar of Haramarsey, being a man of wise counsel and a
close friend of the jarl, was present at the meeting.

The worst of these ruffians were two brothers named Thorir Paunch and
Ogmund the Bad. They came from Halogaland and were bigger and stronger
than other men. When angry they used to fall into the berserk's fury,
and nothing escaped that was before them. They used to carry off men's
wives, keep them for a week or two and then send them back. Wherever
they came they committed robberies and other acts of violence. Jarl
Eirik had declared them outlaws throughout Norway. The man who had
been most active in getting them outlawed was Thorfinn, and they were
determined to pay him out in full for his hostility.

The jarl's expedition is told of in his saga, and the government of
Norway was left in the hands of jarl Sveinn, with the regency.

Thorfinn returned home and remained there until about Yule-tide, as has
already been told. Towards Yule-tide he made ready to go on a journey
to his farm called Slysfjord on the mainland, whither he had invited
a number of his friends. He could not take his wife with him, because
their grown-up daughter was lying sick, so they both had to stay at
home. Grettir and eight of the serving men remained with them. Thorfinn
went with thirty freemen to the Yule festival, at which there was much
gladness and merriment.

Yule-eve set in with bright and clear weather. Grettir, who was
generally abroad in the daytime, was watching the vessels which came
along the coast, some from the North, some from the South, meeting at
the places agreed upon for their drinking-bouts. The bondi's daughter
was then better and could go out with her mother. So the day passed. At
last Grettir noticed a ship rowing up to the island, not large, covered
with shields amidships and painted above the water-line. They were
rowing briskly and making for Thorfinn's boat-houses. They ran the boat
on to the beach and all sprang ashore. Grettir counted the men; there
were twelve in all, and their aspect did not look peaceful.

After hauling up their boat out of the water they all made for the
boat-house where Thorfinn's great boat, mentioned already, was stowed.
She always required thirty men to put her to sea, but the twelve shoved
her along the beach at once. Then they brought their own boat into the
boat-house. It was very evident to Grettir that they did not mean to
wait for an invitation, so he went up to them, and greeting them in a
friendly way asked who they were and who was their captain. The man whom
he addressed answered him at once, saying his name was Thorir, called
Paunch; the others were his brother Ogmund with their companions.
"I think," he added, "that your master Thorfinn has heard our names
mentioned. But is he at home?"

"You must be men who have luck," said Grettir, "you have come most
opportunely, if you are the people I take you for. The bondi has gone
from home with all his freedmen and will not be back until after Yule.
The goodwife is at home with her daughter, and if I had any grudge to
repay, I would come just as you do, for there is everything here which
you want, ale to drink and other delights."

Thorir was silent while Grettir went on talking. Then he turned to
Ogmund and said: "Has anything not happened as I said it would? I should
not be sorry to punish Thorfinn for having got us outlawed. This man
seems ready to tell us everything; we don't have to drag the words out
of his mouth."

"Every one is master of his own words," said Grettir. "If you will come
home with me I will give you what entertainment I can."

They thanked him and said they would accept his invitation. When they
reached the house Grettir took Thorir by the hand and led him into the
hall. He was very talkative. The mistress was in the hall decorating it
and putting all in order. On hearing what Grettir said, she came to the
door and asked who it was that Grettir was welcoming so warmly.

Grettir answered: "It will be advisable, mistress, to be civil to these
men who have come. They are the bondi Thorir Paunch and his followers,
and have come, all twelve of them, to spend Yule-tide here. It is
fortunate for us, for we have had little company till now."

She said: "I don't call them bondis, nor are they decent men, but
arrant robbers and malefactors. I would gladly pay a large portion of
my property for them not to have come just at this time. It is an ill
return that you make to Thorfinn for having saved you from shipwreck and
kept you this winter like a free man, destitute as you were."

"You would do better," said Grettir, "if you first took off the wet
clothes from your guests instead of casting reproaches upon me. You will
have plenty of time for that."

Then Thorir said: "Don't be angry, mistress! You shall lose nothing by
your husband being away, for you shall have a man in his place and so
shall your daughter and all the other women."

"That is spoken like a man," said Grettir. "The women shall be quite
contented with what they get."

Then all the women fled and began to weep, being overcome by terror.
Grettir said to the berserks: "Give me all the things which you want to
lay aside, your weapons and your wet clothes, for the men will not obey
us while they are frightened."

Thorir said he cared little for the women's whining. "But," he said, "we
mean to treat you in a different way from the other men of the house. It
seems to me that we may make a comrade of you."

"See to that yourselves," said Grettir. "But I do not look upon all men
alike."

Then they laid aside most of their weapons. Grettir said: "I think now
you had better sit down at the table and have some drink. You must be
thirsty after your rowing."

They said they were quite ready for a drink, but did not know where the
cellar was. Grettir asked whether they would let him arrange for their
entertainment, which they willingly agreed to. So Grettir went and
fetched some ale which he gave them to drink. They were very tired and
drank enormously. He kept them well plied with the strongest ale there
was, and they sat there for a long time whilst he told them funny
stories. There was a tremendous din amongst them all, and the servants
had no wish to approach them.

Thorir said: "I never yet met with a stranger who treated me like this
man. What reward shall we give you for all that you have done, Grettir?"

Grettir replied: "I don't expect any reward for my services at present.
But if when you depart we are still as good friends as we seem to be
now, I should very much like to join your company, and though I may not
be able to do as much work as any of you, I will not be a hindrance in
any doughty undertaking."

They were delighted, and wanted to swear fellowship with him at once.
Grettir said that could not be, "for," he added, "there is truth in
the saying that Ale is another man, and such a thing should not be done
hastily, so let it remain at what I said; we are both little in the
habit of restraining ourselves."

They declared that they did not mean to go back. The night was now
coming on and it was getting very dark. Grettir noticed that they were
rather fuddled, and asked whether they did not think it was time to go
to bed. Thorir said: "So it is; but I have to fulfil my promise to the
mistress." Grettir then went out and called out loud: "Go to bed, women!
Such is the will of Thorir the bondi."

The women execrated him and could be heard howling like wolves. The
berserks then left the room. Grettir said: "Let us go outside; I will
show you the room in which Thorfinn keeps his clothes."

They were agreeable and all went out to an enormous outhouse, which was
very strongly built, and had a strong lock on the outer door. Adjoining
it was a large and well-built privy, with only a wooden partition
between it and the room of the outhouse, which was raised above
the ground and had to be reached by steps. The berserks then began
skylarking and pushing Grettir about. He fell down the in steps, as if
in sport, and in a moment was out of the house, had pulled the bolt,
slammed the door to, and locked it. Thorir and his mates thought at
first that the door had swung to of itself, and paid little attention;
they had a light with them by which Grettir had been showing them all
Thorfinn's treasures, and they continued looking at them for some time.

Grettir went off to the homestead, and on reaching the door cried out
very loud, asking where the mistress was. She was silent, being afraid
to answer. He said: "Here is rather good sport to be had. Are there any
arms which are good for anything?"

"There are arms," she said; "but I don't know for what purpose you want
them."

"We will talk about that afterwards; but now let each do what he can; it
is the last chance."

"Now indeed were God in the dwelling," she said, "if anything should
happen to save us. Over Thorfinn's bed there hangs the great halberd
which belonged to Kar the Old; there, too, is a helmet and a corselet
and a good short sword. The weapons will not fail if your heart holds
firm."

Grettir took the helmet and spear, girt the sword about him and went
quickly out. The mistress called to her men and bade them follow their
brave champion. Four of them rushed to their arms, but the other four
durst not go near them.

Meantime the berserks thought that Grettir was a long time away and
began to suspect some treachery. They rushed to the door and found it
locked. They strained at the woodwork till every timber groaned. At last
they tore down the wooden partition and so gained the passage where the
privy was, and thence the steps. Then the berserks' fury fell upon them
and they howled like dogs.

At that moment Grettir returned, and taking his halberd in both hands
he thrust it right through Thorir's body just as he was about to descend
the steps. The blade was very long and broad. Ogmund the Bad was just
behind pushing him on, so that the spear passed right up to the hook,
came out at his back between the shoulderblades and entered the breast
of Ogmund. They both fell dead, pierced by the spear. Then all the
others dashed down as they reached the steps. Grettir tackled them each
in turn, now thrusting with the spear, now hewing with the sword, while
they defended themselves with logs lying on the ground or with anything
else which they could get. It was a terrible trial of a man's prowess to
deal with men of their strength, even unarmed.

Grettir slew two of the Halogaland men there in the enclosure. Four of
the serving-men then came up. They had not been able to agree upon which
arms each should take, but they came out to the attack directly the
berserks were running away; when these turned against them they fell
back on the house. Six of the ruffians fell, all slain by Grettir's own
hand; the other six then fled towards the landing place and took refuge
in the boat-house, where they defended themselves with oars. Grettir
received a severe blow from one of them and narrowly escaped a serious
hurt.

The serving-men all went home and told great stories of their own
exploits. The lady wanted to know what had become of Grettir, but they
could not tell her. Grettir slew two men in the boat-house, but the
other four got away, two in one direction, two in another. He pursued
those who were nearest to him. The night was very dark. They ran to
Vindheim, the place spoken of before, and took refuge in a barn, where
they fought for a long time until at last Grettir killed them. By this
time he was terribly stiff and exhausted. The night was far spent;
it was very cold and there were driving snow-storms. He felt little
inclination to go after the two who yet remained, so he went back home.
The goodwife kindled a light and put it in a window in the loft at the
top of the house, where it served him as a guide, and he was able to
find his way home by the light. When he came to the door the mistress
came to meet him and bade him welcome.

"You have earned great glory," she said, "and have saved me and my
household from a disgrace never to be redeemed if you had not delivered
us."

"I think I am much the same person as I was last evening when you spoke
so roughly to me," said Grettir.

"We knew not then the might that was in you," she said, "as we know it
now. Everything in the house shall be yours, so far as it is fitting
for me to bestow and right for you to receive. I doubt not that Thorfinn
will reward you in a better way when he comes home."

"There is little that I want as a reward at present," said Grettir. "But
I accept your offer until your husband returns. I think now that you
will be able to sleep in peace undisturbed by the berserks."

Grettir drank little before he retired and lay all night in his armour.
In the morning, directly the day broke, all the men of the island were
called together to go forth and search for the two berserks who had
escaped. They were found at the end of the day lying under a rock, both
dead from cold and from their wounds; they were carried away and buried
in a place on the shore beneath the tide, with some loose stones over
them, after which the islanders returned home, feeling that they could
live in peace. When Grettir came back to the house and met the mistress
he spoke a verse:

     "Near the surging sea the twelve lie buried.
     I stayed not my hand but slew them alone.
     Great lady!  what deed that is wrought by a man
     shall be sung of as worthy if this be deemed small."

She answered: "Certainly you are very unlike any other man now living."
She set him in the high seat and gave him the best of everything. So it
remained until Thorfinn returned.




CHAPTER XX. THORFINN'S RETURN. GRETTIR VISITS THE NORTH


When Yule-tide was past, Thorfinn made ready for his homeward journey
and dismissed his many guests with gifts. He sailed with all his men and
landed near the place where the boat-houses were.

They saw a ship lying on the sand which they at once recognised as his
great boat. Thorfinn had heard nothing of the vikings and told his
men to put him on shore, "for I suspect," he said, "that they are not
friends who have been at work here."

Thorfinn was the first to land, and went straight to the boat-house,
where he saw a craft which he knew at once to be that of the berserks.
He said to his men: "I suspect that things have taken place here such
that I would give the whole island and everything that is in it for them
not to have happened."

They asked how that was.

"Vikings have been here, men whom I know as the worst in all Norway,
namely Thorir Paunch and Ogmund the Bad. They will not have dealt gently
with us. I mistrust that Icelander."

Then he spoke many things to his men. Grettir was at home and detained
the men from going down to the shore. He said he did not care if the
bondi got a little fright from what he saw. The goodwife asked his leave
to go down, and he said she was mistress of her own ways, but that he
was not going. So she hurried away to greet Thorfinn and embraced him
joyfully. He was rejoiced to see her and said: "God be praised that I
see you well and my daughter too. But what has happened to you since I
left?"

"It has ended well," she said. "But we were nigh to suffering a disgrace
which could never have been wiped out, had not your winter-guest aided
us."

Thorfinn said: "Let us sit down and you shall tell me everything."

Then she told him fully all that had happened, praising highly Grettir's
courage and resourcefulness. Thorfinn was silent while she was speaking,
and when she had finished he said: "True indeed is the word, `Long shall
a man be tried'. But where is Grettir?"

"He is at home in the hall," she answered.

Then they went up to the house. Thorfinn went to Grettir and turned
towards him and thanked him with the fairest words for his courageous
conduct.

"I will say a word to you," he said, "which few would say to their
friend. I would it might happen that you should need the help of a man,
for you to know whether I count for anything or not; I cannot repay what
you have done for me as long as you are not in straits. You shall have
in my house whatever you desire, and shall be in the highest honour in
my household."

Grettir thanked him and said he would have accepted his offer even if he
had made it earlier.

Grettir stayed there the rest of the winter in high favour with
Thorfinn. The fame of his deed spread through all Norway, especially
in those parts where the berserks had ravaged most mercilessly. In the
spring Thorfinn asked him what he would like to do. He said he would go
North to Vagar while the fair was on there. Thorfinn said that any money
which he required should be at his service; Grettir said he did not want
more just then than enough to pay for his living. Thorfinn said that
was his due, and brought him to a ship, where he gave him the excellent
short sword. Grettir kept it as long as he lived; it was a most precious
possession. Thorfinn bade him come to him if ever he wanted any help.

Grettir then travelled to Vagar, which was crowded with people. Many
whom he had never set eyes on before greeted him warmly because of his
exploit in killing the vikings, and several of the leading men invited
him to stay with them, but he preferred to return to his friend
Thorfinn. So he took his passage in a trading ship belonging to one
Thorkell, a man of some consideration in Salfti in Halogaland. Grettir
went to visit Thorkell in his home, where he received a hearty welcome
and a very pressing invitation to stay there for the winter. Grettir
accepted the invitation and stayed the winter with Thorkell, who treated
him with great honour.




CHAPTER XXI. ADVENTURE WITH A BEAR


There was a man named Bjorn who was then on a visit to Thorkell. He was
of a somewhat violent character of good family and related in some way
to Thorkell. He was not generally liked, because he was too much given
to talking against the men who were about Thorkell and drove many away
from him. He and Grettir did not get on at all. Bjorn thought him of
small account compared to himself; Grettir paid him little deference,
and it became an open feud. Bjorn was a boisterous swaggering man, and
many of the younger men imitated him, loitering about outside in the
evenings.

It happened at the beginning of the winter that a savage brown bear
broke out of its den and raged about destroying men and cattle. Every
one declared that it had been provoked by the noise which Bjorn and his
company made. The beast became most mischievous, attacking the flocks in
the very face of the men themselves. Thorkell, being the wealthiest man
of that part, suffered most. One day he called up his men to come with
him and search out the bear's den. They found it in a cliff by the sea
where there was a cave under an overhanging rock, with a narrow path
leading to the entrance. Below was a sheer precipice down to the beach,
threatening certain death to any one who stumbled. In this den the
bear lay in the daytime, going abroad at night. Fences were of no avail
against him, nor could the dogs do anything, so that all were in the
utmost distress. Thorkell's kinsman Bjorn declared that the main thing
was gained now that they had found the den. "Now we shall see," he said,
"how the game will go with me and my namesake." Grettir pretended not to
hear what he said.

In the evenings when the others retired to bed, Bjorn used generally
to go out. One night he went to the bear's den and found the creature
inside, growling horribly. He lay down in the path, placing his shield
over him, intending to wait until the beast came out as usual. Bruin,
however, got wind of him and was rather slow in coming out. Bjorn got
very sleepy where he was lying and could not keep awake; in the meantime
out came the bear from his den and saw a man lying there. He clawed at
him, dragged off his shield and threw it down the cliff. Bjorn woke
up, not a little startled, took to his heels and ran off home, narrowly
escaping the bear's clutches. His friends knew all about it, having
watched his movements; on the next morning they found the shield and
made great game of his adventure.

At Yule-time Thorkell himself went out to the den with Bjorn, Grettir
and others of his men, a party of eight in all. Grettir had on a fur
cape which he put off when they were attacking the bear. It was
rather difficult to get at him, since they could only reach him with
spear-thrusts, which he parried with his teeth. Bjorn kept urging
them on to tackle him, but himself did not go near enough to be in any
danger. At last, when no one was looking out, he took Grettir's fur
cloak and threw it in to the bear. They did not succeed in getting the
bear out, and when night came on turned to go home. Grettir then missed
his cloak and saw that the bear had got it into his grip.

"Who has been playing tricks on me?" he cried. "Who threw my cloak into
the cave?"

Bjorn answered: "He who did it will not be afraid to say so."

"Things of that sort do not trouble me much," said Grettir.

Then they started on their way home. After they had gone a little way
Grettir's garter broke. Thorkell told them to wait for him, but Grettir
said it was not necessary. Then Bjorn said: "There is no need to suppose
that Grettir will run away from his cloak. He wants to have the honour
of killing the beast all alone, and he will say that we eight men went
away. Then he would appear to be what he is said to be. He has been
backward enough all day."

"I don't know how you stand in that matter," said Thorkell. "You and he
are not equal in valour; do not make any to-do about him."

Bjorn said that neither he nor Grettir should choose the words out of
his mouth.

There was a hill between them and Grettir, who had turned back along the
footpath. Now he had no others to reckon with in making the attack.
He drew his sword Jokulsnaut and tied a loop round the handle which he
passed over his wrist, because he thought that he could carry out his
plans better if his hand were free. He went along the path. When the
bear saw a man coming, he charged savagely, and struck at him with the
paw that was on the side away from the precipice. Grettir aimed a blow
at him with his sword and cut off his paw just above the claws. Then the
creature tried to strike him with his sound paw, but to do so he had to
drop on the stump, which was shorter than he expected, and over he fell
into Grettir's embraces. Grettir seized the beast by the ears and held
him off so that he could not bite. He always said that he considered
this holding back the bear the greatest feat of strength that he ever
performed. The beast struggled violently; the space was very narrow, and
they both fell over the precipice. The bear being the heavier came down
first on the beach; Grettir fell on the top of him, and the bear was
badly mauled on the side that was down. Grettir got his sword, ran it
into the heart of the bear and killed him. Then he went home, after
fetching his cloak which was torn to pieces. He also took with him the
bit of the paw which he had cut off.

Thorkell was sitting and drinking when Grettir entered. They all laughed
at the ragged cloak which he was wearing. Then he laid the piece of the
paw upon the table. Thorkell said: "Where is my kinsman Bjorn? I never
saw iron bite like that in your hands. Now I would like you to show
Grettir some honour to make up for the shame which you cast upon him."

Bjorn said that could wait, and that it mattered little to him whether
Grettir was pleased or not. Grettir then spoke a verse:

     "Oft returned the watcher at night
     trembling home, but sound in limb.
     None ever saw me sit in the dusk
     at the cave; yet now I am home returned."

"It is true," said Bjorn, "that you have fought well; and also true that
our opinions differ. I suppose you think that your taunts hurt me."

Thorkell said: "I should be glad, Grettir, if you would not revenge
yourself upon Bjorn. I will pay the full weregild of a man for you to be
reconciled."

Bjorn said he might invest his money better than in paying for that;
and that it would be better for him and Grettir to go on bickering since
"each oak has that which it scrapes from the other." Thorkell said: "But
I ask you, Grettir, to do so much for my sake as not to attack Bjorn
while you are both with me."

"That I promise," said Grettir.

Bjorn said that he would walk without fear of Grettir wherever they met.
Grettir grinned, and would accept no money on account of Bjorn. They
stayed there the winter.




CHAPTER XXII. GRETTIR KILLS BJORN AND IS SUMMONED BEFORE JARL SVEINN


In the spring Grettir went North to Vagar with Thorkell's men. They
parted with friendship. Bjorn went West to England in Thorkell's ship,
of which he was master, staying there for the summer and transacting the
business which Thorkell had entrusted to him. In the end of the autumn
he returned from the western parts. Grettir stayed in Vagar till the
trading ships left, and then sailed South with some of the traders, as
far as the port of Gartar at the mouth of the Thrandheim's Fjord, where
he set up the awnings to make a stay. When they were settled down a ship
came up along the coast from the South, which they at once recognised as
one of the ships from England. She made fast further out off the coast
and her crew landed. Grettir went out with his companions to visit them.
On their meeting Grettir found Bjorn amongst the company and said: "It
is well that we meet here, for now we can continue our former quarrel. I
should like to try which of us is the better man."

Bjorn said that was all past now, as far as he was concerned. "But,"
he said, "if there has been anything between us I will pay you such
compensation that you shall be satisfied." Grettir spoke a verse:

     "Time was when the bear was slain by my hand;
     my cloak in tatters was torn.
     A rascally knave was the cause of it all
     but now he shall make me amends."

Bjorn said that weightier matters than this had been settled by payment.
Grettir said that few men had any reason to act maliciously towards him;
he had accepted no money-atonement, nor would he do so now; that if
he had his way they should not both go away unhurt, and that if Bjorn
refused to fight he would brand him as a coward. Bjorn saw that excuses
would not avail him, so he took his arms and went out. They rushed at
each other and fought; soon Bjorn was wounded and then he fell dead to
the ground. On seeing that, his men went on board their ship, sailed
away to the North along the coast to Thorkell's place and told him what
had happened. He said it had not come sooner than he expected. Directly
afterwards he sailed to the South to Thrandheim where he found jarl
Sveinn.

Grettir, after slaying Bjorn, went to More to his friend Thorfinn and
told him exactly what had happened. Thorfinn received him in a most
friendly way. "I am glad," he said, "that you will now have need of a
friend. You must stay with me until this affair is finished."

Grettir thanked him for his invitation and said he would accept it.

Jarl Sveinn was staying at Steinker in Thrandheim when he heard of the
Slaying of Bjorn. With him was a brother of Bjorn named Hjarrandi, as
one of his bodyguard. On hearing of Bjorn's death he became very angry
and begged the jarl for his support in the matter, which the jarl
promised that he should have. He sent messengers to Thorfinn to summon
both him and Grettir to appear before him. Immediately on receiving the
jarl's commands they both made ready and came to Thrandheim. The jarl
held a council on the matter and ordered Hjarrandi to be present.
Hjarrandi said he was not going to weigh his brother against his purse,
and that he must either follow him or avenge him.

When the case was looked into, it became evident that Bjorn had given
Grettir many provocations. Thorfinn offered to pay a fine such as the
jarl thought suitable to the position of his kinsman, and dwelt at
length upon Grettir's achievement in killing the berserks, and how he
had delivered the men in the North from them.

The jarl answered: "Truth do you speak, Thorfinn! that was indeed a
cleansing! It would befit us well to accept the compensation for your
sake. Grettir, too, is a fine fellow, and noted for his strength and
valour."

Hjarrandi, however, would accept no compensation, and the meeting came
to an end. Thorfinn appointed one of his kinsmen, Arnbjorn, to accompany
Grettir every day, for he knew that Hjarrandi was plotting against his
life.




CHAPTER XXIII. GRETTIR KILLS HJARRANDI


One day Grettir and Arnbjorn were walking along the road for their
diversion when they passed a gate, whence a man rushed out holding an
axe aloft with both hands and struck at Grettir, who was not on his
guard and was moving slowly. Arnbjorn, however, saw the man coming,
seized Grettir and pushed him aside with such force that he fell on his
knee. The axe struck him in the shoulder-blade and cut down to below
the arm, inflicting a severe wound. Grettir turned quickly and drew his
sword; he saw that it was Hjarrandi who had attacked him. The axe had
stuck fast in the road, and Hjarrandi was slow in recovering it. Grettir
struck at him and cut off his arm at the shoulder. Then there came
running up five of Hjarrandi's followers and a battle began with them.
They were soon routed; Grettir and Arnbjorn killed the five who were
with Hjarrandi; one man escaped and bore the tale to the jarl forthwith.
The jarl was very angry indeed, and summoned the assembly for the next
day. Thorfinn and his party appeared thereat. The jarl brought a charge
of manslaughter against Grettir, who admitted it and said that he had
been obliged to defend himself. "I bear the marks of it," he said. "I
should have been killed if Arnbjorn had not defended me."

The jarl said it was a pity he had not been killed, for this affair
would lead to many a man being slain if he lived.

There had come to the jarl's court Bersi the son of Skaldtorfa,
Grettir's comrade and friend. He and Thorfinn stepped before the jarl
and begged for pardon for Grettir. They asked that the jarl should
decide the matter himself as he thought best, only that Grettir should
have his life and the freedom of the country. The jarl was averse to any
terms being granted to him, but gave way to their entreaties. He granted
immunity to Grettir until the spring, but not absolutely until Gunnar
the brother of Bjorn and Hjarrandi should be present. Gunnar was a
landed proprietor in Tunsberg.

In the spring the jarl ordered Grettir and Thorfinn to appear at
Tunsberg, where he himself intended to be while the shipping was
assembled. So thither they went, and found the jarl was already in the
town. There Grettir met his brother Thorsteinn Dromund, who greeted
him joyfully and invited him to be his guest. He was a landowner in the
town. Grettir told him all about his case, and Thorsteinn took his view
of it, but told him to beware of Gunnar. So the spring passed.




CHAPTER XXIV. GRETTIR KILLS GUNNAR. HIS FRIENDS RALLY ROUND HIM AND SAVE
HIM FROM THE VENGEANCE OF THE JARL


Gunnar was in the town and was plotting against Grettir's life. Wherever
he went Gunnar dogged his steps wherever he found a chance of getting
near him. One day Grettir was sitting in a booth and drinking, because
he wanted to keep out of Gunnar's way. Suddenly there was a bang at the
door, so hard that it broke in pieces, and in rushed four men armed and
attacked Grettir. They were Gunnar with his followers. Grettir seized
his arms which were hanging above his head and ran into a corner, where
he defended himself, holding his shield before him, and hewing with
his sword. They made little way against him. One blow he succeeded in
delivering upon one of Gunnar's followers, who needed nothing more. Then
Grettir advanced, driving them before him out of the booth, and killing
another of them. Gunnar would fain have got away with his men, but on
reaching the door he caught his foot on the doorstep, fell over and was
not able to recover himself at once. He held his shield before him and
retreated as Grettir pressed him hard. Then Grettir sprang on to the
crossbenches near the door. Gunnar's hands and the shield were still
inside the door, and Grettir struck down between him and the shield,
cutting off both his hands at the wrist. He fell backwards out of the
door, and Grettir gave him his death-blow. Then the man who was behind
him got on his feet and ran off at once to tell the jarl what had
happened. Sveinn was furious, and called the assembly to meet there and
then in the town. When Thorfinn and Thorsteinn Dromund heard the news,
they called all their followers and friends together and went to the
meeting in force. The jarl was very wroth, and it was no easy matter to
get speech with him. Thorfinn was the first to come before the jarl, and
he said: "I have come to offer an honourable atonement for the man who
has been slain by Grettir. The judgment shall remain with you alone if
you but spare his life."

The jarl replied in great wrath: "It is too late to beg for Grettir's
life, and you have no case that I can see. He has killed three brothers,
one at the feet of the other; men of noble minds who would not weigh
each other against their purses. Now, Thorfinn, it will not avail you
to beg for Grettir; I will not do such a wrong in the land as to accept
atonement for such a crime as this."

Then Bersi the son of Skaldtorfa came up and begged the jarl to accept
blood-money. "Grettir," he said, "is a man of high birth and is my good
friend. I offer you what I possess. May you see, my lord, that it is
better by sparing one man to earn the goodwill of many and to fix the
penalty yourself than to refuse honourable terms and risk whether you
can arrest the man or not."

The jarl replied: "You do right, Bersi; and herein as ever you show your
worth. But I do not mean to break the laws of the land by granting life
to a man who has forfeited it."

Then Thorsteinn Dromund came forward, and he, too, offered blood-money
on behalf of Grettir, adding many fair words thereto.

The jarl asked what moved him to offer blood-money for the man.
Thorsteinn said Grettir was his brother. The jarl said he had not known
that.

"It shows a manly spirit in you," he said, "that you want to help him.
But as I am determined not to accept blood-money in this case, I must
treat the requests of all of you alike. I must have Grettir's life
whatever it cost, directly I can get him."

Then the jarl rose quickly up and refused to hear any more about
atonement. They all went home with Thorsteinn and made their
preparations, whereupon the jarl ordered all the men of his guard under
arms and went forth with a large force. Before they came up, Grettir's
friends had made ready to defend the house. Thorfinn, Thorsteinn,
Grettir himself, and Bersi were in the forefront, each with a large
force of followers behind him. The jarl summoned them to give up
Grettir, and not to bring trouble on themselves. They repeated their
former offers, but the jarl would not listen to them. Thorfinn and
Thorsteinn said that more was at stake for the jarl than the taking of
Grettir's life. "One fate shall fall upon us all," they cried, "and men
shall say that you have given much for the life of one man when we are
all laid low with the ground."

The jarl said he would spare none of them, and they were on the very
verge of a battle when many of the well-disposed men came up to him and
begged him not to land himself in such a difficulty. He should bear
in mind that these men would work great havoc among his own followers
before they fell. The jarl thought this counsel was wise and let himself
be somewhat appeased. Then the terms of atonement were settled. Thorfinn
and Thorsteinn were ready to pay so long as Grettir's life was spared.
The jarl said: "You must know that although I agree to this compromise,
I do not consider it a full amnesty. Only I have no mind to fight
against my own men, although they appear to hold me of little account in
the matter."

Thorfinn said: "Yours is all the greater honour, my lord, that you will
have the fixing of the penalty yourself."

The jarl said that Grettir should have leave from him to depart from the
country in peace for Iceland, directly there was a ship leaving, if so
it seemed good to them. They agreed and paid the money to the jarl to
his satisfaction. They parted with little friendship. Grettir went
with Thorfinn after bidding an affectionate farewell to his brother
Thorsteinn.

Thorfinn earned great honour for the support which he had given Grettir
against such odds as he had to deal with. Not one of the men who had
helped Grettir was ever received into favour again with the jarl,
excepting Bersi.

Grettir then spoke:

     "Comrade of Odin, Thorfinn was born
     to rescue my life from the fangs of Hel.
     No less was Thorsteinn Dromund's aid
     when I was doomed to the realm of the dead."

And again:

     "The prince's retainers withdrew in fear
     when Bersi threatened their hearts to pierce."

Grettir returned with Thorfinn to the North and stayed with him until he
found a ship with some traders who were bound for Iceland. Thorfinn gave
him many valuable garments and a coloured saddle with a bridle. They
parted with friendship, and Thorfinn invited him to come and see him if
ever he returned to Norway.




CHAPTER XXV. EVENTS IN ICELAND. THORGILS MAKSSON ATTACKED BY THE
FOSTER-BROTHERS AND SLAIN


Asmund Longhair was in Bjarg whilst Grettir was away, and was much
respected as a bondi in Midfjord. Thorkell Krafla had died during
Grettir's absence. Thorvald Asgeirsson dwelt in Ass in Vatnsdal and was
a great chief. He was the father of Dalla who married Isleif, afterwards
bishop in Skalaholt. Asmund had great support from Thorvald in legal
suits and in other matters.

There grew up in Asmund's household a youth named Thorgils Maksson, a
near kinsman of his. Thorgils was a strong man of his body and made
much money under Asmund's guidance; he dwelt at Laekjamot, on a property
which Asmund had bought for him. Thorgils was a good manager and went to
Strandir every year, where he obtained whales and other things. He was
a man of great courage, and went as far as the eastern Almenningar.
At that time the two foster-brothers Thorgeir Havarsson and Thormod
Coalbrow-Skald were very much to the front; they kept a boat, gathering
what they wanted from the country around, and had not the reputation of
dealing fairly.

One summer Thorgils Maksson found a whale at the Almenningar and went
out at once with his men to cut it up. When the two foster-brothers
heard of it they went there too, and at first it seemed as if matters
would be settled peaceably. Thorgils proposed that they should share
equally that part of the whale which was yet uncut, but they wanted
to have all the uncut part or else to share the entire whale. Thorgils
positively refused to give up any portion of what had already been cut.
They began to use threats and at last took to their arms and fought.
Thorgeir and Thorgils fought each of them desperately together without
either prevailing. After a long and furious battle Thorgils fell slain
by Thorgeir. In another place Thormod was fighting with the followers
of Thorgils, and he overcame them, killing three. Those who remained of
Thorgils' party went off after he fell to Midfjord, taking his body
with them and feeling that they had suffered a great loss. The
foster-brothers took possession of the whole whale. The affair is
referred to in the memorial poem which Thormod composed upon Thorgeir.

News of the death of his kinsman was brought to Asmund Longhair, on whom
as nearest of kin the blood-feud devolved. He went to the spot, called
witnesses to testify to the wounds and brought the case before the
All-Thing, which appeared to be the proper course in this case where
the act had been committed in another quarter. Some time was passed over
this.




CHAPTER XXVI. THE FEUD WITH THE FOSTER-BROTHERS IS TAKEN UP BY ASMUND
AND THORSTEINN KUGGASON


There was a man named Thorsteinn; he was the son of Thorkell Kuggi, the
son of Thord Yeller, the son of Olaf Feilan, the son of Thorsteinn the
Red, the son of Aud the Deep-Minded. Thorsteinn Kuggason's mother was
Thurid, daughter of Asgeir Hothead. Asgeir was the brother of Asmund
Longhair's father. Thorsteinn Kuggason was equally responsible in the
blood-feud over Thorgils' death with Asmund Longhair, who now sent for
him. Thorsteinn was a great warrior and very masterful. He came at
once to his kinsman Asmund and they had a talk together about the suit.
Thorsteinn was for extreme measures. He said that no blood-money should
be accepted; that with their connections they were powerful enough to
carry through a sentence of either banishment or death on the slayer.
Asmund said he would support any measures whatever that he chose to
adopt. They rode then North to Thorvald their kinsman and asked for his
support, which he at once promised them. So the suit was begun against
Thorgeir and Thormod. Thorsteinn then rode home to his dwelling
at Ljarskogar in the Hvamm district. Skeggi in Hvamm also joined
Thorsteinn. He was a son of Thorarin Fylsenni, a son of Thord the
Yeller. His mother was Fridgerd, a daughter of Thord from Hofdi. They
had a large following at the All-Thing and pressed their suit valiantly.
Asmund and Thorvald rode from the North with sixty men, halting several
days at Ljarskogar.




CHAPTER XXVII. SENTENCES ON THE FOSTER-BROTHERS


There dwelt at Reykjaholar a man named Thorgils, the son of Ari, the son
of Mar, the son of Atli the Red, the son of Ulf Squint-Eye, the first
settler at Reykjanes. Thorgils' mother was Thorgerd the daughter of Alf
of Dalir. Alf had another daughter named Thorelf, who was the mother
of Thorgeir the son of Havar. Thorgeir, therefore, had a very strong
backing through his connections, for Thorgils was the most powerful
chief in the Vestfirding quarter. He was very open-handed and gave
hospitality to any free-man for as long as he would. There was
consequently always a crowd at Reykjaholar, and he lived in great
grandeur. He was both kindly and wise. Thorgeir stayed with him in the
winter and went to Strandir in the summer.

After slaying Thorgils the son of Mak, Thorgeir went to Reykjaholar and
told Thorgils Arason what had happened. Thorgils told him his house was
open to him. "But," he said, "they will press the matter vigorously, and
I am most unwilling to involve myself in difficulties. I will send a man
now to Thorsteinn and offer him blood-money for the Thorgils affair; if
he will not accept it I will not adopt any violent measures."

Thorgeir declared that he would submit to his wisdom. In the autumn
Thorgils sent a messenger to Thorsteinn Kuggason to try and arrange
a settlement. Thorsteinn was very disinclined to accept any money in
atonement for the slaying of Thorgils, although for the others he was
willing to follow the advice of men of counsel. Thorgils on receiving
the report of his messenger called Thorgeir to a consultation with him
and asked him what support he thought was proper. Thorgeir said that if
a sentence of banishment were passed upon him he would go. Thorgils said
that his resolve would be put to the trial.

There came a ship into the Nordra river in Borgarfjord, and Thorgils
secretly took a passage in her for the two foster-brothers. The winter
now passed, and Thorgils heard that Thorsteinn and his party had
assembled in great force for the All-Thing and were then in Ljarskogar.
So he put off his departure, intending that they should arrive from the
North before he came up from the West. So it came to pass. Thorgils and
Thorgeir then rode towards the South, Thorgeir killing one Boggul-Torfi
on the way at Marskelda and two other men named Skuf and Bjarni at
Hundadal. Thormod sings about this affair in his Thorgeir's drapa:

     "The hem slew the son of Mak;
     there was storm of swords and raven's food.
     Skuf and Bjarni he also felled;
     gladly he bathed his hands in blood."

Thorgils settled for the slaying of Skuf and Bjarni there and then
in the dale, and was delayed by the affair longer than he intended.
Thorgeir embarked on the ship and Thorgils went to the Thing, where
he did not arrive before they were proceeding to judgment in Thorgils
Maksson's case. Asmund Longhair then called for the defence. Thorgils
appeared before the court and offered blood-money in atonement on
condition of Thorgeir not being sentenced to banishment. He endeavoured
to meet the charge by pleading that finds in the Almenningar were
free to all. The question whether this was a valid defence or not was
referred to the Lawman, who at that time was Skapti. He upheld Asmund's
view on account of their kinship together. He declared that this was
indeed the law in the case of men equal in position, but that a bondi
had precedence over a vagrant. Asmund further urged that Thorgils had
offered to share the uncut portion of the whale with the foster-brothers
when they arrived. The defendants were non-suited on that point. Then
Thorsteinn and his party pressed their suit resolutely and said they
would not be satisfied with any sentence short of banishment upon
Thorgeir. Thorgils saw that no choice was left to him but either to call
up his men and try to carry his case with violence, the issue of which
would be uncertain, or else to submit to the sentence demanded by
the opposite party, and since Thorgeir was already on board his ship
Thorgils had no desire to press the case further. Thorgeir was banished,
but Thormod was discharged upon payment of blood-money.

Asmund and Thorsteinn gained great glory by this case. The men rode home
from the Thing. There were some who said that Thorgils had not taken
much trouble in the case, but he paid little attention and let them say
what they pleased.

When Thorgeir heard that he was banished, he said that if he had his
way, those who had brought it about should be repayed in full before it
was over.

There was a man named Gaut, called the son of Sleita, a kinsman of
Thorgils Maksson. He was intending to travel in the same ship with
Thorgeir, with whom he was on very bad terms, and frowned on him. The
traders thought it would never do to have them both together in the
ship. Thorgeir said he did not care what Gaut did with his eyebrows.
Nevertheless they decided that Gaut should leave the ship. He went
into the northern districts and for that time nothing happened, but the
affair brought about a feud between them which broke out later.




CHAPTER XXVIII. GRETTIR'S VISIT TO AUDUN IN VIDIDAL; OFFERS HIS SERVICES
TO BARDI


In the course of that summer Grettir Asmundsson returned to Skagafjord.
He had such a reputation for strength that none of the younger men was
supposed to be his equal. He soon came to his home in Bjarg, and Asmund
gave him a fitting welcome. Atli was then managing the property and the
brothers agreed well together, but Grettir became so over-weening that
he thought nothing was beyond his powers.

Many of the youths with whom Grettir had played at Midfjordsvatn before
he left were now grown up. Audun, the son of Asgeir, the son of Audun,
was now living at Audunarstad in Vididal. He was a good bondi and a
kindly man, and was the strongest of all the men in the northern parts,
as well as the most modest.

Grettir had not forgotten how he had seemingly been worsted by Audun at
the ball-play, as related above, and he was anxious to try which of them
had gained most since. With this object he went at the beginning of the
hay-harvest to Audunarstad. Grettir put on all his finery and rode with
the coloured and richly ornamented saddle which Thorfinn had given him,
on a splendid horse and in his best armour to Audun's place, where he
arrived early in the day and knocked at the door. Few of the men were
in the house, and to Grettir's question whether Audun was at home, they
replied that he had gone to the hill-dairy to bring home some produce.
Grettir took the bridle off his horse. The hay had not been mown in the
meadow and the horse went for the part where the grass was thickest.
Grettir entered the room and sat down on the bench, where he fell
asleep. Soon Audun returned home and saw a horse in the meadow with
a coloured saddle on its back. He was bringing two horses loaded with
curds in skins tied at the mouth--so-called "curd-bags." Audun took the
skins off the horses and was carrying them in his arms so that he could
not see in front of him. Grettir's leg was stretched out before him
and Audun stumbled over it, falling on the curd-bags which broke at
the neck. Audun sprang up and asked what rascal that was in his house.
Grettir told him his name.

"That was very awkward of you," said Audun. "But what do you want here?"

"I want to fight with you."

"First I must look after my dairy produce," Audun said.

"You can do that," answered Grettir, "if you have no one else to do it
for you."

Audun bent down, gathered up the skin and threw it right into Grettir's
breast, telling him to take what he sent him. Grettir was all covered
with curds, and felt more disgusted than at any wound which Audun
could have given him. Then they went for each other and wrestled pretty
smartly. Grettir rushed at him, but Audun escaped his grasp. He saw,
however, that Grettir had gained upon him. They drove up and down the
room, overthrowing everything that was near them. Neither of them spared
himself, but Grettir had the advantage, and at last Audun fell, after
tearing off all Grettir's weapons. They struggled hard and the din was
terrific.

Then there was a loud noise below. Grettir heard a man ride up to the
house, get off his horse and come quickly inside. He saw a handsome man
in a red jacket wearing a helmet. Hearing the commotion going on in the
room where they were wrestling, he came in and asked what was in the
room. Grettir told him his name; "but who is it that wants to know?" he
asked.

"My name is Bardi," answered the stranger.

"Are you Bardi the son of Gudmund from Asbjarnarnes?"

"The same," he replied. "But what are you after?"

Grettir said: "I and Audun are playing here."

"I don't know about your play," said Bardi. "But you are not alike. You
are overbearing and insolent, while he is modest and good-natured. Let
him get up at once."

Grettir said: "Many a man seizes the lock for the door. You would do
better to avenge your brother Hall than to come between me and Audun
when we are contending."

"I am always hearing that," said Bardi, "and I don't know whether I
shall ever obtain my vengeance. But I want you to leave Audun in peace,
for he is a quiet man."

Grettir said he was willing to do so because of Bardi's intercession,
though he did not like it much. Bardi asked what they were contending
about. Grettir replied in a verse:

     "I know not if for all your pride
     he may not try your throat to squeeze.
     Thus when within my home I dwelt
     did he once belabour me."

Bardi said there was certainly some excuse if he was taking revenge.
"Let me now settle it between you," he said. "Let matters remain as they
are and cease your strife."

So they consented, for they were kinsmen. But Grettir had little liking
for Bardi or his brothers. They all rode away together. On the way
Grettir said: "I hear, Bardi, that you intend to go South to Borgarfjord
this summer; I propose that I shall go with you, which I think is more
than you deserve."

Bardi was very pleased with this offer, and at once accepted it most
thankfully. Then they parted. Bardi then turned back and said to
Grettir: "I would like it to be understood that you only come with me
if it meets with Thorarin's approval, since all the arrangements for the
expedition are with him."

"I thought," said Grettir, "you were competent to make your arrangements
for yourself. I do not leave my affairs to other people to settle. I
shall take it very ill if you refuse me."

Then each went his own way. Bardi promised to send Grettir word "if
Thorarin wished him to go." Otherwise he could remain quietly at home.
Grettir then rode to Bjarg and Bardi to his own home.




CHAPTER XXIX. HORSE-FIGHT AT LANGAFIT


That summer there was a great horse-fight at Langafit below Reykir,
whither a great many people came together. Atli of Bjarg had a good
stallion of Keingala's race; grey with a dark stripe down his back.
Both father and son valued the horse highly. The two brothers Kormak and
Thorgils in Mel had a very mettlesome brown stallion, and they arranged
to match it against that of Atli from Bjarg. Many other excellent
stallions were brought. Odd the Needy-Skald, Kormak's kinsman, had the
charge of their horse on the day. He had grown into a strong man and had
a high opinion of himself; he was surly and reckless. Grettir asked Atli
who should have charge of his stallion.

"That is not so clear to me," said Atli.

"Would you like me to back him?"

"Then you must keep very cool, kinsman," he said. "We have men to deal
with who are rather overbearing."

"Let them pay for their bluster," he said, "if they cannot control it."

The stallions were led out and the mares tethered together in the front
on the bank of the river. There was a large pool just beyond the bank.
The horses fought vigorously and there was excellent sport. Odd managed
his horse pluckily and Grettir gave way before him, holding the tail
of his horse with one hand and with the other the stick with which he
pricked it on. Odd stood in the front by his horse, and one could not
be sure that he was not pricking off Atli's horse from his own. Grettir
pretended not to notice it. The horses then came near the river. Then
Odd thrust with his pointed stick at Grettir and caught him in the
shoulder-blade which Grettir was turning towards him. He struck pretty
hard, and the flesh swelled up, but Grettir was little hurt. At the same
moment the horses reared. Grettir ducked beneath the flank of his horse
and drove his stick into Odd's side with such violence that three of his
ribs were broken and Odd fell into the pool with his horse and all the
mares that were tethered there by the bank. Some people swam out and
rescued them. There was great excitement about it. Kormak's men on one
side and those of Bjarg on the other seized their arms, but the men of
Hrutafjord and Vatnsnes came between them and parted them.

They all went home in great wrath, but kept quiet for a time. Atli said
very little, but Grettir rather swaggered and said that they should meet
again if he had his way.




CHAPTER XXX. THORBJORN OXMAIN AND THE FRAY AT HRUTAFJARDARHALS


There was living in Thoroddsstad in Hrutafjord a man named Thorbjorn. He
was the son of Arnor Downy-Nose, the son of Thorodd who had settled in
that side of Hrutafjord which lies opposite to Bakki. Thorbjorn was of
all men the strongest, and was called Oxmain. He had a brother named
Thorodd, called Drapustuf. Their mother was Gerd, daughter of Bodvar
from Bodvarsholar. Thorbjorn was a great swashbuckler and kept a large
troop of followers. He was noted for being worse at getting servants
than other men, and scarcely paid them any wages. He was not a man easy
to deal with. There was a kinsman of his, also named Thorbjorn, called
Slowcoach. He was a mariner, and the two namesakes were in partnership
together. He was always at Thoroddsstad and people did not think he made
Thorbjorn any better. He liked to talk scandal and spoke offensively of
several men.

There was a man named Thorir, a son of Thorkell, at Bordeyr. He first
lived at Melar in Hrutafjord, and had a daughter named Helga who married
Sleitu-Helgi. After the Fagrabrekka affair Thorir went South to Haukadal
and lived in Skard, selling the property at Melar to Thorhall the
Winelander, the son of Gamli. Thorhall's son Gamli married Rannveig, the
daughter of Asmund Longhair, Grettir's sister. They lived at that time
in Melar and had a good establishment. Thorir of Skard had two sons,
Gunnar and Thorgeir, both promising men, who took over the property from
their father, but were always with Thorbjorn Oxmain, and became very
overbearing.

In the summer of that year Kormak and Thorgils rode with a kinsman
of theirs named Narfi South to Nordrardal on some business. Odd the
Needy-Skald had recovered from the hurts which he had received at the
horse-fight and was of the party. While they were south of the heath
Grettir was journeying from his home at Bjarg with two of Atli's men.
They rode to Burfell and then across the neck to Hrutafjord, reaching
Melar in the evening, where they spent three nights. Rannveig and Gamli
gave Grettir a friendly reception and invited him to stay, but he wanted
to return home. Then Grettir learned of Kormak's company having come
from the South, and that they were staying at Tunga at night. He
prepared to leave Melar at once, and Gamli offered to send some of his
men with him. Gamli's brother Grim, who was very smart and active,
and another rode with Grettir. The party, five in number, came to
Hrutafjardarhals to the west of Burfell, where the great stone called
Grettishaf lies; he struggled a long time with that stone, trying to
lift it, and delayed his journey thereby until Kormak's party came up.
Grettir went towards them and both alighted from their horses. Grettir
said it would be more seemly for free men to set to work with all their
might instead of fighting with sticks like tramps. Kormak told them to
take up the challenge like men and to do their best. So they went for
each other. Grettir was in front of his men and told them to see that
nobody got behind him. They fought for a time and both were hurt.

On the same day Thorbjorn Oxmain had ridden across the neck to Burfell,
and as he returned with Thorbjorn Slowcoach, Gunnar and Thorgeir, the
sons of Thorir, and Thorodd Drapustuf, he saw the fight going on. On
coming up, Thorbjorn called upon his men to go between them, but they
were struggling so furiously that nobody could get at them. Grettir was
making a clean sweep of everything round him. Before him were the sons
of Thorir. He pushed them back and they both fell over. This made them
furious, and the consequence was that Gunnar gave a blow to one of
Atli's men which killed him. Thorbjorn on seeing that ordered them to
separate, saying that he would give his support to whichever side obeyed
him. By then two of Kormak's men had fallen. Grettir saw that it would
scarcely do if Thorbjorn joined the opposite side, so he gave up
the battle. All those who had fought were wounded. Grettir was much
disgusted at their being separated, but both parties rode home and were
not reconciled on this occasion.

Thorbjorn Slowcoach made great game of all this, and the relations
between the men of Bjarg and Thorbjorn Oxmain became strained in
consequence, until at last there was a regular feud, which however broke
out later. No compensation was offered to Atli for his man, and he
went on as if he knew nothing of it. Grettir stayed at Bjarg till the
Tvi-month. It is not known that he and Kormak ever met again; at least
it is not mentioned anywhere.




CHAPTER XXXI. GRETTIR'S VAIN ENDEAVOUR TO PROVOKE BARDI


Bardi the son of Gudmund and his brothers rode home to Asbjarnarnes when
they left Grettir. They were the sons of Gudmund the son of Solmund.
Solmund's mother was Thorlaug, daughter of Saemund the Southerner,
the foster-brother of Ingimund the Old. Bardi was a man of great
distinction. Soon he went to see his foster-father Thorarin the Wise,
who welcomed him and asked what help he had been able to obtain,
for Bardi's journey had been arranged beforehand by them both. Bardi
answered that he had engaged a man whose help he thought worth more
than that of two others. Thorarin was silent for a moment and then said:
"That must be Grettir the son of Asmund."

"The guess of the wise is truth," said Bardi. "That is the very man, my
foster-father."

Thorarin answered: "It is true that Grettir is beyond all other men of
whom there is now choice in the country; nor will he be easily subdued
by arms so long as he is sound. But great arrogance is in him now, and
I have misgivings as to his luck. It is important for you that all your
men on your expedition are not men of an evil star. It is enough if he
does not fare with you. He shall not come if my counsel is followed."

"I did not expect, my foster-father," said he, "that you would deny me
the man who is bravest in all that he undertakes. A man in such straits
as I seem to be in cannot provide against everything."

"It will be better for you," he replied, "to let me provide."

So it came about that as Thorarin desired, word was not sent to Grettir.
Bardi went to the South and the battle of the Heath was fought.

Grettir was at Bjarg when he received the news that Bardi had started
on his expedition. He was very angry that word had not been sent to him,
and said it should not end there. He found out when they were expected
back from the South, and rode off to Thoreyjargnup, where he meant
to lie in wait for Bardi and his men as they rode back. He left the
homestead behind and remained at the cliffs. On that day rode Bardi back
from the battle of the Heath from Tvidaegra; there were six of them in
his party, all sorely wounded. When they came to the homestead Bardi
said: "There is a man up there on the cliff, very tall and armed. Whom
do you take him for?"

They could not say who he was. Bardi said: "I believe it is Grettir the
son of Asmund. If it is, he will be wanting to meet us, for I expect he
is little pleased at not having been with us. It seems to me that we are
not in a very fit condition if he wants to annoy us. I will send home
to Thoreyjargnup for some men and not allow myself to be put out by his
evil intentions."

They said that was the best thing he could do, and it was done. Bardi's
party rode on; Grettir watched where they were going and went there too.
They met and greeted each other. Grettir asked what the news was, and
Bardi told him without hesitation. Grettir asked who had been with them.
Bardi answered that his brothers and Eyjvolf his brother-in-law had been
with him.

"You have wiped out your disgrace," said Grettir. "Now the next thing is
for us two here to try which is the stronger."

"I have more urgent business," said Bardi, "than to fight with you about
nothing. I think I may be excused that now."

"It seems to me that you are afraid, Bardi; that is the reason why you
dare not fight me."

"Call it what you please. If you wish to bully, find some one else; that
seems to be what you want, for your insolence passes all bounds."

Grettir thought luck was against him. He hesitated now whether he should
attack any of them; it seemed rather rash as they were six and he was
only one. Then the men from Thoreyjargnup came up and joined Bardi's
party, so he left them and went back to his horse. Bardi and his men
went on, and there was no greeting between them when they parted. We are
not told that any strife arose between Bardi and Grettir after this.

Grettir once said that he would trust himself to fight with most men if
there were not more than three against him. Even with four he would
not give way without trying, but more he would not attempt, except in
self-defence. Thus he says in a verse:

     "Oh skilled in war!  When three are before me
     I yet will endeavour to fight with them all.
     But more than four I dare not encounter
     in the clashing of arms, if the choice is with me."

On leaving Bardi, Grettir returned to Bjarg, and was much aggrieved
at finding nothing to try his strength on. He sought everywhere for
something to fight with.




CHAPTER XXXII. THE SPOOK AT THORHALLSSTAD. GLAM THE SHEPHERD KILLED BY A
FIEND. HIS GHOST WALKS


There was a man named Thorhall living in Thorhallsstad in Forsaeludal,
up from Vatnsdal. He was the son of Grim, the son of Thorhall, the son
of Fridmund, who was the first settler in Forsaeludal. Thorhall's wife
was named Gudrun; they had a son named Grim and a daughter named Thurid
who were just grown up. Thorhall was fairly wealthy, especially in
live-stock. His property in cattle exceeded that of any other man.
He was not a chief, but an honest bondi nevertheless. He had great
difficulty in getting a shepherd to suit him because the place was
haunted. He consulted many men of experience as to what he should do,
but nobody gave him any advice which was of any use. Thorhall had good
horses, and went every summer to the Thing. On one occasion at the
All-Thing he went to the booth of the Lawman Skapti the son of Thorodd,
who was a man of great knowledge and gave good counsel to those who
consulted him. There was a great difference between Thorodd the father
and Skapti the son in one respect. Thorodd possessed second sight, but
was thought by some not to be straight, whereas Skapti gave to every man
the advice which he thought would avail him, if he followed it exactly,
and so earned the name of Father-betterer.

So Thorhall went to Skapti's booth, where Skapti, knowing that he was a
man of wealth, received him graciously, and asked what the news was.

"I want some good counsel from you," said Thorhall.

"I am little fit to give you counsel," he replied; "but what is it that
you need?"

"It is this: I have great difficulty in keeping my shepherds. Some get
injured and others cannot finish their work. No one will come to me if
he knows what he has to expect."

Skapti answered: "There must be some evil spirit abroad if men are less
willing to tend your flocks than those of other men. Now since you have
come to me for counsel, I will get you a shepherd. His name is Glam, and
he came from Sylgsdale in Sweden last summer. He is a big strong man,
but not to everybody's mind."

Thorhall said that did not matter so long as he looked after the sheep
properly. Skapti said there was not much chance of getting another if
this man with all his strength and boldness should fail. Then Thorhall
departed. This happened towards the end of the Thing.

Two of Thorhall's horses were missing, and he went himself to look for
them, which made people think he was not much of a man. He went up under
Sledaass and south along the hill called Armannsfell. Then he saw a man
coming down from Godaskog bringing some brushwood with a horse. They met
and Thorhall asked him his name. He said it was Glam. He was a big man
with an extraordinary expression of countenance, large grey eyes and
wolfgrey hair. Thorhall was a little startled when he saw him, but soon
found out that this was the man who had been sent to him.

"What work can you do best?" he asked.

Glam said it would suit him very well to mind sheep in the winter.

"Will you mind my sheep?" Thorhall asked. "Skapti has given you over to
me."

"My service will only be of use to you if I am free to do as I please,"
he said. "I am rather crossgrained when I am not well pleased."

"That will not hurt me," said Thorhall. "I shall be glad if you will
come to me."

"I can do so," he said. "Are there any special difficulties?"

"The place seems to be haunted."

"I am not afraid of ghosts. It will be the less dull."

"You will have to risk it," said Thorhall. "It will be best to meet it
with a bold face."

Terms were arranged and Glam was to come in the autumn. Then they
parted. Thorhall found his horses in the very place where he had just
been looking for them. He rode home and thanked Skapti for his service.

The summer passed. Thorhall heard nothing of his shepherd and no one
knew anything about him, but at the appointed time he appeared at
Thorhallsstad. Thorhall treated him kindly, but all the rest of the
household disliked him, especially the mistress. He commenced his work
as shepherd, which gave him little trouble.

He had a loud hoarse voice. The beasts all flocked together whenever he
shouted at them. There was a church in the place, but Glam never went to
it. He abstained from mass, had no religion, and was stubborn and surly.
Every one hated him.

So the time passed till the eve of Yule-tide. Glam rose early and called
for his meal. The mistress said: "It is not proper for Christian men to
eat on this day, because to-morrow is the first day of Yule and it is
our duty to fast to-day."

"You have many superstitions," he said; "but I do not see that much
comes of them. I do not know that men are any better off than when there
was nothing of that kind. The ways of men seemed to me better when they
were called heathen. I want my food and no foolery."

"I am certain," she said, "that it will fare ill with you to-day if you
commit this sin."

Glam told her that she should bring his food, or that it would be the
worse for her. She did not dare to do otherwise than as he bade her.
When he had eaten he went out, his breath smelling abominably. It was
very dark; there was driving snow, the wind was howling and it became
worse as the day advanced. The shepherd's voice was heard in the early
part of the day, but less later on. Blizzards set in and a terrific
storm in the evening. People went to mass and so the time passed. In
the evening Glam did not return. They talked about going out to look
for him, but the storm was so violent and the night so dark that no one
went. The night passed and still he had not returned; they waited till
the time for mass came. When it was full day some of the men set forth
to search. They found the animals scattered everywhere in the snow and
injured by the weather; some had strayed into the mountains. Then they
came upon some well-marked tracks up above in the valley. The stones and
earth were torn up all about as if there had been a violent tussle.
On searching further they came upon Glam lying on the ground a short
distance off. He was dead; his body was as black as Hel and swollen
to the size of an ox. They were overcome with horror and their hearts
shuddered within them. Nevertheless they tried to carry him to the
church, but could not get him any further than the edge of a gully a
short way off. So they left him there and went home to report to the
bondi what had happened. He asked what could have caused Glam's death.
They said they had tracked him to a big place like a hole made by the
bottom of a cask thrown down and dragged along up below the mountains
which were at the top of the valley, and all along the track were great
drops of blood. They concluded that the evil spirit which had been about
before must have killed Glam, but that he had inflicted wounds upon
it which were enough, for that spook was never heard of again. On the
second day of the festival they went out again to bring in Glam's body
to the church. They yoked oxen to him, but directly the downward incline
ceased and they came to level ground, they could not move him; so they
went home again and left him. On the third day they took a priest with
them, but after searching the whole day they failed to find him. The
priest refused to go again, and when he was not with them they found
Glam. So they gave up the attempt to bring him to the church and buried
him where he was under a cairn of stones.

It was not long before men became aware that Glam was not easy in his
grave. Many men suffered severe injuries; some who saw him were struck
senseless and some lost their wits. Soon after the festival was over,
men began to think they saw him about their houses. The panic was great
and many left the neighbourhood. Next he began to ride on the house-tops
by night, and nearly broke them to pieces. Almost night and day he
walked, and people would scarcely venture up the valley, however
pressing their business. The district was in a grievous condition.




CHAPTER XXXIII. DOINGS OF GLAM'S GHOST. AWFUL CONDITION OF VATNSDAL


In the spring Thorhall procured servants and built a house on his
lands. As the days lengthened out the apparitions became less, until
at midsummer a ship sailed up the Hunavatn in which was a man named
Thorgaut. He was a foreigner, very tall and powerful; he had the
strength of two men. He was travelling on his own account, unattached,
and being without money was looking out for employment. Thorhall rode to
the ship, saw him and asked if he would take service with him. Thorgaut
said he would indeed, and that there would be no difficulties.

"You must be prepared," said Thorhall, "for work which would not be
fitting for a weak-minded person, because of the apparitions which have
been there lately. I will not deceive you about it."

"I shall not give myself up as lost for the ghostlings," he said.

"Before I am scared some others will not be easy. I shall not change my
quarters on that account."

The terms were easily arranged and Thorgaut was engaged for the sheep
during the winter. When the summer had passed away he took over charge
of them, and was on good terms with everybody. Glam continued his rides
on the roofs. Thorgaut thought it very amusing and said the thrall must
come nearer if he wished to frighten him. Thorhall advised him not to
say too much, and said it would be better if they did not come into
conflict.

Thorgaut said: "Surely all the spirit has gone out of you. I shall not
fall dead in the twilight for stories of that sort."

Yule was approaching. On the eve the shepherd went out with his sheep.
The mistress said: "Now I hope that our former experiences will not be
repeated."

"Have no fear for that, mistress," he said. "There will be something
worth telling of if I come not back."

Then he went out to his sheep. The weather was rather cold and there was
a heavy snowstorm. Thorgaut usually returned when it was getting dark,
but this time he did not come. The people went to church as usual, but
they thought matters looked very much as they did on the last occasion.
The bondi wanted them to go out and search for the shepherd, but the
churchgoers cried off, and said they were not going to trust themselves
into the power of trolls in the night; the bondi would not venture out
and there was no search. On Yule day after their meal they went out to
look for the shepherd, and first went to Glam's cairn, feeling sure
that the shepherd's disappearance must be due to him. On approaching the
cairn they saw an awful sight; there was the shepherd, his neck broken,
and every bone in his body torn from its place. They carried him to the
church and no one was molested by Thorgaut.

Glam became more rampageous than ever. He was so riotous that at last
everybody fled from Thorhallsstad, excepting the bondi and his wife.

Thorhall's cowherd had been a long time in his service and he had become
attached to him; for this reason and because he was a careful herdsman
he did not want to part with him. The man was very old and thought it
would be very troublesome to have to leave; he saw, too, that everything
the bondi possessed would be ruined if he did not stay to look after
them. One morning after midwinter the mistress went to the cow-house to
milk the cows as usual. It was then full day, for no one would venture
out of doors till then, except the cowherd, who went directly it
was light. She heard a great crash in the cow-house and tremendous
bellowing. She rushed in, shouting that something awful, she knew not
what, was going on in the cow-house. The bondi went out and found the
cattle all goring each other. It seemed not canny there, so he went into
the shed and there saw the cowherd lying on his back with his head in
one stall and his feet in the other.

He went up and felt him, but saw at once that he was dead with his back
broken. It had been broken over the flat stone which separated the two
stalls. Evidently it was not safe to remain any longer on his estate,
so he fled with everything that he could carry away. All the live-stock
which he left behind was killed by Glam. After that Glam went right up
the valley and raided every farm as far as Tunga, while Thorhall stayed
with his friends during the rest of the winter. No one could venture
up the valley with a horse or a dog, for it was killed at once. As the
spring went on and the sun rose higher in the sky the spook diminished
somewhat, and Thorhall wanted to return to his land, but found it not
easy to get servants. Nevertheless, he went and took up his abode at
Thorhallsstad. Directly the autumn set in, everything began again, and
the disturbances increased. The person most attacked was the bondi's
daughter, who at last died of it. Many things were tried but without
success. It seemed likely that the whole of Vatnsdal would be devastated
unless help could be found.




CHAPTER XXXIV. GRETTIR VISITS HIS UNCLE JOKULL


We have now to return to Grettir, who was at home in Bjarg during the
autumn which followed his meeting with Warrior-Bardi at Thoreyjargnup.
When the winter was approaching, he rode North across the neck to
Vididal and stayed at Audunarstad. He and Audun made friends again;
Grettir gave him a valuable battle-axe and they agreed to hold together
in friendship. Audun had long lived there, and had many connections. He
had a son named Egill, who married Ulfheid the daughter of Eyjolf, the
son of Gudmund; their son Eyjolf, who was killed at the All-Thing, was
the father of Orin the chaplain of Bishop Thorlak.

Grettir rode to the North to Vatnsdal and went on a visit to Tunga,
where dwelt his mother's brother, Jokull the son of Bard, a big strong
man and exceedingly haughty. He was a mariner, very cantankerous, but
a person of much consideration. He welcomed Grettir, who stayed three
nights with him. Nothing was talked about but Glam's walking, and
Grettir inquired minutely about all the particulars. Jokull told him
that no more was said than had really happened.

"Why, do you want to go there?" he asked.

Grettir said that it was so. Jokull told him not to do it.

"It would be a most hazardous undertaking," he said. "Your kinsmen incur
a great risk with you as you are. There does not seem to be one of the
younger men who is your equal. It is ill dealing with such a one as
Glam. Much better fight with human men than with goblins of that sort."

Grettir said he had a mind to go to Thorhallsstad and see how things
were. Jokull said: "I see there is no use in dissuading you. The saying
is true that Luck is one thing, brave deeds another."

"Woe stands before the door of one but enters that of another," answered
Grettir. "I am thinking how it may fare with you yourself before all is
done."

"It may be," said Jokull, "that we both see what is before us, and yet
we may not alter it."

Then they parted, neither of them well pleased with the other's
prophetic saying.




CHAPTER XXXV. THE FIGHT WITH GLAM'S GHOST


Grettir rode to Thorhallsstad where he was welcomed by the bondi.

He asked Grettir whither he was bound, and Grettir said he wished to
spend the night there if the bondi permitted. Thorhall said he would
indeed be thankful to him for staying there.

"Few," he said, "think it a gain to stay here for any time. You must
have heard tell of the trouble that is here, and I do not want you to be
inconvenienced on my account. Even if you escape unhurt yourself, I know
for certain that you will lose your horse, for no one can keep his beast
in safety who comes here."

Grettir said there were plenty more horses to be had if anything
happened to this one.

Thorhall was delighted at Grettir's wishing to remain, and received him
with both hands. Grettir's horse was placed securely under lock and
key and they both went to bed. The night passed without Glam showing
himself.

"Your being here has already done some good," said Thorhall. "Glam has
always been in the habit of riding on the roof or breaking open the
doors every night, as you can see from the marks."

"Then," Grettir said, "either he will not keep quiet much longer, or he
will remain so more than one night. I will stay another night and see
what happens."

Then they went to Grettir's horse and found it had not been touched.
The bondi thought that all pointed to the same thing. Grettir stayed
a second night and again the thrall did not appear. The bondi became
hopeful and went to see the horse. There he found the stable broken
open, the horse dragged outside and every bone in his body broken.
Thorhall told Grettir what had occurred and advised him to look to
himself, for he was a dead man if he waited for Glam.

Grettir answered: "I must not have less for my horse than a sight of the
thrall."

The bondi said there was no pleasure to be had from seeing him: "He is
not like any man. I count every hour a gain that you are here."

The day passed, and when the hour came for going to bed Grettir said
he would not take off his clothes, and lay down on a seat opposite to
Thorkell's sleeping apartment. He had a shaggy cloak covering him with
one end of it fastened under his feet and the other drawn over his head
so that he could see through the neck-hole. He set his feet against a
strong bench which was in front of him. The frame-work of the outer
door had been all broken away and some bits of wood had been rigged up
roughly in its place. The partition which had once divided the hall
from the entrance passage was all broken, both above the cross-beam
and below, and all the bedding had been upset. The place looked rather
desolate. There was a light burning in the hall by night.

When about a third part of the night had passed Grettir heard a loud
noise. Something was going up on to the building, riding above the hall
and kicking with its heels until the timbers cracked again. This went on
for some time, and then it came down towards the door. The door opened
and Grettir saw the thrall stretching in an enormously big and ugly
head. Glam moved slowly in, and on passing the door stood upright,
reaching to the roof. He turned to the hall, resting his arms on the
cross-beam and peering along the hall. The bondi uttered no sound,
having heard quite enough of what had gone on outside. Grettir lay quite
still and did not move. Glam saw a heap of something in the seat,
came farther into the hall and seized the cloak tightly with his hand.
Grettir pressed his foot against the plank and the cloak held firm.
Glam tugged at it again still more violently, but it did not give way. A
third time he pulled, this time with both hands and with such force that
he pulled Grettir up out of the seat, and between them the cloak was
torn in two. Glam looked at the bit which he held in his hand and
wondered much who could pull like that against him. Suddenly Grettir
sprang under his arms, seized him round the waist and squeezed his back
with all his might, intending in that way to bring him down, but the
thrall wrenched his arms till he staggered from the violence. Then
Grettir fell back to another bench. The benches flew about and
everything was shattered around them. Glam wanted to get out, but
Grettir tried to prevent him by stemming his foot against anything he
could find. Nevertheless Glam succeeded in getting him outside the hall.
Then a terrific struggle began, the thrall trying to drag him out of
the house, and Grettir saw that however hard he was to deal with in the
house, he would be worse outside, so he strove with all his might to
keep him from getting out. Then Glam made a desperate effort and gripped
Grettir tightly towards him, forcing him to the porch. Grettir saw that
he could not put up any resistance, and with a sudden movement he dashed
into the thrall's arms and set both his feet against a stone which was
fastened in the ground at the door. For that Glam was not prepared,
since he had been tugging to drag Grettir towards him; he reeled
backwards and tumbled hind-foremost out of the door, tearing away the
lintel with his shoulder and shattering the roof, the rafters and the
frozen thatch. Head over heels he fell out of the house and Grettir fell
on top of him. The moon was shining very brightly outside, with light
clouds passing over it and hiding it now and again. At the moment when
Glam fell the moon shone forth, and Glam turned his eyes up towards it.
Grettir himself has related that that sight was the only one which ever
made him tremble. What with fatigue and all else that he had endured,
when he saw the horrible rolling of Glam's eyes his heart sank so
utterly that he had not strength to draw his sword, but lay there
well-nigh betwixt life and death. Glam possessed more malignant power
than most fiends, for he now spoke in this wise:

"You have expended much energy, Grettir, in your search for me. Nor is
that to be wondered at, if you should have little joy thereof. And now
I tell you that you shall possess only half the strength and firmness of
heart that were decreed to you if you had not striven with me. The might
which was yours till now I am not able to take away, but it is in my
power to ordain that never shall you grow stronger than you are now.
Nevertheless your might is sufficient, as many shall find to their cost.
Hitherto you have earned fame through your deeds, but henceforward there
shall fall upon you exile and battle; your deeds shall turn to evil and
your guardian-spirit shall forsake you. You will be outlawed and your
lot shall be to dwell ever alone. And this I lay upon you, that these
eyes of mine shall be ever before your vision. You will find it hard to
live alone, and at last it shall drag you to death."

When the thrall had spoken the faintness which had come over Grettir
left him. He drew his short sword, cut off Glam's head and laid it
between his thighs. Then the bondi came out, having put on his clothes
while Glam was speaking, but he did not venture to come near until he
was dead. Thorhall praised God and thanked Grettir warmly for having
laid this unclean spirit. Then they set to work and burned Glam to cold
cinders, bound the ashes in a skin and buried them in a place far away
from the haunts of man or beast. Then they went home, the day having
nearly broken.

Grettir was very stiff and lay down to rest. Thorhall sent for some men
from the next farms and let them know how things had fared. They all
realised the importance of Grettir's deed when they heard of it; all
agreed that in the whole country side for strength and courage and
enterprise there was not the equal of Grettir the son of Asmund.

Thorhall bade a kindly farewell to Grettir and dismissed him with a
present of a fine horse and proper clothes, for all that he had been
wearing were torn to pieces. They parted in friendship. Grettir rode to
Ass in Vatnsdal and was welcomed by Thorvald, who asked him all about
his encounter with Glam. Grettir told him everything and said that
never had his strength been put to trial as it had been in their long
struggle. Thorvald told him to conduct himself discreetly; if he did
so he might prosper, but otherwise he would surely come to disaster.
Grettir said that his temper had not improved, that he had even less
discretion than before, and was more impatient of being crossed. In one
thing a great change had come over him; he had become so frightened of
the dark that he dared not go anywhere alone at night. Apparitions of
every kind came before him. It has since passed into an expression,
and men speak of "Glam's eyes" or "Glam visions" when things appear
otherwise than as they are.

Having accomplished his undertaking Grettir rode back to Bjarg and spent
the winter at home.




CHAPTER XXXVI. THORBJORN SLOWCOACH AT HOME


Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were
assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal. Thorbjorn
Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about. The Hrutafjord
people inquired about Grettir's adventure on the ridge in the summer.
Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir's conduct, and said that Kormak would
have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them. Then Thorbjorn
Slowcoach said: "What I saw of Grettir's fighting was not famous; and
he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up. He was very ready to leave
off, nor did I see him make any attempt to avenge the death of Atli's
man. I do not believe there is much heart in him, except when he has a
sufficient force behind him."

Thorbjorn went on jeering at him in this way. Many of the others had
something to say about it, and they thought that Grettir would not leave
it to rest if he heard what Thorbjorn was saying.

Nothing more happened at the festivities; they all went home, and there
was a good deal of ill-will between them all that winter, though no one
took any action. Nothing more happened that winter.




CHAPTER XXXVII. GRETTIR SAILS FOR NORWAY AND KILLS THORBJORN SLOWCOACH


Early in the spring, before the meeting of the Thing, there arrived a
ship from Norway. There was much news to tell, above all of the change
of government. Olaf the son of Harald was now king, having driven away
jarl Sveinn from the country in the spring which followed the battle of
Nesjar. Many noteworthy things were told of King Olaf. Men said that he
took into favour all men who were skilled in any way and made them his
followers. This pleased many of the younger men in Iceland and made them
all want to leave home. When Grettir heard of it he longed to go too,
deeming that he merited the king's favour quite as much as any of the
others. A ship came up to Gasar in Eyjafjord; Grettir engaged a passage
in her and prepared to go abroad. He had not much outfit as yet.

Asmund was now becoming very infirm and scarcely left his bed. He and
Asdis had a young son named Illugi, a youth of much promise. Atli had
taken over all the management of the farm and the goods, and things went
much better, for he was both obliging and provident.

Grettir embarked on his ship. Thorbjorn Slowcoach had arranged to travel
in the same vessel without knowing that Grettir would be in her. Some of
his friends tried to dissuade him from travelling in Grettir's
company, but he insisted upon going. He was rather a long time over his
preparations and did not get to Gasar before the ship was ready to sail.
Before he left home Asmund Longhair was taken ill and was quite confined
to his bed. Thorbjorn Slowcoach arrived on the beach late in the day,
when the men were going on board and were washing their hands outside
near their booths. When he rode up to the rows of booths they greeted
him and asked what news there was.

"I have nothing to tell," he said, "except that the valorous Asmund at
Bjarg is now dead."

Some of them said that a worthy bondi had left the world and asked how
it happened.

"A poor lot befell his Valour," he replied. "He was suffocated by the
smoke from the hearth, like a dog. There is no great loss in him, for he
was in his dotage."

"You talk strangely about such a man as he was," they said. "Grettir
would not be much pleased if he heard you."

"I can endure Grettir's wrath," he said. "He must bear his axe higher
than he did at Hrutafjardarhals if he wishes to frighten me."

Grettir heard every word that Thorbjorn said, but took no notice as long
as he was speaking. When he had finished Grettir said:

"I prophesy, Slowcoach, that you will not die of the smoke from the
hearth, and yet perhaps you will not die of old age either. It is
strange conduct to say shameful things of innocent men."

Thorbjorn said: "I have nothing to unsay. I never thought you would fire
up like this on the day when we got you out of the hands of the men of
Mel who were belabouring you like an ox's head."

Then Grettir spoke a verse:

     "Too long is the tongue of the spanner of bows.
     Full often he suffers the vengeance due.
     Slowcoach!  I tell thee that many a man
     has paid for less shameful speech with his life."

Thorbjorn said his life was neither more nor less in danger than it was
before.

"My prophecies are not generally long-lived," said Grettir, "nor shall
this one be. Defend yourself if you will; you never will have better
occasion for it than now."

Grettir then struck at him. He tried to parry the blow with his arm, but
it struck him above the wrist and glanced off on to his neck so that his
head flew off. The sailors declared it was a splendid stroke, and that
such were the men for the king. No one would grieve, they said, because
a man so quarrelsome and scurrilous as Thorbjorn had been killed.

Soon after this they got under way and towards the end of the summer
reached the south coast of Norway, about Hordland, where they learned
that King Olaf was in the North at Thrandheim. Grettir took a passage
thither with some traders intending to seek audience of the king.




CHAPTER XXXVIII. GRETTIR FETCHES FIRE--THE SONS OF THORIR ARE BURNT


There was a man named Thorir dwelling in Gard in Adaldal. He was a son
of Skeggi Bodolfsson, who had settled in Kelduhverfi, on lands extending
right up to Keldunes, and had married Helga the daughter of Thorgeir
at Fiskilaek. Thorir was a great chief, and a mariner. He had two sons
whose names were Thorgeir and Skeggi, both men of promise, and pretty
well grown up at that time. Thorir had been in Norway in the summer in
which Olaf came East from England, and had won great favour with the
king as well as with Bishop Sigurd. In token of this it is related that
Thorir asked the bishop to consecrate a large sea-going ship he had
built in the forest, and the bishop did so. Later he came out to Iceland
and had his ship broken up because he was tired of seafaring. He set
up the figures from her head and stem over his doors, where they long
remained foretelling the weather, one howling for a south, the other for
a north wind.

When Thorir heard that Olaf had become sole ruler of Norway he thought
he might expect favour from him, so he dispatched his sons to Norway to
wait upon the king, hoping that they would be received into his service.
They reached the south coast late in the autumn and engaged a rowing
vessel to take them up the coast to the North, intending to go to the
king. They reached a port to the south of Stad, where they put in for
a few days. They were well provided with food and drink, and did not go
out much because of the bad weather.

Grettir also sailed to the North along the coast, and as the winter was
just beginning he often fell in with dirty weather. When they reached
the neighbourhood of Stad the weather became worse, and at last one
evening they were so exhausted with the snow and frost that they were
compelled to put in and lie under a bank where they found shelter for
their goods and belongings. The men were very much distressed at not
being able to procure any fire; their safety and their lives seemed
almost to depend upon their getting some. They lay there in a pitiful
condition all the evening, and as night came on they saw a large fire
on the other side of the channel which they were in. When Grettir's
companions saw the fire they began talking and saying that he who
could get some of it would be a happy man. They hesitated for some
time whether they should put out, but all agreed that it would be too
dangerous. Then they had a good deal of talk about whether there was any
man living doughty enough to get the fire. Grettir kept very quiet, but
said that there probably had been men who would not have let themselves
be baulked. The men said that they were none the better for what had
been if there were none now.

"But won't you venture, Grettir? The people of Iceland all talk so much
about your prowess, and you know very well what we want."

Grettir said: "It does not seem to me such a great thing to get the
fire, but I do not know whether you will reward it any better than he
requires who does it."

"Why," they said, "should you take us to be men of so little honour that
we shall not reward you well?"

"Well," said Grettir, "if you really think it so necessary I will try
it; but my heart tells me that no good will come to me therefrom."

They said it would not be so, and told him that he should have their
thanks.

Then Grettir threw off his clothes and got ready to go into the water.
He went in a cloak and breeches of coarse stuff. He tucked up the cloak,
tied a cord of bast round his waist, and took a barrel with him. Then
he jumped overboard, swam across the channel and reached the land on the
other side. There he saw a house standing and heard sounds of talking
and merriment issuing from it. So he went towards the house.

We have now to tell of the people who were in the house. They were the
sons of Thorir who have been mentioned. They had been there some days
waiting for a change of weather and for a wind to carry them to the
North. There were twelve of them and they were all sitting and drinking.
They had made fast in the inner harbour where there was a place of
shelter set up for men who were travelling about the country, and they
had carried in a quantity of straw. There was a huge fire on the ground.
Grettir rushed into the house, not knowing who was there. His cloak had
all frozen directly he landed, and he was a portentous sight to behold;
he looked like a troll. The people inside were much startled, thinking
it was a fiend. They struck at him with anything they could get, and
a tremendous uproar there was. Grettir pushed them back with his arms.
Some of them struck at him with firebrands, and the fire spread all
through the house. He got away with his fire and returned to his
companions, who were loud in praise of his skill and daring, and said
there was no one like him. The night passed and they were happy now that
they had fire.

On the next morning the weather was fine. They all woke early and made
ready to continue their journey. It was proposed that they should go and
find out who the people were who had had the fire, so they cast off and
sailed across the channel. They found no house there, nothing but a heap
of ashes and a good many bones of men amongst them. Evidently the house
with all who were in it had been burned. They asked whether Grettir had
done it, and declared it was an abominable deed. Grettir said that what
he expected had come to pass, and that he was ill rewarded for getting
the fire for them. He said it was thankless work to help such miserable
beings as they were. He suffered much annoyance in consequence, for
wherever the traders went they told that Grettir had burned the men in
the house. Soon it became known that it was the sons of Thorir of Gard
and their followers who had been burned. The traders refused to have
Grettir on board their ship any longer and drove him away. He was so
abhorred that scarcely any one would do him a service. His case seemed
hopeless, and his only desire was at any cost to appear before the king.
So he went North to Thrandheim where the king was, and had heard the
whole story before Grettir came, for many had been busy in slandering
him. Grettir waited several days in the town before he was able to
appear before the king.




CHAPTER XXXIX. GRETTIR APPEARS BEFORE THE KING AND FAILS TO UNDERGO THE
ORDEAL


One day when the king was sitting in judgment Grettir came before him
and saluted him respectfully. The king looked at him and said:

"Are you Grettir the Strong?"

"So I have been called," he replied, "and I have come here in the hope
of obtaining deliverance from the slanders which are being spread about
me, and to say that I did not do this deed."

The king said: "You are worthy enough; but I know not what fortune you
will have in defending yourself. It is quite possible that you did not
intend to burn the men in the house."

Grettir said that he was most anxious to prove his innocence if the king
would permit him. Then the king bade him relate faithfully all that had
happened. Grettir told him everything exactly as it was, and declared
that they were all alive when he escaped with his fire; he was ready to
undergo any ordeal which the king considered that the law required.

King Olaf said: "I decree that you shall bear iron, if your fate so
wills it."

Grettir was quite content with that, and began his fast for the ordeal.
When the day for the ceremony arrived the king and the bishop went to
the church together with a multitude of people who came out of curiosity
to see a man so much talked about as Grettir. At last Grettir himself
was led to the church. When he entered many looked at him and remarked
that he excelled most men in strength and stature. As he passed down the
aisle there started up a very ill-favoured, overgrown boy and cried to
him:

"Wondrous are now the ways in a land where men should call themselves
Christians, when evil-doers and robbers and thieves walk in peace to
purge themselves. What should a wicked man find better to do than to
preserve his life so long as he may? Here is now a malefactor convicted
of guilt, one who has burnt innocent men in their houses, and yet is
allowed to undergo purgation. Such a thing is most unrighteous."

Then he went at Grettir, pointing at him with his finger, making
grimaces and calling him son of a sea-ogress, with many other bad names.
Then Grettir lost his temper and his self-control. He raised his hand
and gave him a box on the ear so that he fell senseless, and some
thought he was dead. No one seemed to know whence the boy had come nor
what became of him afterwards, but it was generally believed that he was
some unclean spirit sent forth for the destruction of Grettir.

There arose an uproar in the church; people told the king that the man
who had come to purge himself was fighting with those around him. King
Olaf came forward into the church to see what was going on, and said:

"You are a man of ill luck, Grettir. All was prepared for the ordeal,
but it cannot take place now. It is not possible to contend against your
ill-fortune."

Grettir said: "I expected, oh king, more honour from you for the sake of
my family than I now seem likely to obtain."

Then he told again the story as he had done before of what had taken
place with the men. "Gladly," he said, "would I enter your service;
there is many a man with you who is not my better as a warrior."

"I know," said the king, "that few are your equals in strength and
courage, but your luck is too bad for you to remain with me. You have my
leave to depart in peace whithersoever you will for the winter, and then
in the summer you may return to Iceland, where you are destined to lay
your bones."

"First I should like to clear myself of the charge of burning, if I
may," said Grettir; "for I did not do it intentionally."

"Very likely it is so," said the king; "but since the purgation has come
to naught through your impatience you cannot clear yourself further
than you have done. Impetuosity always leads to evil. If ever a man was
doomed to misfortune you are."

After that Grettir remained for a time in the town, but he got nothing
more out of Olaf. Then he went to the South, intending after that to go
East to Tunsberg to find his brother Thorsteinn Dromund. Nothing is told
of his journey till he came to Jadar.




CHAPTER XL. ADVENTURE WITH THE BERSERK SNAEKOLL


At Yule Grettir came to a bondi named Einar, a man of wealth who had a
wife and a marriageable daughter named Gyrid. She was a beautiful maiden
and was considered an excellent match. Einar invited Grettir to stay
over Yule, and he accepted.

It was no uncommon thing throughout Norway that robbers and other
ruffians came down from the forest and challenged men to fight for their
women, or carried off their property with violence if there was not
sufficient force in the house to protect them. One day at Yule-tide
there came a whole party of these miscreants to Einar's house. Their
leader was a great berserk named Snaekoll. He challenged Einar to hand
over his daughter to him or else to defend her, if he felt himself man
enough to do so. Now the bondi was no longer young, and no fighter. He
felt that he was in a great difficulty, and asked Grettir privately what
help he would give him, seeing that he was held to be so famous a man.
Grettir advised him to consent only to what was not dishonourable. The
berserk was sitting on his horse wearing his helmet, the chin-piece of
which was not fastened. He held before him a shield bound with iron and
looked terribly threatening. He said to the bondi:

"You had better choose quickly: either one thing or the other. What does
that big fellow standing beside you say? Would he not like to play with
me himself?"

"One of us is as good as the other," said Grettir, "neither of us is
very active."

"All the more afraid will you be to fight with me if I get angry."

"That will be seen when it is tried," said Grettir.

The berserk thought they were trying to get off by talking. He began
to howl and to bite the rim of his shield. He held the shield up to his
mouth and scowled over its upper edge like a madman. Grettir stepped
quickly across the ground, and when he got even with the berserk's horse
he kicked the shield with his foot from below with such force that it
struck his mouth, breaking the upper jaw, and the lower jaw fell down on
to his chest. With the same movement he seized the viking's helmet with
his left hand and dragged him from his horse, while with his right hand
he raised his axe and cut off the berserk's head. Snaekoll's followers
when they saw what had happened fled, every man of them. Grettir did
not care to pursue them for he saw that there was no heart in them. The
bondi thanked him for what he had done, as did many other men, for the
quickness and boldness of his deed had impressed them much. Grettir
stayed there for Yule and was well taken care of till he left, when the
bondi dismissed him handsomely. Then Grettir went East to Tunsberg to
visit his brother Thorsteinn, who received him joyfully and asked him
about his adventures. Grettir told him how he had killed the berserk,
and composed a verse:

     "The warrior's shield by my foot propelled
     in conflict came with Snaekoll's mouth.
     His nether jaw hung down on his chest,
     wide gaped his mouth from the iron ring."

"You would be very handy at many things," said Thorsteinn, "if
misfortune did not follow you."

"Men will tell of deeds that are done," said Grettir.




CHAPTER XLI. THORSTEINN DROMUND'S ARMS


Grettir stayed with Thorsteinn for the rest of the winter and on into
the spring. One morning when Thorsteinn and Grettir were above in their
sleepingroom Grettir put out his arm from the bed-clothes and Thorsteinn
noticed it when he awoke. Soon after Grettir woke too, and Thorsteinn
said: "I have been looking at your arms, kinsman, and think it is not
wonderful that your blows fall heavily upon some. Never have I seen any
man's arms that were like yours."

"You may know," said Grettir, "that I should not have done the deeds I
have if I had not been very mighty."

"Yet methinks it would be of advantage," said Thorsteinn, "if your arm
were more slender and your fortune better."

"True," said Grettir, "is the saying that no man shapes his own fortune.
Let me see your arm."

Thorsteinn showed it to him. He was a tall lanky man. Grettir smiled and
said:

"There is no need to look long at that; all your ribs are run together.
I never saw such a pair of tongs as you carry about! Why, you are
scarcely as strong as a woman!"

"It may be so," said Thorsteinn, "and yet you may know that these
thin arms of mine and no others will avenge you some day;--if you are
avenged."

"Who shall know how it will be when the end comes?" said Grettir; "but
that seems unlikely."

No more is related of their conversation. The spring came and Grettir
took a ship for Iceland in the summer. The brothers parted with
friendship and never saw one another again.




CHAPTER XLII. DEATH OF ASMUND LONGHAIR


We have now to return to where we broke off before. Thorbjorn Oxmain
when he heard of the death of Thorbjorn Slowcoach flew into a violent
passion and said he wished that more men might deal blows in other
people's houses. Asmund Longhair lay sick for some time in the summer.
When he thought his end was nigh he called his kinsmen round him and
said his will was that Atli should take over all the property after his
day. "I fear," he said, "that the wicked will scarce leave you in peace.
And I wish all my kinsmen to support him to the best of their power. Of
Grettir I can say nothing, for his condition seems to me like a rolling
wheel. Strong though he is, I fear he will have more dealing with
trouble than with kinsmen's support. And Illugi, though young now, shall
become a man of valiant deeds if he remain unscathed."

When Asmund had settled everything with his sons according to his wish
his sickness grew upon him. He died soon after and was buried at Bjarg,
where he had had a church built. All felt his loss deeply.

Atli became a great bondi and kept a large establishment. He was a great
dealer in household provisions. Towards the end of the summer he went
to Snaefellsnes to get dried fish. He drove several horses with him and
rode from home to Melar in Hrutafjord to his brother-in-law, Gamli. Then
Grim, the son of Thorhall, Gamli's brother, made ready to accompany him
along with another man. They rode West by way of Haukadalsskard and
the road which leads out to the Ness, where they bought much fish
and carried it away on seven horses; when all was ready they turned
homewards.




CHAPTER XLIII. THE SONS OF THORIR OF SKARD ARE SLAIN BY ATLI AND GRIM


Thorbjorn Oxmain heard of Atli and Grim having left home just when
Gunnar and Thorgeir, the sons of Thorir of Skard, were with him.
Thorbjorn was jealous of Atli's popularity and egged on the two
brothers, the sons of Thorir, to lie in wait for him as he returned
from Snaefellsnes. They rode home to Skard and waited there for Atli
returning with his loads. They could see the party from their house
as they passed Skard, and made ready quickly to pursue them with their
servants. Atli on seeing them ordered his horses to be unloaded.

"Perhaps," he said, "they want to offer me compensation for my man whom
Gunnar slew last summer. We will not be the first to attack, but if they
begin fighting us we will defend ourselves."

Then they came up and at once sprang off their horses. Atli greeted them
and asked what news there was, and whether Gunnar desired to offer him
some compensation for his servant. Gunnar answered:

"You men of Bjarg, you deserve something else than that I should pay
compensation for him with my goods. Thorbjorn whom Grettir slew is worth
a higher atonement than he."

"I have not to answer for that," said Atli, "nor are you the
representative of Thorbjorn."

Gunnar said it would have to be so nevertheless. "And now," he cried,
"let us go for them and profit by Grettir being away."

There were eight of them, and they set upon Atli's six. Atli led on his
men and drew the sword Jokulsnaut which Grettir had given him. Thorgeir
cried: "Good men are alike in many things. High did Grettir bear his
sword last summer on Hrutafjardarhals."

Atli answered: "He is more accustomed to deeds of strength than I am."

Then they fought. Gunnar made a resolute attack on Atli, and fought
fiercely. After they had battled for a time Atli said:

"There is nothing to be gained by each of us killing the other's
followers. The simplest course would be for us to play together, for I
have never fought with weapons before."

Gunnar, however, would not have it. Atli bade his servants look to
the packs, and he would see what the others would do. He made such a
vigorous onslaught that Gunnar's men fell back, and he killed two of
them. Then he turned upon Gunnar himself and struck a blow that severed
his shield right across below the handle, and the sword struck his leg
below the knee. Then with another rapid blow he killed him.

In the meantime Grim, the son of Thorhall, was engaging Thorgeir, and
a long tussle there was, both of them being men of great valour. When
Thorgeir saw his brother Gunnar fall he wanted to get away, but Grim
pressed upon him and pursued him until at last his foot tripped and he
fell forward. Then Grim struck him with an axe between the shoulders,
inflicting a deep wound. To the three followers who were left they gave
quarter. Then they bound up their wounds, reloaded the packs on to the
horses and went home, giving information of the battle. Atli stayed at
home with a strong guard of men that autumn. Thorbjorn Oxmain was not at
all pleased, but could do nothing, because Atli was very wary. Grim
was with him for the winter, and his brother-in-law Gamli. Another
brother-in-law, Glum the son of Ospak from Eyr in Bitra, was with them
too. They had a goodly array of men settled at Bjarg, and there was much
merriment there during the winter.




CHAPTER XLIV. SETTLEMENT OF THE FEUD AT THE HUNAVATN THING


Thorbfron Oxmain took up the suit arising from the death of Thorir's
sons. He prepared his case against Grim and Atli, and they prepared
their defence on the grounds that the brothers had attacked them
wrongfully and were, therefore, "ohelgir." The case was brought before
the Hunavatn Thing and both sides appeared in force. Atli had many
connections, and was, therefore, strongly supported. Then those who were
friends of both came forward and tried to effect a reconciliation; they
urged that Atli was a man of good position and peacefully disposed,
though fearless enough when driven into a strait. Thorbjorn felt that
no other honourable course was open to him but to agree to a
reconciliation. Atli made it a condition that there should be no
sentence of banishment either from the district or the country. Then men
were appointed to arbitrate: Thorvald Asgeirsson on behalf of Atli, and
Solvi the Proud on behalf of Thorbjorn. This Solvi was a son of
Asbrand, the son of Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring who had settled in
Vatnsnes, taking land as far as Ambattara to the West, and to the East
up to the Thvera and across to Bjargaoss and the whole side of Bjorg as
far as the sea. Solvi was a person of much display, but a man of sense,
and therefore Thorbjorn chose him as his arbitrator.

The decree of the arbitrators was that half penalties should be paid
for Thorir's sons and half should be remitted on account of the wrongful
attack which they made and their designs on Atli's life. The slaying
of Atli's man at Hrutafjardarhals should be set off against the two of
theirs who had been killed. Grim the son of Thorhall was banished
from his district and the penalties were to be paid by Atli. Atli was
satisfied with this award, but Thorbjorn was not; they parted nominally
reconciled, but Thorbjorn let drop some words to the effect that it was
not over yet if all happened as he desired.

Atli rode home from the Thing after thanking Thorvald for his
assistance. Grim the son of Thorhall betook himself to the South to
Borgarfjord and dwelt at Gilsbakki, where he was known as a worthy
bondi.




CHAPTER XLV. ATLI MURDERED BY THORBJORN OXMAIN


There was dwelling with Thorbjorn Oxmain a man whose name was Ali,
a servant, rather stubborn and lazy. Thorbjorn told him he must work
better or he would be beaten. Ali said he had no mind for work and
became abusive. Thorbjorn was not going to endure that, and got him down
and handled him roughly. After that Ali ran away and went to the North
across the neck to Midfjord; he did not stop till he reached Bjarg. Atli
was at home and asked whither he was going. He said he was seeking an
engagement.

"Are you not a servant of Thorbjorn?" Atli asked.

"We did not get on with our bargain. I was not there long, but it seemed
to me a bad place while I was there. Our parting was in such a way that
his song on my throat did not please me. I will never go back there,
whatever becomes of me. And it is true that there is a great difference
between you two in the way you treat your servants. I would be glad to
take service with you if there is a place, for me."

Atli said: "I have servants enough without stretching forth my hands for
those whom Thorbjorn has hired. You seem an impatient man and had better
go back to him."

"I am not going there of my own free will," said Ali.

He stayed there for the night, and in the morning went out to work with
Atli's men, and toiled as if he had hands everywhere. So he continued
all the summer; Atli took no notice of him, but allowed him his food,
for he was pleased with the man's work. Soon Thorbjorn learned that Ali
was at Bjarg. He rode thither with two others and called to Atli to come
out and speak with him. Atli went out and greeted him.

"You want to begin again provoking me to attack you, Atli," he said.
"Why have you taken away my workman? It is a most improper thing to do."

Atli replied: "It is not very clear to me that he is your workman. I do
not want to keep him if you can prove that he belongs to your household;
but I cannot drive him out of my house."

"You must have your way now," said Thorbjorn; "but I claim the man and
protest against his working for you. I shall come again, and it is not
certain that we shall then part any better friends than we are now."

Atli rejoined: "I shall stay at home and abide whatever comes to hand."

Thorbjorn then went off home. When the workmen came back in the evening
Atli told them of his conversation with Thorbjorn and said to Ali that
he must go his own ways, for he was not going to be drawn into a quarrel
for employing him.

Ali said: "True is the ancient saying: The over-praised are the worst
deceivers. I did not think that you would have turned me off now after
I had worked here till I broke in the summer. I thought that you
would have given me protection. Such is your way, however you play the
beneficent. Now I shall be beaten before your very eyes if you refuse to
stand by me."

Atli's mind was changed after the man had spoken; he no longer wanted to
drive him away.

So the time passed until the hay-harvest began. One day a little before
midsummer Thorbjorn Oxmain rode to Bjarg. He wore a helmet on his head,
a sword was girt at his side, and in his hand was a spear which had a
very broad blade. The weather was rainy; Atli had sent his men to mow
the hay, and some were in the North at Horn on some work. Atli was at
home with a few men only. Thorbjorn arrived alone towards midday and
rode up to the door. The door was shut and no one outside. Thorbjorn
knocked at the door and then went to the back of the house so that he
could not be seen from the door. The people in the house heard some one
knocking and one of the women went out. Thorbjorn got a glimpse of
the woman, but did not let himself be seen, for he was seeking another
person. She went back into the room and Atli asked her who had come.
She said she could see nobody outside. As they were speaking Thorbjorn
struck a violent blow on the door. Atli said:

"He wants to see me; perhaps he has some business with me, for he seems
very pressing."

Then he went to the outer door and saw nobody there. It was raining
hard, so he did not go outside, but stood holding both the door-posts
with his hands and peering round. At that moment Thorbjorn sidled round
to the front of the door and thrust his spear with both hands into
Atli's middle, so that it pierced him through. Atli said when he
received the thrust: "They use broad spear-blades nowadays."

Then he fell forward on the threshold. The women who were inside came
out and saw that he was dead. Thorbjorn had then mounted his horse; he
proclaimed the slaying and rode home. Asdis, the mistress of the house,
sent for men; Atli's body was laid out and he was buried beside his
father. There was much lamentation over his death, for he was both
wise and beloved. No blood-money was paid for his death, nor was any
demanded, for his representative was Grettir, if he should ever return
to Iceland. The matter rested there during the summer. Thorbjorn gained
little credit by this deed, but remained quietly at home.




CHAPTER XLVI. SENTENCE OF OUTLAWRY PASSED UPON GRETTIR AT THE ALL-THING


In that same summer before the assembly of the Thing there came a
ship out to Gasar bringing news of Grettir and of his house-burning
adventure. Thorir of Gard was very angry when he heard of it and
bethought himself of vengeance for his sons upon Grettir. Thorir rode
with a large retinue to the Thing and laid a complaint in respect of the
burning, but men thought nothing could be done as long as there was no
one to answer the charge. Thorir insisted that he would be content with
nothing short of banishment for Grettir from the whole country after
such a crime.

Then Skapti the Lawman said: "It certainly was an evil deed if all
really happened as has been told. But One man's tale is but half a tale.
Most people try and manage not to improve a story if there is more
than one version of it. I hold that no judgment should be passed for
Grettir's banishment without further proceedings."

Thorir was a notable person and possessed great influence in the
district; many powerful men were his friends. He pressed his suit so
strongly that nothing could be done to save Grettir. Thorir had him
proclaimed an outlaw throughout the country, and was ever afterwards the
most bitter of his opponents, as he often found. Having put a price upon
his head, as it was usual to do with other outlaws, he rode home. Many
said that the decree was carried more by violence than by law, but it
remained in force. Nothing more happened until after midsummer.




CHAPTER XLVII. GRETTIR RETURNS TO BJARG--SVEINN AND HIS HORSE
SADDLE-HEAD


Later in the summer Grettir the son of Asmund came back to Iceland,
landing in the Hvita in Borgarfjord. People about the district went down
to the ship and all the news came at once upon Grettir, first that his
father was dead, then that his brother was slain, and third that he was
declared outlaw throughout the land. Then he spoke this verse:

     "All fell at once upon the bard,
     exile, father dead and brother.
     Oh man of battle!  Many an one
     who breaks the swords shall smart for this."

It is told that Grettir changed his manner no whit for these tidings,
but was just as merry as before. He remained on board his ship for a
time because he could not get a horse to suit him.

There was a man named Sveinn who dwelt at Bakki up from Thingnes.

He was a good bondi and a merry companion; he often composed verses
which it was a delight to listen to. He had a brown mare, the swiftest
of horses, which he called Saddle-head. Once Grettir left Vellir in the
night because he did not wish the traders to know of it. He got a black
cape and put it over his clothes to conceal himself. He went up past
Thingnes to Bakki, by which time it was light. Seeing a brown horse in
the meadow he went up and put a bridle on it, mounted on its back and
rode up along the Hvita river below Baer on to the river Flokadalsa and
up to the road above Kalfanes. The men working at Bakki were up by
then, and told the bondi that a man was riding his horse. He got up and
laughed and spoke a verse:

     "There rode a man upon Saddle-head's back;
     close to the garth the thief has come.
     Frey of the Odin's cloud, dreadful of aspect,
     appears from his strength to be busy with mischief."

Then he took a horse and rode after him. Grettir rode on till he came to
the settlement at Kropp, where he met a man named Halli who said he was
going down to the ship at Vellir. Grettir then spoke a verse:

     "Tell, oh tell in the dwellings abroad
     tell thou hast met with Saddle-head.
     The handler of dice in sable cowl
     sat on his back; hasten, oh Halli!"

Then they parted. Halli went along the road as far as Kalfanes before he
met Sveinn. They greeted each other hurriedly and Sveinn said:

     "Saw you that loafer ride from the dwellings?
     Sorely he means my patience to try.
     The people about shall deal with him roughly;
     blue shall his body be if I meet him."

"You can know from what I tell you," said Halli, "that I met the man who
said he was riding Saddle-head, and he told me to spread it abroad in
the dwellings and the district. He was a huge man in a black cloak."

"Well, he seems to think something of himself," said the bondi. "I mean
to know who he is."

Then he went on after him. Grettir came to Deildartunga and found a
woman outside. He began to talk to her and spoke a verse:

     "Mistress august!  Go tell of the jest
     that the serpent of earth has past on his way.
     The garrulous brewer of Odin's mead
     will come to Gilsbakki before he will rest."

The woman learned the verse and Grettir rode on. Soon after Sveinn rode
up; she was still outside, and when he came he spoke the verse:

     "Who was the man who a moment ago
     rode past on a dusky horse in the storm?
     The hound-eyed rascal, practised in mischief.
     This day I will follow his steps to the end."

She told him as she had been taught. He considered the lines and said:
"It is not unlikely that this man is no play-fellow for me. But I mean
to catch him."

He then rode along the cultivated country. Each could see the other's
path. The weather was stormy and wet. Grettir reached Gilsbakki that
day, where Grim the son of Thorhall welcomed him warmly and begged him
to stay, which he did. He let Saddle-head run loose and told Grim how he
had come by her. Then Sveinn came up, dismounted and saw his horse. Then
he said:

     "Who has ridden on my mare?
     Who will pay me for her hire?
     Who ever saw such an arrant thief?
     What next will be the cowl-man's game?"

Grettir had then put off his wet clothes, and heard the ditty. He said:

     "Home I rode the mare to Grim's,
     a better man than the hovel-dweller!
     Nothing will I pay for hire!
     Now we may be friends again."

"Just so shall it be," said the bondi. "Your ride on the horse is fully
paid for."

Then they each began repeating verses, and Grettir said he could not
blame him for looking after his property. The bondi stayed there the
night and they had great jokes about the matter. The verses they made
were called "Saddle-head verses." In the morning the bondi rode home,
parting good friends with Grettir. Grim told Grettir of many things that
had been 

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