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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12747 ***
+
+THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC
+
+BY
+EIRÍKR MAGNÚSSON
+AND
+WILLIAM MORRIS
+
+
+1900
+
+
+
+
+    A life scarce worth the living, a poor fame 
+    Scarce worth the winning, in a wretched land,
+    Where fear and pain go upon either hand,
+    As toward the end men fare without an aim
+    Unto the dull grey dark from whence they came:
+    Let them alone, the unshadowed sheer rocks stand
+    Over the twilight graves of that poor band,
+    Who count so little in the great world's game!
+
+    Nay, with the dead I deal not; this man lives,
+    And that which carried him through good and ill,
+    Stern against fate while his voice echoed still
+    From rock to rock, now he lies silent, strives
+    With wasting time, and through its long lapse gives
+    Another friend to me, life's void to fill.
+
+    WILLIAM MORRIS.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+We do not feel able to take in hand the wide subject of the Sagas of
+Iceland within the limits of a Preface; therefore we have only to say
+that we put forward this volume as the translation of an old story
+founded on facts, full of dramatic interest, and setting before
+people's eyes pictures of the life and manners of an interesting race
+of men near akin to ourselves.
+
+Those to whom the subject is new, we must refer to the translations
+already made of some other of these works,[1] and to the notes which
+accompany them: a few notes at the end of this volume may be of use to
+students of Saga literature.
+
+[Footnote 1: Such as 'Burnt Njal,' Edinburgh, 1861, 8vo, and 'Gisli
+the Outlaw,' Edinburgh, 1866, 4to, by Dasent; the 'Saga of Viga-Glum,'
+London, 1866, 8vo, by Sir E. Head; the 'Heimskringla,' London, 1844,
+8vo, by S. Laing; the 'Eddas,' Prose by Dasent, Stockholm, 1842;
+Poetic by A.S. Cottle, Bristol, 1797, and Thorpe, London and Halle,
+1866; the 'Three Northern Love Stories,' translated by Magnússon and
+Morris, London, 1875, and 'The Volsunga Saga,' translated by the same,
+London, 1870.]
+
+For the original tale we think little apology is due; that it holds
+a very high place among the Sagas of Iceland no student of that
+literature will deny; of these we think it yields only to the story
+of Njal and his sons, a work in our estimation to be placed beside
+the few great works of the world. Our Saga is fuller and more complete
+than the tale of the other great outlaw Gisli; less frightful than
+the wonderfully characteristic and strange history of Egil, the son
+of Skallagrim; as personal and dramatic as that of Gunnlaug the
+Worm-tongue, if it lack the rare sentiment of that beautiful story;
+with more detail and consistency, if with less variety, than the
+history of Gudrun and her lovers in the Laxdaela; and more a work of
+art than that, or than the unstrung gems of Eyrbyggja, and the great
+compilation of Snorri Sturluson, the History of the Kings of Norway.
+
+At any rate, we repeat, whatever place among the best Sagas may be
+given to Grettla[2] by readers of such things, it must of necessity
+be held to be one of the best in all ways; nor will those, we hope,
+of our readers who have not yet turned their attention to the works
+written in the Icelandic tongue, fail to be moved more or less by the
+dramatic power and eager interest in human character, shown by our
+story-teller; we say, we hope, but we are sure that no one of insight
+will disappoint us in this, when he has once accustomed himself to
+the unusual, and, if he pleases, barbarous atmosphere of these ancient
+stories.
+
+[Footnote 2: Such is the conversational title of this Saga; many of
+the other Sagas have their longer title abbreviated in a like manner:
+Egil's saga becomes Egla, Njal's saga Njála; Eyrbyggja saga, Laxdaela
+saga, Vatnsdaeela saga, Reykdaela saga, Svarfdaela saga, become
+Eyrbyggja, Laxdaela, Vatnsdaela, Reykdaela, Svarfdaela (gen. plur.
+masc. of daelir, dale-dwellers, is forced into a fem. sing. regularly
+declined, saga being understood); furthermore, Landnáma bók (landnáma,
+gen. pl. neut.) the book of land settlings, becomes Landnáma (fem.
+sing. regularly declined, bók being understood); lastly, Sturlunga
+saga, the Saga of the mighty family of the Sturlungs, becomes
+Sturlunga in the same manner.]
+
+As some may like to know what they are going to read about before
+venturing on beginning the book, we will now give a short outline of
+our Saga.
+
+The first thirteen chapters (which sometimes are met with separately
+in the Icelandic as the Saga of Onund Treefoot), we have considered as
+an introduction to the story, and have accordingly distinguished them
+from the main body of the book. They relate the doings of Grettir's
+ancestors in Norway, in the lands West over the Sea and in Iceland,
+and are interesting and in many points necessary for the understanding
+of the subsequent story; one of these we note here for the reader's
+convenience, viz. the consanguinity of Grettir and King Olaf the
+Saint;[3] for it adds strongly to the significance of the King's
+refusal to entertain Grettir at his court, or to go further into the
+case of the murder he was falsely accused of.
+
+[Footnote 3:
+
+
+Onund Treefoot   brother to   Gudbiorg
+       |                         |
+Thorgrim Greypate            Gudbrand
+       |                         |
+Asmund the Greyhaired     Asta (mother of)
+       |                         |
+Grettir the Strong.       Olaf the Saint.]
+
+The genealogies of this part of the work agree closely with those of
+the Landnáma-bók, and of the other most reliable Sagas.
+
+After this comes the birth of Grettir, and anecdotes (one at least
+sufficiently monstrous) of his unruly childhood; then our hero kills
+his first man by misadventure, and must leave Iceland; wrecked on
+an isle off Norway, he is taken in there by a lord of that land, and
+there works the deed that makes him a famous man; the slaying of the
+villainous bearserks, namely, who would else have made wreck of the
+honour and goods of Grettir's host in his absence; this great deed,
+we should say, is prefaced by Grettir's first dealings with the
+supernatural, which characterise this Saga, and throw a strange light
+on the more ordinary matters throughout. The slaying of the bearserks
+is followed by a feud which Grettir has on his hands for the slaying
+of a braggart who insulted him past bearing, and so great the feud
+grows that Grettir at last finds himself at enmity with Earl Svein,
+the ruler of Norway, and, delivered from death by his friends, yet
+has to leave the land and betake himself to Iceland again. Coming back
+there, and finding himself a man of great fame, and hungry, for more
+still, he tries to measure himself against the greatest men in the
+land, but nothing comes of these trials, for he is being reserved for
+a greater deed than the dealing with mere men; his enemy is Glam
+the thrall; the revenant of a strange, unearthly man who was himself
+killed by an evil spirit; Grettir contends with, and slays, this
+monster, whose dying curse on him is the turning-point of the story.
+
+All seems fair for our hero, his last deed has made him the foremost
+man in Iceland, and news now coming out of Olaf the Saint, his
+relative, being King of Norway, he goes thither to get honour at
+his hands; but Glam's curse works; Grettir gains a powerful enemy by
+slaying an insulting braggart just as he was going on ship-board; and
+on the voyage it falls out that in striving to save the life of his
+shipmates by a desperate action, he gets the reputation of having
+destroyed the sons of a powerful Icelander, Thorir of Garth, with
+their fellows. This evil report clings to him when he lands in Norway;
+and all people, including the King from whom he hoped so much, look
+coldly on him. Now he offers to free himself from the false charge by
+the ordeal of bearing hot iron; the King assents, and all is ready;
+but Glam is busy, and some strange appearance in the church, where
+the ordeal is to be, brings all to nothing; and the foreseeing Olaf
+refuses to take Grettir into his court, because of his ill-luck. So
+he goes to his brother, Thorstein Dromund, for a while, and then goes
+back to Iceland. But there, too, his ill-luck had been at work, and
+when he lands he hears three pieces of bad news at once; his father is
+dead; his eldest brother, Atli, is slain and unatoned; and he himself
+has been made an outlaw, by Thorir of Garth, for a deed he has never
+done.
+
+He avenges his brother, and seeks here and there harbour from his
+friends, but his foes are too strong for him, or some unlucky turn of
+fate always pushes him off the help of men, and he has to take to the
+wilderness with a price upon his head; and now the other part of the
+curse falls on him heavier, for ever after the struggle with the ghost
+he sees horrible things in the dark, and cannot bear to be alone, and
+runs all kinds of risks to avoid it; and so the years of his outlawry
+pass on. From time to time, driven by need, and rage at his unmerited
+ill-fortune, he takes to plundering those who cannot hold their own;
+at other times he lives alone, and supports himself by fishing, and
+is twice nearly brought to his end by hired assassins the while.
+Sometimes he dwells with the friendly spirits of the land, and chiefly
+with Hallmund, his friend, who saves his life in one of the desperate
+fights he is forced into. But little by little all fall off from him;
+his friends durst harbour him no more, or are slain. Hallmund comes
+to a tragic end; Grettir is driven from his lairs one after the other,
+and makes up his mind to try, as a last resource, to set himself
+down on the island of Drangey, which rises up sheer from the midst
+of Skagafirth like a castle; he goes to his father's house, and bids
+farewell to his mother, and sets off for Drangey in the company of his
+youngest brother, Illugi, who will not leave him in this pinch, and
+a losel called "Noise," a good joker (we are told), but a slothful,
+untrustworthy poltroon. The three get out to Drangey, and possess
+themselves of the live-stock on it, and for a while all goes well;
+the land-owners who held the island in shares, despairing of ridding
+themselves of the outlaw, give their shares or sell them to one
+Thorbiorn Angle, a man of good house, but violent, unpopular, and
+unscrupulous. This man, after trying the obvious ways of persuasion,
+cajolery, and assassination, for getting the island into his hands, at
+last, with the help of a certain hag, his foster-mother, has recourse
+to sorcery. By means of her spells (as the story goes) Grettir wounds
+himself in the leg in the third year of his sojourn at Drangey,
+and though the wound speedily closes, in a week or two gangrene
+supervenes, and Grettir, at last, lies nearly helpless, watched
+continually by his brother Illugi. The losel, "Noise," now that the
+brothers can no more stir abroad, will not take the trouble to pull
+up the ladders that lead from the top of the island down to the
+beach; and, amidst all this, helped by a magic storm the sorceress
+has raised, Thorbiorn Angle, with a band of men, surprises the island,
+unroofs the hut of the brothers, and gains ingress there, and after
+a short struggle (for Grettir is already a dying man) slays the great
+outlaw and captures Illugi in spite of a gallant defence; he, too,
+disdaining to make any terms with the murderers of his brother, is
+slain, and Angle goes away exulting, after he had mutilated the body
+of Grettir, with the head on which so great a price had been put, and
+the sword which the dead man had borne.
+
+But now that the mighty man was dead, and people were relieved
+of their fear of him, the minds of men turned against him who had
+overcome him in a way, according to their notions, so base and
+unworthy, and Angle has no easy time of it; he fails to get the
+head-money, and is himself brought to trial for sorcery and practising
+heathen rites, and the 'nithings-deed' of slaying a man already dying,
+and is banished from the land.
+
+Now comes the part so necessary to the Icelandic tale of a hero, the
+revenging of his death; Angle goes to Norway, and is thought highly of
+for his deed by people who did not know the whole tale; but Thorstein
+Dromund, an elder half-brother of Grettir, is a lord in that land, and
+Angle, knowing of this, feels uneasy in Norway, and at last goes away
+to Micklegarth (Constantinople), to take service with the Varangians:
+Thorstein hears of this and follows him, and both are together at last
+in Micklegarth, but neither knows the other: at last Angle betrays
+himself by showing Grettir's sword, at a 'weapon-show' of the
+Varangians, and Thorstein slays him then and there with the same
+weapon. Thorstein alone in a strange land, with none to speak for him,
+is obliged to submit to the laws of the country, and is thrown into a
+dungeon to perish of hunger and wretchedness there. From this fate he
+is delivered by a great lady of the city, called Spes, who afterwards
+falls in love with him; and the two meet often in spite of the
+watchful jealousy of the lady's husband, who is at last so completely
+conquered by a plot of hers (the sagaman here has taken an incident
+with little or no change from the Romance of Tristram and Iseult),
+that he is obliged to submit to a divorce and the loss of his wife's
+dower, and thereafter the lovers go away together to Norway, and live
+there happily till old age reminds them of their misdeeds, and they
+then set off together for Rome and pass the rest of their lives in
+penitence and apart from one another. And so the story ends, summing
+up the worth of Grettir the Strong by reminding people of his huge
+strength, his long endurance in outlawry, his gift for dealing
+with ghosts and evil spirits, the famous vengeance taken for him in
+Micklegarth; and, lastly, the fortunate life and good end of Thorstein
+Dromund, his brother and avenger.
+
+Such is the outline of this tale of a man far above his fellows in all
+matters valued among his times and people, but also far above them
+all in ill-luck, for that is the conception that the story-teller has
+formed of the great outlaw. To us moderns the real interest in these
+records of a past state of life lies principally in seeing events true
+in the main treated vividly and dramatically by people who completely
+understood the manners, life, and, above all, the turn of mind of the
+actors in them. Amidst many drawbacks, perhaps, to the modern reader,
+this interest is seldom or ever wanting in the historical sagas, and
+least of all in our present story; the sagaman never relaxes his grasp
+of Grettir's character, and he is the same man from beginning to end;
+thrust this way and that by circumstances, but little altered by them;
+unlucky in all things, yet made strong to bear all ill-luck; scornful
+of the world, yet capable of enjoyment, and determined to make the
+most of it; not deceived by men's specious ways, but disdaining to cry
+out because he must needs bear with them; scorning men, yet helping
+them when called on, and desirous of fame: prudent in theory, and wise
+in foreseeing the inevitable sequence of events, but reckless beyond
+the recklessness even of that time and people, and finally capable of
+inspiring in others strong affection and devotion to him in spite of
+his rugged self-sufficing temper--all these traits which we find in
+our sagaman's Grettir seem always the most suited to the story of
+the deeds that surround him, and to our mind most skilfully and
+dramatically are they suggested to the reader.
+
+As is fitting, the other characters are very much subordinate to the
+principal figure, but in their way they are no less life-like; the
+braggart--that inevitable foil to the hero in a saga--was never better
+represented than in the Gisli of our tale; the thrall Noise, with his
+carelessness, and thriftless, untrustworthy mirth, is the very pattern
+of a slave; Snorri the Godi, little though there is of him, fully
+sustains the prudent and crafty character which follows him in all the
+Sagas; Thorbiorn Oxmain is a good specimen of the overbearing and sour
+chief, as is Atli, on the other hand, of the kindly and high-minded,
+if prudent, rich man; and no one, in short, plays his part like
+a puppet, but acts as one expects him to act, always allowing the
+peculiar atmosphere of these tales; and to crown all, as the story
+comes to its end, the high-souled and poetically conceived Illugi
+throws a tenderness on the dreadful story of the end of the hero,
+contrasted as it is with that of the gloomy, superstitious Angle.
+
+Something of a blot, from some points of view, the story of Spes and
+Thorstein Dromund (of which more anon) must be considered; yet
+whoever added it to the tale did so with some skill considering its
+incongruous and superfluous nature, for he takes care that Grettir
+shall not be forgotten amidst all the plots and success of the lovers;
+and, whether it be accidental or not, there is to our minds something
+touching in the contrast between the rude life and tragic end of the
+hero, and the long, drawn out, worldly good hap and quiet hopes for
+another life which fall to the lot of his happier brother.
+
+As to the authorship of our story, it has no doubt gone through the
+stages which mark the growth of the Sagas in general, that is, it was
+for long handed about from mouth to mouth until it took a definite
+shape in men's minds; and after it had held that position for a
+certain time, and had received all the necessary polish for an
+enjoyable saga, was committed to writing as it flowed ready made from
+the tongue of the people. Its style, in common with that of all the
+sagas, shows evidences enough of this: for the rest, the only name
+connected with it is that of Sturla Thordson the Lawman, a man of good
+position and family, and a prolific author, who was born in 1214 and
+died 1284; there is, however, no proof that he wrote the present work,
+though we think the passages in it that mention his name show clearly
+enough that he had something to do with the story of Grettir: on the
+whole, we are inclined to think that a story of Grettir was either
+written by him or under his auspices, but that the present tale is the
+work of a later hand, nor do we think so complete a saga-teller,
+as his other undoubted works show him to have been, would ever have
+finished his story with the epilogue of Spes and Thorstein Dromund,
+steeped as that latter part is with the spirit of the mediaeval
+romances, even to the distinct appropriation of a marked and
+well-known episode of the Tristram; though it must be admitted that he
+had probably plenty of opportunity for being versed in that romance,
+as Tristram was first translated into the tongue of Norway in the year
+1226, by Brother Robert, at the instance of King Hakon Hakonson, whose
+great favourite Sturla Thordson was, and whose history was written by
+him.
+
+For our translation of this work we have no more to say than to
+apologise for its shortcomings, and to hope, that in spite of them, it
+will give some portion of the pleasure to our readers which we felt in
+accomplishing it ourselves.
+
+EIRÍKR MAGNÚSSON, WILLIAM MORRIS.
+
+LONDON, <i>April</i> 1869.
+
+
+
+
+CHRONOLOGY OF THE STORY.
+
+     872. The battle of Hafrsfirth.
+     874. Begins the settlement of Iceland.
+cca. 897. Thrand and Ufeigh Grettir settle Gnup-Wardsrape.
+cca. 900. Onund Treefoot comes to Iceland.
+cca. 920. Death of Onund Treefoot.
+     929. The Althing established.
+ 997 (?). Grettir born.
+    1000. Christianity sanctioned by law.
+    1004. Skapti Thorodson made lawman.
+    1011. Grettir slays Skeggi; goes abroad, banished for three years.
+    1012. Slaying of Thorir Paunch and his fellows in Haramsey.
+          Earl Eric goes to Denmark.
+    1013. Slaying of Biorn at the Island of Gartar.
+          Slaying of Thorgils Makson. Illugi Asmundson
+          born. Death of Thorkel Krafla.
+    1014. Slaying of Gunnar in Tunsberg. Grettir goes
+          back to Iceland; fights with the men of Meal
+          on Ramfirth-neck. Heath-slayings. Thorgeir
+          Havarson outlawed. Fight with Glam
+          the ghost.
+    1015. Fight of Nesjar in Norway. Slaying of Thorbiorn
+          Tardy. Grettir fares abroad. Burning
+          of the sons of Thorir of Garth. Death of
+          Asmund the Greyhaired.
+    1016. Grettir meets King Olaf; fails to bear iron; goes
+          east to Tunsberg to Thorstein Dromund.
+          Slaying of Atli of Biarg. Grettir outlawed
+          at the Thing for the burning of the sons of
+          Thorir; his return to Iceland. Slaying of
+          Thorbiorn Oxmain and his son Arnor.
+    1017. Grettir at Reek-knolls. Lawsuit for the slaying
+          of Thorbiorn Oxmain. Grettir taken by
+          the Icefirth churls.
+    1018. Grettir at Liarskogar with Thorstein Kuggson;
+          his travels to the East to Skapti the lawman
+          and Thorhall of Tongue, and thence to the
+          Keel-mountain, where he met Hallmund
+          (Air) for the first time.
+    1019-1021. Grettir on Ernewaterheath.
+    1021. Grettir goes to the Marshes.
+    1022-1024. Grettir in Fairwoodfell.
+    1024. Grettir visits Hallmund again.
+    1025. Grettir discovers Thorirs-dale.
+    1025-1026. Grettir travels round by the East; haunts
+          Madderdale-heath and Reek-heath.
+    1026. Thorstein Kuggson slain.
+    1027. Grettir at Sand-heaps in Bard-dale.
+    1028. Grettir haunts the west by Broadfirth-dales,
+          meets Thorod Snorrison.
+    1028-1031. Grettir in Drangey.
+    1029. Grettir visits Heron-ness-thing.
+    1030. Grettir fetches fire from Reeks. Skapti the law
+          man dies.
+    1031. Death of Snorri Godi and Grettir Asmundson.
+    1033. Thorbiorn Angle slain.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+<i>Preface</i>
+
+<i>Chronology of the Story</i>
+
+
+
+
+CHAP.
+
+
+I. XIII. <i>The Forefathers of Grettir</i>
+
+    XIV. <i>Of Grettir as a Child, and his froward ways
+         with his father</i>
+
+     XV. <i>Of the Ball-play on Midfirth Water</i>
+
+    XVI. <i>Of the Slaying of Skeggi</i>
+
+   XVII. <i>Of Grettir's Voyage out</i>
+
+  XVIII. <i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with
+         Karr the Old</i>
+
+    XIX. <i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt
+         with the Bearserks</i>
+
+     XX. <i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i>
+
+    XXI. <i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i>
+
+   XXII. <i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i>
+
+  XXIII. <i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i>
+
+   XXIV. <i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife
+         with Earl Svein</i>
+
+    XXV. <i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>
+
+   XXVI. <i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for
+         the Bloodsuit for the Slaying of Thorgils
+         Makson</i>
+
+  XXVII. <i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>
+
+ XXVIII. <i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>
+
+   XXIX. <i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit</i>
+
+    XXX. <i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy,
+         and of Grettir's meeting with Kormak on
+         Ramfirth-neck</i>
+
+   XXXI. <i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund,
+         as he came back from the Heath-slayings</i>
+
+  XXXII. <i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how
+         Thorhall took a Shepherd by the rede of
+         Skapti the Lawman, and what befell thereafter</i>
+
+ XXXIII. <i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead</i>
+
+  XXXIV. <i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i>
+
+   XXXV. <i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do
+         with Glam</i>
+
+  XXXVI. <i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's Autumn-feast, and the
+         mocks of Thorbiorn Tardy</i>
+
+ XXXVII. <i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying
+         of Thorbiorn Tardy; Grettir goes to
+         Norway</i>
+
+XXXVIII. <i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how
+         Grettir fetched fire for his shipmates</i>
+
+  XXXIX. <i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the
+         King</i>
+
+     XL. <i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i>
+
+    XLI. <i>Of Thorstein Dromund's Arms, and what he
+         deemed they might do</i>
+
+   XLII. <i>Of the Death of Asmund the Greyhaired</i>
+
+  XLIII. <i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying
+         of Gunnar and Thorgeir</i>
+
+   XLIV. <i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir
+         of the Pass</i>
+
+    XLV. <i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i>
+
+   XLVI. <i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of
+         Thorir of Garth</i>
+
+  XLVII. <i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>
+
+ XLVIII. <i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>
+
+   XLIX. <i>The Gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>
+
+      L. <i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i>
+
+     LI. <i>Of the Suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn
+         Oxmain, and how Thorir of Garth would
+         not that Grettir should be made sackless</i>
+
+    LII. <i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i>
+
+   LIII. <i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i>
+
+    LIV. <i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i>
+
+     LV. <i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings
+         with Grim there</i>
+
+    LVI. <i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i>
+
+   LVII. <i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i>
+
+  LVIII. <i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i>
+
+    LIX. <i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i>
+
+     LX. <i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i>
+
+    LXI. <i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding
+         in Thorir's-dale</i>
+
+   LXII. <i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend</i>
+
+  LXIII. <i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he
+         was nigh taking him</i>
+
+   LXIV. <i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest
+         came to the Goodwife there</i>
+
+    LXV. <i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife</i>
+
+   LXVI. <i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i>
+
+  LXVII. <i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i>
+
+ LXVIII. <i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went
+         against Grettir</i>
+
+   LXIX. <i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg,
+         and fared with Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i>
+
+    LXX. <i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i>
+
+   LXXI. <i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i>
+
+  LXXII. <i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i>
+
+ LXXIII. <i>The Handselling of Peace</i>
+
+  LXXIV. <i>Of Grettir's Wrestling; and how Thorbiorn
+         Angle now bought the more part of Drangey</i>
+
+   LXXV. <i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i>
+
+  LXXVI. <i>How Noise let the Fire out on Drangey,
+          and how Grettir must needs go aland for more</i>
+
+  LXXVII. <i>Grettir at the Home-stead of Reeks</i>
+
+ LXXVIII. <i>Of Haering at Drangey, and the end of him</i>
+
+   LXXIX. <i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i>
+
+    LXXX. <i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother
+          out to Drangey</i>
+
+   LXXXI. <i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i>
+
+  LXXXII. <i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i>
+
+ LXXXIII. <i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and
+          set Sail for Drangey</i>
+
+  LXXXIV. <i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i>
+
+   LXXXV. <i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money</i>
+
+  LXXXVI. <i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's
+          Head to Biarg</i>
+
+ LXXXVII. <i>Affairs at the Althing</i>
+
+LXXXVIII. <i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence
+          to Micklegarth</i>
+
+  LXXXIX. <i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known
+          when sought for by reason of the notch in
+          the blade</i>
+
+      XC. <i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from
+          the Dungeon</i>
+
+     XCI. <i>Of the Doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i>
+
+    XCII. <i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i>
+
+   XCIII. <i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i>
+
+    XCIV. <i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway
+          again</i>
+
+     XCV. <i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to
+          Rome and died there</i>
+
+
+<i>Notes and Corrections</i>
+
+<i>Index of Persons</i>
+
+<i>Index of Places</i>
+
+<i>Index of Things</i>
+
+<i>Periphrastic Expressions in the Songs</i>
+
+<i>Proverbial Sayings</i>
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG.
+
+
+<i>This First Part tells of the forefathers of Grettir in Norway, and
+how they fled away before Harald Fairhair, and settled in Iceland; and
+of their deeds in Iceland before Grettir was born</i>.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. I.
+
+
+There was a man named Onund, who was the son of Ufeigh Clubfoot, the
+son of Ivar the Smiter; Onund was brother of Gudbiorg, the mother of
+Gudbrand Ball, the father of Asta, the mother of King Olaf the Saint.
+Onund was an Uplander by the kin of his mother; but the kin of his
+father dwelt chiefly about Rogaland and Hordaland. He was a great
+viking, and went harrying west over the Sea.[4] Balk of Sotanes, the
+son of Blaeng, was with him herein, and Orm the Wealthy withal, and
+Hallvard was the name of the third of them. They had five ships, all
+well manned, and therewith they harried in the South-isles;[5] and
+when they came to Barra, they found there a king, called Kiarval, and
+he, too, had five ships. They gave him battle, and a hard fray there
+was. The men of Onund were of the eagerest, and on either side many
+fell; but the end of it was that the king fled with only one ship.
+So there the men of Onund took both ships and much wealth, and abode
+there through the winter. For three summers they harried throughout
+Ireland and Scotland, and thereafter went to Norway.
+
+[Footnote 4: "West over the Sea," means in the Sagas the British
+isles, and the islands about them--the Hebrides, Orkneys, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 5: South-isles are the Hebrides, and the other islands down
+to Man.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II.
+
+
+In those days were there great troubles in Norway. Harald the
+Unshorn,[6] son of Halfdan the Black, was pushing forth for the
+kingdom. Before that he was King of the Uplands; then he went north
+through the land, and had many battles there, and ever won the day.
+Thereafter he harried south in the land, and wheresoever he came,
+laid all under him; but when he came to Hordaland, swarms of folk came
+thronging against him; and their captains were Kiotvi the Wealthy, and
+Thorir Longchin, and those of South Rogaland, and King Sulki. Geirmund
+Helskin was then in the west over the Sea; nor was he in that battle,
+though he had a kingdom in Hordaland.
+
+[Footnote 6: "Harald the Unshorn:" he was so called at first because
+he made a vow not to cut his hair till he was sole king of Norway.
+When he had attained to this, and Earl Rognvald had taken him to the
+bath and trimmed his hair, he was called "Fair-hair," from its length
+and beauty.]
+
+Now that autumn Onund and his fellows came from the west over the Sea;
+and when Thorir Longchin and King Kiotvi heard thereof, they sent men
+to meet them, and prayed them for help, and promised them honours.
+Then they entered into fellowship with Thorir and his men; for they
+were exceeding fain to try their strength, and said that there would
+they be whereas the fight was hottest.
+
+Now was the meeting with Harald the King in Rogaland, in that firth
+which is called Hafrsfirth; and both sides had many men. This was the
+greatest battle that has ever been fought in Norway, and hereof most
+Sagas tell; for of those is ever most told, of whom the Sagas are
+made; and thereto came folk from all the land, and many from other
+lands and swarms of vikings.
+
+Now Onund laid his ship alongside one board of the ship of Thorir
+Longchin, about the midst of the fleet, but King Harald laid his on
+the other board, because Thorir was the greatest bearserk, and the
+stoutest of men; so the fight was of the fiercest on either side. Then
+the king cried on his bearserks for an onslaught, and they were called
+the Wolf-coats, for on them would no steel bite, and when they set
+on nought might withstand them. Thorir defended him very stoutly, and
+fell in all hardihood on board his ship; then was it cleared from stem
+to stern, and cut from the grapplings, and let drift astern betwixt
+the other ships. Thereafter the king's men laid their ship alongside
+Onund's, and he was in the forepart thereof and fought manly; then the
+king's folk said, "Lo, a forward man in the forecastle there, let him
+have somewhat to mind him how that he was in this battle." Now Onund
+put one foot out over the bulwark and dealt a blow at a man, and even
+therewith a spear was aimed at him, and as he put the blow from him
+he bent backward withal, and one of the king's forecastle men smote
+at him, and the stroke took his leg below the knee and sheared it off,
+and forthwith made him unmeet for fight. Then fell the more part of
+the folk on board his ship; but Onund was brought to the ship of him
+who is called Thrand; he was the son of Biorn, and brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman; he was in the fight against King Harald and lay on the
+other board of Onund's ship.
+
+But now, after these things, the more part of the fleet scattered in
+flight; Thrand and his men, with the other vikings, got them away each
+as he might, and sailed west over the Sea; Onund went with him, and
+Balk and Hallvard Sweeping; Onund was healed, but went with a wooden
+leg all his life after; therefore as long as he lived was he called
+Onund Treefoot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+
+At that time were many great men west over the Sea, such as had fled
+from their lands in Norway before King Harald, because he had made
+all those outlaws, who had met him in battle, and taken to him their
+possessions. So, when Onund was healed of his wounds, he and Thrand
+went to meet Geirmund Helskin, because he was the most famed of
+vikings west there over the Sea, and they asked him whether he had any
+mind to seek after that kingdom which he had in Hordaland, and offered
+him their fellowship herein; for they deemed they had a sore loss of
+their lands there, since Onund was both mighty and of great kin.
+
+Geirmund said that so great had grown the strength of King Harald,
+that he deemed there was little hope that they would win honour in
+their war with him when men had been worsted, even when all the folk
+of the land had been drawn together; and yet withal that he was loth
+to become a king's thrall and pray for that which was his own; that
+he would find somewhat better to do than that; and now, too, he was no
+longer young. So Onund and his fellows went back to the South-isles,
+and there met many of their friends.
+
+There was a man, Ufeigh by name, who was bynamed Grettir; he was the
+son of Einar, the son of Olvir Bairn-Carle; he was brother to Oleif
+the Broad, the father of Thormod Shaft; Steinulf was the name of
+Olvir Bairn-Carle's son, he was the father of Una whom Thorbiorn
+Salmon-Carle had to wife. Another son of Olvir Bairn-Carle was
+Steinmod, the father of Konal, who was the father of Aldis of Barra.
+The son of Konal was Steinmod, the father of Haldora, the wife of
+Eilif, the son of Ketil the Onehanded. Ufeigh Grettir had to wife
+Asny, the daughter of Vestar Haengson; and Asmund the Beardless and
+Asbiorn were the sons of Ufeigh Grettir, but his daughters were these,
+Aldis, and Asa, and Asvor. Ufeigh had fled away west over the Sea
+before Harald the king, and so had Thormod Shaft his kinsman, and had
+with them their kith and kin; and they harried in Scotland, and far
+and wide west beyond the sea.
+
+Now Thrand and Onund Treefoot made west for Ireland to find Eyvind
+the Eastman, Thrand's brother, who was Land-ward along the coasts of
+Ireland; the mother of Eyvind was Hlif, the daughter of Rolf, son of
+Ingiald, the son of King Frodi; but Thrand's mother was Helga, the
+daughter of Ondott the Crow; Biorn was the name of the father of
+Eyvind and Thrand, he was the son of Rolf from Am; he had had to
+flee from Gothland, for that he had burned in his house Sigfast, the
+son-in-law of King Solver; and thereafter had he gone to Norway, and
+was the next winter with Grim the hersir, the son of Kolbiorn the
+Abasher. Now Grim had a mind to murder Biorn for his money, so he
+fled thence to Ondott the Crow, who dwelt in Hvinisfirth in Agdir; he
+received Biorn well, and Biorn was with him in the winter, but was
+in warfare in summer-tide, until Hlif his wife died; and after that
+Ondott gave Biorn Helga his daughter, and then Biorn left off warring.
+
+Now thereon Eyvind took to him the war-ships of his father, and
+was become a great chief west over the Sea; he wedded Rafarta, the
+daughter of Kiarval, King of Ireland; their sons were Helgi the Lean
+and Snaebiorn.
+
+So when Thrand and Onund came to the South-isles, there they met
+Ufeigh Grettir and Thormod Shaft, and great friendship grew up betwixt
+them, for each thought he had gained from hell the last who had been
+left behind in Norway while the troubles there were at the highest.
+But Onund was exceeding moody, and when Thrand marked it, he asked
+what he was brooding over in his mind. Onund answered, and sang this
+stave--
+
+  "What joy since that day can I get
+  When shield-fire's thunder last I met;
+  Ah, too soon clutch the claws of ill;
+  For that axe-edge shall grieve me still.
+  In eyes of fighting man and thane,
+  My strength and manhood are but vain,
+  This is the thing that makes me grow
+  A joyless man; is it enow?"
+
+Thrand answered that whereso he was, he would still be deemed a brave
+man, "And now it is meet for thee to settle down and get married,
+and I would put forth my word and help, if I but knew whereto thou
+lookest."
+
+Onund said he did in manly wise, but that his good hope for matches of
+any gain was gone by now.
+
+Thrand answered, "Ufeigh has a daughter who is called Asa, thitherward
+will we turn if it seem good to thee." Onund showed that he was
+willing enough hereto; so afterwards they talked the matter over with
+Ufeigh; he answered well, and said that he knew how that Onund was a
+man of great kin and rich of chattels; "but his lands," said he, "I
+put at low worth, nor do I deem him to be a hale man, and withal my
+daughter is but a child."
+
+Thrand said, that Onund was a brisker man yet than many who were hale
+of both legs, and so by Thrand's help was this bargain struck; Ufeigh
+was to give his daughter but chattels for dowry, because those lands
+that were in Norway neither would lay down any money for.
+
+A little after Thrand wooed the daughter of Thormod Shaft, and both
+were to sit in troth for three winters.
+
+So thereafter they went a harrying in the summer, but were in Barra in
+the winter-tide.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+
+There were two vikings called Vigbiod and Vestmar; they were
+South-islanders, and lay out both winter and summer; they had thirteen
+ships, and harried mostly in Ireland, and did many an ill deed there
+till Eyvind the Eastman took the land-wardship; thereafter they got
+them gone to the South-isles, and harried there and all about the
+firths of Scotland: against these went Thrand and Onund, and heard
+that they had sailed to that island, which is called Bute. Now Onund
+and his folk came there with five ships; and when the vikings see
+their ships and know how many they are, they deem they have enough
+strength gathered there, and take their weapons and lay their ships in
+the midst betwixt two cliffs, where was a great and deep sound; only
+on one side could they be set on, and that with but five ships at
+once. Now Onund was the wisest of men, and bade lay five ships up into
+the sound, so that he and his might have back way when they would, for
+there was plenty of sea-room astern. On one board of them too was a
+certain island, and under the lee thereof he let one ship lie, and his
+men brought many great stones forth on to the sheer cliffs above, yet
+might not be seen withal from the ships.
+
+Now the vikings laid their ships boldly enough for the attack, and
+thought that the others quailed; and Vigbiod asked who they were that
+were in such jeopardy. Thrand said that he was the brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman, "and here beside me is Onund Treefoot my fellow."
+
+Then laughed the vikings, and shouted--
+
+  "Treefoot, Treefoot, foot of tree,
+  Trolls take thee and thy company."
+
+"Yea, a sight it is seldom seen of us, that such men should go into
+battle as have no might over themselves."
+
+Onund said that they could know nought thereof ere it were tried; and
+withal they laid their ships alongside one of the other, and there
+began a great fight, and either side did boldly. But when they came
+to handy blows, Onund gave back toward the cliff, and when the vikings
+saw this, they deemed he was minded to flee, and made towards his
+ship, and came as nigh to the cliff as they might. But in that very
+point of time those came forth on to the edge of the cliff who were
+appointed so to do, and sent at the vikings so great a flight of
+stones that they might not withstand it.
+
+Then fell many of the viking-folk, and others were hurt so that they
+might not bear weapon; and withal they were fain to draw back, and
+might not, because their ships were even then come into the narrowest
+of the sound, and they were huddled together both by the ships and the
+stream; but Onund and his men set on fiercely, whereas Vigbiod was,
+but Thrand set on Vestmar, and won little thereby; so, when the folk
+were thinned on Vigbiod's ship, Onund's men and Onund himself got
+ready to board her: that Vigbiod saw, and cheered on his men without
+stint: then he turned to meet Onund, and the more part fled before
+him; but Onund bade his men mark how it went between them; for he was
+of huge strength. Now they set a log of wood under Onund's knee, so
+that he stood firmly enow; the viking fought his way forward along the
+ship till he reached Onund, and he smote at him with his sword, and
+the stroke took the shield, and sheared off all it met; and then the
+sword drove into the log that Onund had under his knee, and stuck fast
+therein; and Vigbiod stooped in drawing it out, and even therewith
+Onund smote at his shoulder in such wise, that he cut the arm from off
+him, and then was the viking unmeet for battle.
+
+But when Vestmar knew that his fellow was fallen, he leaped into
+the furthermost ship and fled with all those who might reach her.
+Thereafter they ransacked the fallen men; and by then was Vigbiod nigh
+to his death: Onund went up to him, and sang--
+
+  "Yea, seest thou thy wide wounds bleed?
+  What of shrinking didst thou heed
+  In the one-foot sling of gold?
+  What scratch here dost thou behold?
+  And in e'en such wise as this
+  Many an axe-breaker there is
+  Strong of tongue and weak of hand:
+  Tried thou wert, and might'st not stand."
+
+So there they took much spoil and sailed back to Barra in the autumn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. V.
+
+
+The summer after this they made ready to fare west to Ireland. But at
+that time Balk and Hallvard betook themselves from the lands west over
+the sea, and went out to Iceland, for from thence came tales of land
+good to choose. Balk settled land in Ramfirth and dwelt at either
+Balkstead; Hallvard settled Sweepingsfirth, and Hallwick out to the
+Stair, and dwelt there.
+
+Now Thrand and Onund met Eyvind the Eastman, and he received his
+brother well; but when he knew that Onund was come with him, then he
+waxed wroth, and would fain set on him. Thrand bade him do it not, and
+said that it was not for him to wage war against Northmen, and
+least of all such men as fared peaceably. Eyvind said that he fared
+otherwise before, and had broken the peace of Kiarval the King, and
+that he should now pay for all. Many words the brothers had over this,
+till Thrand said at last that one fate should befall both him and
+Onund; and then Eyvind let himself be appeased.
+
+So they dwelt there long that summer, and went on warfare with Eyvind,
+who found Onund to be the bravest of men. In the autumn they fared to
+the South-isles, and Eyvind gave to Thrand to take all the heritage of
+their father, if Biorn should die before Thrand.
+
+Now were the twain in the South-isles until they wedded their wives,
+and some winters after withal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VI.
+
+
+And now it came to pass that Biorn, the father of Thrand, died; and
+when Grim the hersir hears thereof he went to meet Ondott Crow, and
+claimed the goods left by Biorn; but Ondott said that Thrand had the
+heritage after his father; Grim said that Thrand was west over seas,
+and that Biorn was a Gothlander of kin, and that the king took the
+heritage of all outland men. Ondott said that he should keep the goods
+for the hands of Thrand, his daughter's son; and therewith Grim gat
+him gone, and had nought for his claiming the goods.
+
+Now Thrand had news of his father's death, and straightway got ready
+to go from the South-isles, and Onund Treefoot with him; but Ufeigh
+Grettir and Thormod Shaft went out to Iceland with their kith and kin,
+and came out to the Eres in the south country, and dwelt the first
+winter with Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle.
+
+Thereafter they settled Gnup-Wards'-rape, Ufeigh, the outward part,
+between Thwart-river and Kalf-river, and he dwelt at Ufeigh's-stead
+by Stone-holt; but Thormod settled the eastward part, and abode at
+Shaft-holt.
+
+The daughters of Thormod were these: Thorvor, mother of Thorod the
+Godi[7] of Hailti, and Thora, mother of Thorstein, the Godi, the
+father of Biarni the Sage.
+
+[Footnote 7: "Godi" is the name for the rulers of the thirty-nine
+districts into which the republic of Iceland was anciently divided.
+While the ancient religion lasted, their office combined in itself the
+highest civil and sacerdotal functions.]
+
+Now it is to be said of Thrand and Onund that they sailed from the
+lands west over the Sea toward Norway, and had fair wind, and such
+speed, that no rumour of their voyage was abroad till they came to
+Ondott Crow.
+
+He gave Thrand good welcome, and told him how Grim the hersir had
+claimed the heritage left by Biorn. "Meeter it seems to me,
+kinsman," said he, "that thou take the heritage of thy father and not
+king's-thralls; good luck has befallen thee, in that none knows of thy
+coming, but it misdoubts me that Grim will come upon one or other
+of us if he may; therefore I would that thou shouldst take the
+inheritance to thee, and get thee gone to other lands."
+
+Thrand said that so he would do, he took to him the chattels and got
+away from Norway at his speediest; but before he sailed into the sea,
+he asked Onund Treefoot whether he would not make for Iceland with
+him; Onund said he would first go see his kin and friends in the south
+country.
+
+Thrand said, "Then must we part now, but I would that thou shouldst
+aid my kin, for on them will vengeance fall if I get off clear; but
+to Iceland shall I go, and I would that thou withal shouldst make that
+journey."
+
+Onund gave his word to all, and they parted in good love. So Thrand
+went to Iceland, and Ufeigh and Thormod Shaft received him well.
+Thrand dwelt at Thrand's-holt, which is west of Steer's-river.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VII.
+
+
+Onund went south to Rogaland, and met there many of his kin and
+friends; he dwelt there in secret at a man's called Kolbein. Now he
+heard that the king had taken his lands to him and set a man thereover
+who was called Harek, who was a farmer of the king's; so on a night
+Onund went to him, and took him in his house; there Harek was led out
+and cut down, and Onund took all the chattels they found and burnt the
+homestead; and thereafter he abode in many places that winter.
+
+But that autumn Grim the hersir slew Ondott Crow, because he might
+not get the heritage-money for the king; and that same night of his
+slaying, Signy, his wife, brought aboard ship all her chattels, and
+fared with her sons, Asmund and Asgrim, to Sighvat her father; but a
+little after sent her sons to Soknadale to Hedin her foster-father;
+but that seemed good to them but for a little while, and they would
+fain go back again to their mother; so they departed and came at
+Yule-tide to Ingiald the Trusty at Hvin; he took them in because of
+the urgency of Gyda his wife, and they were there the winter through.
+But in spring came Onund north to Agdir, because he had heard of the
+slaying of Ondott Crow; but when he found Signy he asked her what help
+she would have of him.
+
+She said that she would fain have vengeance on Grim the hersir for
+the slaying of Ondott. Then were the sons of Ondott sent for, and when
+they met Onund Treefoot, they made up one fellowship together, and
+had spies abroad on the doings of Grim. Now in the summer was a great
+ale-drinking held at Grim's, because he had bidden to him Earl Audun;
+and when Onund and the sons of Ondott knew thereof they went to
+Grim's homestead and laid fire to the house, for they were come there
+unawares, and burnt Grim the hersir therein, and nigh thirty men, and
+many good things they took there withal. Then went Onund to the
+woods, but the sons of Ondott took a boat of Ingiald's, their
+foster-father's, and rowed away therein, and lay hid a little way off
+the homestead. Earl Audun came to the feast, even as had been settled
+afore, and there "missed friend from stead." Then he gathered men to
+him, and dwelt there some nights, but nought was heard of Onund and
+his fellows; and the Earl slept in a loft with two men.
+
+Onund had full tidings from the homestead, and sent after those
+brothers; and, when they met, Onund asked them whether they would
+watch the farm or fall on the Earl; but they chose to set on the Earl.
+So they drove beams at the loft-doors and broke them in; then Asmund
+caught hold of the two who were with the Earl, and cast them down so
+hard that they were well-nigh slain; but Asgrim ran at the Earl, and
+bade him render up weregild for his father, since he had been in
+the plot and the onslaught with Grim the hersir when Ondott Crow was
+slain. The Earl said he had no money with him there, and prayed for
+delay of that payment. Then Asgrim set his spear-point to the Earl's
+breast and bade him pay there and then; so the Earl took a chain from
+his neck, and three gold rings, and a cloak of rich web, and gave them
+up. Asgrim took the goods and gave the Earl a name, and called him
+Audun Goaty.
+
+But when the bonders and neighbouring folk were ware that war was come
+among them, they went abroad and would bring help to the Earl, and a
+hard fight there was, for Onund had many men, and there fell many good
+bonders and courtmen of the Earl. Now came the brothers, and told how
+they had fared with the Earl, and Onund said that it was ill that he
+was not slain, "that would have been somewhat of a revenge on the King
+for our loss at his hands of fee and friends." They said that this
+was a greater shame to the Earl; and therewith they went away up to
+Sorreldale to Eric Alefain, a king's lord, and he took them in for all
+the winter.
+
+Now at Yule they drank turn and turn about with a man called
+Hallstein, who was bynamed Horse; Eric gave the first feast, well and
+truly, and then Hallstein gave his, but thereat was there bickering
+between them, and Hallstein smote Eric with a deer-horn; Eric gat no
+revenge therefor, but went home straightway. This sore misliked
+the sons of Ondott, and a little after Asgrim fared to Hallstein's
+homestead, and went in alone, and gave him a great wound, but those
+who were therein sprang up and set on Asgrim. Asgrim defended himself
+well and got out of their hands in the dark; but they deemed they had
+slain him.
+
+Onund and Asmund heard thereof and supposed him dead, but deemed they
+might do nought. Eric counselled them to make for Iceland, and said
+that would be of no avail to abide there in the land (i.e. in Norway),
+as soon as the king should bring matters about to his liking. So
+this they did, and made them ready for Iceland and had each one ship.
+Hallstein lay wounded, and died before Onund and his folk sailed.
+Kolbein withal, who is afore mentioned, went abroad with Onund.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VIII.
+
+
+Now Onund and Asmund sailed into the sea when they were ready, and
+held company together; then sang Onund this stave--
+
+  "Meet was I in days agone
+  For storm, wherein the Sweeping One,
+  Midst rain of swords, and the darts' breath,
+  Blew o'er all a gale of death.
+  Now a maimed, one-footed man
+  On rollers' steed through waters wan
+  Out to Iceland must I go;
+  Ah, the skald is sinking low."
+
+They had a hard voyage of it and much of baffling gales from the
+south, and drove north into the main; but they made Iceland, and were
+by then come to the north off Longness when they found where they
+were: so little space there was betwixt them that they spake together;
+and Asmund said that they had best sail to Islefirth, and thereto they
+both agreed; then they beat up toward the land, and a south-east wind
+sprang up; but when Onund and his folk laid the ship close to the
+wind, the yard was sprung; then they took in sail, and therewith were
+driven off to sea; but Asmund got under the lee of Brakeisle, and
+there lay till a fair wind brought him into Islefirth; Helgi the Lean
+gave him all Kraeklings' lithe, and he dwelt at South Glass-river;
+Asgrim his brother came out some winters later and abode at North
+Glass-river; he was the father of Ellida-Grim, the father of Asgrim
+Ellida-Grimson.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IX.
+
+
+Now it is to be told of Onund Treefoot that he drave out to sea for
+certain days, but at last the wind got round to the north, and they
+sailed for land: then those knew who had been there before that they
+had come west off the Skagi; then they sailed into Strand-Bay, and
+near to the South-Strands, and there rowed toward them six men in
+a ten-oared boat, who hailed the big ship, and asked who was their
+captain; Onund named himself, and asked whence they came; they said
+they were house-carles of Thorvald, from Drangar; Onund asked if all
+land through the Strands had been settled; they said there was little
+unsettled in the inner Strands, and none north thereof. Then Onund
+asked his shipmates, whether they would make for the west country, or
+take such as they had been told of; they chose to view the land first.
+So they sailed in up the bay, and brought to in a creek off Arness,
+then put forth a boat and rowed to land. There dwelt a rich man,
+Eric Snare, who had taken land betwixt Ingolfs-firth, and Ufoera in
+Fishless; but when Eric knew that Onund was come there, he bade him
+take of his hands whatso he would, but said that there was little that
+had not been settled before. Onund said he would first see what there
+was, so they went landward south past some firths, till they came to
+Ufoera; then said Eric, "Here is what there is to look to; all from
+here is unsettled, and right in to the settlements of Biorn." Now a
+great mountain went down the eastern side of the firth, and snow had
+fallen thereon, Onund looked on that mountain, and sang--
+
+  "Brand-whetter's life awry doth go.
+  Fair lands and wide full well I know;
+  Past house, and field, and fold of man,
+  The swift steed of the rollers ran:
+  My lands, and kin, I left behind,
+  That I this latter day might find,
+  Coldback for sunny meads to have;
+  Hard fate a bitter bargain drave."
+
+Eric answered, "Many have lost so much in Norway, that it may not be
+bettered: and I think withal that most lands in the main-settlements
+are already settled, and therefore I urge thee not to go from hence;
+but I shall hold to what I spake, that thou mayst have whatso of my
+lands seems meet to thee." Onund said, that he would take that offer,
+and so he settled land out from Ufoera over the three creeks, Byrgis
+Creek, Kolbein's Creek, and Coldback Creek, up to Coldback Cleft.
+Thereafter Eric gave him all Fishless, and Reekfirth, and all
+Reekness, out on that side of the firth; but as to drifts there was
+nought set forth, for they were then so plentiful that every man had
+of them what he would. Now Onund set up a household at Coldback, and
+had many men about him; but when his goods began to grow great he had
+another stead in Reekfirth. Kolbein dwelt at Kolbein's Creek. So Onund
+abode in peace for certain winters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. X.
+
+
+Now Onund was so brisk a man, that few, even of whole men, could cope
+with him; and his name withal was well known throughout the land,
+because of his forefathers. After these things, befell that strife
+betwixt Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn Earl's-champion, which had such
+ending, that Ufeigh fell before Thorbiorn in Grettir's-Gill, near
+Heel. There were many drawn together to the sons of Ufeigh concerning
+the blood-suit, and Onund Treefoot was sent for, and rode south in
+the spring, and guested at Hvamm, with Aud the Deeply-wealthy, and
+she gave him exceeding good welcome, because he had been with her west
+over the Sea. In those days, Olaf Feilan, her son's son, was a man
+full grown, and Aud was by then worn with great eld; she bade Onund
+know that she would have Olaf, her kinsman, married, and was fain that
+he should woo Aldis of Barra, who was cousin to Asa, whom Onund had to
+wife. Onund deemed the matter hopeful, and Olaf rode south with him.
+So when Onund met his friends and kin-in-law they bade him abide with
+them: then was the suit talked over, and was laid to Kialarnes Thing,
+for as then the Althing was not yet set up. So the case was settled
+by umpiredom, and heavy weregild came for the slayings, and Thorbiorn
+Earl's-champion was outlawed. His son was Solmund, the father of Kari
+the Singed; father and son dwelt abroad a long time afterwards.
+
+Thrand bade Onund and Olaf to his house, and so did Thormod Shaft, and
+they backed Olaf's wooing, which was settled with ease, because men
+knew how mighty a woman Aud was. So the bargain was made, and, so much
+being done, Onund rode home, and Aud thanked him well for his help to
+Olaf. That autumn Olaf Feilan wedded Aldis of Barra; and then died Aud
+the Deeply-wealthy, as is told in the story of the Laxdale men.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XI.
+
+
+Onund and Asa had two sons; the elder was called Thorgeir, the younger
+Ufeigh Grettir; but Asa soon died. Thereafter Onund got to wife a
+woman called Thordis, the daughter of Thorgrim, from Gnup in Midfirth,
+and akin to Midfirth Skeggi. Of her Onund had a son called Thorgrim;
+he was early a big man, and a strong, wise, and good withal in matters
+of husbandry. Onund dwelt on at Coldback till he was old, then he died
+in his bed, and is buried in Treefoot's barrow; he was the briskest
+and lithest of one-footed men who have ever lived in Iceland.
+
+Now Thorgrim took the lead among the sons of Onund, though others of
+them were older than he; but when he was twenty-five years old he
+grew grey-haired, and therefore was he bynamed Greypate; Thordis, his
+mother, was afterwards wedded north in Willowdale, to Audun Skokul,
+and their son was Asgeir, of Asgeir's-River. Thorgrim Greypate and
+his brothers had great possessions in common, nor did they divide the
+goods between them. Now Eric, who farmed at Arness, as is aforesaid,
+had to wife Alof, daughter of Ingolf, of Ingolfs-firth; and Flosi was
+the name of their son, a hopeful man, and of many friends. In those
+days three brothers came out hither, Ingolf, Ufeigh, and Eyvind, and
+settled those three firths that are known by their names, and there
+dwelt afterwards. Olaf was the name of Eyvind's son, he first dwelt
+at Eyvind's-firth, and after at Drangar, and was a man to hold his own
+well.
+
+Now there was no strife betwixt these men while their elders were
+alive; but when Eric died, it seemed to Flosi, that those of Coldback
+had no lawful title to the lands which Eric had given to Onund; and
+from this befell much ill-blood betwixt them; but Thorgrim and his
+kin still held their lands as before, but they might not risk having
+sports together. Now Thorgeir was head-man of the household of those
+brothers in Reekfirth, and would ever be rowing out a-fishing, because
+in those days were the firths full of fish; so those in the Creek
+made up their plot; a man there was, a house-carle of Flosi in Arness,
+called Thorfin, him Flosi sent for Thorgeir's head, and he went and
+hid himself in the boat-stand; that morning, Thorgeir got ready to row
+out to sea, and two men with him, one called Hamund, the other Brand.
+Thorgeir went first, and had on his back a leather bottle and drink
+therein. It was very dark, and as he walked down from the boat-stand
+Thorfin ran at him, and smote him with an axe betwixt the shoulders,
+and the axe sank in, and the bottle squeaked, but he let go the axe,
+for he deemed that there would be little need of binding up, and would
+save himself as swiftly as might be; and it is to be told of him that
+he ran off to Arness, and came there before broad day, and told of
+Thorgeir's slaying, and said that he should have need of Flosi's
+shelter, and that the only thing to be done was to offer atonement,
+"for that of all things," said he, "is like to better our strait,
+great as it has now grown."
+
+Flosi said that he would first hear tidings; "and I am minded to think
+that thou art afraid after thy big deed."
+
+Now it is to be said of Thorgeir, that he turned from the blow as the
+axe smote the bottle, nor had he any wound; they made no search
+for the man because of the dark, so they rowed over the firths to
+Coldback, and told tidings of what had happed; thereat folk made much
+mocking, and called Thorgeir, Bottleback, and that was his by-name
+ever after.
+
+And this was sung withal--
+
+  "The brave men of days of old,
+  Whereof many a tale is told,
+  Bathed the whiting of the shield,
+  In wounds' house on battle-field;
+  But the honour-missing fool,
+  Both sides of his slaying tool,
+  Since faint heart his hand made vain.
+  With but curdled milk must stain."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XII.
+
+
+In those days befell such hard times in Iceland, that nought like them
+has been known there; well-nigh all gettings from the sea, and all
+drifts, came to an end; and this went on for many seasons. One autumn
+certain chapmen in a big ship were drifted thither, and were wrecked
+there in the Creek, and Flosi took to him four or five of them; Stein
+was the name of their captain; they were housed here and there about
+the Creek, and were minded to build them a new ship from the wreck;
+but they were unhandy herein, and the ship was over small stem and
+stern, but over big amidships.
+
+That spring befell a great storm from the north, which lasted near a
+week, and after the storm men looked after their drifts. Now there was
+a man called Thorstein, who dwelt at Reekness; he found a whale driven
+up on the firthward side of the ness, at a place called Rib-Skerries,
+and the whale was a big whale.
+
+Thorstein sent forthwith a messenger to Wick to Flosi, and so to the
+nighest farm-steads. Now Einar was the name of the farmer at Combe,
+and he was a tenant of those of Coldback, and had the ward of their
+drifts on that side of the firths; and now withal he was ware of the
+stranding of the whale: and he took boat and rowed past the firths to
+Byrgis Creek, whence he sent a man to Coldback; and when Thorgrim and
+his brothers heard that, they got ready at their swiftest, and were
+twelve in a ten-oared boat, and Kolbein's sons fared with them, Ivar
+and Leif, and were six altogether; and all farmers who could bring it
+about went to the whale.
+
+Now it is to be told of Flosi that he sent to his kin in Ingolfs-firth
+and Ufeigh's-firth, and for Olaf Eyvindson, who then dwelt at Drangar;
+and Flosi came first to the whale, with the men of Wick, then they
+fell to cutting up the whale, and what was cut was forthwith sent
+ashore; near twenty men were thereat at first, but soon folk came
+thronging thither.
+
+Therewith came those of Coldback in four boats, and Thorgrim laid
+claim to the whale and forbade the men of Wick to shear, allot, or
+carry off aught thereof: Flosi bade him show if Eric had given Onund
+Treefoot the drift in clear terms, or else he said he should defend
+himself with arms. Thorgrim thought he and his too few, and would not
+risk an onset; but therewithal came a boat rowing up the firth, and
+the rowers therein pulled smartly. Soon they came up, and there was
+Swan, from Knoll in Biornfirth, and his house-carles; and straightway,
+when he came, he bade Thorgrim not to let himself be robbed; and great
+friends they had been heretofore, and now Swan offered his aid. The
+brothers said they would take it, and therewith set on fiercely;
+Thorgeir Bottleback first mounted the whale against Flosi's
+house-carles; there the aforenamed Thorfin was cutting the whale, he
+was in front nigh the head, and stood in a foot-hold he had cut for
+himself; then Thorgeir said, "Herewith I bring thee back thy axe," and
+smote him on the neck, and struck off his head.
+
+Flosi was up on the foreshore when he saw that, and he egged on his
+men to meet them hardily; now they fought long together, but those of
+Coldback had the best of it: few men there had weapons except the axes
+wherewith they were cutting up the whale, and some choppers. So the
+men of Wick gave back to the foreshores; the Eastmen had weapons,
+and many a wound they gave; Stein, the captain, smote a foot off
+Ivar Kolbeinson, but Leif, Ivar's brother, beat to death a fellow of
+Stein's with a whale-rib; blows were dealt there with whatever could
+be caught at, and men fell on either side. But now came up Olaf and
+his men from Drangar in many boats, and gave help to Flosi, and then
+those of Coldback were borne back overpowered; but they had loaded
+their boats already, and Swan bade get aboard and thitherward they
+gave back, and the men of Wick came on after them; and when Swan was
+come down to the sea, he smote at Stein, the sea-captain, and gave him
+a great wound, and then leapt aboard his boat; Thorgrim wounded Flosi
+with a great wound and therewith got away; Olaf cut at Ufeigh Grettir,
+and wounded him to death; but Thorgeir caught Ufeigh up and leapt
+aboard with him. Now those of Coldback row east by the firths, and
+thus they parted; and this was sung of their meeting--
+
+  At Rib-skerries, I hear folk tell,
+  A hard and dreadful fray befell,
+  For men unarmed upon that day
+  With strips of whale-fat made good play.
+  Fierce steel-gods these in turn did meet
+  With blubber-slices nowise sweet;
+  Certes a wretched thing it is
+  To tell of squabbles such as this.
+
+After these things was peace settled between them, and these suits
+were laid to the Althing; there Thorod the Godi and Midfirth-Skeggi,
+with many of the south-country folk, aided those of Coldback; Flosi
+was outlawed, and many of those who had been with him; and his moneys
+were greatly drained because he chose to pay up all weregild himself.
+Thorgrim and his folk could not show that they had paid money for the
+lands and drifts which Flosi claimed. Thorkel Moon was lawman then,
+and he was bidden to give his decision; he said that to him it seemed
+law, that something had been paid for those lands, though mayhap
+not their full worth; "For so did Steinvor the Old to Ingolf, my
+grandfather, that she had from him all Rosmwhale-ness and gave
+therefor a spotted cloak, nor has that gift been voided, though certes
+greater flaws be therein: but here I lay down my rede," said he, "that
+the land be shared, and that both sides have equal part therein; and
+henceforth be it made law, that each man have the drifts before
+his own lands." Now this was done, and the land was so divided that
+Thorgrim and his folk had to give up Reekfirth and all the lands by
+the firth-side, but Combe they were to keep still. Ufeigh was atoned
+with a great sum; Thorfin was unatoned, and boot was given to Thorgeir
+for the attack on his life; and thereafter were they set at one
+together. Flosi took ship for Norway with Stein, the ship-master, and
+sold his lands in the Wick to Geirmund Hiuka-timber, who dwelt there
+afterwards. Now that ship which the chapmen had made was very broad of
+beam, so that men called it the Treetub, and by that name is the
+creek known: but in that keel did Flosi go out, but was driven back to
+Axefirth, whereof came the tale of Bodmod, and Grimulf, and Gerpir.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIII.
+
+
+Now after this the brothers Thorgrim and Thorgeir shared their
+possessions. Thorgrim took the chattels and Thorgeir the land;
+Thorgrim betook himself to Midfirth and bought land at Biarg by the
+counsel of Skeggi; he had to wife Thordis, daughter of Asmund of
+Asmund's-peak, who had settled the Thingere lands: Thorgrim and
+Thordis had a son who was called Asmund; he was a big man and a
+strong, wise withal, and the fairest-haired of men, but his head grew
+grey early, wherefore he was called Asmund the Greyhaired. Thorgrim
+grew to be a man very busy about his household, and kept all his men
+well to their work. Asmund would do but little work, so the father and
+son had small fellowship together; and so things fared till Asmund had
+grown of age; then he asked his father for travelling money;
+Thorgrim said he should have little enough, but gave him somewhat of
+huckstering wares.
+
+Then Asmund went abroad, and his goods soon grew great; he sailed to
+sundry lands, and became the greatest of merchants, and very rich; he
+was a man well beloved and trusty, and many kinsmen he had in Norway
+of great birth.
+
+One autumn he guested east in the Wick with a great man who was called
+Thorstein; he was an Uplander of kin, and had a sister called Ranveig,
+one to be chosen before all women; her Asmund wooed, and gained her by
+the help of Thorstein her brother; and there Asmund dwelt a while
+and was held in good esteem: he had of Ranveig a son hight Thorstein,
+strong, and the fairest of men, and great of voice; a man tall of
+growth he was, but somewhat slow in his mien, and therefore was he
+called Dromund. Now when Thorstein was nigh grown up, his mother fell
+sick and died, and thereafter Asmund had no joy in Norway; the kin
+of Thorstein's mother took his goods, and him withal to foster; but
+Asmund betook himself once more to seafaring, and became a man of
+great renown. Now he brought his ship into Hunawater, and in those
+days was Thorkel Krafla chief over the Waterdale folk; and he heard
+of Asmund's coming out, and rode to the ship and bade Asmund to his
+house; and he dwelt at Marstead in Waterdale; so Asmund went to
+be guest there. This Thorkel was the son of Thorgrim the Godi of
+Cornriver, and was a very wise man.
+
+Now this was after the coming out of Bishop Frederick, and Thorvald
+Kodran's son, and they dwelt at the Brooks-meet, when these things
+came to pass: they were the first to preach the law of Christ in the
+north country; Thorkel let himself be signed with the cross and
+many men with him, and things enow betid betwixt the bishop and the
+north-country folk which come not into this tale.
+
+Now at Thorkel's was a woman brought up, Asdis by name, who was the
+daughter of Bard, the son of Jokul, the son of Ingimund the Old, the
+son of Thorstein, the son of Ketil the Huge: the mother of Asdis was
+Aldis the daughter of Ufeigh Grettir, as is aforesaid; Asdis was as
+yet unwedded, and was deemed the best match among women, both for her
+kin and her possessions; Asmund was grown weary of seafaring, and
+was fain to take up his abode in Iceland; so he took up the word, and
+wooed this woman. Thorkel knew well all his ways, that he was a rich
+man and of good counsel to hold his wealth; so that came about, that
+Asmund got Asdis to wife; he became a bosom friend of Thorkel, and
+a great dealer in matters of farming, cunning in the law, and
+far-reaching. And now a little after this Thorgrim Greypate died at
+Biarg, and Asmund took the heritage after him and dwelt there.
+
+
+
+
+HERE BEGINS THE STORY OF THE LIFE
+OF GRETTIR THE STRONG
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIV.
+
+<i>Of Grettir as a child, and his froward ways with his father</i>.
+
+
+Asmund the Greyhaired kept house at Biarg; great and proud was his
+household, and many men he had about him, and was a man much beloved.
+These were the children of him and Asdis. Atli was the eldest son;
+a man yielding and soft-natured, easy, and meek withal, and all men
+liked him well: another son they had called Grettir; he was very
+froward in his childhood; of few words, and rough; worrying both in
+word and deed. Little fondness he got from his father Asmund, but his
+mother loved him right well.
+
+Grettir Asmundson was fair to look on, broad-faced, short-faced,
+red-haired, and much freckled; not of quick growth in his childhood.
+
+Thordis was a daughter of Asmund, whom Glum, the son of Uspak, the
+son of Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, afterwards had to wife. Ranveig was
+another daughter of Asmund; she was the wife of Gamli, the son of
+Thorhal, the son of the Vendlander; they kept house at Meals in
+Ramfirth; their son was Grim. The son of Glum and Thordis, the
+daughter of Asmund, was Uspak, who quarrelled with Odd, the son of
+Ufeigh, as is told in the Bandamanna Saga.
+
+Grettir grew up at Biarg till he was ten years old; then he began to
+get on a little; but Asmund bade him do some work; Grettir answered
+that work was not right meet for him, but asked what he should do.
+
+Says Asmund, "Thou shalt watch my home-geese."
+
+Grettir answered and said, "A mean work, a milksop's work."
+
+Asmund said, "Turn it well out of hand, and then matters shall get
+better between us."
+
+Then Grettir betook himself to watching the home-geese; fifty of them
+there were, with many goslings; but no long time went by before he
+found them a troublesome drove, and the goslings slow-paced withal.
+Thereat he got sore worried, for little did he keep his temper in
+hand. So some time after this, wayfaring men found the goslings strewn
+about dead, and the home-geese broken-winged; and this was in autumn.
+Asmund was mightily vexed hereat, and asked if Grettir had killed the
+fowl: he sneered mockingly, and answered--
+
+  "Surely as winter comes, shall I
+  Twist the goslings' necks awry.
+  If in like case are the geese,
+  I have finished each of these."
+
+"Thou shalt kill them no more," said Asmund.
+
+"Well, <i>a friend should warn a friend of ill</i>," said Grettir.
+
+"Another work shall be found for thee then," said Asmund.
+
+"<i>More one knows the more one tries</i>," said Grettir; "and what
+shall I do now?"
+
+Asmund answered, "Thou shalt rub my back at the fire, as I have been
+wont to have it done."
+
+"Hot for the hand, truly," said Grettir; "but still a milksop's work."
+
+Now Grettir went on with this work for a while; but autumn came on,
+and Asmund became very fain of heat, and he spurs Grettir on to rub
+his back briskly. Now, in those times there were wont to be large
+fire-halls at the homesteads, wherein men sat at long fires in the
+evenings; boards were set before the men there, and afterwards folk
+slept out sideways from the fires; there also women worked at the wool
+in the daytime. Now, one evening, when Grettir had to rub Asmund's
+back, the old carle said,--
+
+"Now thou wilt have to put away thy sloth, thou milk-sop."
+
+Says Grettir, "<i>Ill is it to goad the foolhardy</i>."
+
+Asmund answers, "Thou wilt ever be a good-for-nought."
+
+Now Grettir sees where, in one of the seats stood wool-combs: one of
+these he caught up, and let it go all down Asmund's back. He sprang
+up, and was mad wroth thereat; and was going to smite Grettir with
+his staff, but he ran off. Then came the housewife, and asked what was
+this to-do betwixt them. Then Grettir answered by this ditty--
+
+  "This jewel-strewer, O ground of gold,
+  (His counsels I deem over bold),
+  On both these hands that trouble sow,
+  (Ah bitter pain) will burn me now;
+
+  Therefore with wool-comb's nails unshorn
+  Somewhat ring-strewer's back is torn:
+  The hook-clawed bird that wrought his wound,--
+  Lo, now I see it on the ground."
+
+Hereupon was his mother sore vexed, that he should have taken to a
+trick like this; she said he would never fail to be the most reckless
+of men. All this nowise bettered matters between Asmund and Grettir.
+
+Now, some time after this, Asmund had a talk with Grettir, that he
+should watch his horses. Grettir said this was more to his mind than
+the back-rubbing.
+
+"Then shalt thou do as I bid thee," said Asmund. "I have a dun mare,
+which I call Keingala; she is so wise as to shifts of weather, thaws,
+and the like, that rough weather will never fail to follow, when she
+will not go out on grazing. At such times thou shalt lock the horses
+up under cover; but keep them to grazing on the mountain neck yonder,
+when winter comes on. Now I shall deem it needful that thou turn this
+work out of hand better than the two I have set thee to already."
+
+Grettir answered, "This is a cold work and a manly, but I deem it ill
+to trust in the mare, for I know none who has done it yet."
+
+Now Grettir took to the horse-watching, and so the time went on till
+past Yule-time; then came on much cold weather with snow, that made
+grazing hard to come at. Now Grettir was ill clad, and as yet little
+hardened, and he began to be starved by the cold; but Keingala grazed
+away in the windiest place she could find, let the weather be as rough
+as it would. Early as she might go to the pasture, never would she go
+back to stable before nightfall. Now Grettir deemed that he must think
+of some scurvy trick or other, that Keingala might be paid in full
+for her way of grazing: so, one morning early, he comes to the
+horse-stable, opens it, and finds Keingala standing all along before
+the crib; for, whatever food was given to the horses with her, it was
+her way to get it all to herself. Grettir got on her back, and had a
+sharp knife in his hand, and drew it right across Keingala's shoulder,
+and then all along both sides of the back. Thereat the mare, being
+both fat and shy, gave a mad bound, and kicked so fiercely, that her
+hooves clattered against the wall. Grettir fell off; but, getting
+on his legs, strove to mount her again. Now their struggle is of the
+sharpest, but the end of it is, that he flays off the whole of the
+strip along the back to the loins. Thereafter he drove the horses out
+on grazing; Keingala would bite but at her back, and when noon was
+barely past, she started off, and ran back to the house. Grettir now
+locks the stable and goes home. Asmund asked Grettir where the horses
+were. He said that he had stabled them as he was wont. Asmund said
+that rough weather was like to be at hand, as the horses would not
+keep at their grazing in such good weather as now it was.
+
+Grettir said, "<i>Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust</i>."
+
+Now the night goes by, but no rough weather came on. Grettir drove off
+the horses, but Keingala cannot bear the grazing. This seemed strange
+to Asmund, as the weather changed in nowise from what it had been
+theretofore. The third morning Asmund went to the horses, and, coming
+to Keingala, said,--
+
+"I must needs deem these horses to be in sorry case, good as the
+winter has been, but thy sides will scarce lack flesh, my dun."
+
+"<i>Things boded will happen</i>," said Grettir, "<i>but so will
+things unboded</i>."
+
+Asmund stroked the back of the mare, and, lo, the hide came off
+beneath his hand; he wondered how this could have happened, and said
+it was likely to be Grettir's doing. Grettir sneered mockingly, but
+said nought. Now goodman Asmund went home talking as one mad; he went
+straight to the fire-hall, and as he came heard the good wife say,
+"It were good indeed if the horse-keeping of my kinsman had gone off
+well."
+
+Then Asmund sang this stave--
+
+  "Grettir has in such wise played,
+  That Keingala has he flayed,
+  Whose trustiness would be my boast
+  (Proudest women talk the most);
+  So the cunning lad has wrought,
+  Thinking thereby to do nought
+  Of my biddings any more.
+  In thy mind turn these words o'er."
+
+The housewife answered, "I know not which is least to my mind, that
+thou shouldst ever be bidding him work, or that he should turn out all
+his work in one wise."
+
+"That too we will make an end of," said Asmund, "but he shall fare the
+worse therefor."
+
+Then Grettir said, "Well, let neither make words about it to the
+other."
+
+So things went on awhile, and Asmund had Keingala killed; and many
+other scurvy tricks did Grettir in his childhood whereof the story
+says nought. But he grew great of body, though his strength was not
+well known, for he was unskilled in wrestling; he would make ditties
+and rhymes, but was somewhat scurrilous therein. He had no will to lie
+anight in the fire-hall and was mostly of few words.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XV.
+
+<i>Of the ball-play on Midfirth Water</i>.
+
+
+At this time there were many growing up to be men in Midfirth;
+Skald-Torfa dwelt at Torfa's-stead in those days; her son was called
+Bessi, he was the shapeliest of men and a good skald.
+
+At Meal lived two brothers, Kormak and Thorgils, with them a man
+called Odd was fostered, and was called the Foundling-skald.
+
+One called Audun was growing up at Audunstead in Willowdale, he was
+a kind and good man to deal with, and the strongest in those north
+parts, of all who were of an age with him. Kalf Asgeirson dwelt
+at Asgeir's-river, and his brother Thorvald with him. Atli also,
+Grettir's brother, was growing into a ripe man at that time; the
+gentlest of men he was, and well beloved of all. Now these men
+settled to have ball-play together on Midfirth Water; thither came the
+Midfirthers, and Willowdale men, and men from Westhope, and Waterness,
+and Ramfirth, but those who came from far abode at the play-stead.
+
+Now those who were most even in strength were paired together, and
+thereat was always the greatest sport in autumn-tide. But when he was
+fourteen years old Grettir went to the plays, because he was prayed
+thereto by his brother Atli.
+
+Now were all paired off for the plays, and Grettir was allotted to
+play against Audun, the aforenamed, who was some winters the eldest of
+the two; Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head, so that he could
+not catch it, and it bounded far away along the ice; Grettir got angry
+thereat, deeming that Audun would outplay him; but he fetches the ball
+and brings it back, and, when he was within reach of Audun, hurls
+it right against his forehead, and smites him so that the skin was
+broken; then Audun struck at Grettir with the bat he held in his hand,
+but smote him no hard blow, for Grettir ran in under the stroke; and
+thereat they seized one another with arms clasped, and wrestled. Then
+all saw that Grettir was stronger than he had been taken to be, for
+Audun was a man full of strength.
+
+A long tug they had of it, but the end was that Grettir fell, and
+Audun thrust his knees against his belly and breast, and dealt hardly
+with him.
+
+Then Atli and Bessi and many others ran up and parted them; but
+Grettir said there was no need to hold him like a mad dog, "For," said
+he, "<i>thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never</i>."
+
+This men suffered not to grow into open strife, for the brothers, Kalf
+and Thorvald, were fain that all should be at one again, and Audun and
+Grettir were somewhat akin withal; so the play went on as before, nor
+did anything else befall to bring about strife.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XVI.
+
+<i>Of the slaying of Skeggi</i>.
+
+
+Now Thorkel Krafla got very old; he had the rule of Waterdale and
+was a great man. He was bosom friend of Asmund the Greyhaired, as was
+beseeming for the sake of their kinship; he was wont to ride to Biarg
+every year and see his kin there, nor did he fail herein the spring
+following these matters just told. Asmund and Asdis welcomed him most
+heartily, he was there three nights, and many things did the kinsmen
+speak of between them. Now Thorkel asked Asmund what his mind
+foreboded him about his sons, as to what kind of craft they would be
+likely to take to. Asmund said that he thought Atli would be a great
+man at farming, foreseeing, and money-making. Thorkel answered, "A
+useful man and like unto thyself: but what dost thou say of Grettir?"
+
+Asmund said, "Of him I say, that he will be a strong man and an
+unruly, and, certes, of wrathful mood, and heavy enough he has been to
+me."
+
+Thorkel answered, "That bodes no good, friend; but how shall we settle
+about our riding to the Thing next summer?"
+
+Asmund answered, "I am growing heavy for wayfaring, and would fain sit
+at home."
+
+"Wouldst thou that Atli go in thy stead?" said Thorkel.
+
+"I do not see how I could spare him," says Asmund, "because of the
+farm-work and ingathering of household stores; but now Grettir will
+not work, yet he bears about that wit with him that I deem he will
+know how to keep up the showing forth of the law for me through thy
+aid."
+
+"Well, thou shall have thy will," said Thorkel, and withal he rode
+home when he was ready, and Asmund let him go with good gifts.
+
+Some time after this Thorkel made him ready to ride to the Thing, he
+rode with sixty men, for all went with him who were in his rule: thus
+he came to Biarg, and therefrom rode Grettir with him.
+
+Now they rode south over the heath that is called Two-days'-ride; but
+on this mountain the baiting grounds were poor, therefore they rode
+fast across it down to the settled lands, and when they came down
+to Fleet-tongue they thought it was time to sleep, so they took the
+bridles off their horses and let them graze with the saddles on. They
+lay sleeping till far on in the day, and when they woke, the men went
+about looking for their horses; but they had gone each his own way,
+and some of them had been rolling; but Grettir was the last to find
+his horse.
+
+Now it was the wont in those days that men should carry their own
+victuals when they rode to the Althing, and most bore meal-bags
+athwart their saddles; and the saddle was turned under the belly of
+Grettir's horse, and the meal-bag was gone, so he goes and searches,
+and finds nought.
+
+Just then he sees a man running fast, Grettir asks who it is who is
+running there; the man answered that his name was Skeggi, and that
+he was a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale. "I am one of the
+following of goodman Thorkel," he says, "but, faring heedlessly, I
+have lost my meal-bag."
+
+Grettir said, "<i>Odd haps are worst haps</i>, for I, also, have lost
+the meal-sack which I owned, and now let us search both together."
+
+This Skeggi liked well, and a while they go thus together; but all
+of a sudden Skeggi bounded off up along the moors and caught up a
+meal-sack. Grettir saw him stoop, and asked what he took up there.
+
+"My meal-sack," says Skeggi.
+
+"Who speaks to that besides thyself?" says Grettir; "let me see it,
+for many a thing has its like."
+
+Skeggi said that no man should take from him what was his own; but
+Grettir caught at the meal-bag, and now they tug one another along
+with the meal-sack between them, both trying hard to get the best of
+it.
+
+"It is to be wondered at," says the house-carle, "that ye Waterdale
+men should deem, that because other men are not as wealthy as ye,
+that they should not therefore dare to hold aught of their own in your
+despite."
+
+Grettir said, that it had nought to do with the worth of men that each
+should have his own.
+
+Skeggi answers, "Too far off is Audun now to throttle thee as at that
+ball-play."
+
+"Good," said Grettir; "but, howsoever that went, thou at least shall
+never throttle me."
+
+Then Skeggi got at his axe and hewed at Grettir; when Grettir saw
+that, he caught the axe-handle with the left hand bladeward of
+Skeggi's hand, so hard that straightway was the axe loosed from his
+hold. Then Grettir drave that same axe into his head so that it stood
+in the brain, and the house-carle fell dead to earth. Then Grettir
+seized the meal-bag and threw it across his saddle, and thereon rode
+after his fellows.
+
+Now Thorkel rode ahead of all, for he had no misgiving of such things
+befalling: but men missed Skeggi from the company, and when Grettir
+came up they asked him what he knew of Skeggi; then he sang--
+
+  "A rock-troll her weight did throw
+  At Skeggi's throat a while ago:
+  Over the battle ogress ran
+  The red blood of the serving-man;
+  Her deadly iron mouth did gape
+  Above him, till clean out of shape
+  She tore his head and let out life:
+  And certainly I saw their strife."
+
+Then Thorkel's men sprung up and said that surely trolls had not taken
+the man in broad daylight. Thorkel grew silent, but said presently,
+"The matter is likely to be quite other than this; methinks Grettir
+has in all likelihood killed him, or what could befall?"
+
+Then Grettir told all their strife. Thorkel says, "This has come to
+pass most unluckily, for Skeggi was given to my following, and was,
+nathless, a man of good kin; but I shall deal thus with the matter: I
+shall give boot for the man as the doom goes, but the outlawry I may
+not settle. Now, two things thou hast to choose between, Grettir;
+whether thou wilt rather go to the Thing and risk the turn of matters,
+or go back home."
+
+Grettir chose to go to the Thing, and thither he went. But a lawsuit
+was set on foot by the heirs of the slain man: Thorkel gave handsel,
+and paid up all fines, but Grettir must needs be outlawed, and keep
+abroad three winters.
+
+Now when the chiefs rode from the Thing, they baited under Sledgehill
+before they parted: then Grettir lifted a stone which now lies there
+in the grass and is called Grettir's-heave; but many men came up to
+see the stone, and found it a great wonder that so young a man should
+heave aloft such a huge rock.
+
+Now Grettir rode home to Biarg and tells the tale of his journey;
+Asmund let out little thereon, but said that he would turn out an
+unruly man.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XVII.
+
+<i>Of Grettir's voyage out</i>.
+
+
+There was a man called Haflidi, who dwelt at Reydarfell in
+Whiteriverside, he was a seafaring man and had a sailing ship, which
+lay up Whiteriver: there was a man on board his ship, hight Bard,
+who had a wife with him young and fair. Asmund sent a man to Haflidi,
+praying him to take Grettir and look after him; Haflidi said that he
+had heard that the man was ill ruled of mood; yet for the sake of the
+friendship between him and Asmund he took Grettir to himself, and made
+ready for sailing abroad.
+
+Asmund would give to his son no faring-goods but victuals for the
+voyage and a little wadmall. Grettir prayed him for some weapon, but
+Asmund answered, "Thou hast not been obedient to me, nor do I know
+how far thou art likely to work with weapons things that may be of any
+gain; and no weapon shalt thou have of me."
+
+"<i>No deed no reward</i>," says Grettir. Then father and son parted
+with little love. Many there were who bade Grettir farewell, but few
+bade him come back.
+
+But his mother brought him on his road, and before they parted she
+spoke thus, "Thou art not fitted out from home, son, as I fain would
+thou wert, a man so well born as thou; but, meseems, the greatest
+shortcoming herein is that thou hast no weapons of any avail, and my
+mind misgives me that thou wilt perchance need them sorely."
+
+With that she took out from under her cloak a sword well wrought,
+and a fair thing it was, and then she said, "This sword was owned
+by Jokul, my father's father, and the earlier Waterdale men, and it
+gained them many a day; now I give thee the sword, and may it stand
+thee in good stead."
+
+Grettir thanked her well for this gift, and said he deemed it better
+than things of more worth; then he went on his way, and Asdis wished
+him all good hap.
+
+Now Grettir rode south over the heath, and made no stay till he came
+to the ship. Haflidi gave him a good welcome and asked him for his
+faring-goods, then Grettir sang--
+
+  "Rider of wind-driven steed,
+  Little gat I to my need,
+  When I left my fair birth-stead,
+  From the snatchers of worm's bed;
+  But this man's-bane hanging here,
+  Gift of woman good of cheer,
+  Proves the old saw said not ill,
+  <i>Best to bairn is mother still</i>."
+
+Haflidi said it was easily seen that she thought the most of him. But
+now they put to sea when they were ready, and had wind at will; but
+when they had got out over all shallows they hoisted sail.
+
+Now Grettir made a den for himself under the boat, from whence he
+would move for nought, neither for baling, nor to do aught at the
+sail, nor to work at what he was bound to work at in the ship in even
+shares with the other men, neither would he buy himself off from the
+work.
+
+Now they sailed south by Reekness and then south from the land; and
+when they lost land they got much heavy sea; the ship was somewhat
+leaky, and scarce seaworthy in heavy weather, therefore they had it
+wet enough. Now Grettir let fly his biting rhymes, whereat the men
+got sore wroth. One day, when it so happened that the weather was both
+squally and cold, the men called out to Grettir, and bade him now do
+manfully, "For," said they, "now our claws grow right cold." Grettir
+looked up and said--
+
+  "Good luck, scurvy starvelings, if I should behold
+  Each finger ye have doubled up with the cold."
+
+And no work they got out of him, and now it misliked them of their
+lot as much again as before, and they said that he should pay with his
+skin for his rhymes and the lawlessness which he did. "Thou art more
+fain," said they, "of playing with Bard the mate's wife than doing thy
+duty on board ship, and this is a thing not to be borne at all."
+
+The gale grew greater steadily, and now they stood baling for days and
+nights together, and all swore to kill Grettir. But when Haflidi heard
+this, he went up to where Grettir lay, and said, "Methinks the bargain
+between thee and the chapmen is scarcely fair; first thou dost by them
+unlawfully, and thereafter thou castest thy rhymes at them; and now
+they swear that they will throw thee overboard, and this is unseemly
+work to go on."
+
+"Why should they not be free to do as they will?" says Grettir; "but I
+well would that one or two of them tarry here behind with me, or ever
+I go overboard."
+
+Haflidi says, "Such deeds are not to be done, and we shall never
+thrive if ye rush into such madness; but I shall give thee good rede."
+
+"What is that?" says Grettir.
+
+"They blame thee for singing ill things of them; now, therefore, I
+would that thou sing some scurvy rhyme to me, for then it might be
+that they would bear with thee the easier."
+
+"To thee I never sing but good," says Grettir: "I am not going to make
+thee like these starvelings."
+
+"One may sing so," says Haflidi, "that the lampoon be not so foul when
+it is searched into, though at first sight it be not over fair."
+
+"I have ever plenty of that skill in me," says Grettir.
+
+Then Haflidi went to the men where they were baling, and said, "Great
+is your toil, and no wonder that ye have taken ill liking to Grettir."
+
+"But his lampoons we deem worse than all the rest together," they
+said.
+
+Haflidi said in a loud voice, "He will surely fare ill for it in the
+end."
+
+But when Grettir heard Haflidi speak blamefully of him, he sang--
+
+  "Otherwise would matters be,
+  When this shouting Haflidi
+  Ate in house at Reydarfell
+  Curdled milk, and deemed it well;
+  He who decks the reindeer's side
+  That 'twixt ness and ness doth glide,
+  Twice in one day had his fill
+  Of the feast of dart shower shrill."[8]
+
+[Footnote 8: This is about as obscure as the original, which seems to
+allude to some event not mentioned in the Saga.]
+
+The shipmen thought this foul enough, and said he should not put shame
+on Skipper Haflidi for nought.
+
+Then said Haflidi, "Grettir is plentifully worthy that ye should
+do him some shame, but I will not have my honour staked against his
+ill-will and recklessness; nor is it good for us to wreak vengeance
+for this forthwith while we have this danger hanging over us; but be
+ye mindful of it when ye land, if so it seem good to you."
+
+"Well," they said, "why should we not fare even as thou farest? for
+why should his vile word bite us more than thee?"
+
+And in that mind Haflidi bade them abide; and thence-forward the
+chapmen made far less noise about Grettir's rhymes than before.
+
+Now a long and a hard voyage they had, and the leak gained on the
+ship, and men began to be exceeding worn with toil. The young wife of
+the mate was wont to sew from Grettir's hands, and much would the crew
+mock him therefor; but Haflidi went up to where Grettir lay and sang--
+
+  "Grettir, stand up from thy grave,
+  In the trough of the grey wave
+  The keel labours, tell my say
+  Now unto thy merry may;
+  From thy hands the linen-clad
+  Fill of sewing now has had,
+  Till we make the land will she
+  Deem that labour fitteth thee."
+
+Then Grettir stood up and sang--
+
+  "Stand we up, for neath us now
+  Rides the black ship high enow;
+  This fair wife will like it ill
+  If my limbs are laid here still;
+  Certes, the white trothful one
+  Will not deem the deed well done,
+  If the work that I should share
+  Other folk must ever bear."
+
+Then he ran aft to where they were baling, and asked what they would
+he should do; they said he would do mighty little good.
+
+"Well," said he, "<i>ye may yet be apaid of a man's aid</i>."
+
+Haflidi bade them not set aside his help, "For it may be he shall deem
+his hands freed if he offers his aid."
+
+At that time pumping was not used in ships that fared over the main;
+the manner of baling they used men called tub or cask baling, and a
+wet work it was and a wearisome; two balers were used, and one went
+down while the other came up. Now the chapmen bade Grettir have the
+job of sinking the balers, and said that now it should be tried what
+he could do; he said that the less it was tried the better it would
+be. But he goes down and sinks the balers, and now two were got to
+bale against him; they held out but a little while before they were
+overcome with weariness, and then four came forward and soon fared in
+likewise, and, so say some, that eight baled against him before the
+baling was done and the ship was made dry. Thenceforth the manner of
+the chapmen's words to Grettir was much changed, for they saw what
+strength he had to fall back upon; and from that time he was the
+stoutest and readiest to help, wheresoever need was.
+
+Now they bore off east into the main, and much thick weather they had,
+and one night unawares they ran suddenly on a rock, so that the nether
+part of the ship went from under her; then the boat was run down, and
+women and all the loose goods were brought off: nearby was a little
+holm whither they brought their matters as they best could in the
+night; but when it began to dawn they had a talk as to where they were
+come; then they who had fared between lands before knew the land for
+Southmere in Norway; there was an island hardby called Haramsey; many
+folk dwelt there, and therein too was the manor of a lord.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XVIII.
+
+<i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with Karr the Old</i>.
+
+
+Now the lord who dwelt in the island was called Thorfinn; he was the
+son of Karr the Old, who had dwelt there long; and Thorfinn was a
+great chief.
+
+But when day was fully come men saw from the island that the chapmen
+were brought to great straits. This was made known to Thorfinn, and he
+quickly bestirred himself, and had a large bark of his launched, rowed
+by sixteen men, on this bark were nigh thirty men in all; they came up
+speedily and saved the chapmen's wares; but the ship settled down,
+and much goods were lost there. Thorfinn brought all men from the ship
+home to himself, and they abode there a week and dried their wares.
+Then the chapmen went south into the land, and are now out of the
+tale.
+
+Grettir was left behind with Thorfinn, and little he stirred, and was
+at most times mighty short of speech. Thorfinn bade give him meals,
+but otherwise paid small heed to him; Grettir was loth to follow him,
+and would not go out with him in the day; this Thorfinn took ill, but
+had not the heart to have food withheld from him.
+
+Now Thorfinn was fond of stately house-keeping, and was a man of great
+joyance, and would fain have other men merry too: but Grettir would
+walk about from house to house, and often went into other farms about
+the island.
+
+There was a man called Audun who dwelt at Windham; thither Grettir
+went every day, and he made friends with Audun, and there he was wont
+to sit till far on in the day. Now one night very late, as Grettir
+made ready to go home, he saw a great fire burst out on a ness to the
+north of Audun's farm. Grettir asked what new thing this might be.
+Audun said that he need be in no haste to know that.
+
+"It would be said," quoth Grettir, "if that were seen in our land,
+that the flame burned above hid treasure."
+
+The farmer said, "That fire I deem to be ruled over by one into whose
+matters it avails little to pry."
+
+"Yet fain would I know thereof," said Grettir.
+
+"On that ness," said Audun, "stands a barrow, great and strong,
+wherein was laid Karr the Old, Thorfinn's father; at first father
+and son had but one farm in the island; but since Karr died he has so
+haunted this place that he has swept away all farmers who owned lands
+here, so that now Thorfinn holds the whole island; but whatsoever man
+Thorfinn holds his hand over, gets no scathe."
+
+Grettir said that he had told his tale well: "And," says he, "I shall
+come here to-morrow, and then thou shalt have digging-tools ready."
+
+"Now, I pray thee," says Audun, "to do nought herein, for I know that
+Thorfinn will cast his hatred on thee therefor."
+
+Grettir said he would risk that.
+
+So the night went by, and Grettir came early on the morrow and the
+digging-tools were ready; the farmer goes with him to the barrow, and
+Grettir brake it open, and was rough-handed enough thereat, and did
+not leave off till he came to the rafters, and by then the day was
+spent; then he tore away the rafters, and now Audun prayed him hard
+not to go into the barrow; Grettir bade him guard the rope, "but I
+shall espy what dwells within here."
+
+Then Grettir entered into the barrow, and right dark it was, and a
+smell there was therein none of the sweetest. Now he groped about to
+see how things were below; first he found horse-bones, and then he
+stumbled against the arm of a high-chair, and in that chair found a
+man sitting; great treasures of gold and silver were heaped together
+there, and a small chest was set under the feet of him full of silver;
+all these riches Grettir carried together to the rope; but as he went
+out through the barrow he was griped at right strongly; thereon he let
+go the treasure and rushed against the barrow-dweller, and now they
+set on one another unsparingly enough.
+
+Everything in their way was kicked out of place, the barrow-wight
+setting on with hideous eagerness; Grettir gave back before him for a
+long time, till at last it came to this, that he saw it would not do
+to hoard his strength any more; now neither spared the other, and
+they were brought to where the horse-bones were, and thereabout they
+wrestled long. And now one, now the other, fell on his knee; but the
+end of the strife was, that the barrow-dweller fell over on his back
+with huge din. Then ran Audun from the holding of the rope, and deemed
+Grettir dead. But Grettir drew the sword, 'Jokul's gift,' and drave
+it at the neck of the barrow-bider so that it took off his head, and
+Grettir laid it at the thigh of him.[9] Then he went to the rope with
+the treasure, and lo, Audun was clean gone, so he had to get up the
+rope by his hands; he had tied a line to the treasure, and therewith
+he now haled it up.
+
+[Footnote 9: The old belief was that by this means only could a ghost
+be laid.]
+
+Grettir had got very stiff with his dealings with Karr, and now he
+went back to Thorfinn's house with the treasures, whenas all folk had
+set them down to table. Thorfinn gave Grettir a sharp look when he
+came into the drinking-hall, and asked him what work he had on hand
+so needful to do that he might not keep times of meals with other
+men. Grettir answers, "Many little matters will hap on late eves," and
+therewith he cast down on the table all the treasure he had taken in
+the barrow; but one matter there was thereof, on which he must needs
+keep his eyes; this was a short-sword, so good a weapon, that a
+better, he said, he had never seen; and this he gave up the last of
+all. Thorfinn was blithe to see that sword, for it was an heirloom of
+his house, and had never yet gone out of his kin.
+
+"Whence came these treasures to thine hand?" said Thorfinn.
+
+Grettir sang--
+
+  "Lessener of the flame of sea,
+  My strong hope was true to me,
+  When I deemed that treasure lay
+  In the barrow; from to-day
+  Folk shall know that I was right;
+  The begetters of the fight
+  Small joy now shall have therein,
+  Seeking dragon's-lair to win."
+
+Thorfinn answered, "Blood will seldom seem blood to thine eyes; no man
+before thee has had will to break open the barrow; but, because I
+know that what wealth soever is hid in earth or borne into barrow is
+wrongly placed, I shall not hold thee blameworthy for thy deed as
+thou hast brought it all to me; yea, or whence didst thou get the good
+sword?"
+
+Grettir answered and sang--
+
+  "Lessener of waves flashing flame,
+  To my lucky hand this came
+  In the barrow where that thing
+  Through the dark fell clattering;
+  If that helm-fire I should gain,
+  Made so fair to be the bane
+  Of the breakers of the bow,
+  Ne'er from my hand should it go."
+
+Thorfinn said, "Well hast thou prayed for it, but thou must show some
+deed of fame before I give thee that sword, for never could I get it
+of my father while he lived."
+
+Said Grettir, "Who knows to whom most gain will come of it in the
+end?"
+
+So Thorfinn took the treasures and kept the sword at his bed-head,
+and the winter wore on toward Yule, so that little else fell out to be
+told of.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIX.
+
+<i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt with the Bearserks</i>.
+
+
+Now the summer before these things Earl Eric Hakonson made ready to
+go from his land west to England, to see King Knut the Mighty, his
+brother-in-law, but left behind him in the rule of Norway Hakon, his
+son, and gave him into the hands of Earl Svein, his brother, for the
+watching and warding of his realm, for Hakon was a child in years.
+
+But before Earl Eric went away from the land, he called together lords
+and rich bonders, and many things they spoke on laws and the rule of
+the land, for Earl Eric was a man good at rule. Now men thought it an
+exceeding ill fashion in the land that runagates or bearserks called
+to holm high-born men for their fee or womankind, in such wise, that
+whosoever should fall before the other should lie unatoned; hereof
+many got both shame and loss of goods, and some lost their lives
+withal; and therefore Earl Eric did away with all holm-gangs and
+outlawed all bearserks who fared with raids and riots.
+
+In the making of this law, the chief of all, with Earl Eric, was
+Thorfinn Karrson, from Haramsey, for he was a wise man, and a dear
+friend of the Earls.
+
+Two brothers are named as being of the worst in these matters,
+one hight Thorir Paunch, the other Ogmund the Evil; they were of
+Halogaland kin, bigger and stronger than other men. They wrought the
+bearserks'-gang and spared nothing in their fury; they would take away
+the wives of men and hold them for a week or a half-month, and then
+bring them back to their husbands; they robbed wheresoever they came,
+or did some other ill deeds. Now Earl Eric made them outlaws through
+the length and breadth of Norway, and Thorfinn was the eagerest of men
+in bringing about their outlawry, therefore they deemed that they owed
+him ill-will enow.
+
+So the Earl went away from the land, as is said in his Saga; but Earl
+Svein bore sway over Norway. Thorfinn went home to his house, and sat
+at home till just up to Yule, as is aforesaid; but at Yule he made
+ready to go to his farm called Slysfirth, which is on the mainland,
+and thither he had bidden many of his friends. Thorfinn's wife could
+not go with her husband, for her daughter of ripe years lay ill
+a-bed, so they both abode at home. Grettir was at home too, and
+eight house-carles. Now Thorfinn went with thirty freedmen to the
+Yule-feast, whereat there was the greatest mirth and joyance among
+men.
+
+Now Yule-eve comes on, and the weather was bright and calm; Grettir
+was mostly abroad this day, and saw how ships fared north and south
+along the land, for each one sought the other's home where the Yule
+drinking was settled to come off. By this time the goodman's daughter
+was so much better that she could walk about with her mother, and thus
+the day wore on.
+
+Now Grettir sees how a ship rows up toward the island; it was not
+right big, but shield-hung it was from stem to stern, and stained all
+above the sea: these folk rowed smartly, and made for the boat-stands
+of goodman Thorfinn, and when the keel took land, those who were
+therein sprang overboard. Grettir cast up the number of the men, and
+they were twelve altogether; he deemed their guise to be far from
+peaceful. They took up their ship and bore it up from the sea;
+thereafter they ran up to the boat-stand, and therein was that big
+boat of Thorfinn, which was never launched to sea by less than thirty
+men, but these twelve shot it in one haul down to the shingle of the
+foreshore; and thereon they took up their own bark and bore it into
+the boat-stand.
+
+Now Grettir thought that he could see clear enough that they would
+make themselves at home. But he goes down to meet them, and welcomes
+them merrily, and asks who they were and what their leader was hight;
+he to whom these words were spoken answered quickly, and said that his
+name was Thorir, and that he was called Paunch, and that his brother
+was Ogmund, and that the others were fellows of theirs.
+
+"I deem," said Thorir, "that thy master Thorfinn has heard tell of us;
+is he perchance at home?"
+
+Grettir answered, "Lucky men are ye, and hither have come in a good
+hour, if ye are the men I take you to be; the goodman is gone away
+with all his home-folk who are freemen, and will not be home again
+till after Yule; but the mistress is at home, and so is the goodman's
+daughter; and if I thought that I had some ill-will to pay back, I
+should have chosen above all things to have come just thus; for here
+are all matters in plenty whereof ye stand in need both beer, and all
+other good things."
+
+Thorir held his peace, while Grettir let this tale run on, then he
+said to Ogmund--
+
+"How far have things come to pass other than as I guessed? and now am
+I well enough minded to take revenge on Thorfinn for having made us
+outlaws; and this man is ready enough of tidings, and no need have we
+to drag the words out of him."
+
+"Words all may use freely," said Grettir, "and I shall give you such
+cheer as I may; and now come home with me."
+
+They bade him have thanks therefor, and said they would take his
+offer.
+
+But when they came home to the farm, Grettir took Thorir by the hand
+and led him into the hall; and now was Grettir mightily full of words.
+The mistress was in the hall, and had had it decked with hangings, and
+made all fair and seemly; but when she heard Grettir's talk, she stood
+still on the floor, and asked whom he welcomed in that earnest wise.
+
+He answered, "Now, mistress, is it right meet to welcome these guests
+merrily, for here is come goodman Thorir Paunch and the whole twelve
+of them, and are minded to sit here Yule over, and a right good hap it
+is, for we were few enough before."
+
+She answered, "Am I to number these among bonders and goodmen, who are
+the worst of robbers and ill-doers? a large share of my goods had I
+given that they had not come here as at this time; and ill dost thou
+reward Thorfinn, for that he took thee a needy man from shipwreck and
+has held thee through the winter as a free man."
+
+Grettir said, "It would be better to take the wet clothes off these
+guests than to scold at me; since for that thou mayst have time long
+enough."
+
+Then said Thorir, "Be not cross-grained, mistress; nought shall thou
+miss thy husband's being away, for a man shall be got in his place
+for thee, yea, and for thy daughter a man, and for each of the
+home-women."
+
+"That is spoken like a man," said Grettir, "nor will they thus have
+any cause to bewail their lot."
+
+Now all the women rushed forth from the hall smitten with huge dread
+and weeping; then said Grettir to the bearserks, "Give into my hands
+what it pleases you to lay aside of weapons and wet clothes, for the
+folk will not be yielding to us while they are scared."
+
+Thorir said he heeded not how women might squeal; "But," said he,
+"thee indeed we may set apart from the other home-folk, and methinks
+we may well make thee our man of trust."
+
+"See to that yourselves," said Grettir, "but certes I do not take to
+all men alike."
+
+Thereupon they laid aside the more part of their weapons, and
+thereafter Grettir said--
+
+"Methinks it is a good rede now that ye sit down to table and drink
+somewhat, for it is right likely that ye are thirsty after the
+rowing."
+
+They said they were ready enough for that, but knew not where to find
+out the cellar; Grettir asked if they would that he should see for
+things and go about for them. The bearserks said they would be right
+fain of that; so Grettir fetched beer and gave them to drink; they
+were mightily weary, and drank in huge draughts, and still he let them
+have the strongest beer that there was, and this went on for a long
+time, and meanwhile he told them many merry tales. From all this there
+was din enough to be heard among them, and the home-folk were nowise
+fain to come to them.
+
+Now Thorir said, "Never yet did I meet a man unknown to me, who would
+do us such good deeds as this man; now, what reward wilt thou take of
+us for thy work?"
+
+Grettir answered, "As yet I look to no reward for this; but if we be
+even such friends when ye go away, as it looks like we shall be, I am
+minded to join fellowship with you; and though I be of less might than
+some of you, yet shall I not let any man of big redes."
+
+Hereat they were well pleased, and would settle the fellowship with
+vows.
+
+Grettir said that this they should not do, "For true is the old saw,
+<i>Ale is another man</i>, nor shall ye settle this in haste any
+further than as I have said, for on both sides are we men little meet
+to rule our tempers."
+
+They said that they would not undo what they had said.
+
+Withal the evening wore on till it grew quite dark; then sees Grettir
+that they were getting very heavy with drink, so he said--
+
+"Do ye not find it time to go to sleep?"
+
+Thorir said, "Time enough forsooth, and sure shall I be to keep to
+what I have promised the mistress."
+
+Then Grettir went forth from the hall, and cried out loudly--
+
+"Go ye to your beds, women all, for so is goodman Thorir pleased to
+bid."
+
+They cursed him for this, and to hear them was like hearkening to the
+noise of many wolves. Now the bearserks came forth from the hall, and
+Grettir said--
+
+"Let us go out, and I will show you Thorfinn's cloth bower."
+
+They were willing to be led there; so they came to an out-bower
+exceeding great; a door there was to it, and a strong lock thereon,
+and the storehouse was very strong withal; there too was a closet good
+and great, and a shield panelling between the chambers; both chambers
+stood high, and men went up by steps to them. Now the bearserks got
+riotous and pushed Grettir about, and he kept tumbling away from them,
+and when they least thought thereof, he slipped quickly out of the
+bower, seized the latch, slammed the door to, and put the bolt on.
+Thorir and his fellows thought at first that the door must have got
+locked of itself, and paid no heed thereto; they had light with them,
+for Grettir had showed them many choice things which Thorfinn owned,
+and these they now noted awhile. Meantime Grettir made all speed home
+to the farm, and when he came in at the door he called out loudly, and
+asked where the goodwife was; she held her peace, for she did not dare
+to answer.
+
+He said, "Here is somewhat of a chance of a good catch; but are there
+any weapons of avail here?"
+
+She answers, "Weapons there are, but how they may avail thee I know
+not."
+
+"Let us talk thereof anon," says he, "but now let every man do his
+best, for later on no better chance shall there be."
+
+The good wife said, "Now God were in garth if our lot might better:
+over Thorfinn's bed hangs the barbed spear, the big one that was
+owned by Karr the Old; there, too, is a helmet and a byrni, and the
+short-sword, the good one; and the arms will not fail if thine heart
+does well."
+
+Grettir seizes the helmet and spear, girds himself with the
+short-sword, and rushed out swiftly; and the mistress called upon the
+house-carles, bidding them follow such a dauntless man, four of them
+rushed forth and seized their weapons, but the other four durst come
+nowhere nigh. Now it is to be said of the bearserks that they thought
+Grettir delayed his coming back strangely; and now they began to doubt
+if there were not some guile in the matter. They rushed against the
+door and found it was locked, and now they try the timber walls so
+that every beam creaked again; at last they brought things so far that
+they broke down the shield-panelling, got into the passage, and thence
+out to the steps. Now bearserks'-gang seized them, and they howled
+like dogs. In that very nick of time Grettir came up and with both
+hands thrust his spear at the midst of Thorir, as he was about to
+get down the steps, so that it went through him at once. Now the
+spear-head was both long and broad, and Ogmund the Evil ran on to
+Thorir and pushed him on to Grettir's thrust, so that all went up to
+the barb-ends; then the spear stood out through Thorir's back and into
+Ogmund's breast, and they both tumbled dead off the spear; then of
+the others each rushed down the steps as he came forth; Grettir set on
+each one of them, and in turn hewed with the sword, or thrust with the
+spear; but they defended themselves with logs that lay on the green,
+and whatso thing they could lay hands on, therefore the greatest
+danger it was to deal with them, because of their strength, even
+though they were weaponless.
+
+Two of the Halogalanders Grettir slew on the green, and then came up
+the house-carles; they could not come to one mind as to what weapons
+each should have; now they set on whenever the bearserks gave back,
+but when they turned about on them, then the house-carles slunk away
+up to the houses. Six vikings fell there, and of all of them was
+Grettir the bane. Then the six others got off and came down to the
+boat-stand, and so into it, and thence they defended themselves with
+oars. Grettir now got great blows from them, so that at all times he
+ran the risk of much hurt; but the house-carles went home, and had
+much to say of their stout onset; the mistress bade them espy what
+became of Grettir, but that was not to be got out of them. Two more of
+the bearserks Grettir slew in the boat-stand, but four slipped out
+by him; and by this, dark night had come on; two of them ran into
+a corn-barn, at the farm of Windham, which is aforenamed: here they
+fought for a long time, but at last Grettir killed them both; then
+was he beyond measure weary and stiff, the night was far gone, and the
+weather got very cold with the drift of the snow. He was fain to leave
+the search of the two vikings who were left now, so he walked home to
+the farm. The mistress had lights lighted in the highest lofts at the
+windows that they might guide him on his way; and so it was that he
+found his road home whereas he saw the light.
+
+But when he was come into the door, the mistress went up to him, and
+bade him welcome.
+
+"Now," she said, "thou hast reaped great glory, and freed me and my
+house from a shame of which we should never have been healed, but if
+thou hadst saved us."
+
+Grettir answered, "Methinks I am much the same as I was this evening,
+when thou didst cast ill words on me."
+
+The mistress answered, "We wotted not that thou wert a man of such
+prowess as we have now proved thee; now shall all things in the house
+be at thy will which I may bestow on thee, and which it may be seeming
+for thee to take; but methinks that Thorfinn will reward thee better
+still when he comes home."
+
+Grettir answered, "Little of reward will be needed now, but I keep
+thine offer till the coming of the master; and I have some hope now
+that ye will sleep in peace as for the bearserks."
+
+Grettir drank little that evening, and lay with his weapons about him
+through the night. In the morning, when it began to dawn, people were
+summoned together throughout the island, and a search was set on foot
+for the bearserks who had escaped the night before; they were found
+far on in the day under a rock, and were by then dead from cold and
+wounds; then they were brought unto a tidewashed heap of stones and
+buried thereunder.
+
+After that folk went home, and the men of that island deemed
+themselves brought unto fair peace.
+
+Now when Grettir came back to the mistress, he sang this stave--
+
+  "By the sea's wash have we made
+  Graves, where twelve spear-groves are laid;
+  I alone such speedy end,
+  Unto all these folk did send.
+  O fair giver forth of gold,
+  Whereof can great words be told,
+  'Midst the deeds one man has wrought,
+  If this deed should come to nought?"
+
+The good wife said, "Surely thou art like unto very few men who are
+now living on the earth."
+
+So she set him in the high seat, and all things she did well to him,
+and now time wore on till Thorfinn's coming home was looked for.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XX.
+
+<i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i>.
+
+
+After Yule Thorfinn made ready for coming home, and he let those folk
+go with good gifts whom he had bidden to his feast. Now he fares with
+his following till he comes hard by his boat-stands; they saw a ship
+lying on the strand, and soon knew it for Thorfinn's bark, the big
+one. Now Thorfinn had as yet had no news of the vikings, he bade his
+men hasten landward, "For I fear," said he, "that friends have not
+been at work here."
+
+Thorfinn was the first to step ashore before his men, and forthwith he
+went up to the boat-stand; he saw a keel standing there, and knew it
+for the bearserks' ship. Then he said to his men, "My mind misgives
+me much that here things have come to pass, even such as I would have
+given the whole island, yea, every whit of what I have herein, that
+they might never have happed."
+
+They asked why he spake thus. Then he said, "Here have come the
+vikings, whom I know to be the worst of all Norway, Thorir Paunch
+and Ogmund the Evil; in good sooth they will hardly have kept house
+happily for us, and in an Icelander I have but little trust."
+
+Withal he spoke many things hereabout to his fellows.
+
+Now Grettir was at home, and so brought it about, that folk were slow
+to go down to the shore; and said he did not care much if the goodman
+Thorfinn had somewhat of a shake at what he saw before him; but when
+the mistress asked him leave to go, he said she should have her will
+as to where she went, but that he himself should stir nowhither. She
+ran swiftly to meet Thorfinn, and welcomed him cheerily. He was glad
+thereof, and said, "Praise be to God that I see thee whole and merry,
+and my daughter in likewise. But how have ye fared since I went from
+home?"
+
+She answered, "Things have turned out well, but we were near being
+overtaken by such a shame as we should never have had healing of, if
+thy winter-guest had not holpen us."
+
+Then Thorfinn spake, "Now shall we sit down, but do thou tell us these
+tidings."
+
+Then she told all things plainly even as they had come to pass,
+and praised greatly Grettir's stoutness and great daring; meanwhile
+Thorfinn held his peace, but when she had made an end of her tale,
+he said, "How true is the saw, <i>Long it takes to try a man</i>. But
+where is Grettir now?"
+
+The goodwife said, "He is at home in the hall."
+
+Thereupon they went home to the farm.
+
+Thorfinn went up to Grettir and kissed him, and thanked him with many
+fair words for the great heart which he had shown to him; "And I will
+say to thee what few say to their friends, that I would thou shouldst
+be in need of men, that then thou mightest know if I were to thee in
+a man's stead or not; but for thy good deed I can never reward thee
+unless thou comest to be in some troublous need; but as to thy abiding
+with me, that shall ever stand open to thee when thou willest it; and
+thou shalt be held the first of all my men."
+
+Grettir bade him have much thank therefor. "And," quoth he, "this
+should I have taken even if thou hadst made me proffer thereof
+before."
+
+Now Grettir sat there the winter over, and was in the closest
+friendship with Thorfinn; and for this deed he was now well renowned
+all over Norway, and there the most, where the bearserks had erst
+wrought the greatest ill deeds.
+
+This spring Thorfinn asked Grettir what he was about to busy himself
+with: he said he would go north to Vogar while the fair was. Thorfinn
+said there was ready for him money as much as he would. Grettir said
+that he needed no more money at that time than faring-silver: this,
+Thorfinn said, was full-well due to him, and thereupon went with him
+to ship.
+
+Now he gave him the short-sword, the good one, which Grettir bore as
+long as he lived, and the choicest of choice things it was. Withal
+Thorfinn bade Grettir come to him whenever he might need aid.
+
+But Grettir went north to Vogar, and a many folk were there; many men
+welcomed him there right heartily who had not seen him before, for the
+sake of that great deed of prowess which he had done when he saw the
+vikings; many high-born men prayed him to come and abide with them,
+but he would fain go back to his friend Thorfinn. Now he took ship in
+a bark that was owned of a man hight Thorkel, who dwelt in Salft in
+Halogaland, and was a high-born man. But when Grettir came to Thorkel
+he welcomed him right heartily, and bade Grettir abide with him that
+winter, and laid many words thereto.
+
+This offer Grettir took, and was with Thorkel that winter in great
+joyance and fame.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXI.
+
+<i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i>.
+
+
+There was a man, hight Biorn, who was dwelling with Thorkel; he was
+a man of rash temper, of good birth, and somewhat akin to Thorkel; he
+was not well loved of men, for he would slander much those who were
+with Thorkel, and in this wise he sent many away. Grettir and he
+had little to do together; Biorn thought him of little worth weighed
+against himself, but Grettir was unyielding, so that things fell
+athwart between them. Biorn was a mightily boisterous man, and made
+himself very big; many young men gat into fellowship with him in these
+things, and would stray abroad by night. Now it befell, that early in
+winter a savage bear ran abroad from his winter lair, and got so grim
+that he spared neither man nor beast. Men thought he had been roused
+by the noise that Biorn and his fellows had made. The brute got so
+hard to deal with that he tore down the herds of men, and Thorkel
+had the greatest hurt thereof, for he was the richest man in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+Now one day Thorkel bade his men to follow him, and search for the
+lair of the bear. They found it in sheer sea-rocks; there was a high
+rock and a cave before it down below, but only one track to go up to
+it: under the cave were scarped rocks, and a heap of stones down by
+the sea, and sure death it was to all who might fall down there. The
+bear lay in his lair by day, but went abroad as soon as night fell; no
+fold could keep sheep safe from him, nor could any dogs be set on
+him: and all this men thought the heaviest trouble. Biorn, Thorkel's
+kinsman, said that the greatest part had been done, as the lair had
+been found. "And now I shall try," said he, "what sort of play we[10]
+namesakes shall have together." Grettir made as if he knew not what
+Biorn said on this matter.
+
+[Footnote 10: Biorn is Icelandic for bear.]
+
+Now it happened always when men went to sleep anights that Biorn
+disappeared: and one night when Biorn went to the lair, he was aware
+that the beast was there before him, and roaring savagely. Biorn lay
+down in the track, and had over him his shield, and was going to wait
+till the beast should stir abroad as his manner was. Now the bear had
+an inkling of the man, and got somewhat slow to move off. Biorn waxed
+very sleepy where he lay, and cannot wake up, and just at this time
+the beast betakes himself from his lair; now he sees where the man
+lies, and, hooking at him with his claw, he tears from him the shield
+and throws it down over the rocks. Biorn started up suddenly awake,
+takes to his legs and runs home, and it was a near thing that the
+beast gat him not. This his fellows knew, for they had spies about
+Biorn's ways; in the morning they found the shield, and made the
+greatest jeering at all this.
+
+At Yule Thorkel went himself, and eight of them altogether, and there
+was Grettir and Biorn and other followers of Thorkel. Grettir had on
+a fur-cloak, which he laid aside while they set on the beast. It was
+awkward for an onslaught there, for thereat could folk come but by
+spear-thrusts, and all the spear-points the bear turned off him with
+his teeth. Now Biorn urged them on much to the onset, yet he himself
+went not so nigh as to run the risk of any hurt. Amid this, when men
+looked least for it, Biorn suddenly seized Grettir's coat, and cast it
+into the beast's lair. Now nought they could wreak on him, and had
+to go back when the day was far spent. But when Grettir was going, he
+misses his coat, and he could see that the bear has it cast under him.
+Then he said, "What man of you has wrought the jest of throwing my
+cloak into the lair?"
+
+Biorn says, "He who is like to dare to own to it."
+
+Grettir answers, "I set no great store on such matters."
+
+Now they went on their way home, and when they had walked awhile, the
+thong of Grettir's leggings brake. Thorkel bid them wait for him; but
+Grettir said there was no need of that. Then said Biorn, "Ye need
+not think that Grettir will run away from his coat; he will have the
+honour all to himself, and will slay that beast all alone, wherefrom
+we have gone back all eight of us; thus would he be such as he is said
+to be: but sluggishly enow has he fared forth to-day."
+
+"I know not," said Thorkel, "how thou wilt fare in the end, but men of
+equal prowess I deem you not: lay as few burdens on him as thou mayst,
+Biorn."
+
+Biorn said, that neither of them should pick and choose words from out
+his mouth.
+
+Now, when a hill's brow was between them, Grettir went back to the
+pass, for now there was no striving with others for the onset. He
+drew the sword, Jokul's gift, but had a loop over the handle of the
+short-sword, and slipped it up over his hand, and this he did in that
+he thought he could easier have it at his will if his hand were loose.
+He went up into the pass forthwith, and when the beast saw a man, it
+rushed against Grettir exceeding fiercely, and smote at him with that
+paw which was furthest off from the rock; Grettir hewed against the
+blow with the sword, and therewith smote the paw above the claws, and
+took it off; then the beast was fain to smite at Grettir with the paw
+that was whole, and dropped down therewith on to the docked one, but
+it was shorter than he wotted of, and withal he tumbled into Grettir's
+arms. Now he griped at the beast between the ears and held him off,
+so that he got not at him to bite. And, so Grettir himself says, that
+herein he deemed he had had the hardest trial of his strength, thus
+to hold the brute. But now as it struggled fiercely, and the space
+was narrow, they both tumbled down over the rock; the beast was the
+heaviest of the two, and came down first upon the stone heap below,
+Grettir being the uppermost, and the beast was much mangled on its
+nether side. Now Grettir seized the short-sword and thrust it into
+the heart of the bear, and that was his bane. Thereafter he went home,
+taking with him his cloak all tattered, and withal what he had cut
+from the paw of the bear. Thorkel sat a-drinking when he came into the
+hall, and much men laughed at the rags of the cloak Grettir had cast
+over him. Now he threw on to the table what he had chopped off the
+paw.
+
+Then said Thorkel, "Where is now Biorn my kinsman? never did I see thy
+irons bite the like of this, Biorn, and my will it is, that thou make
+Grettir a seemly offer for this shame thou hast wrought on him."
+
+Biorn said that was like to be long about, "and never shall I care
+whether he likes it well or ill."
+
+Then Grettir sang--
+
+  "Oft that war-god came to hall
+  Frighted, when no blood did fall,
+  In the dusk; who ever cried
+  On the bear last autumn-tide;
+  No man saw me sitting there
+  Late at eve before the lair;
+  Yet the shaggy one to-day
+  From his den I drew away."
+
+"Sure enough," said Biorn, "thou hast fared forth well to-day, and
+two tales thou tellest of us twain therefor; and well I know that thou
+hast had a good hit at me."
+
+Thorkel said, "I would, Grettir, that thou wouldst not avenge thee on
+Biorn, but for him I will give a full man-gild if thereby ye may be
+friends."
+
+Biorn said he might well turn his money to better account, than to
+boot for this; "And, methinks it is wisest that in my dealings with
+Grettir <i>one oak should have what from the other it shaves</i>."
+
+Grettir said that he should like that very well. But Thorkel said,
+"Yet I hope, Grettir, that thou wilt do this for my sake, not to do
+aught against Biorn while ye are with me."
+
+"That shall be," said Grettir.
+
+Biorn said he would walk fearless of Grettir wheresoever they might
+meet.
+
+Grettir smiled mockingly, but would not take boot for Biorn. So they
+were here that winter through.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXII.
+
+<i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i>.
+
+
+In the spring Grettir went north to Vogar with chapmen. He and Thorkel
+parted in friendship; but Biorn went west to England, and was the
+master of Thorkel's ship that went thither. Biorn dwelt thereabout
+that summer and bought such things for Thorkel as he had given him
+word to get; but as the autumn wore on he sailed from the west.
+Grettir was at Vogar till the fleet broke up; then he sailed from
+the north with some chapmen until they came to a harbour at an island
+before the mouth of Drontheimfirth, called Gartar, where they pitched
+their tents. Now when they were housed, a ship came sailing havenward
+from the south along the land; they soon saw that it was an England
+farer; she took the strand further out, and her crew went ashore;
+Grettir and his fellows went to meet them. But when they met, Grettir
+saw that Biorn was among those men, and spake--
+
+"It is well that we have met here; now we may well take up our ancient
+quarrel, and now I will try which of us twain may do the most."
+
+Biorn said that was an old tale to him, "but if there has been aught
+of such things between us, I will boot for it, so that thou mayst
+think thyself well holden thereof."
+
+Then Grettir sang--
+
+  "In hard strife I slew the bear,
+  Thereof many a man doth hear;
+  Then the cloak I oft had worn,
+  By the beast to rags was torn;
+  Thou, O braggart ring-bearer,
+  Wrought that jest upon me there,
+  Now thou payest for thy jest,
+  Not in words am I the best?"
+
+Biorn said, that oft had greater matters than these been atoned for.
+
+Grettir said, "That few had chosen hitherto to strive to trip him up
+with spite and envy, nor ever had he taken fee for such, and still
+must matters fare in likewise. Know thou that we shall not both of us
+go hence whole men if I may have my will, and a coward's name will I
+lay on thy back, if thou darest not to fight."
+
+Now Biorn saw that it would avail nought to try to talk himself free;
+so he took his weapons and went aland.
+
+Then they ran one at the other and fought, but not long before Biorn
+got sore wounded, and presently fell dead to earth. But when Biorn's
+fellows saw that, they went to their ship, and made off north along
+the land to meet Thorkel and told him of this hap: he said it had not
+come to pass ere it might have been looked for.
+
+Soon after this Thorkel went south to Drontheim, and met there Earl
+Svein. Grettir went south to Mere after the slaying of Biorn, and
+found his friend Thorfinn, and told him what had befallen. Thorfinn
+gave him good welcome, and said--
+
+"It is well now that thou art in need of a friend; with me shalt thou
+abide until these matters have come to an end."
+
+Grettir thanked him for his offer, and said he would take it now.
+
+Earl Svein was dwelling in Drontheim, at Steinker, when he heard of
+Biorn's slaying; at that time there was with him Hiarandi, the brother
+of Biorn, and he was the Earl's man; he was exceeding wroth when
+he heard of the slaying of Biorn, and begged the Earl's aid in the
+matter, and the Earl gave his word thereto.
+
+Then he sent men to Thorfinn and summoned to him both him and Grettir.
+Thorfinn and Grettir made ready at once at the Earl's bidding to go
+north to Drontheim to meet him. Now the Earl held a council on the
+matter, and bade Hiarandi to be thereat; Hiarandi said he would not
+bring his brother to purse; "and I shall either fare in a like wise
+with him, or else wreak vengeance for him." Now when the matter was
+looked into, the Earl found that Biorn had been guilty towards Grettir
+in many ways; and Thorfinn offered weregild, such as the Earl deemed
+might be befitting for Biorn's kin to take; and thereon he had much
+to say on the freedom which Grettir had wrought for men north there in
+the land, when he slew the bearserks, as has been aforesaid.
+
+The Earl answered, "With much truth thou sayest this, Thorfinn,
+that was the greatest land-ridding, and good it seems to us to take
+weregild because of thy words; and withal Grettir is a man well
+renowned because of his strength and prowess."
+
+Hiarandi would not take the settlement, and they broke up the meeting.
+Thorfinn got his kinsman Arnbiorn to go about with Grettir day by day,
+for he knew that Hiarandi lay in wait for his life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXIII.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i>.
+
+
+It happened one day that Grettir and Arnbiorn were walking through
+some streets for their sport, that as they came past a certain court
+gate, a man bounded forth therefrom with axe borne aloft, and drave it
+at Grettir with both hands; he was all unawares of this, and walked on
+slowly; Arnbiorn caught timely sight of the man, and seized Grettir,
+and thrust him on so hard that he fell on his knee; the axe smote the
+shoulder-blade, and cut sideways out under the arm-pit, and a great
+wound it was. Grettir turned about nimbly, and drew the short-sword,
+and saw that there was Hiarandi. Now the axe stuck fast in the road,
+and it was slow work for Hiarandi to draw it to him again, and in this
+very nick of time Grettir hewed at him, and the blow fell on the upper
+arm, near the shoulder, and cut it off; then the fellows of Hiarandi
+rushed forth, five of them, and a fight forthwith befell, and speedy
+change happed there, for Grettir and Arnbiorn slew those who were with
+Hiarandi, all but one, who got off, and forthwith went to the Earl to
+tell him these tidings.
+
+The Earl was exceeding wroth when he heard of this, and the second day
+thereafter he had a Thing summoned. Then they, Thorfinn and Grettir,
+came both to the Thing. The Earl put forth against Grettir the guilt
+for these manslaughters; he owned them all, and said he had had to
+defend his hands.
+
+"Whereof methinks I bear some marks on me," says Grettir, "and surely
+I had found death if Arnbiorn had not saved me."
+
+The Earl answered that it was ill hap that Grettir was not slain.
+
+"For many a man's bane wilt thou be if thou livest, Grettir."
+
+Then came to the Earl, Bessi, son of Skald-Torfa, a fellow and a
+friend to Grettir; he and Thorfinn went before the Earl had prayed him
+respite for Grettir, and offered, that the Earl alone should doom in
+this matter, but that Grettir might have peace and leave to dwell in
+the land.
+
+The Earl was slow to come to any settlement, but suffered himself to
+be led thereto because of their prayers. There respite was granted
+to Grettir till the next spring; still the Earl would not settle the
+peace till Gunnar, the brother of Biorn and Hiarandi, was thereat; now
+Gunnar was a court-owner in Tunsberg.
+
+In the spring, the Earl summoned Grettir and Thorfinn east to
+Tunsberg, for he would dwell there east while the most sail was
+thereat. Now they went east thither, and the Earl was before them in
+the town when they came. Here Grettir found his brother, Thorstein
+Dromond, who was fain of him and bade him abide with him: Thorstein
+was a court-owner in the town. Grettir told him all about his matters,
+and Thorstein gave a good hearing thereto, but bade him beware of
+Gunnar. And so the spring wore on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXIV.
+
+<i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife with Earl Svein</i>.
+
+
+Now Gunnar was in the town, and lay in wait for Grettir always
+and everywhere. It happened on a day that Grettir sat in a booth
+a-drinking, for he would not throw himself in Gunnar's way. But, when
+he wotted of it the least, the door was driven at so that it brake
+asunder, four men all-armed burst in, and there was Gunnar and his
+fellows.
+
+They set on Grettir; but he caught up his weapons which hung over
+him, and then drew aback into the corner, whence he defended himself,
+having before him the shield, but dealing blows with the short-sword,
+nor did they have speedy luck with him. Now he smote at one of
+Gunnar's fellows, and more he needed not; then he advanced forth on
+the floor, and therewith they were driven doorward through the booth,
+and there fell another man of Gunnar's; then were Gunnar and his
+fellows fain of flight; one of them got to the door, struck his foot
+against the threshold and lay there grovelling and was slow in getting
+to his feet. Gunnar had his shield before him, and gave back before
+Grettir, but he set on him fiercely and leaped up on the cross-beam by
+the door. Now the hands of Gunnar and the shield were within the door,
+but Grettir dealt a blow down amidst Gunnar and the shield and cut off
+both his hands by the wrist, and he fell aback out of the door; then
+Grettir dealt him his death-blow.
+
+But in this nick of time got to his feet Gunnar's man, who had lain
+fallen awhile, and he ran straightway to see the Earl, and to tell him
+these tidings.
+
+Earl Svein was wondrous wroth at this tale, and forthwith summoned a
+Thing in the town. But when Thorfinn and Thorstein Dromond knew this,
+they brought together their kin and friends and came thronging to the
+Thing. Very cross-grained was the Earl, and it was no easy matter to
+come to speech with him. Thorfinn went up first before the Earl and
+said, "For this cause am I come hither, to offer thee peace and honour
+for these man-slayings that Grettir has wrought; thou alone shall
+shape and settle all, if the man hath respite of his life."
+
+The Earl answered sore wroth: "Late wilt thou be loth to ask respite
+for Grettir; but in my mind it is that thou hast no good cause in
+court; he has now slain three brothers, one at the heels of the other,
+who were men so brave that they would none bear the other to purse.
+Now it will not avail thee, Thorfinn, to pray for Grettir, for I
+will not thus bring wrongs into the land so as to take boot for such
+unmeasured misdeeds."
+
+Then came forward Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, and prayed the Earl to
+take the offered settlement. "Thereto," he said, "I will give up my
+goods, for Grettir is a man of great kin and a good friend of mine;
+thou mayst well see, Lord, that it is better to respite one man's life
+and to have therefor the thanks of many, thyself alone dooming the
+fines, than to break down thine own honour, and risk whether thou
+canst seize the man or not."
+
+The Earl answered, "Thou farest well herein, Bessi, and showest at all
+times that thou art a high-minded man; still I am loth thus to break
+the laws of the land, giving respite to men of foredoomed lives."
+
+Then stepped forth Thorstein Dromond and greeted the Earl, and made
+offers on Grettir's behalf, and laid thereto many fair words. The Earl
+asked for what cause he made offers for this man. Thorstein said that
+they were brothers. The Earl said that he had not known it before:
+"Now it is but the part of a man for thee to help him, but because
+we have made up our mind not to take money for these man-slayings,
+we shall make all men of equal worth here, and Grettir's life will we
+have, whatsoever it shall cost and whensoever chance shall serve."
+
+Thereat the Earl sprang up, and would listen in nowise to the offered
+atonements.
+
+Now Thorfinn and his folk went home to Thorstein's court and made
+ready. But when the Earl saw this he bade all his men take weapons,
+and then he went thither with his folk in array. But before he came up
+Thorfinn and his men ordered themselves for defence before the gate of
+the court. Foremost stood Thorfinn and Thorstein and Grettir, and then
+Bessi, and each of them had a large following of men with him.
+
+The Earl bade them to give up Grettir, nor to bring themselves into an
+evil strait; they made the very same offer as before. The Earl would
+not hearken thereto. Then Thorfinn and Thorstein said that the Earl
+should have more ado yet for the getting of Grettir's life, "For one
+fate shall befall us all, and it will be said thou workest hard for
+one man's life, if all we have to be laid on earth therefor."
+
+The Earl said he should spare none of them, and now they were at the
+very point to fight.
+
+Then went to the Earl many men of goodwill, and prayed him not to
+push matters on to such great evils, and said they would have to pay
+heavily before all these were slain. The Earl found this rede to be
+wholesome, and became somewhat softened thereat.
+
+Thereafter they drew up an agreement to which Thorstein and Thorfinn
+were willing enough, now that Grettir should have respite of his life.
+The Earl spake: "Know ye," quoth he, "that though I deal by way of
+mean words with these man-slayings at this time, yet I call this no
+settlement, but I am loth to fight against my own folk; though I see
+that ye make little of me in this matter."
+
+Then said Thorfinn, "This is a greater honour for thee, Lord, for that
+thou alone wilt doom the weregild."
+
+Then the Earl said that Grettir should go in peace, as for him, out to
+Iceland, when ships fared out, if so they would; they said that they
+would take this. They paid the Earl fines to his mind, and parted from
+him with little friendship. Grettir went with Thorfinn; he and his
+brother Thorstein parted fondly.
+
+Thorfinn got great fame for the aid he had given Grettir against such
+overwhelming power as he had to deal with: none of the men who had
+helped Grettir were ever after well loved of the Earl, save Bessi.
+
+So quoth Grettir--
+
+  "To our helping came
+  The great of name;
+  Thorfinn was there
+  Born rule to bear;
+  When all bolts fell
+  Into locks, and hell
+  Cried out for my life
+  In the Tunsberg strife.
+  The Dromund fair[11]
+  Of red seas was there,
+  The stone of the bane
+  Of steel-gods vain:
+  From Bylest's kin
+  My life to win,
+  Above all men
+  He laboured then.
+
+  Then the king's folk
+  Would strike no stroke
+  To win my head;
+  So great grew dread;
+  For the leopard came
+  With byrni's flame,
+  And on thoughts-burg wall
+  Should that bright fire fall."
+
+Grettir went back north with Thorfinn, and was with him till he gat
+him to ship with chapmen who were bound out to Iceland: he gave him
+many fair gifts of raiment, and a fair-stained saddle and a bridle
+withal. They parted in friendship, and Thorfinn bade him come to him
+whensoever he should come back to Norway.
+
+[Footnote 11: The stone of steel-god's bane in Thorstein; Bylest's kin
+is Hel, death. The leopard is Bessi Skald-Torfason; byrni's flame, his
+sword. Thoughts-burg, a warrior's head.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXV.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.
+
+
+Asmund the Greyhaired lived on at Biarg, while Grettir was abroad, and
+by that time he was thought to be the greatest of bonders in Midfirth.
+Thorkel Krafla died during those seasons that Grettir was out of
+Iceland. Thorvald Asgeirson farmed then at the Ridge in Waterdale,
+and waxed a great chief. He was the father of Dalla whom Isleif had to
+wife, he who afterwards was bishop at Skalholt.
+
+Asmund had in Thorvald the greatest help in suits and in many other
+matters. At Asmund's grew up a man, hight Thorgils, called Thorgils
+Makson, near akin to Asmund. Thorgils was a man of great strength and
+gained much money by Asmund's foresight.
+
+Asmund bought for Thorgils the land at Brookmeet, and there he farmed.
+Thorgils was a great store-gatherer, and went a-searching to the
+Strands every year, and there he gat for himself whales and other
+gettings; and a stout-hearted man he was.
+
+In those days was at its height the waxing of the foster-brothers,
+Thorgeir Havarson and Thormod Coalbrowskald; they had a boat and went
+therein far and wide, and were not thought men of much even-dealing.
+It chanced one summer that Thorgils Makson found a whale on the common
+drift-lands, and forthwith he and his folk set about cutting it up.
+
+But when the foster-brothers heard thereof they went thither, and at
+first their talk had a likely look out. Thorgils offered that they
+should have the half of the uncut whale; but they would have for
+themselves all the uncut, or else divide all into halves, both the cut
+and the uncut. Thorgils flatly refused to give up what was cut of the
+whale; and thereat things grew hot between them, and forthwithal both
+sides caught up their weapons and fought. Thorgeir and Thorgils fought
+long together without either losing or gaining, and both were of the
+eagerest. Their strife was both fierce and long, but the end of it
+was, that Thorgils fell dead to earth before Thorgeir; but Thormod and
+the men of Thorgils fought in another place; Thormod had the best of
+that strife, and three of Thorgils' men fell before him. After the
+slaying of Thorgils, his folk went back east to Midfirth, and brought
+his dead body with them. Men thought that they had the greatest loss
+in him. But the foster-brothers took all the whale to themselves.
+
+This meeting Thormod tells of in that drapa that he made on Thorgeir
+dead. Asmund the Greyhaired heard of the slaying of Thorgils his
+kinsman; he was suitor in the case for Thorgils' slaying, he went
+and took witnesses to the wounds, and summoned the case before the
+Althing, for then this seemed to be law, as the case had happened in
+another quarter. And so time wears on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXVI.
+
+<i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for the Bloodsuit for the
+Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.
+
+
+There was a man called Thorstein, he was the son of Thorkel Kugg, the
+son of Thord the Yeller, the son of Olaf Feilan, the son of Thorstein
+the Red, the son of Aud the Deeply-wealthy. The mother of Thorstein
+Kuggson was Thurid the daughter of Asgeir Madpate, Asgeir was father's
+brother of Asmund the Greyhaired.
+
+Thorstein Kuggson was suitor in the case about Thorgils Makson's
+slaying along with Asmund the Greyhaired, who now sent word to
+Thorstein that he should come to meet him. Thorstein was a great
+champion, and the wildest-tempered of men; he went at once to meet
+his kinsman Asmund, and they talked the blood-suit over together.
+Thorstein was mightily wroth and said that no atonement should be for
+this, and said they had strength of kin enough to bring about for the
+slaying either outlawry or vengeance on men. Asmund said that he
+would follow him in whatsoever he would have done. They rode north to
+Thorvald their kinsman to pray his aid, and he quickly gave his word
+and said yea thereto. So they settled the suit against Thorgeir and
+Thormod; then Thorstein rode home to his farmstead, he then farmed at
+Liarskogar in Hvamsveit. Skeggi farmed at Hvam, he also joined in the
+suit with Thorstein. Skeggi was the son of Thorarinn Fylsenni, the son
+of Thord the Yeller; the mother of Skeggi was Fridgerd, daughter of
+Thord of Head.
+
+These had a many men with them at the Thing, and pushed their suit
+with great eagerness.
+
+Asmund and Thorvald rode from the north with six tens of men, and sat
+at Liarskogar many nights.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXVII.
+
+<i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.
+
+
+A man hight Thorgils abode at Reek-knolls in those days, he was the
+son of Ari, the son of Mar, the son of Atli the Red, the son of Ulf
+the Squinter, who settled at Reekness; the mother of Thorgils Arisen
+was Thorgerd, the daughter of Alf a-Dales; another daughter of Alf was
+Thorelf, mother of Thorgeir Havarson. There had Thorgeir good kinship
+to trust in, for Thorgils was the greatest chief in the Westfirthers'
+quarter. He was a man of such bountifulness, that he gave food to any
+free-born man as long as he would have it, and therefore there was at
+all times a throng of people at Reek-knolls; thus had Thorgils much
+renown of his house-keeping. He was a man withal of good will and
+foreknowledge. Thorgeir was with Thorgils in winter, but went to the
+Strands in summer.
+
+After the slaying of Thorgils Makson, Thorgeir went to Reek-knolls and
+told Thorgils Arisen these tidings; Thorgils said that he was ready to
+give him harbour with him, "But, methinks," he says, "that they will
+be heavy in the suit, and I am loth to eke out the troubles. Now I
+shall send a man to Thorstein and bid weregild for the slaying of
+Thorgils; but if he will not take atonement I shall not defend the
+case stiffly."
+
+Thorgeir said he would trust to his foresight. In autumn Thorgils
+sent a man to Thorstein Kuggson to try settling the case, but he was
+cross-grained to deal with as to the taking money for the blood-suit
+of Thorgils Makson; but about the other man-slayings, he said he
+would do as wise men should urge him. Now when Thorgils heard this, he
+called Thorgeir to him for a talk, and asked him what kind of aid he
+now deemed meetest for him; Thorgeir said that it was most to his mind
+to go abroad if he should be outlawed. Thorgils said that should be
+tried. A ship lay up Northriver in Burgfirth; in that keel Thorgils
+secretly paid faring for the foster-brothers, and thus the winter
+passed. Thorgils heard that Asmund and Thorstein drew together many
+men to the Althing, and sat in Liarskogar. He drew out the time of
+riding from home, for he would that Asmund and Thorstein should have
+ridden by before him to the south, when he came from the west; and
+so it fell out. Thorgils rode south, and with him rode the
+foster-brothers. In this ride Thorgeir killed Bundle-Torfi of
+Marswell, and Skuf withal, and Biarni in Dog-dale; thus says Thormod
+in Thorgeir's-Drapa--
+
+  "Mighty strife the warrior made,
+  When to earth was Makson laid,
+  Well the sword-shower wrought he there,
+  Flesh the ravens got to tear;
+  Then when Skuf and Biarni fell,
+  He was there the tale to tell;
+  Sea-steed's rider took his way
+  Through the thickest of the fray."
+
+Thorgils settled the peace for the slaying of Skuf and Biarni then
+and there in the Dale, and delayed no longer than his will was before;
+Thorgeir went to ship, but Thorgils to the Althing, and came not
+thither until men were going to the courts.
+
+Then Asmund the Greyhaired challenged the defence for the blood-suit
+on the slaying of Thorgils Makson. Thorgils went to the court and
+offered weregild for the slaying, if thereby Thorgeir might become
+free of guilt; he put forth for defence in the suit whether they had
+not free catch on all common foreshores. The lawman was asked if this
+was a lawful defence. Skapti was the lawman, and backed Asmund for the
+sake of their kinship. He said this was law if they were equal men,
+but said that bonders had a right to take before batchelors. Asmund
+said that Thorgils had offered an even sharing to the foster-brothers
+in so much of the whale as was uncut when they came thereto; and
+therewith that way of defence was closed against them. Now Thorstein
+and his kin followed up the suit with much eagerness, and nought was
+good to them but that Thorgeir should be made guilty.
+
+Thorgils saw that one of two things was to be done, either to set on
+with many men, not knowing what might be gained thereby, or to suffer
+them to go on as they would; and, whereas Thorgeir had been got on
+board ship, Thorgils let the suit go on unheeded.
+
+Thorgeir was outlawed, but for Thormod was taken weregild, and he to
+be quit. By this blood-suit Thorstein and Asmund were deemed to have
+waxed much. And now men ride home from the Thing.
+
+Some men would hold talk that Thorgils had lightly backed the case,
+but he heeded their talk little, and let any one say thereon what he
+would.
+
+But when Thorgeir heard of this outlawry, he said--
+
+"Fain am I that those who have made me an outlaw should have full pay
+for this, ere all be over."
+
+There was a man called Gaut Sleitason, who was akin to Thorgils
+Makson. Gaut had made ready to go in this same ship wherein Thorgeir
+was to sail. He bristled up against Thorgeir, and showed mighty
+ill-will against him and went about scowling; when the chapmen found
+this out, they thought it far from safe that both should sail in one
+ship. Thorgeir said he heeded not how much soever Gaut would bend his
+brows on him; still it was agreed that Gaut should take himself off
+from the ship, whereupon he went north into the upper settlements,
+and that time nought happed between him and Thorgeir, but out of this
+sprang up between them ill blood, as matters showed after.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXVIII.
+
+<i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.
+
+
+This summer Grettir Asmundson came out to Skagafirth: he was in those
+days so famed a man for strength and prowess, that none was deemed
+his like among young men. He rode home to Biarg forthwith, and Asmund
+welcomed him meetly. At that time Atli managed the farming matters,
+and well things befell betwixt the brothers.
+
+But now Grettir waxed so overbearing, that he deemed that nought was
+too much for him to do. At that time had many men grown into full
+manhood who were young in the days when Grettir was wont to play with
+them on Midfirth-water before he went abroad; one of these was Audun,
+who then dwelt at Audunstead, in Willowdale; he was the son of Asgeir,
+the son of Audun, the son of Asgeir Madpate; of all men he was the
+strongest north there; but he was thought to be the gentlest of
+neighbours. Now it came into Grettir's mind that he had had the worst
+of Audun in that ball-play whereof is told before; and now he would
+fain try which of the twain had ripened the most since then. For this
+cause Grettir took his way from home, and fared unto Audunstead.
+This was in early mowing tide; Grettir was well dight, and rode in a
+fair-stained saddle of very excellent workmanship, which Thorfinn had
+given him; a good horse he had withal, and all weapons of the best.
+Grettir came early in the day to Audunstead, and knocked at the door.
+Few folk were within; Grettir asked if Audun was at home. Men said
+that he had gone to fetch victuals from the hill-dairy. Then Grettir
+took the bridle off his horse; the field was unmowed, and the horse
+went whereas the grass was the highest. Grettir went into the hall,
+sat down on the seat-beam, and thereon fell asleep. Soon after Audun
+came home, and sees a horse grazing in the field with a fair-stained
+saddle on; Audun was bringing victuals on two horses, and carried
+curds on one of them, in drawn-up hides, tied round about: this
+fashion men called curd-bags. Audun took the loads off the horses and
+carried the curd-bags in his arms into the house.
+
+Now it was dark before his eyes, and Grettir stretched his foot from
+out the beam so that Audun fell flat down head-foremost on to the
+curd-bag, whereby the bonds of the bag brake; Audun leaped up and
+asked who was that rascal in the way. Grettir named himself.
+
+Then said Audun, "Rashly hast thou done herein; what is thine errand
+then?"
+
+Grettir said, "I will fight with thee."
+
+"First I will see about my victuals," said Audun.
+
+"That thou mayst well do," said Grettir, "if thou canst not charge
+other folk therewith."
+
+Then Audun stooped down and caught up the curd-bag and dashed it
+against Grettir's bosom, and bade him first take what was sent him;
+and therewith was Grettir all smothered in the curds; and a greater
+shame he deemed that than if Audun had given him a great wound.
+
+Now thereon they rushed at one another and wrestled fiercely; Grettir
+set on with great eagerness, but Audun gave back before him. Yet he
+feels that Grettir has outgrown him in strength. Now all things in
+their way were kicked out of place, and they were borne on wrestling
+to and fro throughout all the hall; neither spared his might, but
+still Grettir was the toughest of the twain, and at last Audun fell,
+having torn all weapons from Grettir.
+
+Now they grapple hard with one another, and huge cracking was all
+around them. Withal a great din was heard coming through the earth
+underneath the farmstead, and Grettir heard some one ride up to the
+houses, get off his horse, and stride in with great strides; he sees
+a man come up, of goodly growth, in a red kirtle and with a helmet on
+his head. He took his way into the hall, for he had heard clamorous
+doings there as they were struggling together; he asked what was in
+the hall.
+
+Grettir named himself, "But who asks thereof?" quoth he.
+
+"Bardi am I hight," said the new comer.
+
+"Art thou Bardi, the son of Gudmund, from Asbiornsness?"
+
+"That very man am I," said Bardi; "but what art thou doing?"
+
+Grettir said, "We, Audun and I, are playing here in sport."
+
+"I know not as to the sport thereof," said Bardi, "nor are ye even men
+either; thou art full of unfairness and overbearing, and he is easy
+and good to deal with; so let him stand up forthwith."
+
+Grettir said, "<i>Many a man stretches round the door to the lock</i>;
+and meseems it lies more in thy way to avenge thy brother Hall[12]
+than to meddle in the dealings betwixt me and Audun."
+
+[Footnote 12: Who was killed in Norway by the sons of Harek, and whose
+revenge is told of in the Saga of the Heath slayings (existing in
+fragment).]
+
+"At all times I hear this," said Bardi, "nor know I if that will be
+avenged, but none the less I will that thou let Audun be at peace, for
+he is a quiet man."
+
+Grettir did so at Bardi's bidding, nathless, little did it please him.
+Bardi asked for what cause they strove.
+
+Grettir sang--
+
+  "Prithee, Audun, who can tell,
+  But that now thy throat shall swell;
+  That from rough hands thou shalt gain
+  By our strife a certain pain.
+  E'en such wrong as I have done,
+  I of yore from Audun won,
+  When the young, fell-creeping lad
+  At his hands a choking had."
+
+Bardi said that certes it was a matter to be borne with, if he had had
+to avenge himself.
+
+"Now I will settle matters between you," quoth Bardi; "I will that ye
+part, leaving things as they are, that thereby there may be an end of
+all between you."
+
+This they let hold good, but Grettir took ill liking to Bardi and his
+brothers.
+
+Now they all rode off, and when they were somewhat on their way,
+Grettir spake--
+
+"I have heard that thou hast will to go to Burgfirth this summer, and
+I now offer to go south with thee; and methinks that herein I do for
+thee more than thou art worthy of."
+
+Hereat was Bardi glad, and speedily said yea thereto, and bade him
+have thanks for this; and thereupon they parted. But a little after
+Bardi came back and said--
+
+"I will have it known that thou goest not unless my foster-father
+Thorarin will have it so, for he shall have all the rule of the
+faring."
+
+"Well mightest thou, methinks, have full freedom as to thine own
+redes," said Grettir, "and my faring I will not have laid under the
+choice of other folk; and I shall mislike it if thou easiest me aside
+from thy fellowship."
+
+Now either went their way, and Bardi said he should let Grettir know
+for sure if Thorarin would that he should fare with him, but that
+otherwise he might sit quiet at home. Grettir rode home to Biarg, but
+Bardi to his own house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXIX.
+
+<i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit</i>.
+
+
+That summer was settled to be a great horse-fight at Longfit, below
+Reeks. Thither came many men. Atli of Biarg had a good horse, a
+black-maned roan of Keingala's kin, and father and son had great love
+for that horse. The brothers, Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, had a brown
+horse, trusty in fight. These were to fight their horse against Atli
+of Biarg. And many other good horses were there.
+
+Odd, the Foundling-skald, of Kormak's kin, was to follow the horse
+of his kinsman through the day. Odd was then growing a big man, and
+bragged much of himself, and was untameable and reckless. Grettir
+asked of Atli his brother, who should follow his horse.
+
+"I am not so clear about that," said he.
+
+"Wilt thou that I stand by it?" said Grettir.
+
+"Be thou then very peaceable, kinsman," said Atli, "for here have we
+to deal with overbearing men."
+
+"Well, let them pay for their own insolence," said Grettir, "if they
+know not how to hold it back."
+
+Now are the horses led out, but all stood forth on the river-bank tied
+together. There was a deep hollow in the river down below the bank.
+The horses bit well at each other, and the greatest sport it was.
+
+Odd drave on his horse with all his might, but Grettir held back, and
+seized the tail with one hand, and the staff wherewith he goaded the
+horse he held in the other. Odd stood far before his horse, nor was it
+so sure that he did not goad Atli's horse from his hold. Grettir made
+as if he saw it not. Now the horses bore forth towards the river. Then
+Odd drave his staff at Grettir, and smote the shoulder-blade, for that
+Grettir turned the shoulder towards him: that was so mighty a stroke,
+that the flesh shrank from under it, but Grettir was little scratched.
+
+Now in that nick of time the horses reared up high, and Grettir ran
+under his horse's hocks, and thrust his staff so hard at the side
+of Odd that three ribs brake in him, but he was hurled out into deep
+water, together with his horse and all the horses that were tied
+together. Then men swam out to him and dragged him out of the river;
+then was a great hooting made thereat; Kormak's folk ran to their
+weapons, as did the men of Biarg in another place. But when the
+Ramfirthers and the men of Waterness saw that, they went betwixt them,
+and they were parted and went home, but both sides had ill-will one
+with the other, though they sat peacefully at home for a while.
+
+Atli was sparing of speech over this, but Grettir was right unsparing,
+and said that they would meet another time if his will came to pass.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXX.
+
+<i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy, and of Grettir's meeting
+with Kormak on Ramfirth-neck</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Thorodstead in Ramfirth;
+he was the son of Arnor Hay-nose,[13] the son of Thorod, who had
+settled Ramfirth on that side out as far as Bank was on the other.
+
+[Footnote 13: In the Landnáma he is called 'Hy-nef;' the meaning is
+doubtful, but it seems that the author of this history means to call
+him Hay-nose.]
+
+Thorbiorn was the strongest of all men; he was called Oxmain. Thorod
+was the name of his brother, he was called Drapa-Stump; their mother
+was Gerd, daughter of Bodvar, from Bodvars-knolls. Thorbiorn was a
+great and hardy warrior, and had many men with him; he was noted as
+being worse at getting servants than other men, and barely gave he
+wages to any man, nor was he thought a good man to deal with. There
+was a kinsman of his hight Thorbiorn, and bynamed Tardy; he was a
+sailor, and the namesakes were partners. He was ever at Thorodstead,
+and was thought to better Thorbiorn but little. He was a fault-finding
+fellow, and went about jeering at most men.
+
+There was a man hight Thorir, the son of Thorkel of Boardere. He
+farmed first at Meals in Ramfirth; his daughter was Helga, whom
+Sleita-Helgi had to wife, but after the man-slaying in Fairslope
+Thorir set up for himself his abode south in Hawkdale, and farmed at
+the Pass, and sold the land at Meals to Thorhall, son of Gamli the
+Vendlander.[14] His son was Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, daughter
+of Asmund the Greyhaired, and Grettir's sister. They dwelt at that
+time at Meals, and had good hap. Thorir of the Pass had two sons, one
+hight Gunnar, the other Thorgeir; they were both hopeful men, and
+had then taken the farm after their father, yet were for ever with
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, and were growing exceeding unruly.
+
+[Footnote 14: Ed. 1853 has the "Wide-landed, Viðlendings," which here
+is altered agreeably to the correction in ch. 14, p. 29.]
+
+The summer after that just told, Kormak and Thorgils and Narfi their
+kinsman rode south to Northriverdale, on some errand of theirs. Odd
+the Foundling-skald fared also with them, and by then was gotten
+healed of the stiffness he gained at the horse-fight. But while they
+were south of the heath, Grettir fared from Biarg, and with him two
+house-carles of Atli's. They rode over to Bowerfell, and thence over
+the mountain neck to Ramfirth, and came to Meals in the evening.
+
+They were there three nights; Ranveig and Gamli welcomed Grettir well,
+and bade him abide with them, but he had will to ride home.
+
+Then Grettir heard that Kormak and his fellows were come from the
+south, and had guested at Tongue through the night. Grettir got ready
+early to leave Meals; Gamli offered him men to go with him. Now Grim
+was the name of Gamli's brother; he was of all men the swiftest; he
+rode with Grettir with another man; they were five in all. Thus they
+rode on till they came to Ramfirth-neck, west of Bowerfell. There
+stands a huge stone that is called Grettir's heave; for he tried long
+that day to lift that stone, and thus they delayed till Kormak and his
+fellows were come. Grettir rode to meet them, and both sides jumped
+off their horses. Grettir said it was more like free men now to
+deal blows of the biggest, than to fight with staves like wandering
+churles. Then Kormak bade them take the challenge in manly wise, and
+do their best. Thereafter they ran at one another and fought. Grettir
+went before his men, and bade them take heed, that none came at his
+back. Thus they fought a while, and men were wounded on both sides.
+
+Now Thorbiorn Oxmain had ridden that day over the neck to Bowerfell,
+and when he rode back he saw their meeting. There were with him then
+Thorbiorn the Tardy, and Gunnar and Thorgeir, Thorir's sons, and
+Thorod Drapa-Stump. Now when they came thereto, Thorbiorn called on
+his men to go between them. But the others were by then so eager that
+they could do nought. Grettir broke forth fiercely, and before him
+were the sons of Thorir, and they both fell as he thrust them from
+him; they waxed exceeding furious thereat, insomuch that Gunnar dealt
+a death-blow at a house-carle of Atli; and when Thorbiorn saw that,
+he bade them part, saying withal that he would aid which side soever
+should pay heed to his words. By then were fallen two house-carles of
+Kormak, but Grettir saw, that it would hardly do if Thorbiorn should
+bring aid to them against him, wherefore now he gave up the battle,
+and all were wounded who had been at that meeting. But much it
+misliked Grettir that they had been parted.
+
+Thereafter either side rode home, nor did they settle peace after
+these slayings. Thorbiorn the Tardy made much mocking at all this,
+therefore things began to worsen betwixt the men of Biarg and
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, so that therefrom fell much ill-will as came to be
+known after. No boot was bidden to Atli for his house-carle, but
+he made as if he knew it not. Grettir sat at home at Biarg until
+Twainmonth.[15] Nor is it said in story that he and Kormak met ever
+again after these things betid.
+
+[Footnote 15: The second month in the year, corresponding to our
+September.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXI.
+
+<i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund, as he came back from the
+Heath-slayings</i>.
+
+
+Bardi, the son of Gudmund, and his brothers, rode home to Asbiornsness
+after their parting with Grettir.
+
+They were the sons of Gudmund, the son of Solmund. The mother of
+Solmund was Thorlaug, the daughter of Saemund, the South-Island man,
+the foster-brother of Ingimund the Old, and Bardi was a very noble
+man.
+
+Now soon he rode to find Thorarin the Wise, his foster-father. He
+welcomed Bardi well, and asked what gain he had got of followers and
+aid, for they had before taken counsel over Bardi's journey. Bardi
+answered that he had got the aid of that man to his fellow, whose aid
+he deemed better than that of any other twain. Thorarin got silent
+thereat, and then said,
+
+"That man will be Grettir Asmundson."
+
+"<i>Sooth is the sage's guess</i>," said Bardi; "that is the very man,
+foster-father."
+
+Thorarin answered, "True it is, that Grettir is much before any other
+man of those who are to choose in our land, and late will he be won
+with weapons, if he be hale, yet it misdoubts me how far he will bring
+thee luck; but of thy following all must not be luckless, and enough
+ye will do, though he fare not with thee: nowise shall he go if I may
+have my will."
+
+"This I could not have deemed, foster-father," said he, "that thou
+wouldst grudge me the aid of the bravest of men, if my need should be
+hard. A man cannot foresee all things when he is driven on as methinks
+I am."
+
+"Thou wilt do well," said Thorarin; "though thou abidest by my
+foresight."
+
+Now thus must things be, even as Thorarin would, that no word more was
+sent to Grettir, but Bardi fared south to Burgfirth, and then befell
+the Heath-slayings.
+
+Grettir was at Biarg when he heard that Bardi had ridden south; he
+started up in anger for that no word had been sent to him, and said
+that not thus should they part. He had news of them when they
+were looked for coming from the south, and thereat he rode down to
+Thorey's-peak, for the waylaying of Bardi's folk as they came back
+from the south: he fared from the homestead up on to the hill-side,
+and abode there. That same day rode Bardi and his men north over
+Twodaysway, from the Heath-slayings; they were six in all, and every
+man sore wounded; and when they came forth by the homestead, then said
+Bardi--
+
+"A man there is up on the hill-side; a big man, armed. What man do ye
+take him to be?"
+
+They said that they wotted not who he was.
+
+Bardi said, "Methinks there," quoth he, "is Grettir Asmundson; and if
+so it is, there will he meet us. I deem that it has misliked him that
+he fared not with us, but methinks we are not in good case, if he be
+bent on doing us harm. I now shall send after men to Thorey's-peak,
+and stake nought on the chance of his ill-will."
+
+They said this was a good rede, and so was it done.
+
+Thereafter Bardi and his folk rode on their way. Grettir saw where
+they fared, and went in the way before them, and when they met, either
+greeted other.
+
+Grettir asked for tidings, but Bardi told them fearlessly, even as
+they were. Grettir asked what men were in that journey with him. Bardi
+said that there were his brothers, and Eyulf his brother-in-law.
+
+"Thou hast now cleared thyself from all blame," said Grettir; "but now
+is it best that we try between us who is of most might here."
+
+Said Bardi, "Too nigh to my garth have deeds of hard need been, than
+that I should fight with thee without a cause, and well methinks have
+I thrust these from me."
+
+"Thou growest soft, methinks, Bardi," said Grettir, "since thou durst
+not fight with me."
+
+"Call that what thou wilt," said Bardi; "but in some other stead would
+I that thou wreak thine high-handedness than here on me; and that is
+like enough, for now does thy rashness pass all bounds."
+
+Grettir thought ill of his spaedom, and now doubted within himself
+whether he should set on one or other of them; but it seemed rash to
+him, as they were six and he one: and in that nick of time came up the
+men from Thorey's-peak to the aid of Bardi and his folk; then Grettir
+drew off from them, and turned aside to his horse. But Bardi and his
+fellows went on their way, nor were there farewells between them at
+parting.
+
+No further dealings between Bardi and Grettir are told of after these
+things betid.
+
+Now so has Grettir said that he deemed himself well matched to fight
+with most men, though they were three together, but he would have no
+mind to flee before four, without trying it; but against more would
+he fight only if he must needs defend his hand, as is said in this
+stave--
+
+  "My life trust I 'gainst three
+  Skilled in Mist's mystery;
+  Whatso in Hilda's weather
+  Shall bring the swords together;
+  If over four they are
+  My wayfaring that bar
+  No gale of swords will I
+  Wake with them willingly."
+
+After his parting with Bardi, Grettir fared to Biarg, and very ill he
+it thought that he might nowhere try his strength, and searched all
+about if anywhere might be somewhat wherewith he might contend.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXII.
+
+<i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how Thorhall took a Shepherd
+by the rede of Skapti the Lawman, and of what befell thereafter</i>.
+
+
+There was a man hight Thorhall, who dwelt at Thorhall-stead, in
+Shady-vale, which runs up from Waterdale. Thorhall was the son of
+Grim, son of Thorhall, the son of Fridmund, who settled Shady-vale.
+Thorhall had a wife hight Gudrun. Grim was their son, and Thurid their
+daughter; they were well-nigh grown up.
+
+Thorhall was a rich man, but mostly in cattle, so that no man had so
+much of live-stock as he. He was no chief, but an honest bonder he
+was. Much was that place haunted, and hardly could he get a shepherd
+that he deemed should serve his turn. He sought counsel of many men
+as to what he might do therewith, but none gave him a rede that might
+serve him. Thorhall rode each summer to the Thing, and good horses
+he had. But one summer at the Althing, Thorhall went to the booth
+of Skapti Thorodson the Lawman. Skapti was the wisest of men, and
+wholesome were his redes when folk prayed him for them. But he and his
+father differed thus much, that Thorod was foretelling, and yet was
+called under-handed of some folk; but Skapti showed forth to every
+man what he deemed would avail most, if it were not departed from,
+therefore was he called "Father-betterer."
+
+Now Thorhall went into Skapti's booth, and Skapti greeted him well,
+for he knew that he was a man rich in cattle, and he asked him what
+were the tidings.
+
+Thorhall answered, "A wholesome counsel would I have from thee."
+
+"Little am I meet for that," said Skapti; "but what dost thou stand in
+need of?"
+
+Thorhall said, "So is the matter grown to be, that but a little while
+do my shepherds avail me; for ever will they get badly hurt; but
+others will not serve to the end, and now no one will take the job
+when he knows what bides in the way."
+
+Skapti answered, "Some evil things shall be there then, since men
+are more unwilling to watch thy sheep than those of other men. Now,
+therefore, as thou hast sought rede of me, I shall get thee a shepherd
+who is hight Glam, a Swede, from Sylgsdale, who came out last summer,
+a big man and a strong, though he is not much to the mind of most
+folk."
+
+Thorhall said he heeded that little if he watched the sheep well.
+
+Skapti said that little would be the look out for others, if he could
+not watch them, despite his strength and daring.
+
+Then Thorhall went out from him, and this was towards the breaking
+up of the Thing. Thorhall missed two dun horses, and fared himself to
+seek for them; wherefore folk deem that he was no great man. He went
+up to Sledgehill, and south along the fell which is called Armansfell;
+then he saw how a man fared down from Godi's-wood, and bore faggots on
+a horse. Soon they met together, and Thorhall asked him of his name.
+He said that he was called Glam. This man was great of growth,
+uncouth to look on; his eyes were grey and glaring, and his hair was
+wolf-grey.
+
+Thorhall stared at him somewhat when he saw this man, till he saw that
+this was he to whom he had been sent.
+
+"What work hast thou best will to do?" said Thorhall.
+
+Glam said, "That he was of good mind to watch sheep in winter."
+
+"Wilt thou watch my sheep?" said Thorhall. "Skapti has given thee to
+my will."
+
+"So only shall my service avail thee, if I go of my own will, for I am
+evil of mood if matters mislike me," quoth Glam.
+
+"I fear no hurt thereof," said Thorhall, "and I will that thou fare to
+my house."
+
+"That may I do," said Glam, "perchance there are some troubles there?"
+
+"Folk deem the place haunted," said Thorhall.
+
+"Such bugs will not scare me," quoth Glam; "life seems to me less
+irksome thereby."
+
+"It must needs seem so," said Thorhall, "and truly it is better that a
+mannikin be not there."
+
+Thereafter they struck bargain together, and Glam is to come at winter
+nights: then they parted, and Thorhall found his horses even where he
+had just been searching. Thorhall rode home, and thanked Skapti for
+his good deed.
+
+Summer slipped away, and Thorhall heard nought of his shepherd, nor
+did any man know aught about him; but at the appointed time he came
+to Thorhall-stead. The bonder greeted him well, but none of the other
+folk could abide him, and the good wife least of all.
+
+Now he took to the sheep-watching, and little trouble it seemed to
+give him; he was big-voiced and husky, and all the beasts would run
+together when he whooped. There was a church at Thorhall-stead, but
+nowise would Glam come therein; he was a loather of church-song, and
+godless, foul-tempered, and surly, and no man might abide him.
+
+Now passed the time till it came to Yule-eve; then Glam got up and
+straightway called for his meat. The good wife said--
+
+"No Christian man is wont to eat meat this day, be-. cause that on the
+morrow is the first day of Yule," says she, "wherefore must men first
+fast to-day."
+
+He answers, "Many follies have ye, whereof I see no good come, nor
+know I that men fare better now than when they paid no heed to such
+things; and methinks the ways of men were better when they were called
+heathens; and now will I have my meat, and none of this fooling."
+
+Then said the housewife, "I know for sure that thou shall fare ill
+to-day, if thou takest up this evil turn."
+
+Glam bade her bring food straightway, and said that she should fare
+the worse else. She durst do but as he would, and so when he was full,
+he went out, growling and grumbling.
+
+Now the weather was such, that mirk was over all, and the snow-flakes
+drave down, and great din there was, and still all grew much the
+worse, as the day slipped away.
+
+Men heard the shepherd through the early morning, but less of him
+as the day wore; then it took to snowing, and by evening there was
+a great storm; then men went to church, and thus time drew on to
+nightfall; and Glam came not home; then folk held talk, as to whether
+search should not be made for him, but, because of the snow-storm and
+pitch darkness, that came to nought.
+
+Now he came not home on the night of Yule-eve; and thus men abide till
+after the time of worship; but further on in the day men fared out to
+the search, and found the sheep scattered wide about in fens, beaten
+down by the storm, or strayed up into the mountains. Thereafter they
+came on a great beaten place high up in the valley, and they thought
+it was as if strong wrestling had gone on there; for that all about
+the stones had been uptorn and the earth withal; now they looked
+closely and saw where Glam lay a little way therefrom; he was dead,
+and as blue as hell, and as great as a neat.
+
+Huge loathing took them, at the sight of him, and they shuddered in
+their souls at him, yet they strove to bring him to church, but could
+get him only as far as a certain gil-edge a little way below.
+
+Then they fared home to the farm, and told the bonder what had happed.
+He asked what was like to have been Glam's bane. They said they had
+tracked steps as great as if a cask-bottom had been stamped down, from
+there where the beaten place was, up to beneath sheer rocks which were
+high up the valley, and there along went great stains of blood. Now
+men drew from this, that the evil wight which had been there before
+had killed Glam, but had got such wounds as had been full enough for
+him, for of him none has since been ware.
+
+The second day of Yule men went afresh to try to bring Glam to church;
+drag horses were put to him, but could move him nowhere where they
+had to go on even ground and not down hill; then folk had to go away
+therefrom leaving things done so far.
+
+The third day the priest fared with them, and they sought all day, but
+found not Glam. The priest would go no more on such search, but the
+herdsman was found whenso the priest was not in their company. Then
+they let alone striving to bring him to church, and buried him there
+whereto he had been brought.
+
+A little time after men were ware that Glam lay not quiet. Folk got
+great hurt therefrom, so that many fell into swoons when they saw him,
+but others lost their wits thereby. But just after Yule men thought
+they saw him home at the farm. Folk became exceeding afeard thereat,
+and many fled there and then. Next Glam took to riding the house-roofs
+at night, so that he went nigh to breaking them in. Now he walked
+well-nigh night and day. Hardly durst men fare up into the dale,
+though they had errands enough there. And much scathe the men of the
+country-side deemed all this.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXIII.
+
+<i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead</i>.
+
+
+In the spring Thorhall got serving-men, and set up house at his farm;
+then the hauntings began to go off while the sun was at its height;
+and so things went on to midsummer. That summer a ship came out to
+Hunawater, wherein was a man named Thorgaut. He was an outlander of
+kin, big and stout, and two men's strength he had. He was unhired
+and single, and would fain do some work, for he was moneyless. Now
+Thorhall rode to the ship, and asked Thorgaut if he would work for
+him. Thorgaut said that might be, and moreover that he was not nice
+about work.
+
+"Be sure in thy mind," said Thorhall, "that mannikins are of small
+avail there because of the hauntings that have been going on there for
+one while now; for I will not draw thee on by wiles."
+
+Thorgaut answers, "I deem not myself given up, though I should see
+some wraithlings; matters will not be light when I am scared, nor will
+I give up my service for that."
+
+Now they come speedily to a bargain, and Thorgaut is to watch the
+sheep when winter comes. So the summer wore on, and Thorgaut betook
+himself to the shepherding at winter nights, and all liked him well.
+But ever came Glam home and rode the house-roofs; this Thorgaut deemed
+sport enough, and quoth he--
+
+"The thrall must come nigher to scare me."
+
+Thorhall bade him keep silence over that. "Better will it be that ye
+have no trial together."
+
+Thorgaut said, "Surely all might is shaken out of you, nor shall I
+drop down betwixt morn and eve at such talk."
+
+Now so things go through the winter till Yule-tide. On Yule eve the
+shepherd would fare out to his sheep. Then said the good wife--
+
+"Need is it that things go not the old way."
+
+He answered, "Have no fear thereof, goodwife; something worth telling
+of will betide if I come not back."
+
+And thereafter he went to his sheep; and the weather was somewhat
+cold, and there was much snow. Thorgaut was wont to come home when
+twilight had set in, and now he came not at that time. Folk went to
+church as they were wont. Men now thought things looked not unlike
+what they did before; the bonder would have search made for the
+shepherd, but the church-goers begged off, and said that they would
+not give themselves into the hands of trolls by night; so the bonder
+durst not go, and the search came to nought.
+
+Yule-day, when men were full, they fared out and searched for the
+shepherd; they first went to Glam's cairn, because men thought that
+from his deeds came the loss of the herdsman. But when they came nigh
+to the cairn, there they saw great tidings, for there they found the
+shepherd, and his neck was broken, and every bone in him smashed.
+Then they brought him to church, and no harm came to men from Thorgaut
+afterwards.
+
+But Glam began afresh to wax mighty; and such deeds he wrought, that
+all men fled away from Thorhall-stead, except the good man and his
+goodwife. Now the same neatherd had long been there, and Thorhall
+would not let him go, because of his good will and safe ward; he was
+well on in years, and was very loth to fare away, for he saw that all
+things the bonder had went to nought from not being watched.
+
+Now after midwinter one morning the housewife fared to the byre to
+milk the cows after the wonted time; by then was it broad daylight,
+for none other than the neatherd would trust themselves out before
+day; but he went out at dawn. She heard great cracking in the byre,
+with bellowing and roaring; she ran back crying out, and said she knew
+not what uncouth things were going on in the byre.
+
+The bonder went out and came to the cows, which were goring one
+another; so he thought it not good to go in there, but went in to the
+hay-barn. There he saw where lay the neatherd, and had his head in one
+boose[16] and his feet in the other; and he lay cast on his back. The
+bonder went up to him, and felt him all over with his hand, and finds
+soon that he was dead, and the spine of him broken asunder; it had
+been broken over the raised stone-edge of a boose.
+
+[Footnote 16: Boose, a cow-stall.]
+
+Now the goodman thought there was no abiding there longer; so he fled
+away from the farm with all that he might take away; but all such live
+stock as was left behind Glam killed, and then he fared all over the
+valley and destroyed farms up from Tongue. But Thorhall was with his
+friends the rest of the winter.
+
+No man might fare up the dale with horse or hound, because straightway
+it was slain. But when spring came, and the sun-light was the
+greatest, somewhat the hauntings abated; and now would Thorhall
+go back to his own land; he had no easy task in getting servants,
+nathless he set up house again at Thorhall-stead; but all went the
+same way as before; for when autumn came, the hauntings began to wax
+again; the bonder's daughter was most set on, and fared so that she
+died thereof. Many redes were sought, but nought could be done; men
+thought it like that all Waterdale would be laid waste if nought were
+found to better this.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXIV.
+
+<i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i>.
+
+
+Now we take up the story where Grettir Asmundson sat at Biarg through
+the autumn after they parted, he and Slaying-Bardi at Thoreys-peak;
+and when the time of winter-nights had well-nigh come, Grettir
+rode from home north over the neck to Willowdale, and guested at
+Audunstead; he and Audun made a full peace, and Grettir gave Audun a
+good axe, and they talked of friendship between them. Audun dwelt
+long at Audunstead, and was a man of many and hopeful kin; his son was
+Egil, who married Ulfheid, daughter of Eyulf Gudmundson, and their son
+was Eyulf, who was slain at the Althing, he was the father of Orm, who
+was the chaplain of Bishop Thorlak.
+
+Grettir rode north to Waterdale, and came to see his kin at Tongue. In
+those days dwelt there Jokull, the son of Bard, the mother's brother
+of Grettir: Jokull was a big man and a strong, and the most violent
+of men; he was a seafaring man, very wild, and yet a man of great
+account.
+
+He greeted Grettir well, and he was there three nights. There were so
+many words about Glam's hauntings, that nought was so much spoken of
+as of that. Grettir asked closely about all things that had happed.
+Jokull said that thereof was told no more than the very truth; "And,
+perchance, thou art wishful to go there, kinsman?"
+
+Grettir said that so it was.
+
+Jokull bade him do it not, "Because it is a great risk for thy good
+luck, and thy kinsmen have much to hazard where thou art," said he,
+"for of young men we think there is none such as thou; but <i>from ill
+cometh ill</i> whereas Glam is; and far better it is to deal with men
+than with such evil wights."
+
+Grettir said, "That he had a mind to go to Thorhall-stead and see how
+things went there."
+
+Said Jokull, "Now I see it is of no avail to let thee; but so it is,
+as men say, <i>Good luck and goodliness are twain</i>."
+
+"<i>Woe is before one's own door when it is inside one's
+neighbour's</i>; think how it may fare with thyself ere things are
+ended," said Grettir.
+
+Jokull answered, "Maybe we may both see somewhat of things to come,
+but neither may help aught herein."
+
+They parted thereafter, and neither thought well of the other's
+foretelling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXV.
+
+<i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do with Glam</i>.
+
+
+Grettir rode to Thorhall-stead, and the bonder gave him good welcome;
+he asked whither Grettir was minded to fare, but Grettir said he would
+be there that night if the bonder would have it so.
+
+Thorhall said that he thanked him therefor, "But few have thought it
+a treat to guest here for any time; thou must needs have heard what
+is going on here, and I fain would that thou shouldest have no trouble
+from me: but though thou shouldest come off whole thyself, that know
+I for sure, that thou wilt lose thy horse, for none keeps his horse
+whole who comes here."
+
+Grettir said that horses were to be had in plenty whatsoever might hap
+to this. Then Thorhall was glad that Grettir was to be there, and gave
+him a hearty welcome.
+
+Now Grettir's horse was locked up in a strong house, and they went to
+sleep; and so the night slipped by, and Glam came not home.
+
+Then said Thorhall, "Things have gone well at thy coming, for every
+night is Glam wont to ride the house-roofs, or break open doors, as
+thou mayest well see."
+
+Grettir said, "Then shall one of two things be, either he shall not
+hold himself back for long, or the hauntings will abate for more than
+one night; I will bide here another night and see how things fare."
+
+Thereafter they went to Grettir's horse, and nought had been tried
+against it; then all seemed to the bonder to go one way.
+
+Now is Grettir there another night, and neither came the thrall home;
+that the farmer deemed very hopeful; withal he fared to see after
+Grettir's horse. When the farmer came there, he found the house broken
+into, but the horse was dragged out to the door, and every bone in
+him broken to pieces. Thorhall told Grettir what had happed there, and
+bade him save himself, "For sure is thy death if thou abidest Glam."
+
+Grettir answered, "I must not have less for my horse than a sight of
+the thrall."
+
+The bonder said it was no boon to see him, for he was unlike any shape
+of man; "but good methinks is every hour that thou art here."
+
+Now the day goes by, and when men should go to sleep Grettir would
+not put off his clothes, but lay down on the seat over against the
+bonder's lock-bed. He had a drugget cloak over him, and wrapped one
+skirt of it under his feet, and twined the other under his head, and
+looked out through the head-opening; a seat-beam was before the seat,
+a very strong one, and against this he set his feet. The door-fittings
+were all broken from the outer door, but a wrecked door was now bound
+thereby, and all was fitted up in the wretchedest wise. The panelling
+which had been before the seat athwart the hall, was all broken away
+both above and below the cross-beam; all beds had been torn out of
+place, and an uncouth place it was.
+
+Light burned in the hall through the night; and when the third part
+of the night was passed, Grettir heard huge din without, and then one
+went up upon the houses and rode the hall, and drave his heels against
+the thatch so that every rafter cracked again.
+
+That went on long, and then he came down from the house and went
+to the door; and as the door opened, Grettir saw that the thrall
+stretched in his head, which seemed to him monstrously big, and
+wondrous thick cut.
+
+Glam fared slowly when he came into the door and stretched himself
+high up under the roof, and turned looking along the hall, and laid
+his arms on the tie-beam, and glared inwards over the place. The
+farmer would not let himself be heard, for he deemed he had had enough
+in hearing himself what had gone on outside. Grettir lay quiet, and
+moved no whit; then Glam saw that some bundle lay on the seat, and
+therewith he stalked up the hall and griped at the wrapper wondrous
+hard; but Grettir set his foot against the beam, and moved in no wise;
+Glam pulled again much harder, but still the wrapper moved not at all;
+the third time he pulled with both hands so hard, that he drew Grettir
+upright from the seat; and now they tore the wrapper asunder between
+them.
+
+Glam gazed at the rag he held in his hand, and wondered much who might
+pull so hard against him; and therewithal Grettir ran under his hands
+and gripped him round the middle, and bent back his spine as hard as
+he might, and his mind it was that Glam should shrink thereat; but the
+thrall lay so hard on Grettir's arms, that he shrank all aback because
+of Glam's strength.
+
+Then Grettir bore back before him into sundry seats; but the
+seat-beams were driven out of place, and all was broken that was
+before them. Glam was fain to get out, but Grettir set his feet
+against all things that he might; nathless Glam got him dragged from
+out the hall; there had they a wondrous hard wrestling, because the
+thrall had a mind to bring him out of the house; but Grettir saw that
+ill as it was to deal with Glam within doors, yet worse would it be
+without; therefore he struggled with all his might and main against
+going out-a-doors.
+
+Now Glam gathered up his strength and knit Grettir towards him when
+they came to the outer door; but when Grettir saw that he might not
+set his feet against that, all of a sudden in one rush he drave his
+hardest against the thrall's breast, and spurned both feet against the
+half-sunken stone that stood in the threshold of the door; for this
+the thrall was not ready, for he had been tugging to draw Grettir to
+him, therefore he reeled aback and spun out against the door, so that
+his shoulders caught the upper door-case, and the roof burst asunder,
+both rafters and frozen thatch, and therewith he fell open-armed aback
+out of the house, and Grettir over him.
+
+Bright moonlight was there without, and the drift was broken, now
+drawn over the moon, now driven from off her; and, even as Glam fell,
+a cloud was driven from the moon, and Glam glared up against her. And
+Grettir himself says that by that sight only was he dismayed amidst
+all that he ever saw.
+
+Then his soul sank within him so, from all these things both from
+weariness, and because he had seen Glam turn his eyes so horribly,
+that he might not draw the short-sword, and lay well-nigh 'twixt home
+and hell.
+
+But herein was there more fiendish craft in Glam than in most other
+ghosts, that he spake now in this wise--
+
+"Exceeding eagerly hast thou wrought to meet me, Grettir, but no
+wonder will it be deemed, though thou gettest no good hap of me; and
+this must I tell thee, that thou now hast got half the strength and
+manhood, which was thy lot if thou hadst not met me: now I may not
+take from thee the strength which thou hast got before this; but that
+may I rule, that thou shalt never be mightier than now thou art;
+and nathless art thou mighty enow, and that shall many an one learn.
+Hitherto hast thou earned fame by thy deeds, but henceforth will
+wrongs and man-slayings fall on thee, and the most part of thy doings
+will turn to thy woe and ill-hap; an outlaw shalt thou be made, and
+ever shall it be thy lot to dwell alone abroad; therefore this weird I
+lay on thee, ever in those days to see these eyes with thine eyes,
+and thou wilt find it hard to be alone--and that shall drag thee unto
+death."
+
+Now when the thrall had thus said, the astonishment fell from Grettir
+that had lain on him, and therewith he drew the short-sword and hewed
+the head from Glam, and laid it at his thigh.
+
+Then came the farmer out; he had clad himself while Glam had his spell
+going, but he durst come nowhere nigh till Glam had fallen.
+
+Thorhall praised God therefor, and thanked Grettir well for that he
+had won this unclean spirit. Then they set to work and burned Glam
+to cold coals, thereafter they gathered his ashes into the skin of a
+beast, and dug it down whereas sheep-pastures were fewest, or the ways
+of men. They walked home thereafter, and by then it had got far
+on towards day; Grettir laid him down, for he was very stiff: but
+Thorhall sent to the nearest farm for men, and both showed them and
+told them how all things had fared.
+
+All men who heard thereof deemed this a deed of great worth, and in
+those days it was said by all that none in all the land was like to
+Grettir Asmundson for great heart and prowess.
+
+Thorhall saw off Grettir handsomely, and gave him a good horse and
+seemly clothes, for those were all torn to pieces that he had worn
+before; so they parted in friendly wise. Grettir rode thence to the
+Ridge in Waterdale, and Thorvald received him well, and asked closely
+about the struggle with Glam. Grettir told him all, and said thereto
+that he had never had such a trial of strength, so long was their
+struggle.
+
+Thorvald bade him keep quiet, "Then all will go well with thee, else
+wilt thou be a man of many troubles."
+
+Grettir said that his temper had been nowise bettered by this, that he
+was worse to quiet than before, and that he deemed all trouble worse
+than it was; but that herein he found the greatest change, in that he
+was become so fearsome a man in the dark, that he durst go nowhither
+alone after nightfall, for then he seemed to see all kinds of horrors.
+
+And that has fallen since into a proverb, that Glam lends eyes, or
+gives Glamsight to those who see things nowise as they are.
+
+But Grettir rode home to Biarg when he had done his errands, and sat
+at home through the winter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXVI.
+
+<i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's autumn-feast, and the mocks of Thorbiorn
+Tardy</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain held a great autumn feast, and many men came thither
+to him, and that was while Grettir fared north to Waterdale in the
+autumn; Thorbiorn the Tardy was there at the feast, and many things
+were spoken of there. There the Ramfirthers asked of those dealings of
+Grettir on the neck the summer before.
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain told the story right fairly as towards Grettir, and
+said that Kormak would have got the worst of it, if none had come
+there to part them.
+
+Then spake Thorbiorn the Tardy, "Both these things are true," said he:
+"I saw Grettir win no great honour, and I deem withal that fear shot
+through his heart when we came thereto, and right blithe was he to
+part, nor did I see him seek for vengeance when Atli's house-carle was
+slain; therefore do I deem that there is no heart in him if he is not
+holpen enow."
+
+And thereat Thorbiorn went on gabbling at his most; but many put in a
+word, and said that this was worthless fooling, and that Grettir would
+not leave things thus, if he heard that talk.
+
+Nought else befell worth telling of at the feast, and men went home;
+but much ill-will there was betwixt them that winter, though neither
+set on other; nor were there other tidings through the winter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXVII.
+
+<i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying of Thorbiorn Tardy;
+Grettir goes to Norway</i>.
+
+
+Early the spring after came out a ship from Norway; and that was
+before the Thing; these folk knew many things to tell, and first that
+there was change of rulers in Norway, for Olaf Haraldson was come to
+be king, and Earl Svein had fled the country in the spring after the
+fight at Ness. Many noteworthy matters were told of King Olaf, and
+this withal, that he received such men in the best of ways who were of
+prowess in any deeds, and that he made such his men.
+
+Thereat were many young men glad, and listed to go abroad, and when
+Grettir heard the tidings he became much minded to sail out; for he,
+like others, hoped for honour at the king's hands.
+
+A ship lay in Goose-ere in Eyjafirth, therein Grettir got him a berth
+and made ready for the voyage, nor had he yet much of faring-goods.
+
+Now Asmund was growing very feeble with eld, and was well-nigh
+bedridden; he and Asdis had a young son who was called Illugi, and was
+the hopefullest of men; and, by this time, Atli tended all farming and
+money-keeping, and this was deemed to better matters, because he was a
+peaceable and foreseeing man.
+
+Now Grettir went shipward, but in that same ship had Thorbiorn the
+Tardy taken passage, before folk knew that Grettir would sail therein.
+Now men would hinder Thorbiorn from sailing in the same ship with
+Grettir, but Thorbiorn said that he would go for all that. He gat him
+ready for the voyage out, and was somewhat late thereat, nor did he
+come to the north to Goose-ere before the ship was ready for sea; and
+before Thorbiorn fared from the west, Asmund the Greyhaired fell sick
+and was bedridden.
+
+Now Thorbiorn the Tardy came late one day down to the sand; men were
+getting ready to go to table, and were washing their hands outside the
+booths; but when Thorbiorn rode up the lane betwixt the booths, he
+was greeted, and asked for tidings. He made as if there was nought
+to tell, "Save that I deem that Asmund, the champion of Biarg, is now
+dead."
+
+Many men said that there where he went, departed a worthy goodman from
+the world.
+
+"But what brought it about?" said they.
+
+He answered, "Little went to the death of that champion, for in the
+chamber smoke was he smothered like a dog; nor is there loss therein,
+for he was grown a dotard."
+
+"Thou speakest marvellously of such a man," said they, "nor would
+Grettir like thy words well, if he heard them."
+
+"That must I bear," said Thorbiorn, "and higher must Grettir bear the
+sword than he did last summer at Ramfirth-neck, if I am to tremble at
+him."
+
+Now Grettir heard full well what Thorbiorn said, and paid no heed
+thereto while he let his tale run on; but when he had made an end,
+then spake Grettir--
+
+"That fate I foretell for thee, Tardy," said he, "that thou wilt not
+die in chamber smoke, yet may be withal thou wilt not die of eld; but
+it is strangely done to speak scorn of sackless men."
+
+Thorbiorn said, "I have no will to hold in about these things, and
+methinks thou didst not bear thyself so briskly when we got thee off
+that time when the men of Meals beat thee like a neat's head."
+
+Then sang Grettir--
+
+  "Day by day full over long,
+  Arrow-dealer, grows thy tongue;
+  Such a man there is, that thou
+  Mayst be paid for all words now;
+  Many a man, who has been fain,
+  Wound-worm's tower with hands to gain,
+  With less deeds his death has bought,
+  Than thou, Tardy-one, hast wrought."
+
+Said Thorbiorn, "About as feign do I deem myself as before, despite
+thy squealing."
+
+Grettir answered, "Heretofore my spaedom has not been long-lived, and
+so shall things go still; now beware if thou wilt, hereafter will no
+out-look be left."
+
+Therewith Grettir hewed at Thorbiorn, but he swung up his hand, with
+the mind to ward the stroke from him, but that stroke came on his arm
+about the wrist, and withal the short-sword drave into his neck so
+that the head was smitten off.
+
+Then said the chapmen that he was a man of mighty strokes, and
+that such should king's men be; and no scathe they deemed it though
+Thorbiorn were slain, in that he had been both quarrelsome and
+spiteful.
+
+A little after they sailed into the sea, and came in late summer to
+Norway, south at Hordaland, and then they heard that King Olaf was
+north at Drontheim; then Grettir took ship in a trading keel to go
+north therefrom, because he would fain see the king.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXVIII.
+
+<i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how Grettir fetched fire for
+his shipmates</i>.
+
+
+There was a man named Thorir, who lived at Garth, in Maindale, he was
+the son of Skeggi, the son of Botulf. Skeggi had settled Well-wharf up
+to Well-ness; he had to wife Helga, daughter of Thorkel, of Fishbrook;
+Thorir, his son, was a great chief, and a seafaring man. He had two
+sons, one called Thorgeir and one Skeggi, they were both hopeful men,
+and fully grown in those days. Thorir had been in Norway that summer,
+when King Olaf came east from England, and got into great friendship
+with the king, and with Bishop Sigurd as well; and this is a token
+thereof, that Thorir had had a large ship built in the wood, and
+prayed Bishop Sigurd to hallow it, and so he did. Thereafter Thorir
+fared out to Iceland and caused the ship to be broken up, when he grew
+weary of sailing, but the beaks of the ship, he had set up over his
+outer door, and they were there long afterwards, and were so full of
+weather wisdom, that the one whistled before a south wind, and the
+other before a north wind.
+
+But when Thorir knew that King Olaf had got the sole rule over all
+Norway, he deemed that he had some friendship there to fall back on;
+then he sent his sons to Norway to meet the king, and was minded that
+they should become his men. They came there south, late in autumn, and
+got to themselves a row-barge, and fared north along the land, with
+the mind to go and meet the king.
+
+They came to a haven south of Stead, and lay there some nights, and
+kept themselves in good case as to meat and drink, and were not much
+abroad when the weather was foul.
+
+Now it is to be told that Grettir and his fellows fared north
+along the land, and often had hard weather, because it was then the
+beginning of winter; and when they bore down north on Stead, they had
+much foul weather, with snow and frost, and with exceeding trouble
+they make land one evening all much worn with wet; so they lay to by
+a certain dyke, and could thus save their money and goods; the chapmen
+were hard put to it for the cold, because they could not light any
+fire, though thereon they deemed well-nigh their life and health lay.
+
+Thus they lay that evening in evil plight; but as the night wore on
+they saw that a great fire sprang up in the midst of the sound over
+against there whereas they had come. But when Grettir's shipmates saw
+the fire, they said one to the other that he would be a happy man who
+might get it, and they doubted whether they should unmoor the ship,
+but to all of them there seemed danger in that. Then they had a long
+talk over it, whether any man was of might enow to fetch that fire.
+
+Grettir gave little heed thereto, but said, that such men had been as
+would not have feared the task. The chapmen said that they were not
+bettered by what had been, if now there was nought to take to.
+
+"Perchance thou deemest thyself man enough thereto, Grettir," said
+they, "since thou art called the man of most prowess among the men of
+Iceland, and thou wottest well enough what our need is."
+
+Grettir answered, "It seems to me no great deed to fetch the fire, but
+I wot not if ye will reward it according to the prayer of him who does
+it."
+
+They said, "Why deemest thou us such shameful men as that we should
+reward that deed but with good?"
+
+Quoth he, "I may try this if so be that ye think much lies on it, but
+my mind bids me hope to get nought of good thereby."
+
+They said that that should never be, and bade all hail to his words;
+and thereafter Grettir made ready for swimming, and cast his clothes
+from off him; of clothes he had on but a cape and sail-cloth breeches;
+he girt up the cape and tied a bast-rope strongly round his middle,
+and had with him a cask; then he leaped overboard; he stretched across
+the sound, and got aland.
+
+There he saw a house stand, and heard therefrom the talk of men, and
+much clatter, and therewith he turned toward that house.
+
+Now is it to be said of those that were there before, that here were
+come the sons of Thorir, as is aforesaid; they had lain there many
+nights, and bided there the falling of the gale, that they might
+have wind at will to go north, beyond Stead. They had set them down
+a-drinking, and were twelve men in all; their ship rode in the main
+haven, and they were at a house of refuge for such men to guest in, as
+went along the coast.
+
+Much straw had been borne into the house, and there was a great fire
+on the floor; Grettir burst into the house, and wotted not who was
+there before; his cape was all over ice when he came aland, and he
+himself was wondrous great to behold, even as a troll; now those first
+comers were exceeding amazed at him, and deemed he must be some evil
+wight; they smote at him with all things they might lay hold of, and
+mighty din went on around them; but Grettir put off all blows strongly
+with his arms, then some smote him with fire-brands, and the fire
+burst off over all the house, and therewith he got off with the fire
+and fared back again to his fellows.
+
+They mightily praised his journey and the prowess of it, and said
+that his like would never be. And now the night wore, and they deemed
+themselves happy in that they had got the fire.
+
+The next morning the weather was fair; the chapmen woke early and got
+them ready to depart, and they talked together that now they should
+meet those who had had the rule of that fire, and wot who they were.
+
+Now they unmoored their ship, and crossed over the sound; there they
+found no hall, but saw a great heap of ashes, and found therein many
+bones of men; then they deemed that this house of refuge had been
+utterly burned up, with all those men who had been therein.
+
+Thereat they asked if Grettir had brought about that ill-hap, and said
+that it was the greatest misdeed.
+
+Grettir said, that now had come to pass even as he had misdoubted,
+that they should reward him ill for the fetching of the fire, and that
+it was ill to help unmanly men.
+
+Grettir got such hurt of this, that the chapmen said, wheresoever they
+came, that Grettir had burned those men. The news soon got abroad that
+in that house were lost the aforenamed sons of Thorir of Garth, and
+their fellows; then they drave Grettir from their ship and would not
+have him with them; and now he became so ill looked on that scarce any
+one would do good to him.
+
+Now he deemed that matters were utterly hopeless, but before all
+things would go to meet the king, and so made north to Drontheim. The
+king was there before him, and knew all or ever Grettir came there,
+who had been much slandered to the king. And Grettir was some days in
+the town before he could get to meet the king.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXIX.
+
+<i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the King</i>.
+
+
+Now on a day when the king sat in council, Grettir went before the
+king and greeted him well. The king looked at him and said, "Art thou
+Grettir the Strong?"
+
+He answered, "So have I been called, and for that cause am I come to
+thee, that I hope from thee deliverance from the evil tale that is
+laid on me, though I deem that I nowise wrought that deed."
+
+King Olaf said, "Thou art great enough, but I know not what luck thou
+mayest bear about to cast off this matter from thee; but it is like,
+indeed, that thou didst not willingly burn the men."
+
+Grettir said he was fain to put from him this slander, if the king
+thought he might do so; the king bade him tell truthfully, how it had
+gone betwixt him and those men: Grettir told him all, even as has been
+said before, and this withal, that they were all alive when he came
+out with the fire--
+
+"And now I will offer to free myself in such wise as ye may deem will
+stand good in law therefor."
+
+Olaf the king said, "We will grant thee to bear iron for this matter
+if thy luck will have it so."
+
+Grettir liked this exceeding well; and now took to fasting for the
+iron; and so the time wore on till the day came whereas the trial
+should come off; then went the king to the church, and the bishop and
+much folk, for many were eager to have a sight of Grettir, so much as
+had been told of him.
+
+Then was Grettir led to the church, and when he came thither, many of
+those who were there before gazed at him and said one to the other,
+that he was little like to most folk, because of his strength and
+greatness of growth.
+
+Now, as Grettir went up the church-floor, there started up a lad of
+ripe growth, wondrous wild of look, and he said to Grettir--
+
+"Marvellous is now the custom in this land, as men are called
+Christians therein, that ill-doers, and folk riotous, and thieves
+shall go their ways in peace and become free by trials; yea, and what
+would the evil man do but save his life while he might? So here now
+is a misdoer, proven clearly a man of misdeeds, and has burnt sackless
+men withal, and yet shall he, too, have a trial to free him; ah, a
+mighty ill custom!"
+
+Therewith he went up to Grettir and pointed finger, and wagged head at
+him, and called him mermaid's son, and many other ill names.
+
+Grettir grew wroth beyond measure hereat, and could not keep himself
+in; he lifted up his fist, and smote the lad under the ear, so that
+forthwith he fell down stunned, but some say that he was slain there
+and then. None seemed to know whence that lad came or what became
+of him, but men are mostly minded to think, that it was some unclean
+spirit, sent thither for Grettir's hurt.
+
+Now a great clamour rose in the church, and it was told the king, "He
+who should bear the iron is smiting all about him;" then King Olaf
+went down the church, and saw what was going on, and spake--
+
+"A most unlucky man art thou," said he, "that now the trial should not
+be, as ready as all things were thereto, nor will it be easy to deal
+with thine ill-luck."
+
+Grettir answered, "I was minded that I should have gained more honour
+from thee, Lord, for the sake of my kin, than now seems like to be;"
+and he told withal how men were faring to King Olaf, as was said
+afore, "and now I am fain," said he, "that thou wouldest take me to
+thee; thou hast here many men with thee, who will not be deemed more
+like men-at-arms than I?"
+
+"That see I well," said the king, "that few men are like unto thee for
+strength and stoutness of heart, but thou art far too luckless a man
+to abide with us: now shall thou go in peace for me, wheresoever thou
+wilt, the winter long, but next summer go thou out to Iceland, for
+there will it be thy fate to leave thy bones."
+
+Grettir answered, "First would I put from me this affair of the
+burning, if I might, for I did not the deed willingly."
+
+"It is most like," said the king; "but yet, because the trial is now
+come to nought for thy heedlessness' sake, thou will not get this
+charge cast from thee more than now it is, <i>For ill-heed still to
+ill doth lead</i>, and if ever man has been cursed, of all men must
+thou have been."
+
+So Grettir dwelt a while in the town thereafter, but dealt no more
+with the king than has been told.
+
+Then he fared into the south country, and was minded east for
+Tunsberg, to find Thorstein Dromond, his brother, and there is nought
+told of his travels till he came east to Jadar.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XL.
+
+<i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i>.
+
+
+At yule came Grettir to a bonder who was called Einar, he was a rich
+man, and was married and had one daughter of marriageable age, who was
+called Gyrid; she was a fair woman, and was deemed a right good match;
+Einar bade Grettir abide with him through Yule, and that proffer he
+took.
+
+Then was it the wont far and wide in Norway that woodmen and misdoers
+would break out of the woods and challenge men for their women, or
+they took away men's goods with violence, whereas they had not much
+help of men.
+
+Now it so befell here, that one day in Yule there came to Einar the
+bonder many ill-doers together, and he was called Snoekoll who was the
+head of them, and a great bearserk he was. He challenged goodman Einar
+to give up his daughter, or to defend her, if he thought himself man
+enough thereto; but the bonder was then past his youth, and was no man
+for fighting; he deemed he had a great trouble on his hands, and asked
+Grettir, in a whisper, what rede he would give thereto: "Since thou
+art called a famous man." Grettir bade him say yea to those things
+alone, which he thought of no shame to him.
+
+The bearserk sat on his horse, and had a helm on his head, but the
+cheek-pieces were not made fast; he had an iron-rimmed shield before
+him, and went on in the most monstrous wise.
+
+Now he said to the bonder, "Make one or other choice speedily, or what
+counsel is that big churl giving thee who stands there before thee; is
+it not so that he will play with me?"
+
+Grettir said, "We are about equal herein, the bonder and I, for
+neither of us is skilled in arms."
+
+Snoekoll said, "Ye will both of you be somewhat afraid to deal with
+me, if I grow wroth."
+
+"That is known when it is tried," said Grettir.
+
+Now the bearserk saw that there was some edging out of the matter
+going on, and he began to roar aloud, and bit the rim of his shield,
+and thrust it up into his mouth, and gaped over the corner of the
+shield, and went on very madly. Grettir took a sweep along over the
+field, and when he came alongside of the bearserk's horse, sent up
+his foot under the tail of the shield so hard, that the shield went up
+into the mouth of him, and his throat was riven asunder, and his jaws
+fell down on his breast. Then he wrought so that, all in one rush, he
+caught hold of the helmet with his left hand, and swept the viking off
+his horse; and with the other hand drew the short-sword that he was
+girt withal, and drave it at his neck, so that off the head flew. But
+when Snoekoll's fellows saw that, they fled, each his own way, and
+Grettir had no mind to follow, for he saw there was no heart in them.
+
+The bonder thanked him well for his work and many other men too; and
+that deed was deemed to have been wrought both swiftly and hardily.
+
+Grettir was there through Yule, and the farmer saw him off handsomely:
+then he went east to Tunsberg, and met his brother Thorstein; he
+received Grettir fondly, and asked of his travels and how he won the
+bearserk. Then Grettir sang a stave--
+
+  "There the shield that men doth save
+  Mighty spurn with foot I gave.
+  Snoekoll's throat it smote aright,
+  The fierce follower of the fight,
+  And by mighty dint of it
+  Were the tofts of tooth-hedge split;
+  The strong spear-walk's iron rim,
+  Tore adown the jaws of him."
+
+Thorstein said, "Deft wouldst thou be at many things, kinsman, if
+mishaps went not therewith."
+
+Grettir answered, "<i>Deeds done will be told of</i>."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLI.
+
+<i>Of Thorstein Dromond's Arms, and what he deemed they might do</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir was with Thorstein for the rest of the winter and on into
+the spring; and it befell one morning, as those brothers, Thorstein
+and Grettir, lay in their sleeping-loft, that Grettir had laid his
+arms outside the bed-clothes; and Thorstein was awake and saw it. Now
+Grettir woke up a little after, and then spake Thorstein:
+
+"I have seen thine arms, kinsman," said he, "and I deem it nowise
+wonderful, though thy strokes fall heavy on many, for no man's arms
+have I seen like thine."
+
+"Thou mayst know well enough," said Grettir, "that I should not have
+brought such things to pass as I have wrought, if I were not well
+knit."
+
+"Better should I deem it," said Thorstein, "if they were slenderer and
+somewhat luckier withal."
+
+Grettir said, "True it is, as folk say, <i>No man makes himself</i>;
+but let me see thine arms," said he.
+
+Thorstein did so; he was the longest and gauntest of men; and Grettir
+laughed, and said,
+
+"No need to look at that longer; hooked together are the ribs in thee;
+nor, methinks, have I ever seen such tongs as thou bearest about, and
+I deem thee to be scarce of a woman's strength."
+
+"That may be," said Thorstein; "yet shall thou know that these same
+thin arms shall avenge thee, else shall thou never be avenged; who may
+know what shall be, when all is over and done?"
+
+No more is told of their talk together; the spring wore on, and
+Grettir took ship in the summer. The brothers parted in friendship,
+and saw each other never after.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLII.
+
+<i>Of the Death of Asmund the Grey haired</i>.
+
+
+Now must the tale be taken up where it was left before, for Thorbiorn
+Oxmain heard how Thorbiorn Tardy was slain, as aforesaid, and broke
+out into great wrath, and said it would please him well that <i>now
+this and now that should have strokes in his garth</i>.
+
+Asmund the Greyhaired lay long sick that summer, and when he thought
+his ailings drew closer on him, he called to him his kin, and said
+that it was his will, that Atli should have charge of all his goods
+after his day.
+
+"But my mind misgives me," said Asmund, "that thou mayst scarce sit
+quiet because of the iniquity of men, and I would that all ye of my
+kin should help him to the uttermost but of Grettir nought can I say,
+for methinks overmuch on a whirling wheel his life turns; and though
+he be a mighty man, yet I fear me that he will have to heed his own
+troubles more than the helping of his kin: but Illugi, though he
+be young, yet shall he become a man of prowess, if he keep himself
+whole."
+
+So, when Asmund had settled matters about his sons as he would, his
+sickness lay hard on him, and in a little while he died, and was laid
+in earth at Biarg; for there had he let make a church; but his death
+his neighbours deemed a great loss.
+
+Now Atli became a mighty bonder, and had many with him, and was a
+great gatherer of household-stuff. When the summer was far gone, he
+went out to Snowfellness to get him stockfish. He drave many horses,
+and rode from home to Meals in Ramfirth to Gamli his brother-in-law;
+and on this journey rode with him Grim Thorhallson, Gamli's brother,
+and another man withal. They rode west to Hawkdale Pass, and so on,
+as the road lay west to Ness: there they bought much stockfish, and
+loaded seven horses therewith, and turned homeward when they were
+ready.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLIII.
+
+<i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying of Gunnar and
+Thorgeir</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain heard that Atli and Grim were on a journey from home,
+and there were with him the sons of Thorir from the Pass, Gunnar and
+Thorgeir. Now Thorbiorn envied Atli for his many friendships, and
+therefore he egged on the two brothers, the sons of Thorir, to way-lay
+Atli as he came back from the outer ness. Then they rode home to the
+Pass, and abode there till Atli and his fellows went by with their
+train; but when they came as far as the homestead at the Pass, their
+riding was seen, and those brothers brake out swiftly with their
+house-carles and rode after them; but when Atli and his folk saw their
+faring, Atli bade them take the loads from the horses, "for perchance
+they will give me atonement for my house-carle, whom Gunnar slew last
+summer. Let us not begin the work, but defend ourselves if they be
+first to raise strife with us."
+
+Now the brothers came up and leaped off their horses. Atli welcomed
+them, and asked for tidings: "Perchance, Gunnar, thou wilt give me
+some atonement for my house-carle."
+
+Gunnar answered, "Something else is your due, men of Biarg, than that
+I should lay down aught good therefor; yea, atonement is due withal
+for the slaying of Thorbiorn, whom Grettir slew."
+
+"It is not for me to answer thereto," said Atli; "nor art thou a
+suitor in that case."
+
+Gunnar said he would stand in that stead none-the-less. "Come, let us
+set on them, and make much of it, that Grettir is not nigh them now."
+
+Then they ran at Atli, eight of them altogether, but Atli and his folk
+were six.
+
+Atli went before his men, and drew the sword, Jokul's gift, which
+Grettir had given him.
+
+Then said Thorgeir, "Many like ways have those who deem themselves
+good; high aloft did Grettir bear his short-sword last summer on the
+Ramfirth-neck."
+
+Atli answered, "Yea, he is more wont to deal in great deeds than I."
+
+Thereafter they fought; Gunnar set on Atli exceeding fiercely, and was
+of the maddest; and when they had fought awhile, Atli said,
+
+"No fame there is in thus killing workmen each for the other; more
+seeming it is that we ourselves play together, for never have I fought
+with weapons till now."
+
+Gunnar would not have it so, but Atli bade his house-carles look to
+the burdens; "But I will see what these will do herein."
+
+Then he went forward so mightily that Gunnar and his folk shrunk
+back before him, and he slew two of the men of those brothers, and
+thereafter turned to meet Gunnar, and smote at him, so that the shield
+was cleft asunder almost below the handle, and the stroke fell on his
+leg below the knee, and then he smote at him again, and that was his
+bane.
+
+Now is it to be told of Grim Thorhallson that he went against
+Thorgeir, and they strove together long, for each was a hardy man.
+Thorgeir saw the fall of his brother Gunnar, and was fain to draw off.
+Grim ran after him, and followed him till Thorgeir stumbled, and
+fell face foremost; then Grim smote at him with an axe betwixt the
+shoulders, so that it stood deep sunken therein.
+
+Then they gave peace to three of their followers who were left; and
+thereafter they bound up their wounds, and laid the burdens on the
+horses, and then fared home, and made these man-slayings known.
+
+Atli sat at home with many men through the winter. Thorbiorn Oxmain
+took these doings exceedingly ill, but could do naught therein because
+Atli was a man well befriended. Grim was with him through the winter,
+and Gamli, his brother-in-law; and there was Glum, son of Uspak,
+another kinsman-in-law of his, who at that time dwelt at Ere in Bitra.
+They had many men dwelling at Biarg, and great mirth was thereat
+through the winter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLIV.
+
+<i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir of the Pass</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain took on himself the suit for the slaying of the sons
+of Thorir of the Pass. He made ready a suit against Grim and Atli,
+but they set forth for their defence onset and attack, to make those
+brothers fall unatoned. The suit was brought to the Hunawater Thing,
+and men came thronging to both sides. Atli had good help because he
+was exceeding strong of kin.
+
+Now the friends of both stood forth and talked of peace, and all
+said that Atli's ways were good, a peaceful man, but stout in danger
+none-the-less.
+
+Now Thorbiorn deemed that by nought would his honour be served better
+than by taking the peace offered. Atli laid down before-hand that he
+would have neither district outlawry nor banishment.
+
+Then were men chosen for the judges. Thorvald, son of Asgeir, on
+Atli's side, and on Thorbiorn's, Solvi the Proud, who was the son of
+Asbrand, the son of Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring, who had settled
+all Waterness from the Foreland up to Bond-maids River on the west,
+but on the east all up to Cross-river, and there right across to
+Berg-ridge, and all on that side of the Bergs down to the sea:
+this Solvi was a man of great stateliness and a wise man, therefore
+Thorbiorn chose him to be judge on his behoof.
+
+Now they set forth their judgment, that half-fines should be paid for
+the sons of Thorir, but half fell away because of the onslaught and
+attack, and attempt on Atli's life, the slaying of Atli's house-carle,
+who was slain on Ramfirth-neck, and the slaying of those twain who
+fell with the sons of Thorir were set off one against the other. Grim
+Thorhallson should leave dwelling in the district, but Atli alone
+should pay the money atonement.
+
+This peace pleased Atli much, but Thorbiorn misliked it, but they
+parted appeased, as far as words went; howsoever it fell from
+Thorbiorn that their dealings would not be made an end of yet, if
+things went as he would.
+
+But Atli rode home from the Thing, and thanked Thorvald well for his
+aid. Grim Thorhallson went south to Burgfirth, and dwelt at Gilsbank,
+and was a great bonder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLV.
+
+<i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i>.
+
+
+There was a man with Thorbiorn Oxmain who was called Ali; he was a
+house-carle, a somewhat lazy and unruly man.
+
+Thorbiorn bade him work better, or he would beat him. Ali said he had
+no list thereto, and was beyond measure worrying. Thorbiorn would not
+abide it, and drave him under him, and handled him hardly. Then Ali
+went off from his service, and fared over the Neck to Midfirth,
+and made no stay till he came to Biarg. Atli was at home, and asked
+whither he went. He said that he sought service.
+
+"Art thou not Thorbiorn's workman?" said Atli.
+
+"That did not go off so pleasantly," said Ali; "I was not there long,
+and evil I deemed it while I was there, and we parted, so that I
+deemed his song about my throat nowise sweet; and I will go to dwell
+there no more, whatso else may hap to me; and true it is that much
+unlike ye are in the luck ye have with servants, and now I would fain
+work with thee if I might have the choice."
+
+Atli answered, "Enough I have of workmen, though I reach not out to
+Thorbiorn's hands for such men as he has hired, and methinks there is
+no gain in thee, so go back to him."
+
+Ali said, "Thither I go not of my own free-will."
+
+And now he dwells there awhile; but one morning he went out to
+work with Atli's house-carles, and worked so that his hands were
+everywhere, and thus he went on till far into summer. Atli said nought
+to him, but bade give him meat, for he liked his working well.
+
+Now Thorbiorn hears that Ali is at Biarg; then he rode to Biarg with
+two men, and called out Atli to talk with him. Atli went out and
+welcomed him.
+
+Thorbiorn said, "Still wilt thou take up afresh ill-will against me,
+and trouble me, Atli. Why hast thou taken my workman? Wrongfully is
+this done."
+
+Atli answered, "It is not proven to me that he is thy workman, nor
+will I withhold him from thee, if thou showest proofs thereof, yet am
+I loth to drag him out of my house."
+
+"Thou must have thy will now," said Thorbiorn; "but I claim the man,
+and forbid him to work here; and I will come again another time, and I
+know not if we shall then part better friends than now."
+
+Atli said, "I shall abide at home, and take what may come to hand."
+
+Then Thorbiorn rode home; but when the workmen come home in the
+evening, Atli tells all the talk betwixt him and Thorbiorn, and bids
+Ali go his way, and said he should not abide there longer.
+
+Ali answered, "True is the old saw, <i>over-praised and first to
+fail</i>. I deemed not that thou wouldst drive me away after I had
+toiled here all the summer enough to break my heart, and I hoped that
+thou wouldst stand up for me somehow; but this is the way of you,
+though ye look as if good might be hoped from you. I shall be beaten
+here before thine eyes if thou givest me not some defence or help."
+
+Atli altered his mind at this talk of his, and had no heart now to
+drive him away from him.
+
+Now the time wore, till men began hay-harvest, and one day, somewhat
+before midsummer, Thorbiorn Oxmain rode to Biarg, he was so attired
+that he had a helm on his head, and was girt with a sword, and had a
+spear in his hand. A barbed spear it was, and the barbs were broad.
+
+It was wet abroad that day. Atli had sent his house-carles to the
+mowing, but some of them were north at Horn a-fishing. Atli was at
+home, and few other men.
+
+Thorbiorn came there about high-noon; alone he was, and rode up to
+the outer door; the door was locked, and no men were abroad. Thorbiorn
+smote on the door, and then drew aback behind the houses, so that none
+might see him from the door. The home-folk heard that the door was
+knocked at, and a woman went out. Thorbiorn had an inkling of the
+woman, and would not let himself be seen, for he had a mind to do
+something else.
+
+Now the woman went into the chamber, and Atli asked who was come
+there. She said, "I have seen nought stirring abroad." And even as
+they spake Thorbiorn let drive a great stroke on the door.
+
+Then said Atli, "This one would see me, and he must have some errand
+with me, whatever may be the gain thereof to me."
+
+Then he went forth and out of the door, and saw no one without.
+Exceeding wet it was, therefore he went not out, but laid a hand on
+either door-post, and so peered about him.
+
+In that point of time Thorbiorn swung round before the door, and
+thrust the spear with both hands amidst of Atli, so that it pierced
+him through.
+
+Then said Atli, when he got the thrust, "<i>Broad spears are about
+now</i>," says he, and fell forward over the threshold.
+
+Then came out women who had been in the chamber, and saw that Atli was
+dead. By then was Thorbiorn on horseback, and he gave out the slaying
+as having been done by his hand, and thereafter rode home.
+
+The goodwife Asdis sent for her men, and Atli's corpse was laid out,
+and he was buried beside his father. Great mourning folk made for his
+death, for he had been a wise man, and of many friends.
+
+No weregild came for the slaying of Atli, nor did any claim atonement
+for him, because Grettir had the blood-suit to take up if he should
+come out; so these matters stood still for that summer. Thorbiorn
+was little thanked for that deed of his; but he sat at peace in his
+homestead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLVI.
+
+<i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of Thorir of Garth</i>.
+
+
+This summer, whereof the tale was telling e'en now, a ship came out
+to Goose-ere before the Thing. Then was the news told of Grettir's
+travels, and therewithal men spake of that house-burning; and at that
+story was Thorir of Garth mad wroth, and deemed that there whereas
+Grettir was he had to look for vengeance for his sons. He rode with
+many men and set forth at the Thing the case for the burning, but
+men deemed they knew nought to say therein, while there was none to
+answer.
+
+Thorir said that he would have nought, but that Grettir should be made
+an outlaw throughout the land for such misdeeds.
+
+Then answered Skapti the Lawman, "Surely an ill deed it is, if things
+are as is said; but a tale is half told if one man tells it, for most
+folk are readiest to bring their stories to the worser side when there
+are two ways of telling them; now, therefore, I shall not give my word
+that Grettir be made guilty for this that has been done."
+
+Now Thorir was a man of might in his district and a great chief, and
+well befriended of many great men; and he pushed on matters so hard
+that nought could avail to acquit Grettir; and so this Thorir made
+Grettir an outlaw throughout all the land, and was ever thenceforth
+the heaviest of all his foes, as things would oft show.
+
+Now he put a price on his head, as was wont to be done with other
+wood-folk, and thereafter rode home.
+
+Many men got saying that this was done rather by the high hand than
+according to law; but so it stood as it was done; and now nought else
+happed to tell of till past midsummer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLVII.
+
+<i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.
+
+
+When summer was far spent came Grettir Asmundson out to Whiteriver
+in Burgfirth; folk went down to the ship from thereabout, and these
+tidings came all at once to Grettir; the first, that his father was
+dead, the second, that his brother was slain, the third, that he
+himself was made an outlaw throughout all the land. Then sang Grettir
+this stave:--
+
+  "Heavy tidings thick and fast
+  On the singer now are cast;
+  My father dead, my brother dead,
+  A price set upon my head;
+  Yet, O grove of Hedin's maid,
+  May these things one day be paid;
+  Yea upon another morn
+  Others may be more forlorn."
+
+So men say that Grettir changed nowise at these tidings, but was even
+as merry as before.
+
+Now he abode with the ship awhile, because he could get no horse to
+his mind. But there was a man called Svein, who dwelt at Bank up from
+Thingness, he was a good bonder and a merry man, and often sang such
+songs as were gamesome to hear; he had a mare black to behold, the
+swiftest of all horses, and her Svein called Saddle-fair.
+
+Now Grettir went one night away from the wolds, but he would not that
+the chapmen should be ware of his ways; he got a black cape, and threw
+it over his clothes, and so was disguised; he went up past Thingness,
+and so up to Bank, and by then it was daylight. He saw a black horse
+in the homefield and went up to it, and laid bridle on it, leapt on
+the back of it, and rode up along Whiteriver, and below Bye up to
+Flokedale-river, and then up the tracks above Kalfness; the workmen
+at Bank got up now and told the bonder of the man who had got on his
+mare; he got up and laughed, and sang--
+
+  "One that helm-fire well can wield
+  Rode off from my well-fenced field,
+  Helm-stalk stole away from me
+  Saddle-fair, the swift to see;
+  Certes, more great deeds this Frey
+  Yet shall do in such-like way
+  As this was done; I deem him then
+  Most overbold and rash of men."
+
+Then he took horse and rode after him; Grettir rode on till he came
+up to the homestead at Kropp; there he met a man called Hall, who
+said that he was going down to the ship at the Wolds; Grettir sang a
+stave--
+
+  "In broad-peopled lands say thou
+  That thou sawest even now
+  Unto Kropp-farm's gate anigh,
+  Saddle-fair and Elm-stalk high;
+  That thou sawest stiff on steed
+  (Get thee gone at greatest speed),
+  One who loveth game and play
+  Clad in cape of black to-day."
+
+Then they part, and Hall went down the track and all the way down to
+Kalfness, before Svein met him; they greeted one another hastily, then
+sang Svein--
+
+  "Sawest thou him who did me harm
+  On my horse by yonder farm?
+  Even such an one was he,
+  Sluggish yet a thief to see;
+  From the neighbours presently
+  Doom of thief shall he abye
+  And a blue skin shall he wear,
+  If his back I come anear."
+
+"That thou mayst yet do," said Hall, "I saw that man who said that he
+rode on Saddle-fair, and bade me tell it over the peopled lands and
+settlements; great of growth he was, and was clad in a black cape."
+
+"He deems he has something to fall back on," said the bonder, "but I
+shall ride after him and find out who he is."
+
+Now Grettir came to Deildar-Tongue, and there was a woman without the
+door; Grettir went up to talk to her, and sang this stave--
+
+  "Say to guard of deep-sea's flame
+  That here worm-land's haunter came;
+  Well-born goddess of red gold,
+  Thus let gamesome rhyme be told.
+  'Giver forth of Odin's mead
+  Of thy black mare have I need;
+  For to Gilsbank will I ride,
+  Meed of my rash words to bide.'"
+
+The woman learned this song, and thereafter Grettir rode on his way;
+Svein came there a little after, and she was not yet gone in, and as
+he came he sang this--
+
+  "What foreteller of spear-shower
+  E'en within this nigh-passed hour,
+  Swift through the rough weather rode
+  Past the gate of this abode?
+  He, the hound-eyed reckless one,
+  By all good deeds left alone,
+  Surely long upon this day
+  From my hands will flee away."
+
+Then she told him what she had been bidden to; he thought over the
+ditty, and said, "It is not unlike that he will be no man to play
+with; natheless, I will find him out."
+
+Now he rode along the peopled lands, and each man ever saw the other's
+riding; and the weather was both squally and wet.
+
+Grettir came to Gilsbank that day, and when Grim Thorhallson knew
+thereof, he welcomed him with great joy, and bade him abide with him.
+This Grettir agreed to; then he let loose Saddle-fair, and told Grim
+how she had been come by. Therewith came Svein, and leapt from his
+horse, and saw his own mare, and sang this withal--
+
+  "Who rode on my mare away?
+  What is that which thou wilt pay?
+  Who a greater theft has seen?
+  What does the cowl-covered mean?"
+
+Grettir by then had doft his wet clothes, and he heard the stave, and
+answered--
+
+  "I did ride thy mare to Grim
+  (Thou art feeble weighed with him),
+  Little will I pay to thee,
+  Yet good fellows let us be."
+
+"Well, so be it then," said the farmer, "and the ride is well paid
+for."
+
+Then each sang his own songs, and Grettir said he had no fault to
+find, though he failed to hold his own; the bonder was there that
+night, and the twain of them together, and great game they made of
+this: and they called all this Saddle-fair's lays. Next morning the
+bonder rode home, and he and Grettir parted good friends.
+
+Now Grim told Grettir of many things from the north and Midfirth,
+that had befallen while he was abroad, and this withal, that Atli was
+unatoned, and how that Thorbiorn Oxmain waxed so great, and was so
+high-handed, that it was not sure that goodwife Asdis might abide at
+Biarg if matters still went so.
+
+Grettir abode but few nights with Grim, for he was fain that no news
+should go before him north over the Heaths. Grim bade him come thither
+if he should have any need of safeguard.
+
+"Yet shall I shun being made guilty in law for the harbouring of
+thee."
+
+Grettir said he did well. "But it is more like that later on I may
+need thy good deed more."
+
+Now Grettir rode north over Twodaysway, and so to Biarg, and came
+there in the dead of night, when all folk were asleep save his mother.
+He went in by the back of the house and through a door that was there,
+for the ways of the house were well known to him, and came to the
+hall, and got to his mother's bed, and groped about before him.
+
+She asked who was there, and Grettir told her; then she sat up and
+kissed him, and sighed withal, heavily, and spake, "Be welcome; son,"
+she said, "but my joyance in my sons is slipping from me; for he is
+slain who was of most avail, and thou art made an outlaw and a guilty
+man, and the third is so young; that he may do nought for me."
+
+"An old saw it is," said Grettir, "<i>Even so shall bale be bettered,
+by biding greater bale</i>; but there are more things to be thought of
+by men than money atonements alone, and most like it is that Atli will
+be avenged; but as to things that may fall to me, many must even take
+their lot at my hand in dealing with me, and like it as they may."
+
+She said that was not unlike. And now Grettir was there a while with
+the knowledge of few folk; and he had news of the doings of the folk
+of the country-side; and men knew not that Grettir was come into
+Midfirth: but he heard that Thorbiorn Oxmain was at home with few men;
+and that was after the homefield hay-harvest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLVIII.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.
+
+
+On a fair day Grettir rode west over the Necks to Thorodstead, and
+came there about noon, and knocked at the door; women came out and
+welcomed him, but knew him not; he asked for Thorbiorn, but they said
+he was gone to the meadow to bind hay, and with him his son of sixteen
+winters, who was called Arnor; for Thorbiorn was a very busy man, and
+well-nigh never idle.
+
+So when Grettir knew this, he bade them well betide, and went his
+way on the road toward Reeks, there a marsh stretches down from the
+hill-side, and on it was much grass to mow, and much hay had Thorbiorn
+made there, and now it was fully dry, and he was minded to bind it up
+for home, he and the lad with him, but a woman did the raking.
+
+Now Grettir rode from below up into the field, but the father and
+son were higher up, and had bound one load, and were now at another;
+Thorbiorn had set his shield and sword against the load, and the lad
+had a hand-axe beside him.
+
+Now Thorbiorn saw a man coming, and said to the lad, "Yonder is a man
+riding toward us, let us leave binding the hay, and know what he will
+with us."
+
+So did they, and Grettir leapt off his horse; he had a helm on his
+head, and was girt with the short-sword, and bore a great spear in his
+hand, a spear without barbs, and the socket inlaid with silver. Now
+he sat down and knocked out the socket-nail, because he would not that
+Thorbiorn should cast the spear back.
+
+Then said Thorbiorn, "He is a big man, and no man in field know I, if
+that is not Grettir Asmundson, and he must needs think he has enough
+against us; so let us meet him sharply, and let him see no signs of
+failing in us. We shall deal cunningly; for I will go against him in
+front, and take thou heed how matters go betwixt us, for I will trust
+myself against any man if I have one alone to meet; but do thou
+go behind him, and drive the axe at him with both hands atwixt his
+shoulders; thou needest not fear that he will do thee hurt, as his
+back will be turned to thee."
+
+Neither Thorbiorn nor his son had a helm.
+
+Now Grettir got into the mead, and when he came within spear-throw of
+them, he cast his spear at Thorbiorn, but the head was looser on the
+shaft than he deemed it would be, and it swerved in its flight, and
+fell down from the shaft to the earth: then Thorbiorn took his shield,
+and put it before him, but drew his sword and went against Grettir
+when he knew him; then Grettir drew his short-sword, and turned about
+somewhat, so that he saw how the lad stood at his back, wherefore he
+kept himself free to move here or there, till he saw that the lad was
+come within reach of him, and therewith he raised the short-sword
+high aloft, and sent it back against Arnor's head so mightily that the
+skull was shattered, and that was his bane. Then Thorbiorn ran against
+Grettir and smote at him, but he thrust forth his buckler with his
+left hand, and put the blow from him, and smote with the short-sword
+withal, and cleft the shield of Thorbiorn, and the short-sword smote
+so hard into his head that it went even unto the brain, and he fell
+dead to earth beneath that stroke, nor did Grettir give him any other
+wound.
+
+Then he sought for his spear-head, and found it not; so he went to his
+horse and rode out to Reeks, and there told of the slayings. Withal
+the woman who was in the meadow saw the slayings, and ran home full of
+fear, and said that Thorbiorn was slain, and his son both; this took
+those of the house utterly unawares, for they knew nought of Grettir's
+travelling. So were men sent for to the next homestead, and soon came
+many folk, and brought the bodies to church. Thorod Drapa-Stump took
+up the blood-suit for these slayings and had folk a-field forthwith.
+
+But Grettir rode home to Biarg, and found his mother, and told her
+what had happed; and she was glad thereat, and said that now he got to
+be like unto the Waterdale kin. "Yet will this be the root and stem of
+thine outlawry, and I know for sooth that thou mayest not abide here
+long because of the kin of Thorbiorn; but now may they know that thou
+mayest be angered."
+
+Grettir sang this stave thereupon--
+
+  "Giant's friend fell dead to earth
+  On the grass of Wetherfirth,
+  No fierce fighting would avail,
+  Oxmain in the Odin's gale.
+  So, and in no other wise,
+  Has been paid a fitting price
+  For that Atli, who of yore,
+  Lay dead-slain anigh his door."
+
+Goodwife Asdis said that was true; "But I know not what rede thou art
+minded to take?"
+
+Grettir said that he would seek help of his friends and kin in the
+west; "But on thee shall no trouble fall for my sake," said he.
+
+So he made ready to go, and mother and son parted in love; but first
+he went to Meals in Ramfirth, and told Gamli his brother-in-law all,
+even as it had happed, concerning the slaying of Thorbiorn.
+
+Gamli told him he must needs depart from Ramfirth while Thorbiorn's
+kin had their folk about; "But our aid in the suit for Atli's slaying
+we shall yield thee as we may."
+
+So thereafter Grettir rode west over Laxdale-heath, and stayed not
+till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, where he dwelt long
+that autumn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLIX.
+
+<i>The gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.
+
+
+Thorod Drapa-Stump sought tidings of this who might have slain
+Thorbiorn and his son, and when he came to Reeks, it was told him that
+Grettir had been there and given out the slayings as from his hand.
+Now, Thorod deemed he saw how things had come to pass; so he went to
+Biarg, and there found many folk, but he asked if Grettir were there.
+
+The goodwife said he had ridden away, and that she would not slip him
+into hiding-places if he were there.
+
+"Now ye will be well pleased that matters have so been wrought; nor
+was the slaying of Atli over-avenged, though this was paid for it.
+Ye asked not then what grief of heart I had; and now, too, it is well
+that things are even so."
+
+Therewith they rode home, and found it not easy to do aught therein.
+
+Now that spear-head which Grettir lost was not found till within the
+memory of men living now; it was found in the latter days of Sturla
+Thordson the lawman, and in that marsh where Thorbiorn fell, which is
+now called Spear-mead; and that sign men have to show that Thorbiorn
+was slain there, though in some places it is said that he was slain on
+Midfit.
+
+Thorod and his kin heard that Grettir abode at Liarskogar; then they
+gathered men, and were minded to go thither; but when Gamli of Meals
+was ware thereof, he made Thorstein and Grettir sure of the farings
+of the Ramfirthers; and when Thorstein knew it, he sent Grettir in to
+Tongue to Snorri Godi, for then there was no strife between them, and
+Thorstein gave that counsel to Grettir that he should pray Snorri the
+Godi for his watch and ward; but if he would not grant it, he made
+Grettir go west to Reek-knolls to Thorgils Arisen, "and he will take
+thee to him through this winter, and keep within the Westfirths till
+these matters are settled."
+
+Grettir said he would take good heed to his counsels; then he rode
+into Tongue, and found Snorri the Godi, and talked with him, and
+prayed him to take him in.
+
+Snorri answered, "I grow an old man now, and loth am I to harbour
+outlawed men if no need drive me thereto. What has come to pass that
+the elder put thee off from him?"
+
+Grettir said that Thorstein had often done well to him; "But more
+shall I need than him alone, if things are to go well."
+
+Said Snorri, "My good word I shall put in for thee if that may avail
+thee aught, but in some other place than with me must thou seek a
+dwelling."
+
+With these words they parted, and Grettir turned west to Reekness;
+the Ramfirthers with their band got as far as Samstead, and there they
+heard that Grettir had departed from Liarskogar, and thereat they went
+back home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. L.
+
+<i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir came to Reek-knolls about winter-nights, and prayed
+Thorgils for winter abode; Thorgils said, that for him as for other
+free men meat was ready; "but the fare of guests here is nowise
+choice." Grettir said he was not nice about that.
+
+"There is yet another thing here for thy trouble," said Thorgils:
+"Men are minded to harbour here, who are deemed somewhat hard to keep
+quiet, even as those foster-brothers, Thorgeir and Thormod; I wot not
+how meet it may be for you to be together; but their dwelling shall
+ever be here if they will it so: now mayst thou abide here if thou
+wilt, but I will not have it that either of you make strife with the
+other."
+
+Grettir said he would not be the first to raise strife with any man,
+and so much the less as the bonder's will was such.
+
+A little after came those foster-brothers home; things went not
+merrily betwixt Thorgeir and Grettir, but Thormod bore himself well.
+Goodman Thorgils said to the foster-brothers even as he had said
+to Grettir; and of such worth they held him, that neither cast an
+untoward word at the other although their minds went nowise the same
+way: and so wore the early winter.
+
+Now men say that Thorgils owned those isles, which are called
+Olaf's-isles, and lie out in the firth a sea-mile and a half off
+Reekness; there had bonder Thorgils a good ox that he might not fetch
+home in the autumn; and he was ever saying that he would fain have him
+against Yule. Now, one day those foster-brothers got ready to seek the
+ox, if a third man could be gotten to their aid: Grettir offered to go
+with them, and they were well pleased thereat; they went, the three of
+them, in a ten-oared boat: the weather was cold, and the wind shifting
+from the north, and the craft lay up on Whaleshead-holm.
+
+Now they sail out, and somewhat the wind got up, but they came to the
+isle and got hold of the ox; then asked Grettir which they would do,
+bear the ox aboard or keep hold of the craft, because the surf at
+the isle was great; then they bade him hold the boat; so he stood
+amidships on that side which looked from shore, and the sea took him
+up to the shoulder-blades, yet he held her so that she moved nowise:
+but Thorgeir took the ox behind and Thormod before, and so hove it
+down to the boat; then they sat down to row, and Thormod rowed in the
+bows, Thorgeir amidships, and Grettir aft, and therewith they made out
+into the open bay; but when they came off Goat-rock, a squall caught
+them, then said Thorgeir, "The stern is fain to lag behind."
+
+Then said Grettir, "The stern will not be left if the rowing afore be
+good."
+
+Thereat Thorgeir fell to rowing so hard that both the tholes were
+broken: then said he, "Row on, Grettir, while I mend the thole-pins."
+
+Then Grettir pulled mightily while Thorgeir did his mending, but when
+Thorgeir took to rowing again, the oars had got so worn that Grettir
+shook them asunder on the gunwale.
+
+"Better," quoth Thormod, "to row less and break nought."
+
+Then Grettir caught up two unshapen oar beams that lay in the boat and
+bored large holes in the gunwales, and rowed withal so mightily
+that every beam creaked, but whereas the craft was good, and the men
+somewhat of the brisker sort, they reached Whaleshead-holm.
+
+Then Grettir asked whether they would rather go home with the ox or
+haul up the boat; they chose to haul up the boat, and hauled it up
+with all the sea that was in it, and all the ice, for it was much
+covered with icicles: but Grettir led home the ox, and exceeding stiff
+in tow he was, and very fat, and he grew very weary, and when they
+came up below Titling-stead could go no more.
+
+The foster-brothers went up to the house, for neither would help the
+other in his allotted work; Thorgils asked after Grettir, but they
+told him where they had parted; then he sent men to meet him, and when
+they came down to Cave-knolls they saw how there came towards them a
+man with a neat on his back, and lo, there was Grettir come, bearing
+the ox: then all men wondered at his great might.
+
+Now Thorgeir got very envious of Grettir's strength, and one day
+somewhat after Yule, Grettir went alone to bathe; Thorgeir knew
+thereof, and said to Thormod, "Let us go on now, and try how Grettir
+will start if I set on him as he comes from his bathing."
+
+"That is not my mind," said Thormod, "and no good wilt thou get from
+him."
+
+"I will go though," says Thorgeir; and therewith he went down to the
+slope, and bore aloft an axe.
+
+By then was Grettir walking up from the bath, and when they met,
+Thorgeir said; "Is it true, Grettir," says he, "that thou hast said so
+much as that thou wouldst never run before one man?"
+
+"That I know not for sure," said Grettir, "yet but a little way have I
+run before thee."
+
+Thorgeir raised aloft the axe, but therewith Grettir ran in under
+Thorgeir and gave him an exceeding great fall: then said Thorgeir to
+Thormod, "Wilt thou stand by and see this fiend drive me down under
+him?"
+
+Thormod caught hold of Grettir's feet, and was minded to pull him
+from off Thorgeir, but could do nought thereat: he was girt with a
+short-sword and was going to draw it, when goodman Thorgils came up
+and bade them be quiet and have nought to do with Grettir.
+
+So did they and turned it all to game, and no more is told of their
+dealings; and men thought Thorgils had great luck in that he kept such
+reckless men in good peace.
+
+But when spring came they all went away; Grettir went round to
+Codfirth, and he was asked, how he liked the fare of the winter abode
+at Reek-knolls; he answered, "There have I ever been as fain as might
+be of my meals when I got at them."
+
+Thereafter he went west over the heaths.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LI.
+
+<i>Of the suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, and how Thorir of
+Garth would not that Grettir should be made sackless</i>.
+
+
+Thorgils Arison rode to the Thing with many men; and thither came all
+the great men of the land. Now Thorgils and Skapti the Lawman soon
+met, and fell to talking.
+
+Then said Skapti, "Is it true, Thorgils, that thou hast harboured
+those three men through the winter who are deemed to be the wildest of
+all men; yea, and all of them outlawed withal, and yet hast kept them
+so quiet, that no one of them has done hurt to the other?"
+
+Thorgils said it was true enough.
+
+Skapti said that great might over men it showed forth in him; "But how
+goes it, thinkest thou, with the temper of each of them; and which of
+them thinkest thou the bravest man?"
+
+Thorgils said, "I deem they are all of them full stout of heart; but
+two of them I deem know what fear is, and yet in unlike ways; for
+Thormod is a great believer and fears God much; but Grettir is so
+fearsome in the dark, that he dares go nowhither after dusk has set
+in, if he may do after his own mind. But my kinsman Thorgeir I deem
+knows not how to fear."
+
+"Yea, so it is with their minds as thou sayest," said Skapti; and with
+that they left talking.
+
+Now, at this Althing Thorod Drapa-Stump brought forward a suit for the
+slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, which he had not brought to a hearing at
+the Hunawater Thing, because of the kin of Atli, and he deemed that
+here his case would be less like to be thrown over. The kinsmen of
+Atli sought counsel of Skapti about the case; and he said he saw in
+it a lawful defence, so that full atonement would be forthcoming
+therefor. Then were these matters laid unto umpiredom, and most men
+were minded that the slayings of Atli and Thorbiorn should be set one
+against the other.
+
+But when Skapti knew that, he went to the judges, and asked whence
+they had that? They said that they deemed the slain men were bonders
+of equal worth.
+
+Then Skapti asked, which was the first, the outlawry of Grettir or
+the slaying of Atli? So, when that was reckoned up, there was a week's
+space betwixt Grettir's outlawry at the Althing and the slaying of
+Atli, which befell just after it.
+
+Then said Skapti, "Thereof my mind misgave me, that ye had made an
+oversight in setting on foot the suit in that ye made him a suitor,
+who was outlawed already, and could neither defend nor prosecute his
+own case. Now I say that Grettir has nought to do with the case of the
+slaying, but let him take up the blood-suit, who is nighest of kin by
+law."
+
+Then said Thorod Drapa-Stump, "And who shall answer for the slaying of
+Thorbiorn my brother?"
+
+"See ye to that for yourselves," said Skapti; "but the kin of Grettir
+will never pour out fee for him or his works, if no peace is to be
+bought for him."
+
+Now when Thorvald Asgeirson was aware that Grettir was set aside from
+following the blood-suit, he and his sought concerning who was the
+next of kin; and that turned out to be Skeggi, son of Gamli of
+Meals, and Uspak, son of Glum of Ere in Bitra; they were both of them
+exceeding zealous and pushing.
+
+Now must Thorod give atonement for Atli's slaying, and two hundreds in
+silver he had to pay.
+
+Then spake Snorri the Godi, "Will ye now, Ramfirthers," says he, "that
+this money-fine should fall away, and that Grettir be made sackless
+withal, for in my mind it is that as a guilty man he will be sorely
+felt?"
+
+Grettir's kin took up his word well, and said that they heeded the
+fee nought if he might have peace and freedom. Thorod said that he saw
+Grettir's lot would be full of heavy trouble, and made as if he would
+take the offer, for his part. Then Snorri bade them first know if
+Thorir of Garth would give his leave to Grettir being made free; but
+when Thorir heard thereof he turned away exceeding wroth, and said
+that Grettir should never either get out of his outlawry or be brought
+out of it: "And the more to bring that about," said he, "a greater
+price shall be put on his head than on the head of any outlaw or
+wood-man yet."
+
+So, when he took the thing so ill, the freeing of Grettir came to
+nought, and Gamli and his fellows took the money to them, and kept it
+in their ward; but Thorod Drapa-Stump had no atonement for his brother
+Thorbiorn.
+
+Now Thorir and Thorod set each of them on Grettir's head three marks
+of silver, and that folk deemed a new thing, for never had any greater
+price been laid down to such an end before than three marks in all.
+
+Snorri said it was unwisely done to make a sport of keeping a man in
+outlawry who might work so much ill, and that many a man would have to
+pay for it.
+
+But now men part and ride home from the Thing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LII.
+
+<i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i>.
+
+
+When Grettir came over Codfirth-heath down into Longdale, he swept up
+unsparingly the goods of the petty bonders, and had of every man what
+he would; from some he took weapons, from some clothes; and these folk
+gave up in very unlike ways; but as soon as he was gone, all said they
+gave them unwillingly.
+
+In those days dwelt in Waterfirth Vermund the Slender, the brother of
+Slaying-Styr; he had to wife Thorbiorg, the daughter of Olaf Peacock,
+son of Hoskuld. She was called Thorbiorg the Big; but at the time that
+Grettir was in Longdale had Vermund ridden to the Thing.
+
+Now Grettir went over the neck to Bathstead. There dwelt a man called
+Helgi, who was the biggest of bonders thereabout: from there had
+Grettir a good horse, which the bonder owned, and thence he went to
+Giorvidale, where farmed a man named Thorkel. He was well stored with
+victuals, yet a mannikin withal: therefrom took Grettir what he would,
+nor durst Thorkel blame him or withhold aught from him.
+
+Thence went Grettir to Ere, and out along the side of the firth, and
+had from every farm victuals and clothes, and dealt hardly with many;
+so that most men deemed him a heavy trouble to live under.
+
+Now he fared fearlessly withal, and took no keep of himself, and
+so went on till he came to Waterfirth-dale, and went to the
+mountain-dairy, and there he dwelt a many nights, and lay in the woods
+there, and took no heed to himself; but when the herdsmen knew that,
+they went to the farm, and said that to that stead was a fiend come
+whom they deemed nowise easy to deal with; then the farmers gathered
+together, and were thirty men in all: they lurked in the wood, so that
+Grettir was unaware of them, and let a shepherd spy on Grettir till
+they might get at him, yet they wotted not clearly who the man was.
+
+Now so it befell that on a day as Grettir lay sleeping, the bonders
+came upon him, and when they saw him they took counsel how they should
+take him at the least cost of life, and settled so that ten men should
+leap on him, while some laid bonds on his feet; and this they did, and
+threw themselves on him, but Grettir broke forth so mightily that they
+fell from off him, and he got to his knees, yet thereby they might
+cast the bonds over him, and round about his feet; then Grettir
+spurned two of them so hard about the ears that they lay stunned on
+the earth. Now one after the other rushed at him, and he struggled
+hard and long, yet had they might to overcome him at the last, and so
+bound him.
+
+Thereafter they talked over what they should do with him, and they
+bade Helgi of Bathstead take him and keep him in ward till Vermund
+came home from the Thing. He answered--
+
+"Other things I deem more helpful to me than to let my house-carles
+sit over him, for my lands are hard to work, nor shall he ever come
+across me."
+
+Then they bade Thorkel of Giorvidale take and keep him, and said that
+he was a man who had enow.
+
+But Thorkel spake against it, and said that for nought would he do
+that: "Whereas I live alone in my house with my Carline, far from
+other men; nor shall ye lay that box on me," said he.
+
+"Then, Thoralf of Ere," said they, "do thou take Grettir and do well
+to him till after the Thing; or else bring him on to the next farm,
+and be answerable that he get not loose, but deliver him bound as now
+thou hast him."
+
+He answers, "Nay, I will not take Grettir, for I have neither victuals
+nor money to keep him withal, nor has he been taken on my land, and I
+deem it more trouble than honour to take him, or to have aught to do
+with him, nor shall he ever come into my house."
+
+Thereafter they tried it with every bonder, but one and all spake
+against it; and after this talk have merry men made that lay which is
+hight Grettir's-faring, and added many words of good game thereto for
+the sport of men.
+
+So when they had talked it over long, they said, with one assent, that
+they would not make ill hap of their good-hap; so they went about and
+straightway reared up a gallows there in the wood, with the mind to
+hang Grettir, and made great clatter thereover.
+
+Even therewith they see six folk riding down below in the dale, and
+one in coloured clothes, and they guessed that there would goodwife
+Thorbiorg be going from Waterfirth; and so it was, and she was
+going to the mountain-dairy. Now she was a very stirring woman, and
+exceeding wise; she had the ruling of the neighbourhood, and settled
+all matters, when Vermund was from home. Now she turned to where the
+men were gathered, and was helped off her horse, and the bonders gave
+her good welcome.
+
+Then said she, "What have ye here? or who is the big-necked one who
+sits in bonds yonder?"
+
+Grettir named himself, and greeted her.
+
+She spake again, "What drove thee to this, Grettir," says she, "that
+thou must needs do riotously among my Thing-men?"
+
+"I may not look to everything; I must needs be somewhere," said he.
+
+"Great ill luck it is," says she, "that these milksops should take
+thee in such wise that none should fall before thee. What are ye
+minded to do with him?"
+
+The bonders told her that they were going to tie him up to the gallows
+for his lawlessness.
+
+She answers, "Maybe Grettir is guilty enough therefor, but it is
+too great a deed for you, Icefirthers, to take his life, for he is a
+famous man, and of mighty kin, albeit he is no lucky man; but now what
+wilt thou do for thy life, Grettir, if I give it thee?"
+
+He answered, "What sayest thou thereto?"
+
+She said, "Thou shalt make oath to work no evil riots here in
+Icefirth, and take no revenge on whomsoever has been at the taking of
+thee."
+
+Grettir said that she should have her will, and so he was loosed; and
+he says of himself that at that time of all times did he most rule his
+temper, when he smote them not as they made themselves great before
+him.
+
+Now Thorbiorg bade him go home with her, and gave him a horse for his
+riding; so he went to Waterfirth and abode there till Vermund came
+home, and the housewife did well to him, and for this deed was she
+much renowned far and wide in the district.
+
+But Vermund took this ill at his coming home, and asked what made
+Grettir there? Then Thorbiorg told him how all had gone betwixt
+Grettir and the Icefirthers.
+
+"What reward was due to him," said Vermund, "that thou gavest him his
+life?"
+
+"Many grounds there were thereto," said Thorbiorg; "and this, first of
+all, that thou wilt be deemed a greater chief than before in that thou
+hast a wife who has dared to do such a deed; and then withal surely
+would Hrefna his kinswoman say that I should not let men slay him;
+and, thirdly, he is a man of the greatest prowess in many wise."
+
+"A wise wife thou art withal," said Vermund, "and have thou thanks
+therefor."
+
+Then he said to Grettir, "Stout as thou art, but little was to be paid
+for thee, when thou must needs be taken of mannikins; but so ever it
+fares with men riotous."
+
+Then Grettir sang this stave--
+
+  "Ill luck-to me
+  That I should be
+  On sea-roof-firth
+  Borne unto earth;
+  Ill luck enow
+  To lie alow,
+  This head of mine
+  Griped fast by swine."
+
+"What were they minded to do to thee," said Vermund, "when they took
+thee there?"
+
+Quoth Grettir--
+
+  "There many men
+  Bade give me then
+  E'en Sigar's meed
+  For lovesome deed;
+  Till found me there
+  That willow fair,
+  Whose leaves are praise,
+  Her stems good days."
+
+Vermund asked, "Would they have hanged thee then, if they alone had
+had to meddle with matters?"
+
+Said Grettir--
+
+  "Yea, to the snare
+  That dangled there
+  My head must I
+  Soon bring anigh;
+  But Thorbiorg came
+  The brightest dame,
+  And from that need
+  The singer freed."
+
+Then said Vermund, "Did she bid thee to her?"
+
+Grettir answered--
+
+  "Sif's lord's good aid,
+  My saviour, bade
+  To take my way
+  With her that day;
+  So did it fall;
+  And therewithal
+  A horse she gave;
+  Good peace I have."
+
+"Mighty will thy life be and troublous," said Vermund; "but now thou
+hast learned to beware of thy foes; but I have no will to harbour
+thee, and gain therefor the ill-will of many rich men; but best is it
+for thee to seek thy kinsmen, though few men will be willing to take
+thee in if they may do aught else; nor to most men art thou an easy
+fellow withal."
+
+Now Grettir was in Waterfirth a certain space, and then fared thence
+to the Westfirths, and sought shelter of many great men; but something
+ever came to pass whereby none of them would harbour him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LIII.
+
+<i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i>.
+
+
+When the autumn was somewhat spent, Grettir turned back by the south,
+and made no stay till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, his
+kinsman, and there had he good welcome, for Thorstein bade him abide
+there through the winter, and that bidding he agreed to. Thorstein
+was a busy man and a good smith, and kept men close to their work;
+but Grettir had little mind to work, wherefore their tempers went but
+little together.
+
+Thorstein had let make a church at his homestead; and a bridge he had
+made out from his house, wrought with great craft; for in the outside
+bridge, under the beams that held it up, were rings wrought all about,
+and din-bells, so that one might hear over to Scarf-stead, half a
+sea-mile off, if aught went over the bridge, because of the shaking of
+the rings. Thorstein had much to do over this work, for he was a great
+worker of iron; but Grettir went fiercely at the iron-smiting, yet was
+in many minds thereover; but he was quiet through the winter, so
+that nought befell worthy telling. But when the Ramfirthers knew
+that Grettir was with Thorstein, they had their band afoot as soon as
+spring came. So when Thorstein knew that, he bade Grettir seek some
+other shelter than his house, "For I see thou wilt not work, and men
+who will do nought are not meet men for me."
+
+"Where wouldst thou have me go, then?" said Grettir.
+
+Thorstein bade him fare to the south country, and find his kin, "But
+come to me if they avail thee not."
+
+Now so Grettir wrought that he went south to Burgfirth, to Grim
+Thorhallson, and dwelt there till over the Thing. Then Grim sent him
+on to Skapti the Lawman at Hjalli, and he went south by the lower
+heaths and stayed not till he came to Thorhall, son of Asgrim, son
+of Ellida-grim, and went little in the peopled lands. Thorhall knew
+Grettir because of his father and mother, and, indeed, by then was
+the name of Grettir well renowned through all the land because of his
+great deeds.
+
+Thorhall was a wise man, and he did well to Grettir, but would not let
+him abide there long.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LIV.
+
+<i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir fared from Tongue up to Hawkdale, and thence north upon
+the Keel, and kept about there long that summer; nor was there trust
+of him that he would not take men's goods from them, as they went from
+or to the north over the Keel, because he was hard put to it to get
+wares.
+
+Now on a day, when as Grettir would keep about the north at
+Doveness-path, he saw a man riding from the north over the Keel; he
+was huge to behold on horseback, and had a good horse, and an embossed
+bridle well wrought; another horse he had in tow and bags thereon;
+this man had withal a slouched hat on his head, nor could his face be
+clearly seen.
+
+Now Grettir looked hard at the horse and the goods thereon, and went
+to meet the man, and greeting him asked his name, but he said he was
+called Air. "I wot well what thou art called," said he, "for thou
+shalt be Grettir the Strong, the son of Asmund. Whither art thou
+bound?"
+
+"As to the place I have not named it yet," said Grettir; "but as to
+my errand, it is to know if thou wilt lay down some of the goods thou
+farest with."
+
+Said Air, "Why should I give thee mine own, or what wilt thou give me
+therefor?"
+
+Grettir answers, "Hast thou not heard that I take, and give no money
+again? and yet it seems to most men that I get what I will."
+
+Said Air, "Give such choice as this to those who deem it good, but not
+thus will I give up what I have; let each of us go his own way."
+
+And therewithal he rode forth past Grettir and spurred his horse.
+
+"Nay, we part not so hastily," said Grettir, and laid hold of the
+reins of Air's horse in front of his hands, and held on with both
+hands.
+
+Said Air, "Go thy ways, nought thou hast of me if I may hold mine
+own."
+
+"That will now be proven," said Grettir.
+
+Now Air stretched his hands down the head-gear and laid hold of the
+reins betwixt Grettir's hands and the snaffle-rings and dragged at
+them so hard that Grettir's hands were drawn down along the reins,
+till Air dragged all the bridle from him.
+
+Grettir looked into the hollow of his hands, and saw that this man
+must have strength in claws rather than not, and he looked after him,
+and said, "Whither art thou minded to fare?"
+
+Air answered and sang--
+
+  "To the Kettle's side
+  Now will I ride,
+  Where the waters fall
+  From the great ice-wall;
+  If thou hast mind
+  There mayest thou find
+  With little stone[17]
+  Fist's land alone."
+
+[Footnote 17: Hall, a "stone": mund, is hand, and by periphrasis "land
+of fist"; so that Hallmund is meant by this couplet, and that was the
+real name of "Air," who is not a mere man, but a friendly spirit of
+the mountains.]
+
+Grettir said, "It is of no avail to seek after thine abode if thou
+tellest of it no clearer than this."
+
+Then Air spake and sang--
+
+  "I would not hide
+  Where I abide,
+  If thou art fain
+  To see me again;
+  From that lone weald,
+  Over Burgfirth field,
+  That ye men name
+  Balljokul, I came."
+
+Thereat they parted, and Grettir sees that he has no strength against
+this man; and therewithal he sang a stave--
+
+  "Too far on this luckless day,
+  Atli, good at weapon-play,
+  Brisk Illugi were from me;
+  Such-like oft I shall not be
+  As I was, when I must stand
+  With the reins drawn through my hand
+  By the unflinching losel Air.
+  Maids weep when they know I fear."
+
+Thereafter Grettir went to the south from the Keel; and rode to Hjalli
+and found Skapti, and prayed for watch and ward from him.
+
+Skapti said, "It is told me that thou farest somewhat lawlessly, and
+layest hand on other men's goods; and this beseems thee ill, great of
+kin as thou art. Now all would make a better tale, if thou didst not
+rob and reive; but whereas I have to bear the name of lawman in the
+land, folk would not abide that I should take outlawed men to me, and
+break the laws thereby. I will that thou seek some place wherein thou
+wilt not have need to take men's goods from them."
+
+Grettir said he would do even so, yet withal that he might scarcely be
+alone because he so feared the dark.
+
+Skapti said that of that one thing then, which he deemed the best, he
+might not avail himself; "But put not such trust in any as to fare as
+thou didst in the Westfirths; it has been many a man's bane that he
+has been too trustful."
+
+Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and so turned back to
+Burgfirth in the autumn, and found Grim Thorhallson, his friend,
+and told him of Skapti's counsels; so Grim bade him fare north to
+Fishwater lakes on Ernewaterheath; and thus did he.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LV.
+
+<i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings with Grim there</i>.
+
+
+Grettir went up to Ernewaterheath and made there a hut for himself
+(whereof are yet signs left) and dwelt there, for now was he fain to
+do anything rather than rob and reive; he got him nets and a boat
+and caught fish for his food; exceeding dreary he deemed it in the
+mountains, because he was so fearsome of the dark.
+
+But when other outlaws heard this, that Grettir was come down there,
+many of them had a mind to see him, because they thought there was
+much avail of him. There was a man called Grim, a Northlander, who
+was an outlaw; with him the Northlanders made a bargain that he should
+slay Grettir, and promised him freedom and gifts of money, if he
+should bring it to pass; so he went to meet Grettir, and prayed him to
+take him in.
+
+Grettir answers, "I see not how thou art the more holpen for being
+with me, and troublous to heed are ye wood-folk; but ill I deem it to
+be alone, if other choice there were; but I will that such an one only
+be with me as shall do whatso work may befall."
+
+Grim said he was of no other mind, and prayed hard that he might dwell
+there; then Grettir let himself be talked round, and took him in; and
+he was there on into the winter, and watched Grettir, but deemed it
+no little matter to set on him. Grettir misdoubted him, and had his
+weapons by his side night and day, nor durst Grim attack him while he
+was awake.
+
+But one morning whenas Grim came in from fishing, he went into the hut
+and stamped with his foot, and would know whether Grettir slept, but
+he started in nowise, but lay still; and the short-sword hung up over
+Grettir's head.
+
+Now Grim thought that no better chance would happen, so he made a
+great noise, that Grettir might chide him, therefore, if he were
+awake, but that befell not. Now he thought that Grettir must surely
+be asleep, so he went stealthily up to the bed and reached out for the
+short-sword, and took it down, and unsheathed it. But even therewith
+Grettir sprang up on to the floor, and caught the short-sword just as
+the other raised it aloft, and laid the other hand on Grim betwixt the
+shoulders, and cast him down with such a fall, that he was well-nigh
+stunned; "Ah, such hast thou shown thyself," said he, "though thou
+wouldest give me good hope of thee." Then he had a true story from
+him, and thereafter slew him.
+
+And now Grettir deemed he saw what it was to take in wood-folk, and
+so the winter wore; and nothing Grettir thought to be of more trouble
+than his dread of the dark.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LVI.
+
+<i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i>.
+
+
+Now Thorir of Garth heard where Grettir had set himself down, and was
+fain to set afoot some plot whereby he might be slain. There was a
+man called Thorir Redbeard; he was the biggest of men, and a great
+man-slayer, and therefore was he made outlaw throughout the land.
+Thorir of Garth sent word to him, and when they met he bade him go on
+an errand of his, and slay Grettir the Strong. Redbeard said that was
+no easy task, and that Grettir was a wise man and a wary.
+
+Thorir bade him make up his mind to this; "A manly task it is for so
+brisk a fellow as thou; but I shall bring thee out of thine outlawry,
+and therewithal give thee money enough."
+
+So by that counsel Redbeard abode, and Thorir told him how he should
+go about the winning of Grettir. So thereafter he went round the
+land by the east, for thus he deemed his faring would be the less
+misdoubted; so he came to Ernewaterheath when Grettir had been there a
+winter. But when he met Grettir, he prayed for winter dwelling at his
+hands.
+
+Grettir answered, "I cannot suffer you often to play the like play
+with me that he did who came here last autumn, who bepraised me
+cunningly, and when he had been here a little while lay in wait for my
+life; now, therefore, I have no mind to run the risk any more of the
+taking in of wood-folk."
+
+Thorir answered, "My mind goes fully with thine in that thou deemest
+ill of outlawed men: and thou wilt have heard tell of me as of a
+man-slayer and a misdoer, but not as of a doer of such foul deeds as
+to betray my master. Now, <i>ill it is ill to be</i>, for many deem
+others to do after their own ways; nor should I have been minded to
+come hither, if I might have had a choice of better things; withal I
+deem we shall not easily be won while we stand together; thou mightest
+risk trying at first how thou likest me, and let me go my ways whenso
+thou markest ill faith in me."
+
+Grettir answered, "Once more then will I risk it, even with thee; but
+wot thou well, that if I misdoubt me of thee, that will be thy bane."
+
+Thorir bade him do even so, and thereafter Grettir received him, and
+found this, that he must have the strength of twain, what work soever
+he took in hand: he was ready for anything that Grettir might set him
+to, and Grettir need turn to nothing, nor had he found his life so
+good since he had been outlawed, yet was he ever so wary of himself
+that Thorir never got a chance against him.
+
+Thorir Redbeard was with Grettir on the heath for two winters, and now
+he began to loathe his life on the heath, and falls to thinking what
+deed he shall do that Grettir will not see through; so one night
+in spring a great storm arose while they were asleep; Grettir awoke
+therewith, and asked where was their boat. Thorir sprang up, and ran
+down to the boat, and brake it all to pieces, and threw the broken
+pieces about here and there, so that it seemed as though the storm had
+driven them along. Then he went into the hut, and called out aloud,
+
+"Good things have not befallen us, my friend," said he; "for our
+boat is all broken to pieces, and the nets lie a long way out in the
+water."
+
+"Go and bring them in then," said Grettir, "for methinks it is with
+thy goodwill that the boat is broken."
+
+Thorir answered, "Among manly deeds swimming is the least handy to
+me, but most other deeds, I think, I may do against men who are not
+marvellous; thou mayest wot well enough that I was minded that thou
+shouldst not have to work while I abode here, and this I would not bid
+if it were in me to do it."
+
+Then Grettir arose and took his weapons, and went to the water-side.
+Now the land was so wrought there that a ness ran into the water, and
+a great creek was on the other side, and the water was deep right up
+to the shore.
+
+Now Grettir spake: "Swim off to the nets, and let me see how skilled a
+man thou art."
+
+"I told thee before," said Thorir, "that I might not swim; and now I
+know not what is gone with thy manliness and daring."
+
+"Well, the nets I may get in," said Grettir, "but betray thou me not,
+since I trust in thee."
+
+Said Thorir, "Deem me not to be so shamed and worthless."
+
+"Thou wilt thyself prove thyself, what thou art," said Grettir, and
+therewith he put off his clothes and weapons, and swam off for the
+nets. He swept them up together, and brought them to land, and cast
+them on to the bank; but when he was minded to come aland, then Thorir
+caught up the short-sword and drew it hastily, and ran therewith
+swiftly on Grettir, and smote at him as he set foot on the bank; but
+Grettir fell on his back down into the water, and sank like a stone;
+and Thorir stood gazing out on to the water, to keep him off from
+the shore if he came up again; but Grettir dived and groped along the
+bottom as near as he might to the bank, so that Thorir might not see
+him till he came into the creek at his back, and got aland; and Thorir
+heeded him not, and felt nought till Grettir heaved him up over his
+head, and cast him down so hard that the short-sword flew out of his
+hand; then Grettir got hold of it and had no words with him, but smote
+off his head straightway, and this was the end of his life.
+
+But after this would Grettir never take outlaws to him, yet hardly
+might he bear to be alone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LVII.
+
+<i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i>.
+
+
+At the Althing Thorir of Garth heard of the slaying of Thorir
+Redbeard, and now he thought he saw that he had no light task to
+deal with; but such rede he took that he rode west over the lower
+heathlands from the Thing with well-nigh eighty men, and was minded to
+go and take Grettir's life: but when Grim Thorhallson knew thereof he
+sent Grettir word and bade him beware of himself, so Grettir ever took
+heed to the goings of men. But one day he saw many men riding who took
+the way to his abode; so he ran into a rift in the rocks, nor would he
+flee because he had not seen all the strength of those folk.
+
+Then up came Thorir and all his men, and bade them smite Grettir's
+head from his body, and said that the ill-doer's life would be had
+cheaply now.
+
+Grettir answered, "<i>Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth
+has had no sup</i>. From afar have ye come, and marks of the game
+shall some have ere we part."
+
+Then Thorir egged on his men busily to set on him; but the pass was
+narrow, and he could defend it well from one side; yet hereat he
+marvelled, that howsoever they went round to the back of him, yet
+no hurt he got thereby; some fell of Thorir's company, and some were
+wounded, but nothing might they do.
+
+Then said Thorir, "Oft have I heard that Grettir is a man of marvel
+before all others for prowess and good heart, but never knew I that he
+was so wise a wizard as now I behold him; for half as many again fall
+at his back as fall before him; lo, now we have to do with trolls and
+no men."
+
+So he bid them turn away and they did so. Grettir marvelled how that
+might be, for withal he was utterly foredone.
+
+Thorir and his men turn away and ride toward the north country, and
+men deemed their journey to be of the shame fullest; eighteen men had
+they left there and many were wounded withal.
+
+Now Grettir went up into the pass, and found there one great of
+growth, who sat leaning against the rock and was sore wounded. Grettir
+asked him of his name, and he said he was hight Hallmund.
+
+"And this I will tell thee to know me by, that thou didst deem me to
+have a good hold of the reins that summer when we met on the Keel;
+now, methinks, I have paid thee back therefor."
+
+"Yea, in sooth," said Grettir, "I deem that thou hast shown great
+manliness toward me; whenso I may, I will reward thee."
+
+Hallmund said, "But now I will that thou come to my abode, for thou
+must e'en think time drags heavily here on the heaths."
+
+Grettir said he was fain thereof; and now they fare both together
+south under Balljokul, and there had Hallmund a huge cave, and a
+daughter great of growth and of high mind; there they did well to
+Grettir, and the woman healed the wounds of both of them, and Grettir
+dwelt long there that summer, and a lay he made on Hallmund, wherein
+is this--
+
+  "Wide and high doth Hallmund stride
+  In the hollow mountain side."
+
+And this stave also is therein--
+
+  "At Ernewater, one by one,
+  Stole the swords forth in the sun,
+  Eager for the road of death
+  Swept athwart by sharp spears' breath;
+  Many a dead Wellwharfer's lands
+  That day gave to other hands.
+  Hallmund, dweller in the cave,
+  Grettir's life that day did save."
+
+Men say that Grettir slew six men in that meeting, but Hallmund
+twelve.
+
+Now as the summer wore Grettir yearned for the peopled country, to see
+his friends and kin; Hallmund bade him visit him when he came to the
+south country again, and Grettir promised him so to do; then he went
+west to Burgfirth, and thence to the Broadfirth Dales, and sought
+counsel of Thorstein Kuggson as to where he should now seek for
+protection, but Thorstein said that his foes were now so many that few
+would harbour him; "But thou mightest fare south to the Marshes and
+see what fate abides thee there."
+
+So in the autumn Grettir went south to the Marshes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LVIII.
+
+<i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i>.
+
+
+In those days dwelt at Holm Biorn the Hitdale-Champion, who was the
+son of Arngeir, the son of Berse the Godless, the son of Balk, who
+settled Ramfirth as is aforesaid; Biorn was a great chief and a hardy
+man, and would ever harbour outlawed men.
+
+Now Grettir came to Holm, and Biorn gave him good cheer, for there had
+been friendship between the earlier kin of both of them; so Grettir
+asked if he would give him harbourage; but Biorn said that he had
+got to himself so many feuds through all the land that men would shun
+harbouring him so long as to be made outlaws therefor: "But some gain
+will I be to thee, if thou lettest those men dwell in peace who are
+under my ward, whatsoever thou dost by other men in the country-side."
+
+Grettir said yea thereto. Then said Biorn, "Well, I have thought over
+it, and in that mountain, which stretches forth outside of Hitriver,
+is a stead good for defence, and a good hiding-place withal, if it be
+cunningly dealt with; for there is a hollow through the mountain, that
+is seen from the way below; for the highway lies beneath it, but above
+is a slip of sand and stones so exceeding steep, that few men may come
+up there if one hardy man stand on his defence above in the lair.
+Now this seems to me the best rede for thee, and the one thing worth
+talking of for thine abode, because, withal, it is easy to go thence
+and get goods from the Marshes, and right away to the sea."
+
+Grettir said that he would trust in his foresight if he would give him
+any help. Then he went up to Fairwoodfell and made his abode there;
+he hung grey wadmal before the hole in the mountain, and from the way
+below it was like to behold as if one saw through. Now he was wont
+to ride for things needful through the country-side, and men deemed a
+woful guest had come among them whereas he went.
+
+Thord Kolbeinson dwelt at Hitness in those days, and a good skald he
+was; at that time was there great enmity betwixt him and Biorn; and
+Biorn was but half loth, though Grettir wrought some ill on Thord's
+men or his goods.
+
+Grettir was ever with Biorn, and they tried their skill in many
+sports, and it is shown in the story of Biorn that they were deemed
+equal in prowess, but it is the mind of most that Grettir was the
+strongest man ever known in the land, since Orm the son of Storolf,
+and Thoralf the son of Skolm, left off their trials of strength.
+Grettir and Biorn swam in one spell all down Hitriver, from the lake
+right away to the sea: they brought those stepping-stones into the
+river that have never since been washed away either by floods, or the
+drift of ice, or glacier slips.
+
+So Grettir abode in Fairwoodfell for one winter, in such wise, that
+none set on him, though many lost their goods at his hands and could
+do nought therefor, for a good place for defence he had, and was ever
+good friend to those nighest to him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LIX.
+
+<i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i>.
+
+
+There was a man hight Gisli, the son of that Thorstein whom Snorri
+Godi had slain. Gisli was a big man and strong, a man showy in
+weapons and clothes, who made much of himself, and was somewhat of
+a self-praiser; he was a seafaring man, and came one summer out to
+Whiteriver, whenas Grettir had been a winter on the fell. Thord, son
+of Kolbein, rode to his ship, and Gisli gave him good welcome, and
+bade him take of his wares whatso he would; thereto Thord agreed, and
+then they fell to talk one with the other, and Gisli said:
+
+"Is that true which is told me, that ye have no counsel that avails to
+rid you of a certain outlaw who is doing you great ill?"
+
+Thord said, "We have not tried aught on him yet, but to many he seems
+a man hard to deal with, and that has been proven on many a man."
+
+"It is like, methinks, that you should find Biorn a heavy trouble, if
+ye may not drive away this man: luckless it is for you withal, that I
+shall be too far off this winter to better matters for you."
+
+"Thou wilt be better pleased to deal with him by hearsay."
+
+"Nay, no need to tell me of Grettir," said Gisli; "I have borne harder
+brunts when I was in warfare along with King Knut the Mighty, and west
+over the Sea, and I was ever thought to hold my own; and if I should
+have a chance at him I would trust myself and my weapons well enough."
+
+Thord said he would not work for nought if he prevailed against
+Grettir; "For there is more put upon his head than on the head of any
+other of wood-folk; six marks of silver it was; but last summer Thorir
+of Garth laid thereto yet three marks; and men deem he will have
+enough to do therefor whose lot it is to win it."
+
+"All things soever will men do for money," says Gisli, "and we chapmen
+not the least; but now shall we keep this talk hushed up, for mayhap
+he will be the warier," says he, "if he come to know that I am with
+you against him: now I am minded to abide this winter at Snowfellsness
+at Wave-ridge. Is his lair on my way at all? for he will not foresee
+this, nor shall I draw together many men against him."
+
+Thord liked the plot well, he rode home therewith and held his peace
+about this; but now things went according to the saw, <i>a listening
+ear in the holt is anear</i>; men had been by at the talk betwixt
+Thord and Gisli, who were friends to Biorn of Hitdale, and they told
+him all from end to end; so when Biorn and Grettir met, Biorn showed
+forth the whole matter to him, and said that now he might prove how he
+could meet a foe.
+
+"It would not be bad sport," said he, "if thou wert to handle him
+roughly, but to slay him not, if thou mightest do otherwise."
+
+Grettir smiled thereat, but spake little.
+
+Now at the folding time in the autumn Grettir went down to
+Flysia-wharf and got sheep for himself; he had laid hold on four
+wethers; but the bonders became ware of his ways and went after him;
+and these two things befell at the same time, that he got up under the
+fell-side, and that they came upon him, and would drive the sheep from
+him, yet bare they no weapon against him; they were six altogether,
+and stood thick in his path. Now the sheep troubled him and he waxed
+wroth, and caught up two of those men, and cast them down over the
+hill-side, so that they lay stunned; and when the others saw that,
+they came on less eagerly; then Grettir took up the sheep and locked
+them together by the horns, and threw them over his shoulders, two on
+each side, and went up into his lair.
+
+So the bonders turned back, and deemed they had got but ill from him,
+and their lot misliked them now worse than before.
+
+Now Gisli abode at his ship through the autumn till it was rolled
+ashore. Many things made him abide there, so he was ready late, and
+rode away but a little before winter-nights. Then he went from the
+south, and guested under Raun on the south side of Hitriver. In the
+morning, before he rode thence, he began a talk with his fellows:
+
+"Now shall we ride in coloured clothes to-day, and let the outlaw see
+that we are not like other wayfarers who are drifted about here day by
+day."
+
+So this they did, and they were three in all: but when they came west
+over the river, he spake again to them:
+
+"Here in these bents, I am told, lurks the outlaw, and no easy way is
+there up to him; but may it not perchance seem good to him to come and
+meet us and behold our array?"
+
+They said that it was ever his wont so to do. Now that morning Grettir
+had risen early in his lair; the weather was cold and frosty, and snow
+had fallen, but not much of it. He saw how three men rode from the
+south over Hitriver, and their state raiment glittered and their
+inlaid shields. Then it came into his mind who these should be, and he
+deems it would be good for him to get some rag of their array; and he
+was right wishful withal to meet such braggarts: so he catches up his
+weapons and runs down the slip-side. And when Gisli heard the clatter
+of the stones, he spake thus:
+
+"There goes a man down the hill-side, and somewhat big he is, and he
+is coming to meet us: now, therefore, let us go against him briskly,
+for here is good getting come to hand."
+
+His fellows said that this one would scarce run into their very
+hands, if he knew not his might; "And good it is that <i>he bewail who
+brought the woe</i>."
+
+So they leapt off their horses, and therewith Grettir came up to them,
+and laid hands on a clothes-bag that Gisli had tied to his saddle
+behind him, and said--
+
+"This will I have, for oft I lowt for little things."
+
+Gisli answers, "Nay, it shall not be; dost thou know with whom thou
+hast to do?"
+
+Says Grettir, "I am not very clear about that; nor will I have much
+respect for persons, since I am lowly now, and ask for little."
+
+"Mayhap thou thinkest it little," says he, "but I had rather pay down
+thirty hundreds; but robbery and wrong are ever uppermost in thy mind
+methinks; so on him, good fellows, and let see what he may do."
+
+So did they, and Grettir gave back before them to a stone which stands
+by the way and is called Grettir's-Heave, and thence defended himself;
+and Gisli egged on his fellows eagerly; but Grettir saw now that he
+was no such a hardy heart as he had made believe, for he was ever
+behind his fellows' backs; and withal he grew aweary of this fulling
+business, and swept round the short-sword, and smote one of Gisli's
+fellows to the death, and leaped down from the stone, and set on so
+fiercely, that Gisli shrank aback before him all along the hill-side:
+there Gisli's other fellow was slain, and then Grettir spake:
+
+"Little is it seen in thee that thou hast done well wide in the world,
+and in ill wise dost thou part from thy fellows."
+
+Gisli answers, "<i>Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself--with
+hell's-man are dealings ill</i>."
+
+Then they gave and took but a little, before Gisli cast away his
+weapons, and took to his heels out along the mountain. Grettir gave
+him time to cast off whatso he would, and every time Gisli saw a
+chance for it he threw off somewhat of his clothes; and Grettir never
+followed him so close but that there was still some space
+betwixt them. Gisli ran right past that mountain and then across
+Coldriver-dale, and then through Aslaug's-lithe and above by
+Kolbeinstead, and then out into Burgh-lava; and by then was he in
+shirt and breech alone, and was now exceeding weary. Grettir still
+followed after him, and there was ever a stone's throw between them;
+and now he pulled up a great bush. But Gisli made no stay till he came
+out at Haf-firth-river, and it was swollen with ice and ill to ford;
+Gisli made straightway for the river, but Grettir ran in on him and
+seized him, and then the strength of either was soon known: Grettir
+drave him down under him, and said,
+
+"Art thou that Gisli who would fain meet Grettir Asmundson?"
+
+Gisli answers, "I have found him now, in good sooth, nor do I know in
+what wise we shall part: keep that which thou hast got, and let me go
+free."
+
+Grettir said, "Nay, thou art scarce deft enow to learn what I have to
+teach thee, so needs must I give thee somewhat to remember it by."
+
+Therewith he pulls the shirt up over his head and let the twigs go all
+down his back, and along both sides of him, and Gisli strove all he
+might to wriggle away from him; but Grettir flogged him through and
+through, and then let him go; and Gisli thought he would learn no
+more of Grettir and have such another flogging withal; nor did he ever
+again earn the like skin-rubbing.
+
+But when he got his legs under him again, he ran off unto a great
+pool in the river, and swam it, and came by night to a farm called
+Horseholt, and utterly foredone he was by then. There he lay a week
+with his body all swollen, and then fared to his abode.
+
+Grettir turned back, and took up the things Gisli had cast down, and
+brought them to his place, nor from that time forth gat Gisli aught
+thereof.
+
+Many men thought Gisli had his due herein for the noise and swagger
+he had made about himself; and Grettir sang this about their dealings
+together--
+
+  "In fighting ring where steed meets steed,
+  The sluggish brute of mongrel breed,
+  Certes will shrink back nothing less
+  Before the stallion's dauntlessness,
+  Than Gisli before me to-day;
+  As, casting shame and clothes away,
+  And sweating o'er the marsh with fear,
+  He helped the wind from mouth and rear."
+
+The next spring Gisli got ready to go to his ship, and bade men above
+all things beware of carrying aught of his goods south along the
+mountain, and said that the very fiend dwelt there.
+
+Gisli rode south along the sea all the way to his ship, and never met
+Grettir again; and now he is out of the story.
+
+But things grew worse between Thord Kolbeinson and Grettir, and Thord
+set on foot many a plot to get Grettir driven away or slain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LX.
+
+<i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i>.
+
+
+When Grettir had been two winters at Fairwoodfell, and the third was
+now come, he fared south to the Marshes, to the farm called Brook-bow,
+and had thence six wethers against the will of him who owned them.
+Then he went to Acres and took away two neat for slaughtering, and
+many sheep, and then went up south of Hitriver.
+
+But when the bonders were ware of his ways, they sent word to Thord at
+Hitness, and bade him take in hand the slaying of Grettir; but he hung
+back, yet for the prayers of men got his son Arnor, who was afterwards
+called Earls' Skald, to go with them, and bade them withal to take
+heed that Grettir escaped not.
+
+Then were men sent throughout all the country-side. There was a man
+called Biarni, who dwelt at Jorvi in Flysia-wharf, and he gathered
+men together from without Hitriver; and their purpose was that a band
+should be on either bank of the river.
+
+Now Grettir had two men with him; a man called Eyolf, the son of the
+bonder at Fairwood, and a stout man; and another he had besides.
+
+First came up Thorarin of Acres and Thorfinn of Brook-bow, and there
+were nigh twenty men in their company. Then was Grettir fain to make
+westward across the river, but therewith came up on the west side
+thereof Arnor and Biarni. A narrow ness ran into the water on the side
+whereas Grettir stood; so he drave the beasts into the furthermost
+parts of the ness, when he saw the men coming up, for never would he
+give up what he had once laid his hands on.
+
+Now the Marsh-men straightway made ready for an onslaught, and made
+themselves very big; Grettir bade his fellows take heed that none came
+at his back; and not many men could come on at once.
+
+Now a hard fight there was betwixt them, Grettir smote with the
+short-sword with both hands, and no easy matter it was to get at him;
+some of the Marsh-men fell, and some were wounded; those on the other
+side of the river were slow in coming up, because the ford was not
+very near, nor did the fight go on long before they fell off; Thorarin
+of Acres was a very old man, so that he was not at this onslaught. But
+when this fight was over, then came up Thrand, son of Thorarin, and
+Thorgils Ingialdson, the brother's son of Thorarin, and Finnbogi,
+son of Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, and Steinulf Thorleifson from
+Lavadale; these egged on their men eagerly to set on, and yet another
+fierce onslaught they made. Now Grettir saw that he must either flee
+or spare himself nought; and now he went forth so fiercely that none
+might withstand him; because they were so many that he saw not how
+he might escape, but that he did his best before he fell; he was fain
+withal that the life of such an one as he deemed of some worth might
+be paid for his life; so he ran at Steinulf of Lavadale, and smote him
+on the head and clave him down to the shoulders, and straightway with
+another blow smote Thorgils Ingialdson in the midst and well-nigh cut
+him asunder; then would Thrand run forth to revenge his kinsman, but
+Grettir smote him on the right thigh, so that the blow took off all
+the muscle, and straightway was he unmeet for fight; and thereafter
+withal a great wound Grettir gave to Finnbogi.
+
+Then Thorarin cried out and bade them fall back, "For the longer ye
+fight the worse ye will get of him, and he picks out men even as he
+willeth from your company."
+
+So did they, and turned away; and there had ten men fallen, and five
+were wounded to death, or crippled, but most of those who had been at
+that meeting had some hurt or other; Grettir was marvellously wearied
+and yet but a little wounded.
+
+And now the Marsh-men made off with great loss of men, for many stout
+fellows had fallen there.
+
+But those on the other side of the river fared slowly, and came not up
+till the meeting was all done; and when they saw how ill their men
+had fared, then Arnor would not risk himself, and much rebuke he got
+therefor from his father and many others; and men are minded to think
+that he was no man of prowess.
+
+Now that place where they fought is called Grettir's-point to-day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXI.
+
+<i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding in
+Thorir's-dale</i>.
+
+
+But Grettir and his men took horse and rode up to the fell, for they
+were all wounded, and when they came to Fairwood there was Eyolf left;
+the farmer's daughter was out of doors, and asked for tidings; Grettir
+told all as clearly as might be, and sang a stave withal--
+
+  "O thou warder of horn's wave,
+  Not on this side of the grave
+  Will Steinulf s head be whole again;
+  Many more there gat their bane;
+  Little hope of Thorgils now
+  After that bone-breaking blow:
+  Eight Gold-scatterers more they say,
+  Dead along the river lay."
+
+Thereafter Grettir went to his lair and sat there through the winter;
+but when he and Biorn met, Biorn said to him, that he deemed that much
+had been done; "and no peace thou wilt have here in the long run: now
+hast thou slain both kin and friends of mine, yet shall I not cast
+aside what I have promised thee whiles thou art here."
+
+Grettir said he must needs defend his hands and life, "but ill it is
+if thou mislikest it."
+
+Biorn said that things must needs be as they were.
+
+A little after came men to Biorn who had lost kinsmen at Grettir's
+hands, and bade him not to suffer that riotous man to abide there
+longer in their despite; and Biorn said that it should be as they
+would as soon as the winter was over.
+
+Now Thrand, the son of Thorarin of Acres, was healed; a stout man he
+was, and had to wife Steinun, daughter of Rut of Combeness; Thorleif
+of Lavadale, the father of Steinulf, was a very mighty man, and from
+him are come the men of Lavadale.
+
+Now nought more is told of the dealings of Grettir with the Marsh-men
+while he was on the mountain; Biorn still kept up his friendship
+with him, though his friends grew somewhat the fewer for that he let
+Grettir abide there, because men took it ill that their kin should
+fall unatoned.
+
+At the time of the Thing, Grettir departed from the Marsh-country, and
+went to Burgfirth and found Grim Thorhallson, and sought counsel of
+him, as to what to do now. Grim said he had no strength to keep him,
+therefore fared Grettir to find Hallmund his friend, and dwelt there
+that summer till it wore to its latter end.
+
+In the autumn Grettir went to Goatland, and waited there till bright
+weather came on; then he went up to Goatland Jokul, and made for
+the south-east, and had with him a kettle, and tools to strike fire
+withal. But men deem that he went there by the counsel of Hallmund,
+for far and wide was the land known of him.
+
+So Grettir went on till he found a dale in the jokul, long and
+somewhat narrow, locked up by jokuls all about, in such wise that
+they overhung the dale. He came down somehow, and then he saw fair
+hill-sides grass-grown and set with bushes. Hot springs there were
+therein, and it seemed to him that it was by reason of earth-fires
+that the ice-cliffs did not close up over the vale.
+
+A little river ran along down the dale, with level shores on either
+side thereof. There the sun came but seldom; but he deemed he might
+scarcely tell over the sheep that were in that valley, so many they
+were; and far better and fatter than any he had ever seen.
+
+Now Grettir abode there, and made himself a hut of such wood as he
+could come by. He took of the sheep for his meat, and there was more
+on one of them than on two elsewhere: one ewe there was, brown with a
+polled head, with her lamb, that he deemed the greatest beauty for
+her goodly growth. He was fain to take the lamb, and so he did, and
+thereafter slaughtered it: three stone of suet there was in it, but
+the whole carcase was even better. But when Brownhead missed her lamb,
+she went up on Grettir's hut every night, and bleated in suchwise that
+he might not sleep anight, so that it misliked him above all things
+that he had slaughtered the lamb, because of her troubling.
+
+But every evening at twilight he heard some one hoot up in the valley,
+and then all the sheep ran together to one fold every evening.
+
+So Grettir says, that a half-troll ruled over the valley, a giant
+hight Thorir, and in trust of his keeping did Grettir abide there;
+by him did Grettir name the valley, calling it Thorir's-dale. He said
+withal that Thorir had daughters, with whom he himself had good game,
+and that they took it well, for not many were the new-comers thereto;
+but when fasting time was, Grettir made this change therein, that fat
+and livers should be eaten in Lent.
+
+Now nought happed to be told of through the winter. At last Grettir
+found it so dreary there, that he might abide there no longer: then
+he gat him gone from the valley, and went south across the jokul, and
+came from the north, right against the midst of Shieldbroadfell.
+
+He raised up a flat stone and bored a hole therein, and said that
+whoso put his eye to the hole in that stone should straightway behold
+the gulf of the pass that leads from Thorir's-vale.
+
+So he fared south through the land, and thence to the Eastfirths; and
+in this journey he was that summer long, and the winter, and met all
+the great men there, but somewhat ever thrust him aside that nowhere
+got he harbouring or abode; then he went back by the north, and dwelt
+at sundry places.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXII.
+
+<i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend</i>.
+
+
+A little after Grettir had gone from Ernewaterheath, there came a man
+thither, Grim by name, the son of the widow at Kropp. He had slain the
+son of Eid Skeggison of the Ridge, and had been outlawed therefor;
+he abode whereas Grettir had dwelt afore, and got much fish from the
+water. Hallmund took it ill that he had come in Grettir's stead, and
+was minded that he should have little good hap how much fish soever he
+caught.
+
+So it chanced on a day that Grim had caught a hundred fish, and he
+bore them to his hut and hung them up outside, but the next morning
+when he came thereto they were all gone; that he deemed marvellous,
+and went to the water; and now he caught two hundred fish, went home
+and stored them up; and all went the same way, for they were all gone
+in the morning; and now he thought it hard to trace all to one spring.
+But the third day he caught three hundred fish, brought them home and
+watched over them from his shed, looking out through a hole in the
+door to see if aught might come anigh. Thus wore the night somewhat,
+and when the third part of the night was gone by, he heard one going
+along outside with heavy footfalls; and when he was ware thereof, he
+took an axe that he had, the sharpest of weapons, for he was fain
+to know what this one was about; and he saw that the new-comer had a
+great basket on his back. Now he set it down, and peered about, and
+saw no man abroad; he gropes about to the fishes, and deems he has got
+a good handful, and into the basket he scoops them one and all; then
+is the basket full, but the fishes were so big that Grim thought that
+no horse might bear more. Now he takes them up and puts himself under
+the load, and at that very point of time, when he was about to stand
+upright, Grim ran out, and with both hands smote at his neck, so that
+the axe sank into the shoulder; thereat he turned off sharp, and set
+off running with the basket south over the mountain.
+
+Grim turned off after him, and was fain to know if he had got enough.
+They went south all the way to Balljokul, and there this man went
+into a cave; a bright fire burnt in the cave, and thereby sat a woman,
+great of growth, but shapely withal. Grim heard how she welcomed her
+father, and called him Hallmund. He cast down his burden heavily, and
+groaned aloud; she asked him why he was all covered with blood, but he
+answered and sang--
+
+  "Now know I aright,
+  That in man's might,
+  And in man's bliss,
+  No trust there is;
+  On the day of bale
+  Shall all things fail;
+  Courage is o'er,
+  Luck mocks no more."
+
+She asked him closely of their dealings, but he told her all even as
+it had befallen.
+
+"Now shall thou hearken," said he, "for I shall tell of my deeds and
+sing a song thereon, and thou shall cut it on a staff as I give it
+out."
+
+So she did, and he sung Hallmund's song withal, wherein is this--
+
+  "When I drew adown
+  The bridle brown
+  Grettir's hard hold,
+  Men deemed me bold;
+  Long while looked then
+  The brave of men
+  In his hollow hands,
+  The harm of lands.
+
+  "Then came the day
+  Of Thorir's play
+  On Ernelakeheath,
+  When we from death
+  Our life must gain;
+  Alone we twain
+  With eighty men
+  Must needs play then.
+
+  "Good craft enow
+  Did Grettir show
+  On many a shield
+  In that same field;
+  Natheless I hear
+  That my marks were
+  The deepest still;
+  The worst to fill.
+
+  "Those who were fain
+  His back to gain
+  Lost head and hand,
+  Till of the band,
+  From the Well-wharf-side,
+  Must there abide
+  Eighteen behind
+  That none can find.
+
+  "With the giant's kin
+  Have I oft raised din;
+  To the rock folk
+  Have I dealt out stroke;
+  Ill things could tell
+  That I smote full well;
+  The half-trolls know
+  My baneful blow.
+
+  "Small gain in me
+  Did the elf-folk see,
+  Or the evil wights
+  Who ride anights."
+
+Many other deeds of his did Hallmund sing in that song, for he had
+fared through all the land.
+
+Then spake his daughter, "A man of no slippery hand was that; nor was
+it unlike that this should hap, for in evil wise didst thou begin with
+him: and now what man will avenge thee?"
+
+Hallmund answered, "It is not so sure to know how that may be;
+but, methinks, I know that Grettir would avenge me if he might come
+thereto; but no easy matter will it be to go against the luck of this
+man, for much greatness lies stored up for him."
+
+Thereafter so much did Hallmund's might wane as the song wore, that
+well-nigh at one while it befell that the song was done and Hallmund
+dead; then she grew very sad and wept right sore. Then came Grim forth
+and bade her be of better cheer, "<i>For all must fare when they are
+fetched</i>. This has been brought about by his own deed, for I could
+scarce look on while he robbed me."
+
+She said he had much to say for it, "<i>For ill deed gains ill
+hap</i>."
+
+Now as they talked she grew of better cheer, and Grim abode many
+nights in the cave, and got the song by heart, and things went
+smoothly betwixt them.
+
+Grim abode at Ernewaterheath all the winter after Hallmund's death,
+and thereafter came Thorkel Eyulfson to meet him on the Heath, and
+they fought together; but such was the end of their play that Grim
+might have his will of Thorkel's life, and slew him not. So Thorkel
+took him to him, and got him sent abroad and gave him many goods; and
+therein either was deemed to have done well to the other. Grim betook
+himself to seafaring, and a great tale is told of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXIII.
+
+<i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he was nigh taking
+him</i>.
+
+
+Now the story is to be taken up where Grettir came from the firths of
+the east-country; and now he fared with hidden-head for that he would
+not meet Thorir, and lay out that summer on Madderdale-heath and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.
+
+Thorir heard that Grettir was at Reek-heath, so he gathered men and
+rode to the heath, and was well minded that Grettir should not escape
+this time.
+
+Now Grettir was scarce aware of them before they were on him; he was
+just by a mountain-dairy that stood back a little from the wayside,
+and another man there was with him, and when he saw their band, speedy
+counsel must he take; so he bade that they should fell the horses and
+drag them into the dairy shed, and so it was done.
+
+Then Thorir rode north over the heath by the dairy, and <i>missed
+friend from stead</i>, for he found nought, and so turned back withal.
+
+But when his band had ridden away west, then said Grettir, "They will
+not deem their journey good if we be not found; so now shall thou
+watch our horses while I go meet them, a fair play would be shown them
+if they knew me not."
+
+His fellow strove to let him herein, yet he went none-the-less, and
+did on him other attire, with a slouched hat over his face and a staff
+in his hand, then he went in the way before them. They greeted him and
+asked if he had seen any men riding over the heath.
+
+"Those men that ye seek have I seen; but little was wanting e'ennow
+but that ye found them, for there they were, on the south of yon bogs
+to the left."
+
+Now when they heard that, off they galloped out on to the bogs, but so
+great a mire was there that nohow could they get on, and had to drag
+their horses out, and were wallowing there the more part of the day;
+and they gave to the devil withal the wandering churl who had so
+befooled them.
+
+But Grettir turned back speedily to meet his fellow, and when they met
+he sang this stave--
+
+  "Now make I no battle-field
+  With the searching stems of shield.
+  Rife with danger is my day,
+  And alone I go my way:
+  Nor shall I go meet, this tide,
+  Odin's storm, but rather bide
+  Whatso fate I next may have;
+  Scarce, then, shall thou deem me brave.
+
+  "Thence where Thorir's company
+  Thronging ride, I needs must flee;
+  If with them I raised the din,
+  Little thereby should I win;
+  Brave men's clashing swords I shun,
+  Woods must hide the hunted one;
+  For through all things, good and ill,
+  Unto life shall I hold still."
+
+Now they ride at their swiftest west over the heath and forth by the
+homestead at Garth, before ever Thorir came from the wilderness with
+his band; and when they drew nigh to the homestead a man fell in with
+them who knew them not.
+
+Then saw they how a woman, young and grand of attire, stood without,
+so Grettir asked who that woman would be. The new-comer said that she
+was Thorir's daughter. Then Grettir sang this stave--
+
+  "O wise sun of golden stall,
+  When thy sire comes back to hall,
+  Thou mayst tell him without sin
+  This, though little lies therein,
+  That thou saw'st me ride hereby,
+  With but two in company,
+  Past the door of Skeggi's son,
+  Nigh his hearth, O glittering one."
+
+Hereby the new-comer thought he knew who this would be, and he rode to
+peopled parts and told how Grettir had ridden by.
+
+So when Thorir came home, many deemed that Grettir had done the bed
+well over their heads. But Thorir set spies on Grettir's ways, whereso
+he might be. Grettir fell on such rede that he sent his fellow to the
+west country with his horses; but he went up to the mountains and was
+in disguised attire, and fared about north there in the early winter,
+so that he was not known.
+
+But all men deemed that Thorir had got a worse part than before in
+their dealings together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXIV.
+
+<i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest came to the Goodwife
+there</i>.
+
+
+There was a priest called Stein, who dwelt at Isledale-river, in
+Bard-dale; he was good at husbandry and rich in beasts; his son was
+Kiartan, a brisk man and a well grown. Thorstein the White was the
+name of him who dwelt at Sand-heaps, south of Isledale-river; his wife
+was called Steinvor, a young woman and merry-hearted, and children
+they had, who were young in those days. But that place men deemed much
+haunted by the goings of trolls.
+
+Now it befell two winters before Grettir came into the north country
+that Steinvor the goodwife of Sand-heaps fared at Yule-tide to the
+stead of Isledale-river according to her wont, but the goodman abode
+at home. Men lay down to sleep in the evening, but in the night they
+heard a huge crashing about the bonder's bed; none durst arise and
+see thereto, for very few folk were there. In the morning the goodwife
+came home, but the goodman was gone, and none knew what had become of
+him.
+
+Now the next year wears through its seasons, but the winter after
+the goodwife would fain go to worship, and bade her house-carle abide
+behind at home; thereto was he loth, but said nathless that she must
+rule; so all went the same way and the house-carle vanished; and
+marvellous men deemed it; but folk saw certain stains of blood about
+the outer door; therefore they deemed it sure that an evil wight had
+taken them both.
+
+Now that was heard of wide through the country-side, and Grettir
+withal was told thereof; so he took his way to Bard-dale, and came to
+Sand-heaps at Yule-eve, and made stay there, and called himself Guest.
+The goodwife saw that he was marvellous great of growth, but the
+home-folk were exceeding afeard of him; he prayed for guesting there;
+the mistress said that there was meat ready for him, "but as to thy
+safety see to that thyself."
+
+He said that so he should do: "Here will I abide, but thou shalt go to
+worship if thou wilt."
+
+She answered, "Meseems thou art a brave man if thou durst abide at
+home here."
+
+"<i>For one thing alone will I not be known</i>," said he.
+
+She said, "I have no will to abide at home, but I may not cross the
+river."
+
+"I will go with thee," says Guest.
+
+Then she made her ready for worship, and her little daughter with her.
+It thawed fast abroad, and the river was in flood, and therein was the
+drift of ice great: then said the goodwife,
+
+"No way across is there either for man or horse."
+
+"Nay, there will be fords there," said Guest, "be not afeard."
+
+"Carry over the little maiden first," said the goodwife; "she is the
+lightest."
+
+"I am loth to make two journeys of it," said Guest, "I will bear thee
+in my arms."
+
+She crossed herself, and said, "This will not serve; what wilt thou do
+with the maiden?"
+
+"A rede I see for that," said he, and therewith caught them both up,
+and laid the little one in her mother's lap, and set both of them
+thus on his left arm, but had his right free; and so he took the ford
+withal, nor durst they cry out, so afeard were they.
+
+Now the river took him up to his breast forthwith, and a great
+ice-floe drave against him, but he put forth the hand that was free
+and thrust it from him; then it grew so deep, that the stream broke
+on his shoulder; but he waded through it stoutly, till he came to the
+further shore, and there cast them aland: then he turned back, and it
+was twilight already by then he came home to Sand-heaps, and called
+for his meat.
+
+So when he was fulfilled, he bade the home-folk go into the chamber;
+then he took boards and loose timber, and dragged it athwart the
+chamber, and made a great bar, so that none of the home-folk might
+come thereover: none durst say aught against him, nor would any of
+them make the least sound. The entrance to the hall was through the
+side wall by the gable, and dais was there within; there Guest lay
+down, but did not put off his clothes, and light burned in the chamber
+over against the door: and thus Guest lay till far on in the night.
+
+The goodwife came to Isledale-river at church-time, and men marvelled
+how she had crossed the river; and she said she knew not whether a man
+or a troll had brought her over.
+
+The priest said he was surely a man, though a match for few; "But
+let us hold our peace hereon," he said; "maybe he is chosen for the
+bettering of thy troubles." So the goodwife was there through the
+night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXV.
+
+<i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife</i>.
+
+
+Now it is to be told of Guest, that when it drew towards midnight,
+he heard great din without, and thereafter into the hall came a huge
+troll-wife, with a trough in one hand and a chopper wondrous great in
+the other; she peered about when she came in, and saw where Guest
+lay, and ran at him; but he sprang up to meet her, and they fell
+a-wrestling terribly, and struggled together for long in the hall. She
+was the stronger, but he gave back with craft, and all that was before
+them was broken, yea, the cross-panelling withal of the chamber. She
+dragged him out through the door, and so into the outer doorway, and
+then he betook himself to struggling hard against her. She was fain to
+drag him from the house, but might not until they had broken away all
+the fittings of the outer door, and borne them out on their shoulders:
+then she laboured away with him down towards the river, and right down
+to the deep gulfs.
+
+By then was Guest exceeding weary, yet must he either gather his might
+together, or be cast by her into the gulf. All night did they contend
+in such wise; never, he deemed, had he fought with such a horror for
+her strength's sake; she held him to her so hard that he might turn
+his arms to no account save to keep fast hold on the middle of the
+witch.
+
+But now when they came on to the gulf of the river, he gives the hag a
+swing round, and therewith got his right hand free, and swiftly seized
+the short-sword that he was girt withal, and smote the troll therewith
+on the shoulder, and struck off her arm; and therewithal was he free,
+but she fell into the gulf and was carried down the force.
+
+Then was Guest both stiff and weary, and lay there long on the rocks,
+then he went home, as it began to grow light, and lay down in bed, and
+all swollen and blue he was.
+
+But when the goodwife came from church, she thought her house had
+been somewhat roughly handled: so she went to Guest and asked what had
+happed that all was broken and down-trodden. He told her all as it had
+befallen: she deemed these things imported much, and asked him what
+man he was in good sooth. So he told her the truth, and prayed that
+the priest might be fetched, for that he would fain see him: and so it
+was done.
+
+But when Stein the priest came to Sand-heaps, he knew forthwith, that
+thither was come Grettir Asmundson, under the name of Guest.
+
+So the priest asked what he deemed had become of those men who had
+vanished; and Grettir said that he thought they would have gone into
+the gulf: the priest said that he might not trow that, if no signs
+could be seen thereof: then said Grettir that later on that should be
+known more thoroughly. So the priest went home.
+
+Grettir lay many nights a-bed, and the mistress did well to him, and
+so Yule-tide wore.
+
+Now Grettir's story is that the troll-wife cast herself into the gulf
+when she got her wound; but the men of Bard-dale say that day dawned
+on her, while they wrestled, and that she burst, when he cut the arm
+from her; and that there she stands yet on the cliff, a rock in the
+likeness of a woman.
+
+Now the dale-dwellers kept Grettir in hiding there; but in the winter
+after Yule, Grettir fared to Isledale-river, and when he met the
+priest, he said, "Well, priest, I see that thou hadst little faith in
+my tale; now will I, that thou go with me to the river, and see what
+likelihood there is of that tale being true."
+
+So the priest did; and when they came to the force-side, they saw a
+cave up under the cliff; a sheer rock that cliff was, so great that in
+no place might man come up thereby, and well-nigh fifty fathoms was it
+down to the water. Now they had a rope with them, but the priest said:
+
+"A risk beyond all measure, I deem it to go down here."
+
+"Nay," said Grettir, "it is to be done, truly, but men of the greatest
+prowess are meetest therefor: now will I know what is in the force,
+but thou shall watch the rope."
+
+The priest bade him follow his own rede, and drave a peg down into the
+sward on the cliff, and heaped stones up over it, and sat thereby.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXVI.
+
+<i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i>.
+
+
+Now it is to be told of Grettir that he set a stone in a bight of the
+rope and let it sink down into the water.
+
+"In what wise hast thou mind to go?" said the priest.
+
+"I will not go bound into the force," said Grettir; "such things doth
+my heart forebode."
+
+With that he got ready for his journey, and was lightly clad, and girt
+with the short-sword, and had no weapon more.
+
+Then he leapt off the cliff into the force; the priest saw the soles
+of his feet, and knew not afterwards what was become of him. But
+Grettir dived under the force, and hard work it was, because the
+whirlpool was strong, and he had to dive down to the bottom, before he
+might come up under the force. But thereby was a rock jutting out, and
+thereon he gat; a great cave was under the force, and the river fell
+over it from the sheer rocks. He went up into the cave, and there was
+a great fire flaming from amidst of brands; and there he saw a giant
+sitting withal, marvellously great and dreadful to look on. But when
+Grettir came anigh, the giant leapt up and caught up a glaive and
+smote at the new-comer, for with that glaive might a man both cut and
+thrust; a wooden shaft it had, and that fashion of weapon men called
+then, heft-sax. Grettir hewed back against him with the short-sword,
+and smote the shaft so that he struck it asunder; then was the giant
+fain to stretch aback for a sword that hung up there in the cave; but
+therewithal Grettir smote him afore into the breast, and smote off
+well-nigh all the breast bone and the belly, so that the bowels
+tumbled out of him and fell into the river, and were driven down along
+the stream; and as the priest sat by the rope, he saw certain fibres
+all covered with blood swept down the swirls of the stream; then he
+grew unsteady in his place, and thought for sure that Grettir was
+dead, so he ran from the holding of the rope, and gat him home.
+Thither he came in the evening and said, as one who knew it well, that
+Grettir was dead, and that great scathe was it of such a man.
+
+Now of Grettir must it be told that he let little space go betwixt
+his blows or ever the giant was dead; then he went up the cave, and
+kindled a light and espied the cave. The story tells not how much he
+got therein, but men deem that it must have been something great. But
+there he abode on into the night; and he found there the bones of two
+men, and bore them together in a bag; then he made off from the cave
+and swam to the rope and shook it, and thought that the priest would
+be there yet; but when he knew that the priest had gone home, then
+must he draw himself up by strength of hand, and thus he came up out
+on to the cliff.
+
+Then he fared home to Isledale-river, and brought into the church
+porch the bag with the bones, and therewithal a rune-staff whereon
+this song was marvellous well cut--
+
+  "There into gloomy gulf I passed,
+  O'er which from the rock's throat is cast
+  The swirling rush of waters wan,
+  To meet the sword-player feared of man.
+  By giant's hall the strong stream pressed
+  Cold hands against the singer's breast;
+  Huge weight upon him there did hurl
+  The swallower of the changing whirl."
+
+And this other one withal--
+
+  "The dreadful dweller of the cave
+  Great strokes and many 'gainst me drave;
+  Full hard he had to strive for it,
+  But toiling long he wan no whit;
+  For from its mighty shaft of tree
+  The heft-sax smote I speedily;
+  And dulled the flashing war-flame fair
+  In the black breast that met me there."
+
+Herein was it said how that Grettir had brought those bones from the
+cave; but when the priest came to the church in the morning he found
+the staff and that which went with it, but Grettir was gone home to
+Sand-heaps.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXVII.
+
+<i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i>.
+
+
+But when the priest met Grettir he asked him closely about what had
+happed; so he told him all the tale of his doings, and said withal
+that the priest had been unfaithful to him in the matter of the
+rope-holding; and the priest must needs say that so it was.
+
+Now men deemed they could see that these evil wights had wrought the
+loss of the men there in the dale; nor had folk hurt ever after from
+aught haunting the valley, and Grettir was thought to have done great
+deeds for the cleansing of the land. So the priest laid those bones in
+earth in the churchyard.
+
+But Grettir abode at Sand-heaps the winter long, and was hidden there
+from all the world.
+
+But when Thorir of Garth heard certain rumours of Grettir being in
+Bard-dale, he sent men for his head; then men gave him counsel to get
+him gone therefrom, so he took his way to the west.
+
+Now when he came to Maddervales to Gudmund the Rich, he prayed Gudmund
+for watch and ward; but Gudmund said he might not well keep him. "But
+that only is good for thee," said he, "to set thee down there, whereas
+thou shouldst have no fear of thy life."
+
+Grettir said he wotted not where such a place might be.
+
+Gudmund said, "An isle there lies in Skagafirth called Drangey; so
+good a place for defence it is, that no man may come thereon unless
+ladders be set thereto. If thou mightest get there, I know for sure
+that no man who might come against thee, could have good hope while
+thou wert on the top thereof, of overcoming thee, either by weapons or
+craft, if so be thou shouldst watch the ladders well."
+
+"That shall be tried," said Grettir, "but so fearsome of the dark am I
+grown, that not even for the keeping of my life may I be alone."
+
+Gudmund said, "Well, that may be; but trust no man whatsoever so much
+as not to trust thyself better; for many men are hard to see through."
+
+Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and then fared away from
+Maddervales, nor made stay before he came to Biarg; there his mother
+and Illugi his brother welcomed him joyfully, and he abode there
+certain nights.
+
+There he heard of the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, which had befallen
+the autumn before Grettir went to Bard-dale; and he deemed therewithal
+that felling went on fast enough.
+
+Then Grettir rode south to Holtbeacon-heath, and was minded to avenge
+Hallmund if he might meet Grim; but when he came to Northriverdale,
+he heard that Grim had been gone two winters ago, as is aforesaid; but
+Grettir had heard so late of these tidings because he had gone about
+disguised those two winters, and the third winter he had been in
+Thorirs-dale, and had seen no man who might tell him any news. Then
+he betook himself to the Broadfirth-dales, and dwelt in Eastriverdale,
+and lay in wait for folk who fared over Steep-brent; and once more he
+swept away with the strong hand the goods of the small bonders. This
+was about the height of summer-tide.
+
+Now when the summer was well worn, Steinvor of Sand-heaps bore a
+man-child, who was named Skeggi; he was first fathered on Kiartan, the
+son of Stein, the priest of Isle-dale-river. Skeggi was unlike unto
+his kin because of his strength and growth, but when he was fifteen
+winters old he was the strongest man in the north-country, and was
+then known as Grettir's son; men deemed he would be a marvel among
+men, but he died when he was seventeen years of age, and no tale there
+is of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXVIII.
+
+<i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went against Grettir</i>.
+
+
+After the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, Snorri Godi would have little
+to do with his son Thorod, or with Sam, the son of Bork the Fat; it is
+not said what they had done therefor, unless it might be that they had
+had no will to do some great deed that Snorri set them to; but withal
+Snorri drave his son Thorod away, and said he should not come back
+till he had slain some wood-dweller; and so must matters stand.
+
+So Thorod went over to the Dales; and at that time dwelt at
+Broadlair-stead in Sokkolfsdale a widow called Geirlaug; a herdsman
+she kept, who had been outlawed for some onslaught; and he was a
+growing lad. Now Thorod Snorrison heard thereof, and rode in to
+Broadlair-stead, and asked where was the herdsman; the goodwife said
+that he was with the sheep.
+
+"What wilt thou have to do with him?"
+
+"His life will I have," says Thorod, "because he is an outlaw, and a
+wood-wight."
+
+She answers, "No glory is it for such a great warrior as thou deemest
+thyself, to slay a mannikin like that; I will show thee a greater
+deed, if thine heart is so great that thou must needs try thyself."
+
+"Well, and what deed?" says he.
+
+She answers, "Up in the fell here, lies Grettir Asmundson; play thou
+with him, for such a game is more meet for thee."
+
+Thorod took her talk well; "So shall it be," says he, and therewith he
+smote his horse with his spurs, and rode along the valley; and when he
+came to the hill below Eastriver, he saw where was a dun horse, with
+his saddle on, and thereby a big man armed, so he turned thence to
+meet him.
+
+Grettir greeted him, and asked who he was. Thorod named himself, and
+said,
+
+"Why askest thou not of my errand rather than of my name?"
+
+"Why, because," said Grettir, "it is like to be such as is of little
+weight: art thou son to Snorri Godi?"
+
+"Yea, yea," says Thorod; "but now shall we try which of us may do the
+most."
+
+"A matter easy to be known," says Grettir; "hast thou not heard that
+I have ever been a treasure-hill that most men grope in with little
+luck?"
+
+"Yea, I know it," said Thorod; "yet must somewhat be risked."
+
+And now he drew his sword therewith and set on Grettir eagerly; but
+Grettir warded himself with his shield, but bore no weapon against
+Thorod; and so things went awhile, nor was Grettir wounded.
+
+At last he said, "Let us leave this play, for thou wilt not have
+victory in our strife."
+
+But Thorod went on dealing blows at his maddest. Now Grettir got
+aweary of dealing with him, and caught him and set him down by his
+side, and said--
+
+"I may do with thee even as I will, nor do I fear that thou wilt ever
+be my bane; but the grey old carle, thy father, Snorri, I fear in good
+sooth, and his counsels that have brought most men to their knees:
+and for thee, thou shouldst turn thy mind to such things alone as thou
+mayst get done, nor is it child's play to fight with me."
+
+But when Thorod saw that he might bring nought to pass, he grew
+somewhat appeased, and therewithal they parted. Thorod rode home to
+Tongue and told his father of his dealings with Grettir. Snorri Godi
+smiled thereat, and said,
+
+"<i>Many a man lies hid within himself</i>, and far unlike were your
+doings; for thou must needs rush at him to slay him, and he might have
+done with thee even as he would. Yet wisely has Grettir done herein,
+that he slew thee not; for I should scarce have had a mind to let thee
+lie unavenged; but now indeed shall I give him aid, if I have aught to
+do with any of his matters."
+
+It was well seen of Snorri, that he deemed Grettir had done well to
+Thorod, and he ever after gave his good word for Grettir.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXIX.
+
+<i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg, and fared with
+Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Grettir rode north to Biarg a little after he parted with Thorod, and
+lay hid there yet awhile; then so great grew his fear in the dark,
+that he durst go nowhere as soon as dusk set in. His mother bade him
+abide there, but said withal, that she saw that it would scarce avail
+him aught, since he had so many cases against him throughout all the
+land. Grettir said that she should never have trouble brought on her
+for his sake.
+
+"But I shall no longer do so much for the keeping of my life," says
+he, "as to be alone."
+
+Now Illugi his brother was by that time about fifteen winters old,
+and the goodliest to look on of all men; and he overheard their talk
+together. Grettir was telling his mother what rede Gudmund the Rich
+had given him, and now that he should try, if he had a chance, to get
+out to Drangey, but he said withal, that he might not abide there,
+unless he might get some trusty man to be with him. Then said Illugi,
+
+"I will go with thee, brother, though I know not that I shall be of
+any help to thee, unless it be that I shall be ever true to thee, nor
+run from thee whiles thou standest up; and moreover I shall know more
+surely how thou farest if I am still in thy fellowship."
+
+Grettir answered, "Such a man thou art, that I am gladder in thee than
+in any other; and if it cross not my mother's mind, fain were I that
+thou shouldst fare with me."
+
+Then said Asdis, "Now can I see that it has come to this, that two
+troubles lie before us: for meseems I may ill spare Illugi, yet I know
+that so hard is thy lot, Grettir, that thou must in somewise find rede
+therefor: and howsoever it grieves me, O my sons, to see you both turn
+your backs on me, yet thus much will I do, if Grettir might thereby be
+somewhat more holpen than heretofore."
+
+Hereat was Illugi glad, for that he deemed it good to go with Grettir.
+
+So she gave them much of her chattels, and they made them ready for
+their journey. Asdis led them from out the garth, and before they
+parted she spake thus:
+
+"Ah, my sons twain, there ye depart from me, and one death ye shall
+have together; for no man may flee from that which is wrought for him:
+on no day now shall I see either of you once again; let one fate
+be over you both, then; for I know not what weal ye go to get for
+yourselves in Drangey, but there shall ye both lay your bones, and
+many will begrudge you that abiding place. Keep ye heedfully from
+wiles, yet none the less there shall ye be bitten of the edge of the
+sword, for marvellously have my dreams gone: be well ware of sorcery,
+for <i>little can cope with the cunning of eld</i>."
+
+And when she had thus spoken she wept right sore.
+
+Then said Grettir, "Weep not, mother, for if we be set on with
+weapons, it shall be said of thee, that thou hast had sons, and not
+daughters: live on, well and hale."
+
+Therewithal they parted. They fared north through the country side and
+saw their kin; and thus they lingered out the autumn into winter; then
+they turned toward Skagafirth and went north through Waterpass and
+thence to Reekpass, and down Saemunds-lithe and so unto Longholt, and
+came to Dinby late in the day.
+
+Grettir had cast his hood back on to his shoulders, for in that wise
+he went ever abroad whether the day were better or worse. So they went
+thence, and when they had gone but a little way, there met them a man,
+big-headed, tall, and gaunt, and ill clad; he greeted them, and either
+asked other for their names; they said who they were, but he called
+himself Thorbiorn: he was a land-louper, a man too lazy to work, and
+a great swaggerer, and much game and fooling was made with him by some
+folk: he thrust himself into their company, and told them much from
+the upper country about the folk there. Grettir had great game and
+merriment of him; so he asked if they had no need of a man who should
+work for them, "for I would fain fare with you," says he; and withal
+he got so much from their talk that they suffered him to follow them.
+
+Much snow there was that day, and it was cold; but whereas that man
+swaggered exceedingly, and was the greatest of tomfools, he had a
+by-name, and was called Noise.
+
+"Great wonder had those of Dinby when thou wentest by e'en now
+unhooded, in the foul weather," said Noise, "as to whether thou
+wouldst have as little fear of men as of the cold: there were two
+bonders' sons, both men of great strength, and the shepherd called
+them forth to go to the sheep-watching with him, and scarcely could
+they clothe themselves for the cold."
+
+Grettir said, "I saw within doors there a young man who pulled on his
+mittens, and another going betwixt byre and midden, and of neither of
+them should I be afeared."
+
+Thereafter they went down to Sorbness, and were there through the
+night; then they fared out along the strand to a farm called Reeks,
+where dwelt a man, Thorwald by name, a good bonder. Him Grettir prayed
+for watch and ward, and told him how he was minded to get out to
+Drangey: the bonder said that those of Skagafirth would think him no
+god-send, and excused himself therewithal.
+
+Then Grettir took a purse his mother had given to him, and gave it
+to the bonder; his brows lightened over the money, and he got three
+house-carles of his to bring them out in the night time by the light
+of the moon. It is but a little way from Reeks out to the island, one
+sea-mile only. So when they came to the isle, Grettir deemed it good
+to behold, because it was grass-grown, and rose up sheer from the sea,
+so that no man might come up thereon save there where the ladders were
+let down, and if the uppermost ladder were drawn up, it was no man's
+deed to get upon the island. There also were the cliffs full of fowl
+in the summer-tide, and there were eighty sheep upon the island which
+the bonders owned, and they were mostly rams and ewes which they had
+mind to slaughter.
+
+There Grettir set himself down in peace; and by then had he been
+fifteen or sixteen winters in outlawry, as Sturla Thordson has said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXX.
+
+<i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i>.
+
+
+In the days when Grettir came to Drangey, these were chief men of the
+country side of Skagafirth. Hialti dwelt at Hof in Hialtidale, he
+was the son of Thord, the son of Hialti, the son of Thord the Scalp:
+Hialti was a great chief, a right noble man, and much befriended.
+Thorbiorn Angle was the name of his brother, a big man and a strong,
+hardy and wild withal. Thord, the father of these twain, had married
+again in his old age, and that wife was not the mother of the
+brothers; and she did ill to her step-children, but served Thorbiorn
+the worst, for that he was hard to deal with and reckless. And on a
+day Thorbiorn Angle sat playing at tables, and his stepmother passed
+by and saw that he was playing at the knave-game, and the fashion of
+the game was the large tail-game. Now she deemed him thriftless, and
+cast some word at him, but he gave an evil answer; so she caught up
+one of the men, and drave the tail thereof into Thorbiorn's cheek-bone
+wherefrom it glanced into his eye, so that it hung out on his cheek.
+He sprang up, caught hold of her, and handled her roughly, insomuch
+that she took to her bed, and died thereof afterwards, and folk say
+that she was then big with child.
+
+Thereafter Thorbiorn became of all men the most riotous; he took his
+heritage, and dwelt at first in Woodwick.
+
+Haldor the son of Thorgeir, who was the son of Head-Thord, dwelt at
+Hof on Head-strand, he had to wife Thordis, the daughter of Thord
+Hialtison, and sister to those brothers Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle.
+Haldor was a great bonder, and rich in goods.
+
+Biorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Meadness in the Fleets; he
+was a friend to Haldor of Hof. These men held to each other in all
+cases.
+
+Tongue-Stein dwelt at Stonestead; he was the son of Biorn, the son of
+Ufeigh Thinbeard, son of that Crow-Hreidar to whom Eric of God-dales
+gave the tongue of land down from Hall-marsh. Stein was a man of great
+renown.
+
+One named Eric was the son of Holmgang-Starri, the son of Eric of
+God-dales, the son of Hroald, the son of Geirmund Thick-beard; Eric
+dwelt at Hof in God-dales.
+
+Now all these were men of great account.
+
+Two brothers there were who dwelt at a place called Broad-river
+in Flat-lithe, and they were both called Thord; they were wondrous
+strong, and yet withal peaceable men both of them.
+
+All these men had share in Drangey, and it is said that no less than
+twenty in all had some part in the island, nor would any sell his
+share to another; but the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle,
+had the largest share, because they were the richest men.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXI.
+
+<i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Now time wears on towards the winter solstice; then the bonders get
+ready to go fetch the fat beasts for slaughter from the island; so
+they manned a great barge, and every owner had one to go in his stead,
+and some two.
+
+But when these came anigh the island they saw men going about there;
+they deemed that strange, but guessed that men had been shipwrecked,
+and got aland there: so they row up to where the ladders were, when
+lo, the first-comers drew up the ladders.
+
+Then the bonders deemed that things were taking a strange turn, and
+hailed those men and asked them who they were: Grettir named himself
+and his fellows withal: but the bonders asked who had brought him
+there.
+
+Grettir answered, "He who owned the keel and had the hands, and who
+was more my friend than yours."
+
+The bonders answered and said, "Let us now get our sheep, but come
+thou aland with us, keeping freely whatso of our sheep thou hast
+slaughtered."
+
+"A good offer," said Grettir, "but this time let each keep what he
+has got; and I tell you, once for all, that hence I go not, till I am
+dragged away dead; for it is not my way to let that go loose which I
+have once laid hand on."
+
+Thereat the bonders held their peace, and deemed that a woeful guest
+had come to Drangey; then they gave him choice of many things, both
+moneys and fair words, but Grettir said nay to one and all, and they
+gat them gone with things in such a stead, and were ill content with
+their fate; and told the men of the country-side what a wolf had got
+on to the island.
+
+This took them all unawares, but they could think of nought to do
+herein; plentifully they talked over it that winter, but could see no
+rede whereby to get Grettir from the island.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXII.
+
+<i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i>.
+
+
+Now the days wore till such time as men went to the Heron-ness Thing
+in spring-tide, and many came thronging there from that part of the
+country, wherefrom men had to go to that Thing for their suits. Men
+sat there long time both over the suits and over sports, for there
+were many blithe men in that country-side. But when Grettir heard that
+all men fared to the Thing, he made a plot with his friends; for he
+was in goodwill with those who dwelt nighest to him, and for them
+he spared nought that he could get. But now he said that he would
+go aland, and gather victuals, but that Illugi and Noise should stay
+behind. Illugi thought this ill counselled, but let things go as
+Grettir would.
+
+So Grettir bade them watch the ladders well, for that all things
+lay thereon; and thereafter he went to the mainland, and got what he
+deemed needful: he hid himself from men whereso he came, nor did
+any one know that he was on the land. Withal he heard concerning the
+Thing, that there was much sport there, and was fain to go thither;
+so he did on old gear and evil, and thus came to the Thing, whenas men
+went from the courts home to their booths. Then fell certain young men
+to talking how that the day was fair and good, and that it were well,
+belike, for the young men to betake them to wrestling and merrymaking.
+Folk said it was well counselled; and so men went and sat them down
+out from the booths.
+
+Now the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle, were the chief
+men in this sport; Thorbiorn Angle was boisterous beyond measure, and
+drove men hard and fast to the place of the sports, and every man must
+needs go whereas his will was; and he would take this man and that by
+the hands and drag him forth unto the playing-ground.
+
+Now first those wrestled who were weakest, and then each man in his
+turn, and therewith the game and glee waxed great; but when most men
+had wrestled but those who were the strongest, the bonders fell to
+talking as to who would be like to lay hand to either of the Thords,
+who have been aforenamed; but there was no man ready for that. Then
+the Thords went up to sundry men, and put themselves forward for
+wrestling, but <i>the nigher the call the further the man</i>. Then
+Thorbiorn Angle looks about, and sees where a man sits, great of
+growth, and his face hidden somewhat. Thorbiorn laid hold of him,
+and tugged hard at him, but he sat quiet and moved no whit. Then said
+Thorbiorn,
+
+"No one has kept his place before me to-day like thou hast; what man
+art thou?"
+
+He answers, "Guest am I hight."
+
+Said Thorbiorn, "Belike thou wilt do somewhat for our merriment; a
+wished-for guest wilt thou be."
+
+He answered, "About and about, methinks, will things change speedily;
+nor shall I cast myself into play with you here, where all is unknown
+to me."
+
+Then many men said he were worthy of good at their hands, if he, an
+unknown man, gave sport to the people. Then he asked what they would
+of him; so they prayed him to wrestle with some one.
+
+He said he had left wrestling, "though time agone it was somewhat of a
+sport to me."
+
+So, when he did not deny them utterly, they prayed him thereto yet the
+more.
+
+He said, "Well, if ye are so fain that I be dragged about here, ye
+must do so much therefor, as to handsel me peace, here at the Thing,
+and until such time as I come back to my home."
+
+Then they all sprang up and said that so they would do indeed; but
+Hafr was the name of him who urged most that peace should be given to
+the man. This Hafr was the son of Thorarin, the son of Hafr, the son
+of Thord Knob, who had settled land up from the Weir in the Fleets to
+Tongue-river, and who dwelt at Knobstead; and a wordy man was Hafr.
+
+So now he gave forth the handselling grandly with open mouth, and this
+is the beginning thereof.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXIII.
+
+<i>The Handselling of Peace</i>.
+
+
+Says he, "<i>Herewith I establish peace betwixt all men, but most
+of all betwixt all men and this same Guest who sits here, and so is
+named; that is to say, all men of rule, and goodly bonders, and all
+men young, and fit to bear arms, and all other men of the country-side
+of Heron-ness Thing, whencesoever any may have come here, of men
+named or unnamed. Let us handsel safety and full peace to that unknown
+new-comer, yclept Guest by name, for game, wrestling, and all glee,
+for abiding here, and going home, whether he has need to fare over
+water, or over land, or over ferry; safety shall he have, in all
+steads named and unnamed, even so long as needs be for his coming home
+whole, under faith holden. This peace I establish on behoof of us,
+and of our kin, friends, and men of affinity, women even as men,
+bondswomen, even as bonds-men, swains and men of estate. Let him be
+a shamed peace-breaker, who breaks the peace, or spills the troth
+settled; turned away and driven forth from God, and good men of the
+kingdom of Heaven, and all Holy ones. A man not to be borne of any
+man, but cast out from all, as wide as wolves stray, or Christian men
+make for Churches, or heathen in God's-houses do sacrifice, or fire
+burns, or earth brings forth, or a child, new-come to speech, calls
+mother, or mother bears son, or the sons of men kindle fire, or ships
+sweep on, or shields glitter, or the sun shines, or the snow falls,
+or a Finn sweeps on skates, or a fir-tree waxes, or a falcon flies
+the spring-long day with a fair wind under either wing, or the
+Heavens dwindle far away, or the world is built, or the wind turns</i>
+<i>waters seaward, or carles sow corn. Let him shun churches, and
+Christian folk, and heathen men, houses and caves, and every home but
+the home of Hell. Now shall we be at peace and of one mind each with
+the other, and of goodwill, whether we meet on fell or foreshore, ship
+or snow-shoes, earth or ice-mount, sea or swift steed, even as each
+found his friend on water, or his brother on broad ways; in just such
+peace one with other, as father with son, or son with father in all
+dealings together. Now we lay hands together, each and all of us,
+to hold well this say of peace, and all words spoken in our settled
+troth: As witness God and good men, and all those who hear my words,
+and nigh this stead chance to stand</i>."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXIV.
+
+<i>Of Grettir's Wrestling: and how Thorbiorn Angle now bought the more
+part of Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Then many fell to saying that many and great words had been spoken
+hereon; but now Guest said,
+
+"Good is thy say and well hast thou spoken it; if ye spill not things
+hereafter, I shall not withhold that which I have to show forth."
+
+So he cast off his hood, and therewith all his outer clothes.
+
+Then they gazed one on the other, and awe spread over their faces, for
+they deemed they knew surely that this was Grettir Asmundson, for
+that he was unlike other men for his growth and prowess' sake: and all
+stood silent, but Hafr deemed he had made himself a fool. Now the
+men of the country-side fell into twos and twos together, and one
+upbraided the other, but him the most of all, who had given forth the
+words of peace.
+
+Then said Grettir; "Make clear to me what ye have in your minds,
+because for no long time will I sit thus unclad; it is more your
+matter than mine, whether ye will hold the peace, or hold it not."
+
+They answered few words and then sat down: and now the sons of Thord,
+and Halldor their brother-in-law, talked the matter over together;
+and some would hold the peace, and some not; so as they elbowed one
+another, and laid their heads together. Grettir sang a stave--
+
+  "I, well known to men, have been
+  On this morn both hid and seen;
+  Double face my fortune wears,
+  Evil now, now good it bears;
+  Doubtful play-board have I shown
+  Unto these men, who have grown
+  Doubtful of their given word;
+  Hafr's big noise goes overboard."
+
+Then said Tongue-stein, "Thinkest thou that, Grettir? Knowest thou
+then what the chiefs will make their minds up to? but true it is thou
+art a man above all others for thy great heart's sake: yea, but dost
+thou not see how they rub their noses one against the other?"
+
+Then Grettir sang a stave--
+
+  "Raisers-up of roof of war,
+  Nose to nose in counsel are;
+  Wakeners of the shield-rain sit
+  Wagging beard to talk of it:
+  Scatterers of the serpent's bed
+  Round about lay head to head.
+  For belike they heard my name;
+  And must balance peace and shame."
+
+Then spake Hialti the son of Thord; "So shall it not be," says he; "we
+shall hold to our peace and troth given, though we have been beguiled,
+for I will not that men should have such a deed to follow after, if we
+depart from that peace, that we ourselves have settled and handselled:
+Grettir shall go whither he will, and have peace until such time as
+he comes back from this journey; and then and not till then shall this
+word of truce be void, whatsoever may befall betwixt us meanwhile."
+
+All thanked him therefor, and deemed that he had done as a great
+chief, such blood-guilt as there was on the other side: but the speech
+of Thorbiorn Angle was little and low thereupon.
+
+Now men said that both the Thords should lay hand to Grettir, and he
+bade them have it as they would: so one of the brothers stood forth;
+and Grettir stood up stiff before him, and he ran at Grettir at his
+briskest, but Grettir moved no whit from his place: then Grettir
+stretched out his hand down Thord's back, over the head of him, and
+caught hold of him by the breeches, and tripped up his feet, and cast
+him backward over his head in such wise that he fell on his shoulder,
+and a mighty fall was that.
+
+Then men said that both those brothers should go against Grettir at
+once; and thus was it done, and great swinging and pulling about there
+was, now one side, now the other getting the best of it, though one
+or other of the brothers Grettir ever had under him; but each in turn
+must fall on his knee, or have some slip one of the other; and so hard
+they griped each at each, that they were all blue and bruised.
+
+All men thought this the best of sport, and when they had made an end
+of it, thanked them for the wrestling; and it was the deeming of those
+who sat thereby, that the two brothers together were no stronger than
+Grettir alone, though each of them had the strength of two men of the
+strongest: so evenly matched they were withal, that neither might get
+the better of the other if they tried it between them.
+
+Grettir abode no long time at the Thing; the bonders bade him give up
+the island, but he said nay to this, nor might they do aught herein.
+
+So Grettir fared back to Drangey, and Illugi was as fain of him as
+might be; and there they abode peacefully, and Grettir told them the
+story of his doings and his journeys; and thus the summer wore away.
+
+All men deemed that those of Skagafirth had shown great manliness
+herein, that they held to their peace given; and folk may well mark
+how trusty men were in those days, whereas Grettir had done such deeds
+against them.
+
+Now the less rich men of the bonders spake together, that there
+was little gain to them in holding small shares in Drangey; so they
+offered to sell their part to the sons of Thord; Hialti said that he
+would not deal with them herein, for the bonders made it part of the
+bargain, that he who bought of them should either slay Grettir or get
+him away. But Thorbiorn Angle said, that he would not spare to take
+the lead of an onset against Grettir if they would give him wealth
+therefor. So his brother Hialti gave up to him his share in the
+island, for that he was the hardest man, and the least befriended of
+the twain; and in likewise too did other bonders; so Thorbiorn Angle
+got the more part of the island for little worth, but bound himself
+withal to get Grettir away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXV.
+
+<i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i>.
+
+
+Whenas summer was far spent, Thorbiorn Angle went with a well-manned
+barge out to Drangey, and Grettir and his fellows stood forth on the
+cliff's edge; so there they talked together. Thorbiorn prayed Grettir
+to do so much for his word, as to depart from the island; Grettir said
+there was no hope of such an end.
+
+Then said Thorbiorn, "Belike I may give thee meet aid if thou dost
+this, for now have many bonders given up to me their shares in the
+island."
+
+Grettir answered, "Now hast thou shown forth that which brings me to
+settle in my mind that I will never go hence, whereas thou sayest
+that thou now hast the more part of the island; and good is it that we
+twain alone share the kale: for in sooth, hard I found it to have all
+the men of Skagafirth against me; but now let neither spare the
+other, for not such are we twain, as are like to be smothered in the
+friendship of men; and thou mayst leave coming hither, for on my side
+is all over and done."
+
+"<i>All things bide their day</i>," said Thorbiorn, "and an ill day
+thou bidest."
+
+"I am content to risk it," said Grettir; and in such wise they parted,
+and Thorbiorn went home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXVI.
+
+<i>How Noise let the fire out on Drangey, and how Grettir must needs
+go aland for more</i>.
+
+
+So the tale tells, that by then they had been two winters on Drangey,
+they had slaughtered well-nigh all the sheep that were there, but one
+ram, as men say, they let live; he was piebald of belly and head, and
+exceeding big-horned; great game they had of him, for he was so wise
+that he would stand waiting without, and run after them whereso they
+went; and he would come home to the hut anights and rub his horns
+against the door.
+
+Now they deemed it good to abide on the island, for food was plenty,
+because of the fowl and their eggs; but firewood was right hard to
+come by; and ever Grettir would let the thrall go watch for drift, and
+logs were often drifted there, and he would bear them to the fire;
+but no need had the brothers to do any work beyond climbing into the
+cliffs when it liked them. But the thrall took to loathing his work,
+and got more grumbling and heedless than he was wont heretofore: his
+part it was to watch the fire night by night, and Grettir gave him
+good warning thereon, for no boat they had with them.
+
+Now so it befell that on a certain night their fire went out; Grettir
+was wroth thereat, and said it was but his due if Noise were beaten
+for that deed; but the thrall said that his life was an evil life,
+if he must lie there in outlawry, and be shaken and beaten withal if
+aught went amiss.
+
+Grettir asked Illugi what rede there was for the matter, but he said
+he could see none, but that they should abide there till some keel
+should be brought thither: Grettir said it was but blindness to hope
+for that. "Rather will I risk whether I may not come aland."
+
+"Much my mind misgives me thereof," said Illugi, "for we are all lost
+if thou comest to any ill."
+
+"I shall not be swallowed up swimming," said Grettir; "but
+henceforward I shall trust the thrall the worse for this, so much as
+lies hereon."
+
+Now the shortest way to the mainland from the island, was a sea-mile
+long.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXVII.
+
+<i>Grettir at the home-stead of Reeks</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir got all ready for swimming, and had on a cowl of
+market-wadmal, and his breeches girt about him, and he got his fingers
+webbed together, and the weather was fair. So he went from the island
+late in the day, and desperate Illugi deemed his journey. Grettir made
+out into the bay, and the stream was with him, and a calm was over
+all. He swam on fast, and came aland at Reekness by then the sun had
+set: he went up to the homestead at Reeks, and into a bath that night,
+and then went into the chamber; it was very warm there, for there had
+been a fire therein that evening, and the heat was not yet out of the
+place; but he was exceeding weary, and there fell into a deep sleep,
+and so lay till far on into the next day.
+
+Now as the morning wore the home folk arose, and two women came
+into the chamber, a handmaid and the goodman's daughter. Grettir was
+asleep, and the bed-clothes had been cast off him on to the floor; so
+they saw that a man lay there, and knew him.
+
+Then said the handmaiden: "So may I thrive, sister! here is Grettir
+Asmundson lying bare, and I call him right well ribbed about the
+chest, but few might think he would be so small of growth below; and
+so then that does not go along with other kinds of bigness."
+
+The goodman's daughter answered: "Why wilt thou have everything on thy
+tongue's end? Thou art a measure-less fool; be still."
+
+"Dear sister, how can I be still about it?" says the handmaid. "I
+would not have believed it, though one had told me."
+
+And now she would whiles run up to him and look, and whiles run back
+again to the goodman's daughter, screaming and laughing; but Grettir
+heard what she said, and as she ran in over the floor by him he caught
+hold of her, and sang this stave--
+
+  "Stay a little, foolish one!
+  When the shield-shower is all done,
+  With the conquered carles and lords,
+  Men bide not to measure swords:
+  Many a man had there been glad,
+  Lesser war-gear to have had.
+  With a heart more void of fear;
+  Such I am not, sweet and dear."
+
+Therewithal he swept her up into the bed, but the bonder's daughter
+ran out of the place; then sang Grettir this other stave--
+
+  "Sweet amender of the seam,
+  Weak and worn thou dost me deem:
+  O light-handed dear delight,
+  Certes thou must say aright.
+  Weak I am, and certainly
+  Long in white arms must I lie:
+  Hast thou heart to leave me then,
+  Fair-limbed gladdener of great men?"
+
+The handmaid shrieked out, but in such wise did they part that she
+laid no blame on Grettir when all was over.
+
+A little after, Grettir arose, and went to Thorvald the goodman, and
+told him of his trouble, and prayed bring him out; so did he, and lent
+him a boat, and brought him out, and Grettir thanked him well for his
+manliness.
+
+But when it was heard that Grettir had swam a sea-mile, all deemed his
+prowess both on sea and land to be marvellous.
+
+Those of Skagafirth had many words to say against Thorbiorn Angle, in
+that he drave not Grettir away from Drangey, and said they would take
+back each his own share; but he said he found the task no easy one,
+and prayed them be good to him, and abide awhile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXVIII.
+
+<i>Of Haring at Drangey, and the end of him</i>.
+
+
+That same summer a ship came to the Gangpass-mouth, and therein was a
+man called Haering--a young man he was, and so lithe that there was no
+cliff that he might not climb. He went to dwell with Thorbiorn Angle,
+and was there on into the autumn; and he was ever urging Thorbiorn to
+go to Drangey, saying that he would fain see whether the cliffs were
+so high that none might come up them. Thorbiorn said that he should
+not work for nought if he got up into the island, and slew Grettir, or
+gave him some wound; and withal he made it worth coveting to Haering.
+So they fared to Drangey, and set the eastman ashore in a certain
+place, and he was to set on them unawares if he might come up on
+to the island, but they laid their keel by the ladders, and fell to
+talking with Grettir; and Thorbiorn asked him if he were minded now to
+leave the place; but he said that to nought was his mind so made up as
+to stay there.
+
+"A great game hast thou played with us," said Thorbiorn; "but thou
+seemest not much afeard for thyself."
+
+Thus a long while they gave and took in words, and came nowise
+together hereon.
+
+But of Haering it is to be told that he climbed the cliffs, going on
+the right hand and the left, and got up by such a road as no man has
+gone by before or since; but when he came to the top of the cliff, he
+saw where the brothers stood, with their backs turned toward him, and
+thought in a little space to win both goods and great fame; nor were
+they at all aware of his ways, for they deemed that no man might
+come up, but there whereas the ladders were. Grettir was talking with
+Thorbiorn, nor lacked there words of the biggest on either side; but
+withal Illugi chanced to look aside, and saw a man drawing anigh them.
+
+Then he said, "Here comes a man at us, with axe raised aloft, and in
+right warlike wise he seems to fare."
+
+"Turn thou to meet him," says Grettir, "but I will watch the ladders."
+
+So Illugi turned to meet Haering, and when the eastman saw him, he
+turned and fled here and there over the island. Illugi chased him
+while the island lasted, but when he came forth on to the cliff's edge
+Haering leapt down thence, and every bone in him was broken, and
+so ended his life; but the place where he was lost has been called
+Haering's-leap ever since.
+
+Illugi came back, and Grettir asked how he had parted from this one
+who had doomed them to die.
+
+"He would have nought to do," says Illugi, "with my seeing after
+his affairs, but must needs break his neck over the rock; so let the
+bonders pray for him as one dead."
+
+So when Angle heard that, he bade his folk make off. "Twice have I
+fared to meet Grettir, but no third time will I go, if I am nought the
+wiser first; and now belike they may sit in Drangey as for me; but
+in my mind it is, that Grettir will abide here but a lesser time than
+heretofore."
+
+With that they went home, and men deemed this journey of theirs worser
+than the first, and Grettir abode that winter in Drangey, nor in that
+season did he and Thorbiorn meet again.
+
+In those days died Skapti Thorodson the Lawman, and great scathe
+was that to Grettir, for he had promised to busy himself about his
+acquittal as soon as he had been twenty winters in outlawry, and this
+year, of which the tale was told e'en now, was the nineteenth year
+thereof.
+
+In the spring died Snorri the Godi, and many matters befell in that
+season that come not into this story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXIX.
+
+<i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i>.
+
+
+That summer, at the Althing, the kin of Grettir spake many things
+concerning his outlawry, and some deemed he had outworn the years
+thereof, if he had come at all into the twentieth year; but they who
+had blood-suits against him would not have it so, and said, that he
+had done many an outlaw's deed since he was first outlawed, and deemed
+his time ought to last longer therefor.
+
+At that time was a new lawman made, Stein, the son of Thorgest, the
+son of Stein the Far-sailing, the son of Thorir Autumn-mirk; the
+mother of Stein was Arnora, the daughter of Thord the Yeller; and
+Stein was a wise man.
+
+Now was he prayed for the word of decision; and he bade them search
+and see whether this were the twentieth summer since Grettir was made
+an outlaw, and thus it seemed to be.
+
+But then stood forth Thorir of Garth, and brought all into dispute
+again, for he found that Grettir had been one winter out here a
+sackless man, amidst the times of his outlawry, and then nineteen were
+the winters of his outlawry found to be. Then said the lawman that no
+one should be longer in outlawry than twenty winters in all, though he
+had done outlaw's deeds in that time.
+
+"But before that, I declare no man sackless."
+
+Now because of this was the acquittal delayed for this time, but
+it was thought a sure thing that he would be made sackless the next
+summer. But that misliked the Skagafirthers exceeding ill, if Grettir
+were to come out of his outlawry, and they bade Thorbiorn Angle do
+one of two things, either give back the island or slay Grettir; but
+he deemed well that he had a work on his hands, for he saw no rede for
+the winning of Grettir, and yet was he fain to hold the island; and
+so all manner of craft he sought for the overcoming of Grettir, if he
+might prevail either by guile or hardihood, or in any wise soever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXX.
+
+<i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother out to Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Angle had a foster-mother, Thurid by name, exceeding old,
+and meet for little, as folk deemed, very cunning she had been in
+many and great matters of lore, when she was young, and men were yet
+heathen; but men thought of her as of one, who had lost all that. But
+now, though Christ's law were established in the land, yet abode still
+many sparks of heathendom. It had been law in the land, that men were
+not forbidden to sacrifice secretly, or deal with other lore of eld,
+but it was lesser outlawry if such doings oozed out. Now in such wise
+it fared with many, that <i>hand for wont did yearn</i>, and things
+grew handiest by time that had been learned in youth.
+
+So now, whenas Thorbiorn Angle was empty of all plots, he sought for
+help there, whereas most folk deemed it most unlike that help was--at
+the hands of his foster-mother, in sooth, and asked, what counsel was
+in her therefor.
+
+She answered, "Now belike matters have come to this, even as the saw
+says--<i>To the goat-house for wool</i>: but what could I do less than
+this, to think myself before folk of the country-side, but be a man
+of nought, whenso anything came to be tried? nor see I how I may fare
+worse than thou, though I may scarce rise from my bed. But if thou art
+to have my rede, then shall I have my will as to how and what things
+are done."
+
+He gave his assent thereto, and said that she had long been of
+wholesome counsel to him.
+
+Now the time wore on to Twainmonth of summer; and one fair-weather day
+the carline spake to Angle,
+
+"Now is the weather calm and bright, and I will now that thou fare
+to Drangey and pick a quarrel with Grettir; I shall go with thee, and
+watch how heedful he may be of his words; and if I see them, I shall
+have some sure token as to how far they are befriended of fortune, and
+then shall I speak over them such words as seem good to me."
+
+Angle answered, "Loth am I to be faring to Drangey, for ever am I of
+worser mind when I depart thence than when I come thereto."
+
+Then said the carline, "Nought will I do for thee if thou sufferest me
+to rule in no wise."
+
+"Nay, so shall it not be, foster-mother," said he; "but so much have
+I said, as that I would so come thither the third time that somewhat
+should be made of the matter betwixt us."
+
+"The chance of that must be taken," said the carline "and many a heavy
+labour must thou have, or ever Grettir be laid to earth; and oft will
+it be doubtful to thee what fortune thine shall be, and heavy troubles
+wilt thou get therefrom when that is done; yet art thou so bounden
+here-under, that to somewhat must thou make up thy mind."
+
+Thereafter Thorbiorn Angle let put forth a ten-oared boat, and he went
+thereon with eleven men, and the carline was in their company.
+
+So they fell to rowing as the weather went, out to Drangey; and when
+the brothers saw that, they stood forth at the ladders, and they began
+to talk the matter over yet once more; and Thorbiorn said, that he was
+come yet again, to talk anew of their leaving the island, and that
+he would deal lightly with his loss of money and Grettir's dwelling
+there, if so be they might part without harm. But Grettir said that he
+had no words to make atwixt and atween of his going thence.
+
+"Oft have I so said," says he, "and no need there is for thee to talk
+to me thereon; ye must even do as ye will, but here will I abide,
+whatso may come to hand."
+
+Now Thorbiorn deemed, that this time also his errand was come to
+nought, and he said,
+
+"Yea, I deemed I knew with what men of hell I had to do; and most like
+it is that a day or two will pass away ere I come hither again."
+
+"I account that not in the number of my griefs, though thou never
+comest back," said Grettir.
+
+Now the carline lay in the stern, with clothes heaped up about and
+over her, and with that she moved, and said,
+
+"Brave will these men be, and luckless withal; far hast thou outdone
+them in manliness; thou biddest them choice of many goodly things,
+but they say nay to all, and few things lead surer to ill, than not to
+know how to take good. Now this I cast over thee, Grettir, that thou
+be left of all health, wealth, and good-hap, all good heed and wisdom:
+yea, and that the more, the longer thou livest; good hope I have,
+Grettir, that thy days of gladness shall be fewer here in time to come
+than in the time gone by."
+
+Now when Grettir heard these words, he was astonied withal, and said,
+
+"What fiend is there in the boat with them?" Illugi answers, "I deem
+that it will be the carline, Thorbiorn's foster-mother."
+
+"Curses on the witch-wight!" says Grettir, "nought worse could have
+been looked for; at no words have I shuddered like as I shuddered
+at those words she spake; and well I wot that from her, and her foul
+cunning, some evil will be brought on us; yet shall she have some
+token to mind her that she has sought us here."
+
+Therewithal he caught up a marvellous great stone, and cast it down on
+to the boat, and it smote that clothes-heap; and a longer stone-throw
+was that than Thorbiorn deemed any man might make; but therewithal a
+great shriek arose, for the stone had smitten the carline's thigh, and
+broken it.
+
+Then said Illugi, "I would thou hadst not done that!"
+
+"Blame me not therefor," said Grettir, "I fear me the stroke has been
+too little, for certes not overmuch weregild were paid for the twain
+of us, though the price should be one carline's life."
+
+"Must she alone be paid?" said Illugi, "little enough then will be
+laid down for us twain."
+
+Now Thorbiorn got him gone homeward, with no greetings at parting. But
+he said to the carline,
+
+"Now have matters gone as I thought, that a journey of little glory
+thou shouldst make to the island; thou hast got maimed, and honour
+is no nigher to us than before, yea, we must have bootless shame on
+bootless shame."
+
+She answered, "This will be the springing of ill-hap to them; and
+I deem that henceforth they are on the wane; neither do I fear if I
+live, but that I shall have revenge for this deed they have thus done
+me."
+
+"Stiff is thine heart, meseems, foster-mother," said Thorbiorn. With
+that they came home, but the carline was laid in her bed, and abode
+there nigh a month; by then was the hurt thigh-bone grown together
+again, and she began to be afoot once more.
+
+Great laughter men made at that journey of Thorbiorn and the carline,
+and deemed he had been often enow out-played in his dealings with
+Grettir: first, at the Spring-Thing in the peace handselling; next,
+when Haering was lost, and now again, this third time, when the
+carline's thigh-bone was broken, and no stroke had been played against
+these from his part. But great shame and grief had Thorbiorn Angle
+from all these words.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXI.
+
+<i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i>.
+
+
+Now wore away the time of autumn till it wanted but three weeks of
+winter; then the carline bade bear her to the sea-shore. Thorbiorn
+asked what she would there.
+
+"Little is my errand, yet maybe," she says, "it is a foreboding of
+greater tidings."
+
+Now was it done as she bade, and when she came down to the strand,
+she went limping along by the sea, as if she were led thereto, unto
+a place where lay before her an uprooted tree, as big as a man might
+bear on his shoulder. She looked at the tree and bade them turn it
+over before her eyes, and on one side it was as if singed and rubbed;
+so there whereas it was rubbed she let cut a little flat space; and
+then she took her knife and cut runes on the root, and made them
+red with her blood, and sang witch-words over them; then she went
+backwards and widdershins round about the tree, and cast over it many
+a strong spell; thereafter she let thrust the tree forth into the sea,
+and spake in such wise over it, that it should drive out to Drangey,
+and that Grettir should have all hurt therefrom that might be.
+Thereafter she went back home to Woodwick; and Thorbiorn said that he
+knew not if that would come to aught; but the carline answered that he
+should wot better anon.
+
+Now the wind blew landward up the firth, yet the carline's root went
+in the teeth of the wind, and belike it sailed swifter than might have
+been looked for of it.
+
+Grettir abode in Drangey with his fellows as is aforesaid, and in
+good case they were; but the day after the carline had wrought her
+witch-craft on the tree the brothers went down below the cliffs
+searching for firewood, so when they came to the west of the island,
+there they found that tree drifted ashore.
+
+Then said Illugi, "A big log of firewood, kinsman, let us bear it
+home."
+
+Grettir kicked it with his foot and said, "An evil tree from evil
+sent; other firewood than this shall we have."
+
+Therewithal he cast it out into the sea, and bade Illugi beware of
+bearing it home, "For it is sent us for our ill-hap." And therewith
+they went unto their abode, and said nought about it to the thrall.
+But the next day they found the tree again, and it was nigher to the
+ladders than heretofore; Grettir drave it out to sea, and said that it
+should never be borne home.
+
+Now the days wore on into summer, and a gale came on with much wet,
+and the brothers were loth to be abroad, and bade Noise go search for
+firewood.
+
+He took it ill, and said he was ill served in that he had to drudge
+and labour abroad in all the foulest weather; but withal he went down
+to the beach before the ladders and found the carline's tree there,
+and deemed things had gone well because of it; so he took it up and
+bore it to the hut, and cast it down thereby with a mighty thump.
+
+Grettir heard it and said, "Noise has got something, so I shall go out
+and see what it is."
+
+Therewithal he took up a wood-axe, and went out, and straightway Noise
+said,
+
+"Split it up in as good wise as I have brought it home, then."
+
+Grettir grew short of temper with the thrall, and smote the axe with
+both hands at the log, nor heeded what tree it was; but as soon as
+ever the axe touched the wood, it turned flatlings and glanced off
+therefrom into Grettir's right leg above the knee, in such wise that
+it stood in the bone, and a great wound was that. Then he looked at
+the tree and said,
+
+"Now has evil heart prevailed, nor will this hap go alone, since that
+same tree has now come back to us that I have cast out to sea on these
+two days. But for thee, Noise, two slips hast thou had, first, when
+thou must needs let the fire be slaked, and now this bearing home of
+that tree of ill-hap; but if a third thou hast, thy bane will it be,
+and the bane of us all."
+
+With that came Illugi and bound up Grettir's hurt, and it bled little,
+and Grettir slept well that night; and so three nights slipped by in
+such wise that no pain came of the wound, and when they loosed the
+swathings, the lips of the wound were come together so that it was
+well-nigh grown over again. Then said Illugi,
+
+"Belike thou wilt have no long hurt of this wound."
+
+"Well were it then," said Grettir, "but marvellously has this
+befallen, whatso may come of it; and my mind misgives me of the way
+things will take."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXII.
+
+<i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i>.
+
+
+Now they lay them down that evening, but at midnight Grettir began to
+tumble about exceedingly. Illugi asked why he was so unquiet. Grettir
+said that his leg had taken to paining him, "And methinks it is like
+that some change of hue there be therein."
+
+Then they kindled a light, and when the swathings were undone, the leg
+showed all swollen and coal-blue, and the wound had broken open,
+and was far more evil of aspect than at first; much pain there went
+therewith so that he might not abide at rest in any wise, and never
+came sleep on his eyes.
+
+Then spake Grettir, "Let us make up our minds to it, that this
+sickness which I have gotten is not done for nought, for it is of
+sorcery, and the carline is minded to avenge her of that stone."
+
+Illugi said, "Yea, I told thee that thou wouldst get no good from that
+hag."
+
+"<i>All will come to one end</i>," said Grettir, and sang this song
+withal--
+
+  "Doubtful played the foredoomed fate
+  Round the sword in that debate,
+  When the bearserks' outlawed crew,
+  In the days of yore I slew.
+  Screamed the worm of clashing lands
+  When Hiarandi dropped his hands
+  Biorn and Gunnar cast away,
+  Hope of dwelling in the day.
+
+  "Home again then travelled I;
+  The broad-boarded ship must lie,
+  Under Door-holm, as I went,
+  Still with weapon play content,
+  Through the land; and there the thane
+  Called me to the iron rain,
+  Bade me make the spear-storm rise,
+  Torfi Vebrandson the wise.
+
+  "To such plight the Skald was brought,
+  Wounder of the walls of thought,
+  Howsoever many men
+  Stood, all armed, about us then,
+  That his hand that knew the oar,
+  Grip of sword might touch no more;
+  Yet to me the wound who gave
+  Did he give a horse to have.
+
+  "Thorbiorn Arnor's son, men said,
+  Of no great deed was afraid,
+  Folk spake of him far and wide;
+  He forbade me to abide
+  Longer on the lovely earth;
+  Yet his heart was little worth,
+  Not more safe alone was I,
+  Than when armed he drew anigh.
+
+  "From the sword's edge and the spears
+  From my many waylayers,
+  While might was, and my good day,
+  Often did I snatch away;
+  Now a hag, whose life outworn
+  Wicked craft and ill hath borne,
+  Meet for death lives long enow,
+  Grettir's might to overthrow."[18]
+
+[Footnote 18: This song is obviously incomplete, and the second and
+third stanzas speak of matters that do not come into this story.]
+
+"Now must we take good heed to ourselves," said Grettir, "for
+Thorbiorn Angle must be minded that this hap shall not go alone; and
+I will, Noise, that thou watch the ladders every day from this time
+forth, but pull them up in the evening, and see thou do it well and
+truly, even as though much lay thereon, but if thou bewrayest us,
+short will be thy road to ill."
+
+So Noise promised great things concerning this. Now the weather grew
+harder, and a north-east wind came on with great cold: every night
+Grettir asked if the ladders were drawn up.
+
+Then said Noise, "Yea, certainly! men are above all things to be
+looked for now. Can any man have such a mind to take thy life, that
+he will do so much as to slay himself therefor? for this gale is far
+other than fair; lo now, methinks thy so great bravery and hardihood
+has come utterly to an end, if thou must needs think that all things
+soever will be thy bane."
+
+"Worse wilt thou bear thyself than either of us," said Grettir, "when
+the need is on us; but now go watch the ladders, whatsoever will thou
+hast thereto."
+
+So every morning they drave him out, and ill he bore it.
+
+But Grettir's hurt waxed in such wise that all the leg swelled up, and
+the thigh began to gather matter both above and below, and the lips of
+the wound were all turned out, so that Grettir's death was looked for.
+
+Illugi sat over him night and day, and took heed to nought else, and
+by then it was the second week since Grettir hurt himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXIII.
+
+<i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and set Sail for Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Angle sat this while at home at Woodwick, and was
+ill-content in that he might not win Grettir; but when a certain space
+had passed since the carline had put the sorcery into the root, she
+comes to talk with Thorbiorn, and asks if he were not minded to go see
+Grettir. He answers, that to nought was his mind so made up as that he
+would not go; "perchance thou wilt go meet him, foster-mother," says
+Thorbiorn.
+
+"Nay, I shall not go meet-him," says the carline; "but I have sent my
+greeting to him, and some hope I have that it has come home to him;
+and good it seems to me that thou go speedily to meet him, or else
+shalt thou never have such good hap as to overcome him."
+
+Thorbiorn answered: "So many shameful journeys have I made thither,
+that there I go not ever again; moreover that alone is full enough
+to stay me, that such foul weather it is, that it is safe to go
+nowhither, whatso the need may be."
+
+She answered: "Ill counselled thou art, not to see how to overcome
+herein. Now yet once again will I lay down a rede for this; go thou
+first and get thee strength of men, and ride to Hof to Halldor thy
+brother-in-law, and take counsel of him. But if I may rule in some way
+how Grettir's health goes, how shall it be said that it is past hope
+that I may also deal with the gale that has been veering about this
+while?"
+
+Thorbiorn deemed it might well be that the carline saw further than he
+had thought she might, and straightway sent up into the country-side
+for men; but speedy answer there came that none of those who had given
+up their shares would do aught to ease his task, and they said that
+Thorbiorn should have to himself both the owning of the island and the
+onset on Grettir. But Tongue-Stein gave him two of his followers, and
+Hialti, his brother, sent him three men, and Eric of God-dales one,
+and from his own homestead he had six. So the twelve of them ride from
+Woodwick out to Hof. Halldor bade them abide there, and asked their
+errand; then Thorbiorn told it as clearly as might be. Halldor asked
+whose rede this might be, and Thorbiorn said that his foster-mother
+urged him much thereto.
+
+"That will bear no good," said Halldor, "because she is cunning in
+sorcery, and such-like things are now forbidden."
+
+"I may not look closely into all these matters before-hand," said
+Thorbiorn, "but in somewise or other shall this thing have an end if I
+may have my will. Now, how shall I go about it, so that I may come to
+the island?"
+
+"Meseems," says Halldor, "that thou trustest in somewhat, though I wot
+not how good that may be. But now if thou wilt go forward with it, go
+thou out to Meadness in the Fleets to Biorn my friend; a good keel
+he has, so tell him of my word, that I would he should lend you the
+craft, and thence ye may sail out to Drangey. But the end of your
+journey I see not, if Grettir is sound and hale: yea, and be thou sure
+that if ye win him not in manly wise, he leaves enough of folk behind
+to take up the blood-suit after him. And slay not Illugi if ye may do
+otherwise. But methinks I see that all is not according to Christ's
+law in these redes."
+
+Then Halldor gave them six men withal for their journey; one was
+called Karr, another Thorleif, and a third Brand, but the rest are not
+named.
+
+So they fared thence, eighteen in company, out to the Fleets, and came
+to Meadness and gave Biorn Halldor's message, he said that it was but
+due for Halldor's sake, but that he owed nought to Thorbiorn; withal
+it seemed to him that they went on a mad journey, and he let them from
+it all he might.
+
+They said they might not turn back, and so went down to the sea, and
+put forth the craft, and all its gear was in the boat-stand hard by;
+so they made them ready for sailing, and foul enow the weather seemed
+to all who stood on land. But they hoisted sail, and the craft shot
+swiftly far into the firth, but when they came out into the main part
+thereof into deep water, the wind abated in such wise that they deemed
+it blew none too hard.
+
+So in the evening at dusk they came to Drangey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXIV.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i>.
+
+
+Now it is to be told, that Grettir was so sick, that he might not
+stand on his feet, but Illugi sat beside him, and Noise was to keep
+watch and ward; and many words he had against that, and said that they
+would still think that life was falling from them, though nought
+had happed to bring it about; so he went out from their abode right
+unwillingly, and when he came to the ladders he spake to himself and
+said that now he would not draw them up; withal he grew exceeding
+sleepy, and lay down and slept all day long, and right on till
+Thorbiorn came to the island.
+
+So now they see that the ladders are not drawn up; then spake
+Thorbiorn, "Now are things changed from what the wont was, in that
+there are none afoot, and their ladder stands in its place withal;
+maybe more things will betide in this our journey than we had thought
+of in the beginning: but now let us hasten to the hut, and let no man
+lack courage; for, wot this well, that if these men are hale, each one
+of us must needs do his best."
+
+Then they went up on to the island, and looked round about, and saw
+where a man lay a little space off the landing-place, and snored hard
+and fast. Therewith Thorbiorn knew Noise, and went up to him and drave
+the hilt of his sword against the ear of him, and bade him, "Wake up,
+beast! certes in evil stead is he who trusts his life to thy faith and
+troth."
+
+Noise looked up thereat and said, "Ah! now are they minded to go
+on according to their wont; do ye, may-happen, think my freedom too
+great, though I lie out here in the cold?"
+
+"Art thou witless," said Angle, "that thou seest not that thy foes are
+come upon thee, and will slay you all?"
+
+Then Noise answered nought, but yelled out all he might, when he knew
+the men who they were.
+
+"Do one thing or other," says Angle, "either hold thy peace forthwith,
+and tell us of your abode, or else be slain of us."
+
+Thereat was Noise as silent as if he had been thrust under water; but
+Thorbiorn said, "Are they at their hut, those brothers? Why are they
+not afoot?"
+
+"Scarce might that be," said Noise, "for Grettir is sick and come nigh
+to his death, and Illugi sits over him."
+
+Then Angle asked how it was with their health, and what things had
+befallen. So Noise told him in what wise Grettir's hurt had come
+about.
+
+Then Angle laughed and said, "Yea, sooth is the old saw, <i>Old
+friends are the last to sever</i>; and this withal, <i>Ill if a thrall
+is thine only friend</i>, whereso thou art, Noise; for shamefully hast
+thou bewrayed thy master, albeit he was nought good."
+
+Then many laid evil things to his charge for his ill faith, and beat
+him till he was well-nigh past booting for, and let him lie there; but
+they went up to the hut and smote mightily on the door.
+
+"Pied-belly[19] is knocking hard at the door, brother," says Illugi.
+
+[Footnote 19: 'Pied-belly,' the name of the tame ram told of before.]
+
+"Yea, yea, hard, and over hard," says Grettir; and therewithal the
+door brake asunder.
+
+Then sprang Illugi to his weapons and guarded the door, in such wise
+that there was no getting in for them. Long time they set on him
+there, and could bring nought against him save spear-thrusts, and
+still Illugi smote all the spear-heads from the shafts. But when they
+saw that they might thus bring nought to pass, they leapt up on to the
+roof of the hut, and tore off the thatch; then Grettir got to his feet
+and caught up a spear, and thrust out betwixt the rafters; but before
+that stroke was Karr, a home-man of Halldor of Hof, and forthwithal it
+pierced him through.
+
+Then spoke Angle, and bade men fare warily and guard themselves well,
+"for we may prevail against them if we follow wary redes."
+
+So they tore away the thatch from the ends of the ridge-beam, and bore
+on the beam till it brake asunder.
+
+Now Grettir might not rise from his knee, but he caught up the
+short-sword, Karr's-loom, and even therewith down leapt those men in
+betwixt the walls, and a hard fray befell betwixt them. Grettir
+smote with the short-sword at Vikar, one of the followers of Hialti
+Thordson, and caught him on the left shoulder, even as he leapt in
+betwixt the walls, and cleft him athwart the shoulder down unto the
+right side, so that the man fell asunder, and the body so smitten
+atwain tumbled over on to Grettir, and for that cause he might not
+heave aloft the short-sword as speedily as he would, and therewith
+Thorbiorn Angle thrust him betwixt the shoulders, and great was that
+wound he gave.
+
+Then cried Grettir, "<i>Bare is the back of the brotherless</i>." And
+Illugi threw his shield over Grettir, and warded him in so stout a
+wise that all men praised his defence.
+
+Then said Grettir to Angle, "Who then showed thee the way here to the
+island?"
+
+Said Angle, "The Lord Christ showed it us."
+
+"Nay," said Grettir, "but I guess that the accursed hag, thy
+foster-mother, showed it thee, for in her redes must thou needs have
+trusted."
+
+"All shall be one to thee now," said Angle, "in whomsoever I have put
+my trust."
+
+Then they set on them fiercely, and Illugi made defence for both in
+most manly wise; but Grettir was utterly unmeet for fight, both for
+his wounds' sake and for his sickness. So Angle bade bear down Illugi
+with shields, "For never have I met his like, amongst men of such
+age."
+
+Now thus they did, besetting him with beams and weapons till he might
+ward himself no longer; and then they laid hands on him, and so held
+him fast. But he had given some wound or other to the more part of
+those who had been at the onset, and had slain outright three of
+Angle's fellows.
+
+Thereafter they went up to Grettir, but he was fallen forward on to
+his face, and no defence there was of him, for that he was already
+come to death's door by reason of the hurt in his leg, for all the
+thigh was one sore, even up to the small guts; but there they gave him
+many a wound, yet little or nought he bled.
+
+So when they thought he was dead, Angle laid hold of the short-sword,
+and said that he had carried it long enough; but Grettir's fingers
+yet kept fast hold of the grip thereof, nor could the short-sword be
+loosened; many went up and tried at it, but could get nothing done
+therewith; eight of them were about it before the end, but none the
+more might bring it to pass.
+
+Then said Angle, "Why should we spare this wood-man here? lay his hand
+on the block."
+
+So when that was done they smote off his hand at the wrist, and the
+fingers straightened, and were loosed from the handle. Then Angle took
+the short-sword in both hands and smote at Grettir's head, and a right
+great stroke that was, so that the short-sword might not abide it, and
+a shard was broken from the midst of the edge thereof; and when men
+saw that, they asked why he must needs spoil a fair thing in such
+wise.
+
+But Angle answered, "More easy is it to know that weapon now if it
+should be asked for."
+
+They said it needed not such a deed since the man was dead already.
+
+"Ah! but yet more shall be done," said Angle, and hewed therewith
+twice or thrice at Grettir's neck, or ever the head came off; and then
+he spake,
+
+"Now know I for sure that Grettir is dead."
+
+In such wise Grettir lost his life, the bravest man of all who have
+dwelt in Iceland; he lacked but one winter of forty-five years whenas
+he was slain; but he was fourteen winters old when he slew Skeggi, his
+first man-slaying; and from thenceforth all things turned to his fame,
+till the time when he dealt with Glam, the Thrall; and in those days
+was he of twenty winters-; but when he fell into outlawry, he was
+twenty-five years old; but in outlawry was he nigh nineteen winters,
+and full oft was he the while in great trials of men; and such as his
+life was, and his needs, he held well to his faith and troth, and most
+haps did he foresee, though he might do nought to meet them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXV.
+
+<i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money</i>.
+
+
+"A great champion have we laid to earth here," said Thorbiorn; "now
+shall we bring the head aland with us, for I will not lose the money
+which has been laid thereon; nor may they then feign that they know
+not if I have slain Grettir."
+
+They bade him do his will, but had few words to say hereon, for to all
+the deed seemed a deed of little prowess.
+
+Then Angle fell to speaking with Illugi,
+
+"Great scathe it is of such a brave man as thou art, that thou hast
+fallen to such folly, as to betake thee to ill deeds with this outlaw
+here, and must needs lie slain and unatoned therefore."
+
+Illugi answered, "Then first when the Althing is over this summer,
+wilt thou know who are outlaws; but neither thou nor the carline, thy
+foster-mother, will judge in this matter, because that your sorcery
+and craft of old days have slain Grettir, though thou didst, indeed,
+bear steel against him, as he lay at death's door, and wrought that so
+great coward's deed there, over and above thy sorcery."
+
+Then said Angle, "In manly wise speakest thou, but not thus will it
+be; and I will show thee that I think great scathe in thy death, for
+thy life will I give thee if thou wilt swear an oath for us here, to
+avenge thyself on none of those who have been in this journey."
+
+Illugi said, "That might I have deemed a thing to talk about, if
+Grettir had been suffered to defend himself, and ye had won him with
+manliness and hardihood; but now nowise is it to be thought, that I
+will do so much for the keeping of my life, as to become base, even as
+thou art: and here I tell thee, once for all, that no one of men shall
+be of less gain to thee than I, if I live; for long will it be or ever
+I forget how ye have prevailed against Grettir.--Yea, much rather do I
+choose to die."
+
+Then Thorbiorn Angle held talk with his fellows, whether they should
+let Illugi live or not; they said that, whereas he had ruled the
+journey, so should he rule the deeds; so Angle said that he knew not
+how to have that man hanging over his head, who would neither give
+troth, nor promise aught.
+
+But when Illugi knew that they were fully minded to slay him, he
+laughed, and spake thus,
+
+"Yea, now have your counsels sped, even as my heart would."
+
+So at the dawning of the day they brought him to the eastern end of
+the island, and there slaughtered him; but all men praised his great
+heart, and deemed him unlike to any of his age.
+
+They laid both the brothers in cairn on the island there; and
+thereafter took Grettir's head, and bore it away with them, and whatso
+goods there were in weapons or clothes; but the good short-sword Angle
+would not put into the things to be shared, and he bare it himself
+long afterwards. Noise they took with them, and he bore himself as ill
+as might be.
+
+At nightfall the gale abated, and they rowed aland in the morning.
+Angle took land at the handiest place, and sent the craft out to
+Biorn; but by then they were come hard by Oyce-land, Noise began to
+bear himself so ill, that they were loth to fare any longer with him,
+so there they slew him, and long and loud he greeted or ever he was
+cut down.
+
+Thorbiorn Angle went home to Woodwick, and deemed he had done in manly
+wise in this journey; but Grettir's head they laid in salt in the
+out-bower at Woodwick, which was called therefrom Grettir's-bower; and
+there it lay the winter long. But Angle was exceeding ill thought
+of for this work of his, as soon as folk knew that Grettir had been
+overcome by sorcery.
+
+Thorbiorn Angle sat quiet till past Yule; then he rode to meet Thorir
+of Garth, and told him of these slayings; and this withal, that he
+deemed that money his due which had been put on Grettir's head.
+Thorir said that he might not hide that he had brought about Grettir's
+outlawry,
+
+"Yea, and oft have I dealt hardly with him, yet so much for the taking
+of his life I would not have done, as to make me a misdoer, a man of
+evil craft, even as thou hast done; and the less shall I lay down that
+money for thee, in that I deem thee surely to be a man of forfeit life
+because of thy sorcery and wizard-craft."
+
+Thorbiorn Angle answers, "Meseems thou art urged hereto more by
+closefistedness and a poor mind, than by any heed of how Grettir was
+won."
+
+Thorir said that a short way they might make of it, in that they
+should abide the Althing, and take whatso the Lawman might deem
+most rightful: and in such wise they parted that there was no little
+ill-will betwixt Thorir and Thorbiorn Angle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXVI.
+
+<i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's Head to Biarg</i>.
+
+
+The kin of Grettir and Illugi were exceeding ill-content when they
+heard of these slayings, and they so looked on matters as deeming that
+Angle had wrought a shameful deed in slaying a man at death's door;
+and that, besides that, he had become guilty of sorcery. They sought
+the counsel of the wisest men, and everywhere was Angle's work ill
+spoken of. As for him, he rode to Midfirth, when it lacked four weeks
+of summer; and when his ways were heard of, Asdis gathered men to
+her, and there came many of her friends: Gamli and Glum, her
+brothers-in-law, and their sons, Skeggi, who was called the
+Short-handed, and Uspak, who is aforesaid. Asdis was so well
+befriended, that all the Midfirthers came to aid her; yea, even those
+who were aforetime foes to Grettir; and the first man there was Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and the more part of the Ramfirthers.
+
+Now Angle came to Biarg with twenty men, and had Grettir's head with
+him; but not all those had come yet who had promised aid to Asdis;
+so Angle and his folk went into the chamber with the head, and set it
+down on the floor; the goodwife was there in the chamber, and many men
+with her; nor did it come to greetings on either side; but Angle sang
+this stave--
+
+  "A greedy head I bring with me
+  Up from the borders of the sea;
+  Now may the needle-pliers weep,
+  The red-haired outlaw lies asleep;
+  Gold-bearer, cast adown thine eyes,
+  And see how on the pavement lies,
+  The peace-destroying head brought low,
+  That but for salt had gone ere now."
+
+The goodwife sat silent when he gave forth the stave, and thereafter
+she sang--
+
+  "O thou poor wretch, as sheep that flee
+  To treacherous ice when wolves they see,
+  So in the waves would ye have drowned
+  Your shame and fear, had ye but found
+  That steel-god hale upon the isle:
+  Now heavy shame, woe worth the while!
+  Hangs over the north country-side,
+  Nor I my loathing care to hide."
+
+Then many said that it was nought wonderful, though she had brave
+sons, so brave as she herself was, amid such grief of heart as was
+brought on her.
+
+Uspak was without, and held talk with such of Angle's folk as had
+not gone in, and asked concerning the slayings; and all men praised
+Illugi's defence; and they told withal how fast Grettir had held the
+short-sword after he was dead, and marvellous that seemed to men.
+
+Amidst these things were seen many men riding from the west, and
+thither were coming many friends of the goodwife, with Gamli and
+Skeggi west from Meals.
+
+Now Angle had been minded to take out execution after Illugi, for he
+and his men claimed all his goods; but when that crowd of men came up,
+Angle saw that he might do nought therein, but Gamli and Uspak were of
+the eagerest, and were fain to set on Angle; but those who were wisest
+bade them take the rede of Thorwald their kinsman, and the other chief
+men, and said that worse would be deemed of Angle's case the more wise
+men sat in judgment over it; then such truce there was that Angle rode
+away, having Grettir's head with him, because he was minded to bear it
+to the Althing.
+
+So he rode home, and thought matters looked heavy enough, because
+well-nigh all the chief men of the land were either akin to Grettir
+and Illugi, or tied to them and theirs by marriage: that summer,
+moreover, Skeggi the Short-handed took to wife the daughter of Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and therewithal Thorod joined Grettir's kin in these
+matters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXVII.
+
+<i>Affairs at the Althing</i>.
+
+
+Now men rode to the Althing, and Angle's helpers were fewer than he
+had looked for, because that his case was spoken ill of far and wide.
+
+Then asked Halldor whether they were to carry Grettir's head with them
+to the Althing.
+
+Angle said that he would bear it with him.
+
+"Ill-counselled is that," said Halldor; "for many enough will thy foes
+be, though thou doest nought to jog the memories of folk, or wake up
+their grief."
+
+By then were they come on their way, and were minded to ride south
+over the Sand; so Angle let take the head, and bury it in a hillock of
+sand, which is called Grettir's Hillock.
+
+Thronged was the Althing, and Angle put forth his case, and praised
+his own deeds mightily, in that he had slain the greatest outlaw in
+all the land, and claimed the money as his, which had been put on
+Grettir's head. But Thorir had the same answer for him as was told
+afore.
+
+Then was the Lawman prayed for a decision, and he said that he would
+fain hear if any charges came against this, whereby Angle should
+forfeit his blood-money, or else he said he must have whatsoever had
+been put on Grettir's head.
+
+Then Thorvald Asgeirson called on Skeggi the Short-handed to put forth
+his case, and he summoned Thorbiorn Angle with a first summons for the
+witch-craft and sorcery, whereby Grettir must have got his bane, and
+then with another summons withal, for that they had borne weapons
+against a half-dead man, and hereon he claimed an award of outlawry.
+
+Now folk drew much together on this side and on that, but few they
+were that gave aid to Thorbiorn; and things turned out otherwise
+than he had looked for, because Thorvald, and Isleif, his son-in-law,
+deemed it a deed worthy of death to bring men to their end by evil
+sorcery; but through the words of wise men these cases had such end,
+that Thorbiorn should sail away that same summer, and never come
+back to Iceland while any such were alive, as had the blood-suit for
+Grettir and Illugi.
+
+And then, moreover, was it made law that all workers of olden craft
+should be made outlaws.
+
+So when Angle saw what his lot would be, he gat him gone from the
+Thing, because it might well hap that Grettir's kin would set on him;
+nor did he get aught of the fee that was put on Grettir's head, for
+that Stein the Lawman would not that it should be paid for a deed
+of shame. None of those men of Thorbiorn's company who had fallen in
+Drangey were atoned, for they were to be made equal to the slaying of
+Illugi, but their kin were exceeding ill content therewith.
+
+So men rode home from the Thing, and all blood-suits that men had
+against Grettir fell away.
+
+Skeggi, the son of Gamli, who was son-in-law of Thorod Drapa-Stump,
+and sister's son of Grettir, went north to Skagafirth at the instance
+of Thorvald Asgeirson, and Isleif his son-in-law, who was afterwards
+Bishop of Skalholt, and by the consent of all the people got to him a
+keel, and went to Drangey to seek the corpses of the brothers, Grettir
+and Illugi; and he brought them back to Reeks, in Reek-strand, and
+buried them there at the church; and it is for a token that Grettir
+lies there, that in the days of the Sturlungs, when the church of the
+Reeks was moved, Grettir's bones were dug up, nor were they deemed
+so wondrous great, great enough though they were. The bones of Illugi
+were buried afterwards north of the church, but Grettir's head at home
+in the church at Biarg.
+
+Goodwife Asdis abode at home at Biarg, and so well beloved she was,
+that no trouble was ever brought against her, no, not even while
+Grettir was in outlawry.
+
+Skeggi the Short-handed took the household at Biarg after Asdis, and
+a mighty man he was; his son was Gamli, the father of Skeggi of
+Scarf-stead, and Asdis the mother of Odd the Monk. Many men are come
+from him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXVIII.
+
+<i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence to Micklegarth</i>.
+
+
+Thornbiorn Angle took ship at Goose-ere, with whatso of his goods he
+might take with him; but Hialti his brother took to him his lands,
+and Angle gave him Drangey withal. Hialti became a great chief in
+aftertimes, but he has nought more to do with this tale.
+
+So Angle fared out to Norway; he yet made much of himself, for he
+deemed he had wrought a great deed in the slaying of Grettir, and so
+thought many others, who knew not how all had come to pass, for many
+knew how renowned a man Grettir had been; withal Angle told just so
+much of their dealings together as might do him honour, and let such
+of the tale lie quiet as was of lesser glory.
+
+Now this tale came in the autumn-tide east to Tunsberg, and when
+Thorstein Dromund heard of the slayings he grew all silent, because it
+was told him that Angle was a mighty man and a hardy; and he called
+to mind the words which he had spoken when he and Grettir talked
+together, long time agone, concerning the fashion of their arms.
+
+So Thorstein put out spies on Angle's goings; they were both in
+Norway through the winter, but Thorbiorn was in the north-country, and
+Thorstein in Tunsberg, nor had either seen other; yet was Angle ware
+that Grettir had a brother in Norway, and thought it hard to keep
+guard of himself in an unknown land, wherefore he sought counsel as to
+where he should betake himself. Now in those days many Northmen went
+out to Micklegarth, and took war-pay there; so Thorbiorn deemed it
+would be good to go thither and get to him thereby both fee and fame,
+nor to abide in the North-lands because of the kin of Grettir. So he
+made ready to go from Norway, and get him gone from out the land, and
+made no stay till he came to Micklegarth, and there took war-hire.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXIX.
+
+<i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known when sought for by reason
+of the notch in the blade</i>.
+
+
+Thorstein Dromund was a mighty man, and of the greatest account; and
+now he heard that Thorbiorn Angle had got him gone from the land out
+to Micklegarth; speedy were his doings thereon, he gave over his lands
+into his kinsmen's hands, and betook himself to journeying and to
+search for Angle; and ever he followed after whereas Angle had gone
+afore, nor was Angle ware of his goings.
+
+So Thorstein Dromund came out to Micklegarth a little after Angle, and
+was fain above all things to slay him, but neither knew the other. Now
+had they will to be taken into the company of the Varangians, and
+the matter went well as soon as the Varangians knew that they were
+Northmen; and in those days was Michael Katalak king over Micklegarth.
+
+Thorstein Dromund watched for Angle, if in some wise he might know
+him, but won not the game because of the many people there; and ever
+would he lie awake, ill-content with his lot, and thinking how great
+was his loss.
+
+Now hereupon it befell that the Varangians were to go on certain
+warfare, and free the land from harrying; and their manner and law it
+was before they went from home to hold a weapon-show, and so it was
+now done; and when the weapon-show was established, then were all
+Varangians to come there, and those withal who were minded to fall
+into their company, and they were to show forth their weapons.
+
+Thither came both Thorstein and Angle; but Thorbiorn Angle showed
+forth his weapons first; and he had the short-sword, Grettir's-loom;
+but when he showed it many praised it and said that it was an
+exceeding good weapon, but that it was a great blemish, that notch in
+the edge thereof; and asked him withal what had brought that to pass.
+
+Angle said it was a thing worthy to be told of, "For this is the next
+thing to be said," says he, "that out in Iceland I slew that champion
+who was called Grettir the Strong, and who was the greatest warrior
+and the stoutest-hearted of all men of that land, for him could no man
+vanquish till I came forth for that end; and whereas I had the good
+hap to win him, I took his life; though indeed he had my strength many
+times over; then I drave this short-sword into his head, and thereby
+was a shard broken from out its edge."
+
+So those who stood nigh said, that he must have been hard of head
+then, and each showed the short-sword to the other; but hereby
+Thorstein deemed he knew now who this man was, and he prayed withal
+to see the short-sword even as the others; then Angle gave it up with
+good will, for all were praising his bravery and that daring onset,
+and even in such wise did he think this one would do; and in no wise
+did he misdoubt him that Thorstein was there, or that the man was akin
+to Grettir.
+
+Then Dromund took the short-sword, and raised it aloft, and hewed at
+Angle and smote him on the head, and so great was the stroke that it
+stayed but at the jaw-teeth, and Thorbiorn Angle fell to earth dead
+and dishonoured.
+
+Thereat all men became hushed; but the Chancellor of the town seized
+Thorstein straightway, and asked for what cause he did such an
+ill-deed there at the hallowed Thing.
+
+Thorstein said that he was the brother of Grettir the Strong, and that
+withal he had never been able to bring vengeance to pass till then;
+so thereupon many put in their word, and said that the strong man must
+needs have been of great might and nobleness, in that Thorstein had
+fared so far forth into the world to avenge him: the rulers of the
+city deemed that like enough; but whereas there was none there to bear
+witness in aught to Thorstein's word, that law of theirs prevailed,
+that whosoever slew a man should lose nought but his life.
+
+So then speedy doom and hard enow did Thorstein get; for in a dark
+chamber of a dungeon should he be cast and there abide his death, if
+none redeemed him therefrom with money. But when Thorstein came into
+the dungeon, there was a man there already, who had come to death's
+door from misery; and both foul and cold was that abode; Thorstein
+spake to that man and said,
+
+"How deemest thou of thy life?"
+
+He answered, "As of a right evil life, for of nought can I be holpen,
+nor have I kinsmen to redeem me."
+
+Thorstein said, "Nought is of less avail in such matters than lack of
+good rede; let us be merry then, and do somewhat that will be glee and
+game to us."
+
+The man said that he might have no glee of aught.
+
+"Nay, then, but let us try it," said Thorstein. And therewithal he
+fell to singing; and he was a man of such goodly voice that scarcely
+might his like be found therefor, nor did he now spare himself.
+
+Now the highway was but a little way from the dungeon, and Thorstein
+sang so loud and clear that the walls resounded therewith, and great
+game this seemed to him who had been half-dead erst; and in such wise
+did Thorstein keep it going till the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XC.
+
+<i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from the Dungeon</i>.
+
+
+There was a great lady of a castle in that town called Spes, exceeding
+rich and of great kin; Sigurd was the name of her husband, a rich man
+too, but of lesser kin than she was, and for money had she been wedded
+to him; no great love there was betwixt them, for she thought she had
+been wedded far beneath her; high-minded she was and a very stirring
+woman.
+
+Now so it befell, that, as Thorstein made him merry that night, Spes
+walked in the street hard by the dungeon, and heard thence so fair a
+voice, that she said she had never yet heard its like. She went with
+many folk, and so now she bade them go learn who had that noble voice.
+So they called out and asked who lay there in such evil plight; and
+Thorstein named himself.
+
+Then said Spes, "Art thou a man as much skilled in other matters as in
+singing?"
+
+He said there was but little to show for that.
+
+"What ill-deed hast thou done," said she, "that thou must needs be
+tormented here to the death?"
+
+He said that he had slain a man, and avenged his brother thereby, "But
+I could not show that by witnesses," said Thorstein, "and therefore
+have I been cast into ward here, unless some man should redeem me, nor
+do I hope therefor, for no man have I here akin to me."
+
+"Great loss of thee if thou art slain! and that brother of thine whom
+thou didst avenge, was he a man so famed, then?"
+
+He said that he was more mighty than he by the half; and so she asked
+what token there was thereof. Then sang Thorstein this stave--
+
+  "Field of rings, eight men, who raise
+  Din of sword in clattering ways,
+  Strove the good short-sword in vain
+  From the strong dead hand to gain;
+  So they ever strained and strove,
+  Till at last it did behove,
+  The feared quickener of the fight,
+  From the glorious man to smite."
+
+"Great prowess such a thing shows of the man," said those who
+understood the stave; and when she knew thereof, she spake thus,
+
+"Wilt thou take thy life from me, if such a choice is given thee?"
+
+"That will I," said Thorstein, "if this fellow of mine, who sits
+hereby, is redeemed along with me; or else will we both abide here
+together."
+
+She answers, "More of a prize do I deem thee than him."
+
+"Howsoever that may be," said Thorstein, "we shall go away in company
+both of us together, or else shall neither go."
+
+Then she went there, whereas were the Varangians, and prayed for
+freedom for Thorstein, and offered money to that end; and to this were
+they right willing; and so she brought about by her mighty friendships
+and her wealth that they were both set free. But as soon as Thorstein
+came out of the dungeon he went to see goodwife Spes, and she took him
+to her and kept him privily; but whiles was he with the Varangians in
+warfare, and in all onsets showed himself the stoutest of hearts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCI.
+
+<i>Of the doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i>.
+
+
+In those days was Harald Sigurdson at Micklegarth, and Thorstein fell
+into friendship with him. Of much account was Thorstein held, for Spes
+let him lack no money; and greatly they turned their hearts one to
+the other, Thorstein and Spes; and many folk beside her deemed great
+things of his prowess.
+
+Now her money was much squandered, because she ever gave herself to
+the getting of great friends; and her husband deemed that he could see
+that she was much changed, both in temper and many other of her ways,
+but most of all in the spending of money; both gold and good things he
+missed, which were gone from her keeping.
+
+So on a time Sigurd her husband talks with her, and says that she has
+taken to strange ways. "Thou givest no heed to our goods," says he,
+"but squanderest them in many wise; and, moreover, it is even as if
+I saw thee ever in a dream, nor ever wilt thou be there whereas I am;
+and I know for sure that something must bring this about."
+
+She answered, "I told thee, and my kinsfolk told thee, whenas we came
+together, that I would have my full will and freedom over all such
+things as it was beseeming for me to bestow, and for that cause I
+spare not thy goods. Hast thou perchance aught to say to me concerning
+other matters which may be to my shame?"
+
+He answers, "Somewhat do I misdoubt me that thou holdest some man or
+other whom thou deemest better than I be."
+
+"I wot not," says she, "what ground there may be thereto; but meseems
+thou mayest speak with little truth; and yet, none-the-less, we two
+alone shall not speak on this matter if thou layest this slander on
+me."
+
+So he let the talk drop for that time; she and Thorstein went on in
+the same way, nor were they wary of the words of evil folk, for
+she ever trusted in her many and wise friends. Oft they sat talking
+together and making merry; and on an evening as they sat in a certain
+loft, wherein were goodly things of hers, she bade Thorstein sing
+somewhat, for she thought the goodman was sitting at the drink, as
+his wont was, so she bolted the door. But, when he had sung a certain
+while, the door was driven at, and one called from outside to open;
+and there was come the husband with many of his folk.
+
+The goodwife had unlocked a great chest to show Thorstein her dainty
+things; so when she knew who was there, she would not unlock the door,
+but speaks to Thorstein, "Quick is my rede, jump into the chest and
+keep silent."
+
+So he did, and she shot the bolt of the chest and sat thereon herself;
+and even therewith in came the husband into the loft, for he and his
+had broken open the door thereof.
+
+Then said the lady, "Why do ye fare with all this uproar? are your
+foes after you then?"
+
+The goodman answered, "Now it is well that thou thyself givest proof
+of thyself what thou art; where is the man who trolled out that song
+so well e'en now? I wot thou deemest him of far fairer voice than I
+be."
+
+She said: "Not altogether a fool is he who can be silent; but so it
+fares not with thee: thou deemest thyself cunning, and art minded to
+bind thy lie on my back. Well, then, let proof be made thereof! If
+there be truth in thy words, take the man; he will scarce have leapt
+out through the walls or the roof."
+
+So he searched through the place, and found him not, and she said,
+"Why dost thou not take him then, since thou deemest the thing so
+sure?"
+
+He was silent, nor knew in sooth amid what wiles he was come; then
+he asked his fellows if they had not heard him even as he had. But
+whereas they saw that the mistress misliked the matter, their witness
+came to nought, for they said that oft folk heard not things as they
+were in very sooth. So the husband went out, and deemed he knew that
+sooth well enough, though they had not found the man; and now for a
+long time he left spying on his wife and her ways.
+
+Another time, long after, Thorstein and Spes sat in a certain
+cloth-bower, and therein were clothes, both cut and uncut, which the
+wedded folk owned; there she showed to Thorstein many kinds of cloth,
+and they unfolded them; but when they were least ware of it the
+husband came on them with many men, and brake into the loft; but while
+they were about that she heaped up clothes over Thorstein, and leaned
+against the clothes-stack when they came into the chamber.
+
+"Wilt thou still deny," said the goodman, "that there was a man with
+thee, when such men there are as saw you both?"
+
+She bade them not to go on so madly. "This time ye will not fail,
+belike; but let me be at peace, and worry me not."
+
+So they searched through the place and found nought, and at last gave
+it up.
+
+Then the goodwife answered and said, "It is ever good to give better
+proof than the guesses of certain folk; nor was it to be looked for
+that ye should find that which was not. Wilt thou now confess thy
+folly, husband, and free me from this slander?"
+
+He said, "The less will I free thee from it in that I trow thou art
+in very sooth guilty of that which I have laid to thy charge; and thou
+wilt have to put forth all thy might in this case, if thou art to get
+this thrust from thee."
+
+She said that that was in nowise against her mind, and therewithal
+they parted.
+
+Thereafter was Thorstein ever with the Varangians, and men say that
+he sought counsel of Harald Sigurdson, and their mind it is that
+Thorstein and Spes would not have taken to those redes but for the
+trust they had in him and his wisdom.
+
+Now as time wore on, goodman Sigurd gave out that he would fare
+from home on certain errands of his own. The goodwife nowise let him
+herein; and when he was gone, Thorstein came to Spes, and the twain
+were ever together. Now such was the fashion of her castle that it
+was built forth over the sea, and there were certain chambers therein
+whereunder the sea flowed; in such a chamber Thorstein and Spes ever
+sat; and a little trap-door there was in the floor of it, whereof none
+knew but those twain, and it might be opened if there were hasty need
+thereof.
+
+Now it is to be told of the husband that he went nowhither, save into
+hiding, that he might spy the ways of the housewife; so it befell
+that, one night as they sat alone in the sea-loft and were glad
+together, the husband came on them unawares with a crowd of folk, for
+he had brought certain men to a window of the chamber, and bade them
+see if things were not even according to his word: and all said that
+he spake but the sooth, and that so belike he had done aforetime.
+
+So they ran into the loft, but when Spes heard the crash, she said to
+Thorstein,
+
+"Needs must thou go down hereby, whatsoever be the cost, but give me
+some token if thou comest safe from the place."
+
+He said yea thereto, and plunged down through the floor, and the
+housewife spurned her foot at the lid, and it fell back again into its
+place, and no new work was to be seen on the floor.
+
+Now the husband and his men came into the loft, and went about
+searching, and found nought, as was likely; the loft was empty, so
+that there was nought therein save the floor and the cross-benches,
+and there sat the goodwife, and played with the gold on her fingers;
+she heeded them little, and made as if there was nought to do.
+
+All this the goodman thought the strangest of all, and asked his folk
+if they had not seen the man, and they said that they had in good
+sooth seen him.
+
+Then said the goodwife, "Hereto shall things come as is said;
+<i>thrice of yore have all things happed</i>, and in likewise hast
+thou fared, Sigurd," says she, "for three times hadst thou undone my
+peace, meseems, and are ye any wiser than in the beginning?"
+
+"This time I was not alone in my tale," said the goodman; "and now to
+make an end, shall thou go through the freeing by law, for in nowise
+will I have this shame unbooted."
+
+"Meseems," says the goodwife, "thou biddest me what I would bid of
+thee, for good above all things I deem it to free myself from this
+slander, which has spread so wide and high, that it would be great
+dishonour if I thrust it not from off me."
+
+"In likewise," said the goodman, "shalt thou prove that thou hast not
+given away or taken to thyself my goods."
+
+She answers, "At that time when I free myself shall I in one wise
+thrust off from me all charges that thou hast to bring against me; but
+take thou heed whereto all shall come; I will at once free myself
+from all words that have been spoken here on this charge that thou now
+makest."
+
+The goodman was well content therewith, and got him gone with his men.
+
+Now it is to be told of Thorstein that he swam forth from under the
+chamber, and went aland where he would, and took a burning log, and
+held it up in such wise that it might be seen from the goodwife's
+castle, and she was abroad for long that evening, and right into the
+night, for that she would fain know if Thorstein had come aland; and
+so when she saw the fire, she deemed that she knew that Thorstein had
+taken land, for even such a token had they agreed on betwixt them.
+
+The next morning Spes bade her husband speak of their matters to
+the bishop, and thereto was he fully ready. Now they come before the
+bishop, and the goodman put forward all the aforesaid charges against
+her.
+
+The bishop asked if she had been known for such an one aforetime,
+but none said that they had heard thereof. Then he asked with what
+likelihood he brought those things against her. So the goodman brought
+forward men who had seen her sit in a locked room with a man beside
+her, and they twain alone: and therewith the goodman said that he
+misdoubted him of that man beguiling her.
+
+The bishop said that she might well free herself lawfully from this
+charge if so she would. She said that it liked her well so to do, "and
+good hope I have," said Spes, "that I shall have great plenty of women
+to purge me by oath in this case."
+
+Now was an oath set forward in words for her, and a day settled
+whereon the case should come about; and thereafter she went home, and
+was glad at heart, and Thorstein and Spes met, and settled fully what
+they should do.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCII.
+
+<i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i>.
+
+
+Now that day past, and time wore on to the day when Spes should
+make oath, and she bade thereto all her friends and kin, and arrayed
+herself in the best attire she had, and many noble ladies went with
+her.
+
+Wet was the weather about that time, and the ways were miry, and a
+certain slough there was to go over or ever they might come to the
+church; and whenas Spes and her company came forth anigh this slough,
+a great crowd was there before them, and a multitude of poor folk who
+prayed them of alms, for this was in the common highway, and all who
+knew her deemed it was their part to welcome her, and prayed for good
+things for her as for one who had oft holpen them well.
+
+A certain staff-propped carle there was amidst those poor folk, great
+of growth and long-bearded. Now the women made stay at the slough,
+because that the great people deemed the passage across over miry, and
+therewith when that staff-carle saw the goodwife, that she was better
+arrayed than the other women, he spake to her on this wise,
+
+"Good mistress," said he, "be so lowly as to suffer me to bear thee
+over this slough, for it is the bounden duty of us staff-carles to
+serve thee all we may."
+
+"What then," says she, "wilt thou bear me well, when thou mayst not
+bear thyself?"
+
+"Yet would it show forth thy lowliness," says he, "nor may I offer
+better than I have withal; and in all things wilt thou fare the
+better, if thou hast no pride against poor folk."
+
+"Wot thou well, then," says she, "that if thou bearest me not well it
+shall be for a beating to thee, or some other shame greater yet."
+
+"Well, I would fain risk it," said he; and therewithal he got on to
+his feet and stood in the slough. She made as if she were sore afeard
+of his carrying her, yet nathless she went on, borne on his back; and
+he staggered along exceeding slowly, going on two crutches, and when
+he got midmost of the slough he began to reel from side to side. She
+bade him gather up his strength.
+
+"Never shalt thou have made a worse journey than this if thou easiest
+me down here."
+
+Then the poor wretch staggers on, and gathers up all his courage and
+strength, and gets close to the dry land, but stumbles withal, and
+falls head-foremost in such wise, that he cast her on to the bank, but
+fell into the ditch up to his armpits, and therewithal as he lay there
+caught at the goodwife, and gat no firm hold of her clothes, but set
+his miry hand on her knee right up to the bare thigh.
+
+She sprang up and cursed him, and said that ever would evil come from
+wretched gangrel churles: "and thy full due it were to be beaten, if I
+thought it not a shame, because of thy misery."
+
+Then said he, "Meted in unlike ways is man's bliss; me-thought I had
+done well to thee, and I looked for an alms at thy hands, and lo,
+in place thereof, I get but threats and ill-usage and no good again
+withal;" and he made as if he were exceeding angry.
+
+Many deemed that he looked right poor and wretched, but she said that
+he was the wiliest of old churles; but whereas many prayed for him,
+she took her purse to her, and therein was many a penny of gold; then
+she shook down the money and said,
+
+"Take thou this, carle; nowise good were it, if thou hadst not full
+pay for the hard words thou hadst of me; now have I parted with thee,
+even according to thy worth."
+
+Then he picked up the gold, and thanked her for her good deed. Spes
+went to the church, and a great crowd was there before her. Sigurd
+pushed the case forward eagerly, and bade her free herself from those
+charges he had brought against her.
+
+She said, "I heed not thy charges; what man dost thou say thou hast
+seen in my chamber with me? Lo now oft it befalls that some worthy man
+will be with me, and that do I deem void of any shame; but hereby will
+I swear that to no man have I given gold, and of no man have I had
+fleshly defilement save of my husband, and that wretched staff-carle
+who laid his miry hand on my thigh when I was borne over the slough
+this same day."
+
+Now many deemed that this was a full oath, and that no shame it was to
+her, though the carle had laid hand on her unwittingly; but she said
+that all things must be told even as they were.
+
+Thereafter she swore the oath in such form as is said afore, and many
+said thereon that she showed the old saw to be true, <i>swear loud and
+say little</i>. But for her, she said that wise men would think that
+this was not done by guile.
+
+Then her kin fell to saying that great shame and grief it was for
+high-born women to have such lying charges brought against them
+bootless, whereas it was a crime worthy of death if it were openly
+known of any woman that she had done whoredoms against her husband.
+Therewithal Spes prayed the bishop to make out a divorce betwixt her
+and her husband Sigurd, because she said she might nowise bear his
+slanderous lying charges. Her kinsfolk pushed the matter forward for
+her, and so brought it about by their urgency that they were divorced,
+and Sigurd got little of the goods, and was driven away from the land
+withal, for here matters went as is oft shown that they will, and
+<i>the lower must lowt</i>; nor could he bring aught about to avail
+him, though he had but said the very sooth.
+
+Now Spes took to her all their money, and was deemed the greatest of
+stirring women; but when folk looked into her oath, it seemed to them
+that there was some guile in it, and were of a mind that wise men must
+have taught her that way of swearing; and men dug out this withal,
+that the staff-carle who had carried her was even Thorstein Dromund.
+Yet for all that Sigurd got no righting of the matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCIII.
+
+<i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i>.
+
+
+Thorstein Dromund was with the Varangians while the talk ran highest
+about these matters; so famed did he become that it was deemed that
+scarce had any man of the like prowess come thither; the greatest
+honours he gat from Harald Sigurdson, for he was of his kin; and after
+his counsels did Thorstein do, as men are minded to think.
+
+But a little after Sigurd was driven from the land, Thorstein fell to
+wooing Spes to wife, and she took it meetly, but went to her kinsmen
+for rede; then they held meetings thereon, and were of one accord that
+she herself must rule the matter; then was the bargain struck, and
+good was their wedded life, and they were rich in money, and all men
+deemed Thorstein to be a man of exceeding good luck, since he had
+delivered himself from all his troubles.
+
+The twain were together for two winters in Micklegarth, and then
+Thorstein said to his goodwife that he would fain go back to see his
+possessions in Norway. She said he should have his will, so they sold
+the lands they had there, and gat them great wealth of chattels, and
+then betook them from that land, with a fair company, and went all the
+way till they came to Norway. Thorstein's kin welcomed them both right
+heartily, and soon saw that Spes was bountiful and high-minded, and
+she speedily became exceeding well befriended. Some children they had
+between them, and they abode on their lands, and were well content
+with their life.
+
+In those days was Magnus the Good king over Norway. Thorstein soon
+went to meet him, and had good welcome of him, for he had grown famous
+for the avenging of Grettir the Strong (for men scarce know of its
+happening that any other Icelander, save Grettir Asmundson, was
+avenged in Micklegarth); and folk say that Thorstein became a man of
+King Magnus, and for nine winters after he had come to Norway he abode
+in peace, and folk of the greatest honour were they deemed, he and his
+wife.
+
+Then came home from Micklegarth king Harald Sigurdson, and King Magnus
+gave him half Norway, and they were both kings therein for a while;
+but after the death of King Magnus many of those who had been his
+friends were ill-content, for all men loved him; but folk might not
+abide the temper of King Harald, for that he was hard and was wont to
+punish men heavily.
+
+But Thorstein Dromund was fallen into eld, though he was still the
+halest of men; and now was the slaying of Grettir Asmundson sixteen
+winters agone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCIV.
+
+<i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway again</i>.
+
+
+At that time many urged Thorstein to go meet King Harald, and become
+his man; but he took not kindly to it.
+
+Then Spes spake, "I will, Thorstein," says she, "that thou go not to
+meet Harald the king, for to another king have we much more to pay,
+and need there is that we turn our minds to that; for now we both
+grow old and our youth is long departed, and far more have we followed
+after worldly devices, than the teaching of Christ, or the ways of
+justice and uprightness; now wot I well that this debt can be paid for
+us neither by our kindred or our goods, and I will that we ourselves
+should pay it: now will I therefore that we change our way of life
+and fare away from this land and unto the abode of the Pope, because I
+well believe that so only may my case be made easy to me."
+
+Thorstein said, "As well known to me as to thee are the things thou
+talkest of; and it is meet that thou have thy will herein, since thou
+didst ever give me my will, in a matter of far less hope; and in all
+things will we do as thou biddest."
+
+This took men utterly unawares; Thorstein was by then sixty-seven
+years of age, yet hale in all wise.
+
+So now he bid to him all his kindred and folk allied to him, and laid
+before them the things he had determined on. Wise men gave good words
+thereto, though they deemed of their departing as of the greatest
+loss.
+
+But Thorstein said that there was nought sure about his coming back:
+"Now do I give thanks to all of you," says he, "for the heed ye paid
+to my goods when I was last away from the land; now I will offer you,
+and pray you to take to you my children's havings, and my children,
+and bring them up according to the manliness that is in you; for I am
+fallen so far into eld that there is little to say as to whether I may
+return or not, though I may live; but ye shall in such wise look after
+all that I leave behind me here, even as if I should never come back
+to Norway."
+
+Then men answered, that good redes would be plenteous if the housewife
+should abide behind to look after his affairs; but she said--
+
+"For that cause did I come hither from the out-lands, and from
+Micklegarth, with Thorstein, leaving behind both kin and goods,
+for that I was fain that one fate might be over us both; now have I
+thought it good to be here; but I have no will to abide long in Norway
+or the North-lands if he goes away; ever has there been great love
+betwixt us withal, and nought has happed to divide us; now therefore
+will we depart together, for to both of us is known the truth about
+many things that befell since we first met."
+
+So, when they had settled their affairs in this wise, Thorstein bade
+chosen folk divide his goods into halves; and his kin took the half
+which his children were to own, and they were brought up by their
+father's kin, and were in aftertimes the mightiest of men, and great
+kin in the Wick has come from them. But Thorstein and Spes divided
+their share of the goods, and some they gave to churches for their
+souls' health, and some they took with them. Then they betook
+themselves Romeward, and many folk prayed well for them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCV.
+
+<i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to Rome and died there</i>.
+
+
+Now they went their ways till they came to Rome-town; and so when they
+came before him, who was appointed to hear the shrifts of men, they
+told him well and truly all things even as they had happed, and
+with what cunning and craft they had joined together in wedlock;
+therewithal they gave themselves up with great humility to such
+penance for the amending of their lives as he should lay on them; but
+because that they themselves had turned their minds to the atoning
+of their faults, without any urging or anger from the rulers of the
+church, they were eased of all fines as much as might be, but were
+bidden gently that they should now and henceforth concern themselves
+reasonably for their souls' health, and from this time forward live in
+chastity, since they had gotten them release from all their guilt; and
+herewith they were deemed to have fared well and wisely.
+
+Then said Spes, "Now, meseems, our matters have gone well and are come
+to an end, and no unlucky life have we had together; yet maybe fools
+will do after the pattern of our former life; now therefore let us
+make such an end to all, that good men also may follow after us and do
+the like: so let us go bargain with those who are deft in stone-craft;
+that they make for each of us a cell of stone, that we may thereby
+atone for what we have done against God."
+
+So Thorstein laid down money for the making of a stone cell for each
+of them, and for such-like other things as they might need, and might
+not be without for the keeping of their lives; and then, when the
+stone work was done, and the time was meet therefor and all things
+were ready, they departed their worldly fellowship of their own free
+will, that they might the more enjoy a holy fellowship in another
+world. And there they abode both in their stone cells, and lived as
+long as God would have it, and so ended their lives. And most men say
+that Thorstein Dromund and Spes his wife may be deemed to be folk of
+the greatest good luck, all things being accounted of; but neither
+his children or any of his issue have come to Iceland for a tale to be
+made of them.
+
+Now Sturla the Lawman says so much as that he deems no outlawed man
+ever to have been so mighty as Grettir the Strong; and thereto he puts
+forth three reasons--
+
+And first in that he was the wisest of them all; for the longest in
+outlawry he was of any man, and was never won whiles he was hale.
+
+And again, in that he was the strongest in all the land among men of
+a like age; and more fitted to lay ghosts and do away with hauntings
+than any other.
+
+And thirdly, in that he was avenged out in Micklegarth, even as
+no other man of Iceland has been; and this withal, that Thorstein
+Dromund, who avenged him, was so lucky a man in his last days.
+
+So here ends the story of Grettir Asmundson, our fellow-countryman.
+Thank have they who listened thereto; but thank little enow to him who
+scribbled out the tale.
+
+  GOOD PEOPLE, HERE THE WORK HATH END:
+  MAY ALL FOLK TO THE GOOD GOD WEND!
+
+
+
+
+NOTES AND CORRECTIONS.
+
+
+P. 29. The genealogy of Gamli of Meals, as here recorded, seems to be
+peculiar to Grettir's saga. Yet its statements are inconsistent in
+the matter, for it gives this twofold genealogy of the man. See Ed.
+Kaupmannahöfn: 1853.
+
+P. 22. Ranveig was the wife of Gamli, the son of <i>Thorald</i>, the
+son of the <i>Vendlander</i>.
+
+P. 70. And (Thorir of the Pass) sold the land at Meals to
+<i>Thorhalli</i>, son of Gamli the <i>Widelander</i>. His son was
+Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, the daughter of Asmund Greyhaired.
+
+According to 'Landnáma,' this Gamli of Meals, Asmund's son-in-law,
+was son of Thord, and great-great-grandson of Thorhrolf or Thorolf
+Fasthaldi (Fastholding), who settled lands on the north coast of
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjartðardjúp), and farmed at Snowfells (Snaefjöll).
+We have given Thorhall in our translation in both places as the
+man's name. Perhaps Thoraldr is nothing but a corruption of Thorólfr
+fasthaldi; and Thorhalli again a corruption of the first. But Gamli
+the Vendlander or Widelander, we have no means of identifying.
+
+P. 30. 'Now in those times there were wont to be large fire-halls
+at the homesteads.' The hall, <i>holl, skáli, stofa</i>, was the
+principal room in every home. <i>Elda-skáli</i>, or fire-hall, as
+the one alluded to at Biarg, was so called from its serving as a
+cooking-hall and a sitting-hall at once. The main features in the
+construction of a hall were the following: it was generally built from
+east to west, in an oblong form, having doors either at one or both
+ends through the south-side wall, where it met the gable end. These
+two entrances were called carles'-door and queens'-door (<i>karldyrr,
+kvenndyrr</i>), being respectively for the ingress and egress of
+men and women. Sometimes the men's-door was adorned with the beaks
+(<i>brandar</i>) of a hewn-up ship, as was the case with the hall of
+Thorir of Garth, standing as door-posts on either side. The door led
+to a front-hall (<i>forkáli, fortofa, and-dyri, framhús</i>), which,
+sometimes at least, seems to have been portioned off into an inner
+room (<i>klefi</i>), or bay, and the vestibule proper. In the bay were
+kept victuals, such as dried fish, flour, and sometimes, no doubt,
+beer. Within, the hall fell into three main portions: the main hall,
+or the nave, and the aisles on either side thereof (<i>skot</i>):
+The plan of the hall was much like that of one of our regular-built
+churches without chancel, say like a Suffolk church of the fifteenth
+century, the nave being lighted by a clerestory, and the aisles
+running the whole way along the nave, and communicating behind the
+dais. These aisles were used for sleeping-places; so that along the
+whole length of the hall, and behind the dais, all was partitioned
+into bedsteads, open or locked,--open, that is to say, communicating
+with the nave by a doorless aperture,--locked, that is, shut out of
+view from the nave (<i>lok-rekkja, lok-hvila</i>).
+
+On the wall between nave and aisles, which was covered with a
+panelling on its inside at least, were hung the shields and weapons
+of the chief and his retainers, or home-men. Sometimes it was painted
+with mythic subjects, and adorned with fantastic carvings; on great
+occasions it was covered with hangings. Along both side-walls ran a
+row of seats, called benches (<i>bekkr</i>), the north-most of which,
+or the one which faced the sun, was called the nobler bench (<i>aeðri
+bekkr</i>), the south-most one, the less noble bench, (<i>úoeðri
+bekkr</i>). In the middle of either bench was a seat, called the high
+seat (<i>öndvegi</i>); that of the nobler bench being occupied by the
+chief or head of the house, unless he had for his guest a man nobler
+than himself, in which case the latter took it; that of the less noble
+bench being allotted to the noblest among the guests. The nobler bench
+was on ordinary occasions the bench for the chief and the household.
+The less noble for the guests. In front of the chiefs high-seat were
+the high-seat-poles which in the early ages of Paganism in the North
+were objects of much veneration, and must always accompany the chief
+if he moved his abode, and point out his new homestead, if he fared
+for it over sea, by the spot where they drifted ashore, as, when land
+was sighted, they were thrown overboard. In front of the seat-rows
+just described were placed the tables whereon the meals were put
+forth. And when the number of people exceeded the capacity of the
+ordinary benches, a new row of benches was placed in front of the
+tables, so that there were two rows of benches down along either
+side of the hall with the tables between them. The last-named rows of
+benches were called <i>forsoeti</i>; and their occupiers, when seated
+at table, faced those of the upper and lower bench. In the centre of
+the hall, if of the fashion, as it probably was in early times, of a
+fire-hall, was a narrow oblong stone-pavement, probably as long as the
+rows of the benches, whereon fires were lit for heating of the room,
+for cooking of food in some cases, and for the purpose of lighting up
+the hall. The smoke that rose from the burning fuel found its way out
+through the luffer or louvre, in the middle of the ridge of the roof
+(<i>ljóri</i>); the <i>reyk-beri</i>, reek-bearer, seems to have been
+a contrivance for creating draught to carry the smoke out through
+the <i>ljóri</i>. In that end of the hall which was opposite to the
+entrance was the cross-bench, dais (<i>pallr</i>), occupied by the
+women. Here was also a high seat (<i>öndvegi á palli</i>), which was
+generally taken by the mistress of the house. In our saga it seems
+that the hall of Sand-heaps made an exception to this general rule, as
+it apparently had the dais immediately within the doorway.
+
+P. 77 (cpr. 110). It is worth observing here, that Thorvald, son of
+Asgeir Madpate the younger, dwells at As in Waterdale, about 1013,
+when Thorgils Makson was slain. When Grettir played, as a youth, on
+Midfirth-water (or <i>cca</i>. 1010), he dwelt at Asgeirsriver. We
+mention this because there has been some confusion about the matter.
+On the slight authority of the Þáttr af Isleifi biskupi', Biskupa
+Sögur I. 54, it has been maintained that he dwelt at Asgeirsriver
+even as late as <i>cca</i>. 1035, when his daughter Dalla was wooed by
+Isleif the Bishop. G. Vigfússon, Safn til Sögu Islands, I. 337. On
+the other hand, the statement of Hungrvaka that he farmed at As
+(<i>i.e.</i>, at the Ridge), at the time aforesaid, has given rise
+to the conjecture that thereby must be meant Valdar-As, a farm in
+Willowdale, near Asgeirsriver, the manor of the Madpate family. G.
+Vigfússon, in Biskupa Sögur, I. 61, note 2. It seems there is no need
+of setting aside the clear statement of our saga, that the As was As
+in Waterdale (<i>see</i> Index), and not Valdarás in Willowdale at
+all, or that Thorvald had, by 1013, moved up to the neighbouring
+country-side of Waterdale, and settled among the kin of his
+great-grandmother.
+
+P. 114, 1. 1. 'The men of Meals,' is a close translation of the
+original, which, however, is incorrect; for the men of Meals were
+Grettir's kin-in-law, and natural allies. The saga means the men of
+Meal, Kormak and his followers, and the original should be either,
+þeir Mel-menn, or Mels-menn, or þeir Kormakr frá Mel.
+
+P. 129, 1. 10, 11. We have purposely altered the text from: en þú
+öruggr í einangri, <i>i.e.</i>, 'but thou stout in danger,' into:
+en <i>þó, i.e.</i>, 'but stout in danger none-the-less.' The former
+reading seems barely to give any sense, the last a natural and the
+required one.
+
+P. 169. Hallmund. Our saga is one among the historic sagas of Iceland
+which deals with traditions of ancient belief in the spirits of the
+unknown regions of the land that are interested in the well-being of
+the mere men who dwell near them. Hallmund and the giant Thorir are
+the representatives of these powers in our saga. Of these Hallmund is
+the more interesting of the two, both for his human sympathies, his
+tragic end, and the poetry ascribed to him. At one time or other he
+has had a great name in the Icelandic folk-lore among the spirits of
+the land, the so-called land wights <i>(land-voetir)</i>, and there is
+still existing a poem of ancient type, the refrain of which is closely
+similar to that of Grettir's song on Hallmund, but which is stated to
+be by some cave-wight that lived in a deep and gloomy cavern somewhere
+in Deepfirth, on the north side of Broadfirth. In the so-called
+Bergbúaþáttr or cave-dweller's tale (Edited by G. Vigfússon in
+Nordiske Old-skrifter, xxvii., pp. 123-128, and 140-143, Copenhagen,
+1860), this song is said to have been heard by two men, who, on their
+way to church, had lost their road, and were overtaken by the darkness
+of night, and, in order to escape straying too far out of their way,
+sought shelter under the lee of a sheer rock which chanced to be on
+their way. They soon found a mouth of a cave where they knew not that
+any cave was to be looked for, whereupon one of the wayfarers set up a
+cross-mark in the door of the cave, and then with his fellow-traveller
+sat down on two stones at the mouth of the cave, as they did not dare
+to risk themselves too far in the gloomy abode away from the cross.
+When the first third part of the night was spent they heard something
+come along from within the cave doorwards out to them.[20] They signed
+themselves with the sign of the cross, and prayed God's mercy to be
+on them, for they thought the doings within the deep of the cavern now
+grew big enough. On looking into the darkness they saw a sight like
+unto two full-moons, or huge targets, with some monstrous figure
+(unreadable in the MS.) between them. They thought this was nothing
+but two eyes, and that nowise narrow of face might he be who bore such
+torches. Next they heard a chanting of a monstrous kind and in a big
+voice. A lay there was sung of twelve staves, with the final refrain
+of each twice repeated.
+
+[Footnote 20: <i>Innan eptir</i>, as here rendered, is the reading of
+the MS. from which Bergbua páttr is edited. <i>Innar eptir</i>, as the
+aforesaid edition of the tale has it, is wrong.]
+
+The poem seems to be a death-song over the cave-kin of the country by
+the new change of thought brought in by Christianity.
+
+P. 189. 'Grettir lay out that summer on Madderdale-heath, and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.' A corroboration
+of the saga has been clearly set forth by the discovery of a
+Grettir's-lair, in Axefirth-peak, in 1862. True the saga passes over
+Grettir's doings on these vast eastern wildernesses, but tradition has
+preserved the name for the place, and it shows by its construction and
+position that it must have been constructed by one skilled in choosing
+a good fighting stand, and a good and wide view at the same time. An
+Icelandic farmer has thus given an accurate and reliable description
+of Grettir's lair:
+
+'In the summer of 1850, when I came north to Axefirth, I heard talk
+of a Grettir's lair upon Axefirth-peak.... Many who had seen it made
+a slight matter of it, which brought me to think it must have few
+peculiarities of antiquarian interest to show. But on the 7th of
+September, this summer (1862), I went with the rape-ruler Arni Jónsson
+of Wood-stead to inspect the lair. Walking up to it from the level
+ground below took us three minutes. The lair stands in the lower part
+of a slip of stones beneath some sheer rocks between a sandstone rock,
+called the carline, and the stone slip from the peak. It is built
+up of stones, straight as a line, and runs, 4-3/4 ells in length, 10
+inches broad, and is, within walls, 7/8 of an ell deep. The half of it
+is deftly covered in with flat stones, the longest of which are 2 ells
+9 inches long, and about half an ell in thickness, and a little more
+in breadth. Small thin fragments of stone are wedged in between these
+where their junctures do not close tight, and so firmly are they
+fixed, that without instruments they may not be removed. One stone in
+the south wall is so large that we deemed it fully the task of
+from four to six men to move it when loose. The north side wall is
+beginning to give way, where the room is covered in. On the outside
+it is overgrown with black scurf and grey moss. The head end we deemed
+was the one which is turned to the rock and is not covered in,
+and evidently has been open from the beginning. Here the floor
+is overgrown with moss, grass, thyme, ferns, crow-foot, and
+lady's-mantle. In all likelihood the inmate has closed that part of
+the room in with hides, when needful. On sitting up, all who went to
+and fro on the road below, must have been within view; not only those
+who came from the north of Foxplain (Melrakkaslètta) and Nupa-sveit,
+but also far toward the north he had a view even unto the open sea,
+nay, even unto Budluga-haven. Looking southwards, he must have seen
+all who came up from the outer firth; for from the lair there is a
+clear view even unto Burn-river, past which the high-road goes. A
+popular tradition says, too, that all who must needs pass this way,
+when Grettir was in the Peak, had taken at last to going over the
+top of the Peak, where there was no road, but the sheep-wilds of the
+Axefirthers. The lair-bider, even if he was set on by an overwhelming
+force, was not easily won, and least of all a man of such prowess as
+Grettir, except by shot; for he might at a moment's notice take his
+stand in the rock above his head, where one side only gives the chance
+of an onset, and where there is an ample supply of loose stones, large
+and small, on the Peak side of the rock to defend oneself; on three
+sides sheer rocks hem in the position, and those overhead are many
+times the height of a man's.'
+
+P. 208. Knave-game. Perhaps the truer rendering would have been
+'nut-game,' if indeed 'hnet tafl' here stands not for 'hnef-tafl,'
+as we at first supposed. It is undoubtedly true that among the early
+games of Iceland the 'hettafl,' 'hnottafl,' was a distinct kind of
+game, as was also the 'hneftafl,' 'hnefatafl,' knave-game. If we
+follow the text as it stands, the game that Thorbiorn played is
+supposed to have borne some resemblance to what is now called in
+Iceland 'refskák,' fox-play, anglice 'fox and geese,' the aim of
+which is, by twelve pieces, called lambs, to bring the fox into such a
+position as to leave him no place to move, whichso way he turns.
+
+P. 240. Pied-belly we call the Ram, although the saga seems to mean
+that he was called Autumn-belly, which is a name of little, if of
+any, sense at all. We suppose that <i>haus-mögóttr</i>, p. 169, and
+<i>haust-magi</i>, p. 184, is one and the same thing, the <i>t</i>
+having spuriously crept into the text from a scribe's inadvertence.
+
+P. 243 (cpr. 207, 225, 272). 'In such wise Grettir lost his life, &c.'
+The hardest thing to account for, or to bring to an intelligible issue
+in Grettir's saga, is the incongruity between the statements as to his
+age at his death and the number of years of his outlawry, as compared
+with the truthful account of the events told in the saga itself. From
+the time when Grettir slew his first man, all the events of the
+saga may be traced clearly year for year up to his death, and their
+truthfulness is borne out whensoever they chance to run parallel to
+events mentioned in other trustworthy sagas, and they fall in with the
+right time nearly without an exception. But the statement on the page
+referred to above, that he was fourteen years old when he slew Skeggi,
+that he was twenty when he dealt with Glam; twenty-five when he fell
+into outlawry, and forty-four when he was slain, is utterly confuted
+by the chronology of the saga itself.
+
+These numbers given above are obviously made to fall in with the story
+in page 225 about the talk of the time of his outlawry at the Thing.
+The question is stated to have been this: whether he had been a
+fraction of the twentieth year an outlaw, his friends hoping that in
+such case a part might count <i>pro toto</i>. But the truth of the
+matter was that he had neither been an outlaw for a fraction of the
+twentieth year, nor even for anything like nineteen years. He was
+outlawed at the Thing held in 1016, his year of outlawry dated from
+Thing to Thing; this talk befell in 1031, consequently he had been
+full fifteen years and no fraction of a year in outlawry. The story,
+therefore, of the twenty years, or nineteen years and a fraction, of
+outlawry falls utterly to the ground when brought to the test of the
+actual facts as recorded in the saga.
+
+But, despite of this, it is not to be supposed that this episode at
+the Thing in 1031 is brought in at random and without any cause. There
+are two obvious reasons for assigning twenty years to the length of
+Grettir's outlawry, and for bringing into the tale a discussion on
+that subject just where it is done. The one we may call the reason of
+traditional belief, the other the reason of dramatic effect. Grettir
+was indisputably for all reasons the greatest of Icelandic outlaws,
+and the fond imagination of his biographers at all times urged them
+to give the longest endurance to the time of his outlawry above all
+outlaws, without inquiring closely as to whether it agreed with
+the saga itself or not. The other, or the dramatic motive, lies
+in bringing in the discussion on this long outlawry just at this
+particular Thing of 1031; for it was obviously the teller's object to
+suggest to the reader the hope of the great outlaw's legal restoration
+to the cherished society of man just before the falling of the
+crushing blow, in order to give an enhanced tragic interest to his
+end, and he undoubtedly succeeds in doing this. To these reasons,
+besides others less obvious, we imagine this main inconsistency in
+Grettir's saga is to be ascribed.
+
+Nevertheless, it is worth observing that blunders of scribes may have
+in a measure been at work here. If we are not mistaken most of the
+existing MSS. of our saga state that when he fell (p. 243) 'he was one
+winter short of--<i>var hánum vetri fátt á</i>'--whatever number
+of years they give as his age. And we venture the suggestion
+that originally the passage ran thus: var hánum vetri fátt á hálf
+iv{tugum},[21] <i>i.e.</i>, he lacked one winter of thirty-five years,
+when he was slain. If a subsequent scribe committed the easy blunder
+of dropping I before V, the reading of our original (Edition, 53)
+would be the natural result, and an offspring of that same blunder
+would also as easily be the other reading, common to one class of the
+Grettir MSS.: var hánum vetri fátt í v{tugum} or í hinum v. tug, by
+dropping the syllable 'hálf.'
+
+[Footnote 21: A man of twenty, thirty, forty, &c., is in the Icelandic
+expressed by the adjective <i>tvítugr, prítugr, fertugr</i>; a man
+twenty-five, thirty-five, &c., is <i>hálf-prítugr, hálf-fertugr</i>,
+&c.; the units beyond the tens are expressed by the particle
+<i>um</i>, a man of twenty-one, thirty-seven, or forty-nine, is said
+to have <i>einn</i> (<i>i.e.</i>, vetr. winter) um = beyond, tvítugt,
+sjö um þrítugt, níu um fertugt, &c.]
+
+If the whole passage on page 243, beginning with the words quoted in
+the commencement of this note, be not indeed a later interpolation, we
+believe that all that follows the words, 'till the time when he dealt
+with Glam, the Thrall,' must, indeed, be taken as an interpolation of
+later commentators.
+
+Our suggestion recommends itself in this at least, that it brings
+about full harmony between the statements, here treated of, and the
+saga itself, for when Grettir left the land in 1011 he was fourteen
+years of age, and twenty years later, or 1031, he fell. How far his
+age thus given agrees or not with the decrepitude of his father, who
+died in 1015, having been apparently already a bedridden man for some
+time, is a matter of itself, and need not affect the accuracy of our
+suggestion, which, however, we only put forth as a conjecture, not
+having within reach the MSS. of Grettir's saga. A critical examination
+of these might, perhaps, allow of a more positive discourse on
+this vexed point, which to all commentators on Grettir has hitherto
+remained an insoluble riddle.
+
+P. 251, 1. 12. The original makes Asdis daughter of Skeggi the
+Short-handed. This is here corrected agreeably to Landnáma, and other
+records of her family.
+
+
+
+
+INDICES.
+
+
+
+
+INDEX I.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+PERSONAL NAMES.
+
+Air (Loptr), <i>alias</i> Hallmund, the mountain sprite, 160, 161, 162
+Aldis Konal's-daughter, called A. from Barra, 5, 18, 19
+Aldis, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, 5, 27
+Alf a-Dales, 5, 27
+Ali, an house-carle of Thorbiorn Oxmain's, 130, 131, 132
+Alof Ingolf's-daughter, wife of Eric Snare, 20
+Angle. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Angle.
+Ari Marson, 80
+Arinbiorn. <i>See</i> Arnbiorn.
+Arnbiorn, kinsman of Thorfinn of Haramsey, Grettir's companion, 70, 71
+Arngeir Berseson, father of Biorn Hitdale-champion, 170
+Arni Jónsson, 277
+Arnor Thorbiornson, 140-143
+Arnor Thordson, called Earls' skald (Jarlaskáld), 178, 179, 180
+Arnor Thorodson, called Hay-nose (heynef, or hýnef, Landnáma), 89
+Arnora, Thord Yeller's daughter, 225
+Asa, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, first wife of Onund Treefoot, 5, 6,
+  18, 19
+Asbiorn, Ufeigh Grettir's son, 5
+Asbrand Thorbrandson, 129
+Asdis, Bard Jokulson's daughter, the mother of Grettir Asmundson,27,
+   28, 30, 33, 36, 40, 112, 133, 139, 142, 143, 204, 205, 246,
+   247, 251
+Asdis Gamli's-daughter, 251
+Asgeir Audunson the older, called Madpate (son of Audun Skokul,
+  al. Onund Treefoot), 20, 79, 83
+Asgeir Audunson the younger, grandson of the preceding, called Madpate
+  34, 77, 83, 151
+Asgrim Ellida-Grimson, 16, 159
+Asgrim Ondottson, 13, 14, 15, 16
+Asmund from Asmund's-peak, 25
+Asmund Ondottson, 13, 14, 15, 16
+Asmund Thorgrimson, called the Greyhaired (haerulángr), the father of
+  Grettir the Strong, 25-27, 28-33, 35-36, 39, 40, 77-79, 81, 82,
+  90, 112, 113, 125, 126, 273
+Asmund Ufeigh's-son, called the Beardless (skegglauss), 5
+Asny Vestar's-daughter, wife of Ufeigh Grettir, 5
+Asta Gudbrand's-daughter, mother of Olaf the Saint, King of Norway, 1
+Asvor, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, 5
+Atli Asmundson, Grettir's brother, 28, 29, 30, 36, 83, 87, 88, 89, 90,
+  91, 92, 111, 112, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130-133, 135, 139, 140, 143,
+  144, 150, 162
+Atli Ulfson, called the Red (hinn rauði), 80
+Aud (<i>alias</i> Unnr) the Deeply Wealthy,18, 19, 79
+Audun, Asgeir Madpate's son, 83
+Audun Asgeir's-son, of Audunstead, 34, 35, 38, 83, 84, 85, 86, 104
+Audun Goaty (geit), an Earl in Norway, 13, 14
+Audun Skokul (skökull), 20
+Audun, goodman of Windham in Haramsey, 46, 47, 48
+
+Balk Blaengson of Sotaness, 1, 4, 10, 170
+Bard Jokulson,27, 104
+Bard, the mate of Haflidi's ship, 40
+Bardi (al. Slaying-Bardi) Gudmundson, of Asbiornsness, 85, 86, 87, 92,
+  93, 94, 95, 104
+Bessi Balkson, called the Godless (goðlauss), 170
+Bessi Skald-Torfa's-son, 34, 71, 73, 74, 75
+Biarni, <i>See</i> Biorn, the settler of Biornfirth.
+Biarni of Dog-dale, 81
+Biarni of Jorvi in Flysia-Wharf, 179, 277
+Biarni Thorsteinson, the Sage (hinn spaki), 11
+Biorn Arngeirson, called Hitdale-Champion, 170, 171, 172, 173, 181, 182
+Biorn, settler of Biornfirth, 17, 273
+Biorn, kinsman of Thorkel in Salft, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69
+Biorn of Meadness, 208, 237, 238, 245
+Biorn Rolfson, father of Eyvind the Eastman, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12
+Biorn Ufeigh's-son, 208
+Bloeng of Sotaness, 1
+Bodmod, 25
+Bodvar of Bodvar's-knolls, 89
+Bork the Fat, 201
+Botulf, grandfather of Thorir of Garth, 115
+Brand, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's house-carles, 20
+Brand, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, 238
+Bundle-Torfi, 81
+
+Crow-Hreidar. <i>See</i> Hreida.
+
+Dalla Thorvald's-daughter, wife of Bishop Isleif, 77
+Dromund. <i>See</i> Thorstein Dromund.
+
+Egil Audunson, 104
+Eid Skeggison, from the Ridge,184
+Eilif Ketilson, 5
+Einar, a bonder in Jadar, 122
+Einar of Combe, 22
+Einar Olvirson, 5
+Ellida-Grim Asgrimson, 16, 159
+Eric Alefain (ölfúss), of Sorreldale, 14, 15
+Eric Hakonson, Earl of Norway, 50, 51
+Eric Hroaldson, of God-dales, 208, 237
+Eric Snare (snara), 17, 20, 23
+Eric Starrison, 208
+Eyulf, brother-in-law of Slaying-Bardi, 94
+Eyolf of Fairwood, 179, 181
+Eyulf Egilson, 104
+Eyulf Gudmundson, 104
+Eyvind Biornson, called the Eastman (austmaðr), 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10
+Eyvind (Herraudson), settler of Eyvind's-firth, 20
+
+Finnbogi Thorgeirson, 179, 180
+Flosi Ericson, of Arnes, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
+Frederick the Bishop, 26
+Fridgerd Thord's-daughter, 79
+Fridmund of Shady-vale, 95
+Frodi, the King, 5
+
+Gamli Skeggison, 251
+Gamli, the Vendlander or Widelander (Viðlendingr, Vindlendingr)
+  29, 90, 273
+Gamli Thorhallson, of Meals, 29, 90, 126, 128, 143, 144, 151, 246,
+  248, 250, 273
+Gaut Sleitason, 82, 83
+Geirlaug, goodwife of Broadlair-stead, 202
+Geirmund Helskin (heljarskinn), king of Hordaland, 2, 4
+Geirmund Hiuka-timber, 25
+Gerd Bodvar's-daughter, 89
+Gerpir, 25
+Gisli Thorsteinson, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177
+Glam from Sylgsdales, afterwards a ghost, 96-110, 243
+Glum Uspakson, 29, 128, 246
+Grettir Asmundson, called the Strong, 28-33, 34-35, 36-39, 40-45,
+  46-59, 60-62, 63-76, 83-87, 88-89, 90-91, 92-94, 95, 104-110,
+  112-114, 116-121, 122-123, 124-125, 133-134, 135-140, 141-143,
+  144, 145-148, 149, 150, 151, 152-157, 158-159, 159-162, 163-164,
+  165-167, 168-170, 171, 173-178, 179-180, 181-183, 187, 189-191,
+  192-199, 200, 201, 202-203, 204-207, 209-210, 210-212, 213-217,
+  218, 219-220, 220-222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 228-229, 230, 231, 232,
+  233-235, 238-243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253,
+  254, 272
+Grim Gamlison, 29
+Grim Kolbiornson, a hersir in Norway, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14
+Grim the Northlander, an outlaw and hired assassin, 163, 164
+Grim Thorhallson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, 95
+Grim Thorhallson, grandson of the preceding, 95
+Grim Thorhallson of Meals, afterwards of Gilsbank, 90, 126, 128, 129,
+  130, 138, 139, 159, 162, 163, 168, 182
+Grim, son of the Widow of Kropp, 184, 185, 188, 200, 201
+Grimulf, 25
+Gudbiorg Ufeigh's-daughter, 1
+Gudbrand Ball (kúla), 1
+Gudbrandr Vigfússon, 275, 276
+Gudmund the Rich (hinn ríki), of Maddervales, 200, 204
+Gudmund Solmundson, 85, 92
+Gudrun, wife of Thorhall Grimson of Shady-vale, 95
+Guest (= Grettir Asmundson), 192, 193, 194, 212-214
+Gunnar, Court-owner in Tunsberg, 71, 72, 73
+Gunnar Thorirson, of the Pass, 90, 91, 126, 127, 128
+Gyda, wife of Ingiald the Trusty, 13
+Gyrid Einar's-daughter, 122
+
+Haeng, father of Vestar, 5
+Haering, 222, 223, 224, 230
+Haflidi of Reydarfell, a skipper, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45
+Hafr Thorarinson, 212, 214, 215
+Hafr Thordson, 212
+Hakon, Earl of Norway, 50
+Hakon Ericson, an Earl of Norway, 50
+Haldor Thorgeirson of Hof in Head-strand, 208, 215, 236, 237, 238,
+  240, 249, 278
+Haldora Steinmod's-daughter, 5
+Halfdan the Black (hinn svarti), 2
+Hall Gudmundson of Asbiornsness, 86
+Hall of Kropp, 136, 137
+Hallmund, a mountain sprite, 169, 170, 182, 184, 185-188, 200, 276
+Hallstein Horse (hestr), 14, 15
+Hallvard Sweeping (súgandi), 1, 4, 10, 15
+Hamund, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's household, 20
+Harald Halfdanson, called the Unshorn (lúfa) and the Fair-hair
+  (hárfagri), King of Norway, 2, 3, 4, 5
+Harald Ring, 129
+Harald Sigurdson, Varangian chief, afterwards King of Norway, 257,
+  260, 267, 268, 269
+Harek, a king's farmer in Norway, 12, 13
+Head-Thord = Thord of Hofdi, 79, 208
+Hedin, a Skald.
+Hedin of Soknadale, 13
+Helga Ondott's-daughter, second wife of Biorn Rolfson, and mother of
+  Thrand, 5
+Helga Thorkel's-daughter, of Fishbrook, 115
+Helga Thorir's-daughter, from Boardere, 90
+Helgi of Bathstead, 152, 153
+Helgi Eyvindson, called the Lean (hinn magri), 6, 16
+Hjalti Thord Scalp's-son, 207
+Hialti Thordson, of Hof, 207, 209, 211, 215, 216, 217, 237, 241, 251
+Hiarandi, Earl Svein's man, 69, 70, 71
+Hlif Rolfs-daughter, the first wife of Biorn Rolfson, 5
+Holmgang-Starri. <i>See</i> Starri Ericson.
+Hoskuld, father of Olaf Peacock, 152
+Hrefna Asgeir's-daughter (d. of Asgeir Madpate the Younger), 156
+Hreiðar, called Crow-Hreiðar (Kráku-H.), 208
+Hroald Geirmundson, 208
+
+Illugi Asmundson, 112, 126, 162, 200, 204, 205, 211, 217, 219, 220,
+  223, 224, 229, 231, 232, 233, 238, 240, 241, 243, 244, 245, 246,
+  248, 250, 251
+Ingiald the Trusty (tryggvi) of Hvin, 13
+Ingiald Frodison, an Earl, 5
+Ingimund Thorsteinson, called the Old (hinn gamli), 27, 92
+Ingolf (Herraudson), of Ingolf's-firth, 20
+Ingolf Ornsorn, 24
+Jokul Bardson, 104, 105
+Jokul Ingimundson, 27
+Isleif Gissurson, first Bishop of Skalholt, 77, 250, 275
+Ivar Kolbeinson, 22, 23
+Ivar Smiter (beytill), 1
+
+Kalf Asgeirson, of Asgeir's-river, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger,
+  34, 35
+Kari Solmundson, called Singed-(sviðu)-Kari, 19
+Karr, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers in the slaying of Grettir,
+  238, 240
+Karr the Old, a ghost, 46, 47, 48, 56
+Ketil the Huge (raumr), 27
+Ketil the Onehanded (hinn ein-hendi), 57
+Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, 29
+Kiartan Steinson, of Isledale-river, 191, 201
+Kiarval, a sea-king, 1
+Kiarval, king of Ireland, 6, 10
+Kiotvi the Wealthy (hinn auðgi), 2
+Knut the Mighty, king of England, 50, 173
+Kolbein (of Rogaland), 12, 15
+Kolbiorn the Abasher (sneypir), 5
+Konal Steinmodson, 5
+Kormak of Meal in Midfirth, 34, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 111
+
+Leif Kolbeinson, 22, 23
+
+Magnus the Good, king of Norway, 268
+Mar Atlison, 80
+Michael Katalak, 'king' of Constantinople, 253
+Midfirth-Skeggi, 19, 24, 25
+
+Narfi, kinsman of Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, 90
+Noise. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Noise.
+
+Odd Foundling-Skald (úmaga-skáld), 34, 87, 88, 90
+Odd, the Monk, 251
+Odd Ufeigh's son, 29
+Ogmund the Evil (illi), 51-57, 60
+Olaf Eyvindson of Drangar, 20, 22, 23, 24
+Olaf Haraldson, Saint, king of Norway, 1, 112, 114, 115, 118, 119,
+  120, 121
+Olaf Hoskuldson, called Peacock (pá), 152
+Olaf Thorsteinson, called Feilan, 18, 19, 79
+Oleif Einarson, called the Broad (breiðr), 5
+Olvir Bairn-Carle (barnakarl), 5
+Ondott Crow (kráka), 5, 11, 12, 13, 14
+Onund Ufeigh's son, called Treefoot (trèfótr), 1, 2-4, 5-9, 10, 11,
+  12-15, 16-18, 19, 20, 23
+Orm Eyolfson, chaplain of Bishop Thorlak, 104
+Orm Storolfson, 172, 277
+Orm the Wealthy (hinn audgi), 1
+
+Rafarta Kiarval's-daughter, 5
+Ranveig Asmund's-daughter, 29, 90, 273
+Ranveig, first wife of Asmund Gray-hair, 26
+Redbeard. <i>See</i> Thorir Redbeard.
+Rognvald, an earl, 2
+Rolf of Am, father of Biorn, 5
+Rolf Ingialdson, father of Hlif, 5
+Rut of Combeness, 182
+
+Saemund, the South-Island man, 92, 276
+Sam Borkson, 201
+Sigfast, son-in-law of King Solver, 5
+Sighvat, father-in-law of Ondott Crow, 13
+Signy Sighvat's-daughter, 13
+Sigurd, Bishop, 115
+Sigurd, the husband of Spes, 255, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 266,
+  267
+Skald-Torfa, 34, 71, 73
+Skapti Thorodson of Hjalli, lawman, 82, 95, 96, 97, 134, 149, 150,
+  159, 162, 163, 224
+Skeggi. <i>See</i> Midfirth Skeggi.
+Skeggi Botulfson, 115
+Skeggi Gamlison, of Scarf-stead, 251
+Skeggi, a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale, 37, 38, 243, 250
+Skeggi of the Ridge, 184
+Skeggi, son of Steinvor, fathered on Kiartan, 201
+Skeggi Thorarinson, 79
+Skeggi Thorirson, from Garth, 115
+Skeggi Gamlison (from Meals), called the Short-handed (Skammhöndúngr),
+  151, 246, 248, 249, 250, 251
+Skeggi Gamlison, grandson of the preceding, 251
+Skuf of Dog-dale, 81
+Slaying-Styr, 152
+Sleita-Helgi, 90
+Snaebiorn Eyvindson, 6
+Snaeskoll, a bearserk, 122, 123
+Snorri Thorgrimson, called S. Godi, 144, 145, 151, 152, 201, 202, 203,
+  224
+Solmund (Eilifson), 92
+Solmund Thorbiornson, 19
+Solver, King of Gothland, 5
+Solvi Asbrandson, called the Proud (prúði), 129
+Sons of Thord = Hjalti of Hof and Thorbiorn Angle, 215
+Sons of Thorir = Gunnar and Thorgeir from the Pass, 91, 126, 129
+Sons of Thorir = Thorgeir and Skeggi, from Garth, 117, 118, 134
+Spes, the wife of Sigurd, afterwards wife of Thorstein Dromund, 255
+Starri Ericson, called Holmgang-Starri (Hólmgaungu-S.), 208
+Stein Biornson, called Tongue-Stein (Túngu-S.), 208, 237
+Stein, priest of Isledale-river, 191, 195, 201
+Stein, a shipwrecked Skipper, 22, 23, 24, 25
+Stein Thorgestson, lawman, 225, 250
+Stein Thorirson, called the Far-sailing (mjöksiglandi), 225
+Steinmod Konalson, 5
+Steinmod Olvirson, 5
+Steinulf Olvirson, 5
+Steinulf Thorleifson, from Lavadale, 179, 180, 182
+Steinun Rut's-daughter, 182
+Steinvor the Old (gamla), 24
+Steinvor of Sand-heaps, 191, 192, 201
+Sturla Thordson, lawman, 144, 207, 272
+Sulki, a king in Norway, 2
+Swan of Knoll, 23, 24
+Svein of Bank, 135-139
+Svein, Earl of Norway, 50, 51, 69, 70, 71, 73. 74. 75, 112
+
+Tardy. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Tardy.
+Thora Thormod's-daughter, 11
+Thoralf of Ere in Icefirth, 154
+Thoralf Skolmson, 172, 277
+Thorarin Hafrson, 212
+Thorarin Ingialdson of Acres, 179, 180, 182
+Thorarin Thordson, called Fylsenni, 79
+Thorarin the Wise (hinn spaki), 87, 92, 93
+Thorbiorg Olaf's-daughter, called the Big (digra), 152, 154, 155,
+  156, 157
+Thorbiorn Arnorson, called Oxmain (öxnamegin), 89, 90, 91, 92, 111,
+  125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133. 139. 140, 141, 142,143, 144,
+  150, 151, 234
+Thorbiorn Earls' champion (Jarlakappi), 18, 19
+Thorbiorn Noise (glaumr), Grettir's servant-man, 206, 211, 219, 231,
+  232, 235, 239, 240, 245
+Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle, 5, 11
+Thorbiorn Thordson, called Angle, 208, 209, 211, 212, 215, 216, 217,
+  218, 222, 223, 224, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 234, 235, 236,
+  237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249,
+  250, 251, 252, 253, 254
+Thorbiorn Tardy (ferðalángr), 89, 91, 111, 112-114, 125, 126, 128
+Thorbrand Haraldson, 129
+Thord Hialtison, 207, 208
+Thord of Hofdi (==Head-Thord), 79
+Thord Knob, 212
+Thord Kolbeinson, of Hitness, 171, 172, 173, 178
+Thord Scalp, 207
+Thord Olafson, called the Yeller (gellir), 78, 79, 225
+Thord Thordson (son of Head-Thord). <i>See</i> Thorgeir.
+Thordis Asmund's-daughter, wife of Thorgrim Greypate, 25
+Thordis Asmund's daughter, wife of Glum Uspakson, 29
+Thordis Thord's-daughter, 208
+Thordis Thorgrim's-daughter, second wife of Onund Treefoot, 19, 20
+Thords, two brothers of Broad-river in Flat-lithe in Skagafirth, 209,
+  211, 216
+Thorelf Alf a-Dales'-daughter, 80
+Thorfinn of Brook-bow, 179
+Thorfinn, house-carle of Flosi in Arnes, 20, 23, 25
+Thorfinn Karrson of Haramsey, 46-50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 59, 60, 62, 69,
+  70,71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 84
+Thorgaut, a herdsman of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, 101, 102
+Thorgeir Havarson, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 145, 146, 147, 148,
+  149
+Thorgeir Onundson, called Bottleback (flöskubak), 19, 20, 21, 23,
+  24, 25
+Thorgeir Thordson (s. of Head-Thord), 208, 278
+Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, 179
+Thorgeir Thorirson from Garth, 115
+Thorgeir Thorirson, from the Pass, 90, 91, 126, 127, 128
+Thorgerd Alf a-Dales'-daughter, 80
+Thorgest Steinson, 225
+Thorgils Arison, of Reek-knolls, 80, 81, 82, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148,
+  149
+Thorgils Ingialdson, 179, 180, 289
+Thorgils Makson, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,82
+Thorgils of Meal in Midfirth, 34, 87, 90
+Thorgrim of Gnup in Midfirth, 19
+Thorgrim (Hallormson), the Godi of Cornriver, 26
+Thorgrim Onundson, called Greypate (haerukollr), 19, 20, 22, 23, 24,
+  25, 26, 27
+Thorhadd Steinson, 179
+Thorhall Asgrimson, of Tongue, 159
+Thorhall Fridmundson, 95
+Thorhall Gamlison, 29, 90, 273
+Thorhall Grimson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, 95-102, 105,
+  106-110
+Thorir Autumn-mirk (haustmyrkr), 225
+Thorir Longchin (haklángr), 2, 3
+Thorir Thorkelson, of the Pass, 89, 90, 273
+Thorir Redbeard (rauðskeggr), an outlaw and hired assassin, 164-168
+Thorir Skeggison, of Garth, 115, 117, 118, 129, 133, 134, 151, 164,
+  165, 168, 169, 173, 186, 188, 190, 191, 200, 225, 245, 246
+Thorir Paunch (Þömb), 51-57, 60
+Thorir in Thorirs-dale, a mountain-sprite, 183, 276
+Thorkel of Boardere, 89
+Thorkel Eyulfson, 188
+Thorkel of Fishbrook, 115
+Thorkel of Giorvidale, 152, 153, 154
+Thorkel Moon (Máni), 24
+Thorkel Thordson, called Kugg, 78
+Thorkel Thorgrimson, called Krafla, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 77
+Thorkel of Salft, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,69
+Thorlak (Thorhallson, Saint), Bishop of Skalholt, 104
+Thorlaug Saemund's daughter, 92
+Thorleif, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of
+  Grettir, 238
+Thorleif of Lavadale, 182
+Thormod Coalbrowskald (kolbrúnarskáld), 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 145, 146,
+  147, 148, 149
+Thormod Oleifson, called Shaft (skapti), 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19
+Thorod, who settled Ramfirth, 89
+Thorod Arnorson, called Drapa-Stump (drápustúfr), 89, 91, 142, 143,
+  144, 150, 151, 246, 248, 250
+Thorod Eyvindson, the Godi, of Hjalli, 11, 24,96
+Thorod Snorrison, 201, 202, 203,204
+Thorolf of Ere, 154
+Thorolf, called the Fastholding (fasthaldi), 273
+Thorolf Skolmson. <i>See</i> Thoralf.
+Thorstein Asmundson, called Dromund, 26, 71, 74, 75, 121-125, 252,
+  253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264-272
+Thorstein, whom Snorri Godi had slain, 172
+Thorstein Godi, 11
+Thorstein Ketilson, 27
+Thorstein the Red (rauðr), 79
+Thorstein of Reekness, 22
+Thorstein, Thorkel Kugg's son, called Kuggson, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82,
+  143, 144, 145, 158, 159, 170, 200, 201
+Thorstein the Uplander, 26
+Thorstein the White (hvíti), of Sand-heaps, 191
+Thorvald Asgeirson, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger, 34, 35, 77,
+  79, 110, 129, 130, 151, 248, 249, 250
+Thorvald of Drangar, 16
+Thorvald Kodranson, 27
+Thorvald of Reeks in Skagafirth, 207, 222
+Thorvor, Thormod's daughter, 11
+Thrand Biornson, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19
+Thrand Thorarinson, 179, 180, 182
+Thurid Asgeir's-daughter, d. of Asgeir Madpate the older, 79
+Thurid Thorhall's-daughter, 95, 104
+Thurid, Thorbiorn Angle's stepmother, 208, 226-231
+Tongue-Stein. <i>See</i> Stein Biornson.
+Torfi Vebrandson, 234
+Ufeigh, the father of Odd, 29
+Ufeigh Ivarson, called Clubfoot (burlufótr), 1
+Ufeigh Einarson, called Grettir, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 18
+Ufeigh (Herraudson), the Settler of Ufeigh's-firth, 20
+Ufeigh Hreiðarson (Crow-Hr.), called Thinbeard (Þunnskeggr), 208
+Ufeigh Onundson, called Grettir, 19, 24, 25
+Ulf the Squinter (skjálgi), 80
+Ulfheid Eyulf's-daughter, 104
+Una Steinulf's-daughter, 5
+Uspak Glumson, of Ere in Bitra, 29, 151, 246, 247, 248
+Uspak Kiarlakson of Skridinsenni, 29
+Vermund the Slender, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157
+Vestar Haengson, 5
+Vestmar, a viking, 7, 9
+Vigbiod, a viking, 7, 8, 9
+Vikar, one of Thord Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, 241
+
+
+
+
+INDEX II.
+
+LOCAL NAMES.
+
+Acres (Akrar), 178, 179, 182
+Agdir, now Nedenes-Lister-og Mandals-Fogderi, in Norway, 5, 13
+Armansfell, 97
+Arness in the Strands, 17, 20, 21
+Asbiornsness (Asbjarnarnes) in Willowdale, 85, 92
+Asgeir's-River (Asgeirsá), a farm in Willowdale, 20, 34, 275
+Aslaugs-lithe (Aslaugarhlið), 176
+Audunstead in Willowdale (Auðunarstaðir), 34, 83, 84, 104
+Axefirth (Axarfjörðr), 25, 277
+Axefirth-peak (Axarfjardar-nupr), 277
+
+Balkstead (Bálkastaðir), two farm-steads in Ramfirth, 10
+Ball-jokull, 161, 169
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead in Ramfirth, 89
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead above Thingness, in Bugfirth, 135, 136
+Bard-dale (Bárðardalr), north of Islefirth, 191, 192, 196, 200
+Barra (Barrey), one of the Hebrides, 1, 5, 7, 9
+Bathstead (Laugaból), a farmhouse in Icefirth, 152, 153
+Berg-Ridge (Bjarga-ás), in Waterness, in Hunawater Thing, 129
+Bergs (Björg), ibid. 129
+Biarg, a farmstead in Midfirth, Grettir's birthplace, 25, 27, 28, 29,
+  35, 39-77, 83, 87, 88, 90, 92, 93, 95, 104, 111, 113, 126, 127, 128,
+  130, 131, 132, 139, 142, 144, 200, 204, 246, 247, 251
+Bitra, 128, 151
+Biornfirth (Bjarnarfjörðr), in the Strands, 23
+Boardere (Borðeyri), a farmstead in Ramfirth, 90
+Bodvar's-knolls (Böðvarshólar), in Westhope, in Hunawaterthing, 89
+Bondmaid's-River (Ambáttará), 129
+Bowerfell (Búrfell), a farmstead on Ramfirth-neck, 90, 91
+Brakeisle (Hrísey), in Islefirth, 16
+Brakelithe, <i>see</i> Kraeklingslithe.
+Broadfirth (Breiðifjörðr),276
+Broadfirth-dales (Breiðafjarðardalir), 170, 201
+Broadlair-stead (Breiðibólstaðr), in Sokkolfsdale, 202
+Broad-river (Breiðá), a farmstead in Flat-lithe, in Skagafirth, 209
+Brooks-meet (Laekjamót), a farmstead in Willowdale, 27, 77
+Brook-bow (Laekjarbugr), a farmstead in the Marshes, 178, 179
+Burgfirth (Borgarfjörðr), 81, 93, 130, 135, 159, 161, 162, 170, 182
+Burglava (Borgarhraun), 176
+Burn-river (Brunná), 278
+Bute (Bótz, or Bót), isle of, 7
+Byrgirs-Creek (Byrgisvík), 18, 22
+Bye (Baer), a farmstead in Burgfirth, 136
+
+Cave-Knolls (Hellishólar), on Reekness, 147
+Codfirth (þorskafjörðr) in Bardastrandsylla, 148
+Codfirth-heath (þorskafjarðarheiði), 152
+Coldback (Kaldbak), a fell in the Strands, 17, 18
+Coldback, the farmstead of Onund Treefoot, in the Strands, 18, 19, 20,
+  21, 22, 23
+Coldback-cleft (Kaldbakskleif), 18
+Coldback-Creek (Kaldbaksvik), 18, 23, 24
+Coldriver-dale (Kaldárdalr), 176
+Combe (Gjögr), a farmstead in the Strands, 22
+Combe (Kambr), in Reekness in the Strands, 25
+Combeness (Kambnes), 182
+Cornriver (Kornsá), a farm in Waterdale, 26
+Creek, 20, 22. = Treetub-creek.
+Cross-river (Þverá), a stream in Waterness, 129
+
+Dales = Broadfirth-dales, 202
+Deepfirth (Djúpifjördr), 276
+Deildar-Tongue (D-Túnga), 137
+Dinby (Glaumbaerr), a farmstead in Skagafirth, 206
+Dog-dale (Hundadalr), 81
+Door-holm (Dyrhólmr), the southeastmost point of Iceland, 234
+Doveness-path (Dúfuness-skeiði), a portion of the way over the Keel, 160
+Drangar, a farmstead in the Strands, 16, 20, 22
+Drangey, an island in Skagafirth, 200, 204, 207, 209, 210, 217, 218,
+  219, 222, 223, 224, 227, 228, 231, 237, 238, 250, 251
+Drontheim (Þrándheimr), now Trondhiem, in Norway, 69, 114, 118
+Drontheimfirth (Þrándheimsfjörðr), 67
+
+Eastfirths (Austfirðir), 184
+Eastriver (Austrá), 202
+Eastriverdale (Austrárdalr), one of the Broadfirth-dales, 201
+England, 50, 115
+Ere (Eyri, al. Uspakseyri), in Bitra, 128, 151
+Ere (Eyri), in Icefirth, 152, 154
+Eres (Eyrar, now Eyrabakki), on the south coast of Iceland, 11
+Eyjafirth, 112 = Islefirth.
+Eyvindsfirth (Eyvindarfjörðr), 20
+Ernelakeheath, 186 = Ernewaterheath.
+Ernewaterheath (Arnarvatnsheitði), 163, 165, 184, 188
+
+Fairslope (Fagrabrekka), 90
+Fairwood (Fögruskógar), a farm near Fairwoodfell, 179, 181, 277
+Fairwoodfell (Fagraskógarfjall), north of the Marsh country and
+  west side of Hitdale, 171, 172, 178, 277
+Fishbrook (Fiskilaekr), 115
+Fishwaterlakes (Fiskivötn), 163
+Fishless (Veiðilausa), in the Strands, 17, 18
+Flat-lithe (Slèttahlíð), in Skagafirth, 209
+Fleets (Fljót), on the north side of the mouth of Skagafirth, 208,
+  212, 237, 238
+Fleet-tongue (Fljótstúnga), 37
+Flokedale-river (Flókadalsá), in Burgfirth, 136
+Flysja-wharf (Flysju-hverfi or Flysu-hverfi), 174, 179
+Foxplain (Melrakkaslètta), 278
+
+Gangpass-mouth (Gaunguskarðsós, better Gaunguskarðsárós), 222
+Gartar, now Garten, an island in the mouth of Drontheimfirth, 67
+Garth (Garðr), in Maindale, 115, 118, 133, 134, 151, 190, 200
+Gilsbank (Gilsbakki), 130, 137, 138
+Gjorvidale, 152
+Gnup-Wards'-rape (Gnúpverjahreppr), 11
+Gnup, a farmstead in Midfirth, 19
+Goatland (Geitland), 182
+Goatland's-jokul (Geitland's-jökull), 182
+Goat-rock (Hafraklettr), 147
+God-dales (Goðdalir), 208, 237
+Godis-wood (Goðaskógr), 97
+Goosere (Gáseyri, Gásir, prop. Geese, or perhaps Creeks), a
+  market-place in Islefirth, 112, 113, 133, 251
+Gothland (Gautland), 5
+Grettirs-point (G-Oddi), 180
+Grettirs-hillock (G-þufa), 249
+Grettirs-Gill, 18
+
+
+Hafrsfirth (Hafrsfjorðr), now Hafsfjord, in Jadar in Norway, 3
+Haffirth-river (Hafsfjarðrara), in the Marshes, 176
+Hall-marsh (Skálamyrr), in Skagafirth, 208
+Hallwick (Skálavík), in Sweeping's firth 10
+Halogaland, now Nordlandene, in Norway, 62
+Haramsey, properly Hárhamars-ey, now Haramsö, in South-Mere, in
+  Norway, 45, 50, 51
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a valley in the Broadfirth-dales, 90
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a farmstead in Biskupstúngr in Arnesthing, 159
+Hawkdale-pass (Haukadals-skarð), a mountain road between Hawkdale
+  and Ramfirth, 126
+Head, a farm on Head-strand, 79, 276
+Head-strand (Höfðastrond), in Skagafirth, 208
+Heel (Haell), 18
+Heron-ness (Hegranes), in Skagafirth, 210, 213
+Hjalli in Olfus, 11, 159, 162
+Hjaltidale (Hjaltadalr), in Skagafirth, 207
+Hitdale (Hitardalr), north of the Marshes, 173, 179
+Hitness (Hitarnes), in the Marshes, 171, 178
+Hitriver (Hitará), in the Marshes, 171, 172, 174, 175, 178, 179
+Hof in Hjaltidale, 207
+Hof on Head-strand, 208, 237
+Hofði (Hofði), 79, 276
+Holm (Hólmr), the homestead of Biorn the Hitdale-champion in
+  the Marshes, 170
+Holtbeacon-heath (Holtavörðuheiði), a mountain over which lay the
+  main road between Northriverdale and Ramfirth, 200
+Hordaland, a province of Norway, now Söndre Bergenhus Amt, 1, 2, 4, 114
+Horn, 132
+Horseholt (Hrossholt), in the Marshes, 177
+Hunawater (Húnavatn), 26, 101,
+Hvamm, a farmstead in Hvamsveit by Hvamsfirth 18, 79
+Hvamsveit, 79
+Hvin, now Kvinen, in Norway, 13
+Hvinisfirth, now Fedde-Fjorden, in Norway, 5
+Haeringsleap, in Drangey, 224
+
+Jadar, now Jaederen, in Norway, 121
+
+Icefirth (Isafjörðar), 155
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjarðar-djúp), 273
+Iceland (Island), 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 27, 75,77, 115, 116, 121,
+243, 250, 253, 272
+Ingolfs-firth (Ingóilfafjördr), 17, 20, 22
+
+Jorvi (Jorvi) in Flysia-wharf, 179
+
+Ireland (Irland), 2, 5, 6, 7, 10
+Islefirth (Eyjafirth, Eyjafjörðr), 16
+Isledale-river (Eyjardalsá), a farmstead in Bard-dale, 191, 192, 194,
+  196, 198, 201
+
+Kalf-river (Káifá), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, 18
+Kalfness (Kalfanes), 136, 137
+
+Keel (Kjölr), a mountain between the North and South quarter of,
+  Iceland, over which a main road led from Biskupstúngur to Islefirth,
+  159, 162, 169
+Kialarnes, 19
+Knobstead (Knappstaðir), a farmstead in the Fleets, 212
+Knoll (Hóll), in the Strands, the farm of Swan, 23
+Kolbeins-Creek (Kolbeinsvik) in the Strands, 18
+Kolbeinstead (Kolbeinsstaðir), a farmstead in the Marshes, 176
+Kraeklings-lithe, a country side in Islefirth, 16, 277
+Kropp, 137
+
+Lavadale (Hraundalr), in the Marshlands, 179, 180, 182
+Laxdale-heath (Laxárdalsheiði), a mountain road between Laxardale
+  and Ramfirth, 143
+Liarskogar (Ljárskógar), a farmstead in Hvamsveit, 79, 81, 143, 144,
+  145, 158
+Longdale (Langidalr), in Icefirth, 152
+Longfit (Langafit), below Reeks in Midfirth, 87
+Longholt (Langholt), in Skagafirth, 206
+Longness (Langanes), the north-eastmost promontory of Iceland, 16
+
+Madderdale-heath (Möðrudalsheiði), in the north-east of Iceland, 189,
+  277
+Maddervales (Möðruvellir) in Islefirth, 200
+Maindale (Aðaldalr), in the north-east of Iceland, 115
+Marshes (Mýrar; Marsh-country), 170, 171, 178
+Marstead (Márstaðir) in Waterdale, 26
+Marswell (Márskelda), 81
+Meadness (Haganes), a farmstead in the Fleets, 208, 237, 238
+Meal (Melr, now Melstaðr) in Midfirth, 34, 87, 114
+Meals (Melar) in Ramfirth, 29, 90, 126, 143, 144, 151, 248, 275
+Mere (Moeri) = South-Mere, 69
+Micklegarth (Constantinople), 252, 253, 268, 270, 272
+Midfirth (Miðfjörðr) in Hunawaterthing, 19, 25, 34, 77, 78, 130,
+  139, 140, 246
+Midfirth-Water (Miðfjörðarvatn), 34, 83
+Midfit (Miðfitjar) in Ramfirth, 144
+
+Neck (= Ramfirth-neck), 130
+Necks (= Ramfirth--and--Midfirth-neck), 140
+Nes (Nesjar) in Norway, 112
+Ness = Snowfellsness, 126
+North-Glass-river (Glerá en nyrðri), in Islefirth, 16
+Northriver (Norðrá), a stream in Burgfirth, 81
+Northriverdale (Norðrárdalr), ibid. 90, 201,
+Norway (Noregr), 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 11, 12, 17, 26, 45, 50, 60, 61, 76,
+  112, 114, 115, 122, 251, 252, 268, 270
+Núpasveit in Axefirth, 278
+
+Olaf's-isles (Olafseyjar) in Broadfirth, 146
+Oyce-land (Osland) in Skagafirth, 245
+
+Pass (Skarð) the, a farm in Hawkdale, 90, 126, 127, 129, 273
+
+Ramfirth (Hrútafjöðr), in Hunawaterthing, 10, 29, 89, 90, 126
+Ramfirth-neck (Hrútafjarðarháls), 91, 113, 127, 130, 143
+Raun (Hraun), a farmstead in the Marshes, 174
+Reekfirth (Reykjafjörðr), a bay in the Strands, 18, 25
+Reekfirth, a farmstead in the last-named bay, 18, 20
+Reek-heath (Reykjaheiði), in the North-East of Iceland, 189
+Reek-knolls (Reykhólar), a farmstead on Reekness in Broadfirth, 80,
+  144, 145
+Reekness (Reykjanes), a promontory in the Strands, 18, 22
+Reekness, a farmstead on the last-named ness, 22
+Reekness, south-westmost point of Iceland, 40
+Reekness, east side of Codfirth, in Broadfirth, 80, 145, 146
+Reekpass (Reykjaskarð) in Skagafirth, 205
+Reeks (Reykir), a farmstead in Midfirth below Biarg, 87
+Reeks, a farmstead nigh to Thorodstead in Ramfirth, 140, 142, 143
+Reeks, a farmstead in Reek-strand in Skagafirth, 207, 220, 250, 251
+Reek-strand (Reykjaströnd), in Skagafirth, 250
+Reydarfell in Whiteriverside, in Burgfirth, 39
+Rib-skerries (Rifsker) in Reekfirth, 22, 24
+Ridge, the, (As, al. Oddsás) in Waterdale, the farm of Thorvald Asgeirson,
+  37, 77, 110
+Ridge, the, (As, al. Stóriás), in Burgfirth, 184
+Ridge (As, al. Valdarás), in Willowdale, 275
+Rogaland, now Stavanger Amt, in Norvay, 1, 2, 3, 12
+Rome, 271
+Rosmwhale-ness (Rosmhvalanes), 24
+
+Saemund's-lithe (Saemundarhlíð) in Skagafirth, 206
+Salft (prop. Sálpti or Sálfti), now
+Salten in Salten-Fjord, in Halogafand, 62
+Samstead (Sámsstaðir), 145
+Sand, a wilderness between the North and the South Country,
+  crossed by a road from Skagafirth south to Burgfirth and
+  Thingvellir, 249
+Sand-heaps (Sandhaugar), 191, 192, 195, 199. 201, 273
+Scarf-stead (Skarfsstaðir), 158, 251
+Scotland, 2, 5, 7
+Shady-vale (Forsaeludalr), inland of Waterdale, 95
+Slaftholt (Skaptaholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, 11
+Shieldbroadfell (Skjaldbreið), a volcano north-east of Thingvellir, 183
+Skagafirth, 83, 200, 205, 207, 217, 250
+Skagi, a mountain promontory between Strandbay and Skagafirth, 16
+Skalholt (Skálaholt), in Biskupstúngur, 77, 250
+Skridinsenni, a farmstead in Bitra, 29
+Sledgehill (Sleðaás), north of Thingvellir, 39, 97
+Slysfirth (Slysfjörðr, prop. Slygsfjörðr), now Storfjorden in Söndmöres
+  Fogderi, in Norway, 51
+Snowfells (Snaefjöll), 275
+Snowfellsness (Snaefellsnes), the West-most promontory of Iceland,
+  126, 173
+Sokkolfsdale (Sökkolfsdalr), in the Broadfirth-dales, 202
+Soknadale (Sóknadalr, or Sóknardalr), now Sognedalen, in Norway, 13
+Sorbness (Reynines), in Skagafirth, 206
+Sorreldale (Súrnadalr), now Surendalen, in Norway, 14
+Sotanes, in Norway, 1
+South-Glass-river (Glerá en syðri), a farmstead in Islefirth, 16
+South-Mere (Summaeri), now Söndmöres Fogderi, in Norway, 45, cpr. 69
+South-Isles (Suðr-eyjar), the Hebrides, 1, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11
+South-Strands (Suðr-strandir), 16
+Spear-mead (Spjótsmýrr), in Ramfirth, 144
+Stair (Stigi), a foreland peak east of Sweepingsfirth, 10
+Stead (Staðr), now Stadtland, promontory in Norway, 115, 116, 117
+Steep-brent (Brattabrekka), 201
+Steersriver (þiórsá), 12
+Steinker, an Earl's seat in Drontheim, 69
+Stone-holt (Steinsholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, 11
+Stonestead (Steinstaðir), in Skagafirth, 208
+Strandbay (Strandaflói), 16
+Strands (Strandir), north-westmost part of Iceland, 16, 77, 80
+Sweepingsfirth (Súgandafjörðr), 10
+Sylgdale (Sylgsdalir), in Sweden, 96
+Thingere-lands (þíngeyrasveit), in Hunawaterthing, 25
+Thingness (þíngnes), in Burghfirth, 135, 136
+Thoreys-peak (þóreyjar-núpr) a farm in Willowdale, 93, 94, 104
+Thorhall-stead (þórhallsstaðir) in Shady-vale, 95, 97, 98, 102, 103, 105
+Thorodstead (þóroddsstadir) in Ramfirth, 89, 140
+Thorir's-dale (þórir's-vale, 184, Thorisdalr), 183, 184, 201
+Thrandsholt (þrándarholt), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, 11
+Thwart-river (þverá), a stream in Gnup-Ward's-rape, 11
+Titling-stead (Titlíngastaðir), on Reekness, 147
+Tongue (Túnga, Saelíngsdalstúnga), Snorri Godi's home, 144, 145, 203
+Tongue (Túnga), a farmstead in Waterdale, 90
+Tongue (Túnga, now Núpsdalstúnga(?)), a farmstead in Midfirth, 90
+Tongue (Túnga), the home of Asgrim Ellida Grimson, in Arnesthing, 159
+Tongue-river (Túnguá), a stream in the Fleets, 212
+Torfa's-stead (Torfustaþir), a homestead in Midfirth, 34
+Treetub-creek, the Creek, the Wick, (Trèkyllisvík), in the Strands,
+  20, 22, 23, 24, 25
+Tunsberg, a market-place in Norway, now Tönsberg, 71, 75, 121, 123,
+  251, 252
+Twodays-way (Twodays-ride, Tvídaegra), a mountain-road from
+  Northriverdale to the Midfirth-dales and Willowdale, 93, 139
+
+Ufeigh's-firth (Ufeigsfjörðr), in the Strands, 22
+Ufeigh's-stead (Ufeigsstaðir), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, 11
+Ufaera, in the Strands, 17
+Uplands (Upplönd), Oplandene in Norway, 2
+
+Vogar a fish-fair in Halogaland, in Norway, now Vaagen, 62, 67
+
+Waterdale (Vatnsdalr), in Euna-waterthing, 26, 38, 40, 77, 104, 110,
+  111, 275, 276
+Waterfirth (Vatnsfjörðr), home-stead of Vermund the Slender,
+  152, 154, 155, 158
+Waterfirth-dale (Vatnsfjarðandalr), in Icefirth, 153
+Waterness (Vatnsnes), pron. between Hunafirth and Midfirth, 129
+Waterpass (Vatnsskarð), between Hunawaterthing and Skagafirth, 205
+Wave-ridge (Ölduhryggr), in Staðarsveit, 173
+Weir (Stýfla), in the Fleets, 212
+Well-ness (Keldunes), 115
+Well-wharf (Kelduhverfi), 115
+Well-wharfside, id. 187
+Westfirths (Vestfirðir), 144, 158, 162
+Westhope, (Vestrhóp), in Hunawaterthing, 34
+Wetherfirth=Ramfirth, 143
+Whalesheadholme, (Hvalshaushólmr), 146,147
+Whiteriver (Hvítá), in Burgfirth, 135, 136, 172
+Whiteriverside (Hvítársída), in Burgfirth, 39
+Wick (Víkin), in Norway, 26
+Wick=Treetub-Creek.
+Willowdale (Víðdalr), west of Waterdale, 20,34,83, 104, 275
+Windham (Vindheimr), a farmstead of Haramsey, 46, 47
+Wolds (Vellir), a harbour on the Whiteriver, 135,136
+Woods-tead (Skógar), a farm in Axefirth, 277
+Woodwick (Viðvík), a farmstead in Skagafirth, 208, 231, 236, 237, 245
+
+
+
+
+INDEX III.
+
+THINGS.
+
+A nithing's deed, setting on a dying man with weapons, 250
+Arson, 2, 5, 13
+Assassins (hired), 163, 167
+
+Barrow of Karr the Old of Haramsey, 47, 49
+  of Onund Treefoot, called "Treefoot's-barrow," 19
+<i>Battles and Fights</i>.
+  Battle of Barra, between Onund Treefoot, and King Kiarval, 1, 2
+  of Bute, between Onund Treefoot and the Vikings, Vigbiod
+    and Vestmar, 7, 9
+  of Ernewaterheath, between Grettir and Hallmund on one
+    side, and Thorir of Garth with eighty men on the other, 168, 170
+  of Grettirsoddi by Hitriver, between Grettir and the Marshmen,
+    179, 180
+  of Hafrsfirth, between Harald Fairhair and several Norwegian petty
+    kings, 3, 4
+  of Nesjar, between St. Olaf and Earl Svein, 112
+  of the Pass, between Ath Asmundson and the Sons of Thorir of the
+    Pass, 127, 128
+  at Bowerfell, between Grettir and the men of Meal, 91
+
+  Fight in Drangey, between the Brothers Grettir and Illugi, on one
+    side, and Thorbiorn Angle and his band on the other, 240, 241
+
+  Fight on Ernewaterheath, with the Assassins Grim and Thorir
+    Redbeard, 163, 164
+  at Fairwoodfell with Gish, 176,177
+  at Fleet-tongue with Skeggi, 38
+  in Gartar, with Biorn, 68
+  at Goosere, with Thorbiorn Tardy, 144
+  in Grettir's-Gill, between Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn
+    Earls' Champion, 18, 19
+  in Haramsey, with Karr the Old, in his harrow, 48, 49
+  in Haramsey, with twelve Bearserks, 56, 58
+  on Midfit, with Thorbiorn Oxmain, 141
+  on Reekness, between the men of the Creek and those
+    of Coldback, over a whale, 23
+  on a common driftland in the Strands over a whale, between
+    the foster-brothers Þorgeir Havarson and Thormod
+    Coalbrowskald on one side, and Thorgils Makson on the other, 77,78
+  at Sand-heaps, with a troll-wife, 194, 195
+  nigh to Sand-heaps, in a cave, with a giant, 197
+  at Steinker, with Hiarandi, 70, 71
+Fight at Thorhall-stead with Glam the Thrall, 107, 109
+  in Tunsberg, with Gunnar, the brother of Hiarandi, 72, 73
+  with Snaekoll the bearserk, 122, 123
+
+Bridge of Liarskogar, a work of great art, hung with rings and
+  'din-bells,' 158
+
+<i>Domestic Implements</i>.
+  Bottles of leather, for keeping drink in, 20
+  Chopper, 23, 194
+  Clothes-bag, 175
+  Curd-bags, hides drawn up to fetch curds in from mountain dairies, 84
+  Deer-horn, for drinking at feasts, 15
+  Digging-tools, 47
+  Kettle, 182
+  Meal-bags, wherein victuals were kept for the thing-ride, 38
+  Tools to strike fire, 182
+  Trough, 194
+  Wool-combs. 30
+
+Dowry, 7
+
+<i>Dress and Ornamental Apparel</i>.
+  Breeches (of sail-cloth, 117), 176, 220
+  Cape, 117, 136, 137
+  Chain, round the neck, 14
+  Cloak of rich web, 14
+  Coloured clothes (over--clothes), 154, 174
+  Cowl, 220 Drugget-cloak, 107
+  Fur-cloak, 64
+  Hat (slouched), 169, 189
+  Hood, 206
+  Kirtle (red), 85
+  Leggings (hose), 65
+  Mittens, 206
+  Rings of gold, 14
+  Shirt, 176
+  Spurs, 202
+  State-raiment, 175
+  Thongs (hose-thongs), 65
+Fair in Vagar in Halogaland, 62
+Famine, 21
+
+<i>Feasts</i>.
+  (There were three principal festals in the year: at Winter-nights,
+   Yule, and Midsummer.)
+
+  Autumn-feast (= winter nights' feast, Oct. 14), at Thorbiorn
+  Oxmain's, III "Drinking turn and turn about," is probably the same
+  that elsewhere is called "SamburðSarol," an ale-club or rotation
+  drinking by common subscription, 14 Yule-ale, 51 Yule-biddings,
+  51, 52
+
+<i>Fights, see</i> Battles and Fights.
+
+<i>Food and Drink</i>.
+  (The Saga mentions no imported articles of food.)
+  Beer, 53, 56
+  Curds, 84
+  Fish (stockfish), 131, 132
+  Lent-fare, fat and livers, 183
+  Mutton, <i>passim</i>.
+Fire above hid treasure, 47
+Foster-brothers (sworn brothers), 78, 81, 92, 93
+Godi's-wood, a wood said to have belonged to six Godar, 97
+Grettir's-heave, 39, 91, 176
+<i>Horse-Outfit</i>.
+  Bridle (embossed, 160), 76, 136
+  Head-gear, 160 Saddle (fair-stained, 84), 38
+  Snaffle-rings, 160 Hospitality, 54,
+Hospitality, 54, 80
+<i>Houses and their Outfit</i>.
+Beaks of vessels put over the door, 115
+Bed, 107
+Boards (= tables), 30
+Bolt, 56
+Boose (= cow-stall in a byre), 103
+Booth at the thing, 96
+--for drinking assemblages, 72
+--for trade-purposes, 113
+Bower, serving as a ward-robe, cloth-bower, 56
+--a storehouse apart from other houses, out-bower, 56, 245
+Closet, 56
+Corn-barn, 58
+Cross-beam (= tie-beam), 107, 108
+Cross-bench (= dais), 193
+Door, 56 and <i>passim</i>.
+Doorcase, 108
+Doorpost, 133
+Dungeon, 254
+Gable, 193
+Hall, fire-hall, <i>passim</i>, see also note on hall pp. 273-275
+Hangings, 53
+High-chair, 48
+Hill-dairy, 84, 153, 154
+Horse-stable, 106
+House of refuge (sáluhús), 117
+Latch, 56
+Lock-bed, 107
+Loft (sleeping-loft), 14, 124
+Long-fires, 30
+Rafters, 108
+Roof, 107, 240
+Seat-beam, 84, 107
+Side-wall, 193
+Thatch, 108, 240
+Threshold, 108, 133
+Tie-beam, 107
+
+<i>Landwights</i>.
+
+Amongst these are to be numbered Hallmund and Thorir the half-troll
+of Thorir's-dale, and the wights told of in Hallmund's Song, 187
+
+Atonement. <i>See</i> Weregild.
+
+<i>Law, Suits, Penalties</i>.
+
+Boot for insulting language, 66
+Banishment, 129
+Declaring manslaughter as having been done by one's own hand, 133, 142
+District-outlawry, 129
+Execution (féránsdómr), 247-248
+Fine, 39, and <i>passim</i>.
+Handselling of a lawsuit, 39
+Handselling of lawful truce, 212, 214
+
+Law-provisions:
+  For drift-right, 25
+  For bearserks challenging men to holm, 51
+  For heritage of outlawed men in Norway in the days of
+    Harold Fairhair, 11
+  For the utmost limit of outlawry, 225
+  For heathen sacrifices in the earliest days of Christianity
+    in Iceland, 226
+  For a rightful suitor in a blood-suit, 150
+
+Lawsuits, 18, 19, 24, 39, 79, 129, 130, 149, 151, 238, 249, 250
+
+<i>Manners and Customs, Civil and Religious</i>.
+
+Bathing, 148, 220
+Burial of misdoers in cairns and tidewashed heap of stones, 59, 241
+Burial in barrows. <i>See</i> Barrows.
+--at churches, 126, 142
+
+Fasting on Yule-eve, 98
+--to iron birth, 119
+
+Hallowing of a vessel by a bishop, 115
+
+Iron-birth, 119
+
+Meal-times, 49
+
+Riding, to the Althing, 36, 79
+Rubbing of one's back by the fire, 30
+
+Sailors' duties have to be per-formed on board ship by the
+  passengers, 41, <i>sqq</i>.
+Sitting at table in the evening, 48
+Sleeping in fire-halls, 30
+
+Thing-men have to provide themselves,
+each one with fare at
+his own cost, 38
+
+Varangian weapon-show, 253
+
+Washing of hands ere going to
+table, 113
+
+<i>Money</i>.
+
+Hundred in silver, 151
+
+Mark in silver, 151, 173
+
+<i>Names of folk derived from their</i>
+   <i>country or dwelling-stead</i>.
+
+  Axefirthers, 278
+  Gothlander, 11
+  Halogalander, 57
+  Icefirthers, 155, 156
+  Lavadale-men, 182
+  Marshmen, 182
+  Northlanders, 163
+  Northmen, 10, 253
+  Ramfirthers, 34, and <i>passim</i>.
+  South-Islander, 7, 92
+  The men of Biarg, 88, 92
+  The men of Coldback, 20, <i>sqq.</i>
+  The men of the Creek, 20, <i>sqq.
+</i> Varangians, 253, <i>sqq.</i>
+  Waterdale-folk, 26, 38
+  Waterdale-kin, 142
+  Waterness-men, 34, 88
+  Well-wharfers, 170
+  Westfirthers, 80
+  Westhope-men, 34
+  Willowdale-men, 34
+
+<i>Occupations</i>.
+
+  Binding of hay into horseloads for being conveyed into rick-yard
+    or barn, 140, 141
+  Catching of fowl, 219
+  Drift-watching, 22
+  Fetching home victuals from mountain dairies, 84
+  Fetching home stockfish on horses, 126, 128
+  Fishing in sea and fresh water, 163, 166, 184
+  Folding, gathering sheep in autumn up from the wilds
+    and mountains, to be sorted for their owners according to
+    the marks in the ears of each sheep, 174
+  Gathering of eggs, 214
+  Hay-harvest, falls into two parts, the first, the haymaking in the
+    manured homefield, the second, in unmanured meads and mountains,
+    132, 140
+  Iron-smithying, 158
+  Mowing-tide, the whole season of the summer while grass can be
+    mown, 84, 132
+  Watching of home-geese, 29
+           of horses in winter, 31
+           of neat, 102
+           of sheep, 98, 101, 206
+  Whale-getting, 21, 77
+  Whale-cutting, 23
+
+<i>Pet Animals</i>.
+
+  Keingala, a mare, 31
+  Pied-belly, a ram, 240
+  Saddle-fair, a mare, 135
+
+<i>Runes</i>.
+
+  Songs cut on staffs, in runes, 186, 198
+  Baneful runes cut on a bewitched log of wood, 230, 231
+
+<i>Sagas Quoted</i>.
+
+  The saga of the Bandamenn, 29
+    of Bodmod, Grimulf, and Gerpir, 25
+    of Eric the Earl, 51
+    of Grim who slew Hallmund, 188
+    of the heath-slayings, 86
+The saga of the Laxdale-men, 19
+
+Settlings of land in Iceland, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17
+
+<i>Ships and their outfit</i>.
+
+  Boat, ten oars aboard, 22, 227
+  Boat-stand, 20, <i>and passim</i>
+  Beaks, 115
+  Bark (karfi), of sixteen oars aboard, 46, 52, 62
+  Bulwark, 3
+  Forecastle, 3
+  Grapplings, 3
+  Gunwale, 147
+  Row-barge, 115
+  Sail, 16, 41
+  Ship shield-hung from stem to stern, 52
+    stained above sea, 52
+    cleared from stem to stern, 3
+    stem, stern, 3, 52
+  Viking-ship, I
+  War-ship, 6
+  Work in connection with ship:
+    baling, 41, 42, 45
+    pumping, 44
+    rolling ship ashore, 174
+    launching of, 46
+    building of, 25
+  Yard, 16
+
+<i>Skalds named in the Saga</i>.
+
+  Arnor Earls'-skald, 179
+  Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, 34, 71
+  Grettir Asmundson.
+  Hallmund, 161, 186-187
+  Odd the Foundling-Skald, 34, 87-88
+  Skald-Torfa, 34
+  Svein of Bank, 135
+  Thormod Coalbrowskald, 77
+
+<i>Social Stations</i>.
+
+  Bonder, 14, and <i>passim</i>
+  Chapmen, <i>passim</i>
+  Court-owner, an owner of all such houses in a town as form the
+    surrounding of a court, 71
+  Earl, a man next after the king in dignity, 14, 50 <i>sqq</i>.,
+     69 <i>sqq</i>., 112
+  Free-men, 53
+  Godi, a chief combining in his person the religious and administrative
+    authority of the district over which he ruled, 11, 26
+  Hand-maid, 220, 221
+  Herdsman. <i>See</i> Occupations.
+  Hersir, a man next to an earl in dignity, 14
+  Home-folk, 54
+  Home-women, 54
+  House-carle, <i>passim</i>.
+
+<i>Sports and Games</i>.
+
+  Ball-play, 34
+  Ball, 35
+  Bat, 35
+  Horse-fight, 87, 88
+  Knave-game (note), 208
+  Sports at Heron-ness thing, 210, 212
+  Swimming, 117, 167, 220
+  Tale-game, 208
+  Wrestling, 211, 212, 216
+
+<i>Things, or Public Law-assemblages</i>.
+
+  The Althing, <i>passim</i>
+  The Thing of Kialarness, 19
+    Heron-ness, 210
+    Hunawater, 129, 150
+  Trade on England, 67
+
+<i>Trolls and Evil Wights</i>.
+
+  See Hallmund's song, 187
+  Troll-carle, 197
+  Troll-wife, 194-195
+  The wight that slew Glam, 96, 99, 100
+Troth, to sit in troth for three winters, 7
+  Twainmonth, the second month in the year, corresponding to our
+    September (Aug. 24--Sept. 22).
+  Wadmall as an article of trade, 40, 220
+
+<i>Weapons and War-gear</i>.
+
+  Axe, <i>passim</i>.
+  Barb-end, 57
+  Barb, 57, 132
+  Buckler, 142
+  Byrni, 57
+  Chopper, 194
+  Cheek-pieces of a helmet, 122
+  Glaive (heft-sax), 197
+  Grigs of the sword, 241
+  Hand-axe, 141
+  Helmet, 57, 85, 122, 132
+  Shield (iron-rimmed, inlaid), 72, 122, 128, 175, 203, 241
+  Socket inlaid with silver, 141
+  Socket-nail, 141
+  Short-sword, Karrs-loom, 49, and <i>passim</i>
+  Spear, great without barbs, 141
+    with broad barbs, 56, 132
+  Stones used for missiles, 8
+  Spear-head, 57
+  Sword, girt with a sword, 132, 241
+    Jokul's gift, the heirloom of the kinsmen of Ingimund the
+    Old, 40, and <i>passim</i>.
+  Weird of a ghost, 109
+    of a sorceress, 229
+  Winter-nights, the first days in winter about Oct. 14, 145
+
+<i>Witchcraft and Sorcery</i>.
+
+  Gale of wind brought on by evil craft, 236-237
+  Witchcraft, an illegal means for overcoming an enemy, 244, 250
+  Witchcraft wrought into a log of wood, the manner thereof, 230, 231
+  Wound growing deadly through the effect of evil and witchcrafty
+    runes, 244, 250
+  Wooing, 6, 7, 19
+
+
+
+
+PERIPHRASTIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE SONGS.
+
+An Axe: Battle ogress, rock-troll, 38
+Blood: Rain of swords, 15
+Cave (Hallmund's): Kettle, where waters fall from great
+    ice-wall, 160
+Fight: Dart's breath, 15
+    Dart-shower, 43
+    Gale of death, 15
+    Gale of swords, 95
+    Hilda's[22] weather, 95
+    Iron-rain, 234
+    Mist's[22] mystery, 95
+    Odin's gale; Odin's storm, 143, 190
+    Shield-fire's thunder, 6
+    Shield-rain, 215
+    Spears' breath, 170
+    Spear-shower, 138
+    Spear-storm, 234
+    Sword-shower, 81
+
+Gallows: Sigar's meed for lovesome deed, (Sigarr hung Hag-bard
+    the Viking for having befooled his daughter), 157
+Gold: Deep sea's flame, 137
+    Dragon's lair, 49
+    Serpent's bed, 215
+    The flame of sea, 49
+    Wave's flashing flame, 49
+    Worm's bed, 41
+    Worm-land, 131
+Grettir (an Eddaic name for a serpent): Fell-creeping lad, 86
+Head: Thoughts' burg, 76
+Man: Elm-stalk, 136
+    Gold-scatterer, 181
+    Helm-stalk, 136
+    Jewel-strewer, 30
+    Lessener of the flame of sea, 49
+    Lessener of waves' flashing flame, 49
+    Ring-bearer, 68
+    Ring-strewer, 30
+    Scatterer of serpent's bed, 215
+    Wormland's haunter, 137
+    Snatcher of worm's bed, 41
+Mouth: Tofts of tooth-hedge, 124
+Sailor: He who decks the reindeer's side that 'twixt ness and
+    ness doth glide, 43
+Rider of wind-driven steed, 41
+Sea-steeds' rider, 81; Shield: Roof of war, 215
+Spear-walk, 12
+Ship: Reindeer that 'twixt ness and ness doth glide, 43
+    Sea-steed, 81
+    Steed of the rollers, 17
+    Wind-driven steed, 41
+Skald: Giver forth of Odin's mead (Svein of Bank), 137
+Sword: Byrni's flame, 76
+
+[Footnote 22: Hilda (Hildr) and Mist, goddesses of fight and
+manslaughter.]
+
+Sword: Helmfire, 50, 136
+    Man's-bane, 41
+    War-flame, 199
+    Whiting of the shield, 21
+    Wound-worm, 114
+Thor: Sifs lord, 157
+Warrior: Arrow-dealer, 114
+    Axe-breaker, 2
+    Begetter of fight, 49
+    Brand-whetter, 17
+    Breaker of the bow, 50
+    Foreteller of spear-shower, 138
+Warrior: Grove of Hedin's maid, 125
+    Raiser-up of roof of war, 215
+    Spear-grove, 59
+    Stem of shield, 190
+    Sword-player, 199
+    War-god, 66
+    Wound-worm's tower, 114
+Wool-combe: Hook-clawed bird, 31
+Woman: Giver forth of gold, 59
+    Goddess of red gold, 137
+    Ground of gold, 30
+    Son of golden stall, 190
+    Warder of horns' wave, 181
+
+
+
+
+PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL SAYINGS THAT OCCUR IN THE STORY.
+
+PAGE
+
+A friend should warn a friend of ill ............................. 30
+Ale is another man ............................................... 55
+All must fare when they are fetched............................... 188
+All things bide their day......................................... 218
+All will come to an end .......................................... 233
+Bare is the back of the brotherless .............................. 241
+Best to bairn is mother still .................................... 41
+Bewail he, who brought the woe ................................... 175
+Broad spears are about now ....................................... 133
+Deeds done will be told of ....................................... 224
+Even so shall bale be bettered by biding greater bale ............ 140
+For one thing alone will I not be known .......................... 192
+From ill cometh ill .............................................. 105
+Good luck and goodliness are twain ............................... 105
+Hand for wont doth yearn ......................................... 226
+Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself ......................... 176
+Ill deed gains ill hap ..........................................  188
+Ill heed still to ill doth lead .................................  121
+Ill if a thrall is thine only friend ............................. 240
+Ill it is ill to be .............................................. 165
+Ill it is to goad the foolhardy .................................. 30
+Let one oak have what from the other it shaves ................... 67
+Little can cope with cunning of eld .............................. 205
+Long it takes to try a man ....................................... 61
+Many a man lies hid within himself ............................... 203
+Many a man stretches round the door to the lock .................. 86
+More one knows the more one tries ................................ 30
+No man makes himself ............................................. 125
+Now this, now that has strokes in his garth ...................... 125
+Odd haps are worst haps .......................................... 37
+Oft a listening ear in the holt is anear ......................... 173
+Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust .......................... 32
+Old friends are the last to sever ................................ 240
+One may be apaid of a man's aid .................................. 44
+Overpraised, and first to fail ................................... 132
+Sooth is the sage's guess ........................................ 92
+Swear loud and say little ........................................ 266
+The lower must lowt .............................................. 267
+The nigher the call, the further the man ......................... 211
+Things boded will happen, so will things unboded ................. 32
+Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth has had no sup ... 168
+Thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never ................. 35
+Thrice of yore have all things happed ............................ 262
+To the goat-house for wool ....................................... 226
+With hell's man are dealings ill ................................. 176
+Woe is before one's own door when it is inside
+one's neighbour's ................................................ 105
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Grettir The Strong
+by Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12747 ***
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+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12747 ***</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h1>THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG</h1>
+
+<h2>TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC</h2>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+<h2>EIR&Iacute;KR MAGN&Uacute;SSON</h2>
+<h3>AND</h3>
+<h2>WILLIAM MORRIS</h2>
+<h2>1900</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<blockquote>
+    A life scarce worth the living, a poor fame <br />
+    Scarce worth the winning, in a wretched land,<br />
+    Where fear and pain go upon either hand,<br />
+    As toward the end men fare without an aim<br />
+    Unto the dull grey dark from whence they came:<br />
+    Let them alone, the unshadowed sheer rocks stand<br />
+    Over the twilight graves of that poor band,<br />
+    Who count so little in the great world's game!<br />
+<br />
+    Nay, with the dead I deal not; this man lives,<br />
+    And that which carried him through good and ill,<br />
+    Stern against fate while his voice echoed still<br />
+    From rock to rock, now he lies silent, strives<br />
+    With wasting time, and through its long lapse gives<br />
+    Another friend to me, life's void to fill.<br />
+</blockquote>
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3em;">WILLIAM MORRIS.</span><br />
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<a name="PREFACE"></a><h3>PREFACE.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>We do not feel able to take in hand the wide subject of the Sagas of
+Iceland within the limits of a Preface; therefore we have only to say
+that we put forward this volume as the translation of an old story
+founded on facts, full of dramatic interest, and setting before
+people's eyes pictures of the life and manners of an interesting race
+of men near akin to ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>Those to whom the subject is new, we must refer to the translations
+already made of some other of these works,<a name="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> and to the notes which
+accompany them: a few notes at the end of this volume may be of use to
+students of Saga literature.</p>
+
+<p>For the original tale we think little apology is due; that it holds
+a very high place among the Sagas of Iceland no student of that
+literature will deny; of these we think it yields only to the story
+of Njal and his sons, a work in our estimation to be placed beside
+the few great works of the world. Our Saga is fuller and more complete
+than the tale of the other great outlaw Gisli; less frightful than
+the wonderfully characteristic and strange history of Egil, the son
+of Skallagrim; as personal and dramatic as that of Gunnlaug the
+Worm-tongue, if it lack the rare sentiment of that beautiful story;
+with more detail and consistency, if with less variety, than the
+history of Gudrun and her lovers in the Laxdaela; and more a work of
+art than that, or than the unstrung gems of Eyrbyggja, and the great
+compilation of Snorri Sturluson, the History of the Kings of Norway.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate, we repeat, whatever place among the best Sagas may be
+given to Grettla<a name="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> by readers of such things, it must of necessity
+be held to be one of the best in all ways; nor will those, we hope,
+of our readers who have not yet turned their attention to the works
+written in the Icelandic tongue, fail to be moved more or less by the
+dramatic power and eager interest in human character, shown by our
+story-teller; we say, we hope, but we are sure that no one of insight
+will disappoint us in this, when he has once accustomed himself to
+the unusual, and, if he pleases, barbarous atmosphere of these ancient
+stories.</p>
+
+<p>As some may like to know what they are going to read about before
+venturing on beginning the book, we will now give a short outline of
+our Saga.</p>
+
+<p>The first thirteen chapters (which sometimes are met with separately
+in the Icelandic as the Saga of Onund Treefoot), we have considered as
+an introduction to the story, and have accordingly distinguished them
+from the main body of the book. They relate the doings of Grettir's
+ancestors in Norway, in the lands West over the Sea and in Iceland,
+and are interesting and in many points necessary for the understanding
+of the subsequent story; one of these we note here for the reader's
+convenience, viz. the consanguinity of Grettir and King Olaf the
+Saint;<a name="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> for it adds strongly to the significance of the King's
+refusal to entertain Grettir at his court, or to go further into the
+case of the murder he was falsely accused of.</p>
+
+<p>The genealogies of this part of the work agree closely with those of
+the Landn&aacute;ma-b&oacute;k, and of the other most reliable Sagas.</p>
+
+<p>After this comes the birth of Grettir, and anecdotes (one at least
+sufficiently monstrous) of his unruly childhood; then our hero kills
+his first man by misadventure, and must leave Iceland; wrecked on
+an isle off Norway, he is taken in there by a lord of that land, and
+there works the deed that makes him a famous man; the slaying of the
+villainous bearserks, namely, who would else have made wreck of the
+honour and goods of Grettir's host in his absence; this great deed,
+we should say, is prefaced by Grettir's first dealings with the
+supernatural, which characterise this Saga, and throw a strange light
+on the more ordinary matters throughout. The slaying of the bearserks
+is followed by a feud which Grettir has on his hands for the slaying
+of a braggart who insulted him past bearing, and so great the feud
+grows that Grettir at last finds himself at enmity with Earl Svein,
+the ruler of Norway, and, delivered from death by his friends, yet
+has to leave the land and betake himself to Iceland again. Coming back
+there, and finding himself a man of great fame, and hungry, for more
+still, he tries to measure himself against the greatest men in the
+land, but nothing comes of these trials, for he is being reserved for
+a greater deed than the dealing with mere men; his enemy is Glam
+the thrall; the revenant of a strange, unearthly man who was himself
+killed by an evil spirit; Grettir contends with, and slays, this
+monster, whose dying curse on him is the turning-point of the story.</p>
+
+<p>All seems fair for our hero, his last deed has made him the foremost
+man in Iceland, and news now coming out of Olaf the Saint, his
+relative, being King of Norway, he goes thither to get honour at
+his hands; but Glam's curse works; Grettir gains a powerful enemy by
+slaying an insulting braggart just as he was going on ship-board; and
+on the voyage it falls out that in striving to save the life of his
+shipmates by a desperate action, he gets the reputation of having
+destroyed the sons of a powerful Icelander, Thorir of Garth, with
+their fellows. This evil report clings to him when he lands in Norway;
+and all people, including the King from whom he hoped so much, look
+coldly on him. Now he offers to free himself from the false charge by
+the ordeal of bearing hot iron; the King assents, and all is ready;
+but Glam is busy, and some strange appearance in the church, where
+the ordeal is to be, brings all to nothing; and the foreseeing Olaf
+refuses to take Grettir into his court, because of his ill-luck. So
+he goes to his brother, Thorstein Dromund, for a while, and then goes
+back to Iceland. But there, too, his ill-luck had been at work, and
+when he lands he hears three pieces of bad news at once; his father is
+dead; his eldest brother, Atli, is slain and unatoned; and he himself
+has been made an outlaw, by Thorir of Garth, for a deed he has never
+done.</p>
+
+<p>He avenges his brother, and seeks here and there harbour from his
+friends, but his foes are too strong for him, or some unlucky turn of
+fate always pushes him off the help of men, and he has to take to the
+wilderness with a price upon his head; and now the other part of the
+curse falls on him heavier, for ever after the struggle with the ghost
+he sees horrible things in the dark, and cannot bear to be alone, and
+runs all kinds of risks to avoid it; and so the years of his outlawry
+pass on. From time to time, driven by need, and rage at his unmerited
+ill-fortune, he takes to plundering those who cannot hold their own;
+at other times he lives alone, and supports himself by fishing, and
+is twice nearly brought to his end by hired assassins the while.
+Sometimes he dwells with the friendly spirits of the land, and chiefly
+with Hallmund, his friend, who saves his life in one of the desperate
+fights he is forced into. But little by little all fall off from him;
+his friends durst harbour him no more, or are slain. Hallmund comes
+to a tragic end; Grettir is driven from his lairs one after the other,
+and makes up his mind to try, as a last resource, to set himself
+down on the island of Drangey, which rises up sheer from the midst
+of Skagafirth like a castle; he goes to his father's house, and bids
+farewell to his mother, and sets off for Drangey in the company of his
+youngest brother, Illugi, who will not leave him in this pinch, and
+a losel called &quot;Noise,&quot; a good joker (we are told), but a slothful,
+untrustworthy poltroon. The three get out to Drangey, and possess
+themselves of the live-stock on it, and for a while all goes well;
+the land-owners who held the island in shares, despairing of ridding
+themselves of the outlaw, give their shares or sell them to one
+Thorbiorn Angle, a man of good house, but violent, unpopular, and
+unscrupulous. This man, after trying the obvious ways of persuasion,
+cajolery, and assassination, for getting the island into his hands, at
+last, with the help of a certain hag, his foster-mother, has recourse
+to sorcery. By means of her spells (as the story goes) Grettir wounds
+himself in the leg in the third year of his sojourn at Drangey,
+and though the wound speedily closes, in a week or two gangrene
+supervenes, and Grettir, at last, lies nearly helpless, watched
+continually by his brother Illugi. The losel, &quot;Noise,&quot; now that the
+brothers can no more stir abroad, will not take the trouble to pull
+up the ladders that lead from the top of the island down to the
+beach; and, amidst all this, helped by a magic storm the sorceress
+has raised, Thorbiorn Angle, with a band of men, surprises the island,
+unroofs the hut of the brothers, and gains ingress there, and after
+a short struggle (for Grettir is already a dying man) slays the great
+outlaw and captures Illugi in spite of a gallant defence; he, too,
+disdaining to make any terms with the murderers of his brother, is
+slain, and Angle goes away exulting, after he had mutilated the body
+of Grettir, with the head on which so great a price had been put, and
+the sword which the dead man had borne.</p>
+
+<p>But now that the mighty man was dead, and people were relieved
+of their fear of him, the minds of men turned against him who had
+overcome him in a way, according to their notions, so base and
+unworthy, and Angle has no easy time of it; he fails to get the
+head-money, and is himself brought to trial for sorcery and practising
+heathen rites, and the 'nithings-deed' of slaying a man already dying,
+and is banished from the land.</p>
+
+<p>Now comes the part so necessary to the Icelandic tale of a hero, the
+revenging of his death; Angle goes to Norway, and is thought highly of
+for his deed by people who did not know the whole tale; but Thorstein
+Dromund, an elder half-brother of Grettir, is a lord in that land, and
+Angle, knowing of this, feels uneasy in Norway, and at last goes away
+to Micklegarth (Constantinople), to take service with the Varangians:
+Thorstein hears of this and follows him, and both are together at last
+in Micklegarth, but neither knows the other: at last Angle betrays
+himself by showing Grettir's sword, at a 'weapon-show' of the
+Varangians, and Thorstein slays him then and there with the same
+weapon. Thorstein alone in a strange land, with none to speak for him,
+is obliged to submit to the laws of the country, and is thrown into a
+dungeon to perish of hunger and wretchedness there. From this fate he
+is delivered by a great lady of the city, called Spes, who afterwards
+falls in love with him; and the two meet often in spite of the
+watchful jealousy of the lady's husband, who is at last so completely
+conquered by a plot of hers (the sagaman here has taken an incident
+with little or no change from the Romance of Tristram and Iseult),
+that he is obliged to submit to a divorce and the loss of his wife's
+dower, and thereafter the lovers go away together to Norway, and live
+there happily till old age reminds them of their misdeeds, and they
+then set off together for Rome and pass the rest of their lives in
+penitence and apart from one another. And so the story ends, summing
+up the worth of Grettir the Strong by reminding people of his huge
+strength, his long endurance in outlawry, his gift for dealing
+with ghosts and evil spirits, the famous vengeance taken for him in
+Micklegarth; and, lastly, the fortunate life and good end of Thorstein
+Dromund, his brother and avenger.</p>
+
+<p>Such is the outline of this tale of a man far above his fellows in all
+matters valued among his times and people, but also far above them
+all in ill-luck, for that is the conception that the story-teller has
+formed of the great outlaw. To us moderns the real interest in these
+records of a past state of life lies principally in seeing events true
+in the main treated vividly and dramatically by people who completely
+understood the manners, life, and, above all, the turn of mind of the
+actors in them. Amidst many drawbacks, perhaps, to the modern reader,
+this interest is seldom or ever wanting in the historical sagas, and
+least of all in our present story; the sagaman never relaxes his grasp
+of Grettir's character, and he is the same man from beginning to end;
+thrust this way and that by circumstances, but little altered by them;
+unlucky in all things, yet made strong to bear all ill-luck; scornful
+of the world, yet capable of enjoyment, and determined to make the
+most of it; not deceived by men's specious ways, but disdaining to cry
+out because he must needs bear with them; scorning men, yet helping
+them when called on, and desirous of fame: prudent in theory, and wise
+in foreseeing the inevitable sequence of events, but reckless beyond
+the recklessness even of that time and people, and finally capable of
+inspiring in others strong affection and devotion to him in spite of
+his rugged self-sufficing temper&mdash;all these traits which we find in
+our sagaman's Grettir seem always the most suited to the story of
+the deeds that surround him, and to our mind most skilfully and
+dramatically are they suggested to the reader.</p>
+
+<p>As is fitting, the other characters are very much subordinate to the
+principal figure, but in their way they are no less life-like; the
+braggart&mdash;that inevitable foil to the hero in a saga&mdash;was never better
+represented than in the Gisli of our tale; the thrall Noise, with his
+carelessness, and thriftless, untrustworthy mirth, is the very pattern
+of a slave; Snorri the Godi, little though there is of him, fully
+sustains the prudent and crafty character which follows him in all the
+Sagas; Thorbiorn Oxmain is a good specimen of the overbearing and sour
+chief, as is Atli, on the other hand, of the kindly and high-minded,
+if prudent, rich man; and no one, in short, plays his part like
+a puppet, but acts as one expects him to act, always allowing the
+peculiar atmosphere of these tales; and to crown all, as the story
+comes to its end, the high-souled and poetically conceived Illugi
+throws a tenderness on the dreadful story of the end of the hero,
+contrasted as it is with that of the gloomy, superstitious Angle.</p>
+
+<p>Something of a blot, from some points of view, the story of Spes and
+Thorstein Dromund (of which more anon) must be considered; yet
+whoever added it to the tale did so with some skill considering its
+incongruous and superfluous nature, for he takes care that Grettir
+shall not be forgotten amidst all the plots and success of the lovers;
+and, whether it be accidental or not, there is to our minds something
+touching in the contrast between the rude life and tragic end of the
+hero, and the long, drawn out, worldly good hap and quiet hopes for
+another life which fall to the lot of his happier brother.</p>
+
+<p>As to the authorship of our story, it has no doubt gone through the
+stages which mark the growth of the Sagas in general, that is, it was
+for long handed about from mouth to mouth until it took a definite
+shape in men's minds; and after it had held that position for a
+certain time, and had received all the necessary polish for an
+enjoyable saga, was committed to writing as it flowed ready made from
+the tongue of the people. Its style, in common with that of all the
+sagas, shows evidences enough of this: for the rest, the only name
+connected with it is that of Sturla Thordson the Lawman, a man of good
+position and family, and a prolific author, who was born in 1214 and
+died 1284; there is, however, no proof that he wrote the present work,
+though we think the passages in it that mention his name show clearly
+enough that he had something to do with the story of Grettir: on the
+whole, we are inclined to think that a story of Grettir was either
+written by him or under his auspices, but that the present tale is the
+work of a later hand, nor do we think so complete a saga-teller,
+as his other undoubted works show him to have been, would ever have
+finished his story with the epilogue of Spes and Thorstein Dromund,
+steeped as that latter part is with the spirit of the mediaeval
+romances, even to the distinct appropriation of a marked and
+well-known episode of the Tristram; though it must be admitted that he
+had probably plenty of opportunity for being versed in that romance,
+as Tristram was first translated into the tongue of Norway in the year
+1226, by Brother Robert, at the instance of King Hakon Hakonson, whose
+great favourite Sturla Thordson was, and whose history was written by
+him.</p>
+
+<p>For our translation of this work we have no more to say than to
+apologise for its shortcomings, and to hope, that in spite of them, it
+will give some portion of the pleasure to our readers which we felt in
+accomplishing it ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>EIR&Iacute;KR MAGN&Uacute;SSON, WILLIAM MORRIS.</p>
+
+<p>LONDON, <i>April</i> 1869.</p>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<a name="CONTENTS"></a><h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5">
+<tr>
+<td align="center">
+ <a href="#PREFACE"><b>PREFACE.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHRONOLOGY_OF_THE_STORY"><b>CHRONOLOGY OF THE STORY.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CONTENTS"><b>CONTENTS.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_GRETTIR_THE_STRONG."><b>THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG.</b></a><br />
+ <br />
+ <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+ <b>THE FOREFATHERS OF GRETTER</b> <br />
+ <br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_I"><b>CHAP. I.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_II"><b>CHAP. II.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_III"><b>CHAP. III.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_IV"><b>CHAP. IV.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_V"><b>CHAP. V.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_VI"><b>CHAP. VI.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_VII"><b>CHAP. VII.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_VIII"><b>CHAP. VIII.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_IX"><b>CHAP. IX.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_X"><b>CHAP. X.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XI"><b>CHAP. XI.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XII"><b>CHAP. XII.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XIII"><b>CHAP. XIII.</b></a><br />
+ <br />
+
+ <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+ <b>HERE BEGINS THE STORY OF THE LIFE OF GRETTIR THE STRONG</b><br />
+ <br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XIV"><b>CHAP. XIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir as a Child, and his froward ways</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with his father</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XV"><b>CHAP. XV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Ball-play on Midfirth Water</i></span><br />
+  <a href="#CHAP_XVI"><b>CHAP. XVI.</b></a><br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">XVI. <i>Of the Slaying of Skeggi</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XVII"><b>CHAP. XVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir's Voyage out</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XVIII"><b>CHAP. XVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Karr the Old</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XIX"><b>CHAP. XIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with the Bearserks</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XX"><b>CHAP. XX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXI"><b>CHAP. XXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i></span><br />
+  <a href="#CHAP_XXII"><b>CHAP. XXII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i></span><br />
+  <a href="#CHAP_XXIII"><b>CHAP. XXIII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXIV"><b>CHAP. XXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with Earl Svein</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXV"><b>CHAP. XXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXVI"><b>CHAP. XXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>the Bloodsuit for the Slaying of Thorgils</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Makson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXVII"><b>CHAP. XXVII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXVIII"><b>CHAP. XXVIII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXIX"><b>CHAP. XXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXX"><b>CHAP. XXX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy,</i></span><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>and of Grettir's meeting with Kormak on</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Ramfirth-neck</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXI"><b>CHAP. XXXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund,</i></span><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>as he came back from the Heath-slayings</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXII"><b>CHAP. XXXII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorhall took a Shepherd by the rede of</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Skapti the Lawman, and what befell thereafter</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXIII"><b>CHAP. XXXIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXIV"><b>CHAP. XXXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXV"><b>CHAP. XXXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with Glam</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXVI"><b>CHAP. XXXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's Autumn-feast, and the</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>mocks of Thorbiorn Tardy</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXVII"><b>CHAP. XXXVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;">XXXVII. <i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>of Thorbiorn Tardy; Grettir goes to</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Norway</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXVIII"><b>CHAP. XXXVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir fetched fire for his shipmates</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXIX"><b>CHAP. XXXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>King</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XL"><b>CHAP. XL.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLI"><b>CHAP. XLI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorstein Dromund's Arms, and what he</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>deemed they might do</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLII"><b>CHAP. XLII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Death of Asmund the Greyhaired</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLIII"><b>CHAP. XLIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>of Gunnar and Thorgeir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLIV"><b>CHAP. XLIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>of the Pass</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLV"><b>CHAP. XLV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLVI"><b>CHAP. XLVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorir of Garth</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLVII"><b>CHAP. XLVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLVIII"><b>CHAP. XLVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLIX"><b>CHAP. XLIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_L"><b>CHAP. L.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LI"><b>CHAP. LI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Oxmain, and how Thorir of Garth would</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>not that Grettir should be made sackless</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LII"><b>CHAP. LII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LIII"><b>CHAP. LIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LIV"><b>CHAP. LIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LV"><b>CHAP. LV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with Grim there</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LVI"><b>CHAP. LVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LVII"><b>CHAP. LVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LVIII"><b>CHAP. LVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LIX"><b>CHAP. LIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LX"><b>CHAP. LX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXI"><b>CHAP. LXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>in Thorir's-dale</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXII"><b>CHAP. LXII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXIII"><b>CHAP. LXIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>was nigh taking him</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXIV"><b>CHAP. LXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>came to the Goodwife there</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXV"><b>CHAP. LXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXVI"><b>CHAP. LXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXVII"><b>CHAP. LXVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXVIII"><b>CHAP. LXVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>against Grettir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXIX"><b>CHAP. LXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg,</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>and fared with Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXX"><b>CHAP. LXX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXI"><b>CHAP. LXXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXII"><b>CHAP. LXXII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXIII"><b>CHAP. LXXIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Handselling of Peace</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXIV"><b>CHAP. LXXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir's Wrestling; and how Thorbiorn</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Angle now bought the more part of Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXV"><b>CHAP. LXXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXVI"><b>CHAP. LXXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Noise let the Fire out on Drangey,</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>and how Grettir must needs go aland for more</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXVII"><b>CHAP. LXXVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir at the Home-stead of Reeks</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXVIII"><b>CHAP. LXXVIII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Haering at Drangey, and the end of him</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXIX"><b>CHAP. LXXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXX"><b>CHAP. LXXX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>out to Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXI"><b>CHAP. LXXXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXII"><b>CHAP. LXXXII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXIII"><b>CHAP. LXXXIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>set Sail for Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXIV"><b>CHAP. LXXXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXV"><b>CHAP. LXXXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXVI"><b>CHAP. LXXXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Head to Biarg</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXVII"><b>CHAP. LXXXVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Affairs at the Althing</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXVIII"><b>CHAP. LXXXVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>to Micklegarth</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXIX"><b>CHAP. LXXXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>when sought for by reason of the notch in</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>the blade</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XC"><b>CHAP. XC.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>the Dungeon</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCI"><b>CHAP. XCI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCII"><b>CHAP. XCII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCIII"><b>CHAP. XCIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCIV"><b>CHAP. XCIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>again</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCV"><b>CHAP. XCV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Rome and died there</i></span><br />
+<br />
+ <a href="#NOTES_AND_CORRECTIONS"><b>NOTES AND CORRECTIONS.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#INDICES"><b>INDICES.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#INDEX_I"><b>INDEX I.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#INDEX_II"><b>INDEX II.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#INDEX_III"><b>INDEX III.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#PERIPHRASTIC_EXPRESSIONS_IN_THE_SONGS"><b>PERIPHRASTIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE SONGS.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#PROVERBS_AND_PROVERBIAL_SAYINGS_THAT_OCCUR_IN_THE_STORY"><b>PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL SAYINGS THAT OCCUR IN THE STORY.</b></a><br />
+</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHRONOLOGY_OF_THE_STORY"></a><h2>CHRONOLOGY OF THE STORY.</h2>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">872. The battle of Hafrsfirth.<br /></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">874. Begins the settlement of Iceland.</span><br />
+cca.<span style="margin-left: .9em;">897. Thrand and Ufeigh Grettir settle Gnup-Wardsrape.</span><br />
+cca.<span style="margin-left: .9em;">900. Onund Treefoot comes to Iceland.</span><br />
+cca.<span style="margin-left: .9em;">920. Death of Onund Treefoot.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">929. The Althing established.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">997 (?). Grettir born.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1000. Christianity sanctioned by law.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1004. Skapti Thorodson made lawman.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1011. Grettir slays Skeggi; goes abroad, banished for three years.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1012. Slaying of Thorir Paunch and his fellows in Haramsey.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Earl Eric goes to Denmark.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1013. Slaying of Biorn at the Island of Gartar.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Slaying of Thorgils Makson. Illugi Asmundson</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">born. Death of Thorkel Krafla.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1014. Slaying of Gunnar in Tunsberg. Grettir goes</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">back to Iceland; fights with the men of Meal</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">on Ramfirth-neck. Heath-slayings. Thorgeir</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Havarson outlawed. Fight with Glam</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">the ghost.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1015. Fight of Nesjar in Norway. Slaying of Thorbiorn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Tardy. Grettir fares abroad. Burning</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">of the sons of Thorir of Garth. Death of</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Asmund the Greyhaired.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1016. Grettir meets King Olaf; fails to bear iron; goes</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">east to Tunsberg to Thorstein Dromund.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Slaying of Atli of Biarg. Grettir outlawed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">at the Thing for the burning of the sons of</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Thorir; his return to Iceland. Slaying of</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Thorbiorn Oxmain and his son Arnor.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1017. Grettir at Reek-knolls. Lawsuit for the slaying</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">of Thorbiorn Oxmain. Grettir taken by</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">the Icefirth churls.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1018. Grettir at Liarskogar with Thorstein Kuggson;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">his travels to the East to Skapti the lawman</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">and Thorhall of Tongue, and thence to the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Keel-mountain, where he met Hallmund</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">(Air) for the first time.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1019-1021. Grettir on Ernewaterheath.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1021. Grettir goes to the Marshes.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1022-1024. Grettir in Fairwoodfell.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1024. Grettir visits Hallmund again.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1025. Grettir discovers Thorirs-dale.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1025-1026. Grettir travels round by the East; haunts</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Madderdale-heath and Reek-heath.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1026. Thorstein Kuggson slain.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1027. Grettir at Sand-heaps in Bard-dale.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1028. Grettir haunts the west by Broadfirth-dales,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">meets Thorod Snorrison.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1028-1031. Grettir in Drangey.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1029. Grettir visits Heron-ness-thing.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1030. Grettir fetches fire from Reeks. Skapti the law</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">man dies.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1031. Death of Snorri Godi and Grettir Asmundson.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1033. Thorbiorn Angle slain.</span><br />
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page1" id="page1">[1]</a></span>
+<a name="THE_STORY_OF_GRETTIR_THE_STRONG."></a><h2>THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG.</h2>
+
+
+<p><i>This First Part tells of the forefathers of Grettir in Norway, and
+how they fled away before Harald Fairhair, and settled in Iceland; and
+of their deeds in Iceland before Grettir was born</i>.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_I"></a><h2>CHAP. I.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man named Onund, who was the son of Ufeigh Clubfoot, the
+son of Ivar the Smiter; Onund was brother of Gudbiorg, the mother of
+Gudbrand Ball, the father of Asta, the mother of King Olaf the Saint.
+Onund was an Uplander by the kin of his mother; but the kin of his
+father dwelt chiefly about Rogaland and Hordaland. He was a great
+viking, and went harrying west over the Sea.<a name="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Balk of Sotanes, the
+son of Blaeng, was with him herein, and Orm the Wealthy withal, and
+Hallvard was the name of the third of them. They had five ships, all
+well manned, and therewith they harried in the South-isles;<a name="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> and
+when they came to Barra, they found there a king, called Kiarval, and
+he, too, had five ships. They gave him battle, and a hard fray there
+was. The men of Onund were of the eagerest, and on either side many
+fell;<span class="newpage"><a name="page2" id="page2">[2]</a></span> but the end of it was that the king fled with only one ship.
+So there the men of Onund took both ships and much wealth, and abode
+there through the winter. For three summers they harried throughout
+Ireland and Scotland, and thereafter went to Norway.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_II"></a><h2>CHAP. II.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>In those days were there great troubles in Norway. Harald the
+Unshorn,<a name="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> son of Halfdan the Black, was pushing forth for the
+kingdom. Before that he was King of the Uplands; then he went north
+through the land, and had many battles there, and ever won the day.
+Thereafter he harried south in the land, and wheresoever he came,
+laid all under him; but when he came to Hordaland, swarms of folk came
+thronging against him; and their captains were Kiotvi the Wealthy, and
+Thorir Longchin, and those of South Rogaland, and King Sulki. Geirmund
+Helskin was then in the west over the Sea; nor was he in that battle,
+though he had a kingdom in Hordaland.</p>
+
+<p>Now that autumn Onund and his fellows came from the west over the Sea;
+and when Thorir Longchin and King Kiotvi heard thereof, they sent men
+to meet them, and prayed them for help, and promised them honours.
+Then they entered into fellowship with Thorir and his men; for they
+were exceeding fain to try their strength, and said that there would
+they be whereas the fight was hottest.</p>
+
+<p>Now was the meeting with Harald the King in Rogaland,<span class="newpage"><a name="page3" id="page3">[3]</a></span> in that firth
+which is called Hafrsfirth; and both sides had many men. This was the
+greatest battle that has ever been fought in Norway, and hereof most
+Sagas tell; for of those is ever most told, of whom the Sagas are
+made; and thereto came folk from all the land, and many from other
+lands and swarms of vikings.</p>
+
+<p>Now Onund laid his ship alongside one board of the ship of Thorir
+Longchin, about the midst of the fleet, but King Harald laid his on
+the other board, because Thorir was the greatest bearserk, and the
+stoutest of men; so the fight was of the fiercest on either side. Then
+the king cried on his bearserks for an onslaught, and they were called
+the Wolf-coats, for on them would no steel bite, and when they set
+on nought might withstand them. Thorir defended him very stoutly, and
+fell in all hardihood on board his ship; then was it cleared from stem
+to stern, and cut from the grapplings, and let drift astern betwixt
+the other ships. Thereafter the king's men laid their ship alongside
+Onund's, and he was in the forepart thereof and fought manly; then the
+king's folk said, &quot;Lo, a forward man in the forecastle there, let him
+have somewhat to mind him how that he was in this battle.&quot; Now Onund
+put one foot out over the bulwark and dealt a blow at a man, and even
+therewith a spear was aimed at him, and as he put the blow from him
+he bent backward withal, and one of the king's forecastle men smote
+at him, and the stroke took his leg below the knee and sheared it off,
+and forthwith made him unmeet for fight. Then fell the more part of
+the folk on board his ship; but Onund was brought to the ship of him
+who is called Thrand; he was the son of Biorn, and brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman; he was in the fight against King Harald and lay on the
+other board of Onund's ship.<span class="newpage"><a name="page4" id="page4">[4]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But now, after these things, the more part of the fleet scattered in
+flight; Thrand and his men, with the other vikings, got them away each
+as he might, and sailed west over the Sea; Onund went with him, and
+Balk and Hallvard Sweeping; Onund was healed, but went with a wooden
+leg all his life after; therefore as long as he lived was he called
+Onund Treefoot.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_III"></a><h2>CHAP. III.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>At that time were many great men west over the Sea, such as had fled
+from their lands in Norway before King Harald, because he had made
+all those outlaws, who had met him in battle, and taken to him their
+possessions. So, when Onund was healed of his wounds, he and Thrand
+went to meet Geirmund Helskin, because he was the most famed of
+vikings west there over the Sea, and they asked him whether he had any
+mind to seek after that kingdom which he had in Hordaland, and offered
+him their fellowship herein; for they deemed they had a sore loss of
+their lands there, since Onund was both mighty and of great kin.</p>
+
+<p>Geirmund said that so great had grown the strength of King Harald,
+that he deemed there was little hope that they would win honour in
+their war with him when men had been worsted, even when all the folk
+of the land had been drawn together; and yet withal that he was loth
+to become a king's thrall and pray for that which was his own; that
+he would find somewhat better to do than that; and now, too, he was no
+longer young. So Onund and his fellows went back to the South-isles,
+and there met many of their friends.</p>
+
+<p>There was a man, Ufeigh by name, who was bynamed<span class="newpage"><a name="page5" id="page5">[5]</a></span> Grettir; he was the
+son of Einar, the son of Olvir Bairn-Carle; he was brother to Oleif
+the Broad, the father of Thormod Shaft; Steinulf was the name of
+Olvir Bairn-Carle's son, he was the father of Una whom Thorbiorn
+Salmon-Carle had to wife. Another son of Olvir Bairn-Carle was
+Steinmod, the father of Konal, who was the father of Aldis of Barra.
+The son of Konal was Steinmod, the father of Haldora, the wife of
+Eilif, the son of Ketil the Onehanded. Ufeigh Grettir had to wife
+Asny, the daughter of Vestar Haengson; and Asmund the Beardless and
+Asbiorn were the sons of Ufeigh Grettir, but his daughters were these,
+Aldis, and Asa, and Asvor. Ufeigh had fled away west over the Sea
+before Harald the king, and so had Thormod Shaft his kinsman, and had
+with them their kith and kin; and they harried in Scotland, and far
+and wide west beyond the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thrand and Onund Treefoot made west for Ireland to find Eyvind
+the Eastman, Thrand's brother, who was Land-ward along the coasts of
+Ireland; the mother of Eyvind was Hlif, the daughter of Rolf, son of
+Ingiald, the son of King Frodi; but Thrand's mother was Helga, the
+daughter of Ondott the Crow; Biorn was the name of the father of
+Eyvind and Thrand, he was the son of Rolf from Am; he had had to
+flee from Gothland, for that he had burned in his house Sigfast, the
+son-in-law of King Solver; and thereafter had he gone to Norway, and
+was the next winter with Grim the hersir, the son of Kolbiorn the
+Abasher. Now Grim had a mind to murder Biorn for his money, so he
+fled thence to Ondott the Crow, who dwelt in Hvinisfirth in Agdir; he
+received Biorn well, and Biorn was with him in the winter, but was
+in warfare in summer-tide, until Hlif his wife died; and after that
+Ondott gave Biorn Helga his daughter, and then Biorn left off warring.<span class="newpage"><a name="page6" id="page6">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now thereon Eyvind took to him the war-ships of his father, and
+was become a great chief west over the Sea; he wedded Rafarta, the
+daughter of Kiarval, King of Ireland; their sons were Helgi the Lean
+and Snaebiorn.</p>
+
+<p>So when Thrand and Onund came to the South-isles, there they met
+Ufeigh Grettir and Thormod Shaft, and great friendship grew up betwixt
+them, for each thought he had gained from hell the last who had been
+left behind in Norway while the troubles there were at the highest.
+But Onund was exceeding moody, and when Thrand marked it, he asked
+what he was brooding over in his mind. Onund answered, and sang this
+stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;What joy since that day can I get</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When shield-fire's thunder last I met;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ah, too soon clutch the claws of ill;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For that axe-edge shall grieve me still.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In eyes of fighting man and thane,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My strength and manhood are but vain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This is the thing that makes me grow</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A joyless man; is it enow?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thrand answered that whereso he was, he would still be deemed a brave
+man, &quot;And now it is meet for thee to settle down and get married,
+and I would put forth my word and help, if I but knew whereto thou
+lookest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Onund said he did in manly wise, but that his good hope for matches of
+any gain was gone by now.</p>
+
+<p>Thrand answered, &quot;Ufeigh has a daughter who is called Asa, thitherward
+will we turn if it seem good to thee.&quot; Onund showed that he was
+willing enough hereto; so afterwards they talked the matter over with
+Ufeigh; he answered well, and said that he knew how that Onund was a
+man of<span class="newpage"><a name="page7" id="page7">[7]</a></span> great kin and rich of chattels; &quot;but his lands,&quot; said he, &quot;I
+put at low worth, nor do I deem him to be a hale man, and withal my
+daughter is but a child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thrand said, that Onund was a brisker man yet than many who were hale
+of both legs, and so by Thrand's help was this bargain struck; Ufeigh
+was to give his daughter but chattels for dowry, because those lands
+that were in Norway neither would lay down any money for.</p>
+
+<p>A little after Thrand wooed the daughter of Thormod Shaft, and both
+were to sit in troth for three winters.</p>
+
+<p>So thereafter they went a harrying in the summer, but were in Barra in
+the winter-tide.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_IV"></a><h2>CHAP. IV.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>There were two vikings called Vigbiod and Vestmar; they were
+South-islanders, and lay out both winter and summer; they had thirteen
+ships, and harried mostly in Ireland, and did many an ill deed there
+till Eyvind the Eastman took the land-wardship; thereafter they got
+them gone to the South-isles, and harried there and all about the
+firths of Scotland: against these went Thrand and Onund, and heard
+that they had sailed to that island, which is called Bute. Now Onund
+and his folk came there with five ships; and when the vikings see
+their ships and know how many they are, they deem they have enough
+strength gathered there, and take their weapons and lay their ships in
+the midst betwixt two cliffs, where was a great and deep sound; only
+on one side could they be set on, and that with but five ships at
+once. Now Onund was the wisest of men, and bade lay five ships up into
+the sound, so<span class="newpage"><a name="page8" id="page8">[8]</a></span> that he and his might have back way when they would, for
+there was plenty of sea-room astern. On one board of them too was a
+certain island, and under the lee thereof he let one ship lie, and his
+men brought many great stones forth on to the sheer cliffs above, yet
+might not be seen withal from the ships.</p>
+
+<p>Now the vikings laid their ships boldly enough for the attack, and
+thought that the others quailed; and Vigbiod asked who they were that
+were in such jeopardy. Thrand said that he was the brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman, &quot;and here beside me is Onund Treefoot my fellow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then laughed the vikings, and shouted&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Treefoot, Treefoot, foot of tree,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trolls take thee and thy company.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, a sight it is seldom seen of us, that such men should go into
+battle as have no might over themselves.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Onund said that they could know nought thereof ere it were tried; and
+withal they laid their ships alongside one of the other, and there
+began a great fight, and either side did boldly. But when they came
+to handy blows, Onund gave back toward the cliff, and when the vikings
+saw this, they deemed he was minded to flee, and made towards his
+ship, and came as nigh to the cliff as they might. But in that very
+point of time those came forth on to the edge of the cliff who were
+appointed so to do, and sent at the vikings so great a flight of
+stones that they might not withstand it.</p>
+
+<p>Then fell many of the viking-folk, and others were hurt so that they
+might not bear weapon; and withal they were fain to draw back, and
+might not, because their ships were even then come into the narrowest
+of the sound, and they were huddled together both by the ships and the<span class="newpage"><a name="page9" id="page9">[9]</a></span>
+stream; but Onund and his men set on fiercely, whereas Vigbiod was,
+but Thrand set on Vestmar, and won little thereby; so, when the folk
+were thinned on Vigbiod's ship, Onund's men and Onund himself got
+ready to board her: that Vigbiod saw, and cheered on his men without
+stint: then he turned to meet Onund, and the more part fled before
+him; but Onund bade his men mark how it went between them; for he was
+of huge strength. Now they set a log of wood under Onund's knee, so
+that he stood firmly enow; the viking fought his way forward along the
+ship till he reached Onund, and he smote at him with his sword, and
+the stroke took the shield, and sheared off all it met; and then the
+sword drove into the log that Onund had under his knee, and stuck fast
+therein; and Vigbiod stooped in drawing it out, and even therewith
+Onund smote at his shoulder in such wise, that he cut the arm from off
+him, and then was the viking unmeet for battle.</p>
+
+<p>But when Vestmar knew that his fellow was fallen, he leaped into
+the furthermost ship and fled with all those who might reach her.
+Thereafter they ransacked the fallen men; and by then was Vigbiod nigh
+to his death: Onund went up to him, and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Yea, seest thou thy wide wounds bleed?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What of shrinking didst thou heed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the one-foot sling of gold?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What scratch here dost thou behold?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in e'en such wise as this</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many an axe-breaker there is</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Strong of tongue and weak of hand:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tried thou wert, and might'st not stand.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>So there they took much spoil and sailed back to Barra in the autumn.</p><span class="newpage"><a name="page10" id="page10">[10]</a></span>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_V"></a><h2>CHAP. V.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>The summer after this they made ready to fare west to Ireland. But at
+that time Balk and Hallvard betook themselves from the lands west over
+the sea, and went out to Iceland, for from thence came tales of land
+good to choose. Balk settled land in Ramfirth and dwelt at either
+Balkstead; Hallvard settled Sweepingsfirth, and Hallwick out to the
+Stair, and dwelt there.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thrand and Onund met Eyvind the Eastman, and he received his
+brother well; but when he knew that Onund was come with him, then he
+waxed wroth, and would fain set on him. Thrand bade him do it not, and
+said that it was not for him to wage war against Northmen, and
+least of all such men as fared peaceably. Eyvind said that he fared
+otherwise before, and had broken the peace of Kiarval the King, and
+that he should now pay for all. Many words the brothers had over this,
+till Thrand said at last that one fate should befall both him and
+Onund; and then Eyvind let himself be appeased.</p>
+
+<p>So they dwelt there long that summer, and went on warfare with Eyvind,
+who found Onund to be the bravest of men. In the autumn they fared to
+the South-isles, and Eyvind gave to Thrand to take all the heritage of
+their father, if Biorn should die before Thrand.</p>
+
+<p>Now were the twain in the South-isles until they wedded their wives,
+and some winters after withal.</p><span class="newpage"><a name="page11" id="page11">[11]</a></span>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_VI"></a><h2>CHAP. VI.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>And now it came to pass that Biorn, the father of Thrand, died; and
+when Grim the hersir hears thereof he went to meet Ondott Crow, and
+claimed the goods left by Biorn; but Ondott said that Thrand had the
+heritage after his father; Grim said that Thrand was west over seas,
+and that Biorn was a Gothlander of kin, and that the king took the
+heritage of all outland men. Ondott said that he should keep the goods
+for the hands of Thrand, his daughter's son; and therewith Grim gat
+him gone, and had nought for his claiming the goods.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thrand had news of his father's death, and straightway got ready
+to go from the South-isles, and Onund Treefoot with him; but Ufeigh
+Grettir and Thormod Shaft went out to Iceland with their kith and kin,
+and came out to the Eres in the south country, and dwelt the first
+winter with Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they settled Gnup-Wards'-rape, Ufeigh, the outward part,
+between Thwart-river and Kalf-river, and he dwelt at Ufeigh's-stead
+by Stone-holt; but Thormod settled the eastward part, and abode at
+Shaft-holt.</p>
+
+<p>The daughters of Thormod were these: Thorvor, mother of Thorod the
+Godi<a name="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> of Hailti, and Thora, mother of Thorstein, the Godi, the
+father of Biarni the Sage.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be said of Thrand and Onund that they sailed from the
+lands west over the Sea toward Norway, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page12" id="page12">[12]</a></span> had fair wind, and such
+speed, that no rumour of their voyage was abroad till they came to
+Ondott Crow.</p>
+
+<p>He gave Thrand good welcome, and told him how Grim the hersir had
+claimed the heritage left by Biorn. &quot;Meeter it seems to me,
+kinsman,&quot; said he, &quot;that thou take the heritage of thy father and not
+king's-thralls; good luck has befallen thee, in that none knows of thy
+coming, but it misdoubts me that Grim will come upon one or other
+of us if he may; therefore I would that thou shouldst take the
+inheritance to thee, and get thee gone to other lands.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thrand said that so he would do, he took to him the chattels and got
+away from Norway at his speediest; but before he sailed into the sea,
+he asked Onund Treefoot whether he would not make for Iceland with
+him; Onund said he would first go see his kin and friends in the south
+country.</p>
+
+<p>Thrand said, &quot;Then must we part now, but I would that thou shouldst
+aid my kin, for on them will vengeance fall if I get off clear; but
+to Iceland shall I go, and I would that thou withal shouldst make that
+journey.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Onund gave his word to all, and they parted in good love. So Thrand
+went to Iceland, and Ufeigh and Thormod Shaft received him well.
+Thrand dwelt at Thrand's-holt, which is west of Steer's-river.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_VII"></a><h2>CHAP. VII.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Onund went south to Rogaland, and met there many of his kin and
+friends; he dwelt there in secret at a man's called Kolbein. Now he
+heard that the king had taken his lands to him and set a man thereover
+who was called Harek, who was a farmer of the king's; so on a night<span class="newpage"><a name="page13" id="page13">[13]</a></span>
+Onund went to him, and took him in his house; there Harek was led out
+and cut down, and Onund took all the chattels they found and burnt the
+homestead; and thereafter he abode in many places that winter.</p>
+
+<p>But that autumn Grim the hersir slew Ondott Crow, because he might
+not get the heritage-money for the king; and that same night of his
+slaying, Signy, his wife, brought aboard ship all her chattels, and
+fared with her sons, Asmund and Asgrim, to Sighvat her father; but a
+little after sent her sons to Soknadale to Hedin her foster-father;
+but that seemed good to them but for a little while, and they would
+fain go back again to their mother; so they departed and came at
+Yule-tide to Ingiald the Trusty at Hvin; he took them in because of
+the urgency of Gyda his wife, and they were there the winter through.
+But in spring came Onund north to Agdir, because he had heard of the
+slaying of Ondott Crow; but when he found Signy he asked her what help
+she would have of him.</p>
+
+<p>She said that she would fain have vengeance on Grim the hersir for
+the slaying of Ondott. Then were the sons of Ondott sent for, and when
+they met Onund Treefoot, they made up one fellowship together, and
+had spies abroad on the doings of Grim. Now in the summer was a great
+ale-drinking held at Grim's, because he had bidden to him Earl Audun;
+and when Onund and the sons of Ondott knew thereof they went to
+Grim's homestead and laid fire to the house, for they were come there
+unawares, and burnt Grim the hersir therein, and nigh thirty men, and
+many good things they took there withal. Then went Onund to the
+woods, but the sons of Ondott took a boat of Ingiald's, their
+foster-father's, and rowed away therein, and lay hid a little way off
+the homestead. Earl Audun came to the feast, even as had been settled
+afore, and there &quot;missed friend<span class="newpage"><a name="page14" id="page14">[14]</a></span> from stead.&quot; Then he gathered men to
+him, and dwelt there some nights, but nought was heard of Onund and
+his fellows; and the Earl slept in a loft with two men.</p>
+
+<p>Onund had full tidings from the homestead, and sent after those
+brothers; and, when they met, Onund asked them whether they would
+watch the farm or fall on the Earl; but they chose to set on the Earl.
+So they drove beams at the loft-doors and broke them in; then Asmund
+caught hold of the two who were with the Earl, and cast them down so
+hard that they were well-nigh slain; but Asgrim ran at the Earl, and
+bade him render up weregild for his father, since he had been in
+the plot and the onslaught with Grim the hersir when Ondott Crow was
+slain. The Earl said he had no money with him there, and prayed for
+delay of that payment. Then Asgrim set his spear-point to the Earl's
+breast and bade him pay there and then; so the Earl took a chain from
+his neck, and three gold rings, and a cloak of rich web, and gave them
+up. Asgrim took the goods and gave the Earl a name, and called him
+Audun Goaty.</p>
+
+<p>But when the bonders and neighbouring folk were ware that war was come
+among them, they went abroad and would bring help to the Earl, and a
+hard fight there was, for Onund had many men, and there fell many good
+bonders and courtmen of the Earl. Now came the brothers, and told how
+they had fared with the Earl, and Onund said that it was ill that he
+was not slain, &quot;that would have been somewhat of a revenge on the King
+for our loss at his hands of fee and friends.&quot; They said that this
+was a greater shame to the Earl; and therewith they went away up to
+Sorreldale to Eric Alefain, a king's lord, and he took them in for all
+the winter.</p>
+
+<p>Now at Yule they drank turn and turn about with a man called
+Hallstein, who was bynamed Horse; Eric gave the<span class="newpage"><a name="page15" id="page15">[15]</a></span> first feast, well and
+truly, and then Hallstein gave his, but thereat was there bickering
+between them, and Hallstein smote Eric with a deer-horn; Eric gat no
+revenge therefor, but went home straightway. This sore misliked
+the sons of Ondott, and a little after Asgrim fared to Hallstein's
+homestead, and went in alone, and gave him a great wound, but those
+who were therein sprang up and set on Asgrim. Asgrim defended himself
+well and got out of their hands in the dark; but they deemed they had
+slain him.</p>
+
+<p>Onund and Asmund heard thereof and supposed him dead, but deemed they
+might do nought. Eric counselled them to make for Iceland, and said
+that would be of no avail to abide there in the land (i.e. in Norway),
+as soon as the king should bring matters about to his liking. So
+this they did, and made them ready for Iceland and had each one ship.
+Hallstein lay wounded, and died before Onund and his folk sailed.
+Kolbein withal, who is afore mentioned, went abroad with Onund.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_VIII"></a><h2>CHAP. VIII.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Onund and Asmund sailed into the sea when they were ready, and
+held company together; then sang Onund this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Meet was I in days agone</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For storm, wherein the Sweeping One,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Midst rain of swords, and the darts' breath,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Blew o'er all a gale of death.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now a maimed, one-footed man</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On rollers' steed through waters wan</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Out to Iceland must I go;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ah, the skald is sinking low.&quot;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page16" id="page16">[16]</a></span>
+<p>They had a hard voyage of it and much of baffling gales from the
+south, and drove north into the main; but they made Iceland, and were
+by then come to the north off Longness when they found where they
+were: so little space there was betwixt them that they spake together;
+and Asmund said that they had best sail to Islefirth, and thereto they
+both agreed; then they beat up toward the land, and a south-east wind
+sprang up; but when Onund and his folk laid the ship close to the
+wind, the yard was sprung; then they took in sail, and therewith were
+driven off to sea; but Asmund got under the lee of Brakeisle, and
+there lay till a fair wind brought him into Islefirth; Helgi the Lean
+gave him all Kraeklings' lithe, and he dwelt at South Glass-river;
+Asgrim his brother came out some winters later and abode at North
+Glass-river; he was the father of Ellida-Grim, the father of Asgrim
+Ellida-Grimson.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_IX"></a><h2>CHAP. IX.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Onund Treefoot that he drave out to sea for
+certain days, but at last the wind got round to the north, and they
+sailed for land: then those knew who had been there before that they
+had come west off the Skagi; then they sailed into Strand-Bay, and
+near to the South-Strands, and there rowed toward them six men in
+a ten-oared boat, who hailed the big ship, and asked who was their
+captain; Onund named himself, and asked whence they came; they said
+they were house-carles of Thorvald, from Drangar; Onund asked if all
+land through the Strands had been settled; they said there was little
+unsettled in the inner Strands, and none north thereof. Then<span class="newpage"><a name="page17" id="page17">[17]</a></span> Onund
+asked his shipmates, whether they would make for the west country, or
+take such as they had been told of; they chose to view the land first.
+So they sailed in up the bay, and brought to in a creek off Arness,
+then put forth a boat and rowed to land. There dwelt a rich man,
+Eric Snare, who had taken land betwixt Ingolfs-firth, and Ufoera in
+Fishless; but when Eric knew that Onund was come there, he bade him
+take of his hands whatso he would, but said that there was little that
+had not been settled before. Onund said he would first see what there
+was, so they went landward south past some firths, till they came to
+Ufoera; then said Eric, &quot;Here is what there is to look to; all from
+here is unsettled, and right in to the settlements of Biorn.&quot; Now a
+great mountain went down the eastern side of the firth, and snow had
+fallen thereon, Onund looked on that mountain, and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Brand-whetter's life awry doth go.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fair lands and wide full well I know;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Past house, and field, and fold of man,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The swift steed of the rollers ran:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My lands, and kin, I left behind,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That I this latter day might find,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Coldback for sunny meads to have;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hard fate a bitter bargain drave.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Eric answered, &quot;Many have lost so much in Norway, that it may not be
+bettered: and I think withal that most lands in the main-settlements
+are already settled, and therefore I urge thee not to go from hence;
+but I shall hold to what I spake, that thou mayst have whatso of my
+lands seems meet to thee.&quot; Onund said, that he would take that offer,
+and so he settled land out from Ufoera over the three<span class="newpage"><a name="page18" id="page18">[18]</a></span> creeks, Byrgis
+Creek, Kolbein's Creek, and Coldback Creek, up to Coldback Cleft.
+Thereafter Eric gave him all Fishless, and Reekfirth, and all
+Reekness, out on that side of the firth; but as to drifts there was
+nought set forth, for they were then so plentiful that every man had
+of them what he would. Now Onund set up a household at Coldback, and
+had many men about him; but when his goods began to grow great he had
+another stead in Reekfirth. Kolbein dwelt at Kolbein's Creek. So Onund
+abode in peace for certain winters.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_X"></a><h2>CHAP. X.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Onund was so brisk a man, that few, even of whole men, could cope
+with him; and his name withal was well known throughout the land,
+because of his forefathers. After these things, befell that strife
+betwixt Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn Earl's-champion, which had such
+ending, that Ufeigh fell before Thorbiorn in Grettir's-Gill, near
+Heel. There were many drawn together to the sons of Ufeigh concerning
+the blood-suit, and Onund Treefoot was sent for, and rode south in
+the spring, and guested at Hvamm, with Aud the Deeply-wealthy, and
+she gave him exceeding good welcome, because he had been with her west
+over the Sea. In those days, Olaf Feilan, her son's son, was a man
+full grown, and Aud was by then worn with great eld; she bade Onund
+know that she would have Olaf, her kinsman, married, and was fain that
+he should woo Aldis of Barra, who was cousin to Asa, whom Onund had to
+wife. Onund deemed the matter hopeful, and Olaf rode south with him.
+So when Onund met his friends and kin-in-law<span class="newpage"><a name="page19" id="page19">[19]</a></span> they bade him abide with
+them: then was the suit talked over, and was laid to Kialarnes Thing,
+for as then the Althing was not yet set up. So the case was settled
+by umpiredom, and heavy weregild came for the slayings, and Thorbiorn
+Earl's-champion was outlawed. His son was Solmund, the father of Kari
+the Singed; father and son dwelt abroad a long time afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>Thrand bade Onund and Olaf to his house, and so did Thormod Shaft, and
+they backed Olaf's wooing, which was settled with ease, because men
+knew how mighty a woman Aud was. So the bargain was made, and, so much
+being done, Onund rode home, and Aud thanked him well for his help to
+Olaf. That autumn Olaf Feilan wedded Aldis of Barra; and then died Aud
+the Deeply-wealthy, as is told in the story of the Laxdale men.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XI"></a><h2>CHAP. XI.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Onund and Asa had two sons; the elder was called Thorgeir, the younger
+Ufeigh Grettir; but Asa soon died. Thereafter Onund got to wife a
+woman called Thordis, the daughter of Thorgrim, from Gnup in Midfirth,
+and akin to Midfirth Skeggi. Of her Onund had a son called Thorgrim;
+he was early a big man, and a strong, wise, and good withal in matters
+of husbandry. Onund dwelt on at Coldback till he was old, then he died
+in his bed, and is buried in Treefoot's barrow; he was the briskest
+and lithest of one-footed men who have ever lived in Iceland.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorgrim took the lead among the sons of Onund, though others of
+them were older than he; but when he was twenty-five years old he
+grew grey-haired, and therefore<span class="newpage"><a name="page20" id="page20">[20]</a></span> was he bynamed Greypate; Thordis, his
+mother, was afterwards wedded north in Willowdale, to Audun Skokul,
+and their son was Asgeir, of Asgeir's-River. Thorgrim Greypate and
+his brothers had great possessions in common, nor did they divide the
+goods between them. Now Eric, who farmed at Arness, as is aforesaid,
+had to wife Alof, daughter of Ingolf, of Ingolfs-firth; and Flosi was
+the name of their son, a hopeful man, and of many friends. In those
+days three brothers came out hither, Ingolf, Ufeigh, and Eyvind, and
+settled those three firths that are known by their names, and there
+dwelt afterwards. Olaf was the name of Eyvind's son, he first dwelt
+at Eyvind's-firth, and after at Drangar, and was a man to hold his own
+well.</p>
+
+<p>Now there was no strife betwixt these men while their elders were
+alive; but when Eric died, it seemed to Flosi, that those of Coldback
+had no lawful title to the lands which Eric had given to Onund; and
+from this befell much ill-blood betwixt them; but Thorgrim and his
+kin still held their lands as before, but they might not risk having
+sports together. Now Thorgeir was head-man of the household of those
+brothers in Reekfirth, and would ever be rowing out a-fishing, because
+in those days were the firths full of fish; so those in the Creek
+made up their plot; a man there was, a house-carle of Flosi in Arness,
+called Thorfin, him Flosi sent for Thorgeir's head, and he went and
+hid himself in the boat-stand; that morning, Thorgeir got ready to row
+out to sea, and two men with him, one called Hamund, the other Brand.
+Thorgeir went first, and had on his back a leather bottle and drink
+therein. It was very dark, and as he walked down from the boat-stand
+Thorfin ran at him, and smote him with an axe betwixt the shoulders,
+and the axe sank in, and the bottle squeaked, but he let go the axe,
+for he deemed that there would be little need of binding up,<span class="newpage"><a name="page21" id="page21">[21]</a></span> and would
+save himself as swiftly as might be; and it is to be told of him that
+he ran off to Arness, and came there before broad day, and told of
+Thorgeir's slaying, and said that he should have need of Flosi's
+shelter, and that the only thing to be done was to offer atonement,
+&quot;for that of all things,&quot; said he, &quot;is like to better our strait,
+great as it has now grown.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Flosi said that he would first hear tidings; &quot;and I am minded to think
+that thou art afraid after thy big deed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be said of Thorgeir, that he turned from the blow as the
+axe smote the bottle, nor had he any wound; they made no search
+for the man because of the dark, so they rowed over the firths to
+Coldback, and told tidings of what had happed; thereat folk made much
+mocking, and called Thorgeir, Bottleback, and that was his by-name
+ever after.</p>
+
+<p>And this was sung withal&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;The brave men of days of old,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whereof many a tale is told,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bathed the whiting of the shield,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In wounds' house on battle-field;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But the honour-missing fool,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Both sides of his slaying tool,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Since faint heart his hand made vain.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With but curdled milk must stain.&quot;</span><br />
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XII"></a><h2>CHAP. XII.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>In those days befell such hard times in Iceland, that nought like them
+has been known there; well-nigh all gettings from the sea, and all
+drifts, came to an end;<span class="newpage"><a name="page22" id="page22">[22]</a></span> and this went on for many seasons. One autumn
+certain chapmen in a big ship were drifted thither, and were wrecked
+there in the Creek, and Flosi took to him four or five of them; Stein
+was the name of their captain; they were housed here and there about
+the Creek, and were minded to build them a new ship from the wreck;
+but they were unhandy herein, and the ship was over small stem and
+stern, but over big amidships.</p>
+
+<p>That spring befell a great storm from the north, which lasted near a
+week, and after the storm men looked after their drifts. Now there was
+a man called Thorstein, who dwelt at Reekness; he found a whale driven
+up on the firthward side of the ness, at a place called Rib-Skerries,
+and the whale was a big whale.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein sent forthwith a messenger to Wick to Flosi, and so to the
+nighest farm-steads. Now Einar was the name of the farmer at Combe,
+and he was a tenant of those of Coldback, and had the ward of their
+drifts on that side of the firths; and now withal he was ware of the
+stranding of the whale: and he took boat and rowed past the firths to
+Byrgis Creek, whence he sent a man to Coldback; and when Thorgrim and
+his brothers heard that, they got ready at their swiftest, and were
+twelve in a ten-oared boat, and Kolbein's sons fared with them, Ivar
+and Leif, and were six altogether; and all farmers who could bring it
+about went to the whale.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Flosi that he sent to his kin in Ingolfs-firth
+and Ufeigh's-firth, and for Olaf Eyvindson, who then dwelt at Drangar;
+and Flosi came first to the whale, with the men of Wick, then they
+fell to cutting up the whale, and what was cut was forthwith sent
+ashore; near twenty men were thereat at first, but soon folk came
+thronging thither.<span class="newpage"><a name="page23" id="page23">[23]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Therewith came those of Coldback in four boats, and Thorgrim laid
+claim to the whale and forbade the men of Wick to shear, allot, or
+carry off aught thereof: Flosi bade him show if Eric had given Onund
+Treefoot the drift in clear terms, or else he said he should defend
+himself with arms. Thorgrim thought he and his too few, and would not
+risk an onset; but therewithal came a boat rowing up the firth, and
+the rowers therein pulled smartly. Soon they came up, and there was
+Swan, from Knoll in Biornfirth, and his house-carles; and straightway,
+when he came, he bade Thorgrim not to let himself be robbed; and great
+friends they had been heretofore, and now Swan offered his aid. The
+brothers said they would take it, and therewith set on fiercely;
+Thorgeir Bottleback first mounted the whale against Flosi's
+house-carles; there the aforenamed Thorfin was cutting the whale, he
+was in front nigh the head, and stood in a foot-hold he had cut for
+himself; then Thorgeir said, &quot;Herewith I bring thee back thy axe,&quot; and
+smote him on the neck, and struck off his head.</p>
+
+<p>Flosi was up on the foreshore when he saw that, and he egged on his
+men to meet them hardily; now they fought long together, but those of
+Coldback had the best of it: few men there had weapons except the axes
+wherewith they were cutting up the whale, and some choppers. So the
+men of Wick gave back to the foreshores; the Eastmen had weapons,
+and many a wound they gave; Stein, the captain, smote a foot off
+Ivar Kolbeinson, but Leif, Ivar's brother, beat to death a fellow of
+Stein's with a whale-rib; blows were dealt there with whatever could
+be caught at, and men fell on either side. But now came up Olaf and
+his men from Drangar in many boats, and gave help to Flosi, and then
+those of Coldback were borne back overpowered; but they had loaded
+their boats already, and Swan bade get<span class="newpage"><a name="page24" id="page24">[24]</a></span> aboard and thitherward they
+gave back, and the men of Wick came on after them; and when Swan was
+come down to the sea, he smote at Stein, the sea-captain, and gave him
+a great wound, and then leapt aboard his boat; Thorgrim wounded Flosi
+with a great wound and therewith got away; Olaf cut at Ufeigh Grettir,
+and wounded him to death; but Thorgeir caught Ufeigh up and leapt
+aboard with him. Now those of Coldback row east by the firths, and
+thus they parted; and this was sung of their meeting&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At Rib-skerries, I hear folk tell,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A hard and dreadful fray befell,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For men unarmed upon that day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With strips of whale-fat made good play.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fierce steel-gods these in turn did meet</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With blubber-slices nowise sweet;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes a wretched thing it is</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To tell of squabbles such as this.</span><br />
+
+<p>After these things was peace settled between them, and these suits
+were laid to the Althing; there Thorod the Godi and Midfirth-Skeggi,
+with many of the south-country folk, aided those of Coldback; Flosi
+was outlawed, and many of those who had been with him; and his moneys
+were greatly drained because he chose to pay up all weregild himself.
+Thorgrim and his folk could not show that they had paid money for the
+lands and drifts which Flosi claimed. Thorkel Moon was lawman then,
+and he was bidden to give his decision; he said that to him it seemed
+law, that something had been paid for those lands, though mayhap
+not their full worth; &quot;For so did Steinvor the Old to Ingolf, my
+grandfather, that she had from him all Rosmwhale-ness and gave
+therefor a spotted cloak, nor has that gift been voided,<span class="newpage"><a name="page25" id="page25">[25]</a></span> though certes
+greater flaws be therein: but here I lay down my rede,&quot; said he, &quot;that
+the land be shared, and that both sides have equal part therein; and
+henceforth be it made law, that each man have the drifts before
+his own lands.&quot; Now this was done, and the land was so divided that
+Thorgrim and his folk had to give up Reekfirth and all the lands by
+the firth-side, but Combe they were to keep still. Ufeigh was atoned
+with a great sum; Thorfin was unatoned, and boot was given to Thorgeir
+for the attack on his life; and thereafter were they set at one
+together. Flosi took ship for Norway with Stein, the ship-master, and
+sold his lands in the Wick to Geirmund Hiuka-timber, who dwelt there
+afterwards. Now that ship which the chapmen had made was very broad of
+beam, so that men called it the Treetub, and by that name is the
+creek known: but in that keel did Flosi go out, but was driven back to
+Axefirth, whereof came the tale of Bodmod, and Grimulf, and Gerpir.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XIII.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now after this the brothers Thorgrim and Thorgeir shared their
+possessions. Thorgrim took the chattels and Thorgeir the land;
+Thorgrim betook himself to Midfirth and bought land at Biarg by the
+counsel of Skeggi; he had to wife Thordis, daughter of Asmund of
+Asmund's-peak, who had settled the Thingere lands: Thorgrim and
+Thordis had a son who was called Asmund; he was a big man and a
+strong, wise withal, and the fairest-haired of men, but his head grew
+grey early, wherefore he was called Asmund the Greyhaired. Thorgrim
+grew to be a man very busy about his household, and kept all his <span class="newpage"><a name="page26" id="page26">[26]</a></span>
+well to their work. Asmund would do but little work, so the father and
+son had small fellowship together; and so things fared till Asmund had
+grown of age; then he asked his father for travelling money;
+Thorgrim said he should have little enough, but gave him somewhat of
+huckstering wares.</p>
+
+<p>Then Asmund went abroad, and his goods soon grew great; he sailed to
+sundry lands, and became the greatest of merchants, and very rich; he
+was a man well beloved and trusty, and many kinsmen he had in Norway
+of great birth.</p>
+
+<p>One autumn he guested east in the Wick with a great man who was called
+Thorstein; he was an Uplander of kin, and had a sister called Ranveig,
+one to be chosen before all women; her Asmund wooed, and gained her by
+the help of Thorstein her brother; and there Asmund dwelt a while
+and was held in good esteem: he had of Ranveig a son hight Thorstein,
+strong, and the fairest of men, and great of voice; a man tall of
+growth he was, but somewhat slow in his mien, and therefore was he
+called Dromund. Now when Thorstein was nigh grown up, his mother fell
+sick and died, and thereafter Asmund had no joy in Norway; the kin
+of Thorstein's mother took his goods, and him withal to foster; but
+Asmund betook himself once more to seafaring, and became a man of
+great renown. Now he brought his ship into Hunawater, and in those
+days was Thorkel Krafla chief over the Waterdale folk; and he heard
+of Asmund's coming out, and rode to the ship and bade Asmund to his
+house; and he dwelt at Marstead in Waterdale; so Asmund went to
+be guest there. This Thorkel was the son of Thorgrim the Godi of
+Cornriver, and was a very wise man.</p>
+
+<p>Now this was after the coming out of Bishop Frederick,<span class="newpage"><a name="page27" id="page27">[27]</a></span> and Thorvald
+Kodran's son, and they dwelt at the Brooks-meet, when these things
+came to pass: they were the first to preach the law of Christ in the
+north country; Thorkel let himself be signed with the cross and
+many men with him, and things enow betid betwixt the bishop and the
+north-country folk which come not into this tale.</p>
+
+<p>Now at Thorkel's was a woman brought up, Asdis by name, who was the
+daughter of Bard, the son of Jokul, the son of Ingimund the Old, the
+son of Thorstein, the son of Ketil the Huge: the mother of Asdis was
+Aldis the daughter of Ufeigh Grettir, as is aforesaid; Asdis was as
+yet unwedded, and was deemed the best match among women, both for her
+kin and her possessions; Asmund was grown weary of seafaring, and
+was fain to take up his abode in Iceland; so he took up the word, and
+wooed this woman. Thorkel knew well all his ways, that he was a rich
+man and of good counsel to hold his wealth; so that came about, that
+Asmund got Asdis to wife; he became a bosom friend of Thorkel, and
+a great dealer in matters of farming, cunning in the law, and
+far-reaching. And now a little after this Thorgrim Greypate died at
+Biarg, and Asmund took the heritage after him and dwelt there.<span class="newpage"><a name="page28" id="page28">[28]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>HERE BEGINS THE STORY OF THE LIFE OF GRETTIR THE STRONG</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir as a child, and his froward ways with his father</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Asmund the Greyhaired kept house at Biarg; great and proud was his
+household, and many men he had about him, and was a man much beloved.
+These were the children of him and Asdis. Atli was the eldest son;
+a man yielding and soft-natured, easy, and meek withal, and all men
+liked him well: another son they had called Grettir; he was very
+froward in his childhood; of few words, and rough; worrying both in
+word and deed. Little fondness he got from his father Asmund, but his
+mother loved him right well.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir Asmundson was fair to look on, broad-faced, short-faced,
+red-haired, and much freckled; not of quick growth in his childhood.<span class="newpage"><a name="page29" id="page29">[29]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Thordis was a daughter of Asmund, whom Glum, the son of Uspak, the
+son of Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, afterwards had to wife. Ranveig was
+another daughter of Asmund; she was the wife of Gamli, the son of
+Thorhal, the son of the Vendlander; they kept house at Meals in
+Ramfirth; their son was Grim. The son of Glum and Thordis, the
+daughter of Asmund, was Uspak, who quarrelled with Odd, the son of
+Ufeigh, as is told in the Bandamanna Saga.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir grew up at Biarg till he was ten years old; then he began to
+get on a little; but Asmund bade him do some work; Grettir answered
+that work was not right meet for him, but asked what he should do.</p>
+
+<p>Says Asmund, &quot;Thou shalt watch my home-geese.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered and said, &quot;A mean work, a milksop's work.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund said, &quot;Turn it well out of hand, and then matters shall get
+better between us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir betook himself to watching the home-geese; fifty of them
+there were, with many goslings; but no long time went by before he
+found them a troublesome drove, and the goslings slow-paced withal.
+Thereat he got sore worried, for little did he keep his temper in
+hand. So some time after this, wayfaring men found the goslings strewn
+about dead, and the home-geese broken-winged; and this was in autumn.
+Asmund was mightily vexed hereat, and asked if Grettir had killed the
+fowl: he sneered mockingly, and answered&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Surely as winter comes, shall I</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Twist the goslings' necks awry.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If in like case are the geese,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I have finished each of these.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Thou shalt kill them no more,&quot; said Asmund.<span class="newpage"><a name="page30" id="page30">[30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, <i>a friend should warn a friend of ill</i>,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Another work shall be found for thee then,&quot; said Asmund.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>More one knows the more one tries</i>,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;and what
+shall I do now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund answered, &quot;Thou shalt rub my back at the fire, as I have been
+wont to have it done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hot for the hand, truly,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but still a milksop's work.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went on with this work for a while; but autumn came on,
+and Asmund became very fain of heat, and he spurs Grettir on to rub
+his back briskly. Now, in those times there were wont to be large
+fire-halls at the homesteads, wherein men sat at long fires in the
+evenings; boards were set before the men there, and afterwards folk
+slept out sideways from the fires; there also women worked at the wool
+in the daytime. Now, one evening, when Grettir had to rub Asmund's
+back, the old carle said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now thou wilt have to put away thy sloth, thou milk-sop.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Says Grettir, &quot;<i>Ill is it to goad the foolhardy</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund answers, &quot;Thou wilt ever be a good-for-nought.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir sees where, in one of the seats stood wool-combs: one of
+these he caught up, and let it go all down Asmund's back. He sprang
+up, and was mad wroth thereat; and was going to smite Grettir with
+his staff, but he ran off. Then came the housewife, and asked what was
+this to-do betwixt them. Then Grettir answered by this ditty&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;This jewel-strewer, O ground of gold,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(His counsels I deem over bold),</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On both these hands that trouble sow,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Ah bitter pain) will burn me now;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page31" id="page31">[31]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Therefore with wool-comb's nails unshorn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Somewhat ring-strewer's back is torn:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The hook-clawed bird that wrought his wound,&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lo, now I see it on the ground.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Hereupon was his mother sore vexed, that he should have taken to a
+trick like this; she said he would never fail to be the most reckless
+of men. All this nowise bettered matters between Asmund and Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now, some time after this, Asmund had a talk with Grettir, that he
+should watch his horses. Grettir said this was more to his mind than
+the back-rubbing.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then shalt thou do as I bid thee,&quot; said Asmund. &quot;I have a dun mare,
+which I call Keingala; she is so wise as to shifts of weather, thaws,
+and the like, that rough weather will never fail to follow, when she
+will not go out on grazing. At such times thou shalt lock the horses
+up under cover; but keep them to grazing on the mountain neck yonder,
+when winter comes on. Now I shall deem it needful that thou turn this
+work out of hand better than the two I have set thee to already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;This is a cold work and a manly, but I deem it ill
+to trust in the mare, for I know none who has done it yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir took to the horse-watching, and so the time went on till
+past Yule-time; then came on much cold weather with snow, that made
+grazing hard to come at. Now Grettir was ill clad, and as yet little
+hardened, and he began to be starved by the cold; but Keingala grazed
+away in the windiest place she could find, let the weather be as rough
+as it would. Early as she might go to the pasture, never would she go
+back to stable before nightfall. Now Grettir deemed that he must think
+of some scurvy<span class="newpage"><a name="page32" id="page32">[32]</a></span> trick or other, that Keingala might be paid in full
+for her way of grazing: so, one morning early, he comes to the
+horse-stable, opens it, and finds Keingala standing all along before
+the crib; for, whatever food was given to the horses with her, it was
+her way to get it all to herself. Grettir got on her back, and had a
+sharp knife in his hand, and drew it right across Keingala's shoulder,
+and then all along both sides of the back. Thereat the mare, being
+both fat and shy, gave a mad bound, and kicked so fiercely, that her
+hooves clattered against the wall. Grettir fell off; but, getting
+on his legs, strove to mount her again. Now their struggle is of the
+sharpest, but the end of it is, that he flays off the whole of the
+strip along the back to the loins. Thereafter he drove the horses out
+on grazing; Keingala would bite but at her back, and when noon was
+barely past, she started off, and ran back to the house. Grettir now
+locks the stable and goes home. Asmund asked Grettir where the horses
+were. He said that he had stabled them as he was wont. Asmund said
+that rough weather was like to be at hand, as the horses would not
+keep at their grazing in such good weather as now it was.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;<i>Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now the night goes by, but no rough weather came on. Grettir drove off
+the horses, but Keingala cannot bear the grazing. This seemed strange
+to Asmund, as the weather changed in nowise from what it had been
+theretofore. The third morning Asmund went to the horses, and, coming
+to Keingala, said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I must needs deem these horses to be in sorry case, good as the
+winter has been, but thy sides will scarce lack flesh, my dun.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Things boded will happen</i>,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;<i>but so will
+things unboded</i>.&quot;<span class="newpage"><a name="page33" id="page33">[33]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Asmund stroked the back of the mare, and, lo, the hide came off
+beneath his hand; he wondered how this could have happened, and said
+it was likely to be Grettir's doing. Grettir sneered mockingly, but
+said nought. Now goodman Asmund went home talking as one mad; he went
+straight to the fire-hall, and as he came heard the good wife say,
+&quot;It were good indeed if the horse-keeping of my kinsman had gone off
+well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Asmund sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Grettir has in such wise played,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That Keingala has he flayed,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whose trustiness would be my boast</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Proudest women talk the most);</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So the cunning lad has wrought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thinking thereby to do nought</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of my biddings any more.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In thy mind turn these words o'er.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The housewife answered, &quot;I know not which is least to my mind, that
+thou shouldst ever be bidding him work, or that he should turn out all
+his work in one wise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That too we will make an end of,&quot; said Asmund, &quot;but he shall fare the
+worse therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir said, &quot;Well, let neither make words about it to the
+other.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So things went on awhile, and Asmund had Keingala killed; and many
+other scurvy tricks did Grettir in his childhood whereof the story
+says nought. But he grew great of body, though his strength was not
+well known, for he was unskilled in wrestling; he would make ditties
+and rhymes, but was somewhat scurrilous therein. He had no will to lie
+anight in the fire-hall and was mostly of few words.<span class="newpage"><a name="page34" id="page34">[34]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XV"></a><h2>CHAP. XV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the ball-play on Midfirth Water</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>At this time there were many growing up to be men in Midfirth;
+Skald-Torfa dwelt at Torfa's-stead in those days; her son was called
+Bessi, he was the shapeliest of men and a good skald.</p>
+
+<p>At Meal lived two brothers, Kormak and Thorgils, with them a man
+called Odd was fostered, and was called the Foundling-skald.</p>
+
+<p>One called Audun was growing up at Audunstead in Willowdale, he was
+a kind and good man to deal with, and the strongest in those north
+parts, of all who were of an age with him. Kalf Asgeirson dwelt
+at Asgeir's-river, and his brother Thorvald with him. Atli also,
+Grettir's brother, was growing into a ripe man at that time; the
+gentlest of men he was, and well beloved of all. Now these men
+settled to have ball-play together on Midfirth Water; thither came the
+Midfirthers, and Willowdale men, and men from Westhope, and Waterness,
+and Ramfirth, but those who came from far abode at the play-stead.</p>
+
+<p>Now those who were most even in strength were paired together, and
+thereat was always the greatest sport in autumn-tide. But when he was
+fourteen years old Grettir went to the plays, because he was prayed
+thereto by his brother Atli.</p>
+
+<p>Now were all paired off for the plays, and Grettir was allotted to
+play against Audun, the aforenamed, who was some winters the eldest of
+the two; Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head, so that he could
+not catch it, and it<span class="newpage"><a name="page35" id="page35">[35]</a></span> bounded far away along the ice; Grettir got angry
+thereat, deeming that Audun would outplay him; but he fetches the ball
+and brings it back, and, when he was within reach of Audun, hurls
+it right against his forehead, and smites him so that the skin was
+broken; then Audun struck at Grettir with the bat he held in his hand,
+but smote him no hard blow, for Grettir ran in under the stroke; and
+thereat they seized one another with arms clasped, and wrestled. Then
+all saw that Grettir was stronger than he had been taken to be, for
+Audun was a man full of strength.</p>
+
+<p>A long tug they had of it, but the end was that Grettir fell, and
+Audun thrust his knees against his belly and breast, and dealt hardly
+with him.</p>
+
+<p>Then Atli and Bessi and many others ran up and parted them; but
+Grettir said there was no need to hold him like a mad dog, &quot;For,&quot; said
+he, &quot;<i>thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This men suffered not to grow into open strife, for the brothers, Kalf
+and Thorvald, were fain that all should be at one again, and Audun and
+Grettir were somewhat akin withal; so the play went on as before, nor
+did anything else befall to bring about strife.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XVI"></a><h2>CHAP. XVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the slaying of Skeggi</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Thorkel Krafla got very old; he had the rule of Waterdale and
+was a great man. He was bosom friend of Asmund the Greyhaired, as was
+beseeming for the sake of their kinship; he was wont to ride to Biarg
+every<span class="newpage"><a name="page36" id="page36">[36]</a></span> year and see his kin there, nor did he fail herein the spring
+following these matters just told. Asmund and Asdis welcomed him most
+heartily, he was there three nights, and many things did the kinsmen
+speak of between them. Now Thorkel asked Asmund what his mind
+foreboded him about his sons, as to what kind of craft they would be
+likely to take to. Asmund said that he thought Atli would be a great
+man at farming, foreseeing, and money-making. Thorkel answered, &quot;A
+useful man and like unto thyself: but what dost thou say of Grettir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund said, &quot;Of him I say, that he will be a strong man and an
+unruly, and, certes, of wrathful mood, and heavy enough he has been to
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorkel answered, &quot;That bodes no good, friend; but how shall we settle
+about our riding to the Thing next summer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund answered, &quot;I am growing heavy for wayfaring, and would fain sit
+at home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wouldst thou that Atli go in thy stead?&quot; said Thorkel.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do not see how I could spare him,&quot; says Asmund, &quot;because of the
+farm-work and ingathering of household stores; but now Grettir will
+not work, yet he bears about that wit with him that I deem he will
+know how to keep up the showing forth of the law for me through thy
+aid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, thou shall have thy will,&quot; said Thorkel, and withal he rode
+home when he was ready, and Asmund let him go with good gifts.</p>
+
+<p>Some time after this Thorkel made him ready to ride to the Thing, he
+rode with sixty men, for all went with him who were in his rule: thus
+he came to Biarg, and therefrom rode Grettir with him.</p>
+
+<p>Now they rode south over the heath that is called Two-days'-ride; but
+on this mountain the baiting grounds were<span class="newpage"><a name="page37" id="page37">[37]</a></span> poor, therefore they rode
+fast across it down to the settled lands, and when they came down
+to Fleet-tongue they thought it was time to sleep, so they took the
+bridles off their horses and let them graze with the saddles on. They
+lay sleeping till far on in the day, and when they woke, the men went
+about looking for their horses; but they had gone each his own way,
+and some of them had been rolling; but Grettir was the last to find
+his horse.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was the wont in those days that men should carry their own
+victuals when they rode to the Althing, and most bore meal-bags
+athwart their saddles; and the saddle was turned under the belly of
+Grettir's horse, and the meal-bag was gone, so he goes and searches,
+and finds nought.</p>
+
+<p>Just then he sees a man running fast, Grettir asks who it is who is
+running there; the man answered that his name was Skeggi, and that
+he was a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale. &quot;I am one of the
+following of goodman Thorkel,&quot; he says, &quot;but, faring heedlessly, I
+have lost my meal-bag.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;<i>Odd haps are worst haps</i>, for I, also, have lost
+the meal-sack which I owned, and now let us search both together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This Skeggi liked well, and a while they go thus together; but all
+of a sudden Skeggi bounded off up along the moors and caught up a
+meal-sack. Grettir saw him stoop, and asked what he took up there.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My meal-sack,&quot; says Skeggi.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who speaks to that besides thyself?&quot; says Grettir; &quot;let me see it,
+for many a thing has its like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Skeggi said that no man should take from him what was his own; but
+Grettir caught at the meal-bag, and now they tug one another along
+with the meal-sack between them, both trying hard to get the best of
+it.</p><span class="newpage"><a name="page38" id="page38">[38]</a></span>
+
+<p>&quot;It is to be wondered at,&quot; says the house-carle, &quot;that ye Waterdale
+men should deem, that because other men are not as wealthy as ye,
+that they should not therefore dare to hold aught of their own in your
+despite.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, that it had nought to do with the worth of men that each
+should have his own.</p>
+
+<p>Skeggi answers, &quot;Too far off is Audun now to throttle thee as at that
+ball-play.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but, howsoever that went, thou at least shall
+never throttle me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Skeggi got at his axe and hewed at Grettir; when Grettir saw
+that, he caught the axe-handle with the left hand bladeward of
+Skeggi's hand, so hard that straightway was the axe loosed from his
+hold. Then Grettir drave that same axe into his head so that it stood
+in the brain, and the house-carle fell dead to earth. Then Grettir
+seized the meal-bag and threw it across his saddle, and thereon rode
+after his fellows.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorkel rode ahead of all, for he had no misgiving of such things
+befalling: but men missed Skeggi from the company, and when Grettir
+came up they asked him what he knew of Skeggi; then he sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;A rock-troll her weight did throw</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At Skeggi's throat a while ago:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Over the battle ogress ran</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The red blood of the serving-man;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her deadly iron mouth did gape</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Above him, till clean out of shape</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She tore his head and let out life:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And certainly I saw their strife.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then Thorkel's men sprung up and said that surely<span class="newpage"><a name="page39" id="page39">[39]</a></span> trolls had not taken
+the man in broad daylight. Thorkel grew silent, but said presently,
+&quot;The matter is likely to be quite other than this; methinks Grettir
+has in all likelihood killed him, or what could befall?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir told all their strife. Thorkel says, &quot;This has come to
+pass most unluckily, for Skeggi was given to my following, and was,
+nathless, a man of good kin; but I shall deal thus with the matter: I
+shall give boot for the man as the doom goes, but the outlawry I may
+not settle. Now, two things thou hast to choose between, Grettir;
+whether thou wilt rather go to the Thing and risk the turn of matters,
+or go back home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir chose to go to the Thing, and thither he went. But a lawsuit
+was set on foot by the heirs of the slain man: Thorkel gave handsel,
+and paid up all fines, but Grettir must needs be outlawed, and keep
+abroad three winters.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the chiefs rode from the Thing, they baited under Sledgehill
+before they parted: then Grettir lifted a stone which now lies there
+in the grass and is called Grettir's-heave; but many men came up to
+see the stone, and found it a great wonder that so young a man should
+heave aloft such a huge rock.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir rode home to Biarg and tells the tale of his journey;
+Asmund let out little thereon, but said that he would turn out an
+unruly man.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XVII"></a><h2>CHAP. XVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir's voyage out</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man called Haflidi, who dwelt at Reydarfell in
+Whiteriverside, he was a seafaring man<span class="newpage"><a name="page40" id="page40">[40]</a></span> and had a sailing ship, which
+lay up Whiteriver: there was a man on board his ship, hight Bard,
+who had a wife with him young and fair. Asmund sent a man to Haflidi,
+praying him to take Grettir and look after him; Haflidi said that he
+had heard that the man was ill ruled of mood; yet for the sake of the
+friendship between him and Asmund he took Grettir to himself, and made
+ready for sailing abroad.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund would give to his son no faring-goods but victuals for the
+voyage and a little wadmall. Grettir prayed him for some weapon, but
+Asmund answered, &quot;Thou hast not been obedient to me, nor do I know
+how far thou art likely to work with weapons things that may be of any
+gain; and no weapon shalt thou have of me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>No deed no reward</i>,&quot; says Grettir. Then father and son parted
+with little love. Many there were who bade Grettir farewell, but few
+bade him come back.</p>
+
+<p>But his mother brought him on his road, and before they parted she
+spoke thus, &quot;Thou art not fitted out from home, son, as I fain would
+thou wert, a man so well born as thou; but, meseems, the greatest
+shortcoming herein is that thou hast no weapons of any avail, and my
+mind misgives me that thou wilt perchance need them sorely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With that she took out from under her cloak a sword well wrought,
+and a fair thing it was, and then she said, &quot;This sword was owned
+by Jokul, my father's father, and the earlier Waterdale men, and it
+gained them many a day; now I give thee the sword, and may it stand
+thee in good stead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thanked her well for this gift, and said he deemed it better
+than things of more worth; then he went on his way, and Asdis wished
+him all good hap.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir rode south over the heath, and made no stay till he came
+to the ship. Haflidi gave him a good<span class="newpage"><a name="page41" id="page41">[41]</a></span> welcome and asked him for his
+faring-goods, then Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Rider of wind-driven steed,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Little gat I to my need,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When I left my fair birth-stead,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the snatchers of worm's bed;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But this man's-bane hanging here,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gift of woman good of cheer,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Proves the old saw said not ill,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Best to bairn is mother still</i>.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Haflidi said it was easily seen that she thought the most of him. But
+now they put to sea when they were ready, and had wind at will; but
+when they had got out over all shallows they hoisted sail.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir made a den for himself under the boat, from whence he
+would move for nought, neither for baling, nor to do aught at the
+sail, nor to work at what he was bound to work at in the ship in even
+shares with the other men, neither would he buy himself off from the
+work.</p>
+
+<p>Now they sailed south by Reekness and then south from the land; and
+when they lost land they got much heavy sea; the ship was somewhat
+leaky, and scarce seaworthy in heavy weather, therefore they had it
+wet enough. Now Grettir let fly his biting rhymes, whereat the men
+got sore wroth. One day, when it so happened that the weather was both
+squally and cold, the men called out to Grettir, and bade him now do
+manfully, &quot;For,&quot; said they, &quot;now our claws grow right cold.&quot; Grettir
+looked up and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Good luck, scurvy starvelings, if I should behold</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each finger ye have doubled up with the cold.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>And no work they got out of him, and now it misliked<span class="newpage"><a name="page42" id="page42">[42]</a></span> them of their
+lot as much again as before, and they said that he should pay with his
+skin for his rhymes and the lawlessness which he did. &quot;Thou art more
+fain,&quot; said they, &quot;of playing with Bard the mate's wife than doing thy
+duty on board ship, and this is a thing not to be borne at all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The gale grew greater steadily, and now they stood baling for days and
+nights together, and all swore to kill Grettir. But when Haflidi heard
+this, he went up to where Grettir lay, and said, &quot;Methinks the bargain
+between thee and the chapmen is scarcely fair; first thou dost by them
+unlawfully, and thereafter thou castest thy rhymes at them; and now
+they swear that they will throw thee overboard, and this is unseemly
+work to go on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why should they not be free to do as they will?&quot; says Grettir; &quot;but I
+well would that one or two of them tarry here behind with me, or ever
+I go overboard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Haflidi says, &quot;Such deeds are not to be done, and we shall never
+thrive if ye rush into such madness; but I shall give thee good rede.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is that?&quot; says Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They blame thee for singing ill things of them; now, therefore, I
+would that thou sing some scurvy rhyme to me, for then it might be
+that they would bear with thee the easier.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To thee I never sing but good,&quot; says Grettir: &quot;I am not going to make
+thee like these starvelings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;One may sing so,&quot; says Haflidi, &quot;that the lampoon be not so foul when
+it is searched into, though at first sight it be not over fair.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have ever plenty of that skill in me,&quot; says Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Then Haflidi went to the men where they were baling, and said, &quot;Great
+is your toil, and no wonder that ye have taken ill liking to Grettir.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page43" id="page43">[43]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;But his lampoons we deem worse than all the rest together,&quot; they
+said.</p>
+
+<p>Haflidi said in a loud voice, &quot;He will surely fare ill for it in the
+end.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But when Grettir heard Haflidi speak blamefully of him, he sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Otherwise would matters be,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When this shouting Haflidi</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ate in house at Reydarfell</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curdled milk, and deemed it well;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He who decks the reindeer's side</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That 'twixt ness and ness doth glide,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Twice in one day had his fill</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the feast of dart shower shrill.&quot;<a name="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8"><sup>[8]</sup></a></span><br />
+
+<p>The shipmen thought this foul enough, and said he should not put shame
+on Skipper Haflidi for nought.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Haflidi, &quot;Grettir is plentifully worthy that ye should
+do him some shame, but I will not have my honour staked against his
+ill-will and recklessness; nor is it good for us to wreak vengeance
+for this forthwith while we have this danger hanging over us; but be
+ye mindful of it when ye land, if so it seem good to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well,&quot; they said, &quot;why should we not fare even as thou farest? for
+why should his vile word bite us more than thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And in that mind Haflidi bade them abide; and thence-forward the
+chapmen made far less noise about Grettir's rhymes than before.</p>
+
+<p>Now a long and a hard voyage they had, and the leak<span class="newpage"><a name="page44" id="page44">[44]</a></span> gained on the
+ship, and men began to be exceeding worn with toil. The young wife of
+the mate was wont to sew from Grettir's hands, and much would the crew
+mock him therefor; but Haflidi went up to where Grettir lay and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Grettir, stand up from thy grave,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the trough of the grey wave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The keel labours, tell my say</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now unto thy merry may;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From thy hands the linen-clad</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fill of sewing now has had,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till we make the land will she</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Deem that labour fitteth thee.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then Grettir stood up and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Stand we up, for neath us now</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rides the black ship high enow;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This fair wife will like it ill</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If my limbs are laid here still;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes, the white trothful one</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will not deem the deed well done,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If the work that I should share</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Other folk must ever bear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then he ran aft to where they were baling, and asked what they would
+he should do; they said he would do mighty little good.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well,&quot; said he, &quot;<i>ye may yet be apaid of a man's aid</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Haflidi bade them not set aside his help, &quot;For it may be he shall deem
+his hands freed if he offers his aid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At that time pumping was not used in ships that fared<span class="newpage"><a name="page45" id="page45">[45]</a></span> over the main;
+the manner of baling they used men called tub or cask baling, and a
+wet work it was and a wearisome; two balers were used, and one went
+down while the other came up. Now the chapmen bade Grettir have the
+job of sinking the balers, and said that now it should be tried what
+he could do; he said that the less it was tried the better it would
+be. But he goes down and sinks the balers, and now two were got to
+bale against him; they held out but a little while before they were
+overcome with weariness, and then four came forward and soon fared in
+likewise, and, so say some, that eight baled against him before the
+baling was done and the ship was made dry. Thenceforth the manner of
+the chapmen's words to Grettir was much changed, for they saw what
+strength he had to fall back upon; and from that time he was the
+stoutest and readiest to help, wheresoever need was.</p>
+
+<p>Now they bore off east into the main, and much thick weather they had,
+and one night unawares they ran suddenly on a rock, so that the nether
+part of the ship went from under her; then the boat was run down, and
+women and all the loose goods were brought off: nearby was a little
+holm whither they brought their matters as they best could in the
+night; but when it began to dawn they had a talk as to where they were
+come; then they who had fared between lands before knew the land for
+Southmere in Norway; there was an island hardby called Haramsey; many
+folk dwelt there, and therein too was the manor of a lord.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page46" id="page46">[46]</a></span>
+<a name="CHAP_XVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with Karr the Old</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now the lord who dwelt in the island was called Thorfinn; he was the
+son of Karr the Old, who had dwelt there long; and Thorfinn was a
+great chief.</p>
+
+<p>But when day was fully come men saw from the island that the chapmen
+were brought to great straits. This was made known to Thorfinn, and he
+quickly bestirred himself, and had a large bark of his launched, rowed
+by sixteen men, on this bark were nigh thirty men in all; they came up
+speedily and saved the chapmen's wares; but the ship settled down,
+and much goods were lost there. Thorfinn brought all men from the ship
+home to himself, and they abode there a week and dried their wares.
+Then the chapmen went south into the land, and are now out of the
+tale.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir was left behind with Thorfinn, and little he stirred, and was
+at most times mighty short of speech. Thorfinn bade give him meals,
+but otherwise paid small heed to him; Grettir was loth to follow him,
+and would not go out with him in the day; this Thorfinn took ill, but
+had not the heart to have food withheld from him.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorfinn was fond of stately house-keeping, and was a man of great
+joyance, and would fain have other men merry too: but Grettir would
+walk about from house to house, and often went into other farms about
+the island.</p>
+
+<p>There was a man called Audun who dwelt at Windham; thither Grettir
+went every day, and he made friends with Audun, and there he was wont
+to sit till far on in the day. Now one night very late, as Grettir
+made ready to go home,<span class="newpage"><a name="page47" id="page47">[47]</a></span> he saw a great fire burst out on a ness to the
+north of Audun's farm. Grettir asked what new thing this might be.
+Audun said that he need be in no haste to know that.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It would be said,&quot; quoth Grettir, &quot;if that were seen in our land,
+that the flame burned above hid treasure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The farmer said, &quot;That fire I deem to be ruled over by one into whose
+matters it avails little to pry.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yet fain would I know thereof,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;On that ness,&quot; said Audun, &quot;stands a barrow, great and strong,
+wherein was laid Karr the Old, Thorfinn's father; at first father
+and son had but one farm in the island; but since Karr died he has so
+haunted this place that he has swept away all farmers who owned lands
+here, so that now Thorfinn holds the whole island; but whatsoever man
+Thorfinn holds his hand over, gets no scathe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that he had told his tale well: &quot;And,&quot; says he, &quot;I shall
+come here to-morrow, and then thou shalt have digging-tools ready.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now, I pray thee,&quot; says Audun, &quot;to do nought herein, for I know that
+Thorfinn will cast his hatred on thee therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he would risk that.</p>
+
+<p>So the night went by, and Grettir came early on the morrow and the
+digging-tools were ready; the farmer goes with him to the barrow, and
+Grettir brake it open, and was rough-handed enough thereat, and did
+not leave off till he came to the rafters, and by then the day was
+spent; then he tore away the rafters, and now Audun prayed him hard
+not to go into the barrow; Grettir bade him guard the rope, &quot;but I
+shall espy what dwells within here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir entered into the barrow, and right dark it was, and a
+smell there was therein none of the sweetest. Now he groped about to
+see how things were below; first<span class="newpage"><a name="page48" id="page48">[48]</a></span> he found horse-bones, and then he
+stumbled against the arm of a high-chair, and in that chair found a
+man sitting; great treasures of gold and silver were heaped together
+there, and a small chest was set under the feet of him full of silver;
+all these riches Grettir carried together to the rope; but as he went
+out through the barrow he was griped at right strongly; thereon he let
+go the treasure and rushed against the barrow-dweller, and now they
+set on one another unsparingly enough.</p>
+
+<p>Everything in their way was kicked out of place, the barrow-wight
+setting on with hideous eagerness; Grettir gave back before him for a
+long time, till at last it came to this, that he saw it would not do
+to hoard his strength any more; now neither spared the other, and
+they were brought to where the horse-bones were, and thereabout they
+wrestled long. And now one, now the other, fell on his knee; but the
+end of the strife was, that the barrow-dweller fell over on his back
+with huge din. Then ran Audun from the holding of the rope, and deemed
+Grettir dead. But Grettir drew the sword, 'Jokul's gift,' and drave
+it at the neck of the barrow-bider so that it took off his head, and
+Grettir laid it at the thigh of him.<a name="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Then he went to the rope with
+the treasure, and lo, Audun was clean gone, so he had to get up the
+rope by his hands; he had tied a line to the treasure, and therewith
+he now haled it up.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir had got very stiff with his dealings with Karr, and now he
+went back to Thorfinn's house with the treasures, whenas all folk had
+set them down to table. Thorfinn gave Grettir a sharp look when he
+came into the drinking-hall, and asked him what work he had on hand
+so needful to do<span class="newpage"><a name="page49" id="page49">[49]</a></span> that he might not keep times of meals with other
+men. Grettir answers, &quot;Many little matters will hap on late eves,&quot; and
+therewith he cast down on the table all the treasure he had taken in
+the barrow; but one matter there was thereof, on which he must needs
+keep his eyes; this was a short-sword, so good a weapon, that a
+better, he said, he had never seen; and this he gave up the last of
+all. Thorfinn was blithe to see that sword, for it was an heirloom of
+his house, and had never yet gone out of his kin.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whence came these treasures to thine hand?&quot; said Thorfinn.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Lessener of the flame of sea,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My strong hope was true to me,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When I deemed that treasure lay</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the barrow; from to-day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Folk shall know that I was right;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The begetters of the fight</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Small joy now shall have therein,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Seeking dragon's-lair to win.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thorfinn answered, &quot;Blood will seldom seem blood to thine eyes; no man
+before thee has had will to break open the barrow; but, because I
+know that what wealth soever is hid in earth or borne into barrow is
+wrongly placed, I shall not hold thee blameworthy for thy deed as
+thou hast brought it all to me; yea, or whence didst thou get the good
+sword?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Lessener of waves flashing flame,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To my lucky hand this came</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page50" id="page50">[50]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the barrow where that thing</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through the dark fell clattering;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If that helm-fire I should gain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Made so fair to be the bane</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the breakers of the bow,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ne'er from my hand should it go.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thorfinn said, &quot;Well hast thou prayed for it, but thou must show some
+deed of fame before I give thee that sword, for never could I get it
+of my father while he lived.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Grettir, &quot;Who knows to whom most gain will come of it in the
+end?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Thorfinn took the treasures and kept the sword at his bed-head,
+and the winter wore on toward Yule, so that little else fell out to be
+told of.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XIX"></a><h2>CHAP. XIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt with the Bearserks.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now the summer before these things Earl Eric Hakonson made ready to
+go from his land west to England, to see King Knut the Mighty, his
+brother-in-law, but left behind him in the rule of Norway Hakon, his
+son, and gave him into the hands of Earl Svein, his brother, for the
+watching and warding of his realm, for Hakon was a child in years.</p>
+
+<p>But before Earl Eric went away from the land, he called together lords
+and rich bonders, and many things they spoke on laws and the rule of
+the land, for Earl Eric was a man good at rule. Now men thought it an
+exceeding<span class="newpage"><a name="page51" id="page51">[51]</a></span> ill fashion in the land that runagates or bearserks called
+to holm high-born men for their fee or womankind, in such wise, that
+whosoever should fall before the other should lie unatoned; hereof
+many got both shame and loss of goods, and some lost their lives
+withal; and therefore Earl Eric did away with all holm-gangs and
+outlawed all bearserks who fared with raids and riots.</p>
+
+<p>In the making of this law, the chief of all, with Earl Eric, was
+Thorfinn Karrson, from Haramsey, for he was a wise man, and a dear
+friend of the Earls.</p>
+
+<p>Two brothers are named as being of the worst in these matters,
+one hight Thorir Paunch, the other Ogmund the Evil; they were of
+Halogaland kin, bigger and stronger than other men. They wrought the
+bearserks'-gang and spared nothing in their fury; they would take away
+the wives of men and hold them for a week or a half-month, and then
+bring them back to their husbands; they robbed wheresoever they came,
+or did some other ill deeds. Now Earl Eric made them outlaws through
+the length and breadth of Norway, and Thorfinn was the eagerest of men
+in bringing about their outlawry, therefore they deemed that they owed
+him ill-will enow.</p>
+
+<p>So the Earl went away from the land, as is said in his Saga; but Earl
+Svein bore sway over Norway. Thorfinn went home to his house, and sat
+at home till just up to Yule, as is aforesaid; but at Yule he made
+ready to go to his farm called Slysfirth, which is on the mainland,
+and thither he had bidden many of his friends. Thorfinn's wife could
+not go with her husband, for her daughter of ripe years lay ill
+a-bed, so they both abode at home. Grettir was at home too, and
+eight house-carles. Now Thorfinn went with thirty freedmen to the
+Yule-feast, whereat there was the greatest mirth and joyance among
+men.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page52" id="page52">[52]</a></span>
+<p>Now Yule-eve comes on, and the weather was bright and calm; Grettir
+was mostly abroad this day, and saw how ships fared north and south
+along the land, for each one sought the other's home where the Yule
+drinking was settled to come off. By this time the goodman's daughter
+was so much better that she could walk about with her mother, and thus
+the day wore on.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir sees how a ship rows up toward the island; it was not
+right big, but shield-hung it was from stem to stern, and stained all
+above the sea: these folk rowed smartly, and made for the boat-stands
+of goodman Thorfinn, and when the keel took land, those who were
+therein sprang overboard. Grettir cast up the number of the men, and
+they were twelve altogether; he deemed their guise to be far from
+peaceful. They took up their ship and bore it up from the sea;
+thereafter they ran up to the boat-stand, and therein was that big
+boat of Thorfinn, which was never launched to sea by less than thirty
+men, but these twelve shot it in one haul down to the shingle of the
+foreshore; and thereon they took up their own bark and bore it into
+the boat-stand.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir thought that he could see clear enough that they would
+make themselves at home. But he goes down to meet them, and welcomes
+them merrily, and asks who they were and what their leader was hight;
+he to whom these words were spoken answered quickly, and said that his
+name was Thorir, and that he was called Paunch, and that his brother
+was Ogmund, and that the others were fellows of theirs.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I deem,&quot; said Thorir, &quot;that thy master Thorfinn has heard tell of us;
+is he perchance at home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Lucky men are ye, and hither have come in a good
+hour, if ye are the men I take you to be;<span class="newpage"><a name="page53" id="page53">[53]</a></span> the goodman is gone away
+with all his home-folk who are freemen, and will not be home again
+till after Yule; but the mistress is at home, and so is the goodman's
+daughter; and if I thought that I had some ill-will to pay back, I
+should have chosen above all things to have come just thus; for here
+are all matters in plenty whereof ye stand in need both beer, and all
+other good things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir held his peace, while Grettir let this tale run on, then he
+said to Ogmund&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How far have things come to pass other than as I guessed? and now am
+I well enough minded to take revenge on Thorfinn for having made us
+outlaws; and this man is ready enough of tidings, and no need have we
+to drag the words out of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Words all may use freely,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;and I shall give you such
+cheer as I may; and now come home with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They bade him have thanks therefor, and said they would take his
+offer.</p>
+
+<p>But when they came home to the farm, Grettir took Thorir by the hand
+and led him into the hall; and now was Grettir mightily full of words.
+The mistress was in the hall, and had had it decked with hangings, and
+made all fair and seemly; but when she heard Grettir's talk, she stood
+still on the floor, and asked whom he welcomed in that earnest wise.</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;Now, mistress, is it right meet to welcome these guests
+merrily, for here is come goodman Thorir Paunch and the whole twelve
+of them, and are minded to sit here Yule over, and a right good hap it
+is, for we were few enough before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;Am I to number these among bonders and goodmen, who are
+the worst of robbers and ill-doers?<span class="newpage"><a name="page54" id="page54">[54]</a></span> a large share of my goods had I
+given that they had not come here as at this time; and ill dost thou
+reward Thorfinn, for that he took thee a needy man from shipwreck and
+has held thee through the winter as a free man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;It would be better to take the wet clothes off these
+guests than to scold at me; since for that thou mayst have time long
+enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorir, &quot;Be not cross-grained, mistress; nought shall thou
+miss thy husband's being away, for a man shall be got in his place
+for thee, yea, and for thy daughter a man, and for each of the
+home-women.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is spoken like a man,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;nor will they thus have
+any cause to bewail their lot.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now all the women rushed forth from the hall smitten with huge dread
+and weeping; then said Grettir to the bearserks, &quot;Give into my hands
+what it pleases you to lay aside of weapons and wet clothes, for the
+folk will not be yielding to us while they are scared.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir said he heeded not how women might squeal; &quot;But,&quot; said he,
+&quot;thee indeed we may set apart from the other home-folk, and methinks
+we may well make thee our man of trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;See to that yourselves,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but certes I do not take to
+all men alike.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon they laid aside the more part of their weapons, and
+thereafter Grettir said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Methinks it is a good rede now that ye sit down to table and drink
+somewhat, for it is right likely that ye are thirsty after the
+rowing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said they were ready enough for that, but knew not where to find
+out the cellar; Grettir asked if they would that he should see for
+things and go about for them. The bearserks said they would be right
+fain of that; so Grettir<span class="newpage"><a name="page55" id="page55">[55]</a></span> fetched beer and gave them to drink; they
+were mightily weary, and drank in huge draughts, and still he let them
+have the strongest beer that there was, and this went on for a long
+time, and meanwhile he told them many merry tales. From all this there
+was din enough to be heard among them, and the home-folk were nowise
+fain to come to them.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorir said, &quot;Never yet did I meet a man unknown to me, who would
+do us such good deeds as this man; now, what reward wilt thou take of
+us for thy work?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;As yet I look to no reward for this; but if we be
+even such friends when ye go away, as it looks like we shall be, I am
+minded to join fellowship with you; and though I be of less might than
+some of you, yet shall I not let any man of big redes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hereat they were well pleased, and would settle the fellowship with
+vows.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that this they should not do, &quot;For true is the old saw,
+<i>Ale is another man</i>, nor shall ye settle this in haste any
+further than as I have said, for on both sides are we men little meet
+to rule our tempers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said that they would not undo what they had said.</p>
+
+<p>Withal the evening wore on till it grew quite dark; then sees Grettir
+that they were getting very heavy with drink, so he said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do ye not find it time to go to sleep?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir said, &quot;Time enough forsooth, and sure shall I be to keep to
+what I have promised the mistress.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir went forth from the hall, and cried out loudly&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Go ye to your beds, women all, for so is goodman Thorir pleased to
+bid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They cursed him for this, and to hear them was like<span class="newpage"><a name="page56" id="page56">[56]</a></span> hearkening to the
+noise of many wolves. Now the bearserks came forth from the hall, and
+Grettir said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let us go out, and I will show you Thorfinn's cloth bower.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They were willing to be led there; so they came to an out-bower
+exceeding great; a door there was to it, and a strong lock thereon,
+and the storehouse was very strong withal; there too was a closet good
+and great, and a shield panelling between the chambers; both chambers
+stood high, and men went up by steps to them. Now the bearserks got
+riotous and pushed Grettir about, and he kept tumbling away from them,
+and when they least thought thereof, he slipped quickly out of the
+bower, seized the latch, slammed the door to, and put the bolt on.
+Thorir and his fellows thought at first that the door must have got
+locked of itself, and paid no heed thereto; they had light with them,
+for Grettir had showed them many choice things which Thorfinn owned,
+and these they now noted awhile. Meantime Grettir made all speed home
+to the farm, and when he came in at the door he called out loudly, and
+asked where the goodwife was; she held her peace, for she did not dare
+to answer.</p>
+
+<p>He said, &quot;Here is somewhat of a chance of a good catch; but are there
+any weapons of avail here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;Weapons there are, but how they may avail thee I know
+not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let us talk thereof anon,&quot; says he, &quot;but now let every man do his
+best, for later on no better chance shall there be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The good wife said, &quot;Now God were in garth if our lot might better:
+over Thorfinn's bed hangs the barbed spear, the big one that was
+owned by Karr the Old; there, too, is a helmet<span class="newpage"><a name="page57" id="page57">[57]</a></span> and a byrni, and the
+short-sword, the good one; and the arms will not fail if thine heart
+does well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir seizes the helmet and spear, girds himself with the
+short-sword, and rushed out swiftly; and the mistress called upon the
+house-carles, bidding them follow such a dauntless man, four of them
+rushed forth and seized their weapons, but the other four durst come
+nowhere nigh. Now it is to be said of the bearserks that they thought
+Grettir delayed his coming back strangely; and now they began to doubt
+if there were not some guile in the matter. They rushed against the
+door and found it was locked, and now they try the timber walls so
+that every beam creaked again; at last they brought things so far that
+they broke down the shield-panelling, got into the passage, and thence
+out to the steps. Now bearserks'-gang seized them, and they howled
+like dogs. In that very nick of time Grettir came up and with both
+hands thrust his spear at the midst of Thorir, as he was about to
+get down the steps, so that it went through him at once. Now the
+spear-head was both long and broad, and Ogmund the Evil ran on to
+Thorir and pushed him on to Grettir's thrust, so that all went up to
+the barb-ends; then the spear stood out through Thorir's back and into
+Ogmund's breast, and they both tumbled dead off the spear; then of
+the others each rushed down the steps as he came forth; Grettir set on
+each one of them, and in turn hewed with the sword, or thrust with the
+spear; but they defended themselves with logs that lay on the green,
+and whatso thing they could lay hands on, therefore the greatest
+danger it was to deal with them, because of their strength, even
+though they were weaponless.</p>
+
+<p>Two of the Halogalanders Grettir slew on the green, and then came up
+the house-carles; they could not come<span class="newpage"><a name="page58" id="page58">[58]</a></span> to one mind as to what weapons
+each should have; now they set on whenever the bearserks gave back,
+but when they turned about on them, then the house-carles slunk away
+up to the houses. Six vikings fell there, and of all of them was
+Grettir the bane. Then the six others got off and came down to the
+boat-stand, and so into it, and thence they defended themselves with
+oars. Grettir now got great blows from them, so that at all times he
+ran the risk of much hurt; but the house-carles went home, and had
+much to say of their stout onset; the mistress bade them espy what
+became of Grettir, but that was not to be got out of them. Two more of
+the bearserks Grettir slew in the boat-stand, but four slipped out
+by him; and by this, dark night had come on; two of them ran into
+a corn-barn, at the farm of Windham, which is aforenamed: here they
+fought for a long time, but at last Grettir killed them both; then
+was he beyond measure weary and stiff, the night was far gone, and the
+weather got very cold with the drift of the snow. He was fain to leave
+the search of the two vikings who were left now, so he walked home to
+the farm. The mistress had lights lighted in the highest lofts at the
+windows that they might guide him on his way; and so it was that he
+found his road home whereas he saw the light.</p>
+
+<p>But when he was come into the door, the mistress went up to him, and
+bade him welcome.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now,&quot; she said, &quot;thou hast reaped great glory, and freed me and my
+house from a shame of which we should never have been healed, but if
+thou hadst saved us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Methinks I am much the same as I was this evening,
+when thou didst cast ill words on me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The mistress answered, &quot;We wotted not that thou wert a man of such
+prowess as we have now proved thee; now shall all things in the house
+be at thy will which I may<span class="newpage"><a name="page59" id="page59">[59]</a></span> bestow on thee, and which it may be seeming
+for thee to take; but methinks that Thorfinn will reward thee better
+still when he comes home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Little of reward will be needed now, but I keep
+thine offer till the coming of the master; and I have some hope now
+that ye will sleep in peace as for the bearserks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir drank little that evening, and lay with his weapons about him
+through the night. In the morning, when it began to dawn, people were
+summoned together throughout the island, and a search was set on foot
+for the bearserks who had escaped the night before; they were found
+far on in the day under a rock, and were by then dead from cold and
+wounds; then they were brought unto a tidewashed heap of stones and
+buried thereunder.</p>
+
+<p>After that folk went home, and the men of that island deemed
+themselves brought unto fair peace.</p>
+
+<p>Now when Grettir came back to the mistress, he sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;By the sea's wash have we made</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Graves, where twelve spear-groves are laid;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I alone such speedy end,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unto all these folk did send.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O fair giver forth of gold,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whereof can great words be told,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Midst the deeds one man has wrought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If this deed should come to nought?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The good wife said, &quot;Surely thou art like unto very few men who are
+now living on the earth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So she set him in the high seat, and all things she did well to him,
+and now time wore on till Thorfinn's coming home was looked for.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page60" id="page60">[60]</a></span>
+<a name="CHAP_XX"></a><h2>CHAP. XX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>After Yule Thorfinn made ready for coming home, and he let those folk
+go with good gifts whom he had bidden to his feast. Now he fares with
+his following till he comes hard by his boat-stands; they saw a ship
+lying on the strand, and soon knew it for Thorfinn's bark, the big
+one. Now Thorfinn had as yet had no news of the vikings, he bade his
+men hasten landward, &quot;For I fear,&quot; said he, &quot;that friends have not
+been at work here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorfinn was the first to step ashore before his men, and forthwith he
+went up to the boat-stand; he saw a keel standing there, and knew it
+for the bearserks' ship. Then he said to his men, &quot;My mind misgives
+me much that here things have come to pass, even such as I would have
+given the whole island, yea, every whit of what I have herein, that
+they might never have happed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They asked why he spake thus. Then he said, &quot;Here have come the
+vikings, whom I know to be the worst of all Norway, Thorir Paunch
+and Ogmund the Evil; in good sooth they will hardly have kept house
+happily for us, and in an Icelander I have but little trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Withal he spoke many things hereabout to his fellows.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir was at home, and so brought it about, that folk were slow
+to go down to the shore; and said he did not care much if the goodman
+Thorfinn had somewhat of a shake at what he saw before him; but when
+the mistress asked him leave to go, he said she should have her will
+as to where she went, but that he himself should stir nowhither.<span class="newpage"><a name="page61" id="page61">[61]</a></span> She
+ran swiftly to meet Thorfinn, and welcomed him cheerily. He was glad
+thereof, and said, &quot;Praise be to God that I see thee whole and merry,
+and my daughter in likewise. But how have ye fared since I went from
+home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;Things have turned out well, but we were near being
+overtaken by such a shame as we should never have had healing of, if
+thy winter-guest had not holpen us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorfinn spake, &quot;Now shall we sit down, but do thou tell us these
+tidings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then she told all things plainly even as they had come to pass,
+and praised greatly Grettir's stoutness and great daring; meanwhile
+Thorfinn held his peace, but when she had made an end of her tale,
+he said, &quot;How true is the saw, <i>Long it takes to try a man</i>. But
+where is Grettir now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife said, &quot;He is at home in the hall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon they went home to the farm.</p>
+
+<p>Thorfinn went up to Grettir and kissed him, and thanked him with many
+fair words for the great heart which he had shown to him; &quot;And I will
+say to thee what few say to their friends, that I would thou shouldst
+be in need of men, that then thou mightest know if I were to thee in
+a man's stead or not; but for thy good deed I can never reward thee
+unless thou comest to be in some troublous need; but as to thy abiding
+with me, that shall ever stand open to thee when thou willest it; and
+thou shalt be held the first of all my men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir bade him have much thank therefor. &quot;And,&quot; quoth he, &quot;this
+should I have taken even if thou hadst made me proffer thereof
+before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir sat there the winter over, and was in the closest
+friendship with Thorfinn; and for this deed he was now well renowned
+all over Norway, and there the most,<span class="newpage"><a name="page62" id="page62">[62]</a></span> where the bearserks had erst
+wrought the greatest ill deeds.</p>
+
+<p>This spring Thorfinn asked Grettir what he was about to busy himself
+with: he said he would go north to Vogar while the fair was. Thorfinn
+said there was ready for him money as much as he would. Grettir said
+that he needed no more money at that time than faring-silver: this,
+Thorfinn said, was full-well due to him, and thereupon went with him
+to ship.</p>
+
+<p>Now he gave him the short-sword, the good one, which Grettir bore as
+long as he lived, and the choicest of choice things it was. Withal
+Thorfinn bade Grettir come to him whenever he might need aid.</p>
+
+<p>But Grettir went north to Vogar, and a many folk were there; many men
+welcomed him there right heartily who had not seen him before, for the
+sake of that great deed of prowess which he had done when he saw the
+vikings; many high-born men prayed him to come and abide with them,
+but he would fain go back to his friend Thorfinn. Now he took ship in
+a bark that was owned of a man hight Thorkel, who dwelt in Salft in
+Halogaland, and was a high-born man. But when Grettir came to Thorkel
+he welcomed him right heartily, and bade Grettir abide with him that
+winter, and laid many words thereto.</p>
+
+<p>This offer Grettir took, and was with Thorkel that winter in great
+joyance and fame.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXI"></a><h2>CHAP. XXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man, hight Biorn, who was dwelling with Thorkel; he was
+a man of rash temper,<span class="newpage"><a name="page63" id="page63">[63]</a></span> of good birth, and somewhat akin to Thorkel; he
+was not well loved of men, for he would slander much those who were
+with Thorkel, and in this wise he sent many away. Grettir and he
+had little to do together; Biorn thought him of little worth weighed
+against himself, but Grettir was unyielding, so that things fell
+athwart between them. Biorn was a mightily boisterous man, and made
+himself very big; many young men gat into fellowship with him in these
+things, and would stray abroad by night. Now it befell, that early in
+winter a savage bear ran abroad from his winter lair, and got so grim
+that he spared neither man nor beast. Men thought he had been roused
+by the noise that Biorn and his fellows had made. The brute got so
+hard to deal with that he tore down the herds of men, and Thorkel
+had the greatest hurt thereof, for he was the richest man in the
+neighbourhood.</p>
+
+<p>Now one day Thorkel bade his men to follow him, and search for the
+lair of the bear. They found it in sheer sea-rocks; there was a high
+rock and a cave before it down below, but only one track to go up to
+it: under the cave were scarped rocks, and a heap of stones down by
+the sea, and sure death it was to all who might fall down there. The
+bear lay in his lair by day, but went abroad as soon as night fell; no
+fold could keep sheep safe from him, nor could any dogs be set on
+him: and all this men thought the heaviest trouble. Biorn, Thorkel's
+kinsman, said that the greatest part had been done, as the lair had
+been found. &quot;And now I shall try,&quot; said he, &quot;what sort of play we<a name="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10"><sup>[10]</sup></a>
+namesakes shall have together.&quot; Grettir made as if he knew not what
+Biorn said on this matter.</p>
+
+<p>Now it happened always when men went to sleep anights that Biorn
+disappeared: and one night when Biorn<span class="newpage"><a name="page64" id="page64">[64]</a></span> went to the lair, he was aware
+that the beast was there before him, and roaring savagely. Biorn lay
+down in the track, and had over him his shield, and was going to wait
+till the beast should stir abroad as his manner was. Now the bear had
+an inkling of the man, and got somewhat slow to move off. Biorn waxed
+very sleepy where he lay, and cannot wake up, and just at this time
+the beast betakes himself from his lair; now he sees where the man
+lies, and, hooking at him with his claw, he tears from him the shield
+and throws it down over the rocks. Biorn started up suddenly awake,
+takes to his legs and runs home, and it was a near thing that the
+beast gat him not. This his fellows knew, for they had spies about
+Biorn's ways; in the morning they found the shield, and made the
+greatest jeering at all this.</p>
+
+<p>At Yule Thorkel went himself, and eight of them altogether, and there
+was Grettir and Biorn and other followers of Thorkel. Grettir had on
+a fur-cloak, which he laid aside while they set on the beast. It was
+awkward for an onslaught there, for thereat could folk come but by
+spear-thrusts, and all the spear-points the bear turned off him with
+his teeth. Now Biorn urged them on much to the onset, yet he himself
+went not so nigh as to run the risk of any hurt. Amid this, when men
+looked least for it, Biorn suddenly seized Grettir's coat, and cast it
+into the beast's lair. Now nought they could wreak on him, and had
+to go back when the day was far spent. But when Grettir was going, he
+misses his coat, and he could see that the bear has it cast under him.
+Then he said, &quot;What man of you has wrought the jest of throwing my
+cloak into the lair?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn says, &quot;He who is like to dare to own to it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answers, &quot;I set no great store on such matters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now they went on their way home, and when they had<span class="newpage"><a name="page65" id="page65">[65]</a></span> walked awhile, the
+thong of Grettir's leggings brake. Thorkel bid them wait for him; but
+Grettir said there was no need of that. Then said Biorn, &quot;Ye need
+not think that Grettir will run away from his coat; he will have the
+honour all to himself, and will slay that beast all alone, wherefrom
+we have gone back all eight of us; thus would he be such as he is said
+to be: but sluggishly enow has he fared forth to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know not,&quot; said Thorkel, &quot;how thou wilt fare in the end, but men of
+equal prowess I deem you not: lay as few burdens on him as thou mayst,
+Biorn.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said, that neither of them should pick and choose words from out
+his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>Now, when a hill's brow was between them, Grettir went back to the
+pass, for now there was no striving with others for the onset. He
+drew the sword, Jokul's gift, but had a loop over the handle of the
+short-sword, and slipped it up over his hand, and this he did in that
+he thought he could easier have it at his will if his hand were loose.
+He went up into the pass forthwith, and when the beast saw a man, it
+rushed against Grettir exceeding fiercely, and smote at him with that
+paw which was furthest off from the rock; Grettir hewed against the
+blow with the sword, and therewith smote the paw above the claws, and
+took it off; then the beast was fain to smite at Grettir with the paw
+that was whole, and dropped down therewith on to the docked one, but
+it was shorter than he wotted of, and withal he tumbled into Grettir's
+arms. Now he griped at the beast between the ears and held him off,
+so that he got not at him to bite. And, so Grettir himself says, that
+herein he deemed he had had the hardest trial of his strength, thus
+to hold the brute. But now as it struggled fiercely, and the space
+was narrow, they both tumbled down over the rock; the beast<span class="newpage"><a name="page66" id="page66">[66]</a></span> was the
+heaviest of the two, and came down first upon the stone heap below,
+Grettir being the uppermost, and the beast was much mangled on its
+nether side. Now Grettir seized the short-sword and thrust it into
+the heart of the bear, and that was his bane. Thereafter he went home,
+taking with him his cloak all tattered, and withal what he had cut
+from the paw of the bear. Thorkel sat a-drinking when he came into the
+hall, and much men laughed at the rags of the cloak Grettir had cast
+over him. Now he threw on to the table what he had chopped off the
+paw.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorkel, &quot;Where is now Biorn my kinsman? never did I see thy
+irons bite the like of this, Biorn, and my will it is, that thou make
+Grettir a seemly offer for this shame thou hast wrought on him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said that was like to be long about, &quot;and never shall I care
+whether he likes it well or ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Oft that war-god came to hall</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Frighted, when no blood did fall,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the dusk; who ever cried</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On the bear last autumn-tide;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No man saw me sitting there</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Late at eve before the lair;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet the shaggy one to-day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From his den I drew away.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Sure enough,&quot; said Biorn, &quot;thou hast fared forth well to-day, and
+two tales thou tellest of us twain therefor; and well I know that thou
+hast had a good hit at me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorkel said, &quot;I would, Grettir, that thou wouldst not avenge thee on
+Biorn, but for him I will give a full man-gild if thereby ye may be
+friends.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page67" id="page67">[67]</a></span>
+<p>Biorn said he might well turn his money to better account, than to
+boot for this; &quot;And, methinks it is wisest that in my dealings with
+Grettir <i>one oak should have what from the other it shaves</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that he should like that very well. But Thorkel said,
+&quot;Yet I hope, Grettir, that thou wilt do this for my sake, not to do
+aught against Biorn while ye are with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That shall be,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said he would walk fearless of Grettir wheresoever they might
+meet.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir smiled mockingly, but would not take boot for Biorn. So they
+were here that winter through.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In the spring Grettir went north to Vogar with chapmen. He and Thorkel
+parted in friendship; but Biorn went west to England, and was the
+master of Thorkel's ship that went thither. Biorn dwelt thereabout
+that summer and bought such things for Thorkel as he had given him
+word to get; but as the autumn wore on he sailed from the west.
+Grettir was at Vogar till the fleet broke up; then he sailed from
+the north with some chapmen until they came to a harbour at an island
+before the mouth of Drontheimfirth, called Gartar, where they pitched
+their tents. Now when they were housed, a ship came sailing havenward
+from the south along the land; they soon saw that it was an England
+farer; she took the strand further out, and her crew went<span class="newpage"><a name="page68" id="page68">[68]</a></span> ashore;
+Grettir and his fellows went to meet them. But when they met, Grettir
+saw that Biorn was among those men, and spake&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is well that we have met here; now we may well take up our ancient
+quarrel, and now I will try which of us twain may do the most.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said that was an old tale to him, &quot;but if there has been aught
+of such things between us, I will boot for it, so that thou mayst
+think thyself well holden thereof.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;In hard strife I slew the bear,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thereof many a man doth hear;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then the cloak I oft had worn,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By the beast to rags was torn;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou, O braggart ring-bearer,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wrought that jest upon me there,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now thou payest for thy jest,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not in words am I the best?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Biorn said, that oft had greater matters than these been atoned for.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;That few had chosen hitherto to strive to trip him up
+with spite and envy, nor ever had he taken fee for such, and still
+must matters fare in likewise. Know thou that we shall not both of us
+go hence whole men if I may have my will, and a coward's name will I
+lay on thy back, if thou darest not to fight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Biorn saw that it would avail nought to try to talk himself free;
+so he took his weapons and went aland.</p>
+
+<p>Then they ran one at the other and fought, but not long before Biorn
+got sore wounded, and presently fell dead to earth. But when Biorn's
+fellows saw that, they went to their ship,<span class="newpage"><a name="page69" id="page69">[69]</a></span> and made off north along
+the land to meet Thorkel and told him of this hap: he said it had not
+come to pass ere it might have been looked for.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after this Thorkel went south to Drontheim, and met there Earl
+Svein. Grettir went south to Mere after the slaying of Biorn, and
+found his friend Thorfinn, and told him what had befallen. Thorfinn
+gave him good welcome, and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is well now that thou art in need of a friend; with me shalt thou
+abide until these matters have come to an end.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thanked him for his offer, and said he would take it now.</p>
+
+<p>Earl Svein was dwelling in Drontheim, at Steinker, when he heard of
+Biorn's slaying; at that time there was with him Hiarandi, the brother
+of Biorn, and he was the Earl's man; he was exceeding wroth when
+he heard of the slaying of Biorn, and begged the Earl's aid in the
+matter, and the Earl gave his word thereto.</p>
+
+<p>Then he sent men to Thorfinn and summoned to him both him and Grettir.
+Thorfinn and Grettir made ready at once at the Earl's bidding to go
+north to Drontheim to meet him. Now the Earl held a council on the
+matter, and bade Hiarandi to be thereat; Hiarandi said he would not
+bring his brother to purse; &quot;and I shall either fare in a like wise
+with him, or else wreak vengeance for him.&quot; Now when the matter was
+looked into, the Earl found that Biorn had been guilty towards Grettir
+in many ways; and Thorfinn offered weregild, such as the Earl deemed
+might be befitting for Biorn's kin to take; and thereon he had much
+to say on the freedom which Grettir had wrought for men north there in
+the land, when he slew the bearserks, as has been aforesaid.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page70" id="page70">[70]</a></span>
+<p>The Earl answered, &quot;With much truth thou sayest this, Thorfinn,
+that was the greatest land-ridding, and good it seems to us to take
+weregild because of thy words; and withal Grettir is a man well
+renowned because of his strength and prowess.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hiarandi would not take the settlement, and they broke up the meeting.
+Thorfinn got his kinsman Arnbiorn to go about with Grettir day by day,
+for he knew that Hiarandi lay in wait for his life.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>It happened one day that Grettir and Arnbiorn were walking through
+some streets for their sport, that as they came past a certain court
+gate, a man bounded forth therefrom with axe borne aloft, and drave it
+at Grettir with both hands; he was all unawares of this, and walked on
+slowly; Arnbiorn caught timely sight of the man, and seized Grettir,
+and thrust him on so hard that he fell on his knee; the axe smote the
+shoulder-blade, and cut sideways out under the arm-pit, and a great
+wound it was. Grettir turned about nimbly, and drew the short-sword,
+and saw that there was Hiarandi. Now the axe stuck fast in the road,
+and it was slow work for Hiarandi to draw it to him again, and in this
+very nick of time Grettir hewed at him, and the blow fell on the upper
+arm, near the shoulder, and cut it off; then the fellows of Hiarandi
+rushed forth, five of them, and a fight forthwith befell, and speedy
+change happed there, for Grettir and Arnbiorn slew those who were<span class="newpage"><a name="page71" id="page71">[71]</a></span> with
+Hiarandi, all but one, who got off, and forthwith went to the Earl to
+tell him these tidings.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl was exceeding wroth when he heard of this, and the second day
+thereafter he had a Thing summoned. Then they, Thorfinn and Grettir,
+came both to the Thing. The Earl put forth against Grettir the guilt
+for these manslaughters; he owned them all, and said he had had to
+defend his hands.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whereof methinks I bear some marks on me,&quot; says Grettir, &quot;and surely
+I had found death if Arnbiorn had not saved me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The Earl answered that it was ill hap that Grettir was not slain.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For many a man's bane wilt thou be if thou livest, Grettir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then came to the Earl, Bessi, son of Skald-Torfa, a fellow and a
+friend to Grettir; he and Thorfinn went before the Earl had prayed him
+respite for Grettir, and offered, that the Earl alone should doom in
+this matter, but that Grettir might have peace and leave to dwell in
+the land.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl was slow to come to any settlement, but suffered himself to
+be led thereto because of their prayers. There respite was granted
+to Grettir till the next spring; still the Earl would not settle the
+peace till Gunnar, the brother of Biorn and Hiarandi, was thereat; now
+Gunnar was a court-owner in Tunsberg.</p>
+
+<p>In the spring, the Earl summoned Grettir and Thorfinn east to
+Tunsberg, for he would dwell there east while the most sail was
+thereat. Now they went east thither, and the Earl was before them in
+the town when they came. Here Grettir found his brother, Thorstein
+Dromond, who was fain of him and bade him abide with him: Thorstein
+was a court-owner in the town. Grettir told him all about his matters,
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page72" id="page72">[72]</a></span>
+and Thorstein gave a good hearing thereto, but bade him beware of
+Gunnar. And so the spring wore on.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife with Earl Svein</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Gunnar was in the town, and lay in wait for Grettir always
+and everywhere. It happened on a day that Grettir sat in a booth
+a-drinking, for he would not throw himself in Gunnar's way. But, when
+he wotted of it the least, the door was driven at so that it brake
+asunder, four men all-armed burst in, and there was Gunnar and his
+fellows.</p>
+
+<p>They set on Grettir; but he caught up his weapons which hung over
+him, and then drew aback into the corner, whence he defended himself,
+having before him the shield, but dealing blows with the short-sword,
+nor did they have speedy luck with him. Now he smote at one of
+Gunnar's fellows, and more he needed not; then he advanced forth on
+the floor, and therewith they were driven doorward through the booth,
+and there fell another man of Gunnar's; then were Gunnar and his
+fellows fain of flight; one of them got to the door, struck his foot
+against the threshold and lay there grovelling and was slow in getting
+to his feet. Gunnar had his shield before him, and gave back before
+Grettir, but he set on him fiercely and leaped up on the cross-beam by
+the door. Now the hands of Gunnar and the shield were within the door,
+but Grettir dealt a blow down amidst Gunnar and the shield and cut off
+both his hands by the wrist, and he fell aback out of the door; then
+Grettir dealt him his death-blow.</p>
+
+<p>But in this nick of time got to his feet Gunnar's man, who had lain
+fallen awhile, and he ran straightway to see the Earl, and to tell him
+these tidings.</p>
+
+<p>Earl Svein was wondrous wroth at this tale, and forthwith summoned a
+Thing in the town. But when Thorfinn and Thorstein Dromond knew this,
+they brought together their kin and friends and came thronging to the
+Thing. Very cross-grained was the Earl, and it was no easy matter to
+come to speech with him. Thorfinn went up first before the Earl and
+said, &quot;For this cause am I come hither, to offer thee peace and honour
+for these man-slayings that Grettir has wrought; thou alone shall
+shape and settle all, if the man hath respite of his life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The Earl answered sore wroth: &quot;Late wilt thou be loth to ask respite
+for Grettir; but in my mind it is that thou hast no good cause in
+court; he has now slain three brothers, one at the heels of the other,
+who were men so brave that they would none bear the other to purse.
+Now it will not avail thee, Thorfinn, to pray for Grettir, for I
+will not thus bring wrongs into the land so as to take boot for such
+unmeasured misdeeds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then came forward Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, and prayed the Earl to
+take the offered settlement. &quot;Thereto,&quot; he said, &quot;I will give up my
+goods, for Grettir is a man of great kin and a good friend of mine;
+thou mayst well see, Lord, that it is better to respite one man's life
+and to have therefor the thanks of many, thyself alone dooming the
+fines, than to break down thine own honour, and risk whether thou
+canst seize the man or not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The Earl answered, &quot;Thou farest well herein, Bessi, and showest at all
+times that thou art a high-minded<span class="newpage"><a name="page73" id="page73">[73]</a></span> man; still I am loth thus to break
+the laws of the land, giving respite to men of foredoomed lives.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then stepped forth Thorstein Dromond and greeted the Earl, and made
+offers on Grettir's behalf, and laid thereto many fair words. The Earl
+asked for what cause he made offers for this man. Thorstein said that
+they were brothers. The Earl said that he had not known it before:
+&quot;Now it is but the part of a man for thee to help him, but because
+we have made up our mind not to take money for these man-slayings,
+we shall make all men of equal worth here, and Grettir's life will we
+have, whatsoever it shall cost and whensoever chance shall serve.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereat the Earl sprang up, and would listen in nowise to the offered
+atonements.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorfinn and his folk went home to Thorstein's court and made
+ready. But when the Earl saw this he bade all his men take weapons,
+and then he went thither with his folk in array. But before he came up
+Thorfinn and his men ordered themselves for defence before the gate of
+the court. Foremost stood Thorfinn and Thorstein and Grettir, and then
+Bessi, and each of them had a large following of men with him.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl bade them to give up Grettir, nor to bring themselves into an
+evil strait; they made the very same offer as before. The Earl would
+not hearken thereto. Then Thorfinn and Thorstein said that the Earl
+should have more ado yet for the getting of Grettir's life, &quot;For one
+fate shall befall us all, and it will be said thou workest hard for
+one man's life, if all we have to be laid on earth therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The Earl said he should spare none of them, and now they were at the
+very point to fight.</p>
+
+<p>Then went to the Earl many men of goodwill, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page74" id="page74">[74]</a></span> prayed him not to
+push matters on to such great evils, and said they would have to pay
+heavily before all these were slain. The Earl found this rede to be
+wholesome, and became somewhat softened thereat.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they drew up an agreement to which Thorstein and Thorfinn
+were willing enough, now that Grettir should have respite of his life.
+The Earl spake: &quot;Know ye,&quot; quoth he, &quot;that though I deal by way of
+mean words with these man-slayings at this time, yet I call this no
+settlement, but I am loth to fight against my own folk; though I see
+that ye make little of me in this matter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorfinn, &quot;This is a greater honour for thee, Lord, for that
+thou alone wilt doom the weregild.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then the Earl said that Grettir should go in peace, as for him, out to
+Iceland, when ships fared out, if so they would; they said that they
+would take this. They paid the Earl fines to his mind, and parted from
+him with little friendship. Grettir went with Thorfinn; he and his
+brother Thorstein parted fondly.</p>
+
+<p>Thorfinn got great fame for the aid he had given Grettir against such
+overwhelming power as he had to deal with: none of the men who had
+helped Grettir were ever after well loved of the Earl, save Bessi.</p>
+
+<p>So quoth Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;To our helping came</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The great of name;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thorfinn was there</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Born rule to bear;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When all bolts fell</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Into locks, and hell</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cried out for my life</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the Tunsberg strife.<span class="newpage"><a name="page75" id="page75">[75]</a></span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Dromund fair<a name="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11"><sup>[11]</sup></a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of red seas was there,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The stone of the bane</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of steel-gods vain:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From Bylest's kin</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My life to win,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Above all men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He laboured then.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then the king's folk</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would strike no stroke</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To win my head;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So great grew dread;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For the leopard came</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With byrni's flame,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And on thoughts-burg wall</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Should that bright fire fall.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Grettir went back north with Thorfinn, and was with him till he gat
+him to ship with chapmen who were bound out to Iceland: he gave him
+many fair gifts of raiment, and a fair-stained saddle and a bridle
+withal. They parted in friendship, and Thorfinn bade him come to him
+whensoever he should come back to Norway.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page76" id="page76">[76]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXV"></a><h2>CHAP. XXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Asmund the Greyhaired lived on at Biarg, while Grettir was abroad, and
+by that time he was thought to be the greatest of bonders in Midfirth.
+Thorkel Krafla died during those seasons that Grettir was out of
+Iceland. Thorvald Asgeirson farmed then at the Ridge in Waterdale,
+and waxed a great chief. He was the father of Dalla whom Isleif had to
+wife, he who afterwards was bishop at Skalholt.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund had in Thorvald the greatest help in suits and in many other
+matters. At Asmund's grew up a man, hight Thorgils, called Thorgils
+Makson, near akin to Asmund. Thorgils was a man of great strength and
+gained much money by Asmund's foresight.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund bought for Thorgils the land at Brookmeet, and there he farmed.
+Thorgils was a great store-gatherer, and went a-searching to the
+Strands every year, and there he gat for himself whales and other
+gettings; and a stout-hearted man he was.</p>
+
+<p>In those days was at its height the waxing of the foster-brothers,
+Thorgeir Havarson and Thormod Coalbrowskald; they had a boat and went
+therein far and wide, and were not thought men of much even-dealing.
+It chanced one summer that Thorgils Makson found a whale on the common
+drift-lands, and forthwith he and his folk set about cutting it up.</p>
+
+<p>But when the foster-brothers heard thereof they went thither, and at
+first their talk had a likely look out. Thorgils<span class="newpage"><a name="page77" id="page77">[77]</a></span> offered that they
+should have the half of the uncut whale; but they would have for
+themselves all the uncut, or else divide all into halves, both the cut
+and the uncut. Thorgils flatly refused to give up what was cut of the
+whale; and thereat things grew hot between them, and forthwithal both
+sides caught up their weapons and fought. Thorgeir and Thorgils fought
+long together without either losing or gaining, and both were of the
+eagerest. Their strife was both fierce and long, but the end of it
+was, that Thorgils fell dead to earth before Thorgeir; but Thormod and
+the men of Thorgils fought in another place; Thormod had the best of
+that strife, and three of Thorgils' men fell before him. After the
+slaying of Thorgils, his folk went back east to Midfirth, and brought
+his dead body with them. Men thought that they had the greatest loss
+in him. But the foster-brothers took all the whale to themselves.</p>
+
+<p>This meeting Thormod tells of in that drapa that he made on Thorgeir
+dead. Asmund the Greyhaired heard of the slaying of Thorgils his
+kinsman; he was suitor in the case for Thorgils' slaying, he went
+and took witnesses to the wounds, and summoned the case before the
+Althing, for then this seemed to be law, as the case had happened in
+another quarter. And so time wears on.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. XXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for the Bloodsuit for the
+Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man called Thorstein, he was the son of Thorkel Kugg, the
+son of Thord the Yeller, the son<span class="newpage"><a name="page78" id="page78">[78]</a></span> of Olaf Feilan, the son of Thorstein
+the Red, the son of Aud the Deeply-wealthy. The mother of Thorstein
+Kuggson was Thurid the daughter of Asgeir Madpate, Asgeir was father's
+brother of Asmund the Greyhaired.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein Kuggson was suitor in the case about Thorgils Makson's
+slaying along with Asmund the Greyhaired, who now sent word to
+Thorstein that he should come to meet him. Thorstein was a great
+champion, and the wildest-tempered of men; he went at once to meet
+his kinsman Asmund, and they talked the blood-suit over together.
+Thorstein was mightily wroth and said that no atonement should be for
+this, and said they had strength of kin enough to bring about for the
+slaying either outlawry or vengeance on men. Asmund said that he
+would follow him in whatsoever he would have done. They rode north to
+Thorvald their kinsman to pray his aid, and he quickly gave his word
+and said yea thereto. So they settled the suit against Thorgeir and
+Thormod; then Thorstein rode home to his farmstead, he then farmed at
+Liarskogar in Hvamsveit. Skeggi farmed at Hvam, he also joined in the
+suit with Thorstein. Skeggi was the son of Thorarinn Fylsenni, the son
+of Thord the Yeller; the mother of Skeggi was Fridgerd, daughter of
+Thord of Head.</p>
+
+<p>These had a many men with them at the Thing, and pushed their suit
+with great eagerness.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund and Thorvald rode from the north with six tens of men, and sat
+at Liarskogar many nights.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page79" id="page79">[79]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>A man hight Thorgils abode at Reek-knolls in those days, he was the
+son of Ari, the son of Mar, the son of Atli the Red, the son of Ulf
+the Squinter, who settled at Reekness; the mother of Thorgils Arisen
+was Thorgerd, the daughter of Alf a-Dales; another daughter of Alf was
+Thorelf, mother of Thorgeir Havarson. There had Thorgeir good kinship
+to trust in, for Thorgils was the greatest chief in the Westfirthers'
+quarter. He was a man of such bountifulness, that he gave food to any
+free-born man as long as he would have it, and therefore there was at
+all times a throng of people at Reek-knolls; thus had Thorgils much
+renown of his house-keeping. He was a man withal of good will and
+foreknowledge. Thorgeir was with Thorgils in winter, but went to the
+Strands in summer.</p>
+
+<p>After the slaying of Thorgils Makson, Thorgeir went to Reek-knolls and
+told Thorgils Arisen these tidings; Thorgils said that he was ready to
+give him harbour with him, &quot;But, methinks,&quot; he says, &quot;that they will
+be heavy in the suit, and I am loth to eke out the troubles. Now I
+shall send a man to Thorstein and bid weregild for the slaying of
+Thorgils; but if he will not take atonement I shall not defend the
+case stiffly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgeir said he would trust to his foresight. In autumn Thorgils
+sent a man to Thorstein Kuggson to try settling the case, but he was
+cross-grained to deal with as to the taking money for the blood-suit
+of Thorgils Makson; but about the other man-slayings, he said he
+would do as wise<span class="newpage"><a name="page80" id="page80">[80]</a></span> men should urge him. Now when Thorgils heard this, he
+called Thorgeir to him for a talk, and asked him what kind of aid he
+now deemed meetest for him; Thorgeir said that it was most to his mind
+to go abroad if he should be outlawed. Thorgils said that should be
+tried. A ship lay up Northriver in Burgfirth; in that keel Thorgils
+secretly paid faring for the foster-brothers, and thus the winter
+passed. Thorgils heard that Asmund and Thorstein drew together many
+men to the Althing, and sat in Liarskogar. He drew out the time of
+riding from home, for he would that Asmund and Thorstein should have
+ridden by before him to the south, when he came from the west; and
+so it fell out. Thorgils rode south, and with him rode the
+foster-brothers. In this ride Thorgeir killed Bundle-Torfi of
+Marswell, and Skuf withal, and Biarni in Dog-dale; thus says Thormod
+in Thorgeir's-Drapa&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Mighty strife the warrior made,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When to earth was Makson laid,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Well the sword-shower wrought he there,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Flesh the ravens got to tear;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then when Skuf and Biarni fell,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He was there the tale to tell;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sea-steed's rider took his way</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through the thickest of the fray.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thorgils settled the peace for the slaying of Skuf and Biarni then
+and there in the Dale, and delayed no longer than his will was before;
+Thorgeir went to ship, but Thorgils to the Althing, and came not
+thither until men were going to the courts.</p>
+
+<p>Then Asmund the Greyhaired challenged the defence for the blood-suit
+on the slaying of Thorgils Makson.<span class="newpage"><a name="page81" id="page81">[81]</a></span> Thorgils went to the court and
+offered weregild for the slaying, if thereby Thorgeir might become
+free of guilt; he put forth for defence in the suit whether they had
+not free catch on all common foreshores. The lawman was asked if this
+was a lawful defence. Skapti was the lawman, and backed Asmund for the
+sake of their kinship. He said this was law if they were equal men,
+but said that bonders had a right to take before batchelors. Asmund
+said that Thorgils had offered an even sharing to the foster-brothers
+in so much of the whale as was uncut when they came thereto; and
+therewith that way of defence was closed against them. Now Thorstein
+and his kin followed up the suit with much eagerness, and nought was
+good to them but that Thorgeir should be made guilty.</p>
+
+<p>Thorgils saw that one of two things was to be done, either to set on
+with many men, not knowing what might be gained thereby, or to suffer
+them to go on as they would; and, whereas Thorgeir had been got on
+board ship, Thorgils let the suit go on unheeded.</p>
+
+<p>Thorgeir was outlawed, but for Thormod was taken weregild, and he to
+be quit. By this blood-suit Thorstein and Asmund were deemed to have
+waxed much. And now men ride home from the Thing.</p>
+
+<p>Some men would hold talk that Thorgils had lightly backed the case,
+but he heeded their talk little, and let any one say thereon what he
+would.</p>
+
+<p>But when Thorgeir heard of this outlawry, he said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Fain am I that those who have made me an outlaw should have full pay
+for this, ere all be over.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was a man called Gaut Sleitason, who was akin to Thorgils
+Makson. Gaut had made ready to go in this same ship wherein Thorgeir
+was to sail. He bristled up against Thorgeir, and showed mighty
+ill-will against him<span class="newpage"><a name="page82" id="page82">[82]</a></span> and went about scowling; when the chapmen found
+this out, they thought it far from safe that both should sail in one
+ship. Thorgeir said he heeded not how much soever Gaut would bend his
+brows on him; still it was agreed that Gaut should take himself off
+from the ship, whereupon he went north into the upper settlements,
+and that time nought happed between him and Thorgeir, but out of this
+sprang up between them ill blood, as matters showed after.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>This summer Grettir Asmundson came out to Skagafirth: he was in those
+days so famed a man for strength and prowess, that none was deemed
+his like among young men. He rode home to Biarg forthwith, and Asmund
+welcomed him meetly. At that time Atli managed the farming matters,
+and well things befell betwixt the brothers.</p>
+
+<p>But now Grettir waxed so overbearing, that he deemed that nought was
+too much for him to do. At that time had many men grown into full
+manhood who were young in the days when Grettir was wont to play with
+them on Midfirth-water before he went abroad; one of these was Audun,
+who then dwelt at Audunstead, in Willowdale; he was the son of Asgeir,
+the son of Audun, the son of Asgeir Madpate; of all men he was the
+strongest north there; but he was thought to be the gentlest of
+neighbours. Now it came into Grettir's mind that he had had the worst
+of Audun in<span class="newpage"><a name="page83" id="page83">[83]</a></span> that ball-play whereof is told before; and now he would
+fain try which of the twain had ripened the most since then. For this
+cause Grettir took his way from home, and fared unto Audunstead.
+This was in early mowing tide; Grettir was well dight, and rode in a
+fair-stained saddle of very excellent workmanship, which Thorfinn had
+given him; a good horse he had withal, and all weapons of the best.
+Grettir came early in the day to Audunstead, and knocked at the door.
+Few folk were within; Grettir asked if Audun was at home. Men said
+that he had gone to fetch victuals from the hill-dairy. Then Grettir
+took the bridle off his horse; the field was unmowed, and the horse
+went whereas the grass was the highest. Grettir went into the hall,
+sat down on the seat-beam, and thereon fell asleep. Soon after Audun
+came home, and sees a horse grazing in the field with a fair-stained
+saddle on; Audun was bringing victuals on two horses, and carried
+curds on one of them, in drawn-up hides, tied round about: this
+fashion men called curd-bags. Audun took the loads off the horses and
+carried the curd-bags in his arms into the house.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was dark before his eyes, and Grettir stretched his foot from
+out the beam so that Audun fell flat down head-foremost on to the
+curd-bag, whereby the bonds of the bag brake; Audun leaped up and
+asked who was that rascal in the way. Grettir named himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Audun, &quot;Rashly hast thou done herein; what is thine errand
+then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;I will fight with thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;First I will see about my victuals,&quot; said Audun.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That thou mayst well do,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;if thou canst not charge
+other folk therewith.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Audun stooped down and caught up the curd-bag and dashed it
+against Grettir's bosom, and bade him first<span class="newpage"><a name="page84" id="page84">[84]</a></span> take what was sent him;
+and therewith was Grettir all smothered in the curds; and a greater
+shame he deemed that than if Audun had given him a great wound.</p>
+
+<p>Now thereon they rushed at one another and wrestled fiercely; Grettir
+set on with great eagerness, but Audun gave back before him. Yet he
+feels that Grettir has outgrown him in strength. Now all things in
+their way were kicked out of place, and they were borne on wrestling
+to and fro throughout all the hall; neither spared his might, but
+still Grettir was the toughest of the twain, and at last Audun fell,
+having torn all weapons from Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now they grapple hard with one another, and huge cracking was all
+around them. Withal a great din was heard coming through the earth
+underneath the farmstead, and Grettir heard some one ride up to the
+houses, get off his horse, and stride in with great strides; he sees
+a man come up, of goodly growth, in a red kirtle and with a helmet on
+his head. He took his way into the hall, for he had heard clamorous
+doings there as they were struggling together; he asked what was in
+the hall.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir named himself, &quot;But who asks thereof?&quot; quoth he.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Bardi am I hight,&quot; said the new comer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Art thou Bardi, the son of Gudmund, from Asbiornsness?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That very man am I,&quot; said Bardi; &quot;but what art thou doing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;We, Audun and I, are playing here in sport.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know not as to the sport thereof,&quot; said Bardi, &quot;nor are ye even men
+either; thou art full of unfairness and overbearing, and he is easy
+and good to deal with; so let him stand up forthwith.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page85" id="page85">[85]</a></span>
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;<i>Many a man stretches round the door to the lock</i>;
+and meseems it lies more in thy way to avenge thy brother Hall<a name="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12"><sup>[12]</sup></a>
+than to meddle in the dealings betwixt me and Audun.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At all times I hear this,&quot; said Bardi, &quot;nor know I if that will be
+avenged, but none the less I will that thou let Audun be at peace, for
+he is a quiet man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir did so at Bardi's bidding, nathless, little did it please him.
+Bardi asked for what cause they strove.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Prithee, Audun, who can tell,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But that now thy throat shall swell;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That from rough hands thou shalt gain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By our strife a certain pain.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E'en such wrong as I have done,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I of yore from Audun won,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the young, fell-creeping lad</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At his hands a choking had.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Bardi said that certes it was a matter to be borne with, if he had had
+to avenge himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now I will settle matters between you,&quot; quoth Bardi; &quot;I will that ye
+part, leaving things as they are, that thereby there may be an end of
+all between you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This they let hold good, but Grettir took ill liking to Bardi and his
+brothers.</p>
+
+<p>Now they all rode off, and when they were somewhat on their way,
+Grettir spake&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have heard that thou hast will to go to Burgfirth<span class="newpage"><a name="page86" id="page86">[86]</a></span> this summer, and
+I now offer to go south with thee; and methinks that herein I do for
+thee more than thou art worthy of.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hereat was Bardi glad, and speedily said yea thereto, and bade him
+have thanks for this; and thereupon they parted. But a little after
+Bardi came back and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will have it known that thou goest not unless my foster-father
+Thorarin will have it so, for he shall have all the rule of the
+faring.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well mightest thou, methinks, have full freedom as to thine own
+redes,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;and my faring I will not have laid under the
+choice of other folk; and I shall mislike it if thou easiest me aside
+from thy fellowship.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now either went their way, and Bardi said he should let Grettir know
+for sure if Thorarin would that he should fare with him, but that
+otherwise he might sit quiet at home. Grettir rode home to Biarg, but
+Bardi to his own house.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. XXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>That summer was settled to be a great horse-fight at Longfit, below
+Reeks. Thither came many men. Atli of Biarg had a good horse, a
+black-maned roan of Keingala's kin, and father and son had great love
+for that horse. The brothers, Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, had a brown
+horse, trusty in fight. These were to fight their horse against Atli
+of Biarg. And many other good horses were there.</p>
+
+<p>Odd, the Foundling-skald, of Kormak's kin, was to follow the horse
+of his kinsman through the day. Odd<span class="newpage"><a name="page87" id="page87">[87]</a></span> was then growing a big man, and
+bragged much of himself, and was untameable and reckless. Grettir
+asked of Atli his brother, who should follow his horse.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not so clear about that,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wilt thou that I stand by it?&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Be thou then very peaceable, kinsman,&quot; said Atli, &quot;for here have we
+to deal with overbearing men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, let them pay for their own insolence,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;if they
+know not how to hold it back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now are the horses led out, but all stood forth on the river-bank tied
+together. There was a deep hollow in the river down below the bank.
+The horses bit well at each other, and the greatest sport it was.</p>
+
+<p>Odd drave on his horse with all his might, but Grettir held back, and
+seized the tail with one hand, and the staff wherewith he goaded the
+horse he held in the other. Odd stood far before his horse, nor was it
+so sure that he did not goad Atli's horse from his hold. Grettir made
+as if he saw it not. Now the horses bore forth towards the river. Then
+Odd drave his staff at Grettir, and smote the shoulder-blade, for that
+Grettir turned the shoulder towards him: that was so mighty a stroke,
+that the flesh shrank from under it, but Grettir was little scratched.</p>
+
+<p>Now in that nick of time the horses reared up high, and Grettir ran
+under his horse's hocks, and thrust his staff so hard at the side
+of Odd that three ribs brake in him, but he was hurled out into deep
+water, together with his horse and all the horses that were tied
+together. Then men swam out to him and dragged him out of the river;
+then was a great hooting made thereat; Kormak's folk ran to their
+weapons, as did the men of Biarg in another place. But when the
+Ramfirthers and the men of Waterness saw that, they went betwixt them,
+and they were parted and<span class="newpage"><a name="page88" id="page88">[88]</a></span> went home, but both sides had ill-will one
+with the other, though they sat peacefully at home for a while.</p>
+
+<p>Atli was sparing of speech over this, but Grettir was right unsparing,
+and said that they would meet another time if his will came to pass.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXX"></a><h2>CHAP. XXX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy, and of Grettir's meeting
+with Kormak on Ramfirth-neck.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Thorodstead in Ramfirth;
+he was the son of Arnor Hay-nose,<a name="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13"><sup>[13]</sup></a> the son of Thorod, who had
+settled Ramfirth on that side out as far as Bank was on the other.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn was the strongest of all men; he was called Oxmain. Thorod
+was the name of his brother, he was called Drapa-Stump; their mother
+was Gerd, daughter of Bodvar, from Bodvars-knolls. Thorbiorn was a
+great and hardy warrior, and had many men with him; he was noted as
+being worse at getting servants than other men, and barely gave he
+wages to any man, nor was he thought a good man to deal with. There
+was a kinsman of his hight Thorbiorn, and bynamed Tardy; he was a
+sailor, and the namesakes were partners. He was ever at Thorodstead,
+and was thought to better Thorbiorn but little. He was a fault-finding
+fellow, and went about jeering at most men.</p>
+
+<p>There was a man hight Thorir, the son of Thorkel of<span class="newpage"><a name="page89" id="page89">[89]</a></span> Boardere. He
+farmed first at Meals in Ramfirth; his daughter was Helga, whom
+Sleita-Helgi had to wife, but after the man-slaying in Fairslope
+Thorir set up for himself his abode south in Hawkdale, and farmed at
+the Pass, and sold the land at Meals to Thorhall, son of Gamli the
+Vendlander.<a name="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14"><sup>[14]</sup></a> His son was Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, daughter
+of Asmund the Greyhaired, and Grettir's sister. They dwelt at that
+time at Meals, and had good hap. Thorir of the Pass had two sons, one
+hight Gunnar, the other Thorgeir; they were both hopeful men, and
+had then taken the farm after their father, yet were for ever with
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, and were growing exceeding unruly.</p>
+
+<p>The summer after that just told, Kormak and Thorgils and Narfi their
+kinsman rode south to Northriverdale, on some errand of theirs. Odd
+the Foundling-skald fared also with them, and by then was gotten
+healed of the stiffness he gained at the horse-fight. But while they
+were south of the heath, Grettir fared from Biarg, and with him two
+house-carles of Atli's. They rode over to Bowerfell, and thence over
+the mountain neck to Ramfirth, and came to Meals in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>They were there three nights; Ranveig and Gamli welcomed Grettir well,
+and bade him abide with them, but he had will to ride home.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir heard that Kormak and his fellows were come from the
+south, and had guested at Tongue through the night. Grettir got ready
+early to leave Meals; Gamli offered him men to go with him. Now Grim
+was the name of Gamli's brother; he was of all men the swiftest; he
+rode<span class="newpage"><a name="page90" id="page90">[90]</a></span> with Grettir with another man; they were five in all. Thus they
+rode on till they came to Ramfirth-neck, west of Bowerfell. There
+stands a huge stone that is called Grettir's heave; for he tried long
+that day to lift that stone, and thus they delayed till Kormak and his
+fellows were come. Grettir rode to meet them, and both sides jumped
+off their horses. Grettir said it was more like free men now to
+deal blows of the biggest, than to fight with staves like wandering
+churles. Then Kormak bade them take the challenge in manly wise, and
+do their best. Thereafter they ran at one another and fought. Grettir
+went before his men, and bade them take heed, that none came at his
+back. Thus they fought a while, and men were wounded on both sides.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn Oxmain had ridden that day over the neck to Bowerfell,
+and when he rode back he saw their meeting. There were with him then
+Thorbiorn the Tardy, and Gunnar and Thorgeir, Thorir's sons, and
+Thorod Drapa-Stump. Now when they came thereto, Thorbiorn called on
+his men to go between them. But the others were by then so eager that
+they could do nought. Grettir broke forth fiercely, and before him
+were the sons of Thorir, and they both fell as he thrust them from
+him; they waxed exceeding furious thereat, insomuch that Gunnar dealt
+a death-blow at a house-carle of Atli; and when Thorbiorn saw that,
+he bade them part, saying withal that he would aid which side soever
+should pay heed to his words. By then were fallen two house-carles of
+Kormak, but Grettir saw, that it would hardly do if Thorbiorn should
+bring aid to them against him, wherefore now he gave up the battle,
+and all were wounded who had been at that meeting. But much it
+misliked Grettir that they had been parted.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter either side rode home, nor did they settle peace after
+these slayings. Thorbiorn the Tardy made<span class="newpage"><a name="page91" id="page91">[91]</a></span> much mocking at all this,
+therefore things began to worsen betwixt the men of Biarg and
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, so that therefrom fell much ill-will as came to be
+known after. No boot was bidden to Atli for his house-carle, but
+he made as if he knew it not. Grettir sat at home at Biarg until
+Twainmonth.<a name="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15"><sup>[15]</sup></a> Nor is it said in story that he and Kormak met ever
+again after these things betid.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXI"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund, as he came back from the
+Heath-slayings</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Bardi, the son of Gudmund, and his brothers, rode home to Asbiornsness
+after their parting with Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>They were the sons of Gudmund, the son of Solmund. The mother of
+Solmund was Thorlaug, the daughter of Saemund, the South-Island man,
+the foster-brother of Ingimund the Old, and Bardi was a very noble
+man.</p>
+
+<p>Now soon he rode to find Thorarin the Wise, his foster-father. He
+welcomed Bardi well, and asked what gain he had got of followers and
+aid, for they had before taken counsel over Bardi's journey. Bardi
+answered that he had got the aid of that man to his fellow, whose aid
+he deemed better than that of any other twain. Thorarin got silent
+thereat, and then said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That man will be Grettir Asmundson.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Sooth is the sage's guess</i>,&quot; said Bardi; &quot;that is the very man,
+foster-father.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page92" id="page92">[92]</a></span>
+<p>Thorarin answered, &quot;True it is, that Grettir is much before any other
+man of those who are to choose in our land, and late will he be won
+with weapons, if he be hale, yet it misdoubts me how far he will bring
+thee luck; but of thy following all must not be luckless, and enough
+ye will do, though he fare not with thee: nowise shall he go if I may
+have my will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This I could not have deemed, foster-father,&quot; said he, &quot;that thou
+wouldst grudge me the aid of the bravest of men, if my need should be
+hard. A man cannot foresee all things when he is driven on as methinks
+I am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou wilt do well,&quot; said Thorarin; &quot;though thou abidest by my
+foresight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now thus must things be, even as Thorarin would, that no word more was
+sent to Grettir, but Bardi fared south to Burgfirth, and then befell
+the Heath-slayings.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir was at Biarg when he heard that Bardi had ridden south; he
+started up in anger for that no word had been sent to him, and said
+that not thus should they part. He had news of them when they
+were looked for coming from the south, and thereat he rode down to
+Thorey's-peak, for the waylaying of Bardi's folk as they came back
+from the south: he fared from the homestead up on to the hill-side,
+and abode there. That same day rode Bardi and his men north over
+Twodaysway, from the Heath-slayings; they were six in all, and every
+man sore wounded; and when they came forth by the homestead, then said
+Bardi&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A man there is up on the hill-side; a big man, armed. What man do ye
+take him to be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said that they wotted not who he was.</p>
+
+<p>Bardi said, &quot;Methinks there,&quot; quoth he, &quot;is Grettir Asmundson; and if
+so it is, there will he meet us. I deem that it has misliked him that
+he fared not with us, but methinks<span class="newpage"><a name="page93" id="page93">[93]</a></span> we are not in good case, if he be
+bent on doing us harm. I now shall send after men to Thorey's-peak,
+and stake nought on the chance of his ill-will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said this was a good rede, and so was it done.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter Bardi and his folk rode on their way. Grettir saw where
+they fared, and went in the way before them, and when they met, either
+greeted other.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir asked for tidings, but Bardi told them fearlessly, even as
+they were. Grettir asked what men were in that journey with him. Bardi
+said that there were his brothers, and Eyulf his brother-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou hast now cleared thyself from all blame,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but now
+is it best that we try between us who is of most might here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Bardi, &quot;Too nigh to my garth have deeds of hard need been, than
+that I should fight with thee without a cause, and well methinks have
+I thrust these from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou growest soft, methinks, Bardi,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;since thou durst
+not fight with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Call that what thou wilt,&quot; said Bardi; &quot;but in some other stead would
+I that thou wreak thine high-handedness than here on me; and that is
+like enough, for now does thy rashness pass all bounds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thought ill of his spaedom, and now doubted within himself
+whether he should set on one or other of them; but it seemed rash to
+him, as they were six and he one: and in that nick of time came up the
+men from Thorey's-peak to the aid of Bardi and his folk; then Grettir
+drew off from them, and turned aside to his horse. But Bardi and his
+fellows went on their way, nor were there farewells between them at
+parting.</p>
+
+<p>No further dealings between Bardi and Grettir are told of after these
+things betid.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page94" id="page94">[94]</a></span>
+<p>Now so has Grettir said that he deemed himself well matched to fight
+with most men, though they were three together, but he would have no
+mind to flee before four, without trying it; but against more would
+he fight only if he must needs defend his hand, as is said in this
+stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;My life trust I 'gainst three</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Skilled in Mist's mystery;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whatso in Hilda's weather</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall bring the swords together;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If over four they are</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My wayfaring that bar</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No gale of swords will I</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wake with them willingly.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>After his parting with Bardi, Grettir fared to Biarg, and very ill he
+it thought that he might nowhere try his strength, and searched all
+about if anywhere might be somewhat wherewith he might contend.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how Thorhall took a Shepherd
+by the rede of Skapti the Lawman, and of what befell thereafter</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man hight Thorhall, who dwelt at Thorhall-stead, in
+Shady-vale, which runs up from Waterdale. Thorhall was the son of
+Grim, son of Thorhall, the son of Fridmund, who settled Shady-vale.
+Thorhall had a wife hight Gudrun. Grim was their son, and Thurid their
+daughter; they were well-nigh grown up.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page95" id="page95">[95]</a></span>
+<p>Thorhall was a rich man, but mostly in cattle, so that no man had so
+much of live-stock as he. He was no chief, but an honest bonder he
+was. Much was that place haunted, and hardly could he get a shepherd
+that he deemed should serve his turn. He sought counsel of many men
+as to what he might do therewith, but none gave him a rede that might
+serve him. Thorhall rode each summer to the Thing, and good horses
+he had. But one summer at the Althing, Thorhall went to the booth
+of Skapti Thorodson the Lawman. Skapti was the wisest of men, and
+wholesome were his redes when folk prayed him for them. But he and his
+father differed thus much, that Thorod was foretelling, and yet was
+called under-handed of some folk; but Skapti showed forth to every
+man what he deemed would avail most, if it were not departed from,
+therefore was he called &quot;Father-betterer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorhall went into Skapti's booth, and Skapti greeted him well,
+for he knew that he was a man rich in cattle, and he asked him what
+were the tidings.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall answered, &quot;A wholesome counsel would I have from thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Little am I meet for that,&quot; said Skapti; &quot;but what dost thou stand in
+need of?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall said, &quot;So is the matter grown to be, that but a little while
+do my shepherds avail me; for ever will they get badly hurt; but
+others will not serve to the end, and now no one will take the job
+when he knows what bides in the way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Skapti answered, &quot;Some evil things shall be there then, since men
+are more unwilling to watch thy sheep than those of other men. Now,
+therefore, as thou hast sought rede of me, I shall get thee a shepherd
+who is hight Glam, a Swede, from Sylgsdale, who came out last summer,
+a big<span class="newpage"><a name="page96" id="page96">[96]</a></span> man and a strong, though he is not much to the mind of most
+folk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall said he heeded that little if he watched the sheep well.</p>
+
+<p>Skapti said that little would be the look out for others, if he could
+not watch them, despite his strength and daring.</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorhall went out from him, and this was towards the breaking
+up of the Thing. Thorhall missed two dun horses, and fared himself to
+seek for them; wherefore folk deem that he was no great man. He went
+up to Sledgehill, and south along the fell which is called Armansfell;
+then he saw how a man fared down from Godi's-wood, and bore faggots on
+a horse. Soon they met together, and Thorhall asked him of his name.
+He said that he was called Glam. This man was great of growth,
+uncouth to look on; his eyes were grey and glaring, and his hair was
+wolf-grey.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall stared at him somewhat when he saw this man, till he saw that
+this was he to whom he had been sent.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What work hast thou best will to do?&quot; said Thorhall.</p>
+
+<p>Glam said, &quot;That he was of good mind to watch sheep in winter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wilt thou watch my sheep?&quot; said Thorhall. &quot;Skapti has given thee to
+my will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So only shall my service avail thee, if I go of my own will, for I am
+evil of mood if matters mislike me,&quot; quoth Glam.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I fear no hurt thereof,&quot; said Thorhall, &quot;and I will that thou fare to
+my house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may I do,&quot; said Glam, &quot;perchance there are some troubles there?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Folk deem the place haunted,&quot; said Thorhall.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page97" id="page97">[97]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;Such bugs will not scare me,&quot; quoth Glam; &quot;life seems to me less
+irksome thereby.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It must needs seem so,&quot; said Thorhall, &quot;and truly it is better that a
+mannikin be not there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they struck bargain together, and Glam is to come at winter
+nights: then they parted, and Thorhall found his horses even where he
+had just been searching. Thorhall rode home, and thanked Skapti for
+his good deed.</p>
+
+<p>Summer slipped away, and Thorhall heard nought of his shepherd, nor
+did any man know aught about him; but at the appointed time he came
+to Thorhall-stead. The bonder greeted him well, but none of the other
+folk could abide him, and the good wife least of all.</p>
+
+<p>Now he took to the sheep-watching, and little trouble it seemed to
+give him; he was big-voiced and husky, and all the beasts would run
+together when he whooped. There was a church at Thorhall-stead, but
+nowise would Glam come therein; he was a loather of church-song, and
+godless, foul-tempered, and surly, and no man might abide him.</p>
+
+<p>Now passed the time till it came to Yule-eve; then Glam got up and
+straightway called for his meat. The good wife said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No Christian man is wont to eat meat this day, be-. cause that on the
+morrow is the first day of Yule,&quot; says she, &quot;wherefore must men first
+fast to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answers, &quot;Many follies have ye, whereof I see no good come, nor
+know I that men fare better now than when they paid no heed to such
+things; and methinks the ways of men were better when they were called
+heathens; and now will I have my meat, and none of this fooling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said the housewife, &quot;I know for sure that thou shall fare ill
+to-day, if thou takest up this evil turn.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page98" id="page98">[98]</a></span>
+<p>Glam bade her bring food straightway, and said that she should fare
+the worse else. She durst do but as he would, and so when he was full,
+he went out, growling and grumbling.</p>
+
+<p>Now the weather was such, that mirk was over all, and the snow-flakes
+drave down, and great din there was, and still all grew much the
+worse, as the day slipped away.</p>
+
+<p>Men heard the shepherd through the early morning, but less of him
+as the day wore; then it took to snowing, and by evening there was
+a great storm; then men went to church, and thus time drew on to
+nightfall; and Glam came not home; then folk held talk, as to whether
+search should not be made for him, but, because of the snow-storm and
+pitch darkness, that came to nought.</p>
+
+<p>Now he came not home on the night of Yule-eve; and thus men abide till
+after the time of worship; but further on in the day men fared out to
+the search, and found the sheep scattered wide about in fens, beaten
+down by the storm, or strayed up into the mountains. Thereafter they
+came on a great beaten place high up in the valley, and they thought
+it was as if strong wrestling had gone on there; for that all about
+the stones had been uptorn and the earth withal; now they looked
+closely and saw where Glam lay a little way therefrom; he was dead,
+and as blue as hell, and as great as a neat.</p>
+
+<p>Huge loathing took them, at the sight of him, and they shuddered in
+their souls at him, yet they strove to bring him to church, but could
+get him only as far as a certain gil-edge a little way below.</p>
+
+<p>Then they fared home to the farm, and told the bonder what had happed.
+He asked what was like to have been Glam's bane. They said they had
+tracked steps as great as if a cask-bottom had been stamped down, from
+there<span class="newpage"><a name="page99" id="page99">[99]</a></span> where the beaten place was, up to beneath sheer rocks which were
+high up the valley, and there along went great stains of blood. Now
+men drew from this, that the evil wight which had been there before
+had killed Glam, but had got such wounds as had been full enough for
+him, for of him none has since been ware.</p>
+
+<p>The second day of Yule men went afresh to try to bring Glam to church;
+drag horses were put to him, but could move him nowhere where they
+had to go on even ground and not down hill; then folk had to go away
+therefrom leaving things done so far.</p>
+
+<p>The third day the priest fared with them, and they sought all day, but
+found not Glam. The priest would go no more on such search, but the
+herdsman was found whenso the priest was not in their company. Then
+they let alone striving to bring him to church, and buried him there
+whereto he had been brought.</p>
+
+<p>A little time after men were ware that Glam lay not quiet. Folk got
+great hurt therefrom, so that many fell into swoons when they saw him,
+but others lost their wits thereby. But just after Yule men thought
+they saw him home at the farm. Folk became exceeding afeard thereat,
+and many fled there and then. Next Glam took to riding the house-roofs
+at night, so that he went nigh to breaking them in. Now he walked
+well-nigh night and day. Hardly durst men fare up into the dale,
+though they had errands enough there. And much scathe the men of the
+country-side deemed all this.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page100" id="page100">[100]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In the spring Thorhall got serving-men, and set up house at his farm;
+then the hauntings began to go off while the sun was at its height;
+and so things went on to midsummer. That summer a ship came out to
+Hunawater, wherein was a man named Thorgaut. He was an outlander of
+kin, big and stout, and two men's strength he had. He was unhired
+and single, and would fain do some work, for he was moneyless. Now
+Thorhall rode to the ship, and asked Thorgaut if he would work for
+him. Thorgaut said that might be, and moreover that he was not nice
+about work.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Be sure in thy mind,&quot; said Thorhall, &quot;that mannikins are of small
+avail there because of the hauntings that have been going on there for
+one while now; for I will not draw thee on by wiles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgaut answers, &quot;I deem not myself given up, though I should see
+some wraithlings; matters will not be light when I am scared, nor will
+I give up my service for that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now they come speedily to a bargain, and Thorgaut is to watch the
+sheep when winter comes. So the summer wore on, and Thorgaut betook
+himself to the shepherding at winter nights, and all liked him well.
+But ever came Glam home and rode the house-roofs; this Thorgaut deemed
+sport enough, and quoth he&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The thrall must come nigher to scare me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall bade him keep silence over that. &quot;<span class="newpage"><a name="page101" id="page101">[101]</a></span>Better will it be that ye
+have no trial together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgaut said, &quot;Surely all might is shaken out of you, nor shall I
+drop down betwixt morn and eve at such talk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now so things go through the winter till Yule-tide. On Yule eve the
+shepherd would fare out to his sheep. Then said the good wife&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Need is it that things go not the old way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;Have no fear thereof, goodwife; something worth telling
+of will betide if I come not back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And thereafter he went to his sheep; and the weather was somewhat
+cold, and there was much snow. Thorgaut was wont to come home when
+twilight had set in, and now he came not at that time. Folk went to
+church as they were wont. Men now thought things looked not unlike
+what they did before; the bonder would have search made for the
+shepherd, but the church-goers begged off, and said that they would
+not give themselves into the hands of trolls by night; so the bonder
+durst not go, and the search came to nought.</p>
+
+<p>Yule-day, when men were full, they fared out and searched for the
+shepherd; they first went to Glam's cairn, because men thought that
+from his deeds came the loss of the herdsman. But when they came nigh
+to the cairn, there they saw great tidings, for there they found the
+shepherd, and his neck was broken, and every bone in him smashed.
+Then they brought him to church, and no harm came to men from Thorgaut
+afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>But Glam began afresh to wax mighty; and such deeds he wrought, that
+all men fled away from Thorhall-stead, except the good man and his
+goodwife. Now the same neatherd had long been there, and Thorhall
+would not let him go, because of his good will and safe ward; he was
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page102" id="page102">[102]</a></span>
+well on in years, and was very loth to fare away, for he saw that all
+things the bonder had went to nought from not being watched.</p>
+
+<p>Now after midwinter one morning the housewife fared to the byre to
+milk the cows after the wonted time; by then was it broad daylight,
+for none other than the neatherd would trust themselves out before
+day; but he went out at dawn. She heard great cracking in the byre,
+with bellowing and roaring; she ran back crying out, and said she knew
+not what uncouth things were going on in the byre.</p>
+
+<p>The bonder went out and came to the cows, which were goring one
+another; so he thought it not good to go in there, but went in to the
+hay-barn. There he saw where lay the neatherd, and had his head in one
+boose<a name="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16"><sup>[16]</sup></a> and his feet in the other; and he lay cast on his back. The
+bonder went up to him, and felt him all over with his hand, and finds
+soon that he was dead, and the spine of him broken asunder; it had
+been broken over the raised stone-edge of a boose.</p>
+
+<p>Now the goodman thought there was no abiding there longer; so he fled
+away from the farm with all that he might take away; but all such live
+stock as was left behind Glam killed, and then he fared all over the
+valley and destroyed farms up from Tongue. But Thorhall was with his
+friends the rest of the winter.</p>
+
+<p>No man might fare up the dale with horse or hound, because straightway
+it was slain. But when spring came, and the sun-light was the
+greatest, somewhat the hauntings abated; and now would Thorhall
+go back to his own land; he had no easy task in getting servants,
+nathless he set up house again at Thorhall-stead; but all went the
+same way<span class="newpage"><a name="page103" id="page103">[103]</a></span> as before; for when autumn came, the hauntings began to wax
+again; the bonder's daughter was most set on, and fared so that she
+died thereof. Many redes were sought, but nought could be done; men
+thought it like that all Waterdale would be laid waste if nought were
+found to better this.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now we take up the story where Grettir Asmundson sat at Biarg through
+the autumn after they parted, he and Slaying-Bardi at Thoreys-peak;
+and when the time of winter-nights had well-nigh come, Grettir
+rode from home north over the neck to Willowdale, and guested at
+Audunstead; he and Audun made a full peace, and Grettir gave Audun a
+good axe, and they talked of friendship between them. Audun dwelt
+long at Audunstead, and was a man of many and hopeful kin; his son was
+Egil, who married Ulfheid, daughter of Eyulf Gudmundson, and their son
+was Eyulf, who was slain at the Althing, he was the father of Orm, who
+was the chaplain of Bishop Thorlak.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir rode north to Waterdale, and came to see his kin at Tongue. In
+those days dwelt there Jokull, the son of Bard, the mother's brother
+of Grettir: Jokull was a big man and a strong, and the most violent
+of men; he was a seafaring man, very wild, and yet a man of great
+account.</p>
+
+<p>He greeted Grettir well, and he was there three nights. There were so
+many words about Glam's hauntings, that nought was so much spoken of
+as of that. Grettir asked closely about all things that had happed.
+Jokull said that<span class="newpage"><a name="page104" id="page104">[104]</a></span> thereof was told no more than the very truth; &quot;And,
+perchance, thou art wishful to go there, kinsman?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that so it was.</p>
+
+<p>Jokull bade him do it not, &quot;Because it is a great risk for thy good
+luck, and thy kinsmen have much to hazard where thou art,&quot; said he,
+&quot;for of young men we think there is none such as thou; but <i>from ill
+cometh ill</i> whereas Glam is; and far better it is to deal with men
+than with such evil wights.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;That he had a mind to go to Thorhall-stead and see how
+things went there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Jokull, &quot;Now I see it is of no avail to let thee; but so it is,
+as men say, <i>Good luck and goodliness are twain</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Woe is before one's own door when it is inside one's
+neighbour's</i>; think how it may fare with thyself ere things are
+ended,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Jokull answered, &quot;Maybe we may both see somewhat of things to come,
+but neither may help aught herein.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They parted thereafter, and neither thought well of the other's
+foretelling.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXV"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do with Glam</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Grettir rode to Thorhall-stead, and the bonder gave him good welcome;
+he asked whither Grettir was minded to fare, but Grettir said he would
+be there that night if the bonder would have it so.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall said that he thanked him therefor, &quot;But few have thought it
+a treat to guest here for any time; thou must needs have heard what
+is going on here, and I fain<span class="newpage"><a name="page105" id="page105">[105]</a></span> would that thou shouldest have no trouble
+from me: but though thou shouldest come off whole thyself, that know
+I for sure, that thou wilt lose thy horse, for none keeps his horse
+whole who comes here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that horses were to be had in plenty whatsoever might hap
+to this. Then Thorhall was glad that Grettir was to be there, and gave
+him a hearty welcome.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir's horse was locked up in a strong house, and they went to
+sleep; and so the night slipped by, and Glam came not home.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorhall, &quot;Things have gone well at thy coming, for every
+night is Glam wont to ride the house-roofs, or break open doors, as
+thou mayest well see.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;Then shall one of two things be, either he shall not
+hold himself back for long, or the hauntings will abate for more than
+one night; I will bide here another night and see how things fare.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they went to Grettir's horse, and nought had been tried
+against it; then all seemed to the bonder to go one way.</p>
+
+<p>Now is Grettir there another night, and neither came the thrall home;
+that the farmer deemed very hopeful; withal he fared to see after
+Grettir's horse. When the farmer came there, he found the house broken
+into, but the horse was dragged out to the door, and every bone in
+him broken to pieces. Thorhall told Grettir what had happed there, and
+bade him save himself, &quot;For sure is thy death if thou abidest Glam.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;I must not have less for my horse than a sight of
+the thrall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The bonder said it was no boon to see him, for he was unlike any shape
+of man; &quot;but good methinks is every hour that thou art here.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page106" id="page106">[106]</a></span>
+<p>Now the day goes by, and when men should go to sleep Grettir would
+not put off his clothes, but lay down on the seat over against the
+bonder's lock-bed. He had a drugget cloak over him, and wrapped one
+skirt of it under his feet, and twined the other under his head, and
+looked out through the head-opening; a seat-beam was before the seat,
+a very strong one, and against this he set his feet. The door-fittings
+were all broken from the outer door, but a wrecked door was now bound
+thereby, and all was fitted up in the wretchedest wise. The panelling
+which had been before the seat athwart the hall, was all broken away
+both above and below the cross-beam; all beds had been torn out of
+place, and an uncouth place it was.</p>
+
+<p>Light burned in the hall through the night; and when the third part
+of the night was passed, Grettir heard huge din without, and then one
+went up upon the houses and rode the hall, and drave his heels against
+the thatch so that every rafter cracked again.</p>
+
+<p>That went on long, and then he came down from the house and went
+to the door; and as the door opened, Grettir saw that the thrall
+stretched in his head, which seemed to him monstrously big, and
+wondrous thick cut.</p>
+
+<p>Glam fared slowly when he came into the door and stretched himself
+high up under the roof, and turned looking along the hall, and laid
+his arms on the tie-beam, and glared inwards over the place. The
+farmer would not let himself be heard, for he deemed he had had enough
+in hearing himself what had gone on outside. Grettir lay quiet, and
+moved no whit; then Glam saw that some bundle lay on the seat, and
+therewith he stalked up the hall and griped at the wrapper wondrous
+hard; but Grettir set his foot against the beam, and moved in no wise;
+Glam pulled again much harder, but still the wrapper<span class="newpage"><a name="page107" id="page107">[107]</a></span> moved not at all;
+the third time he pulled with both hands so hard, that he drew Grettir
+upright from the seat; and now they tore the wrapper asunder between
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Glam gazed at the rag he held in his hand, and wondered much who might
+pull so hard against him; and therewithal Grettir ran under his hands
+and gripped him round the middle, and bent back his spine as hard as
+he might, and his mind it was that Glam should shrink thereat; but the
+thrall lay so hard on Grettir's arms, that he shrank all aback because
+of Glam's strength.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir bore back before him into sundry seats; but the
+seat-beams were driven out of place, and all was broken that was
+before them. Glam was fain to get out, but Grettir set his feet
+against all things that he might; nathless Glam got him dragged from
+out the hall; there had they a wondrous hard wrestling, because the
+thrall had a mind to bring him out of the house; but Grettir saw that
+ill as it was to deal with Glam within doors, yet worse would it be
+without; therefore he struggled with all his might and main against
+going out-a-doors.</p>
+
+<p>Now Glam gathered up his strength and knit Grettir towards him when
+they came to the outer door; but when Grettir saw that he might not
+set his feet against that, all of a sudden in one rush he drave his
+hardest against the thrall's breast, and spurned both feet against the
+half-sunken stone that stood in the threshold of the door; for this
+the thrall was not ready, for he had been tugging to draw Grettir to
+him, therefore he reeled aback and spun out against the door, so that
+his shoulders caught the upper door-case, and the roof burst asunder,
+both rafters and frozen thatch, and therewith he fell open-armed aback
+out of the house, and Grettir over him.</p>
+
+<p>Bright moonlight was there without, and the drift was<span class="newpage"><a name="page108" id="page108">[108]</a></span> broken, now
+drawn over the moon, now driven from off her; and, even as Glam fell,
+a cloud was driven from the moon, and Glam glared up against her. And
+Grettir himself says that by that sight only was he dismayed amidst
+all that he ever saw.</p>
+
+<p>Then his soul sank within him so, from all these things both from
+weariness, and because he had seen Glam turn his eyes so horribly,
+that he might not draw the short-sword, and lay well-nigh 'twixt home
+and hell.</p>
+
+<p>But herein was there more fiendish craft in Glam than in most other
+ghosts, that he spake now in this wise&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Exceeding eagerly hast thou wrought to meet me, Grettir, but no
+wonder will it be deemed, though thou gettest no good hap of me; and
+this must I tell thee, that thou now hast got half the strength and
+manhood, which was thy lot if thou hadst not met me: now I may not
+take from thee the strength which thou hast got before this; but that
+may I rule, that thou shalt never be mightier than now thou art;
+and nathless art thou mighty enow, and that shall many an one learn.
+Hitherto hast thou earned fame by thy deeds, but henceforth will
+wrongs and man-slayings fall on thee, and the most part of thy doings
+will turn to thy woe and ill-hap; an outlaw shalt thou be made, and
+ever shall it be thy lot to dwell alone abroad; therefore this weird I
+lay on thee, ever in those days to see these eyes with thine eyes,
+and thou wilt find it hard to be alone&mdash;and that shall drag thee unto
+death.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now when the thrall had thus said, the astonishment fell from Grettir
+that had lain on him, and therewith he drew the short-sword and hewed
+the head from Glam, and laid it at his thigh.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the farmer out; he had clad himself while Glam had his spell
+going, but he durst come nowhere nigh till Glam had fallen.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page109" id="page109">[109]</a></span>
+<p>Thorhall praised God therefor, and thanked Grettir well for that he
+had won this unclean spirit. Then they set to work and burned Glam
+to cold coals, thereafter they gathered his ashes into the skin of a
+beast, and dug it down whereas sheep-pastures were fewest, or the ways
+of men. They walked home thereafter, and by then it had got far
+on towards day; Grettir laid him down, for he was very stiff: but
+Thorhall sent to the nearest farm for men, and both showed them and
+told them how all things had fared.</p>
+
+<p>All men who heard thereof deemed this a deed of great worth, and in
+those days it was said by all that none in all the land was like to
+Grettir Asmundson for great heart and prowess.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall saw off Grettir handsomely, and gave him a good horse and
+seemly clothes, for those were all torn to pieces that he had worn
+before; so they parted in friendly wise. Grettir rode thence to the
+Ridge in Waterdale, and Thorvald received him well, and asked closely
+about the struggle with Glam. Grettir told him all, and said thereto
+that he had never had such a trial of strength, so long was their
+struggle.</p>
+
+<p>Thorvald bade him keep quiet, &quot;Then all will go well with thee, else
+wilt thou be a man of many troubles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that his temper had been nowise bettered by this, that he
+was worse to quiet than before, and that he deemed all trouble worse
+than it was; but that herein he found the greatest change, in that he
+was become so fearsome a man in the dark, that he durst go nowhither
+alone after nightfall, for then he seemed to see all kinds of horrors.</p>
+
+<p>And that has fallen since into a proverb, that Glam lends eyes, or
+gives Glamsight to those who see things nowise as they are.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page110" id="page110">[110]</a></span>
+<p>But Grettir rode home to Biarg when he had done his errands, and sat
+at home through the winter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's autumn-feast, and the mocks of Thorbiorn
+Tardy</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Oxmain held a great autumn feast, and many men came thither
+to him, and that was while Grettir fared north to Waterdale in the
+autumn; Thorbiorn the Tardy was there at the feast, and many things
+were spoken of there. There the Ramfirthers asked of those dealings of
+Grettir on the neck the summer before.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Oxmain told the story right fairly as towards Grettir, and
+said that Kormak would have got the worst of it, if none had come
+there to part them.</p>
+
+<p>Then spake Thorbiorn the Tardy, &quot;Both these things are true,&quot; said he:
+&quot;I saw Grettir win no great honour, and I deem withal that fear shot
+through his heart when we came thereto, and right blithe was he to
+part, nor did I see him seek for vengeance when Atli's house-carle was
+slain; therefore do I deem that there is no heart in him if he is not
+holpen enow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And thereat Thorbiorn went on gabbling at his most; but many put in a
+word, and said that this was worthless fooling, and that Grettir would
+not leave things thus, if he heard that talk.</p>
+
+<p>Nought else befell worth telling of at the feast, and men went home;
+but much ill-will there was betwixt them that winter, though neither
+set on other; nor were there other tidings through the winter.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page111" id="page111">[111]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying of Thorbiorn Tardy;
+Grettir goes to Norway</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Early the spring after came out a ship from Norway; and that was
+before the Thing; these folk knew many things to tell, and first that
+there was change of rulers in Norway, for Olaf Haraldson was come to
+be king, and Earl Svein had fled the country in the spring after the
+fight at Ness. Many noteworthy matters were told of King Olaf, and
+this withal, that he received such men in the best of ways who were of
+prowess in any deeds, and that he made such his men.</p>
+
+<p>Thereat were many young men glad, and listed to go abroad, and when
+Grettir heard the tidings he became much minded to sail out; for he,
+like others, hoped for honour at the king's hands.</p>
+
+<p>A ship lay in Goose-ere in Eyjafirth, therein Grettir got him a berth
+and made ready for the voyage, nor had he yet much of faring-goods.</p>
+
+<p>Now Asmund was growing very feeble with eld, and was well-nigh
+bedridden; he and Asdis had a young son who was called Illugi, and was
+the hopefullest of men; and, by this time, Atli tended all farming and
+money-keeping, and this was deemed to better matters, because he was a
+peaceable and foreseeing man.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went shipward, but in that same ship had Thorbiorn the
+Tardy taken passage, before folk knew that Grettir would sail therein.
+Now men would hinder Thorbiorn from sailing in the same ship with
+Grettir, but<span class="newpage"><a name="page112" id="page112">[112]</a></span> Thorbiorn said that he would go for all that. He gat him
+ready for the voyage out, and was somewhat late thereat, nor did he
+come to the north to Goose-ere before the ship was ready for sea; and
+before Thorbiorn fared from the west, Asmund the Greyhaired fell sick
+and was bedridden.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn the Tardy came late one day down to the sand; men were
+getting ready to go to table, and were washing their hands outside the
+booths; but when Thorbiorn rode up the lane betwixt the booths, he
+was greeted, and asked for tidings. He made as if there was nought
+to tell, &quot;Save that I deem that Asmund, the champion of Biarg, is now
+dead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Many men said that there where he went, departed a worthy goodman from
+the world.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But what brought it about?&quot; said they.</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;Little went to the death of that champion, for in the
+chamber smoke was he smothered like a dog; nor is there loss therein,
+for he was grown a dotard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou speakest marvellously of such a man,&quot; said they, &quot;nor would
+Grettir like thy words well, if he heard them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That must I bear,&quot; said Thorbiorn, &quot;and higher must Grettir bear the
+sword than he did last summer at Ramfirth-neck, if I am to tremble at
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir heard full well what Thorbiorn said, and paid no heed
+thereto while he let his tale run on; but when he had made an end,
+then spake Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That fate I foretell for thee, Tardy,&quot; said he, &quot;that thou wilt not
+die in chamber smoke, yet may be withal thou wilt not die of eld; but
+it is strangely done to speak scorn of sackless men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn said, &quot;I have no will to hold in about these things, and
+methinks thou didst not bear thyself so briskly<span class="newpage"><a name="page113" id="page113">[113]</a></span> when we got thee off
+that time when the men of Meals beat thee like a neat's head.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then sang Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Day by day full over long,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arrow-dealer, grows thy tongue;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Such a man there is, that thou</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mayst be paid for all words now;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many a man, who has been fain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wound-worm's tower with hands to gain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With less deeds his death has bought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than thou, Tardy-one, hast wrought.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Said Thorbiorn, &quot;About as feign do I deem myself as before, despite
+thy squealing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Heretofore my spaedom has not been long-lived, and
+so shall things go still; now beware if thou wilt, hereafter will no
+out-look be left.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewith Grettir hewed at Thorbiorn, but he swung up his hand, with
+the mind to ward the stroke from him, but that stroke came on his arm
+about the wrist, and withal the short-sword drave into his neck so
+that the head was smitten off.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the chapmen that he was a man of mighty strokes, and
+that such should king's men be; and no scathe they deemed it though
+Thorbiorn were slain, in that he had been both quarrelsome and
+spiteful.</p>
+
+<p>A little after they sailed into the sea, and came in late summer to
+Norway, south at Hordaland, and then they heard that King Olaf was
+north at Drontheim; then Grettir took ship in a trading keel to go
+north therefrom, because he would fain see the king.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page114" id="page114">[114]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how Grettir fetched fire for
+his shipmates</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man named Thorir, who lived at Garth, in Maindale, he was
+the son of Skeggi, the son of Botulf. Skeggi had settled Well-wharf up
+to Well-ness; he had to wife Helga, daughter of Thorkel, of Fishbrook;
+Thorir, his son, was a great chief, and a seafaring man. He had two
+sons, one called Thorgeir and one Skeggi, they were both hopeful men,
+and fully grown in those days. Thorir had been in Norway that summer,
+when King Olaf came east from England, and got into great friendship
+with the king, and with Bishop Sigurd as well; and this is a token
+thereof, that Thorir had had a large ship built in the wood, and
+prayed Bishop Sigurd to hallow it, and so he did. Thereafter Thorir
+fared out to Iceland and caused the ship to be broken up, when he grew
+weary of sailing, but the beaks of the ship, he had set up over his
+outer door, and they were there long afterwards, and were so full of
+weather wisdom, that the one whistled before a south wind, and the
+other before a north wind.</p>
+
+<p>But when Thorir knew that King Olaf had got the sole rule over all
+Norway, he deemed that he had some friendship there to fall back on;
+then he sent his sons to Norway to meet the king, and was minded that
+they should become his men. They came there south, late in autumn, and
+got to themselves a row-barge, and fared north along the land, with
+the mind to go and meet the king.</p>
+
+<p>They came to a haven south of Stead, and lay there<span class="newpage"><a name="page115" id="page115">[115]</a></span> some nights, and
+kept themselves in good case as to meat and drink, and were not much
+abroad when the weather was foul.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be told that Grettir and his fellows fared north
+along the land, and often had hard weather, because it was then the
+beginning of winter; and when they bore down north on Stead, they had
+much foul weather, with snow and frost, and with exceeding trouble
+they make land one evening all much worn with wet; so they lay to by
+a certain dyke, and could thus save their money and goods; the chapmen
+were hard put to it for the cold, because they could not light any
+fire, though thereon they deemed well-nigh their life and health lay.</p>
+
+<p>Thus they lay that evening in evil plight; but as the night wore on
+they saw that a great fire sprang up in the midst of the sound over
+against there whereas they had come. But when Grettir's shipmates saw
+the fire, they said one to the other that he would be a happy man who
+might get it, and they doubted whether they should unmoor the ship,
+but to all of them there seemed danger in that. Then they had a long
+talk over it, whether any man was of might enow to fetch that fire.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir gave little heed thereto, but said, that such men had been as
+would not have feared the task. The chapmen said that they were not
+bettered by what had been, if now there was nought to take to.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perchance thou deemest thyself man enough thereto, Grettir,&quot; said
+they, &quot;since thou art called the man of most prowess among the men of
+Iceland, and thou wottest well enough what our need is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;It seems to me no great deed to fetch the fire, but
+I wot not if ye will reward it according to the prayer of him who does
+it.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page116" id="page116">[116]</a></span>
+<p>They said, &quot;Why deemest thou us such shameful men as that we should
+reward that deed but with good?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Quoth he, &quot;I may try this if so be that ye think much lies on it, but
+my mind bids me hope to get nought of good thereby.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said that that should never be, and bade all hail to his words;
+and thereafter Grettir made ready for swimming, and cast his clothes
+from off him; of clothes he had on but a cape and sail-cloth breeches;
+he girt up the cape and tied a bast-rope strongly round his middle,
+and had with him a cask; then he leaped overboard; he stretched across
+the sound, and got aland.</p>
+
+<p>There he saw a house stand, and heard therefrom the talk of men, and
+much clatter, and therewith he turned toward that house.</p>
+
+<p>Now is it to be said of those that were there before, that here were
+come the sons of Thorir, as is aforesaid; they had lain there many
+nights, and bided there the falling of the gale, that they might
+have wind at will to go north, beyond Stead. They had set them down
+a-drinking, and were twelve men in all; their ship rode in the main
+haven, and they were at a house of refuge for such men to guest in, as
+went along the coast.</p>
+
+<p>Much straw had been borne into the house, and there was a great fire
+on the floor; Grettir burst into the house, and wotted not who was
+there before; his cape was all over ice when he came aland, and he
+himself was wondrous great to behold, even as a troll; now those first
+comers were exceeding amazed at him, and deemed he must be some evil
+wight; they smote at him with all things they might lay hold of, and
+mighty din went on around them; but Grettir put off all blows strongly
+with his arms, then some smote him with fire-brands, and the fire
+burst off over<span class="newpage"><a name="page117" id="page117">[117]</a></span> all the house, and therewith he got off with the fire
+and fared back again to his fellows.</p>
+
+<p>They mightily praised his journey and the prowess of it, and said
+that his like would never be. And now the night wore, and they deemed
+themselves happy in that they had got the fire.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning the weather was fair; the chapmen woke early and got
+them ready to depart, and they talked together that now they should
+meet those who had had the rule of that fire, and wot who they were.</p>
+
+<p>Now they unmoored their ship, and crossed over the sound; there they
+found no hall, but saw a great heap of ashes, and found therein many
+bones of men; then they deemed that this house of refuge had been
+utterly burned up, with all those men who had been therein.</p>
+
+<p>Thereat they asked if Grettir had brought about that ill-hap, and said
+that it was the greatest misdeed.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, that now had come to pass even as he had misdoubted,
+that they should reward him ill for the fetching of the fire, and that
+it was ill to help unmanly men.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir got such hurt of this, that the chapmen said, wheresoever they
+came, that Grettir had burned those men. The news soon got abroad that
+in that house were lost the aforenamed sons of Thorir of Garth, and
+their fellows; then they drave Grettir from their ship and would not
+have him with them; and now he became so ill looked on that scarce any
+one would do good to him.</p>
+
+<p>Now he deemed that matters were utterly hopeless, but before all
+things would go to meet the king, and so made north to Drontheim. The
+king was there before him, and knew all or ever Grettir came there,
+who had been much slandered to the king. And Grettir was some days in
+the town before he could get to meet the king.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page118" id="page118">[118]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the King</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now on a day when the king sat in council, Grettir went before the
+king and greeted him well. The king looked at him and said, &quot;Art thou
+Grettir the Strong?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;So have I been called, and for that cause am I come to
+thee, that I hope from thee deliverance from the evil tale that is
+laid on me, though I deem that I nowise wrought that deed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>King Olaf said, &quot;Thou art great enough, but I know not what luck thou
+mayest bear about to cast off this matter from thee; but it is like,
+indeed, that thou didst not willingly burn the men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he was fain to put from him this slander, if the king
+thought he might do so; the king bade him tell truthfully, how it had
+gone betwixt him and those men: Grettir told him all, even as has been
+said before, and this withal, that they were all alive when he came
+out with the fire&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And now I will offer to free myself in such wise as ye may deem will
+stand good in law therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Olaf the king said, &quot;We will grant thee to bear iron for this matter
+if thy luck will have it so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir liked this exceeding well; and now took to fasting for the
+iron; and so the time wore on till the day came whereas the trial
+should come off; then went the king<span class="newpage"><a name="page119" id="page119">[119]</a></span> to the church, and the bishop and
+much folk, for many were eager to have a sight of Grettir, so much as
+had been told of him.</p>
+
+<p>Then was Grettir led to the church, and when he came thither, many of
+those who were there before gazed at him and said one to the other,
+that he was little like to most folk, because of his strength and
+greatness of growth.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as Grettir went up the church-floor, there started up a lad of
+ripe growth, wondrous wild of look, and he said to Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Marvellous is now the custom in this land, as men are called
+Christians therein, that ill-doers, and folk riotous, and thieves
+shall go their ways in peace and become free by trials; yea, and what
+would the evil man do but save his life while he might? So here now
+is a misdoer, proven clearly a man of misdeeds, and has burnt sackless
+men withal, and yet shall he, too, have a trial to free him; ah, a
+mighty ill custom!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he went up to Grettir and pointed finger, and wagged head at
+him, and called him mermaid's son, and many other ill names.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir grew wroth beyond measure hereat, and could not keep himself
+in; he lifted up his fist, and smote the lad under the ear, so that
+forthwith he fell down stunned, but some say that he was slain there
+and then. None seemed to know whence that lad came or what became
+of him, but men are mostly minded to think, that it was some unclean
+spirit, sent thither for Grettir's hurt.</p>
+
+<p>Now a great clamour rose in the church, and it was told the king, &quot;He
+who should bear the iron is smiting all about him;&quot; then King Olaf
+went down the church, and saw what was going on, and spake&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A most unlucky man art thou,&quot; said he, &quot;that now the<span class="newpage"><a name="page120" id="page120">[120]</a></span> trial should not
+be, as ready as all things were thereto, nor will it be easy to deal
+with thine ill-luck.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;I was minded that I should have gained more honour
+from thee, Lord, for the sake of my kin, than now seems like to be;&quot;
+and he told withal how men were faring to King Olaf, as was said
+afore, &quot;and now I am fain,&quot; said he, &quot;that thou wouldest take me to
+thee; thou hast here many men with thee, who will not be deemed more
+like men-at-arms than I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That see I well,&quot; said the king, &quot;that few men are like unto thee for
+strength and stoutness of heart, but thou art far too luckless a man
+to abide with us: now shall thou go in peace for me, wheresoever thou
+wilt, the winter long, but next summer go thou out to Iceland, for
+there will it be thy fate to leave thy bones.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;First would I put from me this affair of the
+burning, if I might, for I did not the deed willingly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is most like,&quot; said the king; &quot;but yet, because the trial is now
+come to nought for thy heedlessness' sake, thou will not get this
+charge cast from thee more than now it is, <i>For ill-heed still to
+ill doth lead</i>, and if ever man has been cursed, of all men must
+thou have been.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir dwelt a while in the town thereafter, but dealt no more
+with the king than has been told.</p>
+
+<p>Then he fared into the south country, and was minded east for
+Tunsberg, to find Thorstein Dromond, his brother, and there is nought
+told of his travels till he came east to Jadar.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page121" id="page121">[121]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XL"></a><h2>CHAP. XL.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>At yule came Grettir to a bonder who was called Einar, he was a rich
+man, and was married and had one daughter of marriageable age, who was
+called Gyrid; she was a fair woman, and was deemed a right good match;
+Einar bade Grettir abide with him through Yule, and that proffer he
+took.</p>
+
+<p>Then was it the wont far and wide in Norway that woodmen and misdoers
+would break out of the woods and challenge men for their women, or
+they took away men's goods with violence, whereas they had not much
+help of men.</p>
+
+<p>Now it so befell here, that one day in Yule there came to Einar the
+bonder many ill-doers together, and he was called Snoekoll who was the
+head of them, and a great bearserk he was. He challenged goodman Einar
+to give up his daughter, or to defend her, if he thought himself man
+enough thereto; but the bonder was then past his youth, and was no man
+for fighting; he deemed he had a great trouble on his hands, and asked
+Grettir, in a whisper, what rede he would give thereto: &quot;Since thou
+art called a famous man.&quot; Grettir bade him say yea to those things
+alone, which he thought of no shame to him.</p>
+
+<p>The bearserk sat on his horse, and had a helm on his head, but the
+cheek-pieces were not made fast; he had an iron-rimmed shield before
+him, and went on in the most monstrous wise.</p>
+
+<p>Now he said to the bonder, &quot;Make one or other choice<span class="newpage"><a name="page122" id="page122">[122]</a></span> speedily, or what
+counsel is that big churl giving thee who stands there before thee; is
+it not so that he will play with me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;We are about equal herein, the bonder and I, for
+neither of us is skilled in arms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Snoekoll said, &quot;Ye will both of you be somewhat afraid to deal with
+me, if I grow wroth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is known when it is tried,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now the bearserk saw that there was some edging out of the matter
+going on, and he began to roar aloud, and bit the rim of his shield,
+and thrust it up into his mouth, and gaped over the corner of the
+shield, and went on very madly. Grettir took a sweep along over the
+field, and when he came alongside of the bearserk's horse, sent up
+his foot under the tail of the shield so hard, that the shield went up
+into the mouth of him, and his throat was riven asunder, and his jaws
+fell down on his breast. Then he wrought so that, all in one rush, he
+caught hold of the helmet with his left hand, and swept the viking off
+his horse; and with the other hand drew the short-sword that he was
+girt withal, and drave it at his neck, so that off the head flew. But
+when Snoekoll's fellows saw that, they fled, each his own way, and
+Grettir had no mind to follow, for he saw there was no heart in them.</p>
+
+<p>The bonder thanked him well for his work and many other men too; and
+that deed was deemed to have been wrought both swiftly and hardily.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir was there through Yule, and the farmer saw him off handsomely:
+then he went east to Tunsberg, and met his brother Thorstein; he
+received Grettir fondly, and asked of his travels and how he won the
+bearserk. Then Grettir sang a stave&mdash;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page123" id="page123">[123]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;There the shield that men doth save</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mighty spurn with foot I gave.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Snoekoll's throat it smote aright,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The fierce follower of the fight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And by mighty dint of it</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Were the tofts of tooth-hedge split;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The strong spear-walk's iron rim,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tore adown the jaws of him.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thorstein said, &quot;Deft wouldst thou be at many things, kinsman, if
+mishaps went not therewith.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;<i>Deeds done will be told of</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLI"></a><h2>CHAP. XLI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorstein Dromond's Arms, and what he deemed they might do</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Grettir was with Thorstein for the rest of the winter and on into
+the spring; and it befell one morning, as those brothers, Thorstein
+and Grettir, lay in their sleeping-loft, that Grettir had laid his
+arms outside the bed-clothes; and Thorstein was awake and saw it. Now
+Grettir woke up a little after, and then spake Thorstein:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have seen thine arms, kinsman,&quot; said he, &quot;and I deem it nowise
+wonderful, though thy strokes fall heavy on many, for no man's arms
+have I seen like thine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou mayst know well enough,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;that I should not have
+brought such things to pass as I have wrought, if I were not well
+knit.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Better should I deem it,&quot; said Thorstein, &quot;if they were slenderer and
+somewhat luckier withal.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page124" id="page124">[124]</a></span>
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;True it is, as folk say, <i>No man makes himself</i>;
+but let me see thine arms,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein did so; he was the longest and gauntest of men; and Grettir
+laughed, and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No need to look at that longer; hooked together are the ribs in thee;
+nor, methinks, have I ever seen such tongs as thou bearest about, and
+I deem thee to be scarce of a woman's strength.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may be,&quot; said Thorstein; &quot;yet shall thou know that these same
+thin arms shall avenge thee, else shall thou never be avenged; who may
+know what shall be, when all is over and done?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>No more is told of their talk together; the spring wore on, and
+Grettir took ship in the summer. The brothers parted in friendship,
+and saw each other never after.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLII"></a><h2>CHAP. XLII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Death of Asmund the Grey haired</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now must the tale be taken up where it was left before, for Thorbiorn
+Oxmain heard how Thorbiorn Tardy was slain, as aforesaid, and broke
+out into great wrath, and said it would please him well that <i>now
+this and now that should have strokes in his garth</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund the Greyhaired lay long sick that summer, and when he thought
+his ailings drew closer on him, he called to him his kin, and said
+that it was his will, that Atli should have charge of all his goods
+after his day.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But my mind misgives me,&quot; said Asmund, &quot;that thou mayst scarce sit
+quiet because of the iniquity of men, and I would that all ye of my
+kin should help him to the uttermost<span class="newpage"><a name="page125" id="page125">[125]</a></span> but of Grettir nought can I say,
+for methinks overmuch on a whirling wheel his life turns; and though
+he be a mighty man, yet I fear me that he will have to heed his own
+troubles more than the helping of his kin: but Illugi, though he
+be young, yet shall he become a man of prowess, if he keep himself
+whole.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So, when Asmund had settled matters about his sons as he would, his
+sickness lay hard on him, and in a little while he died, and was laid
+in earth at Biarg; for there had he let make a church; but his death
+his neighbours deemed a great loss.</p>
+
+<p>Now Atli became a mighty bonder, and had many with him, and was a
+great gatherer of household-stuff. When the summer was far gone, he
+went out to Snowfellness to get him stockfish. He drave many horses,
+and rode from home to Meals in Ramfirth to Gamli his brother-in-law;
+and on this journey rode with him Grim Thorhallson, Gamli's brother,
+and another man withal. They rode west to Hawkdale Pass, and so on,
+as the road lay west to Ness: there they bought much stockfish, and
+loaded seven horses therewith, and turned homeward when they were
+ready.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XLIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying of Gunnar and
+Thorgeir</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Oxmain heard that Atli and Grim were on a journey from home,
+and there were with him the sons of Thorir from the Pass, Gunnar and
+Thorgeir. Now Thorbiorn envied Atli for his many friendships, and
+therefore he egged on the two brothers, the sons of Thorir, to way-lay
+Atli as he came back from the outer ness. Then they rode<span class="newpage"><a name="page126" id="page126">[126]</a></span> home to the
+Pass, and abode there till Atli and his fellows went by with their
+train; but when they came as far as the homestead at the Pass, their
+riding was seen, and those brothers brake out swiftly with their
+house-carles and rode after them; but when Atli and his folk saw their
+faring, Atli bade them take the loads from the horses, &quot;for perchance
+they will give me atonement for my house-carle, whom Gunnar slew last
+summer. Let us not begin the work, but defend ourselves if they be
+first to raise strife with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now the brothers came up and leaped off their horses. Atli welcomed
+them, and asked for tidings: &quot;Perchance, Gunnar, thou wilt give me
+some atonement for my house-carle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gunnar answered, &quot;Something else is your due, men of Biarg, than that
+I should lay down aught good therefor; yea, atonement is due withal
+for the slaying of Thorbiorn, whom Grettir slew.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is not for me to answer thereto,&quot; said Atli; &quot;nor art thou a
+suitor in that case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gunnar said he would stand in that stead none-the-less. &quot;Come, let us
+set on them, and make much of it, that Grettir is not nigh them now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they ran at Atli, eight of them altogether, but Atli and his folk
+were six.</p>
+
+<p>Atli went before his men, and drew the sword, Jokul's gift, which
+Grettir had given him.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorgeir, &quot;Many like ways have those who deem themselves
+good; high aloft did Grettir bear his short-sword last summer on the
+Ramfirth-neck.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli answered, &quot;Yea, he is more wont to deal in great deeds than I.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they fought; Gunnar set on Atli exceeding<span class="newpage"><a name="page127" id="page127">[127]</a></span> fiercely, and was
+of the maddest; and when they had fought awhile, Atli said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No fame there is in thus killing workmen each for the other; more
+seeming it is that we ourselves play together, for never have I fought
+with weapons till now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gunnar would not have it so, but Atli bade his house-carles look to
+the burdens; &quot;But I will see what these will do herein.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then he went forward so mightily that Gunnar and his folk shrunk
+back before him, and he slew two of the men of those brothers, and
+thereafter turned to meet Gunnar, and smote at him, so that the shield
+was cleft asunder almost below the handle, and the stroke fell on his
+leg below the knee, and then he smote at him again, and that was his
+bane.</p>
+
+<p>Now is it to be told of Grim Thorhallson that he went against
+Thorgeir, and they strove together long, for each was a hardy man.
+Thorgeir saw the fall of his brother Gunnar, and was fain to draw off.
+Grim ran after him, and followed him till Thorgeir stumbled, and
+fell face foremost; then Grim smote at him with an axe betwixt the
+shoulders, so that it stood deep sunken therein.</p>
+
+<p>Then they gave peace to three of their followers who were left; and
+thereafter they bound up their wounds, and laid the burdens on the
+horses, and then fared home, and made these man-slayings known.</p>
+
+<p>Atli sat at home with many men through the winter.<span class="newpage"><a name="page128" id="page128">[128]</a></span> Thorbiorn Oxmain
+took these doings exceedingly ill, but could do naught therein because
+Atli was a man well befriended. Grim was with him through the winter,
+and Gamli, his brother-in-law; and there was Glum, son of Uspak,
+another kinsman-in-law of his, who at that time dwelt at Ere in Bitra.
+They had many men dwelling at Biarg, and great mirth was thereat
+through the winter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XLIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir of the Pass</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Oxmain took on himself the suit for the slaying of the sons
+of Thorir of the Pass. He made ready a suit against Grim and Atli,
+but they set forth for their defence onset and attack, to make those
+brothers fall unatoned. The suit was brought to the Hunawater Thing,
+and men came thronging to both sides. Atli had good help because he
+was exceeding strong of kin.</p>
+
+<p>Now the friends of both stood forth and talked of peace, and all
+said that Atli's ways were good, a peaceful man, but stout in danger
+none-the-less.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn deemed that by nought would his honour be served better
+than by taking the peace offered. Atli laid down before-hand that he
+would have neither district outlawry nor banishment.</p>
+
+<p>Then were men chosen for the judges. Thorvald, son of Asgeir, on
+Atli's side, and on Thorbiorn's, Solvi the Proud, who was the son of
+Asbrand, the son of Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring, who had settled
+all Waterness from the Foreland up to Bond-maids River on the west,
+but on the east all up to Cross-river, and there right across to
+Berg-ridge, and all on that side of the Bergs down to the sea:
+this Solvi was a man of great stateliness and a wise man, therefore
+Thorbiorn chose him to be judge on his behoof.</p>
+
+<p>Now they set forth their judgment, that half-fines should be paid for
+the sons of Thorir, but half fell away because of the onslaught and
+attack, and attempt on Atli's life, the<span class="newpage"><a name="page129" id="page129">[129]</a></span> slaying of Atli's house-carle,
+who was slain on Ramfirth-neck, and the slaying of those twain who
+fell with the sons of Thorir were set off one against the other. Grim
+Thorhallson should leave dwelling in the district, but Atli alone
+should pay the money atonement.</p>
+
+<p>This peace pleased Atli much, but Thorbiorn misliked it, but they
+parted appeased, as far as words went; howsoever it fell from
+Thorbiorn that their dealings would not be made an end of yet, if
+things went as he would.</p>
+
+<p>But Atli rode home from the Thing, and thanked Thorvald well for his
+aid. Grim Thorhallson went south to Burgfirth, and dwelt at Gilsbank,
+and was a great bonder.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLV"></a><h2>CHAP. XLV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man with Thorbiorn Oxmain who was called Ali; he was a
+house-carle, a somewhat lazy and unruly man.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn bade him work better, or he would beat him. Ali said he had
+no list thereto, and was beyond measure worrying. Thorbiorn would not
+abide it, and drave him under him, and handled him hardly. Then Ali
+went off from his service, and fared over the Neck to Midfirth,
+and made no stay till he came to Biarg. Atli was at home, and asked
+whither he went. He said that he sought service.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Art thou not Thorbiorn's workman?&quot; said Atli.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That did not go off so pleasantly,&quot; said Ali; &quot;I was not there long,
+and evil I deemed it while I was there, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page130" id="page130">[130]</a></span> we parted, so that I
+deemed his song about my throat nowise sweet; and I will go to dwell
+there no more, whatso else may hap to me; and true it is that much
+unlike ye are in the luck ye have with servants, and now I would fain
+work with thee if I might have the choice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli answered, &quot;Enough I have of workmen, though I reach not out to
+Thorbiorn's hands for such men as he has hired, and methinks there is
+no gain in thee, so go back to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Ali said, &quot;Thither I go not of my own free-will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And now he dwells there awhile; but one morning he went out to
+work with Atli's house-carles, and worked so that his hands were
+everywhere, and thus he went on till far into summer. Atli said nought
+to him, but bade give him meat, for he liked his working well.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn hears that Ali is at Biarg; then he rode to Biarg with
+two men, and called out Atli to talk with him. Atli went out and
+welcomed him.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn said, &quot;Still wilt thou take up afresh ill-will against me,
+and trouble me, Atli. Why hast thou taken my workman? Wrongfully is
+this done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli answered, &quot;It is not proven to me that he is thy workman, nor
+will I withhold him from thee, if thou showest proofs thereof, yet am
+I loth to drag him out of my house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou must have thy will now,&quot; said Thorbiorn; &quot;but I claim the man,
+and forbid him to work here; and I will come again another time, and I
+know not if we shall then part better friends than now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli said, &quot;I shall abide at home, and take what may come to hand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorbiorn rode home; but when the workmen come home in the
+evening, Atli tells all the talk betwixt<span class="newpage"><a name="page131" id="page131">[131]</a></span> him and Thorbiorn, and bids
+Ali go his way, and said he should not abide there longer.</p>
+
+<p>Ali answered, &quot;True is the old saw, <i>over-praised and first to
+fail</i>. I deemed not that thou wouldst drive me away after I had
+toiled here all the summer enough to break my heart, and I hoped that
+thou wouldst stand up for me somehow; but this is the way of you,
+though ye look as if good might be hoped from you. I shall be beaten
+here before thine eyes if thou givest me not some defence or help.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli altered his mind at this talk of his, and had no heart now to
+drive him away from him.</p>
+
+<p>Now the time wore, till men began hay-harvest, and one day, somewhat
+before midsummer, Thorbiorn Oxmain rode to Biarg, he was so attired
+that he had a helm on his head, and was girt with a sword, and had a
+spear in his hand. A barbed spear it was, and the barbs were broad.</p>
+
+<p>It was wet abroad that day. Atli had sent his house-carles to the
+mowing, but some of them were north at Horn a-fishing. Atli was at
+home, and few other men.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn came there about high-noon; alone he was, and rode up to
+the outer door; the door was locked, and no men were abroad. Thorbiorn
+smote on the door, and then drew aback behind the houses, so that none
+might see him from the door. The home-folk heard that the door was
+knocked at, and a woman went out. Thorbiorn had an inkling of the
+woman, and would not let himself be seen, for he had a mind to do
+something else.</p>
+
+<p>Now the woman went into the chamber, and Atli asked who was come
+there. She said, &quot;I have seen nought stirring abroad.&quot; And even as
+they spake Thorbiorn let drive a great stroke on the door.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Atli, &quot;This one would see me, and he must<span class="newpage"><a name="page132" id="page132">[132]</a></span> have some errand
+with me, whatever may be the gain thereof to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then he went forth and out of the door, and saw no one without.
+Exceeding wet it was, therefore he went not out, but laid a hand on
+either door-post, and so peered about him.</p>
+
+<p>In that point of time Thorbiorn swung round before the door, and
+thrust the spear with both hands amidst of Atli, so that it pierced
+him through.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Atli, when he got the thrust, &quot;<i>Broad spears are about
+now</i>,&quot; says he, and fell forward over the threshold.</p>
+
+<p>Then came out women who had been in the chamber, and saw that Atli was
+dead. By then was Thorbiorn on horseback, and he gave out the slaying
+as having been done by his hand, and thereafter rode home.</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife Asdis sent for her men, and Atli's corpse was laid out,
+and he was buried beside his father. Great mourning folk made for his
+death, for he had been a wise man, and of many friends.</p>
+
+<p>No weregild came for the slaying of Atli, nor did any claim atonement
+for him, because Grettir had the blood-suit to take up if he should
+come out; so these matters stood still for that summer. Thorbiorn
+was little thanked for that deed of his; but he sat at peace in his
+homestead.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLVI"></a><h2>CHAP. XLVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of Thorir of Garth</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>This summer, whereof the tale was telling e'en now, a ship came out
+to Goose-ere before the Thing.<span class="newpage"><a name="page133" id="page133">[133]</a></span> Then was the news told of Grettir's
+travels, and therewithal men spake of that house-burning; and at that
+story was Thorir of Garth mad wroth, and deemed that there whereas
+Grettir was he had to look for vengeance for his sons. He rode with
+many men and set forth at the Thing the case for the burning, but
+men deemed they knew nought to say therein, while there was none to
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir said that he would have nought, but that Grettir should be made
+an outlaw throughout the land for such misdeeds.</p>
+
+<p>Then answered Skapti the Lawman, &quot;Surely an ill deed it is, if things
+are as is said; but a tale is half told if one man tells it, for most
+folk are readiest to bring their stories to the worser side when there
+are two ways of telling them; now, therefore, I shall not give my word
+that Grettir be made guilty for this that has been done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorir was a man of might in his district and a great chief, and
+well befriended of many great men; and he pushed on matters so hard
+that nought could avail to acquit Grettir; and so this Thorir made
+Grettir an outlaw throughout all the land, and was ever thenceforth
+the heaviest of all his foes, as things would oft show.</p>
+
+<p>Now he put a price on his head, as was wont to be done with other
+wood-folk, and thereafter rode home.</p>
+
+<p>Many men got saying that this was done rather by the high hand than
+according to law; but so it stood as it was done; and now nought else
+happed to tell of till past midsummer.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page134" id="page134">[134]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLVII"></a><h2>CHAP. XLVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>When summer was far spent came Grettir Asmundson out to Whiteriver
+in Burgfirth; folk went down to the ship from thereabout, and these
+tidings came all at once to Grettir; the first, that his father was
+dead, the second, that his brother was slain, the third, that he
+himself was made an outlaw throughout all the land. Then sang Grettir
+this stave:&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Heavy tidings thick and fast</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On the singer now are cast;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My father dead, my brother dead,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A price set upon my head;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet, O grove of Hedin's maid,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">May these things one day be paid;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yea upon another morn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Others may be more forlorn.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>So men say that Grettir changed nowise at these tidings, but was even
+as merry as before.</p>
+
+<p>Now he abode with the ship awhile, because he could get no horse to
+his mind. But there was a man called Svein, who dwelt at Bank up from
+Thingness, he was a good bonder and a merry man, and often sang such
+songs as were gamesome to hear; he had a mare black to behold, the
+swiftest of all horses, and her Svein called Saddle-fair.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went one night away from the wolds, but he would not that
+the chapmen should be ware of his ways; he<span class="newpage"><a name="page135" id="page135">[135]</a></span> got a black cape, and threw
+it over his clothes, and so was disguised; he went up past Thingness,
+and so up to Bank, and by then it was daylight. He saw a black horse
+in the homefield and went up to it, and laid bridle on it, leapt on
+the back of it, and rode up along Whiteriver, and below Bye up to
+Flokedale-river, and then up the tracks above Kalfness; the workmen
+at Bank got up now and told the bonder of the man who had got on his
+mare; he got up and laughed, and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;One that helm-fire well can wield</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rode off from my well-fenced field,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Helm-stalk stole away from me</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Saddle-fair, the swift to see;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes, more great deeds this Frey</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet shall do in such-like way</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As this was done; I deem him then</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Most overbold and rash of men.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then he took horse and rode after him; Grettir rode on till he came
+up to the homestead at Kropp; there he met a man called Hall, who
+said that he was going down to the ship at the Wolds; Grettir sang a
+stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;In broad-peopled lands say thou</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou sawest even now</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unto Kropp-farm's gate anigh,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Saddle-fair and Elm-stalk high;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou sawest stiff on steed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Get thee gone at greatest speed),</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">One who loveth game and play</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Clad in cape of black to-day.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then they part, and Hall went down the track and<span class="newpage"><a name="page136" id="page136">[136]</a></span> all the way down to
+Kalfness, before Svein met him; they greeted one another hastily, then
+sang Svein&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Sawest thou him who did me harm</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On my horse by yonder farm?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Even such an one was he,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sluggish yet a thief to see;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the neighbours presently</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doom of thief shall he abye</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And a blue skin shall he wear,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If his back I come anear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;That thou mayst yet do,&quot; said Hall, &quot;I saw that man who said that he
+rode on Saddle-fair, and bade me tell it over the peopled lands and
+settlements; great of growth he was, and was clad in a black cape.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He deems he has something to fall back on,&quot; said the bonder, &quot;but I
+shall ride after him and find out who he is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir came to Deildar-Tongue, and there was a woman without the
+door; Grettir went up to talk to her, and sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Say to guard of deep-sea's flame</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That here worm-land's haunter came;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Well-born goddess of red gold,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thus let gamesome rhyme be told.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Giver forth of Odin's mead</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of thy black mare have I need;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For to Gilsbank will I ride,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Meed of my rash words to bide.'&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The woman learned this song, and thereafter Grettir rode on his way;
+Svein came there a little after, and she was not yet gone in, and as
+he came he sang this&mdash;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page137" id="page137">[137]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;What foreteller of spear-shower</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E'en within this nigh-passed hour,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Swift through the rough weather rode</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Past the gate of this abode?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He, the hound-eyed reckless one,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By all good deeds left alone,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Surely long upon this day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From my hands will flee away.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then she told him what she had been bidden to; he thought over the
+ditty, and said, &quot;It is not unlike that he will be no man to play
+with; natheless, I will find him out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now he rode along the peopled lands, and each man ever saw the other's
+riding; and the weather was both squally and wet.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir came to Gilsbank that day, and when Grim Thorhallson knew
+thereof, he welcomed him with great joy, and bade him abide with him.
+This Grettir agreed to; then he let loose Saddle-fair, and told Grim
+how she had been come by. Therewith came Svein, and leapt from his
+horse, and saw his own mare, and sang this withal&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Who rode on my mare away?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What is that which thou wilt pay?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who a greater theft has seen?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What does the cowl-covered mean?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Grettir by then had doft his wet clothes, and he heard the stave, and
+answered&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;I did ride thy mare to Grim</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Thou art feeble weighed with him),</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Little will I pay to thee,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet good fellows let us be.&quot;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page138" id="page138">[138]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;Well, so be it then,&quot; said the farmer, &quot;and the ride is well paid
+for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then each sang his own songs, and Grettir said he had no fault to
+find, though he failed to hold his own; the bonder was there that
+night, and the twain of them together, and great game they made of
+this: and they called all this Saddle-fair's lays. Next morning the
+bonder rode home, and he and Grettir parted good friends.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grim told Grettir of many things from the north and Midfirth,
+that had befallen while he was abroad, and this withal, that Atli was
+unatoned, and how that Thorbiorn Oxmain waxed so great, and was so
+high-handed, that it was not sure that goodwife Asdis might abide at
+Biarg if matters still went so.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir abode but few nights with Grim, for he was fain that no news
+should go before him north over the Heaths. Grim bade him come thither
+if he should have any need of safeguard.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yet shall I shun being made guilty in law for the harbouring of
+thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he did well. &quot;But it is more like that later on I may
+need thy good deed more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir rode north over Twodaysway, and so to Biarg, and came
+there in the dead of night, when all folk were asleep save his mother.
+He went in by the back of the house and through a door that was there,
+for the ways of the house were well known to him, and came to the
+hall, and got to his mother's bed, and groped about before him.</p>
+
+<p>She asked who was there, and Grettir told her; then she sat up and
+kissed him, and sighed withal, heavily, and spake, &quot;Be welcome; son,&quot;
+she said, &quot;but my joyance in my sons is slipping from me; for he is
+slain who was of most<span class="newpage"><a name="page139" id="page139">[139]</a></span> avail, and thou art made an outlaw and a guilty
+man, and the third is so young; that he may do nought for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;An old saw it is,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;<i>Even so shall bale be bettered,
+by biding greater bale</i>; but there are more things to be thought of
+by men than money atonements alone, and most like it is that Atli will
+be avenged; but as to things that may fall to me, many must even take
+their lot at my hand in dealing with me, and like it as they may.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said that was not unlike. And now Grettir was there a while with
+the knowledge of few folk; and he had news of the doings of the folk
+of the country-side; and men knew not that Grettir was come into
+Midfirth: but he heard that Thorbiorn Oxmain was at home with few men;
+and that was after the homefield hay-harvest.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XLVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>On a fair day Grettir rode west over the Necks to Thorodstead, and
+came there about noon, and knocked at the door; women came out and
+welcomed him, but knew him not; he asked for Thorbiorn, but they said
+he was gone to the meadow to bind hay, and with him his son of sixteen
+winters, who was called Arnor; for Thorbiorn was a very busy man, and
+well-nigh never idle.</p>
+
+<p>So when Grettir knew this, he bade them well betide, and went his
+way on the road toward Reeks, there a marsh stretches down from the
+hill-side, and on it was much grass to mow, and much hay had Thorbiorn
+made there, and now it was fully dry, and he was minded to bind it up
+for<span class="newpage"><a name="page140" id="page140">[140]</a></span> home, he and the lad with him, but a woman did the raking.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir rode from below up into the field, but the father and
+son were higher up, and had bound one load, and were now at another;
+Thorbiorn had set his shield and sword against the load, and the lad
+had a hand-axe beside him.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn saw a man coming, and said to the lad, &quot;Yonder is a man
+riding toward us, let us leave binding the hay, and know what he will
+with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So did they, and Grettir leapt off his horse; he had a helm on his
+head, and was girt with the short-sword, and bore a great spear in his
+hand, a spear without barbs, and the socket inlaid with silver. Now
+he sat down and knocked out the socket-nail, because he would not that
+Thorbiorn should cast the spear back.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorbiorn, &quot;He is a big man, and no man in field know I, if
+that is not Grettir Asmundson, and he must needs think he has enough
+against us; so let us meet him sharply, and let him see no signs of
+failing in us. We shall deal cunningly; for I will go against him in
+front, and take thou heed how matters go betwixt us, for I will trust
+myself against any man if I have one alone to meet; but do thou
+go behind him, and drive the axe at him with both hands atwixt his
+shoulders; thou needest not fear that he will do thee hurt, as his
+back will be turned to thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Neither Thorbiorn nor his son had a helm.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir got into the mead, and when he came within spear-throw of
+them, he cast his spear at Thorbiorn, but the head was looser on the
+shaft than he deemed it would be, and it swerved in its flight, and
+fell down from the shaft to the earth: then Thorbiorn took his shield,
+and put it before him, but drew his sword and went against<span class="newpage"><a name="page141" id="page141">[141]</a></span> Grettir
+when he knew him; then Grettir drew his short-sword, and turned about
+somewhat, so that he saw how the lad stood at his back, wherefore he
+kept himself free to move here or there, till he saw that the lad was
+come within reach of him, and therewith he raised the short-sword
+high aloft, and sent it back against Arnor's head so mightily that the
+skull was shattered, and that was his bane. Then Thorbiorn ran against
+Grettir and smote at him, but he thrust forth his buckler with his
+left hand, and put the blow from him, and smote with the short-sword
+withal, and cleft the shield of Thorbiorn, and the short-sword smote
+so hard into his head that it went even unto the brain, and he fell
+dead to earth beneath that stroke, nor did Grettir give him any other
+wound.</p>
+
+<p>Then he sought for his spear-head, and found it not; so he went to his
+horse and rode out to Reeks, and there told of the slayings. Withal
+the woman who was in the meadow saw the slayings, and ran home full of
+fear, and said that Thorbiorn was slain, and his son both; this took
+those of the house utterly unawares, for they knew nought of Grettir's
+travelling. So were men sent for to the next homestead, and soon came
+many folk, and brought the bodies to church. Thorod Drapa-Stump took
+up the blood-suit for these slayings and had folk a-field forthwith.</p>
+
+<p>But Grettir rode home to Biarg, and found his mother, and told her
+what had happed; and she was glad thereat, and said that now he got to
+be like unto the Waterdale kin. &quot;Yet will this be the root and stem of
+thine outlawry, and I know for sooth that thou mayest not abide here
+long because of the kin of Thorbiorn; but now may they know that thou
+mayest be angered.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir sang this stave thereupon&mdash;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page142" id="page142">[142]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Giant's friend fell dead to earth</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On the grass of Wetherfirth,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No fierce fighting would avail,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oxmain in the Odin's gale.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So, and in no other wise,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Has been paid a fitting price</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For that Atli, who of yore,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lay dead-slain anigh his door.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Goodwife Asdis said that was true; &quot;But I know not what rede thou art
+minded to take?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that he would seek help of his friends and kin in the
+west; &quot;But on thee shall no trouble fall for my sake,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>So he made ready to go, and mother and son parted in love; but first
+he went to Meals in Ramfirth, and told Gamli his brother-in-law all,
+even as it had happed, concerning the slaying of Thorbiorn.</p>
+
+<p>Gamli told him he must needs depart from Ramfirth while Thorbiorn's
+kin had their folk about; &quot;But our aid in the suit for Atli's slaying
+we shall yield thee as we may.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So thereafter Grettir rode west over Laxdale-heath, and stayed not
+till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, where he dwelt long
+that autumn.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLIX"></a><h2>CHAP. XLIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorod Drapa-Stump sought tidings of this who might have slain
+Thorbiorn and his son, and when he came to Reeks, it was told him that
+Grettir had been<span class="newpage"><a name="page143" id="page143">[143]</a></span> there and given out the slayings as from his hand.
+Now, Thorod deemed he saw how things had come to pass; so he went to
+Biarg, and there found many folk, but he asked if Grettir were there.</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife said he had ridden away, and that she would not slip him
+into hiding-places if he were there.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now ye will be well pleased that matters have so been wrought; nor
+was the slaying of Atli over-avenged, though this was paid for it.
+Ye asked not then what grief of heart I had; and now, too, it is well
+that things are even so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewith they rode home, and found it not easy to do aught therein.</p>
+
+<p>Now that spear-head which Grettir lost was not found till within the
+memory of men living now; it was found in the latter days of Sturla
+Thordson the lawman, and in that marsh where Thorbiorn fell, which is
+now called Spear-mead; and that sign men have to show that Thorbiorn
+was slain there, though in some places it is said that he was slain on
+Midfit.</p>
+
+<p>Thorod and his kin heard that Grettir abode at Liarskogar; then they
+gathered men, and were minded to go thither; but when Gamli of Meals
+was ware thereof, he made Thorstein and Grettir sure of the farings
+of the Ramfirthers; and when Thorstein knew it, he sent Grettir in to
+Tongue to Snorri Godi, for then there was no strife between them, and
+Thorstein gave that counsel to Grettir that he should pray Snorri the
+Godi for his watch and ward; but if he would not grant it, he made
+Grettir go west to Reek-knolls to Thorgils Arisen, &quot;and he will take
+thee to him through this winter, and keep within the Westfirths till
+these matters are settled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he would take good heed to his counsels;<span class="newpage"><a name="page144" id="page144">[144]</a></span> then he rode
+into Tongue, and found Snorri the Godi, and talked with him, and
+prayed him to take him in.</p>
+
+<p>Snorri answered, &quot;I grow an old man now, and loth am I to harbour
+outlawed men if no need drive me thereto. What has come to pass that
+the elder put thee off from him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that Thorstein had often done well to him; &quot;But more
+shall I need than him alone, if things are to go well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Snorri, &quot;My good word I shall put in for thee if that may avail
+thee aught, but in some other place than with me must thou seek a
+dwelling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With these words they parted, and Grettir turned west to Reekness;
+the Ramfirthers with their band got as far as Samstead, and there they
+heard that Grettir had departed from Liarskogar, and thereat they went
+back home.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_L"></a><h2>CHAP. L.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Grettir came to Reek-knolls about winter-nights, and prayed
+Thorgils for winter abode; Thorgils said, that for him as for other
+free men meat was ready; &quot;but the fare of guests here is nowise
+choice.&quot; Grettir said he was not nice about that.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is yet another thing here for thy trouble,&quot; said Thorgils:
+&quot;Men are minded to harbour here, who are deemed somewhat hard to keep
+quiet, even as those foster-brothers, Thorgeir and Thormod; I wot not
+how meet it may be for you to be together; but their dwelling shall
+ever be here if<span class="newpage"><a name="page145" id="page145">[145]</a></span> they will it so: now mayst thou abide here if thou
+wilt, but I will not have it that either of you make strife with the
+other.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he would not be the first to raise strife with any man,
+and so much the less as the bonder's will was such.</p>
+
+<p>A little after came those foster-brothers home; things went not
+merrily betwixt Thorgeir and Grettir, but Thormod bore himself well.
+Goodman Thorgils said to the foster-brothers even as he had said
+to Grettir; and of such worth they held him, that neither cast an
+untoward word at the other although their minds went nowise the same
+way: and so wore the early winter.</p>
+
+<p>Now men say that Thorgils owned those isles, which are called
+Olaf's-isles, and lie out in the firth a sea-mile and a half off
+Reekness; there had bonder Thorgils a good ox that he might not fetch
+home in the autumn; and he was ever saying that he would fain have him
+against Yule. Now, one day those foster-brothers got ready to seek the
+ox, if a third man could be gotten to their aid: Grettir offered to go
+with them, and they were well pleased thereat; they went, the three of
+them, in a ten-oared boat: the weather was cold, and the wind shifting
+from the north, and the craft lay up on Whaleshead-holm.</p>
+
+<p>Now they sail out, and somewhat the wind got up, but they came to the
+isle and got hold of the ox; then asked Grettir which they would do,
+bear the ox aboard or keep hold of the craft, because the surf at
+the isle was great; then they bade him hold the boat; so he stood
+amidships on that side which looked from shore, and the sea took him
+up to the shoulder-blades, yet he held her so that she moved nowise:
+but Thorgeir took the ox behind and Thormod before, and so hove it
+down to the boat; then they sat down<span class="newpage"><a name="page146" id="page146">[146]</a></span> to row, and Thormod rowed in the
+bows, Thorgeir amidships, and Grettir aft, and therewith they made out
+into the open bay; but when they came off Goat-rock, a squall caught
+them, then said Thorgeir, &quot;The stern is fain to lag behind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Grettir, &quot;The stern will not be left if the rowing afore be
+good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereat Thorgeir fell to rowing so hard that both the tholes were
+broken: then said he, &quot;Row on, Grettir, while I mend the thole-pins.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir pulled mightily while Thorgeir did his mending, but when
+Thorgeir took to rowing again, the oars had got so worn that Grettir
+shook them asunder on the gunwale.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Better,&quot; quoth Thormod, &quot;to row less and break nought.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir caught up two unshapen oar beams that lay in the boat and
+bored large holes in the gunwales, and rowed withal so mightily
+that every beam creaked, but whereas the craft was good, and the men
+somewhat of the brisker sort, they reached Whaleshead-holm.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir asked whether they would rather go home with the ox or
+haul up the boat; they chose to haul up the boat, and hauled it up
+with all the sea that was in it, and all the ice, for it was much
+covered with icicles: but Grettir led home the ox, and exceeding stiff
+in tow he was, and very fat, and he grew very weary, and when they
+came up below Titling-stead could go no more.</p>
+
+<p>The foster-brothers went up to the house, for neither would help the
+other in his allotted work; Thorgils asked after Grettir, but they
+told him where they had parted; then he sent men to meet him, and when
+they came down to Cave-knolls they saw how there came towards them a
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page147" id="page147">[147]</a></span>
+man with a neat on his back, and lo, there was Grettir come, bearing
+the ox: then all men wondered at his great might.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorgeir got very envious of Grettir's strength, and one day
+somewhat after Yule, Grettir went alone to bathe; Thorgeir knew
+thereof, and said to Thormod, &quot;Let us go on now, and try how Grettir
+will start if I set on him as he comes from his bathing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is not my mind,&quot; said Thormod, &quot;and no good wilt thou get from
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go though,&quot; says Thorgeir; and therewith he went down to the
+slope, and bore aloft an axe.</p>
+
+<p>By then was Grettir walking up from the bath, and when they met,
+Thorgeir said; &quot;Is it true, Grettir,&quot; says he, &quot;that thou hast said so
+much as that thou wouldst never run before one man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That I know not for sure,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;yet but a little way have I
+run before thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgeir raised aloft the axe, but therewith Grettir ran in under
+Thorgeir and gave him an exceeding great fall: then said Thorgeir to
+Thormod, &quot;Wilt thou stand by and see this fiend drive me down under
+him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thormod caught hold of Grettir's feet, and was minded to pull him
+from off Thorgeir, but could do nought thereat: he was girt with a
+short-sword and was going to draw it, when goodman Thorgils came up
+and bade them be quiet and have nought to do with Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>So did they and turned it all to game, and no more is told of their
+dealings; and men thought Thorgils had great luck in that he kept such
+reckless men in good peace.</p>
+
+<p>But when spring came they all went away; Grettir went round to
+Codfirth, and he was asked, how he liked the fare of the winter abode
+at Reek-knolls; he answered, &quot;There<span class="newpage"><a name="page148" id="page148">[148]</a></span> have I ever been as fain as might
+be of my meals when I got at them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter he went west over the heaths.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LI"></a><h2>CHAP. LI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, and how Thorir of
+Garth would not that Grettir should be made sackless.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorgils Arison rode to the Thing with many men; and thither came all
+the great men of the land. Now Thorgils and Skapti the Lawman soon
+met, and fell to talking.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Skapti, &quot;Is it true, Thorgils, that thou hast harboured
+those three men through the winter who are deemed to be the wildest of
+all men; yea, and all of them outlawed withal, and yet hast kept them
+so quiet, that no one of them has done hurt to the other?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgils said it was true enough.</p>
+
+<p>Skapti said that great might over men it showed forth in him; &quot;But how
+goes it, thinkest thou, with the temper of each of them; and which of
+them thinkest thou the bravest man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgils said, &quot;I deem they are all of them full stout of heart; but
+two of them I deem know what fear is, and yet in unlike ways; for
+Thormod is a great believer and fears God much; but Grettir is so
+fearsome in the dark, that he dares go nowhither after dusk has set
+in, if he may do after his own mind. But my kinsman Thorgeir I deem
+knows not how to fear.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page149" id="page149">[149]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;Yea, so it is with their minds as thou sayest,&quot; said Skapti; and with
+that they left talking.</p>
+
+<p>Now, at this Althing Thorod Drapa-Stump brought forward a suit for the
+slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, which he had not brought to a hearing at
+the Hunawater Thing, because of the kin of Atli, and he deemed that
+here his case would be less like to be thrown over. The kinsmen of
+Atli sought counsel of Skapti about the case; and he said he saw in
+it a lawful defence, so that full atonement would be forthcoming
+therefor. Then were these matters laid unto umpiredom, and most men
+were minded that the slayings of Atli and Thorbiorn should be set one
+against the other.</p>
+
+<p>But when Skapti knew that, he went to the judges, and asked whence
+they had that? They said that they deemed the slain men were bonders
+of equal worth.</p>
+
+<p>Then Skapti asked, which was the first, the outlawry of Grettir or
+the slaying of Atli? So, when that was reckoned up, there was a week's
+space betwixt Grettir's outlawry at the Althing and the slaying of
+Atli, which befell just after it.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Skapti, &quot;Thereof my mind misgave me, that ye had made an
+oversight in setting on foot the suit in that ye made him a suitor,
+who was outlawed already, and could neither defend nor prosecute his
+own case. Now I say that Grettir has nought to do with the case of the
+slaying, but let him take up the blood-suit, who is nighest of kin by
+law.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorod Drapa-Stump, &quot;And who shall answer for the slaying of
+Thorbiorn my brother?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;See ye to that for yourselves,&quot; said Skapti; &quot;but the kin of Grettir
+will never pour out fee for him or his works, if no peace is to be
+bought for him.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page150" id="page150">[150]</a></span>
+<p>Now when Thorvald Asgeirson was aware that Grettir was set aside from
+following the blood-suit, he and his sought concerning who was the
+next of kin; and that turned out to be Skeggi, son of Gamli of
+Meals, and Uspak, son of Glum of Ere in Bitra; they were both of them
+exceeding zealous and pushing.</p>
+
+<p>Now must Thorod give atonement for Atli's slaying, and two hundreds in
+silver he had to pay.</p>
+
+<p>Then spake Snorri the Godi, &quot;Will ye now, Ramfirthers,&quot; says he, &quot;that
+this money-fine should fall away, and that Grettir be made sackless
+withal, for in my mind it is that as a guilty man he will be sorely
+felt?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir's kin took up his word well, and said that they heeded the
+fee nought if he might have peace and freedom. Thorod said that he saw
+Grettir's lot would be full of heavy trouble, and made as if he would
+take the offer, for his part. Then Snorri bade them first know if
+Thorir of Garth would give his leave to Grettir being made free; but
+when Thorir heard thereof he turned away exceeding wroth, and said
+that Grettir should never either get out of his outlawry or be brought
+out of it: &quot;And the more to bring that about,&quot; said he, &quot;a greater
+price shall be put on his head than on the head of any outlaw or
+wood-man yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So, when he took the thing so ill, the freeing of Grettir came to
+nought, and Gamli and his fellows took the money to them, and kept it
+in their ward; but Thorod Drapa-Stump had no atonement for his brother
+Thorbiorn.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorir and Thorod set each of them on Grettir's head three marks
+of silver, and that folk deemed a new thing, for never had any greater
+price been laid down to such an end before than three marks in all.</p>
+
+<p>Snorri said it was unwisely done to make a sport of<span class="newpage"><a name="page151" id="page151">[151]</a></span> keeping a man in
+outlawry who might work so much ill, and that many a man would have to
+pay for it.</p>
+
+<p>But now men part and ride home from the Thing.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LII"></a><h2>CHAP. LII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>When Grettir came over Codfirth-heath down into Longdale, he swept up
+unsparingly the goods of the petty bonders, and had of every man what
+he would; from some he took weapons, from some clothes; and these folk
+gave up in very unlike ways; but as soon as he was gone, all said they
+gave them unwillingly.</p>
+
+<p>In those days dwelt in Waterfirth Vermund the Slender, the brother of
+Slaying-Styr; he had to wife Thorbiorg, the daughter of Olaf Peacock,
+son of Hoskuld. She was called Thorbiorg the Big; but at the time that
+Grettir was in Longdale had Vermund ridden to the Thing.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went over the neck to Bathstead. There dwelt a man called
+Helgi, who was the biggest of bonders thereabout: from there had
+Grettir a good horse, which the bonder owned, and thence he went to
+Giorvidale, where farmed a man named Thorkel. He was well stored with
+victuals, yet a mannikin withal: therefrom took Grettir what he would,
+nor durst Thorkel blame him or withhold aught from him.</p>
+
+<p>Thence went Grettir to Ere, and out along the side of the firth, and
+had from every farm victuals and clothes, and dealt hardly with many;
+so that most men deemed him a heavy trouble to live under.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page152" id="page152">[152]</a></span>
+<p>Now he fared fearlessly withal, and took no keep of himself, and
+so went on till he came to Waterfirth-dale, and went to the
+mountain-dairy, and there he dwelt a many nights, and lay in the woods
+there, and took no heed to himself; but when the herdsmen knew that,
+they went to the farm, and said that to that stead was a fiend come
+whom they deemed nowise easy to deal with; then the farmers gathered
+together, and were thirty men in all: they lurked in the wood, so that
+Grettir was unaware of them, and let a shepherd spy on Grettir till
+they might get at him, yet they wotted not clearly who the man was.</p>
+
+<p>Now so it befell that on a day as Grettir lay sleeping, the bonders
+came upon him, and when they saw him they took counsel how they should
+take him at the least cost of life, and settled so that ten men should
+leap on him, while some laid bonds on his feet; and this they did, and
+threw themselves on him, but Grettir broke forth so mightily that they
+fell from off him, and he got to his knees, yet thereby they might
+cast the bonds over him, and round about his feet; then Grettir
+spurned two of them so hard about the ears that they lay stunned on
+the earth. Now one after the other rushed at him, and he struggled
+hard and long, yet had they might to overcome him at the last, and so
+bound him.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they talked over what they should do with him, and they
+bade Helgi of Bathstead take him and keep him in ward till Vermund
+came home from the Thing. He answered&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Other things I deem more helpful to me than to let my house-carles
+sit over him, for my lands are hard to work, nor shall he ever come
+across me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they bade Thorkel of Giorvidale take and keep him, and said that
+he was a man who had enow.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page153" id="page153">[153]</a></span>
+<p>But Thorkel spake against it, and said that for nought would he do
+that: &quot;Whereas I live alone in my house with my Carline, far from
+other men; nor shall ye lay that box on me,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, Thoralf of Ere,&quot; said they, &quot;do thou take Grettir and do well
+to him till after the Thing; or else bring him on to the next farm,
+and be answerable that he get not loose, but deliver him bound as now
+thou hast him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answers, &quot;Nay, I will not take Grettir, for I have neither victuals
+nor money to keep him withal, nor has he been taken on my land, and I
+deem it more trouble than honour to take him, or to have aught to do
+with him, nor shall he ever come into my house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they tried it with every bonder, but one and all spake
+against it; and after this talk have merry men made that lay which is
+hight Grettir's-faring, and added many words of good game thereto for
+the sport of men.</p>
+
+<p>So when they had talked it over long, they said, with one assent, that
+they would not make ill hap of their good-hap; so they went about and
+straightway reared up a gallows there in the wood, with the mind to
+hang Grettir, and made great clatter thereover.</p>
+
+<p>Even therewith they see six folk riding down below in the dale, and
+one in coloured clothes, and they guessed that there would goodwife
+Thorbiorg be going from Waterfirth; and so it was, and she was
+going to the mountain-dairy. Now she was a very stirring woman, and
+exceeding wise; she had the ruling of the neighbourhood, and settled
+all matters, when Vermund was from home. Now she turned to where the
+men were gathered, and was helped off her horse, and the bonders gave
+her good welcome.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page154" id="page154">[154]</a></span>
+<p>Then said she, &quot;What have ye here? or who is the big-necked one who
+sits in bonds yonder?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir named himself, and greeted her.</p>
+
+<p>She spake again, &quot;What drove thee to this, Grettir,&quot; says she, &quot;that
+thou must needs do riotously among my Thing-men?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may not look to everything; I must needs be somewhere,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great ill luck it is,&quot; says she, &quot;that these milksops should take
+thee in such wise that none should fall before thee. What are ye
+minded to do with him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The bonders told her that they were going to tie him up to the gallows
+for his lawlessness.</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;Maybe Grettir is guilty enough therefor, but it is
+too great a deed for you, Icefirthers, to take his life, for he is a
+famous man, and of mighty kin, albeit he is no lucky man; but now what
+wilt thou do for thy life, Grettir, if I give it thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;What sayest thou thereto?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said, &quot;Thou shalt make oath to work no evil riots here in
+Icefirth, and take no revenge on whomsoever has been at the taking of
+thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that she should have her will, and so he was loosed; and
+he says of himself that at that time of all times did he most rule his
+temper, when he smote them not as they made themselves great before
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorg bade him go home with her, and gave him a horse for his
+riding; so he went to Waterfirth and abode there till Vermund came
+home, and the housewife did well to him, and for this deed was she
+much renowned far and wide in the district.</p>
+
+<p>But Vermund took this ill at his coming home, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page155" id="page155">[155]</a></span> asked what made
+Grettir there? Then Thorbiorg told him how all had gone betwixt
+Grettir and the Icefirthers.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What reward was due to him,&quot; said Vermund, &quot;that thou gavest him his
+life?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Many grounds there were thereto,&quot; said Thorbiorg; &quot;and this, first of
+all, that thou wilt be deemed a greater chief than before in that thou
+hast a wife who has dared to do such a deed; and then withal surely
+would Hrefna his kinswoman say that I should not let men slay him;
+and, thirdly, he is a man of the greatest prowess in many wise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A wise wife thou art withal,&quot; said Vermund, &quot;and have thou thanks
+therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then he said to Grettir, &quot;Stout as thou art, but little was to be paid
+for thee, when thou must needs be taken of mannikins; but so ever it
+fares with men riotous.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Ill luck-to me</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That I should be</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On sea-roof-firth</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Borne unto earth;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ill luck enow</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To lie alow,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This head of mine</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Griped fast by swine.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;What were they minded to do to thee,&quot; said Vermund, &quot;when they took
+thee there?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Quoth Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;There many men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bade give me then</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E'en Sigar's meed</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page156" id="page156">[156]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For lovesome deed;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till found me there</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That willow fair,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whose leaves are praise,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her stems good days.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Vermund asked, &quot;Would they have hanged thee then, if they alone had
+had to meddle with matters?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Yea, to the snare</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That dangled there</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My head must I</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Soon bring anigh;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But Thorbiorg came</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The brightest dame,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And from that need</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The singer freed.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then said Vermund, &quot;Did she bid thee to her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Sif's lord's good aid,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My saviour, bade</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To take my way</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With her that day;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So did it fall;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And therewithal</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A horse she gave;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Good peace I have.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Mighty will thy life be and troublous,&quot; said Vermund; &quot;but now thou
+hast learned to beware of thy foes; but I have no will to harbour
+thee, and gain therefor the ill-will<span class="newpage"><a name="page157" id="page157">[157]</a></span> of many rich men; but best is it
+for thee to seek thy kinsmen, though few men will be willing to take
+thee in if they may do aught else; nor to most men art thou an easy
+fellow withal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir was in Waterfirth a certain space, and then fared thence
+to the Westfirths, and sought shelter of many great men; but something
+ever came to pass whereby none of them would harbour him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>When the autumn was somewhat spent, Grettir turned back by the south,
+and made no stay till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, his
+kinsman, and there had he good welcome, for Thorstein bade him abide
+there through the winter, and that bidding he agreed to. Thorstein
+was a busy man and a good smith, and kept men close to their work;
+but Grettir had little mind to work, wherefore their tempers went but
+little together.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein had let make a church at his homestead; and a bridge he had
+made out from his house, wrought with great craft; for in the outside
+bridge, under the beams that held it up, were rings wrought all about,
+and din-bells, so that one might hear over to Scarf-stead, half a
+sea-mile off, if aught went over the bridge, because of the shaking of
+the rings. Thorstein had much to do over this work, for he was a great
+worker of iron; but Grettir went fiercely at the iron-smiting, yet was
+in many minds thereover; but he was quiet through the winter, so
+that nought befell worthy telling. But when the Ramfirthers knew
+that Grettir was with Thorstein,<span class="newpage"><a name="page158" id="page158">[158]</a></span> they had their band afoot as soon as
+spring came. So when Thorstein knew that, he bade Grettir seek some
+other shelter than his house, &quot;For I see thou wilt not work, and men
+who will do nought are not meet men for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where wouldst thou have me go, then?&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein bade him fare to the south country, and find his kin, &quot;But
+come to me if they avail thee not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now so Grettir wrought that he went south to Burgfirth, to Grim
+Thorhallson, and dwelt there till over the Thing. Then Grim sent him
+on to Skapti the Lawman at Hjalli, and he went south by the lower
+heaths and stayed not till he came to Thorhall, son of Asgrim, son
+of Ellida-grim, and went little in the peopled lands. Thorhall knew
+Grettir because of his father and mother, and, indeed, by then was
+the name of Grettir well renowned through all the land because of his
+great deeds.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall was a wise man, and he did well to Grettir, but would not let
+him abide there long.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LIV"></a><h2>CHAP. LIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Grettir fared from Tongue up to Hawkdale, and thence north upon
+the Keel, and kept about there long that summer; nor was there trust
+of him that he would not take men's goods from them, as they went from
+or to the north over the Keel, because he was hard put to it to get
+wares.</p>
+
+<p>Now on a day, when as Grettir would keep about the<span class="newpage"><a name="page159" id="page159">[159]</a></span> north at
+Doveness-path, he saw a man riding from the north over the Keel; he
+was huge to behold on horseback, and had a good horse, and an embossed
+bridle well wrought; another horse he had in tow and bags thereon;
+this man had withal a slouched hat on his head, nor could his face be
+clearly seen.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir looked hard at the horse and the goods thereon, and went
+to meet the man, and greeting him asked his name, but he said he was
+called Air. &quot;I wot well what thou art called,&quot; said he, &quot;for thou
+shalt be Grettir the Strong, the son of Asmund. Whither art thou
+bound?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As to the place I have not named it yet,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but as to
+my errand, it is to know if thou wilt lay down some of the goods thou
+farest with.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Air, &quot;Why should I give thee mine own, or what wilt thou give me
+therefor?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answers, &quot;Hast thou not heard that I take, and give no money
+again? and yet it seems to most men that I get what I will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Air, &quot;Give such choice as this to those who deem it good, but not
+thus will I give up what I have; let each of us go his own way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And therewithal he rode forth past Grettir and spurred his horse.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, we part not so hastily,&quot; said Grettir, and laid hold of the
+reins of Air's horse in front of his hands, and held on with both
+hands.</p>
+
+<p>Said Air, &quot;Go thy ways, nought thou hast of me if I may hold mine
+own.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That will now be proven,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now Air stretched his hands down the head-gear and laid hold of the
+reins betwixt Grettir's hands and the snaffle-rings and dragged at
+them so hard that Grettir's hands were<span class="newpage"><a name="page160" id="page160">[160]</a></span> drawn down along the reins,
+till Air dragged all the bridle from him.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir looked into the hollow of his hands, and saw that this man
+must have strength in claws rather than not, and he looked after him,
+and said, &quot;Whither art thou minded to fare?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Air answered and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;To the Kettle's side</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now will I ride,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where the waters fall</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the great ice-wall;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If thou hast mind</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There mayest thou find</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With little stone<a name="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17"><sup>[17]</sup></a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fist's land alone.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;It is of no avail to seek after thine abode if thou
+tellest of it no clearer than this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Air spake and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;I would not hide</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where I abide,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If thou art fain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To see me again;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From that lone weald,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Over Burgfirth field,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That ye men name</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Balljokul, I came.&quot;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page161" id="page161">[161]</a></span>
+<p>Thereat they parted, and Grettir sees that he has no strength against
+this man; and therewithal he sang a stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Too far on this luckless day,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Atli, good at weapon-play,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brisk Illugi were from me;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Such-like oft I shall not be</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As I was, when I must stand</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With the reins drawn through my hand</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By the unflinching losel Air.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Maids weep when they know I fear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thereafter Grettir went to the south from the Keel; and rode to Hjalli
+and found Skapti, and prayed for watch and ward from him.</p>
+
+<p>Skapti said, &quot;It is told me that thou farest somewhat lawlessly, and
+layest hand on other men's goods; and this beseems thee ill, great of
+kin as thou art. Now all would make a better tale, if thou didst not
+rob and reive; but whereas I have to bear the name of lawman in the
+land, folk would not abide that I should take outlawed men to me, and
+break the laws thereby. I will that thou seek some place wherein thou
+wilt not have need to take men's goods from them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he would do even so, yet withal that he might scarcely be
+alone because he so feared the dark.</p>
+
+<p>Skapti said that of that one thing then, which he deemed the best, he
+might not avail himself; &quot;But put not such trust in any as to fare as
+thou didst in the Westfirths; it has been many a man's bane that he
+has been too trustful.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and so turned back to
+Burgfirth in the autumn, and found Grim<span class="newpage"><a name="page162" id="page162">[162]</a></span> Thorhallson, his friend,
+and told him of Skapti's counsels; so Grim bade him fare north to
+Fishwater lakes on Ernewaterheath; and thus did he.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LV"></a><h2>CHAP. LV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings with Grim there</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Grettir went up to Ernewaterheath and made there a hut for himself
+(whereof are yet signs left) and dwelt there, for now was he fain to
+do anything rather than rob and reive; he got him nets and a boat
+and caught fish for his food; exceeding dreary he deemed it in the
+mountains, because he was so fearsome of the dark.</p>
+
+<p>But when other outlaws heard this, that Grettir was come down there,
+many of them had a mind to see him, because they thought there was
+much avail of him. There was a man called Grim, a Northlander, who
+was an outlaw; with him the Northlanders made a bargain that he should
+slay Grettir, and promised him freedom and gifts of money, if he
+should bring it to pass; so he went to meet Grettir, and prayed him to
+take him in.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answers, &quot;I see not how thou art the more holpen for being
+with me, and troublous to heed are ye wood-folk; but ill I deem it to
+be alone, if other choice there were; but I will that such an one only
+be with me as shall do whatso work may befall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grim said he was of no other mind, and prayed hard that he might dwell
+there; then Grettir let himself be talked round, and took him in; and
+he was there on into the<span class="newpage"><a name="page163" id="page163">[163]</a></span> winter, and watched Grettir, but deemed it
+no little matter to set on him. Grettir misdoubted him, and had his
+weapons by his side night and day, nor durst Grim attack him while he
+was awake.</p>
+
+<p>But one morning whenas Grim came in from fishing, he went into the hut
+and stamped with his foot, and would know whether Grettir slept, but
+he started in nowise, but lay still; and the short-sword hung up over
+Grettir's head.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grim thought that no better chance would happen, so he made a
+great noise, that Grettir might chide him, therefore, if he were
+awake, but that befell not. Now he thought that Grettir must surely
+be asleep, so he went stealthily up to the bed and reached out for the
+short-sword, and took it down, and unsheathed it. But even therewith
+Grettir sprang up on to the floor, and caught the short-sword just as
+the other raised it aloft, and laid the other hand on Grim betwixt the
+shoulders, and cast him down with such a fall, that he was well-nigh
+stunned; &quot;Ah, such hast thou shown thyself,&quot; said he, &quot;though thou
+wouldest give me good hope of thee.&quot; Then he had a true story from
+him, and thereafter slew him.</p>
+
+<p>And now Grettir deemed he saw what it was to take in wood-folk, and
+so the winter wore; and nothing Grettir thought to be of more trouble
+than his dread of the dark.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LVI"></a><h2>CHAP. LVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Thorir of Garth heard where Grettir had set himself down, and was
+fain to set afoot some plot whereby he might be slain. There was a
+man called Thorir<span class="newpage"><a name="page164" id="page164">[164]</a></span> Redbeard; he was the biggest of men, and a great
+man-slayer, and therefore was he made outlaw throughout the land.
+Thorir of Garth sent word to him, and when they met he bade him go on
+an errand of his, and slay Grettir the Strong. Redbeard said that was
+no easy task, and that Grettir was a wise man and a wary.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir bade him make up his mind to this; &quot;A manly task it is for so
+brisk a fellow as thou; but I shall bring thee out of thine outlawry,
+and therewithal give thee money enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So by that counsel Redbeard abode, and Thorir told him how he should
+go about the winning of Grettir. So thereafter he went round the
+land by the east, for thus he deemed his faring would be the less
+misdoubted; so he came to Ernewaterheath when Grettir had been there a
+winter. But when he met Grettir, he prayed for winter dwelling at his
+hands.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;I cannot suffer you often to play the like play
+with me that he did who came here last autumn, who bepraised me
+cunningly, and when he had been here a little while lay in wait for my
+life; now, therefore, I have no mind to run the risk any more of the
+taking in of wood-folk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir answered, &quot;My mind goes fully with thine in that thou deemest
+ill of outlawed men: and thou wilt have heard tell of me as of a
+man-slayer and a misdoer, but not as of a doer of such foul deeds as
+to betray my master. Now, <i>ill it is ill to be</i>, for many deem
+others to do after their own ways; nor should I have been minded to
+come hither, if I might have had a choice of better things; withal I
+deem we shall not easily be won while we stand together; thou mightest
+risk trying at first how thou likest me, and let me go my ways whenso
+thou markest ill faith in me.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page165" id="page165">[165]</a></span>
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Once more then will I risk it, even with thee; but
+wot thou well, that if I misdoubt me of thee, that will be thy bane.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir bade him do even so, and thereafter Grettir received him, and
+found this, that he must have the strength of twain, what work soever
+he took in hand: he was ready for anything that Grettir might set him
+to, and Grettir need turn to nothing, nor had he found his life so
+good since he had been outlawed, yet was he ever so wary of himself
+that Thorir never got a chance against him.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir Redbeard was with Grettir on the heath for two winters, and now
+he began to loathe his life on the heath, and falls to thinking what
+deed he shall do that Grettir will not see through; so one night
+in spring a great storm arose while they were asleep; Grettir awoke
+therewith, and asked where was their boat. Thorir sprang up, and ran
+down to the boat, and brake it all to pieces, and threw the broken
+pieces about here and there, so that it seemed as though the storm had
+driven them along. Then he went into the hut, and called out aloud,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good things have not befallen us, my friend,&quot; said he; &quot;for our
+boat is all broken to pieces, and the nets lie a long way out in the
+water.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Go and bring them in then,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;for methinks it is with
+thy goodwill that the boat is broken.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir answered, &quot;Among manly deeds swimming is the least handy to
+me, but most other deeds, I think, I may do against men who are not
+marvellous; thou mayest wot well enough that I was minded that thou
+shouldst not have to work while I abode here, and this I would not bid
+if it were in me to do it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir arose and took his weapons, and went to the water-side.
+Now the land was so wrought there that a<span class="newpage"><a name="page166" id="page166">[166]</a></span> ness ran into the water, and
+a great creek was on the other side, and the water was deep right up
+to the shore.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir spake: &quot;Swim off to the nets, and let me see how skilled a
+man thou art.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I told thee before,&quot; said Thorir, &quot;that I might not swim; and now I
+know not what is gone with thy manliness and daring.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, the nets I may get in,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but betray thou me not,
+since I trust in thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Thorir, &quot;Deem me not to be so shamed and worthless.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou wilt thyself prove thyself, what thou art,&quot; said Grettir, and
+therewith he put off his clothes and weapons, and swam off for the
+nets. He swept them up together, and brought them to land, and cast
+them on to the bank; but when he was minded to come aland, then Thorir
+caught up the short-sword and drew it hastily, and ran therewith
+swiftly on Grettir, and smote at him as he set foot on the bank; but
+Grettir fell on his back down into the water, and sank like a stone;
+and Thorir stood gazing out on to the water, to keep him off from
+the shore if he came up again; but Grettir dived and groped along the
+bottom as near as he might to the bank, so that Thorir might not see
+him till he came into the creek at his back, and got aland; and Thorir
+heeded him not, and felt nought till Grettir heaved him up over his
+head, and cast him down so hard that the short-sword flew out of his
+hand; then Grettir got hold of it and had no words with him, but smote
+off his head straightway, and this was the end of his life.</p>
+
+<p>But after this would Grettir never take outlaws to him, yet hardly
+might he bear to be alone.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page167" id="page167">[167]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LVII"></a><h2>CHAP. LVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>At the Althing Thorir of Garth heard of the slaying of Thorir
+Redbeard, and now he thought he saw that he had no light task to
+deal with; but such rede he took that he rode west over the lower
+heathlands from the Thing with well-nigh eighty men, and was minded to
+go and take Grettir's life: but when Grim Thorhallson knew thereof he
+sent Grettir word and bade him beware of himself, so Grettir ever took
+heed to the goings of men. But one day he saw many men riding who took
+the way to his abode; so he ran into a rift in the rocks, nor would he
+flee because he had not seen all the strength of those folk.</p>
+
+<p>Then up came Thorir and all his men, and bade them smite Grettir's
+head from his body, and said that the ill-doer's life would be had
+cheaply now.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;<i>Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth
+has had no sup</i>. From afar have ye come, and marks of the game
+shall some have ere we part.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorir egged on his men busily to set on him; but the pass was
+narrow, and he could defend it well from one side; yet hereat he
+marvelled, that howsoever they went round to the back of him, yet
+no hurt he got thereby; some fell of Thorir's company, and some were
+wounded, but nothing might they do.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorir, &quot;Oft have I heard that Grettir is a man of marvel
+before all others for prowess and good heart, but never knew I that he
+was so wise a wizard as now I behold him; for half as many again fall
+at his back as fall before him; lo, now we have to do with trolls and
+no men.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page168" id="page168">[168]</a></span>
+<p>So he bid them turn away and they did so. Grettir marvelled how that
+might be, for withal he was utterly foredone.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir and his men turn away and ride toward the north country, and
+men deemed their journey to be of the shame fullest; eighteen men had
+they left there and many were wounded withal.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went up into the pass, and found there one great of
+growth, who sat leaning against the rock and was sore wounded. Grettir
+asked him of his name, and he said he was hight Hallmund.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And this I will tell thee to know me by, that thou didst deem me to
+have a good hold of the reins that summer when we met on the Keel;
+now, methinks, I have paid thee back therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, in sooth,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;I deem that thou hast shown great
+manliness toward me; whenso I may, I will reward thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hallmund said, &quot;But now I will that thou come to my abode, for thou
+must e'en think time drags heavily here on the heaths.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he was fain thereof; and now they fare both together
+south under Balljokul, and there had Hallmund a huge cave, and a
+daughter great of growth and of high mind; there they did well to
+Grettir, and the woman healed the wounds of both of them, and Grettir
+dwelt long there that summer, and a lay he made on Hallmund, wherein
+is this&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Wide and high doth Hallmund stride</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the hollow mountain side.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>And this stave also is therein&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;At Ernewater, one by one,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stole the swords forth in the sun,</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page169" id="page169">[169]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Eager for the road of death</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Swept athwart by sharp spears' breath;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many a dead Wellwharfer's lands</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That day gave to other hands.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hallmund, dweller in the cave,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grettir's life that day did save.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Men say that Grettir slew six men in that meeting, but Hallmund
+twelve.</p>
+
+<p>Now as the summer wore Grettir yearned for the peopled country, to see
+his friends and kin; Hallmund bade him visit him when he came to the
+south country again, and Grettir promised him so to do; then he went
+west to Burgfirth, and thence to the Broadfirth Dales, and sought
+counsel of Thorstein Kuggson as to where he should now seek for
+protection, but Thorstein said that his foes were now so many that few
+would harbour him; &quot;But thou mightest fare south to the Marshes and
+see what fate abides thee there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So in the autumn Grettir went south to the Marshes.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In those days dwelt at Holm Biorn the Hitdale-Champion, who was the
+son of Arngeir, the son of Berse the Godless, the son of Balk, who
+settled Ramfirth as is aforesaid; Biorn was a great chief and a hardy
+man, and would ever harbour outlawed men.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir came to Holm, and Biorn gave him good cheer, for there had
+been friendship between the earlier kin of both of them; so Grettir
+asked if he would give him harbourage;<span class="newpage"><a name="page170" id="page170">[170]</a></span> but Biorn said that he had
+got to himself so many feuds through all the land that men would shun
+harbouring him so long as to be made outlaws therefor: &quot;But some gain
+will I be to thee, if thou lettest those men dwell in peace who are
+under my ward, whatsoever thou dost by other men in the country-side.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said yea thereto. Then said Biorn, &quot;Well, I have thought over
+it, and in that mountain, which stretches forth outside of Hitriver,
+is a stead good for defence, and a good hiding-place withal, if it be
+cunningly dealt with; for there is a hollow through the mountain, that
+is seen from the way below; for the highway lies beneath it, but above
+is a slip of sand and stones so exceeding steep, that few men may come
+up there if one hardy man stand on his defence above in the lair.
+Now this seems to me the best rede for thee, and the one thing worth
+talking of for thine abode, because, withal, it is easy to go thence
+and get goods from the Marshes, and right away to the sea.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that he would trust in his foresight if he would give him
+any help. Then he went up to Fairwoodfell and made his abode there;
+he hung grey wadmal before the hole in the mountain, and from the way
+below it was like to behold as if one saw through. Now he was wont
+to ride for things needful through the country-side, and men deemed a
+woful guest had come among them whereas he went.</p>
+
+<p>Thord Kolbeinson dwelt at Hitness in those days, and a good skald he
+was; at that time was there great enmity betwixt him and Biorn; and
+Biorn was but half loth, though Grettir wrought some ill on Thord's
+men or his goods.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir was ever with Biorn, and they tried their skill in many
+sports, and it is shown in the story of Biorn that they were deemed
+equal in prowess, but it is the mind of most<span class="newpage"><a name="page171" id="page171">[171]</a></span> that Grettir was the
+strongest man ever known in the land, since Orm the son of Storolf,
+and Thoralf the son of Skolm, left off their trials of strength.
+Grettir and Biorn swam in one spell all down Hitriver, from the lake
+right away to the sea: they brought those stepping-stones into the
+river that have never since been washed away either by floods, or the
+drift of ice, or glacier slips.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir abode in Fairwoodfell for one winter, in such wise, that
+none set on him, though many lost their goods at his hands and could
+do nought therefor, for a good place for defence he had, and was ever
+good friend to those nighest to him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LIX"></a><h2>CHAP. LIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man hight Gisli, the son of that Thorstein whom Snorri
+Godi had slain. Gisli was a big man and strong, a man showy in
+weapons and clothes, who made much of himself, and was somewhat of
+a self-praiser; he was a seafaring man, and came one summer out to
+Whiteriver, whenas Grettir had been a winter on the fell. Thord, son
+of Kolbein, rode to his ship, and Gisli gave him good welcome, and
+bade him take of his wares whatso he would; thereto Thord agreed, and
+then they fell to talk one with the other, and Gisli said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is that true which is told me, that ye have no counsel that avails to
+rid you of a certain outlaw who is doing you great ill?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thord said, &quot;We have not tried aught on him yet, but to many he seems
+a man hard to deal with, and that has been proven on many a man.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page172" id="page172">[172]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;It is like, methinks, that you should find Biorn a heavy trouble, if
+ye may not drive away this man: luckless it is for you withal, that I
+shall be too far off this winter to better matters for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou wilt be better pleased to deal with him by hearsay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, no need to tell me of Grettir,&quot; said Gisli; &quot;I have borne harder
+brunts when I was in warfare along with King Knut the Mighty, and west
+over the Sea, and I was ever thought to hold my own; and if I should
+have a chance at him I would trust myself and my weapons well enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thord said he would not work for nought if he prevailed against
+Grettir; &quot;For there is more put upon his head than on the head of any
+other of wood-folk; six marks of silver it was; but last summer Thorir
+of Garth laid thereto yet three marks; and men deem he will have
+enough to do therefor whose lot it is to win it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All things soever will men do for money,&quot; says Gisli, &quot;and we chapmen
+not the least; but now shall we keep this talk hushed up, for mayhap
+he will be the warier,&quot; says he, &quot;if he come to know that I am with
+you against him: now I am minded to abide this winter at Snowfellsness
+at Wave-ridge. Is his lair on my way at all? for he will not foresee
+this, nor shall I draw together many men against him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thord liked the plot well, he rode home therewith and held his peace
+about this; but now things went according to the saw, <i>a listening
+ear in the holt is anear</i>; men had been by at the talk betwixt
+Thord and Gisli, who were friends to Biorn of Hitdale, and they told
+him all from end to end; so when Biorn and Grettir met, Biorn showed
+forth<span class="newpage"><a name="page173" id="page173">[173]</a></span> the whole matter to him, and said that now he might prove how he
+could meet a foe.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It would not be bad sport,&quot; said he, &quot;if thou wert to handle him
+roughly, but to slay him not, if thou mightest do otherwise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir smiled thereat, but spake little.</p>
+
+<p>Now at the folding time in the autumn Grettir went down to
+Flysia-wharf and got sheep for himself; he had laid hold on four
+wethers; but the bonders became ware of his ways and went after him;
+and these two things befell at the same time, that he got up under the
+fell-side, and that they came upon him, and would drive the sheep from
+him, yet bare they no weapon against him; they were six altogether,
+and stood thick in his path. Now the sheep troubled him and he waxed
+wroth, and caught up two of those men, and cast them down over the
+hill-side, so that they lay stunned; and when the others saw that,
+they came on less eagerly; then Grettir took up the sheep and locked
+them together by the horns, and threw them over his shoulders, two on
+each side, and went up into his lair.</p>
+
+<p>So the bonders turned back, and deemed they had got but ill from him,
+and their lot misliked them now worse than before.</p>
+
+<p>Now Gisli abode at his ship through the autumn till it was rolled
+ashore. Many things made him abide there, so he was ready late, and
+rode away but a little before winter-nights. Then he went from the
+south, and guested under Raun on the south side of Hitriver. In the
+morning, before he rode thence, he began a talk with his fellows:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now shall we ride in coloured clothes to-day, and let the outlaw see
+that we are not like other wayfarers who are drifted about here day by
+day.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page174" id="page174">[174]</a></span>
+<p>So this they did, and they were three in all: but when they came west
+over the river, he spake again to them:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here in these bents, I am told, lurks the outlaw, and no easy way is
+there up to him; but may it not perchance seem good to him to come and
+meet us and behold our array?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said that it was ever his wont so to do. Now that morning Grettir
+had risen early in his lair; the weather was cold and frosty, and snow
+had fallen, but not much of it. He saw how three men rode from the
+south over Hitriver, and their state raiment glittered and their
+inlaid shields. Then it came into his mind who these should be, and he
+deems it would be good for him to get some rag of their array; and he
+was right wishful withal to meet such braggarts: so he catches up his
+weapons and runs down the slip-side. And when Gisli heard the clatter
+of the stones, he spake thus:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There goes a man down the hill-side, and somewhat big he is, and he
+is coming to meet us: now, therefore, let us go against him briskly,
+for here is good getting come to hand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>His fellows said that this one would scarce run into their very
+hands, if he knew not his might; &quot;And good it is that <i>he bewail who
+brought the woe</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So they leapt off their horses, and therewith Grettir came up to them,
+and laid hands on a clothes-bag that Gisli had tied to his saddle
+behind him, and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This will I have, for oft I lowt for little things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gisli answers, &quot;Nay, it shall not be; dost thou know with whom thou
+hast to do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Says Grettir, &quot;I am not very clear about that; nor will I have much
+respect for persons, since I am lowly now, and ask for little.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page175" id="page175">[175]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;Mayhap thou thinkest it little,&quot; says he, &quot;but I had rather pay down
+thirty hundreds; but robbery and wrong are ever uppermost in thy mind
+methinks; so on him, good fellows, and let see what he may do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So did they, and Grettir gave back before them to a stone which stands
+by the way and is called Grettir's-Heave, and thence defended himself;
+and Gisli egged on his fellows eagerly; but Grettir saw now that he
+was no such a hardy heart as he had made believe, for he was ever
+behind his fellows' backs; and withal he grew aweary of this fulling
+business, and swept round the short-sword, and smote one of Gisli's
+fellows to the death, and leaped down from the stone, and set on so
+fiercely, that Gisli shrank aback before him all along the hill-side:
+there Gisli's other fellow was slain, and then Grettir spake:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Little is it seen in thee that thou hast done well wide in the world,
+and in ill wise dost thou part from thy fellows.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gisli answers, &quot;<i>Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself&mdash;with
+hell's-man are dealings ill.</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they gave and took but a little, before Gisli cast away his
+weapons, and took to his heels out along the mountain. Grettir gave
+him time to cast off whatso he would, and every time Gisli saw a
+chance for it he threw off somewhat of his clothes; and Grettir never
+followed him so close but that there was still some space
+betwixt them. Gisli ran right past that mountain and then across
+Coldriver-dale, and then through Aslaug's-lithe and above by
+Kolbeinstead, and then out into Burgh-lava; and by then was he in
+shirt and breech alone, and was now exceeding weary. Grettir still
+followed after him, and there was ever a stone's throw between them;
+and now he pulled up a great bush. But Gisli made no stay till he came
+out at Haf-firth-river,<span class="newpage"><a name="page176" id="page176">[176]</a></span> and it was swollen with ice and ill to ford;
+Gisli made straightway for the river, but Grettir ran in on him and
+seized him, and then the strength of either was soon known: Grettir
+drave him down under him, and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Art thou that Gisli who would fain meet Grettir Asmundson?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gisli answers, &quot;I have found him now, in good sooth, nor do I know in
+what wise we shall part: keep that which thou hast got, and let me go
+free.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;Nay, thou art scarce deft enow to learn what I have to
+teach thee, so needs must I give thee somewhat to remember it by.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he pulls the shirt up over his head and let the twigs go all
+down his back, and along both sides of him, and Gisli strove all he
+might to wriggle away from him; but Grettir flogged him through and
+through, and then let him go; and Gisli thought he would learn no
+more of Grettir and have such another flogging withal; nor did he ever
+again earn the like skin-rubbing.</p>
+
+<p>But when he got his legs under him again, he ran off unto a great
+pool in the river, and swam it, and came by night to a farm called
+Horseholt, and utterly foredone he was by then. There he lay a week
+with his body all swollen, and then fared to his abode.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir turned back, and took up the things Gisli had cast down, and
+brought them to his place, nor from that time forth gat Gisli aught
+thereof.</p>
+
+<p>Many men thought Gisli had his due herein for the noise and swagger
+he had made about himself; and Grettir sang this about their dealings
+together&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;In fighting ring where steed meets steed,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The sluggish brute of mongrel breed,</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page177" id="page177">[177]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes will shrink back nothing less</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Before the stallion's dauntlessness,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than Gisli before me to-day;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As, casting shame and clothes away,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And sweating o'er the marsh with fear,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He helped the wind from mouth and rear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The next spring Gisli got ready to go to his ship, and bade men above
+all things beware of carrying aught of his goods south along the
+mountain, and said that the very fiend dwelt there.</p>
+
+<p>Gisli rode south along the sea all the way to his ship, and never met
+Grettir again; and now he is out of the story.</p>
+
+<p>But things grew worse between Thord Kolbeinson and Grettir, and Thord
+set on foot many a plot to get Grettir driven away or slain.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LX"></a><h2>CHAP. LX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>When Grettir had been two winters at Fairwoodfell, and the third was
+now come, he fared south to the Marshes, to the farm called Brook-bow,
+and had thence six wethers against the will of him who owned them.
+Then he went to Acres and took away two neat for slaughtering, and
+many sheep, and then went up south of Hitriver.</p>
+
+<p>But when the bonders were ware of his ways, they sent word to Thord at
+Hitness, and bade him take in hand the slaying of Grettir; but he hung
+back, yet for the prayers of men got his son Arnor, who was afterwards
+called Earls'<span class="newpage"><a name="page178" id="page178">[178]</a></span> Skald, to go with them, and bade them withal to take
+heed that Grettir escaped not.</p>
+
+<p>Then were men sent throughout all the country-side. There was a man
+called Biarni, who dwelt at Jorvi in Flysia-wharf, and he gathered
+men together from without Hitriver; and their purpose was that a band
+should be on either bank of the river.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir had two men with him; a man called Eyolf, the son of the
+bonder at Fairwood, and a stout man; and another he had besides.</p>
+
+<p>First came up Thorarin of Acres and Thorfinn of Brook-bow, and there
+were nigh twenty men in their company. Then was Grettir fain to make
+westward across the river, but therewith came up on the west side
+thereof Arnor and Biarni. A narrow ness ran into the water on the side
+whereas Grettir stood; so he drave the beasts into the furthermost
+parts of the ness, when he saw the men coming up, for never would he
+give up what he had once laid his hands on.</p>
+
+<p>Now the Marsh-men straightway made ready for an onslaught, and made
+themselves very big; Grettir bade his fellows take heed that none came
+at his back; and not many men could come on at once.</p>
+
+<p>Now a hard fight there was betwixt them, Grettir smote with the
+short-sword with both hands, and no easy matter it was to get at him;
+some of the Marsh-men fell, and some were wounded; those on the other
+side of the river were slow in coming up, because the ford was not
+very near, nor did the fight go on long before they fell off; Thorarin
+of Acres was a very old man, so that he was not at this onslaught. But
+when this fight was over, then came up Thrand, son of Thorarin, and
+Thorgils Ingialdson, the brother's son of Thorarin, and Finnbogi,
+son of Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, and Steinulf Thorleifson from
+Lavadale; these<span class="newpage"><a name="page179" id="page179">[179]</a></span> egged on their men eagerly to set on, and yet another
+fierce onslaught they made. Now Grettir saw that he must either flee
+or spare himself nought; and now he went forth so fiercely that none
+might withstand him; because they were so many that he saw not how
+he might escape, but that he did his best before he fell; he was fain
+withal that the life of such an one as he deemed of some worth might
+be paid for his life; so he ran at Steinulf of Lavadale, and smote him
+on the head and clave him down to the shoulders, and straightway with
+another blow smote Thorgils Ingialdson in the midst and well-nigh cut
+him asunder; then would Thrand run forth to revenge his kinsman, but
+Grettir smote him on the right thigh, so that the blow took off all
+the muscle, and straightway was he unmeet for fight; and thereafter
+withal a great wound Grettir gave to Finnbogi.</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorarin cried out and bade them fall back, &quot;For the longer ye
+fight the worse ye will get of him, and he picks out men even as he
+willeth from your company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So did they, and turned away; and there had ten men fallen, and five
+were wounded to death, or crippled, but most of those who had been at
+that meeting had some hurt or other; Grettir was marvellously wearied
+and yet but a little wounded.</p>
+
+<p>And now the Marsh-men made off with great loss of men, for many stout
+fellows had fallen there.</p>
+
+<p>But those on the other side of the river fared slowly, and came not up
+till the meeting was all done; and when they saw how ill their men
+had fared, then Arnor would not risk himself, and much rebuke he got
+therefor from his father and many others; and men are minded to think
+that he was no man of prowess.</p>
+
+<p>Now that place where they fought is called Grettir's-point to-day.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page180" id="page180">[180]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding in
+Thorir's-dale.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>But Grettir and his men took horse and rode up to the fell, for they
+were all wounded, and when they came to Fairwood there was Eyolf left;
+the farmer's daughter was out of doors, and asked for tidings; Grettir
+told all as clearly as might be, and sang a stave withal&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;O thou warder of horn's wave,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not on this side of the grave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will Steinulf s head be whole again;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many more there gat their bane;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Little hope of Thorgils now</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">After that bone-breaking blow:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Eight Gold-scatterers more they say,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dead along the river lay.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thereafter Grettir went to his lair and sat there through the winter;
+but when he and Biorn met, Biorn said to him, that he deemed that much
+had been done; &quot;and no peace thou wilt have here in the long run: now
+hast thou slain both kin and friends of mine, yet shall I not cast
+aside what I have promised thee whiles thou art here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he must needs defend his hands and life, &quot;but ill it is
+if thou mislikest it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said that things must needs be as they were.</p>
+
+<p>A little after came men to Biorn who had lost kinsmen at Grettir's
+hands, and bade him not to suffer that riotous man to abide there
+longer in their despite; and Biorn said<span class="newpage"><a name="page181" id="page181">[181]</a></span> that it should be as they
+would as soon as the winter was over.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thrand, the son of Thorarin of Acres, was healed; a stout man he
+was, and had to wife Steinun, daughter of Rut of Combeness; Thorleif
+of Lavadale, the father of Steinulf, was a very mighty man, and from
+him are come the men of Lavadale.</p>
+
+<p>Now nought more is told of the dealings of Grettir with the Marsh-men
+while he was on the mountain; Biorn still kept up his friendship
+with him, though his friends grew somewhat the fewer for that he let
+Grettir abide there, because men took it ill that their kin should
+fall unatoned.</p>
+
+<p>At the time of the Thing, Grettir departed from the Marsh-country, and
+went to Burgfirth and found Grim Thorhallson, and sought counsel of
+him, as to what to do now. Grim said he had no strength to keep him,
+therefore fared Grettir to find Hallmund his friend, and dwelt there
+that summer till it wore to its latter end.</p>
+
+<p>In the autumn Grettir went to Goatland, and waited there till bright
+weather came on; then he went up to Goatland Jokul, and made for
+the south-east, and had with him a kettle, and tools to strike fire
+withal. But men deem that he went there by the counsel of Hallmund,
+for far and wide was the land known of him.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir went on till he found a dale in the jokul, long and
+somewhat narrow, locked up by jokuls all about, in such wise that
+they overhung the dale. He came down somehow, and then he saw fair
+hill-sides grass-grown and set with bushes. Hot springs there were
+therein, and it seemed to him that it was by reason of earth-fires
+that the ice-cliffs did not close up over the vale.</p>
+
+<p>A little river ran along down the dale, with level shores on either
+side thereof. There the sun came but seldom;<span class="newpage"><a name="page182" id="page182">[182]</a></span> but he deemed he might
+scarcely tell over the sheep that were in that valley, so many they
+were; and far better and fatter than any he had ever seen.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir abode there, and made himself a hut of such wood as he
+could come by. He took of the sheep for his meat, and there was more
+on one of them than on two elsewhere: one ewe there was, brown with a
+polled head, with her lamb, that he deemed the greatest beauty for
+her goodly growth. He was fain to take the lamb, and so he did, and
+thereafter slaughtered it: three stone of suet there was in it, but
+the whole carcase was even better. But when Brownhead missed her lamb,
+she went up on Grettir's hut every night, and bleated in suchwise that
+he might not sleep anight, so that it misliked him above all things
+that he had slaughtered the lamb, because of her troubling.</p>
+
+<p>But every evening at twilight he heard some one hoot up in the valley,
+and then all the sheep ran together to one fold every evening.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir says, that a half-troll ruled over the valley, a giant
+hight Thorir, and in trust of his keeping did Grettir abide there;
+by him did Grettir name the valley, calling it Thorir's-dale. He said
+withal that Thorir had daughters, with whom he himself had good game,
+and that they took it well, for not many were the new-comers thereto;
+but when fasting time was, Grettir made this change therein, that fat
+and livers should be eaten in Lent.</p>
+
+<p>Now nought happed to be told of through the winter. At last Grettir
+found it so dreary there, that he might abide there no longer: then
+he gat him gone from the valley, and went south across the jokul, and
+came from the north, right against the midst of Shieldbroadfell.</p>
+
+<p>He raised up a flat stone and bored a hole therein, and said that
+whoso put his eye to the hole in that stone should<span class="newpage"><a name="page183" id="page183">[183]</a></span> straightway behold
+the gulf of the pass that leads from Thorir's-vale.</p>
+
+<p>So he fared south through the land, and thence to the Eastfirths; and
+in this journey he was that summer long, and the winter, and met all
+the great men there, but somewhat ever thrust him aside that nowhere
+got he harbouring or abode; then he went back by the north, and dwelt
+at sundry places.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>A little after Grettir had gone from Ernewaterheath, there came a man
+thither, Grim by name, the son of the widow at Kropp. He had slain the
+son of Eid Skeggison of the Ridge, and had been outlawed therefor;
+he abode whereas Grettir had dwelt afore, and got much fish from the
+water. Hallmund took it ill that he had come in Grettir's stead, and
+was minded that he should have little good hap how much fish soever he
+caught.</p>
+
+<p>So it chanced on a day that Grim had caught a hundred fish, and he
+bore them to his hut and hung them up outside, but the next morning
+when he came thereto they were all gone; that he deemed marvellous,
+and went to the water; and now he caught two hundred fish, went home
+and stored them up; and all went the same way, for they were all gone
+in the morning; and now he thought it hard to trace all to one spring.
+But the third day he caught three hundred fish, brought them home and
+watched over them from his shed, looking out through a hole in the
+door to see if aught might come anigh. Thus wore the night somewhat,
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page184" id="page184">[184]</a></span>
+and when the third part of the night was gone by, he heard one going
+along outside with heavy footfalls; and when he was ware thereof, he
+took an axe that he had, the sharpest of weapons, for he was fain
+to know what this one was about; and he saw that the new-comer had a
+great basket on his back. Now he set it down, and peered about, and
+saw no man abroad; he gropes about to the fishes, and deems he has got
+a good handful, and into the basket he scoops them one and all; then
+is the basket full, but the fishes were so big that Grim thought that
+no horse might bear more. Now he takes them up and puts himself under
+the load, and at that very point of time, when he was about to stand
+upright, Grim ran out, and with both hands smote at his neck, so that
+the axe sank into the shoulder; thereat he turned off sharp, and set
+off running with the basket south over the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>Grim turned off after him, and was fain to know if he had got enough.
+They went south all the way to Balljokul, and there this man went
+into a cave; a bright fire burnt in the cave, and thereby sat a woman,
+great of growth, but shapely withal. Grim heard how she welcomed her
+father, and called him Hallmund. He cast down his burden heavily, and
+groaned aloud; she asked him why he was all covered with blood, but he
+answered and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Now know I aright,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That in man's might,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in man's bliss,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No trust there is;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On the day of bale</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall all things fail;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Courage is o'er,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Luck mocks no more.&quot;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page185" id="page185">[185]</a></span>
+<p>She asked him closely of their dealings, but he told her all even as
+it had befallen.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now shall thou hearken,&quot; said he, &quot;for I shall tell of my deeds and
+sing a song thereon, and thou shall cut it on a staff as I give it
+out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So she did, and he sung Hallmund's song withal, wherein is this&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;When I drew adown</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The bridle brown</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grettir's hard hold,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Men deemed me bold;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Long while looked then</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The brave of men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In his hollow hands,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The harm of lands.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Then came the day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of Thorir's play</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On Ernelakeheath,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When we from death</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our life must gain;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Alone we twain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With eighty men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Must needs play then.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Good craft enow</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Did Grettir show</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On many a shield</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In that same field;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Natheless I hear</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That my marks were</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The deepest still;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The worst to fill.</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page186" id="page186">[186]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Those who were fain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">His back to gain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lost head and hand,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till of the band,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the Well-wharf-side,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Must there abide</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Eighteen behind</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That none can find.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;With the giant's kin</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Have I oft raised din;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To the rock folk</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Have I dealt out stroke;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ill things could tell</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That I smote full well;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The half-trolls know</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My baneful blow.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Small gain in me</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Did the elf-folk see,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or the evil wights</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who ride anights.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Many other deeds of his did Hallmund sing in that song, for he had
+fared through all the land.</p>
+
+<p>Then spake his daughter, &quot;A man of no slippery hand was that; nor was
+it unlike that this should hap, for in evil wise didst thou begin with
+him: and now what man will avenge thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hallmund answered, &quot;It is not so sure to know how that may be;
+but, methinks, I know that Grettir would avenge me if he might come
+thereto; but no easy matter will it be<span class="newpage"><a name="page187" id="page187">[187]</a></span> to go against the luck of this
+man, for much greatness lies stored up for him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter so much did Hallmund's might wane as the song wore, that
+well-nigh at one while it befell that the song was done and Hallmund
+dead; then she grew very sad and wept right sore. Then came Grim forth
+and bade her be of better cheer, &quot;<i>For all must fare when they are
+fetched</i>. This has been brought about by his own deed, for I could
+scarce look on while he robbed me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said he had much to say for it, &quot;<i>For ill deed gains ill
+hap</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now as they talked she grew of better cheer, and Grim abode many
+nights in the cave, and got the song by heart, and things went
+smoothly betwixt them.</p>
+
+<p>Grim abode at Ernewaterheath all the winter after Hallmund's death,
+and thereafter came Thorkel Eyulfson to meet him on the Heath, and
+they fought together; but such was the end of their play that Grim
+might have his will of Thorkel's life, and slew him not. So Thorkel
+took him to him, and got him sent abroad and gave him many goods; and
+therein either was deemed to have done well to the other. Grim betook
+himself to seafaring, and a great tale is told of him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he was nigh taking
+him</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now the story is to be taken up where Grettir came from the firths of
+the east-country; and now he fared with hidden-head for that he would
+not meet Thorir, and lay<span class="newpage"><a name="page188" id="page188">[188]</a></span> out that summer on Madderdale-heath and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir heard that Grettir was at Reek-heath, so he gathered men and
+rode to the heath, and was well minded that Grettir should not escape
+this time.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir was scarce aware of them before they were on him; he was
+just by a mountain-dairy that stood back a little from the wayside,
+and another man there was with him, and when he saw their band, speedy
+counsel must he take; so he bade that they should fell the horses and
+drag them into the dairy shed, and so it was done.</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorir rode north over the heath by the dairy, and <i>missed
+friend from stead</i>, for he found nought, and so turned back withal.</p>
+
+<p>But when his band had ridden away west, then said Grettir, &quot;They will
+not deem their journey good if we be not found; so now shall thou
+watch our horses while I go meet them, a fair play would be shown them
+if they knew me not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>His fellow strove to let him herein, yet he went none-the-less, and
+did on him other attire, with a slouched hat over his face and a staff
+in his hand, then he went in the way before them. They greeted him and
+asked if he had seen any men riding over the heath.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Those men that ye seek have I seen; but little was wanting e'ennow
+but that ye found them, for there they were, on the south of yon bogs
+to the left.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now when they heard that, off they galloped out on to the bogs, but so
+great a mire was there that nohow could they get on, and had to drag
+their horses out, and were wallowing there the more part of the day;
+and they gave to the devil withal the wandering churl who had so
+befooled them.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page189" id="page189">[189]</a></span>
+<p>But Grettir turned back speedily to meet his fellow, and when they met
+he sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Now make I no battle-field</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With the searching stems of shield.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rife with danger is my day,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And alone I go my way:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor shall I go meet, this tide,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Odin's storm, but rather bide</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whatso fate I next may have;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Scarce, then, shall thou deem me brave.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Thence where Thorir's company</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thronging ride, I needs must flee;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If with them I raised the din,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Little thereby should I win;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brave men's clashing swords I shun,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Woods must hide the hunted one;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For through all things, good and ill,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unto life shall I hold still.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Now they ride at their swiftest west over the heath and forth by the
+homestead at Garth, before ever Thorir came from the wilderness with
+his band; and when they drew nigh to the homestead a man fell in with
+them who knew them not.</p>
+
+<p>Then saw they how a woman, young and grand of attire, stood without,
+so Grettir asked who that woman would be. The new-comer said that she
+was Thorir's daughter. Then Grettir sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;O wise sun of golden stall,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When thy sire comes back to hall,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou mayst tell him without sin</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This, though little lies therein,</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page190" id="page190">[190]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou saw'st me ride hereby,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With but two in company,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Past the door of Skeggi's son,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nigh his hearth, O glittering one.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Hereby the new-comer thought he knew who this would be, and he rode to
+peopled parts and told how Grettir had ridden by.</p>
+
+<p>So when Thorir came home, many deemed that Grettir had done the bed
+well over their heads. But Thorir set spies on Grettir's ways, whereso
+he might be. Grettir fell on such rede that he sent his fellow to the
+west country with his horses; but he went up to the mountains and was
+in disguised attire, and fared about north there in the early winter,
+so that he was not known.</p>
+
+<p>But all men deemed that Thorir had got a worse part than before in
+their dealings together.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest came to the Goodwife
+there</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a priest called Stein, who dwelt at Isledale-river, in
+Bard-dale; he was good at husbandry and rich in beasts; his son was
+Kiartan, a brisk man and a well grown. Thorstein the White was the
+name of him who dwelt at Sand-heaps, south of Isledale-river; his wife
+was called Steinvor, a young woman and merry-hearted, and children
+they had, who were young in those days. But that place men deemed much
+haunted by the goings of trolls.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page191" id="page191">[191]</a></span>
+<p>Now it befell two winters before Grettir came into the north country
+that Steinvor the goodwife of Sand-heaps fared at Yule-tide to the
+stead of Isledale-river according to her wont, but the goodman abode
+at home. Men lay down to sleep in the evening, but in the night they
+heard a huge crashing about the bonder's bed; none durst arise and
+see thereto, for very few folk were there. In the morning the goodwife
+came home, but the goodman was gone, and none knew what had become of
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Now the next year wears through its seasons, but the winter after
+the goodwife would fain go to worship, and bade her house-carle abide
+behind at home; thereto was he loth, but said nathless that she must
+rule; so all went the same way and the house-carle vanished; and
+marvellous men deemed it; but folk saw certain stains of blood about
+the outer door; therefore they deemed it sure that an evil wight had
+taken them both.</p>
+
+<p>Now that was heard of wide through the country-side, and Grettir
+withal was told thereof; so he took his way to Bard-dale, and came to
+Sand-heaps at Yule-eve, and made stay there, and called himself Guest.
+The goodwife saw that he was marvellous great of growth, but the
+home-folk were exceeding afeard of him; he prayed for guesting there;
+the mistress said that there was meat ready for him, &quot;but as to thy
+safety see to that thyself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said that so he should do: &quot;Here will I abide, but thou shalt go to
+worship if thou wilt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;Meseems thou art a brave man if thou durst abide at
+home here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>For one thing alone will I not be known</i>,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>She said, &quot;I have no will to abide at home, but I may not cross the
+river.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go with thee,&quot; says Guest.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page192" id="page192">[192]</a></span>
+<p>Then she made her ready for worship, and her little daughter with her.
+It thawed fast abroad, and the river was in flood, and therein was the
+drift of ice great: then said the goodwife,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No way across is there either for man or horse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, there will be fords there,&quot; said Guest, &quot;be not afeard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Carry over the little maiden first,&quot; said the goodwife; &quot;she is the
+lightest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am loth to make two journeys of it,&quot; said Guest, &quot;I will bear thee
+in my arms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She crossed herself, and said, &quot;This will not serve; what wilt thou do
+with the maiden?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A rede I see for that,&quot; said he, and therewith caught them both up,
+and laid the little one in her mother's lap, and set both of them
+thus on his left arm, but had his right free; and so he took the ford
+withal, nor durst they cry out, so afeard were they.</p>
+
+<p>Now the river took him up to his breast forthwith, and a great
+ice-floe drave against him, but he put forth the hand that was free
+and thrust it from him; then it grew so deep, that the stream broke
+on his shoulder; but he waded through it stoutly, till he came to the
+further shore, and there cast them aland: then he turned back, and it
+was twilight already by then he came home to Sand-heaps, and called
+for his meat.</p>
+
+<p>So when he was fulfilled, he bade the home-folk go into the chamber;
+then he took boards and loose timber, and dragged it athwart the
+chamber, and made a great bar, so that none of the home-folk might
+come thereover: none durst say aught against him, nor would any of
+them make the least sound. The entrance to the hall was through the
+side wall by the gable, and dais was there within;<span class="newpage"><a name="page193" id="page193">[193]</a></span> there Guest lay
+down, but did not put off his clothes, and light burned in the chamber
+over against the door: and thus Guest lay till far on in the night.</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife came to Isledale-river at church-time, and men marvelled
+how she had crossed the river; and she said she knew not whether a man
+or a troll had brought her over.</p>
+
+<p>The priest said he was surely a man, though a match for few; &quot;But
+let us hold our peace hereon,&quot; he said; &quot;maybe he is chosen for the
+bettering of thy troubles.&quot; So the goodwife was there through the
+night.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Guest, that when it drew towards midnight,
+he heard great din without, and thereafter into the hall came a huge
+troll-wife, with a trough in one hand and a chopper wondrous great in
+the other; she peered about when she came in, and saw where Guest
+lay, and ran at him; but he sprang up to meet her, and they fell
+a-wrestling terribly, and struggled together for long in the hall. She
+was the stronger, but he gave back with craft, and all that was before
+them was broken, yea, the cross-panelling withal of the chamber. She
+dragged him out through the door, and so into the outer doorway, and
+then he betook himself to struggling hard against her. She was fain to
+drag him from the house, but might not until they had broken away all
+the fittings of the outer door, and borne them out on their shoulders:
+then she laboured<span class="newpage"><a name="page194" id="page194">[194]</a></span> away with him down towards the river, and right down
+to the deep gulfs.</p>
+
+<p>By then was Guest exceeding weary, yet must he either gather his might
+together, or be cast by her into the gulf. All night did they contend
+in such wise; never, he deemed, had he fought with such a horror for
+her strength's sake; she held him to her so hard that he might turn
+his arms to no account save to keep fast hold on the middle of the
+witch.</p>
+
+<p>But now when they came on to the gulf of the river, he gives the hag a
+swing round, and therewith got his right hand free, and swiftly seized
+the short-sword that he was girt withal, and smote the troll therewith
+on the shoulder, and struck off her arm; and therewithal was he free,
+but she fell into the gulf and was carried down the force.</p>
+
+<p>Then was Guest both stiff and weary, and lay there long on the rocks,
+then he went home, as it began to grow light, and lay down in bed, and
+all swollen and blue he was.</p>
+
+<p>But when the goodwife came from church, she thought her house had
+been somewhat roughly handled: so she went to Guest and asked what had
+happed that all was broken and down-trodden. He told her all as it had
+befallen: she deemed these things imported much, and asked him what
+man he was in good sooth. So he told her the truth, and prayed that
+the priest might be fetched, for that he would fain see him: and so it
+was done.</p>
+
+<p>But when Stein the priest came to Sand-heaps, he knew forthwith, that
+thither was come Grettir Asmundson, under the name of Guest.</p>
+
+<p>So the priest asked what he deemed had become of those men who had
+vanished; and Grettir said that he thought they would have gone into
+the gulf: the priest said that he might not trow that, if no signs
+could be seen<span class="newpage"><a name="page195" id="page195">[195]</a></span> thereof: then said Grettir that later on that should be
+known more thoroughly. So the priest went home.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir lay many nights a-bed, and the mistress did well to him, and
+so Yule-tide wore.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir's story is that the troll-wife cast herself into the gulf
+when she got her wound; but the men of Bard-dale say that day dawned
+on her, while they wrestled, and that she burst, when he cut the arm
+from her; and that there she stands yet on the cliff, a rock in the
+likeness of a woman.</p>
+
+<p>Now the dale-dwellers kept Grettir in hiding there; but in the winter
+after Yule, Grettir fared to Isledale-river, and when he met the
+priest, he said, &quot;Well, priest, I see that thou hadst little faith in
+my tale; now will I, that thou go with me to the river, and see what
+likelihood there is of that tale being true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So the priest did; and when they came to the force-side, they saw a
+cave up under the cliff; a sheer rock that cliff was, so great that in
+no place might man come up thereby, and well-nigh fifty fathoms was it
+down to the water. Now they had a rope with them, but the priest said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A risk beyond all measure, I deem it to go down here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;it is to be done, truly, but men of the greatest
+prowess are meetest therefor: now will I know what is in the force,
+but thou shall watch the rope.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The priest bade him follow his own rede, and drave a peg down into the
+sward on the cliff, and heaped stones up over it, and sat thereby.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page196" id="page196">[196]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Grettir that he set a stone in a bight of the
+rope and let it sink down into the water.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In what wise hast thou mind to go?&quot; said the priest.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will not go bound into the force,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;such things doth
+my heart forebode.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With that he got ready for his journey, and was lightly clad, and girt
+with the short-sword, and had no weapon more.</p>
+
+<p>Then he leapt off the cliff into the force; the priest saw the soles
+of his feet, and knew not afterwards what was become of him. But
+Grettir dived under the force, and hard work it was, because the
+whirlpool was strong, and he had to dive down to the bottom, before he
+might come up under the force. But thereby was a rock jutting out, and
+thereon he gat; a great cave was under the force, and the river fell
+over it from the sheer rocks. He went up into the cave, and there was
+a great fire flaming from amidst of brands; and there he saw a giant
+sitting withal, marvellously great and dreadful to look on. But when
+Grettir came anigh, the giant leapt up and caught up a glaive and
+smote at the new-comer, for with that glaive might a man both cut and
+thrust; a wooden shaft it had, and that fashion of weapon men called
+then, heft-sax. Grettir hewed back against him with the short-sword,
+and smote the shaft so that he struck it asunder; then was the giant
+fain to stretch aback for a sword that hung up there in the cave; but
+therewithal Grettir smote him afore into the breast, and smote off
+well-nigh all the breast<span class="newpage"><a name="page197" id="page197">[197]</a></span> bone and the belly, so that the bowels
+tumbled out of him and fell into the river, and were driven down along
+the stream; and as the priest sat by the rope, he saw certain fibres
+all covered with blood swept down the swirls of the stream; then he
+grew unsteady in his place, and thought for sure that Grettir was
+dead, so he ran from the holding of the rope, and gat him home.
+Thither he came in the evening and said, as one who knew it well, that
+Grettir was dead, and that great scathe was it of such a man.</p>
+
+<p>Now of Grettir must it be told that he let little space go betwixt
+his blows or ever the giant was dead; then he went up the cave, and
+kindled a light and espied the cave. The story tells not how much he
+got therein, but men deem that it must have been something great. But
+there he abode on into the night; and he found there the bones of two
+men, and bore them together in a bag; then he made off from the cave
+and swam to the rope and shook it, and thought that the priest would
+be there yet; but when he knew that the priest had gone home, then
+must he draw himself up by strength of hand, and thus he came up out
+on to the cliff.</p>
+
+<p>Then he fared home to Isledale-river, and brought into the church
+porch the bag with the bones, and therewithal a rune-staff whereon
+this song was marvellous well cut&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;There into gloomy gulf I passed,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O'er which from the rock's throat is cast</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The swirling rush of waters wan,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To meet the sword-player feared of man.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By giant's hall the strong stream pressed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cold hands against the singer's breast;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Huge weight upon him there did hurl</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The swallower of the changing whirl.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>And this other one withal&mdash;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page198" id="page198">[198]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;The dreadful dweller of the cave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Great strokes and many 'gainst me drave;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Full hard he had to strive for it,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But toiling long he wan no whit;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For from its mighty shaft of tree</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The heft-sax smote I speedily;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And dulled the flashing war-flame fair</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the black breast that met me there.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Herein was it said how that Grettir had brought those bones from the
+cave; but when the priest came to the church in the morning he found
+the staff and that which went with it, but Grettir was gone home to
+Sand-heaps.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>But when the priest met Grettir he asked him closely about what had
+happed; so he told him all the tale of his doings, and said withal
+that the priest had been unfaithful to him in the matter of the
+rope-holding; and the priest must needs say that so it was.</p>
+
+<p>Now men deemed they could see that these evil wights had wrought the
+loss of the men there in the dale; nor had folk hurt ever after from
+aught haunting the valley, and Grettir was thought to have done great
+deeds for the cleansing of the land. So the priest laid those bones in
+earth in the churchyard.</p>
+
+<p>But Grettir abode at Sand-heaps the winter long, and was hidden there
+from all the world.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page199" id="page199">[199]</a></span>
+<p>But when Thorir of Garth heard certain rumours of Grettir being in
+Bard-dale, he sent men for his head; then men gave him counsel to get
+him gone therefrom, so he took his way to the west.</p>
+
+<p>Now when he came to Maddervales to Gudmund the Rich, he prayed Gudmund
+for watch and ward; but Gudmund said he might not well keep him. &quot;But
+that only is good for thee,&quot; said he, &quot;to set thee down there, whereas
+thou shouldst have no fear of thy life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he wotted not where such a place might be.</p>
+
+<p>Gudmund said, &quot;An isle there lies in Skagafirth called Drangey; so
+good a place for defence it is, that no man may come thereon unless
+ladders be set thereto. If thou mightest get there, I know for sure
+that no man who might come against thee, could have good hope while
+thou wert on the top thereof, of overcoming thee, either by weapons or
+craft, if so be thou shouldst watch the ladders well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That shall be tried,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but so fearsome of the dark am I
+grown, that not even for the keeping of my life may I be alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gudmund said, &quot;Well, that may be; but trust no man whatsoever so much
+as not to trust thyself better; for many men are hard to see through.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and then fared away from
+Maddervales, nor made stay before he came to Biarg; there his mother
+and Illugi his brother welcomed him joyfully, and he abode there
+certain nights.</p>
+
+<p>There he heard of the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, which had befallen
+the autumn before Grettir went to Bard-dale; and he deemed therewithal
+that felling went on fast enough.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir rode south to Holtbeacon-heath, and was minded to avenge
+Hallmund if he might meet Grim; but<span class="newpage"><a name="page200" id="page200">[200]</a></span> when he came to Northriverdale,
+he heard that Grim had been gone two winters ago, as is aforesaid; but
+Grettir had heard so late of these tidings because he had gone about
+disguised those two winters, and the third winter he had been in
+Thorirs-dale, and had seen no man who might tell him any news. Then
+he betook himself to the Broadfirth-dales, and dwelt in Eastriverdale,
+and lay in wait for folk who fared over Steep-brent; and once more he
+swept away with the strong hand the goods of the small bonders. This
+was about the height of summer-tide.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the summer was well worn, Steinvor of Sand-heaps bore a
+man-child, who was named Skeggi; he was first fathered on Kiartan, the
+son of Stein, the priest of Isle-dale-river. Skeggi was unlike unto
+his kin because of his strength and growth, but when he was fifteen
+winters old he was the strongest man in the north-country, and was
+then known as Grettir's son; men deemed he would be a marvel among
+men, but he died when he was seventeen years of age, and no tale there
+is of him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went against Grettir.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>After the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, Snorri Godi would have little
+to do with his son Thorod, or with Sam, the son of Bork the Fat; it is
+not said what they had done therefor, unless it might be that they had
+had no will to do some great deed that Snorri set them to; but withal
+Snorri drave his son Thorod away, and said he should not<span class="newpage"><a name="page201" id="page201">[201]</a></span> come back
+till he had slain some wood-dweller; and so must matters stand.</p>
+
+<p>So Thorod went over to the Dales; and at that time dwelt at
+Broadlair-stead in Sokkolfsdale a widow called Geirlaug; a herdsman
+she kept, who had been outlawed for some onslaught; and he was a
+growing lad. Now Thorod Snorrison heard thereof, and rode in to
+Broadlair-stead, and asked where was the herdsman; the goodwife said
+that he was with the sheep.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What wilt thou have to do with him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;His life will I have,&quot; says Thorod, &quot;because he is an outlaw, and a
+wood-wight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;No glory is it for such a great warrior as thou deemest
+thyself, to slay a mannikin like that; I will show thee a greater
+deed, if thine heart is so great that thou must needs try thyself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, and what deed?&quot; says he.</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;Up in the fell here, lies Grettir Asmundson; play thou
+with him, for such a game is more meet for thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorod took her talk well; &quot;So shall it be,&quot; says he, and therewith he
+smote his horse with his spurs, and rode along the valley; and when he
+came to the hill below Eastriver, he saw where was a dun horse, with
+his saddle on, and thereby a big man armed, so he turned thence to
+meet him.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir greeted him, and asked who he was. Thorod named himself, and
+said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why askest thou not of my errand rather than of my name?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, because,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;it is like to be such as is of little
+weight: art thou son to Snorri Godi?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, yea,&quot; says Thorod; &quot;but now shall we try which of us may do the
+most.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page202" id="page202">[202]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;A matter easy to be known,&quot; says Grettir; &quot;hast thou not heard that
+I have ever been a treasure-hill that most men grope in with little
+luck?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, I know it,&quot; said Thorod; &quot;yet must somewhat be risked.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And now he drew his sword therewith and set on Grettir eagerly; but
+Grettir warded himself with his shield, but bore no weapon against
+Thorod; and so things went awhile, nor was Grettir wounded.</p>
+
+<p>At last he said, &quot;Let us leave this play, for thou wilt not have
+victory in our strife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But Thorod went on dealing blows at his maddest. Now Grettir got
+aweary of dealing with him, and caught him and set him down by his
+side, and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may do with thee even as I will, nor do I fear that thou wilt ever
+be my bane; but the grey old carle, thy father, Snorri, I fear in good
+sooth, and his counsels that have brought most men to their knees:
+and for thee, thou shouldst turn thy mind to such things alone as thou
+mayst get done, nor is it child's play to fight with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But when Thorod saw that he might bring nought to pass, he grew
+somewhat appeased, and therewithal they parted. Thorod rode home to
+Tongue and told his father of his dealings with Grettir. Snorri Godi
+smiled thereat, and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Many a man lies hid within himself</i>, and far unlike were your
+doings; for thou must needs rush at him to slay him, and he might have
+done with thee even as he would. Yet wisely has Grettir done herein,
+that he slew thee not; for I should scarce have had a mind to let thee
+lie unavenged; but now indeed shall I give him aid, if I have aught to
+do with any of his matters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It was well seen of Snorri, that he deemed Grettir had<span class="newpage"><a name="page203" id="page203">[203]</a></span> done well to
+Thorod, and he ever after gave his good word for Grettir.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg, and fared with
+Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Grettir rode north to Biarg a little after he parted with Thorod, and
+lay hid there yet awhile; then so great grew his fear in the dark,
+that he durst go nowhere as soon as dusk set in. His mother bade him
+abide there, but said withal, that she saw that it would scarce avail
+him aught, since he had so many cases against him throughout all the
+land. Grettir said that she should never have trouble brought on her
+for his sake.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I shall no longer do so much for the keeping of my life,&quot; says
+he, &quot;as to be alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Illugi his brother was by that time about fifteen winters old,
+and the goodliest to look on of all men; and he overheard their talk
+together. Grettir was telling his mother what rede Gudmund the Rich
+had given him, and now that he should try, if he had a chance, to get
+out to Drangey, but he said withal, that he might not abide there,
+unless he might get some trusty man to be with him. Then said Illugi,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go with thee, brother, though I know not that I shall be of
+any help to thee, unless it be that I shall be ever true to thee, nor
+run from thee whiles thou standest up; and moreover I shall know more
+surely how thou farest if I am still in thy fellowship.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Such a man thou art, that I am<span class="newpage"><a name="page204" id="page204">[204]</a></span> gladder in thee than
+in any other; and if it cross not my mother's mind, fain were I that
+thou shouldst fare with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Asdis, &quot;Now can I see that it has come to this, that two
+troubles lie before us: for meseems I may ill spare Illugi, yet I know
+that so hard is thy lot, Grettir, that thou must in somewise find rede
+therefor: and howsoever it grieves me, O my sons, to see you both turn
+your backs on me, yet thus much will I do, if Grettir might thereby be
+somewhat more holpen than heretofore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hereat was Illugi glad, for that he deemed it good to go with Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>So she gave them much of her chattels, and they made them ready for
+their journey. Asdis led them from out the garth, and before they
+parted she spake thus:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ah, my sons twain, there ye depart from me, and one death ye shall
+have together; for no man may flee from that which is wrought for him:
+on no day now shall I see either of you once again; let one fate
+be over you both, then; for I know not what weal ye go to get for
+yourselves in Drangey, but there shall ye both lay your bones, and
+many will begrudge you that abiding place. Keep ye heedfully from
+wiles, yet none the less there shall ye be bitten of the edge of the
+sword, for marvellously have my dreams gone: be well ware of sorcery,
+for <i>little can cope with the cunning of eld</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And when she had thus spoken she wept right sore.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Grettir, &quot;Weep not, mother, for if we be set on with
+weapons, it shall be said of thee, that thou hast had sons, and not
+daughters: live on, well and hale.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewithal they parted. They fared north through the country side and
+saw their kin; and thus they lingered out the autumn into winter; then
+they turned toward Skagafirth and went north through Waterpass and
+thence to Reekpass,<span class="newpage"><a name="page205" id="page205">[205]</a></span> and down Saemunds-lithe and so unto Longholt, and
+came to Dinby late in the day.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir had cast his hood back on to his shoulders, for in that wise
+he went ever abroad whether the day were better or worse. So they went
+thence, and when they had gone but a little way, there met them a man,
+big-headed, tall, and gaunt, and ill clad; he greeted them, and either
+asked other for their names; they said who they were, but he called
+himself Thorbiorn: he was a land-louper, a man too lazy to work, and
+a great swaggerer, and much game and fooling was made with him by some
+folk: he thrust himself into their company, and told them much from
+the upper country about the folk there. Grettir had great game and
+merriment of him; so he asked if they had no need of a man who should
+work for them, &quot;for I would fain fare with you,&quot; says he; and withal
+he got so much from their talk that they suffered him to follow them.</p>
+
+<p>Much snow there was that day, and it was cold; but whereas that man
+swaggered exceedingly, and was the greatest of tomfools, he had a
+by-name, and was called Noise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great wonder had those of Dinby when thou wentest by e'en now
+unhooded, in the foul weather,&quot; said Noise, &quot;as to whether thou
+wouldst have as little fear of men as of the cold: there were two
+bonders' sons, both men of great strength, and the shepherd called
+them forth to go to the sheep-watching with him, and scarcely could
+they clothe themselves for the cold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;I saw within doors there a young man who pulled on his
+mittens, and another going betwixt byre and midden, and of neither of
+them should I be afeared.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they went down to Sorbness, and were there through the
+night; then they fared out along the strand to a<span class="newpage"><a name="page206" id="page206">[206]</a></span> farm called Reeks,
+where dwelt a man, Thorwald by name, a good bonder. Him Grettir prayed
+for watch and ward, and told him how he was minded to get out to
+Drangey: the bonder said that those of Skagafirth would think him no
+god-send, and excused himself therewithal.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir took a purse his mother had given to him, and gave it
+to the bonder; his brows lightened over the money, and he got three
+house-carles of his to bring them out in the night time by the light
+of the moon. It is but a little way from Reeks out to the island, one
+sea-mile only. So when they came to the isle, Grettir deemed it good
+to behold, because it was grass-grown, and rose up sheer from the sea,
+so that no man might come up thereon save there where the ladders were
+let down, and if the uppermost ladder were drawn up, it was no man's
+deed to get upon the island. There also were the cliffs full of fowl
+in the summer-tide, and there were eighty sheep upon the island which
+the bonders owned, and they were mostly rams and ewes which they had
+mind to slaughter.</p>
+
+<p>There Grettir set himself down in peace; and by then had he been
+fifteen or sixteen winters in outlawry, as Sturla Thordson has said.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In the days when Grettir came to Drangey, these were chief men of the
+country side of Skagafirth. Hialti dwelt at Hof in Hialtidale, he
+was the son of Thord, the son of Hialti, the son of Thord the Scalp:
+Hialti was a great chief, a right noble man, and much<span class="newpage"><a name="page207" id="page207">[207]</a></span> befriended.
+Thorbiorn Angle was the name of his brother, a big man and a strong,
+hardy and wild withal. Thord, the father of these twain, had married
+again in his old age, and that wife was not the mother of the
+brothers; and she did ill to her step-children, but served Thorbiorn
+the worst, for that he was hard to deal with and reckless. And on a
+day Thorbiorn Angle sat playing at tables, and his stepmother passed
+by and saw that he was playing at the knave-game, and the fashion of
+the game was the large tail-game. Now she deemed him thriftless, and
+cast some word at him, but he gave an evil answer; so she caught up
+one of the men, and drave the tail thereof into Thorbiorn's cheek-bone
+wherefrom it glanced into his eye, so that it hung out on his cheek.
+He sprang up, caught hold of her, and handled her roughly, insomuch
+that she took to her bed, and died thereof afterwards, and folk say
+that she was then big with child.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter Thorbiorn became of all men the most riotous; he took his
+heritage, and dwelt at first in Woodwick.</p>
+
+<p>Haldor the son of Thorgeir, who was the son of Head-Thord, dwelt at
+Hof on Head-strand, he had to wife Thordis, the daughter of Thord
+Hialtison, and sister to those brothers Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle.
+Haldor was a great bonder, and rich in goods.</p>
+
+<p>Biorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Meadness in the Fleets; he
+was a friend to Haldor of Hof. These men held to each other in all
+cases.</p>
+
+<p>Tongue-Stein dwelt at Stonestead; he was the son of Biorn, the son of
+Ufeigh Thinbeard, son of that Crow-Hreidar to whom Eric of God-dales
+gave the tongue of land down from Hall-marsh. Stein was a man of great
+renown.</p>
+
+<p>One named Eric was the son of Holmgang-Starri, the son of Eric of
+God-dales, the son of Hroald, the son of Geirmund Thick-beard; Eric
+dwelt at Hof in God-dales.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page208" id="page208">[208]</a></span>
+<p>Now all these were men of great account.</p>
+
+<p>Two brothers there were who dwelt at a place called Broad-river
+in Flat-lithe, and they were both called Thord; they were wondrous
+strong, and yet withal peaceable men both of them.</p>
+
+<p>All these men had share in Drangey, and it is said that no less than
+twenty in all had some part in the island, nor would any sell his
+share to another; but the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle,
+had the largest share, because they were the richest men.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now time wears on towards the winter solstice; then the bonders get
+ready to go fetch the fat beasts for slaughter from the island; so
+they manned a great barge, and every owner had one to go in his stead,
+and some two.</p>
+
+<p>But when these came anigh the island they saw men going about there;
+they deemed that strange, but guessed that men had been shipwrecked,
+and got aland there: so they row up to where the ladders were, when
+lo, the first-comers drew up the ladders.</p>
+
+<p>Then the bonders deemed that things were taking a strange turn, and
+hailed those men and asked them who they were: Grettir named himself
+and his fellows withal: but the bonders asked who had brought him
+there.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;He who owned the keel and had the hands, and who
+was more my friend than yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The bonders answered and said, &quot;Let us now get our<span class="newpage"><a name="page209" id="page209">[209]</a></span> sheep, but come
+thou aland with us, keeping freely whatso of our sheep thou hast
+slaughtered.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A good offer,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but this time let each keep what he
+has got; and I tell you, once for all, that hence I go not, till I am
+dragged away dead; for it is not my way to let that go loose which I
+have once laid hand on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereat the bonders held their peace, and deemed that a woeful guest
+had come to Drangey; then they gave him choice of many things, both
+moneys and fair words, but Grettir said nay to one and all, and they
+gat them gone with things in such a stead, and were ill content with
+their fate; and told the men of the country-side what a wolf had got
+on to the island.</p>
+
+<p>This took them all unawares, but they could think of nought to do
+herein; plentifully they talked over it that winter, but could see no
+rede whereby to get Grettir from the island.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now the days wore till such time as men went to the Heron-ness Thing
+in spring-tide, and many came thronging there from that part of the
+country, wherefrom men had to go to that Thing for their suits. Men
+sat there long time both over the suits and over sports, for there
+were many blithe men in that country-side. But when Grettir heard that
+all men fared to the Thing, he made a plot with his friends; for he
+was in goodwill with those who dwelt nighest to him, and for them
+he spared nought that he<span class="newpage"><a name="page210" id="page210">[210]</a></span> could get. But now he said that he would
+go aland, and gather victuals, but that Illugi and Noise should stay
+behind. Illugi thought this ill counselled, but let things go as
+Grettir would.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir bade them watch the ladders well, for that all things
+lay thereon; and thereafter he went to the mainland, and got what he
+deemed needful: he hid himself from men whereso he came, nor did
+any one know that he was on the land. Withal he heard concerning the
+Thing, that there was much sport there, and was fain to go thither;
+so he did on old gear and evil, and thus came to the Thing, whenas men
+went from the courts home to their booths. Then fell certain young men
+to talking how that the day was fair and good, and that it were well,
+belike, for the young men to betake them to wrestling and merrymaking.
+Folk said it was well counselled; and so men went and sat them down
+out from the booths.</p>
+
+<p>Now the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle, were the chief
+men in this sport; Thorbiorn Angle was boisterous beyond measure, and
+drove men hard and fast to the place of the sports, and every man must
+needs go whereas his will was; and he would take this man and that by
+the hands and drag him forth unto the playing-ground.</p>
+
+<p>Now first those wrestled who were weakest, and then each man in his
+turn, and therewith the game and glee waxed great; but when most men
+had wrestled but those who were the strongest, the bonders fell to
+talking as to who would be like to lay hand to either of the Thords,
+who have been aforenamed; but there was no man ready for that. Then
+the Thords went up to sundry men, and put themselves forward for
+wrestling, but <i>the nigher the call the further the man</i>. Then
+Thorbiorn Angle looks about, and sees where a man sits, great of
+growth, and his face hidden<span class="newpage"><a name="page211" id="page211">[211]</a></span> somewhat. Thorbiorn laid hold of him,
+and tugged hard at him, but he sat quiet and moved no whit. Then said
+Thorbiorn,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No one has kept his place before me to-day like thou hast; what man
+art thou?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answers, &quot;Guest am I hight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Thorbiorn, &quot;Belike thou wilt do somewhat for our merriment; a
+wished-for guest wilt thou be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;About and about, methinks, will things change speedily;
+nor shall I cast myself into play with you here, where all is unknown
+to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then many men said he were worthy of good at their hands, if he, an
+unknown man, gave sport to the people. Then he asked what they would
+of him; so they prayed him to wrestle with some one.</p>
+
+<p>He said he had left wrestling, &quot;though time agone it was somewhat of a
+sport to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So, when he did not deny them utterly, they prayed him thereto yet the
+more.</p>
+
+<p>He said, &quot;Well, if ye are so fain that I be dragged about here, ye
+must do so much therefor, as to handsel me peace, here at the Thing,
+and until such time as I come back to my home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they all sprang up and said that so they would do indeed; but
+Hafr was the name of him who urged most that peace should be given to
+the man. This Hafr was the son of Thorarin, the son of Hafr, the son
+of Thord Knob, who had settled land up from the Weir in the Fleets to
+Tongue-river, and who dwelt at Knobstead; and a wordy man was Hafr.</p>
+
+<p>So now he gave forth the handselling grandly with open mouth, and this
+is the beginning thereof.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page212" id="page212">[212]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Handselling of Peace</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Says he, &quot;<i>Herewith I establish peace betwixt all men, but most
+of all betwixt all men and this same Guest who sits here, and so is
+named; that is to say, all men of rule, and goodly bonders, and all
+men young, and fit to bear arms, and all other men of the country-side
+of Heron-ness Thing, whencesoever any may have come here, of men
+named or unnamed. Let us handsel safety and full peace to that unknown
+new-comer, yclept Guest by name, for game, wrestling, and all glee,
+for abiding here, and going home, whether he has need to fare over
+water, or over land, or over ferry; safety shall he have, in all
+steads named and unnamed, even so long as needs be for his coming home
+whole, under faith holden. This peace I establish on behoof of us,
+and of our kin, friends, and men of affinity, women even as men,
+bondswomen, even as bonds-men, swains and men of estate. Let him be
+a shamed peace-breaker, who breaks the peace, or spills the troth
+settled; turned away and driven forth from God, and good men of the
+kingdom of Heaven, and all Holy ones. A man not to be borne of any
+man, but cast out from all, as wide as wolves stray, or Christian men
+make for Churches, or heathen in God's-houses do sacrifice, or fire
+burns, or earth brings forth, or a child, new-come to speech, calls
+mother, or mother bears son, or the sons of men kindle fire, or ships
+sweep on, or shields glitter, or the sun shines, or the snow falls,
+or a Finn sweeps on skates, or a fir-tree waxes, or a falcon flies
+the spring-long day with a fair wind under either wing, or the
+Heavens dwindle far away, or the world is built, or the wind turns</i>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page213" id="page213">[213]</a></span>
+<i>waters seaward, or carles sow corn. Let him shun churches, and
+Christian folk, and heathen men, houses and caves, and every home but
+the home of Hell. Now shall we be at peace and of one mind each with
+the other, and of goodwill, whether we meet on fell or foreshore, ship
+or snow-shoes, earth or ice-mount, sea or swift steed, even as each
+found his friend on water, or his brother on broad ways; in just such
+peace one with other, as father with son, or son with father in all
+dealings together. Now we lay hands together, each and all of us,
+to hold well this say of peace, and all words spoken in our settled
+troth: As witness God and good men, and all those who hear my words,
+and nigh this stead chance to stand</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir's Wrestling: and how Thorbiorn Angle now bought the more
+part of Drangey</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Then many fell to saying that many and great words had been spoken
+hereon; but now Guest said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good is thy say and well hast thou spoken it; if ye spill not things
+hereafter, I shall not withhold that which I have to show forth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So he cast off his hood, and therewith all his outer clothes.</p>
+
+<p>Then they gazed one on the other, and awe spread over their faces, for
+they deemed they knew surely that this was Grettir Asmundson, for
+that he was unlike other men for his growth and prowess' sake: and all
+stood silent, but Hafr deemed he had made himself a fool. Now the
+men of the country-side fell into twos and twos together, and one
+upbraided<span class="newpage"><a name="page214" id="page214">[214]</a></span> the other, but him the most of all, who had given forth the
+words of peace.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Grettir; &quot;Make clear to me what ye have in your minds,
+because for no long time will I sit thus unclad; it is more your
+matter than mine, whether ye will hold the peace, or hold it not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They answered few words and then sat down: and now the sons of Thord,
+and Halldor their brother-in-law, talked the matter over together;
+and some would hold the peace, and some not; so as they elbowed one
+another, and laid their heads together. Grettir sang a stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;I, well known to men, have been</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On this morn both hid and seen;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Double face my fortune wears,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Evil now, now good it bears;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doubtful play-board have I shown</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unto these men, who have grown</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doubtful of their given word;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hafr's big noise goes overboard.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then said Tongue-stein, &quot;Thinkest thou that, Grettir? Knowest thou
+then what the chiefs will make their minds up to? but true it is thou
+art a man above all others for thy great heart's sake: yea, but dost
+thou not see how they rub their noses one against the other?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir sang a stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Raisers-up of roof of war,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nose to nose in counsel are;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wakeners of the shield-rain sit</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wagging beard to talk of it:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Scatterers of the serpent's bed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Round about lay head to head.</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page215" id="page215">[215]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For belike they heard my name;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And must balance peace and shame.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then spake Hialti the son of Thord; &quot;So shall it not be,&quot; says he; &quot;we
+shall hold to our peace and troth given, though we have been beguiled,
+for I will not that men should have such a deed to follow after, if we
+depart from that peace, that we ourselves have settled and handselled:
+Grettir shall go whither he will, and have peace until such time as
+he comes back from this journey; and then and not till then shall this
+word of truce be void, whatsoever may befall betwixt us meanwhile.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>All thanked him therefor, and deemed that he had done as a great
+chief, such blood-guilt as there was on the other side: but the speech
+of Thorbiorn Angle was little and low thereupon.</p>
+
+<p>Now men said that both the Thords should lay hand to Grettir, and he
+bade them have it as they would: so one of the brothers stood forth;
+and Grettir stood up stiff before him, and he ran at Grettir at his
+briskest, but Grettir moved no whit from his place: then Grettir
+stretched out his hand down Thord's back, over the head of him, and
+caught hold of him by the breeches, and tripped up his feet, and cast
+him backward over his head in such wise that he fell on his shoulder,
+and a mighty fall was that.</p>
+
+<p>Then men said that both those brothers should go against Grettir at
+once; and thus was it done, and great swinging and pulling about there
+was, now one side, now the other getting the best of it, though one
+or other of the brothers Grettir ever had under him; but each in turn
+must fall on his knee, or have some slip one of the other; and so hard
+they griped each at each, that they were all blue and bruised.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page216" id="page216">[216]</a></span>
+<p>All men thought this the best of sport, and when they had made an end
+of it, thanked them for the wrestling; and it was the deeming of those
+who sat thereby, that the two brothers together were no stronger than
+Grettir alone, though each of them had the strength of two men of the
+strongest: so evenly matched they were withal, that neither might get
+the better of the other if they tried it between them.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir abode no long time at the Thing; the bonders bade him give up
+the island, but he said nay to this, nor might they do aught herein.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir fared back to Drangey, and Illugi was as fain of him as
+might be; and there they abode peacefully, and Grettir told them the
+story of his doings and his journeys; and thus the summer wore away.</p>
+
+<p>All men deemed that those of Skagafirth had shown great manliness
+herein, that they held to their peace given; and folk may well mark
+how trusty men were in those days, whereas Grettir had done such deeds
+against them.</p>
+
+<p>Now the less rich men of the bonders spake together, that there
+was little gain to them in holding small shares in Drangey; so they
+offered to sell their part to the sons of Thord; Hialti said that he
+would not deal with them herein, for the bonders made it part of the
+bargain, that he who bought of them should either slay Grettir or get
+him away. But Thorbiorn Angle said, that he would not spare to take
+the lead of an onset against Grettir if they would give him wealth
+therefor. So his brother Hialti gave up to him his share in the
+island, for that he was the hardest man, and the least befriended of
+the twain; and in likewise too did other bonders; so Thorbiorn Angle
+got the more part of the island for little worth, but bound himself
+withal to get Grettir away.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page217" id="page217">[217]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Whenas summer was far spent, Thorbiorn Angle went with a well-manned
+barge out to Drangey, and Grettir and his fellows stood forth on the
+cliff's edge; so there they talked together. Thorbiorn prayed Grettir
+to do so much for his word, as to depart from the island; Grettir said
+there was no hope of such an end.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorbiorn, &quot;Belike I may give thee meet aid if thou dost
+this, for now have many bonders given up to me their shares in the
+island.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Now hast thou shown forth that which brings me to
+settle in my mind that I will never go hence, whereas thou sayest
+that thou now hast the more part of the island; and good is it that we
+twain alone share the kale: for in sooth, hard I found it to have all
+the men of Skagafirth against me; but now let neither spare the
+other, for not such are we twain, as are like to be smothered in the
+friendship of men; and thou mayst leave coming hither, for on my side
+is all over and done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>All things bide their day</i>,&quot; said Thorbiorn, &quot;and an ill day
+thou bidest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am content to risk it,&quot; said Grettir; and in such wise they parted,
+and Thorbiorn went home.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page218" id="page218">[218]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Noise let the fire out on Drangey, and how Grettir must needs
+go aland for more</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>So the tale tells, that by then they had been two winters on Drangey,
+they had slaughtered well-nigh all the sheep that were there, but one
+ram, as men say, they let live; he was piebald of belly and head, and
+exceeding big-horned; great game they had of him, for he was so wise
+that he would stand waiting without, and run after them whereso they
+went; and he would come home to the hut anights and rub his horns
+against the door.</p>
+
+<p>Now they deemed it good to abide on the island, for food was plenty,
+because of the fowl and their eggs; but firewood was right hard to
+come by; and ever Grettir would let the thrall go watch for drift, and
+logs were often drifted there, and he would bear them to the fire;
+but no need had the brothers to do any work beyond climbing into the
+cliffs when it liked them. But the thrall took to loathing his work,
+and got more grumbling and heedless than he was wont heretofore: his
+part it was to watch the fire night by night, and Grettir gave him
+good warning thereon, for no boat they had with them.</p>
+
+<p>Now so it befell that on a certain night their fire went out; Grettir
+was wroth thereat, and said it was but his due if Noise were beaten
+for that deed; but the thrall said that his life was an evil life,
+if he must lie there in outlawry, and be shaken and beaten withal if
+aught went amiss.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir asked Illugi what rede there was for the matter, but he said
+he could see none, but that they should abide<span class="newpage"><a name="page219" id="page219">[219]</a></span> there till some keel
+should be brought thither: Grettir said it was but blindness to hope
+for that. &quot;Rather will I risk whether I may not come aland.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Much my mind misgives me thereof,&quot; said Illugi, &quot;for we are all lost
+if thou comest to any ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall not be swallowed up swimming,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but
+henceforward I shall trust the thrall the worse for this, so much as
+lies hereon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now the shortest way to the mainland from the island, was a sea-mile
+long.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir at the home-stead of Reeks</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Grettir got all ready for swimming, and had on a cowl of
+market-wadmal, and his breeches girt about him, and he got his fingers
+webbed together, and the weather was fair. So he went from the island
+late in the day, and desperate Illugi deemed his journey. Grettir made
+out into the bay, and the stream was with him, and a calm was over
+all. He swam on fast, and came aland at Reekness by then the sun had
+set: he went up to the homestead at Reeks, and into a bath that night,
+and then went into the chamber; it was very warm there, for there had
+been a fire therein that evening, and the heat was not yet out of the
+place; but he was exceeding weary, and there fell into a deep sleep,
+and so lay till far on into the next day.</p>
+
+<p>Now as the morning wore the home folk arose, and two women came
+into the chamber, a handmaid and the goodman's daughter. Grettir was
+asleep, and the bed-clothes<span class="newpage"><a name="page220" id="page220">[220]</a></span> had been cast off him on to the floor; so
+they saw that a man lay there, and knew him.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the handmaiden: &quot;So may I thrive, sister! here is Grettir
+Asmundson lying bare, and I call him right well ribbed about the
+chest, but few might think he would be so small of growth below; and
+so then that does not go along with other kinds of bigness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The goodman's daughter answered: &quot;Why wilt thou have everything on thy
+tongue's end? Thou art a measure-less fool; be still.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dear sister, how can I be still about it?&quot; says the handmaid. &quot;I
+would not have believed it, though one had told me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And now she would whiles run up to him and look, and whiles run back
+again to the goodman's daughter, screaming and laughing; but Grettir
+heard what she said, and as she ran in over the floor by him he caught
+hold of her, and sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Stay a little, foolish one!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the shield-shower is all done,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With the conquered carles and lords,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Men bide not to measure swords:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many a man had there been glad,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lesser war-gear to have had.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With a heart more void of fear;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Such I am not, sweet and dear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Therewithal he swept her up into the bed, but the bonder's daughter
+ran out of the place; then sang Grettir this other stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Sweet amender of the seam,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Weak and worn thou dost me deem:</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page221" id="page221">[221]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O light-handed dear delight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes thou must say aright.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Weak I am, and certainly</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Long in white arms must I lie:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hast thou heart to leave me then,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fair-limbed gladdener of great men?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The handmaid shrieked out, but in such wise did they part that she
+laid no blame on Grettir when all was over.</p>
+
+<p>A little after, Grettir arose, and went to Thorvald the goodman, and
+told him of his trouble, and prayed bring him out; so did he, and lent
+him a boat, and brought him out, and Grettir thanked him well for his
+manliness.</p>
+
+<p>But when it was heard that Grettir had swam a sea-mile, all deemed his
+prowess both on sea and land to be marvellous.</p>
+
+<p>Those of Skagafirth had many words to say against Thorbiorn Angle, in
+that he drave not Grettir away from Drangey, and said they would take
+back each his own share; but he said he found the task no easy one,
+and prayed them be good to him, and abide awhile.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Haring at Drangey, and the end of him</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>That same summer a ship came to the Gangpass-mouth, and therein was a
+man called Haering&mdash;a young man he was, and so lithe that there was no
+cliff that he might not climb. He went to dwell with Thorbiorn Angle,
+and was there on into the autumn; and he was ever<span class="newpage"><a name="page222" id="page222">[222]</a></span> urging Thorbiorn to
+go to Drangey, saying that he would fain see whether the cliffs were
+so high that none might come up them. Thorbiorn said that he should
+not work for nought if he got up into the island, and slew Grettir, or
+gave him some wound; and withal he made it worth coveting to Haering.
+So they fared to Drangey, and set the eastman ashore in a certain
+place, and he was to set on them unawares if he might come up on
+to the island, but they laid their keel by the ladders, and fell to
+talking with Grettir; and Thorbiorn asked him if he were minded now to
+leave the place; but he said that to nought was his mind so made up as
+to stay there.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A great game hast thou played with us,&quot; said Thorbiorn; &quot;but thou
+seemest not much afeard for thyself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thus a long while they gave and took in words, and came nowise
+together hereon.</p>
+
+<p>But of Haering it is to be told that he climbed the cliffs, going on
+the right hand and the left, and got up by such a road as no man has
+gone by before or since; but when he came to the top of the cliff, he
+saw where the brothers stood, with their backs turned toward him, and
+thought in a little space to win both goods and great fame; nor were
+they at all aware of his ways, for they deemed that no man might
+come up, but there whereas the ladders were. Grettir was talking with
+Thorbiorn, nor lacked there words of the biggest on either side; but
+withal Illugi chanced to look aside, and saw a man drawing anigh them.</p>
+
+<p>Then he said, &quot;Here comes a man at us, with axe raised aloft, and in
+right warlike wise he seems to fare.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Turn thou to meet him,&quot; says Grettir, &quot;but I will watch the ladders.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Illugi turned to meet Haering, and when the eastman saw him, he
+turned and fled here and there over the island. Illugi chased him
+while the island lasted, but when he came forth on to the cliff's edge
+Haering leapt down thence, and every bone in him was broken, and
+so ended his life; but the place where he was lost has been called
+Haering's-leap ever since.</p>
+
+<p>Illugi came back, and Grettir asked how he had parted from this one
+who had doomed them to die.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He would have nought to do,&quot; says Illugi, &quot;with my seeing after
+his affairs, but must needs break his neck over the rock; so let the
+bonders pray for him as one dead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So when Angle heard that, he bade his folk make off. &quot;Twice have I
+fared to meet Grettir, but no third time will I go, if I am nought the
+wiser first; and now belike they may sit in Drangey as for me; but
+in my mind it is, that Grettir will abide here but a lesser time than
+heretofore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With that they went home, and men deemed this journey of theirs worser
+than the first, and Grettir abode that winter in Drangey, nor in that
+season did he and Thorbiorn meet again.</p>
+
+<p>In those days died Skapti Thorodson the Lawman, and great scathe
+was that to Grettir, for he had promised to busy himself about his
+acquittal as soon as he had been twenty winters in outlawry, and this
+year, of which the tale was told e'en now, was the nineteenth year
+thereof.</p>
+
+<p>In the spring died Snorri the Godi, and many matters befell in that
+season that come not into this story.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page223" id="page223">[223]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>That summer, at the Althing, the kin of Grettir spake many things
+concerning his outlawry, and some deemed he had outworn the years
+thereof, if he had come at all into the twentieth year; but they who
+had blood-suits against him would not have it so, and said, that he
+had done many an outlaw's deed since he was first outlawed, and deemed
+his time ought to last longer therefor.</p>
+
+<p>At that time was a new lawman made, Stein, the son of Thorgest, the
+son of Stein the Far-sailing, the son of Thorir Autumn-mirk; the
+mother of Stein was Arnora, the daughter of Thord the Yeller; and
+Stein was a wise man.</p>
+
+<p>Now was he prayed for the word of decision; and he bade them search
+and see whether this were the twentieth summer since Grettir was made
+an outlaw, and thus it seemed to be.</p>
+
+<p>But then stood forth Thorir of Garth, and brought all into dispute
+again, for he found that Grettir had been one winter out here a
+sackless man, amidst the times of his outlawry, and then nineteen were
+the winters of his outlawry found to be. Then said the lawman that no
+one should be longer in outlawry than twenty winters in all, though he
+had done outlaw's deeds in that time.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But before that, I declare no man sackless.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now because of this was the acquittal delayed for this time, but
+it was thought a sure thing that he would be made sackless the next
+summer. But that misliked the Skagafirthers exceeding ill, if Grettir
+were to come out of his outlawry,<span class="newpage"><a name="page224" id="page224">[224]</a></span> and they bade Thorbiorn Angle do
+one of two things, either give back the island or slay Grettir; but
+he deemed well that he had a work on his hands, for he saw no rede for
+the winning of Grettir, and yet was he fain to hold the island; and
+so all manner of craft he sought for the overcoming of Grettir, if he
+might prevail either by guile or hardihood, or in any wise soever.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother out to Drangey</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle had a foster-mother, Thurid by name, exceeding old,
+and meet for little, as folk deemed, very cunning she had been in
+many and great matters of lore, when she was young, and men were yet
+heathen; but men thought of her as of one, who had lost all that. But
+now, though Christ's law were established in the land, yet abode still
+many sparks of heathendom. It had been law in the land, that men were
+not forbidden to sacrifice secretly, or deal with other lore of eld,
+but it was lesser outlawry if such doings oozed out. Now in such wise
+it fared with many, that <i>hand for wont did yearn</i>, and things
+grew handiest by time that had been learned in youth.</p>
+
+<p>So now, whenas Thorbiorn Angle was empty of all plots, he sought for
+help there, whereas most folk deemed it most unlike that help was&mdash;at
+the hands of his foster-mother, in sooth, and asked, what counsel was
+in her therefor.</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;Now belike matters have come to this, even as the saw
+says&mdash;<i>To the goat-house for wool</i>: but what could I do less than
+this, to think myself before folk of the<span class="newpage"><a name="page225" id="page225">[225]</a></span> country-side, but be a man
+of nought, whenso anything came to be tried? nor see I how I may fare
+worse than thou, though I may scarce rise from my bed. But if thou art
+to have my rede, then shall I have my will as to how and what things
+are done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He gave his assent thereto, and said that she had long been of
+wholesome counsel to him.</p>
+
+<p>Now the time wore on to Twainmonth of summer; and one fair-weather day
+the carline spake to Angle,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now is the weather calm and bright, and I will now that thou fare
+to Drangey and pick a quarrel with Grettir; I shall go with thee, and
+watch how heedful he may be of his words; and if I see them, I shall
+have some sure token as to how far they are befriended of fortune, and
+then shall I speak over them such words as seem good to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Angle answered, &quot;Loth am I to be faring to Drangey, for ever am I of
+worser mind when I depart thence than when I come thereto.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said the carline, &quot;Nought will I do for thee if thou sufferest me
+to rule in no wise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, so shall it not be, foster-mother,&quot; said he; &quot;but so much have
+I said, as that I would so come thither the third time that somewhat
+should be made of the matter betwixt us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The chance of that must be taken,&quot; said the carline &quot;and many a heavy
+labour must thou have, or ever Grettir be laid to earth; and oft will
+it be doubtful to thee what fortune thine shall be, and heavy troubles
+wilt thou get therefrom when that is done; yet art thou so bounden
+here-under, that to somewhat must thou make up thy mind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter Thorbiorn Angle let put forth a ten-oared boat, and he went
+thereon with eleven men, and the carline was in their company.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page226" id="page226">[226]</a></span>
+<p>So they fell to rowing as the weather went, out to Drangey; and when
+the brothers saw that, they stood forth at the ladders, and they began
+to talk the matter over yet once more; and Thorbiorn said, that he was
+come yet again, to talk anew of their leaving the island, and that
+he would deal lightly with his loss of money and Grettir's dwelling
+there, if so be they might part without harm. But Grettir said that he
+had no words to make atwixt and atween of his going thence.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oft have I so said,&quot; says he, &quot;and no need there is for thee to talk
+to me thereon; ye must even do as ye will, but here will I abide,
+whatso may come to hand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn deemed, that this time also his errand was come to
+nought, and he said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, I deemed I knew with what men of hell I had to do; and most like
+it is that a day or two will pass away ere I come hither again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I account that not in the number of my griefs, though thou never
+comest back,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now the carline lay in the stern, with clothes heaped up about and
+over her, and with that she moved, and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Brave will these men be, and luckless withal; far hast thou outdone
+them in manliness; thou biddest them choice of many goodly things,
+but they say nay to all, and few things lead surer to ill, than not to
+know how to take good. Now this I cast over thee, Grettir, that thou
+be left of all health, wealth, and good-hap, all good heed and wisdom:
+yea, and that the more, the longer thou livest; good hope I have,
+Grettir, that thy days of gladness shall be fewer here in time to come
+than in the time gone by.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now when Grettir heard these words, he was astonied withal, and said,
+&quot;What fiend is there in the boat with them?&quot;</p><span class="newpage"><a name="page227" id="page227">[227]</a></span>
+
+<p>&quot;Illugi answers, &quot;I deem that it will be the carline, Thorbiorn's foster-mother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Curses on the witch-wight!&quot; says Grettir, &quot;nought worse could have
+been looked for; at no words have I shuddered like as I shuddered
+at those words she spake; and well I wot that from her, and her foul
+cunning, some evil will be brought on us; yet shall she have some
+token to mind her that she has sought us here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewithal he caught up a marvellous great stone, and cast it down on
+to the boat, and it smote that clothes-heap; and a longer stone-throw
+was that than Thorbiorn deemed any man might make; but therewithal a
+great shriek arose, for the stone had smitten the carline's thigh, and
+broken it.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Illugi, &quot;I would thou hadst not done that!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Blame me not therefor,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;I fear me the stroke has been
+too little, for certes not overmuch weregild were paid for the twain
+of us, though the price should be one carline's life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Must she alone be paid?&quot; said Illugi, &quot;little enough then will be
+laid down for us twain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn got him gone homeward, with no greetings at parting. But
+he said to the carline,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now have matters gone as I thought, that a journey of little glory
+thou shouldst make to the island; thou hast got maimed, and honour
+is no nigher to us than before, yea, we must have bootless shame on
+bootless shame.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;This will be the springing of ill-hap to them; and
+I deem that henceforth they are on the wane; neither do I fear if I
+live, but that I shall have revenge for this deed they have thus done
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Stiff is thine heart, meseems, foster-mother,&quot; said Thorbiorn. With
+that they came home, but the carline was laid<span class="newpage"><a name="page228" id="page228">[228]</a></span> in her bed, and abode
+there nigh a month; by then was the hurt thigh-bone grown together
+again, and she began to be afoot once more.</p>
+
+<p>Great laughter men made at that journey of Thorbiorn and the carline,
+and deemed he had been often enow out-played in his dealings with
+Grettir: first, at the Spring-Thing in the peace handselling; next,
+when Haering was lost, and now again, this third time, when the
+carline's thigh-bone was broken, and no stroke had been played against
+these from his part. But great shame and grief had Thorbiorn Angle
+from all these words.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now wore away the time of autumn till it wanted but three weeks of
+winter; then the carline bade bear her to the sea-shore. Thorbiorn
+asked what she would there.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Little is my errand, yet maybe,&quot; she says, &quot;it is a foreboding of
+greater tidings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now was it done as she bade, and when she came down to the strand,
+she went limping along by the sea, as if she were led thereto, unto
+a place where lay before her an uprooted tree, as big as a man might
+bear on his shoulder. She looked at the tree and bade them turn it
+over before her eyes, and on one side it was as if singed and rubbed;
+so there whereas it was rubbed she let cut a little flat space; and
+then she took her knife and cut runes on the root, and made them
+red with her blood, and sang witch-words over<span class="newpage"><a name="page229" id="page229">[229]</a></span> them; then she went
+backwards and widdershins round about the tree, and cast over it many
+a strong spell; thereafter she let thrust the tree forth into the sea,
+and spake in such wise over it, that it should drive out to Drangey,
+and that Grettir should have all hurt therefrom that might be.
+Thereafter she went back home to Woodwick; and Thorbiorn said that he
+knew not if that would come to aught; but the carline answered that he
+should wot better anon.</p>
+
+<p>Now the wind blew landward up the firth, yet the carline's root went
+in the teeth of the wind, and belike it sailed swifter than might have
+been looked for of it.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir abode in Drangey with his fellows as is aforesaid, and in
+good case they were; but the day after the carline had wrought her
+witch-craft on the tree the brothers went down below the cliffs
+searching for firewood, so when they came to the west of the island,
+there they found that tree drifted ashore.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Illugi, &quot;A big log of firewood, kinsman, let us bear it
+home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir kicked it with his foot and said, &quot;An evil tree from evil
+sent; other firewood than this shall we have.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewithal he cast it out into the sea, and bade Illugi beware of
+bearing it home, &quot;For it is sent us for our ill-hap.&quot; And therewith
+they went unto their abode, and said nought about it to the thrall.
+But the next day they found the tree again, and it was nigher to the
+ladders than heretofore; Grettir drave it out to sea, and said that it
+should never be borne home.</p>
+
+<p>Now the days wore on into summer, and a gale came on with much wet,
+and the brothers were loth to be abroad, and bade Noise go search for
+firewood.</p>
+
+<p>He took it ill, and said he was ill served in that he had to drudge
+and labour abroad in all the foulest weather; but<span class="newpage"><a name="page230" id="page230">[230]</a></span> withal he went down
+to the beach before the ladders and found the carline's tree there,
+and deemed things had gone well because of it; so he took it up and
+bore it to the hut, and cast it down thereby with a mighty thump.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir heard it and said, &quot;Noise has got something, so I shall go out
+and see what it is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewithal he took up a wood-axe, and went out, and straightway Noise
+said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Split it up in as good wise as I have brought it home, then.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir grew short of temper with the thrall, and smote the axe with
+both hands at the log, nor heeded what tree it was; but as soon as
+ever the axe touched the wood, it turned flatlings and glanced off
+therefrom into Grettir's right leg above the knee, in such wise that
+it stood in the bone, and a great wound was that. Then he looked at
+the tree and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now has evil heart prevailed, nor will this hap go alone, since that
+same tree has now come back to us that I have cast out to sea on these
+two days. But for thee, Noise, two slips hast thou had, first, when
+thou must needs let the fire be slaked, and now this bearing home of
+that tree of ill-hap; but if a third thou hast, thy bane will it be,
+and the bane of us all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With that came Illugi and bound up Grettir's hurt, and it bled little,
+and Grettir slept well that night; and so three nights slipped by in
+such wise that no pain came of the wound, and when they loosed the
+swathings, the lips of the wound were come together so that it was
+well-nigh grown over again. Then said Illugi,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Belike thou wilt have no long hurt of this wound.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well were it then,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but marvellously has this
+befallen, whatso may come of it; and my mind misgives me of the way
+things will take.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page231" id="page231">[231]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now they lay them down that evening, but at midnight Grettir began to
+tumble about exceedingly. Illugi asked why he was so unquiet. Grettir
+said that his leg had taken to paining him, &quot;And methinks it is like
+that some change of hue there be therein.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they kindled a light, and when the swathings were undone, the leg
+showed all swollen and coal-blue, and the wound had broken open,
+and was far more evil of aspect than at first; much pain there went
+therewith so that he might not abide at rest in any wise, and never
+came sleep on his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Then spake Grettir, &quot;Let us make up our minds to it, that this
+sickness which I have gotten is not done for nought, for it is of
+sorcery, and the carline is minded to avenge her of that stone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Illugi said, &quot;Yea, I told thee that thou wouldst get no good from that
+hag.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>All will come to one end</i>,&quot; said Grettir, and sang this song
+withal&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Doubtful played the foredoomed fate</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Round the sword in that debate,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the bearserks' outlawed crew,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the days of yore I slew.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Screamed the worm of clashing lands</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When Hiarandi dropped his hands</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Biorn and Gunnar cast away,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hope of dwelling in the day.</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page232" id="page232">[232]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Home again then travelled I;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The broad-boarded ship must lie,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Under Door-holm, as I went,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Still with weapon play content,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through the land; and there the thane</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Called me to the iron rain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bade me make the spear-storm rise,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Torfi Vebrandson the wise.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;To such plight the Skald was brought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wounder of the walls of thought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Howsoever many men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stood, all armed, about us then,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That his hand that knew the oar,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grip of sword might touch no more;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet to me the wound who gave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Did he give a horse to have.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Thorbiorn Arnor's son, men said,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of no great deed was afraid,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Folk spake of him far and wide;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He forbade me to abide</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Longer on the lovely earth;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet his heart was little worth,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not more safe alone was I,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than when armed he drew anigh.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;From the sword's edge and the spears</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From my many waylayers,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While might was, and my good day,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Often did I snatch away;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now a hag, whose life outworn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wicked craft and ill hath borne,</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page233" id="page233">[233]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Meet for death lives long enow,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grettir's might to overthrow.&quot;<a name="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18"><sup>[18]</sup></a></span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Now must we take good heed to ourselves,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;for
+Thorbiorn Angle must be minded that this hap shall not go alone; and
+I will, Noise, that thou watch the ladders every day from this time
+forth, but pull them up in the evening, and see thou do it well and
+truly, even as though much lay thereon, but if thou bewrayest us,
+short will be thy road to ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Noise promised great things concerning this. Now the weather grew
+harder, and a north-east wind came on with great cold: every night
+Grettir asked if the ladders were drawn up.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Noise, &quot;Yea, certainly! men are above all things to be
+looked for now. Can any man have such a mind to take thy life, that
+he will do so much as to slay himself therefor? for this gale is far
+other than fair; lo now, methinks thy so great bravery and hardihood
+has come utterly to an end, if thou must needs think that all things
+soever will be thy bane.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Worse wilt thou bear thyself than either of us,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;when
+the need is on us; but now go watch the ladders, whatsoever will thou
+hast thereto.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So every morning they drave him out, and ill he bore it.</p>
+
+<p>But Grettir's hurt waxed in such wise that all the leg swelled up, and
+the thigh began to gather matter both above and below, and the lips of
+the wound were all turned out, so that Grettir's death was looked for.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page234" id="page234">[234]</a></span>
+<p>Illugi sat over him night and day, and took heed to nought else, and
+by then it was the second week since Grettir hurt himself.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and set Sail for Drangey.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle sat this while at home at Woodwick, and was
+ill-content in that he might not win Grettir; but when a certain space
+had passed since the carline had put the sorcery into the root, she
+comes to talk with Thorbiorn, and asks if he were not minded to go see
+Grettir. He answers, that to nought was his mind so made up as that he
+would not go; &quot;perchance thou wilt go meet him, foster-mother,&quot; says
+Thorbiorn.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, I shall not go meet-him,&quot; says the carline; &quot;but I have sent my
+greeting to him, and some hope I have that it has come home to him;
+and good it seems to me that thou go speedily to meet him, or else
+shalt thou never have such good hap as to overcome him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn answered: &quot;So many shameful journeys have I made thither,
+that there I go not ever again; moreover that alone is full enough
+to stay me, that such foul weather it is, that it is safe to go
+nowhither, whatso the need may be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered: &quot;Ill counselled thou art, not to see how to overcome
+herein. Now yet once again will I lay down a rede for this; go thou
+first and get thee strength of men, and ride to Hof to Halldor thy
+brother-in-law, and take counsel of him. But if I may rule in some way
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page235" id="page235">[235]</a></span>
+how Grettir's health goes, how shall it be said that it is past hope
+that I may also deal with the gale that has been veering about this
+while?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn deemed it might well be that the carline saw further than he
+had thought she might, and straightway sent up into the country-side
+for men; but speedy answer there came that none of those who had given
+up their shares would do aught to ease his task, and they said that
+Thorbiorn should have to himself both the owning of the island and the
+onset on Grettir. But Tongue-Stein gave him two of his followers, and
+Hialti, his brother, sent him three men, and Eric of God-dales one,
+and from his own homestead he had six. So the twelve of them ride from
+Woodwick out to Hof. Halldor bade them abide there, and asked their
+errand; then Thorbiorn told it as clearly as might be. Halldor asked
+whose rede this might be, and Thorbiorn said that his foster-mother
+urged him much thereto.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That will bear no good,&quot; said Halldor, &quot;because she is cunning in
+sorcery, and such-like things are now forbidden.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may not look closely into all these matters before-hand,&quot; said
+Thorbiorn, &quot;but in somewise or other shall this thing have an end if I
+may have my will. Now, how shall I go about it, so that I may come to
+the island?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Meseems,&quot; says Halldor, &quot;that thou trustest in somewhat, though I wot
+not how good that may be. But now if thou wilt go forward with it, go
+thou out to Meadness in the Fleets to Biorn my friend; a good keel
+he has, so tell him of my word, that I would he should lend you the
+craft, and thence ye may sail out to Drangey. But the end of your
+journey I see not, if Grettir is sound and hale: yea, and be thou sure
+that if ye win him not in manly wise, he leaves enough of folk behind
+to take up the blood-suit<span class="newpage"><a name="page236" id="page236">[236]</a></span> after him. And slay not Illugi if ye may do
+otherwise. But methinks I see that all is not according to Christ's
+law in these redes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Halldor gave them six men withal for their journey; one was
+called Karr, another Thorleif, and a third Brand, but the rest are not
+named.</p>
+
+<p>So they fared thence, eighteen in company, out to the Fleets, and came
+to Meadness and gave Biorn Halldor's message, he said that it was but
+due for Halldor's sake, but that he owed nought to Thorbiorn; withal
+it seemed to him that they went on a mad journey, and he let them from
+it all he might.</p>
+
+<p>They said they might not turn back, and so went down to the sea, and
+put forth the craft, and all its gear was in the boat-stand hard by;
+so they made them ready for sailing, and foul enow the weather seemed
+to all who stood on land. But they hoisted sail, and the craft shot
+swiftly far into the firth, but when they came out into the main part
+thereof into deep water, the wind abated in such wise that they deemed
+it blew none too hard.</p>
+
+<p>So in the evening at dusk they came to Drangey.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now it is to be told, that Grettir was so sick, that he might not
+stand on his feet, but Illugi sat beside him, and Noise was to keep
+watch and ward; and many words he had against that, and said that they
+would still think that life was falling from them, though nought
+had<span class="newpage"><a name="page237" id="page237">[237]</a></span> happed to bring it about; so he went out from their abode right
+unwillingly, and when he came to the ladders he spake to himself and
+said that now he would not draw them up; withal he grew exceeding
+sleepy, and lay down and slept all day long, and right on till
+Thorbiorn came to the island.</p>
+
+<p>So now they see that the ladders are not drawn up; then spake
+Thorbiorn, &quot;Now are things changed from what the wont was, in that
+there are none afoot, and their ladder stands in its place withal;
+maybe more things will betide in this our journey than we had thought
+of in the beginning: but now let us hasten to the hut, and let no man
+lack courage; for, wot this well, that if these men are hale, each one
+of us must needs do his best.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they went up on to the island, and looked round about, and saw
+where a man lay a little space off the landing-place, and snored hard
+and fast. Therewith Thorbiorn knew Noise, and went up to him and drave
+the hilt of his sword against the ear of him, and bade him, &quot;Wake up,
+beast! certes in evil stead is he who trusts his life to thy faith and
+troth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Noise looked up thereat and said, &quot;Ah! now are they minded to go
+on according to their wont; do ye, may-happen, think my freedom too
+great, though I lie out here in the cold?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Art thou witless,&quot; said Angle, &quot;that thou seest not that thy foes are
+come upon thee, and will slay you all?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Noise answered nought, but yelled out all he might, when he knew
+the men who they were.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do one thing or other,&quot; says Angle, &quot;either hold thy peace forthwith,
+and tell us of your abode, or else be slain of us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereat was Noise as silent as if he had been thrust<span class="newpage"><a name="page238" id="page238">[238]</a></span> under water; but
+Thorbiorn said, &quot;Are they at their hut, those brothers? Why are they
+not afoot?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Scarce might that be,&quot; said Noise, &quot;for Grettir is sick and come nigh
+to his death, and Illugi sits over him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Angle asked how it was with their health, and what things had
+befallen. So Noise told him in what wise Grettir's hurt had come
+about.</p>
+
+<p>Then Angle laughed and said, &quot;Yea, sooth is the old saw, <i>Old
+friends are the last to sever</i>; and this withal, <i>Ill if a thrall
+is thine only friend</i>, whereso thou art, Noise; for shamefully hast
+thou bewrayed thy master, albeit he was nought good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then many laid evil things to his charge for his ill faith, and beat
+him till he was well-nigh past booting for, and let him lie there; but
+they went up to the hut and smote mightily on the door.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pied-belly<a name="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19"><sup>[19]</sup></a> is knocking hard at the door, brother,&quot; says Illugi.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, yea, hard, and over hard,&quot; says Grettir; and therewithal the
+door brake asunder.</p>
+
+<p>Then sprang Illugi to his weapons and guarded the door, in such wise
+that there was no getting in for them. Long time they set on him
+there, and could bring nought against him save spear-thrusts, and
+still Illugi smote all the spear-heads from the shafts. But when they
+saw that they might thus bring nought to pass, they leapt up on to the
+roof of the hut, and tore off the thatch; then Grettir got to his feet
+and caught up a spear, and thrust out betwixt the rafters; but before
+that stroke was Karr, a home-man of Halldor of Hof, and forthwithal it
+pierced him through.</p>
+
+<p>Then spoke Angle, and bade men fare warily and guard<span class="newpage"><a name="page239" id="page239">[239]</a></span> themselves well,
+&quot;for we may prevail against them if we follow wary redes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So they tore away the thatch from the ends of the ridge-beam, and bore
+on the beam till it brake asunder.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir might not rise from his knee, but he caught up the
+short-sword, Karr's-loom, and even therewith down leapt those men in
+betwixt the walls, and a hard fray befell betwixt them. Grettir
+smote with the short-sword at Vikar, one of the followers of Hialti
+Thordson, and caught him on the left shoulder, even as he leapt in
+betwixt the walls, and cleft him athwart the shoulder down unto the
+right side, so that the man fell asunder, and the body so smitten
+atwain tumbled over on to Grettir, and for that cause he might not
+heave aloft the short-sword as speedily as he would, and therewith
+Thorbiorn Angle thrust him betwixt the shoulders, and great was that
+wound he gave.</p>
+
+<p>Then cried Grettir, &quot;<i>Bare is the back of the brotherless</i>.&quot; And
+Illugi threw his shield over Grettir, and warded him in so stout a
+wise that all men praised his defence.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Grettir to Angle, &quot;Who then showed thee the way here to the
+island?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Angle, &quot;The Lord Christ showed it us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but I guess that the accursed hag, thy
+foster-mother, showed it thee, for in her redes must thou needs have
+trusted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All shall be one to thee now,&quot; said Angle, &quot;in whomsoever I have put
+my trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they set on them fiercely, and Illugi made defence for both in
+most manly wise; but Grettir was utterly unmeet for fight, both for
+his wounds' sake and for his sickness. So Angle bade bear down Illugi
+with shields, &quot;For never have I met his like, amongst men of such
+age.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now thus they did, besetting him with beams and weapons<span class="newpage"><a name="page240" id="page240">[240]</a></span> till he might
+ward himself no longer; and then they laid hands on him, and so held
+him fast. But he had given some wound or other to the more part of
+those who had been at the onset, and had slain outright three of
+Angle's fellows.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they went up to Grettir, but he was fallen forward on to
+his face, and no defence there was of him, for that he was already
+come to death's door by reason of the hurt in his leg, for all the
+thigh was one sore, even up to the small guts; but there they gave him
+many a wound, yet little or nought he bled.</p>
+
+<p>So when they thought he was dead, Angle laid hold of the short-sword,
+and said that he had carried it long enough; but Grettir's fingers
+yet kept fast hold of the grip thereof, nor could the short-sword be
+loosened; many went up and tried at it, but could get nothing done
+therewith; eight of them were about it before the end, but none the
+more might bring it to pass.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Angle, &quot;Why should we spare this wood-man here? lay his hand
+on the block.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So when that was done they smote off his hand at the wrist, and the
+fingers straightened, and were loosed from the handle. Then Angle took
+the short-sword in both hands and smote at Grettir's head, and a right
+great stroke that was, so that the short-sword might not abide it, and
+a shard was broken from the midst of the edge thereof; and when men
+saw that, they asked why he must needs spoil a fair thing in such
+wise.</p>
+
+<p>But Angle answered, &quot;More easy is it to know that weapon now if it
+should be asked for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said it needed not such a deed since the man was dead already.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ah! but yet more shall be done,&quot; said Angle, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page241" id="page241">[241]</a></span> hewed therewith
+twice or thrice at Grettir's neck, or ever the head came off; and then
+he spake,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now know I for sure that Grettir is dead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In such wise Grettir lost his life, the bravest man of all who have
+dwelt in Iceland; he lacked but one winter of forty-five years whenas
+he was slain; but he was fourteen winters old when he slew Skeggi, his
+first man-slaying; and from thenceforth all things turned to his fame,
+till the time when he dealt with Glam, the Thrall; and in those days
+was he of twenty winters-; but when he fell into outlawry, he was
+twenty-five years old; but in outlawry was he nigh nineteen winters,
+and full oft was he the while in great trials of men; and such as his
+life was, and his needs, he held well to his faith and troth, and most
+haps did he foresee, though he might do nought to meet them.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>&quot;A great champion have we laid to earth here,&quot; said Thorbiorn; &quot;now
+shall we bring the head aland with us, for I will not lose the money
+which has been laid thereon; nor may they then feign that they know
+not if I have slain Grettir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They bade him do his will, but had few words to say hereon, for to all
+the deed seemed a deed of little prowess.</p>
+
+<p>Then Angle fell to speaking with Illugi,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great scathe it is of such a brave man as thou art, that thou hast
+fallen to such folly, as to betake thee to ill deeds<span class="newpage"><a name="page242" id="page242">[242]</a></span> with this outlaw
+here, and must needs lie slain and unatoned therefore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Illugi answered, &quot;Then first when the Althing is over this summer,
+wilt thou know who are outlaws; but neither thou nor the carline, thy
+foster-mother, will judge in this matter, because that your sorcery
+and craft of old days have slain Grettir, though thou didst, indeed,
+bear steel against him, as he lay at death's door, and wrought that so
+great coward's deed there, over and above thy sorcery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Angle, &quot;In manly wise speakest thou, but not thus will it
+be; and I will show thee that I think great scathe in thy death, for
+thy life will I give thee if thou wilt swear an oath for us here, to
+avenge thyself on none of those who have been in this journey.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Illugi said, &quot;That might I have deemed a thing to talk about, if
+Grettir had been suffered to defend himself, and ye had won him with
+manliness and hardihood; but now nowise is it to be thought, that I
+will do so much for the keeping of my life, as to become base, even as
+thou art: and here I tell thee, once for all, that no one of men shall
+be of less gain to thee than I, if I live; for long will it be or ever
+I forget how ye have prevailed against Grettir.&mdash;Yea, much rather do I
+choose to die.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorbiorn Angle held talk with his fellows, whether they should
+let Illugi live or not; they said that, whereas he had ruled the
+journey, so should he rule the deeds; so Angle said that he knew not
+how to have that man hanging over his head, who would neither give
+troth, nor promise aught.</p>
+
+<p>But when Illugi knew that they were fully minded to slay him, he
+laughed, and spake thus,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, now have your counsels sped, even as my heart would.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page243" id="page243">[243]</a></span>
+<p>So at the dawning of the day they brought him to the eastern end of
+the island, and there slaughtered him; but all men praised his great
+heart, and deemed him unlike to any of his age.</p>
+
+<p>They laid both the brothers in cairn on the island there; and
+thereafter took Grettir's head, and bore it away with them, and whatso
+goods there were in weapons or clothes; but the good short-sword Angle
+would not put into the things to be shared, and he bare it himself
+long afterwards. Noise they took with them, and he bore himself as ill
+as might be.</p>
+
+<p>At nightfall the gale abated, and they rowed aland in the morning.
+Angle took land at the handiest place, and sent the craft out to
+Biorn; but by then they were come hard by Oyce-land, Noise began to
+bear himself so ill, that they were loth to fare any longer with him,
+so there they slew him, and long and loud he greeted or ever he was
+cut down.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle went home to Woodwick, and deemed he had done in manly
+wise in this journey; but Grettir's head they laid in salt in the
+out-bower at Woodwick, which was called therefrom Grettir's-bower; and
+there it lay the winter long. But Angle was exceeding ill thought
+of for this work of his, as soon as folk knew that Grettir had been
+overcome by sorcery.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle sat quiet till past Yule; then he rode to meet Thorir
+of Garth, and told him of these slayings; and this withal, that he
+deemed that money his due which had been put on Grettir's head.
+Thorir said that he might not hide that he had brought about Grettir's
+outlawry,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, and oft have I dealt hardly with him, yet so much for the taking
+of his life I would not have done, as to make me a misdoer, a man of
+evil craft, even as thou hast done;<span class="newpage"><a name="page244" id="page244">[244]</a></span> and the less shall I lay down that
+money for thee, in that I deem thee surely to be a man of forfeit life
+because of thy sorcery and wizard-craft.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle answers, &quot;Meseems thou art urged hereto more by
+closefistedness and a poor mind, than by any heed of how Grettir was
+won.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir said that a short way they might make of it, in that they
+should abide the Althing, and take whatso the Lawman might deem
+most rightful: and in such wise they parted that there was no little
+ill-will betwixt Thorir and Thorbiorn Angle.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's Head to Biarg</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The kin of Grettir and Illugi were exceeding ill-content when they
+heard of these slayings, and they so looked on matters as deeming that
+Angle had wrought a shameful deed in slaying a man at death's door;
+and that, besides that, he had become guilty of sorcery. They sought
+the counsel of the wisest men, and everywhere was Angle's work ill
+spoken of. As for him, he rode to Midfirth, when it lacked four weeks
+of summer; and when his ways were heard of, Asdis gathered men to
+her, and there came many of her friends: Gamli and Glum, her
+brothers-in-law, and their sons, Skeggi, who was called the
+Short-handed, and Uspak, who is aforesaid. Asdis was so well
+befriended, that all the Midfirthers came to aid her; yea, even those
+who were aforetime foes to Grettir; and the first man there was Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and the more part of the Ramfirthers.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page245" id="page245">[245]</a></span>
+<p>Now Angle came to Biarg with twenty men, and had Grettir's head with
+him; but not all those had come yet who had promised aid to Asdis;
+so Angle and his folk went into the chamber with the head, and set it
+down on the floor; the goodwife was there in the chamber, and many men
+with her; nor did it come to greetings on either side; but Angle sang
+this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;A greedy head I bring with me</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Up from the borders of the sea;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now may the needle-pliers weep,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The red-haired outlaw lies asleep;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gold-bearer, cast adown thine eyes,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And see how on the pavement lies,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The peace-destroying head brought low,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That but for salt had gone ere now.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The goodwife sat silent when he gave forth the stave, and thereafter
+she sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;O thou poor wretch, as sheep that flee</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To treacherous ice when wolves they see,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So in the waves would ye have drowned</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Your shame and fear, had ye but found</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That steel-god hale upon the isle:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now heavy shame, woe worth the while!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hangs over the north country-side,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor I my loathing care to hide.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then many said that it was nought wonderful, though she had brave
+sons, so brave as she herself was, amid such grief of heart as was
+brought on her.</p>
+
+<p>Uspak was without, and held talk with such of Angle's<span class="newpage"><a name="page246" id="page246">[246]</a></span> folk as had
+not gone in, and asked concerning the slayings; and all men praised
+Illugi's defence; and they told withal how fast Grettir had held the
+short-sword after he was dead, and marvellous that seemed to men.</p>
+
+<p>Amidst these things were seen many men riding from the west, and
+thither were coming many friends of the goodwife, with Gamli and
+Skeggi west from Meals.</p>
+
+<p>Now Angle had been minded to take out execution after Illugi, for he
+and his men claimed all his goods; but when that crowd of men came up,
+Angle saw that he might do nought therein, but Gamli and Uspak were of
+the eagerest, and were fain to set on Angle; but those who were wisest
+bade them take the rede of Thorwald their kinsman, and the other chief
+men, and said that worse would be deemed of Angle's case the more wise
+men sat in judgment over it; then such truce there was that Angle rode
+away, having Grettir's head with him, because he was minded to bear it
+to the Althing.</p>
+
+<p>So he rode home, and thought matters looked heavy enough, because
+well-nigh all the chief men of the land were either akin to Grettir
+and Illugi, or tied to them and theirs by marriage: that summer,
+moreover, Skeggi the Short-handed took to wife the daughter of Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and therewithal Thorod joined Grettir's kin in these
+matters.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page247" id="page247">[247]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Affairs at the Althing</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now men rode to the Althing, and Angle's helpers were fewer than he
+had looked for, because that his case was spoken ill of far and wide.</p>
+
+<p>Then asked Halldor whether they were to carry Grettir's head with them
+to the Althing.</p>
+
+<p>Angle said that he would bear it with him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ill-counselled is that,&quot; said Halldor; &quot;for many enough will thy foes
+be, though thou doest nought to jog the memories of folk, or wake up
+their grief.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>By then were they come on their way, and were minded to ride south
+over the Sand; so Angle let take the head, and bury it in a hillock of
+sand, which is called Grettir's Hillock.</p>
+
+<p>Thronged was the Althing, and Angle put forth his case, and praised
+his own deeds mightily, in that he had slain the greatest outlaw in
+all the land, and claimed the money as his, which had been put on
+Grettir's head. But Thorir had the same answer for him as was told
+afore.</p>
+
+<p>Then was the Lawman prayed for a decision, and he said that he would
+fain hear if any charges came against this, whereby Angle should
+forfeit his blood-money, or else he said he must have whatsoever had
+been put on Grettir's head.</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorvald Asgeirson called on Skeggi the Short-handed to put forth
+his case, and he summoned Thorbiorn Angle with a first summons for the
+witch-craft and sorcery, whereby Grettir must have got his bane, and
+then with<span class="newpage"><a name="page248" id="page248">[248]</a></span> another summons withal, for that they had borne weapons
+against a half-dead man, and hereon he claimed an award of outlawry.</p>
+
+<p>Now folk drew much together on this side and on that, but few they
+were that gave aid to Thorbiorn; and things turned out otherwise
+than he had looked for, because Thorvald, and Isleif, his son-in-law,
+deemed it a deed worthy of death to bring men to their end by evil
+sorcery; but through the words of wise men these cases had such end,
+that Thorbiorn should sail away that same summer, and never come
+back to Iceland while any such were alive, as had the blood-suit for
+Grettir and Illugi.</p>
+
+<p>And then, moreover, was it made law that all workers of olden craft
+should be made outlaws.</p>
+
+<p>So when Angle saw what his lot would be, he gat him gone from the
+Thing, because it might well hap that Grettir's kin would set on him;
+nor did he get aught of the fee that was put on Grettir's head, for
+that Stein the Lawman would not that it should be paid for a deed
+of shame. None of those men of Thorbiorn's company who had fallen in
+Drangey were atoned, for they were to be made equal to the slaying of
+Illugi, but their kin were exceeding ill content therewith.</p>
+
+<p>So men rode home from the Thing, and all blood-suits that men had
+against Grettir fell away.</p>
+
+<p>Skeggi, the son of Gamli, who was son-in-law of Thorod Drapa-Stump,
+and sister's son of Grettir, went north to Skagafirth at the instance
+of Thorvald Asgeirson, and Isleif his son-in-law, who was afterwards
+Bishop of Skalholt, and by the consent of all the people got to him a
+keel, and went to Drangey to seek the corpses of the brothers, Grettir
+and Illugi; and he brought them back to Reeks, in Reek-strand, and
+buried them there at the<span class="newpage"><a name="page249" id="page249">[249]</a></span> church; and it is for a token that Grettir
+lies there, that in the days of the Sturlungs, when the church of the
+Reeks was moved, Grettir's bones were dug up, nor were they deemed
+so wondrous great, great enough though they were. The bones of Illugi
+were buried afterwards north of the church, but Grettir's head at home
+in the church at Biarg.</p>
+
+<p>Goodwife Asdis abode at home at Biarg, and so well beloved she was,
+that no trouble was ever brought against her, no, not even while
+Grettir was in outlawry.</p>
+
+<p>Skeggi the Short-handed took the household at Biarg after Asdis, and
+a mighty man he was; his son was Gamli, the father of Skeggi of
+Scarf-stead, and Asdis the mother of Odd the Monk. Many men are come
+from him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence to Micklegarth</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thornbiorn Angle took ship at Goose-ere, with whatso of his goods he
+might take with him; but Hialti his brother took to him his lands,
+and Angle gave him Drangey withal. Hialti became a great chief in
+aftertimes, but he has nought more to do with this tale.</p>
+
+<p>So Angle fared out to Norway; he yet made much of himself, for he
+deemed he had wrought a great deed in the slaying of Grettir, and so
+thought many others, who knew not how all had come to pass, for many
+knew how renowned a man Grettir had been; withal Angle told just so
+much of their dealings together as might do him honour, and let such
+of the tale lie quiet as was of lesser glory.</p>
+
+<p>Now this tale came in the autumn-tide east to Tunsberg,<span class="newpage"><a name="page250" id="page250">[250]</a></span> and when
+Thorstein Dromund heard of the slayings he grew all silent, because it
+was told him that Angle was a mighty man and a hardy; and he called
+to mind the words which he had spoken when he and Grettir talked
+together, long time agone, concerning the fashion of their arms.</p>
+
+<p>So Thorstein put out spies on Angle's goings; they were both in
+Norway through the winter, but Thorbiorn was in the north-country, and
+Thorstein in Tunsberg, nor had either seen other; yet was Angle ware
+that Grettir had a brother in Norway, and thought it hard to keep
+guard of himself in an unknown land, wherefore he sought counsel as to
+where he should betake himself. Now in those days many Northmen went
+out to Micklegarth, and took war-pay there; so Thorbiorn deemed it
+would be good to go thither and get to him thereby both fee and fame,
+nor to abide in the North-lands because of the kin of Grettir. So he
+made ready to go from Norway, and get him gone from out the land, and
+made no stay till he came to Micklegarth, and there took war-hire.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known when sought for by reason
+of the notch in the blade</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorstein Dromund was a mighty man, and of the greatest account; and
+now he heard that Thorbiorn Angle had got him gone from the land out
+to Micklegarth; speedy were his doings thereon, he gave over his lands
+into his kinsmen's hands, and betook himself to journeying<span class="newpage"><a name="page251" id="page251">[251]</a></span> and to
+search for Angle; and ever he followed after whereas Angle had gone
+afore, nor was Angle ware of his goings.</p>
+
+<p>So Thorstein Dromund came out to Micklegarth a little after Angle, and
+was fain above all things to slay him, but neither knew the other. Now
+had they will to be taken into the company of the Varangians, and
+the matter went well as soon as the Varangians knew that they were
+Northmen; and in those days was Michael Katalak king over Micklegarth.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein Dromund watched for Angle, if in some wise he might know
+him, but won not the game because of the many people there; and ever
+would he lie awake, ill-content with his lot, and thinking how great
+was his loss.</p>
+
+<p>Now hereupon it befell that the Varangians were to go on certain
+warfare, and free the land from harrying; and their manner and law it
+was before they went from home to hold a weapon-show, and so it was
+now done; and when the weapon-show was established, then were all
+Varangians to come there, and those withal who were minded to fall
+into their company, and they were to show forth their weapons.</p>
+
+<p>Thither came both Thorstein and Angle; but Thorbiorn Angle showed
+forth his weapons first; and he had the short-sword, Grettir's-loom;
+but when he showed it many praised it and said that it was an
+exceeding good weapon, but that it was a great blemish, that notch in
+the edge thereof; and asked him withal what had brought that to pass.</p>
+
+<p>Angle said it was a thing worthy to be told of, &quot;For this is the next
+thing to be said,&quot; says he, &quot;that out in Iceland I slew that champion
+who was called Grettir the Strong, and who was the greatest warrior
+and the stoutest-hearted of all men of that land, for him could no man
+vanquish till I came forth for that end; and whereas I had the good
+hap to win him, I took his life; though indeed he had my strength<span class="newpage"><a name="page252" id="page252">[252]</a></span> many
+times over; then I drave this short-sword into his head, and thereby
+was a shard broken from out its edge.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So those who stood nigh said, that he must have been hard of head
+then, and each showed the short-sword to the other; but hereby
+Thorstein deemed he knew now who this man was, and he prayed withal
+to see the short-sword even as the others; then Angle gave it up with
+good will, for all were praising his bravery and that daring onset,
+and even in such wise did he think this one would do; and in no wise
+did he misdoubt him that Thorstein was there, or that the man was akin
+to Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dromund took the short-sword, and raised it aloft, and hewed at
+Angle and smote him on the head, and so great was the stroke that it
+stayed but at the jaw-teeth, and Thorbiorn Angle fell to earth dead
+and dishonoured.</p>
+
+<p>Thereat all men became hushed; but the Chancellor of the town seized
+Thorstein straightway, and asked for what cause he did such an
+ill-deed there at the hallowed Thing.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein said that he was the brother of Grettir the Strong, and that
+withal he had never been able to bring vengeance to pass till then;
+so thereupon many put in their word, and said that the strong man must
+needs have been of great might and nobleness, in that Thorstein had
+fared so far forth into the world to avenge him: the rulers of the
+city deemed that like enough; but whereas there was none there to bear
+witness in aught to Thorstein's word, that law of theirs prevailed,
+that whosoever slew a man should lose nought but his life.</p>
+
+<p>So then speedy doom and hard enow did Thorstein get; for in a dark
+chamber of a dungeon should he be cast and there abide his death, if
+none redeemed him therefrom with money. But when Thorstein came into
+the dungeon, there was a man there already, who had come to death's
+door from<span class="newpage"><a name="page253" id="page253">[253]</a></span> misery; and both foul and cold was that abode; Thorstein
+spake to that man and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How deemest thou of thy life?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;As of a right evil life, for of nought can I be holpen,
+nor have I kinsmen to redeem me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein said, &quot;Nought is of less avail in such matters than lack of
+good rede; let us be merry then, and do somewhat that will be glee and
+game to us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The man said that he might have no glee of aught.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, then, but let us try it,&quot; said Thorstein. And therewithal he
+fell to singing; and he was a man of such goodly voice that scarcely
+might his like be found therefor, nor did he now spare himself.</p>
+
+<p>Now the highway was but a little way from the dungeon, and Thorstein
+sang so loud and clear that the walls resounded therewith, and great
+game this seemed to him who had been half-dead erst; and in such wise
+did Thorstein keep it going till the evening.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XC"></a><h2>CHAP. XC.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from the Dungeon</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a great lady of a castle in that town called Spes, exceeding
+rich and of great kin; Sigurd was the name of her husband, a rich man
+too, but of lesser kin than she was, and for money had she been wedded
+to him; no great love there was betwixt them, for she thought she had
+been wedded far beneath her; high-minded she was and a very stirring
+woman.</p>
+
+<p>Now so it befell, that, as Thorstein made him merry that<span class="newpage"><a name="page254" id="page254">[254]</a></span> night, Spes
+walked in the street hard by the dungeon, and heard thence so fair a
+voice, that she said she had never yet heard its like. She went with
+many folk, and so now she bade them go learn who had that noble voice.
+So they called out and asked who lay there in such evil plight; and
+Thorstein named himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Spes, &quot;Art thou a man as much skilled in other matters as in
+singing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said there was but little to show for that.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What ill-deed hast thou done,&quot; said she, &quot;that thou must needs be
+tormented here to the death?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said that he had slain a man, and avenged his brother thereby, &quot;But
+I could not show that by witnesses,&quot; said Thorstein, &quot;and therefore
+have I been cast into ward here, unless some man should redeem me, nor
+do I hope therefor, for no man have I here akin to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great loss of thee if thou art slain! and that brother of thine whom
+thou didst avenge, was he a man so famed, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said that he was more mighty than he by the half; and so she asked
+what token there was thereof. Then sang Thorstein this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Field of rings, eight men, who raise</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Din of sword in clattering ways,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Strove the good short-sword in vain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the strong dead hand to gain;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So they ever strained and strove,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till at last it did behove,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The feared quickener of the fight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the glorious man to smite.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Great prowess such a thing shows of the man,&quot; said<span class="newpage"><a name="page255" id="page255">[255]</a></span> those who
+understood the stave; and when she knew thereof, she spake thus,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wilt thou take thy life from me, if such a choice is given thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That will I,&quot; said Thorstein, &quot;if this fellow of mine, who sits
+hereby, is redeemed along with me; or else will we both abide here
+together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;More of a prize do I deem thee than him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Howsoever that may be,&quot; said Thorstein, &quot;we shall go away in company
+both of us together, or else shall neither go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then she went there, whereas were the Varangians, and prayed for
+freedom for Thorstein, and offered money to that end; and to this were
+they right willing; and so she brought about by her mighty friendships
+and her wealth that they were both set free. But as soon as Thorstein
+came out of the dungeon he went to see goodwife Spes, and she took him
+to her and kept him privily; but whiles was he with the Varangians in
+warfare, and in all onsets showed himself the stoutest of hearts.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCI"></a><h2>CHAP. XCI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In those days was Harald Sigurdson at Micklegarth, and Thorstein fell
+into friendship with him. Of much account was Thorstein held, for Spes
+let him lack no money; and greatly they turned their hearts one to
+the other, Thorstein and Spes; and many folk beside her deemed great
+things of his prowess.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page256" id="page256">[256]</a></span>
+<p>Now her money was much squandered, because she ever gave herself to
+the getting of great friends; and her husband deemed that he could see
+that she was much changed, both in temper and many other of her ways,
+but most of all in the spending of money; both gold and good things he
+missed, which were gone from her keeping.</p>
+
+<p>So on a time Sigurd her husband talks with her, and says that she has
+taken to strange ways. &quot;Thou givest no heed to our goods,&quot; says he,
+&quot;but squanderest them in many wise; and, moreover, it is even as if
+I saw thee ever in a dream, nor ever wilt thou be there whereas I am;
+and I know for sure that something must bring this about.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;I told thee, and my kinsfolk told thee, whenas we came
+together, that I would have my full will and freedom over all such
+things as it was beseeming for me to bestow, and for that cause I
+spare not thy goods. Hast thou perchance aught to say to me concerning
+other matters which may be to my shame?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answers, &quot;Somewhat do I misdoubt me that thou holdest some man or
+other whom thou deemest better than I be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wot not,&quot; says she, &quot;what ground there may be thereto; but meseems
+thou mayest speak with little truth; and yet, none-the-less, we two
+alone shall not speak on this matter if thou layest this slander on
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So he let the talk drop for that time; she and Thorstein went on in
+the same way, nor were they wary of the words of evil folk, for
+she ever trusted in her many and wise friends. Oft they sat talking
+together and making merry; and on an evening as they sat in a certain
+loft, wherein were goodly things of hers, she bade Thorstein sing
+somewhat, for she thought the goodman was sitting at the drink, as
+his wont was, so she bolted the door. But, when he had sung<span class="newpage"><a name="page257" id="page257">[257]</a></span> a certain
+while, the door was driven at, and one called from outside to open;
+and there was come the husband with many of his folk.</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife had unlocked a great chest to show Thorstein her dainty
+things; so when she knew who was there, she would not unlock the door,
+but speaks to Thorstein, &quot;Quick is my rede, jump into the chest and
+keep silent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So he did, and she shot the bolt of the chest and sat thereon herself;
+and even therewith in came the husband into the loft, for he and his
+had broken open the door thereof.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the lady, &quot;Why do ye fare with all this uproar? are your
+foes after you then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The goodman answered, &quot;Now it is well that thou thyself givest proof
+of thyself what thou art; where is the man who trolled out that song
+so well e'en now? I wot thou deemest him of far fairer voice than I
+be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said: &quot;Not altogether a fool is he who can be silent; but so it
+fares not with thee: thou deemest thyself cunning, and art minded to
+bind thy lie on my back. Well, then, let proof be made thereof! If
+there be truth in thy words, take the man; he will scarce have leapt
+out through the walls or the roof.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So he searched through the place, and found him not, and she said,
+&quot;Why dost thou not take him then, since thou deemest the thing so
+sure?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He was silent, nor knew in sooth amid what wiles he was come; then
+he asked his fellows if they had not heard him even as he had. But
+whereas they saw that the mistress misliked the matter, their witness
+came to nought, for they said that oft folk heard not things as they
+were in very sooth. So the husband went out, and deemed he knew that
+sooth well enough, though they had not found<span class="newpage"><a name="page258" id="page258">[258]</a></span> the man; and now for a
+long time he left spying on his wife and her ways.</p>
+
+<p>Another time, long after, Thorstein and Spes sat in a certain
+cloth-bower, and therein were clothes, both cut and uncut, which the
+wedded folk owned; there she showed to Thorstein many kinds of cloth,
+and they unfolded them; but when they were least ware of it the
+husband came on them with many men, and brake into the loft; but while
+they were about that she heaped up clothes over Thorstein, and leaned
+against the clothes-stack when they came into the chamber.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wilt thou still deny,&quot; said the goodman, &quot;that there was a man with
+thee, when such men there are as saw you both?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She bade them not to go on so madly. &quot;This time ye will not fail,
+belike; but let me be at peace, and worry me not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So they searched through the place and found nought, and at last gave
+it up.</p>
+
+<p>Then the goodwife answered and said, &quot;It is ever good to give better
+proof than the guesses of certain folk; nor was it to be looked for
+that ye should find that which was not. Wilt thou now confess thy
+folly, husband, and free me from this slander?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said, &quot;The less will I free thee from it in that I trow thou art
+in very sooth guilty of that which I have laid to thy charge; and thou
+wilt have to put forth all thy might in this case, if thou art to get
+this thrust from thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said that that was in nowise against her mind, and therewithal
+they parted.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter was Thorstein ever with the Varangians, and men say that
+he sought counsel of Harald Sigurdson, and their mind it is that
+Thorstein and Spes would<span class="newpage"><a name="page259" id="page259">[259]</a></span> not have taken to those redes but for the
+trust they had in him and his wisdom.</p>
+
+<p>Now as time wore on, goodman Sigurd gave out that he would fare
+from home on certain errands of his own. The goodwife nowise let him
+herein; and when he was gone, Thorstein came to Spes, and the twain
+were ever together. Now such was the fashion of her castle that it
+was built forth over the sea, and there were certain chambers therein
+whereunder the sea flowed; in such a chamber Thorstein and Spes ever
+sat; and a little trap-door there was in the floor of it, whereof none
+knew but those twain, and it might be opened if there were hasty need
+thereof.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of the husband that he went nowhither, save into
+hiding, that he might spy the ways of the housewife; so it befell
+that, one night as they sat alone in the sea-loft and were glad
+together, the husband came on them unawares with a crowd of folk, for
+he had brought certain men to a window of the chamber, and bade them
+see if things were not even according to his word: and all said that
+he spake but the sooth, and that so belike he had done aforetime.</p>
+
+<p>So they ran into the loft, but when Spes heard the crash, she said to
+Thorstein,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Needs must thou go down hereby, whatsoever be the cost, but give me
+some token if thou comest safe from the place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said yea thereto, and plunged down through the floor, and the
+housewife spurned her foot at the lid, and it fell back again into its
+place, and no new work was to be seen on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Now the husband and his men came into the loft, and went about
+searching, and found nought, as was likely; the loft was empty, so
+that there was nought therein save the floor<span class="newpage"><a name="page260" id="page260">[260]</a></span> and the cross-benches,
+and there sat the goodwife, and played with the gold on her fingers;
+she heeded them little, and made as if there was nought to do.</p>
+
+<p>All this the goodman thought the strangest of all, and asked his folk
+if they had not seen the man, and they said that they had in good
+sooth seen him.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the goodwife, &quot;Hereto shall things come as is said;
+<i>thrice of yore have all things happed</i>, and in likewise hast
+thou fared, Sigurd,&quot; says she, &quot;for three times hadst thou undone my
+peace, meseems, and are ye any wiser than in the beginning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This time I was not alone in my tale,&quot; said the goodman; &quot;and now to
+make an end, shall thou go through the freeing by law, for in nowise
+will I have this shame unbooted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Meseems,&quot; says the goodwife, &quot;thou biddest me what I would bid of
+thee, for good above all things I deem it to free myself from this
+slander, which has spread so wide and high, that it would be great
+dishonour if I thrust it not from off me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In likewise,&quot; said the goodman, &quot;shalt thou prove that thou hast not
+given away or taken to thyself my goods.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;At that time when I free myself shall I in one wise
+thrust off from me all charges that thou hast to bring against me; but
+take thou heed whereto all shall come; I will at once free myself
+from all words that have been spoken here on this charge that thou now
+makest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The goodman was well content therewith, and got him gone with his men.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Thorstein that he swam forth from under the
+chamber, and went aland where he would, and took a burning log, and
+held it up in such wise that it<span class="newpage"><a name="page261" id="page261">[261]</a></span> might be seen from the goodwife's
+castle, and she was abroad for long that evening, and right into the
+night, for that she would fain know if Thorstein had come aland; and
+so when she saw the fire, she deemed that she knew that Thorstein had
+taken land, for even such a token had they agreed on betwixt them.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Spes bade her husband speak of their matters to
+the bishop, and thereto was he fully ready. Now they come before the
+bishop, and the goodman put forward all the aforesaid charges against
+her.</p>
+
+<p>The bishop asked if she had been known for such an one aforetime,
+but none said that they had heard thereof. Then he asked with what
+likelihood he brought those things against her. So the goodman brought
+forward men who had seen her sit in a locked room with a man beside
+her, and they twain alone: and therewith the goodman said that he
+misdoubted him of that man beguiling her.</p>
+
+<p>The bishop said that she might well free herself lawfully from this
+charge if so she would. She said that it liked her well so to do, &quot;and
+good hope I have,&quot; said Spes, &quot;that I shall have great plenty of women
+to purge me by oath in this case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now was an oath set forward in words for her, and a day settled
+whereon the case should come about; and thereafter she went home, and
+was glad at heart, and Thorstein and Spes met, and settled fully what
+they should do.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page262" id="page262">[262]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCII"></a><h2>CHAP. XCII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now that day past, and time wore on to the day when Spes should
+make oath, and she bade thereto all her friends and kin, and arrayed
+herself in the best attire she had, and many noble ladies went with
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Wet was the weather about that time, and the ways were miry, and a
+certain slough there was to go over or ever they might come to the
+church; and whenas Spes and her company came forth anigh this slough,
+a great crowd was there before them, and a multitude of poor folk who
+prayed them of alms, for this was in the common highway, and all who
+knew her deemed it was their part to welcome her, and prayed for good
+things for her as for one who had oft holpen them well.</p>
+
+<p>A certain staff-propped carle there was amidst those poor folk, great
+of growth and long-bearded. Now the women made stay at the slough,
+because that the great people deemed the passage across over miry, and
+therewith when that staff-carle saw the goodwife, that she was better
+arrayed than the other women, he spake to her on this wise,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good mistress,&quot; said he, &quot;be so lowly as to suffer me to bear thee
+over this slough, for it is the bounden duty of us staff-carles to
+serve thee all we may.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What then,&quot; says she, &quot;wilt thou bear me well, when thou mayst not
+bear thyself?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yet would it show forth thy lowliness,&quot; says he, &quot;nor may I offer
+better than I have withal; and in all things wilt<span class="newpage"><a name="page263" id="page263">[263]</a></span> thou fare the
+better, if thou hast no pride against poor folk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wot thou well, then,&quot; says she, &quot;that if thou bearest me not well it
+shall be for a beating to thee, or some other shame greater yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I would fain risk it,&quot; said he; and therewithal he got on to
+his feet and stood in the slough. She made as if she were sore afeard
+of his carrying her, yet nathless she went on, borne on his back; and
+he staggered along exceeding slowly, going on two crutches, and when
+he got midmost of the slough he began to reel from side to side. She
+bade him gather up his strength.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Never shalt thou have made a worse journey than this if thou easiest
+me down here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then the poor wretch staggers on, and gathers up all his courage and
+strength, and gets close to the dry land, but stumbles withal, and
+falls head-foremost in such wise, that he cast her on to the bank, but
+fell into the ditch up to his armpits, and therewithal as he lay there
+caught at the goodwife, and gat no firm hold of her clothes, but set
+his miry hand on her knee right up to the bare thigh.</p>
+
+<p>She sprang up and cursed him, and said that ever would evil come from
+wretched gangrel churles: &quot;and thy full due it were to be beaten, if I
+thought it not a shame, because of thy misery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said he, &quot;Meted in unlike ways is man's bliss; me-thought I had
+done well to thee, and I looked for an alms at thy hands, and lo,
+in place thereof, I get but threats and ill-usage and no good again
+withal;&quot; and he made as if he were exceeding angry.</p>
+
+<p>Many deemed that he looked right poor and wretched, but she said that
+he was the wiliest of old churles; but whereas many prayed for him,
+she took her purse to her,<span class="newpage"><a name="page264" id="page264">[264]</a></span> and therein was many a penny of gold; then
+she shook down the money and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take thou this, carle; nowise good were it, if thou hadst not full
+pay for the hard words thou hadst of me; now have I parted with thee,
+even according to thy worth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then he picked up the gold, and thanked her for her good deed. Spes
+went to the church, and a great crowd was there before her. Sigurd
+pushed the case forward eagerly, and bade her free herself from those
+charges he had brought against her.</p>
+
+<p>She said, &quot;I heed not thy charges; what man dost thou say thou hast
+seen in my chamber with me? Lo now oft it befalls that some worthy man
+will be with me, and that do I deem void of any shame; but hereby will
+I swear that to no man have I given gold, and of no man have I had
+fleshly defilement save of my husband, and that wretched staff-carle
+who laid his miry hand on my thigh when I was borne over the slough
+this same day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now many deemed that this was a full oath, and that no shame it was to
+her, though the carle had laid hand on her unwittingly; but she said
+that all things must be told even as they were.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter she swore the oath in such form as is said afore, and many
+said thereon that she showed the old saw to be true, <i>swear loud and
+say little</i>. But for her, she said that wise men would think that
+this was not done by guile.</p>
+
+<p>Then her kin fell to saying that great shame and grief it was for
+high-born women to have such lying charges brought against them
+bootless, whereas it was a crime worthy of death if it were openly
+known of any woman that she had done whoredoms against her husband.
+Therewithal<span class="newpage"><a name="page265" id="page265">[265]</a></span> Spes prayed the bishop to make out a divorce betwixt her
+and her husband Sigurd, because she said she might nowise bear his
+slanderous lying charges. Her kinsfolk pushed the matter forward for
+her, and so brought it about by their urgency that they were divorced,
+and Sigurd got little of the goods, and was driven away from the land
+withal, for here matters went as is oft shown that they will, and
+<i>the lower must lowt</i>; nor could he bring aught about to avail
+him, though he had but said the very sooth.</p>
+
+<p>Now Spes took to her all their money, and was deemed the greatest of
+stirring women; but when folk looked into her oath, it seemed to them
+that there was some guile in it, and were of a mind that wise men must
+have taught her that way of swearing; and men dug out this withal,
+that the staff-carle who had carried her was even Thorstein Dromund.
+Yet for all that Sigurd got no righting of the matter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XCIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorstein Dromund was with the Varangians while the talk ran highest
+about these matters; so famed did he become that it was deemed that
+scarce had any man of the like prowess come thither; the greatest
+honours he gat from Harald Sigurdson, for he was of his kin; and after
+his counsels did Thorstein do, as men are minded to think.</p>
+
+<p>But a little after Sigurd was driven from the land, Thorstein fell to
+wooing Spes to wife, and she took it meetly, but went to her kinsmen
+for rede; then they held<span class="newpage"><a name="page266" id="page266">[266]</a></span> meetings thereon, and were of one accord that
+she herself must rule the matter; then was the bargain struck, and
+good was their wedded life, and they were rich in money, and all men
+deemed Thorstein to be a man of exceeding good luck, since he had
+delivered himself from all his troubles.</p>
+
+<p>The twain were together for two winters in Micklegarth, and then
+Thorstein said to his goodwife that he would fain go back to see his
+possessions in Norway. She said he should have his will, so they sold
+the lands they had there, and gat them great wealth of chattels, and
+then betook them from that land, with a fair company, and went all the
+way till they came to Norway. Thorstein's kin welcomed them both right
+heartily, and soon saw that Spes was bountiful and high-minded, and
+she speedily became exceeding well befriended. Some children they had
+between them, and they abode on their lands, and were well content
+with their life.</p>
+
+<p>In those days was Magnus the Good king over Norway. Thorstein soon
+went to meet him, and had good welcome of him, for he had grown famous
+for the avenging of Grettir the Strong (for men scarce know of its
+happening that any other Icelander, save Grettir Asmundson, was
+avenged in Micklegarth); and folk say that Thorstein became a man of
+King Magnus, and for nine winters after he had come to Norway he abode
+in peace, and folk of the greatest honour were they deemed, he and his
+wife.</p>
+
+<p>Then came home from Micklegarth king Harald Sigurdson, and King Magnus
+gave him half Norway, and they were both kings therein for a while;
+but after the death of King Magnus many of those who had been his
+friends were ill-content, for all men loved him; but folk might not
+abide the temper of King Harald, for that he was hard and was wont to
+punish men heavily.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page267" id="page267">[267]</a></span>
+<p>But Thorstein Dromund was fallen into eld, though he was still the
+halest of men; and now was the slaying of Grettir Asmundson sixteen
+winters agone.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XCIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway again</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>At that time many urged Thorstein to go meet King Harald, and become
+his man; but he took not kindly to it.</p>
+
+<p>Then Spes spake, &quot;I will, Thorstein,&quot; says she, &quot;that thou go not to
+meet Harald the king, for to another king have we much more to pay,
+and need there is that we turn our minds to that; for now we both
+grow old and our youth is long departed, and far more have we followed
+after worldly devices, than the teaching of Christ, or the ways of
+justice and uprightness; now wot I well that this debt can be paid for
+us neither by our kindred or our goods, and I will that we ourselves
+should pay it: now will I therefore that we change our way of life
+and fare away from this land and unto the abode of the Pope, because I
+well believe that so only may my case be made easy to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein said, &quot;As well known to me as to thee are the things thou
+talkest of; and it is meet that thou have thy will herein, since thou
+didst ever give me my will, in a matter of far less hope; and in all
+things will we do as thou biddest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This took men utterly unawares; Thorstein was by then sixty-seven
+years of age, yet hale in all wise.</p>
+
+<p>So now he bid to him all his kindred and folk allied to him, and laid
+before them the things he had determined<span class="newpage"><a name="page268" id="page268">[268]</a></span> on. Wise men gave good words
+thereto, though they deemed of their departing as of the greatest
+loss.</p>
+
+<p>But Thorstein said that there was nought sure about his coming back:
+&quot;Now do I give thanks to all of you,&quot; says he, &quot;for the heed ye paid
+to my goods when I was last away from the land; now I will offer you,
+and pray you to take to you my children's havings, and my children,
+and bring them up according to the manliness that is in you; for I am
+fallen so far into eld that there is little to say as to whether I may
+return or not, though I may live; but ye shall in such wise look after
+all that I leave behind me here, even as if I should never come back
+to Norway.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then men answered, that good redes would be plenteous if the housewife
+should abide behind to look after his affairs; but she said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For that cause did I come hither from the out-lands, and from
+Micklegarth, with Thorstein, leaving behind both kin and goods,
+for that I was fain that one fate might be over us both; now have I
+thought it good to be here; but I have no will to abide long in Norway
+or the North-lands if he goes away; ever has there been great love
+betwixt us withal, and nought has happed to divide us; now therefore
+will we depart together, for to both of us is known the truth about
+many things that befell since we first met.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So, when they had settled their affairs in this wise, Thorstein bade
+chosen folk divide his goods into halves; and his kin took the half
+which his children were to own, and they were brought up by their
+father's kin, and were in aftertimes the mightiest of men, and great
+kin in the Wick has come from them. But Thorstein and Spes divided
+their share of the goods, and some they gave to churches for their
+souls' health, and some they took with them. Then they betook
+themselves Romeward, and many folk prayed well for them.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page269" id="page269">[269]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCV"></a><h2>CHAP. XCV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to Rome and died there</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now they went their ways till they came to Rome-town; and so when they
+came before him, who was appointed to hear the shrifts of men, they
+told him well and truly all things even as they had happed, and
+with what cunning and craft they had joined together in wedlock;
+therewithal they gave themselves up with great humility to such
+penance for the amending of their lives as he should lay on them; but
+because that they themselves had turned their minds to the atoning
+of their faults, without any urging or anger from the rulers of the
+church, they were eased of all fines as much as might be, but were
+bidden gently that they should now and henceforth concern themselves
+reasonably for their souls' health, and from this time forward live in
+chastity, since they had gotten them release from all their guilt; and
+herewith they were deemed to have fared well and wisely.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Spes, &quot;Now, meseems, our matters have gone well and are come
+to an end, and no unlucky life have we had together; yet maybe fools
+will do after the pattern of our former life; now therefore let us
+make such an end to all, that good men also may follow after us and do
+the like: so let us go bargain with those who are deft in stone-craft;
+that they make for each of us a cell of stone, that we may thereby
+atone for what we have done against God.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Thorstein laid down money for the making of a stone cell for each
+of them, and for such-like other things as they might need, and might
+not be without for the keeping of<span class="newpage"><a name="page270" id="page270">[270]</a></span> their lives; and then, when the
+stone work was done, and the time was meet therefor and all things
+were ready, they departed their worldly fellowship of their own free
+will, that they might the more enjoy a holy fellowship in another
+world. And there they abode both in their stone cells, and lived as
+long as God would have it, and so ended their lives. And most men say
+that Thorstein Dromund and Spes his wife may be deemed to be folk of
+the greatest good luck, all things being accounted of; but neither
+his children or any of his issue have come to Iceland for a tale to be
+made of them.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sturla the Lawman says so much as that he deems no outlawed man
+ever to have been so mighty as Grettir the Strong; and thereto he puts
+forth three reasons&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>And first in that he was the wisest of them all; for the longest in
+outlawry he was of any man, and was never won whiles he was hale.</p>
+
+<p>And again, in that he was the strongest in all the land among men of
+a like age; and more fitted to lay ghosts and do away with hauntings
+than any other.</p>
+
+<p>And thirdly, in that he was avenged out in Micklegarth, even as
+no other man of Iceland has been; and this withal, that Thorstein
+Dromund, who avenged him, was so lucky a man in his last days.</p>
+
+<p>So here ends the story of Grettir Asmundson, our fellow-countryman.
+Thank have they who listened thereto; but thank little enow to him who
+scribbled out the tale.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">GOOD PEOPLE, HERE THE WORK HATH END:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">MAY ALL FOLK TO THE GOOD GOD WEND!</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page271" id="page271">[271]</a></span>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="NOTES_AND_CORRECTIONS"></a><h2>NOTES AND CORRECTIONS.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>P. 29. The genealogy of Gamli of Meals, as here recorded, seems to be
+peculiar to Grettir's saga. Yet its statements are inconsistent in
+the matter, for it gives this twofold genealogy of the man. See Ed.
+Kaupmannah&ouml;fn: 1853.</p>
+
+<p>P. 22. Ranveig was the wife of Gamli, the son of <i>Thorald</i>, the
+son of the <i>Vendlander</i>.</p>
+
+<p>P. 70. And (Thorir of the Pass) sold the land at Meals to
+<i>Thorhalli</i>, son of Gamli the <i>Widelander</i>. His son was
+Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, the daughter of Asmund Greyhaired.</p>
+
+<p>According to 'Landn&aacute;ma,' this Gamli of Meals, Asmund's son-in-law,
+was son of Thord, and great-great-grandson of Thorhrolf or Thorolf
+Fasthaldi (Fastholding), who settled lands on the north coast of
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjart&eth;ardj&uacute;p), and farmed at Snowfells (Snaefj&ouml;ll).
+We have given Thorhall in our translation in both places as the
+man's name. Perhaps Thoraldr is nothing but a corruption of Thor&oacute;lfr
+fasthaldi; and Thorhalli again a corruption of the first. But Gamli
+the Vendlander or Widelander, we have no means of identifying.</p>
+
+<p>P. 30. 'Now in those times there were wont to be large fire-halls
+at the homesteads.' The hall, <i>holl, sk&aacute;li, stofa</i>, was the
+principal room in every home. <i>Elda-sk&aacute;li</i>, or fire-hall, as
+the one alluded to at Biarg, was so called from its serving as a
+cooking-hall and a sitting-hall at once. The main features in the
+construction of a hall were the following: it was generally built from
+east to west, in an oblong form, having doors either at one or both
+ends through the south-side wall, where it met the gable end. These
+two entrances were called carles'-door and queens'-door (<i>karldyrr,
+kvenndyrr</i>), being respectively for the ingress and egress of
+men and women. Sometimes the men's-door was adorned with the beaks
+(<i>brandar</i>) of a hewn-up ship, as was the case with the hall of
+Thorir of Garth, standing as door-posts on either side. The door led
+to a front-hall (<i>fork&aacute;li, fortofa, and-dyri, framh&uacute;s</i>), which,
+sometimes at least, seems to have been portioned off into an inner
+room (<i>klefi</i>), or bay, and the vestibule proper. In the bay were
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page272" id="page272">[272]</a></span>
+kept victuals, such as dried fish, flour, and sometimes, no doubt,
+beer. Within, the hall fell into three main portions: the main hall,
+or the nave, and the aisles on either side thereof (<i>skot</i>):
+The plan of the hall was much like that of one of our regular-built
+churches without chancel, say like a Suffolk church of the fifteenth
+century, the nave being lighted by a clerestory, and the aisles
+running the whole way along the nave, and communicating behind the
+dais. These aisles were used for sleeping-places; so that along the
+whole length of the hall, and behind the dais, all was partitioned
+into bedsteads, open or locked,&mdash;open, that is to say, communicating
+with the nave by a doorless aperture,&mdash;locked, that is, shut out of
+view from the nave (<i>lok-rekkja, lok-hvila</i>).</p>
+
+<p>On the wall between nave and aisles, which was covered with a
+panelling on its inside at least, were hung the shields and weapons
+of the chief and his retainers, or home-men. Sometimes it was painted
+with mythic subjects, and adorned with fantastic carvings; on great
+occasions it was covered with hangings. Along both side-walls ran a
+row of seats, called benches (<i>bekkr</i>), the north-most of which,
+or the one which faced the sun, was called the nobler bench (<i>ae&eth;ri
+bekkr</i>), the south-most one, the less noble bench, (<i>&uacute;oe&eth;ri
+bekkr</i>). In the middle of either bench was a seat, called the high
+seat (<i>&ouml;ndvegi</i>); that of the nobler bench being occupied by the
+chief or head of the house, unless he had for his guest a man nobler
+than himself, in which case the latter took it; that of the less noble
+bench being allotted to the noblest among the guests. The nobler bench
+was on ordinary occasions the bench for the chief and the household.
+The less noble for the guests. In front of the chiefs high-seat were
+the high-seat-poles which in the early ages of Paganism in the North
+were objects of much veneration, and must always accompany the chief
+if he moved his abode, and point out his new homestead, if he fared
+for it over sea, by the spot where they drifted ashore, as, when land
+was sighted, they were thrown overboard. In front of the seat-rows
+just described were placed the tables whereon the meals were put
+forth. And when the number of people exceeded the capacity of the
+ordinary benches, a new row of benches was placed in front of the
+tables, so that there were two rows of benches down along either
+side of the hall with the tables between them. The last-named rows of
+benches were called <i>forsoeti</i>; and their occupiers, when seated
+at table, faced those of the upper and lower bench. In the centre of
+the hall, if of the fashion, as it probably was in early times, of a
+fire-hall, was a narrow oblong stone-pavement, probably as long as the
+rows of the benches, whereon fires were lit for heating of the room,
+for cooking of food in some cases, and for<span class="newpage"><a name="page273" id="page273">[273]</a></span> the purpose of lighting up
+the hall. The smoke that rose from the burning fuel found its way out
+through the luffer or louvre, in the middle of the ridge of the roof
+(<i>lj&oacute;ri</i>); the <i>reyk-beri</i>, reek-bearer, seems to have been
+a contrivance for creating draught to carry the smoke out through
+the <i>lj&oacute;ri</i>. In that end of the hall which was opposite to the
+entrance was the cross-bench, dais (<i>pallr</i>), occupied by the
+women. Here was also a high seat (<i>&ouml;ndvegi &aacute; palli</i>), which was
+generally taken by the mistress of the house. In our saga it seems
+that the hall of Sand-heaps made an exception to this general rule, as
+it apparently had the dais immediately within the doorway.</p>
+
+<p>P. 77 (cpr. 110). It is worth observing here, that Thorvald, son of
+Asgeir Madpate the younger, dwells at As in Waterdale, about 1013,
+when Thorgils Makson was slain. When Grettir played, as a youth, on
+Midfirth-water (or <i>cca</i>. 1010), he dwelt at Asgeirsriver. We
+mention this because there has been some confusion about the matter.
+On the slight authority of the &THORN;&aacute;ttr af Isleifi biskupi', Biskupa
+S&ouml;gur I. 54, it has been maintained that he dwelt at Asgeirsriver
+even as late as <i>cca</i>. 1035, when his daughter Dalla was wooed by
+Isleif the Bishop. G. Vigf&uacute;sson, Safn til S&ouml;gu Islands, I. 337. On
+the other hand, the statement of Hungrvaka that he farmed at As
+(<i>i.e.</i>, at the Ridge), at the time aforesaid, has given rise
+to the conjecture that thereby must be meant Valdar-As, a farm in
+Willowdale, near Asgeirsriver, the manor of the Madpate family. G.
+Vigf&uacute;sson, in Biskupa S&ouml;gur, I. 61, note 2. It seems there is no need
+of setting aside the clear statement of our saga, that the As was As
+in Waterdale (<i>see</i> Index), and not Valdar&aacute;s in Willowdale at
+all, or that Thorvald had, by 1013, moved up to the neighbouring
+country-side of Waterdale, and settled among the kin of his
+great-grandmother.</p>
+
+<p>P. 114, 1. 1. 'The men of Meals,' is a close translation of the
+original, which, however, is incorrect; for the men of Meals were
+Grettir's kin-in-law, and natural allies. The saga means the men of
+Meal, Kormak and his followers, and the original should be either,
+&thorn;eir Mel-menn, or Mels-menn, or &thorn;eir Kormakr fr&aacute; Mel.</p>
+
+<p>P. 129, 1. 10, 11. We have purposely altered the text from: en &thorn;&uacute;
+&ouml;ruggr &iacute; einangri, <i>i.e.</i>, 'but thou stout in danger,' into:
+en <i>&thorn;&oacute;, i.e.</i>, 'but stout in danger none-the-less.' The former
+reading seems barely to give any sense, the last a natural and the
+required one.</p>
+
+<p>P. 169. Hallmund. Our saga is one among the historic sagas of Iceland
+which deals with traditions of ancient belief in the spirits of the
+unknown regions of the land that are interested in the well-being of
+the mere men who dwell near them. Hallmund and the giant Thorir are
+the representatives of these powers in our saga. Of these Hallmund<span class="newpage"><a name="page274" id="page274">[274]</a></span> is
+the more interesting of the two, both for his human sympathies, his
+tragic end, and the poetry ascribed to him. At one time or other he
+has had a great name in the Icelandic folk-lore among the spirits of
+the land, the so-called land wights <i>(land-voetir)</i>, and there is
+still existing a poem of ancient type, the refrain of which is closely
+similar to that of Grettir's song on Hallmund, but which is stated to
+be by some cave-wight that lived in a deep and gloomy cavern somewhere
+in Deepfirth, on the north side of Broadfirth. In the so-called
+Bergb&uacute;a&thorn;&aacute;ttr or cave-dweller's tale (Edited by G. Vigf&uacute;sson in
+Nordiske Old-skrifter, xxvii., pp. 123-128, and 140-143, Copenhagen,
+1860), this song is said to have been heard by two men, who, on their
+way to church, had lost their road, and were overtaken by the darkness
+of night, and, in order to escape straying too far out of their way,
+sought shelter under the lee of a sheer rock which chanced to be on
+their way. They soon found a mouth of a cave where they knew not that
+any cave was to be looked for, whereupon one of the wayfarers set up a
+cross-mark in the door of the cave, and then with his fellow-traveller
+sat down on two stones at the mouth of the cave, as they did not dare
+to risk themselves too far in the gloomy abode away from the cross.
+When the first third part of the night was spent they heard something
+come along from within the cave doorwards out to them.<a name="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20"><sup>[20]</sup></a> They signed
+themselves with the sign of the cross, and prayed God's mercy to be
+on them, for they thought the doings within the deep of the cavern now
+grew big enough. On looking into the darkness they saw a sight like
+unto two full-moons, or huge targets, with some monstrous figure
+(unreadable in the MS.) between them. They thought this was nothing
+but two eyes, and that nowise narrow of face might he be who bore such
+torches. Next they heard a chanting of a monstrous kind and in a big
+voice. A lay there was sung of twelve staves, with the final refrain
+of each twice repeated.</p>
+
+<p>The poem seems to be a death-song over the cave-kin of the country by
+the new change of thought brought in by Christianity.</p>
+
+<p>P. 189. 'Grettir lay out that summer on Madderdale-heath, and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.' A corroboration
+of the saga has been clearly set forth by the discovery of a
+Grettir's-lair, in Axefirth-peak, in 1862. True the saga passes over
+Grettir's doings on these vast eastern wildernesses, but tradition has
+preserved the name<span class="newpage"><a name="page275" id="page275">[275]</a></span> for the place, and it shows by its construction and
+position that it must have been constructed by one skilled in choosing
+a good fighting stand, and a good and wide view at the same time. An
+Icelandic farmer has thus given an accurate and reliable description
+of Grettir's lair:</p>
+
+<p>'In the summer of 1850, when I came north to Axefirth, I heard talk
+of a Grettir's lair upon Axefirth-peak.... Many who had seen it made
+a slight matter of it, which brought me to think it must have few
+peculiarities of antiquarian interest to show. But on the 7th of
+September, this summer (1862), I went with the rape-ruler Arni J&oacute;nsson
+of Wood-stead to inspect the lair. Walking up to it from the level
+ground below took us three minutes. The lair stands in the lower part
+of a slip of stones beneath some sheer rocks between a sandstone rock,
+called the carline, and the stone slip from the peak. It is built
+up of stones, straight as a line, and runs, 4-3/4 ells in length, 10
+inches broad, and is, within walls, 7/8 of an ell deep. The half of it
+is deftly covered in with flat stones, the longest of which are 2 ells
+9 inches long, and about half an ell in thickness, and a little more
+in breadth. Small thin fragments of stone are wedged in between these
+where their junctures do not close tight, and so firmly are they
+fixed, that without instruments they may not be removed. One stone in
+the south wall is so large that we deemed it fully the task of
+from four to six men to move it when loose. The north side wall is
+beginning to give way, where the room is covered in. On the outside
+it is overgrown with black scurf and grey moss. The head end we deemed
+was the one which is turned to the rock and is not covered in,
+and evidently has been open from the beginning. Here the floor
+is overgrown with moss, grass, thyme, ferns, crow-foot, and
+lady's-mantle. In all likelihood the inmate has closed that part of
+the room in with hides, when needful. On sitting up, all who went to
+and fro on the road below, must have been within view; not only those
+who came from the north of Foxplain (Melrakkasl&egrave;tta) and Nupa-sveit,
+but also far toward the north he had a view even unto the open sea,
+nay, even unto Budluga-haven. Looking southwards, he must have seen
+all who came up from the outer firth; for from the lair there is a
+clear view even unto Burn-river, past which the high-road goes. A
+popular tradition says, too, that all who must needs pass this way,
+when Grettir was in the Peak, had taken at last to going over the
+top of the Peak, where there was no road, but the sheep-wilds of the
+Axefirthers. The lair-bider, even if he was set on by an overwhelming
+force, was not easily won, and least of all a man of such prowess as
+Grettir, except by shot; for he might at a moment's notice take his
+stand in the rock above his head,<span class="newpage"><a name="page276" id="page276">[276]</a></span> the where one side only gives the chance
+of an onset, and where there is an ample supply of loose stones, large
+and small, on the Peak side of the rock to defend oneself; on three
+sides sheer rocks hem in the position, and those overhead are many
+times the height of a man's.'</p>
+
+<p>P. 208. Knave-game. Perhaps the truer rendering would have been
+'nut-game,' if indeed 'hnet tafl' here stands not for 'hnef-tafl,'
+as we at first supposed. It is undoubtedly true that among the early
+games of Iceland the 'hettafl,' 'hnottafl,' was a distinct kind of
+game, as was also the 'hneftafl,' 'hnefatafl,' knave-game. If we
+follow the text as it stands, the game that Thorbiorn played is
+supposed to have borne some resemblance to what is now called in
+Iceland 'refsk&aacute;k,' fox-play, anglice 'fox and geese,' the aim of
+which is, by twelve pieces, called lambs, to bring the fox into such a
+position as to leave him no place to move, whichso way he turns.</p>
+
+<p>P. 240. Pied-belly we call the Ram, although the saga seems to mean
+that he was called Autumn-belly, which is a name of little, if of
+any, sense at all. We suppose that <i>haus-m&ouml;g&oacute;ttr</i>, p. 169, and
+<i>haust-magi</i>, p. 184, is one and the same thing, the <i>t</i>
+having spuriously crept into the text from a scribe's inadvertence.</p>
+
+<p>P. 243 (cpr. 207, 225, 272). 'In such wise Grettir lost his life, &amp;c.'
+The hardest thing to account for, or to bring to an intelligible issue
+in Grettir's saga, is the incongruity between the statements as to his
+age at his death and the number of years of his outlawry, as compared
+with the truthful account of the events told in the saga itself. From
+the time when Grettir slew his first man, all the events of the
+saga may be traced clearly year for year up to his death, and their
+truthfulness is borne out whensoever they chance to run parallel to
+events mentioned in other trustworthy sagas, and they fall in with the
+right time nearly without an exception. But the statement on the page
+referred to above, that he was fourteen years old when he slew Skeggi,
+that he was twenty when he dealt with Glam; twenty-five when he fell
+into outlawry, and forty-four when he was slain, is utterly confuted
+by the chronology of the saga itself.</p>
+
+<p>These numbers given above are obviously made to fall in with the story
+in page 225 about the talk of the time of his outlawry at the Thing.
+The question is stated to have been this: whether he had been a
+fraction of the twentieth year an outlaw, his friends hoping that in
+such case a part might count <i>pro toto</i>. But the truth of the
+matter was that he had neither been an outlaw for a fraction of the
+twentieth year, nor even for anything like nineteen years. He was
+outlawed at the Thing held in 1016, his year of outlawry dated from
+Thing to Thing; this talk befell in 1031, consequently he had been
+full fifteen years<span class="newpage"><a name="page277" id="page277">[277]</a></span> and no fraction of a year in outlawry. The story,
+therefore, of the twenty years, or nineteen years and a fraction, of
+outlawry falls utterly to the ground when brought to the test of the
+actual facts as recorded in the saga.</p>
+
+<p>But, despite of this, it is not to be supposed that this episode at
+the Thing in 1031 is brought in at random and without any cause. There
+are two obvious reasons for assigning twenty years to the length of
+Grettir's outlawry, and for bringing into the tale a discussion on
+that subject just where it is done. The one we may call the reason of
+traditional belief, the other the reason of dramatic effect. Grettir
+was indisputably for all reasons the greatest of Icelandic outlaws,
+and the fond imagination of his biographers at all times urged them
+to give the longest endurance to the time of his outlawry above all
+outlaws, without inquiring closely as to whether it agreed with
+the saga itself or not. The other, or the dramatic motive, lies
+in bringing in the discussion on this long outlawry just at this
+particular Thing of 1031; for it was obviously the teller's object to
+suggest to the reader the hope of the great outlaw's legal restoration
+to the cherished society of man just before the falling of the
+crushing blow, in order to give an enhanced tragic interest to his
+end, and he undoubtedly succeeds in doing this. To these reasons,
+besides others less obvious, we imagine this main inconsistency in
+Grettir's saga is to be ascribed.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, it is worth observing that blunders of scribes may have
+in a measure been at work here. If we are not mistaken most of the
+existing MSS. of our saga state that when he fell (p. 243) 'he was one
+winter short of&mdash;<i>var h&aacute;num vetri f&aacute;tt &aacute;</i>'&mdash;whatever number
+of years they give as his age. And we venture the suggestion
+that originally the passage ran thus: var h&aacute;num vetri f&aacute;tt &aacute; h&aacute;lf
+iv{tugum},<a name="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21"><sup>[21]</sup></a> <i>i.e.</i>, he lacked one winter of thirty-five years,
+when he was slain. If a subsequent scribe committed the easy blunder
+of dropping I before V, the reading of our original (Edition, 53)
+would be the natural result, and an offspring of that same blunder
+would also as easily be the other reading, common to one class of the
+Grettir MSS.: var h&aacute;num vetri f&aacute;tt &iacute; v{tugum} or &iacute; hinum v. tug, by
+dropping the syllable 'h&aacute;lf.'</p>
+
+<p>If the whole passage on page 243, beginning with the words quoted in
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page278" id="page278">[278]</a></span>
+the commencement of this note, be not indeed a later interpolation, we
+believe that all that follows the words, 'till the time when he dealt
+with Glam, the Thrall,' must, indeed, be taken as an interpolation of
+later commentators.</p>
+
+<p>Our suggestion recommends itself in this at least, that it brings
+about full harmony between the statements, here treated of, and the
+saga itself, for when Grettir left the land in 1011 he was fourteen
+years of age, and twenty years later, or 1031, he fell. How far his
+age thus given agrees or not with the decrepitude of his father, who
+died in 1015, having been apparently already a bedridden man for some
+time, is a matter of itself, and need not affect the accuracy of our
+suggestion, which, however, we only put forth as a conjecture, not
+having within reach the MSS. of Grettir's saga. A critical examination
+of these might, perhaps, allow of a more positive discourse on
+this vexed point, which to all commentators on Grettir has hitherto
+remained an insoluble riddle.</p>
+
+<p>P. 251, 1. 12. The original makes Asdis daughter of Skeggi the
+Short-handed. This is here corrected agreeably to Landn&aacute;ma, and other
+records of her family.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page279" id="page279">[279]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="INDICES"></a><h2>INDICES.</h2>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page280" id="page280">[280]</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page281" id="page281">[281]</a></span>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="INDEX_I"></a><h3>INDEX I.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p><b>PERSONAL NAMES.</b></p>
+
+<p>Air (Loptr), <i>alias</i> Hallmund, the mountain sprite, <a href="#page160">160</a>, <a href="#page161">161</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a><br />
+Aldis Konal's-daughter, called A. from Barra, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Aldis, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Alf a-Dales, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Ali, an house-carle of Thorbiorn Oxmain's, <a href="#page130">130</a>, <a href="#page131">131</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a><br />
+Alof Ingolf's-daughter, wife of Eric Snare, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Angle. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Angle.<br />
+Ari Marson, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Arinbiorn. <i>See</i> Arnbiorn.<br />
+Arnbiorn, kinsman of Thorfinn of Haramsey, Grettir's companion, <a href="#page70">70</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a><br />
+Arngeir Berseson, father of Biorn Hitdale-champion, <a href="#page170">170</a><br />
+Arni J&oacute;nsson, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Arnor Thorbiornson, <a href="#page140">140</a>140<br />
+Arnor Thordson, called Earls' skald (Jarlask&aacute;ld), <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a><br />
+Arnor Thorodson, called Hay-nose (heynef, or h&yacute;nef, Landn&aacute;ma), <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Arnora, Thord Yeller's daughter, <a href="#page225">225</a><br />
+Asa, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, first wife of Onund Treefoot, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a><br />
+<a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Asbiorn, Ufeigh Grettir's son, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Asbrand Thorbrandson, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Asdis, Bard Jokulson's daughter, the mother of Grettir Asmundson, <a href="#page27">27</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page28">28</a>, <a href="#page30">30</a>, <a href="#page33">33</a>, <a href="#page36">36</a>,
+<a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>,
+<a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a>, <a href="#page205">205</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page247">247</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Asdis Gamli's-daughter, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Asgeir Audunson the older, called Madpate (son of Audun Skokul,<br />
+al. Onund Treefoot), <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a><br />
+Asgeir Audunson the younger, grandson of the preceding, called Madpate<br />
+<a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a><br />
+Asgrim Ellida-Grimson, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Asgrim Ondottson, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Asmund from Asmund's-peak, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Asmund Ondottson, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Asmund Thorgrimson, called the Greyhaired (haerul&aacute;ngr), the father of<br />
+Grettir the Strong, <a href="#page25">25</a>-<a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page28">28</a>-<a href="#page33">33</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>, <a href="#page36">36</a>,
+<a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>-<a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page113">113</a>, <a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Asmund Ufeigh's-son, called the Beardless (skegglauss), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Asny Vestar's-daughter, wife of Ufeigh Grettir, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Asta Gudbrand's-daughter, mother of Olaf the Saint, King of Norway, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Asvor, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Atli Asmundson, Grettir's brother, <a href="#page28">28</a>, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page30">30</a>, <a href="#page36">36</a>,
+<a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a>, <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page111">111</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a>,
+<a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page112">129</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>-<a href="#page133">133</a>,
+<a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a><br />
+Atli Ulfson, called the Red (hinn rau&eth;i), <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Aud (<i>alias</i> Unnr) the Deeply Wealthy, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Audun, Asgeir Madpate's son, <a href="#page83">83</a><br />
+Audun Asgeir's-son, of Audunstead, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page84">84</a>,
+<a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page86">86</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Audun Goaty (geit), an Earl in Norway, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a><br />
+Audun Skokul (sk&ouml;kull), <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page282" id="page282">[282]</a></span>
+Audun, goodman of Windham in Haramsey, <a href="#page46">46</a>, <a href="#page47">47</a>, <a href="#page48">48</a></p>
+
+<p>Balk Blaengson of Sotaness, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page170">170</a><br />
+Bard Jokulson,<a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Bard, the mate of Haflidi's ship, <a href="#page40">40</a><br />
+Bardi (al. Slaying-Bardi) Gudmundson, of Asbiornsness, <a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page86">86</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page93">93</a>, <a href="#page94">94</a>, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Bessi Balkson, called the Godless (go&eth;lauss), <a href="#page170">170</a><br />
+Bessi Skald-Torfa's-son, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a>, <a href="#page74">74</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a><br />
+Biarni, <i>See</i> Biorn, the settler of Biornfirth.<br />
+Biarni of Dog-dale, <a href="#page81">81</a><br />
+Biarni of Jorvi in Flysia-Wharf, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Biarni Thorsteinson, the Sage (hinn spaki), <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Biorn Arngeirson, called Hitdale-Champion, <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a>,
+<a href="#page181">181</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Biorn, settler of Biornfirth, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Biorn, kinsman of Thorkel in Salft, <a href="#page62">62</a>, <a href="#page63">63</a>, <a href="#page64">64</a>, <a href="#page65">65</a>,
+<a href="#page66">66</a>, <a href="#page67">67</a>, <a href="#page68">68</a>, <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+Biorn of Meadness, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a><br />
+Biorn Rolfson, father of Eyvind the Eastman, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a><br />
+Biorn Ufeigh's-son, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Bloeng of Sotaness, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Bodmod, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Bodvar of Bodvar's-knolls, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Bork the Fat, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Botulf, grandfather of Thorir of Garth, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Brand, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's house-carles, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Brand, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, <a href="#page238">238</a><br />
+Bundle-Torfi, <a href="#page81">81</a></p>
+
+<p>Crow-Hreidar. <i>See</i> Hreida.</p>
+
+<p>Dalla Thorvald's-daughter, wife of Bishop Isleif, <a href="#page77">77</a><br />
+Dromund. <i>See</i> Thorstein Dromund.</p>
+
+<p>Egil Audunson, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Eid Skeggison, from the Ridge,<a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Eilif Ketilson, <a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Einar, a bonder in Jadar, <a href="#page122">122</a><br />
+Einar of Combe, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Einar Olvirson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Ellida-Grim Asgrimson, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Eric Alefain (&ouml;lf&uacute;ss), of Sorreldale, <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Eric Hakonson, Earl of Norway, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page51">51</a><br />
+Eric Hroaldson, of God-dales, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a><br />
+Eric Snare (snara), <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Eric Starrison, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Eyulf, brother-in-law of Slaying-Bardi, <a href="#page94">94</a><br />
+Eyolf of Fairwood, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page181">181</a><br />
+Eyulf Egilson, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Eyulf Gudmundson, <a href="#page104">104</a><br /><br />
+Eyvind Biornson, called the Eastman (austma&eth;r), <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>,
+<a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page8">8</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Eyvind (Herraudson), settler of Eyvind's-firth, <a href="#page20">20</a></p>
+
+<p>Finnbogi Thorgeirson, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a><br />
+Flosi Ericson, of Arnes, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page21">21</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page5">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Frederick the Bishop, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Fridgerd Thord's-daughter, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Fridmund of Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Frodi, the King, <a href="#page95">95</a></p>
+
+<p>Gamli Skeggison, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Gamli, the Vendlander or Widelander (Vi&eth;lendingr, Vindlendingr)<br />
+<a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Gamli Thorhallson, of Meals, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a>,
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Gaut Sleitason, <a href="#page82">82</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a><br />
+Geirlaug, goodwife of Broadlair-stead, <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Geirmund Helskin (heljarskinn), king of Hordaland, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page283" id="page283">[283]</a></span>
+Geirmund Hiuka-timber, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Gerd Bodvar's-daughter, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Gerpir, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Gisli Thorsteinson, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page174">174</a>, <a href="#page175">175</a>, <a href="#page176">176</a>, <a href="#page177">177</a><br />
+Glam from Sylgsdales, afterwards a ghost, <a href="#page96">96</a>-<a href="#page110">110</a>, <a href="#page243">243</a><br />
+Glum Uspakson, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a><br />
+Grettir Asmundson, called the Strong, <a href="#page28">28</a>-<a href="#page33">33</a>, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>,
+<a href="#page36">36</a>-<a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page40">40</a>-<a href="#page45">45</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page46">46</a>-<a href="#page59">59</a>, <a href="#page60">60</a>-<a href="#page62">62</a>,
+<a href="#page63">63</a>-<a href="#page76">76</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>-<a href="#page87">87</a>,
+<a href="#page88">88</a>, <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>,
+<a href="#page92">92</a>-<a href="#page94">94</a>, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a>-<a href="#page110">110</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page112">112</a>-<a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page116">116</a>-<a href="#page121">121</a>,
+<a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page123">123</a>, <a href="#page124">124</a>, <a href="#page125">125</a>,
+<a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a>, <a href="#page135">135</a>-<a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page141">141</a>-<a href="#page143">143</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>-<a href="#page148">148</a>, <a href="#page149">149</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a>,
+<a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page152">152</a>-<a href="#page157">157</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a>,
+<a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page160">160</a>-<a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page164">164</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page165">165</a>-<a href="#page167">167</a>, <a href="#page168">168</a>-<a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page171">171</a>,
+<a href="#page173">173</a>-<a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a>-<a href="#page180">180</a>,
+<a href="#page181">181</a>-<a href="#page183">183</a>, <a href="#page187">187</a>, <a href="#page189">189</a>-<a href="#page191">191</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page192">192</a>-<a href="#page199">199</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a>,
+<a href="#page202">202</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a>-<a href="#page207">207</a>,
+<a href="#page209">209</a>-<a href="#page210">210</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page213">213</a>-<a href="#page217">217</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page218">218</a>, <a href="#page219">219</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a>, <a href="#page221">221</a>, <a href="#page222">222</a>,
+<a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page225">225</a>, <a href="#page226">226</a>,
+<a href="#page228">228</a>, <a href="#page229">229</a>, <a href="#page230">230</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a>, <a href="#page232">232</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page233">233</a>-<a href="#page235">235</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>-<a href="#page243">243</a>, <a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a>,
+<a href="#page246">246</a>, <a href="#page247">247</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>,
+<a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page254">254</a>, <a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Grim Gamlison, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Grim Kolbiornson, a hersir in Norway, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a><br />
+Grim the Northlander, an outlaw and hired assassin, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page164">164</a><br />
+Grim Thorhallson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Grim Thorhallson, grandson of the preceding, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Grim Thorhallson of Meals, afterwards of Gilsbank, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page130">130</a>, <a href="#page138">138</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>,
+<a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page168">168</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Grim, son of the Widow of Kropp, <a href="#page184">184</a>, <a href="#page185">185</a>, <a href="#page188">188</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Grimulf, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Gudbiorg Ufeigh's-daughter, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Gudbrand Ball (k&uacute;la), <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Gudbrandr Vigf&uacute;sson, <a href="#page275">275</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Gudmund the Rich (hinn r&iacute;ki), of Maddervales, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a><br />
+Gudmund Solmundson, <a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Gudrun, wife of Thorhall Grimson of Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Guest (= Grettir Asmundson), <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page193">193</a>, <a href="#page194">194</a>, <a href="#page212">212</a>-<a href="#page214">214</a><br />
+Gunnar, Court-owner in Tunsberg, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page72">72</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a><br />
+Gunnar Thorirson, of the Pass, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>,
+<a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a><br />
+Gyda, wife of Ingiald the Trusty, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Gyrid Einar's-daughter, <a href="#page122">122</a></p>
+
+<p>Haeng, father of Vestar, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Haering, <a href="#page222">222</a>, <a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page230">230</a><br />
+Haflidi of Reydarfell, a skipper, <a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page41">41</a>, <a href="#page42">42</a>, <a href="#page43">43</a>,
+<a href="#page44">44</a>, <a href="#page45">45</a><br />
+Hafr Thorarinson, <a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page214">214</a>, <a href="#page215">215</a><br />
+Hafr Thordson, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Hakon, Earl of Norway, <a href="#page50">50</a><br />
+Hakon Ericson, an Earl of Norway, <a href="#page50">50</a><br />
+Haldor Thorgeirson of Hof in Head-strand, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page215">215</a>, <a href="#page236">236</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page240">240</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>, <a href="#page278">278</a><br />
+Haldora Steinmod's-daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Halfdan the Black (hinn svarti), <a href="#page2">2</a><br />
+Hall Gudmundson of Asbiornsness, <a href="#page1">86</a><br />
+Hall of Kropp, <a href="#page136">136</a>, <a href="#page137">137</a><br />
+Hallmund, a mountain sprite, <a href="#page169">169</a>, <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a>, <a href="#page184">184</a>, <a href="#page185">185</a>-<a href="#page188">188</a>,
+<a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Hallstein Horse (hestr), <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Hallvard Sweeping (s&uacute;gandi), <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Hamund, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's household, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Harald Halfdanson, called the Unshorn (l&uacute;fa) and the Fair-hair<br />
+(h&aacute;rfagri), King of Norway, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Harald Ring, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Harald Sigurdson, Varangian chief, afterwards King of Norway, <a href="#page257">257</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page260">260</a>, <a href="#page267">267</a>, <a href="#page268">268</a>, <a href="#page269">259</a><br />
+Harek, a king's farmer in Norway, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Head-Thord = Thord of Hofdi, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Hedin, a Skald.<br />
+Hedin of Soknadale, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page284" id="page284">[284]</a></span>
+Helga Ondott's-daughter, second wife of Biorn Rolfson, and mother of<br />
+Thrand, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Helga Thorkel's-daughter, of Fishbrook, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Helga Thorir's-daughter, from Boardere, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Helgi of Bathstead, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a><br />
+Helgi Eyvindson, called the Lean (hinn magri), <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Hjalti Thord Scalp's-son, <a href="#page207">207</a><br />
+Hialti Thordson, of Hof, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page209">209</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>,
+<a href="#page215">215</a>, <a href="#page216">216</a>, <a href="#page217">217</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>,
+<a href="#page241">241</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Hiarandi, Earl Svein's man, <a href="#page69">69</a>, <a href="#page70">70</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a><br />
+Hlif Rolfs-daughter, the first wife of Biorn Rolfson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Holmgang-Starri. <i>See</i> Starri Ericson.<br />
+Hoskuld, father of Olaf Peacock, <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Hrefna Asgeir's-daughter (d. of Asgeir Madpate the Younger), <a href="#page156">156</a><br />
+Hrei&eth;ar, called Crow-Hrei&eth;ar (Kr&aacute;ku-H.), <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Hroald Geirmundson, <a href="#page208">208</a></p>
+
+<p>Illugi Asmundson, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page126">2</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>,
+<a href="#page204">204</a>, <a href="#page205">205</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page217">217</a>,
+<a href="#page219">219</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page229">229</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a>, <a href="#page232">232</a>,
+<a href="#page233">233</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a>, <a href="#page243">243</a>,
+<a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Ingiald the Trusty (tryggvi) of Hvin, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Ingiald Frodison, an Earl, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Ingimund Thorsteinson, called the Old (hinn gamli), <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Ingolf (Herraudson), of Ingolf's-firth, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Ingolf Ornsorn, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Jokul Bardson, <a href="#page104">104</a>, <a href="#page105">105</a><br />
+Jokul Ingimundson, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Isleif Gissurson, first Bishop of Skalholt, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Ivar Kolbeinson, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Ivar Smiter (beytill), <a href="#page1">1</a></p>
+
+<p>Kalf Asgeirson, of Asgeir's-river, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger,<br />
+<a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a><br />
+Kari Solmundson, called Singed-(svi&eth;u)-Kari, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Karr, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers in the slaying of Grettir,<br />
+<a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a><br />
+Karr the Old, a ghost, <a href="#page46">46</a>, <a href="#page47">47</a>, <a href="#page48">48</a>, <a href="#page56">56</a><br />
+Ketil the Huge (raumr), <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Ketil the Onehanded (hinn ein-hendi), <a href="#page57">57</a><br />
+Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Kiartan Steinson, of Isledale-river, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Kiarval, a sea-king, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Kiarval, king of Ireland, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Kiotvi the Wealthy (hinn au&eth;gi), <a href="#page2">2</a><br />
+Knut the Mighty, king of England, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a><br />
+Kolbein (of Rogaland), <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Kolbiorn the Abasher (sneypir), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Konal Steinmodson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Kormak of Meal in Midfirth, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a>,
+<a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page111">111</a></p>
+
+<p>Leif Kolbeinson, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a></p>
+
+<p>Magnus the Good, king of Norway, <a href="#page268">268</a>
+Mar Atlison, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Michael Katalak, 'king' of Constantinople, <a href="#page253">253</a><br />
+Midfirth-Skeggi, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a></p>
+
+<p>Narfi, kinsman of Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, <a href="#page90">90</a>
+Noise. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Noise.</p>
+
+<p>Odd Foundling-Skald (&uacute;maga-sk&aacute;ld), <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>
+Odd, the Monk, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Odd Ufeigh's son, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Ogmund the Evil (illi), <a href="#page51">51</a>-<a href="#page57">57</a>, <a href="#page60">60</a><br />
+Olaf Eyvindson of Drangar, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Olaf Haraldson, Saint, king of Norway, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page115">115</a>,
+<a href="#page118">118</a>, <a href="#page119">119</a>,<br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page285" id="page285">[285]</a></span>
+<a href="#page120">120</a>, <a href="#page121">121</a><br />
+Olaf Hoskuldson, called Peacock (p&aacute;), <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Olaf Thorsteinson, called Feilan, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Oleif Einarson, called the Broad (brei&eth;r), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Olvir Bairn-Carle (barnakarl), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Ondott Crow (kr&aacute;ka), <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a><br />
+Onund Ufeigh's son, called Treefoot (tr&egrave;f&oacute;tr), <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page2">2</a>-<a href="#page4">4</a>,
+<a href="#page5">5</a>-<a href="#page9">9</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page12">12</a>-<a href="#page15">15</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a>-<a href="#page18">18</a>,
+<a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Orm Eyolfson, chaplain of Bishop Thorlak, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Orm Storolfson, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Orm the Wealthy (hinn audgi), <a href="#page1">1</a></p>
+
+<p>Rafarta Kiarval's-daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Ranveig Asmund's-daughter, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Ranveig, first wife of Asmund Gray-hair, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Redbeard. <i>See</i> Thorir Redbeard.<br />
+Rognvald, an earl, <a href="#page2">2</a><br />
+Rolf of Am, father of Biorn, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Rolf Ingialdson, father of Hlif, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Rut of Combeness, <a href="#page182">182</a></p>
+
+<p>Saemund, the South-Island man, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Sam Borkson, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Sigfast, son-in-law of King Solver, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Sighvat, father-in-law of Ondott Crow, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Signy Sighvat's-daughter, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Sigurd, Bishop, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Sigurd, the husband of Spes, <a href="#page255">255</a>, <a href="#page258">258</a>, <a href="#page259">259</a>,
+<a href="#page260">260</a>, <a href="#page261">261</a>, <a href="#page262">262</a>, <a href="#page263">263</a>, <a href="#page266">266</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page267">267</a><br />
+Skald-Torfa, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a><br />
+Skapti Thorodson of Hjalli, lawman, <a href="#page82">82</a>, <a href="#page92">95</a>, <a href="#page96">96</a>,
+<a href="#page97">97</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a>, <a href="#page149">149</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a><br />
+Skeggi. <i>See</i> Midfirth Skeggi.<br />
+Skeggi Botulfson, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Skeggi Gamlison, of Scarf-stead, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Skeggi, a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale, <a href="#page37">37</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a>, <a href="#page243">243</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Skeggi of the Ridge, <a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Skeggi, son of Steinvor, fathered on Kiartan, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Skeggi Thorarinson, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Skeggi Thorirson, from Garth, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Skeggi Gamlison (from Meals), called the Short-handed (Skammh&ouml;nd&uacute;ngr),<br />
+<a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>,
+<a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Skeggi Gamlison, grandson of the preceding, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Skuf of Dog-dale, <a href="#page81">81</a><br />
+Slaying-Styr, <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Sleita-Helgi, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Snaebiorn Eyvindson, <a href="#page6">6</a><br />
+Snaeskoll, a bearserk, <a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page123">123</a><br />
+Snorri Thorgrimson, called S. Godi, <a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page152">152</a>,
+<a href="#page201">201</a>, <a href="#page202">202</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page224">224</a><br />
+Solmund (Eilifson), <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Solmund Thorbiornson, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Solver, King of Gothland, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Solvi Asbrandson, called the Proud (pr&uacute;&eth;i), <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Sons of Thord = Hjalti of Hof and Thorbiorn Angle, <a href="#page215">215</a><br />
+Sons of Thorir = Gunnar and Thorgeir from the Pass, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Sons of Thorir = Thorgeir and Skeggi, from Garth, <a href="#page117">117</a>, <a href="#page118">118</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a><br />
+Spes, the wife of Sigurd, afterwards wife of Thorstein Dromund, <a href="#page255">255</a><br />
+Starri Ericson, called Holmgang-Starri (H&oacute;lmgaungu-S.), <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Stein Biornson, called Tongue-Stein (T&uacute;ngu-S.), <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a><br />
+Stein, priest of Isledale-river, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page195">195</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Stein, a shipwrecked Skipper, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Stein Thorgestson, lawman, <a href="#page225">225</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Stein Thorirson, called the Far-sailing (mj&ouml;ksiglandi), <a href="#page225">225</a><br />
+Steinmod Konalson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Steinmod Olvirson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Steinulf Olvirson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page286" id="page286">[286]</a></span>
+Steinulf Thorleifson, from Lavadale, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a>179, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Steinun Rut's-daughter, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Steinvor the Old (gamla), <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Steinvor of Sand-heaps, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Sturla Thordson, lawman, <a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Sulki, a king in Norway, <a href="#page2">2</a><br />
+Swan of Knoll, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Svein of Bank, <a href="#page135">135</a>-<a href="#page139">139</a><br />
+Svein, Earl of Norway, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page51">51</a>, <a href="#page69">69</a>, <a href="#page70">70</a>,
+<a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a>, <a href="#page74">74</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a></p>
+
+<p>Tardy. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Tardy.<br />
+Thora Thormod's-daughter, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thoralf of Ere in Icefirth, <a href="#page154">154</a><br />
+Thoralf Skolmson, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Thorarin Hafrson, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Thorarin Ingialdson of Acres, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Thorarin Thordson, called Fylsenni, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Thorarin the Wise (hinn spaki), <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page93">93</a><br />
+Thorbiorg Olaf's-daughter, called the Big (digra), <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a>, <a href="#page155">155</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page156">156</a>, <a href="#page157">157</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Arnorson, called Oxmain (&ouml;xnamegin), <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>,
+<a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page111">111</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,
+<a href="#page131">131</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a>,
+<a href="#page141">141</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page144">144</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page150">150</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page234">234</a>234<br />
+Thorbiorn Earls' champion (Jarlakappi), <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Noise (glaumr), Grettir's servant-man, <a href="#page206">206</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page219">219</a>,
+<a href="#page231">231</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page232">232</a>, <a href="#page235">235</a>, <a href="#page239">239</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Thordson, called Angle, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page209">209</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>,
+<a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page215">215</a>, <a href="#page216">216</a>, <a href="#page217">217</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page218">218</a>, <a href="#page222">222</a>, <a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page226">226</a>,
+<a href="#page227">227</a>, <a href="#page228">228</a>, <a href="#page229">229</a>, <a href="#page230">230</a>,
+<a href="#page231">231</a>, <a href="#page234">234</a>, <a href="#page235">235</a>, <a href="#page236">236</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page239">239</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a>,
+<a href="#page242">242</a>, <a href="#page243">243</a>, <a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,
+<a href="#page247">247</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a>, <a href="#page254">254</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Tardy (fer&eth;al&aacute;ngr), <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page111">111</a>,
+<a href="#page112">112</a>-<a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a><br />
+Thorbrand Haraldson, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Thord Hialtison, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Thord of Hofdi (==Head-Thord), <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Thord Knob, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Thord Kolbeinson, of Hitness, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a><br />
+Thord Scalp, <a href="#page207">207</a><br />
+Thord Olafson, called the Yeller (gellir), <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page255">255</a><br />
+Thord Thordson (son of Head-Thord). <i>See</i> Thorgeir.<br />
+Thordis Asmund's-daughter, wife of Thorgrim Greypate, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Thordis Asmund's daughter, wife of Glum Uspakson, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Thordis Thord's-daughter, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Thordis Thorgrim's-daughter, second wife of Onund Treefoot, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Thords, two brothers of Broad-river in Flat-lithe in Skagafirth, <a href="#page209">209</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page216">216</a><br />
+Thorelf Alf a-Dales'-daughter, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Thorfinn of Brook-bow, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Thorfinn, house-carle of Flosi in Arnes, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Thorfinn Karrson of Haramsey, <a href="#page46">46</a>-<a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page51">51</a>, <a href="#page52">52</a>,
+<a href="#page53">53</a>, <a href="#page56">56</a>, <a href="#page59">59</a>, <a href="#page60">60</a>,
+<a href="#page62">62</a>, <a href="#page69">69</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page70">70</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a>, <a href="#page74">74</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>,
+<a href="#page76">76</a>, <a href="#page84">84</a><br />
+Thorgaut, a herdsman of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, <a href="#page101">101</a>, <a href="#page102">102</a><br />
+Thorgeir Havarson, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page80">80</a>,
+<a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>,
+<a href="#page146">146</a>, <a href="#page147">147</a>, <a href="#page148">148</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page149">149</a><br />
+Thorgeir Onundson, called Bottleback (fl&ouml;skubak), <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>,
+<a href="#page21">21</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Thorgeir Thordson (s. of Head-Thord), <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page278">278</a><br />
+Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, <a href="#page279">279</a><br />
+Thorgeir Thorirson from Garth, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Thorgeir Thorirson, from the Pass, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>,
+<a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a><br />
+Thorgerd Alf a-Dales'-daughter, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Thorgest Steinson, <a href="#page225">225</a><br />
+Thorgils Arison, of Reek-knolls, <a href="#page80">80</a>, <a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>,
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page146">146</a>, <a href="#page147">147</a>, <a href="#page148">148</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page149">149</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page287" id="page287">[287]</a></span>
+Thorgils Ingialdson, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a>, <a href="#page289">289</a><br />
+Thorgils Makson, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page80">80</a>,
+<a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a><br />
+Thorgils of Meal in Midfirth, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Thorgrim of Gnup in Midfirth, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Thorgrim (Hallormson), the Godi of Cornriver, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Thorgrim Onundson, called Greypate (haerukollr), <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>,
+<a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page25">25</a>, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Thorhadd Steinson, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Thorhall Asgrimson, of Tongue, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Thorhall Fridmundson, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Thorhall Gamlison, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Thorhall Grimson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a>-<a href="#page102">102</a>, <a href="#page105">105</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page106">106</a>-<a href="#page110">110</a><br />
+Thorir Autumn-mirk (haustmyrkr), <a href="#page225">225</a><br />
+Thorir Longchin (hakl&aacute;ngr), <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page3">3</a><br />
+Thorir Thorkelson, of the Pass, <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Thorir Redbeard (rau&eth;skeggr), an outlaw and hired assassin, <a href="#page164">164</a>-<a href="#page168">168</a><br />
+Thorir Skeggison, of Garth, <a href="#page115">115</a>, <a href="#page117">117</a>, <a href="#page118">118</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>,
+<a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page164">164</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page165">165</a>, <a href="#page168">168</a>, <a href="#page169">169</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a>,
+<a href="#page186">186</a>, <a href="#page188">188</a>, <a href="#page190">190</a>, <a href="#page191">191</a>,
+<a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page255">255</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a><br />
+Thorir Paunch (&THORN;&ouml;mb), <a href="#page51">51</a>-<a href="#page57">57</a>, <a href="#page60">60</a>60<br />
+Thorir in Thorirs-dale, a mountain-sprite, <a href="#page183">183</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Thorkel of Boardere, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Thorkel Eyulfson, <a href="#page188">188</a><br />
+Thorkel of Fishbrook, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Thorkel of Giorvidale, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a><br />
+Thorkel Moon (M&aacute;ni), <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Thorkel Thordson, called Kugg, <a href="#page78">78</a><br />
+Thorkel Thorgrimson, called Krafla, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>,
+<a href="#page36">36</a>, <a href="#page37">37</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a>, <a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a><br />
+Thorkel of Salft, <a href="#page62">62</a>, <a href="#page63">63</a>, <a href="#page64">64</a>, <a href="#page65">65</a>,
+<a href="#page66">66</a>, <a href="#page67">67</a>, <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+Thorlak (Thorhallson, Saint), Bishop of Skalholt, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Thorlaug Saemund's daughter, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Thorleif, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of<br />
+Grettir, <a href="#page238">238</a><br />
+Thorleif of Lavadale, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Thormod Coalbrowskald (kolbr&uacute;narsk&aacute;ld), <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>,
+<a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page146">146</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page147">147</a>, <a href="#page148">148</a>, <a href="#page149">149</a><br />
+Thormod Oleifson, called Shaft (skapti), <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>,
+<a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Thorod, who settled Ramfirth, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Thorod Arnorson, called Drapa-Stump (dr&aacute;pust&uacute;fr), <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>,
+<a href="#page143">143</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,
+<a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Thorod Eyvindson, the Godi, of Hjalli, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page96">96</a><br />
+Thorod Snorrison, <a href="#page201">201</a>, <a href="#page202">202</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a><br />
+Thorolf of Ere, <a href="#page154">154</a><br />
+Thorolf, called the Fastholding (fasthaldi), <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Thorolf Skolmson. <i>See</i> Thoralf.<br />
+Thorstein Asmundson, called Dromund, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page74">74</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>,
+<a href="#page121">121</a>-<a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page253">253</a>, <a href="#page254">254</a>, <a href="#page255">255</a>, <a href="#page256">256</a>, <a href="#page257">257</a>,
+<a href="#page258">258</a>, <a href="#page259">259</a>, <a href="#page260">260</a>, <a href="#page261">261</a>, <a href="#page262">262</a>,
+<a href="#page263">263</a>, <a href="#page264">264</a>-<a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Thorstein, whom Snorri Godi had slain, <a href="#page172">172</a><br />
+Thorstein Godi, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thorstein Ketilson, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Thorstein the Red (rau&eth;r), <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Thorstein of Reekness, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Thorstein, Thorkel Kugg's son, called Kuggson, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page80">80</a>,
+<a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a>,
+<a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Thorstein the Uplander, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Thorstein the White (hv&iacute;ti), of Sand-heaps, <a href="#page121">121</a> <a href="#page191">191</a><br />
+Thorvald Asgeirson, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page110">110</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,
+<a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Thorvald of Drangar, <a href="#page16">16</a>16<br />
+Thorvald Kodranson, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Thorvald of Reeks in Skagafirth, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page222">222</a><br />
+Thorvor, Thormod's daughter, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thrand Biornson, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>,
+<a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page8">8</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>,
+<a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Thrand Thorarinson, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Thurid Asgeir's-daughter, d. of Asgeir Madpate the older, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page288" id="page288">[288]</a></span>
+Thurid Thorhall's-daughter, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Thurid, Thorbiorn Angle's stepmother, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page226">226</a>-<a href="#page231">231</a><br />
+Tongue-Stein. <i>See</i> Stein Biornson.<br />
+Torfi Vebrandson, <a href="#page234">234</a></p>
+
+<p>Ufeigh, the father of Odd, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Ufeigh Ivarson, called Clubfoot (burluf&oacute;tr), <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Ufeigh Einarson, called Grettir, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>,
+<a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Ufeigh (Herraudson), the Settler of Ufeigh's-firth, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Ufeigh Hrei&eth;arson (Crow-Hr.), called Thinbeard (&THORN;unnskeggr), <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Ufeigh Onundson, called Grettir, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Ulf the Squinter (skj&aacute;lgi), <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Ulfheid Eyulf's-daughter, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Una Steinulf's-daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Uspak Glumson, of Ere in Bitra, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,
+<a href="#page247">247</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a><br />
+Uspak Kiarlakson of Skridinsenni, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Vermund the Slender, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a>,
+<a href="#page155">155</a>, <a href="#page156">156</a>, <a href="#page157">157</a><br />
+Vestar Haengson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Vestmar, a viking, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a><br />
+Vigbiod, a viking, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page8">8</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a><br />
+Vikar, one of Thord Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, <a href="#page241">241</a></p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page289" id="page289">[289]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="INDEX_II"></a><h3>INDEX II.</h3>
+
+<p><b>LOCAL NAMES.</b></p>
+
+<p>Acres (Akrar), <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Agdir, now Nedenes-Lister-og Mandals-Fogderi, in Norway, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Armansfell, <a href="#page97">97</a><br />
+Arness in the Strands, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page21">21</a><br />
+Asbiornsness (Asbjarnarnes) in Willowdale, <a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Asgeir's-River (Asgeirs&aacute;), a farm in Willowdale, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page34">34</a>,
+<a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Aslaugs-lithe (Aslaugarhli&eth;), <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Audunstead in Willowdale (Au&eth;unarsta&eth;ir), <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>,
+<a href="#page84">84</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Axefirth (Axarfj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page25">25</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Axefirth-peak (Axarfjardar-nupr), <a href="#page277">277</a></p>
+
+<p>Balkstead (B&aacute;lkasta&eth;ir), two farm-steads in Ramfirth, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Ball-jokull, <a href="#page161">161</a>, <a href="#page169">169</a><br />
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead in Ramfirth, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead above Thingness, in Bugfirth, <a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+Bard-dale (B&aacute;r&eth;ardalr), north of Islefirth, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page196">196</a>,
+<a href="#page200">200</a><br />
+Barra (Barrey), one of the Hebrides, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a><br />
+Bathstead (Laugab&oacute;l), a farmhouse in Icefirth, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a><br />
+Berg-Ridge (Bjarga-&aacute;s), in Waterness, in Hunawater Thing, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Bergs (Bj&ouml;rg), ibid. <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Biarg, a farmstead in Midfirth, Grettir's birthplace, <a href="#page25">25</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page28">28</a>, <a href="#page29">29</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page35">35</a>, <a href="#page39">39</a>-<a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a>,
+<a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page93">93</a>, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a>,
+<a href="#page111">111</a>, <a href="#page113">113</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page130">130</a>, <a href="#page131">131</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>,
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>, <a href="#page247">247</a>,
+<a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Bitra, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a><br />
+Biornfirth (Bjarnarfj&ouml;r&eth;r), in the Strands, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Boardere (Bor&eth;eyri), a farmstead in Ramfirth, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Bodvar's-knolls (B&ouml;&eth;varsh&oacute;lar), in Westhope, in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Bondmaid's-River (Amb&aacute;ttar&aacute;), <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Bowerfell (B&uacute;rfell), a farmstead on Ramfirth-neck, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a><br />
+Brakeisle (Hr&iacute;sey), in Islefirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Brakelithe, <i>see</i> Kraeklingslithe.<br />
+Broadfirth (Brei&eth;ifj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Broadfirth-dales (Brei&eth;afjar&eth;ardalir), <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Broadlair-stead (Brei&eth;ib&oacute;lsta&eth;r), in Sokkolfsdale, <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Broad-river (Brei&eth;&aacute;), a farmstead in Flat-lithe, in Skagafirth, <a href="#page209">209</a><br />
+Brooks-meet (Laekjam&oacute;t), a farmstead in Willowdale, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a><br />
+Brook-bow (Laekjarbugr), a farmstead in the Marshes, <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Burgfirth (Borgarfj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page93">93</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>, <a href="#page135">135</a>,
+<a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page161">161</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Burglava (Borgarhraun), <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Burn-river (Brunn&aacute;), <a href="#page278">278</a><br />
+Bute (B&oacute;tz, or B&oacute;t), isle of, <a href="#page7">7</a><br />
+Byrgirs-Creek (Byrgisv&iacute;k), <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Bye (Baer), a farmstead in Burgfirth, <a href="#page136">136</a></p>
+
+<p>Cave-Knolls (Hellish&oacute;lar), on Reekness, <a href="#page147">147</a><br />
+Codfirth (&thorn;orskafj&ouml;r&eth;r) in Bardastrandsylla, <a href="#page148">148</a><br />
+Codfirth-heath (&thorn;orskafjar&eth;arhei&eth;i), <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Coldback (Kaldbak), a fell in the Strands, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Coldback, the farmstead of Onund Treefoot, in the Strands, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page21">21</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page290" id="page290">[290]</a></span>
+Coldback-cleft (Kaldbakskleif), <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Coldback-Creek (Kaldbaksvik), <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Coldriver-dale (Kald&aacute;rdalr), <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Combe (Gj&ouml;gr), a farmstead in the Strands, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Combe (Kambr), in Reekness in the Strands, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Combeness (Kambnes), <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Cornriver (Korns&aacute;), a farm in Waterdale, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Creek = Treetub-creek, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Cross-river (&THORN;ver&aacute;), a stream in Waterness, <a href="#page129">129</a></p>
+
+<p>Dales = Broadfirth-dales, <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Deepfirth (Dj&uacute;pifj&ouml;rdr), <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Deildar-Tongue (D-T&uacute;nga), <a href="#page137"></a>137<br />
+Dinby (Glaumbaerr), a farmstead in Skagafirth, <a href="#page206">206</a><br />
+Dog-dale (Hundadalr), <a href="#page81">81</a><br />
+Door-holm (Dyrh&oacute;lmr), the southeastmost point of Iceland, <a href="#page234">234</a><br />
+Doveness-path (D&uacute;funess-skei&eth;i), a portion of the way over the Keel, <a href="#page160">160</a><br />
+Drangar, a farmstead in the Strands, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Drangey, an island in Skagafirth, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a>, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page209">209</a>,
+<a href="#page210">210</a>, <a href="#page217">217</a>, <a href="#page218">218</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page219">219</a>, <a href="#page222">222</a>, <a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page227">227</a>,
+<a href="#page228">228</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>,
+<a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Drontheim (&THORN;r&aacute;ndheimr), now Trondhiem, in Norway, <a href="#page69">69</a>, <a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page118">118</a><br />
+Drontheimfirth (&THORN;r&aacute;ndheimsfj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page67">67</a></p>
+
+<p>Eastfirths (Austfir&eth;ir), <a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Eastriver (Austr&aacute;), <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Eastriverdale (Austr&aacute;rdalr), one of the Broadfirth-dales, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+England, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Ere (Eyri, al. Uspakseyri), in Bitra, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a><br />
+Ere (Eyri), in Icefirth, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page154">153</a><br />
+Eres (Eyrar, now Eyrabakki), on the south coast of Iceland, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Eyjafirth, <a href="#page112">112</a> = Islefirth.<br />
+Eyvindsfirth (Eyvindarfj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Ernelakeheath, <a href="#page186">186</a> = Ernewaterheath.<br />
+Ernewaterheath (Arnarvatnsheit&eth;i), <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page165">165</a>, <a href="#page184">184</a>, <a href="#page188">188</a></p>
+
+<p>Fairslope (Fagrabrekka), <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Fairwood (F&ouml;grusk&oacute;gar), a farm near Fairwoodfell, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page181">181</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Fairwoodfell (Fagrask&oacute;garfjall), north of the Marsh country and<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">west side of Hitdale, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a></span><br />
+Fishbrook (Fiskilaekr), <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Fishwaterlakes (Fiskiv&ouml;tn), <a href="#page163">163</a><br />
+Fishless (Vei&eth;ilausa), in the Strands, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Flat-lithe (Sl&egrave;ttahl&iacute;&eth;), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page209">209</a><br />
+Fleets (Flj&oacute;t), on the north side of the mouth of Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a><br />
+Fleet-tongue (Flj&oacute;tst&uacute;nga), <a href="#page37">37</a><br />
+Flokedale-river (Fl&oacute;kadals&aacute;), in Burgfirth, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+Flysja-wharf (Flysju-hverfi or Flysu-hverfi), <a href="#page174">174</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Foxplain (Melrakkasl&egrave;tta), <a href="#page278">278</a></p>
+
+<p>Gangpass-mouth (Gaunguskar&eth;s&oacute;s, better Gaunguskar&eth;s&aacute;r&oacute;s), <a href="#page222">222</a><br />
+Gartar, now Garten, an island in the mouth of Drontheimfirth, <a href="#page67">67</a><br />
+Garth (Gar&eth;r), in Maindale, <a href="#page115">115</a>, <a href="#page118">118</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a>,
+<a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page190">190</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a><br />
+Gilsbank (Gilsbakki), <a href="#page130">13020</a>, <a href="#page137">137</a>, <a href="#page138">138</a><br />
+Gjorvidale, <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Gnup-Wards'-rape (Gn&uacute;pverjahreppr), <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Gnup, a farmstead in Midfirth, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Goatland (Geitland), <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Goatland's-jokul (Geitland's-j&ouml;kull), <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Goat-rock (Hafraklettr), <a href="#page147">147</a><br />
+God-dales (Go&eth;dalir), <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a><br />
+Godis-wood (Go&eth;ask&oacute;gr), <a href="#page97">97</a><br />
+Goosere (G&aacute;seyri, G&aacute;sir, prop. Geese, or perhaps Creeks), a<br />
+market-place in Islefirth, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page113">113</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Gothland (Gautland), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Grettirs-point (G-Oddi), 180<br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page291" id="page291">[291]</a></span>
+Grettirs-hillock (G-&thorn;ufa), <a href="#page20">20</a><a href="#page249">249</a><br />
+Grettirs-Gill, <a href="#page18">18</a></p>
+
+<p>Hafrsfirth (Hafrsfjor&eth;r), now Hafsfjord, in Jadar in Norway, <a href="#page3">3</a><br />
+Haffirth-river (Hafsfjar&eth;rara), in the Marshes, <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Hall-marsh (Sk&aacute;lamyrr), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Hallwick (Sk&aacute;lav&iacute;k), in Sweeping's firth <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Halogaland, now Nordlandene, in Norway, <a href="#page62">62</a><br />
+Haramsey, properly H&aacute;rhamars-ey, now Harams&ouml;, in South-Mere, in<br />
+Norway, <a href="#page45">45</a>, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page51">51</a><br />
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a valley in the Broadfirth-dales, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a farmstead in Biskupst&uacute;ngr in Arnesthing, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Hawkdale-pass (Haukadals-skar&eth;), a mountain road between Hawkdale<br />
+and Ramfirth, <a href="#page126">126</a><br />
+Head, a farm on Head-strand, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Head-strand (H&ouml;f&eth;astrond), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Heel (Haell), <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Heron-ness (Hegranes), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page210">210</a>, <a href="#page213">213</a><br />
+Hjalli in Olfus, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a><br />
+Hjaltidale (Hjaltadalr), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page207">207</a><br />
+Hitdale (Hitardalr), north of the Marshes, <a href="#page173">173</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Hitness (Hitarnes), in the Marshes, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a><br />
+Hitriver (Hitar&aacute;), in the Marshes, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a>,
+<a href="#page174">174</a>, <a href="#page175">175</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Hof in Hjaltidale, <a href="#page207">207</a><br />
+Hof on Head-strand, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a><br />
+Hof&eth;i (Hof&eth;i), <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Holm (H&oacute;lmr), the homestead of Biorn the Hitdale-champion in<br />
+the Marshes, <a href="#page170">170</a><br />
+Holtbeacon-heath (Holtav&ouml;r&eth;uhei&eth;i), a mountain over which lay the<br />
+main road between Northriverdale and Ramfirth, <a href="#page200">200</a><br />
+Hordaland, a province of Norway, now S&ouml;ndre Bergenhus Amt, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>,
+<a href="#page114">114</a><br />
+Horn, <a href="#page132">132</a><br />
+Horseholt (Hrossholt), in the Marshes, <a href="#page177">177</a><br />
+Hunawater (H&uacute;navatn), <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page101">101</a><br />
+Hvamm, a farmstead in Hvamsveit by Hvamsfirth <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Hvamsveit, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Hvin, now Kvinen, in Norway, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Hvinisfirth, now Fedde-Fjorden, in Norway, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Haeringsleap, in Drangey, <a href="#page224">224</a></p>
+
+<p>Jadar, now Jaederen, in Norway, <a href="#page121">121</a></p>
+
+<p>Icefirth (Isafj&ouml;r&eth;ar), <a href="#page155">155</a><br />
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjar&eth;ar-dj&uacute;p), <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Iceland (Island), <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a>,
+<a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page115">115</a>,
+<a href="#page116">116</a>, <a href="#page121">121</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page243">243</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a>, <a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Ingolfs-firth (Ing&oacute;ilfafj&ouml;rdr), <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a></p>
+
+<p>Jorvi (Jorvi) in Flysia-wharf, <a href="#page179">179</a></p>
+
+<p>Ireland (Irland), <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Islefirth (Eyjafirth, Eyjafj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Isledale-river (Eyjardals&aacute;), a farmstead in Bard-dale, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page194">194</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page196">196</a>, <a href="#page198">198</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a></p><br />
+
+<p>Kalf-river (K&aacute;if&aacute;), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Kalfness (Kalfanes), <a href="#page136">136</a>, <a href="#page137">137</a></p>
+
+<p>Keel (Kj&ouml;lr), a mountain between the North and South quarter of,<br />
+Iceland, over which a main road led from Biskupst&uacute;ngur to Islefirth,<br />
+<a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page169">169</a><br />
+Kialarnes, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Knobstead (Knappsta&eth;ir), a farmstead in the Fleets, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Knoll (H&oacute;ll), in the Strands, the farm of Swan, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Kolbeins-Creek (Kolbeinsvik) in the Strands, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Kolbeinstead (Kolbeinssta&eth;ir), a farmstead in the Marshes, <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page292" id="page292">[292]</a></span>
+Kraeklings-lithe, a country side in Islefirth, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Kropp, <a href="#page137">137</a></p>
+
+<p>Lavadale (Hraundalr), in the Marshlands, <a href="#page179"></a>, <a href="#page180">180</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Laxdale-heath (Lax&aacute;rdalshei&eth;i), a mountain road between Laxardale<br />
+and Ramfirth, <a href="#page143">143</a><br />
+Liarskogar (Lj&aacute;rsk&oacute;gar), a farmstead in Hvamsveit, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page81">81</a>,
+<a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page144">144</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a><br />
+Longdale (Langidalr), in Icefirth, <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Longfit (Langafit), below Reeks in Midfirth, <a href="#page87">87</a><br />
+Longholt (Langholt), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page206">206</a><br />
+Longness (Langanes), the north-eastmost promontory of Iceland, <a href="#page16">16</a></p>
+
+<p>Madderdale-heath (M&ouml;&eth;rudalshei&eth;i), in the north-east of Iceland, <a href="#page189">189</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Maddervales (M&ouml;&eth;ruvellir) in Islefirth, <a href="#page200">200</a><br />
+Maindale (A&eth;aldalr), in the north-east of Iceland, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Marshes (M&yacute;rar; Marsh-country), <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a><br />
+Marstead (M&aacute;rsta&eth;ir) in Waterdale, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Marswell (M&aacute;rskelda), <a href="#page81">81</a><br />
+Meadness (Haganes), a farmstead in the Fleets, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a><br />
+Meal (Melr, now Melsta&eth;r) in Midfirth, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page114">114</a><br />
+Meals (Melar) in Ramfirth, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a>,
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Mere (Moeri) = South-Mere, <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+Micklegarth (Constantinople), <a href="#page252">252</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a>, <a href="#page268">268</a>,
+<a href="#page270">270</a>, <a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Midfirth (Mi&eth;fj&ouml;r&eth;r) in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a>, <a href="#page34">34</a>,
+<a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a><br />
+Midfirth-Water (Mi&eth;fj&ouml;r&eth;arvatn), <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a><br />
+Midfit (Mi&eth;fitjar) in Ramfirth, <a href="#page144">144</a></p>
+
+<p>Neck (= Ramfirth-neck), <a href="#page130">130</a><br />
+Necks (= Ramfirth&mdash;and&mdash;Midfirth-neck), <a href="#page140">140</a><br />
+Nes (Nesjar) in Norway, <a href="#page112">112</a><br />
+Ness = Snowfellsness, <a href="#page126">126</a><br />
+North-Glass-river (Gler&aacute; en nyr&eth;ri), in Islefirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Northriver (Nor&eth;r&aacute;), a stream in Burgfirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Northriverdale (Nor&eth;r&aacute;rdalr), ibid. <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Norway (Noregr), <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>,
+<a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page45">45</a>, <a href="#page50">50</a>,
+<a href="#page60">60</a>, <a href="#page61">61</a>, <a href="#page76">76</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page115">115</a>, <a href="#page122">122</a>,
+<a href="#page251">251</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a>, <a href="#page268">268</a>, <a href="#page270">270</a>270<br />
+N&uacute;pasveit in Axefirth, <a href="#page278">278</a></p>
+
+<p>Olaf's-isles (Olafseyjar) in Broadfirth, <a href="#page146">146</a><br />
+Oyce-land (Osland) in Skagafirth, <a href="#page245">245</a></p>
+
+<p>Pass (Skar&eth;) the, a farm in Hawkdale, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>,
+<a href="#page273">273</a></p>
+
+<p>Ramfirth (Hr&uacute;tafj&ouml;&eth;r), in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>,
+<a href="#page126">126</a><br />
+Ramfirth-neck (Hr&uacute;tafjar&eth;arh&aacute;ls), <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page113">113</a>, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,
+<a href="#page143">143</a><br />
+Raun (Hraun), a farmstead in the Marshes, <a href="#page174">174</a><br />
+Reekfirth (Reykjafj&ouml;r&eth;r), a bay in the Strands, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Reekfirth, a farmstead in the last-named bay, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Reek-heath (Reykjahei&eth;i), in the North-East of Iceland, <a href="#page189">189</a><br />
+Reek-knolls (Reykh&oacute;lar), a farmstead on Reekness in Broadfirth, <a href="#page80">80</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a><br />
+Reekness (Reykjanes), a promontory in the Strands, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Reekness, a farmstead on the last-named ness, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Reekness, south-westmost point of Iceland, <a href="#page40">40</a><br />
+Reekness, east side of Codfirth, in Broadfirth, <a href="#page80">80</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page146">146</a><br />
+Reekpass (Reykjaskar&eth;) in Skagafirth, <a href="#page205">205</a><br />
+Reeks (Reykir), a farmstead in Midfirth below Biarg, <a href="#page87">87</a><br />
+Reeks, a farmstead nigh to Thorodstead in Ramfirth, <a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page293" id="page293">[293]</a></span>
+Reeks, a farmstead in Reek-strand in Skagafirth, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Reek-strand (Reykjastr&ouml;nd), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Reydarfell in Whiteriverside, in Burgfirth, <a href="#page39">39</a><br />
+Rib-skerries (Rifsker) in Reekfirth, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Ridge, the, (As, al. Odds&aacute;s) in Waterdale, the farm of Thorvald Asgeirson,<br />
+<a href="#page37">37</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page110">110</a><br />
+Ridge, the, (As, al. St&oacute;ri&aacute;s), in Burgfirth, <a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Ridge (As, al. Valdar&aacute;s), in Willowdale, <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Rogaland, now Stavanger Amt, in Norvay, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a><br />
+Rome, <a href="#page271">271</a><br />
+Rosmwhale-ness (Rosmhvalanes), <a href="#page24">24</a></p>
+
+<p>Saemund's-lithe (Saemundarhl&iacute;&eth;) in Skagafirth, <a href="#page206">206</a><br />
+Salft (prop. S&aacute;lpti or S&aacute;lfti), now<br />
+Salten in Salten-Fjord, in Halogafand, <a href="#page62">62</a><br />
+Samstead (S&aacute;mssta&eth;ir), <a href="#page145">145</a><br />
+Sand, a wilderness between the North and the South Country,<br />
+crossed by a road from Skagafirth south to Burgfirth and<br />
+Thingvellir, <a href="#page249">249</a><br />
+Sand-heaps (Sandhaugar), <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page195">195</a>,
+<a href="#page199">199</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Scarf-stead (Skarfssta&eth;ir), <a href="#page158">158</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Scotland, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a><br />
+Shady-vale (Forsaeludalr), inland of Waterdale, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Slaftholt (Skaptaholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Shieldbroadfell (Skjaldbrei&eth;), a volcano north-east of Thingvellir, <a href="#page183">183</a><br />
+Skagafirth, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page205">205</a>, <a href="#page207">207</a>,
+<a href="#page217">217</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Skagi, a mountain promontory between Strandbay and Skagafirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Skalholt (Sk&aacute;laholt), in Biskupst&uacute;ngur, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Skridinsenni, a farmstead in Bitra, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Sledgehill (Sle&eth;a&aacute;s), north of Thingvellir, <a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page97">97</a><br />
+Slysfirth (Slysfj&ouml;r&eth;r, prop. Slygsfj&ouml;r&eth;r), now Storfjorden in S&ouml;ndm&ouml;res<br />
+Fogderi, in Norway, <a href="#page51">51</a><br />
+Snowfells (Snaefj&ouml;ll), <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Snowfellsness (Snaefellsnes), the West-most promontory of Iceland,<br />
+<a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a><br />
+Sokkolfsdale (S&ouml;kkolfsdalr), in the Broadfirth-dales, <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Soknadale (S&oacute;knadalr, or S&oacute;knardalr), now Sognedalen, in Norway, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Sorbness (Reynines), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page206">206</a><br />
+Sorreldale (S&uacute;rnadalr), now Surendalen, in Norway, <a href="#page14">14</a><br />
+Sotanes, in Norway, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+South-Glass-river (Gler&aacute; en sy&eth;ri), a farmstead in Islefirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+South-Mere (Summaeri), now S&ouml;ndm&ouml;res Fogderi, in Norway, <a href="#page45">45</a>, cpr. <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+South-Isles (Su&eth;r-eyjar), the Hebrides, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>,
+<a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+South-Strands (Su&eth;r-strandir), <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Spear-mead (Spj&oacute;tsm&yacute;rr), in Ramfirth, <a href="#page144">144</a><br />
+Stair (Stigi), a foreland peak east of Sweepingsfirth, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Stead (Sta&eth;r), now Stadtland, promontory in Norway, <a href="#page115">115</a>, <a href="#page116">116</a>,
+<a href="#page117">117</a><br />
+Steep-brent (Brattabrekka), <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Steersriver (&thorn;i&oacute;rs&aacute;), <a href="#page12">12</a><br />
+Steinker, an Earl's seat in Drontheim, <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+Stone-holt (Steinsholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Stonestead (Steinsta&eth;ir), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Strandbay (Strandafl&oacute;i), <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Strands (Strandir), north-westmost part of Iceland, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Sweepingsfirth (S&uacute;gandafj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Sylgdale (Sylgsdalir), in Sweden, <a href="#page96">96</a></p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page294" id="page294">[294]</a></span>
+<p>Thingere-lands (&thorn;&iacute;ngeyrasveit), in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Thingness (&thorn;&iacute;ngnes), in Burghfirth, <a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+Thoreys-peak (&thorn;&oacute;reyjar-n&uacute;pr) a farm in Willowdale, <a href="#page93">93</a>, <a href="#page94">94</a>,
+<a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Thorhall-stead (&thorn;&oacute;rhallssta&eth;ir) in Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page97">97</a>,
+<a href="#page98">98</a>, <a href="#page102">102</a>, <a href="#page103">103</a>, <a href="#page105">105</a><br />
+Thorodstead (&thorn;&oacute;roddsstadir) in Ramfirth, <a href="#page89">2</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a><br />
+Thorir's-dale (&thorn;&oacute;rir's-vale, <a href="#page184">184</a>, Thorisdalr),
+<a href="#page183">183</a>, <a href="#page184">184</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Thrandsholt (&thorn;r&aacute;ndarholt), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thwart-river (&thorn;ver&aacute;), a stream in Gnup-Ward's-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Titling-stead (Titl&iacute;ngasta&eth;ir), on Reekness, <a href="#page147">147</a><br />
+Tongue (T&uacute;nga, Sael&iacute;ngsdalst&uacute;nga), Snorri Godi's home, <a href="#page144">144</a>,
+<a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a><br />
+Tongue (T&uacute;nga), a farmstead in Waterdale, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Tongue (T&uacute;nga, now N&uacute;psdalst&uacute;nga(?)), a farmstead in Midfirth, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Tongue (T&uacute;nga), the home of Asgrim Ellida Grimson, in Arnesthing, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Tongue-river (T&uacute;ngu&aacute;), a stream in the Fleets, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Torfa's-stead (Torfusta&thorn;ir), a homestead in Midfirth, <a href="#page34">34</a><br />
+Treetub-creek, the Creek, the Wick, (Tr&egrave;kyllisv&iacute;k), in the Strands,<br />
+<a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Tunsberg, a market-place in Norway, now T&ouml;nsberg, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>,
+<a href="#page121">121</a>, <a href="#page123">123</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page251">251</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a><br />
+Twodays-way (Twodays-ride, Tv&iacute;daegra), a mountain-road from<br />
+Northriverdale to the Midfirth-dales and Willowdale, <a href="#page93">83</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a></p>
+
+<p>Ufeigh's-firth (Ufeigsfj&ouml;r&eth;r), in the Strands, <a href="#page22">22</a>
+Ufeigh's-stead (Ufeigssta&eth;ir), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Ufaera, in the Strands, 17<br />
+Uplands (Uppl&ouml;nd), Oplandene in Norway, <a href="#page2">2</a></p>
+
+<p>Vogar a fish-fair in Halogaland, in Norway, now Vaagen, <a href="#page62">62</a>, <a href="#page67">67</a></p>
+
+<p>Waterdale (Vatnsdalr), in Euna-waterthing, <a href="#page2">26</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a>, <a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>,
+<a href="#page104">104</a>, <a href="#page110">110</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page111">111</a>, <a href="#page275">275</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Waterfirth (Vatnsfj&ouml;r&eth;r), home-stead of Vermund the Slender,<br />
+<a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a>, <a href="#page155">155</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a><br />
+Waterfirth-dale (Vatnsfjar&eth;andalr), in Icefirth, <a href="#page153">153</a><br />
+Waterness (Vatnsnes), pron. between Hunafirth and Midfirth, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Waterpass (Vatnsskar&eth;), between Hunawaterthing and Skagafirth, <a href="#page205">205</a><br />
+Wave-ridge (&Ouml;lduhryggr), in Sta&eth;arsveit, <a href="#page173">173</a><br />
+Weir (St&yacute;fla), in the Fleets, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Well-ness (Keldunes), <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Well-wharf (Kelduhverfi), <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Well-wharfside, id. <a href="#page187">187</a><br />
+Westfirths (Vestfir&eth;ir), <a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a><br />
+Westhope, (Vestrh&oacute;p), in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page34">34</a><br />
+Wetherfirth=Ramfirth, <a href="#page143">143</a><br />
+Whalesheadholme, (Hvalshaush&oacute;lmr), <a href="#page146">146</a>,<a href="#page147">147</a><br />
+Whiteriver (Hv&iacute;t&aacute;), in Burgfirth, <a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a><br />
+Whiteriverside (Hv&iacute;t&aacute;rs&iacute;da), in Burgfirth, <a href="#page39">39</a><br />
+Wick (V&iacute;kin), in Norway, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Wick=Treetub-Creek.<br />
+Willowdale (V&iacute;&eth;dalr), west of Waterdale, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>,
+<a href="#page104">104</a>, <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Windham (Vindheimr), a farmstead of Haramsey, <a href="#page46">46</a>, <a href="#page47">47</a><br />
+Wolds (Vellir), a harbour on the Whiteriver, <a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+Woods-tead (Sk&oacute;gar), a farm in Axefirth, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Woodwick (Vi&eth;v&iacute;k), a farmstead in Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a>,
+<a href="#page236">236</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a></p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page295" id="page295">[295]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="INDEX_III"></a><h3>INDEX III.</h3>
+
+<p><b>THINGS.</b></p>
+
+<p>A nithing's deed, setting on a dying man with weapons, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Arson, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Assassins (hired), <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page167">167</a></p>
+
+<p>Barrow of Karr the Old of Haramsey, 47, 49<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Onund Treefoot, called &quot;Treefoot's-barrow,&quot; <a href="#page19">19</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>Battles and Fights</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Battle of Barra, between Onund Treefoot, and King Kiarval, <a href="#page1">1</a>,
+<a href="#page2">2</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Bute, between Onund Treefoot and the Vikings, Vigbiod</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">and Vestmar, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Ernewaterheath, between Grettir and Hallmund on one</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">side, and Thorir of Garth with eighty men on the other, <a href="#page168">168</a>,
+<a href="#page170">170</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Grettirsoddi by Hitriver, between Grettir and the Marshmen,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Hafrsfirth, between Harald Fairhair and several Norwegian petty</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">kings, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Nesjar, between St. Olaf and Earl Svein, <a href="#page112">112</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of the Pass, between Ath Asmundson and the Sons of Thorir of the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Pass, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Bowerfell, between Grettir and the men of Meal, <a href="#page91">91</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fight in Drangey, between the Brothers Grettir and Illugi, on one</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">side, and Thorbiorn Angle and his band on the other, <a href="#page240">240</a>,
+<a href="#page241">241</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fight on Ernewaterheath, with the Assassins Grim and Thorir</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Redbeard, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page164">164</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Fairwoodfell with Gish, <a href="#page176">176</a>, <a href="#page177">177</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Fleet-tongue with Skeggi, <a href="#page38">38</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Gartar, with Biorn, <a href="#page68">68</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Goosere, with Thorbiorn Tardy, <a href="#page144">144</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Grettir's-Gill, between Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Earls' Champion, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Haramsey, with Karr the Old, in his harrow, <a href="#page48">48</a>, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Haramsey, with twelve Bearserks, <a href="#page56">56</a>, <a href="#page58">58</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">on Midfit, with Thorbiorn Oxmain, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">on Reekness, between the men of the Creek and those</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of Coldback, over a whale, <a href="#page23">23</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">on a common driftland in the Strands over a whale, between</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">the foster-brothers &THORN;orgeir Havarson and Thormod</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Coalbrowskald on one side, and Thorgils Makson on the other, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Sand-heaps, with a troll-wife, <a href="#page194">194</a>, <a href="#page195">195</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">nigh to Sand-heaps, in a cave, with a giant, <a href="#page197">197</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Steinker, with Hiarandi, <a href="#page70">70</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page296" id="page296">[296]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fight at Thorhall-stead with Glam the Thrall, <a href="#page107">107</a>, <a href="#page109">109</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Tunsberg, with Gunnar, the brother of Hiarandi, <a href="#page72">72</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">with Snaekoll the bearserk, <a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page123">123</a></span></p>
+
+Bridge of Liarskogar, a work of great art, hung with rings and<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'din-bells,' <a href="#page158">158</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Domestic Implements</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bottles of leather, for keeping drink in, <a href="#page20">20</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chopper, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page194">194</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Clothes-bag, <a href="#page175">175</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curd-bags, hides drawn up to fetch curds in from mountain dairies, <a href="#page84">84</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Deer-horn, for drinking at feasts, <a href="#page15">15</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Digging-tools, <a href="#page47">47</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Kettle, <a href="#page182">182</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Meal-bags, wherein victuals were kept for the thing-ride, <a href="#page38">38</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tools to strike fire, <a href="#page182">182</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trough, <a href="#page194">194</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wool-combs, <a href="#page30">30</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Dowry, 7</p>
+
+<p><i>Dress and Ornamental Apparel</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Breeches (of sail-cloth, <a href="#page117">117</a>), <a href="#page176">176</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cape, <a href="#page117">117</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a>, <a href="#page137">137</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chain, round the neck, <a href="#page14">14</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cloak of rich web, <a href="#page14">14</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Coloured clothes (over&mdash;clothes), <a href="#page154">154</a>, <a href="#page174">174</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cowl, 220 Drugget-cloak, <a href="#page107">107</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fur-cloak, <a href="#page64">64</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hat (slouched), <a href="#page169">169</a>, <a href="#page189">189</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hood, <a href="#page206">206</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Kirtle (red), <a href="#page85">85</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Leggings (hose), <a href="#page65">65</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mittens, <a href="#page206">206</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rings of gold, <a href="#page14">14</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shirt, <a href="#page176">176</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Spurs, <a href="#page202">202</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">State-raiment, <a href="#page175">175</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thongs (hose-thongs), <a href="#page65">65</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Fair in Vagar in Halogaland, <a href="#page62"></a>
+Famine, <a href="#page21">21</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Feasts</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(There were three principal festals in the year: at Winter-nights,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Yule, and Midsummer.)</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Autumn-feast (= winter nights' feast, Oct. 14), at Thorbiorn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oxmain's, III &quot;Drinking turn and turn about,&quot; is probably the same</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">that elsewhere is called&nbsp; &quot;Sambur&eth;Sarol,&quot; an ale-club or rotation</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">drinking by common subscription, <a href="#page14">14</a> Yule-ale, <a href="#page51">51</a> Yule-biddings,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#page51">51</a>, <a href="#page52">52</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>Fights, see</i> Battles and Fights.</p>
+
+<p><i>Food and Drink</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(The Saga mentions no imported articles of food.)</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beer, <a href="#page53">53</a>, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curds, <a href="#page84">84</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fish (stockfish), <a href="#page131">131</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lent-fare, fat and livers, <a href="#page183">183</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mutton, <i>passim</i>.</span></p>
+
+<p>Fire above hid treasure, <a href="#page47">47</a><br />
+Foster-brothers (sworn brothers), <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>,
+<a href="#page93">93</a><br />
+Godi's-wood, a wood said to have belonged to six Godar, <a href="#page97">97</a><br />
+Grettir's-heave, <a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page176">176</a></p>
+
+<i>Horse-Outfit.</i><br />
+<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bridle (embossed, <a href="#page160">160</a>), <a href="#page76">76</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Head-gear, <a href="#page160">160</a> Saddle (fair-stained, <a href="#page84">84</a>), <a href="#page38">38</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Snaffle-rings, <a href="#page160">160</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Hospitality, 54, 80</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page297" id="page297">[297]</a></span>
+
+<p><i>Houses and their Outfit</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beaks of vessels put over the door, <a href="#page115">115</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bed, <a href="#page107">107</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Boards (= tables), <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bolt, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Boose (= cow-stall in a byre), <a href="#page103">103</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Booth at the thing, <a href="#page96">96</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&mdash;for drinking assemblages, <a href="#page72">72</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&mdash;for trade-purposes, <a href="#page113">113</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bower, serving as a ward-robe, cloth-bower, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&mdash;a storehouse apart from other houses, out-bower, <a href="#page56">56</a>,
+<a href="#page245">245</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Closet, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Corn-barn, <a href="#page58">58</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cross-beam (= tie-beam), <a href="#page107">107</a>, <a href="#page108">108</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cross-bench (= dais), <a href="#page193">193</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Door, <a href="#page56">56</a> and <i>passim</i>.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doorcase, <a href="#page108">108</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doorpost, <a href="#page133">133</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dungeon, <a href="#page254">254</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gable, <a href="#page193">193</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hall, fire-hall, <i>passim</i>, see also note on hall pp. <a href="#page273">273</a>-<a href="#page275">275</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hangings, <a href="#page53">53</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">High-chair, <a href="#page48">48</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hill-dairy, <a href="#page84">84</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Horse-stable, <a href="#page106">106</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">House of refuge (s&aacute;luh&uacute;s), <a href="#page117">117</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Latch, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lock-bed, <a href="#page107">107</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Loft (sleeping-loft), <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page124">124</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Long-fires, <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rafters, <a href="#page108">108</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Roof, <a href="#page107">107</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Seat-beam, <a href="#page84">84</a>, <a href="#page107">107</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Side-wall, <a href="#page193">193</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thatch, <a href="#page108">108</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Threshold, <a href="#page108">108</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tie-beam, <a href="#page107">107</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>Landwights</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Amongst these are to be numbered Hallmund and Thorir the half-troll<br />
+of Thorir's-dale, and the wights told of in Hallmund's Song, <a href="#page187">187</a><br />
+Atonement. <i>See</i> Weregild.</p>
+
+<p><i>Law, Suits, Penalties</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Boot for insulting language, <a href="#page66">66</a><br />
+
+Banishment, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Declaring manslaughter as having been done by one's own hand, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a><br />
+District-outlawry, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Execution (f&eacute;r&aacute;nsd&oacute;mr), <a href="#page247">247</a>-<a href="#page248">248</a><br />
+Fine, <a href="#page39">39</a>, and <i>passim</i>.<br />
+Handselling of a lawsuit, <a href="#page39">39</a><br />
+Handselling of lawful truce, <a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page214">214</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Law-provisions</i></p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">For drift-right, <a href="#page25">25</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For bearserks challenging men to holm, <a href="#page51">51</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For heritage of outlawed men in Norway in the days of</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Harold Fairhair, <a href="#page11">11</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For the utmost limit of outlawry, <a href="#page225">225</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For heathen sacrifices in the earliest days of Christianity</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">in Iceland, <a href="#page226">226</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For a rightful suitor in a blood-suit, <a href="#page150">150</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lawsuits, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>,
+<a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,
+<a href="#page149">149</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>,
+<a href="#page249">249</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Manners and Customs, Civil and Religious.</i></p>
+<p>Bathing, <a href="#page148">148</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a><br />
+Burial of misdoers in cairns and tidewashed heap of stones, <a href="#page59">59</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a><br />
+Burial in barrows. <i>See</i> Barrows.<br />
+&mdash;at churches, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a><br />
+Fasting on Yule-eve, <a href="#page98">98</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">to iron birth, <a href="#page119">119</a></span><br />
+Hallowing of a vessel by a bishop, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Iron-birth, <a href="#page119">119</a><br />
+Meal-times, <a href="#page49">49</a><br />
+Riding, to the Althing, <a href="#page36">36</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page298" id="page298">[298]</a></span>
+Rubbing of one's back by the fire, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+Sailors' duties have to be per-formed on board ship by the<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">passengers, <a href="#page41">41</a>, <i>sqq</i>.</span><br />
+Sitting at table in the evening, <a href="#page48">48</a><br />
+Sleeping in fire-halls, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+Thing-men have to provide themselves, each one with fare at his own cost, <a href="#page38">38</a><br />
+Varangian weapon-show, <a href="#page253">253</a><br />
+Washing of hands ere going to table, <a href="#page113">113</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Money</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Hundred in silver, <a href="#page151">151</a><br />
+Mark in silver, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Names of folk derived from their country or dwelling-stead</i></p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Axefirthers, <a href="#page278">278</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gothlander, <a href="#page11">11</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Halogalander, <a href="#page57">57</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Icefirthers, <a href="#page155">155</a>, <a href="#page156">156</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lavadale-men, <a href="#page182">182</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Marshmen, <a href="#page182">182</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Northlanders, <a href="#page163">163</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Northmen, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ramfirthers, <a href="#page34">34</a>, and <i>passim.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">South-Islander, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The men of Biarg, <a href="#page88">88</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The men of Coldback, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <i>sqq.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The men of the Creek, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <i>sqq.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Varangians, <a href="#page253">253</a>, <i>sqq.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Waterdale-folk, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Waterdale-kin, <a href="#page142">142</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Waterness-men, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Well-wharfers, <a href="#page170">170</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Westfirthers, <a href="#page80">80</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Westhope-men, <a href="#page34">34</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Willowdale-men, <a href="#page34">34</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>Occupations</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Binding of hay into horseloads for being conveyed into rick-yard</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">or barn, <a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Catching of fowl, <a href="#page219">219</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Drift-watching, <a href="#page22">22</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fetching home victuals from mountain dairies, <a href="#page84">84</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fetching home stockfish on horses, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fishing in sea and fresh water, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page166">166</a>, <a href="#page184">184</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Folding, gathering sheep in autumn up from the wilds</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">and mountains, to be sorted for their owners according to</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">the marks in the ears of each sheep, <a href="#page174">174</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gathering of eggs, <a href="#page214">214</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hay-harvest, falls into two parts, the first, the haymaking in the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">manured homefield, the second, in unmanured meads and mountains,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#page132">132</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Iron-smithying, <a href="#page158">158</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mowing-tide, the whole season of the summer while grass can be</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">mown, <a href="#page84">84</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Watching of home-geese, <a href="#page29">29</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of horses in winter, <a href="#page31">31</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of neat, <a href="#page102">102</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of sheep, <a href="#page98">98</a>, <a href="#page101">101</a>, <a href="#page206">206</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whale-getting, <a href="#page21">21</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whale-cutting, <a href="#page23">23</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Pet Animals</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Keingala, a mare, <a href="#page31">31</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pied-belly, a ram, <a href="#page240">240</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Saddle-fair, a mare, <a href="#page135">135</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Runes</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Songs cut on staffs, in runes, <a href="#page186">186</a>, <a href="#page198">198</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Baneful runes cut on a bewitched log of wood, <a href="#page230">230</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page299" id="page299">[299]</a></span>
+<p><i>Sagas Quoted</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The saga of the Bandamenn, <a href="#page29">29</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of Bodmod, Grimulf, and Gerpir, <a href="#page25">25</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of Eric the Earl, <a href="#page51">51</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of Grim who slew Hallmund, <a href="#page188">188</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of the heath-slayings, <a href="#page86">86</a></span><br />
+
+<p>The saga of the Laxdale-men, <a href="#page19">19</a></p>
+
+<p>Settlings of land in Iceland, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>,
+<a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page17">17</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Ships and their outfit</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Boat, ten oars aboard, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page227">227</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Boat-stand, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <i>and passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beaks, <a href="#page115">115</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bark (karfi), of sixteen oars aboard, <a href="#page46">46</a>, <a href="#page52">52</a>,
+<a href="#page62">62</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bulwark, <a href="#page3">3</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Forecastle, <a href="#page3">3</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grapplings, <a href="#page3">3</a>3</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gunwale, <a href="#page147">147</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Row-barge, <a href="#page115">115</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sail, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ship shield-hung from stem to stern, <a href="#page52">52</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">stained above sea, <a href="#page52">52</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">cleared from stem to stern, <a href="#page3">3</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">stem, stern, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page52">52</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Viking-ship, <a href="#page1">1</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">War-ship, <a href="#page6">6</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Work in connection with ship:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">baling, <a href="#page41">41</a>, <a href="#page42">42</a>, <a href="#page45">45</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">pumping, <a href="#page44">44</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">rolling ship ashore, <a href="#page174">174</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">launching of, <a href="#page46">46</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">building of, <a href="#page25">25</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yard, <a href="#page16">16</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Skalds named in the Saga</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arnor Earls'-skald, <a href="#page179">179</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grettir Asmundson.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hallmund, <a href="#page161">161</a>, <a href="#page186">186</a>-<a href="#page187">187</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Odd the Foundling-Skald, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>-<a href="#page88">88</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Skald-Torfa, <a href="#page34">34</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Svein of Bank, <a href="#page135">135</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thormod Coalbrowskald, <a href="#page77">77</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Social Stations</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bonder, <a href="#page14">14</a>, and <i>passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chapmen, <i>passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Court-owner, an owner of all such houses in a town as form the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">surrounding of a court, <a href="#page71">71</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Earl, a man next after the king in dignity, <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page50">50</a> <i>sqq</i>.,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><a href="#page69">69</a> <i>sqq</i>., <a href="#page112">112</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Free-men, <a href="#page53">53</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Godi, a chief combining in his person the religious and administrative</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">authority of the district over which he ruled, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page26">26</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hand-maid, <a href="#page220">220</a>, <a href="#page221">221</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Herdsman. <i>See</i> Occupations.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hersir, a man next to an earl in dignity, <a href="#page14">14</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Home-folk, <a href="#page54">54</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Home-women, <a href="#page54">54</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">House-carle, <i>passim</i>.</span><br />
+
+<p><i>Sports and Games</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ball-play, <a href="#page34">34</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ball, <a href="#page35">35</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bat, <a href="#page35">35</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Horse-fight, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Knave-game (note), <a href="#page208">208</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sports at Heron-ness thing, <a href="#page210">210</a>, <a href="#page212">212</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Swimming, <a href="#page117">117</a>, <a href="#page167">167</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tale-game, <a href="#page208">208</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wrestling, <a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page216">216</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Things, or Public Law-assemblages.</i></p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Althing, <i>passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Thing of Kialarness, <a href="#page19">19</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Heron-ness, <a href="#page210">210</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hunawater, <a href="#page129">129</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trade on England, <a href="#page67">67</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Trolls and Evil Wights</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">See Hallmund's song, <a href="#page187">187</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Troll-carle, <a href="#page197">197</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Troll-wife, <a href="#page194">194</a>, <a href="#page195">195</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The wight that slew Glam, 96, 99, 100</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Troth, to sit in troth for three winters, <a href="#page7">7</a>7</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page300" id="page300">[300]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Twainmonth, the second month in the year, corresponding to our</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">September (Aug. 24&mdash;Sept. <a href="#page22">22</a>).</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wadmall as an article of trade, <a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Weapons and War-gear.</i></p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Axe, <i>passim.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Barb-end, <a href="#page57">57</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Barb, <a href="#page57">57</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Buckler, <a href="#page142">142</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Byrni, <a href="#page57">57</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chopper, <a href="#page194">194</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cheek-pieces of a helmet, <a href="#page122">122</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Glaive (heft-sax), <a href="#page197">197</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grigs of the sword, <a href="#page241">241</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hand-axe, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Helmet, <a href="#page57">57</a>, <a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shield (iron-rimmed, inlaid), <a href="#page72">72</a>, <a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>,
+<a href="#page175">175</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Socket inlaid with silver, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Socket-nail, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Short-sword, Karrs-loom, <a href="#page49">49</a>, and <i>passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Spear, great without barbs, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">with broad barbs, <a href="#page56">56</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stones used for missiles, <a href="#page8">8</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Spear-head, <a href="#page57">57</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sword, girt with a sword, <a href="#page132">132</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Jokul's gift, the heirloom of the kinsmen of Ingimund the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Old, <a href="#page40">40</a>, and <i>passim.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Weird of a ghost, <a href="#page109">109</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of a sorceress, <a href="#page229">229</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Winter-nights, the first days in winter about Oct. <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Witchcraft and Sorcery</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gale of wind brought on by evil craft, <a href="#page236">236</a>-<a href="#page236">236</a>
+<a href="#page237">237</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Witchcraft, an illegal means for overcoming an enemy, <a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Witchcraft wrought into a log of wood, the manner thereof, <a href="#page230">230</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wound growing deadly through the effect of evil and witchcrafty</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">runes, <a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wooing, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page301" id="page301">[301]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="PERIPHRASTIC_EXPRESSIONS_IN_THE_SONGS"></a><h2>PERIPHRASTIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE SONGS.</h2>
+
+An Axe: Battle ogress, rock-troll, <a href="#page38">38</a><br />
+Blood: Rain of swords, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Cave (Hallmund's): Kettle, where waters fall from great<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">ice-wall, <a href="#page160">160</a></span><br />
+Fight: Dart's breath, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dart-shower, <a href="#page43">43</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gale of death, <a href="#page15">15</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gale of swords, <a href="#page95">95</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hilda's[22] weather, <a href="#page95">95</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Iron-rain, <a href="#page234">234</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mist's<a name="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22"><sup>[22]</sup></a> mystery, <a href="#page95">95</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Odin's gale; Odin's storm, <a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page190">190</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Shield-fire's thunder, <a href="#page6">6</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Shield-rain, <a href="#page215">215</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Spears' breath, <a href="#page170">170</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Spear-shower, <a href="#page138">138</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Spear-storm, <a href="#page234">234</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sword-shower, <a href="#page81">81</a></span><br />
+
+Gallows: Sigar's meed for lovesome deed, (Sigarr hung Hag-bard<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">the Viking for having befooled his daughter), <a href="#page157">157</a></span><br />
+Gold: Deep sea's flame, 137<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dragon's lair, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Serpent's bed, <a href="#page215">215</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The flame of sea, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wave's flashing flame, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Worm's bed, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Worm-land, <a href="#page131">131</a></span><br />
+Grettir (an Eddaic name for a serpent): Fell-creeping lad, <a href="#page86">86</a><br />
+Head: Thoughts' burg, <a href="#page76">76</a>
+Man: Elm-stalk, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gold-scatterer, <a href="#page131">131</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Helm-stalk, <a href="#page136">136</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Jewel-strewer, <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Lessener of the flame of sea, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Lessener of waves' flashing flame, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ring-bearer, <a href="#page68">68</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ring-strewer, <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Scatterer of serpent's bed, <a href="#page215">215</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wormland's haunter, <a href="#page137">137</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Snatcher of worm's bed, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+Mouth: Tofts of tooth-hedge, <a href="#page124">124</a>
+Sailor: He who decks the reindeer's side that 'twixt ness and<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">ness doth glide, <a href="#page43">43</a></span><br />
+Rider of wind-driven steed, <a href="#page41">41</a>
+Sea-steeds' rider, <a href="#page81">81</a>; Shield: Roof of war, <a href="#page215">215</a><br />
+Spear-walk, <a href="#page12">12</a><br />
+Ship: Reindeer that 'twixt ness and ness doth glide, <a href="#page43">43</a>43<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sea-steed, <a href="#page81">81</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steed of the rollers, <a href="#page17">17</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wind-driven steed, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+Skald: Giver forth of Odin's mead (Svein of Bank), <a href="#page41">41</a>
+<p>Sword: Byrni's flame, <a href="#page76">76</a></p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page302" id="page302">[302]</a></span>
+Sword: Helmfire, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Man's-bane, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">War-flame, <a href="#page199">199</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Whiting of the shield, <a href="#page21">21</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wound-worm, <a href="#page114">114</a></span><br />
+Thor: Sifs lord, <a href="#page157">157</a>
+Warrior: Arrow-dealer, <a href="#page114">114</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Axe-breaker, <a href="#page2">2</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Begetter of fight, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Brand-whetter, <a href="#page17">17</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Breaker of the bow, <a href="#page50">50</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Foreteller of spear-shower, <a href="#page138">138</a></span><br />
+Warrior: Grove of Hedin's maid, <a href="#page125">125</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Raiser-up of roof of war, <a href="#page215">215</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Spear-grove, <a href="#page59">59</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Stem of shield, <a href="#page190">190</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sword-player, <a href="#page199">199</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">War-god, <a href="#page66">66</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wound-worm's tower, <a href="#page114">114</a></span><br />
+Wool-combe: Hook-clawed bird, <a href="#page31">31</a><br />
+Woman: Giver forth of gold, <a href="#page59">59</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Goddess of red gold, <a href="#page137">137</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ground of gold, <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Son of golden stall, <a href="#page190">190</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Warder of horns' wave, <a href="#page181">181</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page303" id="page303">[303]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="PROVERBS_AND_PROVERBIAL_SAYINGS_THAT_OCCUR_IN_THE_STORY"></a><h2>PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL SAYINGS THAT OCCUR IN THE STORY.</h2>
+
+<p>A friend should warn a friend of ill, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+Ale is another man, <a href="#page55">55</a><br />
+All must fare when they are fetched, <a href="#page188">188</a>188<br />
+All things bide their day, <a href="#page218">218</a><br />
+All will come to an end, <a href="#page233">233</a><br />
+Bare is the back of the brotherless, <a href="#page241">241</a><br />
+Best to bairn is mother still, <a href="#page41">41</a><br />
+Bewail he, who brought the woe, <a href="#page175">175</a><br />
+Broad spears are about now, <a href="#page133">133</a><br />
+Deeds done will be told of, <a href="#page224">224</a><br />
+Even so shall bale be bettered by biding greater bale, <a href="#page140">140</a><br />
+For one thing alone will I not be known, <a href="#page192">192</a><br />
+From ill cometh ill, <a href="#page105">105</a><br />
+Good luck and goodliness are twain, <a href="#page105">105</a><br />
+Hand for wont doth yearn, <a href="#page226">226</a><br />
+Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself, <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Ill deed gains ill hap,  <a href="#page188">188</a><br />
+Ill heed still to ill doth lead,  <a href="#page121">121</a><br />
+Ill if a thrall is thine only friend, <a href="#page240">240</a><br />
+Ill it is ill to be, <a href="#page165">165</a><br />
+Ill it is to goad the foolhardy, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+Let one oak have what from the other it shaves, <a href="#page67">67</a><br />
+Little can cope with cunning of eld, <a href="#page205">205</a><br />
+Long it takes to try a man, <a href="#page61">61</a><br />
+Many a man lies hid within himself, <a href="#page203">203</a><br />
+Many a man stretches round the door to the lock, <a href="#page86">86</a><br />
+More one knows the more one tries, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+No man makes himself, <a href="#page125">125</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page304" id="page304">[304]</a></span>
+Now this, now that has strokes in his garth, <a href="#page125">125</a><br />
+Odd haps are worst haps, <a href="#page37">37</a><br />
+Oft a listening ear in the holt is anear, <a href="#page173">173</a><br />
+Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust, <a href="#page32">32</a><br />
+Old friends are the last to sever, <a href="#page240">240</a><br />
+One may be apaid of a man's aid, <a href="#page44">44</a><br />
+Overpraised, and first to fail, <a href="#page132">132</a><br />
+Sooth is the sage's guess, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Swear loud and say little, <a href="#page266">266</a><br />
+The lower must lowt, <a href="#page267">267</a><br />
+The nigher the call, the further the man, <a href="#page211">211</a><br />
+Things boded will happen, so will things unboded, <a href="#page32">32</a><br />
+Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth has had no sup, <a href="#page168">168</a><br />
+Thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never, <a href="#page35">35</a><br />
+Thrice of yore have all things happed, <a href="#page262">262</a><br />
+To the goat-house for wool, <a href="#page226">226</a><br />
+With hell's man are dealings ill, <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Woe is before one's own door when it is inside one's neighbour's, <a href="#page105">105</a></p>
+
+
+<p>FOOTNOTES:</p>
+
+<a name="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1">[1]</a><div class="note"><p> Such as 'Burnt Njal,' Edinburgh, 1861, 8vo, and 'Gisli
+the Outlaw,' Edinburgh, 1866, 4to, by Dasent; the 'Saga of Viga-Glum,'
+London, 1866, 8vo, by Sir E. Head; the 'Heimskringla,' London, 1844,
+8vo, by S. Laing; the 'Eddas,' Prose by Dasent, Stockholm, 1842;
+Poetic by A.S. Cottle, Bristol, 1797, and Thorpe, London and Halle,
+1866; the 'Three Northern Love Stories,' translated by Magn&uacute;sson and
+Morris, London, 1875, and 'The Volsunga Saga,' translated by the same,
+London, 1870.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2">[2]</a><div class="note"><p> Such is the conversational title of this Saga; many of
+the other Sagas have their longer title abbreviated in a like manner:
+Egil's saga becomes Egla, Njal's saga Nj&aacute;la; Eyrbyggja saga, Laxdaela
+saga, Vatnsdaeela saga, Reykdaela saga, Svarfdaela saga, become
+Eyrbyggja, Laxdaela, Vatnsdaela, Reykdaela, Svarfdaela (gen. plur.
+masc. of daelir, dale-dwellers, is forced into a fem. sing. regularly
+declined, saga being understood); furthermore, Landn&aacute;ma b&oacute;k (landn&aacute;ma,
+gen. pl. neut.) the book of land settlings, becomes Landn&aacute;ma (fem.
+sing. regularly declined, b&oacute;k being understood); lastly, Sturlunga
+saga, the Saga of the mighty family of the Sturlungs, becomes
+Sturlunga in the same manner.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3">[3]</a><div class="note"><p>
+</p><p>
+</p><p>
+Onund Treefoot   brother to   Gudbiorg<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  |</i></span><br />
+Thorgrim Greypate            Gudbrand<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  |</i></span><br />
+Asmund the Greyhaired     Asta (mother of)<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  |</i></span><br />
+Grettir the Strong.       Olaf the Saint.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4">[4]</a><div class="note"><p> &quot;West over the Sea,&quot; means in the Sagas the British
+isles, and the islands about them&mdash;the Hebrides, Orkneys, &amp;c.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5">[5]</a><div class="note"><p> South-isles are the Hebrides, and the other islands down
+to Man.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6">[6]</a><div class="note"><p> &quot;Harald the Unshorn:&quot; he was so called at first because
+he made a vow not to cut his hair till he was sole king of Norway.
+When he had attained to this, and Earl Rognvald had taken him to the
+bath and trimmed his hair, he was called &quot;Fair-hair,&quot; from its length
+and beauty.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7">[7]</a><div class="note"><p> &quot;Godi&quot; is the name for the rulers of the thirty-nine
+districts into which the republic of Iceland was anciently divided.
+While the ancient religion lasted, their office combined in itself the
+highest civil and sacerdotal functions.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8">[8]</a><div class="note"><p> This is about as obscure as the original, which seems to
+allude to some event not mentioned in the Saga.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9">[9]</a><div class="note"><p> The old belief was that by this means only could a ghost
+be laid.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10">[10]</a><div class="note"><p> Biorn is Icelandic for bear.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11">[11]</a><div class="note"><p> The stone of steel-god's bane in Thorstein; Bylest's kin
+is Hel, death. The leopard is Bessi Skald-Torfason; byrni's flame, his
+sword. Thoughts-burg, a warrior's head.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12">[12]</a><div class="note"><p> Who was killed in Norway by the sons of Harek, and whose
+revenge is told of in the Saga of the Heath slayings (existing in
+fragment).</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13">[13]</a><div class="note"><p> In the Landn&aacute;ma he is called 'Hy-nef;' the meaning is
+doubtful, but it seems that the author of this history means to call
+him Hay-nose.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14">[14]</a><div class="note"><p> Ed. 1853 has the &quot;Wide-landed, Vi&eth;lendings,&quot; which here
+is altered agreeably to the correction in ch. 14, p. 29.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15">[15]</a><div class="note"><p> The second month in the year, corresponding to our
+September.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16">[16]</a><div class="note"><p> Boose, a cow-stall.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17">[17]</a><div class="note"><p> Hall, a &quot;stone&quot;: mund, is hand, and by periphrasis &quot;land
+of fist&quot;; so that Hallmund is meant by this couplet, and that was the
+real name of &quot;Air,&quot; who is not a mere man, but a friendly spirit of
+the mountains.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18">[18]</a><div class="note"><p> This song is obviously incomplete, and the second and
+third stanzas speak of matters that do not come into this story.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19">[19]</a><div class="note"><p> 'Pied-belly,' the name of the tame ram told of before.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20">[20]</a><div class="note"><p> <i>Innan eptir</i>, as here rendered, is the reading of
+the MS. from which Bergbua p&aacute;ttr is edited. <i>Innar eptir</i>, as the
+aforesaid edition of the tale has it, is wrong.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21">[21]</a><div class="note"><p> A man of twenty, thirty, forty, &amp;c., is in the Icelandic
+expressed by the adjective <i>tv&iacute;tugr, pr&iacute;tugr, fertugr</i>; a man
+twenty-five, thirty-five, &amp;c., is <i>h&aacute;lf-pr&iacute;tugr, h&aacute;lf-fertugr</i>,
+&amp;c.; the units beyond the tens are expressed by the particle
+<i>um</i>, a man of twenty-one, thirty-seven, or forty-nine, is said
+to have <i>einn</i> (<i>i.e.</i>, vetr. winter) um = beyond, tv&iacute;tugt,
+sj&ouml; um &thorn;r&iacute;tugt, n&iacute;u um fertugt, &amp;c.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22">[22]</a><div class="note"><p> Hilda (Hildr) and Mist, goddesses of fight and
+manslaughter.</p></div>
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12747 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #12747 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12747)
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Grettir The Strong
+by Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of Grettir The Strong
+
+Author: Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
+
+Release Date: June 26, 2004 [EBook #12747]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Bill Hershey, and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC
+
+BY
+EIR�KR MAGN�SSON
+AND
+WILLIAM MORRIS
+
+
+1900
+
+
+
+
+    A life scarce worth the living, a poor fame 
+    Scarce worth the winning, in a wretched land,
+    Where fear and pain go upon either hand,
+    As toward the end men fare without an aim
+    Unto the dull grey dark from whence they came:
+    Let them alone, the unshadowed sheer rocks stand
+    Over the twilight graves of that poor band,
+    Who count so little in the great world's game!
+
+    Nay, with the dead I deal not; this man lives,
+    And that which carried him through good and ill,
+    Stern against fate while his voice echoed still
+    From rock to rock, now he lies silent, strives
+    With wasting time, and through its long lapse gives
+    Another friend to me, life's void to fill.
+
+    WILLIAM MORRIS.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+We do not feel able to take in hand the wide subject of the Sagas of
+Iceland within the limits of a Preface; therefore we have only to say
+that we put forward this volume as the translation of an old story
+founded on facts, full of dramatic interest, and setting before
+people's eyes pictures of the life and manners of an interesting race
+of men near akin to ourselves.
+
+Those to whom the subject is new, we must refer to the translations
+already made of some other of these works,[1] and to the notes which
+accompany them: a few notes at the end of this volume may be of use to
+students of Saga literature.
+
+[Footnote 1: Such as 'Burnt Njal,' Edinburgh, 1861, 8vo, and 'Gisli
+the Outlaw,' Edinburgh, 1866, 4to, by Dasent; the 'Saga of Viga-Glum,'
+London, 1866, 8vo, by Sir E. Head; the 'Heimskringla,' London, 1844,
+8vo, by S. Laing; the 'Eddas,' Prose by Dasent, Stockholm, 1842;
+Poetic by A.S. Cottle, Bristol, 1797, and Thorpe, London and Halle,
+1866; the 'Three Northern Love Stories,' translated by Magn�sson and
+Morris, London, 1875, and 'The Volsunga Saga,' translated by the same,
+London, 1870.]
+
+For the original tale we think little apology is due; that it holds
+a very high place among the Sagas of Iceland no student of that
+literature will deny; of these we think it yields only to the story
+of Njal and his sons, a work in our estimation to be placed beside
+the few great works of the world. Our Saga is fuller and more complete
+than the tale of the other great outlaw Gisli; less frightful than
+the wonderfully characteristic and strange history of Egil, the son
+of Skallagrim; as personal and dramatic as that of Gunnlaug the
+Worm-tongue, if it lack the rare sentiment of that beautiful story;
+with more detail and consistency, if with less variety, than the
+history of Gudrun and her lovers in the Laxdaela; and more a work of
+art than that, or than the unstrung gems of Eyrbyggja, and the great
+compilation of Snorri Sturluson, the History of the Kings of Norway.
+
+At any rate, we repeat, whatever place among the best Sagas may be
+given to Grettla[2] by readers of such things, it must of necessity
+be held to be one of the best in all ways; nor will those, we hope,
+of our readers who have not yet turned their attention to the works
+written in the Icelandic tongue, fail to be moved more or less by the
+dramatic power and eager interest in human character, shown by our
+story-teller; we say, we hope, but we are sure that no one of insight
+will disappoint us in this, when he has once accustomed himself to
+the unusual, and, if he pleases, barbarous atmosphere of these ancient
+stories.
+
+[Footnote 2: Such is the conversational title of this Saga; many of
+the other Sagas have their longer title abbreviated in a like manner:
+Egil's saga becomes Egla, Njal's saga Nj�la; Eyrbyggja saga, Laxdaela
+saga, Vatnsdaeela saga, Reykdaela saga, Svarfdaela saga, become
+Eyrbyggja, Laxdaela, Vatnsdaela, Reykdaela, Svarfdaela (gen. plur.
+masc. of daelir, dale-dwellers, is forced into a fem. sing. regularly
+declined, saga being understood); furthermore, Landn�ma b�k (landn�ma,
+gen. pl. neut.) the book of land settlings, becomes Landn�ma (fem.
+sing. regularly declined, b�k being understood); lastly, Sturlunga
+saga, the Saga of the mighty family of the Sturlungs, becomes
+Sturlunga in the same manner.]
+
+As some may like to know what they are going to read about before
+venturing on beginning the book, we will now give a short outline of
+our Saga.
+
+The first thirteen chapters (which sometimes are met with separately
+in the Icelandic as the Saga of Onund Treefoot), we have considered as
+an introduction to the story, and have accordingly distinguished them
+from the main body of the book. They relate the doings of Grettir's
+ancestors in Norway, in the lands West over the Sea and in Iceland,
+and are interesting and in many points necessary for the understanding
+of the subsequent story; one of these we note here for the reader's
+convenience, viz. the consanguinity of Grettir and King Olaf the
+Saint;[3] for it adds strongly to the significance of the King's
+refusal to entertain Grettir at his court, or to go further into the
+case of the murder he was falsely accused of.
+
+[Footnote 3:
+
+
+Onund Treefoot   brother to   Gudbiorg
+       |                         |
+Thorgrim Greypate            Gudbrand
+       |                         |
+Asmund the Greyhaired     Asta (mother of)
+       |                         |
+Grettir the Strong.       Olaf the Saint.]
+
+The genealogies of this part of the work agree closely with those of
+the Landn�ma-b�k, and of the other most reliable Sagas.
+
+After this comes the birth of Grettir, and anecdotes (one at least
+sufficiently monstrous) of his unruly childhood; then our hero kills
+his first man by misadventure, and must leave Iceland; wrecked on
+an isle off Norway, he is taken in there by a lord of that land, and
+there works the deed that makes him a famous man; the slaying of the
+villainous bearserks, namely, who would else have made wreck of the
+honour and goods of Grettir's host in his absence; this great deed,
+we should say, is prefaced by Grettir's first dealings with the
+supernatural, which characterise this Saga, and throw a strange light
+on the more ordinary matters throughout. The slaying of the bearserks
+is followed by a feud which Grettir has on his hands for the slaying
+of a braggart who insulted him past bearing, and so great the feud
+grows that Grettir at last finds himself at enmity with Earl Svein,
+the ruler of Norway, and, delivered from death by his friends, yet
+has to leave the land and betake himself to Iceland again. Coming back
+there, and finding himself a man of great fame, and hungry, for more
+still, he tries to measure himself against the greatest men in the
+land, but nothing comes of these trials, for he is being reserved for
+a greater deed than the dealing with mere men; his enemy is Glam
+the thrall; the revenant of a strange, unearthly man who was himself
+killed by an evil spirit; Grettir contends with, and slays, this
+monster, whose dying curse on him is the turning-point of the story.
+
+All seems fair for our hero, his last deed has made him the foremost
+man in Iceland, and news now coming out of Olaf the Saint, his
+relative, being King of Norway, he goes thither to get honour at
+his hands; but Glam's curse works; Grettir gains a powerful enemy by
+slaying an insulting braggart just as he was going on ship-board; and
+on the voyage it falls out that in striving to save the life of his
+shipmates by a desperate action, he gets the reputation of having
+destroyed the sons of a powerful Icelander, Thorir of Garth, with
+their fellows. This evil report clings to him when he lands in Norway;
+and all people, including the King from whom he hoped so much, look
+coldly on him. Now he offers to free himself from the false charge by
+the ordeal of bearing hot iron; the King assents, and all is ready;
+but Glam is busy, and some strange appearance in the church, where
+the ordeal is to be, brings all to nothing; and the foreseeing Olaf
+refuses to take Grettir into his court, because of his ill-luck. So
+he goes to his brother, Thorstein Dromund, for a while, and then goes
+back to Iceland. But there, too, his ill-luck had been at work, and
+when he lands he hears three pieces of bad news at once; his father is
+dead; his eldest brother, Atli, is slain and unatoned; and he himself
+has been made an outlaw, by Thorir of Garth, for a deed he has never
+done.
+
+He avenges his brother, and seeks here and there harbour from his
+friends, but his foes are too strong for him, or some unlucky turn of
+fate always pushes him off the help of men, and he has to take to the
+wilderness with a price upon his head; and now the other part of the
+curse falls on him heavier, for ever after the struggle with the ghost
+he sees horrible things in the dark, and cannot bear to be alone, and
+runs all kinds of risks to avoid it; and so the years of his outlawry
+pass on. From time to time, driven by need, and rage at his unmerited
+ill-fortune, he takes to plundering those who cannot hold their own;
+at other times he lives alone, and supports himself by fishing, and
+is twice nearly brought to his end by hired assassins the while.
+Sometimes he dwells with the friendly spirits of the land, and chiefly
+with Hallmund, his friend, who saves his life in one of the desperate
+fights he is forced into. But little by little all fall off from him;
+his friends durst harbour him no more, or are slain. Hallmund comes
+to a tragic end; Grettir is driven from his lairs one after the other,
+and makes up his mind to try, as a last resource, to set himself
+down on the island of Drangey, which rises up sheer from the midst
+of Skagafirth like a castle; he goes to his father's house, and bids
+farewell to his mother, and sets off for Drangey in the company of his
+youngest brother, Illugi, who will not leave him in this pinch, and
+a losel called "Noise," a good joker (we are told), but a slothful,
+untrustworthy poltroon. The three get out to Drangey, and possess
+themselves of the live-stock on it, and for a while all goes well;
+the land-owners who held the island in shares, despairing of ridding
+themselves of the outlaw, give their shares or sell them to one
+Thorbiorn Angle, a man of good house, but violent, unpopular, and
+unscrupulous. This man, after trying the obvious ways of persuasion,
+cajolery, and assassination, for getting the island into his hands, at
+last, with the help of a certain hag, his foster-mother, has recourse
+to sorcery. By means of her spells (as the story goes) Grettir wounds
+himself in the leg in the third year of his sojourn at Drangey,
+and though the wound speedily closes, in a week or two gangrene
+supervenes, and Grettir, at last, lies nearly helpless, watched
+continually by his brother Illugi. The losel, "Noise," now that the
+brothers can no more stir abroad, will not take the trouble to pull
+up the ladders that lead from the top of the island down to the
+beach; and, amidst all this, helped by a magic storm the sorceress
+has raised, Thorbiorn Angle, with a band of men, surprises the island,
+unroofs the hut of the brothers, and gains ingress there, and after
+a short struggle (for Grettir is already a dying man) slays the great
+outlaw and captures Illugi in spite of a gallant defence; he, too,
+disdaining to make any terms with the murderers of his brother, is
+slain, and Angle goes away exulting, after he had mutilated the body
+of Grettir, with the head on which so great a price had been put, and
+the sword which the dead man had borne.
+
+But now that the mighty man was dead, and people were relieved
+of their fear of him, the minds of men turned against him who had
+overcome him in a way, according to their notions, so base and
+unworthy, and Angle has no easy time of it; he fails to get the
+head-money, and is himself brought to trial for sorcery and practising
+heathen rites, and the 'nithings-deed' of slaying a man already dying,
+and is banished from the land.
+
+Now comes the part so necessary to the Icelandic tale of a hero, the
+revenging of his death; Angle goes to Norway, and is thought highly of
+for his deed by people who did not know the whole tale; but Thorstein
+Dromund, an elder half-brother of Grettir, is a lord in that land, and
+Angle, knowing of this, feels uneasy in Norway, and at last goes away
+to Micklegarth (Constantinople), to take service with the Varangians:
+Thorstein hears of this and follows him, and both are together at last
+in Micklegarth, but neither knows the other: at last Angle betrays
+himself by showing Grettir's sword, at a 'weapon-show' of the
+Varangians, and Thorstein slays him then and there with the same
+weapon. Thorstein alone in a strange land, with none to speak for him,
+is obliged to submit to the laws of the country, and is thrown into a
+dungeon to perish of hunger and wretchedness there. From this fate he
+is delivered by a great lady of the city, called Spes, who afterwards
+falls in love with him; and the two meet often in spite of the
+watchful jealousy of the lady's husband, who is at last so completely
+conquered by a plot of hers (the sagaman here has taken an incident
+with little or no change from the Romance of Tristram and Iseult),
+that he is obliged to submit to a divorce and the loss of his wife's
+dower, and thereafter the lovers go away together to Norway, and live
+there happily till old age reminds them of their misdeeds, and they
+then set off together for Rome and pass the rest of their lives in
+penitence and apart from one another. And so the story ends, summing
+up the worth of Grettir the Strong by reminding people of his huge
+strength, his long endurance in outlawry, his gift for dealing
+with ghosts and evil spirits, the famous vengeance taken for him in
+Micklegarth; and, lastly, the fortunate life and good end of Thorstein
+Dromund, his brother and avenger.
+
+Such is the outline of this tale of a man far above his fellows in all
+matters valued among his times and people, but also far above them
+all in ill-luck, for that is the conception that the story-teller has
+formed of the great outlaw. To us moderns the real interest in these
+records of a past state of life lies principally in seeing events true
+in the main treated vividly and dramatically by people who completely
+understood the manners, life, and, above all, the turn of mind of the
+actors in them. Amidst many drawbacks, perhaps, to the modern reader,
+this interest is seldom or ever wanting in the historical sagas, and
+least of all in our present story; the sagaman never relaxes his grasp
+of Grettir's character, and he is the same man from beginning to end;
+thrust this way and that by circumstances, but little altered by them;
+unlucky in all things, yet made strong to bear all ill-luck; scornful
+of the world, yet capable of enjoyment, and determined to make the
+most of it; not deceived by men's specious ways, but disdaining to cry
+out because he must needs bear with them; scorning men, yet helping
+them when called on, and desirous of fame: prudent in theory, and wise
+in foreseeing the inevitable sequence of events, but reckless beyond
+the recklessness even of that time and people, and finally capable of
+inspiring in others strong affection and devotion to him in spite of
+his rugged self-sufficing temper--all these traits which we find in
+our sagaman's Grettir seem always the most suited to the story of
+the deeds that surround him, and to our mind most skilfully and
+dramatically are they suggested to the reader.
+
+As is fitting, the other characters are very much subordinate to the
+principal figure, but in their way they are no less life-like; the
+braggart--that inevitable foil to the hero in a saga--was never better
+represented than in the Gisli of our tale; the thrall Noise, with his
+carelessness, and thriftless, untrustworthy mirth, is the very pattern
+of a slave; Snorri the Godi, little though there is of him, fully
+sustains the prudent and crafty character which follows him in all the
+Sagas; Thorbiorn Oxmain is a good specimen of the overbearing and sour
+chief, as is Atli, on the other hand, of the kindly and high-minded,
+if prudent, rich man; and no one, in short, plays his part like
+a puppet, but acts as one expects him to act, always allowing the
+peculiar atmosphere of these tales; and to crown all, as the story
+comes to its end, the high-souled and poetically conceived Illugi
+throws a tenderness on the dreadful story of the end of the hero,
+contrasted as it is with that of the gloomy, superstitious Angle.
+
+Something of a blot, from some points of view, the story of Spes and
+Thorstein Dromund (of which more anon) must be considered; yet
+whoever added it to the tale did so with some skill considering its
+incongruous and superfluous nature, for he takes care that Grettir
+shall not be forgotten amidst all the plots and success of the lovers;
+and, whether it be accidental or not, there is to our minds something
+touching in the contrast between the rude life and tragic end of the
+hero, and the long, drawn out, worldly good hap and quiet hopes for
+another life which fall to the lot of his happier brother.
+
+As to the authorship of our story, it has no doubt gone through the
+stages which mark the growth of the Sagas in general, that is, it was
+for long handed about from mouth to mouth until it took a definite
+shape in men's minds; and after it had held that position for a
+certain time, and had received all the necessary polish for an
+enjoyable saga, was committed to writing as it flowed ready made from
+the tongue of the people. Its style, in common with that of all the
+sagas, shows evidences enough of this: for the rest, the only name
+connected with it is that of Sturla Thordson the Lawman, a man of good
+position and family, and a prolific author, who was born in 1214 and
+died 1284; there is, however, no proof that he wrote the present work,
+though we think the passages in it that mention his name show clearly
+enough that he had something to do with the story of Grettir: on the
+whole, we are inclined to think that a story of Grettir was either
+written by him or under his auspices, but that the present tale is the
+work of a later hand, nor do we think so complete a saga-teller,
+as his other undoubted works show him to have been, would ever have
+finished his story with the epilogue of Spes and Thorstein Dromund,
+steeped as that latter part is with the spirit of the mediaeval
+romances, even to the distinct appropriation of a marked and
+well-known episode of the Tristram; though it must be admitted that he
+had probably plenty of opportunity for being versed in that romance,
+as Tristram was first translated into the tongue of Norway in the year
+1226, by Brother Robert, at the instance of King Hakon Hakonson, whose
+great favourite Sturla Thordson was, and whose history was written by
+him.
+
+For our translation of this work we have no more to say than to
+apologise for its shortcomings, and to hope, that in spite of them, it
+will give some portion of the pleasure to our readers which we felt in
+accomplishing it ourselves.
+
+EIR�KR MAGN�SSON, WILLIAM MORRIS.
+
+LONDON, <i>April</i> 1869.
+
+
+
+
+CHRONOLOGY OF THE STORY.
+
+     872. The battle of Hafrsfirth.
+     874. Begins the settlement of Iceland.
+cca. 897. Thrand and Ufeigh Grettir settle Gnup-Wardsrape.
+cca. 900. Onund Treefoot comes to Iceland.
+cca. 920. Death of Onund Treefoot.
+     929. The Althing established.
+ 997 (?). Grettir born.
+    1000. Christianity sanctioned by law.
+    1004. Skapti Thorodson made lawman.
+    1011. Grettir slays Skeggi; goes abroad, banished for three years.
+    1012. Slaying of Thorir Paunch and his fellows in Haramsey.
+          Earl Eric goes to Denmark.
+    1013. Slaying of Biorn at the Island of Gartar.
+          Slaying of Thorgils Makson. Illugi Asmundson
+          born. Death of Thorkel Krafla.
+    1014. Slaying of Gunnar in Tunsberg. Grettir goes
+          back to Iceland; fights with the men of Meal
+          on Ramfirth-neck. Heath-slayings. Thorgeir
+          Havarson outlawed. Fight with Glam
+          the ghost.
+    1015. Fight of Nesjar in Norway. Slaying of Thorbiorn
+          Tardy. Grettir fares abroad. Burning
+          of the sons of Thorir of Garth. Death of
+          Asmund the Greyhaired.
+    1016. Grettir meets King Olaf; fails to bear iron; goes
+          east to Tunsberg to Thorstein Dromund.
+          Slaying of Atli of Biarg. Grettir outlawed
+          at the Thing for the burning of the sons of
+          Thorir; his return to Iceland. Slaying of
+          Thorbiorn Oxmain and his son Arnor.
+    1017. Grettir at Reek-knolls. Lawsuit for the slaying
+          of Thorbiorn Oxmain. Grettir taken by
+          the Icefirth churls.
+    1018. Grettir at Liarskogar with Thorstein Kuggson;
+          his travels to the East to Skapti the lawman
+          and Thorhall of Tongue, and thence to the
+          Keel-mountain, where he met Hallmund
+          (Air) for the first time.
+    1019-1021. Grettir on Ernewaterheath.
+    1021. Grettir goes to the Marshes.
+    1022-1024. Grettir in Fairwoodfell.
+    1024. Grettir visits Hallmund again.
+    1025. Grettir discovers Thorirs-dale.
+    1025-1026. Grettir travels round by the East; haunts
+          Madderdale-heath and Reek-heath.
+    1026. Thorstein Kuggson slain.
+    1027. Grettir at Sand-heaps in Bard-dale.
+    1028. Grettir haunts the west by Broadfirth-dales,
+          meets Thorod Snorrison.
+    1028-1031. Grettir in Drangey.
+    1029. Grettir visits Heron-ness-thing.
+    1030. Grettir fetches fire from Reeks. Skapti the law
+          man dies.
+    1031. Death of Snorri Godi and Grettir Asmundson.
+    1033. Thorbiorn Angle slain.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+<i>Preface</i>
+
+<i>Chronology of the Story</i>
+
+
+
+
+CHAP.
+
+
+I. XIII. <i>The Forefathers of Grettir</i>
+
+    XIV. <i>Of Grettir as a Child, and his froward ways
+         with his father</i>
+
+     XV. <i>Of the Ball-play on Midfirth Water</i>
+
+    XVI. <i>Of the Slaying of Skeggi</i>
+
+   XVII. <i>Of Grettir's Voyage out</i>
+
+  XVIII. <i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with
+         Karr the Old</i>
+
+    XIX. <i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt
+         with the Bearserks</i>
+
+     XX. <i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i>
+
+    XXI. <i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i>
+
+   XXII. <i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i>
+
+  XXIII. <i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i>
+
+   XXIV. <i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife
+         with Earl Svein</i>
+
+    XXV. <i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>
+
+   XXVI. <i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for
+         the Bloodsuit for the Slaying of Thorgils
+         Makson</i>
+
+  XXVII. <i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>
+
+ XXVIII. <i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>
+
+   XXIX. <i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit</i>
+
+    XXX. <i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy,
+         and of Grettir's meeting with Kormak on
+         Ramfirth-neck</i>
+
+   XXXI. <i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund,
+         as he came back from the Heath-slayings</i>
+
+  XXXII. <i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how
+         Thorhall took a Shepherd by the rede of
+         Skapti the Lawman, and what befell thereafter</i>
+
+ XXXIII. <i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead</i>
+
+  XXXIV. <i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i>
+
+   XXXV. <i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do
+         with Glam</i>
+
+  XXXVI. <i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's Autumn-feast, and the
+         mocks of Thorbiorn Tardy</i>
+
+ XXXVII. <i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying
+         of Thorbiorn Tardy; Grettir goes to
+         Norway</i>
+
+XXXVIII. <i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how
+         Grettir fetched fire for his shipmates</i>
+
+  XXXIX. <i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the
+         King</i>
+
+     XL. <i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i>
+
+    XLI. <i>Of Thorstein Dromund's Arms, and what he
+         deemed they might do</i>
+
+   XLII. <i>Of the Death of Asmund the Greyhaired</i>
+
+  XLIII. <i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying
+         of Gunnar and Thorgeir</i>
+
+   XLIV. <i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir
+         of the Pass</i>
+
+    XLV. <i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i>
+
+   XLVI. <i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of
+         Thorir of Garth</i>
+
+  XLVII. <i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>
+
+ XLVIII. <i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>
+
+   XLIX. <i>The Gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>
+
+      L. <i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i>
+
+     LI. <i>Of the Suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn
+         Oxmain, and how Thorir of Garth would
+         not that Grettir should be made sackless</i>
+
+    LII. <i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i>
+
+   LIII. <i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i>
+
+    LIV. <i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i>
+
+     LV. <i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings
+         with Grim there</i>
+
+    LVI. <i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i>
+
+   LVII. <i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i>
+
+  LVIII. <i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i>
+
+    LIX. <i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i>
+
+     LX. <i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i>
+
+    LXI. <i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding
+         in Thorir's-dale</i>
+
+   LXII. <i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend</i>
+
+  LXIII. <i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he
+         was nigh taking him</i>
+
+   LXIV. <i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest
+         came to the Goodwife there</i>
+
+    LXV. <i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife</i>
+
+   LXVI. <i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i>
+
+  LXVII. <i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i>
+
+ LXVIII. <i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went
+         against Grettir</i>
+
+   LXIX. <i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg,
+         and fared with Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i>
+
+    LXX. <i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i>
+
+   LXXI. <i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i>
+
+  LXXII. <i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i>
+
+ LXXIII. <i>The Handselling of Peace</i>
+
+  LXXIV. <i>Of Grettir's Wrestling; and how Thorbiorn
+         Angle now bought the more part of Drangey</i>
+
+   LXXV. <i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i>
+
+  LXXVI. <i>How Noise let the Fire out on Drangey,
+          and how Grettir must needs go aland for more</i>
+
+  LXXVII. <i>Grettir at the Home-stead of Reeks</i>
+
+ LXXVIII. <i>Of Haering at Drangey, and the end of him</i>
+
+   LXXIX. <i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i>
+
+    LXXX. <i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother
+          out to Drangey</i>
+
+   LXXXI. <i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i>
+
+  LXXXII. <i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i>
+
+ LXXXIII. <i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and
+          set Sail for Drangey</i>
+
+  LXXXIV. <i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i>
+
+   LXXXV. <i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money</i>
+
+  LXXXVI. <i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's
+          Head to Biarg</i>
+
+ LXXXVII. <i>Affairs at the Althing</i>
+
+LXXXVIII. <i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence
+          to Micklegarth</i>
+
+  LXXXIX. <i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known
+          when sought for by reason of the notch in
+          the blade</i>
+
+      XC. <i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from
+          the Dungeon</i>
+
+     XCI. <i>Of the Doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i>
+
+    XCII. <i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i>
+
+   XCIII. <i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i>
+
+    XCIV. <i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway
+          again</i>
+
+     XCV. <i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to
+          Rome and died there</i>
+
+
+<i>Notes and Corrections</i>
+
+<i>Index of Persons</i>
+
+<i>Index of Places</i>
+
+<i>Index of Things</i>
+
+<i>Periphrastic Expressions in the Songs</i>
+
+<i>Proverbial Sayings</i>
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG.
+
+
+<i>This First Part tells of the forefathers of Grettir in Norway, and
+how they fled away before Harald Fairhair, and settled in Iceland; and
+of their deeds in Iceland before Grettir was born</i>.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. I.
+
+
+There was a man named Onund, who was the son of Ufeigh Clubfoot, the
+son of Ivar the Smiter; Onund was brother of Gudbiorg, the mother of
+Gudbrand Ball, the father of Asta, the mother of King Olaf the Saint.
+Onund was an Uplander by the kin of his mother; but the kin of his
+father dwelt chiefly about Rogaland and Hordaland. He was a great
+viking, and went harrying west over the Sea.[4] Balk of Sotanes, the
+son of Blaeng, was with him herein, and Orm the Wealthy withal, and
+Hallvard was the name of the third of them. They had five ships, all
+well manned, and therewith they harried in the South-isles;[5] and
+when they came to Barra, they found there a king, called Kiarval, and
+he, too, had five ships. They gave him battle, and a hard fray there
+was. The men of Onund were of the eagerest, and on either side many
+fell; but the end of it was that the king fled with only one ship.
+So there the men of Onund took both ships and much wealth, and abode
+there through the winter. For three summers they harried throughout
+Ireland and Scotland, and thereafter went to Norway.
+
+[Footnote 4: "West over the Sea," means in the Sagas the British
+isles, and the islands about them--the Hebrides, Orkneys, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 5: South-isles are the Hebrides, and the other islands down
+to Man.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II.
+
+
+In those days were there great troubles in Norway. Harald the
+Unshorn,[6] son of Halfdan the Black, was pushing forth for the
+kingdom. Before that he was King of the Uplands; then he went north
+through the land, and had many battles there, and ever won the day.
+Thereafter he harried south in the land, and wheresoever he came,
+laid all under him; but when he came to Hordaland, swarms of folk came
+thronging against him; and their captains were Kiotvi the Wealthy, and
+Thorir Longchin, and those of South Rogaland, and King Sulki. Geirmund
+Helskin was then in the west over the Sea; nor was he in that battle,
+though he had a kingdom in Hordaland.
+
+[Footnote 6: "Harald the Unshorn:" he was so called at first because
+he made a vow not to cut his hair till he was sole king of Norway.
+When he had attained to this, and Earl Rognvald had taken him to the
+bath and trimmed his hair, he was called "Fair-hair," from its length
+and beauty.]
+
+Now that autumn Onund and his fellows came from the west over the Sea;
+and when Thorir Longchin and King Kiotvi heard thereof, they sent men
+to meet them, and prayed them for help, and promised them honours.
+Then they entered into fellowship with Thorir and his men; for they
+were exceeding fain to try their strength, and said that there would
+they be whereas the fight was hottest.
+
+Now was the meeting with Harald the King in Rogaland, in that firth
+which is called Hafrsfirth; and both sides had many men. This was the
+greatest battle that has ever been fought in Norway, and hereof most
+Sagas tell; for of those is ever most told, of whom the Sagas are
+made; and thereto came folk from all the land, and many from other
+lands and swarms of vikings.
+
+Now Onund laid his ship alongside one board of the ship of Thorir
+Longchin, about the midst of the fleet, but King Harald laid his on
+the other board, because Thorir was the greatest bearserk, and the
+stoutest of men; so the fight was of the fiercest on either side. Then
+the king cried on his bearserks for an onslaught, and they were called
+the Wolf-coats, for on them would no steel bite, and when they set
+on nought might withstand them. Thorir defended him very stoutly, and
+fell in all hardihood on board his ship; then was it cleared from stem
+to stern, and cut from the grapplings, and let drift astern betwixt
+the other ships. Thereafter the king's men laid their ship alongside
+Onund's, and he was in the forepart thereof and fought manly; then the
+king's folk said, "Lo, a forward man in the forecastle there, let him
+have somewhat to mind him how that he was in this battle." Now Onund
+put one foot out over the bulwark and dealt a blow at a man, and even
+therewith a spear was aimed at him, and as he put the blow from him
+he bent backward withal, and one of the king's forecastle men smote
+at him, and the stroke took his leg below the knee and sheared it off,
+and forthwith made him unmeet for fight. Then fell the more part of
+the folk on board his ship; but Onund was brought to the ship of him
+who is called Thrand; he was the son of Biorn, and brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman; he was in the fight against King Harald and lay on the
+other board of Onund's ship.
+
+But now, after these things, the more part of the fleet scattered in
+flight; Thrand and his men, with the other vikings, got them away each
+as he might, and sailed west over the Sea; Onund went with him, and
+Balk and Hallvard Sweeping; Onund was healed, but went with a wooden
+leg all his life after; therefore as long as he lived was he called
+Onund Treefoot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+
+At that time were many great men west over the Sea, such as had fled
+from their lands in Norway before King Harald, because he had made
+all those outlaws, who had met him in battle, and taken to him their
+possessions. So, when Onund was healed of his wounds, he and Thrand
+went to meet Geirmund Helskin, because he was the most famed of
+vikings west there over the Sea, and they asked him whether he had any
+mind to seek after that kingdom which he had in Hordaland, and offered
+him their fellowship herein; for they deemed they had a sore loss of
+their lands there, since Onund was both mighty and of great kin.
+
+Geirmund said that so great had grown the strength of King Harald,
+that he deemed there was little hope that they would win honour in
+their war with him when men had been worsted, even when all the folk
+of the land had been drawn together; and yet withal that he was loth
+to become a king's thrall and pray for that which was his own; that
+he would find somewhat better to do than that; and now, too, he was no
+longer young. So Onund and his fellows went back to the South-isles,
+and there met many of their friends.
+
+There was a man, Ufeigh by name, who was bynamed Grettir; he was the
+son of Einar, the son of Olvir Bairn-Carle; he was brother to Oleif
+the Broad, the father of Thormod Shaft; Steinulf was the name of
+Olvir Bairn-Carle's son, he was the father of Una whom Thorbiorn
+Salmon-Carle had to wife. Another son of Olvir Bairn-Carle was
+Steinmod, the father of Konal, who was the father of Aldis of Barra.
+The son of Konal was Steinmod, the father of Haldora, the wife of
+Eilif, the son of Ketil the Onehanded. Ufeigh Grettir had to wife
+Asny, the daughter of Vestar Haengson; and Asmund the Beardless and
+Asbiorn were the sons of Ufeigh Grettir, but his daughters were these,
+Aldis, and Asa, and Asvor. Ufeigh had fled away west over the Sea
+before Harald the king, and so had Thormod Shaft his kinsman, and had
+with them their kith and kin; and they harried in Scotland, and far
+and wide west beyond the sea.
+
+Now Thrand and Onund Treefoot made west for Ireland to find Eyvind
+the Eastman, Thrand's brother, who was Land-ward along the coasts of
+Ireland; the mother of Eyvind was Hlif, the daughter of Rolf, son of
+Ingiald, the son of King Frodi; but Thrand's mother was Helga, the
+daughter of Ondott the Crow; Biorn was the name of the father of
+Eyvind and Thrand, he was the son of Rolf from Am; he had had to
+flee from Gothland, for that he had burned in his house Sigfast, the
+son-in-law of King Solver; and thereafter had he gone to Norway, and
+was the next winter with Grim the hersir, the son of Kolbiorn the
+Abasher. Now Grim had a mind to murder Biorn for his money, so he
+fled thence to Ondott the Crow, who dwelt in Hvinisfirth in Agdir; he
+received Biorn well, and Biorn was with him in the winter, but was
+in warfare in summer-tide, until Hlif his wife died; and after that
+Ondott gave Biorn Helga his daughter, and then Biorn left off warring.
+
+Now thereon Eyvind took to him the war-ships of his father, and
+was become a great chief west over the Sea; he wedded Rafarta, the
+daughter of Kiarval, King of Ireland; their sons were Helgi the Lean
+and Snaebiorn.
+
+So when Thrand and Onund came to the South-isles, there they met
+Ufeigh Grettir and Thormod Shaft, and great friendship grew up betwixt
+them, for each thought he had gained from hell the last who had been
+left behind in Norway while the troubles there were at the highest.
+But Onund was exceeding moody, and when Thrand marked it, he asked
+what he was brooding over in his mind. Onund answered, and sang this
+stave--
+
+  "What joy since that day can I get
+  When shield-fire's thunder last I met;
+  Ah, too soon clutch the claws of ill;
+  For that axe-edge shall grieve me still.
+  In eyes of fighting man and thane,
+  My strength and manhood are but vain,
+  This is the thing that makes me grow
+  A joyless man; is it enow?"
+
+Thrand answered that whereso he was, he would still be deemed a brave
+man, "And now it is meet for thee to settle down and get married,
+and I would put forth my word and help, if I but knew whereto thou
+lookest."
+
+Onund said he did in manly wise, but that his good hope for matches of
+any gain was gone by now.
+
+Thrand answered, "Ufeigh has a daughter who is called Asa, thitherward
+will we turn if it seem good to thee." Onund showed that he was
+willing enough hereto; so afterwards they talked the matter over with
+Ufeigh; he answered well, and said that he knew how that Onund was a
+man of great kin and rich of chattels; "but his lands," said he, "I
+put at low worth, nor do I deem him to be a hale man, and withal my
+daughter is but a child."
+
+Thrand said, that Onund was a brisker man yet than many who were hale
+of both legs, and so by Thrand's help was this bargain struck; Ufeigh
+was to give his daughter but chattels for dowry, because those lands
+that were in Norway neither would lay down any money for.
+
+A little after Thrand wooed the daughter of Thormod Shaft, and both
+were to sit in troth for three winters.
+
+So thereafter they went a harrying in the summer, but were in Barra in
+the winter-tide.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+
+There were two vikings called Vigbiod and Vestmar; they were
+South-islanders, and lay out both winter and summer; they had thirteen
+ships, and harried mostly in Ireland, and did many an ill deed there
+till Eyvind the Eastman took the land-wardship; thereafter they got
+them gone to the South-isles, and harried there and all about the
+firths of Scotland: against these went Thrand and Onund, and heard
+that they had sailed to that island, which is called Bute. Now Onund
+and his folk came there with five ships; and when the vikings see
+their ships and know how many they are, they deem they have enough
+strength gathered there, and take their weapons and lay their ships in
+the midst betwixt two cliffs, where was a great and deep sound; only
+on one side could they be set on, and that with but five ships at
+once. Now Onund was the wisest of men, and bade lay five ships up into
+the sound, so that he and his might have back way when they would, for
+there was plenty of sea-room astern. On one board of them too was a
+certain island, and under the lee thereof he let one ship lie, and his
+men brought many great stones forth on to the sheer cliffs above, yet
+might not be seen withal from the ships.
+
+Now the vikings laid their ships boldly enough for the attack, and
+thought that the others quailed; and Vigbiod asked who they were that
+were in such jeopardy. Thrand said that he was the brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman, "and here beside me is Onund Treefoot my fellow."
+
+Then laughed the vikings, and shouted--
+
+  "Treefoot, Treefoot, foot of tree,
+  Trolls take thee and thy company."
+
+"Yea, a sight it is seldom seen of us, that such men should go into
+battle as have no might over themselves."
+
+Onund said that they could know nought thereof ere it were tried; and
+withal they laid their ships alongside one of the other, and there
+began a great fight, and either side did boldly. But when they came
+to handy blows, Onund gave back toward the cliff, and when the vikings
+saw this, they deemed he was minded to flee, and made towards his
+ship, and came as nigh to the cliff as they might. But in that very
+point of time those came forth on to the edge of the cliff who were
+appointed so to do, and sent at the vikings so great a flight of
+stones that they might not withstand it.
+
+Then fell many of the viking-folk, and others were hurt so that they
+might not bear weapon; and withal they were fain to draw back, and
+might not, because their ships were even then come into the narrowest
+of the sound, and they were huddled together both by the ships and the
+stream; but Onund and his men set on fiercely, whereas Vigbiod was,
+but Thrand set on Vestmar, and won little thereby; so, when the folk
+were thinned on Vigbiod's ship, Onund's men and Onund himself got
+ready to board her: that Vigbiod saw, and cheered on his men without
+stint: then he turned to meet Onund, and the more part fled before
+him; but Onund bade his men mark how it went between them; for he was
+of huge strength. Now they set a log of wood under Onund's knee, so
+that he stood firmly enow; the viking fought his way forward along the
+ship till he reached Onund, and he smote at him with his sword, and
+the stroke took the shield, and sheared off all it met; and then the
+sword drove into the log that Onund had under his knee, and stuck fast
+therein; and Vigbiod stooped in drawing it out, and even therewith
+Onund smote at his shoulder in such wise, that he cut the arm from off
+him, and then was the viking unmeet for battle.
+
+But when Vestmar knew that his fellow was fallen, he leaped into
+the furthermost ship and fled with all those who might reach her.
+Thereafter they ransacked the fallen men; and by then was Vigbiod nigh
+to his death: Onund went up to him, and sang--
+
+  "Yea, seest thou thy wide wounds bleed?
+  What of shrinking didst thou heed
+  In the one-foot sling of gold?
+  What scratch here dost thou behold?
+  And in e'en such wise as this
+  Many an axe-breaker there is
+  Strong of tongue and weak of hand:
+  Tried thou wert, and might'st not stand."
+
+So there they took much spoil and sailed back to Barra in the autumn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. V.
+
+
+The summer after this they made ready to fare west to Ireland. But at
+that time Balk and Hallvard betook themselves from the lands west over
+the sea, and went out to Iceland, for from thence came tales of land
+good to choose. Balk settled land in Ramfirth and dwelt at either
+Balkstead; Hallvard settled Sweepingsfirth, and Hallwick out to the
+Stair, and dwelt there.
+
+Now Thrand and Onund met Eyvind the Eastman, and he received his
+brother well; but when he knew that Onund was come with him, then he
+waxed wroth, and would fain set on him. Thrand bade him do it not, and
+said that it was not for him to wage war against Northmen, and
+least of all such men as fared peaceably. Eyvind said that he fared
+otherwise before, and had broken the peace of Kiarval the King, and
+that he should now pay for all. Many words the brothers had over this,
+till Thrand said at last that one fate should befall both him and
+Onund; and then Eyvind let himself be appeased.
+
+So they dwelt there long that summer, and went on warfare with Eyvind,
+who found Onund to be the bravest of men. In the autumn they fared to
+the South-isles, and Eyvind gave to Thrand to take all the heritage of
+their father, if Biorn should die before Thrand.
+
+Now were the twain in the South-isles until they wedded their wives,
+and some winters after withal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VI.
+
+
+And now it came to pass that Biorn, the father of Thrand, died; and
+when Grim the hersir hears thereof he went to meet Ondott Crow, and
+claimed the goods left by Biorn; but Ondott said that Thrand had the
+heritage after his father; Grim said that Thrand was west over seas,
+and that Biorn was a Gothlander of kin, and that the king took the
+heritage of all outland men. Ondott said that he should keep the goods
+for the hands of Thrand, his daughter's son; and therewith Grim gat
+him gone, and had nought for his claiming the goods.
+
+Now Thrand had news of his father's death, and straightway got ready
+to go from the South-isles, and Onund Treefoot with him; but Ufeigh
+Grettir and Thormod Shaft went out to Iceland with their kith and kin,
+and came out to the Eres in the south country, and dwelt the first
+winter with Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle.
+
+Thereafter they settled Gnup-Wards'-rape, Ufeigh, the outward part,
+between Thwart-river and Kalf-river, and he dwelt at Ufeigh's-stead
+by Stone-holt; but Thormod settled the eastward part, and abode at
+Shaft-holt.
+
+The daughters of Thormod were these: Thorvor, mother of Thorod the
+Godi[7] of Hailti, and Thora, mother of Thorstein, the Godi, the
+father of Biarni the Sage.
+
+[Footnote 7: "Godi" is the name for the rulers of the thirty-nine
+districts into which the republic of Iceland was anciently divided.
+While the ancient religion lasted, their office combined in itself the
+highest civil and sacerdotal functions.]
+
+Now it is to be said of Thrand and Onund that they sailed from the
+lands west over the Sea toward Norway, and had fair wind, and such
+speed, that no rumour of their voyage was abroad till they came to
+Ondott Crow.
+
+He gave Thrand good welcome, and told him how Grim the hersir had
+claimed the heritage left by Biorn. "Meeter it seems to me,
+kinsman," said he, "that thou take the heritage of thy father and not
+king's-thralls; good luck has befallen thee, in that none knows of thy
+coming, but it misdoubts me that Grim will come upon one or other
+of us if he may; therefore I would that thou shouldst take the
+inheritance to thee, and get thee gone to other lands."
+
+Thrand said that so he would do, he took to him the chattels and got
+away from Norway at his speediest; but before he sailed into the sea,
+he asked Onund Treefoot whether he would not make for Iceland with
+him; Onund said he would first go see his kin and friends in the south
+country.
+
+Thrand said, "Then must we part now, but I would that thou shouldst
+aid my kin, for on them will vengeance fall if I get off clear; but
+to Iceland shall I go, and I would that thou withal shouldst make that
+journey."
+
+Onund gave his word to all, and they parted in good love. So Thrand
+went to Iceland, and Ufeigh and Thormod Shaft received him well.
+Thrand dwelt at Thrand's-holt, which is west of Steer's-river.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VII.
+
+
+Onund went south to Rogaland, and met there many of his kin and
+friends; he dwelt there in secret at a man's called Kolbein. Now he
+heard that the king had taken his lands to him and set a man thereover
+who was called Harek, who was a farmer of the king's; so on a night
+Onund went to him, and took him in his house; there Harek was led out
+and cut down, and Onund took all the chattels they found and burnt the
+homestead; and thereafter he abode in many places that winter.
+
+But that autumn Grim the hersir slew Ondott Crow, because he might
+not get the heritage-money for the king; and that same night of his
+slaying, Signy, his wife, brought aboard ship all her chattels, and
+fared with her sons, Asmund and Asgrim, to Sighvat her father; but a
+little after sent her sons to Soknadale to Hedin her foster-father;
+but that seemed good to them but for a little while, and they would
+fain go back again to their mother; so they departed and came at
+Yule-tide to Ingiald the Trusty at Hvin; he took them in because of
+the urgency of Gyda his wife, and they were there the winter through.
+But in spring came Onund north to Agdir, because he had heard of the
+slaying of Ondott Crow; but when he found Signy he asked her what help
+she would have of him.
+
+She said that she would fain have vengeance on Grim the hersir for
+the slaying of Ondott. Then were the sons of Ondott sent for, and when
+they met Onund Treefoot, they made up one fellowship together, and
+had spies abroad on the doings of Grim. Now in the summer was a great
+ale-drinking held at Grim's, because he had bidden to him Earl Audun;
+and when Onund and the sons of Ondott knew thereof they went to
+Grim's homestead and laid fire to the house, for they were come there
+unawares, and burnt Grim the hersir therein, and nigh thirty men, and
+many good things they took there withal. Then went Onund to the
+woods, but the sons of Ondott took a boat of Ingiald's, their
+foster-father's, and rowed away therein, and lay hid a little way off
+the homestead. Earl Audun came to the feast, even as had been settled
+afore, and there "missed friend from stead." Then he gathered men to
+him, and dwelt there some nights, but nought was heard of Onund and
+his fellows; and the Earl slept in a loft with two men.
+
+Onund had full tidings from the homestead, and sent after those
+brothers; and, when they met, Onund asked them whether they would
+watch the farm or fall on the Earl; but they chose to set on the Earl.
+So they drove beams at the loft-doors and broke them in; then Asmund
+caught hold of the two who were with the Earl, and cast them down so
+hard that they were well-nigh slain; but Asgrim ran at the Earl, and
+bade him render up weregild for his father, since he had been in
+the plot and the onslaught with Grim the hersir when Ondott Crow was
+slain. The Earl said he had no money with him there, and prayed for
+delay of that payment. Then Asgrim set his spear-point to the Earl's
+breast and bade him pay there and then; so the Earl took a chain from
+his neck, and three gold rings, and a cloak of rich web, and gave them
+up. Asgrim took the goods and gave the Earl a name, and called him
+Audun Goaty.
+
+But when the bonders and neighbouring folk were ware that war was come
+among them, they went abroad and would bring help to the Earl, and a
+hard fight there was, for Onund had many men, and there fell many good
+bonders and courtmen of the Earl. Now came the brothers, and told how
+they had fared with the Earl, and Onund said that it was ill that he
+was not slain, "that would have been somewhat of a revenge on the King
+for our loss at his hands of fee and friends." They said that this
+was a greater shame to the Earl; and therewith they went away up to
+Sorreldale to Eric Alefain, a king's lord, and he took them in for all
+the winter.
+
+Now at Yule they drank turn and turn about with a man called
+Hallstein, who was bynamed Horse; Eric gave the first feast, well and
+truly, and then Hallstein gave his, but thereat was there bickering
+between them, and Hallstein smote Eric with a deer-horn; Eric gat no
+revenge therefor, but went home straightway. This sore misliked
+the sons of Ondott, and a little after Asgrim fared to Hallstein's
+homestead, and went in alone, and gave him a great wound, but those
+who were therein sprang up and set on Asgrim. Asgrim defended himself
+well and got out of their hands in the dark; but they deemed they had
+slain him.
+
+Onund and Asmund heard thereof and supposed him dead, but deemed they
+might do nought. Eric counselled them to make for Iceland, and said
+that would be of no avail to abide there in the land (i.e. in Norway),
+as soon as the king should bring matters about to his liking. So
+this they did, and made them ready for Iceland and had each one ship.
+Hallstein lay wounded, and died before Onund and his folk sailed.
+Kolbein withal, who is afore mentioned, went abroad with Onund.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VIII.
+
+
+Now Onund and Asmund sailed into the sea when they were ready, and
+held company together; then sang Onund this stave--
+
+  "Meet was I in days agone
+  For storm, wherein the Sweeping One,
+  Midst rain of swords, and the darts' breath,
+  Blew o'er all a gale of death.
+  Now a maimed, one-footed man
+  On rollers' steed through waters wan
+  Out to Iceland must I go;
+  Ah, the skald is sinking low."
+
+They had a hard voyage of it and much of baffling gales from the
+south, and drove north into the main; but they made Iceland, and were
+by then come to the north off Longness when they found where they
+were: so little space there was betwixt them that they spake together;
+and Asmund said that they had best sail to Islefirth, and thereto they
+both agreed; then they beat up toward the land, and a south-east wind
+sprang up; but when Onund and his folk laid the ship close to the
+wind, the yard was sprung; then they took in sail, and therewith were
+driven off to sea; but Asmund got under the lee of Brakeisle, and
+there lay till a fair wind brought him into Islefirth; Helgi the Lean
+gave him all Kraeklings' lithe, and he dwelt at South Glass-river;
+Asgrim his brother came out some winters later and abode at North
+Glass-river; he was the father of Ellida-Grim, the father of Asgrim
+Ellida-Grimson.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IX.
+
+
+Now it is to be told of Onund Treefoot that he drave out to sea for
+certain days, but at last the wind got round to the north, and they
+sailed for land: then those knew who had been there before that they
+had come west off the Skagi; then they sailed into Strand-Bay, and
+near to the South-Strands, and there rowed toward them six men in
+a ten-oared boat, who hailed the big ship, and asked who was their
+captain; Onund named himself, and asked whence they came; they said
+they were house-carles of Thorvald, from Drangar; Onund asked if all
+land through the Strands had been settled; they said there was little
+unsettled in the inner Strands, and none north thereof. Then Onund
+asked his shipmates, whether they would make for the west country, or
+take such as they had been told of; they chose to view the land first.
+So they sailed in up the bay, and brought to in a creek off Arness,
+then put forth a boat and rowed to land. There dwelt a rich man,
+Eric Snare, who had taken land betwixt Ingolfs-firth, and Ufoera in
+Fishless; but when Eric knew that Onund was come there, he bade him
+take of his hands whatso he would, but said that there was little that
+had not been settled before. Onund said he would first see what there
+was, so they went landward south past some firths, till they came to
+Ufoera; then said Eric, "Here is what there is to look to; all from
+here is unsettled, and right in to the settlements of Biorn." Now a
+great mountain went down the eastern side of the firth, and snow had
+fallen thereon, Onund looked on that mountain, and sang--
+
+  "Brand-whetter's life awry doth go.
+  Fair lands and wide full well I know;
+  Past house, and field, and fold of man,
+  The swift steed of the rollers ran:
+  My lands, and kin, I left behind,
+  That I this latter day might find,
+  Coldback for sunny meads to have;
+  Hard fate a bitter bargain drave."
+
+Eric answered, "Many have lost so much in Norway, that it may not be
+bettered: and I think withal that most lands in the main-settlements
+are already settled, and therefore I urge thee not to go from hence;
+but I shall hold to what I spake, that thou mayst have whatso of my
+lands seems meet to thee." Onund said, that he would take that offer,
+and so he settled land out from Ufoera over the three creeks, Byrgis
+Creek, Kolbein's Creek, and Coldback Creek, up to Coldback Cleft.
+Thereafter Eric gave him all Fishless, and Reekfirth, and all
+Reekness, out on that side of the firth; but as to drifts there was
+nought set forth, for they were then so plentiful that every man had
+of them what he would. Now Onund set up a household at Coldback, and
+had many men about him; but when his goods began to grow great he had
+another stead in Reekfirth. Kolbein dwelt at Kolbein's Creek. So Onund
+abode in peace for certain winters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. X.
+
+
+Now Onund was so brisk a man, that few, even of whole men, could cope
+with him; and his name withal was well known throughout the land,
+because of his forefathers. After these things, befell that strife
+betwixt Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn Earl's-champion, which had such
+ending, that Ufeigh fell before Thorbiorn in Grettir's-Gill, near
+Heel. There were many drawn together to the sons of Ufeigh concerning
+the blood-suit, and Onund Treefoot was sent for, and rode south in
+the spring, and guested at Hvamm, with Aud the Deeply-wealthy, and
+she gave him exceeding good welcome, because he had been with her west
+over the Sea. In those days, Olaf Feilan, her son's son, was a man
+full grown, and Aud was by then worn with great eld; she bade Onund
+know that she would have Olaf, her kinsman, married, and was fain that
+he should woo Aldis of Barra, who was cousin to Asa, whom Onund had to
+wife. Onund deemed the matter hopeful, and Olaf rode south with him.
+So when Onund met his friends and kin-in-law they bade him abide with
+them: then was the suit talked over, and was laid to Kialarnes Thing,
+for as then the Althing was not yet set up. So the case was settled
+by umpiredom, and heavy weregild came for the slayings, and Thorbiorn
+Earl's-champion was outlawed. His son was Solmund, the father of Kari
+the Singed; father and son dwelt abroad a long time afterwards.
+
+Thrand bade Onund and Olaf to his house, and so did Thormod Shaft, and
+they backed Olaf's wooing, which was settled with ease, because men
+knew how mighty a woman Aud was. So the bargain was made, and, so much
+being done, Onund rode home, and Aud thanked him well for his help to
+Olaf. That autumn Olaf Feilan wedded Aldis of Barra; and then died Aud
+the Deeply-wealthy, as is told in the story of the Laxdale men.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XI.
+
+
+Onund and Asa had two sons; the elder was called Thorgeir, the younger
+Ufeigh Grettir; but Asa soon died. Thereafter Onund got to wife a
+woman called Thordis, the daughter of Thorgrim, from Gnup in Midfirth,
+and akin to Midfirth Skeggi. Of her Onund had a son called Thorgrim;
+he was early a big man, and a strong, wise, and good withal in matters
+of husbandry. Onund dwelt on at Coldback till he was old, then he died
+in his bed, and is buried in Treefoot's barrow; he was the briskest
+and lithest of one-footed men who have ever lived in Iceland.
+
+Now Thorgrim took the lead among the sons of Onund, though others of
+them were older than he; but when he was twenty-five years old he
+grew grey-haired, and therefore was he bynamed Greypate; Thordis, his
+mother, was afterwards wedded north in Willowdale, to Audun Skokul,
+and their son was Asgeir, of Asgeir's-River. Thorgrim Greypate and
+his brothers had great possessions in common, nor did they divide the
+goods between them. Now Eric, who farmed at Arness, as is aforesaid,
+had to wife Alof, daughter of Ingolf, of Ingolfs-firth; and Flosi was
+the name of their son, a hopeful man, and of many friends. In those
+days three brothers came out hither, Ingolf, Ufeigh, and Eyvind, and
+settled those three firths that are known by their names, and there
+dwelt afterwards. Olaf was the name of Eyvind's son, he first dwelt
+at Eyvind's-firth, and after at Drangar, and was a man to hold his own
+well.
+
+Now there was no strife betwixt these men while their elders were
+alive; but when Eric died, it seemed to Flosi, that those of Coldback
+had no lawful title to the lands which Eric had given to Onund; and
+from this befell much ill-blood betwixt them; but Thorgrim and his
+kin still held their lands as before, but they might not risk having
+sports together. Now Thorgeir was head-man of the household of those
+brothers in Reekfirth, and would ever be rowing out a-fishing, because
+in those days were the firths full of fish; so those in the Creek
+made up their plot; a man there was, a house-carle of Flosi in Arness,
+called Thorfin, him Flosi sent for Thorgeir's head, and he went and
+hid himself in the boat-stand; that morning, Thorgeir got ready to row
+out to sea, and two men with him, one called Hamund, the other Brand.
+Thorgeir went first, and had on his back a leather bottle and drink
+therein. It was very dark, and as he walked down from the boat-stand
+Thorfin ran at him, and smote him with an axe betwixt the shoulders,
+and the axe sank in, and the bottle squeaked, but he let go the axe,
+for he deemed that there would be little need of binding up, and would
+save himself as swiftly as might be; and it is to be told of him that
+he ran off to Arness, and came there before broad day, and told of
+Thorgeir's slaying, and said that he should have need of Flosi's
+shelter, and that the only thing to be done was to offer atonement,
+"for that of all things," said he, "is like to better our strait,
+great as it has now grown."
+
+Flosi said that he would first hear tidings; "and I am minded to think
+that thou art afraid after thy big deed."
+
+Now it is to be said of Thorgeir, that he turned from the blow as the
+axe smote the bottle, nor had he any wound; they made no search
+for the man because of the dark, so they rowed over the firths to
+Coldback, and told tidings of what had happed; thereat folk made much
+mocking, and called Thorgeir, Bottleback, and that was his by-name
+ever after.
+
+And this was sung withal--
+
+  "The brave men of days of old,
+  Whereof many a tale is told,
+  Bathed the whiting of the shield,
+  In wounds' house on battle-field;
+  But the honour-missing fool,
+  Both sides of his slaying tool,
+  Since faint heart his hand made vain.
+  With but curdled milk must stain."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XII.
+
+
+In those days befell such hard times in Iceland, that nought like them
+has been known there; well-nigh all gettings from the sea, and all
+drifts, came to an end; and this went on for many seasons. One autumn
+certain chapmen in a big ship were drifted thither, and were wrecked
+there in the Creek, and Flosi took to him four or five of them; Stein
+was the name of their captain; they were housed here and there about
+the Creek, and were minded to build them a new ship from the wreck;
+but they were unhandy herein, and the ship was over small stem and
+stern, but over big amidships.
+
+That spring befell a great storm from the north, which lasted near a
+week, and after the storm men looked after their drifts. Now there was
+a man called Thorstein, who dwelt at Reekness; he found a whale driven
+up on the firthward side of the ness, at a place called Rib-Skerries,
+and the whale was a big whale.
+
+Thorstein sent forthwith a messenger to Wick to Flosi, and so to the
+nighest farm-steads. Now Einar was the name of the farmer at Combe,
+and he was a tenant of those of Coldback, and had the ward of their
+drifts on that side of the firths; and now withal he was ware of the
+stranding of the whale: and he took boat and rowed past the firths to
+Byrgis Creek, whence he sent a man to Coldback; and when Thorgrim and
+his brothers heard that, they got ready at their swiftest, and were
+twelve in a ten-oared boat, and Kolbein's sons fared with them, Ivar
+and Leif, and were six altogether; and all farmers who could bring it
+about went to the whale.
+
+Now it is to be told of Flosi that he sent to his kin in Ingolfs-firth
+and Ufeigh's-firth, and for Olaf Eyvindson, who then dwelt at Drangar;
+and Flosi came first to the whale, with the men of Wick, then they
+fell to cutting up the whale, and what was cut was forthwith sent
+ashore; near twenty men were thereat at first, but soon folk came
+thronging thither.
+
+Therewith came those of Coldback in four boats, and Thorgrim laid
+claim to the whale and forbade the men of Wick to shear, allot, or
+carry off aught thereof: Flosi bade him show if Eric had given Onund
+Treefoot the drift in clear terms, or else he said he should defend
+himself with arms. Thorgrim thought he and his too few, and would not
+risk an onset; but therewithal came a boat rowing up the firth, and
+the rowers therein pulled smartly. Soon they came up, and there was
+Swan, from Knoll in Biornfirth, and his house-carles; and straightway,
+when he came, he bade Thorgrim not to let himself be robbed; and great
+friends they had been heretofore, and now Swan offered his aid. The
+brothers said they would take it, and therewith set on fiercely;
+Thorgeir Bottleback first mounted the whale against Flosi's
+house-carles; there the aforenamed Thorfin was cutting the whale, he
+was in front nigh the head, and stood in a foot-hold he had cut for
+himself; then Thorgeir said, "Herewith I bring thee back thy axe," and
+smote him on the neck, and struck off his head.
+
+Flosi was up on the foreshore when he saw that, and he egged on his
+men to meet them hardily; now they fought long together, but those of
+Coldback had the best of it: few men there had weapons except the axes
+wherewith they were cutting up the whale, and some choppers. So the
+men of Wick gave back to the foreshores; the Eastmen had weapons,
+and many a wound they gave; Stein, the captain, smote a foot off
+Ivar Kolbeinson, but Leif, Ivar's brother, beat to death a fellow of
+Stein's with a whale-rib; blows were dealt there with whatever could
+be caught at, and men fell on either side. But now came up Olaf and
+his men from Drangar in many boats, and gave help to Flosi, and then
+those of Coldback were borne back overpowered; but they had loaded
+their boats already, and Swan bade get aboard and thitherward they
+gave back, and the men of Wick came on after them; and when Swan was
+come down to the sea, he smote at Stein, the sea-captain, and gave him
+a great wound, and then leapt aboard his boat; Thorgrim wounded Flosi
+with a great wound and therewith got away; Olaf cut at Ufeigh Grettir,
+and wounded him to death; but Thorgeir caught Ufeigh up and leapt
+aboard with him. Now those of Coldback row east by the firths, and
+thus they parted; and this was sung of their meeting--
+
+  At Rib-skerries, I hear folk tell,
+  A hard and dreadful fray befell,
+  For men unarmed upon that day
+  With strips of whale-fat made good play.
+  Fierce steel-gods these in turn did meet
+  With blubber-slices nowise sweet;
+  Certes a wretched thing it is
+  To tell of squabbles such as this.
+
+After these things was peace settled between them, and these suits
+were laid to the Althing; there Thorod the Godi and Midfirth-Skeggi,
+with many of the south-country folk, aided those of Coldback; Flosi
+was outlawed, and many of those who had been with him; and his moneys
+were greatly drained because he chose to pay up all weregild himself.
+Thorgrim and his folk could not show that they had paid money for the
+lands and drifts which Flosi claimed. Thorkel Moon was lawman then,
+and he was bidden to give his decision; he said that to him it seemed
+law, that something had been paid for those lands, though mayhap
+not their full worth; "For so did Steinvor the Old to Ingolf, my
+grandfather, that she had from him all Rosmwhale-ness and gave
+therefor a spotted cloak, nor has that gift been voided, though certes
+greater flaws be therein: but here I lay down my rede," said he, "that
+the land be shared, and that both sides have equal part therein; and
+henceforth be it made law, that each man have the drifts before
+his own lands." Now this was done, and the land was so divided that
+Thorgrim and his folk had to give up Reekfirth and all the lands by
+the firth-side, but Combe they were to keep still. Ufeigh was atoned
+with a great sum; Thorfin was unatoned, and boot was given to Thorgeir
+for the attack on his life; and thereafter were they set at one
+together. Flosi took ship for Norway with Stein, the ship-master, and
+sold his lands in the Wick to Geirmund Hiuka-timber, who dwelt there
+afterwards. Now that ship which the chapmen had made was very broad of
+beam, so that men called it the Treetub, and by that name is the
+creek known: but in that keel did Flosi go out, but was driven back to
+Axefirth, whereof came the tale of Bodmod, and Grimulf, and Gerpir.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIII.
+
+
+Now after this the brothers Thorgrim and Thorgeir shared their
+possessions. Thorgrim took the chattels and Thorgeir the land;
+Thorgrim betook himself to Midfirth and bought land at Biarg by the
+counsel of Skeggi; he had to wife Thordis, daughter of Asmund of
+Asmund's-peak, who had settled the Thingere lands: Thorgrim and
+Thordis had a son who was called Asmund; he was a big man and a
+strong, wise withal, and the fairest-haired of men, but his head grew
+grey early, wherefore he was called Asmund the Greyhaired. Thorgrim
+grew to be a man very busy about his household, and kept all his men
+well to their work. Asmund would do but little work, so the father and
+son had small fellowship together; and so things fared till Asmund had
+grown of age; then he asked his father for travelling money;
+Thorgrim said he should have little enough, but gave him somewhat of
+huckstering wares.
+
+Then Asmund went abroad, and his goods soon grew great; he sailed to
+sundry lands, and became the greatest of merchants, and very rich; he
+was a man well beloved and trusty, and many kinsmen he had in Norway
+of great birth.
+
+One autumn he guested east in the Wick with a great man who was called
+Thorstein; he was an Uplander of kin, and had a sister called Ranveig,
+one to be chosen before all women; her Asmund wooed, and gained her by
+the help of Thorstein her brother; and there Asmund dwelt a while
+and was held in good esteem: he had of Ranveig a son hight Thorstein,
+strong, and the fairest of men, and great of voice; a man tall of
+growth he was, but somewhat slow in his mien, and therefore was he
+called Dromund. Now when Thorstein was nigh grown up, his mother fell
+sick and died, and thereafter Asmund had no joy in Norway; the kin
+of Thorstein's mother took his goods, and him withal to foster; but
+Asmund betook himself once more to seafaring, and became a man of
+great renown. Now he brought his ship into Hunawater, and in those
+days was Thorkel Krafla chief over the Waterdale folk; and he heard
+of Asmund's coming out, and rode to the ship and bade Asmund to his
+house; and he dwelt at Marstead in Waterdale; so Asmund went to
+be guest there. This Thorkel was the son of Thorgrim the Godi of
+Cornriver, and was a very wise man.
+
+Now this was after the coming out of Bishop Frederick, and Thorvald
+Kodran's son, and they dwelt at the Brooks-meet, when these things
+came to pass: they were the first to preach the law of Christ in the
+north country; Thorkel let himself be signed with the cross and
+many men with him, and things enow betid betwixt the bishop and the
+north-country folk which come not into this tale.
+
+Now at Thorkel's was a woman brought up, Asdis by name, who was the
+daughter of Bard, the son of Jokul, the son of Ingimund the Old, the
+son of Thorstein, the son of Ketil the Huge: the mother of Asdis was
+Aldis the daughter of Ufeigh Grettir, as is aforesaid; Asdis was as
+yet unwedded, and was deemed the best match among women, both for her
+kin and her possessions; Asmund was grown weary of seafaring, and
+was fain to take up his abode in Iceland; so he took up the word, and
+wooed this woman. Thorkel knew well all his ways, that he was a rich
+man and of good counsel to hold his wealth; so that came about, that
+Asmund got Asdis to wife; he became a bosom friend of Thorkel, and
+a great dealer in matters of farming, cunning in the law, and
+far-reaching. And now a little after this Thorgrim Greypate died at
+Biarg, and Asmund took the heritage after him and dwelt there.
+
+
+
+
+HERE BEGINS THE STORY OF THE LIFE
+OF GRETTIR THE STRONG
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIV.
+
+<i>Of Grettir as a child, and his froward ways with his father</i>.
+
+
+Asmund the Greyhaired kept house at Biarg; great and proud was his
+household, and many men he had about him, and was a man much beloved.
+These were the children of him and Asdis. Atli was the eldest son;
+a man yielding and soft-natured, easy, and meek withal, and all men
+liked him well: another son they had called Grettir; he was very
+froward in his childhood; of few words, and rough; worrying both in
+word and deed. Little fondness he got from his father Asmund, but his
+mother loved him right well.
+
+Grettir Asmundson was fair to look on, broad-faced, short-faced,
+red-haired, and much freckled; not of quick growth in his childhood.
+
+Thordis was a daughter of Asmund, whom Glum, the son of Uspak, the
+son of Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, afterwards had to wife. Ranveig was
+another daughter of Asmund; she was the wife of Gamli, the son of
+Thorhal, the son of the Vendlander; they kept house at Meals in
+Ramfirth; their son was Grim. The son of Glum and Thordis, the
+daughter of Asmund, was Uspak, who quarrelled with Odd, the son of
+Ufeigh, as is told in the Bandamanna Saga.
+
+Grettir grew up at Biarg till he was ten years old; then he began to
+get on a little; but Asmund bade him do some work; Grettir answered
+that work was not right meet for him, but asked what he should do.
+
+Says Asmund, "Thou shalt watch my home-geese."
+
+Grettir answered and said, "A mean work, a milksop's work."
+
+Asmund said, "Turn it well out of hand, and then matters shall get
+better between us."
+
+Then Grettir betook himself to watching the home-geese; fifty of them
+there were, with many goslings; but no long time went by before he
+found them a troublesome drove, and the goslings slow-paced withal.
+Thereat he got sore worried, for little did he keep his temper in
+hand. So some time after this, wayfaring men found the goslings strewn
+about dead, and the home-geese broken-winged; and this was in autumn.
+Asmund was mightily vexed hereat, and asked if Grettir had killed the
+fowl: he sneered mockingly, and answered--
+
+  "Surely as winter comes, shall I
+  Twist the goslings' necks awry.
+  If in like case are the geese,
+  I have finished each of these."
+
+"Thou shalt kill them no more," said Asmund.
+
+"Well, <i>a friend should warn a friend of ill</i>," said Grettir.
+
+"Another work shall be found for thee then," said Asmund.
+
+"<i>More one knows the more one tries</i>," said Grettir; "and what
+shall I do now?"
+
+Asmund answered, "Thou shalt rub my back at the fire, as I have been
+wont to have it done."
+
+"Hot for the hand, truly," said Grettir; "but still a milksop's work."
+
+Now Grettir went on with this work for a while; but autumn came on,
+and Asmund became very fain of heat, and he spurs Grettir on to rub
+his back briskly. Now, in those times there were wont to be large
+fire-halls at the homesteads, wherein men sat at long fires in the
+evenings; boards were set before the men there, and afterwards folk
+slept out sideways from the fires; there also women worked at the wool
+in the daytime. Now, one evening, when Grettir had to rub Asmund's
+back, the old carle said,--
+
+"Now thou wilt have to put away thy sloth, thou milk-sop."
+
+Says Grettir, "<i>Ill is it to goad the foolhardy</i>."
+
+Asmund answers, "Thou wilt ever be a good-for-nought."
+
+Now Grettir sees where, in one of the seats stood wool-combs: one of
+these he caught up, and let it go all down Asmund's back. He sprang
+up, and was mad wroth thereat; and was going to smite Grettir with
+his staff, but he ran off. Then came the housewife, and asked what was
+this to-do betwixt them. Then Grettir answered by this ditty--
+
+  "This jewel-strewer, O ground of gold,
+  (His counsels I deem over bold),
+  On both these hands that trouble sow,
+  (Ah bitter pain) will burn me now;
+
+  Therefore with wool-comb's nails unshorn
+  Somewhat ring-strewer's back is torn:
+  The hook-clawed bird that wrought his wound,--
+  Lo, now I see it on the ground."
+
+Hereupon was his mother sore vexed, that he should have taken to a
+trick like this; she said he would never fail to be the most reckless
+of men. All this nowise bettered matters between Asmund and Grettir.
+
+Now, some time after this, Asmund had a talk with Grettir, that he
+should watch his horses. Grettir said this was more to his mind than
+the back-rubbing.
+
+"Then shalt thou do as I bid thee," said Asmund. "I have a dun mare,
+which I call Keingala; she is so wise as to shifts of weather, thaws,
+and the like, that rough weather will never fail to follow, when she
+will not go out on grazing. At such times thou shalt lock the horses
+up under cover; but keep them to grazing on the mountain neck yonder,
+when winter comes on. Now I shall deem it needful that thou turn this
+work out of hand better than the two I have set thee to already."
+
+Grettir answered, "This is a cold work and a manly, but I deem it ill
+to trust in the mare, for I know none who has done it yet."
+
+Now Grettir took to the horse-watching, and so the time went on till
+past Yule-time; then came on much cold weather with snow, that made
+grazing hard to come at. Now Grettir was ill clad, and as yet little
+hardened, and he began to be starved by the cold; but Keingala grazed
+away in the windiest place she could find, let the weather be as rough
+as it would. Early as she might go to the pasture, never would she go
+back to stable before nightfall. Now Grettir deemed that he must think
+of some scurvy trick or other, that Keingala might be paid in full
+for her way of grazing: so, one morning early, he comes to the
+horse-stable, opens it, and finds Keingala standing all along before
+the crib; for, whatever food was given to the horses with her, it was
+her way to get it all to herself. Grettir got on her back, and had a
+sharp knife in his hand, and drew it right across Keingala's shoulder,
+and then all along both sides of the back. Thereat the mare, being
+both fat and shy, gave a mad bound, and kicked so fiercely, that her
+hooves clattered against the wall. Grettir fell off; but, getting
+on his legs, strove to mount her again. Now their struggle is of the
+sharpest, but the end of it is, that he flays off the whole of the
+strip along the back to the loins. Thereafter he drove the horses out
+on grazing; Keingala would bite but at her back, and when noon was
+barely past, she started off, and ran back to the house. Grettir now
+locks the stable and goes home. Asmund asked Grettir where the horses
+were. He said that he had stabled them as he was wont. Asmund said
+that rough weather was like to be at hand, as the horses would not
+keep at their grazing in such good weather as now it was.
+
+Grettir said, "<i>Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust</i>."
+
+Now the night goes by, but no rough weather came on. Grettir drove off
+the horses, but Keingala cannot bear the grazing. This seemed strange
+to Asmund, as the weather changed in nowise from what it had been
+theretofore. The third morning Asmund went to the horses, and, coming
+to Keingala, said,--
+
+"I must needs deem these horses to be in sorry case, good as the
+winter has been, but thy sides will scarce lack flesh, my dun."
+
+"<i>Things boded will happen</i>," said Grettir, "<i>but so will
+things unboded</i>."
+
+Asmund stroked the back of the mare, and, lo, the hide came off
+beneath his hand; he wondered how this could have happened, and said
+it was likely to be Grettir's doing. Grettir sneered mockingly, but
+said nought. Now goodman Asmund went home talking as one mad; he went
+straight to the fire-hall, and as he came heard the good wife say,
+"It were good indeed if the horse-keeping of my kinsman had gone off
+well."
+
+Then Asmund sang this stave--
+
+  "Grettir has in such wise played,
+  That Keingala has he flayed,
+  Whose trustiness would be my boast
+  (Proudest women talk the most);
+  So the cunning lad has wrought,
+  Thinking thereby to do nought
+  Of my biddings any more.
+  In thy mind turn these words o'er."
+
+The housewife answered, "I know not which is least to my mind, that
+thou shouldst ever be bidding him work, or that he should turn out all
+his work in one wise."
+
+"That too we will make an end of," said Asmund, "but he shall fare the
+worse therefor."
+
+Then Grettir said, "Well, let neither make words about it to the
+other."
+
+So things went on awhile, and Asmund had Keingala killed; and many
+other scurvy tricks did Grettir in his childhood whereof the story
+says nought. But he grew great of body, though his strength was not
+well known, for he was unskilled in wrestling; he would make ditties
+and rhymes, but was somewhat scurrilous therein. He had no will to lie
+anight in the fire-hall and was mostly of few words.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XV.
+
+<i>Of the ball-play on Midfirth Water</i>.
+
+
+At this time there were many growing up to be men in Midfirth;
+Skald-Torfa dwelt at Torfa's-stead in those days; her son was called
+Bessi, he was the shapeliest of men and a good skald.
+
+At Meal lived two brothers, Kormak and Thorgils, with them a man
+called Odd was fostered, and was called the Foundling-skald.
+
+One called Audun was growing up at Audunstead in Willowdale, he was
+a kind and good man to deal with, and the strongest in those north
+parts, of all who were of an age with him. Kalf Asgeirson dwelt
+at Asgeir's-river, and his brother Thorvald with him. Atli also,
+Grettir's brother, was growing into a ripe man at that time; the
+gentlest of men he was, and well beloved of all. Now these men
+settled to have ball-play together on Midfirth Water; thither came the
+Midfirthers, and Willowdale men, and men from Westhope, and Waterness,
+and Ramfirth, but those who came from far abode at the play-stead.
+
+Now those who were most even in strength were paired together, and
+thereat was always the greatest sport in autumn-tide. But when he was
+fourteen years old Grettir went to the plays, because he was prayed
+thereto by his brother Atli.
+
+Now were all paired off for the plays, and Grettir was allotted to
+play against Audun, the aforenamed, who was some winters the eldest of
+the two; Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head, so that he could
+not catch it, and it bounded far away along the ice; Grettir got angry
+thereat, deeming that Audun would outplay him; but he fetches the ball
+and brings it back, and, when he was within reach of Audun, hurls
+it right against his forehead, and smites him so that the skin was
+broken; then Audun struck at Grettir with the bat he held in his hand,
+but smote him no hard blow, for Grettir ran in under the stroke; and
+thereat they seized one another with arms clasped, and wrestled. Then
+all saw that Grettir was stronger than he had been taken to be, for
+Audun was a man full of strength.
+
+A long tug they had of it, but the end was that Grettir fell, and
+Audun thrust his knees against his belly and breast, and dealt hardly
+with him.
+
+Then Atli and Bessi and many others ran up and parted them; but
+Grettir said there was no need to hold him like a mad dog, "For," said
+he, "<i>thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never</i>."
+
+This men suffered not to grow into open strife, for the brothers, Kalf
+and Thorvald, were fain that all should be at one again, and Audun and
+Grettir were somewhat akin withal; so the play went on as before, nor
+did anything else befall to bring about strife.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XVI.
+
+<i>Of the slaying of Skeggi</i>.
+
+
+Now Thorkel Krafla got very old; he had the rule of Waterdale and
+was a great man. He was bosom friend of Asmund the Greyhaired, as was
+beseeming for the sake of their kinship; he was wont to ride to Biarg
+every year and see his kin there, nor did he fail herein the spring
+following these matters just told. Asmund and Asdis welcomed him most
+heartily, he was there three nights, and many things did the kinsmen
+speak of between them. Now Thorkel asked Asmund what his mind
+foreboded him about his sons, as to what kind of craft they would be
+likely to take to. Asmund said that he thought Atli would be a great
+man at farming, foreseeing, and money-making. Thorkel answered, "A
+useful man and like unto thyself: but what dost thou say of Grettir?"
+
+Asmund said, "Of him I say, that he will be a strong man and an
+unruly, and, certes, of wrathful mood, and heavy enough he has been to
+me."
+
+Thorkel answered, "That bodes no good, friend; but how shall we settle
+about our riding to the Thing next summer?"
+
+Asmund answered, "I am growing heavy for wayfaring, and would fain sit
+at home."
+
+"Wouldst thou that Atli go in thy stead?" said Thorkel.
+
+"I do not see how I could spare him," says Asmund, "because of the
+farm-work and ingathering of household stores; but now Grettir will
+not work, yet he bears about that wit with him that I deem he will
+know how to keep up the showing forth of the law for me through thy
+aid."
+
+"Well, thou shall have thy will," said Thorkel, and withal he rode
+home when he was ready, and Asmund let him go with good gifts.
+
+Some time after this Thorkel made him ready to ride to the Thing, he
+rode with sixty men, for all went with him who were in his rule: thus
+he came to Biarg, and therefrom rode Grettir with him.
+
+Now they rode south over the heath that is called Two-days'-ride; but
+on this mountain the baiting grounds were poor, therefore they rode
+fast across it down to the settled lands, and when they came down
+to Fleet-tongue they thought it was time to sleep, so they took the
+bridles off their horses and let them graze with the saddles on. They
+lay sleeping till far on in the day, and when they woke, the men went
+about looking for their horses; but they had gone each his own way,
+and some of them had been rolling; but Grettir was the last to find
+his horse.
+
+Now it was the wont in those days that men should carry their own
+victuals when they rode to the Althing, and most bore meal-bags
+athwart their saddles; and the saddle was turned under the belly of
+Grettir's horse, and the meal-bag was gone, so he goes and searches,
+and finds nought.
+
+Just then he sees a man running fast, Grettir asks who it is who is
+running there; the man answered that his name was Skeggi, and that
+he was a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale. "I am one of the
+following of goodman Thorkel," he says, "but, faring heedlessly, I
+have lost my meal-bag."
+
+Grettir said, "<i>Odd haps are worst haps</i>, for I, also, have lost
+the meal-sack which I owned, and now let us search both together."
+
+This Skeggi liked well, and a while they go thus together; but all
+of a sudden Skeggi bounded off up along the moors and caught up a
+meal-sack. Grettir saw him stoop, and asked what he took up there.
+
+"My meal-sack," says Skeggi.
+
+"Who speaks to that besides thyself?" says Grettir; "let me see it,
+for many a thing has its like."
+
+Skeggi said that no man should take from him what was his own; but
+Grettir caught at the meal-bag, and now they tug one another along
+with the meal-sack between them, both trying hard to get the best of
+it.
+
+"It is to be wondered at," says the house-carle, "that ye Waterdale
+men should deem, that because other men are not as wealthy as ye,
+that they should not therefore dare to hold aught of their own in your
+despite."
+
+Grettir said, that it had nought to do with the worth of men that each
+should have his own.
+
+Skeggi answers, "Too far off is Audun now to throttle thee as at that
+ball-play."
+
+"Good," said Grettir; "but, howsoever that went, thou at least shall
+never throttle me."
+
+Then Skeggi got at his axe and hewed at Grettir; when Grettir saw
+that, he caught the axe-handle with the left hand bladeward of
+Skeggi's hand, so hard that straightway was the axe loosed from his
+hold. Then Grettir drave that same axe into his head so that it stood
+in the brain, and the house-carle fell dead to earth. Then Grettir
+seized the meal-bag and threw it across his saddle, and thereon rode
+after his fellows.
+
+Now Thorkel rode ahead of all, for he had no misgiving of such things
+befalling: but men missed Skeggi from the company, and when Grettir
+came up they asked him what he knew of Skeggi; then he sang--
+
+  "A rock-troll her weight did throw
+  At Skeggi's throat a while ago:
+  Over the battle ogress ran
+  The red blood of the serving-man;
+  Her deadly iron mouth did gape
+  Above him, till clean out of shape
+  She tore his head and let out life:
+  And certainly I saw their strife."
+
+Then Thorkel's men sprung up and said that surely trolls had not taken
+the man in broad daylight. Thorkel grew silent, but said presently,
+"The matter is likely to be quite other than this; methinks Grettir
+has in all likelihood killed him, or what could befall?"
+
+Then Grettir told all their strife. Thorkel says, "This has come to
+pass most unluckily, for Skeggi was given to my following, and was,
+nathless, a man of good kin; but I shall deal thus with the matter: I
+shall give boot for the man as the doom goes, but the outlawry I may
+not settle. Now, two things thou hast to choose between, Grettir;
+whether thou wilt rather go to the Thing and risk the turn of matters,
+or go back home."
+
+Grettir chose to go to the Thing, and thither he went. But a lawsuit
+was set on foot by the heirs of the slain man: Thorkel gave handsel,
+and paid up all fines, but Grettir must needs be outlawed, and keep
+abroad three winters.
+
+Now when the chiefs rode from the Thing, they baited under Sledgehill
+before they parted: then Grettir lifted a stone which now lies there
+in the grass and is called Grettir's-heave; but many men came up to
+see the stone, and found it a great wonder that so young a man should
+heave aloft such a huge rock.
+
+Now Grettir rode home to Biarg and tells the tale of his journey;
+Asmund let out little thereon, but said that he would turn out an
+unruly man.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XVII.
+
+<i>Of Grettir's voyage out</i>.
+
+
+There was a man called Haflidi, who dwelt at Reydarfell in
+Whiteriverside, he was a seafaring man and had a sailing ship, which
+lay up Whiteriver: there was a man on board his ship, hight Bard,
+who had a wife with him young and fair. Asmund sent a man to Haflidi,
+praying him to take Grettir and look after him; Haflidi said that he
+had heard that the man was ill ruled of mood; yet for the sake of the
+friendship between him and Asmund he took Grettir to himself, and made
+ready for sailing abroad.
+
+Asmund would give to his son no faring-goods but victuals for the
+voyage and a little wadmall. Grettir prayed him for some weapon, but
+Asmund answered, "Thou hast not been obedient to me, nor do I know
+how far thou art likely to work with weapons things that may be of any
+gain; and no weapon shalt thou have of me."
+
+"<i>No deed no reward</i>," says Grettir. Then father and son parted
+with little love. Many there were who bade Grettir farewell, but few
+bade him come back.
+
+But his mother brought him on his road, and before they parted she
+spoke thus, "Thou art not fitted out from home, son, as I fain would
+thou wert, a man so well born as thou; but, meseems, the greatest
+shortcoming herein is that thou hast no weapons of any avail, and my
+mind misgives me that thou wilt perchance need them sorely."
+
+With that she took out from under her cloak a sword well wrought,
+and a fair thing it was, and then she said, "This sword was owned
+by Jokul, my father's father, and the earlier Waterdale men, and it
+gained them many a day; now I give thee the sword, and may it stand
+thee in good stead."
+
+Grettir thanked her well for this gift, and said he deemed it better
+than things of more worth; then he went on his way, and Asdis wished
+him all good hap.
+
+Now Grettir rode south over the heath, and made no stay till he came
+to the ship. Haflidi gave him a good welcome and asked him for his
+faring-goods, then Grettir sang--
+
+  "Rider of wind-driven steed,
+  Little gat I to my need,
+  When I left my fair birth-stead,
+  From the snatchers of worm's bed;
+  But this man's-bane hanging here,
+  Gift of woman good of cheer,
+  Proves the old saw said not ill,
+  <i>Best to bairn is mother still</i>."
+
+Haflidi said it was easily seen that she thought the most of him. But
+now they put to sea when they were ready, and had wind at will; but
+when they had got out over all shallows they hoisted sail.
+
+Now Grettir made a den for himself under the boat, from whence he
+would move for nought, neither for baling, nor to do aught at the
+sail, nor to work at what he was bound to work at in the ship in even
+shares with the other men, neither would he buy himself off from the
+work.
+
+Now they sailed south by Reekness and then south from the land; and
+when they lost land they got much heavy sea; the ship was somewhat
+leaky, and scarce seaworthy in heavy weather, therefore they had it
+wet enough. Now Grettir let fly his biting rhymes, whereat the men
+got sore wroth. One day, when it so happened that the weather was both
+squally and cold, the men called out to Grettir, and bade him now do
+manfully, "For," said they, "now our claws grow right cold." Grettir
+looked up and said--
+
+  "Good luck, scurvy starvelings, if I should behold
+  Each finger ye have doubled up with the cold."
+
+And no work they got out of him, and now it misliked them of their
+lot as much again as before, and they said that he should pay with his
+skin for his rhymes and the lawlessness which he did. "Thou art more
+fain," said they, "of playing with Bard the mate's wife than doing thy
+duty on board ship, and this is a thing not to be borne at all."
+
+The gale grew greater steadily, and now they stood baling for days and
+nights together, and all swore to kill Grettir. But when Haflidi heard
+this, he went up to where Grettir lay, and said, "Methinks the bargain
+between thee and the chapmen is scarcely fair; first thou dost by them
+unlawfully, and thereafter thou castest thy rhymes at them; and now
+they swear that they will throw thee overboard, and this is unseemly
+work to go on."
+
+"Why should they not be free to do as they will?" says Grettir; "but I
+well would that one or two of them tarry here behind with me, or ever
+I go overboard."
+
+Haflidi says, "Such deeds are not to be done, and we shall never
+thrive if ye rush into such madness; but I shall give thee good rede."
+
+"What is that?" says Grettir.
+
+"They blame thee for singing ill things of them; now, therefore, I
+would that thou sing some scurvy rhyme to me, for then it might be
+that they would bear with thee the easier."
+
+"To thee I never sing but good," says Grettir: "I am not going to make
+thee like these starvelings."
+
+"One may sing so," says Haflidi, "that the lampoon be not so foul when
+it is searched into, though at first sight it be not over fair."
+
+"I have ever plenty of that skill in me," says Grettir.
+
+Then Haflidi went to the men where they were baling, and said, "Great
+is your toil, and no wonder that ye have taken ill liking to Grettir."
+
+"But his lampoons we deem worse than all the rest together," they
+said.
+
+Haflidi said in a loud voice, "He will surely fare ill for it in the
+end."
+
+But when Grettir heard Haflidi speak blamefully of him, he sang--
+
+  "Otherwise would matters be,
+  When this shouting Haflidi
+  Ate in house at Reydarfell
+  Curdled milk, and deemed it well;
+  He who decks the reindeer's side
+  That 'twixt ness and ness doth glide,
+  Twice in one day had his fill
+  Of the feast of dart shower shrill."[8]
+
+[Footnote 8: This is about as obscure as the original, which seems to
+allude to some event not mentioned in the Saga.]
+
+The shipmen thought this foul enough, and said he should not put shame
+on Skipper Haflidi for nought.
+
+Then said Haflidi, "Grettir is plentifully worthy that ye should
+do him some shame, but I will not have my honour staked against his
+ill-will and recklessness; nor is it good for us to wreak vengeance
+for this forthwith while we have this danger hanging over us; but be
+ye mindful of it when ye land, if so it seem good to you."
+
+"Well," they said, "why should we not fare even as thou farest? for
+why should his vile word bite us more than thee?"
+
+And in that mind Haflidi bade them abide; and thence-forward the
+chapmen made far less noise about Grettir's rhymes than before.
+
+Now a long and a hard voyage they had, and the leak gained on the
+ship, and men began to be exceeding worn with toil. The young wife of
+the mate was wont to sew from Grettir's hands, and much would the crew
+mock him therefor; but Haflidi went up to where Grettir lay and sang--
+
+  "Grettir, stand up from thy grave,
+  In the trough of the grey wave
+  The keel labours, tell my say
+  Now unto thy merry may;
+  From thy hands the linen-clad
+  Fill of sewing now has had,
+  Till we make the land will she
+  Deem that labour fitteth thee."
+
+Then Grettir stood up and sang--
+
+  "Stand we up, for neath us now
+  Rides the black ship high enow;
+  This fair wife will like it ill
+  If my limbs are laid here still;
+  Certes, the white trothful one
+  Will not deem the deed well done,
+  If the work that I should share
+  Other folk must ever bear."
+
+Then he ran aft to where they were baling, and asked what they would
+he should do; they said he would do mighty little good.
+
+"Well," said he, "<i>ye may yet be apaid of a man's aid</i>."
+
+Haflidi bade them not set aside his help, "For it may be he shall deem
+his hands freed if he offers his aid."
+
+At that time pumping was not used in ships that fared over the main;
+the manner of baling they used men called tub or cask baling, and a
+wet work it was and a wearisome; two balers were used, and one went
+down while the other came up. Now the chapmen bade Grettir have the
+job of sinking the balers, and said that now it should be tried what
+he could do; he said that the less it was tried the better it would
+be. But he goes down and sinks the balers, and now two were got to
+bale against him; they held out but a little while before they were
+overcome with weariness, and then four came forward and soon fared in
+likewise, and, so say some, that eight baled against him before the
+baling was done and the ship was made dry. Thenceforth the manner of
+the chapmen's words to Grettir was much changed, for they saw what
+strength he had to fall back upon; and from that time he was the
+stoutest and readiest to help, wheresoever need was.
+
+Now they bore off east into the main, and much thick weather they had,
+and one night unawares they ran suddenly on a rock, so that the nether
+part of the ship went from under her; then the boat was run down, and
+women and all the loose goods were brought off: nearby was a little
+holm whither they brought their matters as they best could in the
+night; but when it began to dawn they had a talk as to where they were
+come; then they who had fared between lands before knew the land for
+Southmere in Norway; there was an island hardby called Haramsey; many
+folk dwelt there, and therein too was the manor of a lord.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XVIII.
+
+<i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with Karr the Old</i>.
+
+
+Now the lord who dwelt in the island was called Thorfinn; he was the
+son of Karr the Old, who had dwelt there long; and Thorfinn was a
+great chief.
+
+But when day was fully come men saw from the island that the chapmen
+were brought to great straits. This was made known to Thorfinn, and he
+quickly bestirred himself, and had a large bark of his launched, rowed
+by sixteen men, on this bark were nigh thirty men in all; they came up
+speedily and saved the chapmen's wares; but the ship settled down,
+and much goods were lost there. Thorfinn brought all men from the ship
+home to himself, and they abode there a week and dried their wares.
+Then the chapmen went south into the land, and are now out of the
+tale.
+
+Grettir was left behind with Thorfinn, and little he stirred, and was
+at most times mighty short of speech. Thorfinn bade give him meals,
+but otherwise paid small heed to him; Grettir was loth to follow him,
+and would not go out with him in the day; this Thorfinn took ill, but
+had not the heart to have food withheld from him.
+
+Now Thorfinn was fond of stately house-keeping, and was a man of great
+joyance, and would fain have other men merry too: but Grettir would
+walk about from house to house, and often went into other farms about
+the island.
+
+There was a man called Audun who dwelt at Windham; thither Grettir
+went every day, and he made friends with Audun, and there he was wont
+to sit till far on in the day. Now one night very late, as Grettir
+made ready to go home, he saw a great fire burst out on a ness to the
+north of Audun's farm. Grettir asked what new thing this might be.
+Audun said that he need be in no haste to know that.
+
+"It would be said," quoth Grettir, "if that were seen in our land,
+that the flame burned above hid treasure."
+
+The farmer said, "That fire I deem to be ruled over by one into whose
+matters it avails little to pry."
+
+"Yet fain would I know thereof," said Grettir.
+
+"On that ness," said Audun, "stands a barrow, great and strong,
+wherein was laid Karr the Old, Thorfinn's father; at first father
+and son had but one farm in the island; but since Karr died he has so
+haunted this place that he has swept away all farmers who owned lands
+here, so that now Thorfinn holds the whole island; but whatsoever man
+Thorfinn holds his hand over, gets no scathe."
+
+Grettir said that he had told his tale well: "And," says he, "I shall
+come here to-morrow, and then thou shalt have digging-tools ready."
+
+"Now, I pray thee," says Audun, "to do nought herein, for I know that
+Thorfinn will cast his hatred on thee therefor."
+
+Grettir said he would risk that.
+
+So the night went by, and Grettir came early on the morrow and the
+digging-tools were ready; the farmer goes with him to the barrow, and
+Grettir brake it open, and was rough-handed enough thereat, and did
+not leave off till he came to the rafters, and by then the day was
+spent; then he tore away the rafters, and now Audun prayed him hard
+not to go into the barrow; Grettir bade him guard the rope, "but I
+shall espy what dwells within here."
+
+Then Grettir entered into the barrow, and right dark it was, and a
+smell there was therein none of the sweetest. Now he groped about to
+see how things were below; first he found horse-bones, and then he
+stumbled against the arm of a high-chair, and in that chair found a
+man sitting; great treasures of gold and silver were heaped together
+there, and a small chest was set under the feet of him full of silver;
+all these riches Grettir carried together to the rope; but as he went
+out through the barrow he was griped at right strongly; thereon he let
+go the treasure and rushed against the barrow-dweller, and now they
+set on one another unsparingly enough.
+
+Everything in their way was kicked out of place, the barrow-wight
+setting on with hideous eagerness; Grettir gave back before him for a
+long time, till at last it came to this, that he saw it would not do
+to hoard his strength any more; now neither spared the other, and
+they were brought to where the horse-bones were, and thereabout they
+wrestled long. And now one, now the other, fell on his knee; but the
+end of the strife was, that the barrow-dweller fell over on his back
+with huge din. Then ran Audun from the holding of the rope, and deemed
+Grettir dead. But Grettir drew the sword, 'Jokul's gift,' and drave
+it at the neck of the barrow-bider so that it took off his head, and
+Grettir laid it at the thigh of him.[9] Then he went to the rope with
+the treasure, and lo, Audun was clean gone, so he had to get up the
+rope by his hands; he had tied a line to the treasure, and therewith
+he now haled it up.
+
+[Footnote 9: The old belief was that by this means only could a ghost
+be laid.]
+
+Grettir had got very stiff with his dealings with Karr, and now he
+went back to Thorfinn's house with the treasures, whenas all folk had
+set them down to table. Thorfinn gave Grettir a sharp look when he
+came into the drinking-hall, and asked him what work he had on hand
+so needful to do that he might not keep times of meals with other
+men. Grettir answers, "Many little matters will hap on late eves," and
+therewith he cast down on the table all the treasure he had taken in
+the barrow; but one matter there was thereof, on which he must needs
+keep his eyes; this was a short-sword, so good a weapon, that a
+better, he said, he had never seen; and this he gave up the last of
+all. Thorfinn was blithe to see that sword, for it was an heirloom of
+his house, and had never yet gone out of his kin.
+
+"Whence came these treasures to thine hand?" said Thorfinn.
+
+Grettir sang--
+
+  "Lessener of the flame of sea,
+  My strong hope was true to me,
+  When I deemed that treasure lay
+  In the barrow; from to-day
+  Folk shall know that I was right;
+  The begetters of the fight
+  Small joy now shall have therein,
+  Seeking dragon's-lair to win."
+
+Thorfinn answered, "Blood will seldom seem blood to thine eyes; no man
+before thee has had will to break open the barrow; but, because I
+know that what wealth soever is hid in earth or borne into barrow is
+wrongly placed, I shall not hold thee blameworthy for thy deed as
+thou hast brought it all to me; yea, or whence didst thou get the good
+sword?"
+
+Grettir answered and sang--
+
+  "Lessener of waves flashing flame,
+  To my lucky hand this came
+  In the barrow where that thing
+  Through the dark fell clattering;
+  If that helm-fire I should gain,
+  Made so fair to be the bane
+  Of the breakers of the bow,
+  Ne'er from my hand should it go."
+
+Thorfinn said, "Well hast thou prayed for it, but thou must show some
+deed of fame before I give thee that sword, for never could I get it
+of my father while he lived."
+
+Said Grettir, "Who knows to whom most gain will come of it in the
+end?"
+
+So Thorfinn took the treasures and kept the sword at his bed-head,
+and the winter wore on toward Yule, so that little else fell out to be
+told of.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIX.
+
+<i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt with the Bearserks</i>.
+
+
+Now the summer before these things Earl Eric Hakonson made ready to
+go from his land west to England, to see King Knut the Mighty, his
+brother-in-law, but left behind him in the rule of Norway Hakon, his
+son, and gave him into the hands of Earl Svein, his brother, for the
+watching and warding of his realm, for Hakon was a child in years.
+
+But before Earl Eric went away from the land, he called together lords
+and rich bonders, and many things they spoke on laws and the rule of
+the land, for Earl Eric was a man good at rule. Now men thought it an
+exceeding ill fashion in the land that runagates or bearserks called
+to holm high-born men for their fee or womankind, in such wise, that
+whosoever should fall before the other should lie unatoned; hereof
+many got both shame and loss of goods, and some lost their lives
+withal; and therefore Earl Eric did away with all holm-gangs and
+outlawed all bearserks who fared with raids and riots.
+
+In the making of this law, the chief of all, with Earl Eric, was
+Thorfinn Karrson, from Haramsey, for he was a wise man, and a dear
+friend of the Earls.
+
+Two brothers are named as being of the worst in these matters,
+one hight Thorir Paunch, the other Ogmund the Evil; they were of
+Halogaland kin, bigger and stronger than other men. They wrought the
+bearserks'-gang and spared nothing in their fury; they would take away
+the wives of men and hold them for a week or a half-month, and then
+bring them back to their husbands; they robbed wheresoever they came,
+or did some other ill deeds. Now Earl Eric made them outlaws through
+the length and breadth of Norway, and Thorfinn was the eagerest of men
+in bringing about their outlawry, therefore they deemed that they owed
+him ill-will enow.
+
+So the Earl went away from the land, as is said in his Saga; but Earl
+Svein bore sway over Norway. Thorfinn went home to his house, and sat
+at home till just up to Yule, as is aforesaid; but at Yule he made
+ready to go to his farm called Slysfirth, which is on the mainland,
+and thither he had bidden many of his friends. Thorfinn's wife could
+not go with her husband, for her daughter of ripe years lay ill
+a-bed, so they both abode at home. Grettir was at home too, and
+eight house-carles. Now Thorfinn went with thirty freedmen to the
+Yule-feast, whereat there was the greatest mirth and joyance among
+men.
+
+Now Yule-eve comes on, and the weather was bright and calm; Grettir
+was mostly abroad this day, and saw how ships fared north and south
+along the land, for each one sought the other's home where the Yule
+drinking was settled to come off. By this time the goodman's daughter
+was so much better that she could walk about with her mother, and thus
+the day wore on.
+
+Now Grettir sees how a ship rows up toward the island; it was not
+right big, but shield-hung it was from stem to stern, and stained all
+above the sea: these folk rowed smartly, and made for the boat-stands
+of goodman Thorfinn, and when the keel took land, those who were
+therein sprang overboard. Grettir cast up the number of the men, and
+they were twelve altogether; he deemed their guise to be far from
+peaceful. They took up their ship and bore it up from the sea;
+thereafter they ran up to the boat-stand, and therein was that big
+boat of Thorfinn, which was never launched to sea by less than thirty
+men, but these twelve shot it in one haul down to the shingle of the
+foreshore; and thereon they took up their own bark and bore it into
+the boat-stand.
+
+Now Grettir thought that he could see clear enough that they would
+make themselves at home. But he goes down to meet them, and welcomes
+them merrily, and asks who they were and what their leader was hight;
+he to whom these words were spoken answered quickly, and said that his
+name was Thorir, and that he was called Paunch, and that his brother
+was Ogmund, and that the others were fellows of theirs.
+
+"I deem," said Thorir, "that thy master Thorfinn has heard tell of us;
+is he perchance at home?"
+
+Grettir answered, "Lucky men are ye, and hither have come in a good
+hour, if ye are the men I take you to be; the goodman is gone away
+with all his home-folk who are freemen, and will not be home again
+till after Yule; but the mistress is at home, and so is the goodman's
+daughter; and if I thought that I had some ill-will to pay back, I
+should have chosen above all things to have come just thus; for here
+are all matters in plenty whereof ye stand in need both beer, and all
+other good things."
+
+Thorir held his peace, while Grettir let this tale run on, then he
+said to Ogmund--
+
+"How far have things come to pass other than as I guessed? and now am
+I well enough minded to take revenge on Thorfinn for having made us
+outlaws; and this man is ready enough of tidings, and no need have we
+to drag the words out of him."
+
+"Words all may use freely," said Grettir, "and I shall give you such
+cheer as I may; and now come home with me."
+
+They bade him have thanks therefor, and said they would take his
+offer.
+
+But when they came home to the farm, Grettir took Thorir by the hand
+and led him into the hall; and now was Grettir mightily full of words.
+The mistress was in the hall, and had had it decked with hangings, and
+made all fair and seemly; but when she heard Grettir's talk, she stood
+still on the floor, and asked whom he welcomed in that earnest wise.
+
+He answered, "Now, mistress, is it right meet to welcome these guests
+merrily, for here is come goodman Thorir Paunch and the whole twelve
+of them, and are minded to sit here Yule over, and a right good hap it
+is, for we were few enough before."
+
+She answered, "Am I to number these among bonders and goodmen, who are
+the worst of robbers and ill-doers? a large share of my goods had I
+given that they had not come here as at this time; and ill dost thou
+reward Thorfinn, for that he took thee a needy man from shipwreck and
+has held thee through the winter as a free man."
+
+Grettir said, "It would be better to take the wet clothes off these
+guests than to scold at me; since for that thou mayst have time long
+enough."
+
+Then said Thorir, "Be not cross-grained, mistress; nought shall thou
+miss thy husband's being away, for a man shall be got in his place
+for thee, yea, and for thy daughter a man, and for each of the
+home-women."
+
+"That is spoken like a man," said Grettir, "nor will they thus have
+any cause to bewail their lot."
+
+Now all the women rushed forth from the hall smitten with huge dread
+and weeping; then said Grettir to the bearserks, "Give into my hands
+what it pleases you to lay aside of weapons and wet clothes, for the
+folk will not be yielding to us while they are scared."
+
+Thorir said he heeded not how women might squeal; "But," said he,
+"thee indeed we may set apart from the other home-folk, and methinks
+we may well make thee our man of trust."
+
+"See to that yourselves," said Grettir, "but certes I do not take to
+all men alike."
+
+Thereupon they laid aside the more part of their weapons, and
+thereafter Grettir said--
+
+"Methinks it is a good rede now that ye sit down to table and drink
+somewhat, for it is right likely that ye are thirsty after the
+rowing."
+
+They said they were ready enough for that, but knew not where to find
+out the cellar; Grettir asked if they would that he should see for
+things and go about for them. The bearserks said they would be right
+fain of that; so Grettir fetched beer and gave them to drink; they
+were mightily weary, and drank in huge draughts, and still he let them
+have the strongest beer that there was, and this went on for a long
+time, and meanwhile he told them many merry tales. From all this there
+was din enough to be heard among them, and the home-folk were nowise
+fain to come to them.
+
+Now Thorir said, "Never yet did I meet a man unknown to me, who would
+do us such good deeds as this man; now, what reward wilt thou take of
+us for thy work?"
+
+Grettir answered, "As yet I look to no reward for this; but if we be
+even such friends when ye go away, as it looks like we shall be, I am
+minded to join fellowship with you; and though I be of less might than
+some of you, yet shall I not let any man of big redes."
+
+Hereat they were well pleased, and would settle the fellowship with
+vows.
+
+Grettir said that this they should not do, "For true is the old saw,
+<i>Ale is another man</i>, nor shall ye settle this in haste any
+further than as I have said, for on both sides are we men little meet
+to rule our tempers."
+
+They said that they would not undo what they had said.
+
+Withal the evening wore on till it grew quite dark; then sees Grettir
+that they were getting very heavy with drink, so he said--
+
+"Do ye not find it time to go to sleep?"
+
+Thorir said, "Time enough forsooth, and sure shall I be to keep to
+what I have promised the mistress."
+
+Then Grettir went forth from the hall, and cried out loudly--
+
+"Go ye to your beds, women all, for so is goodman Thorir pleased to
+bid."
+
+They cursed him for this, and to hear them was like hearkening to the
+noise of many wolves. Now the bearserks came forth from the hall, and
+Grettir said--
+
+"Let us go out, and I will show you Thorfinn's cloth bower."
+
+They were willing to be led there; so they came to an out-bower
+exceeding great; a door there was to it, and a strong lock thereon,
+and the storehouse was very strong withal; there too was a closet good
+and great, and a shield panelling between the chambers; both chambers
+stood high, and men went up by steps to them. Now the bearserks got
+riotous and pushed Grettir about, and he kept tumbling away from them,
+and when they least thought thereof, he slipped quickly out of the
+bower, seized the latch, slammed the door to, and put the bolt on.
+Thorir and his fellows thought at first that the door must have got
+locked of itself, and paid no heed thereto; they had light with them,
+for Grettir had showed them many choice things which Thorfinn owned,
+and these they now noted awhile. Meantime Grettir made all speed home
+to the farm, and when he came in at the door he called out loudly, and
+asked where the goodwife was; she held her peace, for she did not dare
+to answer.
+
+He said, "Here is somewhat of a chance of a good catch; but are there
+any weapons of avail here?"
+
+She answers, "Weapons there are, but how they may avail thee I know
+not."
+
+"Let us talk thereof anon," says he, "but now let every man do his
+best, for later on no better chance shall there be."
+
+The good wife said, "Now God were in garth if our lot might better:
+over Thorfinn's bed hangs the barbed spear, the big one that was
+owned by Karr the Old; there, too, is a helmet and a byrni, and the
+short-sword, the good one; and the arms will not fail if thine heart
+does well."
+
+Grettir seizes the helmet and spear, girds himself with the
+short-sword, and rushed out swiftly; and the mistress called upon the
+house-carles, bidding them follow such a dauntless man, four of them
+rushed forth and seized their weapons, but the other four durst come
+nowhere nigh. Now it is to be said of the bearserks that they thought
+Grettir delayed his coming back strangely; and now they began to doubt
+if there were not some guile in the matter. They rushed against the
+door and found it was locked, and now they try the timber walls so
+that every beam creaked again; at last they brought things so far that
+they broke down the shield-panelling, got into the passage, and thence
+out to the steps. Now bearserks'-gang seized them, and they howled
+like dogs. In that very nick of time Grettir came up and with both
+hands thrust his spear at the midst of Thorir, as he was about to
+get down the steps, so that it went through him at once. Now the
+spear-head was both long and broad, and Ogmund the Evil ran on to
+Thorir and pushed him on to Grettir's thrust, so that all went up to
+the barb-ends; then the spear stood out through Thorir's back and into
+Ogmund's breast, and they both tumbled dead off the spear; then of
+the others each rushed down the steps as he came forth; Grettir set on
+each one of them, and in turn hewed with the sword, or thrust with the
+spear; but they defended themselves with logs that lay on the green,
+and whatso thing they could lay hands on, therefore the greatest
+danger it was to deal with them, because of their strength, even
+though they were weaponless.
+
+Two of the Halogalanders Grettir slew on the green, and then came up
+the house-carles; they could not come to one mind as to what weapons
+each should have; now they set on whenever the bearserks gave back,
+but when they turned about on them, then the house-carles slunk away
+up to the houses. Six vikings fell there, and of all of them was
+Grettir the bane. Then the six others got off and came down to the
+boat-stand, and so into it, and thence they defended themselves with
+oars. Grettir now got great blows from them, so that at all times he
+ran the risk of much hurt; but the house-carles went home, and had
+much to say of their stout onset; the mistress bade them espy what
+became of Grettir, but that was not to be got out of them. Two more of
+the bearserks Grettir slew in the boat-stand, but four slipped out
+by him; and by this, dark night had come on; two of them ran into
+a corn-barn, at the farm of Windham, which is aforenamed: here they
+fought for a long time, but at last Grettir killed them both; then
+was he beyond measure weary and stiff, the night was far gone, and the
+weather got very cold with the drift of the snow. He was fain to leave
+the search of the two vikings who were left now, so he walked home to
+the farm. The mistress had lights lighted in the highest lofts at the
+windows that they might guide him on his way; and so it was that he
+found his road home whereas he saw the light.
+
+But when he was come into the door, the mistress went up to him, and
+bade him welcome.
+
+"Now," she said, "thou hast reaped great glory, and freed me and my
+house from a shame of which we should never have been healed, but if
+thou hadst saved us."
+
+Grettir answered, "Methinks I am much the same as I was this evening,
+when thou didst cast ill words on me."
+
+The mistress answered, "We wotted not that thou wert a man of such
+prowess as we have now proved thee; now shall all things in the house
+be at thy will which I may bestow on thee, and which it may be seeming
+for thee to take; but methinks that Thorfinn will reward thee better
+still when he comes home."
+
+Grettir answered, "Little of reward will be needed now, but I keep
+thine offer till the coming of the master; and I have some hope now
+that ye will sleep in peace as for the bearserks."
+
+Grettir drank little that evening, and lay with his weapons about him
+through the night. In the morning, when it began to dawn, people were
+summoned together throughout the island, and a search was set on foot
+for the bearserks who had escaped the night before; they were found
+far on in the day under a rock, and were by then dead from cold and
+wounds; then they were brought unto a tidewashed heap of stones and
+buried thereunder.
+
+After that folk went home, and the men of that island deemed
+themselves brought unto fair peace.
+
+Now when Grettir came back to the mistress, he sang this stave--
+
+  "By the sea's wash have we made
+  Graves, where twelve spear-groves are laid;
+  I alone such speedy end,
+  Unto all these folk did send.
+  O fair giver forth of gold,
+  Whereof can great words be told,
+  'Midst the deeds one man has wrought,
+  If this deed should come to nought?"
+
+The good wife said, "Surely thou art like unto very few men who are
+now living on the earth."
+
+So she set him in the high seat, and all things she did well to him,
+and now time wore on till Thorfinn's coming home was looked for.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XX.
+
+<i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i>.
+
+
+After Yule Thorfinn made ready for coming home, and he let those folk
+go with good gifts whom he had bidden to his feast. Now he fares with
+his following till he comes hard by his boat-stands; they saw a ship
+lying on the strand, and soon knew it for Thorfinn's bark, the big
+one. Now Thorfinn had as yet had no news of the vikings, he bade his
+men hasten landward, "For I fear," said he, "that friends have not
+been at work here."
+
+Thorfinn was the first to step ashore before his men, and forthwith he
+went up to the boat-stand; he saw a keel standing there, and knew it
+for the bearserks' ship. Then he said to his men, "My mind misgives
+me much that here things have come to pass, even such as I would have
+given the whole island, yea, every whit of what I have herein, that
+they might never have happed."
+
+They asked why he spake thus. Then he said, "Here have come the
+vikings, whom I know to be the worst of all Norway, Thorir Paunch
+and Ogmund the Evil; in good sooth they will hardly have kept house
+happily for us, and in an Icelander I have but little trust."
+
+Withal he spoke many things hereabout to his fellows.
+
+Now Grettir was at home, and so brought it about, that folk were slow
+to go down to the shore; and said he did not care much if the goodman
+Thorfinn had somewhat of a shake at what he saw before him; but when
+the mistress asked him leave to go, he said she should have her will
+as to where she went, but that he himself should stir nowhither. She
+ran swiftly to meet Thorfinn, and welcomed him cheerily. He was glad
+thereof, and said, "Praise be to God that I see thee whole and merry,
+and my daughter in likewise. But how have ye fared since I went from
+home?"
+
+She answered, "Things have turned out well, but we were near being
+overtaken by such a shame as we should never have had healing of, if
+thy winter-guest had not holpen us."
+
+Then Thorfinn spake, "Now shall we sit down, but do thou tell us these
+tidings."
+
+Then she told all things plainly even as they had come to pass,
+and praised greatly Grettir's stoutness and great daring; meanwhile
+Thorfinn held his peace, but when she had made an end of her tale,
+he said, "How true is the saw, <i>Long it takes to try a man</i>. But
+where is Grettir now?"
+
+The goodwife said, "He is at home in the hall."
+
+Thereupon they went home to the farm.
+
+Thorfinn went up to Grettir and kissed him, and thanked him with many
+fair words for the great heart which he had shown to him; "And I will
+say to thee what few say to their friends, that I would thou shouldst
+be in need of men, that then thou mightest know if I were to thee in
+a man's stead or not; but for thy good deed I can never reward thee
+unless thou comest to be in some troublous need; but as to thy abiding
+with me, that shall ever stand open to thee when thou willest it; and
+thou shalt be held the first of all my men."
+
+Grettir bade him have much thank therefor. "And," quoth he, "this
+should I have taken even if thou hadst made me proffer thereof
+before."
+
+Now Grettir sat there the winter over, and was in the closest
+friendship with Thorfinn; and for this deed he was now well renowned
+all over Norway, and there the most, where the bearserks had erst
+wrought the greatest ill deeds.
+
+This spring Thorfinn asked Grettir what he was about to busy himself
+with: he said he would go north to Vogar while the fair was. Thorfinn
+said there was ready for him money as much as he would. Grettir said
+that he needed no more money at that time than faring-silver: this,
+Thorfinn said, was full-well due to him, and thereupon went with him
+to ship.
+
+Now he gave him the short-sword, the good one, which Grettir bore as
+long as he lived, and the choicest of choice things it was. Withal
+Thorfinn bade Grettir come to him whenever he might need aid.
+
+But Grettir went north to Vogar, and a many folk were there; many men
+welcomed him there right heartily who had not seen him before, for the
+sake of that great deed of prowess which he had done when he saw the
+vikings; many high-born men prayed him to come and abide with them,
+but he would fain go back to his friend Thorfinn. Now he took ship in
+a bark that was owned of a man hight Thorkel, who dwelt in Salft in
+Halogaland, and was a high-born man. But when Grettir came to Thorkel
+he welcomed him right heartily, and bade Grettir abide with him that
+winter, and laid many words thereto.
+
+This offer Grettir took, and was with Thorkel that winter in great
+joyance and fame.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXI.
+
+<i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i>.
+
+
+There was a man, hight Biorn, who was dwelling with Thorkel; he was
+a man of rash temper, of good birth, and somewhat akin to Thorkel; he
+was not well loved of men, for he would slander much those who were
+with Thorkel, and in this wise he sent many away. Grettir and he
+had little to do together; Biorn thought him of little worth weighed
+against himself, but Grettir was unyielding, so that things fell
+athwart between them. Biorn was a mightily boisterous man, and made
+himself very big; many young men gat into fellowship with him in these
+things, and would stray abroad by night. Now it befell, that early in
+winter a savage bear ran abroad from his winter lair, and got so grim
+that he spared neither man nor beast. Men thought he had been roused
+by the noise that Biorn and his fellows had made. The brute got so
+hard to deal with that he tore down the herds of men, and Thorkel
+had the greatest hurt thereof, for he was the richest man in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+Now one day Thorkel bade his men to follow him, and search for the
+lair of the bear. They found it in sheer sea-rocks; there was a high
+rock and a cave before it down below, but only one track to go up to
+it: under the cave were scarped rocks, and a heap of stones down by
+the sea, and sure death it was to all who might fall down there. The
+bear lay in his lair by day, but went abroad as soon as night fell; no
+fold could keep sheep safe from him, nor could any dogs be set on
+him: and all this men thought the heaviest trouble. Biorn, Thorkel's
+kinsman, said that the greatest part had been done, as the lair had
+been found. "And now I shall try," said he, "what sort of play we[10]
+namesakes shall have together." Grettir made as if he knew not what
+Biorn said on this matter.
+
+[Footnote 10: Biorn is Icelandic for bear.]
+
+Now it happened always when men went to sleep anights that Biorn
+disappeared: and one night when Biorn went to the lair, he was aware
+that the beast was there before him, and roaring savagely. Biorn lay
+down in the track, and had over him his shield, and was going to wait
+till the beast should stir abroad as his manner was. Now the bear had
+an inkling of the man, and got somewhat slow to move off. Biorn waxed
+very sleepy where he lay, and cannot wake up, and just at this time
+the beast betakes himself from his lair; now he sees where the man
+lies, and, hooking at him with his claw, he tears from him the shield
+and throws it down over the rocks. Biorn started up suddenly awake,
+takes to his legs and runs home, and it was a near thing that the
+beast gat him not. This his fellows knew, for they had spies about
+Biorn's ways; in the morning they found the shield, and made the
+greatest jeering at all this.
+
+At Yule Thorkel went himself, and eight of them altogether, and there
+was Grettir and Biorn and other followers of Thorkel. Grettir had on
+a fur-cloak, which he laid aside while they set on the beast. It was
+awkward for an onslaught there, for thereat could folk come but by
+spear-thrusts, and all the spear-points the bear turned off him with
+his teeth. Now Biorn urged them on much to the onset, yet he himself
+went not so nigh as to run the risk of any hurt. Amid this, when men
+looked least for it, Biorn suddenly seized Grettir's coat, and cast it
+into the beast's lair. Now nought they could wreak on him, and had
+to go back when the day was far spent. But when Grettir was going, he
+misses his coat, and he could see that the bear has it cast under him.
+Then he said, "What man of you has wrought the jest of throwing my
+cloak into the lair?"
+
+Biorn says, "He who is like to dare to own to it."
+
+Grettir answers, "I set no great store on such matters."
+
+Now they went on their way home, and when they had walked awhile, the
+thong of Grettir's leggings brake. Thorkel bid them wait for him; but
+Grettir said there was no need of that. Then said Biorn, "Ye need
+not think that Grettir will run away from his coat; he will have the
+honour all to himself, and will slay that beast all alone, wherefrom
+we have gone back all eight of us; thus would he be such as he is said
+to be: but sluggishly enow has he fared forth to-day."
+
+"I know not," said Thorkel, "how thou wilt fare in the end, but men of
+equal prowess I deem you not: lay as few burdens on him as thou mayst,
+Biorn."
+
+Biorn said, that neither of them should pick and choose words from out
+his mouth.
+
+Now, when a hill's brow was between them, Grettir went back to the
+pass, for now there was no striving with others for the onset. He
+drew the sword, Jokul's gift, but had a loop over the handle of the
+short-sword, and slipped it up over his hand, and this he did in that
+he thought he could easier have it at his will if his hand were loose.
+He went up into the pass forthwith, and when the beast saw a man, it
+rushed against Grettir exceeding fiercely, and smote at him with that
+paw which was furthest off from the rock; Grettir hewed against the
+blow with the sword, and therewith smote the paw above the claws, and
+took it off; then the beast was fain to smite at Grettir with the paw
+that was whole, and dropped down therewith on to the docked one, but
+it was shorter than he wotted of, and withal he tumbled into Grettir's
+arms. Now he griped at the beast between the ears and held him off,
+so that he got not at him to bite. And, so Grettir himself says, that
+herein he deemed he had had the hardest trial of his strength, thus
+to hold the brute. But now as it struggled fiercely, and the space
+was narrow, they both tumbled down over the rock; the beast was the
+heaviest of the two, and came down first upon the stone heap below,
+Grettir being the uppermost, and the beast was much mangled on its
+nether side. Now Grettir seized the short-sword and thrust it into
+the heart of the bear, and that was his bane. Thereafter he went home,
+taking with him his cloak all tattered, and withal what he had cut
+from the paw of the bear. Thorkel sat a-drinking when he came into the
+hall, and much men laughed at the rags of the cloak Grettir had cast
+over him. Now he threw on to the table what he had chopped off the
+paw.
+
+Then said Thorkel, "Where is now Biorn my kinsman? never did I see thy
+irons bite the like of this, Biorn, and my will it is, that thou make
+Grettir a seemly offer for this shame thou hast wrought on him."
+
+Biorn said that was like to be long about, "and never shall I care
+whether he likes it well or ill."
+
+Then Grettir sang--
+
+  "Oft that war-god came to hall
+  Frighted, when no blood did fall,
+  In the dusk; who ever cried
+  On the bear last autumn-tide;
+  No man saw me sitting there
+  Late at eve before the lair;
+  Yet the shaggy one to-day
+  From his den I drew away."
+
+"Sure enough," said Biorn, "thou hast fared forth well to-day, and
+two tales thou tellest of us twain therefor; and well I know that thou
+hast had a good hit at me."
+
+Thorkel said, "I would, Grettir, that thou wouldst not avenge thee on
+Biorn, but for him I will give a full man-gild if thereby ye may be
+friends."
+
+Biorn said he might well turn his money to better account, than to
+boot for this; "And, methinks it is wisest that in my dealings with
+Grettir <i>one oak should have what from the other it shaves</i>."
+
+Grettir said that he should like that very well. But Thorkel said,
+"Yet I hope, Grettir, that thou wilt do this for my sake, not to do
+aught against Biorn while ye are with me."
+
+"That shall be," said Grettir.
+
+Biorn said he would walk fearless of Grettir wheresoever they might
+meet.
+
+Grettir smiled mockingly, but would not take boot for Biorn. So they
+were here that winter through.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXII.
+
+<i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i>.
+
+
+In the spring Grettir went north to Vogar with chapmen. He and Thorkel
+parted in friendship; but Biorn went west to England, and was the
+master of Thorkel's ship that went thither. Biorn dwelt thereabout
+that summer and bought such things for Thorkel as he had given him
+word to get; but as the autumn wore on he sailed from the west.
+Grettir was at Vogar till the fleet broke up; then he sailed from
+the north with some chapmen until they came to a harbour at an island
+before the mouth of Drontheimfirth, called Gartar, where they pitched
+their tents. Now when they were housed, a ship came sailing havenward
+from the south along the land; they soon saw that it was an England
+farer; she took the strand further out, and her crew went ashore;
+Grettir and his fellows went to meet them. But when they met, Grettir
+saw that Biorn was among those men, and spake--
+
+"It is well that we have met here; now we may well take up our ancient
+quarrel, and now I will try which of us twain may do the most."
+
+Biorn said that was an old tale to him, "but if there has been aught
+of such things between us, I will boot for it, so that thou mayst
+think thyself well holden thereof."
+
+Then Grettir sang--
+
+  "In hard strife I slew the bear,
+  Thereof many a man doth hear;
+  Then the cloak I oft had worn,
+  By the beast to rags was torn;
+  Thou, O braggart ring-bearer,
+  Wrought that jest upon me there,
+  Now thou payest for thy jest,
+  Not in words am I the best?"
+
+Biorn said, that oft had greater matters than these been atoned for.
+
+Grettir said, "That few had chosen hitherto to strive to trip him up
+with spite and envy, nor ever had he taken fee for such, and still
+must matters fare in likewise. Know thou that we shall not both of us
+go hence whole men if I may have my will, and a coward's name will I
+lay on thy back, if thou darest not to fight."
+
+Now Biorn saw that it would avail nought to try to talk himself free;
+so he took his weapons and went aland.
+
+Then they ran one at the other and fought, but not long before Biorn
+got sore wounded, and presently fell dead to earth. But when Biorn's
+fellows saw that, they went to their ship, and made off north along
+the land to meet Thorkel and told him of this hap: he said it had not
+come to pass ere it might have been looked for.
+
+Soon after this Thorkel went south to Drontheim, and met there Earl
+Svein. Grettir went south to Mere after the slaying of Biorn, and
+found his friend Thorfinn, and told him what had befallen. Thorfinn
+gave him good welcome, and said--
+
+"It is well now that thou art in need of a friend; with me shalt thou
+abide until these matters have come to an end."
+
+Grettir thanked him for his offer, and said he would take it now.
+
+Earl Svein was dwelling in Drontheim, at Steinker, when he heard of
+Biorn's slaying; at that time there was with him Hiarandi, the brother
+of Biorn, and he was the Earl's man; he was exceeding wroth when
+he heard of the slaying of Biorn, and begged the Earl's aid in the
+matter, and the Earl gave his word thereto.
+
+Then he sent men to Thorfinn and summoned to him both him and Grettir.
+Thorfinn and Grettir made ready at once at the Earl's bidding to go
+north to Drontheim to meet him. Now the Earl held a council on the
+matter, and bade Hiarandi to be thereat; Hiarandi said he would not
+bring his brother to purse; "and I shall either fare in a like wise
+with him, or else wreak vengeance for him." Now when the matter was
+looked into, the Earl found that Biorn had been guilty towards Grettir
+in many ways; and Thorfinn offered weregild, such as the Earl deemed
+might be befitting for Biorn's kin to take; and thereon he had much
+to say on the freedom which Grettir had wrought for men north there in
+the land, when he slew the bearserks, as has been aforesaid.
+
+The Earl answered, "With much truth thou sayest this, Thorfinn,
+that was the greatest land-ridding, and good it seems to us to take
+weregild because of thy words; and withal Grettir is a man well
+renowned because of his strength and prowess."
+
+Hiarandi would not take the settlement, and they broke up the meeting.
+Thorfinn got his kinsman Arnbiorn to go about with Grettir day by day,
+for he knew that Hiarandi lay in wait for his life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXIII.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i>.
+
+
+It happened one day that Grettir and Arnbiorn were walking through
+some streets for their sport, that as they came past a certain court
+gate, a man bounded forth therefrom with axe borne aloft, and drave it
+at Grettir with both hands; he was all unawares of this, and walked on
+slowly; Arnbiorn caught timely sight of the man, and seized Grettir,
+and thrust him on so hard that he fell on his knee; the axe smote the
+shoulder-blade, and cut sideways out under the arm-pit, and a great
+wound it was. Grettir turned about nimbly, and drew the short-sword,
+and saw that there was Hiarandi. Now the axe stuck fast in the road,
+and it was slow work for Hiarandi to draw it to him again, and in this
+very nick of time Grettir hewed at him, and the blow fell on the upper
+arm, near the shoulder, and cut it off; then the fellows of Hiarandi
+rushed forth, five of them, and a fight forthwith befell, and speedy
+change happed there, for Grettir and Arnbiorn slew those who were with
+Hiarandi, all but one, who got off, and forthwith went to the Earl to
+tell him these tidings.
+
+The Earl was exceeding wroth when he heard of this, and the second day
+thereafter he had a Thing summoned. Then they, Thorfinn and Grettir,
+came both to the Thing. The Earl put forth against Grettir the guilt
+for these manslaughters; he owned them all, and said he had had to
+defend his hands.
+
+"Whereof methinks I bear some marks on me," says Grettir, "and surely
+I had found death if Arnbiorn had not saved me."
+
+The Earl answered that it was ill hap that Grettir was not slain.
+
+"For many a man's bane wilt thou be if thou livest, Grettir."
+
+Then came to the Earl, Bessi, son of Skald-Torfa, a fellow and a
+friend to Grettir; he and Thorfinn went before the Earl had prayed him
+respite for Grettir, and offered, that the Earl alone should doom in
+this matter, but that Grettir might have peace and leave to dwell in
+the land.
+
+The Earl was slow to come to any settlement, but suffered himself to
+be led thereto because of their prayers. There respite was granted
+to Grettir till the next spring; still the Earl would not settle the
+peace till Gunnar, the brother of Biorn and Hiarandi, was thereat; now
+Gunnar was a court-owner in Tunsberg.
+
+In the spring, the Earl summoned Grettir and Thorfinn east to
+Tunsberg, for he would dwell there east while the most sail was
+thereat. Now they went east thither, and the Earl was before them in
+the town when they came. Here Grettir found his brother, Thorstein
+Dromond, who was fain of him and bade him abide with him: Thorstein
+was a court-owner in the town. Grettir told him all about his matters,
+and Thorstein gave a good hearing thereto, but bade him beware of
+Gunnar. And so the spring wore on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXIV.
+
+<i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife with Earl Svein</i>.
+
+
+Now Gunnar was in the town, and lay in wait for Grettir always
+and everywhere. It happened on a day that Grettir sat in a booth
+a-drinking, for he would not throw himself in Gunnar's way. But, when
+he wotted of it the least, the door was driven at so that it brake
+asunder, four men all-armed burst in, and there was Gunnar and his
+fellows.
+
+They set on Grettir; but he caught up his weapons which hung over
+him, and then drew aback into the corner, whence he defended himself,
+having before him the shield, but dealing blows with the short-sword,
+nor did they have speedy luck with him. Now he smote at one of
+Gunnar's fellows, and more he needed not; then he advanced forth on
+the floor, and therewith they were driven doorward through the booth,
+and there fell another man of Gunnar's; then were Gunnar and his
+fellows fain of flight; one of them got to the door, struck his foot
+against the threshold and lay there grovelling and was slow in getting
+to his feet. Gunnar had his shield before him, and gave back before
+Grettir, but he set on him fiercely and leaped up on the cross-beam by
+the door. Now the hands of Gunnar and the shield were within the door,
+but Grettir dealt a blow down amidst Gunnar and the shield and cut off
+both his hands by the wrist, and he fell aback out of the door; then
+Grettir dealt him his death-blow.
+
+But in this nick of time got to his feet Gunnar's man, who had lain
+fallen awhile, and he ran straightway to see the Earl, and to tell him
+these tidings.
+
+Earl Svein was wondrous wroth at this tale, and forthwith summoned a
+Thing in the town. But when Thorfinn and Thorstein Dromond knew this,
+they brought together their kin and friends and came thronging to the
+Thing. Very cross-grained was the Earl, and it was no easy matter to
+come to speech with him. Thorfinn went up first before the Earl and
+said, "For this cause am I come hither, to offer thee peace and honour
+for these man-slayings that Grettir has wrought; thou alone shall
+shape and settle all, if the man hath respite of his life."
+
+The Earl answered sore wroth: "Late wilt thou be loth to ask respite
+for Grettir; but in my mind it is that thou hast no good cause in
+court; he has now slain three brothers, one at the heels of the other,
+who were men so brave that they would none bear the other to purse.
+Now it will not avail thee, Thorfinn, to pray for Grettir, for I
+will not thus bring wrongs into the land so as to take boot for such
+unmeasured misdeeds."
+
+Then came forward Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, and prayed the Earl to
+take the offered settlement. "Thereto," he said, "I will give up my
+goods, for Grettir is a man of great kin and a good friend of mine;
+thou mayst well see, Lord, that it is better to respite one man's life
+and to have therefor the thanks of many, thyself alone dooming the
+fines, than to break down thine own honour, and risk whether thou
+canst seize the man or not."
+
+The Earl answered, "Thou farest well herein, Bessi, and showest at all
+times that thou art a high-minded man; still I am loth thus to break
+the laws of the land, giving respite to men of foredoomed lives."
+
+Then stepped forth Thorstein Dromond and greeted the Earl, and made
+offers on Grettir's behalf, and laid thereto many fair words. The Earl
+asked for what cause he made offers for this man. Thorstein said that
+they were brothers. The Earl said that he had not known it before:
+"Now it is but the part of a man for thee to help him, but because
+we have made up our mind not to take money for these man-slayings,
+we shall make all men of equal worth here, and Grettir's life will we
+have, whatsoever it shall cost and whensoever chance shall serve."
+
+Thereat the Earl sprang up, and would listen in nowise to the offered
+atonements.
+
+Now Thorfinn and his folk went home to Thorstein's court and made
+ready. But when the Earl saw this he bade all his men take weapons,
+and then he went thither with his folk in array. But before he came up
+Thorfinn and his men ordered themselves for defence before the gate of
+the court. Foremost stood Thorfinn and Thorstein and Grettir, and then
+Bessi, and each of them had a large following of men with him.
+
+The Earl bade them to give up Grettir, nor to bring themselves into an
+evil strait; they made the very same offer as before. The Earl would
+not hearken thereto. Then Thorfinn and Thorstein said that the Earl
+should have more ado yet for the getting of Grettir's life, "For one
+fate shall befall us all, and it will be said thou workest hard for
+one man's life, if all we have to be laid on earth therefor."
+
+The Earl said he should spare none of them, and now they were at the
+very point to fight.
+
+Then went to the Earl many men of goodwill, and prayed him not to
+push matters on to such great evils, and said they would have to pay
+heavily before all these were slain. The Earl found this rede to be
+wholesome, and became somewhat softened thereat.
+
+Thereafter they drew up an agreement to which Thorstein and Thorfinn
+were willing enough, now that Grettir should have respite of his life.
+The Earl spake: "Know ye," quoth he, "that though I deal by way of
+mean words with these man-slayings at this time, yet I call this no
+settlement, but I am loth to fight against my own folk; though I see
+that ye make little of me in this matter."
+
+Then said Thorfinn, "This is a greater honour for thee, Lord, for that
+thou alone wilt doom the weregild."
+
+Then the Earl said that Grettir should go in peace, as for him, out to
+Iceland, when ships fared out, if so they would; they said that they
+would take this. They paid the Earl fines to his mind, and parted from
+him with little friendship. Grettir went with Thorfinn; he and his
+brother Thorstein parted fondly.
+
+Thorfinn got great fame for the aid he had given Grettir against such
+overwhelming power as he had to deal with: none of the men who had
+helped Grettir were ever after well loved of the Earl, save Bessi.
+
+So quoth Grettir--
+
+  "To our helping came
+  The great of name;
+  Thorfinn was there
+  Born rule to bear;
+  When all bolts fell
+  Into locks, and hell
+  Cried out for my life
+  In the Tunsberg strife.
+  The Dromund fair[11]
+  Of red seas was there,
+  The stone of the bane
+  Of steel-gods vain:
+  From Bylest's kin
+  My life to win,
+  Above all men
+  He laboured then.
+
+  Then the king's folk
+  Would strike no stroke
+  To win my head;
+  So great grew dread;
+  For the leopard came
+  With byrni's flame,
+  And on thoughts-burg wall
+  Should that bright fire fall."
+
+Grettir went back north with Thorfinn, and was with him till he gat
+him to ship with chapmen who were bound out to Iceland: he gave him
+many fair gifts of raiment, and a fair-stained saddle and a bridle
+withal. They parted in friendship, and Thorfinn bade him come to him
+whensoever he should come back to Norway.
+
+[Footnote 11: The stone of steel-god's bane in Thorstein; Bylest's kin
+is Hel, death. The leopard is Bessi Skald-Torfason; byrni's flame, his
+sword. Thoughts-burg, a warrior's head.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXV.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.
+
+
+Asmund the Greyhaired lived on at Biarg, while Grettir was abroad, and
+by that time he was thought to be the greatest of bonders in Midfirth.
+Thorkel Krafla died during those seasons that Grettir was out of
+Iceland. Thorvald Asgeirson farmed then at the Ridge in Waterdale,
+and waxed a great chief. He was the father of Dalla whom Isleif had to
+wife, he who afterwards was bishop at Skalholt.
+
+Asmund had in Thorvald the greatest help in suits and in many other
+matters. At Asmund's grew up a man, hight Thorgils, called Thorgils
+Makson, near akin to Asmund. Thorgils was a man of great strength and
+gained much money by Asmund's foresight.
+
+Asmund bought for Thorgils the land at Brookmeet, and there he farmed.
+Thorgils was a great store-gatherer, and went a-searching to the
+Strands every year, and there he gat for himself whales and other
+gettings; and a stout-hearted man he was.
+
+In those days was at its height the waxing of the foster-brothers,
+Thorgeir Havarson and Thormod Coalbrowskald; they had a boat and went
+therein far and wide, and were not thought men of much even-dealing.
+It chanced one summer that Thorgils Makson found a whale on the common
+drift-lands, and forthwith he and his folk set about cutting it up.
+
+But when the foster-brothers heard thereof they went thither, and at
+first their talk had a likely look out. Thorgils offered that they
+should have the half of the uncut whale; but they would have for
+themselves all the uncut, or else divide all into halves, both the cut
+and the uncut. Thorgils flatly refused to give up what was cut of the
+whale; and thereat things grew hot between them, and forthwithal both
+sides caught up their weapons and fought. Thorgeir and Thorgils fought
+long together without either losing or gaining, and both were of the
+eagerest. Their strife was both fierce and long, but the end of it
+was, that Thorgils fell dead to earth before Thorgeir; but Thormod and
+the men of Thorgils fought in another place; Thormod had the best of
+that strife, and three of Thorgils' men fell before him. After the
+slaying of Thorgils, his folk went back east to Midfirth, and brought
+his dead body with them. Men thought that they had the greatest loss
+in him. But the foster-brothers took all the whale to themselves.
+
+This meeting Thormod tells of in that drapa that he made on Thorgeir
+dead. Asmund the Greyhaired heard of the slaying of Thorgils his
+kinsman; he was suitor in the case for Thorgils' slaying, he went
+and took witnesses to the wounds, and summoned the case before the
+Althing, for then this seemed to be law, as the case had happened in
+another quarter. And so time wears on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXVI.
+
+<i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for the Bloodsuit for the
+Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.
+
+
+There was a man called Thorstein, he was the son of Thorkel Kugg, the
+son of Thord the Yeller, the son of Olaf Feilan, the son of Thorstein
+the Red, the son of Aud the Deeply-wealthy. The mother of Thorstein
+Kuggson was Thurid the daughter of Asgeir Madpate, Asgeir was father's
+brother of Asmund the Greyhaired.
+
+Thorstein Kuggson was suitor in the case about Thorgils Makson's
+slaying along with Asmund the Greyhaired, who now sent word to
+Thorstein that he should come to meet him. Thorstein was a great
+champion, and the wildest-tempered of men; he went at once to meet
+his kinsman Asmund, and they talked the blood-suit over together.
+Thorstein was mightily wroth and said that no atonement should be for
+this, and said they had strength of kin enough to bring about for the
+slaying either outlawry or vengeance on men. Asmund said that he
+would follow him in whatsoever he would have done. They rode north to
+Thorvald their kinsman to pray his aid, and he quickly gave his word
+and said yea thereto. So they settled the suit against Thorgeir and
+Thormod; then Thorstein rode home to his farmstead, he then farmed at
+Liarskogar in Hvamsveit. Skeggi farmed at Hvam, he also joined in the
+suit with Thorstein. Skeggi was the son of Thorarinn Fylsenni, the son
+of Thord the Yeller; the mother of Skeggi was Fridgerd, daughter of
+Thord of Head.
+
+These had a many men with them at the Thing, and pushed their suit
+with great eagerness.
+
+Asmund and Thorvald rode from the north with six tens of men, and sat
+at Liarskogar many nights.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXVII.
+
+<i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.
+
+
+A man hight Thorgils abode at Reek-knolls in those days, he was the
+son of Ari, the son of Mar, the son of Atli the Red, the son of Ulf
+the Squinter, who settled at Reekness; the mother of Thorgils Arisen
+was Thorgerd, the daughter of Alf a-Dales; another daughter of Alf was
+Thorelf, mother of Thorgeir Havarson. There had Thorgeir good kinship
+to trust in, for Thorgils was the greatest chief in the Westfirthers'
+quarter. He was a man of such bountifulness, that he gave food to any
+free-born man as long as he would have it, and therefore there was at
+all times a throng of people at Reek-knolls; thus had Thorgils much
+renown of his house-keeping. He was a man withal of good will and
+foreknowledge. Thorgeir was with Thorgils in winter, but went to the
+Strands in summer.
+
+After the slaying of Thorgils Makson, Thorgeir went to Reek-knolls and
+told Thorgils Arisen these tidings; Thorgils said that he was ready to
+give him harbour with him, "But, methinks," he says, "that they will
+be heavy in the suit, and I am loth to eke out the troubles. Now I
+shall send a man to Thorstein and bid weregild for the slaying of
+Thorgils; but if he will not take atonement I shall not defend the
+case stiffly."
+
+Thorgeir said he would trust to his foresight. In autumn Thorgils
+sent a man to Thorstein Kuggson to try settling the case, but he was
+cross-grained to deal with as to the taking money for the blood-suit
+of Thorgils Makson; but about the other man-slayings, he said he
+would do as wise men should urge him. Now when Thorgils heard this, he
+called Thorgeir to him for a talk, and asked him what kind of aid he
+now deemed meetest for him; Thorgeir said that it was most to his mind
+to go abroad if he should be outlawed. Thorgils said that should be
+tried. A ship lay up Northriver in Burgfirth; in that keel Thorgils
+secretly paid faring for the foster-brothers, and thus the winter
+passed. Thorgils heard that Asmund and Thorstein drew together many
+men to the Althing, and sat in Liarskogar. He drew out the time of
+riding from home, for he would that Asmund and Thorstein should have
+ridden by before him to the south, when he came from the west; and
+so it fell out. Thorgils rode south, and with him rode the
+foster-brothers. In this ride Thorgeir killed Bundle-Torfi of
+Marswell, and Skuf withal, and Biarni in Dog-dale; thus says Thormod
+in Thorgeir's-Drapa--
+
+  "Mighty strife the warrior made,
+  When to earth was Makson laid,
+  Well the sword-shower wrought he there,
+  Flesh the ravens got to tear;
+  Then when Skuf and Biarni fell,
+  He was there the tale to tell;
+  Sea-steed's rider took his way
+  Through the thickest of the fray."
+
+Thorgils settled the peace for the slaying of Skuf and Biarni then
+and there in the Dale, and delayed no longer than his will was before;
+Thorgeir went to ship, but Thorgils to the Althing, and came not
+thither until men were going to the courts.
+
+Then Asmund the Greyhaired challenged the defence for the blood-suit
+on the slaying of Thorgils Makson. Thorgils went to the court and
+offered weregild for the slaying, if thereby Thorgeir might become
+free of guilt; he put forth for defence in the suit whether they had
+not free catch on all common foreshores. The lawman was asked if this
+was a lawful defence. Skapti was the lawman, and backed Asmund for the
+sake of their kinship. He said this was law if they were equal men,
+but said that bonders had a right to take before batchelors. Asmund
+said that Thorgils had offered an even sharing to the foster-brothers
+in so much of the whale as was uncut when they came thereto; and
+therewith that way of defence was closed against them. Now Thorstein
+and his kin followed up the suit with much eagerness, and nought was
+good to them but that Thorgeir should be made guilty.
+
+Thorgils saw that one of two things was to be done, either to set on
+with many men, not knowing what might be gained thereby, or to suffer
+them to go on as they would; and, whereas Thorgeir had been got on
+board ship, Thorgils let the suit go on unheeded.
+
+Thorgeir was outlawed, but for Thormod was taken weregild, and he to
+be quit. By this blood-suit Thorstein and Asmund were deemed to have
+waxed much. And now men ride home from the Thing.
+
+Some men would hold talk that Thorgils had lightly backed the case,
+but he heeded their talk little, and let any one say thereon what he
+would.
+
+But when Thorgeir heard of this outlawry, he said--
+
+"Fain am I that those who have made me an outlaw should have full pay
+for this, ere all be over."
+
+There was a man called Gaut Sleitason, who was akin to Thorgils
+Makson. Gaut had made ready to go in this same ship wherein Thorgeir
+was to sail. He bristled up against Thorgeir, and showed mighty
+ill-will against him and went about scowling; when the chapmen found
+this out, they thought it far from safe that both should sail in one
+ship. Thorgeir said he heeded not how much soever Gaut would bend his
+brows on him; still it was agreed that Gaut should take himself off
+from the ship, whereupon he went north into the upper settlements,
+and that time nought happed between him and Thorgeir, but out of this
+sprang up between them ill blood, as matters showed after.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXVIII.
+
+<i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.
+
+
+This summer Grettir Asmundson came out to Skagafirth: he was in those
+days so famed a man for strength and prowess, that none was deemed
+his like among young men. He rode home to Biarg forthwith, and Asmund
+welcomed him meetly. At that time Atli managed the farming matters,
+and well things befell betwixt the brothers.
+
+But now Grettir waxed so overbearing, that he deemed that nought was
+too much for him to do. At that time had many men grown into full
+manhood who were young in the days when Grettir was wont to play with
+them on Midfirth-water before he went abroad; one of these was Audun,
+who then dwelt at Audunstead, in Willowdale; he was the son of Asgeir,
+the son of Audun, the son of Asgeir Madpate; of all men he was the
+strongest north there; but he was thought to be the gentlest of
+neighbours. Now it came into Grettir's mind that he had had the worst
+of Audun in that ball-play whereof is told before; and now he would
+fain try which of the twain had ripened the most since then. For this
+cause Grettir took his way from home, and fared unto Audunstead.
+This was in early mowing tide; Grettir was well dight, and rode in a
+fair-stained saddle of very excellent workmanship, which Thorfinn had
+given him; a good horse he had withal, and all weapons of the best.
+Grettir came early in the day to Audunstead, and knocked at the door.
+Few folk were within; Grettir asked if Audun was at home. Men said
+that he had gone to fetch victuals from the hill-dairy. Then Grettir
+took the bridle off his horse; the field was unmowed, and the horse
+went whereas the grass was the highest. Grettir went into the hall,
+sat down on the seat-beam, and thereon fell asleep. Soon after Audun
+came home, and sees a horse grazing in the field with a fair-stained
+saddle on; Audun was bringing victuals on two horses, and carried
+curds on one of them, in drawn-up hides, tied round about: this
+fashion men called curd-bags. Audun took the loads off the horses and
+carried the curd-bags in his arms into the house.
+
+Now it was dark before his eyes, and Grettir stretched his foot from
+out the beam so that Audun fell flat down head-foremost on to the
+curd-bag, whereby the bonds of the bag brake; Audun leaped up and
+asked who was that rascal in the way. Grettir named himself.
+
+Then said Audun, "Rashly hast thou done herein; what is thine errand
+then?"
+
+Grettir said, "I will fight with thee."
+
+"First I will see about my victuals," said Audun.
+
+"That thou mayst well do," said Grettir, "if thou canst not charge
+other folk therewith."
+
+Then Audun stooped down and caught up the curd-bag and dashed it
+against Grettir's bosom, and bade him first take what was sent him;
+and therewith was Grettir all smothered in the curds; and a greater
+shame he deemed that than if Audun had given him a great wound.
+
+Now thereon they rushed at one another and wrestled fiercely; Grettir
+set on with great eagerness, but Audun gave back before him. Yet he
+feels that Grettir has outgrown him in strength. Now all things in
+their way were kicked out of place, and they were borne on wrestling
+to and fro throughout all the hall; neither spared his might, but
+still Grettir was the toughest of the twain, and at last Audun fell,
+having torn all weapons from Grettir.
+
+Now they grapple hard with one another, and huge cracking was all
+around them. Withal a great din was heard coming through the earth
+underneath the farmstead, and Grettir heard some one ride up to the
+houses, get off his horse, and stride in with great strides; he sees
+a man come up, of goodly growth, in a red kirtle and with a helmet on
+his head. He took his way into the hall, for he had heard clamorous
+doings there as they were struggling together; he asked what was in
+the hall.
+
+Grettir named himself, "But who asks thereof?" quoth he.
+
+"Bardi am I hight," said the new comer.
+
+"Art thou Bardi, the son of Gudmund, from Asbiornsness?"
+
+"That very man am I," said Bardi; "but what art thou doing?"
+
+Grettir said, "We, Audun and I, are playing here in sport."
+
+"I know not as to the sport thereof," said Bardi, "nor are ye even men
+either; thou art full of unfairness and overbearing, and he is easy
+and good to deal with; so let him stand up forthwith."
+
+Grettir said, "<i>Many a man stretches round the door to the lock</i>;
+and meseems it lies more in thy way to avenge thy brother Hall[12]
+than to meddle in the dealings betwixt me and Audun."
+
+[Footnote 12: Who was killed in Norway by the sons of Harek, and whose
+revenge is told of in the Saga of the Heath slayings (existing in
+fragment).]
+
+"At all times I hear this," said Bardi, "nor know I if that will be
+avenged, but none the less I will that thou let Audun be at peace, for
+he is a quiet man."
+
+Grettir did so at Bardi's bidding, nathless, little did it please him.
+Bardi asked for what cause they strove.
+
+Grettir sang--
+
+  "Prithee, Audun, who can tell,
+  But that now thy throat shall swell;
+  That from rough hands thou shalt gain
+  By our strife a certain pain.
+  E'en such wrong as I have done,
+  I of yore from Audun won,
+  When the young, fell-creeping lad
+  At his hands a choking had."
+
+Bardi said that certes it was a matter to be borne with, if he had had
+to avenge himself.
+
+"Now I will settle matters between you," quoth Bardi; "I will that ye
+part, leaving things as they are, that thereby there may be an end of
+all between you."
+
+This they let hold good, but Grettir took ill liking to Bardi and his
+brothers.
+
+Now they all rode off, and when they were somewhat on their way,
+Grettir spake--
+
+"I have heard that thou hast will to go to Burgfirth this summer, and
+I now offer to go south with thee; and methinks that herein I do for
+thee more than thou art worthy of."
+
+Hereat was Bardi glad, and speedily said yea thereto, and bade him
+have thanks for this; and thereupon they parted. But a little after
+Bardi came back and said--
+
+"I will have it known that thou goest not unless my foster-father
+Thorarin will have it so, for he shall have all the rule of the
+faring."
+
+"Well mightest thou, methinks, have full freedom as to thine own
+redes," said Grettir, "and my faring I will not have laid under the
+choice of other folk; and I shall mislike it if thou easiest me aside
+from thy fellowship."
+
+Now either went their way, and Bardi said he should let Grettir know
+for sure if Thorarin would that he should fare with him, but that
+otherwise he might sit quiet at home. Grettir rode home to Biarg, but
+Bardi to his own house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXIX.
+
+<i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit</i>.
+
+
+That summer was settled to be a great horse-fight at Longfit, below
+Reeks. Thither came many men. Atli of Biarg had a good horse, a
+black-maned roan of Keingala's kin, and father and son had great love
+for that horse. The brothers, Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, had a brown
+horse, trusty in fight. These were to fight their horse against Atli
+of Biarg. And many other good horses were there.
+
+Odd, the Foundling-skald, of Kormak's kin, was to follow the horse
+of his kinsman through the day. Odd was then growing a big man, and
+bragged much of himself, and was untameable and reckless. Grettir
+asked of Atli his brother, who should follow his horse.
+
+"I am not so clear about that," said he.
+
+"Wilt thou that I stand by it?" said Grettir.
+
+"Be thou then very peaceable, kinsman," said Atli, "for here have we
+to deal with overbearing men."
+
+"Well, let them pay for their own insolence," said Grettir, "if they
+know not how to hold it back."
+
+Now are the horses led out, but all stood forth on the river-bank tied
+together. There was a deep hollow in the river down below the bank.
+The horses bit well at each other, and the greatest sport it was.
+
+Odd drave on his horse with all his might, but Grettir held back, and
+seized the tail with one hand, and the staff wherewith he goaded the
+horse he held in the other. Odd stood far before his horse, nor was it
+so sure that he did not goad Atli's horse from his hold. Grettir made
+as if he saw it not. Now the horses bore forth towards the river. Then
+Odd drave his staff at Grettir, and smote the shoulder-blade, for that
+Grettir turned the shoulder towards him: that was so mighty a stroke,
+that the flesh shrank from under it, but Grettir was little scratched.
+
+Now in that nick of time the horses reared up high, and Grettir ran
+under his horse's hocks, and thrust his staff so hard at the side
+of Odd that three ribs brake in him, but he was hurled out into deep
+water, together with his horse and all the horses that were tied
+together. Then men swam out to him and dragged him out of the river;
+then was a great hooting made thereat; Kormak's folk ran to their
+weapons, as did the men of Biarg in another place. But when the
+Ramfirthers and the men of Waterness saw that, they went betwixt them,
+and they were parted and went home, but both sides had ill-will one
+with the other, though they sat peacefully at home for a while.
+
+Atli was sparing of speech over this, but Grettir was right unsparing,
+and said that they would meet another time if his will came to pass.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXX.
+
+<i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy, and of Grettir's meeting
+with Kormak on Ramfirth-neck</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Thorodstead in Ramfirth;
+he was the son of Arnor Hay-nose,[13] the son of Thorod, who had
+settled Ramfirth on that side out as far as Bank was on the other.
+
+[Footnote 13: In the Landn�ma he is called 'Hy-nef;' the meaning is
+doubtful, but it seems that the author of this history means to call
+him Hay-nose.]
+
+Thorbiorn was the strongest of all men; he was called Oxmain. Thorod
+was the name of his brother, he was called Drapa-Stump; their mother
+was Gerd, daughter of Bodvar, from Bodvars-knolls. Thorbiorn was a
+great and hardy warrior, and had many men with him; he was noted as
+being worse at getting servants than other men, and barely gave he
+wages to any man, nor was he thought a good man to deal with. There
+was a kinsman of his hight Thorbiorn, and bynamed Tardy; he was a
+sailor, and the namesakes were partners. He was ever at Thorodstead,
+and was thought to better Thorbiorn but little. He was a fault-finding
+fellow, and went about jeering at most men.
+
+There was a man hight Thorir, the son of Thorkel of Boardere. He
+farmed first at Meals in Ramfirth; his daughter was Helga, whom
+Sleita-Helgi had to wife, but after the man-slaying in Fairslope
+Thorir set up for himself his abode south in Hawkdale, and farmed at
+the Pass, and sold the land at Meals to Thorhall, son of Gamli the
+Vendlander.[14] His son was Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, daughter
+of Asmund the Greyhaired, and Grettir's sister. They dwelt at that
+time at Meals, and had good hap. Thorir of the Pass had two sons, one
+hight Gunnar, the other Thorgeir; they were both hopeful men, and
+had then taken the farm after their father, yet were for ever with
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, and were growing exceeding unruly.
+
+[Footnote 14: Ed. 1853 has the "Wide-landed, Vi�lendings," which here
+is altered agreeably to the correction in ch. 14, p. 29.]
+
+The summer after that just told, Kormak and Thorgils and Narfi their
+kinsman rode south to Northriverdale, on some errand of theirs. Odd
+the Foundling-skald fared also with them, and by then was gotten
+healed of the stiffness he gained at the horse-fight. But while they
+were south of the heath, Grettir fared from Biarg, and with him two
+house-carles of Atli's. They rode over to Bowerfell, and thence over
+the mountain neck to Ramfirth, and came to Meals in the evening.
+
+They were there three nights; Ranveig and Gamli welcomed Grettir well,
+and bade him abide with them, but he had will to ride home.
+
+Then Grettir heard that Kormak and his fellows were come from the
+south, and had guested at Tongue through the night. Grettir got ready
+early to leave Meals; Gamli offered him men to go with him. Now Grim
+was the name of Gamli's brother; he was of all men the swiftest; he
+rode with Grettir with another man; they were five in all. Thus they
+rode on till they came to Ramfirth-neck, west of Bowerfell. There
+stands a huge stone that is called Grettir's heave; for he tried long
+that day to lift that stone, and thus they delayed till Kormak and his
+fellows were come. Grettir rode to meet them, and both sides jumped
+off their horses. Grettir said it was more like free men now to
+deal blows of the biggest, than to fight with staves like wandering
+churles. Then Kormak bade them take the challenge in manly wise, and
+do their best. Thereafter they ran at one another and fought. Grettir
+went before his men, and bade them take heed, that none came at his
+back. Thus they fought a while, and men were wounded on both sides.
+
+Now Thorbiorn Oxmain had ridden that day over the neck to Bowerfell,
+and when he rode back he saw their meeting. There were with him then
+Thorbiorn the Tardy, and Gunnar and Thorgeir, Thorir's sons, and
+Thorod Drapa-Stump. Now when they came thereto, Thorbiorn called on
+his men to go between them. But the others were by then so eager that
+they could do nought. Grettir broke forth fiercely, and before him
+were the sons of Thorir, and they both fell as he thrust them from
+him; they waxed exceeding furious thereat, insomuch that Gunnar dealt
+a death-blow at a house-carle of Atli; and when Thorbiorn saw that,
+he bade them part, saying withal that he would aid which side soever
+should pay heed to his words. By then were fallen two house-carles of
+Kormak, but Grettir saw, that it would hardly do if Thorbiorn should
+bring aid to them against him, wherefore now he gave up the battle,
+and all were wounded who had been at that meeting. But much it
+misliked Grettir that they had been parted.
+
+Thereafter either side rode home, nor did they settle peace after
+these slayings. Thorbiorn the Tardy made much mocking at all this,
+therefore things began to worsen betwixt the men of Biarg and
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, so that therefrom fell much ill-will as came to be
+known after. No boot was bidden to Atli for his house-carle, but
+he made as if he knew it not. Grettir sat at home at Biarg until
+Twainmonth.[15] Nor is it said in story that he and Kormak met ever
+again after these things betid.
+
+[Footnote 15: The second month in the year, corresponding to our
+September.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXI.
+
+<i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund, as he came back from the
+Heath-slayings</i>.
+
+
+Bardi, the son of Gudmund, and his brothers, rode home to Asbiornsness
+after their parting with Grettir.
+
+They were the sons of Gudmund, the son of Solmund. The mother of
+Solmund was Thorlaug, the daughter of Saemund, the South-Island man,
+the foster-brother of Ingimund the Old, and Bardi was a very noble
+man.
+
+Now soon he rode to find Thorarin the Wise, his foster-father. He
+welcomed Bardi well, and asked what gain he had got of followers and
+aid, for they had before taken counsel over Bardi's journey. Bardi
+answered that he had got the aid of that man to his fellow, whose aid
+he deemed better than that of any other twain. Thorarin got silent
+thereat, and then said,
+
+"That man will be Grettir Asmundson."
+
+"<i>Sooth is the sage's guess</i>," said Bardi; "that is the very man,
+foster-father."
+
+Thorarin answered, "True it is, that Grettir is much before any other
+man of those who are to choose in our land, and late will he be won
+with weapons, if he be hale, yet it misdoubts me how far he will bring
+thee luck; but of thy following all must not be luckless, and enough
+ye will do, though he fare not with thee: nowise shall he go if I may
+have my will."
+
+"This I could not have deemed, foster-father," said he, "that thou
+wouldst grudge me the aid of the bravest of men, if my need should be
+hard. A man cannot foresee all things when he is driven on as methinks
+I am."
+
+"Thou wilt do well," said Thorarin; "though thou abidest by my
+foresight."
+
+Now thus must things be, even as Thorarin would, that no word more was
+sent to Grettir, but Bardi fared south to Burgfirth, and then befell
+the Heath-slayings.
+
+Grettir was at Biarg when he heard that Bardi had ridden south; he
+started up in anger for that no word had been sent to him, and said
+that not thus should they part. He had news of them when they
+were looked for coming from the south, and thereat he rode down to
+Thorey's-peak, for the waylaying of Bardi's folk as they came back
+from the south: he fared from the homestead up on to the hill-side,
+and abode there. That same day rode Bardi and his men north over
+Twodaysway, from the Heath-slayings; they were six in all, and every
+man sore wounded; and when they came forth by the homestead, then said
+Bardi--
+
+"A man there is up on the hill-side; a big man, armed. What man do ye
+take him to be?"
+
+They said that they wotted not who he was.
+
+Bardi said, "Methinks there," quoth he, "is Grettir Asmundson; and if
+so it is, there will he meet us. I deem that it has misliked him that
+he fared not with us, but methinks we are not in good case, if he be
+bent on doing us harm. I now shall send after men to Thorey's-peak,
+and stake nought on the chance of his ill-will."
+
+They said this was a good rede, and so was it done.
+
+Thereafter Bardi and his folk rode on their way. Grettir saw where
+they fared, and went in the way before them, and when they met, either
+greeted other.
+
+Grettir asked for tidings, but Bardi told them fearlessly, even as
+they were. Grettir asked what men were in that journey with him. Bardi
+said that there were his brothers, and Eyulf his brother-in-law.
+
+"Thou hast now cleared thyself from all blame," said Grettir; "but now
+is it best that we try between us who is of most might here."
+
+Said Bardi, "Too nigh to my garth have deeds of hard need been, than
+that I should fight with thee without a cause, and well methinks have
+I thrust these from me."
+
+"Thou growest soft, methinks, Bardi," said Grettir, "since thou durst
+not fight with me."
+
+"Call that what thou wilt," said Bardi; "but in some other stead would
+I that thou wreak thine high-handedness than here on me; and that is
+like enough, for now does thy rashness pass all bounds."
+
+Grettir thought ill of his spaedom, and now doubted within himself
+whether he should set on one or other of them; but it seemed rash to
+him, as they were six and he one: and in that nick of time came up the
+men from Thorey's-peak to the aid of Bardi and his folk; then Grettir
+drew off from them, and turned aside to his horse. But Bardi and his
+fellows went on their way, nor were there farewells between them at
+parting.
+
+No further dealings between Bardi and Grettir are told of after these
+things betid.
+
+Now so has Grettir said that he deemed himself well matched to fight
+with most men, though they were three together, but he would have no
+mind to flee before four, without trying it; but against more would
+he fight only if he must needs defend his hand, as is said in this
+stave--
+
+  "My life trust I 'gainst three
+  Skilled in Mist's mystery;
+  Whatso in Hilda's weather
+  Shall bring the swords together;
+  If over four they are
+  My wayfaring that bar
+  No gale of swords will I
+  Wake with them willingly."
+
+After his parting with Bardi, Grettir fared to Biarg, and very ill he
+it thought that he might nowhere try his strength, and searched all
+about if anywhere might be somewhat wherewith he might contend.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXII.
+
+<i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how Thorhall took a Shepherd
+by the rede of Skapti the Lawman, and of what befell thereafter</i>.
+
+
+There was a man hight Thorhall, who dwelt at Thorhall-stead, in
+Shady-vale, which runs up from Waterdale. Thorhall was the son of
+Grim, son of Thorhall, the son of Fridmund, who settled Shady-vale.
+Thorhall had a wife hight Gudrun. Grim was their son, and Thurid their
+daughter; they were well-nigh grown up.
+
+Thorhall was a rich man, but mostly in cattle, so that no man had so
+much of live-stock as he. He was no chief, but an honest bonder he
+was. Much was that place haunted, and hardly could he get a shepherd
+that he deemed should serve his turn. He sought counsel of many men
+as to what he might do therewith, but none gave him a rede that might
+serve him. Thorhall rode each summer to the Thing, and good horses
+he had. But one summer at the Althing, Thorhall went to the booth
+of Skapti Thorodson the Lawman. Skapti was the wisest of men, and
+wholesome were his redes when folk prayed him for them. But he and his
+father differed thus much, that Thorod was foretelling, and yet was
+called under-handed of some folk; but Skapti showed forth to every
+man what he deemed would avail most, if it were not departed from,
+therefore was he called "Father-betterer."
+
+Now Thorhall went into Skapti's booth, and Skapti greeted him well,
+for he knew that he was a man rich in cattle, and he asked him what
+were the tidings.
+
+Thorhall answered, "A wholesome counsel would I have from thee."
+
+"Little am I meet for that," said Skapti; "but what dost thou stand in
+need of?"
+
+Thorhall said, "So is the matter grown to be, that but a little while
+do my shepherds avail me; for ever will they get badly hurt; but
+others will not serve to the end, and now no one will take the job
+when he knows what bides in the way."
+
+Skapti answered, "Some evil things shall be there then, since men
+are more unwilling to watch thy sheep than those of other men. Now,
+therefore, as thou hast sought rede of me, I shall get thee a shepherd
+who is hight Glam, a Swede, from Sylgsdale, who came out last summer,
+a big man and a strong, though he is not much to the mind of most
+folk."
+
+Thorhall said he heeded that little if he watched the sheep well.
+
+Skapti said that little would be the look out for others, if he could
+not watch them, despite his strength and daring.
+
+Then Thorhall went out from him, and this was towards the breaking
+up of the Thing. Thorhall missed two dun horses, and fared himself to
+seek for them; wherefore folk deem that he was no great man. He went
+up to Sledgehill, and south along the fell which is called Armansfell;
+then he saw how a man fared down from Godi's-wood, and bore faggots on
+a horse. Soon they met together, and Thorhall asked him of his name.
+He said that he was called Glam. This man was great of growth,
+uncouth to look on; his eyes were grey and glaring, and his hair was
+wolf-grey.
+
+Thorhall stared at him somewhat when he saw this man, till he saw that
+this was he to whom he had been sent.
+
+"What work hast thou best will to do?" said Thorhall.
+
+Glam said, "That he was of good mind to watch sheep in winter."
+
+"Wilt thou watch my sheep?" said Thorhall. "Skapti has given thee to
+my will."
+
+"So only shall my service avail thee, if I go of my own will, for I am
+evil of mood if matters mislike me," quoth Glam.
+
+"I fear no hurt thereof," said Thorhall, "and I will that thou fare to
+my house."
+
+"That may I do," said Glam, "perchance there are some troubles there?"
+
+"Folk deem the place haunted," said Thorhall.
+
+"Such bugs will not scare me," quoth Glam; "life seems to me less
+irksome thereby."
+
+"It must needs seem so," said Thorhall, "and truly it is better that a
+mannikin be not there."
+
+Thereafter they struck bargain together, and Glam is to come at winter
+nights: then they parted, and Thorhall found his horses even where he
+had just been searching. Thorhall rode home, and thanked Skapti for
+his good deed.
+
+Summer slipped away, and Thorhall heard nought of his shepherd, nor
+did any man know aught about him; but at the appointed time he came
+to Thorhall-stead. The bonder greeted him well, but none of the other
+folk could abide him, and the good wife least of all.
+
+Now he took to the sheep-watching, and little trouble it seemed to
+give him; he was big-voiced and husky, and all the beasts would run
+together when he whooped. There was a church at Thorhall-stead, but
+nowise would Glam come therein; he was a loather of church-song, and
+godless, foul-tempered, and surly, and no man might abide him.
+
+Now passed the time till it came to Yule-eve; then Glam got up and
+straightway called for his meat. The good wife said--
+
+"No Christian man is wont to eat meat this day, be-. cause that on the
+morrow is the first day of Yule," says she, "wherefore must men first
+fast to-day."
+
+He answers, "Many follies have ye, whereof I see no good come, nor
+know I that men fare better now than when they paid no heed to such
+things; and methinks the ways of men were better when they were called
+heathens; and now will I have my meat, and none of this fooling."
+
+Then said the housewife, "I know for sure that thou shall fare ill
+to-day, if thou takest up this evil turn."
+
+Glam bade her bring food straightway, and said that she should fare
+the worse else. She durst do but as he would, and so when he was full,
+he went out, growling and grumbling.
+
+Now the weather was such, that mirk was over all, and the snow-flakes
+drave down, and great din there was, and still all grew much the
+worse, as the day slipped away.
+
+Men heard the shepherd through the early morning, but less of him
+as the day wore; then it took to snowing, and by evening there was
+a great storm; then men went to church, and thus time drew on to
+nightfall; and Glam came not home; then folk held talk, as to whether
+search should not be made for him, but, because of the snow-storm and
+pitch darkness, that came to nought.
+
+Now he came not home on the night of Yule-eve; and thus men abide till
+after the time of worship; but further on in the day men fared out to
+the search, and found the sheep scattered wide about in fens, beaten
+down by the storm, or strayed up into the mountains. Thereafter they
+came on a great beaten place high up in the valley, and they thought
+it was as if strong wrestling had gone on there; for that all about
+the stones had been uptorn and the earth withal; now they looked
+closely and saw where Glam lay a little way therefrom; he was dead,
+and as blue as hell, and as great as a neat.
+
+Huge loathing took them, at the sight of him, and they shuddered in
+their souls at him, yet they strove to bring him to church, but could
+get him only as far as a certain gil-edge a little way below.
+
+Then they fared home to the farm, and told the bonder what had happed.
+He asked what was like to have been Glam's bane. They said they had
+tracked steps as great as if a cask-bottom had been stamped down, from
+there where the beaten place was, up to beneath sheer rocks which were
+high up the valley, and there along went great stains of blood. Now
+men drew from this, that the evil wight which had been there before
+had killed Glam, but had got such wounds as had been full enough for
+him, for of him none has since been ware.
+
+The second day of Yule men went afresh to try to bring Glam to church;
+drag horses were put to him, but could move him nowhere where they
+had to go on even ground and not down hill; then folk had to go away
+therefrom leaving things done so far.
+
+The third day the priest fared with them, and they sought all day, but
+found not Glam. The priest would go no more on such search, but the
+herdsman was found whenso the priest was not in their company. Then
+they let alone striving to bring him to church, and buried him there
+whereto he had been brought.
+
+A little time after men were ware that Glam lay not quiet. Folk got
+great hurt therefrom, so that many fell into swoons when they saw him,
+but others lost their wits thereby. But just after Yule men thought
+they saw him home at the farm. Folk became exceeding afeard thereat,
+and many fled there and then. Next Glam took to riding the house-roofs
+at night, so that he went nigh to breaking them in. Now he walked
+well-nigh night and day. Hardly durst men fare up into the dale,
+though they had errands enough there. And much scathe the men of the
+country-side deemed all this.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXIII.
+
+<i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead</i>.
+
+
+In the spring Thorhall got serving-men, and set up house at his farm;
+then the hauntings began to go off while the sun was at its height;
+and so things went on to midsummer. That summer a ship came out to
+Hunawater, wherein was a man named Thorgaut. He was an outlander of
+kin, big and stout, and two men's strength he had. He was unhired
+and single, and would fain do some work, for he was moneyless. Now
+Thorhall rode to the ship, and asked Thorgaut if he would work for
+him. Thorgaut said that might be, and moreover that he was not nice
+about work.
+
+"Be sure in thy mind," said Thorhall, "that mannikins are of small
+avail there because of the hauntings that have been going on there for
+one while now; for I will not draw thee on by wiles."
+
+Thorgaut answers, "I deem not myself given up, though I should see
+some wraithlings; matters will not be light when I am scared, nor will
+I give up my service for that."
+
+Now they come speedily to a bargain, and Thorgaut is to watch the
+sheep when winter comes. So the summer wore on, and Thorgaut betook
+himself to the shepherding at winter nights, and all liked him well.
+But ever came Glam home and rode the house-roofs; this Thorgaut deemed
+sport enough, and quoth he--
+
+"The thrall must come nigher to scare me."
+
+Thorhall bade him keep silence over that. "Better will it be that ye
+have no trial together."
+
+Thorgaut said, "Surely all might is shaken out of you, nor shall I
+drop down betwixt morn and eve at such talk."
+
+Now so things go through the winter till Yule-tide. On Yule eve the
+shepherd would fare out to his sheep. Then said the good wife--
+
+"Need is it that things go not the old way."
+
+He answered, "Have no fear thereof, goodwife; something worth telling
+of will betide if I come not back."
+
+And thereafter he went to his sheep; and the weather was somewhat
+cold, and there was much snow. Thorgaut was wont to come home when
+twilight had set in, and now he came not at that time. Folk went to
+church as they were wont. Men now thought things looked not unlike
+what they did before; the bonder would have search made for the
+shepherd, but the church-goers begged off, and said that they would
+not give themselves into the hands of trolls by night; so the bonder
+durst not go, and the search came to nought.
+
+Yule-day, when men were full, they fared out and searched for the
+shepherd; they first went to Glam's cairn, because men thought that
+from his deeds came the loss of the herdsman. But when they came nigh
+to the cairn, there they saw great tidings, for there they found the
+shepherd, and his neck was broken, and every bone in him smashed.
+Then they brought him to church, and no harm came to men from Thorgaut
+afterwards.
+
+But Glam began afresh to wax mighty; and such deeds he wrought, that
+all men fled away from Thorhall-stead, except the good man and his
+goodwife. Now the same neatherd had long been there, and Thorhall
+would not let him go, because of his good will and safe ward; he was
+well on in years, and was very loth to fare away, for he saw that all
+things the bonder had went to nought from not being watched.
+
+Now after midwinter one morning the housewife fared to the byre to
+milk the cows after the wonted time; by then was it broad daylight,
+for none other than the neatherd would trust themselves out before
+day; but he went out at dawn. She heard great cracking in the byre,
+with bellowing and roaring; she ran back crying out, and said she knew
+not what uncouth things were going on in the byre.
+
+The bonder went out and came to the cows, which were goring one
+another; so he thought it not good to go in there, but went in to the
+hay-barn. There he saw where lay the neatherd, and had his head in one
+boose[16] and his feet in the other; and he lay cast on his back. The
+bonder went up to him, and felt him all over with his hand, and finds
+soon that he was dead, and the spine of him broken asunder; it had
+been broken over the raised stone-edge of a boose.
+
+[Footnote 16: Boose, a cow-stall.]
+
+Now the goodman thought there was no abiding there longer; so he fled
+away from the farm with all that he might take away; but all such live
+stock as was left behind Glam killed, and then he fared all over the
+valley and destroyed farms up from Tongue. But Thorhall was with his
+friends the rest of the winter.
+
+No man might fare up the dale with horse or hound, because straightway
+it was slain. But when spring came, and the sun-light was the
+greatest, somewhat the hauntings abated; and now would Thorhall
+go back to his own land; he had no easy task in getting servants,
+nathless he set up house again at Thorhall-stead; but all went the
+same way as before; for when autumn came, the hauntings began to wax
+again; the bonder's daughter was most set on, and fared so that she
+died thereof. Many redes were sought, but nought could be done; men
+thought it like that all Waterdale would be laid waste if nought were
+found to better this.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXIV.
+
+<i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i>.
+
+
+Now we take up the story where Grettir Asmundson sat at Biarg through
+the autumn after they parted, he and Slaying-Bardi at Thoreys-peak;
+and when the time of winter-nights had well-nigh come, Grettir
+rode from home north over the neck to Willowdale, and guested at
+Audunstead; he and Audun made a full peace, and Grettir gave Audun a
+good axe, and they talked of friendship between them. Audun dwelt
+long at Audunstead, and was a man of many and hopeful kin; his son was
+Egil, who married Ulfheid, daughter of Eyulf Gudmundson, and their son
+was Eyulf, who was slain at the Althing, he was the father of Orm, who
+was the chaplain of Bishop Thorlak.
+
+Grettir rode north to Waterdale, and came to see his kin at Tongue. In
+those days dwelt there Jokull, the son of Bard, the mother's brother
+of Grettir: Jokull was a big man and a strong, and the most violent
+of men; he was a seafaring man, very wild, and yet a man of great
+account.
+
+He greeted Grettir well, and he was there three nights. There were so
+many words about Glam's hauntings, that nought was so much spoken of
+as of that. Grettir asked closely about all things that had happed.
+Jokull said that thereof was told no more than the very truth; "And,
+perchance, thou art wishful to go there, kinsman?"
+
+Grettir said that so it was.
+
+Jokull bade him do it not, "Because it is a great risk for thy good
+luck, and thy kinsmen have much to hazard where thou art," said he,
+"for of young men we think there is none such as thou; but <i>from ill
+cometh ill</i> whereas Glam is; and far better it is to deal with men
+than with such evil wights."
+
+Grettir said, "That he had a mind to go to Thorhall-stead and see how
+things went there."
+
+Said Jokull, "Now I see it is of no avail to let thee; but so it is,
+as men say, <i>Good luck and goodliness are twain</i>."
+
+"<i>Woe is before one's own door when it is inside one's
+neighbour's</i>; think how it may fare with thyself ere things are
+ended," said Grettir.
+
+Jokull answered, "Maybe we may both see somewhat of things to come,
+but neither may help aught herein."
+
+They parted thereafter, and neither thought well of the other's
+foretelling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXV.
+
+<i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do with Glam</i>.
+
+
+Grettir rode to Thorhall-stead, and the bonder gave him good welcome;
+he asked whither Grettir was minded to fare, but Grettir said he would
+be there that night if the bonder would have it so.
+
+Thorhall said that he thanked him therefor, "But few have thought it
+a treat to guest here for any time; thou must needs have heard what
+is going on here, and I fain would that thou shouldest have no trouble
+from me: but though thou shouldest come off whole thyself, that know
+I for sure, that thou wilt lose thy horse, for none keeps his horse
+whole who comes here."
+
+Grettir said that horses were to be had in plenty whatsoever might hap
+to this. Then Thorhall was glad that Grettir was to be there, and gave
+him a hearty welcome.
+
+Now Grettir's horse was locked up in a strong house, and they went to
+sleep; and so the night slipped by, and Glam came not home.
+
+Then said Thorhall, "Things have gone well at thy coming, for every
+night is Glam wont to ride the house-roofs, or break open doors, as
+thou mayest well see."
+
+Grettir said, "Then shall one of two things be, either he shall not
+hold himself back for long, or the hauntings will abate for more than
+one night; I will bide here another night and see how things fare."
+
+Thereafter they went to Grettir's horse, and nought had been tried
+against it; then all seemed to the bonder to go one way.
+
+Now is Grettir there another night, and neither came the thrall home;
+that the farmer deemed very hopeful; withal he fared to see after
+Grettir's horse. When the farmer came there, he found the house broken
+into, but the horse was dragged out to the door, and every bone in
+him broken to pieces. Thorhall told Grettir what had happed there, and
+bade him save himself, "For sure is thy death if thou abidest Glam."
+
+Grettir answered, "I must not have less for my horse than a sight of
+the thrall."
+
+The bonder said it was no boon to see him, for he was unlike any shape
+of man; "but good methinks is every hour that thou art here."
+
+Now the day goes by, and when men should go to sleep Grettir would
+not put off his clothes, but lay down on the seat over against the
+bonder's lock-bed. He had a drugget cloak over him, and wrapped one
+skirt of it under his feet, and twined the other under his head, and
+looked out through the head-opening; a seat-beam was before the seat,
+a very strong one, and against this he set his feet. The door-fittings
+were all broken from the outer door, but a wrecked door was now bound
+thereby, and all was fitted up in the wretchedest wise. The panelling
+which had been before the seat athwart the hall, was all broken away
+both above and below the cross-beam; all beds had been torn out of
+place, and an uncouth place it was.
+
+Light burned in the hall through the night; and when the third part
+of the night was passed, Grettir heard huge din without, and then one
+went up upon the houses and rode the hall, and drave his heels against
+the thatch so that every rafter cracked again.
+
+That went on long, and then he came down from the house and went
+to the door; and as the door opened, Grettir saw that the thrall
+stretched in his head, which seemed to him monstrously big, and
+wondrous thick cut.
+
+Glam fared slowly when he came into the door and stretched himself
+high up under the roof, and turned looking along the hall, and laid
+his arms on the tie-beam, and glared inwards over the place. The
+farmer would not let himself be heard, for he deemed he had had enough
+in hearing himself what had gone on outside. Grettir lay quiet, and
+moved no whit; then Glam saw that some bundle lay on the seat, and
+therewith he stalked up the hall and griped at the wrapper wondrous
+hard; but Grettir set his foot against the beam, and moved in no wise;
+Glam pulled again much harder, but still the wrapper moved not at all;
+the third time he pulled with both hands so hard, that he drew Grettir
+upright from the seat; and now they tore the wrapper asunder between
+them.
+
+Glam gazed at the rag he held in his hand, and wondered much who might
+pull so hard against him; and therewithal Grettir ran under his hands
+and gripped him round the middle, and bent back his spine as hard as
+he might, and his mind it was that Glam should shrink thereat; but the
+thrall lay so hard on Grettir's arms, that he shrank all aback because
+of Glam's strength.
+
+Then Grettir bore back before him into sundry seats; but the
+seat-beams were driven out of place, and all was broken that was
+before them. Glam was fain to get out, but Grettir set his feet
+against all things that he might; nathless Glam got him dragged from
+out the hall; there had they a wondrous hard wrestling, because the
+thrall had a mind to bring him out of the house; but Grettir saw that
+ill as it was to deal with Glam within doors, yet worse would it be
+without; therefore he struggled with all his might and main against
+going out-a-doors.
+
+Now Glam gathered up his strength and knit Grettir towards him when
+they came to the outer door; but when Grettir saw that he might not
+set his feet against that, all of a sudden in one rush he drave his
+hardest against the thrall's breast, and spurned both feet against the
+half-sunken stone that stood in the threshold of the door; for this
+the thrall was not ready, for he had been tugging to draw Grettir to
+him, therefore he reeled aback and spun out against the door, so that
+his shoulders caught the upper door-case, and the roof burst asunder,
+both rafters and frozen thatch, and therewith he fell open-armed aback
+out of the house, and Grettir over him.
+
+Bright moonlight was there without, and the drift was broken, now
+drawn over the moon, now driven from off her; and, even as Glam fell,
+a cloud was driven from the moon, and Glam glared up against her. And
+Grettir himself says that by that sight only was he dismayed amidst
+all that he ever saw.
+
+Then his soul sank within him so, from all these things both from
+weariness, and because he had seen Glam turn his eyes so horribly,
+that he might not draw the short-sword, and lay well-nigh 'twixt home
+and hell.
+
+But herein was there more fiendish craft in Glam than in most other
+ghosts, that he spake now in this wise--
+
+"Exceeding eagerly hast thou wrought to meet me, Grettir, but no
+wonder will it be deemed, though thou gettest no good hap of me; and
+this must I tell thee, that thou now hast got half the strength and
+manhood, which was thy lot if thou hadst not met me: now I may not
+take from thee the strength which thou hast got before this; but that
+may I rule, that thou shalt never be mightier than now thou art;
+and nathless art thou mighty enow, and that shall many an one learn.
+Hitherto hast thou earned fame by thy deeds, but henceforth will
+wrongs and man-slayings fall on thee, and the most part of thy doings
+will turn to thy woe and ill-hap; an outlaw shalt thou be made, and
+ever shall it be thy lot to dwell alone abroad; therefore this weird I
+lay on thee, ever in those days to see these eyes with thine eyes,
+and thou wilt find it hard to be alone--and that shall drag thee unto
+death."
+
+Now when the thrall had thus said, the astonishment fell from Grettir
+that had lain on him, and therewith he drew the short-sword and hewed
+the head from Glam, and laid it at his thigh.
+
+Then came the farmer out; he had clad himself while Glam had his spell
+going, but he durst come nowhere nigh till Glam had fallen.
+
+Thorhall praised God therefor, and thanked Grettir well for that he
+had won this unclean spirit. Then they set to work and burned Glam
+to cold coals, thereafter they gathered his ashes into the skin of a
+beast, and dug it down whereas sheep-pastures were fewest, or the ways
+of men. They walked home thereafter, and by then it had got far
+on towards day; Grettir laid him down, for he was very stiff: but
+Thorhall sent to the nearest farm for men, and both showed them and
+told them how all things had fared.
+
+All men who heard thereof deemed this a deed of great worth, and in
+those days it was said by all that none in all the land was like to
+Grettir Asmundson for great heart and prowess.
+
+Thorhall saw off Grettir handsomely, and gave him a good horse and
+seemly clothes, for those were all torn to pieces that he had worn
+before; so they parted in friendly wise. Grettir rode thence to the
+Ridge in Waterdale, and Thorvald received him well, and asked closely
+about the struggle with Glam. Grettir told him all, and said thereto
+that he had never had such a trial of strength, so long was their
+struggle.
+
+Thorvald bade him keep quiet, "Then all will go well with thee, else
+wilt thou be a man of many troubles."
+
+Grettir said that his temper had been nowise bettered by this, that he
+was worse to quiet than before, and that he deemed all trouble worse
+than it was; but that herein he found the greatest change, in that he
+was become so fearsome a man in the dark, that he durst go nowhither
+alone after nightfall, for then he seemed to see all kinds of horrors.
+
+And that has fallen since into a proverb, that Glam lends eyes, or
+gives Glamsight to those who see things nowise as they are.
+
+But Grettir rode home to Biarg when he had done his errands, and sat
+at home through the winter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXVI.
+
+<i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's autumn-feast, and the mocks of Thorbiorn
+Tardy</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain held a great autumn feast, and many men came thither
+to him, and that was while Grettir fared north to Waterdale in the
+autumn; Thorbiorn the Tardy was there at the feast, and many things
+were spoken of there. There the Ramfirthers asked of those dealings of
+Grettir on the neck the summer before.
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain told the story right fairly as towards Grettir, and
+said that Kormak would have got the worst of it, if none had come
+there to part them.
+
+Then spake Thorbiorn the Tardy, "Both these things are true," said he:
+"I saw Grettir win no great honour, and I deem withal that fear shot
+through his heart when we came thereto, and right blithe was he to
+part, nor did I see him seek for vengeance when Atli's house-carle was
+slain; therefore do I deem that there is no heart in him if he is not
+holpen enow."
+
+And thereat Thorbiorn went on gabbling at his most; but many put in a
+word, and said that this was worthless fooling, and that Grettir would
+not leave things thus, if he heard that talk.
+
+Nought else befell worth telling of at the feast, and men went home;
+but much ill-will there was betwixt them that winter, though neither
+set on other; nor were there other tidings through the winter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXVII.
+
+<i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying of Thorbiorn Tardy;
+Grettir goes to Norway</i>.
+
+
+Early the spring after came out a ship from Norway; and that was
+before the Thing; these folk knew many things to tell, and first that
+there was change of rulers in Norway, for Olaf Haraldson was come to
+be king, and Earl Svein had fled the country in the spring after the
+fight at Ness. Many noteworthy matters were told of King Olaf, and
+this withal, that he received such men in the best of ways who were of
+prowess in any deeds, and that he made such his men.
+
+Thereat were many young men glad, and listed to go abroad, and when
+Grettir heard the tidings he became much minded to sail out; for he,
+like others, hoped for honour at the king's hands.
+
+A ship lay in Goose-ere in Eyjafirth, therein Grettir got him a berth
+and made ready for the voyage, nor had he yet much of faring-goods.
+
+Now Asmund was growing very feeble with eld, and was well-nigh
+bedridden; he and Asdis had a young son who was called Illugi, and was
+the hopefullest of men; and, by this time, Atli tended all farming and
+money-keeping, and this was deemed to better matters, because he was a
+peaceable and foreseeing man.
+
+Now Grettir went shipward, but in that same ship had Thorbiorn the
+Tardy taken passage, before folk knew that Grettir would sail therein.
+Now men would hinder Thorbiorn from sailing in the same ship with
+Grettir, but Thorbiorn said that he would go for all that. He gat him
+ready for the voyage out, and was somewhat late thereat, nor did he
+come to the north to Goose-ere before the ship was ready for sea; and
+before Thorbiorn fared from the west, Asmund the Greyhaired fell sick
+and was bedridden.
+
+Now Thorbiorn the Tardy came late one day down to the sand; men were
+getting ready to go to table, and were washing their hands outside the
+booths; but when Thorbiorn rode up the lane betwixt the booths, he
+was greeted, and asked for tidings. He made as if there was nought
+to tell, "Save that I deem that Asmund, the champion of Biarg, is now
+dead."
+
+Many men said that there where he went, departed a worthy goodman from
+the world.
+
+"But what brought it about?" said they.
+
+He answered, "Little went to the death of that champion, for in the
+chamber smoke was he smothered like a dog; nor is there loss therein,
+for he was grown a dotard."
+
+"Thou speakest marvellously of such a man," said they, "nor would
+Grettir like thy words well, if he heard them."
+
+"That must I bear," said Thorbiorn, "and higher must Grettir bear the
+sword than he did last summer at Ramfirth-neck, if I am to tremble at
+him."
+
+Now Grettir heard full well what Thorbiorn said, and paid no heed
+thereto while he let his tale run on; but when he had made an end,
+then spake Grettir--
+
+"That fate I foretell for thee, Tardy," said he, "that thou wilt not
+die in chamber smoke, yet may be withal thou wilt not die of eld; but
+it is strangely done to speak scorn of sackless men."
+
+Thorbiorn said, "I have no will to hold in about these things, and
+methinks thou didst not bear thyself so briskly when we got thee off
+that time when the men of Meals beat thee like a neat's head."
+
+Then sang Grettir--
+
+  "Day by day full over long,
+  Arrow-dealer, grows thy tongue;
+  Such a man there is, that thou
+  Mayst be paid for all words now;
+  Many a man, who has been fain,
+  Wound-worm's tower with hands to gain,
+  With less deeds his death has bought,
+  Than thou, Tardy-one, hast wrought."
+
+Said Thorbiorn, "About as feign do I deem myself as before, despite
+thy squealing."
+
+Grettir answered, "Heretofore my spaedom has not been long-lived, and
+so shall things go still; now beware if thou wilt, hereafter will no
+out-look be left."
+
+Therewith Grettir hewed at Thorbiorn, but he swung up his hand, with
+the mind to ward the stroke from him, but that stroke came on his arm
+about the wrist, and withal the short-sword drave into his neck so
+that the head was smitten off.
+
+Then said the chapmen that he was a man of mighty strokes, and
+that such should king's men be; and no scathe they deemed it though
+Thorbiorn were slain, in that he had been both quarrelsome and
+spiteful.
+
+A little after they sailed into the sea, and came in late summer to
+Norway, south at Hordaland, and then they heard that King Olaf was
+north at Drontheim; then Grettir took ship in a trading keel to go
+north therefrom, because he would fain see the king.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXVIII.
+
+<i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how Grettir fetched fire for
+his shipmates</i>.
+
+
+There was a man named Thorir, who lived at Garth, in Maindale, he was
+the son of Skeggi, the son of Botulf. Skeggi had settled Well-wharf up
+to Well-ness; he had to wife Helga, daughter of Thorkel, of Fishbrook;
+Thorir, his son, was a great chief, and a seafaring man. He had two
+sons, one called Thorgeir and one Skeggi, they were both hopeful men,
+and fully grown in those days. Thorir had been in Norway that summer,
+when King Olaf came east from England, and got into great friendship
+with the king, and with Bishop Sigurd as well; and this is a token
+thereof, that Thorir had had a large ship built in the wood, and
+prayed Bishop Sigurd to hallow it, and so he did. Thereafter Thorir
+fared out to Iceland and caused the ship to be broken up, when he grew
+weary of sailing, but the beaks of the ship, he had set up over his
+outer door, and they were there long afterwards, and were so full of
+weather wisdom, that the one whistled before a south wind, and the
+other before a north wind.
+
+But when Thorir knew that King Olaf had got the sole rule over all
+Norway, he deemed that he had some friendship there to fall back on;
+then he sent his sons to Norway to meet the king, and was minded that
+they should become his men. They came there south, late in autumn, and
+got to themselves a row-barge, and fared north along the land, with
+the mind to go and meet the king.
+
+They came to a haven south of Stead, and lay there some nights, and
+kept themselves in good case as to meat and drink, and were not much
+abroad when the weather was foul.
+
+Now it is to be told that Grettir and his fellows fared north
+along the land, and often had hard weather, because it was then the
+beginning of winter; and when they bore down north on Stead, they had
+much foul weather, with snow and frost, and with exceeding trouble
+they make land one evening all much worn with wet; so they lay to by
+a certain dyke, and could thus save their money and goods; the chapmen
+were hard put to it for the cold, because they could not light any
+fire, though thereon they deemed well-nigh their life and health lay.
+
+Thus they lay that evening in evil plight; but as the night wore on
+they saw that a great fire sprang up in the midst of the sound over
+against there whereas they had come. But when Grettir's shipmates saw
+the fire, they said one to the other that he would be a happy man who
+might get it, and they doubted whether they should unmoor the ship,
+but to all of them there seemed danger in that. Then they had a long
+talk over it, whether any man was of might enow to fetch that fire.
+
+Grettir gave little heed thereto, but said, that such men had been as
+would not have feared the task. The chapmen said that they were not
+bettered by what had been, if now there was nought to take to.
+
+"Perchance thou deemest thyself man enough thereto, Grettir," said
+they, "since thou art called the man of most prowess among the men of
+Iceland, and thou wottest well enough what our need is."
+
+Grettir answered, "It seems to me no great deed to fetch the fire, but
+I wot not if ye will reward it according to the prayer of him who does
+it."
+
+They said, "Why deemest thou us such shameful men as that we should
+reward that deed but with good?"
+
+Quoth he, "I may try this if so be that ye think much lies on it, but
+my mind bids me hope to get nought of good thereby."
+
+They said that that should never be, and bade all hail to his words;
+and thereafter Grettir made ready for swimming, and cast his clothes
+from off him; of clothes he had on but a cape and sail-cloth breeches;
+he girt up the cape and tied a bast-rope strongly round his middle,
+and had with him a cask; then he leaped overboard; he stretched across
+the sound, and got aland.
+
+There he saw a house stand, and heard therefrom the talk of men, and
+much clatter, and therewith he turned toward that house.
+
+Now is it to be said of those that were there before, that here were
+come the sons of Thorir, as is aforesaid; they had lain there many
+nights, and bided there the falling of the gale, that they might
+have wind at will to go north, beyond Stead. They had set them down
+a-drinking, and were twelve men in all; their ship rode in the main
+haven, and they were at a house of refuge for such men to guest in, as
+went along the coast.
+
+Much straw had been borne into the house, and there was a great fire
+on the floor; Grettir burst into the house, and wotted not who was
+there before; his cape was all over ice when he came aland, and he
+himself was wondrous great to behold, even as a troll; now those first
+comers were exceeding amazed at him, and deemed he must be some evil
+wight; they smote at him with all things they might lay hold of, and
+mighty din went on around them; but Grettir put off all blows strongly
+with his arms, then some smote him with fire-brands, and the fire
+burst off over all the house, and therewith he got off with the fire
+and fared back again to his fellows.
+
+They mightily praised his journey and the prowess of it, and said
+that his like would never be. And now the night wore, and they deemed
+themselves happy in that they had got the fire.
+
+The next morning the weather was fair; the chapmen woke early and got
+them ready to depart, and they talked together that now they should
+meet those who had had the rule of that fire, and wot who they were.
+
+Now they unmoored their ship, and crossed over the sound; there they
+found no hall, but saw a great heap of ashes, and found therein many
+bones of men; then they deemed that this house of refuge had been
+utterly burned up, with all those men who had been therein.
+
+Thereat they asked if Grettir had brought about that ill-hap, and said
+that it was the greatest misdeed.
+
+Grettir said, that now had come to pass even as he had misdoubted,
+that they should reward him ill for the fetching of the fire, and that
+it was ill to help unmanly men.
+
+Grettir got such hurt of this, that the chapmen said, wheresoever they
+came, that Grettir had burned those men. The news soon got abroad that
+in that house were lost the aforenamed sons of Thorir of Garth, and
+their fellows; then they drave Grettir from their ship and would not
+have him with them; and now he became so ill looked on that scarce any
+one would do good to him.
+
+Now he deemed that matters were utterly hopeless, but before all
+things would go to meet the king, and so made north to Drontheim. The
+king was there before him, and knew all or ever Grettir came there,
+who had been much slandered to the king. And Grettir was some days in
+the town before he could get to meet the king.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXIX.
+
+<i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the King</i>.
+
+
+Now on a day when the king sat in council, Grettir went before the
+king and greeted him well. The king looked at him and said, "Art thou
+Grettir the Strong?"
+
+He answered, "So have I been called, and for that cause am I come to
+thee, that I hope from thee deliverance from the evil tale that is
+laid on me, though I deem that I nowise wrought that deed."
+
+King Olaf said, "Thou art great enough, but I know not what luck thou
+mayest bear about to cast off this matter from thee; but it is like,
+indeed, that thou didst not willingly burn the men."
+
+Grettir said he was fain to put from him this slander, if the king
+thought he might do so; the king bade him tell truthfully, how it had
+gone betwixt him and those men: Grettir told him all, even as has been
+said before, and this withal, that they were all alive when he came
+out with the fire--
+
+"And now I will offer to free myself in such wise as ye may deem will
+stand good in law therefor."
+
+Olaf the king said, "We will grant thee to bear iron for this matter
+if thy luck will have it so."
+
+Grettir liked this exceeding well; and now took to fasting for the
+iron; and so the time wore on till the day came whereas the trial
+should come off; then went the king to the church, and the bishop and
+much folk, for many were eager to have a sight of Grettir, so much as
+had been told of him.
+
+Then was Grettir led to the church, and when he came thither, many of
+those who were there before gazed at him and said one to the other,
+that he was little like to most folk, because of his strength and
+greatness of growth.
+
+Now, as Grettir went up the church-floor, there started up a lad of
+ripe growth, wondrous wild of look, and he said to Grettir--
+
+"Marvellous is now the custom in this land, as men are called
+Christians therein, that ill-doers, and folk riotous, and thieves
+shall go their ways in peace and become free by trials; yea, and what
+would the evil man do but save his life while he might? So here now
+is a misdoer, proven clearly a man of misdeeds, and has burnt sackless
+men withal, and yet shall he, too, have a trial to free him; ah, a
+mighty ill custom!"
+
+Therewith he went up to Grettir and pointed finger, and wagged head at
+him, and called him mermaid's son, and many other ill names.
+
+Grettir grew wroth beyond measure hereat, and could not keep himself
+in; he lifted up his fist, and smote the lad under the ear, so that
+forthwith he fell down stunned, but some say that he was slain there
+and then. None seemed to know whence that lad came or what became
+of him, but men are mostly minded to think, that it was some unclean
+spirit, sent thither for Grettir's hurt.
+
+Now a great clamour rose in the church, and it was told the king, "He
+who should bear the iron is smiting all about him;" then King Olaf
+went down the church, and saw what was going on, and spake--
+
+"A most unlucky man art thou," said he, "that now the trial should not
+be, as ready as all things were thereto, nor will it be easy to deal
+with thine ill-luck."
+
+Grettir answered, "I was minded that I should have gained more honour
+from thee, Lord, for the sake of my kin, than now seems like to be;"
+and he told withal how men were faring to King Olaf, as was said
+afore, "and now I am fain," said he, "that thou wouldest take me to
+thee; thou hast here many men with thee, who will not be deemed more
+like men-at-arms than I?"
+
+"That see I well," said the king, "that few men are like unto thee for
+strength and stoutness of heart, but thou art far too luckless a man
+to abide with us: now shall thou go in peace for me, wheresoever thou
+wilt, the winter long, but next summer go thou out to Iceland, for
+there will it be thy fate to leave thy bones."
+
+Grettir answered, "First would I put from me this affair of the
+burning, if I might, for I did not the deed willingly."
+
+"It is most like," said the king; "but yet, because the trial is now
+come to nought for thy heedlessness' sake, thou will not get this
+charge cast from thee more than now it is, <i>For ill-heed still to
+ill doth lead</i>, and if ever man has been cursed, of all men must
+thou have been."
+
+So Grettir dwelt a while in the town thereafter, but dealt no more
+with the king than has been told.
+
+Then he fared into the south country, and was minded east for
+Tunsberg, to find Thorstein Dromond, his brother, and there is nought
+told of his travels till he came east to Jadar.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XL.
+
+<i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i>.
+
+
+At yule came Grettir to a bonder who was called Einar, he was a rich
+man, and was married and had one daughter of marriageable age, who was
+called Gyrid; she was a fair woman, and was deemed a right good match;
+Einar bade Grettir abide with him through Yule, and that proffer he
+took.
+
+Then was it the wont far and wide in Norway that woodmen and misdoers
+would break out of the woods and challenge men for their women, or
+they took away men's goods with violence, whereas they had not much
+help of men.
+
+Now it so befell here, that one day in Yule there came to Einar the
+bonder many ill-doers together, and he was called Snoekoll who was the
+head of them, and a great bearserk he was. He challenged goodman Einar
+to give up his daughter, or to defend her, if he thought himself man
+enough thereto; but the bonder was then past his youth, and was no man
+for fighting; he deemed he had a great trouble on his hands, and asked
+Grettir, in a whisper, what rede he would give thereto: "Since thou
+art called a famous man." Grettir bade him say yea to those things
+alone, which he thought of no shame to him.
+
+The bearserk sat on his horse, and had a helm on his head, but the
+cheek-pieces were not made fast; he had an iron-rimmed shield before
+him, and went on in the most monstrous wise.
+
+Now he said to the bonder, "Make one or other choice speedily, or what
+counsel is that big churl giving thee who stands there before thee; is
+it not so that he will play with me?"
+
+Grettir said, "We are about equal herein, the bonder and I, for
+neither of us is skilled in arms."
+
+Snoekoll said, "Ye will both of you be somewhat afraid to deal with
+me, if I grow wroth."
+
+"That is known when it is tried," said Grettir.
+
+Now the bearserk saw that there was some edging out of the matter
+going on, and he began to roar aloud, and bit the rim of his shield,
+and thrust it up into his mouth, and gaped over the corner of the
+shield, and went on very madly. Grettir took a sweep along over the
+field, and when he came alongside of the bearserk's horse, sent up
+his foot under the tail of the shield so hard, that the shield went up
+into the mouth of him, and his throat was riven asunder, and his jaws
+fell down on his breast. Then he wrought so that, all in one rush, he
+caught hold of the helmet with his left hand, and swept the viking off
+his horse; and with the other hand drew the short-sword that he was
+girt withal, and drave it at his neck, so that off the head flew. But
+when Snoekoll's fellows saw that, they fled, each his own way, and
+Grettir had no mind to follow, for he saw there was no heart in them.
+
+The bonder thanked him well for his work and many other men too; and
+that deed was deemed to have been wrought both swiftly and hardily.
+
+Grettir was there through Yule, and the farmer saw him off handsomely:
+then he went east to Tunsberg, and met his brother Thorstein; he
+received Grettir fondly, and asked of his travels and how he won the
+bearserk. Then Grettir sang a stave--
+
+  "There the shield that men doth save
+  Mighty spurn with foot I gave.
+  Snoekoll's throat it smote aright,
+  The fierce follower of the fight,
+  And by mighty dint of it
+  Were the tofts of tooth-hedge split;
+  The strong spear-walk's iron rim,
+  Tore adown the jaws of him."
+
+Thorstein said, "Deft wouldst thou be at many things, kinsman, if
+mishaps went not therewith."
+
+Grettir answered, "<i>Deeds done will be told of</i>."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLI.
+
+<i>Of Thorstein Dromond's Arms, and what he deemed they might do</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir was with Thorstein for the rest of the winter and on into
+the spring; and it befell one morning, as those brothers, Thorstein
+and Grettir, lay in their sleeping-loft, that Grettir had laid his
+arms outside the bed-clothes; and Thorstein was awake and saw it. Now
+Grettir woke up a little after, and then spake Thorstein:
+
+"I have seen thine arms, kinsman," said he, "and I deem it nowise
+wonderful, though thy strokes fall heavy on many, for no man's arms
+have I seen like thine."
+
+"Thou mayst know well enough," said Grettir, "that I should not have
+brought such things to pass as I have wrought, if I were not well
+knit."
+
+"Better should I deem it," said Thorstein, "if they were slenderer and
+somewhat luckier withal."
+
+Grettir said, "True it is, as folk say, <i>No man makes himself</i>;
+but let me see thine arms," said he.
+
+Thorstein did so; he was the longest and gauntest of men; and Grettir
+laughed, and said,
+
+"No need to look at that longer; hooked together are the ribs in thee;
+nor, methinks, have I ever seen such tongs as thou bearest about, and
+I deem thee to be scarce of a woman's strength."
+
+"That may be," said Thorstein; "yet shall thou know that these same
+thin arms shall avenge thee, else shall thou never be avenged; who may
+know what shall be, when all is over and done?"
+
+No more is told of their talk together; the spring wore on, and
+Grettir took ship in the summer. The brothers parted in friendship,
+and saw each other never after.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLII.
+
+<i>Of the Death of Asmund the Grey haired</i>.
+
+
+Now must the tale be taken up where it was left before, for Thorbiorn
+Oxmain heard how Thorbiorn Tardy was slain, as aforesaid, and broke
+out into great wrath, and said it would please him well that <i>now
+this and now that should have strokes in his garth</i>.
+
+Asmund the Greyhaired lay long sick that summer, and when he thought
+his ailings drew closer on him, he called to him his kin, and said
+that it was his will, that Atli should have charge of all his goods
+after his day.
+
+"But my mind misgives me," said Asmund, "that thou mayst scarce sit
+quiet because of the iniquity of men, and I would that all ye of my
+kin should help him to the uttermost but of Grettir nought can I say,
+for methinks overmuch on a whirling wheel his life turns; and though
+he be a mighty man, yet I fear me that he will have to heed his own
+troubles more than the helping of his kin: but Illugi, though he
+be young, yet shall he become a man of prowess, if he keep himself
+whole."
+
+So, when Asmund had settled matters about his sons as he would, his
+sickness lay hard on him, and in a little while he died, and was laid
+in earth at Biarg; for there had he let make a church; but his death
+his neighbours deemed a great loss.
+
+Now Atli became a mighty bonder, and had many with him, and was a
+great gatherer of household-stuff. When the summer was far gone, he
+went out to Snowfellness to get him stockfish. He drave many horses,
+and rode from home to Meals in Ramfirth to Gamli his brother-in-law;
+and on this journey rode with him Grim Thorhallson, Gamli's brother,
+and another man withal. They rode west to Hawkdale Pass, and so on,
+as the road lay west to Ness: there they bought much stockfish, and
+loaded seven horses therewith, and turned homeward when they were
+ready.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLIII.
+
+<i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying of Gunnar and
+Thorgeir</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain heard that Atli and Grim were on a journey from home,
+and there were with him the sons of Thorir from the Pass, Gunnar and
+Thorgeir. Now Thorbiorn envied Atli for his many friendships, and
+therefore he egged on the two brothers, the sons of Thorir, to way-lay
+Atli as he came back from the outer ness. Then they rode home to the
+Pass, and abode there till Atli and his fellows went by with their
+train; but when they came as far as the homestead at the Pass, their
+riding was seen, and those brothers brake out swiftly with their
+house-carles and rode after them; but when Atli and his folk saw their
+faring, Atli bade them take the loads from the horses, "for perchance
+they will give me atonement for my house-carle, whom Gunnar slew last
+summer. Let us not begin the work, but defend ourselves if they be
+first to raise strife with us."
+
+Now the brothers came up and leaped off their horses. Atli welcomed
+them, and asked for tidings: "Perchance, Gunnar, thou wilt give me
+some atonement for my house-carle."
+
+Gunnar answered, "Something else is your due, men of Biarg, than that
+I should lay down aught good therefor; yea, atonement is due withal
+for the slaying of Thorbiorn, whom Grettir slew."
+
+"It is not for me to answer thereto," said Atli; "nor art thou a
+suitor in that case."
+
+Gunnar said he would stand in that stead none-the-less. "Come, let us
+set on them, and make much of it, that Grettir is not nigh them now."
+
+Then they ran at Atli, eight of them altogether, but Atli and his folk
+were six.
+
+Atli went before his men, and drew the sword, Jokul's gift, which
+Grettir had given him.
+
+Then said Thorgeir, "Many like ways have those who deem themselves
+good; high aloft did Grettir bear his short-sword last summer on the
+Ramfirth-neck."
+
+Atli answered, "Yea, he is more wont to deal in great deeds than I."
+
+Thereafter they fought; Gunnar set on Atli exceeding fiercely, and was
+of the maddest; and when they had fought awhile, Atli said,
+
+"No fame there is in thus killing workmen each for the other; more
+seeming it is that we ourselves play together, for never have I fought
+with weapons till now."
+
+Gunnar would not have it so, but Atli bade his house-carles look to
+the burdens; "But I will see what these will do herein."
+
+Then he went forward so mightily that Gunnar and his folk shrunk
+back before him, and he slew two of the men of those brothers, and
+thereafter turned to meet Gunnar, and smote at him, so that the shield
+was cleft asunder almost below the handle, and the stroke fell on his
+leg below the knee, and then he smote at him again, and that was his
+bane.
+
+Now is it to be told of Grim Thorhallson that he went against
+Thorgeir, and they strove together long, for each was a hardy man.
+Thorgeir saw the fall of his brother Gunnar, and was fain to draw off.
+Grim ran after him, and followed him till Thorgeir stumbled, and
+fell face foremost; then Grim smote at him with an axe betwixt the
+shoulders, so that it stood deep sunken therein.
+
+Then they gave peace to three of their followers who were left; and
+thereafter they bound up their wounds, and laid the burdens on the
+horses, and then fared home, and made these man-slayings known.
+
+Atli sat at home with many men through the winter. Thorbiorn Oxmain
+took these doings exceedingly ill, but could do naught therein because
+Atli was a man well befriended. Grim was with him through the winter,
+and Gamli, his brother-in-law; and there was Glum, son of Uspak,
+another kinsman-in-law of his, who at that time dwelt at Ere in Bitra.
+They had many men dwelling at Biarg, and great mirth was thereat
+through the winter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLIV.
+
+<i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir of the Pass</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain took on himself the suit for the slaying of the sons
+of Thorir of the Pass. He made ready a suit against Grim and Atli,
+but they set forth for their defence onset and attack, to make those
+brothers fall unatoned. The suit was brought to the Hunawater Thing,
+and men came thronging to both sides. Atli had good help because he
+was exceeding strong of kin.
+
+Now the friends of both stood forth and talked of peace, and all
+said that Atli's ways were good, a peaceful man, but stout in danger
+none-the-less.
+
+Now Thorbiorn deemed that by nought would his honour be served better
+than by taking the peace offered. Atli laid down before-hand that he
+would have neither district outlawry nor banishment.
+
+Then were men chosen for the judges. Thorvald, son of Asgeir, on
+Atli's side, and on Thorbiorn's, Solvi the Proud, who was the son of
+Asbrand, the son of Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring, who had settled
+all Waterness from the Foreland up to Bond-maids River on the west,
+but on the east all up to Cross-river, and there right across to
+Berg-ridge, and all on that side of the Bergs down to the sea:
+this Solvi was a man of great stateliness and a wise man, therefore
+Thorbiorn chose him to be judge on his behoof.
+
+Now they set forth their judgment, that half-fines should be paid for
+the sons of Thorir, but half fell away because of the onslaught and
+attack, and attempt on Atli's life, the slaying of Atli's house-carle,
+who was slain on Ramfirth-neck, and the slaying of those twain who
+fell with the sons of Thorir were set off one against the other. Grim
+Thorhallson should leave dwelling in the district, but Atli alone
+should pay the money atonement.
+
+This peace pleased Atli much, but Thorbiorn misliked it, but they
+parted appeased, as far as words went; howsoever it fell from
+Thorbiorn that their dealings would not be made an end of yet, if
+things went as he would.
+
+But Atli rode home from the Thing, and thanked Thorvald well for his
+aid. Grim Thorhallson went south to Burgfirth, and dwelt at Gilsbank,
+and was a great bonder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLV.
+
+<i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i>.
+
+
+There was a man with Thorbiorn Oxmain who was called Ali; he was a
+house-carle, a somewhat lazy and unruly man.
+
+Thorbiorn bade him work better, or he would beat him. Ali said he had
+no list thereto, and was beyond measure worrying. Thorbiorn would not
+abide it, and drave him under him, and handled him hardly. Then Ali
+went off from his service, and fared over the Neck to Midfirth,
+and made no stay till he came to Biarg. Atli was at home, and asked
+whither he went. He said that he sought service.
+
+"Art thou not Thorbiorn's workman?" said Atli.
+
+"That did not go off so pleasantly," said Ali; "I was not there long,
+and evil I deemed it while I was there, and we parted, so that I
+deemed his song about my throat nowise sweet; and I will go to dwell
+there no more, whatso else may hap to me; and true it is that much
+unlike ye are in the luck ye have with servants, and now I would fain
+work with thee if I might have the choice."
+
+Atli answered, "Enough I have of workmen, though I reach not out to
+Thorbiorn's hands for such men as he has hired, and methinks there is
+no gain in thee, so go back to him."
+
+Ali said, "Thither I go not of my own free-will."
+
+And now he dwells there awhile; but one morning he went out to
+work with Atli's house-carles, and worked so that his hands were
+everywhere, and thus he went on till far into summer. Atli said nought
+to him, but bade give him meat, for he liked his working well.
+
+Now Thorbiorn hears that Ali is at Biarg; then he rode to Biarg with
+two men, and called out Atli to talk with him. Atli went out and
+welcomed him.
+
+Thorbiorn said, "Still wilt thou take up afresh ill-will against me,
+and trouble me, Atli. Why hast thou taken my workman? Wrongfully is
+this done."
+
+Atli answered, "It is not proven to me that he is thy workman, nor
+will I withhold him from thee, if thou showest proofs thereof, yet am
+I loth to drag him out of my house."
+
+"Thou must have thy will now," said Thorbiorn; "but I claim the man,
+and forbid him to work here; and I will come again another time, and I
+know not if we shall then part better friends than now."
+
+Atli said, "I shall abide at home, and take what may come to hand."
+
+Then Thorbiorn rode home; but when the workmen come home in the
+evening, Atli tells all the talk betwixt him and Thorbiorn, and bids
+Ali go his way, and said he should not abide there longer.
+
+Ali answered, "True is the old saw, <i>over-praised and first to
+fail</i>. I deemed not that thou wouldst drive me away after I had
+toiled here all the summer enough to break my heart, and I hoped that
+thou wouldst stand up for me somehow; but this is the way of you,
+though ye look as if good might be hoped from you. I shall be beaten
+here before thine eyes if thou givest me not some defence or help."
+
+Atli altered his mind at this talk of his, and had no heart now to
+drive him away from him.
+
+Now the time wore, till men began hay-harvest, and one day, somewhat
+before midsummer, Thorbiorn Oxmain rode to Biarg, he was so attired
+that he had a helm on his head, and was girt with a sword, and had a
+spear in his hand. A barbed spear it was, and the barbs were broad.
+
+It was wet abroad that day. Atli had sent his house-carles to the
+mowing, but some of them were north at Horn a-fishing. Atli was at
+home, and few other men.
+
+Thorbiorn came there about high-noon; alone he was, and rode up to
+the outer door; the door was locked, and no men were abroad. Thorbiorn
+smote on the door, and then drew aback behind the houses, so that none
+might see him from the door. The home-folk heard that the door was
+knocked at, and a woman went out. Thorbiorn had an inkling of the
+woman, and would not let himself be seen, for he had a mind to do
+something else.
+
+Now the woman went into the chamber, and Atli asked who was come
+there. She said, "I have seen nought stirring abroad." And even as
+they spake Thorbiorn let drive a great stroke on the door.
+
+Then said Atli, "This one would see me, and he must have some errand
+with me, whatever may be the gain thereof to me."
+
+Then he went forth and out of the door, and saw no one without.
+Exceeding wet it was, therefore he went not out, but laid a hand on
+either door-post, and so peered about him.
+
+In that point of time Thorbiorn swung round before the door, and
+thrust the spear with both hands amidst of Atli, so that it pierced
+him through.
+
+Then said Atli, when he got the thrust, "<i>Broad spears are about
+now</i>," says he, and fell forward over the threshold.
+
+Then came out women who had been in the chamber, and saw that Atli was
+dead. By then was Thorbiorn on horseback, and he gave out the slaying
+as having been done by his hand, and thereafter rode home.
+
+The goodwife Asdis sent for her men, and Atli's corpse was laid out,
+and he was buried beside his father. Great mourning folk made for his
+death, for he had been a wise man, and of many friends.
+
+No weregild came for the slaying of Atli, nor did any claim atonement
+for him, because Grettir had the blood-suit to take up if he should
+come out; so these matters stood still for that summer. Thorbiorn
+was little thanked for that deed of his; but he sat at peace in his
+homestead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLVI.
+
+<i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of Thorir of Garth</i>.
+
+
+This summer, whereof the tale was telling e'en now, a ship came out
+to Goose-ere before the Thing. Then was the news told of Grettir's
+travels, and therewithal men spake of that house-burning; and at that
+story was Thorir of Garth mad wroth, and deemed that there whereas
+Grettir was he had to look for vengeance for his sons. He rode with
+many men and set forth at the Thing the case for the burning, but
+men deemed they knew nought to say therein, while there was none to
+answer.
+
+Thorir said that he would have nought, but that Grettir should be made
+an outlaw throughout the land for such misdeeds.
+
+Then answered Skapti the Lawman, "Surely an ill deed it is, if things
+are as is said; but a tale is half told if one man tells it, for most
+folk are readiest to bring their stories to the worser side when there
+are two ways of telling them; now, therefore, I shall not give my word
+that Grettir be made guilty for this that has been done."
+
+Now Thorir was a man of might in his district and a great chief, and
+well befriended of many great men; and he pushed on matters so hard
+that nought could avail to acquit Grettir; and so this Thorir made
+Grettir an outlaw throughout all the land, and was ever thenceforth
+the heaviest of all his foes, as things would oft show.
+
+Now he put a price on his head, as was wont to be done with other
+wood-folk, and thereafter rode home.
+
+Many men got saying that this was done rather by the high hand than
+according to law; but so it stood as it was done; and now nought else
+happed to tell of till past midsummer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLVII.
+
+<i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.
+
+
+When summer was far spent came Grettir Asmundson out to Whiteriver
+in Burgfirth; folk went down to the ship from thereabout, and these
+tidings came all at once to Grettir; the first, that his father was
+dead, the second, that his brother was slain, the third, that he
+himself was made an outlaw throughout all the land. Then sang Grettir
+this stave:--
+
+  "Heavy tidings thick and fast
+  On the singer now are cast;
+  My father dead, my brother dead,
+  A price set upon my head;
+  Yet, O grove of Hedin's maid,
+  May these things one day be paid;
+  Yea upon another morn
+  Others may be more forlorn."
+
+So men say that Grettir changed nowise at these tidings, but was even
+as merry as before.
+
+Now he abode with the ship awhile, because he could get no horse to
+his mind. But there was a man called Svein, who dwelt at Bank up from
+Thingness, he was a good bonder and a merry man, and often sang such
+songs as were gamesome to hear; he had a mare black to behold, the
+swiftest of all horses, and her Svein called Saddle-fair.
+
+Now Grettir went one night away from the wolds, but he would not that
+the chapmen should be ware of his ways; he got a black cape, and threw
+it over his clothes, and so was disguised; he went up past Thingness,
+and so up to Bank, and by then it was daylight. He saw a black horse
+in the homefield and went up to it, and laid bridle on it, leapt on
+the back of it, and rode up along Whiteriver, and below Bye up to
+Flokedale-river, and then up the tracks above Kalfness; the workmen
+at Bank got up now and told the bonder of the man who had got on his
+mare; he got up and laughed, and sang--
+
+  "One that helm-fire well can wield
+  Rode off from my well-fenced field,
+  Helm-stalk stole away from me
+  Saddle-fair, the swift to see;
+  Certes, more great deeds this Frey
+  Yet shall do in such-like way
+  As this was done; I deem him then
+  Most overbold and rash of men."
+
+Then he took horse and rode after him; Grettir rode on till he came
+up to the homestead at Kropp; there he met a man called Hall, who
+said that he was going down to the ship at the Wolds; Grettir sang a
+stave--
+
+  "In broad-peopled lands say thou
+  That thou sawest even now
+  Unto Kropp-farm's gate anigh,
+  Saddle-fair and Elm-stalk high;
+  That thou sawest stiff on steed
+  (Get thee gone at greatest speed),
+  One who loveth game and play
+  Clad in cape of black to-day."
+
+Then they part, and Hall went down the track and all the way down to
+Kalfness, before Svein met him; they greeted one another hastily, then
+sang Svein--
+
+  "Sawest thou him who did me harm
+  On my horse by yonder farm?
+  Even such an one was he,
+  Sluggish yet a thief to see;
+  From the neighbours presently
+  Doom of thief shall he abye
+  And a blue skin shall he wear,
+  If his back I come anear."
+
+"That thou mayst yet do," said Hall, "I saw that man who said that he
+rode on Saddle-fair, and bade me tell it over the peopled lands and
+settlements; great of growth he was, and was clad in a black cape."
+
+"He deems he has something to fall back on," said the bonder, "but I
+shall ride after him and find out who he is."
+
+Now Grettir came to Deildar-Tongue, and there was a woman without the
+door; Grettir went up to talk to her, and sang this stave--
+
+  "Say to guard of deep-sea's flame
+  That here worm-land's haunter came;
+  Well-born goddess of red gold,
+  Thus let gamesome rhyme be told.
+  'Giver forth of Odin's mead
+  Of thy black mare have I need;
+  For to Gilsbank will I ride,
+  Meed of my rash words to bide.'"
+
+The woman learned this song, and thereafter Grettir rode on his way;
+Svein came there a little after, and she was not yet gone in, and as
+he came he sang this--
+
+  "What foreteller of spear-shower
+  E'en within this nigh-passed hour,
+  Swift through the rough weather rode
+  Past the gate of this abode?
+  He, the hound-eyed reckless one,
+  By all good deeds left alone,
+  Surely long upon this day
+  From my hands will flee away."
+
+Then she told him what she had been bidden to; he thought over the
+ditty, and said, "It is not unlike that he will be no man to play
+with; natheless, I will find him out."
+
+Now he rode along the peopled lands, and each man ever saw the other's
+riding; and the weather was both squally and wet.
+
+Grettir came to Gilsbank that day, and when Grim Thorhallson knew
+thereof, he welcomed him with great joy, and bade him abide with him.
+This Grettir agreed to; then he let loose Saddle-fair, and told Grim
+how she had been come by. Therewith came Svein, and leapt from his
+horse, and saw his own mare, and sang this withal--
+
+  "Who rode on my mare away?
+  What is that which thou wilt pay?
+  Who a greater theft has seen?
+  What does the cowl-covered mean?"
+
+Grettir by then had doft his wet clothes, and he heard the stave, and
+answered--
+
+  "I did ride thy mare to Grim
+  (Thou art feeble weighed with him),
+  Little will I pay to thee,
+  Yet good fellows let us be."
+
+"Well, so be it then," said the farmer, "and the ride is well paid
+for."
+
+Then each sang his own songs, and Grettir said he had no fault to
+find, though he failed to hold his own; the bonder was there that
+night, and the twain of them together, and great game they made of
+this: and they called all this Saddle-fair's lays. Next morning the
+bonder rode home, and he and Grettir parted good friends.
+
+Now Grim told Grettir of many things from the north and Midfirth,
+that had befallen while he was abroad, and this withal, that Atli was
+unatoned, and how that Thorbiorn Oxmain waxed so great, and was so
+high-handed, that it was not sure that goodwife Asdis might abide at
+Biarg if matters still went so.
+
+Grettir abode but few nights with Grim, for he was fain that no news
+should go before him north over the Heaths. Grim bade him come thither
+if he should have any need of safeguard.
+
+"Yet shall I shun being made guilty in law for the harbouring of
+thee."
+
+Grettir said he did well. "But it is more like that later on I may
+need thy good deed more."
+
+Now Grettir rode north over Twodaysway, and so to Biarg, and came
+there in the dead of night, when all folk were asleep save his mother.
+He went in by the back of the house and through a door that was there,
+for the ways of the house were well known to him, and came to the
+hall, and got to his mother's bed, and groped about before him.
+
+She asked who was there, and Grettir told her; then she sat up and
+kissed him, and sighed withal, heavily, and spake, "Be welcome; son,"
+she said, "but my joyance in my sons is slipping from me; for he is
+slain who was of most avail, and thou art made an outlaw and a guilty
+man, and the third is so young; that he may do nought for me."
+
+"An old saw it is," said Grettir, "<i>Even so shall bale be bettered,
+by biding greater bale</i>; but there are more things to be thought of
+by men than money atonements alone, and most like it is that Atli will
+be avenged; but as to things that may fall to me, many must even take
+their lot at my hand in dealing with me, and like it as they may."
+
+She said that was not unlike. And now Grettir was there a while with
+the knowledge of few folk; and he had news of the doings of the folk
+of the country-side; and men knew not that Grettir was come into
+Midfirth: but he heard that Thorbiorn Oxmain was at home with few men;
+and that was after the homefield hay-harvest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLVIII.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.
+
+
+On a fair day Grettir rode west over the Necks to Thorodstead, and
+came there about noon, and knocked at the door; women came out and
+welcomed him, but knew him not; he asked for Thorbiorn, but they said
+he was gone to the meadow to bind hay, and with him his son of sixteen
+winters, who was called Arnor; for Thorbiorn was a very busy man, and
+well-nigh never idle.
+
+So when Grettir knew this, he bade them well betide, and went his
+way on the road toward Reeks, there a marsh stretches down from the
+hill-side, and on it was much grass to mow, and much hay had Thorbiorn
+made there, and now it was fully dry, and he was minded to bind it up
+for home, he and the lad with him, but a woman did the raking.
+
+Now Grettir rode from below up into the field, but the father and
+son were higher up, and had bound one load, and were now at another;
+Thorbiorn had set his shield and sword against the load, and the lad
+had a hand-axe beside him.
+
+Now Thorbiorn saw a man coming, and said to the lad, "Yonder is a man
+riding toward us, let us leave binding the hay, and know what he will
+with us."
+
+So did they, and Grettir leapt off his horse; he had a helm on his
+head, and was girt with the short-sword, and bore a great spear in his
+hand, a spear without barbs, and the socket inlaid with silver. Now
+he sat down and knocked out the socket-nail, because he would not that
+Thorbiorn should cast the spear back.
+
+Then said Thorbiorn, "He is a big man, and no man in field know I, if
+that is not Grettir Asmundson, and he must needs think he has enough
+against us; so let us meet him sharply, and let him see no signs of
+failing in us. We shall deal cunningly; for I will go against him in
+front, and take thou heed how matters go betwixt us, for I will trust
+myself against any man if I have one alone to meet; but do thou
+go behind him, and drive the axe at him with both hands atwixt his
+shoulders; thou needest not fear that he will do thee hurt, as his
+back will be turned to thee."
+
+Neither Thorbiorn nor his son had a helm.
+
+Now Grettir got into the mead, and when he came within spear-throw of
+them, he cast his spear at Thorbiorn, but the head was looser on the
+shaft than he deemed it would be, and it swerved in its flight, and
+fell down from the shaft to the earth: then Thorbiorn took his shield,
+and put it before him, but drew his sword and went against Grettir
+when he knew him; then Grettir drew his short-sword, and turned about
+somewhat, so that he saw how the lad stood at his back, wherefore he
+kept himself free to move here or there, till he saw that the lad was
+come within reach of him, and therewith he raised the short-sword
+high aloft, and sent it back against Arnor's head so mightily that the
+skull was shattered, and that was his bane. Then Thorbiorn ran against
+Grettir and smote at him, but he thrust forth his buckler with his
+left hand, and put the blow from him, and smote with the short-sword
+withal, and cleft the shield of Thorbiorn, and the short-sword smote
+so hard into his head that it went even unto the brain, and he fell
+dead to earth beneath that stroke, nor did Grettir give him any other
+wound.
+
+Then he sought for his spear-head, and found it not; so he went to his
+horse and rode out to Reeks, and there told of the slayings. Withal
+the woman who was in the meadow saw the slayings, and ran home full of
+fear, and said that Thorbiorn was slain, and his son both; this took
+those of the house utterly unawares, for they knew nought of Grettir's
+travelling. So were men sent for to the next homestead, and soon came
+many folk, and brought the bodies to church. Thorod Drapa-Stump took
+up the blood-suit for these slayings and had folk a-field forthwith.
+
+But Grettir rode home to Biarg, and found his mother, and told her
+what had happed; and she was glad thereat, and said that now he got to
+be like unto the Waterdale kin. "Yet will this be the root and stem of
+thine outlawry, and I know for sooth that thou mayest not abide here
+long because of the kin of Thorbiorn; but now may they know that thou
+mayest be angered."
+
+Grettir sang this stave thereupon--
+
+  "Giant's friend fell dead to earth
+  On the grass of Wetherfirth,
+  No fierce fighting would avail,
+  Oxmain in the Odin's gale.
+  So, and in no other wise,
+  Has been paid a fitting price
+  For that Atli, who of yore,
+  Lay dead-slain anigh his door."
+
+Goodwife Asdis said that was true; "But I know not what rede thou art
+minded to take?"
+
+Grettir said that he would seek help of his friends and kin in the
+west; "But on thee shall no trouble fall for my sake," said he.
+
+So he made ready to go, and mother and son parted in love; but first
+he went to Meals in Ramfirth, and told Gamli his brother-in-law all,
+even as it had happed, concerning the slaying of Thorbiorn.
+
+Gamli told him he must needs depart from Ramfirth while Thorbiorn's
+kin had their folk about; "But our aid in the suit for Atli's slaying
+we shall yield thee as we may."
+
+So thereafter Grettir rode west over Laxdale-heath, and stayed not
+till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, where he dwelt long
+that autumn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLIX.
+
+<i>The gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.
+
+
+Thorod Drapa-Stump sought tidings of this who might have slain
+Thorbiorn and his son, and when he came to Reeks, it was told him that
+Grettir had been there and given out the slayings as from his hand.
+Now, Thorod deemed he saw how things had come to pass; so he went to
+Biarg, and there found many folk, but he asked if Grettir were there.
+
+The goodwife said he had ridden away, and that she would not slip him
+into hiding-places if he were there.
+
+"Now ye will be well pleased that matters have so been wrought; nor
+was the slaying of Atli over-avenged, though this was paid for it.
+Ye asked not then what grief of heart I had; and now, too, it is well
+that things are even so."
+
+Therewith they rode home, and found it not easy to do aught therein.
+
+Now that spear-head which Grettir lost was not found till within the
+memory of men living now; it was found in the latter days of Sturla
+Thordson the lawman, and in that marsh where Thorbiorn fell, which is
+now called Spear-mead; and that sign men have to show that Thorbiorn
+was slain there, though in some places it is said that he was slain on
+Midfit.
+
+Thorod and his kin heard that Grettir abode at Liarskogar; then they
+gathered men, and were minded to go thither; but when Gamli of Meals
+was ware thereof, he made Thorstein and Grettir sure of the farings
+of the Ramfirthers; and when Thorstein knew it, he sent Grettir in to
+Tongue to Snorri Godi, for then there was no strife between them, and
+Thorstein gave that counsel to Grettir that he should pray Snorri the
+Godi for his watch and ward; but if he would not grant it, he made
+Grettir go west to Reek-knolls to Thorgils Arisen, "and he will take
+thee to him through this winter, and keep within the Westfirths till
+these matters are settled."
+
+Grettir said he would take good heed to his counsels; then he rode
+into Tongue, and found Snorri the Godi, and talked with him, and
+prayed him to take him in.
+
+Snorri answered, "I grow an old man now, and loth am I to harbour
+outlawed men if no need drive me thereto. What has come to pass that
+the elder put thee off from him?"
+
+Grettir said that Thorstein had often done well to him; "But more
+shall I need than him alone, if things are to go well."
+
+Said Snorri, "My good word I shall put in for thee if that may avail
+thee aught, but in some other place than with me must thou seek a
+dwelling."
+
+With these words they parted, and Grettir turned west to Reekness;
+the Ramfirthers with their band got as far as Samstead, and there they
+heard that Grettir had departed from Liarskogar, and thereat they went
+back home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. L.
+
+<i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir came to Reek-knolls about winter-nights, and prayed
+Thorgils for winter abode; Thorgils said, that for him as for other
+free men meat was ready; "but the fare of guests here is nowise
+choice." Grettir said he was not nice about that.
+
+"There is yet another thing here for thy trouble," said Thorgils:
+"Men are minded to harbour here, who are deemed somewhat hard to keep
+quiet, even as those foster-brothers, Thorgeir and Thormod; I wot not
+how meet it may be for you to be together; but their dwelling shall
+ever be here if they will it so: now mayst thou abide here if thou
+wilt, but I will not have it that either of you make strife with the
+other."
+
+Grettir said he would not be the first to raise strife with any man,
+and so much the less as the bonder's will was such.
+
+A little after came those foster-brothers home; things went not
+merrily betwixt Thorgeir and Grettir, but Thormod bore himself well.
+Goodman Thorgils said to the foster-brothers even as he had said
+to Grettir; and of such worth they held him, that neither cast an
+untoward word at the other although their minds went nowise the same
+way: and so wore the early winter.
+
+Now men say that Thorgils owned those isles, which are called
+Olaf's-isles, and lie out in the firth a sea-mile and a half off
+Reekness; there had bonder Thorgils a good ox that he might not fetch
+home in the autumn; and he was ever saying that he would fain have him
+against Yule. Now, one day those foster-brothers got ready to seek the
+ox, if a third man could be gotten to their aid: Grettir offered to go
+with them, and they were well pleased thereat; they went, the three of
+them, in a ten-oared boat: the weather was cold, and the wind shifting
+from the north, and the craft lay up on Whaleshead-holm.
+
+Now they sail out, and somewhat the wind got up, but they came to the
+isle and got hold of the ox; then asked Grettir which they would do,
+bear the ox aboard or keep hold of the craft, because the surf at
+the isle was great; then they bade him hold the boat; so he stood
+amidships on that side which looked from shore, and the sea took him
+up to the shoulder-blades, yet he held her so that she moved nowise:
+but Thorgeir took the ox behind and Thormod before, and so hove it
+down to the boat; then they sat down to row, and Thormod rowed in the
+bows, Thorgeir amidships, and Grettir aft, and therewith they made out
+into the open bay; but when they came off Goat-rock, a squall caught
+them, then said Thorgeir, "The stern is fain to lag behind."
+
+Then said Grettir, "The stern will not be left if the rowing afore be
+good."
+
+Thereat Thorgeir fell to rowing so hard that both the tholes were
+broken: then said he, "Row on, Grettir, while I mend the thole-pins."
+
+Then Grettir pulled mightily while Thorgeir did his mending, but when
+Thorgeir took to rowing again, the oars had got so worn that Grettir
+shook them asunder on the gunwale.
+
+"Better," quoth Thormod, "to row less and break nought."
+
+Then Grettir caught up two unshapen oar beams that lay in the boat and
+bored large holes in the gunwales, and rowed withal so mightily
+that every beam creaked, but whereas the craft was good, and the men
+somewhat of the brisker sort, they reached Whaleshead-holm.
+
+Then Grettir asked whether they would rather go home with the ox or
+haul up the boat; they chose to haul up the boat, and hauled it up
+with all the sea that was in it, and all the ice, for it was much
+covered with icicles: but Grettir led home the ox, and exceeding stiff
+in tow he was, and very fat, and he grew very weary, and when they
+came up below Titling-stead could go no more.
+
+The foster-brothers went up to the house, for neither would help the
+other in his allotted work; Thorgils asked after Grettir, but they
+told him where they had parted; then he sent men to meet him, and when
+they came down to Cave-knolls they saw how there came towards them a
+man with a neat on his back, and lo, there was Grettir come, bearing
+the ox: then all men wondered at his great might.
+
+Now Thorgeir got very envious of Grettir's strength, and one day
+somewhat after Yule, Grettir went alone to bathe; Thorgeir knew
+thereof, and said to Thormod, "Let us go on now, and try how Grettir
+will start if I set on him as he comes from his bathing."
+
+"That is not my mind," said Thormod, "and no good wilt thou get from
+him."
+
+"I will go though," says Thorgeir; and therewith he went down to the
+slope, and bore aloft an axe.
+
+By then was Grettir walking up from the bath, and when they met,
+Thorgeir said; "Is it true, Grettir," says he, "that thou hast said so
+much as that thou wouldst never run before one man?"
+
+"That I know not for sure," said Grettir, "yet but a little way have I
+run before thee."
+
+Thorgeir raised aloft the axe, but therewith Grettir ran in under
+Thorgeir and gave him an exceeding great fall: then said Thorgeir to
+Thormod, "Wilt thou stand by and see this fiend drive me down under
+him?"
+
+Thormod caught hold of Grettir's feet, and was minded to pull him
+from off Thorgeir, but could do nought thereat: he was girt with a
+short-sword and was going to draw it, when goodman Thorgils came up
+and bade them be quiet and have nought to do with Grettir.
+
+So did they and turned it all to game, and no more is told of their
+dealings; and men thought Thorgils had great luck in that he kept such
+reckless men in good peace.
+
+But when spring came they all went away; Grettir went round to
+Codfirth, and he was asked, how he liked the fare of the winter abode
+at Reek-knolls; he answered, "There have I ever been as fain as might
+be of my meals when I got at them."
+
+Thereafter he went west over the heaths.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LI.
+
+<i>Of the suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, and how Thorir of
+Garth would not that Grettir should be made sackless</i>.
+
+
+Thorgils Arison rode to the Thing with many men; and thither came all
+the great men of the land. Now Thorgils and Skapti the Lawman soon
+met, and fell to talking.
+
+Then said Skapti, "Is it true, Thorgils, that thou hast harboured
+those three men through the winter who are deemed to be the wildest of
+all men; yea, and all of them outlawed withal, and yet hast kept them
+so quiet, that no one of them has done hurt to the other?"
+
+Thorgils said it was true enough.
+
+Skapti said that great might over men it showed forth in him; "But how
+goes it, thinkest thou, with the temper of each of them; and which of
+them thinkest thou the bravest man?"
+
+Thorgils said, "I deem they are all of them full stout of heart; but
+two of them I deem know what fear is, and yet in unlike ways; for
+Thormod is a great believer and fears God much; but Grettir is so
+fearsome in the dark, that he dares go nowhither after dusk has set
+in, if he may do after his own mind. But my kinsman Thorgeir I deem
+knows not how to fear."
+
+"Yea, so it is with their minds as thou sayest," said Skapti; and with
+that they left talking.
+
+Now, at this Althing Thorod Drapa-Stump brought forward a suit for the
+slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, which he had not brought to a hearing at
+the Hunawater Thing, because of the kin of Atli, and he deemed that
+here his case would be less like to be thrown over. The kinsmen of
+Atli sought counsel of Skapti about the case; and he said he saw in
+it a lawful defence, so that full atonement would be forthcoming
+therefor. Then were these matters laid unto umpiredom, and most men
+were minded that the slayings of Atli and Thorbiorn should be set one
+against the other.
+
+But when Skapti knew that, he went to the judges, and asked whence
+they had that? They said that they deemed the slain men were bonders
+of equal worth.
+
+Then Skapti asked, which was the first, the outlawry of Grettir or
+the slaying of Atli? So, when that was reckoned up, there was a week's
+space betwixt Grettir's outlawry at the Althing and the slaying of
+Atli, which befell just after it.
+
+Then said Skapti, "Thereof my mind misgave me, that ye had made an
+oversight in setting on foot the suit in that ye made him a suitor,
+who was outlawed already, and could neither defend nor prosecute his
+own case. Now I say that Grettir has nought to do with the case of the
+slaying, but let him take up the blood-suit, who is nighest of kin by
+law."
+
+Then said Thorod Drapa-Stump, "And who shall answer for the slaying of
+Thorbiorn my brother?"
+
+"See ye to that for yourselves," said Skapti; "but the kin of Grettir
+will never pour out fee for him or his works, if no peace is to be
+bought for him."
+
+Now when Thorvald Asgeirson was aware that Grettir was set aside from
+following the blood-suit, he and his sought concerning who was the
+next of kin; and that turned out to be Skeggi, son of Gamli of
+Meals, and Uspak, son of Glum of Ere in Bitra; they were both of them
+exceeding zealous and pushing.
+
+Now must Thorod give atonement for Atli's slaying, and two hundreds in
+silver he had to pay.
+
+Then spake Snorri the Godi, "Will ye now, Ramfirthers," says he, "that
+this money-fine should fall away, and that Grettir be made sackless
+withal, for in my mind it is that as a guilty man he will be sorely
+felt?"
+
+Grettir's kin took up his word well, and said that they heeded the
+fee nought if he might have peace and freedom. Thorod said that he saw
+Grettir's lot would be full of heavy trouble, and made as if he would
+take the offer, for his part. Then Snorri bade them first know if
+Thorir of Garth would give his leave to Grettir being made free; but
+when Thorir heard thereof he turned away exceeding wroth, and said
+that Grettir should never either get out of his outlawry or be brought
+out of it: "And the more to bring that about," said he, "a greater
+price shall be put on his head than on the head of any outlaw or
+wood-man yet."
+
+So, when he took the thing so ill, the freeing of Grettir came to
+nought, and Gamli and his fellows took the money to them, and kept it
+in their ward; but Thorod Drapa-Stump had no atonement for his brother
+Thorbiorn.
+
+Now Thorir and Thorod set each of them on Grettir's head three marks
+of silver, and that folk deemed a new thing, for never had any greater
+price been laid down to such an end before than three marks in all.
+
+Snorri said it was unwisely done to make a sport of keeping a man in
+outlawry who might work so much ill, and that many a man would have to
+pay for it.
+
+But now men part and ride home from the Thing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LII.
+
+<i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i>.
+
+
+When Grettir came over Codfirth-heath down into Longdale, he swept up
+unsparingly the goods of the petty bonders, and had of every man what
+he would; from some he took weapons, from some clothes; and these folk
+gave up in very unlike ways; but as soon as he was gone, all said they
+gave them unwillingly.
+
+In those days dwelt in Waterfirth Vermund the Slender, the brother of
+Slaying-Styr; he had to wife Thorbiorg, the daughter of Olaf Peacock,
+son of Hoskuld. She was called Thorbiorg the Big; but at the time that
+Grettir was in Longdale had Vermund ridden to the Thing.
+
+Now Grettir went over the neck to Bathstead. There dwelt a man called
+Helgi, who was the biggest of bonders thereabout: from there had
+Grettir a good horse, which the bonder owned, and thence he went to
+Giorvidale, where farmed a man named Thorkel. He was well stored with
+victuals, yet a mannikin withal: therefrom took Grettir what he would,
+nor durst Thorkel blame him or withhold aught from him.
+
+Thence went Grettir to Ere, and out along the side of the firth, and
+had from every farm victuals and clothes, and dealt hardly with many;
+so that most men deemed him a heavy trouble to live under.
+
+Now he fared fearlessly withal, and took no keep of himself, and
+so went on till he came to Waterfirth-dale, and went to the
+mountain-dairy, and there he dwelt a many nights, and lay in the woods
+there, and took no heed to himself; but when the herdsmen knew that,
+they went to the farm, and said that to that stead was a fiend come
+whom they deemed nowise easy to deal with; then the farmers gathered
+together, and were thirty men in all: they lurked in the wood, so that
+Grettir was unaware of them, and let a shepherd spy on Grettir till
+they might get at him, yet they wotted not clearly who the man was.
+
+Now so it befell that on a day as Grettir lay sleeping, the bonders
+came upon him, and when they saw him they took counsel how they should
+take him at the least cost of life, and settled so that ten men should
+leap on him, while some laid bonds on his feet; and this they did, and
+threw themselves on him, but Grettir broke forth so mightily that they
+fell from off him, and he got to his knees, yet thereby they might
+cast the bonds over him, and round about his feet; then Grettir
+spurned two of them so hard about the ears that they lay stunned on
+the earth. Now one after the other rushed at him, and he struggled
+hard and long, yet had they might to overcome him at the last, and so
+bound him.
+
+Thereafter they talked over what they should do with him, and they
+bade Helgi of Bathstead take him and keep him in ward till Vermund
+came home from the Thing. He answered--
+
+"Other things I deem more helpful to me than to let my house-carles
+sit over him, for my lands are hard to work, nor shall he ever come
+across me."
+
+Then they bade Thorkel of Giorvidale take and keep him, and said that
+he was a man who had enow.
+
+But Thorkel spake against it, and said that for nought would he do
+that: "Whereas I live alone in my house with my Carline, far from
+other men; nor shall ye lay that box on me," said he.
+
+"Then, Thoralf of Ere," said they, "do thou take Grettir and do well
+to him till after the Thing; or else bring him on to the next farm,
+and be answerable that he get not loose, but deliver him bound as now
+thou hast him."
+
+He answers, "Nay, I will not take Grettir, for I have neither victuals
+nor money to keep him withal, nor has he been taken on my land, and I
+deem it more trouble than honour to take him, or to have aught to do
+with him, nor shall he ever come into my house."
+
+Thereafter they tried it with every bonder, but one and all spake
+against it; and after this talk have merry men made that lay which is
+hight Grettir's-faring, and added many words of good game thereto for
+the sport of men.
+
+So when they had talked it over long, they said, with one assent, that
+they would not make ill hap of their good-hap; so they went about and
+straightway reared up a gallows there in the wood, with the mind to
+hang Grettir, and made great clatter thereover.
+
+Even therewith they see six folk riding down below in the dale, and
+one in coloured clothes, and they guessed that there would goodwife
+Thorbiorg be going from Waterfirth; and so it was, and she was
+going to the mountain-dairy. Now she was a very stirring woman, and
+exceeding wise; she had the ruling of the neighbourhood, and settled
+all matters, when Vermund was from home. Now she turned to where the
+men were gathered, and was helped off her horse, and the bonders gave
+her good welcome.
+
+Then said she, "What have ye here? or who is the big-necked one who
+sits in bonds yonder?"
+
+Grettir named himself, and greeted her.
+
+She spake again, "What drove thee to this, Grettir," says she, "that
+thou must needs do riotously among my Thing-men?"
+
+"I may not look to everything; I must needs be somewhere," said he.
+
+"Great ill luck it is," says she, "that these milksops should take
+thee in such wise that none should fall before thee. What are ye
+minded to do with him?"
+
+The bonders told her that they were going to tie him up to the gallows
+for his lawlessness.
+
+She answers, "Maybe Grettir is guilty enough therefor, but it is
+too great a deed for you, Icefirthers, to take his life, for he is a
+famous man, and of mighty kin, albeit he is no lucky man; but now what
+wilt thou do for thy life, Grettir, if I give it thee?"
+
+He answered, "What sayest thou thereto?"
+
+She said, "Thou shalt make oath to work no evil riots here in
+Icefirth, and take no revenge on whomsoever has been at the taking of
+thee."
+
+Grettir said that she should have her will, and so he was loosed; and
+he says of himself that at that time of all times did he most rule his
+temper, when he smote them not as they made themselves great before
+him.
+
+Now Thorbiorg bade him go home with her, and gave him a horse for his
+riding; so he went to Waterfirth and abode there till Vermund came
+home, and the housewife did well to him, and for this deed was she
+much renowned far and wide in the district.
+
+But Vermund took this ill at his coming home, and asked what made
+Grettir there? Then Thorbiorg told him how all had gone betwixt
+Grettir and the Icefirthers.
+
+"What reward was due to him," said Vermund, "that thou gavest him his
+life?"
+
+"Many grounds there were thereto," said Thorbiorg; "and this, first of
+all, that thou wilt be deemed a greater chief than before in that thou
+hast a wife who has dared to do such a deed; and then withal surely
+would Hrefna his kinswoman say that I should not let men slay him;
+and, thirdly, he is a man of the greatest prowess in many wise."
+
+"A wise wife thou art withal," said Vermund, "and have thou thanks
+therefor."
+
+Then he said to Grettir, "Stout as thou art, but little was to be paid
+for thee, when thou must needs be taken of mannikins; but so ever it
+fares with men riotous."
+
+Then Grettir sang this stave--
+
+  "Ill luck-to me
+  That I should be
+  On sea-roof-firth
+  Borne unto earth;
+  Ill luck enow
+  To lie alow,
+  This head of mine
+  Griped fast by swine."
+
+"What were they minded to do to thee," said Vermund, "when they took
+thee there?"
+
+Quoth Grettir--
+
+  "There many men
+  Bade give me then
+  E'en Sigar's meed
+  For lovesome deed;
+  Till found me there
+  That willow fair,
+  Whose leaves are praise,
+  Her stems good days."
+
+Vermund asked, "Would they have hanged thee then, if they alone had
+had to meddle with matters?"
+
+Said Grettir--
+
+  "Yea, to the snare
+  That dangled there
+  My head must I
+  Soon bring anigh;
+  But Thorbiorg came
+  The brightest dame,
+  And from that need
+  The singer freed."
+
+Then said Vermund, "Did she bid thee to her?"
+
+Grettir answered--
+
+  "Sif's lord's good aid,
+  My saviour, bade
+  To take my way
+  With her that day;
+  So did it fall;
+  And therewithal
+  A horse she gave;
+  Good peace I have."
+
+"Mighty will thy life be and troublous," said Vermund; "but now thou
+hast learned to beware of thy foes; but I have no will to harbour
+thee, and gain therefor the ill-will of many rich men; but best is it
+for thee to seek thy kinsmen, though few men will be willing to take
+thee in if they may do aught else; nor to most men art thou an easy
+fellow withal."
+
+Now Grettir was in Waterfirth a certain space, and then fared thence
+to the Westfirths, and sought shelter of many great men; but something
+ever came to pass whereby none of them would harbour him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LIII.
+
+<i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i>.
+
+
+When the autumn was somewhat spent, Grettir turned back by the south,
+and made no stay till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, his
+kinsman, and there had he good welcome, for Thorstein bade him abide
+there through the winter, and that bidding he agreed to. Thorstein
+was a busy man and a good smith, and kept men close to their work;
+but Grettir had little mind to work, wherefore their tempers went but
+little together.
+
+Thorstein had let make a church at his homestead; and a bridge he had
+made out from his house, wrought with great craft; for in the outside
+bridge, under the beams that held it up, were rings wrought all about,
+and din-bells, so that one might hear over to Scarf-stead, half a
+sea-mile off, if aught went over the bridge, because of the shaking of
+the rings. Thorstein had much to do over this work, for he was a great
+worker of iron; but Grettir went fiercely at the iron-smiting, yet was
+in many minds thereover; but he was quiet through the winter, so
+that nought befell worthy telling. But when the Ramfirthers knew
+that Grettir was with Thorstein, they had their band afoot as soon as
+spring came. So when Thorstein knew that, he bade Grettir seek some
+other shelter than his house, "For I see thou wilt not work, and men
+who will do nought are not meet men for me."
+
+"Where wouldst thou have me go, then?" said Grettir.
+
+Thorstein bade him fare to the south country, and find his kin, "But
+come to me if they avail thee not."
+
+Now so Grettir wrought that he went south to Burgfirth, to Grim
+Thorhallson, and dwelt there till over the Thing. Then Grim sent him
+on to Skapti the Lawman at Hjalli, and he went south by the lower
+heaths and stayed not till he came to Thorhall, son of Asgrim, son
+of Ellida-grim, and went little in the peopled lands. Thorhall knew
+Grettir because of his father and mother, and, indeed, by then was
+the name of Grettir well renowned through all the land because of his
+great deeds.
+
+Thorhall was a wise man, and he did well to Grettir, but would not let
+him abide there long.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LIV.
+
+<i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir fared from Tongue up to Hawkdale, and thence north upon
+the Keel, and kept about there long that summer; nor was there trust
+of him that he would not take men's goods from them, as they went from
+or to the north over the Keel, because he was hard put to it to get
+wares.
+
+Now on a day, when as Grettir would keep about the north at
+Doveness-path, he saw a man riding from the north over the Keel; he
+was huge to behold on horseback, and had a good horse, and an embossed
+bridle well wrought; another horse he had in tow and bags thereon;
+this man had withal a slouched hat on his head, nor could his face be
+clearly seen.
+
+Now Grettir looked hard at the horse and the goods thereon, and went
+to meet the man, and greeting him asked his name, but he said he was
+called Air. "I wot well what thou art called," said he, "for thou
+shalt be Grettir the Strong, the son of Asmund. Whither art thou
+bound?"
+
+"As to the place I have not named it yet," said Grettir; "but as to
+my errand, it is to know if thou wilt lay down some of the goods thou
+farest with."
+
+Said Air, "Why should I give thee mine own, or what wilt thou give me
+therefor?"
+
+Grettir answers, "Hast thou not heard that I take, and give no money
+again? and yet it seems to most men that I get what I will."
+
+Said Air, "Give such choice as this to those who deem it good, but not
+thus will I give up what I have; let each of us go his own way."
+
+And therewithal he rode forth past Grettir and spurred his horse.
+
+"Nay, we part not so hastily," said Grettir, and laid hold of the
+reins of Air's horse in front of his hands, and held on with both
+hands.
+
+Said Air, "Go thy ways, nought thou hast of me if I may hold mine
+own."
+
+"That will now be proven," said Grettir.
+
+Now Air stretched his hands down the head-gear and laid hold of the
+reins betwixt Grettir's hands and the snaffle-rings and dragged at
+them so hard that Grettir's hands were drawn down along the reins,
+till Air dragged all the bridle from him.
+
+Grettir looked into the hollow of his hands, and saw that this man
+must have strength in claws rather than not, and he looked after him,
+and said, "Whither art thou minded to fare?"
+
+Air answered and sang--
+
+  "To the Kettle's side
+  Now will I ride,
+  Where the waters fall
+  From the great ice-wall;
+  If thou hast mind
+  There mayest thou find
+  With little stone[17]
+  Fist's land alone."
+
+[Footnote 17: Hall, a "stone": mund, is hand, and by periphrasis "land
+of fist"; so that Hallmund is meant by this couplet, and that was the
+real name of "Air," who is not a mere man, but a friendly spirit of
+the mountains.]
+
+Grettir said, "It is of no avail to seek after thine abode if thou
+tellest of it no clearer than this."
+
+Then Air spake and sang--
+
+  "I would not hide
+  Where I abide,
+  If thou art fain
+  To see me again;
+  From that lone weald,
+  Over Burgfirth field,
+  That ye men name
+  Balljokul, I came."
+
+Thereat they parted, and Grettir sees that he has no strength against
+this man; and therewithal he sang a stave--
+
+  "Too far on this luckless day,
+  Atli, good at weapon-play,
+  Brisk Illugi were from me;
+  Such-like oft I shall not be
+  As I was, when I must stand
+  With the reins drawn through my hand
+  By the unflinching losel Air.
+  Maids weep when they know I fear."
+
+Thereafter Grettir went to the south from the Keel; and rode to Hjalli
+and found Skapti, and prayed for watch and ward from him.
+
+Skapti said, "It is told me that thou farest somewhat lawlessly, and
+layest hand on other men's goods; and this beseems thee ill, great of
+kin as thou art. Now all would make a better tale, if thou didst not
+rob and reive; but whereas I have to bear the name of lawman in the
+land, folk would not abide that I should take outlawed men to me, and
+break the laws thereby. I will that thou seek some place wherein thou
+wilt not have need to take men's goods from them."
+
+Grettir said he would do even so, yet withal that he might scarcely be
+alone because he so feared the dark.
+
+Skapti said that of that one thing then, which he deemed the best, he
+might not avail himself; "But put not such trust in any as to fare as
+thou didst in the Westfirths; it has been many a man's bane that he
+has been too trustful."
+
+Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and so turned back to
+Burgfirth in the autumn, and found Grim Thorhallson, his friend,
+and told him of Skapti's counsels; so Grim bade him fare north to
+Fishwater lakes on Ernewaterheath; and thus did he.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LV.
+
+<i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings with Grim there</i>.
+
+
+Grettir went up to Ernewaterheath and made there a hut for himself
+(whereof are yet signs left) and dwelt there, for now was he fain to
+do anything rather than rob and reive; he got him nets and a boat
+and caught fish for his food; exceeding dreary he deemed it in the
+mountains, because he was so fearsome of the dark.
+
+But when other outlaws heard this, that Grettir was come down there,
+many of them had a mind to see him, because they thought there was
+much avail of him. There was a man called Grim, a Northlander, who
+was an outlaw; with him the Northlanders made a bargain that he should
+slay Grettir, and promised him freedom and gifts of money, if he
+should bring it to pass; so he went to meet Grettir, and prayed him to
+take him in.
+
+Grettir answers, "I see not how thou art the more holpen for being
+with me, and troublous to heed are ye wood-folk; but ill I deem it to
+be alone, if other choice there were; but I will that such an one only
+be with me as shall do whatso work may befall."
+
+Grim said he was of no other mind, and prayed hard that he might dwell
+there; then Grettir let himself be talked round, and took him in; and
+he was there on into the winter, and watched Grettir, but deemed it
+no little matter to set on him. Grettir misdoubted him, and had his
+weapons by his side night and day, nor durst Grim attack him while he
+was awake.
+
+But one morning whenas Grim came in from fishing, he went into the hut
+and stamped with his foot, and would know whether Grettir slept, but
+he started in nowise, but lay still; and the short-sword hung up over
+Grettir's head.
+
+Now Grim thought that no better chance would happen, so he made a
+great noise, that Grettir might chide him, therefore, if he were
+awake, but that befell not. Now he thought that Grettir must surely
+be asleep, so he went stealthily up to the bed and reached out for the
+short-sword, and took it down, and unsheathed it. But even therewith
+Grettir sprang up on to the floor, and caught the short-sword just as
+the other raised it aloft, and laid the other hand on Grim betwixt the
+shoulders, and cast him down with such a fall, that he was well-nigh
+stunned; "Ah, such hast thou shown thyself," said he, "though thou
+wouldest give me good hope of thee." Then he had a true story from
+him, and thereafter slew him.
+
+And now Grettir deemed he saw what it was to take in wood-folk, and
+so the winter wore; and nothing Grettir thought to be of more trouble
+than his dread of the dark.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LVI.
+
+<i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i>.
+
+
+Now Thorir of Garth heard where Grettir had set himself down, and was
+fain to set afoot some plot whereby he might be slain. There was a
+man called Thorir Redbeard; he was the biggest of men, and a great
+man-slayer, and therefore was he made outlaw throughout the land.
+Thorir of Garth sent word to him, and when they met he bade him go on
+an errand of his, and slay Grettir the Strong. Redbeard said that was
+no easy task, and that Grettir was a wise man and a wary.
+
+Thorir bade him make up his mind to this; "A manly task it is for so
+brisk a fellow as thou; but I shall bring thee out of thine outlawry,
+and therewithal give thee money enough."
+
+So by that counsel Redbeard abode, and Thorir told him how he should
+go about the winning of Grettir. So thereafter he went round the
+land by the east, for thus he deemed his faring would be the less
+misdoubted; so he came to Ernewaterheath when Grettir had been there a
+winter. But when he met Grettir, he prayed for winter dwelling at his
+hands.
+
+Grettir answered, "I cannot suffer you often to play the like play
+with me that he did who came here last autumn, who bepraised me
+cunningly, and when he had been here a little while lay in wait for my
+life; now, therefore, I have no mind to run the risk any more of the
+taking in of wood-folk."
+
+Thorir answered, "My mind goes fully with thine in that thou deemest
+ill of outlawed men: and thou wilt have heard tell of me as of a
+man-slayer and a misdoer, but not as of a doer of such foul deeds as
+to betray my master. Now, <i>ill it is ill to be</i>, for many deem
+others to do after their own ways; nor should I have been minded to
+come hither, if I might have had a choice of better things; withal I
+deem we shall not easily be won while we stand together; thou mightest
+risk trying at first how thou likest me, and let me go my ways whenso
+thou markest ill faith in me."
+
+Grettir answered, "Once more then will I risk it, even with thee; but
+wot thou well, that if I misdoubt me of thee, that will be thy bane."
+
+Thorir bade him do even so, and thereafter Grettir received him, and
+found this, that he must have the strength of twain, what work soever
+he took in hand: he was ready for anything that Grettir might set him
+to, and Grettir need turn to nothing, nor had he found his life so
+good since he had been outlawed, yet was he ever so wary of himself
+that Thorir never got a chance against him.
+
+Thorir Redbeard was with Grettir on the heath for two winters, and now
+he began to loathe his life on the heath, and falls to thinking what
+deed he shall do that Grettir will not see through; so one night
+in spring a great storm arose while they were asleep; Grettir awoke
+therewith, and asked where was their boat. Thorir sprang up, and ran
+down to the boat, and brake it all to pieces, and threw the broken
+pieces about here and there, so that it seemed as though the storm had
+driven them along. Then he went into the hut, and called out aloud,
+
+"Good things have not befallen us, my friend," said he; "for our
+boat is all broken to pieces, and the nets lie a long way out in the
+water."
+
+"Go and bring them in then," said Grettir, "for methinks it is with
+thy goodwill that the boat is broken."
+
+Thorir answered, "Among manly deeds swimming is the least handy to
+me, but most other deeds, I think, I may do against men who are not
+marvellous; thou mayest wot well enough that I was minded that thou
+shouldst not have to work while I abode here, and this I would not bid
+if it were in me to do it."
+
+Then Grettir arose and took his weapons, and went to the water-side.
+Now the land was so wrought there that a ness ran into the water, and
+a great creek was on the other side, and the water was deep right up
+to the shore.
+
+Now Grettir spake: "Swim off to the nets, and let me see how skilled a
+man thou art."
+
+"I told thee before," said Thorir, "that I might not swim; and now I
+know not what is gone with thy manliness and daring."
+
+"Well, the nets I may get in," said Grettir, "but betray thou me not,
+since I trust in thee."
+
+Said Thorir, "Deem me not to be so shamed and worthless."
+
+"Thou wilt thyself prove thyself, what thou art," said Grettir, and
+therewith he put off his clothes and weapons, and swam off for the
+nets. He swept them up together, and brought them to land, and cast
+them on to the bank; but when he was minded to come aland, then Thorir
+caught up the short-sword and drew it hastily, and ran therewith
+swiftly on Grettir, and smote at him as he set foot on the bank; but
+Grettir fell on his back down into the water, and sank like a stone;
+and Thorir stood gazing out on to the water, to keep him off from
+the shore if he came up again; but Grettir dived and groped along the
+bottom as near as he might to the bank, so that Thorir might not see
+him till he came into the creek at his back, and got aland; and Thorir
+heeded him not, and felt nought till Grettir heaved him up over his
+head, and cast him down so hard that the short-sword flew out of his
+hand; then Grettir got hold of it and had no words with him, but smote
+off his head straightway, and this was the end of his life.
+
+But after this would Grettir never take outlaws to him, yet hardly
+might he bear to be alone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LVII.
+
+<i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i>.
+
+
+At the Althing Thorir of Garth heard of the slaying of Thorir
+Redbeard, and now he thought he saw that he had no light task to
+deal with; but such rede he took that he rode west over the lower
+heathlands from the Thing with well-nigh eighty men, and was minded to
+go and take Grettir's life: but when Grim Thorhallson knew thereof he
+sent Grettir word and bade him beware of himself, so Grettir ever took
+heed to the goings of men. But one day he saw many men riding who took
+the way to his abode; so he ran into a rift in the rocks, nor would he
+flee because he had not seen all the strength of those folk.
+
+Then up came Thorir and all his men, and bade them smite Grettir's
+head from his body, and said that the ill-doer's life would be had
+cheaply now.
+
+Grettir answered, "<i>Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth
+has had no sup</i>. From afar have ye come, and marks of the game
+shall some have ere we part."
+
+Then Thorir egged on his men busily to set on him; but the pass was
+narrow, and he could defend it well from one side; yet hereat he
+marvelled, that howsoever they went round to the back of him, yet
+no hurt he got thereby; some fell of Thorir's company, and some were
+wounded, but nothing might they do.
+
+Then said Thorir, "Oft have I heard that Grettir is a man of marvel
+before all others for prowess and good heart, but never knew I that he
+was so wise a wizard as now I behold him; for half as many again fall
+at his back as fall before him; lo, now we have to do with trolls and
+no men."
+
+So he bid them turn away and they did so. Grettir marvelled how that
+might be, for withal he was utterly foredone.
+
+Thorir and his men turn away and ride toward the north country, and
+men deemed their journey to be of the shame fullest; eighteen men had
+they left there and many were wounded withal.
+
+Now Grettir went up into the pass, and found there one great of
+growth, who sat leaning against the rock and was sore wounded. Grettir
+asked him of his name, and he said he was hight Hallmund.
+
+"And this I will tell thee to know me by, that thou didst deem me to
+have a good hold of the reins that summer when we met on the Keel;
+now, methinks, I have paid thee back therefor."
+
+"Yea, in sooth," said Grettir, "I deem that thou hast shown great
+manliness toward me; whenso I may, I will reward thee."
+
+Hallmund said, "But now I will that thou come to my abode, for thou
+must e'en think time drags heavily here on the heaths."
+
+Grettir said he was fain thereof; and now they fare both together
+south under Balljokul, and there had Hallmund a huge cave, and a
+daughter great of growth and of high mind; there they did well to
+Grettir, and the woman healed the wounds of both of them, and Grettir
+dwelt long there that summer, and a lay he made on Hallmund, wherein
+is this--
+
+  "Wide and high doth Hallmund stride
+  In the hollow mountain side."
+
+And this stave also is therein--
+
+  "At Ernewater, one by one,
+  Stole the swords forth in the sun,
+  Eager for the road of death
+  Swept athwart by sharp spears' breath;
+  Many a dead Wellwharfer's lands
+  That day gave to other hands.
+  Hallmund, dweller in the cave,
+  Grettir's life that day did save."
+
+Men say that Grettir slew six men in that meeting, but Hallmund
+twelve.
+
+Now as the summer wore Grettir yearned for the peopled country, to see
+his friends and kin; Hallmund bade him visit him when he came to the
+south country again, and Grettir promised him so to do; then he went
+west to Burgfirth, and thence to the Broadfirth Dales, and sought
+counsel of Thorstein Kuggson as to where he should now seek for
+protection, but Thorstein said that his foes were now so many that few
+would harbour him; "But thou mightest fare south to the Marshes and
+see what fate abides thee there."
+
+So in the autumn Grettir went south to the Marshes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LVIII.
+
+<i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i>.
+
+
+In those days dwelt at Holm Biorn the Hitdale-Champion, who was the
+son of Arngeir, the son of Berse the Godless, the son of Balk, who
+settled Ramfirth as is aforesaid; Biorn was a great chief and a hardy
+man, and would ever harbour outlawed men.
+
+Now Grettir came to Holm, and Biorn gave him good cheer, for there had
+been friendship between the earlier kin of both of them; so Grettir
+asked if he would give him harbourage; but Biorn said that he had
+got to himself so many feuds through all the land that men would shun
+harbouring him so long as to be made outlaws therefor: "But some gain
+will I be to thee, if thou lettest those men dwell in peace who are
+under my ward, whatsoever thou dost by other men in the country-side."
+
+Grettir said yea thereto. Then said Biorn, "Well, I have thought over
+it, and in that mountain, which stretches forth outside of Hitriver,
+is a stead good for defence, and a good hiding-place withal, if it be
+cunningly dealt with; for there is a hollow through the mountain, that
+is seen from the way below; for the highway lies beneath it, but above
+is a slip of sand and stones so exceeding steep, that few men may come
+up there if one hardy man stand on his defence above in the lair.
+Now this seems to me the best rede for thee, and the one thing worth
+talking of for thine abode, because, withal, it is easy to go thence
+and get goods from the Marshes, and right away to the sea."
+
+Grettir said that he would trust in his foresight if he would give him
+any help. Then he went up to Fairwoodfell and made his abode there;
+he hung grey wadmal before the hole in the mountain, and from the way
+below it was like to behold as if one saw through. Now he was wont
+to ride for things needful through the country-side, and men deemed a
+woful guest had come among them whereas he went.
+
+Thord Kolbeinson dwelt at Hitness in those days, and a good skald he
+was; at that time was there great enmity betwixt him and Biorn; and
+Biorn was but half loth, though Grettir wrought some ill on Thord's
+men or his goods.
+
+Grettir was ever with Biorn, and they tried their skill in many
+sports, and it is shown in the story of Biorn that they were deemed
+equal in prowess, but it is the mind of most that Grettir was the
+strongest man ever known in the land, since Orm the son of Storolf,
+and Thoralf the son of Skolm, left off their trials of strength.
+Grettir and Biorn swam in one spell all down Hitriver, from the lake
+right away to the sea: they brought those stepping-stones into the
+river that have never since been washed away either by floods, or the
+drift of ice, or glacier slips.
+
+So Grettir abode in Fairwoodfell for one winter, in such wise, that
+none set on him, though many lost their goods at his hands and could
+do nought therefor, for a good place for defence he had, and was ever
+good friend to those nighest to him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LIX.
+
+<i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i>.
+
+
+There was a man hight Gisli, the son of that Thorstein whom Snorri
+Godi had slain. Gisli was a big man and strong, a man showy in
+weapons and clothes, who made much of himself, and was somewhat of
+a self-praiser; he was a seafaring man, and came one summer out to
+Whiteriver, whenas Grettir had been a winter on the fell. Thord, son
+of Kolbein, rode to his ship, and Gisli gave him good welcome, and
+bade him take of his wares whatso he would; thereto Thord agreed, and
+then they fell to talk one with the other, and Gisli said:
+
+"Is that true which is told me, that ye have no counsel that avails to
+rid you of a certain outlaw who is doing you great ill?"
+
+Thord said, "We have not tried aught on him yet, but to many he seems
+a man hard to deal with, and that has been proven on many a man."
+
+"It is like, methinks, that you should find Biorn a heavy trouble, if
+ye may not drive away this man: luckless it is for you withal, that I
+shall be too far off this winter to better matters for you."
+
+"Thou wilt be better pleased to deal with him by hearsay."
+
+"Nay, no need to tell me of Grettir," said Gisli; "I have borne harder
+brunts when I was in warfare along with King Knut the Mighty, and west
+over the Sea, and I was ever thought to hold my own; and if I should
+have a chance at him I would trust myself and my weapons well enough."
+
+Thord said he would not work for nought if he prevailed against
+Grettir; "For there is more put upon his head than on the head of any
+other of wood-folk; six marks of silver it was; but last summer Thorir
+of Garth laid thereto yet three marks; and men deem he will have
+enough to do therefor whose lot it is to win it."
+
+"All things soever will men do for money," says Gisli, "and we chapmen
+not the least; but now shall we keep this talk hushed up, for mayhap
+he will be the warier," says he, "if he come to know that I am with
+you against him: now I am minded to abide this winter at Snowfellsness
+at Wave-ridge. Is his lair on my way at all? for he will not foresee
+this, nor shall I draw together many men against him."
+
+Thord liked the plot well, he rode home therewith and held his peace
+about this; but now things went according to the saw, <i>a listening
+ear in the holt is anear</i>; men had been by at the talk betwixt
+Thord and Gisli, who were friends to Biorn of Hitdale, and they told
+him all from end to end; so when Biorn and Grettir met, Biorn showed
+forth the whole matter to him, and said that now he might prove how he
+could meet a foe.
+
+"It would not be bad sport," said he, "if thou wert to handle him
+roughly, but to slay him not, if thou mightest do otherwise."
+
+Grettir smiled thereat, but spake little.
+
+Now at the folding time in the autumn Grettir went down to
+Flysia-wharf and got sheep for himself; he had laid hold on four
+wethers; but the bonders became ware of his ways and went after him;
+and these two things befell at the same time, that he got up under the
+fell-side, and that they came upon him, and would drive the sheep from
+him, yet bare they no weapon against him; they were six altogether,
+and stood thick in his path. Now the sheep troubled him and he waxed
+wroth, and caught up two of those men, and cast them down over the
+hill-side, so that they lay stunned; and when the others saw that,
+they came on less eagerly; then Grettir took up the sheep and locked
+them together by the horns, and threw them over his shoulders, two on
+each side, and went up into his lair.
+
+So the bonders turned back, and deemed they had got but ill from him,
+and their lot misliked them now worse than before.
+
+Now Gisli abode at his ship through the autumn till it was rolled
+ashore. Many things made him abide there, so he was ready late, and
+rode away but a little before winter-nights. Then he went from the
+south, and guested under Raun on the south side of Hitriver. In the
+morning, before he rode thence, he began a talk with his fellows:
+
+"Now shall we ride in coloured clothes to-day, and let the outlaw see
+that we are not like other wayfarers who are drifted about here day by
+day."
+
+So this they did, and they were three in all: but when they came west
+over the river, he spake again to them:
+
+"Here in these bents, I am told, lurks the outlaw, and no easy way is
+there up to him; but may it not perchance seem good to him to come and
+meet us and behold our array?"
+
+They said that it was ever his wont so to do. Now that morning Grettir
+had risen early in his lair; the weather was cold and frosty, and snow
+had fallen, but not much of it. He saw how three men rode from the
+south over Hitriver, and their state raiment glittered and their
+inlaid shields. Then it came into his mind who these should be, and he
+deems it would be good for him to get some rag of their array; and he
+was right wishful withal to meet such braggarts: so he catches up his
+weapons and runs down the slip-side. And when Gisli heard the clatter
+of the stones, he spake thus:
+
+"There goes a man down the hill-side, and somewhat big he is, and he
+is coming to meet us: now, therefore, let us go against him briskly,
+for here is good getting come to hand."
+
+His fellows said that this one would scarce run into their very
+hands, if he knew not his might; "And good it is that <i>he bewail who
+brought the woe</i>."
+
+So they leapt off their horses, and therewith Grettir came up to them,
+and laid hands on a clothes-bag that Gisli had tied to his saddle
+behind him, and said--
+
+"This will I have, for oft I lowt for little things."
+
+Gisli answers, "Nay, it shall not be; dost thou know with whom thou
+hast to do?"
+
+Says Grettir, "I am not very clear about that; nor will I have much
+respect for persons, since I am lowly now, and ask for little."
+
+"Mayhap thou thinkest it little," says he, "but I had rather pay down
+thirty hundreds; but robbery and wrong are ever uppermost in thy mind
+methinks; so on him, good fellows, and let see what he may do."
+
+So did they, and Grettir gave back before them to a stone which stands
+by the way and is called Grettir's-Heave, and thence defended himself;
+and Gisli egged on his fellows eagerly; but Grettir saw now that he
+was no such a hardy heart as he had made believe, for he was ever
+behind his fellows' backs; and withal he grew aweary of this fulling
+business, and swept round the short-sword, and smote one of Gisli's
+fellows to the death, and leaped down from the stone, and set on so
+fiercely, that Gisli shrank aback before him all along the hill-side:
+there Gisli's other fellow was slain, and then Grettir spake:
+
+"Little is it seen in thee that thou hast done well wide in the world,
+and in ill wise dost thou part from thy fellows."
+
+Gisli answers, "<i>Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself--with
+hell's-man are dealings ill</i>."
+
+Then they gave and took but a little, before Gisli cast away his
+weapons, and took to his heels out along the mountain. Grettir gave
+him time to cast off whatso he would, and every time Gisli saw a
+chance for it he threw off somewhat of his clothes; and Grettir never
+followed him so close but that there was still some space
+betwixt them. Gisli ran right past that mountain and then across
+Coldriver-dale, and then through Aslaug's-lithe and above by
+Kolbeinstead, and then out into Burgh-lava; and by then was he in
+shirt and breech alone, and was now exceeding weary. Grettir still
+followed after him, and there was ever a stone's throw between them;
+and now he pulled up a great bush. But Gisli made no stay till he came
+out at Haf-firth-river, and it was swollen with ice and ill to ford;
+Gisli made straightway for the river, but Grettir ran in on him and
+seized him, and then the strength of either was soon known: Grettir
+drave him down under him, and said,
+
+"Art thou that Gisli who would fain meet Grettir Asmundson?"
+
+Gisli answers, "I have found him now, in good sooth, nor do I know in
+what wise we shall part: keep that which thou hast got, and let me go
+free."
+
+Grettir said, "Nay, thou art scarce deft enow to learn what I have to
+teach thee, so needs must I give thee somewhat to remember it by."
+
+Therewith he pulls the shirt up over his head and let the twigs go all
+down his back, and along both sides of him, and Gisli strove all he
+might to wriggle away from him; but Grettir flogged him through and
+through, and then let him go; and Gisli thought he would learn no
+more of Grettir and have such another flogging withal; nor did he ever
+again earn the like skin-rubbing.
+
+But when he got his legs under him again, he ran off unto a great
+pool in the river, and swam it, and came by night to a farm called
+Horseholt, and utterly foredone he was by then. There he lay a week
+with his body all swollen, and then fared to his abode.
+
+Grettir turned back, and took up the things Gisli had cast down, and
+brought them to his place, nor from that time forth gat Gisli aught
+thereof.
+
+Many men thought Gisli had his due herein for the noise and swagger
+he had made about himself; and Grettir sang this about their dealings
+together--
+
+  "In fighting ring where steed meets steed,
+  The sluggish brute of mongrel breed,
+  Certes will shrink back nothing less
+  Before the stallion's dauntlessness,
+  Than Gisli before me to-day;
+  As, casting shame and clothes away,
+  And sweating o'er the marsh with fear,
+  He helped the wind from mouth and rear."
+
+The next spring Gisli got ready to go to his ship, and bade men above
+all things beware of carrying aught of his goods south along the
+mountain, and said that the very fiend dwelt there.
+
+Gisli rode south along the sea all the way to his ship, and never met
+Grettir again; and now he is out of the story.
+
+But things grew worse between Thord Kolbeinson and Grettir, and Thord
+set on foot many a plot to get Grettir driven away or slain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LX.
+
+<i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i>.
+
+
+When Grettir had been two winters at Fairwoodfell, and the third was
+now come, he fared south to the Marshes, to the farm called Brook-bow,
+and had thence six wethers against the will of him who owned them.
+Then he went to Acres and took away two neat for slaughtering, and
+many sheep, and then went up south of Hitriver.
+
+But when the bonders were ware of his ways, they sent word to Thord at
+Hitness, and bade him take in hand the slaying of Grettir; but he hung
+back, yet for the prayers of men got his son Arnor, who was afterwards
+called Earls' Skald, to go with them, and bade them withal to take
+heed that Grettir escaped not.
+
+Then were men sent throughout all the country-side. There was a man
+called Biarni, who dwelt at Jorvi in Flysia-wharf, and he gathered
+men together from without Hitriver; and their purpose was that a band
+should be on either bank of the river.
+
+Now Grettir had two men with him; a man called Eyolf, the son of the
+bonder at Fairwood, and a stout man; and another he had besides.
+
+First came up Thorarin of Acres and Thorfinn of Brook-bow, and there
+were nigh twenty men in their company. Then was Grettir fain to make
+westward across the river, but therewith came up on the west side
+thereof Arnor and Biarni. A narrow ness ran into the water on the side
+whereas Grettir stood; so he drave the beasts into the furthermost
+parts of the ness, when he saw the men coming up, for never would he
+give up what he had once laid his hands on.
+
+Now the Marsh-men straightway made ready for an onslaught, and made
+themselves very big; Grettir bade his fellows take heed that none came
+at his back; and not many men could come on at once.
+
+Now a hard fight there was betwixt them, Grettir smote with the
+short-sword with both hands, and no easy matter it was to get at him;
+some of the Marsh-men fell, and some were wounded; those on the other
+side of the river were slow in coming up, because the ford was not
+very near, nor did the fight go on long before they fell off; Thorarin
+of Acres was a very old man, so that he was not at this onslaught. But
+when this fight was over, then came up Thrand, son of Thorarin, and
+Thorgils Ingialdson, the brother's son of Thorarin, and Finnbogi,
+son of Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, and Steinulf Thorleifson from
+Lavadale; these egged on their men eagerly to set on, and yet another
+fierce onslaught they made. Now Grettir saw that he must either flee
+or spare himself nought; and now he went forth so fiercely that none
+might withstand him; because they were so many that he saw not how
+he might escape, but that he did his best before he fell; he was fain
+withal that the life of such an one as he deemed of some worth might
+be paid for his life; so he ran at Steinulf of Lavadale, and smote him
+on the head and clave him down to the shoulders, and straightway with
+another blow smote Thorgils Ingialdson in the midst and well-nigh cut
+him asunder; then would Thrand run forth to revenge his kinsman, but
+Grettir smote him on the right thigh, so that the blow took off all
+the muscle, and straightway was he unmeet for fight; and thereafter
+withal a great wound Grettir gave to Finnbogi.
+
+Then Thorarin cried out and bade them fall back, "For the longer ye
+fight the worse ye will get of him, and he picks out men even as he
+willeth from your company."
+
+So did they, and turned away; and there had ten men fallen, and five
+were wounded to death, or crippled, but most of those who had been at
+that meeting had some hurt or other; Grettir was marvellously wearied
+and yet but a little wounded.
+
+And now the Marsh-men made off with great loss of men, for many stout
+fellows had fallen there.
+
+But those on the other side of the river fared slowly, and came not up
+till the meeting was all done; and when they saw how ill their men
+had fared, then Arnor would not risk himself, and much rebuke he got
+therefor from his father and many others; and men are minded to think
+that he was no man of prowess.
+
+Now that place where they fought is called Grettir's-point to-day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXI.
+
+<i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding in
+Thorir's-dale</i>.
+
+
+But Grettir and his men took horse and rode up to the fell, for they
+were all wounded, and when they came to Fairwood there was Eyolf left;
+the farmer's daughter was out of doors, and asked for tidings; Grettir
+told all as clearly as might be, and sang a stave withal--
+
+  "O thou warder of horn's wave,
+  Not on this side of the grave
+  Will Steinulf s head be whole again;
+  Many more there gat their bane;
+  Little hope of Thorgils now
+  After that bone-breaking blow:
+  Eight Gold-scatterers more they say,
+  Dead along the river lay."
+
+Thereafter Grettir went to his lair and sat there through the winter;
+but when he and Biorn met, Biorn said to him, that he deemed that much
+had been done; "and no peace thou wilt have here in the long run: now
+hast thou slain both kin and friends of mine, yet shall I not cast
+aside what I have promised thee whiles thou art here."
+
+Grettir said he must needs defend his hands and life, "but ill it is
+if thou mislikest it."
+
+Biorn said that things must needs be as they were.
+
+A little after came men to Biorn who had lost kinsmen at Grettir's
+hands, and bade him not to suffer that riotous man to abide there
+longer in their despite; and Biorn said that it should be as they
+would as soon as the winter was over.
+
+Now Thrand, the son of Thorarin of Acres, was healed; a stout man he
+was, and had to wife Steinun, daughter of Rut of Combeness; Thorleif
+of Lavadale, the father of Steinulf, was a very mighty man, and from
+him are come the men of Lavadale.
+
+Now nought more is told of the dealings of Grettir with the Marsh-men
+while he was on the mountain; Biorn still kept up his friendship
+with him, though his friends grew somewhat the fewer for that he let
+Grettir abide there, because men took it ill that their kin should
+fall unatoned.
+
+At the time of the Thing, Grettir departed from the Marsh-country, and
+went to Burgfirth and found Grim Thorhallson, and sought counsel of
+him, as to what to do now. Grim said he had no strength to keep him,
+therefore fared Grettir to find Hallmund his friend, and dwelt there
+that summer till it wore to its latter end.
+
+In the autumn Grettir went to Goatland, and waited there till bright
+weather came on; then he went up to Goatland Jokul, and made for
+the south-east, and had with him a kettle, and tools to strike fire
+withal. But men deem that he went there by the counsel of Hallmund,
+for far and wide was the land known of him.
+
+So Grettir went on till he found a dale in the jokul, long and
+somewhat narrow, locked up by jokuls all about, in such wise that
+they overhung the dale. He came down somehow, and then he saw fair
+hill-sides grass-grown and set with bushes. Hot springs there were
+therein, and it seemed to him that it was by reason of earth-fires
+that the ice-cliffs did not close up over the vale.
+
+A little river ran along down the dale, with level shores on either
+side thereof. There the sun came but seldom; but he deemed he might
+scarcely tell over the sheep that were in that valley, so many they
+were; and far better and fatter than any he had ever seen.
+
+Now Grettir abode there, and made himself a hut of such wood as he
+could come by. He took of the sheep for his meat, and there was more
+on one of them than on two elsewhere: one ewe there was, brown with a
+polled head, with her lamb, that he deemed the greatest beauty for
+her goodly growth. He was fain to take the lamb, and so he did, and
+thereafter slaughtered it: three stone of suet there was in it, but
+the whole carcase was even better. But when Brownhead missed her lamb,
+she went up on Grettir's hut every night, and bleated in suchwise that
+he might not sleep anight, so that it misliked him above all things
+that he had slaughtered the lamb, because of her troubling.
+
+But every evening at twilight he heard some one hoot up in the valley,
+and then all the sheep ran together to one fold every evening.
+
+So Grettir says, that a half-troll ruled over the valley, a giant
+hight Thorir, and in trust of his keeping did Grettir abide there;
+by him did Grettir name the valley, calling it Thorir's-dale. He said
+withal that Thorir had daughters, with whom he himself had good game,
+and that they took it well, for not many were the new-comers thereto;
+but when fasting time was, Grettir made this change therein, that fat
+and livers should be eaten in Lent.
+
+Now nought happed to be told of through the winter. At last Grettir
+found it so dreary there, that he might abide there no longer: then
+he gat him gone from the valley, and went south across the jokul, and
+came from the north, right against the midst of Shieldbroadfell.
+
+He raised up a flat stone and bored a hole therein, and said that
+whoso put his eye to the hole in that stone should straightway behold
+the gulf of the pass that leads from Thorir's-vale.
+
+So he fared south through the land, and thence to the Eastfirths; and
+in this journey he was that summer long, and the winter, and met all
+the great men there, but somewhat ever thrust him aside that nowhere
+got he harbouring or abode; then he went back by the north, and dwelt
+at sundry places.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXII.
+
+<i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend</i>.
+
+
+A little after Grettir had gone from Ernewaterheath, there came a man
+thither, Grim by name, the son of the widow at Kropp. He had slain the
+son of Eid Skeggison of the Ridge, and had been outlawed therefor;
+he abode whereas Grettir had dwelt afore, and got much fish from the
+water. Hallmund took it ill that he had come in Grettir's stead, and
+was minded that he should have little good hap how much fish soever he
+caught.
+
+So it chanced on a day that Grim had caught a hundred fish, and he
+bore them to his hut and hung them up outside, but the next morning
+when he came thereto they were all gone; that he deemed marvellous,
+and went to the water; and now he caught two hundred fish, went home
+and stored them up; and all went the same way, for they were all gone
+in the morning; and now he thought it hard to trace all to one spring.
+But the third day he caught three hundred fish, brought them home and
+watched over them from his shed, looking out through a hole in the
+door to see if aught might come anigh. Thus wore the night somewhat,
+and when the third part of the night was gone by, he heard one going
+along outside with heavy footfalls; and when he was ware thereof, he
+took an axe that he had, the sharpest of weapons, for he was fain
+to know what this one was about; and he saw that the new-comer had a
+great basket on his back. Now he set it down, and peered about, and
+saw no man abroad; he gropes about to the fishes, and deems he has got
+a good handful, and into the basket he scoops them one and all; then
+is the basket full, but the fishes were so big that Grim thought that
+no horse might bear more. Now he takes them up and puts himself under
+the load, and at that very point of time, when he was about to stand
+upright, Grim ran out, and with both hands smote at his neck, so that
+the axe sank into the shoulder; thereat he turned off sharp, and set
+off running with the basket south over the mountain.
+
+Grim turned off after him, and was fain to know if he had got enough.
+They went south all the way to Balljokul, and there this man went
+into a cave; a bright fire burnt in the cave, and thereby sat a woman,
+great of growth, but shapely withal. Grim heard how she welcomed her
+father, and called him Hallmund. He cast down his burden heavily, and
+groaned aloud; she asked him why he was all covered with blood, but he
+answered and sang--
+
+  "Now know I aright,
+  That in man's might,
+  And in man's bliss,
+  No trust there is;
+  On the day of bale
+  Shall all things fail;
+  Courage is o'er,
+  Luck mocks no more."
+
+She asked him closely of their dealings, but he told her all even as
+it had befallen.
+
+"Now shall thou hearken," said he, "for I shall tell of my deeds and
+sing a song thereon, and thou shall cut it on a staff as I give it
+out."
+
+So she did, and he sung Hallmund's song withal, wherein is this--
+
+  "When I drew adown
+  The bridle brown
+  Grettir's hard hold,
+  Men deemed me bold;
+  Long while looked then
+  The brave of men
+  In his hollow hands,
+  The harm of lands.
+
+  "Then came the day
+  Of Thorir's play
+  On Ernelakeheath,
+  When we from death
+  Our life must gain;
+  Alone we twain
+  With eighty men
+  Must needs play then.
+
+  "Good craft enow
+  Did Grettir show
+  On many a shield
+  In that same field;
+  Natheless I hear
+  That my marks were
+  The deepest still;
+  The worst to fill.
+
+  "Those who were fain
+  His back to gain
+  Lost head and hand,
+  Till of the band,
+  From the Well-wharf-side,
+  Must there abide
+  Eighteen behind
+  That none can find.
+
+  "With the giant's kin
+  Have I oft raised din;
+  To the rock folk
+  Have I dealt out stroke;
+  Ill things could tell
+  That I smote full well;
+  The half-trolls know
+  My baneful blow.
+
+  "Small gain in me
+  Did the elf-folk see,
+  Or the evil wights
+  Who ride anights."
+
+Many other deeds of his did Hallmund sing in that song, for he had
+fared through all the land.
+
+Then spake his daughter, "A man of no slippery hand was that; nor was
+it unlike that this should hap, for in evil wise didst thou begin with
+him: and now what man will avenge thee?"
+
+Hallmund answered, "It is not so sure to know how that may be;
+but, methinks, I know that Grettir would avenge me if he might come
+thereto; but no easy matter will it be to go against the luck of this
+man, for much greatness lies stored up for him."
+
+Thereafter so much did Hallmund's might wane as the song wore, that
+well-nigh at one while it befell that the song was done and Hallmund
+dead; then she grew very sad and wept right sore. Then came Grim forth
+and bade her be of better cheer, "<i>For all must fare when they are
+fetched</i>. This has been brought about by his own deed, for I could
+scarce look on while he robbed me."
+
+She said he had much to say for it, "<i>For ill deed gains ill
+hap</i>."
+
+Now as they talked she grew of better cheer, and Grim abode many
+nights in the cave, and got the song by heart, and things went
+smoothly betwixt them.
+
+Grim abode at Ernewaterheath all the winter after Hallmund's death,
+and thereafter came Thorkel Eyulfson to meet him on the Heath, and
+they fought together; but such was the end of their play that Grim
+might have his will of Thorkel's life, and slew him not. So Thorkel
+took him to him, and got him sent abroad and gave him many goods; and
+therein either was deemed to have done well to the other. Grim betook
+himself to seafaring, and a great tale is told of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXIII.
+
+<i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he was nigh taking
+him</i>.
+
+
+Now the story is to be taken up where Grettir came from the firths of
+the east-country; and now he fared with hidden-head for that he would
+not meet Thorir, and lay out that summer on Madderdale-heath and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.
+
+Thorir heard that Grettir was at Reek-heath, so he gathered men and
+rode to the heath, and was well minded that Grettir should not escape
+this time.
+
+Now Grettir was scarce aware of them before they were on him; he was
+just by a mountain-dairy that stood back a little from the wayside,
+and another man there was with him, and when he saw their band, speedy
+counsel must he take; so he bade that they should fell the horses and
+drag them into the dairy shed, and so it was done.
+
+Then Thorir rode north over the heath by the dairy, and <i>missed
+friend from stead</i>, for he found nought, and so turned back withal.
+
+But when his band had ridden away west, then said Grettir, "They will
+not deem their journey good if we be not found; so now shall thou
+watch our horses while I go meet them, a fair play would be shown them
+if they knew me not."
+
+His fellow strove to let him herein, yet he went none-the-less, and
+did on him other attire, with a slouched hat over his face and a staff
+in his hand, then he went in the way before them. They greeted him and
+asked if he had seen any men riding over the heath.
+
+"Those men that ye seek have I seen; but little was wanting e'ennow
+but that ye found them, for there they were, on the south of yon bogs
+to the left."
+
+Now when they heard that, off they galloped out on to the bogs, but so
+great a mire was there that nohow could they get on, and had to drag
+their horses out, and were wallowing there the more part of the day;
+and they gave to the devil withal the wandering churl who had so
+befooled them.
+
+But Grettir turned back speedily to meet his fellow, and when they met
+he sang this stave--
+
+  "Now make I no battle-field
+  With the searching stems of shield.
+  Rife with danger is my day,
+  And alone I go my way:
+  Nor shall I go meet, this tide,
+  Odin's storm, but rather bide
+  Whatso fate I next may have;
+  Scarce, then, shall thou deem me brave.
+
+  "Thence where Thorir's company
+  Thronging ride, I needs must flee;
+  If with them I raised the din,
+  Little thereby should I win;
+  Brave men's clashing swords I shun,
+  Woods must hide the hunted one;
+  For through all things, good and ill,
+  Unto life shall I hold still."
+
+Now they ride at their swiftest west over the heath and forth by the
+homestead at Garth, before ever Thorir came from the wilderness with
+his band; and when they drew nigh to the homestead a man fell in with
+them who knew them not.
+
+Then saw they how a woman, young and grand of attire, stood without,
+so Grettir asked who that woman would be. The new-comer said that she
+was Thorir's daughter. Then Grettir sang this stave--
+
+  "O wise sun of golden stall,
+  When thy sire comes back to hall,
+  Thou mayst tell him without sin
+  This, though little lies therein,
+  That thou saw'st me ride hereby,
+  With but two in company,
+  Past the door of Skeggi's son,
+  Nigh his hearth, O glittering one."
+
+Hereby the new-comer thought he knew who this would be, and he rode to
+peopled parts and told how Grettir had ridden by.
+
+So when Thorir came home, many deemed that Grettir had done the bed
+well over their heads. But Thorir set spies on Grettir's ways, whereso
+he might be. Grettir fell on such rede that he sent his fellow to the
+west country with his horses; but he went up to the mountains and was
+in disguised attire, and fared about north there in the early winter,
+so that he was not known.
+
+But all men deemed that Thorir had got a worse part than before in
+their dealings together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXIV.
+
+<i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest came to the Goodwife
+there</i>.
+
+
+There was a priest called Stein, who dwelt at Isledale-river, in
+Bard-dale; he was good at husbandry and rich in beasts; his son was
+Kiartan, a brisk man and a well grown. Thorstein the White was the
+name of him who dwelt at Sand-heaps, south of Isledale-river; his wife
+was called Steinvor, a young woman and merry-hearted, and children
+they had, who were young in those days. But that place men deemed much
+haunted by the goings of trolls.
+
+Now it befell two winters before Grettir came into the north country
+that Steinvor the goodwife of Sand-heaps fared at Yule-tide to the
+stead of Isledale-river according to her wont, but the goodman abode
+at home. Men lay down to sleep in the evening, but in the night they
+heard a huge crashing about the bonder's bed; none durst arise and
+see thereto, for very few folk were there. In the morning the goodwife
+came home, but the goodman was gone, and none knew what had become of
+him.
+
+Now the next year wears through its seasons, but the winter after
+the goodwife would fain go to worship, and bade her house-carle abide
+behind at home; thereto was he loth, but said nathless that she must
+rule; so all went the same way and the house-carle vanished; and
+marvellous men deemed it; but folk saw certain stains of blood about
+the outer door; therefore they deemed it sure that an evil wight had
+taken them both.
+
+Now that was heard of wide through the country-side, and Grettir
+withal was told thereof; so he took his way to Bard-dale, and came to
+Sand-heaps at Yule-eve, and made stay there, and called himself Guest.
+The goodwife saw that he was marvellous great of growth, but the
+home-folk were exceeding afeard of him; he prayed for guesting there;
+the mistress said that there was meat ready for him, "but as to thy
+safety see to that thyself."
+
+He said that so he should do: "Here will I abide, but thou shalt go to
+worship if thou wilt."
+
+She answered, "Meseems thou art a brave man if thou durst abide at
+home here."
+
+"<i>For one thing alone will I not be known</i>," said he.
+
+She said, "I have no will to abide at home, but I may not cross the
+river."
+
+"I will go with thee," says Guest.
+
+Then she made her ready for worship, and her little daughter with her.
+It thawed fast abroad, and the river was in flood, and therein was the
+drift of ice great: then said the goodwife,
+
+"No way across is there either for man or horse."
+
+"Nay, there will be fords there," said Guest, "be not afeard."
+
+"Carry over the little maiden first," said the goodwife; "she is the
+lightest."
+
+"I am loth to make two journeys of it," said Guest, "I will bear thee
+in my arms."
+
+She crossed herself, and said, "This will not serve; what wilt thou do
+with the maiden?"
+
+"A rede I see for that," said he, and therewith caught them both up,
+and laid the little one in her mother's lap, and set both of them
+thus on his left arm, but had his right free; and so he took the ford
+withal, nor durst they cry out, so afeard were they.
+
+Now the river took him up to his breast forthwith, and a great
+ice-floe drave against him, but he put forth the hand that was free
+and thrust it from him; then it grew so deep, that the stream broke
+on his shoulder; but he waded through it stoutly, till he came to the
+further shore, and there cast them aland: then he turned back, and it
+was twilight already by then he came home to Sand-heaps, and called
+for his meat.
+
+So when he was fulfilled, he bade the home-folk go into the chamber;
+then he took boards and loose timber, and dragged it athwart the
+chamber, and made a great bar, so that none of the home-folk might
+come thereover: none durst say aught against him, nor would any of
+them make the least sound. The entrance to the hall was through the
+side wall by the gable, and dais was there within; there Guest lay
+down, but did not put off his clothes, and light burned in the chamber
+over against the door: and thus Guest lay till far on in the night.
+
+The goodwife came to Isledale-river at church-time, and men marvelled
+how she had crossed the river; and she said she knew not whether a man
+or a troll had brought her over.
+
+The priest said he was surely a man, though a match for few; "But
+let us hold our peace hereon," he said; "maybe he is chosen for the
+bettering of thy troubles." So the goodwife was there through the
+night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXV.
+
+<i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife</i>.
+
+
+Now it is to be told of Guest, that when it drew towards midnight,
+he heard great din without, and thereafter into the hall came a huge
+troll-wife, with a trough in one hand and a chopper wondrous great in
+the other; she peered about when she came in, and saw where Guest
+lay, and ran at him; but he sprang up to meet her, and they fell
+a-wrestling terribly, and struggled together for long in the hall. She
+was the stronger, but he gave back with craft, and all that was before
+them was broken, yea, the cross-panelling withal of the chamber. She
+dragged him out through the door, and so into the outer doorway, and
+then he betook himself to struggling hard against her. She was fain to
+drag him from the house, but might not until they had broken away all
+the fittings of the outer door, and borne them out on their shoulders:
+then she laboured away with him down towards the river, and right down
+to the deep gulfs.
+
+By then was Guest exceeding weary, yet must he either gather his might
+together, or be cast by her into the gulf. All night did they contend
+in such wise; never, he deemed, had he fought with such a horror for
+her strength's sake; she held him to her so hard that he might turn
+his arms to no account save to keep fast hold on the middle of the
+witch.
+
+But now when they came on to the gulf of the river, he gives the hag a
+swing round, and therewith got his right hand free, and swiftly seized
+the short-sword that he was girt withal, and smote the troll therewith
+on the shoulder, and struck off her arm; and therewithal was he free,
+but she fell into the gulf and was carried down the force.
+
+Then was Guest both stiff and weary, and lay there long on the rocks,
+then he went home, as it began to grow light, and lay down in bed, and
+all swollen and blue he was.
+
+But when the goodwife came from church, she thought her house had
+been somewhat roughly handled: so she went to Guest and asked what had
+happed that all was broken and down-trodden. He told her all as it had
+befallen: she deemed these things imported much, and asked him what
+man he was in good sooth. So he told her the truth, and prayed that
+the priest might be fetched, for that he would fain see him: and so it
+was done.
+
+But when Stein the priest came to Sand-heaps, he knew forthwith, that
+thither was come Grettir Asmundson, under the name of Guest.
+
+So the priest asked what he deemed had become of those men who had
+vanished; and Grettir said that he thought they would have gone into
+the gulf: the priest said that he might not trow that, if no signs
+could be seen thereof: then said Grettir that later on that should be
+known more thoroughly. So the priest went home.
+
+Grettir lay many nights a-bed, and the mistress did well to him, and
+so Yule-tide wore.
+
+Now Grettir's story is that the troll-wife cast herself into the gulf
+when she got her wound; but the men of Bard-dale say that day dawned
+on her, while they wrestled, and that she burst, when he cut the arm
+from her; and that there she stands yet on the cliff, a rock in the
+likeness of a woman.
+
+Now the dale-dwellers kept Grettir in hiding there; but in the winter
+after Yule, Grettir fared to Isledale-river, and when he met the
+priest, he said, "Well, priest, I see that thou hadst little faith in
+my tale; now will I, that thou go with me to the river, and see what
+likelihood there is of that tale being true."
+
+So the priest did; and when they came to the force-side, they saw a
+cave up under the cliff; a sheer rock that cliff was, so great that in
+no place might man come up thereby, and well-nigh fifty fathoms was it
+down to the water. Now they had a rope with them, but the priest said:
+
+"A risk beyond all measure, I deem it to go down here."
+
+"Nay," said Grettir, "it is to be done, truly, but men of the greatest
+prowess are meetest therefor: now will I know what is in the force,
+but thou shall watch the rope."
+
+The priest bade him follow his own rede, and drave a peg down into the
+sward on the cliff, and heaped stones up over it, and sat thereby.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXVI.
+
+<i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i>.
+
+
+Now it is to be told of Grettir that he set a stone in a bight of the
+rope and let it sink down into the water.
+
+"In what wise hast thou mind to go?" said the priest.
+
+"I will not go bound into the force," said Grettir; "such things doth
+my heart forebode."
+
+With that he got ready for his journey, and was lightly clad, and girt
+with the short-sword, and had no weapon more.
+
+Then he leapt off the cliff into the force; the priest saw the soles
+of his feet, and knew not afterwards what was become of him. But
+Grettir dived under the force, and hard work it was, because the
+whirlpool was strong, and he had to dive down to the bottom, before he
+might come up under the force. But thereby was a rock jutting out, and
+thereon he gat; a great cave was under the force, and the river fell
+over it from the sheer rocks. He went up into the cave, and there was
+a great fire flaming from amidst of brands; and there he saw a giant
+sitting withal, marvellously great and dreadful to look on. But when
+Grettir came anigh, the giant leapt up and caught up a glaive and
+smote at the new-comer, for with that glaive might a man both cut and
+thrust; a wooden shaft it had, and that fashion of weapon men called
+then, heft-sax. Grettir hewed back against him with the short-sword,
+and smote the shaft so that he struck it asunder; then was the giant
+fain to stretch aback for a sword that hung up there in the cave; but
+therewithal Grettir smote him afore into the breast, and smote off
+well-nigh all the breast bone and the belly, so that the bowels
+tumbled out of him and fell into the river, and were driven down along
+the stream; and as the priest sat by the rope, he saw certain fibres
+all covered with blood swept down the swirls of the stream; then he
+grew unsteady in his place, and thought for sure that Grettir was
+dead, so he ran from the holding of the rope, and gat him home.
+Thither he came in the evening and said, as one who knew it well, that
+Grettir was dead, and that great scathe was it of such a man.
+
+Now of Grettir must it be told that he let little space go betwixt
+his blows or ever the giant was dead; then he went up the cave, and
+kindled a light and espied the cave. The story tells not how much he
+got therein, but men deem that it must have been something great. But
+there he abode on into the night; and he found there the bones of two
+men, and bore them together in a bag; then he made off from the cave
+and swam to the rope and shook it, and thought that the priest would
+be there yet; but when he knew that the priest had gone home, then
+must he draw himself up by strength of hand, and thus he came up out
+on to the cliff.
+
+Then he fared home to Isledale-river, and brought into the church
+porch the bag with the bones, and therewithal a rune-staff whereon
+this song was marvellous well cut--
+
+  "There into gloomy gulf I passed,
+  O'er which from the rock's throat is cast
+  The swirling rush of waters wan,
+  To meet the sword-player feared of man.
+  By giant's hall the strong stream pressed
+  Cold hands against the singer's breast;
+  Huge weight upon him there did hurl
+  The swallower of the changing whirl."
+
+And this other one withal--
+
+  "The dreadful dweller of the cave
+  Great strokes and many 'gainst me drave;
+  Full hard he had to strive for it,
+  But toiling long he wan no whit;
+  For from its mighty shaft of tree
+  The heft-sax smote I speedily;
+  And dulled the flashing war-flame fair
+  In the black breast that met me there."
+
+Herein was it said how that Grettir had brought those bones from the
+cave; but when the priest came to the church in the morning he found
+the staff and that which went with it, but Grettir was gone home to
+Sand-heaps.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXVII.
+
+<i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i>.
+
+
+But when the priest met Grettir he asked him closely about what had
+happed; so he told him all the tale of his doings, and said withal
+that the priest had been unfaithful to him in the matter of the
+rope-holding; and the priest must needs say that so it was.
+
+Now men deemed they could see that these evil wights had wrought the
+loss of the men there in the dale; nor had folk hurt ever after from
+aught haunting the valley, and Grettir was thought to have done great
+deeds for the cleansing of the land. So the priest laid those bones in
+earth in the churchyard.
+
+But Grettir abode at Sand-heaps the winter long, and was hidden there
+from all the world.
+
+But when Thorir of Garth heard certain rumours of Grettir being in
+Bard-dale, he sent men for his head; then men gave him counsel to get
+him gone therefrom, so he took his way to the west.
+
+Now when he came to Maddervales to Gudmund the Rich, he prayed Gudmund
+for watch and ward; but Gudmund said he might not well keep him. "But
+that only is good for thee," said he, "to set thee down there, whereas
+thou shouldst have no fear of thy life."
+
+Grettir said he wotted not where such a place might be.
+
+Gudmund said, "An isle there lies in Skagafirth called Drangey; so
+good a place for defence it is, that no man may come thereon unless
+ladders be set thereto. If thou mightest get there, I know for sure
+that no man who might come against thee, could have good hope while
+thou wert on the top thereof, of overcoming thee, either by weapons or
+craft, if so be thou shouldst watch the ladders well."
+
+"That shall be tried," said Grettir, "but so fearsome of the dark am I
+grown, that not even for the keeping of my life may I be alone."
+
+Gudmund said, "Well, that may be; but trust no man whatsoever so much
+as not to trust thyself better; for many men are hard to see through."
+
+Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and then fared away from
+Maddervales, nor made stay before he came to Biarg; there his mother
+and Illugi his brother welcomed him joyfully, and he abode there
+certain nights.
+
+There he heard of the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, which had befallen
+the autumn before Grettir went to Bard-dale; and he deemed therewithal
+that felling went on fast enough.
+
+Then Grettir rode south to Holtbeacon-heath, and was minded to avenge
+Hallmund if he might meet Grim; but when he came to Northriverdale,
+he heard that Grim had been gone two winters ago, as is aforesaid; but
+Grettir had heard so late of these tidings because he had gone about
+disguised those two winters, and the third winter he had been in
+Thorirs-dale, and had seen no man who might tell him any news. Then
+he betook himself to the Broadfirth-dales, and dwelt in Eastriverdale,
+and lay in wait for folk who fared over Steep-brent; and once more he
+swept away with the strong hand the goods of the small bonders. This
+was about the height of summer-tide.
+
+Now when the summer was well worn, Steinvor of Sand-heaps bore a
+man-child, who was named Skeggi; he was first fathered on Kiartan, the
+son of Stein, the priest of Isle-dale-river. Skeggi was unlike unto
+his kin because of his strength and growth, but when he was fifteen
+winters old he was the strongest man in the north-country, and was
+then known as Grettir's son; men deemed he would be a marvel among
+men, but he died when he was seventeen years of age, and no tale there
+is of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXVIII.
+
+<i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went against Grettir</i>.
+
+
+After the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, Snorri Godi would have little
+to do with his son Thorod, or with Sam, the son of Bork the Fat; it is
+not said what they had done therefor, unless it might be that they had
+had no will to do some great deed that Snorri set them to; but withal
+Snorri drave his son Thorod away, and said he should not come back
+till he had slain some wood-dweller; and so must matters stand.
+
+So Thorod went over to the Dales; and at that time dwelt at
+Broadlair-stead in Sokkolfsdale a widow called Geirlaug; a herdsman
+she kept, who had been outlawed for some onslaught; and he was a
+growing lad. Now Thorod Snorrison heard thereof, and rode in to
+Broadlair-stead, and asked where was the herdsman; the goodwife said
+that he was with the sheep.
+
+"What wilt thou have to do with him?"
+
+"His life will I have," says Thorod, "because he is an outlaw, and a
+wood-wight."
+
+She answers, "No glory is it for such a great warrior as thou deemest
+thyself, to slay a mannikin like that; I will show thee a greater
+deed, if thine heart is so great that thou must needs try thyself."
+
+"Well, and what deed?" says he.
+
+She answers, "Up in the fell here, lies Grettir Asmundson; play thou
+with him, for such a game is more meet for thee."
+
+Thorod took her talk well; "So shall it be," says he, and therewith he
+smote his horse with his spurs, and rode along the valley; and when he
+came to the hill below Eastriver, he saw where was a dun horse, with
+his saddle on, and thereby a big man armed, so he turned thence to
+meet him.
+
+Grettir greeted him, and asked who he was. Thorod named himself, and
+said,
+
+"Why askest thou not of my errand rather than of my name?"
+
+"Why, because," said Grettir, "it is like to be such as is of little
+weight: art thou son to Snorri Godi?"
+
+"Yea, yea," says Thorod; "but now shall we try which of us may do the
+most."
+
+"A matter easy to be known," says Grettir; "hast thou not heard that
+I have ever been a treasure-hill that most men grope in with little
+luck?"
+
+"Yea, I know it," said Thorod; "yet must somewhat be risked."
+
+And now he drew his sword therewith and set on Grettir eagerly; but
+Grettir warded himself with his shield, but bore no weapon against
+Thorod; and so things went awhile, nor was Grettir wounded.
+
+At last he said, "Let us leave this play, for thou wilt not have
+victory in our strife."
+
+But Thorod went on dealing blows at his maddest. Now Grettir got
+aweary of dealing with him, and caught him and set him down by his
+side, and said--
+
+"I may do with thee even as I will, nor do I fear that thou wilt ever
+be my bane; but the grey old carle, thy father, Snorri, I fear in good
+sooth, and his counsels that have brought most men to their knees:
+and for thee, thou shouldst turn thy mind to such things alone as thou
+mayst get done, nor is it child's play to fight with me."
+
+But when Thorod saw that he might bring nought to pass, he grew
+somewhat appeased, and therewithal they parted. Thorod rode home to
+Tongue and told his father of his dealings with Grettir. Snorri Godi
+smiled thereat, and said,
+
+"<i>Many a man lies hid within himself</i>, and far unlike were your
+doings; for thou must needs rush at him to slay him, and he might have
+done with thee even as he would. Yet wisely has Grettir done herein,
+that he slew thee not; for I should scarce have had a mind to let thee
+lie unavenged; but now indeed shall I give him aid, if I have aught to
+do with any of his matters."
+
+It was well seen of Snorri, that he deemed Grettir had done well to
+Thorod, and he ever after gave his good word for Grettir.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXIX.
+
+<i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg, and fared with
+Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Grettir rode north to Biarg a little after he parted with Thorod, and
+lay hid there yet awhile; then so great grew his fear in the dark,
+that he durst go nowhere as soon as dusk set in. His mother bade him
+abide there, but said withal, that she saw that it would scarce avail
+him aught, since he had so many cases against him throughout all the
+land. Grettir said that she should never have trouble brought on her
+for his sake.
+
+"But I shall no longer do so much for the keeping of my life," says
+he, "as to be alone."
+
+Now Illugi his brother was by that time about fifteen winters old,
+and the goodliest to look on of all men; and he overheard their talk
+together. Grettir was telling his mother what rede Gudmund the Rich
+had given him, and now that he should try, if he had a chance, to get
+out to Drangey, but he said withal, that he might not abide there,
+unless he might get some trusty man to be with him. Then said Illugi,
+
+"I will go with thee, brother, though I know not that I shall be of
+any help to thee, unless it be that I shall be ever true to thee, nor
+run from thee whiles thou standest up; and moreover I shall know more
+surely how thou farest if I am still in thy fellowship."
+
+Grettir answered, "Such a man thou art, that I am gladder in thee than
+in any other; and if it cross not my mother's mind, fain were I that
+thou shouldst fare with me."
+
+Then said Asdis, "Now can I see that it has come to this, that two
+troubles lie before us: for meseems I may ill spare Illugi, yet I know
+that so hard is thy lot, Grettir, that thou must in somewise find rede
+therefor: and howsoever it grieves me, O my sons, to see you both turn
+your backs on me, yet thus much will I do, if Grettir might thereby be
+somewhat more holpen than heretofore."
+
+Hereat was Illugi glad, for that he deemed it good to go with Grettir.
+
+So she gave them much of her chattels, and they made them ready for
+their journey. Asdis led them from out the garth, and before they
+parted she spake thus:
+
+"Ah, my sons twain, there ye depart from me, and one death ye shall
+have together; for no man may flee from that which is wrought for him:
+on no day now shall I see either of you once again; let one fate
+be over you both, then; for I know not what weal ye go to get for
+yourselves in Drangey, but there shall ye both lay your bones, and
+many will begrudge you that abiding place. Keep ye heedfully from
+wiles, yet none the less there shall ye be bitten of the edge of the
+sword, for marvellously have my dreams gone: be well ware of sorcery,
+for <i>little can cope with the cunning of eld</i>."
+
+And when she had thus spoken she wept right sore.
+
+Then said Grettir, "Weep not, mother, for if we be set on with
+weapons, it shall be said of thee, that thou hast had sons, and not
+daughters: live on, well and hale."
+
+Therewithal they parted. They fared north through the country side and
+saw their kin; and thus they lingered out the autumn into winter; then
+they turned toward Skagafirth and went north through Waterpass and
+thence to Reekpass, and down Saemunds-lithe and so unto Longholt, and
+came to Dinby late in the day.
+
+Grettir had cast his hood back on to his shoulders, for in that wise
+he went ever abroad whether the day were better or worse. So they went
+thence, and when they had gone but a little way, there met them a man,
+big-headed, tall, and gaunt, and ill clad; he greeted them, and either
+asked other for their names; they said who they were, but he called
+himself Thorbiorn: he was a land-louper, a man too lazy to work, and
+a great swaggerer, and much game and fooling was made with him by some
+folk: he thrust himself into their company, and told them much from
+the upper country about the folk there. Grettir had great game and
+merriment of him; so he asked if they had no need of a man who should
+work for them, "for I would fain fare with you," says he; and withal
+he got so much from their talk that they suffered him to follow them.
+
+Much snow there was that day, and it was cold; but whereas that man
+swaggered exceedingly, and was the greatest of tomfools, he had a
+by-name, and was called Noise.
+
+"Great wonder had those of Dinby when thou wentest by e'en now
+unhooded, in the foul weather," said Noise, "as to whether thou
+wouldst have as little fear of men as of the cold: there were two
+bonders' sons, both men of great strength, and the shepherd called
+them forth to go to the sheep-watching with him, and scarcely could
+they clothe themselves for the cold."
+
+Grettir said, "I saw within doors there a young man who pulled on his
+mittens, and another going betwixt byre and midden, and of neither of
+them should I be afeared."
+
+Thereafter they went down to Sorbness, and were there through the
+night; then they fared out along the strand to a farm called Reeks,
+where dwelt a man, Thorwald by name, a good bonder. Him Grettir prayed
+for watch and ward, and told him how he was minded to get out to
+Drangey: the bonder said that those of Skagafirth would think him no
+god-send, and excused himself therewithal.
+
+Then Grettir took a purse his mother had given to him, and gave it
+to the bonder; his brows lightened over the money, and he got three
+house-carles of his to bring them out in the night time by the light
+of the moon. It is but a little way from Reeks out to the island, one
+sea-mile only. So when they came to the isle, Grettir deemed it good
+to behold, because it was grass-grown, and rose up sheer from the sea,
+so that no man might come up thereon save there where the ladders were
+let down, and if the uppermost ladder were drawn up, it was no man's
+deed to get upon the island. There also were the cliffs full of fowl
+in the summer-tide, and there were eighty sheep upon the island which
+the bonders owned, and they were mostly rams and ewes which they had
+mind to slaughter.
+
+There Grettir set himself down in peace; and by then had he been
+fifteen or sixteen winters in outlawry, as Sturla Thordson has said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXX.
+
+<i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i>.
+
+
+In the days when Grettir came to Drangey, these were chief men of the
+country side of Skagafirth. Hialti dwelt at Hof in Hialtidale, he
+was the son of Thord, the son of Hialti, the son of Thord the Scalp:
+Hialti was a great chief, a right noble man, and much befriended.
+Thorbiorn Angle was the name of his brother, a big man and a strong,
+hardy and wild withal. Thord, the father of these twain, had married
+again in his old age, and that wife was not the mother of the
+brothers; and she did ill to her step-children, but served Thorbiorn
+the worst, for that he was hard to deal with and reckless. And on a
+day Thorbiorn Angle sat playing at tables, and his stepmother passed
+by and saw that he was playing at the knave-game, and the fashion of
+the game was the large tail-game. Now she deemed him thriftless, and
+cast some word at him, but he gave an evil answer; so she caught up
+one of the men, and drave the tail thereof into Thorbiorn's cheek-bone
+wherefrom it glanced into his eye, so that it hung out on his cheek.
+He sprang up, caught hold of her, and handled her roughly, insomuch
+that she took to her bed, and died thereof afterwards, and folk say
+that she was then big with child.
+
+Thereafter Thorbiorn became of all men the most riotous; he took his
+heritage, and dwelt at first in Woodwick.
+
+Haldor the son of Thorgeir, who was the son of Head-Thord, dwelt at
+Hof on Head-strand, he had to wife Thordis, the daughter of Thord
+Hialtison, and sister to those brothers Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle.
+Haldor was a great bonder, and rich in goods.
+
+Biorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Meadness in the Fleets; he
+was a friend to Haldor of Hof. These men held to each other in all
+cases.
+
+Tongue-Stein dwelt at Stonestead; he was the son of Biorn, the son of
+Ufeigh Thinbeard, son of that Crow-Hreidar to whom Eric of God-dales
+gave the tongue of land down from Hall-marsh. Stein was a man of great
+renown.
+
+One named Eric was the son of Holmgang-Starri, the son of Eric of
+God-dales, the son of Hroald, the son of Geirmund Thick-beard; Eric
+dwelt at Hof in God-dales.
+
+Now all these were men of great account.
+
+Two brothers there were who dwelt at a place called Broad-river
+in Flat-lithe, and they were both called Thord; they were wondrous
+strong, and yet withal peaceable men both of them.
+
+All these men had share in Drangey, and it is said that no less than
+twenty in all had some part in the island, nor would any sell his
+share to another; but the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle,
+had the largest share, because they were the richest men.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXI.
+
+<i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Now time wears on towards the winter solstice; then the bonders get
+ready to go fetch the fat beasts for slaughter from the island; so
+they manned a great barge, and every owner had one to go in his stead,
+and some two.
+
+But when these came anigh the island they saw men going about there;
+they deemed that strange, but guessed that men had been shipwrecked,
+and got aland there: so they row up to where the ladders were, when
+lo, the first-comers drew up the ladders.
+
+Then the bonders deemed that things were taking a strange turn, and
+hailed those men and asked them who they were: Grettir named himself
+and his fellows withal: but the bonders asked who had brought him
+there.
+
+Grettir answered, "He who owned the keel and had the hands, and who
+was more my friend than yours."
+
+The bonders answered and said, "Let us now get our sheep, but come
+thou aland with us, keeping freely whatso of our sheep thou hast
+slaughtered."
+
+"A good offer," said Grettir, "but this time let each keep what he
+has got; and I tell you, once for all, that hence I go not, till I am
+dragged away dead; for it is not my way to let that go loose which I
+have once laid hand on."
+
+Thereat the bonders held their peace, and deemed that a woeful guest
+had come to Drangey; then they gave him choice of many things, both
+moneys and fair words, but Grettir said nay to one and all, and they
+gat them gone with things in such a stead, and were ill content with
+their fate; and told the men of the country-side what a wolf had got
+on to the island.
+
+This took them all unawares, but they could think of nought to do
+herein; plentifully they talked over it that winter, but could see no
+rede whereby to get Grettir from the island.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXII.
+
+<i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i>.
+
+
+Now the days wore till such time as men went to the Heron-ness Thing
+in spring-tide, and many came thronging there from that part of the
+country, wherefrom men had to go to that Thing for their suits. Men
+sat there long time both over the suits and over sports, for there
+were many blithe men in that country-side. But when Grettir heard that
+all men fared to the Thing, he made a plot with his friends; for he
+was in goodwill with those who dwelt nighest to him, and for them
+he spared nought that he could get. But now he said that he would
+go aland, and gather victuals, but that Illugi and Noise should stay
+behind. Illugi thought this ill counselled, but let things go as
+Grettir would.
+
+So Grettir bade them watch the ladders well, for that all things
+lay thereon; and thereafter he went to the mainland, and got what he
+deemed needful: he hid himself from men whereso he came, nor did
+any one know that he was on the land. Withal he heard concerning the
+Thing, that there was much sport there, and was fain to go thither;
+so he did on old gear and evil, and thus came to the Thing, whenas men
+went from the courts home to their booths. Then fell certain young men
+to talking how that the day was fair and good, and that it were well,
+belike, for the young men to betake them to wrestling and merrymaking.
+Folk said it was well counselled; and so men went and sat them down
+out from the booths.
+
+Now the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle, were the chief
+men in this sport; Thorbiorn Angle was boisterous beyond measure, and
+drove men hard and fast to the place of the sports, and every man must
+needs go whereas his will was; and he would take this man and that by
+the hands and drag him forth unto the playing-ground.
+
+Now first those wrestled who were weakest, and then each man in his
+turn, and therewith the game and glee waxed great; but when most men
+had wrestled but those who were the strongest, the bonders fell to
+talking as to who would be like to lay hand to either of the Thords,
+who have been aforenamed; but there was no man ready for that. Then
+the Thords went up to sundry men, and put themselves forward for
+wrestling, but <i>the nigher the call the further the man</i>. Then
+Thorbiorn Angle looks about, and sees where a man sits, great of
+growth, and his face hidden somewhat. Thorbiorn laid hold of him,
+and tugged hard at him, but he sat quiet and moved no whit. Then said
+Thorbiorn,
+
+"No one has kept his place before me to-day like thou hast; what man
+art thou?"
+
+He answers, "Guest am I hight."
+
+Said Thorbiorn, "Belike thou wilt do somewhat for our merriment; a
+wished-for guest wilt thou be."
+
+He answered, "About and about, methinks, will things change speedily;
+nor shall I cast myself into play with you here, where all is unknown
+to me."
+
+Then many men said he were worthy of good at their hands, if he, an
+unknown man, gave sport to the people. Then he asked what they would
+of him; so they prayed him to wrestle with some one.
+
+He said he had left wrestling, "though time agone it was somewhat of a
+sport to me."
+
+So, when he did not deny them utterly, they prayed him thereto yet the
+more.
+
+He said, "Well, if ye are so fain that I be dragged about here, ye
+must do so much therefor, as to handsel me peace, here at the Thing,
+and until such time as I come back to my home."
+
+Then they all sprang up and said that so they would do indeed; but
+Hafr was the name of him who urged most that peace should be given to
+the man. This Hafr was the son of Thorarin, the son of Hafr, the son
+of Thord Knob, who had settled land up from the Weir in the Fleets to
+Tongue-river, and who dwelt at Knobstead; and a wordy man was Hafr.
+
+So now he gave forth the handselling grandly with open mouth, and this
+is the beginning thereof.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXIII.
+
+<i>The Handselling of Peace</i>.
+
+
+Says he, "<i>Herewith I establish peace betwixt all men, but most
+of all betwixt all men and this same Guest who sits here, and so is
+named; that is to say, all men of rule, and goodly bonders, and all
+men young, and fit to bear arms, and all other men of the country-side
+of Heron-ness Thing, whencesoever any may have come here, of men
+named or unnamed. Let us handsel safety and full peace to that unknown
+new-comer, yclept Guest by name, for game, wrestling, and all glee,
+for abiding here, and going home, whether he has need to fare over
+water, or over land, or over ferry; safety shall he have, in all
+steads named and unnamed, even so long as needs be for his coming home
+whole, under faith holden. This peace I establish on behoof of us,
+and of our kin, friends, and men of affinity, women even as men,
+bondswomen, even as bonds-men, swains and men of estate. Let him be
+a shamed peace-breaker, who breaks the peace, or spills the troth
+settled; turned away and driven forth from God, and good men of the
+kingdom of Heaven, and all Holy ones. A man not to be borne of any
+man, but cast out from all, as wide as wolves stray, or Christian men
+make for Churches, or heathen in God's-houses do sacrifice, or fire
+burns, or earth brings forth, or a child, new-come to speech, calls
+mother, or mother bears son, or the sons of men kindle fire, or ships
+sweep on, or shields glitter, or the sun shines, or the snow falls,
+or a Finn sweeps on skates, or a fir-tree waxes, or a falcon flies
+the spring-long day with a fair wind under either wing, or the
+Heavens dwindle far away, or the world is built, or the wind turns</i>
+<i>waters seaward, or carles sow corn. Let him shun churches, and
+Christian folk, and heathen men, houses and caves, and every home but
+the home of Hell. Now shall we be at peace and of one mind each with
+the other, and of goodwill, whether we meet on fell or foreshore, ship
+or snow-shoes, earth or ice-mount, sea or swift steed, even as each
+found his friend on water, or his brother on broad ways; in just such
+peace one with other, as father with son, or son with father in all
+dealings together. Now we lay hands together, each and all of us,
+to hold well this say of peace, and all words spoken in our settled
+troth: As witness God and good men, and all those who hear my words,
+and nigh this stead chance to stand</i>."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXIV.
+
+<i>Of Grettir's Wrestling: and how Thorbiorn Angle now bought the more
+part of Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Then many fell to saying that many and great words had been spoken
+hereon; but now Guest said,
+
+"Good is thy say and well hast thou spoken it; if ye spill not things
+hereafter, I shall not withhold that which I have to show forth."
+
+So he cast off his hood, and therewith all his outer clothes.
+
+Then they gazed one on the other, and awe spread over their faces, for
+they deemed they knew surely that this was Grettir Asmundson, for
+that he was unlike other men for his growth and prowess' sake: and all
+stood silent, but Hafr deemed he had made himself a fool. Now the
+men of the country-side fell into twos and twos together, and one
+upbraided the other, but him the most of all, who had given forth the
+words of peace.
+
+Then said Grettir; "Make clear to me what ye have in your minds,
+because for no long time will I sit thus unclad; it is more your
+matter than mine, whether ye will hold the peace, or hold it not."
+
+They answered few words and then sat down: and now the sons of Thord,
+and Halldor their brother-in-law, talked the matter over together;
+and some would hold the peace, and some not; so as they elbowed one
+another, and laid their heads together. Grettir sang a stave--
+
+  "I, well known to men, have been
+  On this morn both hid and seen;
+  Double face my fortune wears,
+  Evil now, now good it bears;
+  Doubtful play-board have I shown
+  Unto these men, who have grown
+  Doubtful of their given word;
+  Hafr's big noise goes overboard."
+
+Then said Tongue-stein, "Thinkest thou that, Grettir? Knowest thou
+then what the chiefs will make their minds up to? but true it is thou
+art a man above all others for thy great heart's sake: yea, but dost
+thou not see how they rub their noses one against the other?"
+
+Then Grettir sang a stave--
+
+  "Raisers-up of roof of war,
+  Nose to nose in counsel are;
+  Wakeners of the shield-rain sit
+  Wagging beard to talk of it:
+  Scatterers of the serpent's bed
+  Round about lay head to head.
+  For belike they heard my name;
+  And must balance peace and shame."
+
+Then spake Hialti the son of Thord; "So shall it not be," says he; "we
+shall hold to our peace and troth given, though we have been beguiled,
+for I will not that men should have such a deed to follow after, if we
+depart from that peace, that we ourselves have settled and handselled:
+Grettir shall go whither he will, and have peace until such time as
+he comes back from this journey; and then and not till then shall this
+word of truce be void, whatsoever may befall betwixt us meanwhile."
+
+All thanked him therefor, and deemed that he had done as a great
+chief, such blood-guilt as there was on the other side: but the speech
+of Thorbiorn Angle was little and low thereupon.
+
+Now men said that both the Thords should lay hand to Grettir, and he
+bade them have it as they would: so one of the brothers stood forth;
+and Grettir stood up stiff before him, and he ran at Grettir at his
+briskest, but Grettir moved no whit from his place: then Grettir
+stretched out his hand down Thord's back, over the head of him, and
+caught hold of him by the breeches, and tripped up his feet, and cast
+him backward over his head in such wise that he fell on his shoulder,
+and a mighty fall was that.
+
+Then men said that both those brothers should go against Grettir at
+once; and thus was it done, and great swinging and pulling about there
+was, now one side, now the other getting the best of it, though one
+or other of the brothers Grettir ever had under him; but each in turn
+must fall on his knee, or have some slip one of the other; and so hard
+they griped each at each, that they were all blue and bruised.
+
+All men thought this the best of sport, and when they had made an end
+of it, thanked them for the wrestling; and it was the deeming of those
+who sat thereby, that the two brothers together were no stronger than
+Grettir alone, though each of them had the strength of two men of the
+strongest: so evenly matched they were withal, that neither might get
+the better of the other if they tried it between them.
+
+Grettir abode no long time at the Thing; the bonders bade him give up
+the island, but he said nay to this, nor might they do aught herein.
+
+So Grettir fared back to Drangey, and Illugi was as fain of him as
+might be; and there they abode peacefully, and Grettir told them the
+story of his doings and his journeys; and thus the summer wore away.
+
+All men deemed that those of Skagafirth had shown great manliness
+herein, that they held to their peace given; and folk may well mark
+how trusty men were in those days, whereas Grettir had done such deeds
+against them.
+
+Now the less rich men of the bonders spake together, that there
+was little gain to them in holding small shares in Drangey; so they
+offered to sell their part to the sons of Thord; Hialti said that he
+would not deal with them herein, for the bonders made it part of the
+bargain, that he who bought of them should either slay Grettir or get
+him away. But Thorbiorn Angle said, that he would not spare to take
+the lead of an onset against Grettir if they would give him wealth
+therefor. So his brother Hialti gave up to him his share in the
+island, for that he was the hardest man, and the least befriended of
+the twain; and in likewise too did other bonders; so Thorbiorn Angle
+got the more part of the island for little worth, but bound himself
+withal to get Grettir away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXV.
+
+<i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i>.
+
+
+Whenas summer was far spent, Thorbiorn Angle went with a well-manned
+barge out to Drangey, and Grettir and his fellows stood forth on the
+cliff's edge; so there they talked together. Thorbiorn prayed Grettir
+to do so much for his word, as to depart from the island; Grettir said
+there was no hope of such an end.
+
+Then said Thorbiorn, "Belike I may give thee meet aid if thou dost
+this, for now have many bonders given up to me their shares in the
+island."
+
+Grettir answered, "Now hast thou shown forth that which brings me to
+settle in my mind that I will never go hence, whereas thou sayest
+that thou now hast the more part of the island; and good is it that we
+twain alone share the kale: for in sooth, hard I found it to have all
+the men of Skagafirth against me; but now let neither spare the
+other, for not such are we twain, as are like to be smothered in the
+friendship of men; and thou mayst leave coming hither, for on my side
+is all over and done."
+
+"<i>All things bide their day</i>," said Thorbiorn, "and an ill day
+thou bidest."
+
+"I am content to risk it," said Grettir; and in such wise they parted,
+and Thorbiorn went home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXVI.
+
+<i>How Noise let the fire out on Drangey, and how Grettir must needs
+go aland for more</i>.
+
+
+So the tale tells, that by then they had been two winters on Drangey,
+they had slaughtered well-nigh all the sheep that were there, but one
+ram, as men say, they let live; he was piebald of belly and head, and
+exceeding big-horned; great game they had of him, for he was so wise
+that he would stand waiting without, and run after them whereso they
+went; and he would come home to the hut anights and rub his horns
+against the door.
+
+Now they deemed it good to abide on the island, for food was plenty,
+because of the fowl and their eggs; but firewood was right hard to
+come by; and ever Grettir would let the thrall go watch for drift, and
+logs were often drifted there, and he would bear them to the fire;
+but no need had the brothers to do any work beyond climbing into the
+cliffs when it liked them. But the thrall took to loathing his work,
+and got more grumbling and heedless than he was wont heretofore: his
+part it was to watch the fire night by night, and Grettir gave him
+good warning thereon, for no boat they had with them.
+
+Now so it befell that on a certain night their fire went out; Grettir
+was wroth thereat, and said it was but his due if Noise were beaten
+for that deed; but the thrall said that his life was an evil life,
+if he must lie there in outlawry, and be shaken and beaten withal if
+aught went amiss.
+
+Grettir asked Illugi what rede there was for the matter, but he said
+he could see none, but that they should abide there till some keel
+should be brought thither: Grettir said it was but blindness to hope
+for that. "Rather will I risk whether I may not come aland."
+
+"Much my mind misgives me thereof," said Illugi, "for we are all lost
+if thou comest to any ill."
+
+"I shall not be swallowed up swimming," said Grettir; "but
+henceforward I shall trust the thrall the worse for this, so much as
+lies hereon."
+
+Now the shortest way to the mainland from the island, was a sea-mile
+long.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXVII.
+
+<i>Grettir at the home-stead of Reeks</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir got all ready for swimming, and had on a cowl of
+market-wadmal, and his breeches girt about him, and he got his fingers
+webbed together, and the weather was fair. So he went from the island
+late in the day, and desperate Illugi deemed his journey. Grettir made
+out into the bay, and the stream was with him, and a calm was over
+all. He swam on fast, and came aland at Reekness by then the sun had
+set: he went up to the homestead at Reeks, and into a bath that night,
+and then went into the chamber; it was very warm there, for there had
+been a fire therein that evening, and the heat was not yet out of the
+place; but he was exceeding weary, and there fell into a deep sleep,
+and so lay till far on into the next day.
+
+Now as the morning wore the home folk arose, and two women came
+into the chamber, a handmaid and the goodman's daughter. Grettir was
+asleep, and the bed-clothes had been cast off him on to the floor; so
+they saw that a man lay there, and knew him.
+
+Then said the handmaiden: "So may I thrive, sister! here is Grettir
+Asmundson lying bare, and I call him right well ribbed about the
+chest, but few might think he would be so small of growth below; and
+so then that does not go along with other kinds of bigness."
+
+The goodman's daughter answered: "Why wilt thou have everything on thy
+tongue's end? Thou art a measure-less fool; be still."
+
+"Dear sister, how can I be still about it?" says the handmaid. "I
+would not have believed it, though one had told me."
+
+And now she would whiles run up to him and look, and whiles run back
+again to the goodman's daughter, screaming and laughing; but Grettir
+heard what she said, and as she ran in over the floor by him he caught
+hold of her, and sang this stave--
+
+  "Stay a little, foolish one!
+  When the shield-shower is all done,
+  With the conquered carles and lords,
+  Men bide not to measure swords:
+  Many a man had there been glad,
+  Lesser war-gear to have had.
+  With a heart more void of fear;
+  Such I am not, sweet and dear."
+
+Therewithal he swept her up into the bed, but the bonder's daughter
+ran out of the place; then sang Grettir this other stave--
+
+  "Sweet amender of the seam,
+  Weak and worn thou dost me deem:
+  O light-handed dear delight,
+  Certes thou must say aright.
+  Weak I am, and certainly
+  Long in white arms must I lie:
+  Hast thou heart to leave me then,
+  Fair-limbed gladdener of great men?"
+
+The handmaid shrieked out, but in such wise did they part that she
+laid no blame on Grettir when all was over.
+
+A little after, Grettir arose, and went to Thorvald the goodman, and
+told him of his trouble, and prayed bring him out; so did he, and lent
+him a boat, and brought him out, and Grettir thanked him well for his
+manliness.
+
+But when it was heard that Grettir had swam a sea-mile, all deemed his
+prowess both on sea and land to be marvellous.
+
+Those of Skagafirth had many words to say against Thorbiorn Angle, in
+that he drave not Grettir away from Drangey, and said they would take
+back each his own share; but he said he found the task no easy one,
+and prayed them be good to him, and abide awhile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXVIII.
+
+<i>Of Haring at Drangey, and the end of him</i>.
+
+
+That same summer a ship came to the Gangpass-mouth, and therein was a
+man called Haering--a young man he was, and so lithe that there was no
+cliff that he might not climb. He went to dwell with Thorbiorn Angle,
+and was there on into the autumn; and he was ever urging Thorbiorn to
+go to Drangey, saying that he would fain see whether the cliffs were
+so high that none might come up them. Thorbiorn said that he should
+not work for nought if he got up into the island, and slew Grettir, or
+gave him some wound; and withal he made it worth coveting to Haering.
+So they fared to Drangey, and set the eastman ashore in a certain
+place, and he was to set on them unawares if he might come up on
+to the island, but they laid their keel by the ladders, and fell to
+talking with Grettir; and Thorbiorn asked him if he were minded now to
+leave the place; but he said that to nought was his mind so made up as
+to stay there.
+
+"A great game hast thou played with us," said Thorbiorn; "but thou
+seemest not much afeard for thyself."
+
+Thus a long while they gave and took in words, and came nowise
+together hereon.
+
+But of Haering it is to be told that he climbed the cliffs, going on
+the right hand and the left, and got up by such a road as no man has
+gone by before or since; but when he came to the top of the cliff, he
+saw where the brothers stood, with their backs turned toward him, and
+thought in a little space to win both goods and great fame; nor were
+they at all aware of his ways, for they deemed that no man might
+come up, but there whereas the ladders were. Grettir was talking with
+Thorbiorn, nor lacked there words of the biggest on either side; but
+withal Illugi chanced to look aside, and saw a man drawing anigh them.
+
+Then he said, "Here comes a man at us, with axe raised aloft, and in
+right warlike wise he seems to fare."
+
+"Turn thou to meet him," says Grettir, "but I will watch the ladders."
+
+So Illugi turned to meet Haering, and when the eastman saw him, he
+turned and fled here and there over the island. Illugi chased him
+while the island lasted, but when he came forth on to the cliff's edge
+Haering leapt down thence, and every bone in him was broken, and
+so ended his life; but the place where he was lost has been called
+Haering's-leap ever since.
+
+Illugi came back, and Grettir asked how he had parted from this one
+who had doomed them to die.
+
+"He would have nought to do," says Illugi, "with my seeing after
+his affairs, but must needs break his neck over the rock; so let the
+bonders pray for him as one dead."
+
+So when Angle heard that, he bade his folk make off. "Twice have I
+fared to meet Grettir, but no third time will I go, if I am nought the
+wiser first; and now belike they may sit in Drangey as for me; but
+in my mind it is, that Grettir will abide here but a lesser time than
+heretofore."
+
+With that they went home, and men deemed this journey of theirs worser
+than the first, and Grettir abode that winter in Drangey, nor in that
+season did he and Thorbiorn meet again.
+
+In those days died Skapti Thorodson the Lawman, and great scathe
+was that to Grettir, for he had promised to busy himself about his
+acquittal as soon as he had been twenty winters in outlawry, and this
+year, of which the tale was told e'en now, was the nineteenth year
+thereof.
+
+In the spring died Snorri the Godi, and many matters befell in that
+season that come not into this story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXIX.
+
+<i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i>.
+
+
+That summer, at the Althing, the kin of Grettir spake many things
+concerning his outlawry, and some deemed he had outworn the years
+thereof, if he had come at all into the twentieth year; but they who
+had blood-suits against him would not have it so, and said, that he
+had done many an outlaw's deed since he was first outlawed, and deemed
+his time ought to last longer therefor.
+
+At that time was a new lawman made, Stein, the son of Thorgest, the
+son of Stein the Far-sailing, the son of Thorir Autumn-mirk; the
+mother of Stein was Arnora, the daughter of Thord the Yeller; and
+Stein was a wise man.
+
+Now was he prayed for the word of decision; and he bade them search
+and see whether this were the twentieth summer since Grettir was made
+an outlaw, and thus it seemed to be.
+
+But then stood forth Thorir of Garth, and brought all into dispute
+again, for he found that Grettir had been one winter out here a
+sackless man, amidst the times of his outlawry, and then nineteen were
+the winters of his outlawry found to be. Then said the lawman that no
+one should be longer in outlawry than twenty winters in all, though he
+had done outlaw's deeds in that time.
+
+"But before that, I declare no man sackless."
+
+Now because of this was the acquittal delayed for this time, but
+it was thought a sure thing that he would be made sackless the next
+summer. But that misliked the Skagafirthers exceeding ill, if Grettir
+were to come out of his outlawry, and they bade Thorbiorn Angle do
+one of two things, either give back the island or slay Grettir; but
+he deemed well that he had a work on his hands, for he saw no rede for
+the winning of Grettir, and yet was he fain to hold the island; and
+so all manner of craft he sought for the overcoming of Grettir, if he
+might prevail either by guile or hardihood, or in any wise soever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXX.
+
+<i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother out to Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Angle had a foster-mother, Thurid by name, exceeding old,
+and meet for little, as folk deemed, very cunning she had been in
+many and great matters of lore, when she was young, and men were yet
+heathen; but men thought of her as of one, who had lost all that. But
+now, though Christ's law were established in the land, yet abode still
+many sparks of heathendom. It had been law in the land, that men were
+not forbidden to sacrifice secretly, or deal with other lore of eld,
+but it was lesser outlawry if such doings oozed out. Now in such wise
+it fared with many, that <i>hand for wont did yearn</i>, and things
+grew handiest by time that had been learned in youth.
+
+So now, whenas Thorbiorn Angle was empty of all plots, he sought for
+help there, whereas most folk deemed it most unlike that help was--at
+the hands of his foster-mother, in sooth, and asked, what counsel was
+in her therefor.
+
+She answered, "Now belike matters have come to this, even as the saw
+says--<i>To the goat-house for wool</i>: but what could I do less than
+this, to think myself before folk of the country-side, but be a man
+of nought, whenso anything came to be tried? nor see I how I may fare
+worse than thou, though I may scarce rise from my bed. But if thou art
+to have my rede, then shall I have my will as to how and what things
+are done."
+
+He gave his assent thereto, and said that she had long been of
+wholesome counsel to him.
+
+Now the time wore on to Twainmonth of summer; and one fair-weather day
+the carline spake to Angle,
+
+"Now is the weather calm and bright, and I will now that thou fare
+to Drangey and pick a quarrel with Grettir; I shall go with thee, and
+watch how heedful he may be of his words; and if I see them, I shall
+have some sure token as to how far they are befriended of fortune, and
+then shall I speak over them such words as seem good to me."
+
+Angle answered, "Loth am I to be faring to Drangey, for ever am I of
+worser mind when I depart thence than when I come thereto."
+
+Then said the carline, "Nought will I do for thee if thou sufferest me
+to rule in no wise."
+
+"Nay, so shall it not be, foster-mother," said he; "but so much have
+I said, as that I would so come thither the third time that somewhat
+should be made of the matter betwixt us."
+
+"The chance of that must be taken," said the carline "and many a heavy
+labour must thou have, or ever Grettir be laid to earth; and oft will
+it be doubtful to thee what fortune thine shall be, and heavy troubles
+wilt thou get therefrom when that is done; yet art thou so bounden
+here-under, that to somewhat must thou make up thy mind."
+
+Thereafter Thorbiorn Angle let put forth a ten-oared boat, and he went
+thereon with eleven men, and the carline was in their company.
+
+So they fell to rowing as the weather went, out to Drangey; and when
+the brothers saw that, they stood forth at the ladders, and they began
+to talk the matter over yet once more; and Thorbiorn said, that he was
+come yet again, to talk anew of their leaving the island, and that
+he would deal lightly with his loss of money and Grettir's dwelling
+there, if so be they might part without harm. But Grettir said that he
+had no words to make atwixt and atween of his going thence.
+
+"Oft have I so said," says he, "and no need there is for thee to talk
+to me thereon; ye must even do as ye will, but here will I abide,
+whatso may come to hand."
+
+Now Thorbiorn deemed, that this time also his errand was come to
+nought, and he said,
+
+"Yea, I deemed I knew with what men of hell I had to do; and most like
+it is that a day or two will pass away ere I come hither again."
+
+"I account that not in the number of my griefs, though thou never
+comest back," said Grettir.
+
+Now the carline lay in the stern, with clothes heaped up about and
+over her, and with that she moved, and said,
+
+"Brave will these men be, and luckless withal; far hast thou outdone
+them in manliness; thou biddest them choice of many goodly things,
+but they say nay to all, and few things lead surer to ill, than not to
+know how to take good. Now this I cast over thee, Grettir, that thou
+be left of all health, wealth, and good-hap, all good heed and wisdom:
+yea, and that the more, the longer thou livest; good hope I have,
+Grettir, that thy days of gladness shall be fewer here in time to come
+than in the time gone by."
+
+Now when Grettir heard these words, he was astonied withal, and said,
+
+"What fiend is there in the boat with them?" Illugi answers, "I deem
+that it will be the carline, Thorbiorn's foster-mother."
+
+"Curses on the witch-wight!" says Grettir, "nought worse could have
+been looked for; at no words have I shuddered like as I shuddered
+at those words she spake; and well I wot that from her, and her foul
+cunning, some evil will be brought on us; yet shall she have some
+token to mind her that she has sought us here."
+
+Therewithal he caught up a marvellous great stone, and cast it down on
+to the boat, and it smote that clothes-heap; and a longer stone-throw
+was that than Thorbiorn deemed any man might make; but therewithal a
+great shriek arose, for the stone had smitten the carline's thigh, and
+broken it.
+
+Then said Illugi, "I would thou hadst not done that!"
+
+"Blame me not therefor," said Grettir, "I fear me the stroke has been
+too little, for certes not overmuch weregild were paid for the twain
+of us, though the price should be one carline's life."
+
+"Must she alone be paid?" said Illugi, "little enough then will be
+laid down for us twain."
+
+Now Thorbiorn got him gone homeward, with no greetings at parting. But
+he said to the carline,
+
+"Now have matters gone as I thought, that a journey of little glory
+thou shouldst make to the island; thou hast got maimed, and honour
+is no nigher to us than before, yea, we must have bootless shame on
+bootless shame."
+
+She answered, "This will be the springing of ill-hap to them; and
+I deem that henceforth they are on the wane; neither do I fear if I
+live, but that I shall have revenge for this deed they have thus done
+me."
+
+"Stiff is thine heart, meseems, foster-mother," said Thorbiorn. With
+that they came home, but the carline was laid in her bed, and abode
+there nigh a month; by then was the hurt thigh-bone grown together
+again, and she began to be afoot once more.
+
+Great laughter men made at that journey of Thorbiorn and the carline,
+and deemed he had been often enow out-played in his dealings with
+Grettir: first, at the Spring-Thing in the peace handselling; next,
+when Haering was lost, and now again, this third time, when the
+carline's thigh-bone was broken, and no stroke had been played against
+these from his part. But great shame and grief had Thorbiorn Angle
+from all these words.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXI.
+
+<i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i>.
+
+
+Now wore away the time of autumn till it wanted but three weeks of
+winter; then the carline bade bear her to the sea-shore. Thorbiorn
+asked what she would there.
+
+"Little is my errand, yet maybe," she says, "it is a foreboding of
+greater tidings."
+
+Now was it done as she bade, and when she came down to the strand,
+she went limping along by the sea, as if she were led thereto, unto
+a place where lay before her an uprooted tree, as big as a man might
+bear on his shoulder. She looked at the tree and bade them turn it
+over before her eyes, and on one side it was as if singed and rubbed;
+so there whereas it was rubbed she let cut a little flat space; and
+then she took her knife and cut runes on the root, and made them
+red with her blood, and sang witch-words over them; then she went
+backwards and widdershins round about the tree, and cast over it many
+a strong spell; thereafter she let thrust the tree forth into the sea,
+and spake in such wise over it, that it should drive out to Drangey,
+and that Grettir should have all hurt therefrom that might be.
+Thereafter she went back home to Woodwick; and Thorbiorn said that he
+knew not if that would come to aught; but the carline answered that he
+should wot better anon.
+
+Now the wind blew landward up the firth, yet the carline's root went
+in the teeth of the wind, and belike it sailed swifter than might have
+been looked for of it.
+
+Grettir abode in Drangey with his fellows as is aforesaid, and in
+good case they were; but the day after the carline had wrought her
+witch-craft on the tree the brothers went down below the cliffs
+searching for firewood, so when they came to the west of the island,
+there they found that tree drifted ashore.
+
+Then said Illugi, "A big log of firewood, kinsman, let us bear it
+home."
+
+Grettir kicked it with his foot and said, "An evil tree from evil
+sent; other firewood than this shall we have."
+
+Therewithal he cast it out into the sea, and bade Illugi beware of
+bearing it home, "For it is sent us for our ill-hap." And therewith
+they went unto their abode, and said nought about it to the thrall.
+But the next day they found the tree again, and it was nigher to the
+ladders than heretofore; Grettir drave it out to sea, and said that it
+should never be borne home.
+
+Now the days wore on into summer, and a gale came on with much wet,
+and the brothers were loth to be abroad, and bade Noise go search for
+firewood.
+
+He took it ill, and said he was ill served in that he had to drudge
+and labour abroad in all the foulest weather; but withal he went down
+to the beach before the ladders and found the carline's tree there,
+and deemed things had gone well because of it; so he took it up and
+bore it to the hut, and cast it down thereby with a mighty thump.
+
+Grettir heard it and said, "Noise has got something, so I shall go out
+and see what it is."
+
+Therewithal he took up a wood-axe, and went out, and straightway Noise
+said,
+
+"Split it up in as good wise as I have brought it home, then."
+
+Grettir grew short of temper with the thrall, and smote the axe with
+both hands at the log, nor heeded what tree it was; but as soon as
+ever the axe touched the wood, it turned flatlings and glanced off
+therefrom into Grettir's right leg above the knee, in such wise that
+it stood in the bone, and a great wound was that. Then he looked at
+the tree and said,
+
+"Now has evil heart prevailed, nor will this hap go alone, since that
+same tree has now come back to us that I have cast out to sea on these
+two days. But for thee, Noise, two slips hast thou had, first, when
+thou must needs let the fire be slaked, and now this bearing home of
+that tree of ill-hap; but if a third thou hast, thy bane will it be,
+and the bane of us all."
+
+With that came Illugi and bound up Grettir's hurt, and it bled little,
+and Grettir slept well that night; and so three nights slipped by in
+such wise that no pain came of the wound, and when they loosed the
+swathings, the lips of the wound were come together so that it was
+well-nigh grown over again. Then said Illugi,
+
+"Belike thou wilt have no long hurt of this wound."
+
+"Well were it then," said Grettir, "but marvellously has this
+befallen, whatso may come of it; and my mind misgives me of the way
+things will take."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXII.
+
+<i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i>.
+
+
+Now they lay them down that evening, but at midnight Grettir began to
+tumble about exceedingly. Illugi asked why he was so unquiet. Grettir
+said that his leg had taken to paining him, "And methinks it is like
+that some change of hue there be therein."
+
+Then they kindled a light, and when the swathings were undone, the leg
+showed all swollen and coal-blue, and the wound had broken open,
+and was far more evil of aspect than at first; much pain there went
+therewith so that he might not abide at rest in any wise, and never
+came sleep on his eyes.
+
+Then spake Grettir, "Let us make up our minds to it, that this
+sickness which I have gotten is not done for nought, for it is of
+sorcery, and the carline is minded to avenge her of that stone."
+
+Illugi said, "Yea, I told thee that thou wouldst get no good from that
+hag."
+
+"<i>All will come to one end</i>," said Grettir, and sang this song
+withal--
+
+  "Doubtful played the foredoomed fate
+  Round the sword in that debate,
+  When the bearserks' outlawed crew,
+  In the days of yore I slew.
+  Screamed the worm of clashing lands
+  When Hiarandi dropped his hands
+  Biorn and Gunnar cast away,
+  Hope of dwelling in the day.
+
+  "Home again then travelled I;
+  The broad-boarded ship must lie,
+  Under Door-holm, as I went,
+  Still with weapon play content,
+  Through the land; and there the thane
+  Called me to the iron rain,
+  Bade me make the spear-storm rise,
+  Torfi Vebrandson the wise.
+
+  "To such plight the Skald was brought,
+  Wounder of the walls of thought,
+  Howsoever many men
+  Stood, all armed, about us then,
+  That his hand that knew the oar,
+  Grip of sword might touch no more;
+  Yet to me the wound who gave
+  Did he give a horse to have.
+
+  "Thorbiorn Arnor's son, men said,
+  Of no great deed was afraid,
+  Folk spake of him far and wide;
+  He forbade me to abide
+  Longer on the lovely earth;
+  Yet his heart was little worth,
+  Not more safe alone was I,
+  Than when armed he drew anigh.
+
+  "From the sword's edge and the spears
+  From my many waylayers,
+  While might was, and my good day,
+  Often did I snatch away;
+  Now a hag, whose life outworn
+  Wicked craft and ill hath borne,
+  Meet for death lives long enow,
+  Grettir's might to overthrow."[18]
+
+[Footnote 18: This song is obviously incomplete, and the second and
+third stanzas speak of matters that do not come into this story.]
+
+"Now must we take good heed to ourselves," said Grettir, "for
+Thorbiorn Angle must be minded that this hap shall not go alone; and
+I will, Noise, that thou watch the ladders every day from this time
+forth, but pull them up in the evening, and see thou do it well and
+truly, even as though much lay thereon, but if thou bewrayest us,
+short will be thy road to ill."
+
+So Noise promised great things concerning this. Now the weather grew
+harder, and a north-east wind came on with great cold: every night
+Grettir asked if the ladders were drawn up.
+
+Then said Noise, "Yea, certainly! men are above all things to be
+looked for now. Can any man have such a mind to take thy life, that
+he will do so much as to slay himself therefor? for this gale is far
+other than fair; lo now, methinks thy so great bravery and hardihood
+has come utterly to an end, if thou must needs think that all things
+soever will be thy bane."
+
+"Worse wilt thou bear thyself than either of us," said Grettir, "when
+the need is on us; but now go watch the ladders, whatsoever will thou
+hast thereto."
+
+So every morning they drave him out, and ill he bore it.
+
+But Grettir's hurt waxed in such wise that all the leg swelled up, and
+the thigh began to gather matter both above and below, and the lips of
+the wound were all turned out, so that Grettir's death was looked for.
+
+Illugi sat over him night and day, and took heed to nought else, and
+by then it was the second week since Grettir hurt himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXIII.
+
+<i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and set Sail for Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Angle sat this while at home at Woodwick, and was
+ill-content in that he might not win Grettir; but when a certain space
+had passed since the carline had put the sorcery into the root, she
+comes to talk with Thorbiorn, and asks if he were not minded to go see
+Grettir. He answers, that to nought was his mind so made up as that he
+would not go; "perchance thou wilt go meet him, foster-mother," says
+Thorbiorn.
+
+"Nay, I shall not go meet-him," says the carline; "but I have sent my
+greeting to him, and some hope I have that it has come home to him;
+and good it seems to me that thou go speedily to meet him, or else
+shalt thou never have such good hap as to overcome him."
+
+Thorbiorn answered: "So many shameful journeys have I made thither,
+that there I go not ever again; moreover that alone is full enough
+to stay me, that such foul weather it is, that it is safe to go
+nowhither, whatso the need may be."
+
+She answered: "Ill counselled thou art, not to see how to overcome
+herein. Now yet once again will I lay down a rede for this; go thou
+first and get thee strength of men, and ride to Hof to Halldor thy
+brother-in-law, and take counsel of him. But if I may rule in some way
+how Grettir's health goes, how shall it be said that it is past hope
+that I may also deal with the gale that has been veering about this
+while?"
+
+Thorbiorn deemed it might well be that the carline saw further than he
+had thought she might, and straightway sent up into the country-side
+for men; but speedy answer there came that none of those who had given
+up their shares would do aught to ease his task, and they said that
+Thorbiorn should have to himself both the owning of the island and the
+onset on Grettir. But Tongue-Stein gave him two of his followers, and
+Hialti, his brother, sent him three men, and Eric of God-dales one,
+and from his own homestead he had six. So the twelve of them ride from
+Woodwick out to Hof. Halldor bade them abide there, and asked their
+errand; then Thorbiorn told it as clearly as might be. Halldor asked
+whose rede this might be, and Thorbiorn said that his foster-mother
+urged him much thereto.
+
+"That will bear no good," said Halldor, "because she is cunning in
+sorcery, and such-like things are now forbidden."
+
+"I may not look closely into all these matters before-hand," said
+Thorbiorn, "but in somewise or other shall this thing have an end if I
+may have my will. Now, how shall I go about it, so that I may come to
+the island?"
+
+"Meseems," says Halldor, "that thou trustest in somewhat, though I wot
+not how good that may be. But now if thou wilt go forward with it, go
+thou out to Meadness in the Fleets to Biorn my friend; a good keel
+he has, so tell him of my word, that I would he should lend you the
+craft, and thence ye may sail out to Drangey. But the end of your
+journey I see not, if Grettir is sound and hale: yea, and be thou sure
+that if ye win him not in manly wise, he leaves enough of folk behind
+to take up the blood-suit after him. And slay not Illugi if ye may do
+otherwise. But methinks I see that all is not according to Christ's
+law in these redes."
+
+Then Halldor gave them six men withal for their journey; one was
+called Karr, another Thorleif, and a third Brand, but the rest are not
+named.
+
+So they fared thence, eighteen in company, out to the Fleets, and came
+to Meadness and gave Biorn Halldor's message, he said that it was but
+due for Halldor's sake, but that he owed nought to Thorbiorn; withal
+it seemed to him that they went on a mad journey, and he let them from
+it all he might.
+
+They said they might not turn back, and so went down to the sea, and
+put forth the craft, and all its gear was in the boat-stand hard by;
+so they made them ready for sailing, and foul enow the weather seemed
+to all who stood on land. But they hoisted sail, and the craft shot
+swiftly far into the firth, but when they came out into the main part
+thereof into deep water, the wind abated in such wise that they deemed
+it blew none too hard.
+
+So in the evening at dusk they came to Drangey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXIV.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i>.
+
+
+Now it is to be told, that Grettir was so sick, that he might not
+stand on his feet, but Illugi sat beside him, and Noise was to keep
+watch and ward; and many words he had against that, and said that they
+would still think that life was falling from them, though nought
+had happed to bring it about; so he went out from their abode right
+unwillingly, and when he came to the ladders he spake to himself and
+said that now he would not draw them up; withal he grew exceeding
+sleepy, and lay down and slept all day long, and right on till
+Thorbiorn came to the island.
+
+So now they see that the ladders are not drawn up; then spake
+Thorbiorn, "Now are things changed from what the wont was, in that
+there are none afoot, and their ladder stands in its place withal;
+maybe more things will betide in this our journey than we had thought
+of in the beginning: but now let us hasten to the hut, and let no man
+lack courage; for, wot this well, that if these men are hale, each one
+of us must needs do his best."
+
+Then they went up on to the island, and looked round about, and saw
+where a man lay a little space off the landing-place, and snored hard
+and fast. Therewith Thorbiorn knew Noise, and went up to him and drave
+the hilt of his sword against the ear of him, and bade him, "Wake up,
+beast! certes in evil stead is he who trusts his life to thy faith and
+troth."
+
+Noise looked up thereat and said, "Ah! now are they minded to go
+on according to their wont; do ye, may-happen, think my freedom too
+great, though I lie out here in the cold?"
+
+"Art thou witless," said Angle, "that thou seest not that thy foes are
+come upon thee, and will slay you all?"
+
+Then Noise answered nought, but yelled out all he might, when he knew
+the men who they were.
+
+"Do one thing or other," says Angle, "either hold thy peace forthwith,
+and tell us of your abode, or else be slain of us."
+
+Thereat was Noise as silent as if he had been thrust under water; but
+Thorbiorn said, "Are they at their hut, those brothers? Why are they
+not afoot?"
+
+"Scarce might that be," said Noise, "for Grettir is sick and come nigh
+to his death, and Illugi sits over him."
+
+Then Angle asked how it was with their health, and what things had
+befallen. So Noise told him in what wise Grettir's hurt had come
+about.
+
+Then Angle laughed and said, "Yea, sooth is the old saw, <i>Old
+friends are the last to sever</i>; and this withal, <i>Ill if a thrall
+is thine only friend</i>, whereso thou art, Noise; for shamefully hast
+thou bewrayed thy master, albeit he was nought good."
+
+Then many laid evil things to his charge for his ill faith, and beat
+him till he was well-nigh past booting for, and let him lie there; but
+they went up to the hut and smote mightily on the door.
+
+"Pied-belly[19] is knocking hard at the door, brother," says Illugi.
+
+[Footnote 19: 'Pied-belly,' the name of the tame ram told of before.]
+
+"Yea, yea, hard, and over hard," says Grettir; and therewithal the
+door brake asunder.
+
+Then sprang Illugi to his weapons and guarded the door, in such wise
+that there was no getting in for them. Long time they set on him
+there, and could bring nought against him save spear-thrusts, and
+still Illugi smote all the spear-heads from the shafts. But when they
+saw that they might thus bring nought to pass, they leapt up on to the
+roof of the hut, and tore off the thatch; then Grettir got to his feet
+and caught up a spear, and thrust out betwixt the rafters; but before
+that stroke was Karr, a home-man of Halldor of Hof, and forthwithal it
+pierced him through.
+
+Then spoke Angle, and bade men fare warily and guard themselves well,
+"for we may prevail against them if we follow wary redes."
+
+So they tore away the thatch from the ends of the ridge-beam, and bore
+on the beam till it brake asunder.
+
+Now Grettir might not rise from his knee, but he caught up the
+short-sword, Karr's-loom, and even therewith down leapt those men in
+betwixt the walls, and a hard fray befell betwixt them. Grettir
+smote with the short-sword at Vikar, one of the followers of Hialti
+Thordson, and caught him on the left shoulder, even as he leapt in
+betwixt the walls, and cleft him athwart the shoulder down unto the
+right side, so that the man fell asunder, and the body so smitten
+atwain tumbled over on to Grettir, and for that cause he might not
+heave aloft the short-sword as speedily as he would, and therewith
+Thorbiorn Angle thrust him betwixt the shoulders, and great was that
+wound he gave.
+
+Then cried Grettir, "<i>Bare is the back of the brotherless</i>." And
+Illugi threw his shield over Grettir, and warded him in so stout a
+wise that all men praised his defence.
+
+Then said Grettir to Angle, "Who then showed thee the way here to the
+island?"
+
+Said Angle, "The Lord Christ showed it us."
+
+"Nay," said Grettir, "but I guess that the accursed hag, thy
+foster-mother, showed it thee, for in her redes must thou needs have
+trusted."
+
+"All shall be one to thee now," said Angle, "in whomsoever I have put
+my trust."
+
+Then they set on them fiercely, and Illugi made defence for both in
+most manly wise; but Grettir was utterly unmeet for fight, both for
+his wounds' sake and for his sickness. So Angle bade bear down Illugi
+with shields, "For never have I met his like, amongst men of such
+age."
+
+Now thus they did, besetting him with beams and weapons till he might
+ward himself no longer; and then they laid hands on him, and so held
+him fast. But he had given some wound or other to the more part of
+those who had been at the onset, and had slain outright three of
+Angle's fellows.
+
+Thereafter they went up to Grettir, but he was fallen forward on to
+his face, and no defence there was of him, for that he was already
+come to death's door by reason of the hurt in his leg, for all the
+thigh was one sore, even up to the small guts; but there they gave him
+many a wound, yet little or nought he bled.
+
+So when they thought he was dead, Angle laid hold of the short-sword,
+and said that he had carried it long enough; but Grettir's fingers
+yet kept fast hold of the grip thereof, nor could the short-sword be
+loosened; many went up and tried at it, but could get nothing done
+therewith; eight of them were about it before the end, but none the
+more might bring it to pass.
+
+Then said Angle, "Why should we spare this wood-man here? lay his hand
+on the block."
+
+So when that was done they smote off his hand at the wrist, and the
+fingers straightened, and were loosed from the handle. Then Angle took
+the short-sword in both hands and smote at Grettir's head, and a right
+great stroke that was, so that the short-sword might not abide it, and
+a shard was broken from the midst of the edge thereof; and when men
+saw that, they asked why he must needs spoil a fair thing in such
+wise.
+
+But Angle answered, "More easy is it to know that weapon now if it
+should be asked for."
+
+They said it needed not such a deed since the man was dead already.
+
+"Ah! but yet more shall be done," said Angle, and hewed therewith
+twice or thrice at Grettir's neck, or ever the head came off; and then
+he spake,
+
+"Now know I for sure that Grettir is dead."
+
+In such wise Grettir lost his life, the bravest man of all who have
+dwelt in Iceland; he lacked but one winter of forty-five years whenas
+he was slain; but he was fourteen winters old when he slew Skeggi, his
+first man-slaying; and from thenceforth all things turned to his fame,
+till the time when he dealt with Glam, the Thrall; and in those days
+was he of twenty winters-; but when he fell into outlawry, he was
+twenty-five years old; but in outlawry was he nigh nineteen winters,
+and full oft was he the while in great trials of men; and such as his
+life was, and his needs, he held well to his faith and troth, and most
+haps did he foresee, though he might do nought to meet them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXV.
+
+<i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money</i>.
+
+
+"A great champion have we laid to earth here," said Thorbiorn; "now
+shall we bring the head aland with us, for I will not lose the money
+which has been laid thereon; nor may they then feign that they know
+not if I have slain Grettir."
+
+They bade him do his will, but had few words to say hereon, for to all
+the deed seemed a deed of little prowess.
+
+Then Angle fell to speaking with Illugi,
+
+"Great scathe it is of such a brave man as thou art, that thou hast
+fallen to such folly, as to betake thee to ill deeds with this outlaw
+here, and must needs lie slain and unatoned therefore."
+
+Illugi answered, "Then first when the Althing is over this summer,
+wilt thou know who are outlaws; but neither thou nor the carline, thy
+foster-mother, will judge in this matter, because that your sorcery
+and craft of old days have slain Grettir, though thou didst, indeed,
+bear steel against him, as he lay at death's door, and wrought that so
+great coward's deed there, over and above thy sorcery."
+
+Then said Angle, "In manly wise speakest thou, but not thus will it
+be; and I will show thee that I think great scathe in thy death, for
+thy life will I give thee if thou wilt swear an oath for us here, to
+avenge thyself on none of those who have been in this journey."
+
+Illugi said, "That might I have deemed a thing to talk about, if
+Grettir had been suffered to defend himself, and ye had won him with
+manliness and hardihood; but now nowise is it to be thought, that I
+will do so much for the keeping of my life, as to become base, even as
+thou art: and here I tell thee, once for all, that no one of men shall
+be of less gain to thee than I, if I live; for long will it be or ever
+I forget how ye have prevailed against Grettir.--Yea, much rather do I
+choose to die."
+
+Then Thorbiorn Angle held talk with his fellows, whether they should
+let Illugi live or not; they said that, whereas he had ruled the
+journey, so should he rule the deeds; so Angle said that he knew not
+how to have that man hanging over his head, who would neither give
+troth, nor promise aught.
+
+But when Illugi knew that they were fully minded to slay him, he
+laughed, and spake thus,
+
+"Yea, now have your counsels sped, even as my heart would."
+
+So at the dawning of the day they brought him to the eastern end of
+the island, and there slaughtered him; but all men praised his great
+heart, and deemed him unlike to any of his age.
+
+They laid both the brothers in cairn on the island there; and
+thereafter took Grettir's head, and bore it away with them, and whatso
+goods there were in weapons or clothes; but the good short-sword Angle
+would not put into the things to be shared, and he bare it himself
+long afterwards. Noise they took with them, and he bore himself as ill
+as might be.
+
+At nightfall the gale abated, and they rowed aland in the morning.
+Angle took land at the handiest place, and sent the craft out to
+Biorn; but by then they were come hard by Oyce-land, Noise began to
+bear himself so ill, that they were loth to fare any longer with him,
+so there they slew him, and long and loud he greeted or ever he was
+cut down.
+
+Thorbiorn Angle went home to Woodwick, and deemed he had done in manly
+wise in this journey; but Grettir's head they laid in salt in the
+out-bower at Woodwick, which was called therefrom Grettir's-bower; and
+there it lay the winter long. But Angle was exceeding ill thought
+of for this work of his, as soon as folk knew that Grettir had been
+overcome by sorcery.
+
+Thorbiorn Angle sat quiet till past Yule; then he rode to meet Thorir
+of Garth, and told him of these slayings; and this withal, that he
+deemed that money his due which had been put on Grettir's head.
+Thorir said that he might not hide that he had brought about Grettir's
+outlawry,
+
+"Yea, and oft have I dealt hardly with him, yet so much for the taking
+of his life I would not have done, as to make me a misdoer, a man of
+evil craft, even as thou hast done; and the less shall I lay down that
+money for thee, in that I deem thee surely to be a man of forfeit life
+because of thy sorcery and wizard-craft."
+
+Thorbiorn Angle answers, "Meseems thou art urged hereto more by
+closefistedness and a poor mind, than by any heed of how Grettir was
+won."
+
+Thorir said that a short way they might make of it, in that they
+should abide the Althing, and take whatso the Lawman might deem
+most rightful: and in such wise they parted that there was no little
+ill-will betwixt Thorir and Thorbiorn Angle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXVI.
+
+<i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's Head to Biarg</i>.
+
+
+The kin of Grettir and Illugi were exceeding ill-content when they
+heard of these slayings, and they so looked on matters as deeming that
+Angle had wrought a shameful deed in slaying a man at death's door;
+and that, besides that, he had become guilty of sorcery. They sought
+the counsel of the wisest men, and everywhere was Angle's work ill
+spoken of. As for him, he rode to Midfirth, when it lacked four weeks
+of summer; and when his ways were heard of, Asdis gathered men to
+her, and there came many of her friends: Gamli and Glum, her
+brothers-in-law, and their sons, Skeggi, who was called the
+Short-handed, and Uspak, who is aforesaid. Asdis was so well
+befriended, that all the Midfirthers came to aid her; yea, even those
+who were aforetime foes to Grettir; and the first man there was Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and the more part of the Ramfirthers.
+
+Now Angle came to Biarg with twenty men, and had Grettir's head with
+him; but not all those had come yet who had promised aid to Asdis;
+so Angle and his folk went into the chamber with the head, and set it
+down on the floor; the goodwife was there in the chamber, and many men
+with her; nor did it come to greetings on either side; but Angle sang
+this stave--
+
+  "A greedy head I bring with me
+  Up from the borders of the sea;
+  Now may the needle-pliers weep,
+  The red-haired outlaw lies asleep;
+  Gold-bearer, cast adown thine eyes,
+  And see how on the pavement lies,
+  The peace-destroying head brought low,
+  That but for salt had gone ere now."
+
+The goodwife sat silent when he gave forth the stave, and thereafter
+she sang--
+
+  "O thou poor wretch, as sheep that flee
+  To treacherous ice when wolves they see,
+  So in the waves would ye have drowned
+  Your shame and fear, had ye but found
+  That steel-god hale upon the isle:
+  Now heavy shame, woe worth the while!
+  Hangs over the north country-side,
+  Nor I my loathing care to hide."
+
+Then many said that it was nought wonderful, though she had brave
+sons, so brave as she herself was, amid such grief of heart as was
+brought on her.
+
+Uspak was without, and held talk with such of Angle's folk as had
+not gone in, and asked concerning the slayings; and all men praised
+Illugi's defence; and they told withal how fast Grettir had held the
+short-sword after he was dead, and marvellous that seemed to men.
+
+Amidst these things were seen many men riding from the west, and
+thither were coming many friends of the goodwife, with Gamli and
+Skeggi west from Meals.
+
+Now Angle had been minded to take out execution after Illugi, for he
+and his men claimed all his goods; but when that crowd of men came up,
+Angle saw that he might do nought therein, but Gamli and Uspak were of
+the eagerest, and were fain to set on Angle; but those who were wisest
+bade them take the rede of Thorwald their kinsman, and the other chief
+men, and said that worse would be deemed of Angle's case the more wise
+men sat in judgment over it; then such truce there was that Angle rode
+away, having Grettir's head with him, because he was minded to bear it
+to the Althing.
+
+So he rode home, and thought matters looked heavy enough, because
+well-nigh all the chief men of the land were either akin to Grettir
+and Illugi, or tied to them and theirs by marriage: that summer,
+moreover, Skeggi the Short-handed took to wife the daughter of Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and therewithal Thorod joined Grettir's kin in these
+matters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXVII.
+
+<i>Affairs at the Althing</i>.
+
+
+Now men rode to the Althing, and Angle's helpers were fewer than he
+had looked for, because that his case was spoken ill of far and wide.
+
+Then asked Halldor whether they were to carry Grettir's head with them
+to the Althing.
+
+Angle said that he would bear it with him.
+
+"Ill-counselled is that," said Halldor; "for many enough will thy foes
+be, though thou doest nought to jog the memories of folk, or wake up
+their grief."
+
+By then were they come on their way, and were minded to ride south
+over the Sand; so Angle let take the head, and bury it in a hillock of
+sand, which is called Grettir's Hillock.
+
+Thronged was the Althing, and Angle put forth his case, and praised
+his own deeds mightily, in that he had slain the greatest outlaw in
+all the land, and claimed the money as his, which had been put on
+Grettir's head. But Thorir had the same answer for him as was told
+afore.
+
+Then was the Lawman prayed for a decision, and he said that he would
+fain hear if any charges came against this, whereby Angle should
+forfeit his blood-money, or else he said he must have whatsoever had
+been put on Grettir's head.
+
+Then Thorvald Asgeirson called on Skeggi the Short-handed to put forth
+his case, and he summoned Thorbiorn Angle with a first summons for the
+witch-craft and sorcery, whereby Grettir must have got his bane, and
+then with another summons withal, for that they had borne weapons
+against a half-dead man, and hereon he claimed an award of outlawry.
+
+Now folk drew much together on this side and on that, but few they
+were that gave aid to Thorbiorn; and things turned out otherwise
+than he had looked for, because Thorvald, and Isleif, his son-in-law,
+deemed it a deed worthy of death to bring men to their end by evil
+sorcery; but through the words of wise men these cases had such end,
+that Thorbiorn should sail away that same summer, and never come
+back to Iceland while any such were alive, as had the blood-suit for
+Grettir and Illugi.
+
+And then, moreover, was it made law that all workers of olden craft
+should be made outlaws.
+
+So when Angle saw what his lot would be, he gat him gone from the
+Thing, because it might well hap that Grettir's kin would set on him;
+nor did he get aught of the fee that was put on Grettir's head, for
+that Stein the Lawman would not that it should be paid for a deed
+of shame. None of those men of Thorbiorn's company who had fallen in
+Drangey were atoned, for they were to be made equal to the slaying of
+Illugi, but their kin were exceeding ill content therewith.
+
+So men rode home from the Thing, and all blood-suits that men had
+against Grettir fell away.
+
+Skeggi, the son of Gamli, who was son-in-law of Thorod Drapa-Stump,
+and sister's son of Grettir, went north to Skagafirth at the instance
+of Thorvald Asgeirson, and Isleif his son-in-law, who was afterwards
+Bishop of Skalholt, and by the consent of all the people got to him a
+keel, and went to Drangey to seek the corpses of the brothers, Grettir
+and Illugi; and he brought them back to Reeks, in Reek-strand, and
+buried them there at the church; and it is for a token that Grettir
+lies there, that in the days of the Sturlungs, when the church of the
+Reeks was moved, Grettir's bones were dug up, nor were they deemed
+so wondrous great, great enough though they were. The bones of Illugi
+were buried afterwards north of the church, but Grettir's head at home
+in the church at Biarg.
+
+Goodwife Asdis abode at home at Biarg, and so well beloved she was,
+that no trouble was ever brought against her, no, not even while
+Grettir was in outlawry.
+
+Skeggi the Short-handed took the household at Biarg after Asdis, and
+a mighty man he was; his son was Gamli, the father of Skeggi of
+Scarf-stead, and Asdis the mother of Odd the Monk. Many men are come
+from him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXVIII.
+
+<i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence to Micklegarth</i>.
+
+
+Thornbiorn Angle took ship at Goose-ere, with whatso of his goods he
+might take with him; but Hialti his brother took to him his lands,
+and Angle gave him Drangey withal. Hialti became a great chief in
+aftertimes, but he has nought more to do with this tale.
+
+So Angle fared out to Norway; he yet made much of himself, for he
+deemed he had wrought a great deed in the slaying of Grettir, and so
+thought many others, who knew not how all had come to pass, for many
+knew how renowned a man Grettir had been; withal Angle told just so
+much of their dealings together as might do him honour, and let such
+of the tale lie quiet as was of lesser glory.
+
+Now this tale came in the autumn-tide east to Tunsberg, and when
+Thorstein Dromund heard of the slayings he grew all silent, because it
+was told him that Angle was a mighty man and a hardy; and he called
+to mind the words which he had spoken when he and Grettir talked
+together, long time agone, concerning the fashion of their arms.
+
+So Thorstein put out spies on Angle's goings; they were both in
+Norway through the winter, but Thorbiorn was in the north-country, and
+Thorstein in Tunsberg, nor had either seen other; yet was Angle ware
+that Grettir had a brother in Norway, and thought it hard to keep
+guard of himself in an unknown land, wherefore he sought counsel as to
+where he should betake himself. Now in those days many Northmen went
+out to Micklegarth, and took war-pay there; so Thorbiorn deemed it
+would be good to go thither and get to him thereby both fee and fame,
+nor to abide in the North-lands because of the kin of Grettir. So he
+made ready to go from Norway, and get him gone from out the land, and
+made no stay till he came to Micklegarth, and there took war-hire.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXIX.
+
+<i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known when sought for by reason
+of the notch in the blade</i>.
+
+
+Thorstein Dromund was a mighty man, and of the greatest account; and
+now he heard that Thorbiorn Angle had got him gone from the land out
+to Micklegarth; speedy were his doings thereon, he gave over his lands
+into his kinsmen's hands, and betook himself to journeying and to
+search for Angle; and ever he followed after whereas Angle had gone
+afore, nor was Angle ware of his goings.
+
+So Thorstein Dromund came out to Micklegarth a little after Angle, and
+was fain above all things to slay him, but neither knew the other. Now
+had they will to be taken into the company of the Varangians, and
+the matter went well as soon as the Varangians knew that they were
+Northmen; and in those days was Michael Katalak king over Micklegarth.
+
+Thorstein Dromund watched for Angle, if in some wise he might know
+him, but won not the game because of the many people there; and ever
+would he lie awake, ill-content with his lot, and thinking how great
+was his loss.
+
+Now hereupon it befell that the Varangians were to go on certain
+warfare, and free the land from harrying; and their manner and law it
+was before they went from home to hold a weapon-show, and so it was
+now done; and when the weapon-show was established, then were all
+Varangians to come there, and those withal who were minded to fall
+into their company, and they were to show forth their weapons.
+
+Thither came both Thorstein and Angle; but Thorbiorn Angle showed
+forth his weapons first; and he had the short-sword, Grettir's-loom;
+but when he showed it many praised it and said that it was an
+exceeding good weapon, but that it was a great blemish, that notch in
+the edge thereof; and asked him withal what had brought that to pass.
+
+Angle said it was a thing worthy to be told of, "For this is the next
+thing to be said," says he, "that out in Iceland I slew that champion
+who was called Grettir the Strong, and who was the greatest warrior
+and the stoutest-hearted of all men of that land, for him could no man
+vanquish till I came forth for that end; and whereas I had the good
+hap to win him, I took his life; though indeed he had my strength many
+times over; then I drave this short-sword into his head, and thereby
+was a shard broken from out its edge."
+
+So those who stood nigh said, that he must have been hard of head
+then, and each showed the short-sword to the other; but hereby
+Thorstein deemed he knew now who this man was, and he prayed withal
+to see the short-sword even as the others; then Angle gave it up with
+good will, for all were praising his bravery and that daring onset,
+and even in such wise did he think this one would do; and in no wise
+did he misdoubt him that Thorstein was there, or that the man was akin
+to Grettir.
+
+Then Dromund took the short-sword, and raised it aloft, and hewed at
+Angle and smote him on the head, and so great was the stroke that it
+stayed but at the jaw-teeth, and Thorbiorn Angle fell to earth dead
+and dishonoured.
+
+Thereat all men became hushed; but the Chancellor of the town seized
+Thorstein straightway, and asked for what cause he did such an
+ill-deed there at the hallowed Thing.
+
+Thorstein said that he was the brother of Grettir the Strong, and that
+withal he had never been able to bring vengeance to pass till then;
+so thereupon many put in their word, and said that the strong man must
+needs have been of great might and nobleness, in that Thorstein had
+fared so far forth into the world to avenge him: the rulers of the
+city deemed that like enough; but whereas there was none there to bear
+witness in aught to Thorstein's word, that law of theirs prevailed,
+that whosoever slew a man should lose nought but his life.
+
+So then speedy doom and hard enow did Thorstein get; for in a dark
+chamber of a dungeon should he be cast and there abide his death, if
+none redeemed him therefrom with money. But when Thorstein came into
+the dungeon, there was a man there already, who had come to death's
+door from misery; and both foul and cold was that abode; Thorstein
+spake to that man and said,
+
+"How deemest thou of thy life?"
+
+He answered, "As of a right evil life, for of nought can I be holpen,
+nor have I kinsmen to redeem me."
+
+Thorstein said, "Nought is of less avail in such matters than lack of
+good rede; let us be merry then, and do somewhat that will be glee and
+game to us."
+
+The man said that he might have no glee of aught.
+
+"Nay, then, but let us try it," said Thorstein. And therewithal he
+fell to singing; and he was a man of such goodly voice that scarcely
+might his like be found therefor, nor did he now spare himself.
+
+Now the highway was but a little way from the dungeon, and Thorstein
+sang so loud and clear that the walls resounded therewith, and great
+game this seemed to him who had been half-dead erst; and in such wise
+did Thorstein keep it going till the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XC.
+
+<i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from the Dungeon</i>.
+
+
+There was a great lady of a castle in that town called Spes, exceeding
+rich and of great kin; Sigurd was the name of her husband, a rich man
+too, but of lesser kin than she was, and for money had she been wedded
+to him; no great love there was betwixt them, for she thought she had
+been wedded far beneath her; high-minded she was and a very stirring
+woman.
+
+Now so it befell, that, as Thorstein made him merry that night, Spes
+walked in the street hard by the dungeon, and heard thence so fair a
+voice, that she said she had never yet heard its like. She went with
+many folk, and so now she bade them go learn who had that noble voice.
+So they called out and asked who lay there in such evil plight; and
+Thorstein named himself.
+
+Then said Spes, "Art thou a man as much skilled in other matters as in
+singing?"
+
+He said there was but little to show for that.
+
+"What ill-deed hast thou done," said she, "that thou must needs be
+tormented here to the death?"
+
+He said that he had slain a man, and avenged his brother thereby, "But
+I could not show that by witnesses," said Thorstein, "and therefore
+have I been cast into ward here, unless some man should redeem me, nor
+do I hope therefor, for no man have I here akin to me."
+
+"Great loss of thee if thou art slain! and that brother of thine whom
+thou didst avenge, was he a man so famed, then?"
+
+He said that he was more mighty than he by the half; and so she asked
+what token there was thereof. Then sang Thorstein this stave--
+
+  "Field of rings, eight men, who raise
+  Din of sword in clattering ways,
+  Strove the good short-sword in vain
+  From the strong dead hand to gain;
+  So they ever strained and strove,
+  Till at last it did behove,
+  The feared quickener of the fight,
+  From the glorious man to smite."
+
+"Great prowess such a thing shows of the man," said those who
+understood the stave; and when she knew thereof, she spake thus,
+
+"Wilt thou take thy life from me, if such a choice is given thee?"
+
+"That will I," said Thorstein, "if this fellow of mine, who sits
+hereby, is redeemed along with me; or else will we both abide here
+together."
+
+She answers, "More of a prize do I deem thee than him."
+
+"Howsoever that may be," said Thorstein, "we shall go away in company
+both of us together, or else shall neither go."
+
+Then she went there, whereas were the Varangians, and prayed for
+freedom for Thorstein, and offered money to that end; and to this were
+they right willing; and so she brought about by her mighty friendships
+and her wealth that they were both set free. But as soon as Thorstein
+came out of the dungeon he went to see goodwife Spes, and she took him
+to her and kept him privily; but whiles was he with the Varangians in
+warfare, and in all onsets showed himself the stoutest of hearts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCI.
+
+<i>Of the doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i>.
+
+
+In those days was Harald Sigurdson at Micklegarth, and Thorstein fell
+into friendship with him. Of much account was Thorstein held, for Spes
+let him lack no money; and greatly they turned their hearts one to
+the other, Thorstein and Spes; and many folk beside her deemed great
+things of his prowess.
+
+Now her money was much squandered, because she ever gave herself to
+the getting of great friends; and her husband deemed that he could see
+that she was much changed, both in temper and many other of her ways,
+but most of all in the spending of money; both gold and good things he
+missed, which were gone from her keeping.
+
+So on a time Sigurd her husband talks with her, and says that she has
+taken to strange ways. "Thou givest no heed to our goods," says he,
+"but squanderest them in many wise; and, moreover, it is even as if
+I saw thee ever in a dream, nor ever wilt thou be there whereas I am;
+and I know for sure that something must bring this about."
+
+She answered, "I told thee, and my kinsfolk told thee, whenas we came
+together, that I would have my full will and freedom over all such
+things as it was beseeming for me to bestow, and for that cause I
+spare not thy goods. Hast thou perchance aught to say to me concerning
+other matters which may be to my shame?"
+
+He answers, "Somewhat do I misdoubt me that thou holdest some man or
+other whom thou deemest better than I be."
+
+"I wot not," says she, "what ground there may be thereto; but meseems
+thou mayest speak with little truth; and yet, none-the-less, we two
+alone shall not speak on this matter if thou layest this slander on
+me."
+
+So he let the talk drop for that time; she and Thorstein went on in
+the same way, nor were they wary of the words of evil folk, for
+she ever trusted in her many and wise friends. Oft they sat talking
+together and making merry; and on an evening as they sat in a certain
+loft, wherein were goodly things of hers, she bade Thorstein sing
+somewhat, for she thought the goodman was sitting at the drink, as
+his wont was, so she bolted the door. But, when he had sung a certain
+while, the door was driven at, and one called from outside to open;
+and there was come the husband with many of his folk.
+
+The goodwife had unlocked a great chest to show Thorstein her dainty
+things; so when she knew who was there, she would not unlock the door,
+but speaks to Thorstein, "Quick is my rede, jump into the chest and
+keep silent."
+
+So he did, and she shot the bolt of the chest and sat thereon herself;
+and even therewith in came the husband into the loft, for he and his
+had broken open the door thereof.
+
+Then said the lady, "Why do ye fare with all this uproar? are your
+foes after you then?"
+
+The goodman answered, "Now it is well that thou thyself givest proof
+of thyself what thou art; where is the man who trolled out that song
+so well e'en now? I wot thou deemest him of far fairer voice than I
+be."
+
+She said: "Not altogether a fool is he who can be silent; but so it
+fares not with thee: thou deemest thyself cunning, and art minded to
+bind thy lie on my back. Well, then, let proof be made thereof! If
+there be truth in thy words, take the man; he will scarce have leapt
+out through the walls or the roof."
+
+So he searched through the place, and found him not, and she said,
+"Why dost thou not take him then, since thou deemest the thing so
+sure?"
+
+He was silent, nor knew in sooth amid what wiles he was come; then
+he asked his fellows if they had not heard him even as he had. But
+whereas they saw that the mistress misliked the matter, their witness
+came to nought, for they said that oft folk heard not things as they
+were in very sooth. So the husband went out, and deemed he knew that
+sooth well enough, though they had not found the man; and now for a
+long time he left spying on his wife and her ways.
+
+Another time, long after, Thorstein and Spes sat in a certain
+cloth-bower, and therein were clothes, both cut and uncut, which the
+wedded folk owned; there she showed to Thorstein many kinds of cloth,
+and they unfolded them; but when they were least ware of it the
+husband came on them with many men, and brake into the loft; but while
+they were about that she heaped up clothes over Thorstein, and leaned
+against the clothes-stack when they came into the chamber.
+
+"Wilt thou still deny," said the goodman, "that there was a man with
+thee, when such men there are as saw you both?"
+
+She bade them not to go on so madly. "This time ye will not fail,
+belike; but let me be at peace, and worry me not."
+
+So they searched through the place and found nought, and at last gave
+it up.
+
+Then the goodwife answered and said, "It is ever good to give better
+proof than the guesses of certain folk; nor was it to be looked for
+that ye should find that which was not. Wilt thou now confess thy
+folly, husband, and free me from this slander?"
+
+He said, "The less will I free thee from it in that I trow thou art
+in very sooth guilty of that which I have laid to thy charge; and thou
+wilt have to put forth all thy might in this case, if thou art to get
+this thrust from thee."
+
+She said that that was in nowise against her mind, and therewithal
+they parted.
+
+Thereafter was Thorstein ever with the Varangians, and men say that
+he sought counsel of Harald Sigurdson, and their mind it is that
+Thorstein and Spes would not have taken to those redes but for the
+trust they had in him and his wisdom.
+
+Now as time wore on, goodman Sigurd gave out that he would fare
+from home on certain errands of his own. The goodwife nowise let him
+herein; and when he was gone, Thorstein came to Spes, and the twain
+were ever together. Now such was the fashion of her castle that it
+was built forth over the sea, and there were certain chambers therein
+whereunder the sea flowed; in such a chamber Thorstein and Spes ever
+sat; and a little trap-door there was in the floor of it, whereof none
+knew but those twain, and it might be opened if there were hasty need
+thereof.
+
+Now it is to be told of the husband that he went nowhither, save into
+hiding, that he might spy the ways of the housewife; so it befell
+that, one night as they sat alone in the sea-loft and were glad
+together, the husband came on them unawares with a crowd of folk, for
+he had brought certain men to a window of the chamber, and bade them
+see if things were not even according to his word: and all said that
+he spake but the sooth, and that so belike he had done aforetime.
+
+So they ran into the loft, but when Spes heard the crash, she said to
+Thorstein,
+
+"Needs must thou go down hereby, whatsoever be the cost, but give me
+some token if thou comest safe from the place."
+
+He said yea thereto, and plunged down through the floor, and the
+housewife spurned her foot at the lid, and it fell back again into its
+place, and no new work was to be seen on the floor.
+
+Now the husband and his men came into the loft, and went about
+searching, and found nought, as was likely; the loft was empty, so
+that there was nought therein save the floor and the cross-benches,
+and there sat the goodwife, and played with the gold on her fingers;
+she heeded them little, and made as if there was nought to do.
+
+All this the goodman thought the strangest of all, and asked his folk
+if they had not seen the man, and they said that they had in good
+sooth seen him.
+
+Then said the goodwife, "Hereto shall things come as is said;
+<i>thrice of yore have all things happed</i>, and in likewise hast
+thou fared, Sigurd," says she, "for three times hadst thou undone my
+peace, meseems, and are ye any wiser than in the beginning?"
+
+"This time I was not alone in my tale," said the goodman; "and now to
+make an end, shall thou go through the freeing by law, for in nowise
+will I have this shame unbooted."
+
+"Meseems," says the goodwife, "thou biddest me what I would bid of
+thee, for good above all things I deem it to free myself from this
+slander, which has spread so wide and high, that it would be great
+dishonour if I thrust it not from off me."
+
+"In likewise," said the goodman, "shalt thou prove that thou hast not
+given away or taken to thyself my goods."
+
+She answers, "At that time when I free myself shall I in one wise
+thrust off from me all charges that thou hast to bring against me; but
+take thou heed whereto all shall come; I will at once free myself
+from all words that have been spoken here on this charge that thou now
+makest."
+
+The goodman was well content therewith, and got him gone with his men.
+
+Now it is to be told of Thorstein that he swam forth from under the
+chamber, and went aland where he would, and took a burning log, and
+held it up in such wise that it might be seen from the goodwife's
+castle, and she was abroad for long that evening, and right into the
+night, for that she would fain know if Thorstein had come aland; and
+so when she saw the fire, she deemed that she knew that Thorstein had
+taken land, for even such a token had they agreed on betwixt them.
+
+The next morning Spes bade her husband speak of their matters to
+the bishop, and thereto was he fully ready. Now they come before the
+bishop, and the goodman put forward all the aforesaid charges against
+her.
+
+The bishop asked if she had been known for such an one aforetime,
+but none said that they had heard thereof. Then he asked with what
+likelihood he brought those things against her. So the goodman brought
+forward men who had seen her sit in a locked room with a man beside
+her, and they twain alone: and therewith the goodman said that he
+misdoubted him of that man beguiling her.
+
+The bishop said that she might well free herself lawfully from this
+charge if so she would. She said that it liked her well so to do, "and
+good hope I have," said Spes, "that I shall have great plenty of women
+to purge me by oath in this case."
+
+Now was an oath set forward in words for her, and a day settled
+whereon the case should come about; and thereafter she went home, and
+was glad at heart, and Thorstein and Spes met, and settled fully what
+they should do.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCII.
+
+<i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i>.
+
+
+Now that day past, and time wore on to the day when Spes should
+make oath, and she bade thereto all her friends and kin, and arrayed
+herself in the best attire she had, and many noble ladies went with
+her.
+
+Wet was the weather about that time, and the ways were miry, and a
+certain slough there was to go over or ever they might come to the
+church; and whenas Spes and her company came forth anigh this slough,
+a great crowd was there before them, and a multitude of poor folk who
+prayed them of alms, for this was in the common highway, and all who
+knew her deemed it was their part to welcome her, and prayed for good
+things for her as for one who had oft holpen them well.
+
+A certain staff-propped carle there was amidst those poor folk, great
+of growth and long-bearded. Now the women made stay at the slough,
+because that the great people deemed the passage across over miry, and
+therewith when that staff-carle saw the goodwife, that she was better
+arrayed than the other women, he spake to her on this wise,
+
+"Good mistress," said he, "be so lowly as to suffer me to bear thee
+over this slough, for it is the bounden duty of us staff-carles to
+serve thee all we may."
+
+"What then," says she, "wilt thou bear me well, when thou mayst not
+bear thyself?"
+
+"Yet would it show forth thy lowliness," says he, "nor may I offer
+better than I have withal; and in all things wilt thou fare the
+better, if thou hast no pride against poor folk."
+
+"Wot thou well, then," says she, "that if thou bearest me not well it
+shall be for a beating to thee, or some other shame greater yet."
+
+"Well, I would fain risk it," said he; and therewithal he got on to
+his feet and stood in the slough. She made as if she were sore afeard
+of his carrying her, yet nathless she went on, borne on his back; and
+he staggered along exceeding slowly, going on two crutches, and when
+he got midmost of the slough he began to reel from side to side. She
+bade him gather up his strength.
+
+"Never shalt thou have made a worse journey than this if thou easiest
+me down here."
+
+Then the poor wretch staggers on, and gathers up all his courage and
+strength, and gets close to the dry land, but stumbles withal, and
+falls head-foremost in such wise, that he cast her on to the bank, but
+fell into the ditch up to his armpits, and therewithal as he lay there
+caught at the goodwife, and gat no firm hold of her clothes, but set
+his miry hand on her knee right up to the bare thigh.
+
+She sprang up and cursed him, and said that ever would evil come from
+wretched gangrel churles: "and thy full due it were to be beaten, if I
+thought it not a shame, because of thy misery."
+
+Then said he, "Meted in unlike ways is man's bliss; me-thought I had
+done well to thee, and I looked for an alms at thy hands, and lo,
+in place thereof, I get but threats and ill-usage and no good again
+withal;" and he made as if he were exceeding angry.
+
+Many deemed that he looked right poor and wretched, but she said that
+he was the wiliest of old churles; but whereas many prayed for him,
+she took her purse to her, and therein was many a penny of gold; then
+she shook down the money and said,
+
+"Take thou this, carle; nowise good were it, if thou hadst not full
+pay for the hard words thou hadst of me; now have I parted with thee,
+even according to thy worth."
+
+Then he picked up the gold, and thanked her for her good deed. Spes
+went to the church, and a great crowd was there before her. Sigurd
+pushed the case forward eagerly, and bade her free herself from those
+charges he had brought against her.
+
+She said, "I heed not thy charges; what man dost thou say thou hast
+seen in my chamber with me? Lo now oft it befalls that some worthy man
+will be with me, and that do I deem void of any shame; but hereby will
+I swear that to no man have I given gold, and of no man have I had
+fleshly defilement save of my husband, and that wretched staff-carle
+who laid his miry hand on my thigh when I was borne over the slough
+this same day."
+
+Now many deemed that this was a full oath, and that no shame it was to
+her, though the carle had laid hand on her unwittingly; but she said
+that all things must be told even as they were.
+
+Thereafter she swore the oath in such form as is said afore, and many
+said thereon that she showed the old saw to be true, <i>swear loud and
+say little</i>. But for her, she said that wise men would think that
+this was not done by guile.
+
+Then her kin fell to saying that great shame and grief it was for
+high-born women to have such lying charges brought against them
+bootless, whereas it was a crime worthy of death if it were openly
+known of any woman that she had done whoredoms against her husband.
+Therewithal Spes prayed the bishop to make out a divorce betwixt her
+and her husband Sigurd, because she said she might nowise bear his
+slanderous lying charges. Her kinsfolk pushed the matter forward for
+her, and so brought it about by their urgency that they were divorced,
+and Sigurd got little of the goods, and was driven away from the land
+withal, for here matters went as is oft shown that they will, and
+<i>the lower must lowt</i>; nor could he bring aught about to avail
+him, though he had but said the very sooth.
+
+Now Spes took to her all their money, and was deemed the greatest of
+stirring women; but when folk looked into her oath, it seemed to them
+that there was some guile in it, and were of a mind that wise men must
+have taught her that way of swearing; and men dug out this withal,
+that the staff-carle who had carried her was even Thorstein Dromund.
+Yet for all that Sigurd got no righting of the matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCIII.
+
+<i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i>.
+
+
+Thorstein Dromund was with the Varangians while the talk ran highest
+about these matters; so famed did he become that it was deemed that
+scarce had any man of the like prowess come thither; the greatest
+honours he gat from Harald Sigurdson, for he was of his kin; and after
+his counsels did Thorstein do, as men are minded to think.
+
+But a little after Sigurd was driven from the land, Thorstein fell to
+wooing Spes to wife, and she took it meetly, but went to her kinsmen
+for rede; then they held meetings thereon, and were of one accord that
+she herself must rule the matter; then was the bargain struck, and
+good was their wedded life, and they were rich in money, and all men
+deemed Thorstein to be a man of exceeding good luck, since he had
+delivered himself from all his troubles.
+
+The twain were together for two winters in Micklegarth, and then
+Thorstein said to his goodwife that he would fain go back to see his
+possessions in Norway. She said he should have his will, so they sold
+the lands they had there, and gat them great wealth of chattels, and
+then betook them from that land, with a fair company, and went all the
+way till they came to Norway. Thorstein's kin welcomed them both right
+heartily, and soon saw that Spes was bountiful and high-minded, and
+she speedily became exceeding well befriended. Some children they had
+between them, and they abode on their lands, and were well content
+with their life.
+
+In those days was Magnus the Good king over Norway. Thorstein soon
+went to meet him, and had good welcome of him, for he had grown famous
+for the avenging of Grettir the Strong (for men scarce know of its
+happening that any other Icelander, save Grettir Asmundson, was
+avenged in Micklegarth); and folk say that Thorstein became a man of
+King Magnus, and for nine winters after he had come to Norway he abode
+in peace, and folk of the greatest honour were they deemed, he and his
+wife.
+
+Then came home from Micklegarth king Harald Sigurdson, and King Magnus
+gave him half Norway, and they were both kings therein for a while;
+but after the death of King Magnus many of those who had been his
+friends were ill-content, for all men loved him; but folk might not
+abide the temper of King Harald, for that he was hard and was wont to
+punish men heavily.
+
+But Thorstein Dromund was fallen into eld, though he was still the
+halest of men; and now was the slaying of Grettir Asmundson sixteen
+winters agone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCIV.
+
+<i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway again</i>.
+
+
+At that time many urged Thorstein to go meet King Harald, and become
+his man; but he took not kindly to it.
+
+Then Spes spake, "I will, Thorstein," says she, "that thou go not to
+meet Harald the king, for to another king have we much more to pay,
+and need there is that we turn our minds to that; for now we both
+grow old and our youth is long departed, and far more have we followed
+after worldly devices, than the teaching of Christ, or the ways of
+justice and uprightness; now wot I well that this debt can be paid for
+us neither by our kindred or our goods, and I will that we ourselves
+should pay it: now will I therefore that we change our way of life
+and fare away from this land and unto the abode of the Pope, because I
+well believe that so only may my case be made easy to me."
+
+Thorstein said, "As well known to me as to thee are the things thou
+talkest of; and it is meet that thou have thy will herein, since thou
+didst ever give me my will, in a matter of far less hope; and in all
+things will we do as thou biddest."
+
+This took men utterly unawares; Thorstein was by then sixty-seven
+years of age, yet hale in all wise.
+
+So now he bid to him all his kindred and folk allied to him, and laid
+before them the things he had determined on. Wise men gave good words
+thereto, though they deemed of their departing as of the greatest
+loss.
+
+But Thorstein said that there was nought sure about his coming back:
+"Now do I give thanks to all of you," says he, "for the heed ye paid
+to my goods when I was last away from the land; now I will offer you,
+and pray you to take to you my children's havings, and my children,
+and bring them up according to the manliness that is in you; for I am
+fallen so far into eld that there is little to say as to whether I may
+return or not, though I may live; but ye shall in such wise look after
+all that I leave behind me here, even as if I should never come back
+to Norway."
+
+Then men answered, that good redes would be plenteous if the housewife
+should abide behind to look after his affairs; but she said--
+
+"For that cause did I come hither from the out-lands, and from
+Micklegarth, with Thorstein, leaving behind both kin and goods,
+for that I was fain that one fate might be over us both; now have I
+thought it good to be here; but I have no will to abide long in Norway
+or the North-lands if he goes away; ever has there been great love
+betwixt us withal, and nought has happed to divide us; now therefore
+will we depart together, for to both of us is known the truth about
+many things that befell since we first met."
+
+So, when they had settled their affairs in this wise, Thorstein bade
+chosen folk divide his goods into halves; and his kin took the half
+which his children were to own, and they were brought up by their
+father's kin, and were in aftertimes the mightiest of men, and great
+kin in the Wick has come from them. But Thorstein and Spes divided
+their share of the goods, and some they gave to churches for their
+souls' health, and some they took with them. Then they betook
+themselves Romeward, and many folk prayed well for them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCV.
+
+<i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to Rome and died there</i>.
+
+
+Now they went their ways till they came to Rome-town; and so when they
+came before him, who was appointed to hear the shrifts of men, they
+told him well and truly all things even as they had happed, and
+with what cunning and craft they had joined together in wedlock;
+therewithal they gave themselves up with great humility to such
+penance for the amending of their lives as he should lay on them; but
+because that they themselves had turned their minds to the atoning
+of their faults, without any urging or anger from the rulers of the
+church, they were eased of all fines as much as might be, but were
+bidden gently that they should now and henceforth concern themselves
+reasonably for their souls' health, and from this time forward live in
+chastity, since they had gotten them release from all their guilt; and
+herewith they were deemed to have fared well and wisely.
+
+Then said Spes, "Now, meseems, our matters have gone well and are come
+to an end, and no unlucky life have we had together; yet maybe fools
+will do after the pattern of our former life; now therefore let us
+make such an end to all, that good men also may follow after us and do
+the like: so let us go bargain with those who are deft in stone-craft;
+that they make for each of us a cell of stone, that we may thereby
+atone for what we have done against God."
+
+So Thorstein laid down money for the making of a stone cell for each
+of them, and for such-like other things as they might need, and might
+not be without for the keeping of their lives; and then, when the
+stone work was done, and the time was meet therefor and all things
+were ready, they departed their worldly fellowship of their own free
+will, that they might the more enjoy a holy fellowship in another
+world. And there they abode both in their stone cells, and lived as
+long as God would have it, and so ended their lives. And most men say
+that Thorstein Dromund and Spes his wife may be deemed to be folk of
+the greatest good luck, all things being accounted of; but neither
+his children or any of his issue have come to Iceland for a tale to be
+made of them.
+
+Now Sturla the Lawman says so much as that he deems no outlawed man
+ever to have been so mighty as Grettir the Strong; and thereto he puts
+forth three reasons--
+
+And first in that he was the wisest of them all; for the longest in
+outlawry he was of any man, and was never won whiles he was hale.
+
+And again, in that he was the strongest in all the land among men of
+a like age; and more fitted to lay ghosts and do away with hauntings
+than any other.
+
+And thirdly, in that he was avenged out in Micklegarth, even as
+no other man of Iceland has been; and this withal, that Thorstein
+Dromund, who avenged him, was so lucky a man in his last days.
+
+So here ends the story of Grettir Asmundson, our fellow-countryman.
+Thank have they who listened thereto; but thank little enow to him who
+scribbled out the tale.
+
+  GOOD PEOPLE, HERE THE WORK HATH END:
+  MAY ALL FOLK TO THE GOOD GOD WEND!
+
+
+
+
+NOTES AND CORRECTIONS.
+
+
+P. 29. The genealogy of Gamli of Meals, as here recorded, seems to be
+peculiar to Grettir's saga. Yet its statements are inconsistent in
+the matter, for it gives this twofold genealogy of the man. See Ed.
+Kaupmannah�fn: 1853.
+
+P. 22. Ranveig was the wife of Gamli, the son of <i>Thorald</i>, the
+son of the <i>Vendlander</i>.
+
+P. 70. And (Thorir of the Pass) sold the land at Meals to
+<i>Thorhalli</i>, son of Gamli the <i>Widelander</i>. His son was
+Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, the daughter of Asmund Greyhaired.
+
+According to 'Landn�ma,' this Gamli of Meals, Asmund's son-in-law,
+was son of Thord, and great-great-grandson of Thorhrolf or Thorolf
+Fasthaldi (Fastholding), who settled lands on the north coast of
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjart�ardj�p), and farmed at Snowfells (Snaefj�ll).
+We have given Thorhall in our translation in both places as the
+man's name. Perhaps Thoraldr is nothing but a corruption of Thor�lfr
+fasthaldi; and Thorhalli again a corruption of the first. But Gamli
+the Vendlander or Widelander, we have no means of identifying.
+
+P. 30. 'Now in those times there were wont to be large fire-halls
+at the homesteads.' The hall, <i>holl, sk�li, stofa</i>, was the
+principal room in every home. <i>Elda-sk�li</i>, or fire-hall, as
+the one alluded to at Biarg, was so called from its serving as a
+cooking-hall and a sitting-hall at once. The main features in the
+construction of a hall were the following: it was generally built from
+east to west, in an oblong form, having doors either at one or both
+ends through the south-side wall, where it met the gable end. These
+two entrances were called carles'-door and queens'-door (<i>karldyrr,
+kvenndyrr</i>), being respectively for the ingress and egress of
+men and women. Sometimes the men's-door was adorned with the beaks
+(<i>brandar</i>) of a hewn-up ship, as was the case with the hall of
+Thorir of Garth, standing as door-posts on either side. The door led
+to a front-hall (<i>fork�li, fortofa, and-dyri, framh�s</i>), which,
+sometimes at least, seems to have been portioned off into an inner
+room (<i>klefi</i>), or bay, and the vestibule proper. In the bay were
+kept victuals, such as dried fish, flour, and sometimes, no doubt,
+beer. Within, the hall fell into three main portions: the main hall,
+or the nave, and the aisles on either side thereof (<i>skot</i>):
+The plan of the hall was much like that of one of our regular-built
+churches without chancel, say like a Suffolk church of the fifteenth
+century, the nave being lighted by a clerestory, and the aisles
+running the whole way along the nave, and communicating behind the
+dais. These aisles were used for sleeping-places; so that along the
+whole length of the hall, and behind the dais, all was partitioned
+into bedsteads, open or locked,--open, that is to say, communicating
+with the nave by a doorless aperture,--locked, that is, shut out of
+view from the nave (<i>lok-rekkja, lok-hvila</i>).
+
+On the wall between nave and aisles, which was covered with a
+panelling on its inside at least, were hung the shields and weapons
+of the chief and his retainers, or home-men. Sometimes it was painted
+with mythic subjects, and adorned with fantastic carvings; on great
+occasions it was covered with hangings. Along both side-walls ran a
+row of seats, called benches (<i>bekkr</i>), the north-most of which,
+or the one which faced the sun, was called the nobler bench (<i>ae�ri
+bekkr</i>), the south-most one, the less noble bench, (<i>�oe�ri
+bekkr</i>). In the middle of either bench was a seat, called the high
+seat (<i>�ndvegi</i>); that of the nobler bench being occupied by the
+chief or head of the house, unless he had for his guest a man nobler
+than himself, in which case the latter took it; that of the less noble
+bench being allotted to the noblest among the guests. The nobler bench
+was on ordinary occasions the bench for the chief and the household.
+The less noble for the guests. In front of the chiefs high-seat were
+the high-seat-poles which in the early ages of Paganism in the North
+were objects of much veneration, and must always accompany the chief
+if he moved his abode, and point out his new homestead, if he fared
+for it over sea, by the spot where they drifted ashore, as, when land
+was sighted, they were thrown overboard. In front of the seat-rows
+just described were placed the tables whereon the meals were put
+forth. And when the number of people exceeded the capacity of the
+ordinary benches, a new row of benches was placed in front of the
+tables, so that there were two rows of benches down along either
+side of the hall with the tables between them. The last-named rows of
+benches were called <i>forsoeti</i>; and their occupiers, when seated
+at table, faced those of the upper and lower bench. In the centre of
+the hall, if of the fashion, as it probably was in early times, of a
+fire-hall, was a narrow oblong stone-pavement, probably as long as the
+rows of the benches, whereon fires were lit for heating of the room,
+for cooking of food in some cases, and for the purpose of lighting up
+the hall. The smoke that rose from the burning fuel found its way out
+through the luffer or louvre, in the middle of the ridge of the roof
+(<i>lj�ri</i>); the <i>reyk-beri</i>, reek-bearer, seems to have been
+a contrivance for creating draught to carry the smoke out through
+the <i>lj�ri</i>. In that end of the hall which was opposite to the
+entrance was the cross-bench, dais (<i>pallr</i>), occupied by the
+women. Here was also a high seat (<i>�ndvegi � palli</i>), which was
+generally taken by the mistress of the house. In our saga it seems
+that the hall of Sand-heaps made an exception to this general rule, as
+it apparently had the dais immediately within the doorway.
+
+P. 77 (cpr. 110). It is worth observing here, that Thorvald, son of
+Asgeir Madpate the younger, dwells at As in Waterdale, about 1013,
+when Thorgils Makson was slain. When Grettir played, as a youth, on
+Midfirth-water (or <i>cca</i>. 1010), he dwelt at Asgeirsriver. We
+mention this because there has been some confusion about the matter.
+On the slight authority of the ��ttr af Isleifi biskupi', Biskupa
+S�gur I. 54, it has been maintained that he dwelt at Asgeirsriver
+even as late as <i>cca</i>. 1035, when his daughter Dalla was wooed by
+Isleif the Bishop. G. Vigf�sson, Safn til S�gu Islands, I. 337. On
+the other hand, the statement of Hungrvaka that he farmed at As
+(<i>i.e.</i>, at the Ridge), at the time aforesaid, has given rise
+to the conjecture that thereby must be meant Valdar-As, a farm in
+Willowdale, near Asgeirsriver, the manor of the Madpate family. G.
+Vigf�sson, in Biskupa S�gur, I. 61, note 2. It seems there is no need
+of setting aside the clear statement of our saga, that the As was As
+in Waterdale (<i>see</i> Index), and not Valdar�s in Willowdale at
+all, or that Thorvald had, by 1013, moved up to the neighbouring
+country-side of Waterdale, and settled among the kin of his
+great-grandmother.
+
+P. 114, 1. 1. 'The men of Meals,' is a close translation of the
+original, which, however, is incorrect; for the men of Meals were
+Grettir's kin-in-law, and natural allies. The saga means the men of
+Meal, Kormak and his followers, and the original should be either,
+�eir Mel-menn, or Mels-menn, or �eir Kormakr fr� Mel.
+
+P. 129, 1. 10, 11. We have purposely altered the text from: en ��
+�ruggr � einangri, <i>i.e.</i>, 'but thou stout in danger,' into:
+en <i>��, i.e.</i>, 'but stout in danger none-the-less.' The former
+reading seems barely to give any sense, the last a natural and the
+required one.
+
+P. 169. Hallmund. Our saga is one among the historic sagas of Iceland
+which deals with traditions of ancient belief in the spirits of the
+unknown regions of the land that are interested in the well-being of
+the mere men who dwell near them. Hallmund and the giant Thorir are
+the representatives of these powers in our saga. Of these Hallmund is
+the more interesting of the two, both for his human sympathies, his
+tragic end, and the poetry ascribed to him. At one time or other he
+has had a great name in the Icelandic folk-lore among the spirits of
+the land, the so-called land wights <i>(land-voetir)</i>, and there is
+still existing a poem of ancient type, the refrain of which is closely
+similar to that of Grettir's song on Hallmund, but which is stated to
+be by some cave-wight that lived in a deep and gloomy cavern somewhere
+in Deepfirth, on the north side of Broadfirth. In the so-called
+Bergb�a��ttr or cave-dweller's tale (Edited by G. Vigf�sson in
+Nordiske Old-skrifter, xxvii., pp. 123-128, and 140-143, Copenhagen,
+1860), this song is said to have been heard by two men, who, on their
+way to church, had lost their road, and were overtaken by the darkness
+of night, and, in order to escape straying too far out of their way,
+sought shelter under the lee of a sheer rock which chanced to be on
+their way. They soon found a mouth of a cave where they knew not that
+any cave was to be looked for, whereupon one of the wayfarers set up a
+cross-mark in the door of the cave, and then with his fellow-traveller
+sat down on two stones at the mouth of the cave, as they did not dare
+to risk themselves too far in the gloomy abode away from the cross.
+When the first third part of the night was spent they heard something
+come along from within the cave doorwards out to them.[20] They signed
+themselves with the sign of the cross, and prayed God's mercy to be
+on them, for they thought the doings within the deep of the cavern now
+grew big enough. On looking into the darkness they saw a sight like
+unto two full-moons, or huge targets, with some monstrous figure
+(unreadable in the MS.) between them. They thought this was nothing
+but two eyes, and that nowise narrow of face might he be who bore such
+torches. Next they heard a chanting of a monstrous kind and in a big
+voice. A lay there was sung of twelve staves, with the final refrain
+of each twice repeated.
+
+[Footnote 20: <i>Innan eptir</i>, as here rendered, is the reading of
+the MS. from which Bergbua p�ttr is edited. <i>Innar eptir</i>, as the
+aforesaid edition of the tale has it, is wrong.]
+
+The poem seems to be a death-song over the cave-kin of the country by
+the new change of thought brought in by Christianity.
+
+P. 189. 'Grettir lay out that summer on Madderdale-heath, and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.' A corroboration
+of the saga has been clearly set forth by the discovery of a
+Grettir's-lair, in Axefirth-peak, in 1862. True the saga passes over
+Grettir's doings on these vast eastern wildernesses, but tradition has
+preserved the name for the place, and it shows by its construction and
+position that it must have been constructed by one skilled in choosing
+a good fighting stand, and a good and wide view at the same time. An
+Icelandic farmer has thus given an accurate and reliable description
+of Grettir's lair:
+
+'In the summer of 1850, when I came north to Axefirth, I heard talk
+of a Grettir's lair upon Axefirth-peak.... Many who had seen it made
+a slight matter of it, which brought me to think it must have few
+peculiarities of antiquarian interest to show. But on the 7th of
+September, this summer (1862), I went with the rape-ruler Arni J�nsson
+of Wood-stead to inspect the lair. Walking up to it from the level
+ground below took us three minutes. The lair stands in the lower part
+of a slip of stones beneath some sheer rocks between a sandstone rock,
+called the carline, and the stone slip from the peak. It is built
+up of stones, straight as a line, and runs, 4-3/4 ells in length, 10
+inches broad, and is, within walls, 7/8 of an ell deep. The half of it
+is deftly covered in with flat stones, the longest of which are 2 ells
+9 inches long, and about half an ell in thickness, and a little more
+in breadth. Small thin fragments of stone are wedged in between these
+where their junctures do not close tight, and so firmly are they
+fixed, that without instruments they may not be removed. One stone in
+the south wall is so large that we deemed it fully the task of
+from four to six men to move it when loose. The north side wall is
+beginning to give way, where the room is covered in. On the outside
+it is overgrown with black scurf and grey moss. The head end we deemed
+was the one which is turned to the rock and is not covered in,
+and evidently has been open from the beginning. Here the floor
+is overgrown with moss, grass, thyme, ferns, crow-foot, and
+lady's-mantle. In all likelihood the inmate has closed that part of
+the room in with hides, when needful. On sitting up, all who went to
+and fro on the road below, must have been within view; not only those
+who came from the north of Foxplain (Melrakkasl�tta) and Nupa-sveit,
+but also far toward the north he had a view even unto the open sea,
+nay, even unto Budluga-haven. Looking southwards, he must have seen
+all who came up from the outer firth; for from the lair there is a
+clear view even unto Burn-river, past which the high-road goes. A
+popular tradition says, too, that all who must needs pass this way,
+when Grettir was in the Peak, had taken at last to going over the
+top of the Peak, where there was no road, but the sheep-wilds of the
+Axefirthers. The lair-bider, even if he was set on by an overwhelming
+force, was not easily won, and least of all a man of such prowess as
+Grettir, except by shot; for he might at a moment's notice take his
+stand in the rock above his head, where one side only gives the chance
+of an onset, and where there is an ample supply of loose stones, large
+and small, on the Peak side of the rock to defend oneself; on three
+sides sheer rocks hem in the position, and those overhead are many
+times the height of a man's.'
+
+P. 208. Knave-game. Perhaps the truer rendering would have been
+'nut-game,' if indeed 'hnet tafl' here stands not for 'hnef-tafl,'
+as we at first supposed. It is undoubtedly true that among the early
+games of Iceland the 'hettafl,' 'hnottafl,' was a distinct kind of
+game, as was also the 'hneftafl,' 'hnefatafl,' knave-game. If we
+follow the text as it stands, the game that Thorbiorn played is
+supposed to have borne some resemblance to what is now called in
+Iceland 'refsk�k,' fox-play, anglice 'fox and geese,' the aim of
+which is, by twelve pieces, called lambs, to bring the fox into such a
+position as to leave him no place to move, whichso way he turns.
+
+P. 240. Pied-belly we call the Ram, although the saga seems to mean
+that he was called Autumn-belly, which is a name of little, if of
+any, sense at all. We suppose that <i>haus-m�g�ttr</i>, p. 169, and
+<i>haust-magi</i>, p. 184, is one and the same thing, the <i>t</i>
+having spuriously crept into the text from a scribe's inadvertence.
+
+P. 243 (cpr. 207, 225, 272). 'In such wise Grettir lost his life, &c.'
+The hardest thing to account for, or to bring to an intelligible issue
+in Grettir's saga, is the incongruity between the statements as to his
+age at his death and the number of years of his outlawry, as compared
+with the truthful account of the events told in the saga itself. From
+the time when Grettir slew his first man, all the events of the
+saga may be traced clearly year for year up to his death, and their
+truthfulness is borne out whensoever they chance to run parallel to
+events mentioned in other trustworthy sagas, and they fall in with the
+right time nearly without an exception. But the statement on the page
+referred to above, that he was fourteen years old when he slew Skeggi,
+that he was twenty when he dealt with Glam; twenty-five when he fell
+into outlawry, and forty-four when he was slain, is utterly confuted
+by the chronology of the saga itself.
+
+These numbers given above are obviously made to fall in with the story
+in page 225 about the talk of the time of his outlawry at the Thing.
+The question is stated to have been this: whether he had been a
+fraction of the twentieth year an outlaw, his friends hoping that in
+such case a part might count <i>pro toto</i>. But the truth of the
+matter was that he had neither been an outlaw for a fraction of the
+twentieth year, nor even for anything like nineteen years. He was
+outlawed at the Thing held in 1016, his year of outlawry dated from
+Thing to Thing; this talk befell in 1031, consequently he had been
+full fifteen years and no fraction of a year in outlawry. The story,
+therefore, of the twenty years, or nineteen years and a fraction, of
+outlawry falls utterly to the ground when brought to the test of the
+actual facts as recorded in the saga.
+
+But, despite of this, it is not to be supposed that this episode at
+the Thing in 1031 is brought in at random and without any cause. There
+are two obvious reasons for assigning twenty years to the length of
+Grettir's outlawry, and for bringing into the tale a discussion on
+that subject just where it is done. The one we may call the reason of
+traditional belief, the other the reason of dramatic effect. Grettir
+was indisputably for all reasons the greatest of Icelandic outlaws,
+and the fond imagination of his biographers at all times urged them
+to give the longest endurance to the time of his outlawry above all
+outlaws, without inquiring closely as to whether it agreed with
+the saga itself or not. The other, or the dramatic motive, lies
+in bringing in the discussion on this long outlawry just at this
+particular Thing of 1031; for it was obviously the teller's object to
+suggest to the reader the hope of the great outlaw's legal restoration
+to the cherished society of man just before the falling of the
+crushing blow, in order to give an enhanced tragic interest to his
+end, and he undoubtedly succeeds in doing this. To these reasons,
+besides others less obvious, we imagine this main inconsistency in
+Grettir's saga is to be ascribed.
+
+Nevertheless, it is worth observing that blunders of scribes may have
+in a measure been at work here. If we are not mistaken most of the
+existing MSS. of our saga state that when he fell (p. 243) 'he was one
+winter short of--<i>var h�num vetri f�tt �</i>'--whatever number
+of years they give as his age. And we venture the suggestion
+that originally the passage ran thus: var h�num vetri f�tt � h�lf
+iv{tugum},[21] <i>i.e.</i>, he lacked one winter of thirty-five years,
+when he was slain. If a subsequent scribe committed the easy blunder
+of dropping I before V, the reading of our original (Edition, 53)
+would be the natural result, and an offspring of that same blunder
+would also as easily be the other reading, common to one class of the
+Grettir MSS.: var h�num vetri f�tt � v{tugum} or � hinum v. tug, by
+dropping the syllable 'h�lf.'
+
+[Footnote 21: A man of twenty, thirty, forty, &c., is in the Icelandic
+expressed by the adjective <i>tv�tugr, pr�tugr, fertugr</i>; a man
+twenty-five, thirty-five, &c., is <i>h�lf-pr�tugr, h�lf-fertugr</i>,
+&c.; the units beyond the tens are expressed by the particle
+<i>um</i>, a man of twenty-one, thirty-seven, or forty-nine, is said
+to have <i>einn</i> (<i>i.e.</i>, vetr. winter) um = beyond, tv�tugt,
+sj� um �r�tugt, n�u um fertugt, &c.]
+
+If the whole passage on page 243, beginning with the words quoted in
+the commencement of this note, be not indeed a later interpolation, we
+believe that all that follows the words, 'till the time when he dealt
+with Glam, the Thrall,' must, indeed, be taken as an interpolation of
+later commentators.
+
+Our suggestion recommends itself in this at least, that it brings
+about full harmony between the statements, here treated of, and the
+saga itself, for when Grettir left the land in 1011 he was fourteen
+years of age, and twenty years later, or 1031, he fell. How far his
+age thus given agrees or not with the decrepitude of his father, who
+died in 1015, having been apparently already a bedridden man for some
+time, is a matter of itself, and need not affect the accuracy of our
+suggestion, which, however, we only put forth as a conjecture, not
+having within reach the MSS. of Grettir's saga. A critical examination
+of these might, perhaps, allow of a more positive discourse on
+this vexed point, which to all commentators on Grettir has hitherto
+remained an insoluble riddle.
+
+P. 251, 1. 12. The original makes Asdis daughter of Skeggi the
+Short-handed. This is here corrected agreeably to Landn�ma, and other
+records of her family.
+
+
+
+
+INDICES.
+
+
+
+
+INDEX I.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+PERSONAL NAMES.
+
+Air (Loptr), <i>alias</i> Hallmund, the mountain sprite, 160, 161, 162
+Aldis Konal's-daughter, called A. from Barra, 5, 18, 19
+Aldis, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, 5, 27
+Alf a-Dales, 5, 27
+Ali, an house-carle of Thorbiorn Oxmain's, 130, 131, 132
+Alof Ingolf's-daughter, wife of Eric Snare, 20
+Angle. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Angle.
+Ari Marson, 80
+Arinbiorn. <i>See</i> Arnbiorn.
+Arnbiorn, kinsman of Thorfinn of Haramsey, Grettir's companion, 70, 71
+Arngeir Berseson, father of Biorn Hitdale-champion, 170
+Arni J�nsson, 277
+Arnor Thorbiornson, 140-143
+Arnor Thordson, called Earls' skald (Jarlask�ld), 178, 179, 180
+Arnor Thorodson, called Hay-nose (heynef, or h�nef, Landn�ma), 89
+Arnora, Thord Yeller's daughter, 225
+Asa, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, first wife of Onund Treefoot, 5, 6,
+  18, 19
+Asbiorn, Ufeigh Grettir's son, 5
+Asbrand Thorbrandson, 129
+Asdis, Bard Jokulson's daughter, the mother of Grettir Asmundson,27,
+   28, 30, 33, 36, 40, 112, 133, 139, 142, 143, 204, 205, 246,
+   247, 251
+Asdis Gamli's-daughter, 251
+Asgeir Audunson the older, called Madpate (son of Audun Skokul,
+  al. Onund Treefoot), 20, 79, 83
+Asgeir Audunson the younger, grandson of the preceding, called Madpate
+  34, 77, 83, 151
+Asgrim Ellida-Grimson, 16, 159
+Asgrim Ondottson, 13, 14, 15, 16
+Asmund from Asmund's-peak, 25
+Asmund Ondottson, 13, 14, 15, 16
+Asmund Thorgrimson, called the Greyhaired (haerul�ngr), the father of
+  Grettir the Strong, 25-27, 28-33, 35-36, 39, 40, 77-79, 81, 82,
+  90, 112, 113, 125, 126, 273
+Asmund Ufeigh's-son, called the Beardless (skegglauss), 5
+Asny Vestar's-daughter, wife of Ufeigh Grettir, 5
+Asta Gudbrand's-daughter, mother of Olaf the Saint, King of Norway, 1
+Asvor, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, 5
+Atli Asmundson, Grettir's brother, 28, 29, 30, 36, 83, 87, 88, 89, 90,
+  91, 92, 111, 112, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130-133, 135, 139, 140, 143,
+  144, 150, 162
+Atli Ulfson, called the Red (hinn rau�i), 80
+Aud (<i>alias</i> Unnr) the Deeply Wealthy,18, 19, 79
+Audun, Asgeir Madpate's son, 83
+Audun Asgeir's-son, of Audunstead, 34, 35, 38, 83, 84, 85, 86, 104
+Audun Goaty (geit), an Earl in Norway, 13, 14
+Audun Skokul (sk�kull), 20
+Audun, goodman of Windham in Haramsey, 46, 47, 48
+
+Balk Blaengson of Sotaness, 1, 4, 10, 170
+Bard Jokulson,27, 104
+Bard, the mate of Haflidi's ship, 40
+Bardi (al. Slaying-Bardi) Gudmundson, of Asbiornsness, 85, 86, 87, 92,
+  93, 94, 95, 104
+Bessi Balkson, called the Godless (go�lauss), 170
+Bessi Skald-Torfa's-son, 34, 71, 73, 74, 75
+Biarni, <i>See</i> Biorn, the settler of Biornfirth.
+Biarni of Dog-dale, 81
+Biarni of Jorvi in Flysia-Wharf, 179, 277
+Biarni Thorsteinson, the Sage (hinn spaki), 11
+Biorn Arngeirson, called Hitdale-Champion, 170, 171, 172, 173, 181, 182
+Biorn, settler of Biornfirth, 17, 273
+Biorn, kinsman of Thorkel in Salft, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69
+Biorn of Meadness, 208, 237, 238, 245
+Biorn Rolfson, father of Eyvind the Eastman, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12
+Biorn Ufeigh's-son, 208
+Bloeng of Sotaness, 1
+Bodmod, 25
+Bodvar of Bodvar's-knolls, 89
+Bork the Fat, 201
+Botulf, grandfather of Thorir of Garth, 115
+Brand, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's house-carles, 20
+Brand, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, 238
+Bundle-Torfi, 81
+
+Crow-Hreidar. <i>See</i> Hreida.
+
+Dalla Thorvald's-daughter, wife of Bishop Isleif, 77
+Dromund. <i>See</i> Thorstein Dromund.
+
+Egil Audunson, 104
+Eid Skeggison, from the Ridge,184
+Eilif Ketilson, 5
+Einar, a bonder in Jadar, 122
+Einar of Combe, 22
+Einar Olvirson, 5
+Ellida-Grim Asgrimson, 16, 159
+Eric Alefain (�lf�ss), of Sorreldale, 14, 15
+Eric Hakonson, Earl of Norway, 50, 51
+Eric Hroaldson, of God-dales, 208, 237
+Eric Snare (snara), 17, 20, 23
+Eric Starrison, 208
+Eyulf, brother-in-law of Slaying-Bardi, 94
+Eyolf of Fairwood, 179, 181
+Eyulf Egilson, 104
+Eyulf Gudmundson, 104
+Eyvind Biornson, called the Eastman (austma�r), 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10
+Eyvind (Herraudson), settler of Eyvind's-firth, 20
+
+Finnbogi Thorgeirson, 179, 180
+Flosi Ericson, of Arnes, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
+Frederick the Bishop, 26
+Fridgerd Thord's-daughter, 79
+Fridmund of Shady-vale, 95
+Frodi, the King, 5
+
+Gamli Skeggison, 251
+Gamli, the Vendlander or Widelander (Vi�lendingr, Vindlendingr)
+  29, 90, 273
+Gamli Thorhallson, of Meals, 29, 90, 126, 128, 143, 144, 151, 246,
+  248, 250, 273
+Gaut Sleitason, 82, 83
+Geirlaug, goodwife of Broadlair-stead, 202
+Geirmund Helskin (heljarskinn), king of Hordaland, 2, 4
+Geirmund Hiuka-timber, 25
+Gerd Bodvar's-daughter, 89
+Gerpir, 25
+Gisli Thorsteinson, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177
+Glam from Sylgsdales, afterwards a ghost, 96-110, 243
+Glum Uspakson, 29, 128, 246
+Grettir Asmundson, called the Strong, 28-33, 34-35, 36-39, 40-45,
+  46-59, 60-62, 63-76, 83-87, 88-89, 90-91, 92-94, 95, 104-110,
+  112-114, 116-121, 122-123, 124-125, 133-134, 135-140, 141-143,
+  144, 145-148, 149, 150, 151, 152-157, 158-159, 159-162, 163-164,
+  165-167, 168-170, 171, 173-178, 179-180, 181-183, 187, 189-191,
+  192-199, 200, 201, 202-203, 204-207, 209-210, 210-212, 213-217,
+  218, 219-220, 220-222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 228-229, 230, 231, 232,
+  233-235, 238-243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253,
+  254, 272
+Grim Gamlison, 29
+Grim Kolbiornson, a hersir in Norway, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14
+Grim the Northlander, an outlaw and hired assassin, 163, 164
+Grim Thorhallson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, 95
+Grim Thorhallson, grandson of the preceding, 95
+Grim Thorhallson of Meals, afterwards of Gilsbank, 90, 126, 128, 129,
+  130, 138, 139, 159, 162, 163, 168, 182
+Grim, son of the Widow of Kropp, 184, 185, 188, 200, 201
+Grimulf, 25
+Gudbiorg Ufeigh's-daughter, 1
+Gudbrand Ball (k�la), 1
+Gudbrandr Vigf�sson, 275, 276
+Gudmund the Rich (hinn r�ki), of Maddervales, 200, 204
+Gudmund Solmundson, 85, 92
+Gudrun, wife of Thorhall Grimson of Shady-vale, 95
+Guest (= Grettir Asmundson), 192, 193, 194, 212-214
+Gunnar, Court-owner in Tunsberg, 71, 72, 73
+Gunnar Thorirson, of the Pass, 90, 91, 126, 127, 128
+Gyda, wife of Ingiald the Trusty, 13
+Gyrid Einar's-daughter, 122
+
+Haeng, father of Vestar, 5
+Haering, 222, 223, 224, 230
+Haflidi of Reydarfell, a skipper, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45
+Hafr Thorarinson, 212, 214, 215
+Hafr Thordson, 212
+Hakon, Earl of Norway, 50
+Hakon Ericson, an Earl of Norway, 50
+Haldor Thorgeirson of Hof in Head-strand, 208, 215, 236, 237, 238,
+  240, 249, 278
+Haldora Steinmod's-daughter, 5
+Halfdan the Black (hinn svarti), 2
+Hall Gudmundson of Asbiornsness, 86
+Hall of Kropp, 136, 137
+Hallmund, a mountain sprite, 169, 170, 182, 184, 185-188, 200, 276
+Hallstein Horse (hestr), 14, 15
+Hallvard Sweeping (s�gandi), 1, 4, 10, 15
+Hamund, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's household, 20
+Harald Halfdanson, called the Unshorn (l�fa) and the Fair-hair
+  (h�rfagri), King of Norway, 2, 3, 4, 5
+Harald Ring, 129
+Harald Sigurdson, Varangian chief, afterwards King of Norway, 257,
+  260, 267, 268, 269
+Harek, a king's farmer in Norway, 12, 13
+Head-Thord = Thord of Hofdi, 79, 208
+Hedin, a Skald.
+Hedin of Soknadale, 13
+Helga Ondott's-daughter, second wife of Biorn Rolfson, and mother of
+  Thrand, 5
+Helga Thorkel's-daughter, of Fishbrook, 115
+Helga Thorir's-daughter, from Boardere, 90
+Helgi of Bathstead, 152, 153
+Helgi Eyvindson, called the Lean (hinn magri), 6, 16
+Hjalti Thord Scalp's-son, 207
+Hialti Thordson, of Hof, 207, 209, 211, 215, 216, 217, 237, 241, 251
+Hiarandi, Earl Svein's man, 69, 70, 71
+Hlif Rolfs-daughter, the first wife of Biorn Rolfson, 5
+Holmgang-Starri. <i>See</i> Starri Ericson.
+Hoskuld, father of Olaf Peacock, 152
+Hrefna Asgeir's-daughter (d. of Asgeir Madpate the Younger), 156
+Hrei�ar, called Crow-Hrei�ar (Kr�ku-H.), 208
+Hroald Geirmundson, 208
+
+Illugi Asmundson, 112, 126, 162, 200, 204, 205, 211, 217, 219, 220,
+  223, 224, 229, 231, 232, 233, 238, 240, 241, 243, 244, 245, 246,
+  248, 250, 251
+Ingiald the Trusty (tryggvi) of Hvin, 13
+Ingiald Frodison, an Earl, 5
+Ingimund Thorsteinson, called the Old (hinn gamli), 27, 92
+Ingolf (Herraudson), of Ingolf's-firth, 20
+Ingolf Ornsorn, 24
+Jokul Bardson, 104, 105
+Jokul Ingimundson, 27
+Isleif Gissurson, first Bishop of Skalholt, 77, 250, 275
+Ivar Kolbeinson, 22, 23
+Ivar Smiter (beytill), 1
+
+Kalf Asgeirson, of Asgeir's-river, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger,
+  34, 35
+Kari Solmundson, called Singed-(svi�u)-Kari, 19
+Karr, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers in the slaying of Grettir,
+  238, 240
+Karr the Old, a ghost, 46, 47, 48, 56
+Ketil the Huge (raumr), 27
+Ketil the Onehanded (hinn ein-hendi), 57
+Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, 29
+Kiartan Steinson, of Isledale-river, 191, 201
+Kiarval, a sea-king, 1
+Kiarval, king of Ireland, 6, 10
+Kiotvi the Wealthy (hinn au�gi), 2
+Knut the Mighty, king of England, 50, 173
+Kolbein (of Rogaland), 12, 15
+Kolbiorn the Abasher (sneypir), 5
+Konal Steinmodson, 5
+Kormak of Meal in Midfirth, 34, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 111
+
+Leif Kolbeinson, 22, 23
+
+Magnus the Good, king of Norway, 268
+Mar Atlison, 80
+Michael Katalak, 'king' of Constantinople, 253
+Midfirth-Skeggi, 19, 24, 25
+
+Narfi, kinsman of Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, 90
+Noise. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Noise.
+
+Odd Foundling-Skald (�maga-sk�ld), 34, 87, 88, 90
+Odd, the Monk, 251
+Odd Ufeigh's son, 29
+Ogmund the Evil (illi), 51-57, 60
+Olaf Eyvindson of Drangar, 20, 22, 23, 24
+Olaf Haraldson, Saint, king of Norway, 1, 112, 114, 115, 118, 119,
+  120, 121
+Olaf Hoskuldson, called Peacock (p�), 152
+Olaf Thorsteinson, called Feilan, 18, 19, 79
+Oleif Einarson, called the Broad (brei�r), 5
+Olvir Bairn-Carle (barnakarl), 5
+Ondott Crow (kr�ka), 5, 11, 12, 13, 14
+Onund Ufeigh's son, called Treefoot (tr�f�tr), 1, 2-4, 5-9, 10, 11,
+  12-15, 16-18, 19, 20, 23
+Orm Eyolfson, chaplain of Bishop Thorlak, 104
+Orm Storolfson, 172, 277
+Orm the Wealthy (hinn audgi), 1
+
+Rafarta Kiarval's-daughter, 5
+Ranveig Asmund's-daughter, 29, 90, 273
+Ranveig, first wife of Asmund Gray-hair, 26
+Redbeard. <i>See</i> Thorir Redbeard.
+Rognvald, an earl, 2
+Rolf of Am, father of Biorn, 5
+Rolf Ingialdson, father of Hlif, 5
+Rut of Combeness, 182
+
+Saemund, the South-Island man, 92, 276
+Sam Borkson, 201
+Sigfast, son-in-law of King Solver, 5
+Sighvat, father-in-law of Ondott Crow, 13
+Signy Sighvat's-daughter, 13
+Sigurd, Bishop, 115
+Sigurd, the husband of Spes, 255, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 266,
+  267
+Skald-Torfa, 34, 71, 73
+Skapti Thorodson of Hjalli, lawman, 82, 95, 96, 97, 134, 149, 150,
+  159, 162, 163, 224
+Skeggi. <i>See</i> Midfirth Skeggi.
+Skeggi Botulfson, 115
+Skeggi Gamlison, of Scarf-stead, 251
+Skeggi, a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale, 37, 38, 243, 250
+Skeggi of the Ridge, 184
+Skeggi, son of Steinvor, fathered on Kiartan, 201
+Skeggi Thorarinson, 79
+Skeggi Thorirson, from Garth, 115
+Skeggi Gamlison (from Meals), called the Short-handed (Skammh�nd�ngr),
+  151, 246, 248, 249, 250, 251
+Skeggi Gamlison, grandson of the preceding, 251
+Skuf of Dog-dale, 81
+Slaying-Styr, 152
+Sleita-Helgi, 90
+Snaebiorn Eyvindson, 6
+Snaeskoll, a bearserk, 122, 123
+Snorri Thorgrimson, called S. Godi, 144, 145, 151, 152, 201, 202, 203,
+  224
+Solmund (Eilifson), 92
+Solmund Thorbiornson, 19
+Solver, King of Gothland, 5
+Solvi Asbrandson, called the Proud (pr��i), 129
+Sons of Thord = Hjalti of Hof and Thorbiorn Angle, 215
+Sons of Thorir = Gunnar and Thorgeir from the Pass, 91, 126, 129
+Sons of Thorir = Thorgeir and Skeggi, from Garth, 117, 118, 134
+Spes, the wife of Sigurd, afterwards wife of Thorstein Dromund, 255
+Starri Ericson, called Holmgang-Starri (H�lmgaungu-S.), 208
+Stein Biornson, called Tongue-Stein (T�ngu-S.), 208, 237
+Stein, priest of Isledale-river, 191, 195, 201
+Stein, a shipwrecked Skipper, 22, 23, 24, 25
+Stein Thorgestson, lawman, 225, 250
+Stein Thorirson, called the Far-sailing (mj�ksiglandi), 225
+Steinmod Konalson, 5
+Steinmod Olvirson, 5
+Steinulf Olvirson, 5
+Steinulf Thorleifson, from Lavadale, 179, 180, 182
+Steinun Rut's-daughter, 182
+Steinvor the Old (gamla), 24
+Steinvor of Sand-heaps, 191, 192, 201
+Sturla Thordson, lawman, 144, 207, 272
+Sulki, a king in Norway, 2
+Swan of Knoll, 23, 24
+Svein of Bank, 135-139
+Svein, Earl of Norway, 50, 51, 69, 70, 71, 73. 74. 75, 112
+
+Tardy. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Tardy.
+Thora Thormod's-daughter, 11
+Thoralf of Ere in Icefirth, 154
+Thoralf Skolmson, 172, 277
+Thorarin Hafrson, 212
+Thorarin Ingialdson of Acres, 179, 180, 182
+Thorarin Thordson, called Fylsenni, 79
+Thorarin the Wise (hinn spaki), 87, 92, 93
+Thorbiorg Olaf's-daughter, called the Big (digra), 152, 154, 155,
+  156, 157
+Thorbiorn Arnorson, called Oxmain (�xnamegin), 89, 90, 91, 92, 111,
+  125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133. 139. 140, 141, 142,143, 144,
+  150, 151, 234
+Thorbiorn Earls' champion (Jarlakappi), 18, 19
+Thorbiorn Noise (glaumr), Grettir's servant-man, 206, 211, 219, 231,
+  232, 235, 239, 240, 245
+Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle, 5, 11
+Thorbiorn Thordson, called Angle, 208, 209, 211, 212, 215, 216, 217,
+  218, 222, 223, 224, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 234, 235, 236,
+  237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249,
+  250, 251, 252, 253, 254
+Thorbiorn Tardy (fer�al�ngr), 89, 91, 111, 112-114, 125, 126, 128
+Thorbrand Haraldson, 129
+Thord Hialtison, 207, 208
+Thord of Hofdi (==Head-Thord), 79
+Thord Knob, 212
+Thord Kolbeinson, of Hitness, 171, 172, 173, 178
+Thord Scalp, 207
+Thord Olafson, called the Yeller (gellir), 78, 79, 225
+Thord Thordson (son of Head-Thord). <i>See</i> Thorgeir.
+Thordis Asmund's-daughter, wife of Thorgrim Greypate, 25
+Thordis Asmund's daughter, wife of Glum Uspakson, 29
+Thordis Thord's-daughter, 208
+Thordis Thorgrim's-daughter, second wife of Onund Treefoot, 19, 20
+Thords, two brothers of Broad-river in Flat-lithe in Skagafirth, 209,
+  211, 216
+Thorelf Alf a-Dales'-daughter, 80
+Thorfinn of Brook-bow, 179
+Thorfinn, house-carle of Flosi in Arnes, 20, 23, 25
+Thorfinn Karrson of Haramsey, 46-50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 59, 60, 62, 69,
+  70,71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 84
+Thorgaut, a herdsman of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, 101, 102
+Thorgeir Havarson, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 145, 146, 147, 148,
+  149
+Thorgeir Onundson, called Bottleback (fl�skubak), 19, 20, 21, 23,
+  24, 25
+Thorgeir Thordson (s. of Head-Thord), 208, 278
+Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, 179
+Thorgeir Thorirson from Garth, 115
+Thorgeir Thorirson, from the Pass, 90, 91, 126, 127, 128
+Thorgerd Alf a-Dales'-daughter, 80
+Thorgest Steinson, 225
+Thorgils Arison, of Reek-knolls, 80, 81, 82, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148,
+  149
+Thorgils Ingialdson, 179, 180, 289
+Thorgils Makson, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,82
+Thorgils of Meal in Midfirth, 34, 87, 90
+Thorgrim of Gnup in Midfirth, 19
+Thorgrim (Hallormson), the Godi of Cornriver, 26
+Thorgrim Onundson, called Greypate (haerukollr), 19, 20, 22, 23, 24,
+  25, 26, 27
+Thorhadd Steinson, 179
+Thorhall Asgrimson, of Tongue, 159
+Thorhall Fridmundson, 95
+Thorhall Gamlison, 29, 90, 273
+Thorhall Grimson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, 95-102, 105,
+  106-110
+Thorir Autumn-mirk (haustmyrkr), 225
+Thorir Longchin (hakl�ngr), 2, 3
+Thorir Thorkelson, of the Pass, 89, 90, 273
+Thorir Redbeard (rau�skeggr), an outlaw and hired assassin, 164-168
+Thorir Skeggison, of Garth, 115, 117, 118, 129, 133, 134, 151, 164,
+  165, 168, 169, 173, 186, 188, 190, 191, 200, 225, 245, 246
+Thorir Paunch (��mb), 51-57, 60
+Thorir in Thorirs-dale, a mountain-sprite, 183, 276
+Thorkel of Boardere, 89
+Thorkel Eyulfson, 188
+Thorkel of Fishbrook, 115
+Thorkel of Giorvidale, 152, 153, 154
+Thorkel Moon (M�ni), 24
+Thorkel Thordson, called Kugg, 78
+Thorkel Thorgrimson, called Krafla, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 77
+Thorkel of Salft, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,69
+Thorlak (Thorhallson, Saint), Bishop of Skalholt, 104
+Thorlaug Saemund's daughter, 92
+Thorleif, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of
+  Grettir, 238
+Thorleif of Lavadale, 182
+Thormod Coalbrowskald (kolbr�narsk�ld), 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 145, 146,
+  147, 148, 149
+Thormod Oleifson, called Shaft (skapti), 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19
+Thorod, who settled Ramfirth, 89
+Thorod Arnorson, called Drapa-Stump (dr�pust�fr), 89, 91, 142, 143,
+  144, 150, 151, 246, 248, 250
+Thorod Eyvindson, the Godi, of Hjalli, 11, 24,96
+Thorod Snorrison, 201, 202, 203,204
+Thorolf of Ere, 154
+Thorolf, called the Fastholding (fasthaldi), 273
+Thorolf Skolmson. <i>See</i> Thoralf.
+Thorstein Asmundson, called Dromund, 26, 71, 74, 75, 121-125, 252,
+  253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264-272
+Thorstein, whom Snorri Godi had slain, 172
+Thorstein Godi, 11
+Thorstein Ketilson, 27
+Thorstein the Red (rau�r), 79
+Thorstein of Reekness, 22
+Thorstein, Thorkel Kugg's son, called Kuggson, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82,
+  143, 144, 145, 158, 159, 170, 200, 201
+Thorstein the Uplander, 26
+Thorstein the White (hv�ti), of Sand-heaps, 191
+Thorvald Asgeirson, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger, 34, 35, 77,
+  79, 110, 129, 130, 151, 248, 249, 250
+Thorvald of Drangar, 16
+Thorvald Kodranson, 27
+Thorvald of Reeks in Skagafirth, 207, 222
+Thorvor, Thormod's daughter, 11
+Thrand Biornson, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19
+Thrand Thorarinson, 179, 180, 182
+Thurid Asgeir's-daughter, d. of Asgeir Madpate the older, 79
+Thurid Thorhall's-daughter, 95, 104
+Thurid, Thorbiorn Angle's stepmother, 208, 226-231
+Tongue-Stein. <i>See</i> Stein Biornson.
+Torfi Vebrandson, 234
+Ufeigh, the father of Odd, 29
+Ufeigh Ivarson, called Clubfoot (burluf�tr), 1
+Ufeigh Einarson, called Grettir, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 18
+Ufeigh (Herraudson), the Settler of Ufeigh's-firth, 20
+Ufeigh Hrei�arson (Crow-Hr.), called Thinbeard (�unnskeggr), 208
+Ufeigh Onundson, called Grettir, 19, 24, 25
+Ulf the Squinter (skj�lgi), 80
+Ulfheid Eyulf's-daughter, 104
+Una Steinulf's-daughter, 5
+Uspak Glumson, of Ere in Bitra, 29, 151, 246, 247, 248
+Uspak Kiarlakson of Skridinsenni, 29
+Vermund the Slender, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157
+Vestar Haengson, 5
+Vestmar, a viking, 7, 9
+Vigbiod, a viking, 7, 8, 9
+Vikar, one of Thord Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, 241
+
+
+
+
+INDEX II.
+
+LOCAL NAMES.
+
+Acres (Akrar), 178, 179, 182
+Agdir, now Nedenes-Lister-og Mandals-Fogderi, in Norway, 5, 13
+Armansfell, 97
+Arness in the Strands, 17, 20, 21
+Asbiornsness (Asbjarnarnes) in Willowdale, 85, 92
+Asgeir's-River (Asgeirs�), a farm in Willowdale, 20, 34, 275
+Aslaugs-lithe (Aslaugarhli�), 176
+Audunstead in Willowdale (Au�unarsta�ir), 34, 83, 84, 104
+Axefirth (Axarfj�r�r), 25, 277
+Axefirth-peak (Axarfjardar-nupr), 277
+
+Balkstead (B�lkasta�ir), two farm-steads in Ramfirth, 10
+Ball-jokull, 161, 169
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead in Ramfirth, 89
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead above Thingness, in Bugfirth, 135, 136
+Bard-dale (B�r�ardalr), north of Islefirth, 191, 192, 196, 200
+Barra (Barrey), one of the Hebrides, 1, 5, 7, 9
+Bathstead (Laugab�l), a farmhouse in Icefirth, 152, 153
+Berg-Ridge (Bjarga-�s), in Waterness, in Hunawater Thing, 129
+Bergs (Bj�rg), ibid. 129
+Biarg, a farmstead in Midfirth, Grettir's birthplace, 25, 27, 28, 29,
+  35, 39-77, 83, 87, 88, 90, 92, 93, 95, 104, 111, 113, 126, 127, 128,
+  130, 131, 132, 139, 142, 144, 200, 204, 246, 247, 251
+Bitra, 128, 151
+Biornfirth (Bjarnarfj�r�r), in the Strands, 23
+Boardere (Bor�eyri), a farmstead in Ramfirth, 90
+Bodvar's-knolls (B��varsh�lar), in Westhope, in Hunawaterthing, 89
+Bondmaid's-River (Amb�ttar�), 129
+Bowerfell (B�rfell), a farmstead on Ramfirth-neck, 90, 91
+Brakeisle (Hr�sey), in Islefirth, 16
+Brakelithe, <i>see</i> Kraeklingslithe.
+Broadfirth (Brei�ifj�r�r),276
+Broadfirth-dales (Brei�afjar�ardalir), 170, 201
+Broadlair-stead (Brei�ib�lsta�r), in Sokkolfsdale, 202
+Broad-river (Brei��), a farmstead in Flat-lithe, in Skagafirth, 209
+Brooks-meet (Laekjam�t), a farmstead in Willowdale, 27, 77
+Brook-bow (Laekjarbugr), a farmstead in the Marshes, 178, 179
+Burgfirth (Borgarfj�r�r), 81, 93, 130, 135, 159, 161, 162, 170, 182
+Burglava (Borgarhraun), 176
+Burn-river (Brunn�), 278
+Bute (B�tz, or B�t), isle of, 7
+Byrgirs-Creek (Byrgisv�k), 18, 22
+Bye (Baer), a farmstead in Burgfirth, 136
+
+Cave-Knolls (Hellish�lar), on Reekness, 147
+Codfirth (�orskafj�r�r) in Bardastrandsylla, 148
+Codfirth-heath (�orskafjar�arhei�i), 152
+Coldback (Kaldbak), a fell in the Strands, 17, 18
+Coldback, the farmstead of Onund Treefoot, in the Strands, 18, 19, 20,
+  21, 22, 23
+Coldback-cleft (Kaldbakskleif), 18
+Coldback-Creek (Kaldbaksvik), 18, 23, 24
+Coldriver-dale (Kald�rdalr), 176
+Combe (Gj�gr), a farmstead in the Strands, 22
+Combe (Kambr), in Reekness in the Strands, 25
+Combeness (Kambnes), 182
+Cornriver (Korns�), a farm in Waterdale, 26
+Creek, 20, 22. = Treetub-creek.
+Cross-river (�ver�), a stream in Waterness, 129
+
+Dales = Broadfirth-dales, 202
+Deepfirth (Dj�pifj�rdr), 276
+Deildar-Tongue (D-T�nga), 137
+Dinby (Glaumbaerr), a farmstead in Skagafirth, 206
+Dog-dale (Hundadalr), 81
+Door-holm (Dyrh�lmr), the southeastmost point of Iceland, 234
+Doveness-path (D�funess-skei�i), a portion of the way over the Keel, 160
+Drangar, a farmstead in the Strands, 16, 20, 22
+Drangey, an island in Skagafirth, 200, 204, 207, 209, 210, 217, 218,
+  219, 222, 223, 224, 227, 228, 231, 237, 238, 250, 251
+Drontheim (�r�ndheimr), now Trondhiem, in Norway, 69, 114, 118
+Drontheimfirth (�r�ndheimsfj�r�r), 67
+
+Eastfirths (Austfir�ir), 184
+Eastriver (Austr�), 202
+Eastriverdale (Austr�rdalr), one of the Broadfirth-dales, 201
+England, 50, 115
+Ere (Eyri, al. Uspakseyri), in Bitra, 128, 151
+Ere (Eyri), in Icefirth, 152, 154
+Eres (Eyrar, now Eyrabakki), on the south coast of Iceland, 11
+Eyjafirth, 112 = Islefirth.
+Eyvindsfirth (Eyvindarfj�r�r), 20
+Ernelakeheath, 186 = Ernewaterheath.
+Ernewaterheath (Arnarvatnsheit�i), 163, 165, 184, 188
+
+Fairslope (Fagrabrekka), 90
+Fairwood (F�grusk�gar), a farm near Fairwoodfell, 179, 181, 277
+Fairwoodfell (Fagrask�garfjall), north of the Marsh country and
+  west side of Hitdale, 171, 172, 178, 277
+Fishbrook (Fiskilaekr), 115
+Fishwaterlakes (Fiskiv�tn), 163
+Fishless (Vei�ilausa), in the Strands, 17, 18
+Flat-lithe (Sl�ttahl��), in Skagafirth, 209
+Fleets (Flj�t), on the north side of the mouth of Skagafirth, 208,
+  212, 237, 238
+Fleet-tongue (Flj�tst�nga), 37
+Flokedale-river (Fl�kadals�), in Burgfirth, 136
+Flysja-wharf (Flysju-hverfi or Flysu-hverfi), 174, 179
+Foxplain (Melrakkasl�tta), 278
+
+Gangpass-mouth (Gaunguskar�s�s, better Gaunguskar�s�r�s), 222
+Gartar, now Garten, an island in the mouth of Drontheimfirth, 67
+Garth (Gar�r), in Maindale, 115, 118, 133, 134, 151, 190, 200
+Gilsbank (Gilsbakki), 130, 137, 138
+Gjorvidale, 152
+Gnup-Wards'-rape (Gn�pverjahreppr), 11
+Gnup, a farmstead in Midfirth, 19
+Goatland (Geitland), 182
+Goatland's-jokul (Geitland's-j�kull), 182
+Goat-rock (Hafraklettr), 147
+God-dales (Go�dalir), 208, 237
+Godis-wood (Go�ask�gr), 97
+Goosere (G�seyri, G�sir, prop. Geese, or perhaps Creeks), a
+  market-place in Islefirth, 112, 113, 133, 251
+Gothland (Gautland), 5
+Grettirs-point (G-Oddi), 180
+Grettirs-hillock (G-�ufa), 249
+Grettirs-Gill, 18
+
+
+Hafrsfirth (Hafrsfjor�r), now Hafsfjord, in Jadar in Norway, 3
+Haffirth-river (Hafsfjar�rara), in the Marshes, 176
+Hall-marsh (Sk�lamyrr), in Skagafirth, 208
+Hallwick (Sk�lav�k), in Sweeping's firth 10
+Halogaland, now Nordlandene, in Norway, 62
+Haramsey, properly H�rhamars-ey, now Harams�, in South-Mere, in
+  Norway, 45, 50, 51
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a valley in the Broadfirth-dales, 90
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a farmstead in Biskupst�ngr in Arnesthing, 159
+Hawkdale-pass (Haukadals-skar�), a mountain road between Hawkdale
+  and Ramfirth, 126
+Head, a farm on Head-strand, 79, 276
+Head-strand (H�f�astrond), in Skagafirth, 208
+Heel (Haell), 18
+Heron-ness (Hegranes), in Skagafirth, 210, 213
+Hjalli in Olfus, 11, 159, 162
+Hjaltidale (Hjaltadalr), in Skagafirth, 207
+Hitdale (Hitardalr), north of the Marshes, 173, 179
+Hitness (Hitarnes), in the Marshes, 171, 178
+Hitriver (Hitar�), in the Marshes, 171, 172, 174, 175, 178, 179
+Hof in Hjaltidale, 207
+Hof on Head-strand, 208, 237
+Hof�i (Hof�i), 79, 276
+Holm (H�lmr), the homestead of Biorn the Hitdale-champion in
+  the Marshes, 170
+Holtbeacon-heath (Holtav�r�uhei�i), a mountain over which lay the
+  main road between Northriverdale and Ramfirth, 200
+Hordaland, a province of Norway, now S�ndre Bergenhus Amt, 1, 2, 4, 114
+Horn, 132
+Horseholt (Hrossholt), in the Marshes, 177
+Hunawater (H�navatn), 26, 101,
+Hvamm, a farmstead in Hvamsveit by Hvamsfirth 18, 79
+Hvamsveit, 79
+Hvin, now Kvinen, in Norway, 13
+Hvinisfirth, now Fedde-Fjorden, in Norway, 5
+Haeringsleap, in Drangey, 224
+
+Jadar, now Jaederen, in Norway, 121
+
+Icefirth (Isafj�r�ar), 155
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjar�ar-dj�p), 273
+Iceland (Island), 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 27, 75,77, 115, 116, 121,
+243, 250, 253, 272
+Ingolfs-firth (Ing�ilfafj�rdr), 17, 20, 22
+
+Jorvi (Jorvi) in Flysia-wharf, 179
+
+Ireland (Irland), 2, 5, 6, 7, 10
+Islefirth (Eyjafirth, Eyjafj�r�r), 16
+Isledale-river (Eyjardals�), a farmstead in Bard-dale, 191, 192, 194,
+  196, 198, 201
+
+Kalf-river (K�if�), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, 18
+Kalfness (Kalfanes), 136, 137
+
+Keel (Kj�lr), a mountain between the North and South quarter of,
+  Iceland, over which a main road led from Biskupst�ngur to Islefirth,
+  159, 162, 169
+Kialarnes, 19
+Knobstead (Knappsta�ir), a farmstead in the Fleets, 212
+Knoll (H�ll), in the Strands, the farm of Swan, 23
+Kolbeins-Creek (Kolbeinsvik) in the Strands, 18
+Kolbeinstead (Kolbeinssta�ir), a farmstead in the Marshes, 176
+Kraeklings-lithe, a country side in Islefirth, 16, 277
+Kropp, 137
+
+Lavadale (Hraundalr), in the Marshlands, 179, 180, 182
+Laxdale-heath (Lax�rdalshei�i), a mountain road between Laxardale
+  and Ramfirth, 143
+Liarskogar (Lj�rsk�gar), a farmstead in Hvamsveit, 79, 81, 143, 144,
+  145, 158
+Longdale (Langidalr), in Icefirth, 152
+Longfit (Langafit), below Reeks in Midfirth, 87
+Longholt (Langholt), in Skagafirth, 206
+Longness (Langanes), the north-eastmost promontory of Iceland, 16
+
+Madderdale-heath (M��rudalshei�i), in the north-east of Iceland, 189,
+  277
+Maddervales (M��ruvellir) in Islefirth, 200
+Maindale (A�aldalr), in the north-east of Iceland, 115
+Marshes (M�rar; Marsh-country), 170, 171, 178
+Marstead (M�rsta�ir) in Waterdale, 26
+Marswell (M�rskelda), 81
+Meadness (Haganes), a farmstead in the Fleets, 208, 237, 238
+Meal (Melr, now Melsta�r) in Midfirth, 34, 87, 114
+Meals (Melar) in Ramfirth, 29, 90, 126, 143, 144, 151, 248, 275
+Mere (Moeri) = South-Mere, 69
+Micklegarth (Constantinople), 252, 253, 268, 270, 272
+Midfirth (Mi�fj�r�r) in Hunawaterthing, 19, 25, 34, 77, 78, 130,
+  139, 140, 246
+Midfirth-Water (Mi�fj�r�arvatn), 34, 83
+Midfit (Mi�fitjar) in Ramfirth, 144
+
+Neck (= Ramfirth-neck), 130
+Necks (= Ramfirth--and--Midfirth-neck), 140
+Nes (Nesjar) in Norway, 112
+Ness = Snowfellsness, 126
+North-Glass-river (Gler� en nyr�ri), in Islefirth, 16
+Northriver (Nor�r�), a stream in Burgfirth, 81
+Northriverdale (Nor�r�rdalr), ibid. 90, 201,
+Norway (Noregr), 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 11, 12, 17, 26, 45, 50, 60, 61, 76,
+  112, 114, 115, 122, 251, 252, 268, 270
+N�pasveit in Axefirth, 278
+
+Olaf's-isles (Olafseyjar) in Broadfirth, 146
+Oyce-land (Osland) in Skagafirth, 245
+
+Pass (Skar�) the, a farm in Hawkdale, 90, 126, 127, 129, 273
+
+Ramfirth (Hr�tafj��r), in Hunawaterthing, 10, 29, 89, 90, 126
+Ramfirth-neck (Hr�tafjar�arh�ls), 91, 113, 127, 130, 143
+Raun (Hraun), a farmstead in the Marshes, 174
+Reekfirth (Reykjafj�r�r), a bay in the Strands, 18, 25
+Reekfirth, a farmstead in the last-named bay, 18, 20
+Reek-heath (Reykjahei�i), in the North-East of Iceland, 189
+Reek-knolls (Reykh�lar), a farmstead on Reekness in Broadfirth, 80,
+  144, 145
+Reekness (Reykjanes), a promontory in the Strands, 18, 22
+Reekness, a farmstead on the last-named ness, 22
+Reekness, south-westmost point of Iceland, 40
+Reekness, east side of Codfirth, in Broadfirth, 80, 145, 146
+Reekpass (Reykjaskar�) in Skagafirth, 205
+Reeks (Reykir), a farmstead in Midfirth below Biarg, 87
+Reeks, a farmstead nigh to Thorodstead in Ramfirth, 140, 142, 143
+Reeks, a farmstead in Reek-strand in Skagafirth, 207, 220, 250, 251
+Reek-strand (Reykjastr�nd), in Skagafirth, 250
+Reydarfell in Whiteriverside, in Burgfirth, 39
+Rib-skerries (Rifsker) in Reekfirth, 22, 24
+Ridge, the, (As, al. Odds�s) in Waterdale, the farm of Thorvald Asgeirson,
+  37, 77, 110
+Ridge, the, (As, al. St�ri�s), in Burgfirth, 184
+Ridge (As, al. Valdar�s), in Willowdale, 275
+Rogaland, now Stavanger Amt, in Norvay, 1, 2, 3, 12
+Rome, 271
+Rosmwhale-ness (Rosmhvalanes), 24
+
+Saemund's-lithe (Saemundarhl��) in Skagafirth, 206
+Salft (prop. S�lpti or S�lfti), now
+Salten in Salten-Fjord, in Halogafand, 62
+Samstead (S�mssta�ir), 145
+Sand, a wilderness between the North and the South Country,
+  crossed by a road from Skagafirth south to Burgfirth and
+  Thingvellir, 249
+Sand-heaps (Sandhaugar), 191, 192, 195, 199. 201, 273
+Scarf-stead (Skarfssta�ir), 158, 251
+Scotland, 2, 5, 7
+Shady-vale (Forsaeludalr), inland of Waterdale, 95
+Slaftholt (Skaptaholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, 11
+Shieldbroadfell (Skjaldbrei�), a volcano north-east of Thingvellir, 183
+Skagafirth, 83, 200, 205, 207, 217, 250
+Skagi, a mountain promontory between Strandbay and Skagafirth, 16
+Skalholt (Sk�laholt), in Biskupst�ngur, 77, 250
+Skridinsenni, a farmstead in Bitra, 29
+Sledgehill (Sle�a�s), north of Thingvellir, 39, 97
+Slysfirth (Slysfj�r�r, prop. Slygsfj�r�r), now Storfjorden in S�ndm�res
+  Fogderi, in Norway, 51
+Snowfells (Snaefj�ll), 275
+Snowfellsness (Snaefellsnes), the West-most promontory of Iceland,
+  126, 173
+Sokkolfsdale (S�kkolfsdalr), in the Broadfirth-dales, 202
+Soknadale (S�knadalr, or S�knardalr), now Sognedalen, in Norway, 13
+Sorbness (Reynines), in Skagafirth, 206
+Sorreldale (S�rnadalr), now Surendalen, in Norway, 14
+Sotanes, in Norway, 1
+South-Glass-river (Gler� en sy�ri), a farmstead in Islefirth, 16
+South-Mere (Summaeri), now S�ndm�res Fogderi, in Norway, 45, cpr. 69
+South-Isles (Su�r-eyjar), the Hebrides, 1, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11
+South-Strands (Su�r-strandir), 16
+Spear-mead (Spj�tsm�rr), in Ramfirth, 144
+Stair (Stigi), a foreland peak east of Sweepingsfirth, 10
+Stead (Sta�r), now Stadtland, promontory in Norway, 115, 116, 117
+Steep-brent (Brattabrekka), 201
+Steersriver (�i�rs�), 12
+Steinker, an Earl's seat in Drontheim, 69
+Stone-holt (Steinsholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, 11
+Stonestead (Steinsta�ir), in Skagafirth, 208
+Strandbay (Strandafl�i), 16
+Strands (Strandir), north-westmost part of Iceland, 16, 77, 80
+Sweepingsfirth (S�gandafj�r�r), 10
+Sylgdale (Sylgsdalir), in Sweden, 96
+Thingere-lands (��ngeyrasveit), in Hunawaterthing, 25
+Thingness (��ngnes), in Burghfirth, 135, 136
+Thoreys-peak (��reyjar-n�pr) a farm in Willowdale, 93, 94, 104
+Thorhall-stead (��rhallssta�ir) in Shady-vale, 95, 97, 98, 102, 103, 105
+Thorodstead (��roddsstadir) in Ramfirth, 89, 140
+Thorir's-dale (��rir's-vale, 184, Thorisdalr), 183, 184, 201
+Thrandsholt (�r�ndarholt), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, 11
+Thwart-river (�ver�), a stream in Gnup-Ward's-rape, 11
+Titling-stead (Titl�ngasta�ir), on Reekness, 147
+Tongue (T�nga, Sael�ngsdalst�nga), Snorri Godi's home, 144, 145, 203
+Tongue (T�nga), a farmstead in Waterdale, 90
+Tongue (T�nga, now N�psdalst�nga(?)), a farmstead in Midfirth, 90
+Tongue (T�nga), the home of Asgrim Ellida Grimson, in Arnesthing, 159
+Tongue-river (T�ngu�), a stream in the Fleets, 212
+Torfa's-stead (Torfusta�ir), a homestead in Midfirth, 34
+Treetub-creek, the Creek, the Wick, (Tr�kyllisv�k), in the Strands,
+  20, 22, 23, 24, 25
+Tunsberg, a market-place in Norway, now T�nsberg, 71, 75, 121, 123,
+  251, 252
+Twodays-way (Twodays-ride, Tv�daegra), a mountain-road from
+  Northriverdale to the Midfirth-dales and Willowdale, 93, 139
+
+Ufeigh's-firth (Ufeigsfj�r�r), in the Strands, 22
+Ufeigh's-stead (Ufeigssta�ir), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, 11
+Ufaera, in the Strands, 17
+Uplands (Uppl�nd), Oplandene in Norway, 2
+
+Vogar a fish-fair in Halogaland, in Norway, now Vaagen, 62, 67
+
+Waterdale (Vatnsdalr), in Euna-waterthing, 26, 38, 40, 77, 104, 110,
+  111, 275, 276
+Waterfirth (Vatnsfj�r�r), home-stead of Vermund the Slender,
+  152, 154, 155, 158
+Waterfirth-dale (Vatnsfjar�andalr), in Icefirth, 153
+Waterness (Vatnsnes), pron. between Hunafirth and Midfirth, 129
+Waterpass (Vatnsskar�), between Hunawaterthing and Skagafirth, 205
+Wave-ridge (�lduhryggr), in Sta�arsveit, 173
+Weir (St�fla), in the Fleets, 212
+Well-ness (Keldunes), 115
+Well-wharf (Kelduhverfi), 115
+Well-wharfside, id. 187
+Westfirths (Vestfir�ir), 144, 158, 162
+Westhope, (Vestrh�p), in Hunawaterthing, 34
+Wetherfirth=Ramfirth, 143
+Whalesheadholme, (Hvalshaush�lmr), 146,147
+Whiteriver (Hv�t�), in Burgfirth, 135, 136, 172
+Whiteriverside (Hv�t�rs�da), in Burgfirth, 39
+Wick (V�kin), in Norway, 26
+Wick=Treetub-Creek.
+Willowdale (V��dalr), west of Waterdale, 20,34,83, 104, 275
+Windham (Vindheimr), a farmstead of Haramsey, 46, 47
+Wolds (Vellir), a harbour on the Whiteriver, 135,136
+Woods-tead (Sk�gar), a farm in Axefirth, 277
+Woodwick (Vi�v�k), a farmstead in Skagafirth, 208, 231, 236, 237, 245
+
+
+
+
+INDEX III.
+
+THINGS.
+
+A nithing's deed, setting on a dying man with weapons, 250
+Arson, 2, 5, 13
+Assassins (hired), 163, 167
+
+Barrow of Karr the Old of Haramsey, 47, 49
+  of Onund Treefoot, called "Treefoot's-barrow," 19
+<i>Battles and Fights</i>.
+  Battle of Barra, between Onund Treefoot, and King Kiarval, 1, 2
+  of Bute, between Onund Treefoot and the Vikings, Vigbiod
+    and Vestmar, 7, 9
+  of Ernewaterheath, between Grettir and Hallmund on one
+    side, and Thorir of Garth with eighty men on the other, 168, 170
+  of Grettirsoddi by Hitriver, between Grettir and the Marshmen,
+    179, 180
+  of Hafrsfirth, between Harald Fairhair and several Norwegian petty
+    kings, 3, 4
+  of Nesjar, between St. Olaf and Earl Svein, 112
+  of the Pass, between Ath Asmundson and the Sons of Thorir of the
+    Pass, 127, 128
+  at Bowerfell, between Grettir and the men of Meal, 91
+
+  Fight in Drangey, between the Brothers Grettir and Illugi, on one
+    side, and Thorbiorn Angle and his band on the other, 240, 241
+
+  Fight on Ernewaterheath, with the Assassins Grim and Thorir
+    Redbeard, 163, 164
+  at Fairwoodfell with Gish, 176,177
+  at Fleet-tongue with Skeggi, 38
+  in Gartar, with Biorn, 68
+  at Goosere, with Thorbiorn Tardy, 144
+  in Grettir's-Gill, between Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn
+    Earls' Champion, 18, 19
+  in Haramsey, with Karr the Old, in his harrow, 48, 49
+  in Haramsey, with twelve Bearserks, 56, 58
+  on Midfit, with Thorbiorn Oxmain, 141
+  on Reekness, between the men of the Creek and those
+    of Coldback, over a whale, 23
+  on a common driftland in the Strands over a whale, between
+    the foster-brothers �orgeir Havarson and Thormod
+    Coalbrowskald on one side, and Thorgils Makson on the other, 77,78
+  at Sand-heaps, with a troll-wife, 194, 195
+  nigh to Sand-heaps, in a cave, with a giant, 197
+  at Steinker, with Hiarandi, 70, 71
+Fight at Thorhall-stead with Glam the Thrall, 107, 109
+  in Tunsberg, with Gunnar, the brother of Hiarandi, 72, 73
+  with Snaekoll the bearserk, 122, 123
+
+Bridge of Liarskogar, a work of great art, hung with rings and
+  'din-bells,' 158
+
+<i>Domestic Implements</i>.
+  Bottles of leather, for keeping drink in, 20
+  Chopper, 23, 194
+  Clothes-bag, 175
+  Curd-bags, hides drawn up to fetch curds in from mountain dairies, 84
+  Deer-horn, for drinking at feasts, 15
+  Digging-tools, 47
+  Kettle, 182
+  Meal-bags, wherein victuals were kept for the thing-ride, 38
+  Tools to strike fire, 182
+  Trough, 194
+  Wool-combs. 30
+
+Dowry, 7
+
+<i>Dress and Ornamental Apparel</i>.
+  Breeches (of sail-cloth, 117), 176, 220
+  Cape, 117, 136, 137
+  Chain, round the neck, 14
+  Cloak of rich web, 14
+  Coloured clothes (over--clothes), 154, 174
+  Cowl, 220 Drugget-cloak, 107
+  Fur-cloak, 64
+  Hat (slouched), 169, 189
+  Hood, 206
+  Kirtle (red), 85
+  Leggings (hose), 65
+  Mittens, 206
+  Rings of gold, 14
+  Shirt, 176
+  Spurs, 202
+  State-raiment, 175
+  Thongs (hose-thongs), 65
+Fair in Vagar in Halogaland, 62
+Famine, 21
+
+<i>Feasts</i>.
+  (There were three principal festals in the year: at Winter-nights,
+   Yule, and Midsummer.)
+
+  Autumn-feast (= winter nights' feast, Oct. 14), at Thorbiorn
+  Oxmain's, III "Drinking turn and turn about," is probably the same
+  that elsewhere is called "Sambur�Sarol," an ale-club or rotation
+  drinking by common subscription, 14 Yule-ale, 51 Yule-biddings,
+  51, 52
+
+<i>Fights, see</i> Battles and Fights.
+
+<i>Food and Drink</i>.
+  (The Saga mentions no imported articles of food.)
+  Beer, 53, 56
+  Curds, 84
+  Fish (stockfish), 131, 132
+  Lent-fare, fat and livers, 183
+  Mutton, <i>passim</i>.
+Fire above hid treasure, 47
+Foster-brothers (sworn brothers), 78, 81, 92, 93
+Godi's-wood, a wood said to have belonged to six Godar, 97
+Grettir's-heave, 39, 91, 176
+<i>Horse-Outfit</i>.
+  Bridle (embossed, 160), 76, 136
+  Head-gear, 160 Saddle (fair-stained, 84), 38
+  Snaffle-rings, 160 Hospitality, 54,
+Hospitality, 54, 80
+<i>Houses and their Outfit</i>.
+Beaks of vessels put over the door, 115
+Bed, 107
+Boards (= tables), 30
+Bolt, 56
+Boose (= cow-stall in a byre), 103
+Booth at the thing, 96
+--for drinking assemblages, 72
+--for trade-purposes, 113
+Bower, serving as a ward-robe, cloth-bower, 56
+--a storehouse apart from other houses, out-bower, 56, 245
+Closet, 56
+Corn-barn, 58
+Cross-beam (= tie-beam), 107, 108
+Cross-bench (= dais), 193
+Door, 56 and <i>passim</i>.
+Doorcase, 108
+Doorpost, 133
+Dungeon, 254
+Gable, 193
+Hall, fire-hall, <i>passim</i>, see also note on hall pp. 273-275
+Hangings, 53
+High-chair, 48
+Hill-dairy, 84, 153, 154
+Horse-stable, 106
+House of refuge (s�luh�s), 117
+Latch, 56
+Lock-bed, 107
+Loft (sleeping-loft), 14, 124
+Long-fires, 30
+Rafters, 108
+Roof, 107, 240
+Seat-beam, 84, 107
+Side-wall, 193
+Thatch, 108, 240
+Threshold, 108, 133
+Tie-beam, 107
+
+<i>Landwights</i>.
+
+Amongst these are to be numbered Hallmund and Thorir the half-troll
+of Thorir's-dale, and the wights told of in Hallmund's Song, 187
+
+Atonement. <i>See</i> Weregild.
+
+<i>Law, Suits, Penalties</i>.
+
+Boot for insulting language, 66
+Banishment, 129
+Declaring manslaughter as having been done by one's own hand, 133, 142
+District-outlawry, 129
+Execution (f�r�nsd�mr), 247-248
+Fine, 39, and <i>passim</i>.
+Handselling of a lawsuit, 39
+Handselling of lawful truce, 212, 214
+
+Law-provisions:
+  For drift-right, 25
+  For bearserks challenging men to holm, 51
+  For heritage of outlawed men in Norway in the days of
+    Harold Fairhair, 11
+  For the utmost limit of outlawry, 225
+  For heathen sacrifices in the earliest days of Christianity
+    in Iceland, 226
+  For a rightful suitor in a blood-suit, 150
+
+Lawsuits, 18, 19, 24, 39, 79, 129, 130, 149, 151, 238, 249, 250
+
+<i>Manners and Customs, Civil and Religious</i>.
+
+Bathing, 148, 220
+Burial of misdoers in cairns and tidewashed heap of stones, 59, 241
+Burial in barrows. <i>See</i> Barrows.
+--at churches, 126, 142
+
+Fasting on Yule-eve, 98
+--to iron birth, 119
+
+Hallowing of a vessel by a bishop, 115
+
+Iron-birth, 119
+
+Meal-times, 49
+
+Riding, to the Althing, 36, 79
+Rubbing of one's back by the fire, 30
+
+Sailors' duties have to be per-formed on board ship by the
+  passengers, 41, <i>sqq</i>.
+Sitting at table in the evening, 48
+Sleeping in fire-halls, 30
+
+Thing-men have to provide themselves,
+each one with fare at
+his own cost, 38
+
+Varangian weapon-show, 253
+
+Washing of hands ere going to
+table, 113
+
+<i>Money</i>.
+
+Hundred in silver, 151
+
+Mark in silver, 151, 173
+
+<i>Names of folk derived from their</i>
+   <i>country or dwelling-stead</i>.
+
+  Axefirthers, 278
+  Gothlander, 11
+  Halogalander, 57
+  Icefirthers, 155, 156
+  Lavadale-men, 182
+  Marshmen, 182
+  Northlanders, 163
+  Northmen, 10, 253
+  Ramfirthers, 34, and <i>passim</i>.
+  South-Islander, 7, 92
+  The men of Biarg, 88, 92
+  The men of Coldback, 20, <i>sqq.</i>
+  The men of the Creek, 20, <i>sqq.
+</i> Varangians, 253, <i>sqq.</i>
+  Waterdale-folk, 26, 38
+  Waterdale-kin, 142
+  Waterness-men, 34, 88
+  Well-wharfers, 170
+  Westfirthers, 80
+  Westhope-men, 34
+  Willowdale-men, 34
+
+<i>Occupations</i>.
+
+  Binding of hay into horseloads for being conveyed into rick-yard
+    or barn, 140, 141
+  Catching of fowl, 219
+  Drift-watching, 22
+  Fetching home victuals from mountain dairies, 84
+  Fetching home stockfish on horses, 126, 128
+  Fishing in sea and fresh water, 163, 166, 184
+  Folding, gathering sheep in autumn up from the wilds
+    and mountains, to be sorted for their owners according to
+    the marks in the ears of each sheep, 174
+  Gathering of eggs, 214
+  Hay-harvest, falls into two parts, the first, the haymaking in the
+    manured homefield, the second, in unmanured meads and mountains,
+    132, 140
+  Iron-smithying, 158
+  Mowing-tide, the whole season of the summer while grass can be
+    mown, 84, 132
+  Watching of home-geese, 29
+           of horses in winter, 31
+           of neat, 102
+           of sheep, 98, 101, 206
+  Whale-getting, 21, 77
+  Whale-cutting, 23
+
+<i>Pet Animals</i>.
+
+  Keingala, a mare, 31
+  Pied-belly, a ram, 240
+  Saddle-fair, a mare, 135
+
+<i>Runes</i>.
+
+  Songs cut on staffs, in runes, 186, 198
+  Baneful runes cut on a bewitched log of wood, 230, 231
+
+<i>Sagas Quoted</i>.
+
+  The saga of the Bandamenn, 29
+    of Bodmod, Grimulf, and Gerpir, 25
+    of Eric the Earl, 51
+    of Grim who slew Hallmund, 188
+    of the heath-slayings, 86
+The saga of the Laxdale-men, 19
+
+Settlings of land in Iceland, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17
+
+<i>Ships and their outfit</i>.
+
+  Boat, ten oars aboard, 22, 227
+  Boat-stand, 20, <i>and passim</i>
+  Beaks, 115
+  Bark (karfi), of sixteen oars aboard, 46, 52, 62
+  Bulwark, 3
+  Forecastle, 3
+  Grapplings, 3
+  Gunwale, 147
+  Row-barge, 115
+  Sail, 16, 41
+  Ship shield-hung from stem to stern, 52
+    stained above sea, 52
+    cleared from stem to stern, 3
+    stem, stern, 3, 52
+  Viking-ship, I
+  War-ship, 6
+  Work in connection with ship:
+    baling, 41, 42, 45
+    pumping, 44
+    rolling ship ashore, 174
+    launching of, 46
+    building of, 25
+  Yard, 16
+
+<i>Skalds named in the Saga</i>.
+
+  Arnor Earls'-skald, 179
+  Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, 34, 71
+  Grettir Asmundson.
+  Hallmund, 161, 186-187
+  Odd the Foundling-Skald, 34, 87-88
+  Skald-Torfa, 34
+  Svein of Bank, 135
+  Thormod Coalbrowskald, 77
+
+<i>Social Stations</i>.
+
+  Bonder, 14, and <i>passim</i>
+  Chapmen, <i>passim</i>
+  Court-owner, an owner of all such houses in a town as form the
+    surrounding of a court, 71
+  Earl, a man next after the king in dignity, 14, 50 <i>sqq</i>.,
+     69 <i>sqq</i>., 112
+  Free-men, 53
+  Godi, a chief combining in his person the religious and administrative
+    authority of the district over which he ruled, 11, 26
+  Hand-maid, 220, 221
+  Herdsman. <i>See</i> Occupations.
+  Hersir, a man next to an earl in dignity, 14
+  Home-folk, 54
+  Home-women, 54
+  House-carle, <i>passim</i>.
+
+<i>Sports and Games</i>.
+
+  Ball-play, 34
+  Ball, 35
+  Bat, 35
+  Horse-fight, 87, 88
+  Knave-game (note), 208
+  Sports at Heron-ness thing, 210, 212
+  Swimming, 117, 167, 220
+  Tale-game, 208
+  Wrestling, 211, 212, 216
+
+<i>Things, or Public Law-assemblages</i>.
+
+  The Althing, <i>passim</i>
+  The Thing of Kialarness, 19
+    Heron-ness, 210
+    Hunawater, 129, 150
+  Trade on England, 67
+
+<i>Trolls and Evil Wights</i>.
+
+  See Hallmund's song, 187
+  Troll-carle, 197
+  Troll-wife, 194-195
+  The wight that slew Glam, 96, 99, 100
+Troth, to sit in troth for three winters, 7
+  Twainmonth, the second month in the year, corresponding to our
+    September (Aug. 24--Sept. 22).
+  Wadmall as an article of trade, 40, 220
+
+<i>Weapons and War-gear</i>.
+
+  Axe, <i>passim</i>.
+  Barb-end, 57
+  Barb, 57, 132
+  Buckler, 142
+  Byrni, 57
+  Chopper, 194
+  Cheek-pieces of a helmet, 122
+  Glaive (heft-sax), 197
+  Grigs of the sword, 241
+  Hand-axe, 141
+  Helmet, 57, 85, 122, 132
+  Shield (iron-rimmed, inlaid), 72, 122, 128, 175, 203, 241
+  Socket inlaid with silver, 141
+  Socket-nail, 141
+  Short-sword, Karrs-loom, 49, and <i>passim</i>
+  Spear, great without barbs, 141
+    with broad barbs, 56, 132
+  Stones used for missiles, 8
+  Spear-head, 57
+  Sword, girt with a sword, 132, 241
+    Jokul's gift, the heirloom of the kinsmen of Ingimund the
+    Old, 40, and <i>passim</i>.
+  Weird of a ghost, 109
+    of a sorceress, 229
+  Winter-nights, the first days in winter about Oct. 14, 145
+
+<i>Witchcraft and Sorcery</i>.
+
+  Gale of wind brought on by evil craft, 236-237
+  Witchcraft, an illegal means for overcoming an enemy, 244, 250
+  Witchcraft wrought into a log of wood, the manner thereof, 230, 231
+  Wound growing deadly through the effect of evil and witchcrafty
+    runes, 244, 250
+  Wooing, 6, 7, 19
+
+
+
+
+PERIPHRASTIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE SONGS.
+
+An Axe: Battle ogress, rock-troll, 38
+Blood: Rain of swords, 15
+Cave (Hallmund's): Kettle, where waters fall from great
+    ice-wall, 160
+Fight: Dart's breath, 15
+    Dart-shower, 43
+    Gale of death, 15
+    Gale of swords, 95
+    Hilda's[22] weather, 95
+    Iron-rain, 234
+    Mist's[22] mystery, 95
+    Odin's gale; Odin's storm, 143, 190
+    Shield-fire's thunder, 6
+    Shield-rain, 215
+    Spears' breath, 170
+    Spear-shower, 138
+    Spear-storm, 234
+    Sword-shower, 81
+
+Gallows: Sigar's meed for lovesome deed, (Sigarr hung Hag-bard
+    the Viking for having befooled his daughter), 157
+Gold: Deep sea's flame, 137
+    Dragon's lair, 49
+    Serpent's bed, 215
+    The flame of sea, 49
+    Wave's flashing flame, 49
+    Worm's bed, 41
+    Worm-land, 131
+Grettir (an Eddaic name for a serpent): Fell-creeping lad, 86
+Head: Thoughts' burg, 76
+Man: Elm-stalk, 136
+    Gold-scatterer, 181
+    Helm-stalk, 136
+    Jewel-strewer, 30
+    Lessener of the flame of sea, 49
+    Lessener of waves' flashing flame, 49
+    Ring-bearer, 68
+    Ring-strewer, 30
+    Scatterer of serpent's bed, 215
+    Wormland's haunter, 137
+    Snatcher of worm's bed, 41
+Mouth: Tofts of tooth-hedge, 124
+Sailor: He who decks the reindeer's side that 'twixt ness and
+    ness doth glide, 43
+Rider of wind-driven steed, 41
+Sea-steeds' rider, 81; Shield: Roof of war, 215
+Spear-walk, 12
+Ship: Reindeer that 'twixt ness and ness doth glide, 43
+    Sea-steed, 81
+    Steed of the rollers, 17
+    Wind-driven steed, 41
+Skald: Giver forth of Odin's mead (Svein of Bank), 137
+Sword: Byrni's flame, 76
+
+[Footnote 22: Hilda (Hildr) and Mist, goddesses of fight and
+manslaughter.]
+
+Sword: Helmfire, 50, 136
+    Man's-bane, 41
+    War-flame, 199
+    Whiting of the shield, 21
+    Wound-worm, 114
+Thor: Sifs lord, 157
+Warrior: Arrow-dealer, 114
+    Axe-breaker, 2
+    Begetter of fight, 49
+    Brand-whetter, 17
+    Breaker of the bow, 50
+    Foreteller of spear-shower, 138
+Warrior: Grove of Hedin's maid, 125
+    Raiser-up of roof of war, 215
+    Spear-grove, 59
+    Stem of shield, 190
+    Sword-player, 199
+    War-god, 66
+    Wound-worm's tower, 114
+Wool-combe: Hook-clawed bird, 31
+Woman: Giver forth of gold, 59
+    Goddess of red gold, 137
+    Ground of gold, 30
+    Son of golden stall, 190
+    Warder of horns' wave, 181
+
+
+
+
+PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL SAYINGS THAT OCCUR IN THE STORY.
+
+PAGE
+
+A friend should warn a friend of ill ............................. 30
+Ale is another man ............................................... 55
+All must fare when they are fetched............................... 188
+All things bide their day......................................... 218
+All will come to an end .......................................... 233
+Bare is the back of the brotherless .............................. 241
+Best to bairn is mother still .................................... 41
+Bewail he, who brought the woe ................................... 175
+Broad spears are about now ....................................... 133
+Deeds done will be told of ....................................... 224
+Even so shall bale be bettered by biding greater bale ............ 140
+For one thing alone will I not be known .......................... 192
+From ill cometh ill .............................................. 105
+Good luck and goodliness are twain ............................... 105
+Hand for wont doth yearn ......................................... 226
+Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself ......................... 176
+Ill deed gains ill hap ..........................................  188
+Ill heed still to ill doth lead .................................  121
+Ill if a thrall is thine only friend ............................. 240
+Ill it is ill to be .............................................. 165
+Ill it is to goad the foolhardy .................................. 30
+Let one oak have what from the other it shaves ................... 67
+Little can cope with cunning of eld .............................. 205
+Long it takes to try a man ....................................... 61
+Many a man lies hid within himself ............................... 203
+Many a man stretches round the door to the lock .................. 86
+More one knows the more one tries ................................ 30
+No man makes himself ............................................. 125
+Now this, now that has strokes in his garth ...................... 125
+Odd haps are worst haps .......................................... 37
+Oft a listening ear in the holt is anear ......................... 173
+Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust .......................... 32
+Old friends are the last to sever ................................ 240
+One may be apaid of a man's aid .................................. 44
+Overpraised, and first to fail ................................... 132
+Sooth is the sage's guess ........................................ 92
+Swear loud and say little ........................................ 266
+The lower must lowt .............................................. 267
+The nigher the call, the further the man ......................... 211
+Things boded will happen, so will things unboded ................. 32
+Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth has had no sup ... 168
+Thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never ................. 35
+Thrice of yore have all things happed ............................ 262
+To the goat-house for wool ....................................... 226
+With hell's man are dealings ill ................................. 176
+Woe is before one's own door when it is inside
+one's neighbour's ................................................ 105
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Grettir The Strong
+by Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
+
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+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of     A Life Scarce Worth The Living, A Poor Fame Scarce Worth, by Eir�kr Magn�sson.
+    </title>
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+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Grettir The Strong
+by Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of Grettir The Strong
+
+Author: Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
+
+Release Date: June 26, 2004 [EBook #12747]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Bill Hershey, and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h1>THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG</h1>
+
+<h2>TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC</h2>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+<h2>EIR&Iacute;KR MAGN&Uacute;SSON</h2>
+<h3>AND</h3>
+<h2>WILLIAM MORRIS</h2>
+<h2>1900</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<blockquote>
+    A life scarce worth the living, a poor fame <br />
+    Scarce worth the winning, in a wretched land,<br />
+    Where fear and pain go upon either hand,<br />
+    As toward the end men fare without an aim<br />
+    Unto the dull grey dark from whence they came:<br />
+    Let them alone, the unshadowed sheer rocks stand<br />
+    Over the twilight graves of that poor band,<br />
+    Who count so little in the great world's game!<br />
+<br />
+    Nay, with the dead I deal not; this man lives,<br />
+    And that which carried him through good and ill,<br />
+    Stern against fate while his voice echoed still<br />
+    From rock to rock, now he lies silent, strives<br />
+    With wasting time, and through its long lapse gives<br />
+    Another friend to me, life's void to fill.<br />
+</blockquote>
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3em;">WILLIAM MORRIS.</span><br />
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<a name="PREFACE"></a><h3>PREFACE.</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>We do not feel able to take in hand the wide subject of the Sagas of
+Iceland within the limits of a Preface; therefore we have only to say
+that we put forward this volume as the translation of an old story
+founded on facts, full of dramatic interest, and setting before
+people's eyes pictures of the life and manners of an interesting race
+of men near akin to ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>Those to whom the subject is new, we must refer to the translations
+already made of some other of these works,<a name="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> and to the notes which
+accompany them: a few notes at the end of this volume may be of use to
+students of Saga literature.</p>
+
+<p>For the original tale we think little apology is due; that it holds
+a very high place among the Sagas of Iceland no student of that
+literature will deny; of these we think it yields only to the story
+of Njal and his sons, a work in our estimation to be placed beside
+the few great works of the world. Our Saga is fuller and more complete
+than the tale of the other great outlaw Gisli; less frightful than
+the wonderfully characteristic and strange history of Egil, the son
+of Skallagrim; as personal and dramatic as that of Gunnlaug the
+Worm-tongue, if it lack the rare sentiment of that beautiful story;
+with more detail and consistency, if with less variety, than the
+history of Gudrun and her lovers in the Laxdaela; and more a work of
+art than that, or than the unstrung gems of Eyrbyggja, and the great
+compilation of Snorri Sturluson, the History of the Kings of Norway.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate, we repeat, whatever place among the best Sagas may be
+given to Grettla<a name="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> by readers of such things, it must of necessity
+be held to be one of the best in all ways; nor will those, we hope,
+of our readers who have not yet turned their attention to the works
+written in the Icelandic tongue, fail to be moved more or less by the
+dramatic power and eager interest in human character, shown by our
+story-teller; we say, we hope, but we are sure that no one of insight
+will disappoint us in this, when he has once accustomed himself to
+the unusual, and, if he pleases, barbarous atmosphere of these ancient
+stories.</p>
+
+<p>As some may like to know what they are going to read about before
+venturing on beginning the book, we will now give a short outline of
+our Saga.</p>
+
+<p>The first thirteen chapters (which sometimes are met with separately
+in the Icelandic as the Saga of Onund Treefoot), we have considered as
+an introduction to the story, and have accordingly distinguished them
+from the main body of the book. They relate the doings of Grettir's
+ancestors in Norway, in the lands West over the Sea and in Iceland,
+and are interesting and in many points necessary for the understanding
+of the subsequent story; one of these we note here for the reader's
+convenience, viz. the consanguinity of Grettir and King Olaf the
+Saint;<a name="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> for it adds strongly to the significance of the King's
+refusal to entertain Grettir at his court, or to go further into the
+case of the murder he was falsely accused of.</p>
+
+<p>The genealogies of this part of the work agree closely with those of
+the Landn&aacute;ma-b&oacute;k, and of the other most reliable Sagas.</p>
+
+<p>After this comes the birth of Grettir, and anecdotes (one at least
+sufficiently monstrous) of his unruly childhood; then our hero kills
+his first man by misadventure, and must leave Iceland; wrecked on
+an isle off Norway, he is taken in there by a lord of that land, and
+there works the deed that makes him a famous man; the slaying of the
+villainous bearserks, namely, who would else have made wreck of the
+honour and goods of Grettir's host in his absence; this great deed,
+we should say, is prefaced by Grettir's first dealings with the
+supernatural, which characterise this Saga, and throw a strange light
+on the more ordinary matters throughout. The slaying of the bearserks
+is followed by a feud which Grettir has on his hands for the slaying
+of a braggart who insulted him past bearing, and so great the feud
+grows that Grettir at last finds himself at enmity with Earl Svein,
+the ruler of Norway, and, delivered from death by his friends, yet
+has to leave the land and betake himself to Iceland again. Coming back
+there, and finding himself a man of great fame, and hungry, for more
+still, he tries to measure himself against the greatest men in the
+land, but nothing comes of these trials, for he is being reserved for
+a greater deed than the dealing with mere men; his enemy is Glam
+the thrall; the revenant of a strange, unearthly man who was himself
+killed by an evil spirit; Grettir contends with, and slays, this
+monster, whose dying curse on him is the turning-point of the story.</p>
+
+<p>All seems fair for our hero, his last deed has made him the foremost
+man in Iceland, and news now coming out of Olaf the Saint, his
+relative, being King of Norway, he goes thither to get honour at
+his hands; but Glam's curse works; Grettir gains a powerful enemy by
+slaying an insulting braggart just as he was going on ship-board; and
+on the voyage it falls out that in striving to save the life of his
+shipmates by a desperate action, he gets the reputation of having
+destroyed the sons of a powerful Icelander, Thorir of Garth, with
+their fellows. This evil report clings to him when he lands in Norway;
+and all people, including the King from whom he hoped so much, look
+coldly on him. Now he offers to free himself from the false charge by
+the ordeal of bearing hot iron; the King assents, and all is ready;
+but Glam is busy, and some strange appearance in the church, where
+the ordeal is to be, brings all to nothing; and the foreseeing Olaf
+refuses to take Grettir into his court, because of his ill-luck. So
+he goes to his brother, Thorstein Dromund, for a while, and then goes
+back to Iceland. But there, too, his ill-luck had been at work, and
+when he lands he hears three pieces of bad news at once; his father is
+dead; his eldest brother, Atli, is slain and unatoned; and he himself
+has been made an outlaw, by Thorir of Garth, for a deed he has never
+done.</p>
+
+<p>He avenges his brother, and seeks here and there harbour from his
+friends, but his foes are too strong for him, or some unlucky turn of
+fate always pushes him off the help of men, and he has to take to the
+wilderness with a price upon his head; and now the other part of the
+curse falls on him heavier, for ever after the struggle with the ghost
+he sees horrible things in the dark, and cannot bear to be alone, and
+runs all kinds of risks to avoid it; and so the years of his outlawry
+pass on. From time to time, driven by need, and rage at his unmerited
+ill-fortune, he takes to plundering those who cannot hold their own;
+at other times he lives alone, and supports himself by fishing, and
+is twice nearly brought to his end by hired assassins the while.
+Sometimes he dwells with the friendly spirits of the land, and chiefly
+with Hallmund, his friend, who saves his life in one of the desperate
+fights he is forced into. But little by little all fall off from him;
+his friends durst harbour him no more, or are slain. Hallmund comes
+to a tragic end; Grettir is driven from his lairs one after the other,
+and makes up his mind to try, as a last resource, to set himself
+down on the island of Drangey, which rises up sheer from the midst
+of Skagafirth like a castle; he goes to his father's house, and bids
+farewell to his mother, and sets off for Drangey in the company of his
+youngest brother, Illugi, who will not leave him in this pinch, and
+a losel called &quot;Noise,&quot; a good joker (we are told), but a slothful,
+untrustworthy poltroon. The three get out to Drangey, and possess
+themselves of the live-stock on it, and for a while all goes well;
+the land-owners who held the island in shares, despairing of ridding
+themselves of the outlaw, give their shares or sell them to one
+Thorbiorn Angle, a man of good house, but violent, unpopular, and
+unscrupulous. This man, after trying the obvious ways of persuasion,
+cajolery, and assassination, for getting the island into his hands, at
+last, with the help of a certain hag, his foster-mother, has recourse
+to sorcery. By means of her spells (as the story goes) Grettir wounds
+himself in the leg in the third year of his sojourn at Drangey,
+and though the wound speedily closes, in a week or two gangrene
+supervenes, and Grettir, at last, lies nearly helpless, watched
+continually by his brother Illugi. The losel, &quot;Noise,&quot; now that the
+brothers can no more stir abroad, will not take the trouble to pull
+up the ladders that lead from the top of the island down to the
+beach; and, amidst all this, helped by a magic storm the sorceress
+has raised, Thorbiorn Angle, with a band of men, surprises the island,
+unroofs the hut of the brothers, and gains ingress there, and after
+a short struggle (for Grettir is already a dying man) slays the great
+outlaw and captures Illugi in spite of a gallant defence; he, too,
+disdaining to make any terms with the murderers of his brother, is
+slain, and Angle goes away exulting, after he had mutilated the body
+of Grettir, with the head on which so great a price had been put, and
+the sword which the dead man had borne.</p>
+
+<p>But now that the mighty man was dead, and people were relieved
+of their fear of him, the minds of men turned against him who had
+overcome him in a way, according to their notions, so base and
+unworthy, and Angle has no easy time of it; he fails to get the
+head-money, and is himself brought to trial for sorcery and practising
+heathen rites, and the 'nithings-deed' of slaying a man already dying,
+and is banished from the land.</p>
+
+<p>Now comes the part so necessary to the Icelandic tale of a hero, the
+revenging of his death; Angle goes to Norway, and is thought highly of
+for his deed by people who did not know the whole tale; but Thorstein
+Dromund, an elder half-brother of Grettir, is a lord in that land, and
+Angle, knowing of this, feels uneasy in Norway, and at last goes away
+to Micklegarth (Constantinople), to take service with the Varangians:
+Thorstein hears of this and follows him, and both are together at last
+in Micklegarth, but neither knows the other: at last Angle betrays
+himself by showing Grettir's sword, at a 'weapon-show' of the
+Varangians, and Thorstein slays him then and there with the same
+weapon. Thorstein alone in a strange land, with none to speak for him,
+is obliged to submit to the laws of the country, and is thrown into a
+dungeon to perish of hunger and wretchedness there. From this fate he
+is delivered by a great lady of the city, called Spes, who afterwards
+falls in love with him; and the two meet often in spite of the
+watchful jealousy of the lady's husband, who is at last so completely
+conquered by a plot of hers (the sagaman here has taken an incident
+with little or no change from the Romance of Tristram and Iseult),
+that he is obliged to submit to a divorce and the loss of his wife's
+dower, and thereafter the lovers go away together to Norway, and live
+there happily till old age reminds them of their misdeeds, and they
+then set off together for Rome and pass the rest of their lives in
+penitence and apart from one another. And so the story ends, summing
+up the worth of Grettir the Strong by reminding people of his huge
+strength, his long endurance in outlawry, his gift for dealing
+with ghosts and evil spirits, the famous vengeance taken for him in
+Micklegarth; and, lastly, the fortunate life and good end of Thorstein
+Dromund, his brother and avenger.</p>
+
+<p>Such is the outline of this tale of a man far above his fellows in all
+matters valued among his times and people, but also far above them
+all in ill-luck, for that is the conception that the story-teller has
+formed of the great outlaw. To us moderns the real interest in these
+records of a past state of life lies principally in seeing events true
+in the main treated vividly and dramatically by people who completely
+understood the manners, life, and, above all, the turn of mind of the
+actors in them. Amidst many drawbacks, perhaps, to the modern reader,
+this interest is seldom or ever wanting in the historical sagas, and
+least of all in our present story; the sagaman never relaxes his grasp
+of Grettir's character, and he is the same man from beginning to end;
+thrust this way and that by circumstances, but little altered by them;
+unlucky in all things, yet made strong to bear all ill-luck; scornful
+of the world, yet capable of enjoyment, and determined to make the
+most of it; not deceived by men's specious ways, but disdaining to cry
+out because he must needs bear with them; scorning men, yet helping
+them when called on, and desirous of fame: prudent in theory, and wise
+in foreseeing the inevitable sequence of events, but reckless beyond
+the recklessness even of that time and people, and finally capable of
+inspiring in others strong affection and devotion to him in spite of
+his rugged self-sufficing temper&mdash;all these traits which we find in
+our sagaman's Grettir seem always the most suited to the story of
+the deeds that surround him, and to our mind most skilfully and
+dramatically are they suggested to the reader.</p>
+
+<p>As is fitting, the other characters are very much subordinate to the
+principal figure, but in their way they are no less life-like; the
+braggart&mdash;that inevitable foil to the hero in a saga&mdash;was never better
+represented than in the Gisli of our tale; the thrall Noise, with his
+carelessness, and thriftless, untrustworthy mirth, is the very pattern
+of a slave; Snorri the Godi, little though there is of him, fully
+sustains the prudent and crafty character which follows him in all the
+Sagas; Thorbiorn Oxmain is a good specimen of the overbearing and sour
+chief, as is Atli, on the other hand, of the kindly and high-minded,
+if prudent, rich man; and no one, in short, plays his part like
+a puppet, but acts as one expects him to act, always allowing the
+peculiar atmosphere of these tales; and to crown all, as the story
+comes to its end, the high-souled and poetically conceived Illugi
+throws a tenderness on the dreadful story of the end of the hero,
+contrasted as it is with that of the gloomy, superstitious Angle.</p>
+
+<p>Something of a blot, from some points of view, the story of Spes and
+Thorstein Dromund (of which more anon) must be considered; yet
+whoever added it to the tale did so with some skill considering its
+incongruous and superfluous nature, for he takes care that Grettir
+shall not be forgotten amidst all the plots and success of the lovers;
+and, whether it be accidental or not, there is to our minds something
+touching in the contrast between the rude life and tragic end of the
+hero, and the long, drawn out, worldly good hap and quiet hopes for
+another life which fall to the lot of his happier brother.</p>
+
+<p>As to the authorship of our story, it has no doubt gone through the
+stages which mark the growth of the Sagas in general, that is, it was
+for long handed about from mouth to mouth until it took a definite
+shape in men's minds; and after it had held that position for a
+certain time, and had received all the necessary polish for an
+enjoyable saga, was committed to writing as it flowed ready made from
+the tongue of the people. Its style, in common with that of all the
+sagas, shows evidences enough of this: for the rest, the only name
+connected with it is that of Sturla Thordson the Lawman, a man of good
+position and family, and a prolific author, who was born in 1214 and
+died 1284; there is, however, no proof that he wrote the present work,
+though we think the passages in it that mention his name show clearly
+enough that he had something to do with the story of Grettir: on the
+whole, we are inclined to think that a story of Grettir was either
+written by him or under his auspices, but that the present tale is the
+work of a later hand, nor do we think so complete a saga-teller,
+as his other undoubted works show him to have been, would ever have
+finished his story with the epilogue of Spes and Thorstein Dromund,
+steeped as that latter part is with the spirit of the mediaeval
+romances, even to the distinct appropriation of a marked and
+well-known episode of the Tristram; though it must be admitted that he
+had probably plenty of opportunity for being versed in that romance,
+as Tristram was first translated into the tongue of Norway in the year
+1226, by Brother Robert, at the instance of King Hakon Hakonson, whose
+great favourite Sturla Thordson was, and whose history was written by
+him.</p>
+
+<p>For our translation of this work we have no more to say than to
+apologise for its shortcomings, and to hope, that in spite of them, it
+will give some portion of the pleasure to our readers which we felt in
+accomplishing it ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>EIR&Iacute;KR MAGN&Uacute;SSON, WILLIAM MORRIS.</p>
+
+<p>LONDON, <i>April</i> 1869.</p>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<a name="CONTENTS"></a><h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5">
+<tr>
+<td align="center">
+ <a href="#PREFACE"><b>PREFACE.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHRONOLOGY_OF_THE_STORY"><b>CHRONOLOGY OF THE STORY.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CONTENTS"><b>CONTENTS.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_GRETTIR_THE_STRONG."><b>THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG.</b></a><br />
+ <br />
+ <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+ <b>THE FOREFATHERS OF GRETTER</b> <br />
+ <br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_I"><b>CHAP. I.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_II"><b>CHAP. II.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_III"><b>CHAP. III.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_IV"><b>CHAP. IV.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_V"><b>CHAP. V.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_VI"><b>CHAP. VI.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_VII"><b>CHAP. VII.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_VIII"><b>CHAP. VIII.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_IX"><b>CHAP. IX.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_X"><b>CHAP. X.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XI"><b>CHAP. XI.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XII"><b>CHAP. XII.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XIII"><b>CHAP. XIII.</b></a><br />
+ <br />
+
+ <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+ <b>HERE BEGINS THE STORY OF THE LIFE OF GRETTIR THE STRONG</b><br />
+ <br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XIV"><b>CHAP. XIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir as a Child, and his froward ways</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with his father</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XV"><b>CHAP. XV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Ball-play on Midfirth Water</i></span><br />
+  <a href="#CHAP_XVI"><b>CHAP. XVI.</b></a><br />
+  <span style="margin-left: 1em;">XVI. <i>Of the Slaying of Skeggi</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XVII"><b>CHAP. XVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir's Voyage out</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XVIII"><b>CHAP. XVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Karr the Old</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XIX"><b>CHAP. XIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with the Bearserks</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XX"><b>CHAP. XX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXI"><b>CHAP. XXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i></span><br />
+  <a href="#CHAP_XXII"><b>CHAP. XXII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i></span><br />
+  <a href="#CHAP_XXIII"><b>CHAP. XXIII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXIV"><b>CHAP. XXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with Earl Svein</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXV"><b>CHAP. XXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXVI"><b>CHAP. XXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>the Bloodsuit for the Slaying of Thorgils</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Makson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXVII"><b>CHAP. XXVII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXVIII"><b>CHAP. XXVIII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXIX"><b>CHAP. XXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXX"><b>CHAP. XXX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy,</i></span><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>and of Grettir's meeting with Kormak on</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Ramfirth-neck</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXI"><b>CHAP. XXXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund,</i></span><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>as he came back from the Heath-slayings</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXII"><b>CHAP. XXXII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorhall took a Shepherd by the rede of</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Skapti the Lawman, and what befell thereafter</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXIII"><b>CHAP. XXXIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXIV"><b>CHAP. XXXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXV"><b>CHAP. XXXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with Glam</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXVI"><b>CHAP. XXXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's Autumn-feast, and the</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>mocks of Thorbiorn Tardy</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXVII"><b>CHAP. XXXVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;">XXXVII. <i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>of Thorbiorn Tardy; Grettir goes to</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Norway</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXVIII"><b>CHAP. XXXVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir fetched fire for his shipmates</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XXXIX"><b>CHAP. XXXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>King</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XL"><b>CHAP. XL.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLI"><b>CHAP. XLI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Thorstein Dromund's Arms, and what he</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>deemed they might do</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLII"><b>CHAP. XLII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Death of Asmund the Greyhaired</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLIII"><b>CHAP. XLIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>of Gunnar and Thorgeir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLIV"><b>CHAP. XLIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>of the Pass</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLV"><b>CHAP. XLV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLVI"><b>CHAP. XLVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorir of Garth</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLVII"><b>CHAP. XLVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLVIII"><b>CHAP. XLVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XLIX"><b>CHAP. XLIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_L"><b>CHAP. L.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LI"><b>CHAP. LI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Oxmain, and how Thorir of Garth would</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>not that Grettir should be made sackless</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LII"><b>CHAP. LII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LIII"><b>CHAP. LIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LIV"><b>CHAP. LIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LV"><b>CHAP. LV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>with Grim there</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LVI"><b>CHAP. LVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LVII"><b>CHAP. LVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LVIII"><b>CHAP. LVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LIX"><b>CHAP. LIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LX"><b>CHAP. LX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXI"><b>CHAP. LXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>in Thorir's-dale</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXII"><b>CHAP. LXII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXIII"><b>CHAP. LXIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>was nigh taking him</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXIV"><b>CHAP. LXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>came to the Goodwife there</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXV"><b>CHAP. LXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXVI"><b>CHAP. LXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXVII"><b>CHAP. LXVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXVIII"><b>CHAP. LXVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>against Grettir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXIX"><b>CHAP. LXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg,</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>and fared with Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXX"><b>CHAP. LXX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXI"><b>CHAP. LXXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXII"><b>CHAP. LXXII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXIII"><b>CHAP. LXXIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Handselling of Peace</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXIV"><b>CHAP. LXXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Grettir's Wrestling; and how Thorbiorn</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Angle now bought the more part of Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXV"><b>CHAP. LXXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXVI"><b>CHAP. LXXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Noise let the Fire out on Drangey,</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>and how Grettir must needs go aland for more</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXVII"><b>CHAP. LXXVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir at the Home-stead of Reeks</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXVIII"><b>CHAP. LXXVIII.</b></a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of Haering at Drangey, and the end of him</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXIX"><b>CHAP. LXXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXX"><b>CHAP. LXXX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>out to Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXI"><b>CHAP. LXXXI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXII"><b>CHAP. LXXXII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXIII"><b>CHAP. LXXXIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>set Sail for Drangey</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXIV"><b>CHAP. LXXXIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXV"><b>CHAP. LXXXV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXVI"><b>CHAP. LXXXVI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Head to Biarg</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXVII"><b>CHAP. LXXXVII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Affairs at the Althing</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXVIII"><b>CHAP. LXXXVIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>to Micklegarth</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_LXXXIX"><b>CHAP. LXXXIX.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>when sought for by reason of the notch in</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>the blade</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XC"><b>CHAP. XC.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>the Dungeon</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCI"><b>CHAP. XCI.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCII"><b>CHAP. XCII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCIII"><b>CHAP. XCIII.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCIV"><b>CHAP. XCIV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>again</i></span><br />
+ <a href="#CHAP_XCV"><b>CHAP. XCV.</b></a><br />
+ <span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Rome and died there</i></span><br />
+<br />
+ <a href="#NOTES_AND_CORRECTIONS"><b>NOTES AND CORRECTIONS.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#INDICES"><b>INDICES.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#INDEX_I"><b>INDEX I.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#INDEX_II"><b>INDEX II.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#INDEX_III"><b>INDEX III.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#PERIPHRASTIC_EXPRESSIONS_IN_THE_SONGS"><b>PERIPHRASTIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE SONGS.</b></a><br />
+ <a href="#PROVERBS_AND_PROVERBIAL_SAYINGS_THAT_OCCUR_IN_THE_STORY"><b>PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL SAYINGS THAT OCCUR IN THE STORY.</b></a><br />
+</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHRONOLOGY_OF_THE_STORY"></a><h2>CHRONOLOGY OF THE STORY.</h2>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">872. The battle of Hafrsfirth.<br /></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">874. Begins the settlement of Iceland.</span><br />
+cca.<span style="margin-left: .9em;">897. Thrand and Ufeigh Grettir settle Gnup-Wardsrape.</span><br />
+cca.<span style="margin-left: .9em;">900. Onund Treefoot comes to Iceland.</span><br />
+cca.<span style="margin-left: .9em;">920. Death of Onund Treefoot.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">929. The Althing established.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">997 (?). Grettir born.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1000. Christianity sanctioned by law.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1004. Skapti Thorodson made lawman.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1011. Grettir slays Skeggi; goes abroad, banished for three years.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1012. Slaying of Thorir Paunch and his fellows in Haramsey.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Earl Eric goes to Denmark.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1013. Slaying of Biorn at the Island of Gartar.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Slaying of Thorgils Makson. Illugi Asmundson</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">born. Death of Thorkel Krafla.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1014. Slaying of Gunnar in Tunsberg. Grettir goes</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">back to Iceland; fights with the men of Meal</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">on Ramfirth-neck. Heath-slayings. Thorgeir</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Havarson outlawed. Fight with Glam</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">the ghost.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1015. Fight of Nesjar in Norway. Slaying of Thorbiorn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Tardy. Grettir fares abroad. Burning</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">of the sons of Thorir of Garth. Death of</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Asmund the Greyhaired.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1016. Grettir meets King Olaf; fails to bear iron; goes</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">east to Tunsberg to Thorstein Dromund.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Slaying of Atli of Biarg. Grettir outlawed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">at the Thing for the burning of the sons of</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Thorir; his return to Iceland. Slaying of</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Thorbiorn Oxmain and his son Arnor.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1017. Grettir at Reek-knolls. Lawsuit for the slaying</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">of Thorbiorn Oxmain. Grettir taken by</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">the Icefirth churls.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1018. Grettir at Liarskogar with Thorstein Kuggson;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">his travels to the East to Skapti the lawman</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">and Thorhall of Tongue, and thence to the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Keel-mountain, where he met Hallmund</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">(Air) for the first time.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1019-1021. Grettir on Ernewaterheath.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1021. Grettir goes to the Marshes.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1022-1024. Grettir in Fairwoodfell.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1024. Grettir visits Hallmund again.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1025. Grettir discovers Thorirs-dale.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1025-1026. Grettir travels round by the East; haunts</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Madderdale-heath and Reek-heath.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1026. Thorstein Kuggson slain.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1027. Grettir at Sand-heaps in Bard-dale.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1028. Grettir haunts the west by Broadfirth-dales,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">meets Thorod Snorrison.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1028-1031. Grettir in Drangey.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1029. Grettir visits Heron-ness-thing.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1030. Grettir fetches fire from Reeks. Skapti the law</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">man dies.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1031. Death of Snorri Godi and Grettir Asmundson.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">1033. Thorbiorn Angle slain.</span><br />
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page1" id="page1">[1]</a></span>
+<a name="THE_STORY_OF_GRETTIR_THE_STRONG."></a><h2>THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG.</h2>
+
+
+<p><i>This First Part tells of the forefathers of Grettir in Norway, and
+how they fled away before Harald Fairhair, and settled in Iceland; and
+of their deeds in Iceland before Grettir was born</i>.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_I"></a><h2>CHAP. I.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man named Onund, who was the son of Ufeigh Clubfoot, the
+son of Ivar the Smiter; Onund was brother of Gudbiorg, the mother of
+Gudbrand Ball, the father of Asta, the mother of King Olaf the Saint.
+Onund was an Uplander by the kin of his mother; but the kin of his
+father dwelt chiefly about Rogaland and Hordaland. He was a great
+viking, and went harrying west over the Sea.<a name="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Balk of Sotanes, the
+son of Blaeng, was with him herein, and Orm the Wealthy withal, and
+Hallvard was the name of the third of them. They had five ships, all
+well manned, and therewith they harried in the South-isles;<a name="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> and
+when they came to Barra, they found there a king, called Kiarval, and
+he, too, had five ships. They gave him battle, and a hard fray there
+was. The men of Onund were of the eagerest, and on either side many
+fell;<span class="newpage"><a name="page2" id="page2">[2]</a></span> but the end of it was that the king fled with only one ship.
+So there the men of Onund took both ships and much wealth, and abode
+there through the winter. For three summers they harried throughout
+Ireland and Scotland, and thereafter went to Norway.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_II"></a><h2>CHAP. II.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>In those days were there great troubles in Norway. Harald the
+Unshorn,<a name="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> son of Halfdan the Black, was pushing forth for the
+kingdom. Before that he was King of the Uplands; then he went north
+through the land, and had many battles there, and ever won the day.
+Thereafter he harried south in the land, and wheresoever he came,
+laid all under him; but when he came to Hordaland, swarms of folk came
+thronging against him; and their captains were Kiotvi the Wealthy, and
+Thorir Longchin, and those of South Rogaland, and King Sulki. Geirmund
+Helskin was then in the west over the Sea; nor was he in that battle,
+though he had a kingdom in Hordaland.</p>
+
+<p>Now that autumn Onund and his fellows came from the west over the Sea;
+and when Thorir Longchin and King Kiotvi heard thereof, they sent men
+to meet them, and prayed them for help, and promised them honours.
+Then they entered into fellowship with Thorir and his men; for they
+were exceeding fain to try their strength, and said that there would
+they be whereas the fight was hottest.</p>
+
+<p>Now was the meeting with Harald the King in Rogaland,<span class="newpage"><a name="page3" id="page3">[3]</a></span> in that firth
+which is called Hafrsfirth; and both sides had many men. This was the
+greatest battle that has ever been fought in Norway, and hereof most
+Sagas tell; for of those is ever most told, of whom the Sagas are
+made; and thereto came folk from all the land, and many from other
+lands and swarms of vikings.</p>
+
+<p>Now Onund laid his ship alongside one board of the ship of Thorir
+Longchin, about the midst of the fleet, but King Harald laid his on
+the other board, because Thorir was the greatest bearserk, and the
+stoutest of men; so the fight was of the fiercest on either side. Then
+the king cried on his bearserks for an onslaught, and they were called
+the Wolf-coats, for on them would no steel bite, and when they set
+on nought might withstand them. Thorir defended him very stoutly, and
+fell in all hardihood on board his ship; then was it cleared from stem
+to stern, and cut from the grapplings, and let drift astern betwixt
+the other ships. Thereafter the king's men laid their ship alongside
+Onund's, and he was in the forepart thereof and fought manly; then the
+king's folk said, &quot;Lo, a forward man in the forecastle there, let him
+have somewhat to mind him how that he was in this battle.&quot; Now Onund
+put one foot out over the bulwark and dealt a blow at a man, and even
+therewith a spear was aimed at him, and as he put the blow from him
+he bent backward withal, and one of the king's forecastle men smote
+at him, and the stroke took his leg below the knee and sheared it off,
+and forthwith made him unmeet for fight. Then fell the more part of
+the folk on board his ship; but Onund was brought to the ship of him
+who is called Thrand; he was the son of Biorn, and brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman; he was in the fight against King Harald and lay on the
+other board of Onund's ship.<span class="newpage"><a name="page4" id="page4">[4]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But now, after these things, the more part of the fleet scattered in
+flight; Thrand and his men, with the other vikings, got them away each
+as he might, and sailed west over the Sea; Onund went with him, and
+Balk and Hallvard Sweeping; Onund was healed, but went with a wooden
+leg all his life after; therefore as long as he lived was he called
+Onund Treefoot.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_III"></a><h2>CHAP. III.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>At that time were many great men west over the Sea, such as had fled
+from their lands in Norway before King Harald, because he had made
+all those outlaws, who had met him in battle, and taken to him their
+possessions. So, when Onund was healed of his wounds, he and Thrand
+went to meet Geirmund Helskin, because he was the most famed of
+vikings west there over the Sea, and they asked him whether he had any
+mind to seek after that kingdom which he had in Hordaland, and offered
+him their fellowship herein; for they deemed they had a sore loss of
+their lands there, since Onund was both mighty and of great kin.</p>
+
+<p>Geirmund said that so great had grown the strength of King Harald,
+that he deemed there was little hope that they would win honour in
+their war with him when men had been worsted, even when all the folk
+of the land had been drawn together; and yet withal that he was loth
+to become a king's thrall and pray for that which was his own; that
+he would find somewhat better to do than that; and now, too, he was no
+longer young. So Onund and his fellows went back to the South-isles,
+and there met many of their friends.</p>
+
+<p>There was a man, Ufeigh by name, who was bynamed<span class="newpage"><a name="page5" id="page5">[5]</a></span> Grettir; he was the
+son of Einar, the son of Olvir Bairn-Carle; he was brother to Oleif
+the Broad, the father of Thormod Shaft; Steinulf was the name of
+Olvir Bairn-Carle's son, he was the father of Una whom Thorbiorn
+Salmon-Carle had to wife. Another son of Olvir Bairn-Carle was
+Steinmod, the father of Konal, who was the father of Aldis of Barra.
+The son of Konal was Steinmod, the father of Haldora, the wife of
+Eilif, the son of Ketil the Onehanded. Ufeigh Grettir had to wife
+Asny, the daughter of Vestar Haengson; and Asmund the Beardless and
+Asbiorn were the sons of Ufeigh Grettir, but his daughters were these,
+Aldis, and Asa, and Asvor. Ufeigh had fled away west over the Sea
+before Harald the king, and so had Thormod Shaft his kinsman, and had
+with them their kith and kin; and they harried in Scotland, and far
+and wide west beyond the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thrand and Onund Treefoot made west for Ireland to find Eyvind
+the Eastman, Thrand's brother, who was Land-ward along the coasts of
+Ireland; the mother of Eyvind was Hlif, the daughter of Rolf, son of
+Ingiald, the son of King Frodi; but Thrand's mother was Helga, the
+daughter of Ondott the Crow; Biorn was the name of the father of
+Eyvind and Thrand, he was the son of Rolf from Am; he had had to
+flee from Gothland, for that he had burned in his house Sigfast, the
+son-in-law of King Solver; and thereafter had he gone to Norway, and
+was the next winter with Grim the hersir, the son of Kolbiorn the
+Abasher. Now Grim had a mind to murder Biorn for his money, so he
+fled thence to Ondott the Crow, who dwelt in Hvinisfirth in Agdir; he
+received Biorn well, and Biorn was with him in the winter, but was
+in warfare in summer-tide, until Hlif his wife died; and after that
+Ondott gave Biorn Helga his daughter, and then Biorn left off warring.<span class="newpage"><a name="page6" id="page6">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now thereon Eyvind took to him the war-ships of his father, and
+was become a great chief west over the Sea; he wedded Rafarta, the
+daughter of Kiarval, King of Ireland; their sons were Helgi the Lean
+and Snaebiorn.</p>
+
+<p>So when Thrand and Onund came to the South-isles, there they met
+Ufeigh Grettir and Thormod Shaft, and great friendship grew up betwixt
+them, for each thought he had gained from hell the last who had been
+left behind in Norway while the troubles there were at the highest.
+But Onund was exceeding moody, and when Thrand marked it, he asked
+what he was brooding over in his mind. Onund answered, and sang this
+stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;What joy since that day can I get</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When shield-fire's thunder last I met;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ah, too soon clutch the claws of ill;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For that axe-edge shall grieve me still.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In eyes of fighting man and thane,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My strength and manhood are but vain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This is the thing that makes me grow</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A joyless man; is it enow?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thrand answered that whereso he was, he would still be deemed a brave
+man, &quot;And now it is meet for thee to settle down and get married,
+and I would put forth my word and help, if I but knew whereto thou
+lookest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Onund said he did in manly wise, but that his good hope for matches of
+any gain was gone by now.</p>
+
+<p>Thrand answered, &quot;Ufeigh has a daughter who is called Asa, thitherward
+will we turn if it seem good to thee.&quot; Onund showed that he was
+willing enough hereto; so afterwards they talked the matter over with
+Ufeigh; he answered well, and said that he knew how that Onund was a
+man of<span class="newpage"><a name="page7" id="page7">[7]</a></span> great kin and rich of chattels; &quot;but his lands,&quot; said he, &quot;I
+put at low worth, nor do I deem him to be a hale man, and withal my
+daughter is but a child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thrand said, that Onund was a brisker man yet than many who were hale
+of both legs, and so by Thrand's help was this bargain struck; Ufeigh
+was to give his daughter but chattels for dowry, because those lands
+that were in Norway neither would lay down any money for.</p>
+
+<p>A little after Thrand wooed the daughter of Thormod Shaft, and both
+were to sit in troth for three winters.</p>
+
+<p>So thereafter they went a harrying in the summer, but were in Barra in
+the winter-tide.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_IV"></a><h2>CHAP. IV.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>There were two vikings called Vigbiod and Vestmar; they were
+South-islanders, and lay out both winter and summer; they had thirteen
+ships, and harried mostly in Ireland, and did many an ill deed there
+till Eyvind the Eastman took the land-wardship; thereafter they got
+them gone to the South-isles, and harried there and all about the
+firths of Scotland: against these went Thrand and Onund, and heard
+that they had sailed to that island, which is called Bute. Now Onund
+and his folk came there with five ships; and when the vikings see
+their ships and know how many they are, they deem they have enough
+strength gathered there, and take their weapons and lay their ships in
+the midst betwixt two cliffs, where was a great and deep sound; only
+on one side could they be set on, and that with but five ships at
+once. Now Onund was the wisest of men, and bade lay five ships up into
+the sound, so<span class="newpage"><a name="page8" id="page8">[8]</a></span> that he and his might have back way when they would, for
+there was plenty of sea-room astern. On one board of them too was a
+certain island, and under the lee thereof he let one ship lie, and his
+men brought many great stones forth on to the sheer cliffs above, yet
+might not be seen withal from the ships.</p>
+
+<p>Now the vikings laid their ships boldly enough for the attack, and
+thought that the others quailed; and Vigbiod asked who they were that
+were in such jeopardy. Thrand said that he was the brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman, &quot;and here beside me is Onund Treefoot my fellow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then laughed the vikings, and shouted&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Treefoot, Treefoot, foot of tree,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trolls take thee and thy company.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, a sight it is seldom seen of us, that such men should go into
+battle as have no might over themselves.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Onund said that they could know nought thereof ere it were tried; and
+withal they laid their ships alongside one of the other, and there
+began a great fight, and either side did boldly. But when they came
+to handy blows, Onund gave back toward the cliff, and when the vikings
+saw this, they deemed he was minded to flee, and made towards his
+ship, and came as nigh to the cliff as they might. But in that very
+point of time those came forth on to the edge of the cliff who were
+appointed so to do, and sent at the vikings so great a flight of
+stones that they might not withstand it.</p>
+
+<p>Then fell many of the viking-folk, and others were hurt so that they
+might not bear weapon; and withal they were fain to draw back, and
+might not, because their ships were even then come into the narrowest
+of the sound, and they were huddled together both by the ships and the<span class="newpage"><a name="page9" id="page9">[9]</a></span>
+stream; but Onund and his men set on fiercely, whereas Vigbiod was,
+but Thrand set on Vestmar, and won little thereby; so, when the folk
+were thinned on Vigbiod's ship, Onund's men and Onund himself got
+ready to board her: that Vigbiod saw, and cheered on his men without
+stint: then he turned to meet Onund, and the more part fled before
+him; but Onund bade his men mark how it went between them; for he was
+of huge strength. Now they set a log of wood under Onund's knee, so
+that he stood firmly enow; the viking fought his way forward along the
+ship till he reached Onund, and he smote at him with his sword, and
+the stroke took the shield, and sheared off all it met; and then the
+sword drove into the log that Onund had under his knee, and stuck fast
+therein; and Vigbiod stooped in drawing it out, and even therewith
+Onund smote at his shoulder in such wise, that he cut the arm from off
+him, and then was the viking unmeet for battle.</p>
+
+<p>But when Vestmar knew that his fellow was fallen, he leaped into
+the furthermost ship and fled with all those who might reach her.
+Thereafter they ransacked the fallen men; and by then was Vigbiod nigh
+to his death: Onund went up to him, and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Yea, seest thou thy wide wounds bleed?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What of shrinking didst thou heed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the one-foot sling of gold?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What scratch here dost thou behold?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in e'en such wise as this</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many an axe-breaker there is</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Strong of tongue and weak of hand:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tried thou wert, and might'st not stand.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>So there they took much spoil and sailed back to Barra in the autumn.</p><span class="newpage"><a name="page10" id="page10">[10]</a></span>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_V"></a><h2>CHAP. V.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>The summer after this they made ready to fare west to Ireland. But at
+that time Balk and Hallvard betook themselves from the lands west over
+the sea, and went out to Iceland, for from thence came tales of land
+good to choose. Balk settled land in Ramfirth and dwelt at either
+Balkstead; Hallvard settled Sweepingsfirth, and Hallwick out to the
+Stair, and dwelt there.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thrand and Onund met Eyvind the Eastman, and he received his
+brother well; but when he knew that Onund was come with him, then he
+waxed wroth, and would fain set on him. Thrand bade him do it not, and
+said that it was not for him to wage war against Northmen, and
+least of all such men as fared peaceably. Eyvind said that he fared
+otherwise before, and had broken the peace of Kiarval the King, and
+that he should now pay for all. Many words the brothers had over this,
+till Thrand said at last that one fate should befall both him and
+Onund; and then Eyvind let himself be appeased.</p>
+
+<p>So they dwelt there long that summer, and went on warfare with Eyvind,
+who found Onund to be the bravest of men. In the autumn they fared to
+the South-isles, and Eyvind gave to Thrand to take all the heritage of
+their father, if Biorn should die before Thrand.</p>
+
+<p>Now were the twain in the South-isles until they wedded their wives,
+and some winters after withal.</p><span class="newpage"><a name="page11" id="page11">[11]</a></span>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_VI"></a><h2>CHAP. VI.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>And now it came to pass that Biorn, the father of Thrand, died; and
+when Grim the hersir hears thereof he went to meet Ondott Crow, and
+claimed the goods left by Biorn; but Ondott said that Thrand had the
+heritage after his father; Grim said that Thrand was west over seas,
+and that Biorn was a Gothlander of kin, and that the king took the
+heritage of all outland men. Ondott said that he should keep the goods
+for the hands of Thrand, his daughter's son; and therewith Grim gat
+him gone, and had nought for his claiming the goods.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thrand had news of his father's death, and straightway got ready
+to go from the South-isles, and Onund Treefoot with him; but Ufeigh
+Grettir and Thormod Shaft went out to Iceland with their kith and kin,
+and came out to the Eres in the south country, and dwelt the first
+winter with Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they settled Gnup-Wards'-rape, Ufeigh, the outward part,
+between Thwart-river and Kalf-river, and he dwelt at Ufeigh's-stead
+by Stone-holt; but Thormod settled the eastward part, and abode at
+Shaft-holt.</p>
+
+<p>The daughters of Thormod were these: Thorvor, mother of Thorod the
+Godi<a name="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> of Hailti, and Thora, mother of Thorstein, the Godi, the
+father of Biarni the Sage.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be said of Thrand and Onund that they sailed from the
+lands west over the Sea toward Norway, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page12" id="page12">[12]</a></span> had fair wind, and such
+speed, that no rumour of their voyage was abroad till they came to
+Ondott Crow.</p>
+
+<p>He gave Thrand good welcome, and told him how Grim the hersir had
+claimed the heritage left by Biorn. &quot;Meeter it seems to me,
+kinsman,&quot; said he, &quot;that thou take the heritage of thy father and not
+king's-thralls; good luck has befallen thee, in that none knows of thy
+coming, but it misdoubts me that Grim will come upon one or other
+of us if he may; therefore I would that thou shouldst take the
+inheritance to thee, and get thee gone to other lands.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thrand said that so he would do, he took to him the chattels and got
+away from Norway at his speediest; but before he sailed into the sea,
+he asked Onund Treefoot whether he would not make for Iceland with
+him; Onund said he would first go see his kin and friends in the south
+country.</p>
+
+<p>Thrand said, &quot;Then must we part now, but I would that thou shouldst
+aid my kin, for on them will vengeance fall if I get off clear; but
+to Iceland shall I go, and I would that thou withal shouldst make that
+journey.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Onund gave his word to all, and they parted in good love. So Thrand
+went to Iceland, and Ufeigh and Thormod Shaft received him well.
+Thrand dwelt at Thrand's-holt, which is west of Steer's-river.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_VII"></a><h2>CHAP. VII.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Onund went south to Rogaland, and met there many of his kin and
+friends; he dwelt there in secret at a man's called Kolbein. Now he
+heard that the king had taken his lands to him and set a man thereover
+who was called Harek, who was a farmer of the king's; so on a night<span class="newpage"><a name="page13" id="page13">[13]</a></span>
+Onund went to him, and took him in his house; there Harek was led out
+and cut down, and Onund took all the chattels they found and burnt the
+homestead; and thereafter he abode in many places that winter.</p>
+
+<p>But that autumn Grim the hersir slew Ondott Crow, because he might
+not get the heritage-money for the king; and that same night of his
+slaying, Signy, his wife, brought aboard ship all her chattels, and
+fared with her sons, Asmund and Asgrim, to Sighvat her father; but a
+little after sent her sons to Soknadale to Hedin her foster-father;
+but that seemed good to them but for a little while, and they would
+fain go back again to their mother; so they departed and came at
+Yule-tide to Ingiald the Trusty at Hvin; he took them in because of
+the urgency of Gyda his wife, and they were there the winter through.
+But in spring came Onund north to Agdir, because he had heard of the
+slaying of Ondott Crow; but when he found Signy he asked her what help
+she would have of him.</p>
+
+<p>She said that she would fain have vengeance on Grim the hersir for
+the slaying of Ondott. Then were the sons of Ondott sent for, and when
+they met Onund Treefoot, they made up one fellowship together, and
+had spies abroad on the doings of Grim. Now in the summer was a great
+ale-drinking held at Grim's, because he had bidden to him Earl Audun;
+and when Onund and the sons of Ondott knew thereof they went to
+Grim's homestead and laid fire to the house, for they were come there
+unawares, and burnt Grim the hersir therein, and nigh thirty men, and
+many good things they took there withal. Then went Onund to the
+woods, but the sons of Ondott took a boat of Ingiald's, their
+foster-father's, and rowed away therein, and lay hid a little way off
+the homestead. Earl Audun came to the feast, even as had been settled
+afore, and there &quot;missed friend<span class="newpage"><a name="page14" id="page14">[14]</a></span> from stead.&quot; Then he gathered men to
+him, and dwelt there some nights, but nought was heard of Onund and
+his fellows; and the Earl slept in a loft with two men.</p>
+
+<p>Onund had full tidings from the homestead, and sent after those
+brothers; and, when they met, Onund asked them whether they would
+watch the farm or fall on the Earl; but they chose to set on the Earl.
+So they drove beams at the loft-doors and broke them in; then Asmund
+caught hold of the two who were with the Earl, and cast them down so
+hard that they were well-nigh slain; but Asgrim ran at the Earl, and
+bade him render up weregild for his father, since he had been in
+the plot and the onslaught with Grim the hersir when Ondott Crow was
+slain. The Earl said he had no money with him there, and prayed for
+delay of that payment. Then Asgrim set his spear-point to the Earl's
+breast and bade him pay there and then; so the Earl took a chain from
+his neck, and three gold rings, and a cloak of rich web, and gave them
+up. Asgrim took the goods and gave the Earl a name, and called him
+Audun Goaty.</p>
+
+<p>But when the bonders and neighbouring folk were ware that war was come
+among them, they went abroad and would bring help to the Earl, and a
+hard fight there was, for Onund had many men, and there fell many good
+bonders and courtmen of the Earl. Now came the brothers, and told how
+they had fared with the Earl, and Onund said that it was ill that he
+was not slain, &quot;that would have been somewhat of a revenge on the King
+for our loss at his hands of fee and friends.&quot; They said that this
+was a greater shame to the Earl; and therewith they went away up to
+Sorreldale to Eric Alefain, a king's lord, and he took them in for all
+the winter.</p>
+
+<p>Now at Yule they drank turn and turn about with a man called
+Hallstein, who was bynamed Horse; Eric gave the<span class="newpage"><a name="page15" id="page15">[15]</a></span> first feast, well and
+truly, and then Hallstein gave his, but thereat was there bickering
+between them, and Hallstein smote Eric with a deer-horn; Eric gat no
+revenge therefor, but went home straightway. This sore misliked
+the sons of Ondott, and a little after Asgrim fared to Hallstein's
+homestead, and went in alone, and gave him a great wound, but those
+who were therein sprang up and set on Asgrim. Asgrim defended himself
+well and got out of their hands in the dark; but they deemed they had
+slain him.</p>
+
+<p>Onund and Asmund heard thereof and supposed him dead, but deemed they
+might do nought. Eric counselled them to make for Iceland, and said
+that would be of no avail to abide there in the land (i.e. in Norway),
+as soon as the king should bring matters about to his liking. So
+this they did, and made them ready for Iceland and had each one ship.
+Hallstein lay wounded, and died before Onund and his folk sailed.
+Kolbein withal, who is afore mentioned, went abroad with Onund.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_VIII"></a><h2>CHAP. VIII.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Onund and Asmund sailed into the sea when they were ready, and
+held company together; then sang Onund this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Meet was I in days agone</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For storm, wherein the Sweeping One,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Midst rain of swords, and the darts' breath,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Blew o'er all a gale of death.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now a maimed, one-footed man</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On rollers' steed through waters wan</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Out to Iceland must I go;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ah, the skald is sinking low.&quot;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page16" id="page16">[16]</a></span>
+<p>They had a hard voyage of it and much of baffling gales from the
+south, and drove north into the main; but they made Iceland, and were
+by then come to the north off Longness when they found where they
+were: so little space there was betwixt them that they spake together;
+and Asmund said that they had best sail to Islefirth, and thereto they
+both agreed; then they beat up toward the land, and a south-east wind
+sprang up; but when Onund and his folk laid the ship close to the
+wind, the yard was sprung; then they took in sail, and therewith were
+driven off to sea; but Asmund got under the lee of Brakeisle, and
+there lay till a fair wind brought him into Islefirth; Helgi the Lean
+gave him all Kraeklings' lithe, and he dwelt at South Glass-river;
+Asgrim his brother came out some winters later and abode at North
+Glass-river; he was the father of Ellida-Grim, the father of Asgrim
+Ellida-Grimson.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_IX"></a><h2>CHAP. IX.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Onund Treefoot that he drave out to sea for
+certain days, but at last the wind got round to the north, and they
+sailed for land: then those knew who had been there before that they
+had come west off the Skagi; then they sailed into Strand-Bay, and
+near to the South-Strands, and there rowed toward them six men in
+a ten-oared boat, who hailed the big ship, and asked who was their
+captain; Onund named himself, and asked whence they came; they said
+they were house-carles of Thorvald, from Drangar; Onund asked if all
+land through the Strands had been settled; they said there was little
+unsettled in the inner Strands, and none north thereof. Then<span class="newpage"><a name="page17" id="page17">[17]</a></span> Onund
+asked his shipmates, whether they would make for the west country, or
+take such as they had been told of; they chose to view the land first.
+So they sailed in up the bay, and brought to in a creek off Arness,
+then put forth a boat and rowed to land. There dwelt a rich man,
+Eric Snare, who had taken land betwixt Ingolfs-firth, and Ufoera in
+Fishless; but when Eric knew that Onund was come there, he bade him
+take of his hands whatso he would, but said that there was little that
+had not been settled before. Onund said he would first see what there
+was, so they went landward south past some firths, till they came to
+Ufoera; then said Eric, &quot;Here is what there is to look to; all from
+here is unsettled, and right in to the settlements of Biorn.&quot; Now a
+great mountain went down the eastern side of the firth, and snow had
+fallen thereon, Onund looked on that mountain, and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Brand-whetter's life awry doth go.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fair lands and wide full well I know;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Past house, and field, and fold of man,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The swift steed of the rollers ran:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My lands, and kin, I left behind,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That I this latter day might find,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Coldback for sunny meads to have;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hard fate a bitter bargain drave.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Eric answered, &quot;Many have lost so much in Norway, that it may not be
+bettered: and I think withal that most lands in the main-settlements
+are already settled, and therefore I urge thee not to go from hence;
+but I shall hold to what I spake, that thou mayst have whatso of my
+lands seems meet to thee.&quot; Onund said, that he would take that offer,
+and so he settled land out from Ufoera over the three<span class="newpage"><a name="page18" id="page18">[18]</a></span> creeks, Byrgis
+Creek, Kolbein's Creek, and Coldback Creek, up to Coldback Cleft.
+Thereafter Eric gave him all Fishless, and Reekfirth, and all
+Reekness, out on that side of the firth; but as to drifts there was
+nought set forth, for they were then so plentiful that every man had
+of them what he would. Now Onund set up a household at Coldback, and
+had many men about him; but when his goods began to grow great he had
+another stead in Reekfirth. Kolbein dwelt at Kolbein's Creek. So Onund
+abode in peace for certain winters.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_X"></a><h2>CHAP. X.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Onund was so brisk a man, that few, even of whole men, could cope
+with him; and his name withal was well known throughout the land,
+because of his forefathers. After these things, befell that strife
+betwixt Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn Earl's-champion, which had such
+ending, that Ufeigh fell before Thorbiorn in Grettir's-Gill, near
+Heel. There were many drawn together to the sons of Ufeigh concerning
+the blood-suit, and Onund Treefoot was sent for, and rode south in
+the spring, and guested at Hvamm, with Aud the Deeply-wealthy, and
+she gave him exceeding good welcome, because he had been with her west
+over the Sea. In those days, Olaf Feilan, her son's son, was a man
+full grown, and Aud was by then worn with great eld; she bade Onund
+know that she would have Olaf, her kinsman, married, and was fain that
+he should woo Aldis of Barra, who was cousin to Asa, whom Onund had to
+wife. Onund deemed the matter hopeful, and Olaf rode south with him.
+So when Onund met his friends and kin-in-law<span class="newpage"><a name="page19" id="page19">[19]</a></span> they bade him abide with
+them: then was the suit talked over, and was laid to Kialarnes Thing,
+for as then the Althing was not yet set up. So the case was settled
+by umpiredom, and heavy weregild came for the slayings, and Thorbiorn
+Earl's-champion was outlawed. His son was Solmund, the father of Kari
+the Singed; father and son dwelt abroad a long time afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>Thrand bade Onund and Olaf to his house, and so did Thormod Shaft, and
+they backed Olaf's wooing, which was settled with ease, because men
+knew how mighty a woman Aud was. So the bargain was made, and, so much
+being done, Onund rode home, and Aud thanked him well for his help to
+Olaf. That autumn Olaf Feilan wedded Aldis of Barra; and then died Aud
+the Deeply-wealthy, as is told in the story of the Laxdale men.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XI"></a><h2>CHAP. XI.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Onund and Asa had two sons; the elder was called Thorgeir, the younger
+Ufeigh Grettir; but Asa soon died. Thereafter Onund got to wife a
+woman called Thordis, the daughter of Thorgrim, from Gnup in Midfirth,
+and akin to Midfirth Skeggi. Of her Onund had a son called Thorgrim;
+he was early a big man, and a strong, wise, and good withal in matters
+of husbandry. Onund dwelt on at Coldback till he was old, then he died
+in his bed, and is buried in Treefoot's barrow; he was the briskest
+and lithest of one-footed men who have ever lived in Iceland.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorgrim took the lead among the sons of Onund, though others of
+them were older than he; but when he was twenty-five years old he
+grew grey-haired, and therefore<span class="newpage"><a name="page20" id="page20">[20]</a></span> was he bynamed Greypate; Thordis, his
+mother, was afterwards wedded north in Willowdale, to Audun Skokul,
+and their son was Asgeir, of Asgeir's-River. Thorgrim Greypate and
+his brothers had great possessions in common, nor did they divide the
+goods between them. Now Eric, who farmed at Arness, as is aforesaid,
+had to wife Alof, daughter of Ingolf, of Ingolfs-firth; and Flosi was
+the name of their son, a hopeful man, and of many friends. In those
+days three brothers came out hither, Ingolf, Ufeigh, and Eyvind, and
+settled those three firths that are known by their names, and there
+dwelt afterwards. Olaf was the name of Eyvind's son, he first dwelt
+at Eyvind's-firth, and after at Drangar, and was a man to hold his own
+well.</p>
+
+<p>Now there was no strife betwixt these men while their elders were
+alive; but when Eric died, it seemed to Flosi, that those of Coldback
+had no lawful title to the lands which Eric had given to Onund; and
+from this befell much ill-blood betwixt them; but Thorgrim and his
+kin still held their lands as before, but they might not risk having
+sports together. Now Thorgeir was head-man of the household of those
+brothers in Reekfirth, and would ever be rowing out a-fishing, because
+in those days were the firths full of fish; so those in the Creek
+made up their plot; a man there was, a house-carle of Flosi in Arness,
+called Thorfin, him Flosi sent for Thorgeir's head, and he went and
+hid himself in the boat-stand; that morning, Thorgeir got ready to row
+out to sea, and two men with him, one called Hamund, the other Brand.
+Thorgeir went first, and had on his back a leather bottle and drink
+therein. It was very dark, and as he walked down from the boat-stand
+Thorfin ran at him, and smote him with an axe betwixt the shoulders,
+and the axe sank in, and the bottle squeaked, but he let go the axe,
+for he deemed that there would be little need of binding up,<span class="newpage"><a name="page21" id="page21">[21]</a></span> and would
+save himself as swiftly as might be; and it is to be told of him that
+he ran off to Arness, and came there before broad day, and told of
+Thorgeir's slaying, and said that he should have need of Flosi's
+shelter, and that the only thing to be done was to offer atonement,
+&quot;for that of all things,&quot; said he, &quot;is like to better our strait,
+great as it has now grown.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Flosi said that he would first hear tidings; &quot;and I am minded to think
+that thou art afraid after thy big deed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be said of Thorgeir, that he turned from the blow as the
+axe smote the bottle, nor had he any wound; they made no search
+for the man because of the dark, so they rowed over the firths to
+Coldback, and told tidings of what had happed; thereat folk made much
+mocking, and called Thorgeir, Bottleback, and that was his by-name
+ever after.</p>
+
+<p>And this was sung withal&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;The brave men of days of old,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whereof many a tale is told,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bathed the whiting of the shield,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In wounds' house on battle-field;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But the honour-missing fool,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Both sides of his slaying tool,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Since faint heart his hand made vain.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With but curdled milk must stain.&quot;</span><br />
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XII"></a><h2>CHAP. XII.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>In those days befell such hard times in Iceland, that nought like them
+has been known there; well-nigh all gettings from the sea, and all
+drifts, came to an end;<span class="newpage"><a name="page22" id="page22">[22]</a></span> and this went on for many seasons. One autumn
+certain chapmen in a big ship were drifted thither, and were wrecked
+there in the Creek, and Flosi took to him four or five of them; Stein
+was the name of their captain; they were housed here and there about
+the Creek, and were minded to build them a new ship from the wreck;
+but they were unhandy herein, and the ship was over small stem and
+stern, but over big amidships.</p>
+
+<p>That spring befell a great storm from the north, which lasted near a
+week, and after the storm men looked after their drifts. Now there was
+a man called Thorstein, who dwelt at Reekness; he found a whale driven
+up on the firthward side of the ness, at a place called Rib-Skerries,
+and the whale was a big whale.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein sent forthwith a messenger to Wick to Flosi, and so to the
+nighest farm-steads. Now Einar was the name of the farmer at Combe,
+and he was a tenant of those of Coldback, and had the ward of their
+drifts on that side of the firths; and now withal he was ware of the
+stranding of the whale: and he took boat and rowed past the firths to
+Byrgis Creek, whence he sent a man to Coldback; and when Thorgrim and
+his brothers heard that, they got ready at their swiftest, and were
+twelve in a ten-oared boat, and Kolbein's sons fared with them, Ivar
+and Leif, and were six altogether; and all farmers who could bring it
+about went to the whale.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Flosi that he sent to his kin in Ingolfs-firth
+and Ufeigh's-firth, and for Olaf Eyvindson, who then dwelt at Drangar;
+and Flosi came first to the whale, with the men of Wick, then they
+fell to cutting up the whale, and what was cut was forthwith sent
+ashore; near twenty men were thereat at first, but soon folk came
+thronging thither.<span class="newpage"><a name="page23" id="page23">[23]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Therewith came those of Coldback in four boats, and Thorgrim laid
+claim to the whale and forbade the men of Wick to shear, allot, or
+carry off aught thereof: Flosi bade him show if Eric had given Onund
+Treefoot the drift in clear terms, or else he said he should defend
+himself with arms. Thorgrim thought he and his too few, and would not
+risk an onset; but therewithal came a boat rowing up the firth, and
+the rowers therein pulled smartly. Soon they came up, and there was
+Swan, from Knoll in Biornfirth, and his house-carles; and straightway,
+when he came, he bade Thorgrim not to let himself be robbed; and great
+friends they had been heretofore, and now Swan offered his aid. The
+brothers said they would take it, and therewith set on fiercely;
+Thorgeir Bottleback first mounted the whale against Flosi's
+house-carles; there the aforenamed Thorfin was cutting the whale, he
+was in front nigh the head, and stood in a foot-hold he had cut for
+himself; then Thorgeir said, &quot;Herewith I bring thee back thy axe,&quot; and
+smote him on the neck, and struck off his head.</p>
+
+<p>Flosi was up on the foreshore when he saw that, and he egged on his
+men to meet them hardily; now they fought long together, but those of
+Coldback had the best of it: few men there had weapons except the axes
+wherewith they were cutting up the whale, and some choppers. So the
+men of Wick gave back to the foreshores; the Eastmen had weapons,
+and many a wound they gave; Stein, the captain, smote a foot off
+Ivar Kolbeinson, but Leif, Ivar's brother, beat to death a fellow of
+Stein's with a whale-rib; blows were dealt there with whatever could
+be caught at, and men fell on either side. But now came up Olaf and
+his men from Drangar in many boats, and gave help to Flosi, and then
+those of Coldback were borne back overpowered; but they had loaded
+their boats already, and Swan bade get<span class="newpage"><a name="page24" id="page24">[24]</a></span> aboard and thitherward they
+gave back, and the men of Wick came on after them; and when Swan was
+come down to the sea, he smote at Stein, the sea-captain, and gave him
+a great wound, and then leapt aboard his boat; Thorgrim wounded Flosi
+with a great wound and therewith got away; Olaf cut at Ufeigh Grettir,
+and wounded him to death; but Thorgeir caught Ufeigh up and leapt
+aboard with him. Now those of Coldback row east by the firths, and
+thus they parted; and this was sung of their meeting&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At Rib-skerries, I hear folk tell,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A hard and dreadful fray befell,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For men unarmed upon that day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With strips of whale-fat made good play.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fierce steel-gods these in turn did meet</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With blubber-slices nowise sweet;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes a wretched thing it is</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To tell of squabbles such as this.</span><br />
+
+<p>After these things was peace settled between them, and these suits
+were laid to the Althing; there Thorod the Godi and Midfirth-Skeggi,
+with many of the south-country folk, aided those of Coldback; Flosi
+was outlawed, and many of those who had been with him; and his moneys
+were greatly drained because he chose to pay up all weregild himself.
+Thorgrim and his folk could not show that they had paid money for the
+lands and drifts which Flosi claimed. Thorkel Moon was lawman then,
+and he was bidden to give his decision; he said that to him it seemed
+law, that something had been paid for those lands, though mayhap
+not their full worth; &quot;For so did Steinvor the Old to Ingolf, my
+grandfather, that she had from him all Rosmwhale-ness and gave
+therefor a spotted cloak, nor has that gift been voided,<span class="newpage"><a name="page25" id="page25">[25]</a></span> though certes
+greater flaws be therein: but here I lay down my rede,&quot; said he, &quot;that
+the land be shared, and that both sides have equal part therein; and
+henceforth be it made law, that each man have the drifts before
+his own lands.&quot; Now this was done, and the land was so divided that
+Thorgrim and his folk had to give up Reekfirth and all the lands by
+the firth-side, but Combe they were to keep still. Ufeigh was atoned
+with a great sum; Thorfin was unatoned, and boot was given to Thorgeir
+for the attack on his life; and thereafter were they set at one
+together. Flosi took ship for Norway with Stein, the ship-master, and
+sold his lands in the Wick to Geirmund Hiuka-timber, who dwelt there
+afterwards. Now that ship which the chapmen had made was very broad of
+beam, so that men called it the Treetub, and by that name is the
+creek known: but in that keel did Flosi go out, but was driven back to
+Axefirth, whereof came the tale of Bodmod, and Grimulf, and Gerpir.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XIII.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now after this the brothers Thorgrim and Thorgeir shared their
+possessions. Thorgrim took the chattels and Thorgeir the land;
+Thorgrim betook himself to Midfirth and bought land at Biarg by the
+counsel of Skeggi; he had to wife Thordis, daughter of Asmund of
+Asmund's-peak, who had settled the Thingere lands: Thorgrim and
+Thordis had a son who was called Asmund; he was a big man and a
+strong, wise withal, and the fairest-haired of men, but his head grew
+grey early, wherefore he was called Asmund the Greyhaired. Thorgrim
+grew to be a man very busy about his household, and kept all his <span class="newpage"><a name="page26" id="page26">[26]</a></span>
+well to their work. Asmund would do but little work, so the father and
+son had small fellowship together; and so things fared till Asmund had
+grown of age; then he asked his father for travelling money;
+Thorgrim said he should have little enough, but gave him somewhat of
+huckstering wares.</p>
+
+<p>Then Asmund went abroad, and his goods soon grew great; he sailed to
+sundry lands, and became the greatest of merchants, and very rich; he
+was a man well beloved and trusty, and many kinsmen he had in Norway
+of great birth.</p>
+
+<p>One autumn he guested east in the Wick with a great man who was called
+Thorstein; he was an Uplander of kin, and had a sister called Ranveig,
+one to be chosen before all women; her Asmund wooed, and gained her by
+the help of Thorstein her brother; and there Asmund dwelt a while
+and was held in good esteem: he had of Ranveig a son hight Thorstein,
+strong, and the fairest of men, and great of voice; a man tall of
+growth he was, but somewhat slow in his mien, and therefore was he
+called Dromund. Now when Thorstein was nigh grown up, his mother fell
+sick and died, and thereafter Asmund had no joy in Norway; the kin
+of Thorstein's mother took his goods, and him withal to foster; but
+Asmund betook himself once more to seafaring, and became a man of
+great renown. Now he brought his ship into Hunawater, and in those
+days was Thorkel Krafla chief over the Waterdale folk; and he heard
+of Asmund's coming out, and rode to the ship and bade Asmund to his
+house; and he dwelt at Marstead in Waterdale; so Asmund went to
+be guest there. This Thorkel was the son of Thorgrim the Godi of
+Cornriver, and was a very wise man.</p>
+
+<p>Now this was after the coming out of Bishop Frederick,<span class="newpage"><a name="page27" id="page27">[27]</a></span> and Thorvald
+Kodran's son, and they dwelt at the Brooks-meet, when these things
+came to pass: they were the first to preach the law of Christ in the
+north country; Thorkel let himself be signed with the cross and
+many men with him, and things enow betid betwixt the bishop and the
+north-country folk which come not into this tale.</p>
+
+<p>Now at Thorkel's was a woman brought up, Asdis by name, who was the
+daughter of Bard, the son of Jokul, the son of Ingimund the Old, the
+son of Thorstein, the son of Ketil the Huge: the mother of Asdis was
+Aldis the daughter of Ufeigh Grettir, as is aforesaid; Asdis was as
+yet unwedded, and was deemed the best match among women, both for her
+kin and her possessions; Asmund was grown weary of seafaring, and
+was fain to take up his abode in Iceland; so he took up the word, and
+wooed this woman. Thorkel knew well all his ways, that he was a rich
+man and of good counsel to hold his wealth; so that came about, that
+Asmund got Asdis to wife; he became a bosom friend of Thorkel, and
+a great dealer in matters of farming, cunning in the law, and
+far-reaching. And now a little after this Thorgrim Greypate died at
+Biarg, and Asmund took the heritage after him and dwelt there.<span class="newpage"><a name="page28" id="page28">[28]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>HERE BEGINS THE STORY OF THE LIFE OF GRETTIR THE STRONG</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir as a child, and his froward ways with his father</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Asmund the Greyhaired kept house at Biarg; great and proud was his
+household, and many men he had about him, and was a man much beloved.
+These were the children of him and Asdis. Atli was the eldest son;
+a man yielding and soft-natured, easy, and meek withal, and all men
+liked him well: another son they had called Grettir; he was very
+froward in his childhood; of few words, and rough; worrying both in
+word and deed. Little fondness he got from his father Asmund, but his
+mother loved him right well.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir Asmundson was fair to look on, broad-faced, short-faced,
+red-haired, and much freckled; not of quick growth in his childhood.<span class="newpage"><a name="page29" id="page29">[29]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Thordis was a daughter of Asmund, whom Glum, the son of Uspak, the
+son of Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, afterwards had to wife. Ranveig was
+another daughter of Asmund; she was the wife of Gamli, the son of
+Thorhal, the son of the Vendlander; they kept house at Meals in
+Ramfirth; their son was Grim. The son of Glum and Thordis, the
+daughter of Asmund, was Uspak, who quarrelled with Odd, the son of
+Ufeigh, as is told in the Bandamanna Saga.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir grew up at Biarg till he was ten years old; then he began to
+get on a little; but Asmund bade him do some work; Grettir answered
+that work was not right meet for him, but asked what he should do.</p>
+
+<p>Says Asmund, &quot;Thou shalt watch my home-geese.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered and said, &quot;A mean work, a milksop's work.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund said, &quot;Turn it well out of hand, and then matters shall get
+better between us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir betook himself to watching the home-geese; fifty of them
+there were, with many goslings; but no long time went by before he
+found them a troublesome drove, and the goslings slow-paced withal.
+Thereat he got sore worried, for little did he keep his temper in
+hand. So some time after this, wayfaring men found the goslings strewn
+about dead, and the home-geese broken-winged; and this was in autumn.
+Asmund was mightily vexed hereat, and asked if Grettir had killed the
+fowl: he sneered mockingly, and answered&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Surely as winter comes, shall I</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Twist the goslings' necks awry.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If in like case are the geese,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I have finished each of these.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Thou shalt kill them no more,&quot; said Asmund.<span class="newpage"><a name="page30" id="page30">[30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, <i>a friend should warn a friend of ill</i>,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Another work shall be found for thee then,&quot; said Asmund.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>More one knows the more one tries</i>,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;and what
+shall I do now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund answered, &quot;Thou shalt rub my back at the fire, as I have been
+wont to have it done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hot for the hand, truly,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but still a milksop's work.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went on with this work for a while; but autumn came on,
+and Asmund became very fain of heat, and he spurs Grettir on to rub
+his back briskly. Now, in those times there were wont to be large
+fire-halls at the homesteads, wherein men sat at long fires in the
+evenings; boards were set before the men there, and afterwards folk
+slept out sideways from the fires; there also women worked at the wool
+in the daytime. Now, one evening, when Grettir had to rub Asmund's
+back, the old carle said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now thou wilt have to put away thy sloth, thou milk-sop.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Says Grettir, &quot;<i>Ill is it to goad the foolhardy</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund answers, &quot;Thou wilt ever be a good-for-nought.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir sees where, in one of the seats stood wool-combs: one of
+these he caught up, and let it go all down Asmund's back. He sprang
+up, and was mad wroth thereat; and was going to smite Grettir with
+his staff, but he ran off. Then came the housewife, and asked what was
+this to-do betwixt them. Then Grettir answered by this ditty&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;This jewel-strewer, O ground of gold,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(His counsels I deem over bold),</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On both these hands that trouble sow,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Ah bitter pain) will burn me now;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page31" id="page31">[31]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Therefore with wool-comb's nails unshorn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Somewhat ring-strewer's back is torn:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The hook-clawed bird that wrought his wound,&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lo, now I see it on the ground.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Hereupon was his mother sore vexed, that he should have taken to a
+trick like this; she said he would never fail to be the most reckless
+of men. All this nowise bettered matters between Asmund and Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now, some time after this, Asmund had a talk with Grettir, that he
+should watch his horses. Grettir said this was more to his mind than
+the back-rubbing.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then shalt thou do as I bid thee,&quot; said Asmund. &quot;I have a dun mare,
+which I call Keingala; she is so wise as to shifts of weather, thaws,
+and the like, that rough weather will never fail to follow, when she
+will not go out on grazing. At such times thou shalt lock the horses
+up under cover; but keep them to grazing on the mountain neck yonder,
+when winter comes on. Now I shall deem it needful that thou turn this
+work out of hand better than the two I have set thee to already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;This is a cold work and a manly, but I deem it ill
+to trust in the mare, for I know none who has done it yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir took to the horse-watching, and so the time went on till
+past Yule-time; then came on much cold weather with snow, that made
+grazing hard to come at. Now Grettir was ill clad, and as yet little
+hardened, and he began to be starved by the cold; but Keingala grazed
+away in the windiest place she could find, let the weather be as rough
+as it would. Early as she might go to the pasture, never would she go
+back to stable before nightfall. Now Grettir deemed that he must think
+of some scurvy<span class="newpage"><a name="page32" id="page32">[32]</a></span> trick or other, that Keingala might be paid in full
+for her way of grazing: so, one morning early, he comes to the
+horse-stable, opens it, and finds Keingala standing all along before
+the crib; for, whatever food was given to the horses with her, it was
+her way to get it all to herself. Grettir got on her back, and had a
+sharp knife in his hand, and drew it right across Keingala's shoulder,
+and then all along both sides of the back. Thereat the mare, being
+both fat and shy, gave a mad bound, and kicked so fiercely, that her
+hooves clattered against the wall. Grettir fell off; but, getting
+on his legs, strove to mount her again. Now their struggle is of the
+sharpest, but the end of it is, that he flays off the whole of the
+strip along the back to the loins. Thereafter he drove the horses out
+on grazing; Keingala would bite but at her back, and when noon was
+barely past, she started off, and ran back to the house. Grettir now
+locks the stable and goes home. Asmund asked Grettir where the horses
+were. He said that he had stabled them as he was wont. Asmund said
+that rough weather was like to be at hand, as the horses would not
+keep at their grazing in such good weather as now it was.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;<i>Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now the night goes by, but no rough weather came on. Grettir drove off
+the horses, but Keingala cannot bear the grazing. This seemed strange
+to Asmund, as the weather changed in nowise from what it had been
+theretofore. The third morning Asmund went to the horses, and, coming
+to Keingala, said,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I must needs deem these horses to be in sorry case, good as the
+winter has been, but thy sides will scarce lack flesh, my dun.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Things boded will happen</i>,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;<i>but so will
+things unboded</i>.&quot;<span class="newpage"><a name="page33" id="page33">[33]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Asmund stroked the back of the mare, and, lo, the hide came off
+beneath his hand; he wondered how this could have happened, and said
+it was likely to be Grettir's doing. Grettir sneered mockingly, but
+said nought. Now goodman Asmund went home talking as one mad; he went
+straight to the fire-hall, and as he came heard the good wife say,
+&quot;It were good indeed if the horse-keeping of my kinsman had gone off
+well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Asmund sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Grettir has in such wise played,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That Keingala has he flayed,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whose trustiness would be my boast</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Proudest women talk the most);</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So the cunning lad has wrought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thinking thereby to do nought</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of my biddings any more.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In thy mind turn these words o'er.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The housewife answered, &quot;I know not which is least to my mind, that
+thou shouldst ever be bidding him work, or that he should turn out all
+his work in one wise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That too we will make an end of,&quot; said Asmund, &quot;but he shall fare the
+worse therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir said, &quot;Well, let neither make words about it to the
+other.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So things went on awhile, and Asmund had Keingala killed; and many
+other scurvy tricks did Grettir in his childhood whereof the story
+says nought. But he grew great of body, though his strength was not
+well known, for he was unskilled in wrestling; he would make ditties
+and rhymes, but was somewhat scurrilous therein. He had no will to lie
+anight in the fire-hall and was mostly of few words.<span class="newpage"><a name="page34" id="page34">[34]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XV"></a><h2>CHAP. XV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the ball-play on Midfirth Water</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>At this time there were many growing up to be men in Midfirth;
+Skald-Torfa dwelt at Torfa's-stead in those days; her son was called
+Bessi, he was the shapeliest of men and a good skald.</p>
+
+<p>At Meal lived two brothers, Kormak and Thorgils, with them a man
+called Odd was fostered, and was called the Foundling-skald.</p>
+
+<p>One called Audun was growing up at Audunstead in Willowdale, he was
+a kind and good man to deal with, and the strongest in those north
+parts, of all who were of an age with him. Kalf Asgeirson dwelt
+at Asgeir's-river, and his brother Thorvald with him. Atli also,
+Grettir's brother, was growing into a ripe man at that time; the
+gentlest of men he was, and well beloved of all. Now these men
+settled to have ball-play together on Midfirth Water; thither came the
+Midfirthers, and Willowdale men, and men from Westhope, and Waterness,
+and Ramfirth, but those who came from far abode at the play-stead.</p>
+
+<p>Now those who were most even in strength were paired together, and
+thereat was always the greatest sport in autumn-tide. But when he was
+fourteen years old Grettir went to the plays, because he was prayed
+thereto by his brother Atli.</p>
+
+<p>Now were all paired off for the plays, and Grettir was allotted to
+play against Audun, the aforenamed, who was some winters the eldest of
+the two; Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head, so that he could
+not catch it, and it<span class="newpage"><a name="page35" id="page35">[35]</a></span> bounded far away along the ice; Grettir got angry
+thereat, deeming that Audun would outplay him; but he fetches the ball
+and brings it back, and, when he was within reach of Audun, hurls
+it right against his forehead, and smites him so that the skin was
+broken; then Audun struck at Grettir with the bat he held in his hand,
+but smote him no hard blow, for Grettir ran in under the stroke; and
+thereat they seized one another with arms clasped, and wrestled. Then
+all saw that Grettir was stronger than he had been taken to be, for
+Audun was a man full of strength.</p>
+
+<p>A long tug they had of it, but the end was that Grettir fell, and
+Audun thrust his knees against his belly and breast, and dealt hardly
+with him.</p>
+
+<p>Then Atli and Bessi and many others ran up and parted them; but
+Grettir said there was no need to hold him like a mad dog, &quot;For,&quot; said
+he, &quot;<i>thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This men suffered not to grow into open strife, for the brothers, Kalf
+and Thorvald, were fain that all should be at one again, and Audun and
+Grettir were somewhat akin withal; so the play went on as before, nor
+did anything else befall to bring about strife.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XVI"></a><h2>CHAP. XVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the slaying of Skeggi</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Thorkel Krafla got very old; he had the rule of Waterdale and
+was a great man. He was bosom friend of Asmund the Greyhaired, as was
+beseeming for the sake of their kinship; he was wont to ride to Biarg
+every<span class="newpage"><a name="page36" id="page36">[36]</a></span> year and see his kin there, nor did he fail herein the spring
+following these matters just told. Asmund and Asdis welcomed him most
+heartily, he was there three nights, and many things did the kinsmen
+speak of between them. Now Thorkel asked Asmund what his mind
+foreboded him about his sons, as to what kind of craft they would be
+likely to take to. Asmund said that he thought Atli would be a great
+man at farming, foreseeing, and money-making. Thorkel answered, &quot;A
+useful man and like unto thyself: but what dost thou say of Grettir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund said, &quot;Of him I say, that he will be a strong man and an
+unruly, and, certes, of wrathful mood, and heavy enough he has been to
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorkel answered, &quot;That bodes no good, friend; but how shall we settle
+about our riding to the Thing next summer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Asmund answered, &quot;I am growing heavy for wayfaring, and would fain sit
+at home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wouldst thou that Atli go in thy stead?&quot; said Thorkel.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do not see how I could spare him,&quot; says Asmund, &quot;because of the
+farm-work and ingathering of household stores; but now Grettir will
+not work, yet he bears about that wit with him that I deem he will
+know how to keep up the showing forth of the law for me through thy
+aid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, thou shall have thy will,&quot; said Thorkel, and withal he rode
+home when he was ready, and Asmund let him go with good gifts.</p>
+
+<p>Some time after this Thorkel made him ready to ride to the Thing, he
+rode with sixty men, for all went with him who were in his rule: thus
+he came to Biarg, and therefrom rode Grettir with him.</p>
+
+<p>Now they rode south over the heath that is called Two-days'-ride; but
+on this mountain the baiting grounds were<span class="newpage"><a name="page37" id="page37">[37]</a></span> poor, therefore they rode
+fast across it down to the settled lands, and when they came down
+to Fleet-tongue they thought it was time to sleep, so they took the
+bridles off their horses and let them graze with the saddles on. They
+lay sleeping till far on in the day, and when they woke, the men went
+about looking for their horses; but they had gone each his own way,
+and some of them had been rolling; but Grettir was the last to find
+his horse.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was the wont in those days that men should carry their own
+victuals when they rode to the Althing, and most bore meal-bags
+athwart their saddles; and the saddle was turned under the belly of
+Grettir's horse, and the meal-bag was gone, so he goes and searches,
+and finds nought.</p>
+
+<p>Just then he sees a man running fast, Grettir asks who it is who is
+running there; the man answered that his name was Skeggi, and that
+he was a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale. &quot;I am one of the
+following of goodman Thorkel,&quot; he says, &quot;but, faring heedlessly, I
+have lost my meal-bag.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;<i>Odd haps are worst haps</i>, for I, also, have lost
+the meal-sack which I owned, and now let us search both together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This Skeggi liked well, and a while they go thus together; but all
+of a sudden Skeggi bounded off up along the moors and caught up a
+meal-sack. Grettir saw him stoop, and asked what he took up there.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My meal-sack,&quot; says Skeggi.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who speaks to that besides thyself?&quot; says Grettir; &quot;let me see it,
+for many a thing has its like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Skeggi said that no man should take from him what was his own; but
+Grettir caught at the meal-bag, and now they tug one another along
+with the meal-sack between them, both trying hard to get the best of
+it.</p><span class="newpage"><a name="page38" id="page38">[38]</a></span>
+
+<p>&quot;It is to be wondered at,&quot; says the house-carle, &quot;that ye Waterdale
+men should deem, that because other men are not as wealthy as ye,
+that they should not therefore dare to hold aught of their own in your
+despite.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, that it had nought to do with the worth of men that each
+should have his own.</p>
+
+<p>Skeggi answers, &quot;Too far off is Audun now to throttle thee as at that
+ball-play.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but, howsoever that went, thou at least shall
+never throttle me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Skeggi got at his axe and hewed at Grettir; when Grettir saw
+that, he caught the axe-handle with the left hand bladeward of
+Skeggi's hand, so hard that straightway was the axe loosed from his
+hold. Then Grettir drave that same axe into his head so that it stood
+in the brain, and the house-carle fell dead to earth. Then Grettir
+seized the meal-bag and threw it across his saddle, and thereon rode
+after his fellows.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorkel rode ahead of all, for he had no misgiving of such things
+befalling: but men missed Skeggi from the company, and when Grettir
+came up they asked him what he knew of Skeggi; then he sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;A rock-troll her weight did throw</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At Skeggi's throat a while ago:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Over the battle ogress ran</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The red blood of the serving-man;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her deadly iron mouth did gape</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Above him, till clean out of shape</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She tore his head and let out life:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And certainly I saw their strife.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then Thorkel's men sprung up and said that surely<span class="newpage"><a name="page39" id="page39">[39]</a></span> trolls had not taken
+the man in broad daylight. Thorkel grew silent, but said presently,
+&quot;The matter is likely to be quite other than this; methinks Grettir
+has in all likelihood killed him, or what could befall?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir told all their strife. Thorkel says, &quot;This has come to
+pass most unluckily, for Skeggi was given to my following, and was,
+nathless, a man of good kin; but I shall deal thus with the matter: I
+shall give boot for the man as the doom goes, but the outlawry I may
+not settle. Now, two things thou hast to choose between, Grettir;
+whether thou wilt rather go to the Thing and risk the turn of matters,
+or go back home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir chose to go to the Thing, and thither he went. But a lawsuit
+was set on foot by the heirs of the slain man: Thorkel gave handsel,
+and paid up all fines, but Grettir must needs be outlawed, and keep
+abroad three winters.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the chiefs rode from the Thing, they baited under Sledgehill
+before they parted: then Grettir lifted a stone which now lies there
+in the grass and is called Grettir's-heave; but many men came up to
+see the stone, and found it a great wonder that so young a man should
+heave aloft such a huge rock.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir rode home to Biarg and tells the tale of his journey;
+Asmund let out little thereon, but said that he would turn out an
+unruly man.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XVII"></a><h2>CHAP. XVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir's voyage out</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man called Haflidi, who dwelt at Reydarfell in
+Whiteriverside, he was a seafaring man<span class="newpage"><a name="page40" id="page40">[40]</a></span> and had a sailing ship, which
+lay up Whiteriver: there was a man on board his ship, hight Bard,
+who had a wife with him young and fair. Asmund sent a man to Haflidi,
+praying him to take Grettir and look after him; Haflidi said that he
+had heard that the man was ill ruled of mood; yet for the sake of the
+friendship between him and Asmund he took Grettir to himself, and made
+ready for sailing abroad.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund would give to his son no faring-goods but victuals for the
+voyage and a little wadmall. Grettir prayed him for some weapon, but
+Asmund answered, &quot;Thou hast not been obedient to me, nor do I know
+how far thou art likely to work with weapons things that may be of any
+gain; and no weapon shalt thou have of me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>No deed no reward</i>,&quot; says Grettir. Then father and son parted
+with little love. Many there were who bade Grettir farewell, but few
+bade him come back.</p>
+
+<p>But his mother brought him on his road, and before they parted she
+spoke thus, &quot;Thou art not fitted out from home, son, as I fain would
+thou wert, a man so well born as thou; but, meseems, the greatest
+shortcoming herein is that thou hast no weapons of any avail, and my
+mind misgives me that thou wilt perchance need them sorely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With that she took out from under her cloak a sword well wrought,
+and a fair thing it was, and then she said, &quot;This sword was owned
+by Jokul, my father's father, and the earlier Waterdale men, and it
+gained them many a day; now I give thee the sword, and may it stand
+thee in good stead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thanked her well for this gift, and said he deemed it better
+than things of more worth; then he went on his way, and Asdis wished
+him all good hap.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir rode south over the heath, and made no stay till he came
+to the ship. Haflidi gave him a good<span class="newpage"><a name="page41" id="page41">[41]</a></span> welcome and asked him for his
+faring-goods, then Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Rider of wind-driven steed,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Little gat I to my need,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When I left my fair birth-stead,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the snatchers of worm's bed;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But this man's-bane hanging here,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gift of woman good of cheer,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Proves the old saw said not ill,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Best to bairn is mother still</i>.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Haflidi said it was easily seen that she thought the most of him. But
+now they put to sea when they were ready, and had wind at will; but
+when they had got out over all shallows they hoisted sail.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir made a den for himself under the boat, from whence he
+would move for nought, neither for baling, nor to do aught at the
+sail, nor to work at what he was bound to work at in the ship in even
+shares with the other men, neither would he buy himself off from the
+work.</p>
+
+<p>Now they sailed south by Reekness and then south from the land; and
+when they lost land they got much heavy sea; the ship was somewhat
+leaky, and scarce seaworthy in heavy weather, therefore they had it
+wet enough. Now Grettir let fly his biting rhymes, whereat the men
+got sore wroth. One day, when it so happened that the weather was both
+squally and cold, the men called out to Grettir, and bade him now do
+manfully, &quot;For,&quot; said they, &quot;now our claws grow right cold.&quot; Grettir
+looked up and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Good luck, scurvy starvelings, if I should behold</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each finger ye have doubled up with the cold.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>And no work they got out of him, and now it misliked<span class="newpage"><a name="page42" id="page42">[42]</a></span> them of their
+lot as much again as before, and they said that he should pay with his
+skin for his rhymes and the lawlessness which he did. &quot;Thou art more
+fain,&quot; said they, &quot;of playing with Bard the mate's wife than doing thy
+duty on board ship, and this is a thing not to be borne at all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The gale grew greater steadily, and now they stood baling for days and
+nights together, and all swore to kill Grettir. But when Haflidi heard
+this, he went up to where Grettir lay, and said, &quot;Methinks the bargain
+between thee and the chapmen is scarcely fair; first thou dost by them
+unlawfully, and thereafter thou castest thy rhymes at them; and now
+they swear that they will throw thee overboard, and this is unseemly
+work to go on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why should they not be free to do as they will?&quot; says Grettir; &quot;but I
+well would that one or two of them tarry here behind with me, or ever
+I go overboard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Haflidi says, &quot;Such deeds are not to be done, and we shall never
+thrive if ye rush into such madness; but I shall give thee good rede.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is that?&quot; says Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They blame thee for singing ill things of them; now, therefore, I
+would that thou sing some scurvy rhyme to me, for then it might be
+that they would bear with thee the easier.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To thee I never sing but good,&quot; says Grettir: &quot;I am not going to make
+thee like these starvelings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;One may sing so,&quot; says Haflidi, &quot;that the lampoon be not so foul when
+it is searched into, though at first sight it be not over fair.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have ever plenty of that skill in me,&quot; says Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Then Haflidi went to the men where they were baling, and said, &quot;Great
+is your toil, and no wonder that ye have taken ill liking to Grettir.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page43" id="page43">[43]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;But his lampoons we deem worse than all the rest together,&quot; they
+said.</p>
+
+<p>Haflidi said in a loud voice, &quot;He will surely fare ill for it in the
+end.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But when Grettir heard Haflidi speak blamefully of him, he sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Otherwise would matters be,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When this shouting Haflidi</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ate in house at Reydarfell</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curdled milk, and deemed it well;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He who decks the reindeer's side</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That 'twixt ness and ness doth glide,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Twice in one day had his fill</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the feast of dart shower shrill.&quot;<a name="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8"><sup>[8]</sup></a></span><br />
+
+<p>The shipmen thought this foul enough, and said he should not put shame
+on Skipper Haflidi for nought.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Haflidi, &quot;Grettir is plentifully worthy that ye should
+do him some shame, but I will not have my honour staked against his
+ill-will and recklessness; nor is it good for us to wreak vengeance
+for this forthwith while we have this danger hanging over us; but be
+ye mindful of it when ye land, if so it seem good to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well,&quot; they said, &quot;why should we not fare even as thou farest? for
+why should his vile word bite us more than thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And in that mind Haflidi bade them abide; and thence-forward the
+chapmen made far less noise about Grettir's rhymes than before.</p>
+
+<p>Now a long and a hard voyage they had, and the leak<span class="newpage"><a name="page44" id="page44">[44]</a></span> gained on the
+ship, and men began to be exceeding worn with toil. The young wife of
+the mate was wont to sew from Grettir's hands, and much would the crew
+mock him therefor; but Haflidi went up to where Grettir lay and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Grettir, stand up from thy grave,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the trough of the grey wave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The keel labours, tell my say</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now unto thy merry may;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From thy hands the linen-clad</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fill of sewing now has had,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till we make the land will she</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Deem that labour fitteth thee.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then Grettir stood up and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Stand we up, for neath us now</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rides the black ship high enow;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This fair wife will like it ill</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If my limbs are laid here still;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes, the white trothful one</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will not deem the deed well done,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If the work that I should share</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Other folk must ever bear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then he ran aft to where they were baling, and asked what they would
+he should do; they said he would do mighty little good.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well,&quot; said he, &quot;<i>ye may yet be apaid of a man's aid</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Haflidi bade them not set aside his help, &quot;For it may be he shall deem
+his hands freed if he offers his aid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At that time pumping was not used in ships that fared<span class="newpage"><a name="page45" id="page45">[45]</a></span> over the main;
+the manner of baling they used men called tub or cask baling, and a
+wet work it was and a wearisome; two balers were used, and one went
+down while the other came up. Now the chapmen bade Grettir have the
+job of sinking the balers, and said that now it should be tried what
+he could do; he said that the less it was tried the better it would
+be. But he goes down and sinks the balers, and now two were got to
+bale against him; they held out but a little while before they were
+overcome with weariness, and then four came forward and soon fared in
+likewise, and, so say some, that eight baled against him before the
+baling was done and the ship was made dry. Thenceforth the manner of
+the chapmen's words to Grettir was much changed, for they saw what
+strength he had to fall back upon; and from that time he was the
+stoutest and readiest to help, wheresoever need was.</p>
+
+<p>Now they bore off east into the main, and much thick weather they had,
+and one night unawares they ran suddenly on a rock, so that the nether
+part of the ship went from under her; then the boat was run down, and
+women and all the loose goods were brought off: nearby was a little
+holm whither they brought their matters as they best could in the
+night; but when it began to dawn they had a talk as to where they were
+come; then they who had fared between lands before knew the land for
+Southmere in Norway; there was an island hardby called Haramsey; many
+folk dwelt there, and therein too was the manor of a lord.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page46" id="page46">[46]</a></span>
+<a name="CHAP_XVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with Karr the Old</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now the lord who dwelt in the island was called Thorfinn; he was the
+son of Karr the Old, who had dwelt there long; and Thorfinn was a
+great chief.</p>
+
+<p>But when day was fully come men saw from the island that the chapmen
+were brought to great straits. This was made known to Thorfinn, and he
+quickly bestirred himself, and had a large bark of his launched, rowed
+by sixteen men, on this bark were nigh thirty men in all; they came up
+speedily and saved the chapmen's wares; but the ship settled down,
+and much goods were lost there. Thorfinn brought all men from the ship
+home to himself, and they abode there a week and dried their wares.
+Then the chapmen went south into the land, and are now out of the
+tale.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir was left behind with Thorfinn, and little he stirred, and was
+at most times mighty short of speech. Thorfinn bade give him meals,
+but otherwise paid small heed to him; Grettir was loth to follow him,
+and would not go out with him in the day; this Thorfinn took ill, but
+had not the heart to have food withheld from him.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorfinn was fond of stately house-keeping, and was a man of great
+joyance, and would fain have other men merry too: but Grettir would
+walk about from house to house, and often went into other farms about
+the island.</p>
+
+<p>There was a man called Audun who dwelt at Windham; thither Grettir
+went every day, and he made friends with Audun, and there he was wont
+to sit till far on in the day. Now one night very late, as Grettir
+made ready to go home,<span class="newpage"><a name="page47" id="page47">[47]</a></span> he saw a great fire burst out on a ness to the
+north of Audun's farm. Grettir asked what new thing this might be.
+Audun said that he need be in no haste to know that.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It would be said,&quot; quoth Grettir, &quot;if that were seen in our land,
+that the flame burned above hid treasure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The farmer said, &quot;That fire I deem to be ruled over by one into whose
+matters it avails little to pry.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yet fain would I know thereof,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;On that ness,&quot; said Audun, &quot;stands a barrow, great and strong,
+wherein was laid Karr the Old, Thorfinn's father; at first father
+and son had but one farm in the island; but since Karr died he has so
+haunted this place that he has swept away all farmers who owned lands
+here, so that now Thorfinn holds the whole island; but whatsoever man
+Thorfinn holds his hand over, gets no scathe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that he had told his tale well: &quot;And,&quot; says he, &quot;I shall
+come here to-morrow, and then thou shalt have digging-tools ready.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now, I pray thee,&quot; says Audun, &quot;to do nought herein, for I know that
+Thorfinn will cast his hatred on thee therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he would risk that.</p>
+
+<p>So the night went by, and Grettir came early on the morrow and the
+digging-tools were ready; the farmer goes with him to the barrow, and
+Grettir brake it open, and was rough-handed enough thereat, and did
+not leave off till he came to the rafters, and by then the day was
+spent; then he tore away the rafters, and now Audun prayed him hard
+not to go into the barrow; Grettir bade him guard the rope, &quot;but I
+shall espy what dwells within here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir entered into the barrow, and right dark it was, and a
+smell there was therein none of the sweetest. Now he groped about to
+see how things were below; first<span class="newpage"><a name="page48" id="page48">[48]</a></span> he found horse-bones, and then he
+stumbled against the arm of a high-chair, and in that chair found a
+man sitting; great treasures of gold and silver were heaped together
+there, and a small chest was set under the feet of him full of silver;
+all these riches Grettir carried together to the rope; but as he went
+out through the barrow he was griped at right strongly; thereon he let
+go the treasure and rushed against the barrow-dweller, and now they
+set on one another unsparingly enough.</p>
+
+<p>Everything in their way was kicked out of place, the barrow-wight
+setting on with hideous eagerness; Grettir gave back before him for a
+long time, till at last it came to this, that he saw it would not do
+to hoard his strength any more; now neither spared the other, and
+they were brought to where the horse-bones were, and thereabout they
+wrestled long. And now one, now the other, fell on his knee; but the
+end of the strife was, that the barrow-dweller fell over on his back
+with huge din. Then ran Audun from the holding of the rope, and deemed
+Grettir dead. But Grettir drew the sword, 'Jokul's gift,' and drave
+it at the neck of the barrow-bider so that it took off his head, and
+Grettir laid it at the thigh of him.<a name="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Then he went to the rope with
+the treasure, and lo, Audun was clean gone, so he had to get up the
+rope by his hands; he had tied a line to the treasure, and therewith
+he now haled it up.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir had got very stiff with his dealings with Karr, and now he
+went back to Thorfinn's house with the treasures, whenas all folk had
+set them down to table. Thorfinn gave Grettir a sharp look when he
+came into the drinking-hall, and asked him what work he had on hand
+so needful to do<span class="newpage"><a name="page49" id="page49">[49]</a></span> that he might not keep times of meals with other
+men. Grettir answers, &quot;Many little matters will hap on late eves,&quot; and
+therewith he cast down on the table all the treasure he had taken in
+the barrow; but one matter there was thereof, on which he must needs
+keep his eyes; this was a short-sword, so good a weapon, that a
+better, he said, he had never seen; and this he gave up the last of
+all. Thorfinn was blithe to see that sword, for it was an heirloom of
+his house, and had never yet gone out of his kin.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whence came these treasures to thine hand?&quot; said Thorfinn.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Lessener of the flame of sea,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My strong hope was true to me,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When I deemed that treasure lay</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the barrow; from to-day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Folk shall know that I was right;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The begetters of the fight</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Small joy now shall have therein,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Seeking dragon's-lair to win.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thorfinn answered, &quot;Blood will seldom seem blood to thine eyes; no man
+before thee has had will to break open the barrow; but, because I
+know that what wealth soever is hid in earth or borne into barrow is
+wrongly placed, I shall not hold thee blameworthy for thy deed as
+thou hast brought it all to me; yea, or whence didst thou get the good
+sword?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Lessener of waves flashing flame,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To my lucky hand this came</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page50" id="page50">[50]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the barrow where that thing</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through the dark fell clattering;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If that helm-fire I should gain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Made so fair to be the bane</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the breakers of the bow,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ne'er from my hand should it go.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thorfinn said, &quot;Well hast thou prayed for it, but thou must show some
+deed of fame before I give thee that sword, for never could I get it
+of my father while he lived.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Grettir, &quot;Who knows to whom most gain will come of it in the
+end?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Thorfinn took the treasures and kept the sword at his bed-head,
+and the winter wore on toward Yule, so that little else fell out to be
+told of.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XIX"></a><h2>CHAP. XIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt with the Bearserks.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now the summer before these things Earl Eric Hakonson made ready to
+go from his land west to England, to see King Knut the Mighty, his
+brother-in-law, but left behind him in the rule of Norway Hakon, his
+son, and gave him into the hands of Earl Svein, his brother, for the
+watching and warding of his realm, for Hakon was a child in years.</p>
+
+<p>But before Earl Eric went away from the land, he called together lords
+and rich bonders, and many things they spoke on laws and the rule of
+the land, for Earl Eric was a man good at rule. Now men thought it an
+exceeding<span class="newpage"><a name="page51" id="page51">[51]</a></span> ill fashion in the land that runagates or bearserks called
+to holm high-born men for their fee or womankind, in such wise, that
+whosoever should fall before the other should lie unatoned; hereof
+many got both shame and loss of goods, and some lost their lives
+withal; and therefore Earl Eric did away with all holm-gangs and
+outlawed all bearserks who fared with raids and riots.</p>
+
+<p>In the making of this law, the chief of all, with Earl Eric, was
+Thorfinn Karrson, from Haramsey, for he was a wise man, and a dear
+friend of the Earls.</p>
+
+<p>Two brothers are named as being of the worst in these matters,
+one hight Thorir Paunch, the other Ogmund the Evil; they were of
+Halogaland kin, bigger and stronger than other men. They wrought the
+bearserks'-gang and spared nothing in their fury; they would take away
+the wives of men and hold them for a week or a half-month, and then
+bring them back to their husbands; they robbed wheresoever they came,
+or did some other ill deeds. Now Earl Eric made them outlaws through
+the length and breadth of Norway, and Thorfinn was the eagerest of men
+in bringing about their outlawry, therefore they deemed that they owed
+him ill-will enow.</p>
+
+<p>So the Earl went away from the land, as is said in his Saga; but Earl
+Svein bore sway over Norway. Thorfinn went home to his house, and sat
+at home till just up to Yule, as is aforesaid; but at Yule he made
+ready to go to his farm called Slysfirth, which is on the mainland,
+and thither he had bidden many of his friends. Thorfinn's wife could
+not go with her husband, for her daughter of ripe years lay ill
+a-bed, so they both abode at home. Grettir was at home too, and
+eight house-carles. Now Thorfinn went with thirty freedmen to the
+Yule-feast, whereat there was the greatest mirth and joyance among
+men.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page52" id="page52">[52]</a></span>
+<p>Now Yule-eve comes on, and the weather was bright and calm; Grettir
+was mostly abroad this day, and saw how ships fared north and south
+along the land, for each one sought the other's home where the Yule
+drinking was settled to come off. By this time the goodman's daughter
+was so much better that she could walk about with her mother, and thus
+the day wore on.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir sees how a ship rows up toward the island; it was not
+right big, but shield-hung it was from stem to stern, and stained all
+above the sea: these folk rowed smartly, and made for the boat-stands
+of goodman Thorfinn, and when the keel took land, those who were
+therein sprang overboard. Grettir cast up the number of the men, and
+they were twelve altogether; he deemed their guise to be far from
+peaceful. They took up their ship and bore it up from the sea;
+thereafter they ran up to the boat-stand, and therein was that big
+boat of Thorfinn, which was never launched to sea by less than thirty
+men, but these twelve shot it in one haul down to the shingle of the
+foreshore; and thereon they took up their own bark and bore it into
+the boat-stand.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir thought that he could see clear enough that they would
+make themselves at home. But he goes down to meet them, and welcomes
+them merrily, and asks who they were and what their leader was hight;
+he to whom these words were spoken answered quickly, and said that his
+name was Thorir, and that he was called Paunch, and that his brother
+was Ogmund, and that the others were fellows of theirs.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I deem,&quot; said Thorir, &quot;that thy master Thorfinn has heard tell of us;
+is he perchance at home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Lucky men are ye, and hither have come in a good
+hour, if ye are the men I take you to be;<span class="newpage"><a name="page53" id="page53">[53]</a></span> the goodman is gone away
+with all his home-folk who are freemen, and will not be home again
+till after Yule; but the mistress is at home, and so is the goodman's
+daughter; and if I thought that I had some ill-will to pay back, I
+should have chosen above all things to have come just thus; for here
+are all matters in plenty whereof ye stand in need both beer, and all
+other good things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir held his peace, while Grettir let this tale run on, then he
+said to Ogmund&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How far have things come to pass other than as I guessed? and now am
+I well enough minded to take revenge on Thorfinn for having made us
+outlaws; and this man is ready enough of tidings, and no need have we
+to drag the words out of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Words all may use freely,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;and I shall give you such
+cheer as I may; and now come home with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They bade him have thanks therefor, and said they would take his
+offer.</p>
+
+<p>But when they came home to the farm, Grettir took Thorir by the hand
+and led him into the hall; and now was Grettir mightily full of words.
+The mistress was in the hall, and had had it decked with hangings, and
+made all fair and seemly; but when she heard Grettir's talk, she stood
+still on the floor, and asked whom he welcomed in that earnest wise.</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;Now, mistress, is it right meet to welcome these guests
+merrily, for here is come goodman Thorir Paunch and the whole twelve
+of them, and are minded to sit here Yule over, and a right good hap it
+is, for we were few enough before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;Am I to number these among bonders and goodmen, who are
+the worst of robbers and ill-doers?<span class="newpage"><a name="page54" id="page54">[54]</a></span> a large share of my goods had I
+given that they had not come here as at this time; and ill dost thou
+reward Thorfinn, for that he took thee a needy man from shipwreck and
+has held thee through the winter as a free man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;It would be better to take the wet clothes off these
+guests than to scold at me; since for that thou mayst have time long
+enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorir, &quot;Be not cross-grained, mistress; nought shall thou
+miss thy husband's being away, for a man shall be got in his place
+for thee, yea, and for thy daughter a man, and for each of the
+home-women.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is spoken like a man,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;nor will they thus have
+any cause to bewail their lot.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now all the women rushed forth from the hall smitten with huge dread
+and weeping; then said Grettir to the bearserks, &quot;Give into my hands
+what it pleases you to lay aside of weapons and wet clothes, for the
+folk will not be yielding to us while they are scared.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir said he heeded not how women might squeal; &quot;But,&quot; said he,
+&quot;thee indeed we may set apart from the other home-folk, and methinks
+we may well make thee our man of trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;See to that yourselves,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but certes I do not take to
+all men alike.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon they laid aside the more part of their weapons, and
+thereafter Grettir said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Methinks it is a good rede now that ye sit down to table and drink
+somewhat, for it is right likely that ye are thirsty after the
+rowing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said they were ready enough for that, but knew not where to find
+out the cellar; Grettir asked if they would that he should see for
+things and go about for them. The bearserks said they would be right
+fain of that; so Grettir<span class="newpage"><a name="page55" id="page55">[55]</a></span> fetched beer and gave them to drink; they
+were mightily weary, and drank in huge draughts, and still he let them
+have the strongest beer that there was, and this went on for a long
+time, and meanwhile he told them many merry tales. From all this there
+was din enough to be heard among them, and the home-folk were nowise
+fain to come to them.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorir said, &quot;Never yet did I meet a man unknown to me, who would
+do us such good deeds as this man; now, what reward wilt thou take of
+us for thy work?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;As yet I look to no reward for this; but if we be
+even such friends when ye go away, as it looks like we shall be, I am
+minded to join fellowship with you; and though I be of less might than
+some of you, yet shall I not let any man of big redes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hereat they were well pleased, and would settle the fellowship with
+vows.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that this they should not do, &quot;For true is the old saw,
+<i>Ale is another man</i>, nor shall ye settle this in haste any
+further than as I have said, for on both sides are we men little meet
+to rule our tempers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said that they would not undo what they had said.</p>
+
+<p>Withal the evening wore on till it grew quite dark; then sees Grettir
+that they were getting very heavy with drink, so he said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do ye not find it time to go to sleep?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir said, &quot;Time enough forsooth, and sure shall I be to keep to
+what I have promised the mistress.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir went forth from the hall, and cried out loudly&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Go ye to your beds, women all, for so is goodman Thorir pleased to
+bid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They cursed him for this, and to hear them was like<span class="newpage"><a name="page56" id="page56">[56]</a></span> hearkening to the
+noise of many wolves. Now the bearserks came forth from the hall, and
+Grettir said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let us go out, and I will show you Thorfinn's cloth bower.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They were willing to be led there; so they came to an out-bower
+exceeding great; a door there was to it, and a strong lock thereon,
+and the storehouse was very strong withal; there too was a closet good
+and great, and a shield panelling between the chambers; both chambers
+stood high, and men went up by steps to them. Now the bearserks got
+riotous and pushed Grettir about, and he kept tumbling away from them,
+and when they least thought thereof, he slipped quickly out of the
+bower, seized the latch, slammed the door to, and put the bolt on.
+Thorir and his fellows thought at first that the door must have got
+locked of itself, and paid no heed thereto; they had light with them,
+for Grettir had showed them many choice things which Thorfinn owned,
+and these they now noted awhile. Meantime Grettir made all speed home
+to the farm, and when he came in at the door he called out loudly, and
+asked where the goodwife was; she held her peace, for she did not dare
+to answer.</p>
+
+<p>He said, &quot;Here is somewhat of a chance of a good catch; but are there
+any weapons of avail here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;Weapons there are, but how they may avail thee I know
+not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let us talk thereof anon,&quot; says he, &quot;but now let every man do his
+best, for later on no better chance shall there be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The good wife said, &quot;Now God were in garth if our lot might better:
+over Thorfinn's bed hangs the barbed spear, the big one that was
+owned by Karr the Old; there, too, is a helmet<span class="newpage"><a name="page57" id="page57">[57]</a></span> and a byrni, and the
+short-sword, the good one; and the arms will not fail if thine heart
+does well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir seizes the helmet and spear, girds himself with the
+short-sword, and rushed out swiftly; and the mistress called upon the
+house-carles, bidding them follow such a dauntless man, four of them
+rushed forth and seized their weapons, but the other four durst come
+nowhere nigh. Now it is to be said of the bearserks that they thought
+Grettir delayed his coming back strangely; and now they began to doubt
+if there were not some guile in the matter. They rushed against the
+door and found it was locked, and now they try the timber walls so
+that every beam creaked again; at last they brought things so far that
+they broke down the shield-panelling, got into the passage, and thence
+out to the steps. Now bearserks'-gang seized them, and they howled
+like dogs. In that very nick of time Grettir came up and with both
+hands thrust his spear at the midst of Thorir, as he was about to
+get down the steps, so that it went through him at once. Now the
+spear-head was both long and broad, and Ogmund the Evil ran on to
+Thorir and pushed him on to Grettir's thrust, so that all went up to
+the barb-ends; then the spear stood out through Thorir's back and into
+Ogmund's breast, and they both tumbled dead off the spear; then of
+the others each rushed down the steps as he came forth; Grettir set on
+each one of them, and in turn hewed with the sword, or thrust with the
+spear; but they defended themselves with logs that lay on the green,
+and whatso thing they could lay hands on, therefore the greatest
+danger it was to deal with them, because of their strength, even
+though they were weaponless.</p>
+
+<p>Two of the Halogalanders Grettir slew on the green, and then came up
+the house-carles; they could not come<span class="newpage"><a name="page58" id="page58">[58]</a></span> to one mind as to what weapons
+each should have; now they set on whenever the bearserks gave back,
+but when they turned about on them, then the house-carles slunk away
+up to the houses. Six vikings fell there, and of all of them was
+Grettir the bane. Then the six others got off and came down to the
+boat-stand, and so into it, and thence they defended themselves with
+oars. Grettir now got great blows from them, so that at all times he
+ran the risk of much hurt; but the house-carles went home, and had
+much to say of their stout onset; the mistress bade them espy what
+became of Grettir, but that was not to be got out of them. Two more of
+the bearserks Grettir slew in the boat-stand, but four slipped out
+by him; and by this, dark night had come on; two of them ran into
+a corn-barn, at the farm of Windham, which is aforenamed: here they
+fought for a long time, but at last Grettir killed them both; then
+was he beyond measure weary and stiff, the night was far gone, and the
+weather got very cold with the drift of the snow. He was fain to leave
+the search of the two vikings who were left now, so he walked home to
+the farm. The mistress had lights lighted in the highest lofts at the
+windows that they might guide him on his way; and so it was that he
+found his road home whereas he saw the light.</p>
+
+<p>But when he was come into the door, the mistress went up to him, and
+bade him welcome.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now,&quot; she said, &quot;thou hast reaped great glory, and freed me and my
+house from a shame of which we should never have been healed, but if
+thou hadst saved us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Methinks I am much the same as I was this evening,
+when thou didst cast ill words on me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The mistress answered, &quot;We wotted not that thou wert a man of such
+prowess as we have now proved thee; now shall all things in the house
+be at thy will which I may<span class="newpage"><a name="page59" id="page59">[59]</a></span> bestow on thee, and which it may be seeming
+for thee to take; but methinks that Thorfinn will reward thee better
+still when he comes home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Little of reward will be needed now, but I keep
+thine offer till the coming of the master; and I have some hope now
+that ye will sleep in peace as for the bearserks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir drank little that evening, and lay with his weapons about him
+through the night. In the morning, when it began to dawn, people were
+summoned together throughout the island, and a search was set on foot
+for the bearserks who had escaped the night before; they were found
+far on in the day under a rock, and were by then dead from cold and
+wounds; then they were brought unto a tidewashed heap of stones and
+buried thereunder.</p>
+
+<p>After that folk went home, and the men of that island deemed
+themselves brought unto fair peace.</p>
+
+<p>Now when Grettir came back to the mistress, he sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;By the sea's wash have we made</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Graves, where twelve spear-groves are laid;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I alone such speedy end,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unto all these folk did send.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O fair giver forth of gold,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whereof can great words be told,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Midst the deeds one man has wrought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If this deed should come to nought?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The good wife said, &quot;Surely thou art like unto very few men who are
+now living on the earth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So she set him in the high seat, and all things she did well to him,
+and now time wore on till Thorfinn's coming home was looked for.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page60" id="page60">[60]</a></span>
+<a name="CHAP_XX"></a><h2>CHAP. XX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>After Yule Thorfinn made ready for coming home, and he let those folk
+go with good gifts whom he had bidden to his feast. Now he fares with
+his following till he comes hard by his boat-stands; they saw a ship
+lying on the strand, and soon knew it for Thorfinn's bark, the big
+one. Now Thorfinn had as yet had no news of the vikings, he bade his
+men hasten landward, &quot;For I fear,&quot; said he, &quot;that friends have not
+been at work here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorfinn was the first to step ashore before his men, and forthwith he
+went up to the boat-stand; he saw a keel standing there, and knew it
+for the bearserks' ship. Then he said to his men, &quot;My mind misgives
+me much that here things have come to pass, even such as I would have
+given the whole island, yea, every whit of what I have herein, that
+they might never have happed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They asked why he spake thus. Then he said, &quot;Here have come the
+vikings, whom I know to be the worst of all Norway, Thorir Paunch
+and Ogmund the Evil; in good sooth they will hardly have kept house
+happily for us, and in an Icelander I have but little trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Withal he spoke many things hereabout to his fellows.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir was at home, and so brought it about, that folk were slow
+to go down to the shore; and said he did not care much if the goodman
+Thorfinn had somewhat of a shake at what he saw before him; but when
+the mistress asked him leave to go, he said she should have her will
+as to where she went, but that he himself should stir nowhither.<span class="newpage"><a name="page61" id="page61">[61]</a></span> She
+ran swiftly to meet Thorfinn, and welcomed him cheerily. He was glad
+thereof, and said, &quot;Praise be to God that I see thee whole and merry,
+and my daughter in likewise. But how have ye fared since I went from
+home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;Things have turned out well, but we were near being
+overtaken by such a shame as we should never have had healing of, if
+thy winter-guest had not holpen us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorfinn spake, &quot;Now shall we sit down, but do thou tell us these
+tidings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then she told all things plainly even as they had come to pass,
+and praised greatly Grettir's stoutness and great daring; meanwhile
+Thorfinn held his peace, but when she had made an end of her tale,
+he said, &quot;How true is the saw, <i>Long it takes to try a man</i>. But
+where is Grettir now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife said, &quot;He is at home in the hall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon they went home to the farm.</p>
+
+<p>Thorfinn went up to Grettir and kissed him, and thanked him with many
+fair words for the great heart which he had shown to him; &quot;And I will
+say to thee what few say to their friends, that I would thou shouldst
+be in need of men, that then thou mightest know if I were to thee in
+a man's stead or not; but for thy good deed I can never reward thee
+unless thou comest to be in some troublous need; but as to thy abiding
+with me, that shall ever stand open to thee when thou willest it; and
+thou shalt be held the first of all my men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir bade him have much thank therefor. &quot;And,&quot; quoth he, &quot;this
+should I have taken even if thou hadst made me proffer thereof
+before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir sat there the winter over, and was in the closest
+friendship with Thorfinn; and for this deed he was now well renowned
+all over Norway, and there the most,<span class="newpage"><a name="page62" id="page62">[62]</a></span> where the bearserks had erst
+wrought the greatest ill deeds.</p>
+
+<p>This spring Thorfinn asked Grettir what he was about to busy himself
+with: he said he would go north to Vogar while the fair was. Thorfinn
+said there was ready for him money as much as he would. Grettir said
+that he needed no more money at that time than faring-silver: this,
+Thorfinn said, was full-well due to him, and thereupon went with him
+to ship.</p>
+
+<p>Now he gave him the short-sword, the good one, which Grettir bore as
+long as he lived, and the choicest of choice things it was. Withal
+Thorfinn bade Grettir come to him whenever he might need aid.</p>
+
+<p>But Grettir went north to Vogar, and a many folk were there; many men
+welcomed him there right heartily who had not seen him before, for the
+sake of that great deed of prowess which he had done when he saw the
+vikings; many high-born men prayed him to come and abide with them,
+but he would fain go back to his friend Thorfinn. Now he took ship in
+a bark that was owned of a man hight Thorkel, who dwelt in Salft in
+Halogaland, and was a high-born man. But when Grettir came to Thorkel
+he welcomed him right heartily, and bade Grettir abide with him that
+winter, and laid many words thereto.</p>
+
+<p>This offer Grettir took, and was with Thorkel that winter in great
+joyance and fame.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXI"></a><h2>CHAP. XXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man, hight Biorn, who was dwelling with Thorkel; he was
+a man of rash temper,<span class="newpage"><a name="page63" id="page63">[63]</a></span> of good birth, and somewhat akin to Thorkel; he
+was not well loved of men, for he would slander much those who were
+with Thorkel, and in this wise he sent many away. Grettir and he
+had little to do together; Biorn thought him of little worth weighed
+against himself, but Grettir was unyielding, so that things fell
+athwart between them. Biorn was a mightily boisterous man, and made
+himself very big; many young men gat into fellowship with him in these
+things, and would stray abroad by night. Now it befell, that early in
+winter a savage bear ran abroad from his winter lair, and got so grim
+that he spared neither man nor beast. Men thought he had been roused
+by the noise that Biorn and his fellows had made. The brute got so
+hard to deal with that he tore down the herds of men, and Thorkel
+had the greatest hurt thereof, for he was the richest man in the
+neighbourhood.</p>
+
+<p>Now one day Thorkel bade his men to follow him, and search for the
+lair of the bear. They found it in sheer sea-rocks; there was a high
+rock and a cave before it down below, but only one track to go up to
+it: under the cave were scarped rocks, and a heap of stones down by
+the sea, and sure death it was to all who might fall down there. The
+bear lay in his lair by day, but went abroad as soon as night fell; no
+fold could keep sheep safe from him, nor could any dogs be set on
+him: and all this men thought the heaviest trouble. Biorn, Thorkel's
+kinsman, said that the greatest part had been done, as the lair had
+been found. &quot;And now I shall try,&quot; said he, &quot;what sort of play we<a name="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10"><sup>[10]</sup></a>
+namesakes shall have together.&quot; Grettir made as if he knew not what
+Biorn said on this matter.</p>
+
+<p>Now it happened always when men went to sleep anights that Biorn
+disappeared: and one night when Biorn<span class="newpage"><a name="page64" id="page64">[64]</a></span> went to the lair, he was aware
+that the beast was there before him, and roaring savagely. Biorn lay
+down in the track, and had over him his shield, and was going to wait
+till the beast should stir abroad as his manner was. Now the bear had
+an inkling of the man, and got somewhat slow to move off. Biorn waxed
+very sleepy where he lay, and cannot wake up, and just at this time
+the beast betakes himself from his lair; now he sees where the man
+lies, and, hooking at him with his claw, he tears from him the shield
+and throws it down over the rocks. Biorn started up suddenly awake,
+takes to his legs and runs home, and it was a near thing that the
+beast gat him not. This his fellows knew, for they had spies about
+Biorn's ways; in the morning they found the shield, and made the
+greatest jeering at all this.</p>
+
+<p>At Yule Thorkel went himself, and eight of them altogether, and there
+was Grettir and Biorn and other followers of Thorkel. Grettir had on
+a fur-cloak, which he laid aside while they set on the beast. It was
+awkward for an onslaught there, for thereat could folk come but by
+spear-thrusts, and all the spear-points the bear turned off him with
+his teeth. Now Biorn urged them on much to the onset, yet he himself
+went not so nigh as to run the risk of any hurt. Amid this, when men
+looked least for it, Biorn suddenly seized Grettir's coat, and cast it
+into the beast's lair. Now nought they could wreak on him, and had
+to go back when the day was far spent. But when Grettir was going, he
+misses his coat, and he could see that the bear has it cast under him.
+Then he said, &quot;What man of you has wrought the jest of throwing my
+cloak into the lair?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn says, &quot;He who is like to dare to own to it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answers, &quot;I set no great store on such matters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now they went on their way home, and when they had<span class="newpage"><a name="page65" id="page65">[65]</a></span> walked awhile, the
+thong of Grettir's leggings brake. Thorkel bid them wait for him; but
+Grettir said there was no need of that. Then said Biorn, &quot;Ye need
+not think that Grettir will run away from his coat; he will have the
+honour all to himself, and will slay that beast all alone, wherefrom
+we have gone back all eight of us; thus would he be such as he is said
+to be: but sluggishly enow has he fared forth to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know not,&quot; said Thorkel, &quot;how thou wilt fare in the end, but men of
+equal prowess I deem you not: lay as few burdens on him as thou mayst,
+Biorn.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said, that neither of them should pick and choose words from out
+his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>Now, when a hill's brow was between them, Grettir went back to the
+pass, for now there was no striving with others for the onset. He
+drew the sword, Jokul's gift, but had a loop over the handle of the
+short-sword, and slipped it up over his hand, and this he did in that
+he thought he could easier have it at his will if his hand were loose.
+He went up into the pass forthwith, and when the beast saw a man, it
+rushed against Grettir exceeding fiercely, and smote at him with that
+paw which was furthest off from the rock; Grettir hewed against the
+blow with the sword, and therewith smote the paw above the claws, and
+took it off; then the beast was fain to smite at Grettir with the paw
+that was whole, and dropped down therewith on to the docked one, but
+it was shorter than he wotted of, and withal he tumbled into Grettir's
+arms. Now he griped at the beast between the ears and held him off,
+so that he got not at him to bite. And, so Grettir himself says, that
+herein he deemed he had had the hardest trial of his strength, thus
+to hold the brute. But now as it struggled fiercely, and the space
+was narrow, they both tumbled down over the rock; the beast<span class="newpage"><a name="page66" id="page66">[66]</a></span> was the
+heaviest of the two, and came down first upon the stone heap below,
+Grettir being the uppermost, and the beast was much mangled on its
+nether side. Now Grettir seized the short-sword and thrust it into
+the heart of the bear, and that was his bane. Thereafter he went home,
+taking with him his cloak all tattered, and withal what he had cut
+from the paw of the bear. Thorkel sat a-drinking when he came into the
+hall, and much men laughed at the rags of the cloak Grettir had cast
+over him. Now he threw on to the table what he had chopped off the
+paw.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorkel, &quot;Where is now Biorn my kinsman? never did I see thy
+irons bite the like of this, Biorn, and my will it is, that thou make
+Grettir a seemly offer for this shame thou hast wrought on him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said that was like to be long about, &quot;and never shall I care
+whether he likes it well or ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Oft that war-god came to hall</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Frighted, when no blood did fall,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the dusk; who ever cried</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On the bear last autumn-tide;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No man saw me sitting there</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Late at eve before the lair;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet the shaggy one to-day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From his den I drew away.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Sure enough,&quot; said Biorn, &quot;thou hast fared forth well to-day, and
+two tales thou tellest of us twain therefor; and well I know that thou
+hast had a good hit at me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorkel said, &quot;I would, Grettir, that thou wouldst not avenge thee on
+Biorn, but for him I will give a full man-gild if thereby ye may be
+friends.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page67" id="page67">[67]</a></span>
+<p>Biorn said he might well turn his money to better account, than to
+boot for this; &quot;And, methinks it is wisest that in my dealings with
+Grettir <i>one oak should have what from the other it shaves</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that he should like that very well. But Thorkel said,
+&quot;Yet I hope, Grettir, that thou wilt do this for my sake, not to do
+aught against Biorn while ye are with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That shall be,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said he would walk fearless of Grettir wheresoever they might
+meet.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir smiled mockingly, but would not take boot for Biorn. So they
+were here that winter through.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In the spring Grettir went north to Vogar with chapmen. He and Thorkel
+parted in friendship; but Biorn went west to England, and was the
+master of Thorkel's ship that went thither. Biorn dwelt thereabout
+that summer and bought such things for Thorkel as he had given him
+word to get; but as the autumn wore on he sailed from the west.
+Grettir was at Vogar till the fleet broke up; then he sailed from
+the north with some chapmen until they came to a harbour at an island
+before the mouth of Drontheimfirth, called Gartar, where they pitched
+their tents. Now when they were housed, a ship came sailing havenward
+from the south along the land; they soon saw that it was an England
+farer; she took the strand further out, and her crew went<span class="newpage"><a name="page68" id="page68">[68]</a></span> ashore;
+Grettir and his fellows went to meet them. But when they met, Grettir
+saw that Biorn was among those men, and spake&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is well that we have met here; now we may well take up our ancient
+quarrel, and now I will try which of us twain may do the most.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said that was an old tale to him, &quot;but if there has been aught
+of such things between us, I will boot for it, so that thou mayst
+think thyself well holden thereof.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;In hard strife I slew the bear,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thereof many a man doth hear;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then the cloak I oft had worn,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By the beast to rags was torn;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou, O braggart ring-bearer,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wrought that jest upon me there,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now thou payest for thy jest,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not in words am I the best?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Biorn said, that oft had greater matters than these been atoned for.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;That few had chosen hitherto to strive to trip him up
+with spite and envy, nor ever had he taken fee for such, and still
+must matters fare in likewise. Know thou that we shall not both of us
+go hence whole men if I may have my will, and a coward's name will I
+lay on thy back, if thou darest not to fight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Biorn saw that it would avail nought to try to talk himself free;
+so he took his weapons and went aland.</p>
+
+<p>Then they ran one at the other and fought, but not long before Biorn
+got sore wounded, and presently fell dead to earth. But when Biorn's
+fellows saw that, they went to their ship,<span class="newpage"><a name="page69" id="page69">[69]</a></span> and made off north along
+the land to meet Thorkel and told him of this hap: he said it had not
+come to pass ere it might have been looked for.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after this Thorkel went south to Drontheim, and met there Earl
+Svein. Grettir went south to Mere after the slaying of Biorn, and
+found his friend Thorfinn, and told him what had befallen. Thorfinn
+gave him good welcome, and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is well now that thou art in need of a friend; with me shalt thou
+abide until these matters have come to an end.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thanked him for his offer, and said he would take it now.</p>
+
+<p>Earl Svein was dwelling in Drontheim, at Steinker, when he heard of
+Biorn's slaying; at that time there was with him Hiarandi, the brother
+of Biorn, and he was the Earl's man; he was exceeding wroth when
+he heard of the slaying of Biorn, and begged the Earl's aid in the
+matter, and the Earl gave his word thereto.</p>
+
+<p>Then he sent men to Thorfinn and summoned to him both him and Grettir.
+Thorfinn and Grettir made ready at once at the Earl's bidding to go
+north to Drontheim to meet him. Now the Earl held a council on the
+matter, and bade Hiarandi to be thereat; Hiarandi said he would not
+bring his brother to purse; &quot;and I shall either fare in a like wise
+with him, or else wreak vengeance for him.&quot; Now when the matter was
+looked into, the Earl found that Biorn had been guilty towards Grettir
+in many ways; and Thorfinn offered weregild, such as the Earl deemed
+might be befitting for Biorn's kin to take; and thereon he had much
+to say on the freedom which Grettir had wrought for men north there in
+the land, when he slew the bearserks, as has been aforesaid.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page70" id="page70">[70]</a></span>
+<p>The Earl answered, &quot;With much truth thou sayest this, Thorfinn,
+that was the greatest land-ridding, and good it seems to us to take
+weregild because of thy words; and withal Grettir is a man well
+renowned because of his strength and prowess.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hiarandi would not take the settlement, and they broke up the meeting.
+Thorfinn got his kinsman Arnbiorn to go about with Grettir day by day,
+for he knew that Hiarandi lay in wait for his life.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>It happened one day that Grettir and Arnbiorn were walking through
+some streets for their sport, that as they came past a certain court
+gate, a man bounded forth therefrom with axe borne aloft, and drave it
+at Grettir with both hands; he was all unawares of this, and walked on
+slowly; Arnbiorn caught timely sight of the man, and seized Grettir,
+and thrust him on so hard that he fell on his knee; the axe smote the
+shoulder-blade, and cut sideways out under the arm-pit, and a great
+wound it was. Grettir turned about nimbly, and drew the short-sword,
+and saw that there was Hiarandi. Now the axe stuck fast in the road,
+and it was slow work for Hiarandi to draw it to him again, and in this
+very nick of time Grettir hewed at him, and the blow fell on the upper
+arm, near the shoulder, and cut it off; then the fellows of Hiarandi
+rushed forth, five of them, and a fight forthwith befell, and speedy
+change happed there, for Grettir and Arnbiorn slew those who were<span class="newpage"><a name="page71" id="page71">[71]</a></span> with
+Hiarandi, all but one, who got off, and forthwith went to the Earl to
+tell him these tidings.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl was exceeding wroth when he heard of this, and the second day
+thereafter he had a Thing summoned. Then they, Thorfinn and Grettir,
+came both to the Thing. The Earl put forth against Grettir the guilt
+for these manslaughters; he owned them all, and said he had had to
+defend his hands.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whereof methinks I bear some marks on me,&quot; says Grettir, &quot;and surely
+I had found death if Arnbiorn had not saved me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The Earl answered that it was ill hap that Grettir was not slain.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For many a man's bane wilt thou be if thou livest, Grettir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then came to the Earl, Bessi, son of Skald-Torfa, a fellow and a
+friend to Grettir; he and Thorfinn went before the Earl had prayed him
+respite for Grettir, and offered, that the Earl alone should doom in
+this matter, but that Grettir might have peace and leave to dwell in
+the land.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl was slow to come to any settlement, but suffered himself to
+be led thereto because of their prayers. There respite was granted
+to Grettir till the next spring; still the Earl would not settle the
+peace till Gunnar, the brother of Biorn and Hiarandi, was thereat; now
+Gunnar was a court-owner in Tunsberg.</p>
+
+<p>In the spring, the Earl summoned Grettir and Thorfinn east to
+Tunsberg, for he would dwell there east while the most sail was
+thereat. Now they went east thither, and the Earl was before them in
+the town when they came. Here Grettir found his brother, Thorstein
+Dromond, who was fain of him and bade him abide with him: Thorstein
+was a court-owner in the town. Grettir told him all about his matters,
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page72" id="page72">[72]</a></span>
+and Thorstein gave a good hearing thereto, but bade him beware of
+Gunnar. And so the spring wore on.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife with Earl Svein</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Gunnar was in the town, and lay in wait for Grettir always
+and everywhere. It happened on a day that Grettir sat in a booth
+a-drinking, for he would not throw himself in Gunnar's way. But, when
+he wotted of it the least, the door was driven at so that it brake
+asunder, four men all-armed burst in, and there was Gunnar and his
+fellows.</p>
+
+<p>They set on Grettir; but he caught up his weapons which hung over
+him, and then drew aback into the corner, whence he defended himself,
+having before him the shield, but dealing blows with the short-sword,
+nor did they have speedy luck with him. Now he smote at one of
+Gunnar's fellows, and more he needed not; then he advanced forth on
+the floor, and therewith they were driven doorward through the booth,
+and there fell another man of Gunnar's; then were Gunnar and his
+fellows fain of flight; one of them got to the door, struck his foot
+against the threshold and lay there grovelling and was slow in getting
+to his feet. Gunnar had his shield before him, and gave back before
+Grettir, but he set on him fiercely and leaped up on the cross-beam by
+the door. Now the hands of Gunnar and the shield were within the door,
+but Grettir dealt a blow down amidst Gunnar and the shield and cut off
+both his hands by the wrist, and he fell aback out of the door; then
+Grettir dealt him his death-blow.</p>
+
+<p>But in this nick of time got to his feet Gunnar's man, who had lain
+fallen awhile, and he ran straightway to see the Earl, and to tell him
+these tidings.</p>
+
+<p>Earl Svein was wondrous wroth at this tale, and forthwith summoned a
+Thing in the town. But when Thorfinn and Thorstein Dromond knew this,
+they brought together their kin and friends and came thronging to the
+Thing. Very cross-grained was the Earl, and it was no easy matter to
+come to speech with him. Thorfinn went up first before the Earl and
+said, &quot;For this cause am I come hither, to offer thee peace and honour
+for these man-slayings that Grettir has wrought; thou alone shall
+shape and settle all, if the man hath respite of his life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The Earl answered sore wroth: &quot;Late wilt thou be loth to ask respite
+for Grettir; but in my mind it is that thou hast no good cause in
+court; he has now slain three brothers, one at the heels of the other,
+who were men so brave that they would none bear the other to purse.
+Now it will not avail thee, Thorfinn, to pray for Grettir, for I
+will not thus bring wrongs into the land so as to take boot for such
+unmeasured misdeeds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then came forward Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, and prayed the Earl to
+take the offered settlement. &quot;Thereto,&quot; he said, &quot;I will give up my
+goods, for Grettir is a man of great kin and a good friend of mine;
+thou mayst well see, Lord, that it is better to respite one man's life
+and to have therefor the thanks of many, thyself alone dooming the
+fines, than to break down thine own honour, and risk whether thou
+canst seize the man or not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The Earl answered, &quot;Thou farest well herein, Bessi, and showest at all
+times that thou art a high-minded<span class="newpage"><a name="page73" id="page73">[73]</a></span> man; still I am loth thus to break
+the laws of the land, giving respite to men of foredoomed lives.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then stepped forth Thorstein Dromond and greeted the Earl, and made
+offers on Grettir's behalf, and laid thereto many fair words. The Earl
+asked for what cause he made offers for this man. Thorstein said that
+they were brothers. The Earl said that he had not known it before:
+&quot;Now it is but the part of a man for thee to help him, but because
+we have made up our mind not to take money for these man-slayings,
+we shall make all men of equal worth here, and Grettir's life will we
+have, whatsoever it shall cost and whensoever chance shall serve.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereat the Earl sprang up, and would listen in nowise to the offered
+atonements.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorfinn and his folk went home to Thorstein's court and made
+ready. But when the Earl saw this he bade all his men take weapons,
+and then he went thither with his folk in array. But before he came up
+Thorfinn and his men ordered themselves for defence before the gate of
+the court. Foremost stood Thorfinn and Thorstein and Grettir, and then
+Bessi, and each of them had a large following of men with him.</p>
+
+<p>The Earl bade them to give up Grettir, nor to bring themselves into an
+evil strait; they made the very same offer as before. The Earl would
+not hearken thereto. Then Thorfinn and Thorstein said that the Earl
+should have more ado yet for the getting of Grettir's life, &quot;For one
+fate shall befall us all, and it will be said thou workest hard for
+one man's life, if all we have to be laid on earth therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The Earl said he should spare none of them, and now they were at the
+very point to fight.</p>
+
+<p>Then went to the Earl many men of goodwill, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page74" id="page74">[74]</a></span> prayed him not to
+push matters on to such great evils, and said they would have to pay
+heavily before all these were slain. The Earl found this rede to be
+wholesome, and became somewhat softened thereat.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they drew up an agreement to which Thorstein and Thorfinn
+were willing enough, now that Grettir should have respite of his life.
+The Earl spake: &quot;Know ye,&quot; quoth he, &quot;that though I deal by way of
+mean words with these man-slayings at this time, yet I call this no
+settlement, but I am loth to fight against my own folk; though I see
+that ye make little of me in this matter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorfinn, &quot;This is a greater honour for thee, Lord, for that
+thou alone wilt doom the weregild.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then the Earl said that Grettir should go in peace, as for him, out to
+Iceland, when ships fared out, if so they would; they said that they
+would take this. They paid the Earl fines to his mind, and parted from
+him with little friendship. Grettir went with Thorfinn; he and his
+brother Thorstein parted fondly.</p>
+
+<p>Thorfinn got great fame for the aid he had given Grettir against such
+overwhelming power as he had to deal with: none of the men who had
+helped Grettir were ever after well loved of the Earl, save Bessi.</p>
+
+<p>So quoth Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;To our helping came</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The great of name;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thorfinn was there</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Born rule to bear;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When all bolts fell</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Into locks, and hell</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cried out for my life</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the Tunsberg strife.<span class="newpage"><a name="page75" id="page75">[75]</a></span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Dromund fair<a name="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11"><sup>[11]</sup></a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of red seas was there,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The stone of the bane</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of steel-gods vain:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From Bylest's kin</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My life to win,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Above all men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He laboured then.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then the king's folk</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would strike no stroke</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To win my head;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So great grew dread;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For the leopard came</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With byrni's flame,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And on thoughts-burg wall</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Should that bright fire fall.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Grettir went back north with Thorfinn, and was with him till he gat
+him to ship with chapmen who were bound out to Iceland: he gave him
+many fair gifts of raiment, and a fair-stained saddle and a bridle
+withal. They parted in friendship, and Thorfinn bade him come to him
+whensoever he should come back to Norway.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page76" id="page76">[76]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXV"></a><h2>CHAP. XXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Asmund the Greyhaired lived on at Biarg, while Grettir was abroad, and
+by that time he was thought to be the greatest of bonders in Midfirth.
+Thorkel Krafla died during those seasons that Grettir was out of
+Iceland. Thorvald Asgeirson farmed then at the Ridge in Waterdale,
+and waxed a great chief. He was the father of Dalla whom Isleif had to
+wife, he who afterwards was bishop at Skalholt.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund had in Thorvald the greatest help in suits and in many other
+matters. At Asmund's grew up a man, hight Thorgils, called Thorgils
+Makson, near akin to Asmund. Thorgils was a man of great strength and
+gained much money by Asmund's foresight.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund bought for Thorgils the land at Brookmeet, and there he farmed.
+Thorgils was a great store-gatherer, and went a-searching to the
+Strands every year, and there he gat for himself whales and other
+gettings; and a stout-hearted man he was.</p>
+
+<p>In those days was at its height the waxing of the foster-brothers,
+Thorgeir Havarson and Thormod Coalbrowskald; they had a boat and went
+therein far and wide, and were not thought men of much even-dealing.
+It chanced one summer that Thorgils Makson found a whale on the common
+drift-lands, and forthwith he and his folk set about cutting it up.</p>
+
+<p>But when the foster-brothers heard thereof they went thither, and at
+first their talk had a likely look out. Thorgils<span class="newpage"><a name="page77" id="page77">[77]</a></span> offered that they
+should have the half of the uncut whale; but they would have for
+themselves all the uncut, or else divide all into halves, both the cut
+and the uncut. Thorgils flatly refused to give up what was cut of the
+whale; and thereat things grew hot between them, and forthwithal both
+sides caught up their weapons and fought. Thorgeir and Thorgils fought
+long together without either losing or gaining, and both were of the
+eagerest. Their strife was both fierce and long, but the end of it
+was, that Thorgils fell dead to earth before Thorgeir; but Thormod and
+the men of Thorgils fought in another place; Thormod had the best of
+that strife, and three of Thorgils' men fell before him. After the
+slaying of Thorgils, his folk went back east to Midfirth, and brought
+his dead body with them. Men thought that they had the greatest loss
+in him. But the foster-brothers took all the whale to themselves.</p>
+
+<p>This meeting Thormod tells of in that drapa that he made on Thorgeir
+dead. Asmund the Greyhaired heard of the slaying of Thorgils his
+kinsman; he was suitor in the case for Thorgils' slaying, he went
+and took witnesses to the wounds, and summoned the case before the
+Althing, for then this seemed to be law, as the case had happened in
+another quarter. And so time wears on.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. XXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for the Bloodsuit for the
+Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man called Thorstein, he was the son of Thorkel Kugg, the
+son of Thord the Yeller, the son<span class="newpage"><a name="page78" id="page78">[78]</a></span> of Olaf Feilan, the son of Thorstein
+the Red, the son of Aud the Deeply-wealthy. The mother of Thorstein
+Kuggson was Thurid the daughter of Asgeir Madpate, Asgeir was father's
+brother of Asmund the Greyhaired.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein Kuggson was suitor in the case about Thorgils Makson's
+slaying along with Asmund the Greyhaired, who now sent word to
+Thorstein that he should come to meet him. Thorstein was a great
+champion, and the wildest-tempered of men; he went at once to meet
+his kinsman Asmund, and they talked the blood-suit over together.
+Thorstein was mightily wroth and said that no atonement should be for
+this, and said they had strength of kin enough to bring about for the
+slaying either outlawry or vengeance on men. Asmund said that he
+would follow him in whatsoever he would have done. They rode north to
+Thorvald their kinsman to pray his aid, and he quickly gave his word
+and said yea thereto. So they settled the suit against Thorgeir and
+Thormod; then Thorstein rode home to his farmstead, he then farmed at
+Liarskogar in Hvamsveit. Skeggi farmed at Hvam, he also joined in the
+suit with Thorstein. Skeggi was the son of Thorarinn Fylsenni, the son
+of Thord the Yeller; the mother of Skeggi was Fridgerd, daughter of
+Thord of Head.</p>
+
+<p>These had a many men with them at the Thing, and pushed their suit
+with great eagerness.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund and Thorvald rode from the north with six tens of men, and sat
+at Liarskogar many nights.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page79" id="page79">[79]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>A man hight Thorgils abode at Reek-knolls in those days, he was the
+son of Ari, the son of Mar, the son of Atli the Red, the son of Ulf
+the Squinter, who settled at Reekness; the mother of Thorgils Arisen
+was Thorgerd, the daughter of Alf a-Dales; another daughter of Alf was
+Thorelf, mother of Thorgeir Havarson. There had Thorgeir good kinship
+to trust in, for Thorgils was the greatest chief in the Westfirthers'
+quarter. He was a man of such bountifulness, that he gave food to any
+free-born man as long as he would have it, and therefore there was at
+all times a throng of people at Reek-knolls; thus had Thorgils much
+renown of his house-keeping. He was a man withal of good will and
+foreknowledge. Thorgeir was with Thorgils in winter, but went to the
+Strands in summer.</p>
+
+<p>After the slaying of Thorgils Makson, Thorgeir went to Reek-knolls and
+told Thorgils Arisen these tidings; Thorgils said that he was ready to
+give him harbour with him, &quot;But, methinks,&quot; he says, &quot;that they will
+be heavy in the suit, and I am loth to eke out the troubles. Now I
+shall send a man to Thorstein and bid weregild for the slaying of
+Thorgils; but if he will not take atonement I shall not defend the
+case stiffly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgeir said he would trust to his foresight. In autumn Thorgils
+sent a man to Thorstein Kuggson to try settling the case, but he was
+cross-grained to deal with as to the taking money for the blood-suit
+of Thorgils Makson; but about the other man-slayings, he said he
+would do as wise<span class="newpage"><a name="page80" id="page80">[80]</a></span> men should urge him. Now when Thorgils heard this, he
+called Thorgeir to him for a talk, and asked him what kind of aid he
+now deemed meetest for him; Thorgeir said that it was most to his mind
+to go abroad if he should be outlawed. Thorgils said that should be
+tried. A ship lay up Northriver in Burgfirth; in that keel Thorgils
+secretly paid faring for the foster-brothers, and thus the winter
+passed. Thorgils heard that Asmund and Thorstein drew together many
+men to the Althing, and sat in Liarskogar. He drew out the time of
+riding from home, for he would that Asmund and Thorstein should have
+ridden by before him to the south, when he came from the west; and
+so it fell out. Thorgils rode south, and with him rode the
+foster-brothers. In this ride Thorgeir killed Bundle-Torfi of
+Marswell, and Skuf withal, and Biarni in Dog-dale; thus says Thormod
+in Thorgeir's-Drapa&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Mighty strife the warrior made,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When to earth was Makson laid,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Well the sword-shower wrought he there,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Flesh the ravens got to tear;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then when Skuf and Biarni fell,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He was there the tale to tell;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sea-steed's rider took his way</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through the thickest of the fray.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thorgils settled the peace for the slaying of Skuf and Biarni then
+and there in the Dale, and delayed no longer than his will was before;
+Thorgeir went to ship, but Thorgils to the Althing, and came not
+thither until men were going to the courts.</p>
+
+<p>Then Asmund the Greyhaired challenged the defence for the blood-suit
+on the slaying of Thorgils Makson.<span class="newpage"><a name="page81" id="page81">[81]</a></span> Thorgils went to the court and
+offered weregild for the slaying, if thereby Thorgeir might become
+free of guilt; he put forth for defence in the suit whether they had
+not free catch on all common foreshores. The lawman was asked if this
+was a lawful defence. Skapti was the lawman, and backed Asmund for the
+sake of their kinship. He said this was law if they were equal men,
+but said that bonders had a right to take before batchelors. Asmund
+said that Thorgils had offered an even sharing to the foster-brothers
+in so much of the whale as was uncut when they came thereto; and
+therewith that way of defence was closed against them. Now Thorstein
+and his kin followed up the suit with much eagerness, and nought was
+good to them but that Thorgeir should be made guilty.</p>
+
+<p>Thorgils saw that one of two things was to be done, either to set on
+with many men, not knowing what might be gained thereby, or to suffer
+them to go on as they would; and, whereas Thorgeir had been got on
+board ship, Thorgils let the suit go on unheeded.</p>
+
+<p>Thorgeir was outlawed, but for Thormod was taken weregild, and he to
+be quit. By this blood-suit Thorstein and Asmund were deemed to have
+waxed much. And now men ride home from the Thing.</p>
+
+<p>Some men would hold talk that Thorgils had lightly backed the case,
+but he heeded their talk little, and let any one say thereon what he
+would.</p>
+
+<p>But when Thorgeir heard of this outlawry, he said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Fain am I that those who have made me an outlaw should have full pay
+for this, ere all be over.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was a man called Gaut Sleitason, who was akin to Thorgils
+Makson. Gaut had made ready to go in this same ship wherein Thorgeir
+was to sail. He bristled up against Thorgeir, and showed mighty
+ill-will against him<span class="newpage"><a name="page82" id="page82">[82]</a></span> and went about scowling; when the chapmen found
+this out, they thought it far from safe that both should sail in one
+ship. Thorgeir said he heeded not how much soever Gaut would bend his
+brows on him; still it was agreed that Gaut should take himself off
+from the ship, whereupon he went north into the upper settlements,
+and that time nought happed between him and Thorgeir, but out of this
+sprang up between them ill blood, as matters showed after.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>This summer Grettir Asmundson came out to Skagafirth: he was in those
+days so famed a man for strength and prowess, that none was deemed
+his like among young men. He rode home to Biarg forthwith, and Asmund
+welcomed him meetly. At that time Atli managed the farming matters,
+and well things befell betwixt the brothers.</p>
+
+<p>But now Grettir waxed so overbearing, that he deemed that nought was
+too much for him to do. At that time had many men grown into full
+manhood who were young in the days when Grettir was wont to play with
+them on Midfirth-water before he went abroad; one of these was Audun,
+who then dwelt at Audunstead, in Willowdale; he was the son of Asgeir,
+the son of Audun, the son of Asgeir Madpate; of all men he was the
+strongest north there; but he was thought to be the gentlest of
+neighbours. Now it came into Grettir's mind that he had had the worst
+of Audun in<span class="newpage"><a name="page83" id="page83">[83]</a></span> that ball-play whereof is told before; and now he would
+fain try which of the twain had ripened the most since then. For this
+cause Grettir took his way from home, and fared unto Audunstead.
+This was in early mowing tide; Grettir was well dight, and rode in a
+fair-stained saddle of very excellent workmanship, which Thorfinn had
+given him; a good horse he had withal, and all weapons of the best.
+Grettir came early in the day to Audunstead, and knocked at the door.
+Few folk were within; Grettir asked if Audun was at home. Men said
+that he had gone to fetch victuals from the hill-dairy. Then Grettir
+took the bridle off his horse; the field was unmowed, and the horse
+went whereas the grass was the highest. Grettir went into the hall,
+sat down on the seat-beam, and thereon fell asleep. Soon after Audun
+came home, and sees a horse grazing in the field with a fair-stained
+saddle on; Audun was bringing victuals on two horses, and carried
+curds on one of them, in drawn-up hides, tied round about: this
+fashion men called curd-bags. Audun took the loads off the horses and
+carried the curd-bags in his arms into the house.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was dark before his eyes, and Grettir stretched his foot from
+out the beam so that Audun fell flat down head-foremost on to the
+curd-bag, whereby the bonds of the bag brake; Audun leaped up and
+asked who was that rascal in the way. Grettir named himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Audun, &quot;Rashly hast thou done herein; what is thine errand
+then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;I will fight with thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;First I will see about my victuals,&quot; said Audun.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That thou mayst well do,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;if thou canst not charge
+other folk therewith.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Audun stooped down and caught up the curd-bag and dashed it
+against Grettir's bosom, and bade him first<span class="newpage"><a name="page84" id="page84">[84]</a></span> take what was sent him;
+and therewith was Grettir all smothered in the curds; and a greater
+shame he deemed that than if Audun had given him a great wound.</p>
+
+<p>Now thereon they rushed at one another and wrestled fiercely; Grettir
+set on with great eagerness, but Audun gave back before him. Yet he
+feels that Grettir has outgrown him in strength. Now all things in
+their way were kicked out of place, and they were borne on wrestling
+to and fro throughout all the hall; neither spared his might, but
+still Grettir was the toughest of the twain, and at last Audun fell,
+having torn all weapons from Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now they grapple hard with one another, and huge cracking was all
+around them. Withal a great din was heard coming through the earth
+underneath the farmstead, and Grettir heard some one ride up to the
+houses, get off his horse, and stride in with great strides; he sees
+a man come up, of goodly growth, in a red kirtle and with a helmet on
+his head. He took his way into the hall, for he had heard clamorous
+doings there as they were struggling together; he asked what was in
+the hall.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir named himself, &quot;But who asks thereof?&quot; quoth he.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Bardi am I hight,&quot; said the new comer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Art thou Bardi, the son of Gudmund, from Asbiornsness?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That very man am I,&quot; said Bardi; &quot;but what art thou doing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;We, Audun and I, are playing here in sport.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know not as to the sport thereof,&quot; said Bardi, &quot;nor are ye even men
+either; thou art full of unfairness and overbearing, and he is easy
+and good to deal with; so let him stand up forthwith.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page85" id="page85">[85]</a></span>
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;<i>Many a man stretches round the door to the lock</i>;
+and meseems it lies more in thy way to avenge thy brother Hall<a name="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12"><sup>[12]</sup></a>
+than to meddle in the dealings betwixt me and Audun.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At all times I hear this,&quot; said Bardi, &quot;nor know I if that will be
+avenged, but none the less I will that thou let Audun be at peace, for
+he is a quiet man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir did so at Bardi's bidding, nathless, little did it please him.
+Bardi asked for what cause they strove.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Prithee, Audun, who can tell,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But that now thy throat shall swell;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That from rough hands thou shalt gain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By our strife a certain pain.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E'en such wrong as I have done,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I of yore from Audun won,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the young, fell-creeping lad</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At his hands a choking had.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Bardi said that certes it was a matter to be borne with, if he had had
+to avenge himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now I will settle matters between you,&quot; quoth Bardi; &quot;I will that ye
+part, leaving things as they are, that thereby there may be an end of
+all between you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This they let hold good, but Grettir took ill liking to Bardi and his
+brothers.</p>
+
+<p>Now they all rode off, and when they were somewhat on their way,
+Grettir spake&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have heard that thou hast will to go to Burgfirth<span class="newpage"><a name="page86" id="page86">[86]</a></span> this summer, and
+I now offer to go south with thee; and methinks that herein I do for
+thee more than thou art worthy of.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hereat was Bardi glad, and speedily said yea thereto, and bade him
+have thanks for this; and thereupon they parted. But a little after
+Bardi came back and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will have it known that thou goest not unless my foster-father
+Thorarin will have it so, for he shall have all the rule of the
+faring.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well mightest thou, methinks, have full freedom as to thine own
+redes,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;and my faring I will not have laid under the
+choice of other folk; and I shall mislike it if thou easiest me aside
+from thy fellowship.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now either went their way, and Bardi said he should let Grettir know
+for sure if Thorarin would that he should fare with him, but that
+otherwise he might sit quiet at home. Grettir rode home to Biarg, but
+Bardi to his own house.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. XXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>That summer was settled to be a great horse-fight at Longfit, below
+Reeks. Thither came many men. Atli of Biarg had a good horse, a
+black-maned roan of Keingala's kin, and father and son had great love
+for that horse. The brothers, Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, had a brown
+horse, trusty in fight. These were to fight their horse against Atli
+of Biarg. And many other good horses were there.</p>
+
+<p>Odd, the Foundling-skald, of Kormak's kin, was to follow the horse
+of his kinsman through the day. Odd<span class="newpage"><a name="page87" id="page87">[87]</a></span> was then growing a big man, and
+bragged much of himself, and was untameable and reckless. Grettir
+asked of Atli his brother, who should follow his horse.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not so clear about that,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wilt thou that I stand by it?&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Be thou then very peaceable, kinsman,&quot; said Atli, &quot;for here have we
+to deal with overbearing men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, let them pay for their own insolence,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;if they
+know not how to hold it back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now are the horses led out, but all stood forth on the river-bank tied
+together. There was a deep hollow in the river down below the bank.
+The horses bit well at each other, and the greatest sport it was.</p>
+
+<p>Odd drave on his horse with all his might, but Grettir held back, and
+seized the tail with one hand, and the staff wherewith he goaded the
+horse he held in the other. Odd stood far before his horse, nor was it
+so sure that he did not goad Atli's horse from his hold. Grettir made
+as if he saw it not. Now the horses bore forth towards the river. Then
+Odd drave his staff at Grettir, and smote the shoulder-blade, for that
+Grettir turned the shoulder towards him: that was so mighty a stroke,
+that the flesh shrank from under it, but Grettir was little scratched.</p>
+
+<p>Now in that nick of time the horses reared up high, and Grettir ran
+under his horse's hocks, and thrust his staff so hard at the side
+of Odd that three ribs brake in him, but he was hurled out into deep
+water, together with his horse and all the horses that were tied
+together. Then men swam out to him and dragged him out of the river;
+then was a great hooting made thereat; Kormak's folk ran to their
+weapons, as did the men of Biarg in another place. But when the
+Ramfirthers and the men of Waterness saw that, they went betwixt them,
+and they were parted and<span class="newpage"><a name="page88" id="page88">[88]</a></span> went home, but both sides had ill-will one
+with the other, though they sat peacefully at home for a while.</p>
+
+<p>Atli was sparing of speech over this, but Grettir was right unsparing,
+and said that they would meet another time if his will came to pass.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXX"></a><h2>CHAP. XXX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy, and of Grettir's meeting
+with Kormak on Ramfirth-neck.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Thorodstead in Ramfirth;
+he was the son of Arnor Hay-nose,<a name="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13"><sup>[13]</sup></a> the son of Thorod, who had
+settled Ramfirth on that side out as far as Bank was on the other.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn was the strongest of all men; he was called Oxmain. Thorod
+was the name of his brother, he was called Drapa-Stump; their mother
+was Gerd, daughter of Bodvar, from Bodvars-knolls. Thorbiorn was a
+great and hardy warrior, and had many men with him; he was noted as
+being worse at getting servants than other men, and barely gave he
+wages to any man, nor was he thought a good man to deal with. There
+was a kinsman of his hight Thorbiorn, and bynamed Tardy; he was a
+sailor, and the namesakes were partners. He was ever at Thorodstead,
+and was thought to better Thorbiorn but little. He was a fault-finding
+fellow, and went about jeering at most men.</p>
+
+<p>There was a man hight Thorir, the son of Thorkel of<span class="newpage"><a name="page89" id="page89">[89]</a></span> Boardere. He
+farmed first at Meals in Ramfirth; his daughter was Helga, whom
+Sleita-Helgi had to wife, but after the man-slaying in Fairslope
+Thorir set up for himself his abode south in Hawkdale, and farmed at
+the Pass, and sold the land at Meals to Thorhall, son of Gamli the
+Vendlander.<a name="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14"><sup>[14]</sup></a> His son was Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, daughter
+of Asmund the Greyhaired, and Grettir's sister. They dwelt at that
+time at Meals, and had good hap. Thorir of the Pass had two sons, one
+hight Gunnar, the other Thorgeir; they were both hopeful men, and
+had then taken the farm after their father, yet were for ever with
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, and were growing exceeding unruly.</p>
+
+<p>The summer after that just told, Kormak and Thorgils and Narfi their
+kinsman rode south to Northriverdale, on some errand of theirs. Odd
+the Foundling-skald fared also with them, and by then was gotten
+healed of the stiffness he gained at the horse-fight. But while they
+were south of the heath, Grettir fared from Biarg, and with him two
+house-carles of Atli's. They rode over to Bowerfell, and thence over
+the mountain neck to Ramfirth, and came to Meals in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>They were there three nights; Ranveig and Gamli welcomed Grettir well,
+and bade him abide with them, but he had will to ride home.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir heard that Kormak and his fellows were come from the
+south, and had guested at Tongue through the night. Grettir got ready
+early to leave Meals; Gamli offered him men to go with him. Now Grim
+was the name of Gamli's brother; he was of all men the swiftest; he
+rode<span class="newpage"><a name="page90" id="page90">[90]</a></span> with Grettir with another man; they were five in all. Thus they
+rode on till they came to Ramfirth-neck, west of Bowerfell. There
+stands a huge stone that is called Grettir's heave; for he tried long
+that day to lift that stone, and thus they delayed till Kormak and his
+fellows were come. Grettir rode to meet them, and both sides jumped
+off their horses. Grettir said it was more like free men now to
+deal blows of the biggest, than to fight with staves like wandering
+churles. Then Kormak bade them take the challenge in manly wise, and
+do their best. Thereafter they ran at one another and fought. Grettir
+went before his men, and bade them take heed, that none came at his
+back. Thus they fought a while, and men were wounded on both sides.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn Oxmain had ridden that day over the neck to Bowerfell,
+and when he rode back he saw their meeting. There were with him then
+Thorbiorn the Tardy, and Gunnar and Thorgeir, Thorir's sons, and
+Thorod Drapa-Stump. Now when they came thereto, Thorbiorn called on
+his men to go between them. But the others were by then so eager that
+they could do nought. Grettir broke forth fiercely, and before him
+were the sons of Thorir, and they both fell as he thrust them from
+him; they waxed exceeding furious thereat, insomuch that Gunnar dealt
+a death-blow at a house-carle of Atli; and when Thorbiorn saw that,
+he bade them part, saying withal that he would aid which side soever
+should pay heed to his words. By then were fallen two house-carles of
+Kormak, but Grettir saw, that it would hardly do if Thorbiorn should
+bring aid to them against him, wherefore now he gave up the battle,
+and all were wounded who had been at that meeting. But much it
+misliked Grettir that they had been parted.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter either side rode home, nor did they settle peace after
+these slayings. Thorbiorn the Tardy made<span class="newpage"><a name="page91" id="page91">[91]</a></span> much mocking at all this,
+therefore things began to worsen betwixt the men of Biarg and
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, so that therefrom fell much ill-will as came to be
+known after. No boot was bidden to Atli for his house-carle, but
+he made as if he knew it not. Grettir sat at home at Biarg until
+Twainmonth.<a name="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15"><sup>[15]</sup></a> Nor is it said in story that he and Kormak met ever
+again after these things betid.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXI"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund, as he came back from the
+Heath-slayings</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Bardi, the son of Gudmund, and his brothers, rode home to Asbiornsness
+after their parting with Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>They were the sons of Gudmund, the son of Solmund. The mother of
+Solmund was Thorlaug, the daughter of Saemund, the South-Island man,
+the foster-brother of Ingimund the Old, and Bardi was a very noble
+man.</p>
+
+<p>Now soon he rode to find Thorarin the Wise, his foster-father. He
+welcomed Bardi well, and asked what gain he had got of followers and
+aid, for they had before taken counsel over Bardi's journey. Bardi
+answered that he had got the aid of that man to his fellow, whose aid
+he deemed better than that of any other twain. Thorarin got silent
+thereat, and then said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That man will be Grettir Asmundson.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Sooth is the sage's guess</i>,&quot; said Bardi; &quot;that is the very man,
+foster-father.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page92" id="page92">[92]</a></span>
+<p>Thorarin answered, &quot;True it is, that Grettir is much before any other
+man of those who are to choose in our land, and late will he be won
+with weapons, if he be hale, yet it misdoubts me how far he will bring
+thee luck; but of thy following all must not be luckless, and enough
+ye will do, though he fare not with thee: nowise shall he go if I may
+have my will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This I could not have deemed, foster-father,&quot; said he, &quot;that thou
+wouldst grudge me the aid of the bravest of men, if my need should be
+hard. A man cannot foresee all things when he is driven on as methinks
+I am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou wilt do well,&quot; said Thorarin; &quot;though thou abidest by my
+foresight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now thus must things be, even as Thorarin would, that no word more was
+sent to Grettir, but Bardi fared south to Burgfirth, and then befell
+the Heath-slayings.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir was at Biarg when he heard that Bardi had ridden south; he
+started up in anger for that no word had been sent to him, and said
+that not thus should they part. He had news of them when they
+were looked for coming from the south, and thereat he rode down to
+Thorey's-peak, for the waylaying of Bardi's folk as they came back
+from the south: he fared from the homestead up on to the hill-side,
+and abode there. That same day rode Bardi and his men north over
+Twodaysway, from the Heath-slayings; they were six in all, and every
+man sore wounded; and when they came forth by the homestead, then said
+Bardi&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A man there is up on the hill-side; a big man, armed. What man do ye
+take him to be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said that they wotted not who he was.</p>
+
+<p>Bardi said, &quot;Methinks there,&quot; quoth he, &quot;is Grettir Asmundson; and if
+so it is, there will he meet us. I deem that it has misliked him that
+he fared not with us, but methinks<span class="newpage"><a name="page93" id="page93">[93]</a></span> we are not in good case, if he be
+bent on doing us harm. I now shall send after men to Thorey's-peak,
+and stake nought on the chance of his ill-will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said this was a good rede, and so was it done.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter Bardi and his folk rode on their way. Grettir saw where
+they fared, and went in the way before them, and when they met, either
+greeted other.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir asked for tidings, but Bardi told them fearlessly, even as
+they were. Grettir asked what men were in that journey with him. Bardi
+said that there were his brothers, and Eyulf his brother-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou hast now cleared thyself from all blame,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but now
+is it best that we try between us who is of most might here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Bardi, &quot;Too nigh to my garth have deeds of hard need been, than
+that I should fight with thee without a cause, and well methinks have
+I thrust these from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou growest soft, methinks, Bardi,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;since thou durst
+not fight with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Call that what thou wilt,&quot; said Bardi; &quot;but in some other stead would
+I that thou wreak thine high-handedness than here on me; and that is
+like enough, for now does thy rashness pass all bounds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thought ill of his spaedom, and now doubted within himself
+whether he should set on one or other of them; but it seemed rash to
+him, as they were six and he one: and in that nick of time came up the
+men from Thorey's-peak to the aid of Bardi and his folk; then Grettir
+drew off from them, and turned aside to his horse. But Bardi and his
+fellows went on their way, nor were there farewells between them at
+parting.</p>
+
+<p>No further dealings between Bardi and Grettir are told of after these
+things betid.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page94" id="page94">[94]</a></span>
+<p>Now so has Grettir said that he deemed himself well matched to fight
+with most men, though they were three together, but he would have no
+mind to flee before four, without trying it; but against more would
+he fight only if he must needs defend his hand, as is said in this
+stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;My life trust I 'gainst three</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Skilled in Mist's mystery;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whatso in Hilda's weather</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall bring the swords together;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If over four they are</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My wayfaring that bar</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No gale of swords will I</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wake with them willingly.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>After his parting with Bardi, Grettir fared to Biarg, and very ill he
+it thought that he might nowhere try his strength, and searched all
+about if anywhere might be somewhat wherewith he might contend.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how Thorhall took a Shepherd
+by the rede of Skapti the Lawman, and of what befell thereafter</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man hight Thorhall, who dwelt at Thorhall-stead, in
+Shady-vale, which runs up from Waterdale. Thorhall was the son of
+Grim, son of Thorhall, the son of Fridmund, who settled Shady-vale.
+Thorhall had a wife hight Gudrun. Grim was their son, and Thurid their
+daughter; they were well-nigh grown up.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page95" id="page95">[95]</a></span>
+<p>Thorhall was a rich man, but mostly in cattle, so that no man had so
+much of live-stock as he. He was no chief, but an honest bonder he
+was. Much was that place haunted, and hardly could he get a shepherd
+that he deemed should serve his turn. He sought counsel of many men
+as to what he might do therewith, but none gave him a rede that might
+serve him. Thorhall rode each summer to the Thing, and good horses
+he had. But one summer at the Althing, Thorhall went to the booth
+of Skapti Thorodson the Lawman. Skapti was the wisest of men, and
+wholesome were his redes when folk prayed him for them. But he and his
+father differed thus much, that Thorod was foretelling, and yet was
+called under-handed of some folk; but Skapti showed forth to every
+man what he deemed would avail most, if it were not departed from,
+therefore was he called &quot;Father-betterer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorhall went into Skapti's booth, and Skapti greeted him well,
+for he knew that he was a man rich in cattle, and he asked him what
+were the tidings.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall answered, &quot;A wholesome counsel would I have from thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Little am I meet for that,&quot; said Skapti; &quot;but what dost thou stand in
+need of?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall said, &quot;So is the matter grown to be, that but a little while
+do my shepherds avail me; for ever will they get badly hurt; but
+others will not serve to the end, and now no one will take the job
+when he knows what bides in the way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Skapti answered, &quot;Some evil things shall be there then, since men
+are more unwilling to watch thy sheep than those of other men. Now,
+therefore, as thou hast sought rede of me, I shall get thee a shepherd
+who is hight Glam, a Swede, from Sylgsdale, who came out last summer,
+a big<span class="newpage"><a name="page96" id="page96">[96]</a></span> man and a strong, though he is not much to the mind of most
+folk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall said he heeded that little if he watched the sheep well.</p>
+
+<p>Skapti said that little would be the look out for others, if he could
+not watch them, despite his strength and daring.</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorhall went out from him, and this was towards the breaking
+up of the Thing. Thorhall missed two dun horses, and fared himself to
+seek for them; wherefore folk deem that he was no great man. He went
+up to Sledgehill, and south along the fell which is called Armansfell;
+then he saw how a man fared down from Godi's-wood, and bore faggots on
+a horse. Soon they met together, and Thorhall asked him of his name.
+He said that he was called Glam. This man was great of growth,
+uncouth to look on; his eyes were grey and glaring, and his hair was
+wolf-grey.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall stared at him somewhat when he saw this man, till he saw that
+this was he to whom he had been sent.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What work hast thou best will to do?&quot; said Thorhall.</p>
+
+<p>Glam said, &quot;That he was of good mind to watch sheep in winter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wilt thou watch my sheep?&quot; said Thorhall. &quot;Skapti has given thee to
+my will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So only shall my service avail thee, if I go of my own will, for I am
+evil of mood if matters mislike me,&quot; quoth Glam.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I fear no hurt thereof,&quot; said Thorhall, &quot;and I will that thou fare to
+my house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may I do,&quot; said Glam, &quot;perchance there are some troubles there?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Folk deem the place haunted,&quot; said Thorhall.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page97" id="page97">[97]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;Such bugs will not scare me,&quot; quoth Glam; &quot;life seems to me less
+irksome thereby.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It must needs seem so,&quot; said Thorhall, &quot;and truly it is better that a
+mannikin be not there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they struck bargain together, and Glam is to come at winter
+nights: then they parted, and Thorhall found his horses even where he
+had just been searching. Thorhall rode home, and thanked Skapti for
+his good deed.</p>
+
+<p>Summer slipped away, and Thorhall heard nought of his shepherd, nor
+did any man know aught about him; but at the appointed time he came
+to Thorhall-stead. The bonder greeted him well, but none of the other
+folk could abide him, and the good wife least of all.</p>
+
+<p>Now he took to the sheep-watching, and little trouble it seemed to
+give him; he was big-voiced and husky, and all the beasts would run
+together when he whooped. There was a church at Thorhall-stead, but
+nowise would Glam come therein; he was a loather of church-song, and
+godless, foul-tempered, and surly, and no man might abide him.</p>
+
+<p>Now passed the time till it came to Yule-eve; then Glam got up and
+straightway called for his meat. The good wife said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No Christian man is wont to eat meat this day, be-. cause that on the
+morrow is the first day of Yule,&quot; says she, &quot;wherefore must men first
+fast to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answers, &quot;Many follies have ye, whereof I see no good come, nor
+know I that men fare better now than when they paid no heed to such
+things; and methinks the ways of men were better when they were called
+heathens; and now will I have my meat, and none of this fooling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said the housewife, &quot;I know for sure that thou shall fare ill
+to-day, if thou takest up this evil turn.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page98" id="page98">[98]</a></span>
+<p>Glam bade her bring food straightway, and said that she should fare
+the worse else. She durst do but as he would, and so when he was full,
+he went out, growling and grumbling.</p>
+
+<p>Now the weather was such, that mirk was over all, and the snow-flakes
+drave down, and great din there was, and still all grew much the
+worse, as the day slipped away.</p>
+
+<p>Men heard the shepherd through the early morning, but less of him
+as the day wore; then it took to snowing, and by evening there was
+a great storm; then men went to church, and thus time drew on to
+nightfall; and Glam came not home; then folk held talk, as to whether
+search should not be made for him, but, because of the snow-storm and
+pitch darkness, that came to nought.</p>
+
+<p>Now he came not home on the night of Yule-eve; and thus men abide till
+after the time of worship; but further on in the day men fared out to
+the search, and found the sheep scattered wide about in fens, beaten
+down by the storm, or strayed up into the mountains. Thereafter they
+came on a great beaten place high up in the valley, and they thought
+it was as if strong wrestling had gone on there; for that all about
+the stones had been uptorn and the earth withal; now they looked
+closely and saw where Glam lay a little way therefrom; he was dead,
+and as blue as hell, and as great as a neat.</p>
+
+<p>Huge loathing took them, at the sight of him, and they shuddered in
+their souls at him, yet they strove to bring him to church, but could
+get him only as far as a certain gil-edge a little way below.</p>
+
+<p>Then they fared home to the farm, and told the bonder what had happed.
+He asked what was like to have been Glam's bane. They said they had
+tracked steps as great as if a cask-bottom had been stamped down, from
+there<span class="newpage"><a name="page99" id="page99">[99]</a></span> where the beaten place was, up to beneath sheer rocks which were
+high up the valley, and there along went great stains of blood. Now
+men drew from this, that the evil wight which had been there before
+had killed Glam, but had got such wounds as had been full enough for
+him, for of him none has since been ware.</p>
+
+<p>The second day of Yule men went afresh to try to bring Glam to church;
+drag horses were put to him, but could move him nowhere where they
+had to go on even ground and not down hill; then folk had to go away
+therefrom leaving things done so far.</p>
+
+<p>The third day the priest fared with them, and they sought all day, but
+found not Glam. The priest would go no more on such search, but the
+herdsman was found whenso the priest was not in their company. Then
+they let alone striving to bring him to church, and buried him there
+whereto he had been brought.</p>
+
+<p>A little time after men were ware that Glam lay not quiet. Folk got
+great hurt therefrom, so that many fell into swoons when they saw him,
+but others lost their wits thereby. But just after Yule men thought
+they saw him home at the farm. Folk became exceeding afeard thereat,
+and many fled there and then. Next Glam took to riding the house-roofs
+at night, so that he went nigh to breaking them in. Now he walked
+well-nigh night and day. Hardly durst men fare up into the dale,
+though they had errands enough there. And much scathe the men of the
+country-side deemed all this.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page100" id="page100">[100]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In the spring Thorhall got serving-men, and set up house at his farm;
+then the hauntings began to go off while the sun was at its height;
+and so things went on to midsummer. That summer a ship came out to
+Hunawater, wherein was a man named Thorgaut. He was an outlander of
+kin, big and stout, and two men's strength he had. He was unhired
+and single, and would fain do some work, for he was moneyless. Now
+Thorhall rode to the ship, and asked Thorgaut if he would work for
+him. Thorgaut said that might be, and moreover that he was not nice
+about work.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Be sure in thy mind,&quot; said Thorhall, &quot;that mannikins are of small
+avail there because of the hauntings that have been going on there for
+one while now; for I will not draw thee on by wiles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgaut answers, &quot;I deem not myself given up, though I should see
+some wraithlings; matters will not be light when I am scared, nor will
+I give up my service for that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now they come speedily to a bargain, and Thorgaut is to watch the
+sheep when winter comes. So the summer wore on, and Thorgaut betook
+himself to the shepherding at winter nights, and all liked him well.
+But ever came Glam home and rode the house-roofs; this Thorgaut deemed
+sport enough, and quoth he&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The thrall must come nigher to scare me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall bade him keep silence over that. &quot;<span class="newpage"><a name="page101" id="page101">[101]</a></span>Better will it be that ye
+have no trial together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgaut said, &quot;Surely all might is shaken out of you, nor shall I
+drop down betwixt morn and eve at such talk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now so things go through the winter till Yule-tide. On Yule eve the
+shepherd would fare out to his sheep. Then said the good wife&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Need is it that things go not the old way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;Have no fear thereof, goodwife; something worth telling
+of will betide if I come not back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And thereafter he went to his sheep; and the weather was somewhat
+cold, and there was much snow. Thorgaut was wont to come home when
+twilight had set in, and now he came not at that time. Folk went to
+church as they were wont. Men now thought things looked not unlike
+what they did before; the bonder would have search made for the
+shepherd, but the church-goers begged off, and said that they would
+not give themselves into the hands of trolls by night; so the bonder
+durst not go, and the search came to nought.</p>
+
+<p>Yule-day, when men were full, they fared out and searched for the
+shepherd; they first went to Glam's cairn, because men thought that
+from his deeds came the loss of the herdsman. But when they came nigh
+to the cairn, there they saw great tidings, for there they found the
+shepherd, and his neck was broken, and every bone in him smashed.
+Then they brought him to church, and no harm came to men from Thorgaut
+afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>But Glam began afresh to wax mighty; and such deeds he wrought, that
+all men fled away from Thorhall-stead, except the good man and his
+goodwife. Now the same neatherd had long been there, and Thorhall
+would not let him go, because of his good will and safe ward; he was
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page102" id="page102">[102]</a></span>
+well on in years, and was very loth to fare away, for he saw that all
+things the bonder had went to nought from not being watched.</p>
+
+<p>Now after midwinter one morning the housewife fared to the byre to
+milk the cows after the wonted time; by then was it broad daylight,
+for none other than the neatherd would trust themselves out before
+day; but he went out at dawn. She heard great cracking in the byre,
+with bellowing and roaring; she ran back crying out, and said she knew
+not what uncouth things were going on in the byre.</p>
+
+<p>The bonder went out and came to the cows, which were goring one
+another; so he thought it not good to go in there, but went in to the
+hay-barn. There he saw where lay the neatherd, and had his head in one
+boose<a name="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16"><sup>[16]</sup></a> and his feet in the other; and he lay cast on his back. The
+bonder went up to him, and felt him all over with his hand, and finds
+soon that he was dead, and the spine of him broken asunder; it had
+been broken over the raised stone-edge of a boose.</p>
+
+<p>Now the goodman thought there was no abiding there longer; so he fled
+away from the farm with all that he might take away; but all such live
+stock as was left behind Glam killed, and then he fared all over the
+valley and destroyed farms up from Tongue. But Thorhall was with his
+friends the rest of the winter.</p>
+
+<p>No man might fare up the dale with horse or hound, because straightway
+it was slain. But when spring came, and the sun-light was the
+greatest, somewhat the hauntings abated; and now would Thorhall
+go back to his own land; he had no easy task in getting servants,
+nathless he set up house again at Thorhall-stead; but all went the
+same way<span class="newpage"><a name="page103" id="page103">[103]</a></span> as before; for when autumn came, the hauntings began to wax
+again; the bonder's daughter was most set on, and fared so that she
+died thereof. Many redes were sought, but nought could be done; men
+thought it like that all Waterdale would be laid waste if nought were
+found to better this.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now we take up the story where Grettir Asmundson sat at Biarg through
+the autumn after they parted, he and Slaying-Bardi at Thoreys-peak;
+and when the time of winter-nights had well-nigh come, Grettir
+rode from home north over the neck to Willowdale, and guested at
+Audunstead; he and Audun made a full peace, and Grettir gave Audun a
+good axe, and they talked of friendship between them. Audun dwelt
+long at Audunstead, and was a man of many and hopeful kin; his son was
+Egil, who married Ulfheid, daughter of Eyulf Gudmundson, and their son
+was Eyulf, who was slain at the Althing, he was the father of Orm, who
+was the chaplain of Bishop Thorlak.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir rode north to Waterdale, and came to see his kin at Tongue. In
+those days dwelt there Jokull, the son of Bard, the mother's brother
+of Grettir: Jokull was a big man and a strong, and the most violent
+of men; he was a seafaring man, very wild, and yet a man of great
+account.</p>
+
+<p>He greeted Grettir well, and he was there three nights. There were so
+many words about Glam's hauntings, that nought was so much spoken of
+as of that. Grettir asked closely about all things that had happed.
+Jokull said that<span class="newpage"><a name="page104" id="page104">[104]</a></span> thereof was told no more than the very truth; &quot;And,
+perchance, thou art wishful to go there, kinsman?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that so it was.</p>
+
+<p>Jokull bade him do it not, &quot;Because it is a great risk for thy good
+luck, and thy kinsmen have much to hazard where thou art,&quot; said he,
+&quot;for of young men we think there is none such as thou; but <i>from ill
+cometh ill</i> whereas Glam is; and far better it is to deal with men
+than with such evil wights.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;That he had a mind to go to Thorhall-stead and see how
+things went there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Jokull, &quot;Now I see it is of no avail to let thee; but so it is,
+as men say, <i>Good luck and goodliness are twain</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Woe is before one's own door when it is inside one's
+neighbour's</i>; think how it may fare with thyself ere things are
+ended,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Jokull answered, &quot;Maybe we may both see somewhat of things to come,
+but neither may help aught herein.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They parted thereafter, and neither thought well of the other's
+foretelling.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXV"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do with Glam</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Grettir rode to Thorhall-stead, and the bonder gave him good welcome;
+he asked whither Grettir was minded to fare, but Grettir said he would
+be there that night if the bonder would have it so.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall said that he thanked him therefor, &quot;But few have thought it
+a treat to guest here for any time; thou must needs have heard what
+is going on here, and I fain<span class="newpage"><a name="page105" id="page105">[105]</a></span> would that thou shouldest have no trouble
+from me: but though thou shouldest come off whole thyself, that know
+I for sure, that thou wilt lose thy horse, for none keeps his horse
+whole who comes here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that horses were to be had in plenty whatsoever might hap
+to this. Then Thorhall was glad that Grettir was to be there, and gave
+him a hearty welcome.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir's horse was locked up in a strong house, and they went to
+sleep; and so the night slipped by, and Glam came not home.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorhall, &quot;Things have gone well at thy coming, for every
+night is Glam wont to ride the house-roofs, or break open doors, as
+thou mayest well see.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;Then shall one of two things be, either he shall not
+hold himself back for long, or the hauntings will abate for more than
+one night; I will bide here another night and see how things fare.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they went to Grettir's horse, and nought had been tried
+against it; then all seemed to the bonder to go one way.</p>
+
+<p>Now is Grettir there another night, and neither came the thrall home;
+that the farmer deemed very hopeful; withal he fared to see after
+Grettir's horse. When the farmer came there, he found the house broken
+into, but the horse was dragged out to the door, and every bone in
+him broken to pieces. Thorhall told Grettir what had happed there, and
+bade him save himself, &quot;For sure is thy death if thou abidest Glam.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;I must not have less for my horse than a sight of
+the thrall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The bonder said it was no boon to see him, for he was unlike any shape
+of man; &quot;but good methinks is every hour that thou art here.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page106" id="page106">[106]</a></span>
+<p>Now the day goes by, and when men should go to sleep Grettir would
+not put off his clothes, but lay down on the seat over against the
+bonder's lock-bed. He had a drugget cloak over him, and wrapped one
+skirt of it under his feet, and twined the other under his head, and
+looked out through the head-opening; a seat-beam was before the seat,
+a very strong one, and against this he set his feet. The door-fittings
+were all broken from the outer door, but a wrecked door was now bound
+thereby, and all was fitted up in the wretchedest wise. The panelling
+which had been before the seat athwart the hall, was all broken away
+both above and below the cross-beam; all beds had been torn out of
+place, and an uncouth place it was.</p>
+
+<p>Light burned in the hall through the night; and when the third part
+of the night was passed, Grettir heard huge din without, and then one
+went up upon the houses and rode the hall, and drave his heels against
+the thatch so that every rafter cracked again.</p>
+
+<p>That went on long, and then he came down from the house and went
+to the door; and as the door opened, Grettir saw that the thrall
+stretched in his head, which seemed to him monstrously big, and
+wondrous thick cut.</p>
+
+<p>Glam fared slowly when he came into the door and stretched himself
+high up under the roof, and turned looking along the hall, and laid
+his arms on the tie-beam, and glared inwards over the place. The
+farmer would not let himself be heard, for he deemed he had had enough
+in hearing himself what had gone on outside. Grettir lay quiet, and
+moved no whit; then Glam saw that some bundle lay on the seat, and
+therewith he stalked up the hall and griped at the wrapper wondrous
+hard; but Grettir set his foot against the beam, and moved in no wise;
+Glam pulled again much harder, but still the wrapper<span class="newpage"><a name="page107" id="page107">[107]</a></span> moved not at all;
+the third time he pulled with both hands so hard, that he drew Grettir
+upright from the seat; and now they tore the wrapper asunder between
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Glam gazed at the rag he held in his hand, and wondered much who might
+pull so hard against him; and therewithal Grettir ran under his hands
+and gripped him round the middle, and bent back his spine as hard as
+he might, and his mind it was that Glam should shrink thereat; but the
+thrall lay so hard on Grettir's arms, that he shrank all aback because
+of Glam's strength.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir bore back before him into sundry seats; but the
+seat-beams were driven out of place, and all was broken that was
+before them. Glam was fain to get out, but Grettir set his feet
+against all things that he might; nathless Glam got him dragged from
+out the hall; there had they a wondrous hard wrestling, because the
+thrall had a mind to bring him out of the house; but Grettir saw that
+ill as it was to deal with Glam within doors, yet worse would it be
+without; therefore he struggled with all his might and main against
+going out-a-doors.</p>
+
+<p>Now Glam gathered up his strength and knit Grettir towards him when
+they came to the outer door; but when Grettir saw that he might not
+set his feet against that, all of a sudden in one rush he drave his
+hardest against the thrall's breast, and spurned both feet against the
+half-sunken stone that stood in the threshold of the door; for this
+the thrall was not ready, for he had been tugging to draw Grettir to
+him, therefore he reeled aback and spun out against the door, so that
+his shoulders caught the upper door-case, and the roof burst asunder,
+both rafters and frozen thatch, and therewith he fell open-armed aback
+out of the house, and Grettir over him.</p>
+
+<p>Bright moonlight was there without, and the drift was<span class="newpage"><a name="page108" id="page108">[108]</a></span> broken, now
+drawn over the moon, now driven from off her; and, even as Glam fell,
+a cloud was driven from the moon, and Glam glared up against her. And
+Grettir himself says that by that sight only was he dismayed amidst
+all that he ever saw.</p>
+
+<p>Then his soul sank within him so, from all these things both from
+weariness, and because he had seen Glam turn his eyes so horribly,
+that he might not draw the short-sword, and lay well-nigh 'twixt home
+and hell.</p>
+
+<p>But herein was there more fiendish craft in Glam than in most other
+ghosts, that he spake now in this wise&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Exceeding eagerly hast thou wrought to meet me, Grettir, but no
+wonder will it be deemed, though thou gettest no good hap of me; and
+this must I tell thee, that thou now hast got half the strength and
+manhood, which was thy lot if thou hadst not met me: now I may not
+take from thee the strength which thou hast got before this; but that
+may I rule, that thou shalt never be mightier than now thou art;
+and nathless art thou mighty enow, and that shall many an one learn.
+Hitherto hast thou earned fame by thy deeds, but henceforth will
+wrongs and man-slayings fall on thee, and the most part of thy doings
+will turn to thy woe and ill-hap; an outlaw shalt thou be made, and
+ever shall it be thy lot to dwell alone abroad; therefore this weird I
+lay on thee, ever in those days to see these eyes with thine eyes,
+and thou wilt find it hard to be alone&mdash;and that shall drag thee unto
+death.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now when the thrall had thus said, the astonishment fell from Grettir
+that had lain on him, and therewith he drew the short-sword and hewed
+the head from Glam, and laid it at his thigh.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the farmer out; he had clad himself while Glam had his spell
+going, but he durst come nowhere nigh till Glam had fallen.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page109" id="page109">[109]</a></span>
+<p>Thorhall praised God therefor, and thanked Grettir well for that he
+had won this unclean spirit. Then they set to work and burned Glam
+to cold coals, thereafter they gathered his ashes into the skin of a
+beast, and dug it down whereas sheep-pastures were fewest, or the ways
+of men. They walked home thereafter, and by then it had got far
+on towards day; Grettir laid him down, for he was very stiff: but
+Thorhall sent to the nearest farm for men, and both showed them and
+told them how all things had fared.</p>
+
+<p>All men who heard thereof deemed this a deed of great worth, and in
+those days it was said by all that none in all the land was like to
+Grettir Asmundson for great heart and prowess.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall saw off Grettir handsomely, and gave him a good horse and
+seemly clothes, for those were all torn to pieces that he had worn
+before; so they parted in friendly wise. Grettir rode thence to the
+Ridge in Waterdale, and Thorvald received him well, and asked closely
+about the struggle with Glam. Grettir told him all, and said thereto
+that he had never had such a trial of strength, so long was their
+struggle.</p>
+
+<p>Thorvald bade him keep quiet, &quot;Then all will go well with thee, else
+wilt thou be a man of many troubles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that his temper had been nowise bettered by this, that he
+was worse to quiet than before, and that he deemed all trouble worse
+than it was; but that herein he found the greatest change, in that he
+was become so fearsome a man in the dark, that he durst go nowhither
+alone after nightfall, for then he seemed to see all kinds of horrors.</p>
+
+<p>And that has fallen since into a proverb, that Glam lends eyes, or
+gives Glamsight to those who see things nowise as they are.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page110" id="page110">[110]</a></span>
+<p>But Grettir rode home to Biarg when he had done his errands, and sat
+at home through the winter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's autumn-feast, and the mocks of Thorbiorn
+Tardy</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Oxmain held a great autumn feast, and many men came thither
+to him, and that was while Grettir fared north to Waterdale in the
+autumn; Thorbiorn the Tardy was there at the feast, and many things
+were spoken of there. There the Ramfirthers asked of those dealings of
+Grettir on the neck the summer before.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Oxmain told the story right fairly as towards Grettir, and
+said that Kormak would have got the worst of it, if none had come
+there to part them.</p>
+
+<p>Then spake Thorbiorn the Tardy, &quot;Both these things are true,&quot; said he:
+&quot;I saw Grettir win no great honour, and I deem withal that fear shot
+through his heart when we came thereto, and right blithe was he to
+part, nor did I see him seek for vengeance when Atli's house-carle was
+slain; therefore do I deem that there is no heart in him if he is not
+holpen enow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And thereat Thorbiorn went on gabbling at his most; but many put in a
+word, and said that this was worthless fooling, and that Grettir would
+not leave things thus, if he heard that talk.</p>
+
+<p>Nought else befell worth telling of at the feast, and men went home;
+but much ill-will there was betwixt them that winter, though neither
+set on other; nor were there other tidings through the winter.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page111" id="page111">[111]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying of Thorbiorn Tardy;
+Grettir goes to Norway</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Early the spring after came out a ship from Norway; and that was
+before the Thing; these folk knew many things to tell, and first that
+there was change of rulers in Norway, for Olaf Haraldson was come to
+be king, and Earl Svein had fled the country in the spring after the
+fight at Ness. Many noteworthy matters were told of King Olaf, and
+this withal, that he received such men in the best of ways who were of
+prowess in any deeds, and that he made such his men.</p>
+
+<p>Thereat were many young men glad, and listed to go abroad, and when
+Grettir heard the tidings he became much minded to sail out; for he,
+like others, hoped for honour at the king's hands.</p>
+
+<p>A ship lay in Goose-ere in Eyjafirth, therein Grettir got him a berth
+and made ready for the voyage, nor had he yet much of faring-goods.</p>
+
+<p>Now Asmund was growing very feeble with eld, and was well-nigh
+bedridden; he and Asdis had a young son who was called Illugi, and was
+the hopefullest of men; and, by this time, Atli tended all farming and
+money-keeping, and this was deemed to better matters, because he was a
+peaceable and foreseeing man.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went shipward, but in that same ship had Thorbiorn the
+Tardy taken passage, before folk knew that Grettir would sail therein.
+Now men would hinder Thorbiorn from sailing in the same ship with
+Grettir, but<span class="newpage"><a name="page112" id="page112">[112]</a></span> Thorbiorn said that he would go for all that. He gat him
+ready for the voyage out, and was somewhat late thereat, nor did he
+come to the north to Goose-ere before the ship was ready for sea; and
+before Thorbiorn fared from the west, Asmund the Greyhaired fell sick
+and was bedridden.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn the Tardy came late one day down to the sand; men were
+getting ready to go to table, and were washing their hands outside the
+booths; but when Thorbiorn rode up the lane betwixt the booths, he
+was greeted, and asked for tidings. He made as if there was nought
+to tell, &quot;Save that I deem that Asmund, the champion of Biarg, is now
+dead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Many men said that there where he went, departed a worthy goodman from
+the world.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But what brought it about?&quot; said they.</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;Little went to the death of that champion, for in the
+chamber smoke was he smothered like a dog; nor is there loss therein,
+for he was grown a dotard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou speakest marvellously of such a man,&quot; said they, &quot;nor would
+Grettir like thy words well, if he heard them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That must I bear,&quot; said Thorbiorn, &quot;and higher must Grettir bear the
+sword than he did last summer at Ramfirth-neck, if I am to tremble at
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir heard full well what Thorbiorn said, and paid no heed
+thereto while he let his tale run on; but when he had made an end,
+then spake Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That fate I foretell for thee, Tardy,&quot; said he, &quot;that thou wilt not
+die in chamber smoke, yet may be withal thou wilt not die of eld; but
+it is strangely done to speak scorn of sackless men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn said, &quot;I have no will to hold in about these things, and
+methinks thou didst not bear thyself so briskly<span class="newpage"><a name="page113" id="page113">[113]</a></span> when we got thee off
+that time when the men of Meals beat thee like a neat's head.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then sang Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Day by day full over long,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arrow-dealer, grows thy tongue;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Such a man there is, that thou</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mayst be paid for all words now;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many a man, who has been fain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wound-worm's tower with hands to gain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With less deeds his death has bought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than thou, Tardy-one, hast wrought.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Said Thorbiorn, &quot;About as feign do I deem myself as before, despite
+thy squealing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Heretofore my spaedom has not been long-lived, and
+so shall things go still; now beware if thou wilt, hereafter will no
+out-look be left.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewith Grettir hewed at Thorbiorn, but he swung up his hand, with
+the mind to ward the stroke from him, but that stroke came on his arm
+about the wrist, and withal the short-sword drave into his neck so
+that the head was smitten off.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the chapmen that he was a man of mighty strokes, and
+that such should king's men be; and no scathe they deemed it though
+Thorbiorn were slain, in that he had been both quarrelsome and
+spiteful.</p>
+
+<p>A little after they sailed into the sea, and came in late summer to
+Norway, south at Hordaland, and then they heard that King Olaf was
+north at Drontheim; then Grettir took ship in a trading keel to go
+north therefrom, because he would fain see the king.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page114" id="page114">[114]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how Grettir fetched fire for
+his shipmates</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man named Thorir, who lived at Garth, in Maindale, he was
+the son of Skeggi, the son of Botulf. Skeggi had settled Well-wharf up
+to Well-ness; he had to wife Helga, daughter of Thorkel, of Fishbrook;
+Thorir, his son, was a great chief, and a seafaring man. He had two
+sons, one called Thorgeir and one Skeggi, they were both hopeful men,
+and fully grown in those days. Thorir had been in Norway that summer,
+when King Olaf came east from England, and got into great friendship
+with the king, and with Bishop Sigurd as well; and this is a token
+thereof, that Thorir had had a large ship built in the wood, and
+prayed Bishop Sigurd to hallow it, and so he did. Thereafter Thorir
+fared out to Iceland and caused the ship to be broken up, when he grew
+weary of sailing, but the beaks of the ship, he had set up over his
+outer door, and they were there long afterwards, and were so full of
+weather wisdom, that the one whistled before a south wind, and the
+other before a north wind.</p>
+
+<p>But when Thorir knew that King Olaf had got the sole rule over all
+Norway, he deemed that he had some friendship there to fall back on;
+then he sent his sons to Norway to meet the king, and was minded that
+they should become his men. They came there south, late in autumn, and
+got to themselves a row-barge, and fared north along the land, with
+the mind to go and meet the king.</p>
+
+<p>They came to a haven south of Stead, and lay there<span class="newpage"><a name="page115" id="page115">[115]</a></span> some nights, and
+kept themselves in good case as to meat and drink, and were not much
+abroad when the weather was foul.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be told that Grettir and his fellows fared north
+along the land, and often had hard weather, because it was then the
+beginning of winter; and when they bore down north on Stead, they had
+much foul weather, with snow and frost, and with exceeding trouble
+they make land one evening all much worn with wet; so they lay to by
+a certain dyke, and could thus save their money and goods; the chapmen
+were hard put to it for the cold, because they could not light any
+fire, though thereon they deemed well-nigh their life and health lay.</p>
+
+<p>Thus they lay that evening in evil plight; but as the night wore on
+they saw that a great fire sprang up in the midst of the sound over
+against there whereas they had come. But when Grettir's shipmates saw
+the fire, they said one to the other that he would be a happy man who
+might get it, and they doubted whether they should unmoor the ship,
+but to all of them there seemed danger in that. Then they had a long
+talk over it, whether any man was of might enow to fetch that fire.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir gave little heed thereto, but said, that such men had been as
+would not have feared the task. The chapmen said that they were not
+bettered by what had been, if now there was nought to take to.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perchance thou deemest thyself man enough thereto, Grettir,&quot; said
+they, &quot;since thou art called the man of most prowess among the men of
+Iceland, and thou wottest well enough what our need is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;It seems to me no great deed to fetch the fire, but
+I wot not if ye will reward it according to the prayer of him who does
+it.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page116" id="page116">[116]</a></span>
+<p>They said, &quot;Why deemest thou us such shameful men as that we should
+reward that deed but with good?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Quoth he, &quot;I may try this if so be that ye think much lies on it, but
+my mind bids me hope to get nought of good thereby.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said that that should never be, and bade all hail to his words;
+and thereafter Grettir made ready for swimming, and cast his clothes
+from off him; of clothes he had on but a cape and sail-cloth breeches;
+he girt up the cape and tied a bast-rope strongly round his middle,
+and had with him a cask; then he leaped overboard; he stretched across
+the sound, and got aland.</p>
+
+<p>There he saw a house stand, and heard therefrom the talk of men, and
+much clatter, and therewith he turned toward that house.</p>
+
+<p>Now is it to be said of those that were there before, that here were
+come the sons of Thorir, as is aforesaid; they had lain there many
+nights, and bided there the falling of the gale, that they might
+have wind at will to go north, beyond Stead. They had set them down
+a-drinking, and were twelve men in all; their ship rode in the main
+haven, and they were at a house of refuge for such men to guest in, as
+went along the coast.</p>
+
+<p>Much straw had been borne into the house, and there was a great fire
+on the floor; Grettir burst into the house, and wotted not who was
+there before; his cape was all over ice when he came aland, and he
+himself was wondrous great to behold, even as a troll; now those first
+comers were exceeding amazed at him, and deemed he must be some evil
+wight; they smote at him with all things they might lay hold of, and
+mighty din went on around them; but Grettir put off all blows strongly
+with his arms, then some smote him with fire-brands, and the fire
+burst off over<span class="newpage"><a name="page117" id="page117">[117]</a></span> all the house, and therewith he got off with the fire
+and fared back again to his fellows.</p>
+
+<p>They mightily praised his journey and the prowess of it, and said
+that his like would never be. And now the night wore, and they deemed
+themselves happy in that they had got the fire.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning the weather was fair; the chapmen woke early and got
+them ready to depart, and they talked together that now they should
+meet those who had had the rule of that fire, and wot who they were.</p>
+
+<p>Now they unmoored their ship, and crossed over the sound; there they
+found no hall, but saw a great heap of ashes, and found therein many
+bones of men; then they deemed that this house of refuge had been
+utterly burned up, with all those men who had been therein.</p>
+
+<p>Thereat they asked if Grettir had brought about that ill-hap, and said
+that it was the greatest misdeed.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, that now had come to pass even as he had misdoubted,
+that they should reward him ill for the fetching of the fire, and that
+it was ill to help unmanly men.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir got such hurt of this, that the chapmen said, wheresoever they
+came, that Grettir had burned those men. The news soon got abroad that
+in that house were lost the aforenamed sons of Thorir of Garth, and
+their fellows; then they drave Grettir from their ship and would not
+have him with them; and now he became so ill looked on that scarce any
+one would do good to him.</p>
+
+<p>Now he deemed that matters were utterly hopeless, but before all
+things would go to meet the king, and so made north to Drontheim. The
+king was there before him, and knew all or ever Grettir came there,
+who had been much slandered to the king. And Grettir was some days in
+the town before he could get to meet the king.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page118" id="page118">[118]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XXXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. XXXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the King</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now on a day when the king sat in council, Grettir went before the
+king and greeted him well. The king looked at him and said, &quot;Art thou
+Grettir the Strong?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;So have I been called, and for that cause am I come to
+thee, that I hope from thee deliverance from the evil tale that is
+laid on me, though I deem that I nowise wrought that deed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>King Olaf said, &quot;Thou art great enough, but I know not what luck thou
+mayest bear about to cast off this matter from thee; but it is like,
+indeed, that thou didst not willingly burn the men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he was fain to put from him this slander, if the king
+thought he might do so; the king bade him tell truthfully, how it had
+gone betwixt him and those men: Grettir told him all, even as has been
+said before, and this withal, that they were all alive when he came
+out with the fire&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And now I will offer to free myself in such wise as ye may deem will
+stand good in law therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Olaf the king said, &quot;We will grant thee to bear iron for this matter
+if thy luck will have it so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir liked this exceeding well; and now took to fasting for the
+iron; and so the time wore on till the day came whereas the trial
+should come off; then went the king<span class="newpage"><a name="page119" id="page119">[119]</a></span> to the church, and the bishop and
+much folk, for many were eager to have a sight of Grettir, so much as
+had been told of him.</p>
+
+<p>Then was Grettir led to the church, and when he came thither, many of
+those who were there before gazed at him and said one to the other,
+that he was little like to most folk, because of his strength and
+greatness of growth.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as Grettir went up the church-floor, there started up a lad of
+ripe growth, wondrous wild of look, and he said to Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Marvellous is now the custom in this land, as men are called
+Christians therein, that ill-doers, and folk riotous, and thieves
+shall go their ways in peace and become free by trials; yea, and what
+would the evil man do but save his life while he might? So here now
+is a misdoer, proven clearly a man of misdeeds, and has burnt sackless
+men withal, and yet shall he, too, have a trial to free him; ah, a
+mighty ill custom!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he went up to Grettir and pointed finger, and wagged head at
+him, and called him mermaid's son, and many other ill names.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir grew wroth beyond measure hereat, and could not keep himself
+in; he lifted up his fist, and smote the lad under the ear, so that
+forthwith he fell down stunned, but some say that he was slain there
+and then. None seemed to know whence that lad came or what became
+of him, but men are mostly minded to think, that it was some unclean
+spirit, sent thither for Grettir's hurt.</p>
+
+<p>Now a great clamour rose in the church, and it was told the king, &quot;He
+who should bear the iron is smiting all about him;&quot; then King Olaf
+went down the church, and saw what was going on, and spake&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A most unlucky man art thou,&quot; said he, &quot;that now the<span class="newpage"><a name="page120" id="page120">[120]</a></span> trial should not
+be, as ready as all things were thereto, nor will it be easy to deal
+with thine ill-luck.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;I was minded that I should have gained more honour
+from thee, Lord, for the sake of my kin, than now seems like to be;&quot;
+and he told withal how men were faring to King Olaf, as was said
+afore, &quot;and now I am fain,&quot; said he, &quot;that thou wouldest take me to
+thee; thou hast here many men with thee, who will not be deemed more
+like men-at-arms than I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That see I well,&quot; said the king, &quot;that few men are like unto thee for
+strength and stoutness of heart, but thou art far too luckless a man
+to abide with us: now shall thou go in peace for me, wheresoever thou
+wilt, the winter long, but next summer go thou out to Iceland, for
+there will it be thy fate to leave thy bones.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;First would I put from me this affair of the
+burning, if I might, for I did not the deed willingly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is most like,&quot; said the king; &quot;but yet, because the trial is now
+come to nought for thy heedlessness' sake, thou will not get this
+charge cast from thee more than now it is, <i>For ill-heed still to
+ill doth lead</i>, and if ever man has been cursed, of all men must
+thou have been.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir dwelt a while in the town thereafter, but dealt no more
+with the king than has been told.</p>
+
+<p>Then he fared into the south country, and was minded east for
+Tunsberg, to find Thorstein Dromond, his brother, and there is nought
+told of his travels till he came east to Jadar.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page121" id="page121">[121]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XL"></a><h2>CHAP. XL.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>At yule came Grettir to a bonder who was called Einar, he was a rich
+man, and was married and had one daughter of marriageable age, who was
+called Gyrid; she was a fair woman, and was deemed a right good match;
+Einar bade Grettir abide with him through Yule, and that proffer he
+took.</p>
+
+<p>Then was it the wont far and wide in Norway that woodmen and misdoers
+would break out of the woods and challenge men for their women, or
+they took away men's goods with violence, whereas they had not much
+help of men.</p>
+
+<p>Now it so befell here, that one day in Yule there came to Einar the
+bonder many ill-doers together, and he was called Snoekoll who was the
+head of them, and a great bearserk he was. He challenged goodman Einar
+to give up his daughter, or to defend her, if he thought himself man
+enough thereto; but the bonder was then past his youth, and was no man
+for fighting; he deemed he had a great trouble on his hands, and asked
+Grettir, in a whisper, what rede he would give thereto: &quot;Since thou
+art called a famous man.&quot; Grettir bade him say yea to those things
+alone, which he thought of no shame to him.</p>
+
+<p>The bearserk sat on his horse, and had a helm on his head, but the
+cheek-pieces were not made fast; he had an iron-rimmed shield before
+him, and went on in the most monstrous wise.</p>
+
+<p>Now he said to the bonder, &quot;Make one or other choice<span class="newpage"><a name="page122" id="page122">[122]</a></span> speedily, or what
+counsel is that big churl giving thee who stands there before thee; is
+it not so that he will play with me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;We are about equal herein, the bonder and I, for
+neither of us is skilled in arms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Snoekoll said, &quot;Ye will both of you be somewhat afraid to deal with
+me, if I grow wroth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is known when it is tried,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now the bearserk saw that there was some edging out of the matter
+going on, and he began to roar aloud, and bit the rim of his shield,
+and thrust it up into his mouth, and gaped over the corner of the
+shield, and went on very madly. Grettir took a sweep along over the
+field, and when he came alongside of the bearserk's horse, sent up
+his foot under the tail of the shield so hard, that the shield went up
+into the mouth of him, and his throat was riven asunder, and his jaws
+fell down on his breast. Then he wrought so that, all in one rush, he
+caught hold of the helmet with his left hand, and swept the viking off
+his horse; and with the other hand drew the short-sword that he was
+girt withal, and drave it at his neck, so that off the head flew. But
+when Snoekoll's fellows saw that, they fled, each his own way, and
+Grettir had no mind to follow, for he saw there was no heart in them.</p>
+
+<p>The bonder thanked him well for his work and many other men too; and
+that deed was deemed to have been wrought both swiftly and hardily.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir was there through Yule, and the farmer saw him off handsomely:
+then he went east to Tunsberg, and met his brother Thorstein; he
+received Grettir fondly, and asked of his travels and how he won the
+bearserk. Then Grettir sang a stave&mdash;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page123" id="page123">[123]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;There the shield that men doth save</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mighty spurn with foot I gave.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Snoekoll's throat it smote aright,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The fierce follower of the fight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And by mighty dint of it</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Were the tofts of tooth-hedge split;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The strong spear-walk's iron rim,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tore adown the jaws of him.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thorstein said, &quot;Deft wouldst thou be at many things, kinsman, if
+mishaps went not therewith.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;<i>Deeds done will be told of</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLI"></a><h2>CHAP. XLI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Thorstein Dromond's Arms, and what he deemed they might do</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Grettir was with Thorstein for the rest of the winter and on into
+the spring; and it befell one morning, as those brothers, Thorstein
+and Grettir, lay in their sleeping-loft, that Grettir had laid his
+arms outside the bed-clothes; and Thorstein was awake and saw it. Now
+Grettir woke up a little after, and then spake Thorstein:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have seen thine arms, kinsman,&quot; said he, &quot;and I deem it nowise
+wonderful, though thy strokes fall heavy on many, for no man's arms
+have I seen like thine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou mayst know well enough,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;that I should not have
+brought such things to pass as I have wrought, if I were not well
+knit.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Better should I deem it,&quot; said Thorstein, &quot;if they were slenderer and
+somewhat luckier withal.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page124" id="page124">[124]</a></span>
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;True it is, as folk say, <i>No man makes himself</i>;
+but let me see thine arms,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein did so; he was the longest and gauntest of men; and Grettir
+laughed, and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No need to look at that longer; hooked together are the ribs in thee;
+nor, methinks, have I ever seen such tongs as thou bearest about, and
+I deem thee to be scarce of a woman's strength.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may be,&quot; said Thorstein; &quot;yet shall thou know that these same
+thin arms shall avenge thee, else shall thou never be avenged; who may
+know what shall be, when all is over and done?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>No more is told of their talk together; the spring wore on, and
+Grettir took ship in the summer. The brothers parted in friendship,
+and saw each other never after.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLII"></a><h2>CHAP. XLII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Death of Asmund the Grey haired</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now must the tale be taken up where it was left before, for Thorbiorn
+Oxmain heard how Thorbiorn Tardy was slain, as aforesaid, and broke
+out into great wrath, and said it would please him well that <i>now
+this and now that should have strokes in his garth</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Asmund the Greyhaired lay long sick that summer, and when he thought
+his ailings drew closer on him, he called to him his kin, and said
+that it was his will, that Atli should have charge of all his goods
+after his day.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But my mind misgives me,&quot; said Asmund, &quot;that thou mayst scarce sit
+quiet because of the iniquity of men, and I would that all ye of my
+kin should help him to the uttermost<span class="newpage"><a name="page125" id="page125">[125]</a></span> but of Grettir nought can I say,
+for methinks overmuch on a whirling wheel his life turns; and though
+he be a mighty man, yet I fear me that he will have to heed his own
+troubles more than the helping of his kin: but Illugi, though he
+be young, yet shall he become a man of prowess, if he keep himself
+whole.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So, when Asmund had settled matters about his sons as he would, his
+sickness lay hard on him, and in a little while he died, and was laid
+in earth at Biarg; for there had he let make a church; but his death
+his neighbours deemed a great loss.</p>
+
+<p>Now Atli became a mighty bonder, and had many with him, and was a
+great gatherer of household-stuff. When the summer was far gone, he
+went out to Snowfellness to get him stockfish. He drave many horses,
+and rode from home to Meals in Ramfirth to Gamli his brother-in-law;
+and on this journey rode with him Grim Thorhallson, Gamli's brother,
+and another man withal. They rode west to Hawkdale Pass, and so on,
+as the road lay west to Ness: there they bought much stockfish, and
+loaded seven horses therewith, and turned homeward when they were
+ready.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XLIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying of Gunnar and
+Thorgeir</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Oxmain heard that Atli and Grim were on a journey from home,
+and there were with him the sons of Thorir from the Pass, Gunnar and
+Thorgeir. Now Thorbiorn envied Atli for his many friendships, and
+therefore he egged on the two brothers, the sons of Thorir, to way-lay
+Atli as he came back from the outer ness. Then they rode<span class="newpage"><a name="page126" id="page126">[126]</a></span> home to the
+Pass, and abode there till Atli and his fellows went by with their
+train; but when they came as far as the homestead at the Pass, their
+riding was seen, and those brothers brake out swiftly with their
+house-carles and rode after them; but when Atli and his folk saw their
+faring, Atli bade them take the loads from the horses, &quot;for perchance
+they will give me atonement for my house-carle, whom Gunnar slew last
+summer. Let us not begin the work, but defend ourselves if they be
+first to raise strife with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now the brothers came up and leaped off their horses. Atli welcomed
+them, and asked for tidings: &quot;Perchance, Gunnar, thou wilt give me
+some atonement for my house-carle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gunnar answered, &quot;Something else is your due, men of Biarg, than that
+I should lay down aught good therefor; yea, atonement is due withal
+for the slaying of Thorbiorn, whom Grettir slew.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is not for me to answer thereto,&quot; said Atli; &quot;nor art thou a
+suitor in that case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gunnar said he would stand in that stead none-the-less. &quot;Come, let us
+set on them, and make much of it, that Grettir is not nigh them now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they ran at Atli, eight of them altogether, but Atli and his folk
+were six.</p>
+
+<p>Atli went before his men, and drew the sword, Jokul's gift, which
+Grettir had given him.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorgeir, &quot;Many like ways have those who deem themselves
+good; high aloft did Grettir bear his short-sword last summer on the
+Ramfirth-neck.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli answered, &quot;Yea, he is more wont to deal in great deeds than I.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they fought; Gunnar set on Atli exceeding<span class="newpage"><a name="page127" id="page127">[127]</a></span> fiercely, and was
+of the maddest; and when they had fought awhile, Atli said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No fame there is in thus killing workmen each for the other; more
+seeming it is that we ourselves play together, for never have I fought
+with weapons till now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gunnar would not have it so, but Atli bade his house-carles look to
+the burdens; &quot;But I will see what these will do herein.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then he went forward so mightily that Gunnar and his folk shrunk
+back before him, and he slew two of the men of those brothers, and
+thereafter turned to meet Gunnar, and smote at him, so that the shield
+was cleft asunder almost below the handle, and the stroke fell on his
+leg below the knee, and then he smote at him again, and that was his
+bane.</p>
+
+<p>Now is it to be told of Grim Thorhallson that he went against
+Thorgeir, and they strove together long, for each was a hardy man.
+Thorgeir saw the fall of his brother Gunnar, and was fain to draw off.
+Grim ran after him, and followed him till Thorgeir stumbled, and
+fell face foremost; then Grim smote at him with an axe betwixt the
+shoulders, so that it stood deep sunken therein.</p>
+
+<p>Then they gave peace to three of their followers who were left; and
+thereafter they bound up their wounds, and laid the burdens on the
+horses, and then fared home, and made these man-slayings known.</p>
+
+<p>Atli sat at home with many men through the winter.<span class="newpage"><a name="page128" id="page128">[128]</a></span> Thorbiorn Oxmain
+took these doings exceedingly ill, but could do naught therein because
+Atli was a man well befriended. Grim was with him through the winter,
+and Gamli, his brother-in-law; and there was Glum, son of Uspak,
+another kinsman-in-law of his, who at that time dwelt at Ere in Bitra.
+They had many men dwelling at Biarg, and great mirth was thereat
+through the winter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XLIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir of the Pass</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Oxmain took on himself the suit for the slaying of the sons
+of Thorir of the Pass. He made ready a suit against Grim and Atli,
+but they set forth for their defence onset and attack, to make those
+brothers fall unatoned. The suit was brought to the Hunawater Thing,
+and men came thronging to both sides. Atli had good help because he
+was exceeding strong of kin.</p>
+
+<p>Now the friends of both stood forth and talked of peace, and all
+said that Atli's ways were good, a peaceful man, but stout in danger
+none-the-less.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn deemed that by nought would his honour be served better
+than by taking the peace offered. Atli laid down before-hand that he
+would have neither district outlawry nor banishment.</p>
+
+<p>Then were men chosen for the judges. Thorvald, son of Asgeir, on
+Atli's side, and on Thorbiorn's, Solvi the Proud, who was the son of
+Asbrand, the son of Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring, who had settled
+all Waterness from the Foreland up to Bond-maids River on the west,
+but on the east all up to Cross-river, and there right across to
+Berg-ridge, and all on that side of the Bergs down to the sea:
+this Solvi was a man of great stateliness and a wise man, therefore
+Thorbiorn chose him to be judge on his behoof.</p>
+
+<p>Now they set forth their judgment, that half-fines should be paid for
+the sons of Thorir, but half fell away because of the onslaught and
+attack, and attempt on Atli's life, the<span class="newpage"><a name="page129" id="page129">[129]</a></span> slaying of Atli's house-carle,
+who was slain on Ramfirth-neck, and the slaying of those twain who
+fell with the sons of Thorir were set off one against the other. Grim
+Thorhallson should leave dwelling in the district, but Atli alone
+should pay the money atonement.</p>
+
+<p>This peace pleased Atli much, but Thorbiorn misliked it, but they
+parted appeased, as far as words went; howsoever it fell from
+Thorbiorn that their dealings would not be made an end of yet, if
+things went as he would.</p>
+
+<p>But Atli rode home from the Thing, and thanked Thorvald well for his
+aid. Grim Thorhallson went south to Burgfirth, and dwelt at Gilsbank,
+and was a great bonder.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLV"></a><h2>CHAP. XLV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man with Thorbiorn Oxmain who was called Ali; he was a
+house-carle, a somewhat lazy and unruly man.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn bade him work better, or he would beat him. Ali said he had
+no list thereto, and was beyond measure worrying. Thorbiorn would not
+abide it, and drave him under him, and handled him hardly. Then Ali
+went off from his service, and fared over the Neck to Midfirth,
+and made no stay till he came to Biarg. Atli was at home, and asked
+whither he went. He said that he sought service.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Art thou not Thorbiorn's workman?&quot; said Atli.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That did not go off so pleasantly,&quot; said Ali; &quot;I was not there long,
+and evil I deemed it while I was there, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page130" id="page130">[130]</a></span> we parted, so that I
+deemed his song about my throat nowise sweet; and I will go to dwell
+there no more, whatso else may hap to me; and true it is that much
+unlike ye are in the luck ye have with servants, and now I would fain
+work with thee if I might have the choice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli answered, &quot;Enough I have of workmen, though I reach not out to
+Thorbiorn's hands for such men as he has hired, and methinks there is
+no gain in thee, so go back to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Ali said, &quot;Thither I go not of my own free-will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And now he dwells there awhile; but one morning he went out to
+work with Atli's house-carles, and worked so that his hands were
+everywhere, and thus he went on till far into summer. Atli said nought
+to him, but bade give him meat, for he liked his working well.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn hears that Ali is at Biarg; then he rode to Biarg with
+two men, and called out Atli to talk with him. Atli went out and
+welcomed him.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn said, &quot;Still wilt thou take up afresh ill-will against me,
+and trouble me, Atli. Why hast thou taken my workman? Wrongfully is
+this done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli answered, &quot;It is not proven to me that he is thy workman, nor
+will I withhold him from thee, if thou showest proofs thereof, yet am
+I loth to drag him out of my house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou must have thy will now,&quot; said Thorbiorn; &quot;but I claim the man,
+and forbid him to work here; and I will come again another time, and I
+know not if we shall then part better friends than now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli said, &quot;I shall abide at home, and take what may come to hand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorbiorn rode home; but when the workmen come home in the
+evening, Atli tells all the talk betwixt<span class="newpage"><a name="page131" id="page131">[131]</a></span> him and Thorbiorn, and bids
+Ali go his way, and said he should not abide there longer.</p>
+
+<p>Ali answered, &quot;True is the old saw, <i>over-praised and first to
+fail</i>. I deemed not that thou wouldst drive me away after I had
+toiled here all the summer enough to break my heart, and I hoped that
+thou wouldst stand up for me somehow; but this is the way of you,
+though ye look as if good might be hoped from you. I shall be beaten
+here before thine eyes if thou givest me not some defence or help.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Atli altered his mind at this talk of his, and had no heart now to
+drive him away from him.</p>
+
+<p>Now the time wore, till men began hay-harvest, and one day, somewhat
+before midsummer, Thorbiorn Oxmain rode to Biarg, he was so attired
+that he had a helm on his head, and was girt with a sword, and had a
+spear in his hand. A barbed spear it was, and the barbs were broad.</p>
+
+<p>It was wet abroad that day. Atli had sent his house-carles to the
+mowing, but some of them were north at Horn a-fishing. Atli was at
+home, and few other men.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn came there about high-noon; alone he was, and rode up to
+the outer door; the door was locked, and no men were abroad. Thorbiorn
+smote on the door, and then drew aback behind the houses, so that none
+might see him from the door. The home-folk heard that the door was
+knocked at, and a woman went out. Thorbiorn had an inkling of the
+woman, and would not let himself be seen, for he had a mind to do
+something else.</p>
+
+<p>Now the woman went into the chamber, and Atli asked who was come
+there. She said, &quot;I have seen nought stirring abroad.&quot; And even as
+they spake Thorbiorn let drive a great stroke on the door.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Atli, &quot;This one would see me, and he must<span class="newpage"><a name="page132" id="page132">[132]</a></span> have some errand
+with me, whatever may be the gain thereof to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then he went forth and out of the door, and saw no one without.
+Exceeding wet it was, therefore he went not out, but laid a hand on
+either door-post, and so peered about him.</p>
+
+<p>In that point of time Thorbiorn swung round before the door, and
+thrust the spear with both hands amidst of Atli, so that it pierced
+him through.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Atli, when he got the thrust, &quot;<i>Broad spears are about
+now</i>,&quot; says he, and fell forward over the threshold.</p>
+
+<p>Then came out women who had been in the chamber, and saw that Atli was
+dead. By then was Thorbiorn on horseback, and he gave out the slaying
+as having been done by his hand, and thereafter rode home.</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife Asdis sent for her men, and Atli's corpse was laid out,
+and he was buried beside his father. Great mourning folk made for his
+death, for he had been a wise man, and of many friends.</p>
+
+<p>No weregild came for the slaying of Atli, nor did any claim atonement
+for him, because Grettir had the blood-suit to take up if he should
+come out; so these matters stood still for that summer. Thorbiorn
+was little thanked for that deed of his; but he sat at peace in his
+homestead.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLVI"></a><h2>CHAP. XLVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of Thorir of Garth</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>This summer, whereof the tale was telling e'en now, a ship came out
+to Goose-ere before the Thing.<span class="newpage"><a name="page133" id="page133">[133]</a></span> Then was the news told of Grettir's
+travels, and therewithal men spake of that house-burning; and at that
+story was Thorir of Garth mad wroth, and deemed that there whereas
+Grettir was he had to look for vengeance for his sons. He rode with
+many men and set forth at the Thing the case for the burning, but
+men deemed they knew nought to say therein, while there was none to
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir said that he would have nought, but that Grettir should be made
+an outlaw throughout the land for such misdeeds.</p>
+
+<p>Then answered Skapti the Lawman, &quot;Surely an ill deed it is, if things
+are as is said; but a tale is half told if one man tells it, for most
+folk are readiest to bring their stories to the worser side when there
+are two ways of telling them; now, therefore, I shall not give my word
+that Grettir be made guilty for this that has been done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorir was a man of might in his district and a great chief, and
+well befriended of many great men; and he pushed on matters so hard
+that nought could avail to acquit Grettir; and so this Thorir made
+Grettir an outlaw throughout all the land, and was ever thenceforth
+the heaviest of all his foes, as things would oft show.</p>
+
+<p>Now he put a price on his head, as was wont to be done with other
+wood-folk, and thereafter rode home.</p>
+
+<p>Many men got saying that this was done rather by the high hand than
+according to law; but so it stood as it was done; and now nought else
+happed to tell of till past midsummer.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page134" id="page134">[134]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLVII"></a><h2>CHAP. XLVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>When summer was far spent came Grettir Asmundson out to Whiteriver
+in Burgfirth; folk went down to the ship from thereabout, and these
+tidings came all at once to Grettir; the first, that his father was
+dead, the second, that his brother was slain, the third, that he
+himself was made an outlaw throughout all the land. Then sang Grettir
+this stave:&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Heavy tidings thick and fast</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On the singer now are cast;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My father dead, my brother dead,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A price set upon my head;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet, O grove of Hedin's maid,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">May these things one day be paid;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yea upon another morn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Others may be more forlorn.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>So men say that Grettir changed nowise at these tidings, but was even
+as merry as before.</p>
+
+<p>Now he abode with the ship awhile, because he could get no horse to
+his mind. But there was a man called Svein, who dwelt at Bank up from
+Thingness, he was a good bonder and a merry man, and often sang such
+songs as were gamesome to hear; he had a mare black to behold, the
+swiftest of all horses, and her Svein called Saddle-fair.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went one night away from the wolds, but he would not that
+the chapmen should be ware of his ways; he<span class="newpage"><a name="page135" id="page135">[135]</a></span> got a black cape, and threw
+it over his clothes, and so was disguised; he went up past Thingness,
+and so up to Bank, and by then it was daylight. He saw a black horse
+in the homefield and went up to it, and laid bridle on it, leapt on
+the back of it, and rode up along Whiteriver, and below Bye up to
+Flokedale-river, and then up the tracks above Kalfness; the workmen
+at Bank got up now and told the bonder of the man who had got on his
+mare; he got up and laughed, and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;One that helm-fire well can wield</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rode off from my well-fenced field,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Helm-stalk stole away from me</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Saddle-fair, the swift to see;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes, more great deeds this Frey</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet shall do in such-like way</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As this was done; I deem him then</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Most overbold and rash of men.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then he took horse and rode after him; Grettir rode on till he came
+up to the homestead at Kropp; there he met a man called Hall, who
+said that he was going down to the ship at the Wolds; Grettir sang a
+stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;In broad-peopled lands say thou</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou sawest even now</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unto Kropp-farm's gate anigh,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Saddle-fair and Elm-stalk high;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou sawest stiff on steed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Get thee gone at greatest speed),</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">One who loveth game and play</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Clad in cape of black to-day.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then they part, and Hall went down the track and<span class="newpage"><a name="page136" id="page136">[136]</a></span> all the way down to
+Kalfness, before Svein met him; they greeted one another hastily, then
+sang Svein&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Sawest thou him who did me harm</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On my horse by yonder farm?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Even such an one was he,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sluggish yet a thief to see;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the neighbours presently</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doom of thief shall he abye</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And a blue skin shall he wear,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If his back I come anear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;That thou mayst yet do,&quot; said Hall, &quot;I saw that man who said that he
+rode on Saddle-fair, and bade me tell it over the peopled lands and
+settlements; great of growth he was, and was clad in a black cape.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He deems he has something to fall back on,&quot; said the bonder, &quot;but I
+shall ride after him and find out who he is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir came to Deildar-Tongue, and there was a woman without the
+door; Grettir went up to talk to her, and sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Say to guard of deep-sea's flame</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That here worm-land's haunter came;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Well-born goddess of red gold,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thus let gamesome rhyme be told.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Giver forth of Odin's mead</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of thy black mare have I need;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For to Gilsbank will I ride,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Meed of my rash words to bide.'&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The woman learned this song, and thereafter Grettir rode on his way;
+Svein came there a little after, and she was not yet gone in, and as
+he came he sang this&mdash;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page137" id="page137">[137]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;What foreteller of spear-shower</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E'en within this nigh-passed hour,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Swift through the rough weather rode</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Past the gate of this abode?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He, the hound-eyed reckless one,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By all good deeds left alone,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Surely long upon this day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From my hands will flee away.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then she told him what she had been bidden to; he thought over the
+ditty, and said, &quot;It is not unlike that he will be no man to play
+with; natheless, I will find him out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now he rode along the peopled lands, and each man ever saw the other's
+riding; and the weather was both squally and wet.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir came to Gilsbank that day, and when Grim Thorhallson knew
+thereof, he welcomed him with great joy, and bade him abide with him.
+This Grettir agreed to; then he let loose Saddle-fair, and told Grim
+how she had been come by. Therewith came Svein, and leapt from his
+horse, and saw his own mare, and sang this withal&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Who rode on my mare away?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What is that which thou wilt pay?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who a greater theft has seen?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What does the cowl-covered mean?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Grettir by then had doft his wet clothes, and he heard the stave, and
+answered&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;I did ride thy mare to Grim</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Thou art feeble weighed with him),</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Little will I pay to thee,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet good fellows let us be.&quot;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page138" id="page138">[138]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;Well, so be it then,&quot; said the farmer, &quot;and the ride is well paid
+for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then each sang his own songs, and Grettir said he had no fault to
+find, though he failed to hold his own; the bonder was there that
+night, and the twain of them together, and great game they made of
+this: and they called all this Saddle-fair's lays. Next morning the
+bonder rode home, and he and Grettir parted good friends.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grim told Grettir of many things from the north and Midfirth,
+that had befallen while he was abroad, and this withal, that Atli was
+unatoned, and how that Thorbiorn Oxmain waxed so great, and was so
+high-handed, that it was not sure that goodwife Asdis might abide at
+Biarg if matters still went so.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir abode but few nights with Grim, for he was fain that no news
+should go before him north over the Heaths. Grim bade him come thither
+if he should have any need of safeguard.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yet shall I shun being made guilty in law for the harbouring of
+thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he did well. &quot;But it is more like that later on I may
+need thy good deed more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir rode north over Twodaysway, and so to Biarg, and came
+there in the dead of night, when all folk were asleep save his mother.
+He went in by the back of the house and through a door that was there,
+for the ways of the house were well known to him, and came to the
+hall, and got to his mother's bed, and groped about before him.</p>
+
+<p>She asked who was there, and Grettir told her; then she sat up and
+kissed him, and sighed withal, heavily, and spake, &quot;Be welcome; son,&quot;
+she said, &quot;but my joyance in my sons is slipping from me; for he is
+slain who was of most<span class="newpage"><a name="page139" id="page139">[139]</a></span> avail, and thou art made an outlaw and a guilty
+man, and the third is so young; that he may do nought for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;An old saw it is,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;<i>Even so shall bale be bettered,
+by biding greater bale</i>; but there are more things to be thought of
+by men than money atonements alone, and most like it is that Atli will
+be avenged; but as to things that may fall to me, many must even take
+their lot at my hand in dealing with me, and like it as they may.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said that was not unlike. And now Grettir was there a while with
+the knowledge of few folk; and he had news of the doings of the folk
+of the country-side; and men knew not that Grettir was come into
+Midfirth: but he heard that Thorbiorn Oxmain was at home with few men;
+and that was after the homefield hay-harvest.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XLVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>On a fair day Grettir rode west over the Necks to Thorodstead, and
+came there about noon, and knocked at the door; women came out and
+welcomed him, but knew him not; he asked for Thorbiorn, but they said
+he was gone to the meadow to bind hay, and with him his son of sixteen
+winters, who was called Arnor; for Thorbiorn was a very busy man, and
+well-nigh never idle.</p>
+
+<p>So when Grettir knew this, he bade them well betide, and went his
+way on the road toward Reeks, there a marsh stretches down from the
+hill-side, and on it was much grass to mow, and much hay had Thorbiorn
+made there, and now it was fully dry, and he was minded to bind it up
+for<span class="newpage"><a name="page140" id="page140">[140]</a></span> home, he and the lad with him, but a woman did the raking.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir rode from below up into the field, but the father and
+son were higher up, and had bound one load, and were now at another;
+Thorbiorn had set his shield and sword against the load, and the lad
+had a hand-axe beside him.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn saw a man coming, and said to the lad, &quot;Yonder is a man
+riding toward us, let us leave binding the hay, and know what he will
+with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So did they, and Grettir leapt off his horse; he had a helm on his
+head, and was girt with the short-sword, and bore a great spear in his
+hand, a spear without barbs, and the socket inlaid with silver. Now
+he sat down and knocked out the socket-nail, because he would not that
+Thorbiorn should cast the spear back.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorbiorn, &quot;He is a big man, and no man in field know I, if
+that is not Grettir Asmundson, and he must needs think he has enough
+against us; so let us meet him sharply, and let him see no signs of
+failing in us. We shall deal cunningly; for I will go against him in
+front, and take thou heed how matters go betwixt us, for I will trust
+myself against any man if I have one alone to meet; but do thou
+go behind him, and drive the axe at him with both hands atwixt his
+shoulders; thou needest not fear that he will do thee hurt, as his
+back will be turned to thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Neither Thorbiorn nor his son had a helm.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir got into the mead, and when he came within spear-throw of
+them, he cast his spear at Thorbiorn, but the head was looser on the
+shaft than he deemed it would be, and it swerved in its flight, and
+fell down from the shaft to the earth: then Thorbiorn took his shield,
+and put it before him, but drew his sword and went against<span class="newpage"><a name="page141" id="page141">[141]</a></span> Grettir
+when he knew him; then Grettir drew his short-sword, and turned about
+somewhat, so that he saw how the lad stood at his back, wherefore he
+kept himself free to move here or there, till he saw that the lad was
+come within reach of him, and therewith he raised the short-sword
+high aloft, and sent it back against Arnor's head so mightily that the
+skull was shattered, and that was his bane. Then Thorbiorn ran against
+Grettir and smote at him, but he thrust forth his buckler with his
+left hand, and put the blow from him, and smote with the short-sword
+withal, and cleft the shield of Thorbiorn, and the short-sword smote
+so hard into his head that it went even unto the brain, and he fell
+dead to earth beneath that stroke, nor did Grettir give him any other
+wound.</p>
+
+<p>Then he sought for his spear-head, and found it not; so he went to his
+horse and rode out to Reeks, and there told of the slayings. Withal
+the woman who was in the meadow saw the slayings, and ran home full of
+fear, and said that Thorbiorn was slain, and his son both; this took
+those of the house utterly unawares, for they knew nought of Grettir's
+travelling. So were men sent for to the next homestead, and soon came
+many folk, and brought the bodies to church. Thorod Drapa-Stump took
+up the blood-suit for these slayings and had folk a-field forthwith.</p>
+
+<p>But Grettir rode home to Biarg, and found his mother, and told her
+what had happed; and she was glad thereat, and said that now he got to
+be like unto the Waterdale kin. &quot;Yet will this be the root and stem of
+thine outlawry, and I know for sooth that thou mayest not abide here
+long because of the kin of Thorbiorn; but now may they know that thou
+mayest be angered.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir sang this stave thereupon&mdash;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page142" id="page142">[142]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Giant's friend fell dead to earth</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On the grass of Wetherfirth,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No fierce fighting would avail,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oxmain in the Odin's gale.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So, and in no other wise,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Has been paid a fitting price</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For that Atli, who of yore,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lay dead-slain anigh his door.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Goodwife Asdis said that was true; &quot;But I know not what rede thou art
+minded to take?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that he would seek help of his friends and kin in the
+west; &quot;But on thee shall no trouble fall for my sake,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>So he made ready to go, and mother and son parted in love; but first
+he went to Meals in Ramfirth, and told Gamli his brother-in-law all,
+even as it had happed, concerning the slaying of Thorbiorn.</p>
+
+<p>Gamli told him he must needs depart from Ramfirth while Thorbiorn's
+kin had their folk about; &quot;But our aid in the suit for Atli's slaying
+we shall yield thee as we may.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So thereafter Grettir rode west over Laxdale-heath, and stayed not
+till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, where he dwelt long
+that autumn.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XLIX"></a><h2>CHAP. XLIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorod Drapa-Stump sought tidings of this who might have slain
+Thorbiorn and his son, and when he came to Reeks, it was told him that
+Grettir had been<span class="newpage"><a name="page143" id="page143">[143]</a></span> there and given out the slayings as from his hand.
+Now, Thorod deemed he saw how things had come to pass; so he went to
+Biarg, and there found many folk, but he asked if Grettir were there.</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife said he had ridden away, and that she would not slip him
+into hiding-places if he were there.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now ye will be well pleased that matters have so been wrought; nor
+was the slaying of Atli over-avenged, though this was paid for it.
+Ye asked not then what grief of heart I had; and now, too, it is well
+that things are even so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewith they rode home, and found it not easy to do aught therein.</p>
+
+<p>Now that spear-head which Grettir lost was not found till within the
+memory of men living now; it was found in the latter days of Sturla
+Thordson the lawman, and in that marsh where Thorbiorn fell, which is
+now called Spear-mead; and that sign men have to show that Thorbiorn
+was slain there, though in some places it is said that he was slain on
+Midfit.</p>
+
+<p>Thorod and his kin heard that Grettir abode at Liarskogar; then they
+gathered men, and were minded to go thither; but when Gamli of Meals
+was ware thereof, he made Thorstein and Grettir sure of the farings
+of the Ramfirthers; and when Thorstein knew it, he sent Grettir in to
+Tongue to Snorri Godi, for then there was no strife between them, and
+Thorstein gave that counsel to Grettir that he should pray Snorri the
+Godi for his watch and ward; but if he would not grant it, he made
+Grettir go west to Reek-knolls to Thorgils Arisen, &quot;and he will take
+thee to him through this winter, and keep within the Westfirths till
+these matters are settled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he would take good heed to his counsels;<span class="newpage"><a name="page144" id="page144">[144]</a></span> then he rode
+into Tongue, and found Snorri the Godi, and talked with him, and
+prayed him to take him in.</p>
+
+<p>Snorri answered, &quot;I grow an old man now, and loth am I to harbour
+outlawed men if no need drive me thereto. What has come to pass that
+the elder put thee off from him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that Thorstein had often done well to him; &quot;But more
+shall I need than him alone, if things are to go well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Snorri, &quot;My good word I shall put in for thee if that may avail
+thee aught, but in some other place than with me must thou seek a
+dwelling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With these words they parted, and Grettir turned west to Reekness;
+the Ramfirthers with their band got as far as Samstead, and there they
+heard that Grettir had departed from Liarskogar, and thereat they went
+back home.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_L"></a><h2>CHAP. L.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Grettir came to Reek-knolls about winter-nights, and prayed
+Thorgils for winter abode; Thorgils said, that for him as for other
+free men meat was ready; &quot;but the fare of guests here is nowise
+choice.&quot; Grettir said he was not nice about that.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is yet another thing here for thy trouble,&quot; said Thorgils:
+&quot;Men are minded to harbour here, who are deemed somewhat hard to keep
+quiet, even as those foster-brothers, Thorgeir and Thormod; I wot not
+how meet it may be for you to be together; but their dwelling shall
+ever be here if<span class="newpage"><a name="page145" id="page145">[145]</a></span> they will it so: now mayst thou abide here if thou
+wilt, but I will not have it that either of you make strife with the
+other.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he would not be the first to raise strife with any man,
+and so much the less as the bonder's will was such.</p>
+
+<p>A little after came those foster-brothers home; things went not
+merrily betwixt Thorgeir and Grettir, but Thormod bore himself well.
+Goodman Thorgils said to the foster-brothers even as he had said
+to Grettir; and of such worth they held him, that neither cast an
+untoward word at the other although their minds went nowise the same
+way: and so wore the early winter.</p>
+
+<p>Now men say that Thorgils owned those isles, which are called
+Olaf's-isles, and lie out in the firth a sea-mile and a half off
+Reekness; there had bonder Thorgils a good ox that he might not fetch
+home in the autumn; and he was ever saying that he would fain have him
+against Yule. Now, one day those foster-brothers got ready to seek the
+ox, if a third man could be gotten to their aid: Grettir offered to go
+with them, and they were well pleased thereat; they went, the three of
+them, in a ten-oared boat: the weather was cold, and the wind shifting
+from the north, and the craft lay up on Whaleshead-holm.</p>
+
+<p>Now they sail out, and somewhat the wind got up, but they came to the
+isle and got hold of the ox; then asked Grettir which they would do,
+bear the ox aboard or keep hold of the craft, because the surf at
+the isle was great; then they bade him hold the boat; so he stood
+amidships on that side which looked from shore, and the sea took him
+up to the shoulder-blades, yet he held her so that she moved nowise:
+but Thorgeir took the ox behind and Thormod before, and so hove it
+down to the boat; then they sat down<span class="newpage"><a name="page146" id="page146">[146]</a></span> to row, and Thormod rowed in the
+bows, Thorgeir amidships, and Grettir aft, and therewith they made out
+into the open bay; but when they came off Goat-rock, a squall caught
+them, then said Thorgeir, &quot;The stern is fain to lag behind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Grettir, &quot;The stern will not be left if the rowing afore be
+good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereat Thorgeir fell to rowing so hard that both the tholes were
+broken: then said he, &quot;Row on, Grettir, while I mend the thole-pins.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir pulled mightily while Thorgeir did his mending, but when
+Thorgeir took to rowing again, the oars had got so worn that Grettir
+shook them asunder on the gunwale.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Better,&quot; quoth Thormod, &quot;to row less and break nought.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir caught up two unshapen oar beams that lay in the boat and
+bored large holes in the gunwales, and rowed withal so mightily
+that every beam creaked, but whereas the craft was good, and the men
+somewhat of the brisker sort, they reached Whaleshead-holm.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir asked whether they would rather go home with the ox or
+haul up the boat; they chose to haul up the boat, and hauled it up
+with all the sea that was in it, and all the ice, for it was much
+covered with icicles: but Grettir led home the ox, and exceeding stiff
+in tow he was, and very fat, and he grew very weary, and when they
+came up below Titling-stead could go no more.</p>
+
+<p>The foster-brothers went up to the house, for neither would help the
+other in his allotted work; Thorgils asked after Grettir, but they
+told him where they had parted; then he sent men to meet him, and when
+they came down to Cave-knolls they saw how there came towards them a
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page147" id="page147">[147]</a></span>
+man with a neat on his back, and lo, there was Grettir come, bearing
+the ox: then all men wondered at his great might.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorgeir got very envious of Grettir's strength, and one day
+somewhat after Yule, Grettir went alone to bathe; Thorgeir knew
+thereof, and said to Thormod, &quot;Let us go on now, and try how Grettir
+will start if I set on him as he comes from his bathing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is not my mind,&quot; said Thormod, &quot;and no good wilt thou get from
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go though,&quot; says Thorgeir; and therewith he went down to the
+slope, and bore aloft an axe.</p>
+
+<p>By then was Grettir walking up from the bath, and when they met,
+Thorgeir said; &quot;Is it true, Grettir,&quot; says he, &quot;that thou hast said so
+much as that thou wouldst never run before one man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That I know not for sure,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;yet but a little way have I
+run before thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgeir raised aloft the axe, but therewith Grettir ran in under
+Thorgeir and gave him an exceeding great fall: then said Thorgeir to
+Thormod, &quot;Wilt thou stand by and see this fiend drive me down under
+him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thormod caught hold of Grettir's feet, and was minded to pull him
+from off Thorgeir, but could do nought thereat: he was girt with a
+short-sword and was going to draw it, when goodman Thorgils came up
+and bade them be quiet and have nought to do with Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>So did they and turned it all to game, and no more is told of their
+dealings; and men thought Thorgils had great luck in that he kept such
+reckless men in good peace.</p>
+
+<p>But when spring came they all went away; Grettir went round to
+Codfirth, and he was asked, how he liked the fare of the winter abode
+at Reek-knolls; he answered, &quot;There<span class="newpage"><a name="page148" id="page148">[148]</a></span> have I ever been as fain as might
+be of my meals when I got at them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter he went west over the heaths.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LI"></a><h2>CHAP. LI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, and how Thorir of
+Garth would not that Grettir should be made sackless.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorgils Arison rode to the Thing with many men; and thither came all
+the great men of the land. Now Thorgils and Skapti the Lawman soon
+met, and fell to talking.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Skapti, &quot;Is it true, Thorgils, that thou hast harboured
+those three men through the winter who are deemed to be the wildest of
+all men; yea, and all of them outlawed withal, and yet hast kept them
+so quiet, that no one of them has done hurt to the other?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgils said it was true enough.</p>
+
+<p>Skapti said that great might over men it showed forth in him; &quot;But how
+goes it, thinkest thou, with the temper of each of them; and which of
+them thinkest thou the bravest man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorgils said, &quot;I deem they are all of them full stout of heart; but
+two of them I deem know what fear is, and yet in unlike ways; for
+Thormod is a great believer and fears God much; but Grettir is so
+fearsome in the dark, that he dares go nowhither after dusk has set
+in, if he may do after his own mind. But my kinsman Thorgeir I deem
+knows not how to fear.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page149" id="page149">[149]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;Yea, so it is with their minds as thou sayest,&quot; said Skapti; and with
+that they left talking.</p>
+
+<p>Now, at this Althing Thorod Drapa-Stump brought forward a suit for the
+slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, which he had not brought to a hearing at
+the Hunawater Thing, because of the kin of Atli, and he deemed that
+here his case would be less like to be thrown over. The kinsmen of
+Atli sought counsel of Skapti about the case; and he said he saw in
+it a lawful defence, so that full atonement would be forthcoming
+therefor. Then were these matters laid unto umpiredom, and most men
+were minded that the slayings of Atli and Thorbiorn should be set one
+against the other.</p>
+
+<p>But when Skapti knew that, he went to the judges, and asked whence
+they had that? They said that they deemed the slain men were bonders
+of equal worth.</p>
+
+<p>Then Skapti asked, which was the first, the outlawry of Grettir or
+the slaying of Atli? So, when that was reckoned up, there was a week's
+space betwixt Grettir's outlawry at the Althing and the slaying of
+Atli, which befell just after it.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Skapti, &quot;Thereof my mind misgave me, that ye had made an
+oversight in setting on foot the suit in that ye made him a suitor,
+who was outlawed already, and could neither defend nor prosecute his
+own case. Now I say that Grettir has nought to do with the case of the
+slaying, but let him take up the blood-suit, who is nighest of kin by
+law.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorod Drapa-Stump, &quot;And who shall answer for the slaying of
+Thorbiorn my brother?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;See ye to that for yourselves,&quot; said Skapti; &quot;but the kin of Grettir
+will never pour out fee for him or his works, if no peace is to be
+bought for him.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page150" id="page150">[150]</a></span>
+<p>Now when Thorvald Asgeirson was aware that Grettir was set aside from
+following the blood-suit, he and his sought concerning who was the
+next of kin; and that turned out to be Skeggi, son of Gamli of
+Meals, and Uspak, son of Glum of Ere in Bitra; they were both of them
+exceeding zealous and pushing.</p>
+
+<p>Now must Thorod give atonement for Atli's slaying, and two hundreds in
+silver he had to pay.</p>
+
+<p>Then spake Snorri the Godi, &quot;Will ye now, Ramfirthers,&quot; says he, &quot;that
+this money-fine should fall away, and that Grettir be made sackless
+withal, for in my mind it is that as a guilty man he will be sorely
+felt?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir's kin took up his word well, and said that they heeded the
+fee nought if he might have peace and freedom. Thorod said that he saw
+Grettir's lot would be full of heavy trouble, and made as if he would
+take the offer, for his part. Then Snorri bade them first know if
+Thorir of Garth would give his leave to Grettir being made free; but
+when Thorir heard thereof he turned away exceeding wroth, and said
+that Grettir should never either get out of his outlawry or be brought
+out of it: &quot;And the more to bring that about,&quot; said he, &quot;a greater
+price shall be put on his head than on the head of any outlaw or
+wood-man yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So, when he took the thing so ill, the freeing of Grettir came to
+nought, and Gamli and his fellows took the money to them, and kept it
+in their ward; but Thorod Drapa-Stump had no atonement for his brother
+Thorbiorn.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorir and Thorod set each of them on Grettir's head three marks
+of silver, and that folk deemed a new thing, for never had any greater
+price been laid down to such an end before than three marks in all.</p>
+
+<p>Snorri said it was unwisely done to make a sport of<span class="newpage"><a name="page151" id="page151">[151]</a></span> keeping a man in
+outlawry who might work so much ill, and that many a man would have to
+pay for it.</p>
+
+<p>But now men part and ride home from the Thing.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LII"></a><h2>CHAP. LII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>When Grettir came over Codfirth-heath down into Longdale, he swept up
+unsparingly the goods of the petty bonders, and had of every man what
+he would; from some he took weapons, from some clothes; and these folk
+gave up in very unlike ways; but as soon as he was gone, all said they
+gave them unwillingly.</p>
+
+<p>In those days dwelt in Waterfirth Vermund the Slender, the brother of
+Slaying-Styr; he had to wife Thorbiorg, the daughter of Olaf Peacock,
+son of Hoskuld. She was called Thorbiorg the Big; but at the time that
+Grettir was in Longdale had Vermund ridden to the Thing.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went over the neck to Bathstead. There dwelt a man called
+Helgi, who was the biggest of bonders thereabout: from there had
+Grettir a good horse, which the bonder owned, and thence he went to
+Giorvidale, where farmed a man named Thorkel. He was well stored with
+victuals, yet a mannikin withal: therefrom took Grettir what he would,
+nor durst Thorkel blame him or withhold aught from him.</p>
+
+<p>Thence went Grettir to Ere, and out along the side of the firth, and
+had from every farm victuals and clothes, and dealt hardly with many;
+so that most men deemed him a heavy trouble to live under.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page152" id="page152">[152]</a></span>
+<p>Now he fared fearlessly withal, and took no keep of himself, and
+so went on till he came to Waterfirth-dale, and went to the
+mountain-dairy, and there he dwelt a many nights, and lay in the woods
+there, and took no heed to himself; but when the herdsmen knew that,
+they went to the farm, and said that to that stead was a fiend come
+whom they deemed nowise easy to deal with; then the farmers gathered
+together, and were thirty men in all: they lurked in the wood, so that
+Grettir was unaware of them, and let a shepherd spy on Grettir till
+they might get at him, yet they wotted not clearly who the man was.</p>
+
+<p>Now so it befell that on a day as Grettir lay sleeping, the bonders
+came upon him, and when they saw him they took counsel how they should
+take him at the least cost of life, and settled so that ten men should
+leap on him, while some laid bonds on his feet; and this they did, and
+threw themselves on him, but Grettir broke forth so mightily that they
+fell from off him, and he got to his knees, yet thereby they might
+cast the bonds over him, and round about his feet; then Grettir
+spurned two of them so hard about the ears that they lay stunned on
+the earth. Now one after the other rushed at him, and he struggled
+hard and long, yet had they might to overcome him at the last, and so
+bound him.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they talked over what they should do with him, and they
+bade Helgi of Bathstead take him and keep him in ward till Vermund
+came home from the Thing. He answered&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Other things I deem more helpful to me than to let my house-carles
+sit over him, for my lands are hard to work, nor shall he ever come
+across me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they bade Thorkel of Giorvidale take and keep him, and said that
+he was a man who had enow.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page153" id="page153">[153]</a></span>
+<p>But Thorkel spake against it, and said that for nought would he do
+that: &quot;Whereas I live alone in my house with my Carline, far from
+other men; nor shall ye lay that box on me,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, Thoralf of Ere,&quot; said they, &quot;do thou take Grettir and do well
+to him till after the Thing; or else bring him on to the next farm,
+and be answerable that he get not loose, but deliver him bound as now
+thou hast him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answers, &quot;Nay, I will not take Grettir, for I have neither victuals
+nor money to keep him withal, nor has he been taken on my land, and I
+deem it more trouble than honour to take him, or to have aught to do
+with him, nor shall he ever come into my house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they tried it with every bonder, but one and all spake
+against it; and after this talk have merry men made that lay which is
+hight Grettir's-faring, and added many words of good game thereto for
+the sport of men.</p>
+
+<p>So when they had talked it over long, they said, with one assent, that
+they would not make ill hap of their good-hap; so they went about and
+straightway reared up a gallows there in the wood, with the mind to
+hang Grettir, and made great clatter thereover.</p>
+
+<p>Even therewith they see six folk riding down below in the dale, and
+one in coloured clothes, and they guessed that there would goodwife
+Thorbiorg be going from Waterfirth; and so it was, and she was
+going to the mountain-dairy. Now she was a very stirring woman, and
+exceeding wise; she had the ruling of the neighbourhood, and settled
+all matters, when Vermund was from home. Now she turned to where the
+men were gathered, and was helped off her horse, and the bonders gave
+her good welcome.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page154" id="page154">[154]</a></span>
+<p>Then said she, &quot;What have ye here? or who is the big-necked one who
+sits in bonds yonder?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir named himself, and greeted her.</p>
+
+<p>She spake again, &quot;What drove thee to this, Grettir,&quot; says she, &quot;that
+thou must needs do riotously among my Thing-men?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may not look to everything; I must needs be somewhere,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great ill luck it is,&quot; says she, &quot;that these milksops should take
+thee in such wise that none should fall before thee. What are ye
+minded to do with him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The bonders told her that they were going to tie him up to the gallows
+for his lawlessness.</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;Maybe Grettir is guilty enough therefor, but it is
+too great a deed for you, Icefirthers, to take his life, for he is a
+famous man, and of mighty kin, albeit he is no lucky man; but now what
+wilt thou do for thy life, Grettir, if I give it thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;What sayest thou thereto?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said, &quot;Thou shalt make oath to work no evil riots here in
+Icefirth, and take no revenge on whomsoever has been at the taking of
+thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that she should have her will, and so he was loosed; and
+he says of himself that at that time of all times did he most rule his
+temper, when he smote them not as they made themselves great before
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorg bade him go home with her, and gave him a horse for his
+riding; so he went to Waterfirth and abode there till Vermund came
+home, and the housewife did well to him, and for this deed was she
+much renowned far and wide in the district.</p>
+
+<p>But Vermund took this ill at his coming home, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page155" id="page155">[155]</a></span> asked what made
+Grettir there? Then Thorbiorg told him how all had gone betwixt
+Grettir and the Icefirthers.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What reward was due to him,&quot; said Vermund, &quot;that thou gavest him his
+life?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Many grounds there were thereto,&quot; said Thorbiorg; &quot;and this, first of
+all, that thou wilt be deemed a greater chief than before in that thou
+hast a wife who has dared to do such a deed; and then withal surely
+would Hrefna his kinswoman say that I should not let men slay him;
+and, thirdly, he is a man of the greatest prowess in many wise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A wise wife thou art withal,&quot; said Vermund, &quot;and have thou thanks
+therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then he said to Grettir, &quot;Stout as thou art, but little was to be paid
+for thee, when thou must needs be taken of mannikins; but so ever it
+fares with men riotous.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Ill luck-to me</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That I should be</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On sea-roof-firth</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Borne unto earth;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ill luck enow</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To lie alow,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This head of mine</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Griped fast by swine.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;What were they minded to do to thee,&quot; said Vermund, &quot;when they took
+thee there?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Quoth Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;There many men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bade give me then</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E'en Sigar's meed</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page156" id="page156">[156]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For lovesome deed;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till found me there</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That willow fair,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whose leaves are praise,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her stems good days.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Vermund asked, &quot;Would they have hanged thee then, if they alone had
+had to meddle with matters?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Grettir&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Yea, to the snare</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That dangled there</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My head must I</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Soon bring anigh;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But Thorbiorg came</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The brightest dame,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And from that need</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The singer freed.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then said Vermund, &quot;Did she bid thee to her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Sif's lord's good aid,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My saviour, bade</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To take my way</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With her that day;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So did it fall;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And therewithal</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A horse she gave;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Good peace I have.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Mighty will thy life be and troublous,&quot; said Vermund; &quot;but now thou
+hast learned to beware of thy foes; but I have no will to harbour
+thee, and gain therefor the ill-will<span class="newpage"><a name="page157" id="page157">[157]</a></span> of many rich men; but best is it
+for thee to seek thy kinsmen, though few men will be willing to take
+thee in if they may do aught else; nor to most men art thou an easy
+fellow withal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir was in Waterfirth a certain space, and then fared thence
+to the Westfirths, and sought shelter of many great men; but something
+ever came to pass whereby none of them would harbour him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>When the autumn was somewhat spent, Grettir turned back by the south,
+and made no stay till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, his
+kinsman, and there had he good welcome, for Thorstein bade him abide
+there through the winter, and that bidding he agreed to. Thorstein
+was a busy man and a good smith, and kept men close to their work;
+but Grettir had little mind to work, wherefore their tempers went but
+little together.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein had let make a church at his homestead; and a bridge he had
+made out from his house, wrought with great craft; for in the outside
+bridge, under the beams that held it up, were rings wrought all about,
+and din-bells, so that one might hear over to Scarf-stead, half a
+sea-mile off, if aught went over the bridge, because of the shaking of
+the rings. Thorstein had much to do over this work, for he was a great
+worker of iron; but Grettir went fiercely at the iron-smiting, yet was
+in many minds thereover; but he was quiet through the winter, so
+that nought befell worthy telling. But when the Ramfirthers knew
+that Grettir was with Thorstein,<span class="newpage"><a name="page158" id="page158">[158]</a></span> they had their band afoot as soon as
+spring came. So when Thorstein knew that, he bade Grettir seek some
+other shelter than his house, &quot;For I see thou wilt not work, and men
+who will do nought are not meet men for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where wouldst thou have me go, then?&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein bade him fare to the south country, and find his kin, &quot;But
+come to me if they avail thee not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now so Grettir wrought that he went south to Burgfirth, to Grim
+Thorhallson, and dwelt there till over the Thing. Then Grim sent him
+on to Skapti the Lawman at Hjalli, and he went south by the lower
+heaths and stayed not till he came to Thorhall, son of Asgrim, son
+of Ellida-grim, and went little in the peopled lands. Thorhall knew
+Grettir because of his father and mother, and, indeed, by then was
+the name of Grettir well renowned through all the land because of his
+great deeds.</p>
+
+<p>Thorhall was a wise man, and he did well to Grettir, but would not let
+him abide there long.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LIV"></a><h2>CHAP. LIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Grettir fared from Tongue up to Hawkdale, and thence north upon
+the Keel, and kept about there long that summer; nor was there trust
+of him that he would not take men's goods from them, as they went from
+or to the north over the Keel, because he was hard put to it to get
+wares.</p>
+
+<p>Now on a day, when as Grettir would keep about the<span class="newpage"><a name="page159" id="page159">[159]</a></span> north at
+Doveness-path, he saw a man riding from the north over the Keel; he
+was huge to behold on horseback, and had a good horse, and an embossed
+bridle well wrought; another horse he had in tow and bags thereon;
+this man had withal a slouched hat on his head, nor could his face be
+clearly seen.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir looked hard at the horse and the goods thereon, and went
+to meet the man, and greeting him asked his name, but he said he was
+called Air. &quot;I wot well what thou art called,&quot; said he, &quot;for thou
+shalt be Grettir the Strong, the son of Asmund. Whither art thou
+bound?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As to the place I have not named it yet,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but as to
+my errand, it is to know if thou wilt lay down some of the goods thou
+farest with.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Air, &quot;Why should I give thee mine own, or what wilt thou give me
+therefor?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answers, &quot;Hast thou not heard that I take, and give no money
+again? and yet it seems to most men that I get what I will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Air, &quot;Give such choice as this to those who deem it good, but not
+thus will I give up what I have; let each of us go his own way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And therewithal he rode forth past Grettir and spurred his horse.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, we part not so hastily,&quot; said Grettir, and laid hold of the
+reins of Air's horse in front of his hands, and held on with both
+hands.</p>
+
+<p>Said Air, &quot;Go thy ways, nought thou hast of me if I may hold mine
+own.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That will now be proven,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now Air stretched his hands down the head-gear and laid hold of the
+reins betwixt Grettir's hands and the snaffle-rings and dragged at
+them so hard that Grettir's hands were<span class="newpage"><a name="page160" id="page160">[160]</a></span> drawn down along the reins,
+till Air dragged all the bridle from him.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir looked into the hollow of his hands, and saw that this man
+must have strength in claws rather than not, and he looked after him,
+and said, &quot;Whither art thou minded to fare?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Air answered and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;To the Kettle's side</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now will I ride,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where the waters fall</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the great ice-wall;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If thou hast mind</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There mayest thou find</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With little stone<a name="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17"><sup>[17]</sup></a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fist's land alone.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;It is of no avail to seek after thine abode if thou
+tellest of it no clearer than this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Air spake and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;I would not hide</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where I abide,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If thou art fain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To see me again;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From that lone weald,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Over Burgfirth field,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That ye men name</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Balljokul, I came.&quot;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page161" id="page161">[161]</a></span>
+<p>Thereat they parted, and Grettir sees that he has no strength against
+this man; and therewithal he sang a stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Too far on this luckless day,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Atli, good at weapon-play,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brisk Illugi were from me;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Such-like oft I shall not be</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As I was, when I must stand</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With the reins drawn through my hand</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By the unflinching losel Air.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Maids weep when they know I fear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thereafter Grettir went to the south from the Keel; and rode to Hjalli
+and found Skapti, and prayed for watch and ward from him.</p>
+
+<p>Skapti said, &quot;It is told me that thou farest somewhat lawlessly, and
+layest hand on other men's goods; and this beseems thee ill, great of
+kin as thou art. Now all would make a better tale, if thou didst not
+rob and reive; but whereas I have to bear the name of lawman in the
+land, folk would not abide that I should take outlawed men to me, and
+break the laws thereby. I will that thou seek some place wherein thou
+wilt not have need to take men's goods from them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he would do even so, yet withal that he might scarcely be
+alone because he so feared the dark.</p>
+
+<p>Skapti said that of that one thing then, which he deemed the best, he
+might not avail himself; &quot;But put not such trust in any as to fare as
+thou didst in the Westfirths; it has been many a man's bane that he
+has been too trustful.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and so turned back to
+Burgfirth in the autumn, and found Grim<span class="newpage"><a name="page162" id="page162">[162]</a></span> Thorhallson, his friend,
+and told him of Skapti's counsels; so Grim bade him fare north to
+Fishwater lakes on Ernewaterheath; and thus did he.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LV"></a><h2>CHAP. LV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings with Grim there</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Grettir went up to Ernewaterheath and made there a hut for himself
+(whereof are yet signs left) and dwelt there, for now was he fain to
+do anything rather than rob and reive; he got him nets and a boat
+and caught fish for his food; exceeding dreary he deemed it in the
+mountains, because he was so fearsome of the dark.</p>
+
+<p>But when other outlaws heard this, that Grettir was come down there,
+many of them had a mind to see him, because they thought there was
+much avail of him. There was a man called Grim, a Northlander, who
+was an outlaw; with him the Northlanders made a bargain that he should
+slay Grettir, and promised him freedom and gifts of money, if he
+should bring it to pass; so he went to meet Grettir, and prayed him to
+take him in.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answers, &quot;I see not how thou art the more holpen for being
+with me, and troublous to heed are ye wood-folk; but ill I deem it to
+be alone, if other choice there were; but I will that such an one only
+be with me as shall do whatso work may befall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grim said he was of no other mind, and prayed hard that he might dwell
+there; then Grettir let himself be talked round, and took him in; and
+he was there on into the<span class="newpage"><a name="page163" id="page163">[163]</a></span> winter, and watched Grettir, but deemed it
+no little matter to set on him. Grettir misdoubted him, and had his
+weapons by his side night and day, nor durst Grim attack him while he
+was awake.</p>
+
+<p>But one morning whenas Grim came in from fishing, he went into the hut
+and stamped with his foot, and would know whether Grettir slept, but
+he started in nowise, but lay still; and the short-sword hung up over
+Grettir's head.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grim thought that no better chance would happen, so he made a
+great noise, that Grettir might chide him, therefore, if he were
+awake, but that befell not. Now he thought that Grettir must surely
+be asleep, so he went stealthily up to the bed and reached out for the
+short-sword, and took it down, and unsheathed it. But even therewith
+Grettir sprang up on to the floor, and caught the short-sword just as
+the other raised it aloft, and laid the other hand on Grim betwixt the
+shoulders, and cast him down with such a fall, that he was well-nigh
+stunned; &quot;Ah, such hast thou shown thyself,&quot; said he, &quot;though thou
+wouldest give me good hope of thee.&quot; Then he had a true story from
+him, and thereafter slew him.</p>
+
+<p>And now Grettir deemed he saw what it was to take in wood-folk, and
+so the winter wore; and nothing Grettir thought to be of more trouble
+than his dread of the dark.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LVI"></a><h2>CHAP. LVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Thorir of Garth heard where Grettir had set himself down, and was
+fain to set afoot some plot whereby he might be slain. There was a
+man called Thorir<span class="newpage"><a name="page164" id="page164">[164]</a></span> Redbeard; he was the biggest of men, and a great
+man-slayer, and therefore was he made outlaw throughout the land.
+Thorir of Garth sent word to him, and when they met he bade him go on
+an errand of his, and slay Grettir the Strong. Redbeard said that was
+no easy task, and that Grettir was a wise man and a wary.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir bade him make up his mind to this; &quot;A manly task it is for so
+brisk a fellow as thou; but I shall bring thee out of thine outlawry,
+and therewithal give thee money enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So by that counsel Redbeard abode, and Thorir told him how he should
+go about the winning of Grettir. So thereafter he went round the
+land by the east, for thus he deemed his faring would be the less
+misdoubted; so he came to Ernewaterheath when Grettir had been there a
+winter. But when he met Grettir, he prayed for winter dwelling at his
+hands.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;I cannot suffer you often to play the like play
+with me that he did who came here last autumn, who bepraised me
+cunningly, and when he had been here a little while lay in wait for my
+life; now, therefore, I have no mind to run the risk any more of the
+taking in of wood-folk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir answered, &quot;My mind goes fully with thine in that thou deemest
+ill of outlawed men: and thou wilt have heard tell of me as of a
+man-slayer and a misdoer, but not as of a doer of such foul deeds as
+to betray my master. Now, <i>ill it is ill to be</i>, for many deem
+others to do after their own ways; nor should I have been minded to
+come hither, if I might have had a choice of better things; withal I
+deem we shall not easily be won while we stand together; thou mightest
+risk trying at first how thou likest me, and let me go my ways whenso
+thou markest ill faith in me.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page165" id="page165">[165]</a></span>
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Once more then will I risk it, even with thee; but
+wot thou well, that if I misdoubt me of thee, that will be thy bane.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir bade him do even so, and thereafter Grettir received him, and
+found this, that he must have the strength of twain, what work soever
+he took in hand: he was ready for anything that Grettir might set him
+to, and Grettir need turn to nothing, nor had he found his life so
+good since he had been outlawed, yet was he ever so wary of himself
+that Thorir never got a chance against him.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir Redbeard was with Grettir on the heath for two winters, and now
+he began to loathe his life on the heath, and falls to thinking what
+deed he shall do that Grettir will not see through; so one night
+in spring a great storm arose while they were asleep; Grettir awoke
+therewith, and asked where was their boat. Thorir sprang up, and ran
+down to the boat, and brake it all to pieces, and threw the broken
+pieces about here and there, so that it seemed as though the storm had
+driven them along. Then he went into the hut, and called out aloud,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good things have not befallen us, my friend,&quot; said he; &quot;for our
+boat is all broken to pieces, and the nets lie a long way out in the
+water.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Go and bring them in then,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;for methinks it is with
+thy goodwill that the boat is broken.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir answered, &quot;Among manly deeds swimming is the least handy to
+me, but most other deeds, I think, I may do against men who are not
+marvellous; thou mayest wot well enough that I was minded that thou
+shouldst not have to work while I abode here, and this I would not bid
+if it were in me to do it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir arose and took his weapons, and went to the water-side.
+Now the land was so wrought there that a<span class="newpage"><a name="page166" id="page166">[166]</a></span> ness ran into the water, and
+a great creek was on the other side, and the water was deep right up
+to the shore.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir spake: &quot;Swim off to the nets, and let me see how skilled a
+man thou art.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I told thee before,&quot; said Thorir, &quot;that I might not swim; and now I
+know not what is gone with thy manliness and daring.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, the nets I may get in,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but betray thou me not,
+since I trust in thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Thorir, &quot;Deem me not to be so shamed and worthless.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou wilt thyself prove thyself, what thou art,&quot; said Grettir, and
+therewith he put off his clothes and weapons, and swam off for the
+nets. He swept them up together, and brought them to land, and cast
+them on to the bank; but when he was minded to come aland, then Thorir
+caught up the short-sword and drew it hastily, and ran therewith
+swiftly on Grettir, and smote at him as he set foot on the bank; but
+Grettir fell on his back down into the water, and sank like a stone;
+and Thorir stood gazing out on to the water, to keep him off from
+the shore if he came up again; but Grettir dived and groped along the
+bottom as near as he might to the bank, so that Thorir might not see
+him till he came into the creek at his back, and got aland; and Thorir
+heeded him not, and felt nought till Grettir heaved him up over his
+head, and cast him down so hard that the short-sword flew out of his
+hand; then Grettir got hold of it and had no words with him, but smote
+off his head straightway, and this was the end of his life.</p>
+
+<p>But after this would Grettir never take outlaws to him, yet hardly
+might he bear to be alone.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page167" id="page167">[167]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LVII"></a><h2>CHAP. LVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>At the Althing Thorir of Garth heard of the slaying of Thorir
+Redbeard, and now he thought he saw that he had no light task to
+deal with; but such rede he took that he rode west over the lower
+heathlands from the Thing with well-nigh eighty men, and was minded to
+go and take Grettir's life: but when Grim Thorhallson knew thereof he
+sent Grettir word and bade him beware of himself, so Grettir ever took
+heed to the goings of men. But one day he saw many men riding who took
+the way to his abode; so he ran into a rift in the rocks, nor would he
+flee because he had not seen all the strength of those folk.</p>
+
+<p>Then up came Thorir and all his men, and bade them smite Grettir's
+head from his body, and said that the ill-doer's life would be had
+cheaply now.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;<i>Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth
+has had no sup</i>. From afar have ye come, and marks of the game
+shall some have ere we part.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorir egged on his men busily to set on him; but the pass was
+narrow, and he could defend it well from one side; yet hereat he
+marvelled, that howsoever they went round to the back of him, yet
+no hurt he got thereby; some fell of Thorir's company, and some were
+wounded, but nothing might they do.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorir, &quot;Oft have I heard that Grettir is a man of marvel
+before all others for prowess and good heart, but never knew I that he
+was so wise a wizard as now I behold him; for half as many again fall
+at his back as fall before him; lo, now we have to do with trolls and
+no men.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page168" id="page168">[168]</a></span>
+<p>So he bid them turn away and they did so. Grettir marvelled how that
+might be, for withal he was utterly foredone.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir and his men turn away and ride toward the north country, and
+men deemed their journey to be of the shame fullest; eighteen men had
+they left there and many were wounded withal.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir went up into the pass, and found there one great of
+growth, who sat leaning against the rock and was sore wounded. Grettir
+asked him of his name, and he said he was hight Hallmund.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And this I will tell thee to know me by, that thou didst deem me to
+have a good hold of the reins that summer when we met on the Keel;
+now, methinks, I have paid thee back therefor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, in sooth,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;I deem that thou hast shown great
+manliness toward me; whenso I may, I will reward thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hallmund said, &quot;But now I will that thou come to my abode, for thou
+must e'en think time drags heavily here on the heaths.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he was fain thereof; and now they fare both together
+south under Balljokul, and there had Hallmund a huge cave, and a
+daughter great of growth and of high mind; there they did well to
+Grettir, and the woman healed the wounds of both of them, and Grettir
+dwelt long there that summer, and a lay he made on Hallmund, wherein
+is this&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Wide and high doth Hallmund stride</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the hollow mountain side.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>And this stave also is therein&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;At Ernewater, one by one,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stole the swords forth in the sun,</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page169" id="page169">[169]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Eager for the road of death</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Swept athwart by sharp spears' breath;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many a dead Wellwharfer's lands</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That day gave to other hands.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hallmund, dweller in the cave,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grettir's life that day did save.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Men say that Grettir slew six men in that meeting, but Hallmund
+twelve.</p>
+
+<p>Now as the summer wore Grettir yearned for the peopled country, to see
+his friends and kin; Hallmund bade him visit him when he came to the
+south country again, and Grettir promised him so to do; then he went
+west to Burgfirth, and thence to the Broadfirth Dales, and sought
+counsel of Thorstein Kuggson as to where he should now seek for
+protection, but Thorstein said that his foes were now so many that few
+would harbour him; &quot;But thou mightest fare south to the Marshes and
+see what fate abides thee there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So in the autumn Grettir went south to the Marshes.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In those days dwelt at Holm Biorn the Hitdale-Champion, who was the
+son of Arngeir, the son of Berse the Godless, the son of Balk, who
+settled Ramfirth as is aforesaid; Biorn was a great chief and a hardy
+man, and would ever harbour outlawed men.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir came to Holm, and Biorn gave him good cheer, for there had
+been friendship between the earlier kin of both of them; so Grettir
+asked if he would give him harbourage;<span class="newpage"><a name="page170" id="page170">[170]</a></span> but Biorn said that he had
+got to himself so many feuds through all the land that men would shun
+harbouring him so long as to be made outlaws therefor: &quot;But some gain
+will I be to thee, if thou lettest those men dwell in peace who are
+under my ward, whatsoever thou dost by other men in the country-side.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said yea thereto. Then said Biorn, &quot;Well, I have thought over
+it, and in that mountain, which stretches forth outside of Hitriver,
+is a stead good for defence, and a good hiding-place withal, if it be
+cunningly dealt with; for there is a hollow through the mountain, that
+is seen from the way below; for the highway lies beneath it, but above
+is a slip of sand and stones so exceeding steep, that few men may come
+up there if one hardy man stand on his defence above in the lair.
+Now this seems to me the best rede for thee, and the one thing worth
+talking of for thine abode, because, withal, it is easy to go thence
+and get goods from the Marshes, and right away to the sea.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said that he would trust in his foresight if he would give him
+any help. Then he went up to Fairwoodfell and made his abode there;
+he hung grey wadmal before the hole in the mountain, and from the way
+below it was like to behold as if one saw through. Now he was wont
+to ride for things needful through the country-side, and men deemed a
+woful guest had come among them whereas he went.</p>
+
+<p>Thord Kolbeinson dwelt at Hitness in those days, and a good skald he
+was; at that time was there great enmity betwixt him and Biorn; and
+Biorn was but half loth, though Grettir wrought some ill on Thord's
+men or his goods.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir was ever with Biorn, and they tried their skill in many
+sports, and it is shown in the story of Biorn that they were deemed
+equal in prowess, but it is the mind of most<span class="newpage"><a name="page171" id="page171">[171]</a></span> that Grettir was the
+strongest man ever known in the land, since Orm the son of Storolf,
+and Thoralf the son of Skolm, left off their trials of strength.
+Grettir and Biorn swam in one spell all down Hitriver, from the lake
+right away to the sea: they brought those stepping-stones into the
+river that have never since been washed away either by floods, or the
+drift of ice, or glacier slips.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir abode in Fairwoodfell for one winter, in such wise, that
+none set on him, though many lost their goods at his hands and could
+do nought therefor, for a good place for defence he had, and was ever
+good friend to those nighest to him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LIX"></a><h2>CHAP. LIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a man hight Gisli, the son of that Thorstein whom Snorri
+Godi had slain. Gisli was a big man and strong, a man showy in
+weapons and clothes, who made much of himself, and was somewhat of
+a self-praiser; he was a seafaring man, and came one summer out to
+Whiteriver, whenas Grettir had been a winter on the fell. Thord, son
+of Kolbein, rode to his ship, and Gisli gave him good welcome, and
+bade him take of his wares whatso he would; thereto Thord agreed, and
+then they fell to talk one with the other, and Gisli said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is that true which is told me, that ye have no counsel that avails to
+rid you of a certain outlaw who is doing you great ill?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thord said, &quot;We have not tried aught on him yet, but to many he seems
+a man hard to deal with, and that has been proven on many a man.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page172" id="page172">[172]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;It is like, methinks, that you should find Biorn a heavy trouble, if
+ye may not drive away this man: luckless it is for you withal, that I
+shall be too far off this winter to better matters for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thou wilt be better pleased to deal with him by hearsay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, no need to tell me of Grettir,&quot; said Gisli; &quot;I have borne harder
+brunts when I was in warfare along with King Knut the Mighty, and west
+over the Sea, and I was ever thought to hold my own; and if I should
+have a chance at him I would trust myself and my weapons well enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thord said he would not work for nought if he prevailed against
+Grettir; &quot;For there is more put upon his head than on the head of any
+other of wood-folk; six marks of silver it was; but last summer Thorir
+of Garth laid thereto yet three marks; and men deem he will have
+enough to do therefor whose lot it is to win it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All things soever will men do for money,&quot; says Gisli, &quot;and we chapmen
+not the least; but now shall we keep this talk hushed up, for mayhap
+he will be the warier,&quot; says he, &quot;if he come to know that I am with
+you against him: now I am minded to abide this winter at Snowfellsness
+at Wave-ridge. Is his lair on my way at all? for he will not foresee
+this, nor shall I draw together many men against him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thord liked the plot well, he rode home therewith and held his peace
+about this; but now things went according to the saw, <i>a listening
+ear in the holt is anear</i>; men had been by at the talk betwixt
+Thord and Gisli, who were friends to Biorn of Hitdale, and they told
+him all from end to end; so when Biorn and Grettir met, Biorn showed
+forth<span class="newpage"><a name="page173" id="page173">[173]</a></span> the whole matter to him, and said that now he might prove how he
+could meet a foe.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It would not be bad sport,&quot; said he, &quot;if thou wert to handle him
+roughly, but to slay him not, if thou mightest do otherwise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir smiled thereat, but spake little.</p>
+
+<p>Now at the folding time in the autumn Grettir went down to
+Flysia-wharf and got sheep for himself; he had laid hold on four
+wethers; but the bonders became ware of his ways and went after him;
+and these two things befell at the same time, that he got up under the
+fell-side, and that they came upon him, and would drive the sheep from
+him, yet bare they no weapon against him; they were six altogether,
+and stood thick in his path. Now the sheep troubled him and he waxed
+wroth, and caught up two of those men, and cast them down over the
+hill-side, so that they lay stunned; and when the others saw that,
+they came on less eagerly; then Grettir took up the sheep and locked
+them together by the horns, and threw them over his shoulders, two on
+each side, and went up into his lair.</p>
+
+<p>So the bonders turned back, and deemed they had got but ill from him,
+and their lot misliked them now worse than before.</p>
+
+<p>Now Gisli abode at his ship through the autumn till it was rolled
+ashore. Many things made him abide there, so he was ready late, and
+rode away but a little before winter-nights. Then he went from the
+south, and guested under Raun on the south side of Hitriver. In the
+morning, before he rode thence, he began a talk with his fellows:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now shall we ride in coloured clothes to-day, and let the outlaw see
+that we are not like other wayfarers who are drifted about here day by
+day.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page174" id="page174">[174]</a></span>
+<p>So this they did, and they were three in all: but when they came west
+over the river, he spake again to them:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here in these bents, I am told, lurks the outlaw, and no easy way is
+there up to him; but may it not perchance seem good to him to come and
+meet us and behold our array?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said that it was ever his wont so to do. Now that morning Grettir
+had risen early in his lair; the weather was cold and frosty, and snow
+had fallen, but not much of it. He saw how three men rode from the
+south over Hitriver, and their state raiment glittered and their
+inlaid shields. Then it came into his mind who these should be, and he
+deems it would be good for him to get some rag of their array; and he
+was right wishful withal to meet such braggarts: so he catches up his
+weapons and runs down the slip-side. And when Gisli heard the clatter
+of the stones, he spake thus:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There goes a man down the hill-side, and somewhat big he is, and he
+is coming to meet us: now, therefore, let us go against him briskly,
+for here is good getting come to hand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>His fellows said that this one would scarce run into their very
+hands, if he knew not his might; &quot;And good it is that <i>he bewail who
+brought the woe</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So they leapt off their horses, and therewith Grettir came up to them,
+and laid hands on a clothes-bag that Gisli had tied to his saddle
+behind him, and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This will I have, for oft I lowt for little things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gisli answers, &quot;Nay, it shall not be; dost thou know with whom thou
+hast to do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Says Grettir, &quot;I am not very clear about that; nor will I have much
+respect for persons, since I am lowly now, and ask for little.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page175" id="page175">[175]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;Mayhap thou thinkest it little,&quot; says he, &quot;but I had rather pay down
+thirty hundreds; but robbery and wrong are ever uppermost in thy mind
+methinks; so on him, good fellows, and let see what he may do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So did they, and Grettir gave back before them to a stone which stands
+by the way and is called Grettir's-Heave, and thence defended himself;
+and Gisli egged on his fellows eagerly; but Grettir saw now that he
+was no such a hardy heart as he had made believe, for he was ever
+behind his fellows' backs; and withal he grew aweary of this fulling
+business, and swept round the short-sword, and smote one of Gisli's
+fellows to the death, and leaped down from the stone, and set on so
+fiercely, that Gisli shrank aback before him all along the hill-side:
+there Gisli's other fellow was slain, and then Grettir spake:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Little is it seen in thee that thou hast done well wide in the world,
+and in ill wise dost thou part from thy fellows.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gisli answers, &quot;<i>Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself&mdash;with
+hell's-man are dealings ill.</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they gave and took but a little, before Gisli cast away his
+weapons, and took to his heels out along the mountain. Grettir gave
+him time to cast off whatso he would, and every time Gisli saw a
+chance for it he threw off somewhat of his clothes; and Grettir never
+followed him so close but that there was still some space
+betwixt them. Gisli ran right past that mountain and then across
+Coldriver-dale, and then through Aslaug's-lithe and above by
+Kolbeinstead, and then out into Burgh-lava; and by then was he in
+shirt and breech alone, and was now exceeding weary. Grettir still
+followed after him, and there was ever a stone's throw between them;
+and now he pulled up a great bush. But Gisli made no stay till he came
+out at Haf-firth-river,<span class="newpage"><a name="page176" id="page176">[176]</a></span> and it was swollen with ice and ill to ford;
+Gisli made straightway for the river, but Grettir ran in on him and
+seized him, and then the strength of either was soon known: Grettir
+drave him down under him, and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Art thou that Gisli who would fain meet Grettir Asmundson?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gisli answers, &quot;I have found him now, in good sooth, nor do I know in
+what wise we shall part: keep that which thou hast got, and let me go
+free.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;Nay, thou art scarce deft enow to learn what I have to
+teach thee, so needs must I give thee somewhat to remember it by.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewith he pulls the shirt up over his head and let the twigs go all
+down his back, and along both sides of him, and Gisli strove all he
+might to wriggle away from him; but Grettir flogged him through and
+through, and then let him go; and Gisli thought he would learn no
+more of Grettir and have such another flogging withal; nor did he ever
+again earn the like skin-rubbing.</p>
+
+<p>But when he got his legs under him again, he ran off unto a great
+pool in the river, and swam it, and came by night to a farm called
+Horseholt, and utterly foredone he was by then. There he lay a week
+with his body all swollen, and then fared to his abode.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir turned back, and took up the things Gisli had cast down, and
+brought them to his place, nor from that time forth gat Gisli aught
+thereof.</p>
+
+<p>Many men thought Gisli had his due herein for the noise and swagger
+he had made about himself; and Grettir sang this about their dealings
+together&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;In fighting ring where steed meets steed,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The sluggish brute of mongrel breed,</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page177" id="page177">[177]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes will shrink back nothing less</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Before the stallion's dauntlessness,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than Gisli before me to-day;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As, casting shame and clothes away,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And sweating o'er the marsh with fear,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He helped the wind from mouth and rear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The next spring Gisli got ready to go to his ship, and bade men above
+all things beware of carrying aught of his goods south along the
+mountain, and said that the very fiend dwelt there.</p>
+
+<p>Gisli rode south along the sea all the way to his ship, and never met
+Grettir again; and now he is out of the story.</p>
+
+<p>But things grew worse between Thord Kolbeinson and Grettir, and Thord
+set on foot many a plot to get Grettir driven away or slain.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LX"></a><h2>CHAP. LX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>When Grettir had been two winters at Fairwoodfell, and the third was
+now come, he fared south to the Marshes, to the farm called Brook-bow,
+and had thence six wethers against the will of him who owned them.
+Then he went to Acres and took away two neat for slaughtering, and
+many sheep, and then went up south of Hitriver.</p>
+
+<p>But when the bonders were ware of his ways, they sent word to Thord at
+Hitness, and bade him take in hand the slaying of Grettir; but he hung
+back, yet for the prayers of men got his son Arnor, who was afterwards
+called Earls'<span class="newpage"><a name="page178" id="page178">[178]</a></span> Skald, to go with them, and bade them withal to take
+heed that Grettir escaped not.</p>
+
+<p>Then were men sent throughout all the country-side. There was a man
+called Biarni, who dwelt at Jorvi in Flysia-wharf, and he gathered
+men together from without Hitriver; and their purpose was that a band
+should be on either bank of the river.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir had two men with him; a man called Eyolf, the son of the
+bonder at Fairwood, and a stout man; and another he had besides.</p>
+
+<p>First came up Thorarin of Acres and Thorfinn of Brook-bow, and there
+were nigh twenty men in their company. Then was Grettir fain to make
+westward across the river, but therewith came up on the west side
+thereof Arnor and Biarni. A narrow ness ran into the water on the side
+whereas Grettir stood; so he drave the beasts into the furthermost
+parts of the ness, when he saw the men coming up, for never would he
+give up what he had once laid his hands on.</p>
+
+<p>Now the Marsh-men straightway made ready for an onslaught, and made
+themselves very big; Grettir bade his fellows take heed that none came
+at his back; and not many men could come on at once.</p>
+
+<p>Now a hard fight there was betwixt them, Grettir smote with the
+short-sword with both hands, and no easy matter it was to get at him;
+some of the Marsh-men fell, and some were wounded; those on the other
+side of the river were slow in coming up, because the ford was not
+very near, nor did the fight go on long before they fell off; Thorarin
+of Acres was a very old man, so that he was not at this onslaught. But
+when this fight was over, then came up Thrand, son of Thorarin, and
+Thorgils Ingialdson, the brother's son of Thorarin, and Finnbogi,
+son of Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, and Steinulf Thorleifson from
+Lavadale; these<span class="newpage"><a name="page179" id="page179">[179]</a></span> egged on their men eagerly to set on, and yet another
+fierce onslaught they made. Now Grettir saw that he must either flee
+or spare himself nought; and now he went forth so fiercely that none
+might withstand him; because they were so many that he saw not how
+he might escape, but that he did his best before he fell; he was fain
+withal that the life of such an one as he deemed of some worth might
+be paid for his life; so he ran at Steinulf of Lavadale, and smote him
+on the head and clave him down to the shoulders, and straightway with
+another blow smote Thorgils Ingialdson in the midst and well-nigh cut
+him asunder; then would Thrand run forth to revenge his kinsman, but
+Grettir smote him on the right thigh, so that the blow took off all
+the muscle, and straightway was he unmeet for fight; and thereafter
+withal a great wound Grettir gave to Finnbogi.</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorarin cried out and bade them fall back, &quot;For the longer ye
+fight the worse ye will get of him, and he picks out men even as he
+willeth from your company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So did they, and turned away; and there had ten men fallen, and five
+were wounded to death, or crippled, but most of those who had been at
+that meeting had some hurt or other; Grettir was marvellously wearied
+and yet but a little wounded.</p>
+
+<p>And now the Marsh-men made off with great loss of men, for many stout
+fellows had fallen there.</p>
+
+<p>But those on the other side of the river fared slowly, and came not up
+till the meeting was all done; and when they saw how ill their men
+had fared, then Arnor would not risk himself, and much rebuke he got
+therefor from his father and many others; and men are minded to think
+that he was no man of prowess.</p>
+
+<p>Now that place where they fought is called Grettir's-point to-day.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page180" id="page180">[180]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding in
+Thorir's-dale.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>But Grettir and his men took horse and rode up to the fell, for they
+were all wounded, and when they came to Fairwood there was Eyolf left;
+the farmer's daughter was out of doors, and asked for tidings; Grettir
+told all as clearly as might be, and sang a stave withal&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;O thou warder of horn's wave,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not on this side of the grave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will Steinulf s head be whole again;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many more there gat their bane;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Little hope of Thorgils now</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">After that bone-breaking blow:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Eight Gold-scatterers more they say,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dead along the river lay.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Thereafter Grettir went to his lair and sat there through the winter;
+but when he and Biorn met, Biorn said to him, that he deemed that much
+had been done; &quot;and no peace thou wilt have here in the long run: now
+hast thou slain both kin and friends of mine, yet shall I not cast
+aside what I have promised thee whiles thou art here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he must needs defend his hands and life, &quot;but ill it is
+if thou mislikest it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Biorn said that things must needs be as they were.</p>
+
+<p>A little after came men to Biorn who had lost kinsmen at Grettir's
+hands, and bade him not to suffer that riotous man to abide there
+longer in their despite; and Biorn said<span class="newpage"><a name="page181" id="page181">[181]</a></span> that it should be as they
+would as soon as the winter was over.</p>
+
+<p>Now Thrand, the son of Thorarin of Acres, was healed; a stout man he
+was, and had to wife Steinun, daughter of Rut of Combeness; Thorleif
+of Lavadale, the father of Steinulf, was a very mighty man, and from
+him are come the men of Lavadale.</p>
+
+<p>Now nought more is told of the dealings of Grettir with the Marsh-men
+while he was on the mountain; Biorn still kept up his friendship
+with him, though his friends grew somewhat the fewer for that he let
+Grettir abide there, because men took it ill that their kin should
+fall unatoned.</p>
+
+<p>At the time of the Thing, Grettir departed from the Marsh-country, and
+went to Burgfirth and found Grim Thorhallson, and sought counsel of
+him, as to what to do now. Grim said he had no strength to keep him,
+therefore fared Grettir to find Hallmund his friend, and dwelt there
+that summer till it wore to its latter end.</p>
+
+<p>In the autumn Grettir went to Goatland, and waited there till bright
+weather came on; then he went up to Goatland Jokul, and made for
+the south-east, and had with him a kettle, and tools to strike fire
+withal. But men deem that he went there by the counsel of Hallmund,
+for far and wide was the land known of him.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir went on till he found a dale in the jokul, long and
+somewhat narrow, locked up by jokuls all about, in such wise that
+they overhung the dale. He came down somehow, and then he saw fair
+hill-sides grass-grown and set with bushes. Hot springs there were
+therein, and it seemed to him that it was by reason of earth-fires
+that the ice-cliffs did not close up over the vale.</p>
+
+<p>A little river ran along down the dale, with level shores on either
+side thereof. There the sun came but seldom;<span class="newpage"><a name="page182" id="page182">[182]</a></span> but he deemed he might
+scarcely tell over the sheep that were in that valley, so many they
+were; and far better and fatter than any he had ever seen.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir abode there, and made himself a hut of such wood as he
+could come by. He took of the sheep for his meat, and there was more
+on one of them than on two elsewhere: one ewe there was, brown with a
+polled head, with her lamb, that he deemed the greatest beauty for
+her goodly growth. He was fain to take the lamb, and so he did, and
+thereafter slaughtered it: three stone of suet there was in it, but
+the whole carcase was even better. But when Brownhead missed her lamb,
+she went up on Grettir's hut every night, and bleated in suchwise that
+he might not sleep anight, so that it misliked him above all things
+that he had slaughtered the lamb, because of her troubling.</p>
+
+<p>But every evening at twilight he heard some one hoot up in the valley,
+and then all the sheep ran together to one fold every evening.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir says, that a half-troll ruled over the valley, a giant
+hight Thorir, and in trust of his keeping did Grettir abide there;
+by him did Grettir name the valley, calling it Thorir's-dale. He said
+withal that Thorir had daughters, with whom he himself had good game,
+and that they took it well, for not many were the new-comers thereto;
+but when fasting time was, Grettir made this change therein, that fat
+and livers should be eaten in Lent.</p>
+
+<p>Now nought happed to be told of through the winter. At last Grettir
+found it so dreary there, that he might abide there no longer: then
+he gat him gone from the valley, and went south across the jokul, and
+came from the north, right against the midst of Shieldbroadfell.</p>
+
+<p>He raised up a flat stone and bored a hole therein, and said that
+whoso put his eye to the hole in that stone should<span class="newpage"><a name="page183" id="page183">[183]</a></span> straightway behold
+the gulf of the pass that leads from Thorir's-vale.</p>
+
+<p>So he fared south through the land, and thence to the Eastfirths; and
+in this journey he was that summer long, and the winter, and met all
+the great men there, but somewhat ever thrust him aside that nowhere
+got he harbouring or abode; then he went back by the north, and dwelt
+at sundry places.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>A little after Grettir had gone from Ernewaterheath, there came a man
+thither, Grim by name, the son of the widow at Kropp. He had slain the
+son of Eid Skeggison of the Ridge, and had been outlawed therefor;
+he abode whereas Grettir had dwelt afore, and got much fish from the
+water. Hallmund took it ill that he had come in Grettir's stead, and
+was minded that he should have little good hap how much fish soever he
+caught.</p>
+
+<p>So it chanced on a day that Grim had caught a hundred fish, and he
+bore them to his hut and hung them up outside, but the next morning
+when he came thereto they were all gone; that he deemed marvellous,
+and went to the water; and now he caught two hundred fish, went home
+and stored them up; and all went the same way, for they were all gone
+in the morning; and now he thought it hard to trace all to one spring.
+But the third day he caught three hundred fish, brought them home and
+watched over them from his shed, looking out through a hole in the
+door to see if aught might come anigh. Thus wore the night somewhat,
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page184" id="page184">[184]</a></span>
+and when the third part of the night was gone by, he heard one going
+along outside with heavy footfalls; and when he was ware thereof, he
+took an axe that he had, the sharpest of weapons, for he was fain
+to know what this one was about; and he saw that the new-comer had a
+great basket on his back. Now he set it down, and peered about, and
+saw no man abroad; he gropes about to the fishes, and deems he has got
+a good handful, and into the basket he scoops them one and all; then
+is the basket full, but the fishes were so big that Grim thought that
+no horse might bear more. Now he takes them up and puts himself under
+the load, and at that very point of time, when he was about to stand
+upright, Grim ran out, and with both hands smote at his neck, so that
+the axe sank into the shoulder; thereat he turned off sharp, and set
+off running with the basket south over the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>Grim turned off after him, and was fain to know if he had got enough.
+They went south all the way to Balljokul, and there this man went
+into a cave; a bright fire burnt in the cave, and thereby sat a woman,
+great of growth, but shapely withal. Grim heard how she welcomed her
+father, and called him Hallmund. He cast down his burden heavily, and
+groaned aloud; she asked him why he was all covered with blood, but he
+answered and sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Now know I aright,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That in man's might,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in man's bliss,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No trust there is;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On the day of bale</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall all things fail;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Courage is o'er,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Luck mocks no more.&quot;</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page185" id="page185">[185]</a></span>
+<p>She asked him closely of their dealings, but he told her all even as
+it had befallen.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now shall thou hearken,&quot; said he, &quot;for I shall tell of my deeds and
+sing a song thereon, and thou shall cut it on a staff as I give it
+out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So she did, and he sung Hallmund's song withal, wherein is this&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;When I drew adown</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The bridle brown</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grettir's hard hold,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Men deemed me bold;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Long while looked then</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The brave of men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In his hollow hands,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The harm of lands.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Then came the day</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of Thorir's play</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On Ernelakeheath,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When we from death</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our life must gain;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Alone we twain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With eighty men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Must needs play then.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Good craft enow</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Did Grettir show</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On many a shield</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In that same field;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Natheless I hear</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That my marks were</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The deepest still;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The worst to fill.</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page186" id="page186">[186]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Those who were fain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">His back to gain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lost head and hand,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till of the band,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the Well-wharf-side,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Must there abide</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Eighteen behind</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That none can find.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;With the giant's kin</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Have I oft raised din;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To the rock folk</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Have I dealt out stroke;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ill things could tell</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That I smote full well;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The half-trolls know</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My baneful blow.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Small gain in me</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Did the elf-folk see,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or the evil wights</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who ride anights.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Many other deeds of his did Hallmund sing in that song, for he had
+fared through all the land.</p>
+
+<p>Then spake his daughter, &quot;A man of no slippery hand was that; nor was
+it unlike that this should hap, for in evil wise didst thou begin with
+him: and now what man will avenge thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hallmund answered, &quot;It is not so sure to know how that may be;
+but, methinks, I know that Grettir would avenge me if he might come
+thereto; but no easy matter will it be<span class="newpage"><a name="page187" id="page187">[187]</a></span> to go against the luck of this
+man, for much greatness lies stored up for him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter so much did Hallmund's might wane as the song wore, that
+well-nigh at one while it befell that the song was done and Hallmund
+dead; then she grew very sad and wept right sore. Then came Grim forth
+and bade her be of better cheer, &quot;<i>For all must fare when they are
+fetched</i>. This has been brought about by his own deed, for I could
+scarce look on while he robbed me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said he had much to say for it, &quot;<i>For ill deed gains ill
+hap</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now as they talked she grew of better cheer, and Grim abode many
+nights in the cave, and got the song by heart, and things went
+smoothly betwixt them.</p>
+
+<p>Grim abode at Ernewaterheath all the winter after Hallmund's death,
+and thereafter came Thorkel Eyulfson to meet him on the Heath, and
+they fought together; but such was the end of their play that Grim
+might have his will of Thorkel's life, and slew him not. So Thorkel
+took him to him, and got him sent abroad and gave him many goods; and
+therein either was deemed to have done well to the other. Grim betook
+himself to seafaring, and a great tale is told of him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he was nigh taking
+him</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now the story is to be taken up where Grettir came from the firths of
+the east-country; and now he fared with hidden-head for that he would
+not meet Thorir, and lay<span class="newpage"><a name="page188" id="page188">[188]</a></span> out that summer on Madderdale-heath and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.</p>
+
+<p>Thorir heard that Grettir was at Reek-heath, so he gathered men and
+rode to the heath, and was well minded that Grettir should not escape
+this time.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir was scarce aware of them before they were on him; he was
+just by a mountain-dairy that stood back a little from the wayside,
+and another man there was with him, and when he saw their band, speedy
+counsel must he take; so he bade that they should fell the horses and
+drag them into the dairy shed, and so it was done.</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorir rode north over the heath by the dairy, and <i>missed
+friend from stead</i>, for he found nought, and so turned back withal.</p>
+
+<p>But when his band had ridden away west, then said Grettir, &quot;They will
+not deem their journey good if we be not found; so now shall thou
+watch our horses while I go meet them, a fair play would be shown them
+if they knew me not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>His fellow strove to let him herein, yet he went none-the-less, and
+did on him other attire, with a slouched hat over his face and a staff
+in his hand, then he went in the way before them. They greeted him and
+asked if he had seen any men riding over the heath.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Those men that ye seek have I seen; but little was wanting e'ennow
+but that ye found them, for there they were, on the south of yon bogs
+to the left.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now when they heard that, off they galloped out on to the bogs, but so
+great a mire was there that nohow could they get on, and had to drag
+their horses out, and were wallowing there the more part of the day;
+and they gave to the devil withal the wandering churl who had so
+befooled them.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page189" id="page189">[189]</a></span>
+<p>But Grettir turned back speedily to meet his fellow, and when they met
+he sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Now make I no battle-field</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With the searching stems of shield.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rife with danger is my day,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And alone I go my way:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor shall I go meet, this tide,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Odin's storm, but rather bide</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whatso fate I next may have;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Scarce, then, shall thou deem me brave.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Thence where Thorir's company</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thronging ride, I needs must flee;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If with them I raised the din,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Little thereby should I win;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brave men's clashing swords I shun,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Woods must hide the hunted one;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For through all things, good and ill,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unto life shall I hold still.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Now they ride at their swiftest west over the heath and forth by the
+homestead at Garth, before ever Thorir came from the wilderness with
+his band; and when they drew nigh to the homestead a man fell in with
+them who knew them not.</p>
+
+<p>Then saw they how a woman, young and grand of attire, stood without,
+so Grettir asked who that woman would be. The new-comer said that she
+was Thorir's daughter. Then Grettir sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;O wise sun of golden stall,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When thy sire comes back to hall,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou mayst tell him without sin</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This, though little lies therein,</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page190" id="page190">[190]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou saw'st me ride hereby,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With but two in company,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Past the door of Skeggi's son,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nigh his hearth, O glittering one.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Hereby the new-comer thought he knew who this would be, and he rode to
+peopled parts and told how Grettir had ridden by.</p>
+
+<p>So when Thorir came home, many deemed that Grettir had done the bed
+well over their heads. But Thorir set spies on Grettir's ways, whereso
+he might be. Grettir fell on such rede that he sent his fellow to the
+west country with his horses; but he went up to the mountains and was
+in disguised attire, and fared about north there in the early winter,
+so that he was not known.</p>
+
+<p>But all men deemed that Thorir had got a worse part than before in
+their dealings together.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest came to the Goodwife
+there</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a priest called Stein, who dwelt at Isledale-river, in
+Bard-dale; he was good at husbandry and rich in beasts; his son was
+Kiartan, a brisk man and a well grown. Thorstein the White was the
+name of him who dwelt at Sand-heaps, south of Isledale-river; his wife
+was called Steinvor, a young woman and merry-hearted, and children
+they had, who were young in those days. But that place men deemed much
+haunted by the goings of trolls.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page191" id="page191">[191]</a></span>
+<p>Now it befell two winters before Grettir came into the north country
+that Steinvor the goodwife of Sand-heaps fared at Yule-tide to the
+stead of Isledale-river according to her wont, but the goodman abode
+at home. Men lay down to sleep in the evening, but in the night they
+heard a huge crashing about the bonder's bed; none durst arise and
+see thereto, for very few folk were there. In the morning the goodwife
+came home, but the goodman was gone, and none knew what had become of
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Now the next year wears through its seasons, but the winter after
+the goodwife would fain go to worship, and bade her house-carle abide
+behind at home; thereto was he loth, but said nathless that she must
+rule; so all went the same way and the house-carle vanished; and
+marvellous men deemed it; but folk saw certain stains of blood about
+the outer door; therefore they deemed it sure that an evil wight had
+taken them both.</p>
+
+<p>Now that was heard of wide through the country-side, and Grettir
+withal was told thereof; so he took his way to Bard-dale, and came to
+Sand-heaps at Yule-eve, and made stay there, and called himself Guest.
+The goodwife saw that he was marvellous great of growth, but the
+home-folk were exceeding afeard of him; he prayed for guesting there;
+the mistress said that there was meat ready for him, &quot;but as to thy
+safety see to that thyself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said that so he should do: &quot;Here will I abide, but thou shalt go to
+worship if thou wilt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;Meseems thou art a brave man if thou durst abide at
+home here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>For one thing alone will I not be known</i>,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p>She said, &quot;I have no will to abide at home, but I may not cross the
+river.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go with thee,&quot; says Guest.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page192" id="page192">[192]</a></span>
+<p>Then she made her ready for worship, and her little daughter with her.
+It thawed fast abroad, and the river was in flood, and therein was the
+drift of ice great: then said the goodwife,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No way across is there either for man or horse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, there will be fords there,&quot; said Guest, &quot;be not afeard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Carry over the little maiden first,&quot; said the goodwife; &quot;she is the
+lightest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am loth to make two journeys of it,&quot; said Guest, &quot;I will bear thee
+in my arms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She crossed herself, and said, &quot;This will not serve; what wilt thou do
+with the maiden?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A rede I see for that,&quot; said he, and therewith caught them both up,
+and laid the little one in her mother's lap, and set both of them
+thus on his left arm, but had his right free; and so he took the ford
+withal, nor durst they cry out, so afeard were they.</p>
+
+<p>Now the river took him up to his breast forthwith, and a great
+ice-floe drave against him, but he put forth the hand that was free
+and thrust it from him; then it grew so deep, that the stream broke
+on his shoulder; but he waded through it stoutly, till he came to the
+further shore, and there cast them aland: then he turned back, and it
+was twilight already by then he came home to Sand-heaps, and called
+for his meat.</p>
+
+<p>So when he was fulfilled, he bade the home-folk go into the chamber;
+then he took boards and loose timber, and dragged it athwart the
+chamber, and made a great bar, so that none of the home-folk might
+come thereover: none durst say aught against him, nor would any of
+them make the least sound. The entrance to the hall was through the
+side wall by the gable, and dais was there within;<span class="newpage"><a name="page193" id="page193">[193]</a></span> there Guest lay
+down, but did not put off his clothes, and light burned in the chamber
+over against the door: and thus Guest lay till far on in the night.</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife came to Isledale-river at church-time, and men marvelled
+how she had crossed the river; and she said she knew not whether a man
+or a troll had brought her over.</p>
+
+<p>The priest said he was surely a man, though a match for few; &quot;But
+let us hold our peace hereon,&quot; he said; &quot;maybe he is chosen for the
+bettering of thy troubles.&quot; So the goodwife was there through the
+night.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Guest, that when it drew towards midnight,
+he heard great din without, and thereafter into the hall came a huge
+troll-wife, with a trough in one hand and a chopper wondrous great in
+the other; she peered about when she came in, and saw where Guest
+lay, and ran at him; but he sprang up to meet her, and they fell
+a-wrestling terribly, and struggled together for long in the hall. She
+was the stronger, but he gave back with craft, and all that was before
+them was broken, yea, the cross-panelling withal of the chamber. She
+dragged him out through the door, and so into the outer doorway, and
+then he betook himself to struggling hard against her. She was fain to
+drag him from the house, but might not until they had broken away all
+the fittings of the outer door, and borne them out on their shoulders:
+then she laboured<span class="newpage"><a name="page194" id="page194">[194]</a></span> away with him down towards the river, and right down
+to the deep gulfs.</p>
+
+<p>By then was Guest exceeding weary, yet must he either gather his might
+together, or be cast by her into the gulf. All night did they contend
+in such wise; never, he deemed, had he fought with such a horror for
+her strength's sake; she held him to her so hard that he might turn
+his arms to no account save to keep fast hold on the middle of the
+witch.</p>
+
+<p>But now when they came on to the gulf of the river, he gives the hag a
+swing round, and therewith got his right hand free, and swiftly seized
+the short-sword that he was girt withal, and smote the troll therewith
+on the shoulder, and struck off her arm; and therewithal was he free,
+but she fell into the gulf and was carried down the force.</p>
+
+<p>Then was Guest both stiff and weary, and lay there long on the rocks,
+then he went home, as it began to grow light, and lay down in bed, and
+all swollen and blue he was.</p>
+
+<p>But when the goodwife came from church, she thought her house had
+been somewhat roughly handled: so she went to Guest and asked what had
+happed that all was broken and down-trodden. He told her all as it had
+befallen: she deemed these things imported much, and asked him what
+man he was in good sooth. So he told her the truth, and prayed that
+the priest might be fetched, for that he would fain see him: and so it
+was done.</p>
+
+<p>But when Stein the priest came to Sand-heaps, he knew forthwith, that
+thither was come Grettir Asmundson, under the name of Guest.</p>
+
+<p>So the priest asked what he deemed had become of those men who had
+vanished; and Grettir said that he thought they would have gone into
+the gulf: the priest said that he might not trow that, if no signs
+could be seen<span class="newpage"><a name="page195" id="page195">[195]</a></span> thereof: then said Grettir that later on that should be
+known more thoroughly. So the priest went home.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir lay many nights a-bed, and the mistress did well to him, and
+so Yule-tide wore.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir's story is that the troll-wife cast herself into the gulf
+when she got her wound; but the men of Bard-dale say that day dawned
+on her, while they wrestled, and that she burst, when he cut the arm
+from her; and that there she stands yet on the cliff, a rock in the
+likeness of a woman.</p>
+
+<p>Now the dale-dwellers kept Grettir in hiding there; but in the winter
+after Yule, Grettir fared to Isledale-river, and when he met the
+priest, he said, &quot;Well, priest, I see that thou hadst little faith in
+my tale; now will I, that thou go with me to the river, and see what
+likelihood there is of that tale being true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So the priest did; and when they came to the force-side, they saw a
+cave up under the cliff; a sheer rock that cliff was, so great that in
+no place might man come up thereby, and well-nigh fifty fathoms was it
+down to the water. Now they had a rope with them, but the priest said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A risk beyond all measure, I deem it to go down here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;it is to be done, truly, but men of the greatest
+prowess are meetest therefor: now will I know what is in the force,
+but thou shall watch the rope.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The priest bade him follow his own rede, and drave a peg down into the
+sward on the cliff, and heaped stones up over it, and sat thereby.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page196" id="page196">[196]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Grettir that he set a stone in a bight of the
+rope and let it sink down into the water.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In what wise hast thou mind to go?&quot; said the priest.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will not go bound into the force,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;such things doth
+my heart forebode.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With that he got ready for his journey, and was lightly clad, and girt
+with the short-sword, and had no weapon more.</p>
+
+<p>Then he leapt off the cliff into the force; the priest saw the soles
+of his feet, and knew not afterwards what was become of him. But
+Grettir dived under the force, and hard work it was, because the
+whirlpool was strong, and he had to dive down to the bottom, before he
+might come up under the force. But thereby was a rock jutting out, and
+thereon he gat; a great cave was under the force, and the river fell
+over it from the sheer rocks. He went up into the cave, and there was
+a great fire flaming from amidst of brands; and there he saw a giant
+sitting withal, marvellously great and dreadful to look on. But when
+Grettir came anigh, the giant leapt up and caught up a glaive and
+smote at the new-comer, for with that glaive might a man both cut and
+thrust; a wooden shaft it had, and that fashion of weapon men called
+then, heft-sax. Grettir hewed back against him with the short-sword,
+and smote the shaft so that he struck it asunder; then was the giant
+fain to stretch aback for a sword that hung up there in the cave; but
+therewithal Grettir smote him afore into the breast, and smote off
+well-nigh all the breast<span class="newpage"><a name="page197" id="page197">[197]</a></span> bone and the belly, so that the bowels
+tumbled out of him and fell into the river, and were driven down along
+the stream; and as the priest sat by the rope, he saw certain fibres
+all covered with blood swept down the swirls of the stream; then he
+grew unsteady in his place, and thought for sure that Grettir was
+dead, so he ran from the holding of the rope, and gat him home.
+Thither he came in the evening and said, as one who knew it well, that
+Grettir was dead, and that great scathe was it of such a man.</p>
+
+<p>Now of Grettir must it be told that he let little space go betwixt
+his blows or ever the giant was dead; then he went up the cave, and
+kindled a light and espied the cave. The story tells not how much he
+got therein, but men deem that it must have been something great. But
+there he abode on into the night; and he found there the bones of two
+men, and bore them together in a bag; then he made off from the cave
+and swam to the rope and shook it, and thought that the priest would
+be there yet; but when he knew that the priest had gone home, then
+must he draw himself up by strength of hand, and thus he came up out
+on to the cliff.</p>
+
+<p>Then he fared home to Isledale-river, and brought into the church
+porch the bag with the bones, and therewithal a rune-staff whereon
+this song was marvellous well cut&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;There into gloomy gulf I passed,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O'er which from the rock's throat is cast</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The swirling rush of waters wan,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To meet the sword-player feared of man.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By giant's hall the strong stream pressed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cold hands against the singer's breast;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Huge weight upon him there did hurl</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The swallower of the changing whirl.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>And this other one withal&mdash;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page198" id="page198">[198]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;The dreadful dweller of the cave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Great strokes and many 'gainst me drave;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Full hard he had to strive for it,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But toiling long he wan no whit;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For from its mighty shaft of tree</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The heft-sax smote I speedily;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And dulled the flashing war-flame fair</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the black breast that met me there.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Herein was it said how that Grettir had brought those bones from the
+cave; but when the priest came to the church in the morning he found
+the staff and that which went with it, but Grettir was gone home to
+Sand-heaps.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>But when the priest met Grettir he asked him closely about what had
+happed; so he told him all the tale of his doings, and said withal
+that the priest had been unfaithful to him in the matter of the
+rope-holding; and the priest must needs say that so it was.</p>
+
+<p>Now men deemed they could see that these evil wights had wrought the
+loss of the men there in the dale; nor had folk hurt ever after from
+aught haunting the valley, and Grettir was thought to have done great
+deeds for the cleansing of the land. So the priest laid those bones in
+earth in the churchyard.</p>
+
+<p>But Grettir abode at Sand-heaps the winter long, and was hidden there
+from all the world.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page199" id="page199">[199]</a></span>
+<p>But when Thorir of Garth heard certain rumours of Grettir being in
+Bard-dale, he sent men for his head; then men gave him counsel to get
+him gone therefrom, so he took his way to the west.</p>
+
+<p>Now when he came to Maddervales to Gudmund the Rich, he prayed Gudmund
+for watch and ward; but Gudmund said he might not well keep him. &quot;But
+that only is good for thee,&quot; said he, &quot;to set thee down there, whereas
+thou shouldst have no fear of thy life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said he wotted not where such a place might be.</p>
+
+<p>Gudmund said, &quot;An isle there lies in Skagafirth called Drangey; so
+good a place for defence it is, that no man may come thereon unless
+ladders be set thereto. If thou mightest get there, I know for sure
+that no man who might come against thee, could have good hope while
+thou wert on the top thereof, of overcoming thee, either by weapons or
+craft, if so be thou shouldst watch the ladders well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That shall be tried,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but so fearsome of the dark am I
+grown, that not even for the keeping of my life may I be alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Gudmund said, &quot;Well, that may be; but trust no man whatsoever so much
+as not to trust thyself better; for many men are hard to see through.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and then fared away from
+Maddervales, nor made stay before he came to Biarg; there his mother
+and Illugi his brother welcomed him joyfully, and he abode there
+certain nights.</p>
+
+<p>There he heard of the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, which had befallen
+the autumn before Grettir went to Bard-dale; and he deemed therewithal
+that felling went on fast enough.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir rode south to Holtbeacon-heath, and was minded to avenge
+Hallmund if he might meet Grim; but<span class="newpage"><a name="page200" id="page200">[200]</a></span> when he came to Northriverdale,
+he heard that Grim had been gone two winters ago, as is aforesaid; but
+Grettir had heard so late of these tidings because he had gone about
+disguised those two winters, and the third winter he had been in
+Thorirs-dale, and had seen no man who might tell him any news. Then
+he betook himself to the Broadfirth-dales, and dwelt in Eastriverdale,
+and lay in wait for folk who fared over Steep-brent; and once more he
+swept away with the strong hand the goods of the small bonders. This
+was about the height of summer-tide.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the summer was well worn, Steinvor of Sand-heaps bore a
+man-child, who was named Skeggi; he was first fathered on Kiartan, the
+son of Stein, the priest of Isle-dale-river. Skeggi was unlike unto
+his kin because of his strength and growth, but when he was fifteen
+winters old he was the strongest man in the north-country, and was
+then known as Grettir's son; men deemed he would be a marvel among
+men, but he died when he was seventeen years of age, and no tale there
+is of him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went against Grettir.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>After the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, Snorri Godi would have little
+to do with his son Thorod, or with Sam, the son of Bork the Fat; it is
+not said what they had done therefor, unless it might be that they had
+had no will to do some great deed that Snorri set them to; but withal
+Snorri drave his son Thorod away, and said he should not<span class="newpage"><a name="page201" id="page201">[201]</a></span> come back
+till he had slain some wood-dweller; and so must matters stand.</p>
+
+<p>So Thorod went over to the Dales; and at that time dwelt at
+Broadlair-stead in Sokkolfsdale a widow called Geirlaug; a herdsman
+she kept, who had been outlawed for some onslaught; and he was a
+growing lad. Now Thorod Snorrison heard thereof, and rode in to
+Broadlair-stead, and asked where was the herdsman; the goodwife said
+that he was with the sheep.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What wilt thou have to do with him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;His life will I have,&quot; says Thorod, &quot;because he is an outlaw, and a
+wood-wight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;No glory is it for such a great warrior as thou deemest
+thyself, to slay a mannikin like that; I will show thee a greater
+deed, if thine heart is so great that thou must needs try thyself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, and what deed?&quot; says he.</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;Up in the fell here, lies Grettir Asmundson; play thou
+with him, for such a game is more meet for thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorod took her talk well; &quot;So shall it be,&quot; says he, and therewith he
+smote his horse with his spurs, and rode along the valley; and when he
+came to the hill below Eastriver, he saw where was a dun horse, with
+his saddle on, and thereby a big man armed, so he turned thence to
+meet him.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir greeted him, and asked who he was. Thorod named himself, and
+said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why askest thou not of my errand rather than of my name?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, because,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;it is like to be such as is of little
+weight: art thou son to Snorri Godi?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, yea,&quot; says Thorod; &quot;but now shall we try which of us may do the
+most.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page202" id="page202">[202]</a></span>
+<p>&quot;A matter easy to be known,&quot; says Grettir; &quot;hast thou not heard that
+I have ever been a treasure-hill that most men grope in with little
+luck?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, I know it,&quot; said Thorod; &quot;yet must somewhat be risked.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And now he drew his sword therewith and set on Grettir eagerly; but
+Grettir warded himself with his shield, but bore no weapon against
+Thorod; and so things went awhile, nor was Grettir wounded.</p>
+
+<p>At last he said, &quot;Let us leave this play, for thou wilt not have
+victory in our strife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But Thorod went on dealing blows at his maddest. Now Grettir got
+aweary of dealing with him, and caught him and set him down by his
+side, and said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may do with thee even as I will, nor do I fear that thou wilt ever
+be my bane; but the grey old carle, thy father, Snorri, I fear in good
+sooth, and his counsels that have brought most men to their knees:
+and for thee, thou shouldst turn thy mind to such things alone as thou
+mayst get done, nor is it child's play to fight with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But when Thorod saw that he might bring nought to pass, he grew
+somewhat appeased, and therewithal they parted. Thorod rode home to
+Tongue and told his father of his dealings with Grettir. Snorri Godi
+smiled thereat, and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Many a man lies hid within himself</i>, and far unlike were your
+doings; for thou must needs rush at him to slay him, and he might have
+done with thee even as he would. Yet wisely has Grettir done herein,
+that he slew thee not; for I should scarce have had a mind to let thee
+lie unavenged; but now indeed shall I give him aid, if I have aught to
+do with any of his matters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It was well seen of Snorri, that he deemed Grettir had<span class="newpage"><a name="page203" id="page203">[203]</a></span> done well to
+Thorod, and he ever after gave his good word for Grettir.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg, and fared with
+Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Grettir rode north to Biarg a little after he parted with Thorod, and
+lay hid there yet awhile; then so great grew his fear in the dark,
+that he durst go nowhere as soon as dusk set in. His mother bade him
+abide there, but said withal, that she saw that it would scarce avail
+him aught, since he had so many cases against him throughout all the
+land. Grettir said that she should never have trouble brought on her
+for his sake.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I shall no longer do so much for the keeping of my life,&quot; says
+he, &quot;as to be alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Illugi his brother was by that time about fifteen winters old,
+and the goodliest to look on of all men; and he overheard their talk
+together. Grettir was telling his mother what rede Gudmund the Rich
+had given him, and now that he should try, if he had a chance, to get
+out to Drangey, but he said withal, that he might not abide there,
+unless he might get some trusty man to be with him. Then said Illugi,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go with thee, brother, though I know not that I shall be of
+any help to thee, unless it be that I shall be ever true to thee, nor
+run from thee whiles thou standest up; and moreover I shall know more
+surely how thou farest if I am still in thy fellowship.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Such a man thou art, that I am<span class="newpage"><a name="page204" id="page204">[204]</a></span> gladder in thee than
+in any other; and if it cross not my mother's mind, fain were I that
+thou shouldst fare with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Asdis, &quot;Now can I see that it has come to this, that two
+troubles lie before us: for meseems I may ill spare Illugi, yet I know
+that so hard is thy lot, Grettir, that thou must in somewise find rede
+therefor: and howsoever it grieves me, O my sons, to see you both turn
+your backs on me, yet thus much will I do, if Grettir might thereby be
+somewhat more holpen than heretofore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Hereat was Illugi glad, for that he deemed it good to go with Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>So she gave them much of her chattels, and they made them ready for
+their journey. Asdis led them from out the garth, and before they
+parted she spake thus:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ah, my sons twain, there ye depart from me, and one death ye shall
+have together; for no man may flee from that which is wrought for him:
+on no day now shall I see either of you once again; let one fate
+be over you both, then; for I know not what weal ye go to get for
+yourselves in Drangey, but there shall ye both lay your bones, and
+many will begrudge you that abiding place. Keep ye heedfully from
+wiles, yet none the less there shall ye be bitten of the edge of the
+sword, for marvellously have my dreams gone: be well ware of sorcery,
+for <i>little can cope with the cunning of eld</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And when she had thus spoken she wept right sore.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Grettir, &quot;Weep not, mother, for if we be set on with
+weapons, it shall be said of thee, that thou hast had sons, and not
+daughters: live on, well and hale.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewithal they parted. They fared north through the country side and
+saw their kin; and thus they lingered out the autumn into winter; then
+they turned toward Skagafirth and went north through Waterpass and
+thence to Reekpass,<span class="newpage"><a name="page205" id="page205">[205]</a></span> and down Saemunds-lithe and so unto Longholt, and
+came to Dinby late in the day.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir had cast his hood back on to his shoulders, for in that wise
+he went ever abroad whether the day were better or worse. So they went
+thence, and when they had gone but a little way, there met them a man,
+big-headed, tall, and gaunt, and ill clad; he greeted them, and either
+asked other for their names; they said who they were, but he called
+himself Thorbiorn: he was a land-louper, a man too lazy to work, and
+a great swaggerer, and much game and fooling was made with him by some
+folk: he thrust himself into their company, and told them much from
+the upper country about the folk there. Grettir had great game and
+merriment of him; so he asked if they had no need of a man who should
+work for them, &quot;for I would fain fare with you,&quot; says he; and withal
+he got so much from their talk that they suffered him to follow them.</p>
+
+<p>Much snow there was that day, and it was cold; but whereas that man
+swaggered exceedingly, and was the greatest of tomfools, he had a
+by-name, and was called Noise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great wonder had those of Dinby when thou wentest by e'en now
+unhooded, in the foul weather,&quot; said Noise, &quot;as to whether thou
+wouldst have as little fear of men as of the cold: there were two
+bonders' sons, both men of great strength, and the shepherd called
+them forth to go to the sheep-watching with him, and scarcely could
+they clothe themselves for the cold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir said, &quot;I saw within doors there a young man who pulled on his
+mittens, and another going betwixt byre and midden, and of neither of
+them should I be afeared.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they went down to Sorbness, and were there through the
+night; then they fared out along the strand to a<span class="newpage"><a name="page206" id="page206">[206]</a></span> farm called Reeks,
+where dwelt a man, Thorwald by name, a good bonder. Him Grettir prayed
+for watch and ward, and told him how he was minded to get out to
+Drangey: the bonder said that those of Skagafirth would think him no
+god-send, and excused himself therewithal.</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir took a purse his mother had given to him, and gave it
+to the bonder; his brows lightened over the money, and he got three
+house-carles of his to bring them out in the night time by the light
+of the moon. It is but a little way from Reeks out to the island, one
+sea-mile only. So when they came to the isle, Grettir deemed it good
+to behold, because it was grass-grown, and rose up sheer from the sea,
+so that no man might come up thereon save there where the ladders were
+let down, and if the uppermost ladder were drawn up, it was no man's
+deed to get upon the island. There also were the cliffs full of fowl
+in the summer-tide, and there were eighty sheep upon the island which
+the bonders owned, and they were mostly rams and ewes which they had
+mind to slaughter.</p>
+
+<p>There Grettir set himself down in peace; and by then had he been
+fifteen or sixteen winters in outlawry, as Sturla Thordson has said.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In the days when Grettir came to Drangey, these were chief men of the
+country side of Skagafirth. Hialti dwelt at Hof in Hialtidale, he
+was the son of Thord, the son of Hialti, the son of Thord the Scalp:
+Hialti was a great chief, a right noble man, and much<span class="newpage"><a name="page207" id="page207">[207]</a></span> befriended.
+Thorbiorn Angle was the name of his brother, a big man and a strong,
+hardy and wild withal. Thord, the father of these twain, had married
+again in his old age, and that wife was not the mother of the
+brothers; and she did ill to her step-children, but served Thorbiorn
+the worst, for that he was hard to deal with and reckless. And on a
+day Thorbiorn Angle sat playing at tables, and his stepmother passed
+by and saw that he was playing at the knave-game, and the fashion of
+the game was the large tail-game. Now she deemed him thriftless, and
+cast some word at him, but he gave an evil answer; so she caught up
+one of the men, and drave the tail thereof into Thorbiorn's cheek-bone
+wherefrom it glanced into his eye, so that it hung out on his cheek.
+He sprang up, caught hold of her, and handled her roughly, insomuch
+that she took to her bed, and died thereof afterwards, and folk say
+that she was then big with child.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter Thorbiorn became of all men the most riotous; he took his
+heritage, and dwelt at first in Woodwick.</p>
+
+<p>Haldor the son of Thorgeir, who was the son of Head-Thord, dwelt at
+Hof on Head-strand, he had to wife Thordis, the daughter of Thord
+Hialtison, and sister to those brothers Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle.
+Haldor was a great bonder, and rich in goods.</p>
+
+<p>Biorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Meadness in the Fleets; he
+was a friend to Haldor of Hof. These men held to each other in all
+cases.</p>
+
+<p>Tongue-Stein dwelt at Stonestead; he was the son of Biorn, the son of
+Ufeigh Thinbeard, son of that Crow-Hreidar to whom Eric of God-dales
+gave the tongue of land down from Hall-marsh. Stein was a man of great
+renown.</p>
+
+<p>One named Eric was the son of Holmgang-Starri, the son of Eric of
+God-dales, the son of Hroald, the son of Geirmund Thick-beard; Eric
+dwelt at Hof in God-dales.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page208" id="page208">[208]</a></span>
+<p>Now all these were men of great account.</p>
+
+<p>Two brothers there were who dwelt at a place called Broad-river
+in Flat-lithe, and they were both called Thord; they were wondrous
+strong, and yet withal peaceable men both of them.</p>
+
+<p>All these men had share in Drangey, and it is said that no less than
+twenty in all had some part in the island, nor would any sell his
+share to another; but the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle,
+had the largest share, because they were the richest men.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now time wears on towards the winter solstice; then the bonders get
+ready to go fetch the fat beasts for slaughter from the island; so
+they manned a great barge, and every owner had one to go in his stead,
+and some two.</p>
+
+<p>But when these came anigh the island they saw men going about there;
+they deemed that strange, but guessed that men had been shipwrecked,
+and got aland there: so they row up to where the ladders were, when
+lo, the first-comers drew up the ladders.</p>
+
+<p>Then the bonders deemed that things were taking a strange turn, and
+hailed those men and asked them who they were: Grettir named himself
+and his fellows withal: but the bonders asked who had brought him
+there.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;He who owned the keel and had the hands, and who
+was more my friend than yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The bonders answered and said, &quot;Let us now get our<span class="newpage"><a name="page209" id="page209">[209]</a></span> sheep, but come
+thou aland with us, keeping freely whatso of our sheep thou hast
+slaughtered.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A good offer,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but this time let each keep what he
+has got; and I tell you, once for all, that hence I go not, till I am
+dragged away dead; for it is not my way to let that go loose which I
+have once laid hand on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereat the bonders held their peace, and deemed that a woeful guest
+had come to Drangey; then they gave him choice of many things, both
+moneys and fair words, but Grettir said nay to one and all, and they
+gat them gone with things in such a stead, and were ill content with
+their fate; and told the men of the country-side what a wolf had got
+on to the island.</p>
+
+<p>This took them all unawares, but they could think of nought to do
+herein; plentifully they talked over it that winter, but could see no
+rede whereby to get Grettir from the island.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now the days wore till such time as men went to the Heron-ness Thing
+in spring-tide, and many came thronging there from that part of the
+country, wherefrom men had to go to that Thing for their suits. Men
+sat there long time both over the suits and over sports, for there
+were many blithe men in that country-side. But when Grettir heard that
+all men fared to the Thing, he made a plot with his friends; for he
+was in goodwill with those who dwelt nighest to him, and for them
+he spared nought that he<span class="newpage"><a name="page210" id="page210">[210]</a></span> could get. But now he said that he would
+go aland, and gather victuals, but that Illugi and Noise should stay
+behind. Illugi thought this ill counselled, but let things go as
+Grettir would.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir bade them watch the ladders well, for that all things
+lay thereon; and thereafter he went to the mainland, and got what he
+deemed needful: he hid himself from men whereso he came, nor did
+any one know that he was on the land. Withal he heard concerning the
+Thing, that there was much sport there, and was fain to go thither;
+so he did on old gear and evil, and thus came to the Thing, whenas men
+went from the courts home to their booths. Then fell certain young men
+to talking how that the day was fair and good, and that it were well,
+belike, for the young men to betake them to wrestling and merrymaking.
+Folk said it was well counselled; and so men went and sat them down
+out from the booths.</p>
+
+<p>Now the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle, were the chief
+men in this sport; Thorbiorn Angle was boisterous beyond measure, and
+drove men hard and fast to the place of the sports, and every man must
+needs go whereas his will was; and he would take this man and that by
+the hands and drag him forth unto the playing-ground.</p>
+
+<p>Now first those wrestled who were weakest, and then each man in his
+turn, and therewith the game and glee waxed great; but when most men
+had wrestled but those who were the strongest, the bonders fell to
+talking as to who would be like to lay hand to either of the Thords,
+who have been aforenamed; but there was no man ready for that. Then
+the Thords went up to sundry men, and put themselves forward for
+wrestling, but <i>the nigher the call the further the man</i>. Then
+Thorbiorn Angle looks about, and sees where a man sits, great of
+growth, and his face hidden<span class="newpage"><a name="page211" id="page211">[211]</a></span> somewhat. Thorbiorn laid hold of him,
+and tugged hard at him, but he sat quiet and moved no whit. Then said
+Thorbiorn,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No one has kept his place before me to-day like thou hast; what man
+art thou?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answers, &quot;Guest am I hight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Thorbiorn, &quot;Belike thou wilt do somewhat for our merriment; a
+wished-for guest wilt thou be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;About and about, methinks, will things change speedily;
+nor shall I cast myself into play with you here, where all is unknown
+to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then many men said he were worthy of good at their hands, if he, an
+unknown man, gave sport to the people. Then he asked what they would
+of him; so they prayed him to wrestle with some one.</p>
+
+<p>He said he had left wrestling, &quot;though time agone it was somewhat of a
+sport to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So, when he did not deny them utterly, they prayed him thereto yet the
+more.</p>
+
+<p>He said, &quot;Well, if ye are so fain that I be dragged about here, ye
+must do so much therefor, as to handsel me peace, here at the Thing,
+and until such time as I come back to my home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they all sprang up and said that so they would do indeed; but
+Hafr was the name of him who urged most that peace should be given to
+the man. This Hafr was the son of Thorarin, the son of Hafr, the son
+of Thord Knob, who had settled land up from the Weir in the Fleets to
+Tongue-river, and who dwelt at Knobstead; and a wordy man was Hafr.</p>
+
+<p>So now he gave forth the handselling grandly with open mouth, and this
+is the beginning thereof.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page212" id="page212">[212]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Handselling of Peace</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Says he, &quot;<i>Herewith I establish peace betwixt all men, but most
+of all betwixt all men and this same Guest who sits here, and so is
+named; that is to say, all men of rule, and goodly bonders, and all
+men young, and fit to bear arms, and all other men of the country-side
+of Heron-ness Thing, whencesoever any may have come here, of men
+named or unnamed. Let us handsel safety and full peace to that unknown
+new-comer, yclept Guest by name, for game, wrestling, and all glee,
+for abiding here, and going home, whether he has need to fare over
+water, or over land, or over ferry; safety shall he have, in all
+steads named and unnamed, even so long as needs be for his coming home
+whole, under faith holden. This peace I establish on behoof of us,
+and of our kin, friends, and men of affinity, women even as men,
+bondswomen, even as bonds-men, swains and men of estate. Let him be
+a shamed peace-breaker, who breaks the peace, or spills the troth
+settled; turned away and driven forth from God, and good men of the
+kingdom of Heaven, and all Holy ones. A man not to be borne of any
+man, but cast out from all, as wide as wolves stray, or Christian men
+make for Churches, or heathen in God's-houses do sacrifice, or fire
+burns, or earth brings forth, or a child, new-come to speech, calls
+mother, or mother bears son, or the sons of men kindle fire, or ships
+sweep on, or shields glitter, or the sun shines, or the snow falls,
+or a Finn sweeps on skates, or a fir-tree waxes, or a falcon flies
+the spring-long day with a fair wind under either wing, or the
+Heavens dwindle far away, or the world is built, or the wind turns</i>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page213" id="page213">[213]</a></span>
+<i>waters seaward, or carles sow corn. Let him shun churches, and
+Christian folk, and heathen men, houses and caves, and every home but
+the home of Hell. Now shall we be at peace and of one mind each with
+the other, and of goodwill, whether we meet on fell or foreshore, ship
+or snow-shoes, earth or ice-mount, sea or swift steed, even as each
+found his friend on water, or his brother on broad ways; in just such
+peace one with other, as father with son, or son with father in all
+dealings together. Now we lay hands together, each and all of us,
+to hold well this say of peace, and all words spoken in our settled
+troth: As witness God and good men, and all those who hear my words,
+and nigh this stead chance to stand</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Grettir's Wrestling: and how Thorbiorn Angle now bought the more
+part of Drangey</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Then many fell to saying that many and great words had been spoken
+hereon; but now Guest said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good is thy say and well hast thou spoken it; if ye spill not things
+hereafter, I shall not withhold that which I have to show forth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So he cast off his hood, and therewith all his outer clothes.</p>
+
+<p>Then they gazed one on the other, and awe spread over their faces, for
+they deemed they knew surely that this was Grettir Asmundson, for
+that he was unlike other men for his growth and prowess' sake: and all
+stood silent, but Hafr deemed he had made himself a fool. Now the
+men of the country-side fell into twos and twos together, and one
+upbraided<span class="newpage"><a name="page214" id="page214">[214]</a></span> the other, but him the most of all, who had given forth the
+words of peace.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Grettir; &quot;Make clear to me what ye have in your minds,
+because for no long time will I sit thus unclad; it is more your
+matter than mine, whether ye will hold the peace, or hold it not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They answered few words and then sat down: and now the sons of Thord,
+and Halldor their brother-in-law, talked the matter over together;
+and some would hold the peace, and some not; so as they elbowed one
+another, and laid their heads together. Grettir sang a stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;I, well known to men, have been</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On this morn both hid and seen;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Double face my fortune wears,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Evil now, now good it bears;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doubtful play-board have I shown</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unto these men, who have grown</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doubtful of their given word;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hafr's big noise goes overboard.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then said Tongue-stein, &quot;Thinkest thou that, Grettir? Knowest thou
+then what the chiefs will make their minds up to? but true it is thou
+art a man above all others for thy great heart's sake: yea, but dost
+thou not see how they rub their noses one against the other?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Grettir sang a stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Raisers-up of roof of war,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nose to nose in counsel are;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wakeners of the shield-rain sit</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wagging beard to talk of it:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Scatterers of the serpent's bed</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Round about lay head to head.</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page215" id="page215">[215]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For belike they heard my name;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And must balance peace and shame.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then spake Hialti the son of Thord; &quot;So shall it not be,&quot; says he; &quot;we
+shall hold to our peace and troth given, though we have been beguiled,
+for I will not that men should have such a deed to follow after, if we
+depart from that peace, that we ourselves have settled and handselled:
+Grettir shall go whither he will, and have peace until such time as
+he comes back from this journey; and then and not till then shall this
+word of truce be void, whatsoever may befall betwixt us meanwhile.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>All thanked him therefor, and deemed that he had done as a great
+chief, such blood-guilt as there was on the other side: but the speech
+of Thorbiorn Angle was little and low thereupon.</p>
+
+<p>Now men said that both the Thords should lay hand to Grettir, and he
+bade them have it as they would: so one of the brothers stood forth;
+and Grettir stood up stiff before him, and he ran at Grettir at his
+briskest, but Grettir moved no whit from his place: then Grettir
+stretched out his hand down Thord's back, over the head of him, and
+caught hold of him by the breeches, and tripped up his feet, and cast
+him backward over his head in such wise that he fell on his shoulder,
+and a mighty fall was that.</p>
+
+<p>Then men said that both those brothers should go against Grettir at
+once; and thus was it done, and great swinging and pulling about there
+was, now one side, now the other getting the best of it, though one
+or other of the brothers Grettir ever had under him; but each in turn
+must fall on his knee, or have some slip one of the other; and so hard
+they griped each at each, that they were all blue and bruised.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page216" id="page216">[216]</a></span>
+<p>All men thought this the best of sport, and when they had made an end
+of it, thanked them for the wrestling; and it was the deeming of those
+who sat thereby, that the two brothers together were no stronger than
+Grettir alone, though each of them had the strength of two men of the
+strongest: so evenly matched they were withal, that neither might get
+the better of the other if they tried it between them.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir abode no long time at the Thing; the bonders bade him give up
+the island, but he said nay to this, nor might they do aught herein.</p>
+
+<p>So Grettir fared back to Drangey, and Illugi was as fain of him as
+might be; and there they abode peacefully, and Grettir told them the
+story of his doings and his journeys; and thus the summer wore away.</p>
+
+<p>All men deemed that those of Skagafirth had shown great manliness
+herein, that they held to their peace given; and folk may well mark
+how trusty men were in those days, whereas Grettir had done such deeds
+against them.</p>
+
+<p>Now the less rich men of the bonders spake together, that there
+was little gain to them in holding small shares in Drangey; so they
+offered to sell their part to the sons of Thord; Hialti said that he
+would not deal with them herein, for the bonders made it part of the
+bargain, that he who bought of them should either slay Grettir or get
+him away. But Thorbiorn Angle said, that he would not spare to take
+the lead of an onset against Grettir if they would give him wealth
+therefor. So his brother Hialti gave up to him his share in the
+island, for that he was the hardest man, and the least befriended of
+the twain; and in likewise too did other bonders; so Thorbiorn Angle
+got the more part of the island for little worth, but bound himself
+withal to get Grettir away.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page217" id="page217">[217]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Whenas summer was far spent, Thorbiorn Angle went with a well-manned
+barge out to Drangey, and Grettir and his fellows stood forth on the
+cliff's edge; so there they talked together. Thorbiorn prayed Grettir
+to do so much for his word, as to depart from the island; Grettir said
+there was no hope of such an end.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Thorbiorn, &quot;Belike I may give thee meet aid if thou dost
+this, for now have many bonders given up to me their shares in the
+island.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir answered, &quot;Now hast thou shown forth that which brings me to
+settle in my mind that I will never go hence, whereas thou sayest
+that thou now hast the more part of the island; and good is it that we
+twain alone share the kale: for in sooth, hard I found it to have all
+the men of Skagafirth against me; but now let neither spare the
+other, for not such are we twain, as are like to be smothered in the
+friendship of men; and thou mayst leave coming hither, for on my side
+is all over and done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>All things bide their day</i>,&quot; said Thorbiorn, &quot;and an ill day
+thou bidest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am content to risk it,&quot; said Grettir; and in such wise they parted,
+and Thorbiorn went home.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page218" id="page218">[218]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Noise let the fire out on Drangey, and how Grettir must needs
+go aland for more</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>So the tale tells, that by then they had been two winters on Drangey,
+they had slaughtered well-nigh all the sheep that were there, but one
+ram, as men say, they let live; he was piebald of belly and head, and
+exceeding big-horned; great game they had of him, for he was so wise
+that he would stand waiting without, and run after them whereso they
+went; and he would come home to the hut anights and rub his horns
+against the door.</p>
+
+<p>Now they deemed it good to abide on the island, for food was plenty,
+because of the fowl and their eggs; but firewood was right hard to
+come by; and ever Grettir would let the thrall go watch for drift, and
+logs were often drifted there, and he would bear them to the fire;
+but no need had the brothers to do any work beyond climbing into the
+cliffs when it liked them. But the thrall took to loathing his work,
+and got more grumbling and heedless than he was wont heretofore: his
+part it was to watch the fire night by night, and Grettir gave him
+good warning thereon, for no boat they had with them.</p>
+
+<p>Now so it befell that on a certain night their fire went out; Grettir
+was wroth thereat, and said it was but his due if Noise were beaten
+for that deed; but the thrall said that his life was an evil life,
+if he must lie there in outlawry, and be shaken and beaten withal if
+aught went amiss.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir asked Illugi what rede there was for the matter, but he said
+he could see none, but that they should abide<span class="newpage"><a name="page219" id="page219">[219]</a></span> there till some keel
+should be brought thither: Grettir said it was but blindness to hope
+for that. &quot;Rather will I risk whether I may not come aland.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Much my mind misgives me thereof,&quot; said Illugi, &quot;for we are all lost
+if thou comest to any ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall not be swallowed up swimming,&quot; said Grettir; &quot;but
+henceforward I shall trust the thrall the worse for this, so much as
+lies hereon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now the shortest way to the mainland from the island, was a sea-mile
+long.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir at the home-stead of Reeks</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now Grettir got all ready for swimming, and had on a cowl of
+market-wadmal, and his breeches girt about him, and he got his fingers
+webbed together, and the weather was fair. So he went from the island
+late in the day, and desperate Illugi deemed his journey. Grettir made
+out into the bay, and the stream was with him, and a calm was over
+all. He swam on fast, and came aland at Reekness by then the sun had
+set: he went up to the homestead at Reeks, and into a bath that night,
+and then went into the chamber; it was very warm there, for there had
+been a fire therein that evening, and the heat was not yet out of the
+place; but he was exceeding weary, and there fell into a deep sleep,
+and so lay till far on into the next day.</p>
+
+<p>Now as the morning wore the home folk arose, and two women came
+into the chamber, a handmaid and the goodman's daughter. Grettir was
+asleep, and the bed-clothes<span class="newpage"><a name="page220" id="page220">[220]</a></span> had been cast off him on to the floor; so
+they saw that a man lay there, and knew him.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the handmaiden: &quot;So may I thrive, sister! here is Grettir
+Asmundson lying bare, and I call him right well ribbed about the
+chest, but few might think he would be so small of growth below; and
+so then that does not go along with other kinds of bigness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The goodman's daughter answered: &quot;Why wilt thou have everything on thy
+tongue's end? Thou art a measure-less fool; be still.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dear sister, how can I be still about it?&quot; says the handmaid. &quot;I
+would not have believed it, though one had told me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And now she would whiles run up to him and look, and whiles run back
+again to the goodman's daughter, screaming and laughing; but Grettir
+heard what she said, and as she ran in over the floor by him he caught
+hold of her, and sang this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Stay a little, foolish one!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the shield-shower is all done,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With the conquered carles and lords,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Men bide not to measure swords:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many a man had there been glad,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lesser war-gear to have had.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With a heart more void of fear;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Such I am not, sweet and dear.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Therewithal he swept her up into the bed, but the bonder's daughter
+ran out of the place; then sang Grettir this other stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Sweet amender of the seam,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Weak and worn thou dost me deem:</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page221" id="page221">[221]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O light-handed dear delight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Certes thou must say aright.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Weak I am, and certainly</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Long in white arms must I lie:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hast thou heart to leave me then,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fair-limbed gladdener of great men?&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The handmaid shrieked out, but in such wise did they part that she
+laid no blame on Grettir when all was over.</p>
+
+<p>A little after, Grettir arose, and went to Thorvald the goodman, and
+told him of his trouble, and prayed bring him out; so did he, and lent
+him a boat, and brought him out, and Grettir thanked him well for his
+manliness.</p>
+
+<p>But when it was heard that Grettir had swam a sea-mile, all deemed his
+prowess both on sea and land to be marvellous.</p>
+
+<p>Those of Skagafirth had many words to say against Thorbiorn Angle, in
+that he drave not Grettir away from Drangey, and said they would take
+back each his own share; but he said he found the task no easy one,
+and prayed them be good to him, and abide awhile.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of Haring at Drangey, and the end of him</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>That same summer a ship came to the Gangpass-mouth, and therein was a
+man called Haering&mdash;a young man he was, and so lithe that there was no
+cliff that he might not climb. He went to dwell with Thorbiorn Angle,
+and was there on into the autumn; and he was ever<span class="newpage"><a name="page222" id="page222">[222]</a></span> urging Thorbiorn to
+go to Drangey, saying that he would fain see whether the cliffs were
+so high that none might come up them. Thorbiorn said that he should
+not work for nought if he got up into the island, and slew Grettir, or
+gave him some wound; and withal he made it worth coveting to Haering.
+So they fared to Drangey, and set the eastman ashore in a certain
+place, and he was to set on them unawares if he might come up on
+to the island, but they laid their keel by the ladders, and fell to
+talking with Grettir; and Thorbiorn asked him if he were minded now to
+leave the place; but he said that to nought was his mind so made up as
+to stay there.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A great game hast thou played with us,&quot; said Thorbiorn; &quot;but thou
+seemest not much afeard for thyself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thus a long while they gave and took in words, and came nowise
+together hereon.</p>
+
+<p>But of Haering it is to be told that he climbed the cliffs, going on
+the right hand and the left, and got up by such a road as no man has
+gone by before or since; but when he came to the top of the cliff, he
+saw where the brothers stood, with their backs turned toward him, and
+thought in a little space to win both goods and great fame; nor were
+they at all aware of his ways, for they deemed that no man might
+come up, but there whereas the ladders were. Grettir was talking with
+Thorbiorn, nor lacked there words of the biggest on either side; but
+withal Illugi chanced to look aside, and saw a man drawing anigh them.</p>
+
+<p>Then he said, &quot;Here comes a man at us, with axe raised aloft, and in
+right warlike wise he seems to fare.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Turn thou to meet him,&quot; says Grettir, &quot;but I will watch the ladders.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Illugi turned to meet Haering, and when the eastman saw him, he
+turned and fled here and there over the island. Illugi chased him
+while the island lasted, but when he came forth on to the cliff's edge
+Haering leapt down thence, and every bone in him was broken, and
+so ended his life; but the place where he was lost has been called
+Haering's-leap ever since.</p>
+
+<p>Illugi came back, and Grettir asked how he had parted from this one
+who had doomed them to die.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He would have nought to do,&quot; says Illugi, &quot;with my seeing after
+his affairs, but must needs break his neck over the rock; so let the
+bonders pray for him as one dead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So when Angle heard that, he bade his folk make off. &quot;Twice have I
+fared to meet Grettir, but no third time will I go, if I am nought the
+wiser first; and now belike they may sit in Drangey as for me; but
+in my mind it is, that Grettir will abide here but a lesser time than
+heretofore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With that they went home, and men deemed this journey of theirs worser
+than the first, and Grettir abode that winter in Drangey, nor in that
+season did he and Thorbiorn meet again.</p>
+
+<p>In those days died Skapti Thorodson the Lawman, and great scathe
+was that to Grettir, for he had promised to busy himself about his
+acquittal as soon as he had been twenty winters in outlawry, and this
+year, of which the tale was told e'en now, was the nineteenth year
+thereof.</p>
+
+<p>In the spring died Snorri the Godi, and many matters befell in that
+season that come not into this story.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page223" id="page223">[223]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>That summer, at the Althing, the kin of Grettir spake many things
+concerning his outlawry, and some deemed he had outworn the years
+thereof, if he had come at all into the twentieth year; but they who
+had blood-suits against him would not have it so, and said, that he
+had done many an outlaw's deed since he was first outlawed, and deemed
+his time ought to last longer therefor.</p>
+
+<p>At that time was a new lawman made, Stein, the son of Thorgest, the
+son of Stein the Far-sailing, the son of Thorir Autumn-mirk; the
+mother of Stein was Arnora, the daughter of Thord the Yeller; and
+Stein was a wise man.</p>
+
+<p>Now was he prayed for the word of decision; and he bade them search
+and see whether this were the twentieth summer since Grettir was made
+an outlaw, and thus it seemed to be.</p>
+
+<p>But then stood forth Thorir of Garth, and brought all into dispute
+again, for he found that Grettir had been one winter out here a
+sackless man, amidst the times of his outlawry, and then nineteen were
+the winters of his outlawry found to be. Then said the lawman that no
+one should be longer in outlawry than twenty winters in all, though he
+had done outlaw's deeds in that time.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But before that, I declare no man sackless.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now because of this was the acquittal delayed for this time, but
+it was thought a sure thing that he would be made sackless the next
+summer. But that misliked the Skagafirthers exceeding ill, if Grettir
+were to come out of his outlawry,<span class="newpage"><a name="page224" id="page224">[224]</a></span> and they bade Thorbiorn Angle do
+one of two things, either give back the island or slay Grettir; but
+he deemed well that he had a work on his hands, for he saw no rede for
+the winning of Grettir, and yet was he fain to hold the island; and
+so all manner of craft he sought for the overcoming of Grettir, if he
+might prevail either by guile or hardihood, or in any wise soever.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother out to Drangey</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle had a foster-mother, Thurid by name, exceeding old,
+and meet for little, as folk deemed, very cunning she had been in
+many and great matters of lore, when she was young, and men were yet
+heathen; but men thought of her as of one, who had lost all that. But
+now, though Christ's law were established in the land, yet abode still
+many sparks of heathendom. It had been law in the land, that men were
+not forbidden to sacrifice secretly, or deal with other lore of eld,
+but it was lesser outlawry if such doings oozed out. Now in such wise
+it fared with many, that <i>hand for wont did yearn</i>, and things
+grew handiest by time that had been learned in youth.</p>
+
+<p>So now, whenas Thorbiorn Angle was empty of all plots, he sought for
+help there, whereas most folk deemed it most unlike that help was&mdash;at
+the hands of his foster-mother, in sooth, and asked, what counsel was
+in her therefor.</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;Now belike matters have come to this, even as the saw
+says&mdash;<i>To the goat-house for wool</i>: but what could I do less than
+this, to think myself before folk of the<span class="newpage"><a name="page225" id="page225">[225]</a></span> country-side, but be a man
+of nought, whenso anything came to be tried? nor see I how I may fare
+worse than thou, though I may scarce rise from my bed. But if thou art
+to have my rede, then shall I have my will as to how and what things
+are done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He gave his assent thereto, and said that she had long been of
+wholesome counsel to him.</p>
+
+<p>Now the time wore on to Twainmonth of summer; and one fair-weather day
+the carline spake to Angle,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now is the weather calm and bright, and I will now that thou fare
+to Drangey and pick a quarrel with Grettir; I shall go with thee, and
+watch how heedful he may be of his words; and if I see them, I shall
+have some sure token as to how far they are befriended of fortune, and
+then shall I speak over them such words as seem good to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Angle answered, &quot;Loth am I to be faring to Drangey, for ever am I of
+worser mind when I depart thence than when I come thereto.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said the carline, &quot;Nought will I do for thee if thou sufferest me
+to rule in no wise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, so shall it not be, foster-mother,&quot; said he; &quot;but so much have
+I said, as that I would so come thither the third time that somewhat
+should be made of the matter betwixt us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The chance of that must be taken,&quot; said the carline &quot;and many a heavy
+labour must thou have, or ever Grettir be laid to earth; and oft will
+it be doubtful to thee what fortune thine shall be, and heavy troubles
+wilt thou get therefrom when that is done; yet art thou so bounden
+here-under, that to somewhat must thou make up thy mind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter Thorbiorn Angle let put forth a ten-oared boat, and he went
+thereon with eleven men, and the carline was in their company.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page226" id="page226">[226]</a></span>
+<p>So they fell to rowing as the weather went, out to Drangey; and when
+the brothers saw that, they stood forth at the ladders, and they began
+to talk the matter over yet once more; and Thorbiorn said, that he was
+come yet again, to talk anew of their leaving the island, and that
+he would deal lightly with his loss of money and Grettir's dwelling
+there, if so be they might part without harm. But Grettir said that he
+had no words to make atwixt and atween of his going thence.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oft have I so said,&quot; says he, &quot;and no need there is for thee to talk
+to me thereon; ye must even do as ye will, but here will I abide,
+whatso may come to hand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn deemed, that this time also his errand was come to
+nought, and he said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, I deemed I knew with what men of hell I had to do; and most like
+it is that a day or two will pass away ere I come hither again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I account that not in the number of my griefs, though thou never
+comest back,&quot; said Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Now the carline lay in the stern, with clothes heaped up about and
+over her, and with that she moved, and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Brave will these men be, and luckless withal; far hast thou outdone
+them in manliness; thou biddest them choice of many goodly things,
+but they say nay to all, and few things lead surer to ill, than not to
+know how to take good. Now this I cast over thee, Grettir, that thou
+be left of all health, wealth, and good-hap, all good heed and wisdom:
+yea, and that the more, the longer thou livest; good hope I have,
+Grettir, that thy days of gladness shall be fewer here in time to come
+than in the time gone by.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now when Grettir heard these words, he was astonied withal, and said,
+&quot;What fiend is there in the boat with them?&quot;</p><span class="newpage"><a name="page227" id="page227">[227]</a></span>
+
+<p>&quot;Illugi answers, &quot;I deem that it will be the carline, Thorbiorn's foster-mother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Curses on the witch-wight!&quot; says Grettir, &quot;nought worse could have
+been looked for; at no words have I shuddered like as I shuddered
+at those words she spake; and well I wot that from her, and her foul
+cunning, some evil will be brought on us; yet shall she have some
+token to mind her that she has sought us here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewithal he caught up a marvellous great stone, and cast it down on
+to the boat, and it smote that clothes-heap; and a longer stone-throw
+was that than Thorbiorn deemed any man might make; but therewithal a
+great shriek arose, for the stone had smitten the carline's thigh, and
+broken it.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Illugi, &quot;I would thou hadst not done that!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Blame me not therefor,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;I fear me the stroke has been
+too little, for certes not overmuch weregild were paid for the twain
+of us, though the price should be one carline's life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Must she alone be paid?&quot; said Illugi, &quot;little enough then will be
+laid down for us twain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Thorbiorn got him gone homeward, with no greetings at parting. But
+he said to the carline,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now have matters gone as I thought, that a journey of little glory
+thou shouldst make to the island; thou hast got maimed, and honour
+is no nigher to us than before, yea, we must have bootless shame on
+bootless shame.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;This will be the springing of ill-hap to them; and
+I deem that henceforth they are on the wane; neither do I fear if I
+live, but that I shall have revenge for this deed they have thus done
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Stiff is thine heart, meseems, foster-mother,&quot; said Thorbiorn. With
+that they came home, but the carline was laid<span class="newpage"><a name="page228" id="page228">[228]</a></span> in her bed, and abode
+there nigh a month; by then was the hurt thigh-bone grown together
+again, and she began to be afoot once more.</p>
+
+<p>Great laughter men made at that journey of Thorbiorn and the carline,
+and deemed he had been often enow out-played in his dealings with
+Grettir: first, at the Spring-Thing in the peace handselling; next,
+when Haering was lost, and now again, this third time, when the
+carline's thigh-bone was broken, and no stroke had been played against
+these from his part. But great shame and grief had Thorbiorn Angle
+from all these words.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now wore away the time of autumn till it wanted but three weeks of
+winter; then the carline bade bear her to the sea-shore. Thorbiorn
+asked what she would there.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Little is my errand, yet maybe,&quot; she says, &quot;it is a foreboding of
+greater tidings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now was it done as she bade, and when she came down to the strand,
+she went limping along by the sea, as if she were led thereto, unto
+a place where lay before her an uprooted tree, as big as a man might
+bear on his shoulder. She looked at the tree and bade them turn it
+over before her eyes, and on one side it was as if singed and rubbed;
+so there whereas it was rubbed she let cut a little flat space; and
+then she took her knife and cut runes on the root, and made them
+red with her blood, and sang witch-words over<span class="newpage"><a name="page229" id="page229">[229]</a></span> them; then she went
+backwards and widdershins round about the tree, and cast over it many
+a strong spell; thereafter she let thrust the tree forth into the sea,
+and spake in such wise over it, that it should drive out to Drangey,
+and that Grettir should have all hurt therefrom that might be.
+Thereafter she went back home to Woodwick; and Thorbiorn said that he
+knew not if that would come to aught; but the carline answered that he
+should wot better anon.</p>
+
+<p>Now the wind blew landward up the firth, yet the carline's root went
+in the teeth of the wind, and belike it sailed swifter than might have
+been looked for of it.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir abode in Drangey with his fellows as is aforesaid, and in
+good case they were; but the day after the carline had wrought her
+witch-craft on the tree the brothers went down below the cliffs
+searching for firewood, so when they came to the west of the island,
+there they found that tree drifted ashore.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Illugi, &quot;A big log of firewood, kinsman, let us bear it
+home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir kicked it with his foot and said, &quot;An evil tree from evil
+sent; other firewood than this shall we have.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewithal he cast it out into the sea, and bade Illugi beware of
+bearing it home, &quot;For it is sent us for our ill-hap.&quot; And therewith
+they went unto their abode, and said nought about it to the thrall.
+But the next day they found the tree again, and it was nigher to the
+ladders than heretofore; Grettir drave it out to sea, and said that it
+should never be borne home.</p>
+
+<p>Now the days wore on into summer, and a gale came on with much wet,
+and the brothers were loth to be abroad, and bade Noise go search for
+firewood.</p>
+
+<p>He took it ill, and said he was ill served in that he had to drudge
+and labour abroad in all the foulest weather; but<span class="newpage"><a name="page230" id="page230">[230]</a></span> withal he went down
+to the beach before the ladders and found the carline's tree there,
+and deemed things had gone well because of it; so he took it up and
+bore it to the hut, and cast it down thereby with a mighty thump.</p>
+
+<p>Grettir heard it and said, &quot;Noise has got something, so I shall go out
+and see what it is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Therewithal he took up a wood-axe, and went out, and straightway Noise
+said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Split it up in as good wise as I have brought it home, then.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Grettir grew short of temper with the thrall, and smote the axe with
+both hands at the log, nor heeded what tree it was; but as soon as
+ever the axe touched the wood, it turned flatlings and glanced off
+therefrom into Grettir's right leg above the knee, in such wise that
+it stood in the bone, and a great wound was that. Then he looked at
+the tree and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now has evil heart prevailed, nor will this hap go alone, since that
+same tree has now come back to us that I have cast out to sea on these
+two days. But for thee, Noise, two slips hast thou had, first, when
+thou must needs let the fire be slaked, and now this bearing home of
+that tree of ill-hap; but if a third thou hast, thy bane will it be,
+and the bane of us all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With that came Illugi and bound up Grettir's hurt, and it bled little,
+and Grettir slept well that night; and so three nights slipped by in
+such wise that no pain came of the wound, and when they loosed the
+swathings, the lips of the wound were come together so that it was
+well-nigh grown over again. Then said Illugi,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Belike thou wilt have no long hurt of this wound.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well were it then,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but marvellously has this
+befallen, whatso may come of it; and my mind misgives me of the way
+things will take.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page231" id="page231">[231]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now they lay them down that evening, but at midnight Grettir began to
+tumble about exceedingly. Illugi asked why he was so unquiet. Grettir
+said that his leg had taken to paining him, &quot;And methinks it is like
+that some change of hue there be therein.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they kindled a light, and when the swathings were undone, the leg
+showed all swollen and coal-blue, and the wound had broken open,
+and was far more evil of aspect than at first; much pain there went
+therewith so that he might not abide at rest in any wise, and never
+came sleep on his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Then spake Grettir, &quot;Let us make up our minds to it, that this
+sickness which I have gotten is not done for nought, for it is of
+sorcery, and the carline is minded to avenge her of that stone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Illugi said, &quot;Yea, I told thee that thou wouldst get no good from that
+hag.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>All will come to one end</i>,&quot; said Grettir, and sang this song
+withal&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Doubtful played the foredoomed fate</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Round the sword in that debate,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the bearserks' outlawed crew,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the days of yore I slew.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Screamed the worm of clashing lands</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When Hiarandi dropped his hands</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Biorn and Gunnar cast away,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hope of dwelling in the day.</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page232" id="page232">[232]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Home again then travelled I;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The broad-boarded ship must lie,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Under Door-holm, as I went,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Still with weapon play content,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through the land; and there the thane</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Called me to the iron rain,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bade me make the spear-storm rise,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Torfi Vebrandson the wise.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;To such plight the Skald was brought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wounder of the walls of thought,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Howsoever many men</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stood, all armed, about us then,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That his hand that knew the oar,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grip of sword might touch no more;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet to me the wound who gave</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Did he give a horse to have.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Thorbiorn Arnor's son, men said,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of no great deed was afraid,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Folk spake of him far and wide;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He forbade me to abide</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Longer on the lovely earth;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet his heart was little worth,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not more safe alone was I,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than when armed he drew anigh.</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;From the sword's edge and the spears</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From my many waylayers,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While might was, and my good day,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Often did I snatch away;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now a hag, whose life outworn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wicked craft and ill hath borne,</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page233" id="page233">[233]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Meet for death lives long enow,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grettir's might to overthrow.&quot;<a name="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18"><sup>[18]</sup></a></span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Now must we take good heed to ourselves,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;for
+Thorbiorn Angle must be minded that this hap shall not go alone; and
+I will, Noise, that thou watch the ladders every day from this time
+forth, but pull them up in the evening, and see thou do it well and
+truly, even as though much lay thereon, but if thou bewrayest us,
+short will be thy road to ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Noise promised great things concerning this. Now the weather grew
+harder, and a north-east wind came on with great cold: every night
+Grettir asked if the ladders were drawn up.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Noise, &quot;Yea, certainly! men are above all things to be
+looked for now. Can any man have such a mind to take thy life, that
+he will do so much as to slay himself therefor? for this gale is far
+other than fair; lo now, methinks thy so great bravery and hardihood
+has come utterly to an end, if thou must needs think that all things
+soever will be thy bane.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Worse wilt thou bear thyself than either of us,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;when
+the need is on us; but now go watch the ladders, whatsoever will thou
+hast thereto.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So every morning they drave him out, and ill he bore it.</p>
+
+<p>But Grettir's hurt waxed in such wise that all the leg swelled up, and
+the thigh began to gather matter both above and below, and the lips of
+the wound were all turned out, so that Grettir's death was looked for.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page234" id="page234">[234]</a></span>
+<p>Illugi sat over him night and day, and took heed to nought else, and
+by then it was the second week since Grettir hurt himself.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and set Sail for Drangey.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle sat this while at home at Woodwick, and was
+ill-content in that he might not win Grettir; but when a certain space
+had passed since the carline had put the sorcery into the root, she
+comes to talk with Thorbiorn, and asks if he were not minded to go see
+Grettir. He answers, that to nought was his mind so made up as that he
+would not go; &quot;perchance thou wilt go meet him, foster-mother,&quot; says
+Thorbiorn.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, I shall not go meet-him,&quot; says the carline; &quot;but I have sent my
+greeting to him, and some hope I have that it has come home to him;
+and good it seems to me that thou go speedily to meet him, or else
+shalt thou never have such good hap as to overcome him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn answered: &quot;So many shameful journeys have I made thither,
+that there I go not ever again; moreover that alone is full enough
+to stay me, that such foul weather it is, that it is safe to go
+nowhither, whatso the need may be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered: &quot;Ill counselled thou art, not to see how to overcome
+herein. Now yet once again will I lay down a rede for this; go thou
+first and get thee strength of men, and ride to Hof to Halldor thy
+brother-in-law, and take counsel of him. But if I may rule in some way
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page235" id="page235">[235]</a></span>
+how Grettir's health goes, how shall it be said that it is past hope
+that I may also deal with the gale that has been veering about this
+while?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn deemed it might well be that the carline saw further than he
+had thought she might, and straightway sent up into the country-side
+for men; but speedy answer there came that none of those who had given
+up their shares would do aught to ease his task, and they said that
+Thorbiorn should have to himself both the owning of the island and the
+onset on Grettir. But Tongue-Stein gave him two of his followers, and
+Hialti, his brother, sent him three men, and Eric of God-dales one,
+and from his own homestead he had six. So the twelve of them ride from
+Woodwick out to Hof. Halldor bade them abide there, and asked their
+errand; then Thorbiorn told it as clearly as might be. Halldor asked
+whose rede this might be, and Thorbiorn said that his foster-mother
+urged him much thereto.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That will bear no good,&quot; said Halldor, &quot;because she is cunning in
+sorcery, and such-like things are now forbidden.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may not look closely into all these matters before-hand,&quot; said
+Thorbiorn, &quot;but in somewise or other shall this thing have an end if I
+may have my will. Now, how shall I go about it, so that I may come to
+the island?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Meseems,&quot; says Halldor, &quot;that thou trustest in somewhat, though I wot
+not how good that may be. But now if thou wilt go forward with it, go
+thou out to Meadness in the Fleets to Biorn my friend; a good keel
+he has, so tell him of my word, that I would he should lend you the
+craft, and thence ye may sail out to Drangey. But the end of your
+journey I see not, if Grettir is sound and hale: yea, and be thou sure
+that if ye win him not in manly wise, he leaves enough of folk behind
+to take up the blood-suit<span class="newpage"><a name="page236" id="page236">[236]</a></span> after him. And slay not Illugi if ye may do
+otherwise. But methinks I see that all is not according to Christ's
+law in these redes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Halldor gave them six men withal for their journey; one was
+called Karr, another Thorleif, and a third Brand, but the rest are not
+named.</p>
+
+<p>So they fared thence, eighteen in company, out to the Fleets, and came
+to Meadness and gave Biorn Halldor's message, he said that it was but
+due for Halldor's sake, but that he owed nought to Thorbiorn; withal
+it seemed to him that they went on a mad journey, and he let them from
+it all he might.</p>
+
+<p>They said they might not turn back, and so went down to the sea, and
+put forth the craft, and all its gear was in the boat-stand hard by;
+so they made them ready for sailing, and foul enow the weather seemed
+to all who stood on land. But they hoisted sail, and the craft shot
+swiftly far into the firth, but when they came out into the main part
+thereof into deep water, the wind abated in such wise that they deemed
+it blew none too hard.</p>
+
+<p>So in the evening at dusk they came to Drangey.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXIV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now it is to be told, that Grettir was so sick, that he might not
+stand on his feet, but Illugi sat beside him, and Noise was to keep
+watch and ward; and many words he had against that, and said that they
+would still think that life was falling from them, though nought
+had<span class="newpage"><a name="page237" id="page237">[237]</a></span> happed to bring it about; so he went out from their abode right
+unwillingly, and when he came to the ladders he spake to himself and
+said that now he would not draw them up; withal he grew exceeding
+sleepy, and lay down and slept all day long, and right on till
+Thorbiorn came to the island.</p>
+
+<p>So now they see that the ladders are not drawn up; then spake
+Thorbiorn, &quot;Now are things changed from what the wont was, in that
+there are none afoot, and their ladder stands in its place withal;
+maybe more things will betide in this our journey than we had thought
+of in the beginning: but now let us hasten to the hut, and let no man
+lack courage; for, wot this well, that if these men are hale, each one
+of us must needs do his best.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they went up on to the island, and looked round about, and saw
+where a man lay a little space off the landing-place, and snored hard
+and fast. Therewith Thorbiorn knew Noise, and went up to him and drave
+the hilt of his sword against the ear of him, and bade him, &quot;Wake up,
+beast! certes in evil stead is he who trusts his life to thy faith and
+troth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Noise looked up thereat and said, &quot;Ah! now are they minded to go
+on according to their wont; do ye, may-happen, think my freedom too
+great, though I lie out here in the cold?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Art thou witless,&quot; said Angle, &quot;that thou seest not that thy foes are
+come upon thee, and will slay you all?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Noise answered nought, but yelled out all he might, when he knew
+the men who they were.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do one thing or other,&quot; says Angle, &quot;either hold thy peace forthwith,
+and tell us of your abode, or else be slain of us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thereat was Noise as silent as if he had been thrust<span class="newpage"><a name="page238" id="page238">[238]</a></span> under water; but
+Thorbiorn said, &quot;Are they at their hut, those brothers? Why are they
+not afoot?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Scarce might that be,&quot; said Noise, &quot;for Grettir is sick and come nigh
+to his death, and Illugi sits over him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Angle asked how it was with their health, and what things had
+befallen. So Noise told him in what wise Grettir's hurt had come
+about.</p>
+
+<p>Then Angle laughed and said, &quot;Yea, sooth is the old saw, <i>Old
+friends are the last to sever</i>; and this withal, <i>Ill if a thrall
+is thine only friend</i>, whereso thou art, Noise; for shamefully hast
+thou bewrayed thy master, albeit he was nought good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then many laid evil things to his charge for his ill faith, and beat
+him till he was well-nigh past booting for, and let him lie there; but
+they went up to the hut and smote mightily on the door.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pied-belly<a name="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19"><sup>[19]</sup></a> is knocking hard at the door, brother,&quot; says Illugi.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, yea, hard, and over hard,&quot; says Grettir; and therewithal the
+door brake asunder.</p>
+
+<p>Then sprang Illugi to his weapons and guarded the door, in such wise
+that there was no getting in for them. Long time they set on him
+there, and could bring nought against him save spear-thrusts, and
+still Illugi smote all the spear-heads from the shafts. But when they
+saw that they might thus bring nought to pass, they leapt up on to the
+roof of the hut, and tore off the thatch; then Grettir got to his feet
+and caught up a spear, and thrust out betwixt the rafters; but before
+that stroke was Karr, a home-man of Halldor of Hof, and forthwithal it
+pierced him through.</p>
+
+<p>Then spoke Angle, and bade men fare warily and guard<span class="newpage"><a name="page239" id="page239">[239]</a></span> themselves well,
+&quot;for we may prevail against them if we follow wary redes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So they tore away the thatch from the ends of the ridge-beam, and bore
+on the beam till it brake asunder.</p>
+
+<p>Now Grettir might not rise from his knee, but he caught up the
+short-sword, Karr's-loom, and even therewith down leapt those men in
+betwixt the walls, and a hard fray befell betwixt them. Grettir
+smote with the short-sword at Vikar, one of the followers of Hialti
+Thordson, and caught him on the left shoulder, even as he leapt in
+betwixt the walls, and cleft him athwart the shoulder down unto the
+right side, so that the man fell asunder, and the body so smitten
+atwain tumbled over on to Grettir, and for that cause he might not
+heave aloft the short-sword as speedily as he would, and therewith
+Thorbiorn Angle thrust him betwixt the shoulders, and great was that
+wound he gave.</p>
+
+<p>Then cried Grettir, &quot;<i>Bare is the back of the brotherless</i>.&quot; And
+Illugi threw his shield over Grettir, and warded him in so stout a
+wise that all men praised his defence.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Grettir to Angle, &quot;Who then showed thee the way here to the
+island?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Said Angle, &quot;The Lord Christ showed it us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay,&quot; said Grettir, &quot;but I guess that the accursed hag, thy
+foster-mother, showed it thee, for in her redes must thou needs have
+trusted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All shall be one to thee now,&quot; said Angle, &quot;in whomsoever I have put
+my trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then they set on them fiercely, and Illugi made defence for both in
+most manly wise; but Grettir was utterly unmeet for fight, both for
+his wounds' sake and for his sickness. So Angle bade bear down Illugi
+with shields, &quot;For never have I met his like, amongst men of such
+age.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now thus they did, besetting him with beams and weapons<span class="newpage"><a name="page240" id="page240">[240]</a></span> till he might
+ward himself no longer; and then they laid hands on him, and so held
+him fast. But he had given some wound or other to the more part of
+those who had been at the onset, and had slain outright three of
+Angle's fellows.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter they went up to Grettir, but he was fallen forward on to
+his face, and no defence there was of him, for that he was already
+come to death's door by reason of the hurt in his leg, for all the
+thigh was one sore, even up to the small guts; but there they gave him
+many a wound, yet little or nought he bled.</p>
+
+<p>So when they thought he was dead, Angle laid hold of the short-sword,
+and said that he had carried it long enough; but Grettir's fingers
+yet kept fast hold of the grip thereof, nor could the short-sword be
+loosened; many went up and tried at it, but could get nothing done
+therewith; eight of them were about it before the end, but none the
+more might bring it to pass.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Angle, &quot;Why should we spare this wood-man here? lay his hand
+on the block.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So when that was done they smote off his hand at the wrist, and the
+fingers straightened, and were loosed from the handle. Then Angle took
+the short-sword in both hands and smote at Grettir's head, and a right
+great stroke that was, so that the short-sword might not abide it, and
+a shard was broken from the midst of the edge thereof; and when men
+saw that, they asked why he must needs spoil a fair thing in such
+wise.</p>
+
+<p>But Angle answered, &quot;More easy is it to know that weapon now if it
+should be asked for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They said it needed not such a deed since the man was dead already.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ah! but yet more shall be done,&quot; said Angle, and<span class="newpage"><a name="page241" id="page241">[241]</a></span> hewed therewith
+twice or thrice at Grettir's neck, or ever the head came off; and then
+he spake,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now know I for sure that Grettir is dead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In such wise Grettir lost his life, the bravest man of all who have
+dwelt in Iceland; he lacked but one winter of forty-five years whenas
+he was slain; but he was fourteen winters old when he slew Skeggi, his
+first man-slaying; and from thenceforth all things turned to his fame,
+till the time when he dealt with Glam, the Thrall; and in those days
+was he of twenty winters-; but when he fell into outlawry, he was
+twenty-five years old; but in outlawry was he nigh nineteen winters,
+and full oft was he the while in great trials of men; and such as his
+life was, and his needs, he held well to his faith and troth, and most
+haps did he foresee, though he might do nought to meet them.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXV"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money.</i></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>&quot;A great champion have we laid to earth here,&quot; said Thorbiorn; &quot;now
+shall we bring the head aland with us, for I will not lose the money
+which has been laid thereon; nor may they then feign that they know
+not if I have slain Grettir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They bade him do his will, but had few words to say hereon, for to all
+the deed seemed a deed of little prowess.</p>
+
+<p>Then Angle fell to speaking with Illugi,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great scathe it is of such a brave man as thou art, that thou hast
+fallen to such folly, as to betake thee to ill deeds<span class="newpage"><a name="page242" id="page242">[242]</a></span> with this outlaw
+here, and must needs lie slain and unatoned therefore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Illugi answered, &quot;Then first when the Althing is over this summer,
+wilt thou know who are outlaws; but neither thou nor the carline, thy
+foster-mother, will judge in this matter, because that your sorcery
+and craft of old days have slain Grettir, though thou didst, indeed,
+bear steel against him, as he lay at death's door, and wrought that so
+great coward's deed there, over and above thy sorcery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said Angle, &quot;In manly wise speakest thou, but not thus will it
+be; and I will show thee that I think great scathe in thy death, for
+thy life will I give thee if thou wilt swear an oath for us here, to
+avenge thyself on none of those who have been in this journey.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Illugi said, &quot;That might I have deemed a thing to talk about, if
+Grettir had been suffered to defend himself, and ye had won him with
+manliness and hardihood; but now nowise is it to be thought, that I
+will do so much for the keeping of my life, as to become base, even as
+thou art: and here I tell thee, once for all, that no one of men shall
+be of less gain to thee than I, if I live; for long will it be or ever
+I forget how ye have prevailed against Grettir.&mdash;Yea, much rather do I
+choose to die.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorbiorn Angle held talk with his fellows, whether they should
+let Illugi live or not; they said that, whereas he had ruled the
+journey, so should he rule the deeds; so Angle said that he knew not
+how to have that man hanging over his head, who would neither give
+troth, nor promise aught.</p>
+
+<p>But when Illugi knew that they were fully minded to slay him, he
+laughed, and spake thus,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, now have your counsels sped, even as my heart would.&quot;</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page243" id="page243">[243]</a></span>
+<p>So at the dawning of the day they brought him to the eastern end of
+the island, and there slaughtered him; but all men praised his great
+heart, and deemed him unlike to any of his age.</p>
+
+<p>They laid both the brothers in cairn on the island there; and
+thereafter took Grettir's head, and bore it away with them, and whatso
+goods there were in weapons or clothes; but the good short-sword Angle
+would not put into the things to be shared, and he bare it himself
+long afterwards. Noise they took with them, and he bore himself as ill
+as might be.</p>
+
+<p>At nightfall the gale abated, and they rowed aland in the morning.
+Angle took land at the handiest place, and sent the craft out to
+Biorn; but by then they were come hard by Oyce-land, Noise began to
+bear himself so ill, that they were loth to fare any longer with him,
+so there they slew him, and long and loud he greeted or ever he was
+cut down.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle went home to Woodwick, and deemed he had done in manly
+wise in this journey; but Grettir's head they laid in salt in the
+out-bower at Woodwick, which was called therefrom Grettir's-bower; and
+there it lay the winter long. But Angle was exceeding ill thought
+of for this work of his, as soon as folk knew that Grettir had been
+overcome by sorcery.</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle sat quiet till past Yule; then he rode to meet Thorir
+of Garth, and told him of these slayings; and this withal, that he
+deemed that money his due which had been put on Grettir's head.
+Thorir said that he might not hide that he had brought about Grettir's
+outlawry,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yea, and oft have I dealt hardly with him, yet so much for the taking
+of his life I would not have done, as to make me a misdoer, a man of
+evil craft, even as thou hast done;<span class="newpage"><a name="page244" id="page244">[244]</a></span> and the less shall I lay down that
+money for thee, in that I deem thee surely to be a man of forfeit life
+because of thy sorcery and wizard-craft.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorbiorn Angle answers, &quot;Meseems thou art urged hereto more by
+closefistedness and a poor mind, than by any heed of how Grettir was
+won.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorir said that a short way they might make of it, in that they
+should abide the Althing, and take whatso the Lawman might deem
+most rightful: and in such wise they parted that there was no little
+ill-will betwixt Thorir and Thorbiorn Angle.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXVI"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXVI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's Head to Biarg</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The kin of Grettir and Illugi were exceeding ill-content when they
+heard of these slayings, and they so looked on matters as deeming that
+Angle had wrought a shameful deed in slaying a man at death's door;
+and that, besides that, he had become guilty of sorcery. They sought
+the counsel of the wisest men, and everywhere was Angle's work ill
+spoken of. As for him, he rode to Midfirth, when it lacked four weeks
+of summer; and when his ways were heard of, Asdis gathered men to
+her, and there came many of her friends: Gamli and Glum, her
+brothers-in-law, and their sons, Skeggi, who was called the
+Short-handed, and Uspak, who is aforesaid. Asdis was so well
+befriended, that all the Midfirthers came to aid her; yea, even those
+who were aforetime foes to Grettir; and the first man there was Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and the more part of the Ramfirthers.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page245" id="page245">[245]</a></span>
+<p>Now Angle came to Biarg with twenty men, and had Grettir's head with
+him; but not all those had come yet who had promised aid to Asdis;
+so Angle and his folk went into the chamber with the head, and set it
+down on the floor; the goodwife was there in the chamber, and many men
+with her; nor did it come to greetings on either side; but Angle sang
+this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;A greedy head I bring with me</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Up from the borders of the sea;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now may the needle-pliers weep,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The red-haired outlaw lies asleep;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gold-bearer, cast adown thine eyes,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And see how on the pavement lies,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The peace-destroying head brought low,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That but for salt had gone ere now.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The goodwife sat silent when he gave forth the stave, and thereafter
+she sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;O thou poor wretch, as sheep that flee</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To treacherous ice when wolves they see,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So in the waves would ye have drowned</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Your shame and fear, had ye but found</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That steel-god hale upon the isle:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now heavy shame, woe worth the while!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hangs over the north country-side,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor I my loathing care to hide.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>Then many said that it was nought wonderful, though she had brave
+sons, so brave as she herself was, amid such grief of heart as was
+brought on her.</p>
+
+<p>Uspak was without, and held talk with such of Angle's<span class="newpage"><a name="page246" id="page246">[246]</a></span> folk as had
+not gone in, and asked concerning the slayings; and all men praised
+Illugi's defence; and they told withal how fast Grettir had held the
+short-sword after he was dead, and marvellous that seemed to men.</p>
+
+<p>Amidst these things were seen many men riding from the west, and
+thither were coming many friends of the goodwife, with Gamli and
+Skeggi west from Meals.</p>
+
+<p>Now Angle had been minded to take out execution after Illugi, for he
+and his men claimed all his goods; but when that crowd of men came up,
+Angle saw that he might do nought therein, but Gamli and Uspak were of
+the eagerest, and were fain to set on Angle; but those who were wisest
+bade them take the rede of Thorwald their kinsman, and the other chief
+men, and said that worse would be deemed of Angle's case the more wise
+men sat in judgment over it; then such truce there was that Angle rode
+away, having Grettir's head with him, because he was minded to bear it
+to the Althing.</p>
+
+<p>So he rode home, and thought matters looked heavy enough, because
+well-nigh all the chief men of the land were either akin to Grettir
+and Illugi, or tied to them and theirs by marriage: that summer,
+moreover, Skeggi the Short-handed took to wife the daughter of Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and therewithal Thorod joined Grettir's kin in these
+matters.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page247" id="page247">[247]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXVII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXVII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Affairs at the Althing</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now men rode to the Althing, and Angle's helpers were fewer than he
+had looked for, because that his case was spoken ill of far and wide.</p>
+
+<p>Then asked Halldor whether they were to carry Grettir's head with them
+to the Althing.</p>
+
+<p>Angle said that he would bear it with him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ill-counselled is that,&quot; said Halldor; &quot;for many enough will thy foes
+be, though thou doest nought to jog the memories of folk, or wake up
+their grief.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>By then were they come on their way, and were minded to ride south
+over the Sand; so Angle let take the head, and bury it in a hillock of
+sand, which is called Grettir's Hillock.</p>
+
+<p>Thronged was the Althing, and Angle put forth his case, and praised
+his own deeds mightily, in that he had slain the greatest outlaw in
+all the land, and claimed the money as his, which had been put on
+Grettir's head. But Thorir had the same answer for him as was told
+afore.</p>
+
+<p>Then was the Lawman prayed for a decision, and he said that he would
+fain hear if any charges came against this, whereby Angle should
+forfeit his blood-money, or else he said he must have whatsoever had
+been put on Grettir's head.</p>
+
+<p>Then Thorvald Asgeirson called on Skeggi the Short-handed to put forth
+his case, and he summoned Thorbiorn Angle with a first summons for the
+witch-craft and sorcery, whereby Grettir must have got his bane, and
+then with<span class="newpage"><a name="page248" id="page248">[248]</a></span> another summons withal, for that they had borne weapons
+against a half-dead man, and hereon he claimed an award of outlawry.</p>
+
+<p>Now folk drew much together on this side and on that, but few they
+were that gave aid to Thorbiorn; and things turned out otherwise
+than he had looked for, because Thorvald, and Isleif, his son-in-law,
+deemed it a deed worthy of death to bring men to their end by evil
+sorcery; but through the words of wise men these cases had such end,
+that Thorbiorn should sail away that same summer, and never come
+back to Iceland while any such were alive, as had the blood-suit for
+Grettir and Illugi.</p>
+
+<p>And then, moreover, was it made law that all workers of olden craft
+should be made outlaws.</p>
+
+<p>So when Angle saw what his lot would be, he gat him gone from the
+Thing, because it might well hap that Grettir's kin would set on him;
+nor did he get aught of the fee that was put on Grettir's head, for
+that Stein the Lawman would not that it should be paid for a deed
+of shame. None of those men of Thorbiorn's company who had fallen in
+Drangey were atoned, for they were to be made equal to the slaying of
+Illugi, but their kin were exceeding ill content therewith.</p>
+
+<p>So men rode home from the Thing, and all blood-suits that men had
+against Grettir fell away.</p>
+
+<p>Skeggi, the son of Gamli, who was son-in-law of Thorod Drapa-Stump,
+and sister's son of Grettir, went north to Skagafirth at the instance
+of Thorvald Asgeirson, and Isleif his son-in-law, who was afterwards
+Bishop of Skalholt, and by the consent of all the people got to him a
+keel, and went to Drangey to seek the corpses of the brothers, Grettir
+and Illugi; and he brought them back to Reeks, in Reek-strand, and
+buried them there at the<span class="newpage"><a name="page249" id="page249">[249]</a></span> church; and it is for a token that Grettir
+lies there, that in the days of the Sturlungs, when the church of the
+Reeks was moved, Grettir's bones were dug up, nor were they deemed
+so wondrous great, great enough though they were. The bones of Illugi
+were buried afterwards north of the church, but Grettir's head at home
+in the church at Biarg.</p>
+
+<p>Goodwife Asdis abode at home at Biarg, and so well beloved she was,
+that no trouble was ever brought against her, no, not even while
+Grettir was in outlawry.</p>
+
+<p>Skeggi the Short-handed took the household at Biarg after Asdis, and
+a mighty man he was; his son was Gamli, the father of Skeggi of
+Scarf-stead, and Asdis the mother of Odd the Monk. Many men are come
+from him.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXVIII"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXVIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence to Micklegarth</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thornbiorn Angle took ship at Goose-ere, with whatso of his goods he
+might take with him; but Hialti his brother took to him his lands,
+and Angle gave him Drangey withal. Hialti became a great chief in
+aftertimes, but he has nought more to do with this tale.</p>
+
+<p>So Angle fared out to Norway; he yet made much of himself, for he
+deemed he had wrought a great deed in the slaying of Grettir, and so
+thought many others, who knew not how all had come to pass, for many
+knew how renowned a man Grettir had been; withal Angle told just so
+much of their dealings together as might do him honour, and let such
+of the tale lie quiet as was of lesser glory.</p>
+
+<p>Now this tale came in the autumn-tide east to Tunsberg,<span class="newpage"><a name="page250" id="page250">[250]</a></span> and when
+Thorstein Dromund heard of the slayings he grew all silent, because it
+was told him that Angle was a mighty man and a hardy; and he called
+to mind the words which he had spoken when he and Grettir talked
+together, long time agone, concerning the fashion of their arms.</p>
+
+<p>So Thorstein put out spies on Angle's goings; they were both in
+Norway through the winter, but Thorbiorn was in the north-country, and
+Thorstein in Tunsberg, nor had either seen other; yet was Angle ware
+that Grettir had a brother in Norway, and thought it hard to keep
+guard of himself in an unknown land, wherefore he sought counsel as to
+where he should betake himself. Now in those days many Northmen went
+out to Micklegarth, and took war-pay there; so Thorbiorn deemed it
+would be good to go thither and get to him thereby both fee and fame,
+nor to abide in the North-lands because of the kin of Grettir. So he
+made ready to go from Norway, and get him gone from out the land, and
+made no stay till he came to Micklegarth, and there took war-hire.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_LXXXIX"></a><h2>CHAP. LXXXIX.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known when sought for by reason
+of the notch in the blade</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorstein Dromund was a mighty man, and of the greatest account; and
+now he heard that Thorbiorn Angle had got him gone from the land out
+to Micklegarth; speedy were his doings thereon, he gave over his lands
+into his kinsmen's hands, and betook himself to journeying<span class="newpage"><a name="page251" id="page251">[251]</a></span> and to
+search for Angle; and ever he followed after whereas Angle had gone
+afore, nor was Angle ware of his goings.</p>
+
+<p>So Thorstein Dromund came out to Micklegarth a little after Angle, and
+was fain above all things to slay him, but neither knew the other. Now
+had they will to be taken into the company of the Varangians, and
+the matter went well as soon as the Varangians knew that they were
+Northmen; and in those days was Michael Katalak king over Micklegarth.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein Dromund watched for Angle, if in some wise he might know
+him, but won not the game because of the many people there; and ever
+would he lie awake, ill-content with his lot, and thinking how great
+was his loss.</p>
+
+<p>Now hereupon it befell that the Varangians were to go on certain
+warfare, and free the land from harrying; and their manner and law it
+was before they went from home to hold a weapon-show, and so it was
+now done; and when the weapon-show was established, then were all
+Varangians to come there, and those withal who were minded to fall
+into their company, and they were to show forth their weapons.</p>
+
+<p>Thither came both Thorstein and Angle; but Thorbiorn Angle showed
+forth his weapons first; and he had the short-sword, Grettir's-loom;
+but when he showed it many praised it and said that it was an
+exceeding good weapon, but that it was a great blemish, that notch in
+the edge thereof; and asked him withal what had brought that to pass.</p>
+
+<p>Angle said it was a thing worthy to be told of, &quot;For this is the next
+thing to be said,&quot; says he, &quot;that out in Iceland I slew that champion
+who was called Grettir the Strong, and who was the greatest warrior
+and the stoutest-hearted of all men of that land, for him could no man
+vanquish till I came forth for that end; and whereas I had the good
+hap to win him, I took his life; though indeed he had my strength<span class="newpage"><a name="page252" id="page252">[252]</a></span> many
+times over; then I drave this short-sword into his head, and thereby
+was a shard broken from out its edge.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So those who stood nigh said, that he must have been hard of head
+then, and each showed the short-sword to the other; but hereby
+Thorstein deemed he knew now who this man was, and he prayed withal
+to see the short-sword even as the others; then Angle gave it up with
+good will, for all were praising his bravery and that daring onset,
+and even in such wise did he think this one would do; and in no wise
+did he misdoubt him that Thorstein was there, or that the man was akin
+to Grettir.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dromund took the short-sword, and raised it aloft, and hewed at
+Angle and smote him on the head, and so great was the stroke that it
+stayed but at the jaw-teeth, and Thorbiorn Angle fell to earth dead
+and dishonoured.</p>
+
+<p>Thereat all men became hushed; but the Chancellor of the town seized
+Thorstein straightway, and asked for what cause he did such an
+ill-deed there at the hallowed Thing.</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein said that he was the brother of Grettir the Strong, and that
+withal he had never been able to bring vengeance to pass till then;
+so thereupon many put in their word, and said that the strong man must
+needs have been of great might and nobleness, in that Thorstein had
+fared so far forth into the world to avenge him: the rulers of the
+city deemed that like enough; but whereas there was none there to bear
+witness in aught to Thorstein's word, that law of theirs prevailed,
+that whosoever slew a man should lose nought but his life.</p>
+
+<p>So then speedy doom and hard enow did Thorstein get; for in a dark
+chamber of a dungeon should he be cast and there abide his death, if
+none redeemed him therefrom with money. But when Thorstein came into
+the dungeon, there was a man there already, who had come to death's
+door from<span class="newpage"><a name="page253" id="page253">[253]</a></span> misery; and both foul and cold was that abode; Thorstein
+spake to that man and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How deemest thou of thy life?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answered, &quot;As of a right evil life, for of nought can I be holpen,
+nor have I kinsmen to redeem me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein said, &quot;Nought is of less avail in such matters than lack of
+good rede; let us be merry then, and do somewhat that will be glee and
+game to us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The man said that he might have no glee of aught.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, then, but let us try it,&quot; said Thorstein. And therewithal he
+fell to singing; and he was a man of such goodly voice that scarcely
+might his like be found therefor, nor did he now spare himself.</p>
+
+<p>Now the highway was but a little way from the dungeon, and Thorstein
+sang so loud and clear that the walls resounded therewith, and great
+game this seemed to him who had been half-dead erst; and in such wise
+did Thorstein keep it going till the evening.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XC"></a><h2>CHAP. XC.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from the Dungeon</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>There was a great lady of a castle in that town called Spes, exceeding
+rich and of great kin; Sigurd was the name of her husband, a rich man
+too, but of lesser kin than she was, and for money had she been wedded
+to him; no great love there was betwixt them, for she thought she had
+been wedded far beneath her; high-minded she was and a very stirring
+woman.</p>
+
+<p>Now so it befell, that, as Thorstein made him merry that<span class="newpage"><a name="page254" id="page254">[254]</a></span> night, Spes
+walked in the street hard by the dungeon, and heard thence so fair a
+voice, that she said she had never yet heard its like. She went with
+many folk, and so now she bade them go learn who had that noble voice.
+So they called out and asked who lay there in such evil plight; and
+Thorstein named himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Spes, &quot;Art thou a man as much skilled in other matters as in
+singing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said there was but little to show for that.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What ill-deed hast thou done,&quot; said she, &quot;that thou must needs be
+tormented here to the death?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said that he had slain a man, and avenged his brother thereby, &quot;But
+I could not show that by witnesses,&quot; said Thorstein, &quot;and therefore
+have I been cast into ward here, unless some man should redeem me, nor
+do I hope therefor, for no man have I here akin to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great loss of thee if thou art slain! and that brother of thine whom
+thou didst avenge, was he a man so famed, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said that he was more mighty than he by the half; and so she asked
+what token there was thereof. Then sang Thorstein this stave&mdash;</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Field of rings, eight men, who raise</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Din of sword in clattering ways,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Strove the good short-sword in vain</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the strong dead hand to gain;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So they ever strained and strove,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till at last it did behove,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The feared quickener of the fight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the glorious man to smite.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>&quot;Great prowess such a thing shows of the man,&quot; said<span class="newpage"><a name="page255" id="page255">[255]</a></span> those who
+understood the stave; and when she knew thereof, she spake thus,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wilt thou take thy life from me, if such a choice is given thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That will I,&quot; said Thorstein, &quot;if this fellow of mine, who sits
+hereby, is redeemed along with me; or else will we both abide here
+together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;More of a prize do I deem thee than him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Howsoever that may be,&quot; said Thorstein, &quot;we shall go away in company
+both of us together, or else shall neither go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then she went there, whereas were the Varangians, and prayed for
+freedom for Thorstein, and offered money to that end; and to this were
+they right willing; and so she brought about by her mighty friendships
+and her wealth that they were both set free. But as soon as Thorstein
+came out of the dungeon he went to see goodwife Spes, and she took him
+to her and kept him privily; but whiles was he with the Varangians in
+warfare, and in all onsets showed himself the stoutest of hearts.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCI"></a><h2>CHAP. XCI.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In those days was Harald Sigurdson at Micklegarth, and Thorstein fell
+into friendship with him. Of much account was Thorstein held, for Spes
+let him lack no money; and greatly they turned their hearts one to
+the other, Thorstein and Spes; and many folk beside her deemed great
+things of his prowess.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page256" id="page256">[256]</a></span>
+<p>Now her money was much squandered, because she ever gave herself to
+the getting of great friends; and her husband deemed that he could see
+that she was much changed, both in temper and many other of her ways,
+but most of all in the spending of money; both gold and good things he
+missed, which were gone from her keeping.</p>
+
+<p>So on a time Sigurd her husband talks with her, and says that she has
+taken to strange ways. &quot;Thou givest no heed to our goods,&quot; says he,
+&quot;but squanderest them in many wise; and, moreover, it is even as if
+I saw thee ever in a dream, nor ever wilt thou be there whereas I am;
+and I know for sure that something must bring this about.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answered, &quot;I told thee, and my kinsfolk told thee, whenas we came
+together, that I would have my full will and freedom over all such
+things as it was beseeming for me to bestow, and for that cause I
+spare not thy goods. Hast thou perchance aught to say to me concerning
+other matters which may be to my shame?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He answers, &quot;Somewhat do I misdoubt me that thou holdest some man or
+other whom thou deemest better than I be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wot not,&quot; says she, &quot;what ground there may be thereto; but meseems
+thou mayest speak with little truth; and yet, none-the-less, we two
+alone shall not speak on this matter if thou layest this slander on
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So he let the talk drop for that time; she and Thorstein went on in
+the same way, nor were they wary of the words of evil folk, for
+she ever trusted in her many and wise friends. Oft they sat talking
+together and making merry; and on an evening as they sat in a certain
+loft, wherein were goodly things of hers, she bade Thorstein sing
+somewhat, for she thought the goodman was sitting at the drink, as
+his wont was, so she bolted the door. But, when he had sung<span class="newpage"><a name="page257" id="page257">[257]</a></span> a certain
+while, the door was driven at, and one called from outside to open;
+and there was come the husband with many of his folk.</p>
+
+<p>The goodwife had unlocked a great chest to show Thorstein her dainty
+things; so when she knew who was there, she would not unlock the door,
+but speaks to Thorstein, &quot;Quick is my rede, jump into the chest and
+keep silent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So he did, and she shot the bolt of the chest and sat thereon herself;
+and even therewith in came the husband into the loft, for he and his
+had broken open the door thereof.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the lady, &quot;Why do ye fare with all this uproar? are your
+foes after you then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The goodman answered, &quot;Now it is well that thou thyself givest proof
+of thyself what thou art; where is the man who trolled out that song
+so well e'en now? I wot thou deemest him of far fairer voice than I
+be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said: &quot;Not altogether a fool is he who can be silent; but so it
+fares not with thee: thou deemest thyself cunning, and art minded to
+bind thy lie on my back. Well, then, let proof be made thereof! If
+there be truth in thy words, take the man; he will scarce have leapt
+out through the walls or the roof.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So he searched through the place, and found him not, and she said,
+&quot;Why dost thou not take him then, since thou deemest the thing so
+sure?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He was silent, nor knew in sooth amid what wiles he was come; then
+he asked his fellows if they had not heard him even as he had. But
+whereas they saw that the mistress misliked the matter, their witness
+came to nought, for they said that oft folk heard not things as they
+were in very sooth. So the husband went out, and deemed he knew that
+sooth well enough, though they had not found<span class="newpage"><a name="page258" id="page258">[258]</a></span> the man; and now for a
+long time he left spying on his wife and her ways.</p>
+
+<p>Another time, long after, Thorstein and Spes sat in a certain
+cloth-bower, and therein were clothes, both cut and uncut, which the
+wedded folk owned; there she showed to Thorstein many kinds of cloth,
+and they unfolded them; but when they were least ware of it the
+husband came on them with many men, and brake into the loft; but while
+they were about that she heaped up clothes over Thorstein, and leaned
+against the clothes-stack when they came into the chamber.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wilt thou still deny,&quot; said the goodman, &quot;that there was a man with
+thee, when such men there are as saw you both?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She bade them not to go on so madly. &quot;This time ye will not fail,
+belike; but let me be at peace, and worry me not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So they searched through the place and found nought, and at last gave
+it up.</p>
+
+<p>Then the goodwife answered and said, &quot;It is ever good to give better
+proof than the guesses of certain folk; nor was it to be looked for
+that ye should find that which was not. Wilt thou now confess thy
+folly, husband, and free me from this slander?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said, &quot;The less will I free thee from it in that I trow thou art
+in very sooth guilty of that which I have laid to thy charge; and thou
+wilt have to put forth all thy might in this case, if thou art to get
+this thrust from thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She said that that was in nowise against her mind, and therewithal
+they parted.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter was Thorstein ever with the Varangians, and men say that
+he sought counsel of Harald Sigurdson, and their mind it is that
+Thorstein and Spes would<span class="newpage"><a name="page259" id="page259">[259]</a></span> not have taken to those redes but for the
+trust they had in him and his wisdom.</p>
+
+<p>Now as time wore on, goodman Sigurd gave out that he would fare
+from home on certain errands of his own. The goodwife nowise let him
+herein; and when he was gone, Thorstein came to Spes, and the twain
+were ever together. Now such was the fashion of her castle that it
+was built forth over the sea, and there were certain chambers therein
+whereunder the sea flowed; in such a chamber Thorstein and Spes ever
+sat; and a little trap-door there was in the floor of it, whereof none
+knew but those twain, and it might be opened if there were hasty need
+thereof.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of the husband that he went nowhither, save into
+hiding, that he might spy the ways of the housewife; so it befell
+that, one night as they sat alone in the sea-loft and were glad
+together, the husband came on them unawares with a crowd of folk, for
+he had brought certain men to a window of the chamber, and bade them
+see if things were not even according to his word: and all said that
+he spake but the sooth, and that so belike he had done aforetime.</p>
+
+<p>So they ran into the loft, but when Spes heard the crash, she said to
+Thorstein,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Needs must thou go down hereby, whatsoever be the cost, but give me
+some token if thou comest safe from the place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He said yea thereto, and plunged down through the floor, and the
+housewife spurned her foot at the lid, and it fell back again into its
+place, and no new work was to be seen on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Now the husband and his men came into the loft, and went about
+searching, and found nought, as was likely; the loft was empty, so
+that there was nought therein save the floor<span class="newpage"><a name="page260" id="page260">[260]</a></span> and the cross-benches,
+and there sat the goodwife, and played with the gold on her fingers;
+she heeded them little, and made as if there was nought to do.</p>
+
+<p>All this the goodman thought the strangest of all, and asked his folk
+if they had not seen the man, and they said that they had in good
+sooth seen him.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the goodwife, &quot;Hereto shall things come as is said;
+<i>thrice of yore have all things happed</i>, and in likewise hast
+thou fared, Sigurd,&quot; says she, &quot;for three times hadst thou undone my
+peace, meseems, and are ye any wiser than in the beginning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This time I was not alone in my tale,&quot; said the goodman; &quot;and now to
+make an end, shall thou go through the freeing by law, for in nowise
+will I have this shame unbooted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Meseems,&quot; says the goodwife, &quot;thou biddest me what I would bid of
+thee, for good above all things I deem it to free myself from this
+slander, which has spread so wide and high, that it would be great
+dishonour if I thrust it not from off me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In likewise,&quot; said the goodman, &quot;shalt thou prove that thou hast not
+given away or taken to thyself my goods.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>She answers, &quot;At that time when I free myself shall I in one wise
+thrust off from me all charges that thou hast to bring against me; but
+take thou heed whereto all shall come; I will at once free myself
+from all words that have been spoken here on this charge that thou now
+makest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The goodman was well content therewith, and got him gone with his men.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is to be told of Thorstein that he swam forth from under the
+chamber, and went aland where he would, and took a burning log, and
+held it up in such wise that it<span class="newpage"><a name="page261" id="page261">[261]</a></span> might be seen from the goodwife's
+castle, and she was abroad for long that evening, and right into the
+night, for that she would fain know if Thorstein had come aland; and
+so when she saw the fire, she deemed that she knew that Thorstein had
+taken land, for even such a token had they agreed on betwixt them.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Spes bade her husband speak of their matters to
+the bishop, and thereto was he fully ready. Now they come before the
+bishop, and the goodman put forward all the aforesaid charges against
+her.</p>
+
+<p>The bishop asked if she had been known for such an one aforetime,
+but none said that they had heard thereof. Then he asked with what
+likelihood he brought those things against her. So the goodman brought
+forward men who had seen her sit in a locked room with a man beside
+her, and they twain alone: and therewith the goodman said that he
+misdoubted him of that man beguiling her.</p>
+
+<p>The bishop said that she might well free herself lawfully from this
+charge if so she would. She said that it liked her well so to do, &quot;and
+good hope I have,&quot; said Spes, &quot;that I shall have great plenty of women
+to purge me by oath in this case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now was an oath set forward in words for her, and a day settled
+whereon the case should come about; and thereafter she went home, and
+was glad at heart, and Thorstein and Spes met, and settled fully what
+they should do.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page262" id="page262">[262]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCII"></a><h2>CHAP. XCII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now that day past, and time wore on to the day when Spes should
+make oath, and she bade thereto all her friends and kin, and arrayed
+herself in the best attire she had, and many noble ladies went with
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Wet was the weather about that time, and the ways were miry, and a
+certain slough there was to go over or ever they might come to the
+church; and whenas Spes and her company came forth anigh this slough,
+a great crowd was there before them, and a multitude of poor folk who
+prayed them of alms, for this was in the common highway, and all who
+knew her deemed it was their part to welcome her, and prayed for good
+things for her as for one who had oft holpen them well.</p>
+
+<p>A certain staff-propped carle there was amidst those poor folk, great
+of growth and long-bearded. Now the women made stay at the slough,
+because that the great people deemed the passage across over miry, and
+therewith when that staff-carle saw the goodwife, that she was better
+arrayed than the other women, he spake to her on this wise,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good mistress,&quot; said he, &quot;be so lowly as to suffer me to bear thee
+over this slough, for it is the bounden duty of us staff-carles to
+serve thee all we may.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What then,&quot; says she, &quot;wilt thou bear me well, when thou mayst not
+bear thyself?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yet would it show forth thy lowliness,&quot; says he, &quot;nor may I offer
+better than I have withal; and in all things wilt<span class="newpage"><a name="page263" id="page263">[263]</a></span> thou fare the
+better, if thou hast no pride against poor folk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wot thou well, then,&quot; says she, &quot;that if thou bearest me not well it
+shall be for a beating to thee, or some other shame greater yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I would fain risk it,&quot; said he; and therewithal he got on to
+his feet and stood in the slough. She made as if she were sore afeard
+of his carrying her, yet nathless she went on, borne on his back; and
+he staggered along exceeding slowly, going on two crutches, and when
+he got midmost of the slough he began to reel from side to side. She
+bade him gather up his strength.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Never shalt thou have made a worse journey than this if thou easiest
+me down here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then the poor wretch staggers on, and gathers up all his courage and
+strength, and gets close to the dry land, but stumbles withal, and
+falls head-foremost in such wise, that he cast her on to the bank, but
+fell into the ditch up to his armpits, and therewithal as he lay there
+caught at the goodwife, and gat no firm hold of her clothes, but set
+his miry hand on her knee right up to the bare thigh.</p>
+
+<p>She sprang up and cursed him, and said that ever would evil come from
+wretched gangrel churles: &quot;and thy full due it were to be beaten, if I
+thought it not a shame, because of thy misery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then said he, &quot;Meted in unlike ways is man's bliss; me-thought I had
+done well to thee, and I looked for an alms at thy hands, and lo,
+in place thereof, I get but threats and ill-usage and no good again
+withal;&quot; and he made as if he were exceeding angry.</p>
+
+<p>Many deemed that he looked right poor and wretched, but she said that
+he was the wiliest of old churles; but whereas many prayed for him,
+she took her purse to her,<span class="newpage"><a name="page264" id="page264">[264]</a></span> and therein was many a penny of gold; then
+she shook down the money and said,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take thou this, carle; nowise good were it, if thou hadst not full
+pay for the hard words thou hadst of me; now have I parted with thee,
+even according to thy worth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then he picked up the gold, and thanked her for her good deed. Spes
+went to the church, and a great crowd was there before her. Sigurd
+pushed the case forward eagerly, and bade her free herself from those
+charges he had brought against her.</p>
+
+<p>She said, &quot;I heed not thy charges; what man dost thou say thou hast
+seen in my chamber with me? Lo now oft it befalls that some worthy man
+will be with me, and that do I deem void of any shame; but hereby will
+I swear that to no man have I given gold, and of no man have I had
+fleshly defilement save of my husband, and that wretched staff-carle
+who laid his miry hand on my thigh when I was borne over the slough
+this same day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now many deemed that this was a full oath, and that no shame it was to
+her, though the carle had laid hand on her unwittingly; but she said
+that all things must be told even as they were.</p>
+
+<p>Thereafter she swore the oath in such form as is said afore, and many
+said thereon that she showed the old saw to be true, <i>swear loud and
+say little</i>. But for her, she said that wise men would think that
+this was not done by guile.</p>
+
+<p>Then her kin fell to saying that great shame and grief it was for
+high-born women to have such lying charges brought against them
+bootless, whereas it was a crime worthy of death if it were openly
+known of any woman that she had done whoredoms against her husband.
+Therewithal<span class="newpage"><a name="page265" id="page265">[265]</a></span> Spes prayed the bishop to make out a divorce betwixt her
+and her husband Sigurd, because she said she might nowise bear his
+slanderous lying charges. Her kinsfolk pushed the matter forward for
+her, and so brought it about by their urgency that they were divorced,
+and Sigurd got little of the goods, and was driven away from the land
+withal, for here matters went as is oft shown that they will, and
+<i>the lower must lowt</i>; nor could he bring aught about to avail
+him, though he had but said the very sooth.</p>
+
+<p>Now Spes took to her all their money, and was deemed the greatest of
+stirring women; but when folk looked into her oath, it seemed to them
+that there was some guile in it, and were of a mind that wise men must
+have taught her that way of swearing; and men dug out this withal,
+that the staff-carle who had carried her was even Thorstein Dromund.
+Yet for all that Sigurd got no righting of the matter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCIII"></a><h2>CHAP. XCIII.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Thorstein Dromund was with the Varangians while the talk ran highest
+about these matters; so famed did he become that it was deemed that
+scarce had any man of the like prowess come thither; the greatest
+honours he gat from Harald Sigurdson, for he was of his kin; and after
+his counsels did Thorstein do, as men are minded to think.</p>
+
+<p>But a little after Sigurd was driven from the land, Thorstein fell to
+wooing Spes to wife, and she took it meetly, but went to her kinsmen
+for rede; then they held<span class="newpage"><a name="page266" id="page266">[266]</a></span> meetings thereon, and were of one accord that
+she herself must rule the matter; then was the bargain struck, and
+good was their wedded life, and they were rich in money, and all men
+deemed Thorstein to be a man of exceeding good luck, since he had
+delivered himself from all his troubles.</p>
+
+<p>The twain were together for two winters in Micklegarth, and then
+Thorstein said to his goodwife that he would fain go back to see his
+possessions in Norway. She said he should have his will, so they sold
+the lands they had there, and gat them great wealth of chattels, and
+then betook them from that land, with a fair company, and went all the
+way till they came to Norway. Thorstein's kin welcomed them both right
+heartily, and soon saw that Spes was bountiful and high-minded, and
+she speedily became exceeding well befriended. Some children they had
+between them, and they abode on their lands, and were well content
+with their life.</p>
+
+<p>In those days was Magnus the Good king over Norway. Thorstein soon
+went to meet him, and had good welcome of him, for he had grown famous
+for the avenging of Grettir the Strong (for men scarce know of its
+happening that any other Icelander, save Grettir Asmundson, was
+avenged in Micklegarth); and folk say that Thorstein became a man of
+King Magnus, and for nine winters after he had come to Norway he abode
+in peace, and folk of the greatest honour were they deemed, he and his
+wife.</p>
+
+<p>Then came home from Micklegarth king Harald Sigurdson, and King Magnus
+gave him half Norway, and they were both kings therein for a while;
+but after the death of King Magnus many of those who had been his
+friends were ill-content, for all men loved him; but folk might not
+abide the temper of King Harald, for that he was hard and was wont to
+punish men heavily.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page267" id="page267">[267]</a></span>
+<p>But Thorstein Dromund was fallen into eld, though he was still the
+halest of men; and now was the slaying of Grettir Asmundson sixteen
+winters agone.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCIV"></a><h2>CHAP. XCIV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway again</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>At that time many urged Thorstein to go meet King Harald, and become
+his man; but he took not kindly to it.</p>
+
+<p>Then Spes spake, &quot;I will, Thorstein,&quot; says she, &quot;that thou go not to
+meet Harald the king, for to another king have we much more to pay,
+and need there is that we turn our minds to that; for now we both
+grow old and our youth is long departed, and far more have we followed
+after worldly devices, than the teaching of Christ, or the ways of
+justice and uprightness; now wot I well that this debt can be paid for
+us neither by our kindred or our goods, and I will that we ourselves
+should pay it: now will I therefore that we change our way of life
+and fare away from this land and unto the abode of the Pope, because I
+well believe that so only may my case be made easy to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thorstein said, &quot;As well known to me as to thee are the things thou
+talkest of; and it is meet that thou have thy will herein, since thou
+didst ever give me my will, in a matter of far less hope; and in all
+things will we do as thou biddest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This took men utterly unawares; Thorstein was by then sixty-seven
+years of age, yet hale in all wise.</p>
+
+<p>So now he bid to him all his kindred and folk allied to him, and laid
+before them the things he had determined<span class="newpage"><a name="page268" id="page268">[268]</a></span> on. Wise men gave good words
+thereto, though they deemed of their departing as of the greatest
+loss.</p>
+
+<p>But Thorstein said that there was nought sure about his coming back:
+&quot;Now do I give thanks to all of you,&quot; says he, &quot;for the heed ye paid
+to my goods when I was last away from the land; now I will offer you,
+and pray you to take to you my children's havings, and my children,
+and bring them up according to the manliness that is in you; for I am
+fallen so far into eld that there is little to say as to whether I may
+return or not, though I may live; but ye shall in such wise look after
+all that I leave behind me here, even as if I should never come back
+to Norway.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then men answered, that good redes would be plenteous if the housewife
+should abide behind to look after his affairs; but she said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For that cause did I come hither from the out-lands, and from
+Micklegarth, with Thorstein, leaving behind both kin and goods,
+for that I was fain that one fate might be over us both; now have I
+thought it good to be here; but I have no will to abide long in Norway
+or the North-lands if he goes away; ever has there been great love
+betwixt us withal, and nought has happed to divide us; now therefore
+will we depart together, for to both of us is known the truth about
+many things that befell since we first met.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So, when they had settled their affairs in this wise, Thorstein bade
+chosen folk divide his goods into halves; and his kin took the half
+which his children were to own, and they were brought up by their
+father's kin, and were in aftertimes the mightiest of men, and great
+kin in the Wick has come from them. But Thorstein and Spes divided
+their share of the goods, and some they gave to churches for their
+souls' health, and some they took with them. Then they betook
+themselves Romeward, and many folk prayed well for them.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page269" id="page269">[269]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="CHAP_XCV"></a><h2>CHAP. XCV.</h2>
+
+<p><i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to Rome and died there</i>.</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Now they went their ways till they came to Rome-town; and so when they
+came before him, who was appointed to hear the shrifts of men, they
+told him well and truly all things even as they had happed, and
+with what cunning and craft they had joined together in wedlock;
+therewithal they gave themselves up with great humility to such
+penance for the amending of their lives as he should lay on them; but
+because that they themselves had turned their minds to the atoning
+of their faults, without any urging or anger from the rulers of the
+church, they were eased of all fines as much as might be, but were
+bidden gently that they should now and henceforth concern themselves
+reasonably for their souls' health, and from this time forward live in
+chastity, since they had gotten them release from all their guilt; and
+herewith they were deemed to have fared well and wisely.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Spes, &quot;Now, meseems, our matters have gone well and are come
+to an end, and no unlucky life have we had together; yet maybe fools
+will do after the pattern of our former life; now therefore let us
+make such an end to all, that good men also may follow after us and do
+the like: so let us go bargain with those who are deft in stone-craft;
+that they make for each of us a cell of stone, that we may thereby
+atone for what we have done against God.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Thorstein laid down money for the making of a stone cell for each
+of them, and for such-like other things as they might need, and might
+not be without for the keeping of<span class="newpage"><a name="page270" id="page270">[270]</a></span> their lives; and then, when the
+stone work was done, and the time was meet therefor and all things
+were ready, they departed their worldly fellowship of their own free
+will, that they might the more enjoy a holy fellowship in another
+world. And there they abode both in their stone cells, and lived as
+long as God would have it, and so ended their lives. And most men say
+that Thorstein Dromund and Spes his wife may be deemed to be folk of
+the greatest good luck, all things being accounted of; but neither
+his children or any of his issue have come to Iceland for a tale to be
+made of them.</p>
+
+<p>Now Sturla the Lawman says so much as that he deems no outlawed man
+ever to have been so mighty as Grettir the Strong; and thereto he puts
+forth three reasons&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>And first in that he was the wisest of them all; for the longest in
+outlawry he was of any man, and was never won whiles he was hale.</p>
+
+<p>And again, in that he was the strongest in all the land among men of
+a like age; and more fitted to lay ghosts and do away with hauntings
+than any other.</p>
+
+<p>And thirdly, in that he was avenged out in Micklegarth, even as
+no other man of Iceland has been; and this withal, that Thorstein
+Dromund, who avenged him, was so lucky a man in his last days.</p>
+
+<p>So here ends the story of Grettir Asmundson, our fellow-countryman.
+Thank have they who listened thereto; but thank little enow to him who
+scribbled out the tale.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">GOOD PEOPLE, HERE THE WORK HATH END:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">MAY ALL FOLK TO THE GOOD GOD WEND!</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page271" id="page271">[271]</a></span>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="NOTES_AND_CORRECTIONS"></a><h2>NOTES AND CORRECTIONS.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<p>P. 29. The genealogy of Gamli of Meals, as here recorded, seems to be
+peculiar to Grettir's saga. Yet its statements are inconsistent in
+the matter, for it gives this twofold genealogy of the man. See Ed.
+Kaupmannah&ouml;fn: 1853.</p>
+
+<p>P. 22. Ranveig was the wife of Gamli, the son of <i>Thorald</i>, the
+son of the <i>Vendlander</i>.</p>
+
+<p>P. 70. And (Thorir of the Pass) sold the land at Meals to
+<i>Thorhalli</i>, son of Gamli the <i>Widelander</i>. His son was
+Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, the daughter of Asmund Greyhaired.</p>
+
+<p>According to 'Landn&aacute;ma,' this Gamli of Meals, Asmund's son-in-law,
+was son of Thord, and great-great-grandson of Thorhrolf or Thorolf
+Fasthaldi (Fastholding), who settled lands on the north coast of
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjart&eth;ardj&uacute;p), and farmed at Snowfells (Snaefj&ouml;ll).
+We have given Thorhall in our translation in both places as the
+man's name. Perhaps Thoraldr is nothing but a corruption of Thor&oacute;lfr
+fasthaldi; and Thorhalli again a corruption of the first. But Gamli
+the Vendlander or Widelander, we have no means of identifying.</p>
+
+<p>P. 30. 'Now in those times there were wont to be large fire-halls
+at the homesteads.' The hall, <i>holl, sk&aacute;li, stofa</i>, was the
+principal room in every home. <i>Elda-sk&aacute;li</i>, or fire-hall, as
+the one alluded to at Biarg, was so called from its serving as a
+cooking-hall and a sitting-hall at once. The main features in the
+construction of a hall were the following: it was generally built from
+east to west, in an oblong form, having doors either at one or both
+ends through the south-side wall, where it met the gable end. These
+two entrances were called carles'-door and queens'-door (<i>karldyrr,
+kvenndyrr</i>), being respectively for the ingress and egress of
+men and women. Sometimes the men's-door was adorned with the beaks
+(<i>brandar</i>) of a hewn-up ship, as was the case with the hall of
+Thorir of Garth, standing as door-posts on either side. The door led
+to a front-hall (<i>fork&aacute;li, fortofa, and-dyri, framh&uacute;s</i>), which,
+sometimes at least, seems to have been portioned off into an inner
+room (<i>klefi</i>), or bay, and the vestibule proper. In the bay were
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page272" id="page272">[272]</a></span>
+kept victuals, such as dried fish, flour, and sometimes, no doubt,
+beer. Within, the hall fell into three main portions: the main hall,
+or the nave, and the aisles on either side thereof (<i>skot</i>):
+The plan of the hall was much like that of one of our regular-built
+churches without chancel, say like a Suffolk church of the fifteenth
+century, the nave being lighted by a clerestory, and the aisles
+running the whole way along the nave, and communicating behind the
+dais. These aisles were used for sleeping-places; so that along the
+whole length of the hall, and behind the dais, all was partitioned
+into bedsteads, open or locked,&mdash;open, that is to say, communicating
+with the nave by a doorless aperture,&mdash;locked, that is, shut out of
+view from the nave (<i>lok-rekkja, lok-hvila</i>).</p>
+
+<p>On the wall between nave and aisles, which was covered with a
+panelling on its inside at least, were hung the shields and weapons
+of the chief and his retainers, or home-men. Sometimes it was painted
+with mythic subjects, and adorned with fantastic carvings; on great
+occasions it was covered with hangings. Along both side-walls ran a
+row of seats, called benches (<i>bekkr</i>), the north-most of which,
+or the one which faced the sun, was called the nobler bench (<i>ae&eth;ri
+bekkr</i>), the south-most one, the less noble bench, (<i>&uacute;oe&eth;ri
+bekkr</i>). In the middle of either bench was a seat, called the high
+seat (<i>&ouml;ndvegi</i>); that of the nobler bench being occupied by the
+chief or head of the house, unless he had for his guest a man nobler
+than himself, in which case the latter took it; that of the less noble
+bench being allotted to the noblest among the guests. The nobler bench
+was on ordinary occasions the bench for the chief and the household.
+The less noble for the guests. In front of the chiefs high-seat were
+the high-seat-poles which in the early ages of Paganism in the North
+were objects of much veneration, and must always accompany the chief
+if he moved his abode, and point out his new homestead, if he fared
+for it over sea, by the spot where they drifted ashore, as, when land
+was sighted, they were thrown overboard. In front of the seat-rows
+just described were placed the tables whereon the meals were put
+forth. And when the number of people exceeded the capacity of the
+ordinary benches, a new row of benches was placed in front of the
+tables, so that there were two rows of benches down along either
+side of the hall with the tables between them. The last-named rows of
+benches were called <i>forsoeti</i>; and their occupiers, when seated
+at table, faced those of the upper and lower bench. In the centre of
+the hall, if of the fashion, as it probably was in early times, of a
+fire-hall, was a narrow oblong stone-pavement, probably as long as the
+rows of the benches, whereon fires were lit for heating of the room,
+for cooking of food in some cases, and for<span class="newpage"><a name="page273" id="page273">[273]</a></span> the purpose of lighting up
+the hall. The smoke that rose from the burning fuel found its way out
+through the luffer or louvre, in the middle of the ridge of the roof
+(<i>lj&oacute;ri</i>); the <i>reyk-beri</i>, reek-bearer, seems to have been
+a contrivance for creating draught to carry the smoke out through
+the <i>lj&oacute;ri</i>. In that end of the hall which was opposite to the
+entrance was the cross-bench, dais (<i>pallr</i>), occupied by the
+women. Here was also a high seat (<i>&ouml;ndvegi &aacute; palli</i>), which was
+generally taken by the mistress of the house. In our saga it seems
+that the hall of Sand-heaps made an exception to this general rule, as
+it apparently had the dais immediately within the doorway.</p>
+
+<p>P. 77 (cpr. 110). It is worth observing here, that Thorvald, son of
+Asgeir Madpate the younger, dwells at As in Waterdale, about 1013,
+when Thorgils Makson was slain. When Grettir played, as a youth, on
+Midfirth-water (or <i>cca</i>. 1010), he dwelt at Asgeirsriver. We
+mention this because there has been some confusion about the matter.
+On the slight authority of the &THORN;&aacute;ttr af Isleifi biskupi', Biskupa
+S&ouml;gur I. 54, it has been maintained that he dwelt at Asgeirsriver
+even as late as <i>cca</i>. 1035, when his daughter Dalla was wooed by
+Isleif the Bishop. G. Vigf&uacute;sson, Safn til S&ouml;gu Islands, I. 337. On
+the other hand, the statement of Hungrvaka that he farmed at As
+(<i>i.e.</i>, at the Ridge), at the time aforesaid, has given rise
+to the conjecture that thereby must be meant Valdar-As, a farm in
+Willowdale, near Asgeirsriver, the manor of the Madpate family. G.
+Vigf&uacute;sson, in Biskupa S&ouml;gur, I. 61, note 2. It seems there is no need
+of setting aside the clear statement of our saga, that the As was As
+in Waterdale (<i>see</i> Index), and not Valdar&aacute;s in Willowdale at
+all, or that Thorvald had, by 1013, moved up to the neighbouring
+country-side of Waterdale, and settled among the kin of his
+great-grandmother.</p>
+
+<p>P. 114, 1. 1. 'The men of Meals,' is a close translation of the
+original, which, however, is incorrect; for the men of Meals were
+Grettir's kin-in-law, and natural allies. The saga means the men of
+Meal, Kormak and his followers, and the original should be either,
+&thorn;eir Mel-menn, or Mels-menn, or &thorn;eir Kormakr fr&aacute; Mel.</p>
+
+<p>P. 129, 1. 10, 11. We have purposely altered the text from: en &thorn;&uacute;
+&ouml;ruggr &iacute; einangri, <i>i.e.</i>, 'but thou stout in danger,' into:
+en <i>&thorn;&oacute;, i.e.</i>, 'but stout in danger none-the-less.' The former
+reading seems barely to give any sense, the last a natural and the
+required one.</p>
+
+<p>P. 169. Hallmund. Our saga is one among the historic sagas of Iceland
+which deals with traditions of ancient belief in the spirits of the
+unknown regions of the land that are interested in the well-being of
+the mere men who dwell near them. Hallmund and the giant Thorir are
+the representatives of these powers in our saga. Of these Hallmund<span class="newpage"><a name="page274" id="page274">[274]</a></span> is
+the more interesting of the two, both for his human sympathies, his
+tragic end, and the poetry ascribed to him. At one time or other he
+has had a great name in the Icelandic folk-lore among the spirits of
+the land, the so-called land wights <i>(land-voetir)</i>, and there is
+still existing a poem of ancient type, the refrain of which is closely
+similar to that of Grettir's song on Hallmund, but which is stated to
+be by some cave-wight that lived in a deep and gloomy cavern somewhere
+in Deepfirth, on the north side of Broadfirth. In the so-called
+Bergb&uacute;a&thorn;&aacute;ttr or cave-dweller's tale (Edited by G. Vigf&uacute;sson in
+Nordiske Old-skrifter, xxvii., pp. 123-128, and 140-143, Copenhagen,
+1860), this song is said to have been heard by two men, who, on their
+way to church, had lost their road, and were overtaken by the darkness
+of night, and, in order to escape straying too far out of their way,
+sought shelter under the lee of a sheer rock which chanced to be on
+their way. They soon found a mouth of a cave where they knew not that
+any cave was to be looked for, whereupon one of the wayfarers set up a
+cross-mark in the door of the cave, and then with his fellow-traveller
+sat down on two stones at the mouth of the cave, as they did not dare
+to risk themselves too far in the gloomy abode away from the cross.
+When the first third part of the night was spent they heard something
+come along from within the cave doorwards out to them.<a name="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20"><sup>[20]</sup></a> They signed
+themselves with the sign of the cross, and prayed God's mercy to be
+on them, for they thought the doings within the deep of the cavern now
+grew big enough. On looking into the darkness they saw a sight like
+unto two full-moons, or huge targets, with some monstrous figure
+(unreadable in the MS.) between them. They thought this was nothing
+but two eyes, and that nowise narrow of face might he be who bore such
+torches. Next they heard a chanting of a monstrous kind and in a big
+voice. A lay there was sung of twelve staves, with the final refrain
+of each twice repeated.</p>
+
+<p>The poem seems to be a death-song over the cave-kin of the country by
+the new change of thought brought in by Christianity.</p>
+
+<p>P. 189. 'Grettir lay out that summer on Madderdale-heath, and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.' A corroboration
+of the saga has been clearly set forth by the discovery of a
+Grettir's-lair, in Axefirth-peak, in 1862. True the saga passes over
+Grettir's doings on these vast eastern wildernesses, but tradition has
+preserved the name<span class="newpage"><a name="page275" id="page275">[275]</a></span> for the place, and it shows by its construction and
+position that it must have been constructed by one skilled in choosing
+a good fighting stand, and a good and wide view at the same time. An
+Icelandic farmer has thus given an accurate and reliable description
+of Grettir's lair:</p>
+
+<p>'In the summer of 1850, when I came north to Axefirth, I heard talk
+of a Grettir's lair upon Axefirth-peak.... Many who had seen it made
+a slight matter of it, which brought me to think it must have few
+peculiarities of antiquarian interest to show. But on the 7th of
+September, this summer (1862), I went with the rape-ruler Arni J&oacute;nsson
+of Wood-stead to inspect the lair. Walking up to it from the level
+ground below took us three minutes. The lair stands in the lower part
+of a slip of stones beneath some sheer rocks between a sandstone rock,
+called the carline, and the stone slip from the peak. It is built
+up of stones, straight as a line, and runs, 4-3/4 ells in length, 10
+inches broad, and is, within walls, 7/8 of an ell deep. The half of it
+is deftly covered in with flat stones, the longest of which are 2 ells
+9 inches long, and about half an ell in thickness, and a little more
+in breadth. Small thin fragments of stone are wedged in between these
+where their junctures do not close tight, and so firmly are they
+fixed, that without instruments they may not be removed. One stone in
+the south wall is so large that we deemed it fully the task of
+from four to six men to move it when loose. The north side wall is
+beginning to give way, where the room is covered in. On the outside
+it is overgrown with black scurf and grey moss. The head end we deemed
+was the one which is turned to the rock and is not covered in,
+and evidently has been open from the beginning. Here the floor
+is overgrown with moss, grass, thyme, ferns, crow-foot, and
+lady's-mantle. In all likelihood the inmate has closed that part of
+the room in with hides, when needful. On sitting up, all who went to
+and fro on the road below, must have been within view; not only those
+who came from the north of Foxplain (Melrakkasl&egrave;tta) and Nupa-sveit,
+but also far toward the north he had a view even unto the open sea,
+nay, even unto Budluga-haven. Looking southwards, he must have seen
+all who came up from the outer firth; for from the lair there is a
+clear view even unto Burn-river, past which the high-road goes. A
+popular tradition says, too, that all who must needs pass this way,
+when Grettir was in the Peak, had taken at last to going over the
+top of the Peak, where there was no road, but the sheep-wilds of the
+Axefirthers. The lair-bider, even if he was set on by an overwhelming
+force, was not easily won, and least of all a man of such prowess as
+Grettir, except by shot; for he might at a moment's notice take his
+stand in the rock above his head,<span class="newpage"><a name="page276" id="page276">[276]</a></span> the where one side only gives the chance
+of an onset, and where there is an ample supply of loose stones, large
+and small, on the Peak side of the rock to defend oneself; on three
+sides sheer rocks hem in the position, and those overhead are many
+times the height of a man's.'</p>
+
+<p>P. 208. Knave-game. Perhaps the truer rendering would have been
+'nut-game,' if indeed 'hnet tafl' here stands not for 'hnef-tafl,'
+as we at first supposed. It is undoubtedly true that among the early
+games of Iceland the 'hettafl,' 'hnottafl,' was a distinct kind of
+game, as was also the 'hneftafl,' 'hnefatafl,' knave-game. If we
+follow the text as it stands, the game that Thorbiorn played is
+supposed to have borne some resemblance to what is now called in
+Iceland 'refsk&aacute;k,' fox-play, anglice 'fox and geese,' the aim of
+which is, by twelve pieces, called lambs, to bring the fox into such a
+position as to leave him no place to move, whichso way he turns.</p>
+
+<p>P. 240. Pied-belly we call the Ram, although the saga seems to mean
+that he was called Autumn-belly, which is a name of little, if of
+any, sense at all. We suppose that <i>haus-m&ouml;g&oacute;ttr</i>, p. 169, and
+<i>haust-magi</i>, p. 184, is one and the same thing, the <i>t</i>
+having spuriously crept into the text from a scribe's inadvertence.</p>
+
+<p>P. 243 (cpr. 207, 225, 272). 'In such wise Grettir lost his life, &amp;c.'
+The hardest thing to account for, or to bring to an intelligible issue
+in Grettir's saga, is the incongruity between the statements as to his
+age at his death and the number of years of his outlawry, as compared
+with the truthful account of the events told in the saga itself. From
+the time when Grettir slew his first man, all the events of the
+saga may be traced clearly year for year up to his death, and their
+truthfulness is borne out whensoever they chance to run parallel to
+events mentioned in other trustworthy sagas, and they fall in with the
+right time nearly without an exception. But the statement on the page
+referred to above, that he was fourteen years old when he slew Skeggi,
+that he was twenty when he dealt with Glam; twenty-five when he fell
+into outlawry, and forty-four when he was slain, is utterly confuted
+by the chronology of the saga itself.</p>
+
+<p>These numbers given above are obviously made to fall in with the story
+in page 225 about the talk of the time of his outlawry at the Thing.
+The question is stated to have been this: whether he had been a
+fraction of the twentieth year an outlaw, his friends hoping that in
+such case a part might count <i>pro toto</i>. But the truth of the
+matter was that he had neither been an outlaw for a fraction of the
+twentieth year, nor even for anything like nineteen years. He was
+outlawed at the Thing held in 1016, his year of outlawry dated from
+Thing to Thing; this talk befell in 1031, consequently he had been
+full fifteen years<span class="newpage"><a name="page277" id="page277">[277]</a></span> and no fraction of a year in outlawry. The story,
+therefore, of the twenty years, or nineteen years and a fraction, of
+outlawry falls utterly to the ground when brought to the test of the
+actual facts as recorded in the saga.</p>
+
+<p>But, despite of this, it is not to be supposed that this episode at
+the Thing in 1031 is brought in at random and without any cause. There
+are two obvious reasons for assigning twenty years to the length of
+Grettir's outlawry, and for bringing into the tale a discussion on
+that subject just where it is done. The one we may call the reason of
+traditional belief, the other the reason of dramatic effect. Grettir
+was indisputably for all reasons the greatest of Icelandic outlaws,
+and the fond imagination of his biographers at all times urged them
+to give the longest endurance to the time of his outlawry above all
+outlaws, without inquiring closely as to whether it agreed with
+the saga itself or not. The other, or the dramatic motive, lies
+in bringing in the discussion on this long outlawry just at this
+particular Thing of 1031; for it was obviously the teller's object to
+suggest to the reader the hope of the great outlaw's legal restoration
+to the cherished society of man just before the falling of the
+crushing blow, in order to give an enhanced tragic interest to his
+end, and he undoubtedly succeeds in doing this. To these reasons,
+besides others less obvious, we imagine this main inconsistency in
+Grettir's saga is to be ascribed.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, it is worth observing that blunders of scribes may have
+in a measure been at work here. If we are not mistaken most of the
+existing MSS. of our saga state that when he fell (p. 243) 'he was one
+winter short of&mdash;<i>var h&aacute;num vetri f&aacute;tt &aacute;</i>'&mdash;whatever number
+of years they give as his age. And we venture the suggestion
+that originally the passage ran thus: var h&aacute;num vetri f&aacute;tt &aacute; h&aacute;lf
+iv{tugum},<a name="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21"><sup>[21]</sup></a> <i>i.e.</i>, he lacked one winter of thirty-five years,
+when he was slain. If a subsequent scribe committed the easy blunder
+of dropping I before V, the reading of our original (Edition, 53)
+would be the natural result, and an offspring of that same blunder
+would also as easily be the other reading, common to one class of the
+Grettir MSS.: var h&aacute;num vetri f&aacute;tt &iacute; v{tugum} or &iacute; hinum v. tug, by
+dropping the syllable 'h&aacute;lf.'</p>
+
+<p>If the whole passage on page 243, beginning with the words quoted in
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page278" id="page278">[278]</a></span>
+the commencement of this note, be not indeed a later interpolation, we
+believe that all that follows the words, 'till the time when he dealt
+with Glam, the Thrall,' must, indeed, be taken as an interpolation of
+later commentators.</p>
+
+<p>Our suggestion recommends itself in this at least, that it brings
+about full harmony between the statements, here treated of, and the
+saga itself, for when Grettir left the land in 1011 he was fourteen
+years of age, and twenty years later, or 1031, he fell. How far his
+age thus given agrees or not with the decrepitude of his father, who
+died in 1015, having been apparently already a bedridden man for some
+time, is a matter of itself, and need not affect the accuracy of our
+suggestion, which, however, we only put forth as a conjecture, not
+having within reach the MSS. of Grettir's saga. A critical examination
+of these might, perhaps, allow of a more positive discourse on
+this vexed point, which to all commentators on Grettir has hitherto
+remained an insoluble riddle.</p>
+
+<p>P. 251, 1. 12. The original makes Asdis daughter of Skeggi the
+Short-handed. This is here corrected agreeably to Landn&aacute;ma, and other
+records of her family.</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page279" id="page279">[279]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="INDICES"></a><h2>INDICES.</h2>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page280" id="page280">[280]</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page281" id="page281">[281]</a></span>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="INDEX_I"></a><h3>INDEX I.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p><b>PERSONAL NAMES.</b></p>
+
+<p>Air (Loptr), <i>alias</i> Hallmund, the mountain sprite, <a href="#page160">160</a>, <a href="#page161">161</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a><br />
+Aldis Konal's-daughter, called A. from Barra, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Aldis, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Alf a-Dales, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Ali, an house-carle of Thorbiorn Oxmain's, <a href="#page130">130</a>, <a href="#page131">131</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a><br />
+Alof Ingolf's-daughter, wife of Eric Snare, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Angle. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Angle.<br />
+Ari Marson, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Arinbiorn. <i>See</i> Arnbiorn.<br />
+Arnbiorn, kinsman of Thorfinn of Haramsey, Grettir's companion, <a href="#page70">70</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a><br />
+Arngeir Berseson, father of Biorn Hitdale-champion, <a href="#page170">170</a><br />
+Arni J&oacute;nsson, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Arnor Thorbiornson, <a href="#page140">140</a>140<br />
+Arnor Thordson, called Earls' skald (Jarlask&aacute;ld), <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a><br />
+Arnor Thorodson, called Hay-nose (heynef, or h&yacute;nef, Landn&aacute;ma), <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Arnora, Thord Yeller's daughter, <a href="#page225">225</a><br />
+Asa, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, first wife of Onund Treefoot, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a><br />
+<a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Asbiorn, Ufeigh Grettir's son, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Asbrand Thorbrandson, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Asdis, Bard Jokulson's daughter, the mother of Grettir Asmundson, <a href="#page27">27</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page28">28</a>, <a href="#page30">30</a>, <a href="#page33">33</a>, <a href="#page36">36</a>,
+<a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>,
+<a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a>, <a href="#page205">205</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page247">247</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Asdis Gamli's-daughter, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Asgeir Audunson the older, called Madpate (son of Audun Skokul,<br />
+al. Onund Treefoot), <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a><br />
+Asgeir Audunson the younger, grandson of the preceding, called Madpate<br />
+<a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a><br />
+Asgrim Ellida-Grimson, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Asgrim Ondottson, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Asmund from Asmund's-peak, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Asmund Ondottson, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Asmund Thorgrimson, called the Greyhaired (haerul&aacute;ngr), the father of<br />
+Grettir the Strong, <a href="#page25">25</a>-<a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page28">28</a>-<a href="#page33">33</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>, <a href="#page36">36</a>,
+<a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>-<a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page113">113</a>, <a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Asmund Ufeigh's-son, called the Beardless (skegglauss), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Asny Vestar's-daughter, wife of Ufeigh Grettir, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Asta Gudbrand's-daughter, mother of Olaf the Saint, King of Norway, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Asvor, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Atli Asmundson, Grettir's brother, <a href="#page28">28</a>, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page30">30</a>, <a href="#page36">36</a>,
+<a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a>, <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page111">111</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a>,
+<a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page112">129</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>-<a href="#page133">133</a>,
+<a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a><br />
+Atli Ulfson, called the Red (hinn rau&eth;i), <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Aud (<i>alias</i> Unnr) the Deeply Wealthy, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Audun, Asgeir Madpate's son, <a href="#page83">83</a><br />
+Audun Asgeir's-son, of Audunstead, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page84">84</a>,
+<a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page86">86</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Audun Goaty (geit), an Earl in Norway, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a><br />
+Audun Skokul (sk&ouml;kull), <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page282" id="page282">[282]</a></span>
+Audun, goodman of Windham in Haramsey, <a href="#page46">46</a>, <a href="#page47">47</a>, <a href="#page48">48</a></p>
+
+<p>Balk Blaengson of Sotaness, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page170">170</a><br />
+Bard Jokulson,<a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Bard, the mate of Haflidi's ship, <a href="#page40">40</a><br />
+Bardi (al. Slaying-Bardi) Gudmundson, of Asbiornsness, <a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page86">86</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page93">93</a>, <a href="#page94">94</a>, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Bessi Balkson, called the Godless (go&eth;lauss), <a href="#page170">170</a><br />
+Bessi Skald-Torfa's-son, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a>, <a href="#page74">74</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a><br />
+Biarni, <i>See</i> Biorn, the settler of Biornfirth.<br />
+Biarni of Dog-dale, <a href="#page81">81</a><br />
+Biarni of Jorvi in Flysia-Wharf, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Biarni Thorsteinson, the Sage (hinn spaki), <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Biorn Arngeirson, called Hitdale-Champion, <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a>,
+<a href="#page181">181</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Biorn, settler of Biornfirth, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Biorn, kinsman of Thorkel in Salft, <a href="#page62">62</a>, <a href="#page63">63</a>, <a href="#page64">64</a>, <a href="#page65">65</a>,
+<a href="#page66">66</a>, <a href="#page67">67</a>, <a href="#page68">68</a>, <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+Biorn of Meadness, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a><br />
+Biorn Rolfson, father of Eyvind the Eastman, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a><br />
+Biorn Ufeigh's-son, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Bloeng of Sotaness, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Bodmod, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Bodvar of Bodvar's-knolls, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Bork the Fat, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Botulf, grandfather of Thorir of Garth, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Brand, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's house-carles, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Brand, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, <a href="#page238">238</a><br />
+Bundle-Torfi, <a href="#page81">81</a></p>
+
+<p>Crow-Hreidar. <i>See</i> Hreida.</p>
+
+<p>Dalla Thorvald's-daughter, wife of Bishop Isleif, <a href="#page77">77</a><br />
+Dromund. <i>See</i> Thorstein Dromund.</p>
+
+<p>Egil Audunson, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Eid Skeggison, from the Ridge,<a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Eilif Ketilson, <a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Einar, a bonder in Jadar, <a href="#page122">122</a><br />
+Einar of Combe, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Einar Olvirson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Ellida-Grim Asgrimson, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Eric Alefain (&ouml;lf&uacute;ss), of Sorreldale, <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Eric Hakonson, Earl of Norway, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page51">51</a><br />
+Eric Hroaldson, of God-dales, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a><br />
+Eric Snare (snara), <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Eric Starrison, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Eyulf, brother-in-law of Slaying-Bardi, <a href="#page94">94</a><br />
+Eyolf of Fairwood, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page181">181</a><br />
+Eyulf Egilson, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Eyulf Gudmundson, <a href="#page104">104</a><br /><br />
+Eyvind Biornson, called the Eastman (austma&eth;r), <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>,
+<a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page8">8</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Eyvind (Herraudson), settler of Eyvind's-firth, <a href="#page20">20</a></p>
+
+<p>Finnbogi Thorgeirson, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a><br />
+Flosi Ericson, of Arnes, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page21">21</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page5">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Frederick the Bishop, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Fridgerd Thord's-daughter, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Fridmund of Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Frodi, the King, <a href="#page95">95</a></p>
+
+<p>Gamli Skeggison, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Gamli, the Vendlander or Widelander (Vi&eth;lendingr, Vindlendingr)<br />
+<a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Gamli Thorhallson, of Meals, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a>,
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Gaut Sleitason, <a href="#page82">82</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a><br />
+Geirlaug, goodwife of Broadlair-stead, <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Geirmund Helskin (heljarskinn), king of Hordaland, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page283" id="page283">[283]</a></span>
+Geirmund Hiuka-timber, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Gerd Bodvar's-daughter, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Gerpir, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Gisli Thorsteinson, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page174">174</a>, <a href="#page175">175</a>, <a href="#page176">176</a>, <a href="#page177">177</a><br />
+Glam from Sylgsdales, afterwards a ghost, <a href="#page96">96</a>-<a href="#page110">110</a>, <a href="#page243">243</a><br />
+Glum Uspakson, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a><br />
+Grettir Asmundson, called the Strong, <a href="#page28">28</a>-<a href="#page33">33</a>, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>,
+<a href="#page36">36</a>-<a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page40">40</a>-<a href="#page45">45</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page46">46</a>-<a href="#page59">59</a>, <a href="#page60">60</a>-<a href="#page62">62</a>,
+<a href="#page63">63</a>-<a href="#page76">76</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>-<a href="#page87">87</a>,
+<a href="#page88">88</a>, <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>,
+<a href="#page92">92</a>-<a href="#page94">94</a>, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a>-<a href="#page110">110</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page112">112</a>-<a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page116">116</a>-<a href="#page121">121</a>,
+<a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page123">123</a>, <a href="#page124">124</a>, <a href="#page125">125</a>,
+<a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a>, <a href="#page135">135</a>-<a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page141">141</a>-<a href="#page143">143</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>-<a href="#page148">148</a>, <a href="#page149">149</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a>,
+<a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page152">152</a>-<a href="#page157">157</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a>,
+<a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page160">160</a>-<a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page164">164</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page165">165</a>-<a href="#page167">167</a>, <a href="#page168">168</a>-<a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page171">171</a>,
+<a href="#page173">173</a>-<a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a>-<a href="#page180">180</a>,
+<a href="#page181">181</a>-<a href="#page183">183</a>, <a href="#page187">187</a>, <a href="#page189">189</a>-<a href="#page191">191</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page192">192</a>-<a href="#page199">199</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a>,
+<a href="#page202">202</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a>-<a href="#page207">207</a>,
+<a href="#page209">209</a>-<a href="#page210">210</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page213">213</a>-<a href="#page217">217</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page218">218</a>, <a href="#page219">219</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a>, <a href="#page221">221</a>, <a href="#page222">222</a>,
+<a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page225">225</a>, <a href="#page226">226</a>,
+<a href="#page228">228</a>, <a href="#page229">229</a>, <a href="#page230">230</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a>, <a href="#page232">232</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page233">233</a>-<a href="#page235">235</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>-<a href="#page243">243</a>, <a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a>,
+<a href="#page246">246</a>, <a href="#page247">247</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>,
+<a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page254">254</a>, <a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Grim Gamlison, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Grim Kolbiornson, a hersir in Norway, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a><br />
+Grim the Northlander, an outlaw and hired assassin, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page164">164</a><br />
+Grim Thorhallson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Grim Thorhallson, grandson of the preceding, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Grim Thorhallson of Meals, afterwards of Gilsbank, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page130">130</a>, <a href="#page138">138</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>,
+<a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page168">168</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Grim, son of the Widow of Kropp, <a href="#page184">184</a>, <a href="#page185">185</a>, <a href="#page188">188</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Grimulf, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Gudbiorg Ufeigh's-daughter, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Gudbrand Ball (k&uacute;la), <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Gudbrandr Vigf&uacute;sson, <a href="#page275">275</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Gudmund the Rich (hinn r&iacute;ki), of Maddervales, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a><br />
+Gudmund Solmundson, <a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Gudrun, wife of Thorhall Grimson of Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Guest (= Grettir Asmundson), <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page193">193</a>, <a href="#page194">194</a>, <a href="#page212">212</a>-<a href="#page214">214</a><br />
+Gunnar, Court-owner in Tunsberg, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page72">72</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a><br />
+Gunnar Thorirson, of the Pass, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>,
+<a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a><br />
+Gyda, wife of Ingiald the Trusty, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Gyrid Einar's-daughter, <a href="#page122">122</a></p>
+
+<p>Haeng, father of Vestar, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Haering, <a href="#page222">222</a>, <a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page230">230</a><br />
+Haflidi of Reydarfell, a skipper, <a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page41">41</a>, <a href="#page42">42</a>, <a href="#page43">43</a>,
+<a href="#page44">44</a>, <a href="#page45">45</a><br />
+Hafr Thorarinson, <a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page214">214</a>, <a href="#page215">215</a><br />
+Hafr Thordson, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Hakon, Earl of Norway, <a href="#page50">50</a><br />
+Hakon Ericson, an Earl of Norway, <a href="#page50">50</a><br />
+Haldor Thorgeirson of Hof in Head-strand, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page215">215</a>, <a href="#page236">236</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page240">240</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>, <a href="#page278">278</a><br />
+Haldora Steinmod's-daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Halfdan the Black (hinn svarti), <a href="#page2">2</a><br />
+Hall Gudmundson of Asbiornsness, <a href="#page1">86</a><br />
+Hall of Kropp, <a href="#page136">136</a>, <a href="#page137">137</a><br />
+Hallmund, a mountain sprite, <a href="#page169">169</a>, <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a>, <a href="#page184">184</a>, <a href="#page185">185</a>-<a href="#page188">188</a>,
+<a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Hallstein Horse (hestr), <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Hallvard Sweeping (s&uacute;gandi), <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Hamund, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's household, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Harald Halfdanson, called the Unshorn (l&uacute;fa) and the Fair-hair<br />
+(h&aacute;rfagri), King of Norway, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Harald Ring, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Harald Sigurdson, Varangian chief, afterwards King of Norway, <a href="#page257">257</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page260">260</a>, <a href="#page267">267</a>, <a href="#page268">268</a>, <a href="#page269">259</a><br />
+Harek, a king's farmer in Norway, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Head-Thord = Thord of Hofdi, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Hedin, a Skald.<br />
+Hedin of Soknadale, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page284" id="page284">[284]</a></span>
+Helga Ondott's-daughter, second wife of Biorn Rolfson, and mother of<br />
+Thrand, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Helga Thorkel's-daughter, of Fishbrook, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Helga Thorir's-daughter, from Boardere, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Helgi of Bathstead, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a><br />
+Helgi Eyvindson, called the Lean (hinn magri), <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Hjalti Thord Scalp's-son, <a href="#page207">207</a><br />
+Hialti Thordson, of Hof, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page209">209</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>,
+<a href="#page215">215</a>, <a href="#page216">216</a>, <a href="#page217">217</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>,
+<a href="#page241">241</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Hiarandi, Earl Svein's man, <a href="#page69">69</a>, <a href="#page70">70</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a><br />
+Hlif Rolfs-daughter, the first wife of Biorn Rolfson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Holmgang-Starri. <i>See</i> Starri Ericson.<br />
+Hoskuld, father of Olaf Peacock, <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Hrefna Asgeir's-daughter (d. of Asgeir Madpate the Younger), <a href="#page156">156</a><br />
+Hrei&eth;ar, called Crow-Hrei&eth;ar (Kr&aacute;ku-H.), <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Hroald Geirmundson, <a href="#page208">208</a></p>
+
+<p>Illugi Asmundson, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page126">2</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>,
+<a href="#page204">204</a>, <a href="#page205">205</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page217">217</a>,
+<a href="#page219">219</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page229">229</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a>, <a href="#page232">232</a>,
+<a href="#page233">233</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a>, <a href="#page243">243</a>,
+<a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Ingiald the Trusty (tryggvi) of Hvin, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Ingiald Frodison, an Earl, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Ingimund Thorsteinson, called the Old (hinn gamli), <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Ingolf (Herraudson), of Ingolf's-firth, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Ingolf Ornsorn, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Jokul Bardson, <a href="#page104">104</a>, <a href="#page105">105</a><br />
+Jokul Ingimundson, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Isleif Gissurson, first Bishop of Skalholt, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Ivar Kolbeinson, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Ivar Smiter (beytill), <a href="#page1">1</a></p>
+
+<p>Kalf Asgeirson, of Asgeir's-river, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger,<br />
+<a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a><br />
+Kari Solmundson, called Singed-(svi&eth;u)-Kari, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Karr, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers in the slaying of Grettir,<br />
+<a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a><br />
+Karr the Old, a ghost, <a href="#page46">46</a>, <a href="#page47">47</a>, <a href="#page48">48</a>, <a href="#page56">56</a><br />
+Ketil the Huge (raumr), <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Ketil the Onehanded (hinn ein-hendi), <a href="#page57">57</a><br />
+Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Kiartan Steinson, of Isledale-river, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Kiarval, a sea-king, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Kiarval, king of Ireland, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Kiotvi the Wealthy (hinn au&eth;gi), <a href="#page2">2</a><br />
+Knut the Mighty, king of England, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a><br />
+Kolbein (of Rogaland), <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Kolbiorn the Abasher (sneypir), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Konal Steinmodson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Kormak of Meal in Midfirth, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a>,
+<a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page111">111</a></p>
+
+<p>Leif Kolbeinson, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a></p>
+
+<p>Magnus the Good, king of Norway, <a href="#page268">268</a>
+Mar Atlison, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Michael Katalak, 'king' of Constantinople, <a href="#page253">253</a><br />
+Midfirth-Skeggi, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a></p>
+
+<p>Narfi, kinsman of Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, <a href="#page90">90</a>
+Noise. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Noise.</p>
+
+<p>Odd Foundling-Skald (&uacute;maga-sk&aacute;ld), <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>
+Odd, the Monk, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Odd Ufeigh's son, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Ogmund the Evil (illi), <a href="#page51">51</a>-<a href="#page57">57</a>, <a href="#page60">60</a><br />
+Olaf Eyvindson of Drangar, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Olaf Haraldson, Saint, king of Norway, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page115">115</a>,
+<a href="#page118">118</a>, <a href="#page119">119</a>,<br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page285" id="page285">[285]</a></span>
+<a href="#page120">120</a>, <a href="#page121">121</a><br />
+Olaf Hoskuldson, called Peacock (p&aacute;), <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Olaf Thorsteinson, called Feilan, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Oleif Einarson, called the Broad (brei&eth;r), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Olvir Bairn-Carle (barnakarl), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Ondott Crow (kr&aacute;ka), <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a>, <a href="#page14">14</a><br />
+Onund Ufeigh's son, called Treefoot (tr&egrave;f&oacute;tr), <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page2">2</a>-<a href="#page4">4</a>,
+<a href="#page5">5</a>-<a href="#page9">9</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page12">12</a>-<a href="#page15">15</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a>-<a href="#page18">18</a>,
+<a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Orm Eyolfson, chaplain of Bishop Thorlak, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Orm Storolfson, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Orm the Wealthy (hinn audgi), <a href="#page1">1</a></p>
+
+<p>Rafarta Kiarval's-daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Ranveig Asmund's-daughter, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Ranveig, first wife of Asmund Gray-hair, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Redbeard. <i>See</i> Thorir Redbeard.<br />
+Rognvald, an earl, <a href="#page2">2</a><br />
+Rolf of Am, father of Biorn, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Rolf Ingialdson, father of Hlif, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Rut of Combeness, <a href="#page182">182</a></p>
+
+<p>Saemund, the South-Island man, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Sam Borkson, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Sigfast, son-in-law of King Solver, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Sighvat, father-in-law of Ondott Crow, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Signy Sighvat's-daughter, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Sigurd, Bishop, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Sigurd, the husband of Spes, <a href="#page255">255</a>, <a href="#page258">258</a>, <a href="#page259">259</a>,
+<a href="#page260">260</a>, <a href="#page261">261</a>, <a href="#page262">262</a>, <a href="#page263">263</a>, <a href="#page266">266</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page267">267</a><br />
+Skald-Torfa, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a><br />
+Skapti Thorodson of Hjalli, lawman, <a href="#page82">82</a>, <a href="#page92">95</a>, <a href="#page96">96</a>,
+<a href="#page97">97</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a>, <a href="#page149">149</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a><br />
+Skeggi. <i>See</i> Midfirth Skeggi.<br />
+Skeggi Botulfson, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Skeggi Gamlison, of Scarf-stead, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Skeggi, a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale, <a href="#page37">37</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a>, <a href="#page243">243</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Skeggi of the Ridge, <a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Skeggi, son of Steinvor, fathered on Kiartan, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Skeggi Thorarinson, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Skeggi Thorirson, from Garth, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Skeggi Gamlison (from Meals), called the Short-handed (Skammh&ouml;nd&uacute;ngr),<br />
+<a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>,
+<a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Skeggi Gamlison, grandson of the preceding, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Skuf of Dog-dale, <a href="#page81">81</a><br />
+Slaying-Styr, <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Sleita-Helgi, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Snaebiorn Eyvindson, <a href="#page6">6</a><br />
+Snaeskoll, a bearserk, <a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page123">123</a><br />
+Snorri Thorgrimson, called S. Godi, <a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page152">152</a>,
+<a href="#page201">201</a>, <a href="#page202">202</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page224">224</a><br />
+Solmund (Eilifson), <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Solmund Thorbiornson, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Solver, King of Gothland, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Solvi Asbrandson, called the Proud (pr&uacute;&eth;i), <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Sons of Thord = Hjalti of Hof and Thorbiorn Angle, <a href="#page215">215</a><br />
+Sons of Thorir = Gunnar and Thorgeir from the Pass, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Sons of Thorir = Thorgeir and Skeggi, from Garth, <a href="#page117">117</a>, <a href="#page118">118</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a><br />
+Spes, the wife of Sigurd, afterwards wife of Thorstein Dromund, <a href="#page255">255</a><br />
+Starri Ericson, called Holmgang-Starri (H&oacute;lmgaungu-S.), <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Stein Biornson, called Tongue-Stein (T&uacute;ngu-S.), <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a><br />
+Stein, priest of Isledale-river, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page195">195</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Stein, a shipwrecked Skipper, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Stein Thorgestson, lawman, <a href="#page225">225</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Stein Thorirson, called the Far-sailing (mj&ouml;ksiglandi), <a href="#page225">225</a><br />
+Steinmod Konalson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Steinmod Olvirson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Steinulf Olvirson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page286" id="page286">[286]</a></span>
+Steinulf Thorleifson, from Lavadale, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a>179, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Steinun Rut's-daughter, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Steinvor the Old (gamla), <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Steinvor of Sand-heaps, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Sturla Thordson, lawman, <a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Sulki, a king in Norway, <a href="#page2">2</a><br />
+Swan of Knoll, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Svein of Bank, <a href="#page135">135</a>-<a href="#page139">139</a><br />
+Svein, Earl of Norway, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page51">51</a>, <a href="#page69">69</a>, <a href="#page70">70</a>,
+<a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a>, <a href="#page74">74</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>, <a href="#page112">112</a></p>
+
+<p>Tardy. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Tardy.<br />
+Thora Thormod's-daughter, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thoralf of Ere in Icefirth, <a href="#page154">154</a><br />
+Thoralf Skolmson, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Thorarin Hafrson, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Thorarin Ingialdson of Acres, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Thorarin Thordson, called Fylsenni, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Thorarin the Wise (hinn spaki), <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page93">93</a><br />
+Thorbiorg Olaf's-daughter, called the Big (digra), <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a>, <a href="#page155">155</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page156">156</a>, <a href="#page157">157</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Arnorson, called Oxmain (&ouml;xnamegin), <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>,
+<a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page111">111</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,
+<a href="#page131">131</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a>,
+<a href="#page141">141</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page144">144</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page150">150</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page234">234</a>234<br />
+Thorbiorn Earls' champion (Jarlakappi), <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Noise (glaumr), Grettir's servant-man, <a href="#page206">206</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page219">219</a>,
+<a href="#page231">231</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page232">232</a>, <a href="#page235">235</a>, <a href="#page239">239</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Thordson, called Angle, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page209">209</a>, <a href="#page211">211</a>,
+<a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page215">215</a>, <a href="#page216">216</a>, <a href="#page217">217</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page218">218</a>, <a href="#page222">222</a>, <a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page226">226</a>,
+<a href="#page227">227</a>, <a href="#page228">228</a>, <a href="#page229">229</a>, <a href="#page230">230</a>,
+<a href="#page231">231</a>, <a href="#page234">234</a>, <a href="#page235">235</a>, <a href="#page236">236</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page239">239</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a>,
+<a href="#page242">242</a>, <a href="#page243">243</a>, <a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,
+<a href="#page247">247</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a>, <a href="#page254">254</a><br />
+Thorbiorn Tardy (fer&eth;al&aacute;ngr), <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page111">111</a>,
+<a href="#page112">112</a>-<a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a><br />
+Thorbrand Haraldson, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Thord Hialtison, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Thord of Hofdi (==Head-Thord), <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Thord Knob, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Thord Kolbeinson, of Hitness, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a><br />
+Thord Scalp, <a href="#page207">207</a><br />
+Thord Olafson, called the Yeller (gellir), <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page255">255</a><br />
+Thord Thordson (son of Head-Thord). <i>See</i> Thorgeir.<br />
+Thordis Asmund's-daughter, wife of Thorgrim Greypate, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Thordis Asmund's daughter, wife of Glum Uspakson, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Thordis Thord's-daughter, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Thordis Thorgrim's-daughter, second wife of Onund Treefoot, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Thords, two brothers of Broad-river in Flat-lithe in Skagafirth, <a href="#page209">209</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page216">216</a><br />
+Thorelf Alf a-Dales'-daughter, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Thorfinn of Brook-bow, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Thorfinn, house-carle of Flosi in Arnes, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Thorfinn Karrson of Haramsey, <a href="#page46">46</a>-<a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page51">51</a>, <a href="#page52">52</a>,
+<a href="#page53">53</a>, <a href="#page56">56</a>, <a href="#page59">59</a>, <a href="#page60">60</a>,
+<a href="#page62">62</a>, <a href="#page69">69</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page70">70</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a>, <a href="#page74">74</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>,
+<a href="#page76">76</a>, <a href="#page84">84</a><br />
+Thorgaut, a herdsman of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, <a href="#page101">101</a>, <a href="#page102">102</a><br />
+Thorgeir Havarson, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page80">80</a>,
+<a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>,
+<a href="#page146">146</a>, <a href="#page147">147</a>, <a href="#page148">148</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page149">149</a><br />
+Thorgeir Onundson, called Bottleback (fl&ouml;skubak), <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>,
+<a href="#page21">21</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Thorgeir Thordson (s. of Head-Thord), <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page278">278</a><br />
+Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, <a href="#page279">279</a><br />
+Thorgeir Thorirson from Garth, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Thorgeir Thorirson, from the Pass, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>,
+<a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a><br />
+Thorgerd Alf a-Dales'-daughter, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Thorgest Steinson, <a href="#page225">225</a><br />
+Thorgils Arison, of Reek-knolls, <a href="#page80">80</a>, <a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>,
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page146">146</a>, <a href="#page147">147</a>, <a href="#page148">148</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page149">149</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page287" id="page287">[287]</a></span>
+Thorgils Ingialdson, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a>, <a href="#page289">289</a><br />
+Thorgils Makson, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page80">80</a>,
+<a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a><br />
+Thorgils of Meal in Midfirth, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Thorgrim of Gnup in Midfirth, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Thorgrim (Hallormson), the Godi of Cornriver, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Thorgrim Onundson, called Greypate (haerukollr), <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>,
+<a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page25">25</a>, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Thorhadd Steinson, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Thorhall Asgrimson, of Tongue, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Thorhall Fridmundson, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Thorhall Gamlison, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Thorhall Grimson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a>-<a href="#page102">102</a>, <a href="#page105">105</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page106">106</a>-<a href="#page110">110</a><br />
+Thorir Autumn-mirk (haustmyrkr), <a href="#page225">225</a><br />
+Thorir Longchin (hakl&aacute;ngr), <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page3">3</a><br />
+Thorir Thorkelson, of the Pass, <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Thorir Redbeard (rau&eth;skeggr), an outlaw and hired assassin, <a href="#page164">164</a>-<a href="#page168">168</a><br />
+Thorir Skeggison, of Garth, <a href="#page115">115</a>, <a href="#page117">117</a>, <a href="#page118">118</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>,
+<a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page164">164</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page165">165</a>, <a href="#page168">168</a>, <a href="#page169">169</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a>,
+<a href="#page186">186</a>, <a href="#page188">188</a>, <a href="#page190">190</a>, <a href="#page191">191</a>,
+<a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page255">255</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a><br />
+Thorir Paunch (&THORN;&ouml;mb), <a href="#page51">51</a>-<a href="#page57">57</a>, <a href="#page60">60</a>60<br />
+Thorir in Thorirs-dale, a mountain-sprite, <a href="#page183">183</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Thorkel of Boardere, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Thorkel Eyulfson, <a href="#page188">188</a><br />
+Thorkel of Fishbrook, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Thorkel of Giorvidale, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a><br />
+Thorkel Moon (M&aacute;ni), <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Thorkel Thordson, called Kugg, <a href="#page78">78</a><br />
+Thorkel Thorgrimson, called Krafla, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>,
+<a href="#page36">36</a>, <a href="#page37">37</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a>, <a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a><br />
+Thorkel of Salft, <a href="#page62">62</a>, <a href="#page63">63</a>, <a href="#page64">64</a>, <a href="#page65">65</a>,
+<a href="#page66">66</a>, <a href="#page67">67</a>, <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+Thorlak (Thorhallson, Saint), Bishop of Skalholt, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Thorlaug Saemund's daughter, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Thorleif, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of<br />
+Grettir, <a href="#page238">238</a><br />
+Thorleif of Lavadale, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Thormod Coalbrowskald (kolbr&uacute;narsk&aacute;ld), <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>,
+<a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page146">146</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page147">147</a>, <a href="#page148">148</a>, <a href="#page149">149</a><br />
+Thormod Oleifson, called Shaft (skapti), <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>,
+<a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Thorod, who settled Ramfirth, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Thorod Arnorson, called Drapa-Stump (dr&aacute;pust&uacute;fr), <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>,
+<a href="#page143">143</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,
+<a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Thorod Eyvindson, the Godi, of Hjalli, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page96">96</a><br />
+Thorod Snorrison, <a href="#page201">201</a>, <a href="#page202">202</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a><br />
+Thorolf of Ere, <a href="#page154">154</a><br />
+Thorolf, called the Fastholding (fasthaldi), <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Thorolf Skolmson. <i>See</i> Thoralf.<br />
+Thorstein Asmundson, called Dromund, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page74">74</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>,
+<a href="#page121">121</a>-<a href="#page125">125</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page253">253</a>, <a href="#page254">254</a>, <a href="#page255">255</a>, <a href="#page256">256</a>, <a href="#page257">257</a>,
+<a href="#page258">258</a>, <a href="#page259">259</a>, <a href="#page260">260</a>, <a href="#page261">261</a>, <a href="#page262">262</a>,
+<a href="#page263">263</a>, <a href="#page264">264</a>-<a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Thorstein, whom Snorri Godi had slain, <a href="#page172">172</a><br />
+Thorstein Godi, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thorstein Ketilson, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Thorstein the Red (rau&eth;r), <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Thorstein of Reekness, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Thorstein, Thorkel Kugg's son, called Kuggson, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page80">80</a>,
+<a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page82">82</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a>,
+<a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Thorstein the Uplander, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Thorstein the White (hv&iacute;ti), of Sand-heaps, <a href="#page121">121</a> <a href="#page191">191</a><br />
+Thorvald Asgeirson, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page35">35</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page110">110</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,
+<a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page249">249</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Thorvald of Drangar, <a href="#page16">16</a>16<br />
+Thorvald Kodranson, <a href="#page27">27</a><br />
+Thorvald of Reeks in Skagafirth, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page222">222</a><br />
+Thorvor, Thormod's daughter, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thrand Biornson, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>,
+<a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page8">8</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>,
+<a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Thrand Thorarinson, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Thurid Asgeir's-daughter, d. of Asgeir Madpate the older, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page288" id="page288">[288]</a></span>
+Thurid Thorhall's-daughter, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Thurid, Thorbiorn Angle's stepmother, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page226">226</a>-<a href="#page231">231</a><br />
+Tongue-Stein. <i>See</i> Stein Biornson.<br />
+Torfi Vebrandson, <a href="#page234">234</a></p>
+
+<p>Ufeigh, the father of Odd, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Ufeigh Ivarson, called Clubfoot (burluf&oacute;tr), <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+Ufeigh Einarson, called Grettir, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>,
+<a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Ufeigh (Herraudson), the Settler of Ufeigh's-firth, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Ufeigh Hrei&eth;arson (Crow-Hr.), called Thinbeard (&THORN;unnskeggr), <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Ufeigh Onundson, called Grettir, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Ulf the Squinter (skj&aacute;lgi), <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Ulfheid Eyulf's-daughter, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Una Steinulf's-daughter, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Uspak Glumson, of Ere in Bitra, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>,
+<a href="#page247">247</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a><br />
+Uspak Kiarlakson of Skridinsenni, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Vermund the Slender, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a>,
+<a href="#page155">155</a>, <a href="#page156">156</a>, <a href="#page157">157</a><br />
+Vestar Haengson, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Vestmar, a viking, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a><br />
+Vigbiod, a viking, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page8">8</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a><br />
+Vikar, one of Thord Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, <a href="#page241">241</a></p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page289" id="page289">[289]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="INDEX_II"></a><h3>INDEX II.</h3>
+
+<p><b>LOCAL NAMES.</b></p>
+
+<p>Acres (Akrar), <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Agdir, now Nedenes-Lister-og Mandals-Fogderi, in Norway, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Armansfell, <a href="#page97">97</a><br />
+Arness in the Strands, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page21">21</a><br />
+Asbiornsness (Asbjarnarnes) in Willowdale, <a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Asgeir's-River (Asgeirs&aacute;), a farm in Willowdale, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page34">34</a>,
+<a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Aslaugs-lithe (Aslaugarhli&eth;), <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Audunstead in Willowdale (Au&eth;unarsta&eth;ir), <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>,
+<a href="#page84">84</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Axefirth (Axarfj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page25">25</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Axefirth-peak (Axarfjardar-nupr), <a href="#page277">277</a></p>
+
+<p>Balkstead (B&aacute;lkasta&eth;ir), two farm-steads in Ramfirth, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Ball-jokull, <a href="#page161">161</a>, <a href="#page169">169</a><br />
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead in Ramfirth, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead above Thingness, in Bugfirth, <a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+Bard-dale (B&aacute;r&eth;ardalr), north of Islefirth, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page196">196</a>,
+<a href="#page200">200</a><br />
+Barra (Barrey), one of the Hebrides, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a><br />
+Bathstead (Laugab&oacute;l), a farmhouse in Icefirth, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a><br />
+Berg-Ridge (Bjarga-&aacute;s), in Waterness, in Hunawater Thing, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Bergs (Bj&ouml;rg), ibid. <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Biarg, a farmstead in Midfirth, Grettir's birthplace, <a href="#page25">25</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page28">28</a>, <a href="#page29">29</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page35">35</a>, <a href="#page39">39</a>-<a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a>,
+<a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>, <a href="#page93">93</a>, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page104">104</a>,
+<a href="#page111">111</a>, <a href="#page113">113</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page130">130</a>, <a href="#page131">131</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>,
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a>, <a href="#page247">247</a>,
+<a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Bitra, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a><br />
+Biornfirth (Bjarnarfj&ouml;r&eth;r), in the Strands, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Boardere (Bor&eth;eyri), a farmstead in Ramfirth, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Bodvar's-knolls (B&ouml;&eth;varsh&oacute;lar), in Westhope, in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page89">89</a><br />
+Bondmaid's-River (Amb&aacute;ttar&aacute;), <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Bowerfell (B&uacute;rfell), a farmstead on Ramfirth-neck, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a><br />
+Brakeisle (Hr&iacute;sey), in Islefirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Brakelithe, <i>see</i> Kraeklingslithe.<br />
+Broadfirth (Brei&eth;ifj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Broadfirth-dales (Brei&eth;afjar&eth;ardalir), <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Broadlair-stead (Brei&eth;ib&oacute;lsta&eth;r), in Sokkolfsdale, <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Broad-river (Brei&eth;&aacute;), a farmstead in Flat-lithe, in Skagafirth, <a href="#page209">209</a><br />
+Brooks-meet (Laekjam&oacute;t), a farmstead in Willowdale, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a><br />
+Brook-bow (Laekjarbugr), a farmstead in the Marshes, <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Burgfirth (Borgarfj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page93">93</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>, <a href="#page135">135</a>,
+<a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page161">161</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Burglava (Borgarhraun), <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Burn-river (Brunn&aacute;), <a href="#page278">278</a><br />
+Bute (B&oacute;tz, or B&oacute;t), isle of, <a href="#page7">7</a><br />
+Byrgirs-Creek (Byrgisv&iacute;k), <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Bye (Baer), a farmstead in Burgfirth, <a href="#page136">136</a></p>
+
+<p>Cave-Knolls (Hellish&oacute;lar), on Reekness, <a href="#page147">147</a><br />
+Codfirth (&thorn;orskafj&ouml;r&eth;r) in Bardastrandsylla, <a href="#page148">148</a><br />
+Codfirth-heath (&thorn;orskafjar&eth;arhei&eth;i), <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Coldback (Kaldbak), a fell in the Strands, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Coldback, the farmstead of Onund Treefoot, in the Strands, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page21">21</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page290" id="page290">[290]</a></span>
+Coldback-cleft (Kaldbakskleif), <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Coldback-Creek (Kaldbaksvik), <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Coldriver-dale (Kald&aacute;rdalr), <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Combe (Gj&ouml;gr), a farmstead in the Strands, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Combe (Kambr), in Reekness in the Strands, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Combeness (Kambnes), <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Cornriver (Korns&aacute;), a farm in Waterdale, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Creek = Treetub-creek, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Cross-river (&THORN;ver&aacute;), a stream in Waterness, <a href="#page129">129</a></p>
+
+<p>Dales = Broadfirth-dales, <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Deepfirth (Dj&uacute;pifj&ouml;rdr), <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Deildar-Tongue (D-T&uacute;nga), <a href="#page137"></a>137<br />
+Dinby (Glaumbaerr), a farmstead in Skagafirth, <a href="#page206">206</a><br />
+Dog-dale (Hundadalr), <a href="#page81">81</a><br />
+Door-holm (Dyrh&oacute;lmr), the southeastmost point of Iceland, <a href="#page234">234</a><br />
+Doveness-path (D&uacute;funess-skei&eth;i), a portion of the way over the Keel, <a href="#page160">160</a><br />
+Drangar, a farmstead in the Strands, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Drangey, an island in Skagafirth, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page204">204</a>, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page209">209</a>,
+<a href="#page210">210</a>, <a href="#page217">217</a>, <a href="#page218">218</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page219">219</a>, <a href="#page222">222</a>, <a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page224">224</a>, <a href="#page227">227</a>,
+<a href="#page228">228</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>,
+<a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Drontheim (&THORN;r&aacute;ndheimr), now Trondhiem, in Norway, <a href="#page69">69</a>, <a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page118">118</a><br />
+Drontheimfirth (&THORN;r&aacute;ndheimsfj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page67">67</a></p>
+
+<p>Eastfirths (Austfir&eth;ir), <a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Eastriver (Austr&aacute;), <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Eastriverdale (Austr&aacute;rdalr), one of the Broadfirth-dales, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+England, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Ere (Eyri, al. Uspakseyri), in Bitra, <a href="#page128">128</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a><br />
+Ere (Eyri), in Icefirth, <a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page154">153</a><br />
+Eres (Eyrar, now Eyrabakki), on the south coast of Iceland, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Eyjafirth, <a href="#page112">112</a> = Islefirth.<br />
+Eyvindsfirth (Eyvindarfj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Ernelakeheath, <a href="#page186">186</a> = Ernewaterheath.<br />
+Ernewaterheath (Arnarvatnsheit&eth;i), <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page165">165</a>, <a href="#page184">184</a>, <a href="#page188">188</a></p>
+
+<p>Fairslope (Fagrabrekka), <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Fairwood (F&ouml;grusk&oacute;gar), a farm near Fairwoodfell, <a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page181">181</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Fairwoodfell (Fagrask&oacute;garfjall), north of the Marsh country and<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">west side of Hitdale, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a></span><br />
+Fishbrook (Fiskilaekr), <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Fishwaterlakes (Fiskiv&ouml;tn), <a href="#page163">163</a><br />
+Fishless (Vei&eth;ilausa), in the Strands, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Flat-lithe (Sl&egrave;ttahl&iacute;&eth;), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page209">209</a><br />
+Fleets (Flj&oacute;t), on the north side of the mouth of Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a><br />
+Fleet-tongue (Flj&oacute;tst&uacute;nga), <a href="#page37">37</a><br />
+Flokedale-river (Fl&oacute;kadals&aacute;), in Burgfirth, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+Flysja-wharf (Flysju-hverfi or Flysu-hverfi), <a href="#page174">174</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Foxplain (Melrakkasl&egrave;tta), <a href="#page278">278</a></p>
+
+<p>Gangpass-mouth (Gaunguskar&eth;s&oacute;s, better Gaunguskar&eth;s&aacute;r&oacute;s), <a href="#page222">222</a><br />
+Gartar, now Garten, an island in the mouth of Drontheimfirth, <a href="#page67">67</a><br />
+Garth (Gar&eth;r), in Maindale, <a href="#page115">115</a>, <a href="#page118">118</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a>,
+<a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page190">190</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a><br />
+Gilsbank (Gilsbakki), <a href="#page130">13020</a>, <a href="#page137">137</a>, <a href="#page138">138</a><br />
+Gjorvidale, <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Gnup-Wards'-rape (Gn&uacute;pverjahreppr), <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Gnup, a farmstead in Midfirth, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Goatland (Geitland), <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Goatland's-jokul (Geitland's-j&ouml;kull), <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Goat-rock (Hafraklettr), <a href="#page147">147</a><br />
+God-dales (Go&eth;dalir), <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a><br />
+Godis-wood (Go&eth;ask&oacute;gr), <a href="#page97">97</a><br />
+Goosere (G&aacute;seyri, G&aacute;sir, prop. Geese, or perhaps Creeks), a<br />
+market-place in Islefirth, <a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page113">113</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Gothland (Gautland), <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Grettirs-point (G-Oddi), 180<br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page291" id="page291">[291]</a></span>
+Grettirs-hillock (G-&thorn;ufa), <a href="#page20">20</a><a href="#page249">249</a><br />
+Grettirs-Gill, <a href="#page18">18</a></p>
+
+<p>Hafrsfirth (Hafrsfjor&eth;r), now Hafsfjord, in Jadar in Norway, <a href="#page3">3</a><br />
+Haffirth-river (Hafsfjar&eth;rara), in the Marshes, <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Hall-marsh (Sk&aacute;lamyrr), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Hallwick (Sk&aacute;lav&iacute;k), in Sweeping's firth <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Halogaland, now Nordlandene, in Norway, <a href="#page62">62</a><br />
+Haramsey, properly H&aacute;rhamars-ey, now Harams&ouml;, in South-Mere, in<br />
+Norway, <a href="#page45">45</a>, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page51">51</a><br />
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a valley in the Broadfirth-dales, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a farmstead in Biskupst&uacute;ngr in Arnesthing, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Hawkdale-pass (Haukadals-skar&eth;), a mountain road between Hawkdale<br />
+and Ramfirth, <a href="#page126">126</a><br />
+Head, a farm on Head-strand, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Head-strand (H&ouml;f&eth;astrond), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Heel (Haell), <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Heron-ness (Hegranes), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page210">210</a>, <a href="#page213">213</a><br />
+Hjalli in Olfus, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a><br />
+Hjaltidale (Hjaltadalr), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page207">207</a><br />
+Hitdale (Hitardalr), north of the Marshes, <a href="#page173">173</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Hitness (Hitarnes), in the Marshes, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a><br />
+Hitriver (Hitar&aacute;), in the Marshes, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a>,
+<a href="#page174">174</a>, <a href="#page175">175</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a>, <a href="#page179">179</a><br />
+Hof in Hjaltidale, <a href="#page207">207</a><br />
+Hof on Head-strand, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a><br />
+Hof&eth;i (Hof&eth;i), <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Holm (H&oacute;lmr), the homestead of Biorn the Hitdale-champion in<br />
+the Marshes, <a href="#page170">170</a><br />
+Holtbeacon-heath (Holtav&ouml;r&eth;uhei&eth;i), a mountain over which lay the<br />
+main road between Northriverdale and Ramfirth, <a href="#page200">200</a><br />
+Hordaland, a province of Norway, now S&ouml;ndre Bergenhus Amt, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>,
+<a href="#page114">114</a><br />
+Horn, <a href="#page132">132</a><br />
+Horseholt (Hrossholt), in the Marshes, <a href="#page177">177</a><br />
+Hunawater (H&uacute;navatn), <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page101">101</a><br />
+Hvamm, a farmstead in Hvamsveit by Hvamsfirth <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Hvamsveit, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+Hvin, now Kvinen, in Norway, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Hvinisfirth, now Fedde-Fjorden, in Norway, <a href="#page5">5</a><br />
+Haeringsleap, in Drangey, <a href="#page224">224</a></p>
+
+<p>Jadar, now Jaederen, in Norway, <a href="#page121">121</a></p>
+
+<p>Icefirth (Isafj&ouml;r&eth;ar), <a href="#page155">155</a><br />
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjar&eth;ar-dj&uacute;p), <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Iceland (Island), <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page15">15</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a>,
+<a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page115">115</a>,
+<a href="#page116">116</a>, <a href="#page121">121</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page243">243</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a>, <a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Ingolfs-firth (Ing&oacute;ilfafj&ouml;rdr), <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a></p>
+
+<p>Jorvi (Jorvi) in Flysia-wharf, <a href="#page179">179</a></p>
+
+<p>Ireland (Irland), <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Islefirth (Eyjafirth, Eyjafj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Isledale-river (Eyjardals&aacute;), a farmstead in Bard-dale, <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page194">194</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page196">196</a>, <a href="#page198">198</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a></p><br />
+
+<p>Kalf-river (K&aacute;if&aacute;), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Kalfness (Kalfanes), <a href="#page136">136</a>, <a href="#page137">137</a></p>
+
+<p>Keel (Kj&ouml;lr), a mountain between the North and South quarter of,<br />
+Iceland, over which a main road led from Biskupst&uacute;ngur to Islefirth,<br />
+<a href="#page159">159</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a>, <a href="#page169">169</a><br />
+Kialarnes, <a href="#page19">19</a><br />
+Knobstead (Knappsta&eth;ir), a farmstead in the Fleets, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Knoll (H&oacute;ll), in the Strands, the farm of Swan, <a href="#page23">23</a><br />
+Kolbeins-Creek (Kolbeinsvik) in the Strands, <a href="#page18">18</a><br />
+Kolbeinstead (Kolbeinssta&eth;ir), a farmstead in the Marshes, <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page292" id="page292">[292]</a></span>
+Kraeklings-lithe, a country side in Islefirth, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Kropp, <a href="#page137">137</a></p>
+
+<p>Lavadale (Hraundalr), in the Marshlands, <a href="#page179"></a>, <a href="#page180">180</a>, <a href="#page182">182</a><br />
+Laxdale-heath (Lax&aacute;rdalshei&eth;i), a mountain road between Laxardale<br />
+and Ramfirth, <a href="#page143">143</a><br />
+Liarskogar (Lj&aacute;rsk&oacute;gar), a farmstead in Hvamsveit, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page81">81</a>,
+<a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page144">144</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a><br />
+Longdale (Langidalr), in Icefirth, <a href="#page152">152</a><br />
+Longfit (Langafit), below Reeks in Midfirth, <a href="#page87">87</a><br />
+Longholt (Langholt), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page206">206</a><br />
+Longness (Langanes), the north-eastmost promontory of Iceland, <a href="#page16">16</a></p>
+
+<p>Madderdale-heath (M&ouml;&eth;rudalshei&eth;i), in the north-east of Iceland, <a href="#page189">189</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Maddervales (M&ouml;&eth;ruvellir) in Islefirth, <a href="#page200">200</a><br />
+Maindale (A&eth;aldalr), in the north-east of Iceland, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Marshes (M&yacute;rar; Marsh-country), <a href="#page170">170</a>, <a href="#page171">171</a>, <a href="#page178">178</a><br />
+Marstead (M&aacute;rsta&eth;ir) in Waterdale, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Marswell (M&aacute;rskelda), <a href="#page81">81</a><br />
+Meadness (Haganes), a farmstead in the Fleets, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a><br />
+Meal (Melr, now Melsta&eth;r) in Midfirth, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page114">114</a><br />
+Meals (Melar) in Ramfirth, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a>,
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page248">248</a>, <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Mere (Moeri) = South-Mere, <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+Micklegarth (Constantinople), <a href="#page252">252</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a>, <a href="#page268">268</a>,
+<a href="#page270">270</a>, <a href="#page272">272</a><br />
+Midfirth (Mi&eth;fj&ouml;r&eth;r) in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a>, <a href="#page34">34</a>,
+<a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page139">139</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page246">246</a><br />
+Midfirth-Water (Mi&eth;fj&ouml;r&eth;arvatn), <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a><br />
+Midfit (Mi&eth;fitjar) in Ramfirth, <a href="#page144">144</a></p>
+
+<p>Neck (= Ramfirth-neck), <a href="#page130">130</a><br />
+Necks (= Ramfirth&mdash;and&mdash;Midfirth-neck), <a href="#page140">140</a><br />
+Nes (Nesjar) in Norway, <a href="#page112">112</a><br />
+Ness = Snowfellsness, <a href="#page126">126</a><br />
+North-Glass-river (Gler&aacute; en nyr&eth;ri), in Islefirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Northriver (Nor&eth;r&aacute;), a stream in Burgfirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Northriverdale (Nor&eth;r&aacute;rdalr), ibid. <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Norway (Noregr), <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>,
+<a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page17">17</a>, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page45">45</a>, <a href="#page50">50</a>,
+<a href="#page60">60</a>, <a href="#page61">61</a>, <a href="#page76">76</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page112">112</a>, <a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page115">115</a>, <a href="#page122">122</a>,
+<a href="#page251">251</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a>, <a href="#page268">268</a>, <a href="#page270">270</a>270<br />
+N&uacute;pasveit in Axefirth, <a href="#page278">278</a></p>
+
+<p>Olaf's-isles (Olafseyjar) in Broadfirth, <a href="#page146">146</a><br />
+Oyce-land (Osland) in Skagafirth, <a href="#page245">245</a></p>
+
+<p>Pass (Skar&eth;) the, a farm in Hawkdale, <a href="#page90">90</a>, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>,
+<a href="#page273">273</a></p>
+
+<p>Ramfirth (Hr&uacute;tafj&ouml;&eth;r), in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page29">29</a>, <a href="#page89">89</a>, <a href="#page90">90</a>,
+<a href="#page126">126</a><br />
+Ramfirth-neck (Hr&uacute;tafjar&eth;arh&aacute;ls), <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page113">113</a>, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,
+<a href="#page143">143</a><br />
+Raun (Hraun), a farmstead in the Marshes, <a href="#page174">174</a><br />
+Reekfirth (Reykjafj&ouml;r&eth;r), a bay in the Strands, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Reekfirth, a farmstead in the last-named bay, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page20">20</a><br />
+Reek-heath (Reykjahei&eth;i), in the North-East of Iceland, <a href="#page189">189</a><br />
+Reek-knolls (Reykh&oacute;lar), a farmstead on Reekness in Broadfirth, <a href="#page80">80</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a><br />
+Reekness (Reykjanes), a promontory in the Strands, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Reekness, a farmstead on the last-named ness, <a href="#page22">22</a><br />
+Reekness, south-westmost point of Iceland, <a href="#page40">40</a><br />
+Reekness, east side of Codfirth, in Broadfirth, <a href="#page80">80</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page146">146</a><br />
+Reekpass (Reykjaskar&eth;) in Skagafirth, <a href="#page205">205</a><br />
+Reeks (Reykir), a farmstead in Midfirth below Biarg, <a href="#page87">87</a><br />
+Reeks, a farmstead nigh to Thorodstead in Ramfirth, <a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a>, <a href="#page143">143</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page293" id="page293">[293]</a></span>
+Reeks, a farmstead in Reek-strand in Skagafirth, <a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Reek-strand (Reykjastr&ouml;nd), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Reydarfell in Whiteriverside, in Burgfirth, <a href="#page39">39</a><br />
+Rib-skerries (Rifsker) in Reekfirth, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a><br />
+Ridge, the, (As, al. Odds&aacute;s) in Waterdale, the farm of Thorvald Asgeirson,<br />
+<a href="#page37">37</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page110">110</a><br />
+Ridge, the, (As, al. St&oacute;ri&aacute;s), in Burgfirth, <a href="#page184">184</a><br />
+Ridge (As, al. Valdar&aacute;s), in Willowdale, <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Rogaland, now Stavanger Amt, in Norvay, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page12">12</a><br />
+Rome, <a href="#page271">271</a><br />
+Rosmwhale-ness (Rosmhvalanes), <a href="#page24">24</a></p>
+
+<p>Saemund's-lithe (Saemundarhl&iacute;&eth;) in Skagafirth, <a href="#page206">206</a><br />
+Salft (prop. S&aacute;lpti or S&aacute;lfti), now<br />
+Salten in Salten-Fjord, in Halogafand, <a href="#page62">62</a><br />
+Samstead (S&aacute;mssta&eth;ir), <a href="#page145">145</a><br />
+Sand, a wilderness between the North and the South Country,<br />
+crossed by a road from Skagafirth south to Burgfirth and<br />
+Thingvellir, <a href="#page249">249</a><br />
+Sand-heaps (Sandhaugar), <a href="#page191">191</a>, <a href="#page192">192</a>, <a href="#page195">195</a>,
+<a href="#page199">199</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a>, <a href="#page273">273</a><br />
+Scarf-stead (Skarfssta&eth;ir), <a href="#page158">158</a>, <a href="#page251">251</a><br />
+Scotland, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a><br />
+Shady-vale (Forsaeludalr), inland of Waterdale, <a href="#page95">95</a><br />
+Slaftholt (Skaptaholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Shieldbroadfell (Skjaldbrei&eth;), a volcano north-east of Thingvellir, <a href="#page183">183</a><br />
+Skagafirth, <a href="#page83">83</a>, <a href="#page200">200</a>, <a href="#page205">205</a>, <a href="#page207">207</a>,
+<a href="#page217">217</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Skagi, a mountain promontory between Strandbay and Skagafirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Skalholt (Sk&aacute;laholt), in Biskupst&uacute;ngur, <a href="#page27">27</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Skridinsenni, a farmstead in Bitra, <a href="#page29">29</a><br />
+Sledgehill (Sle&eth;a&aacute;s), north of Thingvellir, <a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page97">97</a><br />
+Slysfirth (Slysfj&ouml;r&eth;r, prop. Slygsfj&ouml;r&eth;r), now Storfjorden in S&ouml;ndm&ouml;res<br />
+Fogderi, in Norway, <a href="#page51">51</a><br />
+Snowfells (Snaefj&ouml;ll), <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Snowfellsness (Snaefellsnes), the West-most promontory of Iceland,<br />
+<a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a><br />
+Sokkolfsdale (S&ouml;kkolfsdalr), in the Broadfirth-dales, <a href="#page202">202</a><br />
+Soknadale (S&oacute;knadalr, or S&oacute;knardalr), now Sognedalen, in Norway, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Sorbness (Reynines), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page206">206</a><br />
+Sorreldale (S&uacute;rnadalr), now Surendalen, in Norway, <a href="#page14">14</a><br />
+Sotanes, in Norway, <a href="#page1">1</a><br />
+South-Glass-river (Gler&aacute; en sy&eth;ri), a farmstead in Islefirth, <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+South-Mere (Summaeri), now S&ouml;ndm&ouml;res Fogderi, in Norway, <a href="#page45">45</a>, cpr. <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+South-Isles (Su&eth;r-eyjar), the Hebrides, <a href="#page1">1</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a>, <a href="#page6">6</a>,
+<a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+South-Strands (Su&eth;r-strandir), <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Spear-mead (Spj&oacute;tsm&yacute;rr), in Ramfirth, <a href="#page144">144</a><br />
+Stair (Stigi), a foreland peak east of Sweepingsfirth, <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Stead (Sta&eth;r), now Stadtland, promontory in Norway, <a href="#page115">115</a>, <a href="#page116">116</a>,
+<a href="#page117">117</a><br />
+Steep-brent (Brattabrekka), <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Steersriver (&thorn;i&oacute;rs&aacute;), <a href="#page12">12</a><br />
+Steinker, an Earl's seat in Drontheim, <a href="#page69">69</a><br />
+Stone-holt (Steinsholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Stonestead (Steinsta&eth;ir), in Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a><br />
+Strandbay (Strandafl&oacute;i), <a href="#page16">16</a><br />
+Strands (Strandir), north-westmost part of Iceland, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page80">80</a><br />
+Sweepingsfirth (S&uacute;gandafj&ouml;r&eth;r), <a href="#page10">10</a><br />
+Sylgdale (Sylgsdalir), in Sweden, <a href="#page96">96</a></p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page294" id="page294">[294]</a></span>
+<p>Thingere-lands (&thorn;&iacute;ngeyrasveit), in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Thingness (&thorn;&iacute;ngnes), in Burghfirth, <a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+Thoreys-peak (&thorn;&oacute;reyjar-n&uacute;pr) a farm in Willowdale, <a href="#page93">93</a>, <a href="#page94">94</a>,
+<a href="#page104">104</a><br />
+Thorhall-stead (&thorn;&oacute;rhallssta&eth;ir) in Shady-vale, <a href="#page95">95</a>, <a href="#page97">97</a>,
+<a href="#page98">98</a>, <a href="#page102">102</a>, <a href="#page103">103</a>, <a href="#page105">105</a><br />
+Thorodstead (&thorn;&oacute;roddsstadir) in Ramfirth, <a href="#page89">2</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a><br />
+Thorir's-dale (&thorn;&oacute;rir's-vale, <a href="#page184">184</a>, Thorisdalr),
+<a href="#page183">183</a>, <a href="#page184">184</a>, <a href="#page201">201</a><br />
+Thrandsholt (&thorn;r&aacute;ndarholt), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Thwart-river (&thorn;ver&aacute;), a stream in Gnup-Ward's-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Titling-stead (Titl&iacute;ngasta&eth;ir), on Reekness, <a href="#page147">147</a><br />
+Tongue (T&uacute;nga, Sael&iacute;ngsdalst&uacute;nga), Snorri Godi's home, <a href="#page144">144</a>,
+<a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a><br />
+Tongue (T&uacute;nga), a farmstead in Waterdale, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Tongue (T&uacute;nga, now N&uacute;psdalst&uacute;nga(?)), a farmstead in Midfirth, <a href="#page90">90</a><br />
+Tongue (T&uacute;nga), the home of Asgrim Ellida Grimson, in Arnesthing, <a href="#page159">159</a><br />
+Tongue-river (T&uacute;ngu&aacute;), a stream in the Fleets, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Torfa's-stead (Torfusta&thorn;ir), a homestead in Midfirth, <a href="#page34">34</a><br />
+Treetub-creek, the Creek, the Wick, (Tr&egrave;kyllisv&iacute;k), in the Strands,<br />
+<a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>, <a href="#page25">25</a><br />
+Tunsberg, a market-place in Norway, now T&ouml;nsberg, <a href="#page71">71</a>, <a href="#page75">75</a>,
+<a href="#page121">121</a>, <a href="#page123">123</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page251">251</a>, <a href="#page252">252</a><br />
+Twodays-way (Twodays-ride, Tv&iacute;daegra), a mountain-road from<br />
+Northriverdale to the Midfirth-dales and Willowdale, <a href="#page93">83</a>, <a href="#page139">139</a></p>
+
+<p>Ufeigh's-firth (Ufeigsfj&ouml;r&eth;r), in the Strands, <a href="#page22">22</a>
+Ufeigh's-stead (Ufeigssta&eth;ir), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, <a href="#page11">11</a><br />
+Ufaera, in the Strands, 17<br />
+Uplands (Uppl&ouml;nd), Oplandene in Norway, <a href="#page2">2</a></p>
+
+<p>Vogar a fish-fair in Halogaland, in Norway, now Vaagen, <a href="#page62">62</a>, <a href="#page67">67</a></p>
+
+<p>Waterdale (Vatnsdalr), in Euna-waterthing, <a href="#page2">26</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a>, <a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a>,
+<a href="#page104">104</a>, <a href="#page110">110</a>,<br />
+<a href="#page111">111</a>, <a href="#page275">275</a>, <a href="#page276">276</a><br />
+Waterfirth (Vatnsfj&ouml;r&eth;r), home-stead of Vermund the Slender,<br />
+<a href="#page152">152</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a>, <a href="#page155">155</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a><br />
+Waterfirth-dale (Vatnsfjar&eth;andalr), in Icefirth, <a href="#page153">153</a><br />
+Waterness (Vatnsnes), pron. between Hunafirth and Midfirth, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Waterpass (Vatnsskar&eth;), between Hunawaterthing and Skagafirth, <a href="#page205">205</a><br />
+Wave-ridge (&Ouml;lduhryggr), in Sta&eth;arsveit, <a href="#page173">173</a><br />
+Weir (St&yacute;fla), in the Fleets, <a href="#page212">212</a><br />
+Well-ness (Keldunes), <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Well-wharf (Kelduhverfi), <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Well-wharfside, id. <a href="#page187">187</a><br />
+Westfirths (Vestfir&eth;ir), <a href="#page144">144</a>, <a href="#page158">158</a>, <a href="#page162">162</a><br />
+Westhope, (Vestrh&oacute;p), in Hunawaterthing, <a href="#page34">34</a><br />
+Wetherfirth=Ramfirth, <a href="#page143">143</a><br />
+Whalesheadholme, (Hvalshaush&oacute;lmr), <a href="#page146">146</a>,<a href="#page147">147</a><br />
+Whiteriver (Hv&iacute;t&aacute;), in Burgfirth, <a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a>, <a href="#page172">172</a><br />
+Whiteriverside (Hv&iacute;t&aacute;rs&iacute;da), in Burgfirth, <a href="#page39">39</a><br />
+Wick (V&iacute;kin), in Norway, <a href="#page26">26</a><br />
+Wick=Treetub-Creek.<br />
+Willowdale (V&iacute;&eth;dalr), west of Waterdale, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page83">83</a>,
+<a href="#page104">104</a>, <a href="#page275">275</a><br />
+Windham (Vindheimr), a farmstead of Haramsey, <a href="#page46">46</a>, <a href="#page47">47</a><br />
+Wolds (Vellir), a harbour on the Whiteriver, <a href="#page135">135</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+Woods-tead (Sk&oacute;gar), a farm in Axefirth, <a href="#page277">277</a><br />
+Woodwick (Vi&eth;v&iacute;k), a farmstead in Skagafirth, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a>,
+<a href="#page236">236</a>, <a href="#page237">237</a>, <a href="#page245">245</a></p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page295" id="page295">[295]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="INDEX_III"></a><h3>INDEX III.</h3>
+
+<p><b>THINGS.</b></p>
+
+<p>A nithing's deed, setting on a dying man with weapons, <a href="#page250">250</a><br />
+Arson, <a href="#page2">2</a>, <a href="#page5">5</a>, <a href="#page13">13</a><br />
+Assassins (hired), <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page167">167</a></p>
+
+<p>Barrow of Karr the Old of Haramsey, 47, 49<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Onund Treefoot, called &quot;Treefoot's-barrow,&quot; <a href="#page19">19</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>Battles and Fights</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Battle of Barra, between Onund Treefoot, and King Kiarval, <a href="#page1">1</a>,
+<a href="#page2">2</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Bute, between Onund Treefoot and the Vikings, Vigbiod</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">and Vestmar, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page9">9</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Ernewaterheath, between Grettir and Hallmund on one</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">side, and Thorir of Garth with eighty men on the other, <a href="#page168">168</a>,
+<a href="#page170">170</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Grettirsoddi by Hitriver, between Grettir and the Marshmen,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#page179">179</a>, <a href="#page180">180</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Hafrsfirth, between Harald Fairhair and several Norwegian petty</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">kings, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page4">4</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Nesjar, between St. Olaf and Earl Svein, <a href="#page112">112</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of the Pass, between Ath Asmundson and the Sons of Thorir of the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Pass, <a href="#page127">127</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Bowerfell, between Grettir and the men of Meal, <a href="#page91">91</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fight in Drangey, between the Brothers Grettir and Illugi, on one</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">side, and Thorbiorn Angle and his band on the other, <a href="#page240">240</a>,
+<a href="#page241">241</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fight on Ernewaterheath, with the Assassins Grim and Thorir</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Redbeard, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page164">164</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Fairwoodfell with Gish, <a href="#page176">176</a>, <a href="#page177">177</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Fleet-tongue with Skeggi, <a href="#page38">38</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Gartar, with Biorn, <a href="#page68">68</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Goosere, with Thorbiorn Tardy, <a href="#page144">144</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Grettir's-Gill, between Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Earls' Champion, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Haramsey, with Karr the Old, in his harrow, <a href="#page48">48</a>, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Haramsey, with twelve Bearserks, <a href="#page56">56</a>, <a href="#page58">58</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">on Midfit, with Thorbiorn Oxmain, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">on Reekness, between the men of the Creek and those</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of Coldback, over a whale, <a href="#page23">23</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">on a common driftland in the Strands over a whale, between</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">the foster-brothers &THORN;orgeir Havarson and Thormod</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Coalbrowskald on one side, and Thorgils Makson on the other, <a href="#page77">77</a>, <a href="#page78">78</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Sand-heaps, with a troll-wife, <a href="#page194">194</a>, <a href="#page195">195</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">nigh to Sand-heaps, in a cave, with a giant, <a href="#page197">197</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Steinker, with Hiarandi, <a href="#page70">70</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page296" id="page296">[296]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fight at Thorhall-stead with Glam the Thrall, <a href="#page107">107</a>, <a href="#page109">109</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">in Tunsberg, with Gunnar, the brother of Hiarandi, <a href="#page72">72</a>, <a href="#page73">73</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">with Snaekoll the bearserk, <a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page123">123</a></span></p>
+
+Bridge of Liarskogar, a work of great art, hung with rings and<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'din-bells,' <a href="#page158">158</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Domestic Implements</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bottles of leather, for keeping drink in, <a href="#page20">20</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chopper, <a href="#page23">23</a>, <a href="#page194">194</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Clothes-bag, <a href="#page175">175</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curd-bags, hides drawn up to fetch curds in from mountain dairies, <a href="#page84">84</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Deer-horn, for drinking at feasts, <a href="#page15">15</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Digging-tools, <a href="#page47">47</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Kettle, <a href="#page182">182</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Meal-bags, wherein victuals were kept for the thing-ride, <a href="#page38">38</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tools to strike fire, <a href="#page182">182</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trough, <a href="#page194">194</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wool-combs, <a href="#page30">30</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Dowry, 7</p>
+
+<p><i>Dress and Ornamental Apparel</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Breeches (of sail-cloth, <a href="#page117">117</a>), <a href="#page176">176</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cape, <a href="#page117">117</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a>, <a href="#page137">137</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chain, round the neck, <a href="#page14">14</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cloak of rich web, <a href="#page14">14</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Coloured clothes (over&mdash;clothes), <a href="#page154">154</a>, <a href="#page174">174</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cowl, 220 Drugget-cloak, <a href="#page107">107</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fur-cloak, <a href="#page64">64</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hat (slouched), <a href="#page169">169</a>, <a href="#page189">189</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hood, <a href="#page206">206</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Kirtle (red), <a href="#page85">85</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Leggings (hose), <a href="#page65">65</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mittens, <a href="#page206">206</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rings of gold, <a href="#page14">14</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shirt, <a href="#page176">176</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Spurs, <a href="#page202">202</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">State-raiment, <a href="#page175">175</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thongs (hose-thongs), <a href="#page65">65</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Fair in Vagar in Halogaland, <a href="#page62"></a>
+Famine, <a href="#page21">21</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Feasts</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(There were three principal festals in the year: at Winter-nights,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Yule, and Midsummer.)</span><br />
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Autumn-feast (= winter nights' feast, Oct. 14), at Thorbiorn</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oxmain's, III &quot;Drinking turn and turn about,&quot; is probably the same</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">that elsewhere is called&nbsp; &quot;Sambur&eth;Sarol,&quot; an ale-club or rotation</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">drinking by common subscription, <a href="#page14">14</a> Yule-ale, <a href="#page51">51</a> Yule-biddings,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#page51">51</a>, <a href="#page52">52</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>Fights, see</i> Battles and Fights.</p>
+
+<p><i>Food and Drink</i>.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(The Saga mentions no imported articles of food.)</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beer, <a href="#page53">53</a>, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curds, <a href="#page84">84</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fish (stockfish), <a href="#page131">131</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lent-fare, fat and livers, <a href="#page183">183</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mutton, <i>passim</i>.</span></p>
+
+<p>Fire above hid treasure, <a href="#page47">47</a><br />
+Foster-brothers (sworn brothers), <a href="#page78">78</a>, <a href="#page81">81</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a>,
+<a href="#page93">93</a><br />
+Godi's-wood, a wood said to have belonged to six Godar, <a href="#page97">97</a><br />
+Grettir's-heave, <a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page91">91</a>, <a href="#page176">176</a></p>
+
+<i>Horse-Outfit.</i><br />
+<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bridle (embossed, <a href="#page160">160</a>), <a href="#page76">76</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Head-gear, <a href="#page160">160</a> Saddle (fair-stained, <a href="#page84">84</a>), <a href="#page38">38</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Snaffle-rings, <a href="#page160">160</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Hospitality, 54, 80</p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page297" id="page297">[297]</a></span>
+
+<p><i>Houses and their Outfit</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beaks of vessels put over the door, <a href="#page115">115</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bed, <a href="#page107">107</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Boards (= tables), <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bolt, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Boose (= cow-stall in a byre), <a href="#page103">103</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Booth at the thing, <a href="#page96">96</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&mdash;for drinking assemblages, <a href="#page72">72</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&mdash;for trade-purposes, <a href="#page113">113</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bower, serving as a ward-robe, cloth-bower, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&mdash;a storehouse apart from other houses, out-bower, <a href="#page56">56</a>,
+<a href="#page245">245</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Closet, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Corn-barn, <a href="#page58">58</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cross-beam (= tie-beam), <a href="#page107">107</a>, <a href="#page108">108</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cross-bench (= dais), <a href="#page193">193</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Door, <a href="#page56">56</a> and <i>passim</i>.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doorcase, <a href="#page108">108</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doorpost, <a href="#page133">133</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dungeon, <a href="#page254">254</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gable, <a href="#page193">193</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hall, fire-hall, <i>passim</i>, see also note on hall pp. <a href="#page273">273</a>-<a href="#page275">275</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hangings, <a href="#page53">53</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">High-chair, <a href="#page48">48</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hill-dairy, <a href="#page84">84</a>, <a href="#page153">153</a>, <a href="#page154">154</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Horse-stable, <a href="#page106">106</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">House of refuge (s&aacute;luh&uacute;s), <a href="#page117">117</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Latch, <a href="#page56">56</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lock-bed, <a href="#page107">107</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Loft (sleeping-loft), <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page124">124</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Long-fires, <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rafters, <a href="#page108">108</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Roof, <a href="#page107">107</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Seat-beam, <a href="#page84">84</a>, <a href="#page107">107</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Side-wall, <a href="#page193">193</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thatch, <a href="#page108">108</a>, <a href="#page240">240</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Threshold, <a href="#page108">108</a>, <a href="#page133">133</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tie-beam, <a href="#page107">107</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>Landwights</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Amongst these are to be numbered Hallmund and Thorir the half-troll<br />
+of Thorir's-dale, and the wights told of in Hallmund's Song, <a href="#page187">187</a><br />
+Atonement. <i>See</i> Weregild.</p>
+
+<p><i>Law, Suits, Penalties</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Boot for insulting language, <a href="#page66">66</a><br />
+
+Banishment, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Declaring manslaughter as having been done by one's own hand, <a href="#page133">133</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a><br />
+District-outlawry, <a href="#page129">129</a><br />
+Execution (f&eacute;r&aacute;nsd&oacute;mr), <a href="#page247">247</a>-<a href="#page248">248</a><br />
+Fine, <a href="#page39">39</a>, and <i>passim</i>.<br />
+Handselling of a lawsuit, <a href="#page39">39</a><br />
+Handselling of lawful truce, <a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page214">214</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Law-provisions</i></p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">For drift-right, <a href="#page25">25</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For bearserks challenging men to holm, <a href="#page51">51</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For heritage of outlawed men in Norway in the days of</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Harold Fairhair, <a href="#page11">11</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For the utmost limit of outlawry, <a href="#page225">225</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For heathen sacrifices in the earliest days of Christianity</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">in Iceland, <a href="#page226">226</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For a rightful suitor in a blood-suit, <a href="#page150">150</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lawsuits, <a href="#page18">18</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a>, <a href="#page24">24</a>,
+<a href="#page39">39</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a>, <a href="#page129">129</a>, <a href="#page130">130</a>,
+<a href="#page149">149</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page238">238</a>,
+<a href="#page249">249</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Manners and Customs, Civil and Religious.</i></p>
+<p>Bathing, <a href="#page148">148</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a><br />
+Burial of misdoers in cairns and tidewashed heap of stones, <a href="#page59">59</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a><br />
+Burial in barrows. <i>See</i> Barrows.<br />
+&mdash;at churches, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a><br />
+Fasting on Yule-eve, <a href="#page98">98</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">to iron birth, <a href="#page119">119</a></span><br />
+Hallowing of a vessel by a bishop, <a href="#page115">115</a><br />
+Iron-birth, <a href="#page119">119</a><br />
+Meal-times, <a href="#page49">49</a><br />
+Riding, to the Althing, <a href="#page36">36</a>, <a href="#page79">79</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page298" id="page298">[298]</a></span>
+Rubbing of one's back by the fire, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+Sailors' duties have to be per-formed on board ship by the<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">passengers, <a href="#page41">41</a>, <i>sqq</i>.</span><br />
+Sitting at table in the evening, <a href="#page48">48</a><br />
+Sleeping in fire-halls, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+Thing-men have to provide themselves, each one with fare at his own cost, <a href="#page38">38</a><br />
+Varangian weapon-show, <a href="#page253">253</a><br />
+Washing of hands ere going to table, <a href="#page113">113</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Money</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Hundred in silver, <a href="#page151">151</a><br />
+Mark in silver, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page173">173</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Names of folk derived from their country or dwelling-stead</i></p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Axefirthers, <a href="#page278">278</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gothlander, <a href="#page11">11</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Halogalander, <a href="#page57">57</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Icefirthers, <a href="#page155">155</a>, <a href="#page156">156</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lavadale-men, <a href="#page182">182</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Marshmen, <a href="#page182">182</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Northlanders, <a href="#page163">163</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Northmen, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page253">253</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ramfirthers, <a href="#page34">34</a>, and <i>passim.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">South-Islander, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The men of Biarg, <a href="#page88">88</a>, <a href="#page92">92</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The men of Coldback, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <i>sqq.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The men of the Creek, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <i>sqq.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Varangians, <a href="#page253">253</a>, <i>sqq.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Waterdale-folk, <a href="#page26">26</a>, <a href="#page38">38</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Waterdale-kin, <a href="#page142">142</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Waterness-men, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Well-wharfers, <a href="#page170">170</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Westfirthers, <a href="#page80">80</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Westhope-men, <a href="#page34">34</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Willowdale-men, <a href="#page34">34</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>Occupations</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Binding of hay into horseloads for being conveyed into rick-yard</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">or barn, <a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Catching of fowl, <a href="#page219">219</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Drift-watching, <a href="#page22">22</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fetching home victuals from mountain dairies, <a href="#page84">84</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fetching home stockfish on horses, <a href="#page126">126</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fishing in sea and fresh water, <a href="#page163">163</a>, <a href="#page166">166</a>, <a href="#page184">184</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Folding, gathering sheep in autumn up from the wilds</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">and mountains, to be sorted for their owners according to</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">the marks in the ears of each sheep, <a href="#page174">174</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gathering of eggs, <a href="#page214">214</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hay-harvest, falls into two parts, the first, the haymaking in the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">manured homefield, the second, in unmanured meads and mountains,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#page132">132</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Iron-smithying, <a href="#page158">158</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mowing-tide, the whole season of the summer while grass can be</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">mown, <a href="#page84">84</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Watching of home-geese, <a href="#page29">29</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of horses in winter, <a href="#page31">31</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of neat, <a href="#page102">102</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of sheep, <a href="#page98">98</a>, <a href="#page101">101</a>, <a href="#page206">206</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whale-getting, <a href="#page21">21</a>, <a href="#page77">77</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whale-cutting, <a href="#page23">23</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Pet Animals</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Keingala, a mare, <a href="#page31">31</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pied-belly, a ram, <a href="#page240">240</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Saddle-fair, a mare, <a href="#page135">135</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Runes</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Songs cut on staffs, in runes, <a href="#page186">186</a>, <a href="#page198">198</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Baneful runes cut on a bewitched log of wood, <a href="#page230">230</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page299" id="page299">[299]</a></span>
+<p><i>Sagas Quoted</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The saga of the Bandamenn, <a href="#page29">29</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of Bodmod, Grimulf, and Gerpir, <a href="#page25">25</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of Eric the Earl, <a href="#page51">51</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of Grim who slew Hallmund, <a href="#page188">188</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of the heath-slayings, <a href="#page86">86</a></span><br />
+
+<p>The saga of the Laxdale-men, <a href="#page19">19</a></p>
+
+<p>Settlings of land in Iceland, <a href="#page10">10</a>, <a href="#page11">11</a>,
+<a href="#page12">12</a>, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page17">17</a></p>
+
+<p><i>Ships and their outfit</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Boat, ten oars aboard, <a href="#page22">22</a>, <a href="#page227">227</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Boat-stand, <a href="#page20">20</a>, <i>and passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beaks, <a href="#page115">115</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bark (karfi), of sixteen oars aboard, <a href="#page46">46</a>, <a href="#page52">52</a>,
+<a href="#page62">62</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bulwark, <a href="#page3">3</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Forecastle, <a href="#page3">3</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grapplings, <a href="#page3">3</a>3</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gunwale, <a href="#page147">147</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Row-barge, <a href="#page115">115</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sail, <a href="#page16">16</a>, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ship shield-hung from stem to stern, <a href="#page52">52</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">stained above sea, <a href="#page52">52</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">cleared from stem to stern, <a href="#page3">3</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">stem, stern, <a href="#page3">3</a>, <a href="#page52">52</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Viking-ship, <a href="#page1">1</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">War-ship, <a href="#page6">6</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Work in connection with ship:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">baling, <a href="#page41">41</a>, <a href="#page42">42</a>, <a href="#page45">45</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">pumping, <a href="#page44">44</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">rolling ship ashore, <a href="#page174">174</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">launching of, <a href="#page46">46</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">building of, <a href="#page25">25</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yard, <a href="#page16">16</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Skalds named in the Saga</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arnor Earls'-skald, <a href="#page179">179</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page71">71</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grettir Asmundson.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hallmund, <a href="#page161">161</a>, <a href="#page186">186</a>-<a href="#page187">187</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Odd the Foundling-Skald, <a href="#page34">34</a>, <a href="#page87">87</a>-<a href="#page88">88</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Skald-Torfa, <a href="#page34">34</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Svein of Bank, <a href="#page135">135</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thormod Coalbrowskald, <a href="#page77">77</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Social Stations</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bonder, <a href="#page14">14</a>, and <i>passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chapmen, <i>passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Court-owner, an owner of all such houses in a town as form the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">surrounding of a court, <a href="#page71">71</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Earl, a man next after the king in dignity, <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page50">50</a> <i>sqq</i>.,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><a href="#page69">69</a> <i>sqq</i>., <a href="#page112">112</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Free-men, <a href="#page53">53</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Godi, a chief combining in his person the religious and administrative</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">authority of the district over which he ruled, <a href="#page11">11</a>, <a href="#page26">26</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hand-maid, <a href="#page220">220</a>, <a href="#page221">221</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Herdsman. <i>See</i> Occupations.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hersir, a man next to an earl in dignity, <a href="#page14">14</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Home-folk, <a href="#page54">54</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Home-women, <a href="#page54">54</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">House-carle, <i>passim</i>.</span><br />
+
+<p><i>Sports and Games</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ball-play, <a href="#page34">34</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ball, <a href="#page35">35</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bat, <a href="#page35">35</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Horse-fight, <a href="#page87">87</a>, <a href="#page88">88</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Knave-game (note), <a href="#page208">208</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sports at Heron-ness thing, <a href="#page210">210</a>, <a href="#page212">212</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Swimming, <a href="#page117">117</a>, <a href="#page167">167</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tale-game, <a href="#page208">208</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wrestling, <a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page212">212</a>, <a href="#page216">216</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Things, or Public Law-assemblages.</i></p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Althing, <i>passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Thing of Kialarness, <a href="#page19">19</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Heron-ness, <a href="#page210">210</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hunawater, <a href="#page129">129</a>, <a href="#page150">150</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trade on England, <a href="#page67">67</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Trolls and Evil Wights</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">See Hallmund's song, <a href="#page187">187</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Troll-carle, <a href="#page197">197</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Troll-wife, <a href="#page194">194</a>, <a href="#page195">195</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The wight that slew Glam, 96, 99, 100</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Troth, to sit in troth for three winters, <a href="#page7">7</a>7</span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page300" id="page300">[300]</a></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Twainmonth, the second month in the year, corresponding to our</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">September (Aug. 24&mdash;Sept. <a href="#page22">22</a>).</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wadmall as an article of trade, <a href="#page40">40</a>, <a href="#page220">220</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Weapons and War-gear.</i></p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Axe, <i>passim.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Barb-end, <a href="#page57">57</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Barb, <a href="#page57">57</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Buckler, <a href="#page142">142</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Byrni, <a href="#page57">57</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chopper, <a href="#page194">194</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cheek-pieces of a helmet, <a href="#page122">122</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Glaive (heft-sax), <a href="#page197">197</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grigs of the sword, <a href="#page241">241</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hand-axe, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Helmet, <a href="#page57">57</a>, <a href="#page85">85</a>, <a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shield (iron-rimmed, inlaid), <a href="#page72">72</a>, <a href="#page122">122</a>, <a href="#page128">128</a>,
+<a href="#page175">175</a>, <a href="#page203">203</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Socket inlaid with silver, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Socket-nail, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Short-sword, Karrs-loom, <a href="#page49">49</a>, and <i>passim</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Spear, great without barbs, <a href="#page141">141</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">with broad barbs, <a href="#page56">56</a>, <a href="#page132">132</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stones used for missiles, <a href="#page8">8</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Spear-head, <a href="#page57">57</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sword, girt with a sword, <a href="#page132">132</a>, <a href="#page241">241</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Jokul's gift, the heirloom of the kinsmen of Ingimund the</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Old, <a href="#page40">40</a>, and <i>passim.</i></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Weird of a ghost, <a href="#page109">109</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">of a sorceress, <a href="#page229">229</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Winter-nights, the first days in winter about Oct. <a href="#page14">14</a>, <a href="#page145">145</a></span><br />
+
+<p><i>Witchcraft and Sorcery</i>.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gale of wind brought on by evil craft, <a href="#page236">236</a>-<a href="#page236">236</a>
+<a href="#page237">237</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Witchcraft, an illegal means for overcoming an enemy, <a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Witchcraft wrought into a log of wood, the manner thereof, <a href="#page230">230</a>, <a href="#page231">231</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wound growing deadly through the effect of evil and witchcrafty</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">runes, <a href="#page244">244</a>, <a href="#page250">250</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wooing, <a href="#page6">6</a>, <a href="#page7">7</a>, <a href="#page19">19</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page301" id="page301">[301]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="PERIPHRASTIC_EXPRESSIONS_IN_THE_SONGS"></a><h2>PERIPHRASTIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE SONGS.</h2>
+
+An Axe: Battle ogress, rock-troll, <a href="#page38">38</a><br />
+Blood: Rain of swords, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+Cave (Hallmund's): Kettle, where waters fall from great<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">ice-wall, <a href="#page160">160</a></span><br />
+Fight: Dart's breath, <a href="#page15">15</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dart-shower, <a href="#page43">43</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gale of death, <a href="#page15">15</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gale of swords, <a href="#page95">95</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hilda's[22] weather, <a href="#page95">95</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Iron-rain, <a href="#page234">234</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mist's<a name="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22"><sup>[22]</sup></a> mystery, <a href="#page95">95</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Odin's gale; Odin's storm, <a href="#page143">143</a>, <a href="#page190">190</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Shield-fire's thunder, <a href="#page6">6</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Shield-rain, <a href="#page215">215</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Spears' breath, <a href="#page170">170</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Spear-shower, <a href="#page138">138</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Spear-storm, <a href="#page234">234</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sword-shower, <a href="#page81">81</a></span><br />
+
+Gallows: Sigar's meed for lovesome deed, (Sigarr hung Hag-bard<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">the Viking for having befooled his daughter), <a href="#page157">157</a></span><br />
+Gold: Deep sea's flame, 137<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dragon's lair, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Serpent's bed, <a href="#page215">215</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The flame of sea, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wave's flashing flame, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Worm's bed, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Worm-land, <a href="#page131">131</a></span><br />
+Grettir (an Eddaic name for a serpent): Fell-creeping lad, <a href="#page86">86</a><br />
+Head: Thoughts' burg, <a href="#page76">76</a>
+Man: Elm-stalk, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gold-scatterer, <a href="#page131">131</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Helm-stalk, <a href="#page136">136</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Jewel-strewer, <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Lessener of the flame of sea, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Lessener of waves' flashing flame, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ring-bearer, <a href="#page68">68</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ring-strewer, <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Scatterer of serpent's bed, <a href="#page215">215</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wormland's haunter, <a href="#page137">137</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Snatcher of worm's bed, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+Mouth: Tofts of tooth-hedge, <a href="#page124">124</a>
+Sailor: He who decks the reindeer's side that 'twixt ness and<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">ness doth glide, <a href="#page43">43</a></span><br />
+Rider of wind-driven steed, <a href="#page41">41</a>
+Sea-steeds' rider, <a href="#page81">81</a>; Shield: Roof of war, <a href="#page215">215</a><br />
+Spear-walk, <a href="#page12">12</a><br />
+Ship: Reindeer that 'twixt ness and ness doth glide, <a href="#page43">43</a>43<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sea-steed, <a href="#page81">81</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Steed of the rollers, <a href="#page17">17</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wind-driven steed, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+Skald: Giver forth of Odin's mead (Svein of Bank), <a href="#page41">41</a>
+<p>Sword: Byrni's flame, <a href="#page76">76</a></p>
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page302" id="page302">[302]</a></span>
+Sword: Helmfire, <a href="#page50">50</a>, <a href="#page136">136</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Man's-bane, <a href="#page41">41</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">War-flame, <a href="#page199">199</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Whiting of the shield, <a href="#page21">21</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wound-worm, <a href="#page114">114</a></span><br />
+Thor: Sifs lord, <a href="#page157">157</a>
+Warrior: Arrow-dealer, <a href="#page114">114</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Axe-breaker, <a href="#page2">2</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Begetter of fight, <a href="#page49">49</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Brand-whetter, <a href="#page17">17</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Breaker of the bow, <a href="#page50">50</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Foreteller of spear-shower, <a href="#page138">138</a></span><br />
+Warrior: Grove of Hedin's maid, <a href="#page125">125</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Raiser-up of roof of war, <a href="#page215">215</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Spear-grove, <a href="#page59">59</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Stem of shield, <a href="#page190">190</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sword-player, <a href="#page199">199</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">War-god, <a href="#page66">66</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wound-worm's tower, <a href="#page114">114</a></span><br />
+Wool-combe: Hook-clawed bird, <a href="#page31">31</a><br />
+Woman: Giver forth of gold, <a href="#page59">59</a><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Goddess of red gold, <a href="#page137">137</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ground of gold, <a href="#page30">30</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Son of golden stall, <a href="#page190">190</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Warder of horns' wave, <a href="#page181">181</a></span><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page303" id="page303">[303]</a></span>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<a name="PROVERBS_AND_PROVERBIAL_SAYINGS_THAT_OCCUR_IN_THE_STORY"></a><h2>PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL SAYINGS THAT OCCUR IN THE STORY.</h2>
+
+<p>A friend should warn a friend of ill, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+Ale is another man, <a href="#page55">55</a><br />
+All must fare when they are fetched, <a href="#page188">188</a>188<br />
+All things bide their day, <a href="#page218">218</a><br />
+All will come to an end, <a href="#page233">233</a><br />
+Bare is the back of the brotherless, <a href="#page241">241</a><br />
+Best to bairn is mother still, <a href="#page41">41</a><br />
+Bewail he, who brought the woe, <a href="#page175">175</a><br />
+Broad spears are about now, <a href="#page133">133</a><br />
+Deeds done will be told of, <a href="#page224">224</a><br />
+Even so shall bale be bettered by biding greater bale, <a href="#page140">140</a><br />
+For one thing alone will I not be known, <a href="#page192">192</a><br />
+From ill cometh ill, <a href="#page105">105</a><br />
+Good luck and goodliness are twain, <a href="#page105">105</a><br />
+Hand for wont doth yearn, <a href="#page226">226</a><br />
+Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself, <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Ill deed gains ill hap,  <a href="#page188">188</a><br />
+Ill heed still to ill doth lead,  <a href="#page121">121</a><br />
+Ill if a thrall is thine only friend, <a href="#page240">240</a><br />
+Ill it is ill to be, <a href="#page165">165</a><br />
+Ill it is to goad the foolhardy, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+Let one oak have what from the other it shaves, <a href="#page67">67</a><br />
+Little can cope with cunning of eld, <a href="#page205">205</a><br />
+Long it takes to try a man, <a href="#page61">61</a><br />
+Many a man lies hid within himself, <a href="#page203">203</a><br />
+Many a man stretches round the door to the lock, <a href="#page86">86</a><br />
+More one knows the more one tries, <a href="#page30">30</a><br />
+No man makes himself, <a href="#page125">125</a><br />
+<span class="newpage"><a name="page304" id="page304">[304]</a></span>
+Now this, now that has strokes in his garth, <a href="#page125">125</a><br />
+Odd haps are worst haps, <a href="#page37">37</a><br />
+Oft a listening ear in the holt is anear, <a href="#page173">173</a><br />
+Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust, <a href="#page32">32</a><br />
+Old friends are the last to sever, <a href="#page240">240</a><br />
+One may be apaid of a man's aid, <a href="#page44">44</a><br />
+Overpraised, and first to fail, <a href="#page132">132</a><br />
+Sooth is the sage's guess, <a href="#page92">92</a><br />
+Swear loud and say little, <a href="#page266">266</a><br />
+The lower must lowt, <a href="#page267">267</a><br />
+The nigher the call, the further the man, <a href="#page211">211</a><br />
+Things boded will happen, so will things unboded, <a href="#page32">32</a><br />
+Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth has had no sup, <a href="#page168">168</a><br />
+Thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never, <a href="#page35">35</a><br />
+Thrice of yore have all things happed, <a href="#page262">262</a><br />
+To the goat-house for wool, <a href="#page226">226</a><br />
+With hell's man are dealings ill, <a href="#page176">176</a><br />
+Woe is before one's own door when it is inside one's neighbour's, <a href="#page105">105</a></p>
+
+
+<p>FOOTNOTES:</p>
+
+<a name="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1">[1]</a><div class="note"><p> Such as 'Burnt Njal,' Edinburgh, 1861, 8vo, and 'Gisli
+the Outlaw,' Edinburgh, 1866, 4to, by Dasent; the 'Saga of Viga-Glum,'
+London, 1866, 8vo, by Sir E. Head; the 'Heimskringla,' London, 1844,
+8vo, by S. Laing; the 'Eddas,' Prose by Dasent, Stockholm, 1842;
+Poetic by A.S. Cottle, Bristol, 1797, and Thorpe, London and Halle,
+1866; the 'Three Northern Love Stories,' translated by Magn&uacute;sson and
+Morris, London, 1875, and 'The Volsunga Saga,' translated by the same,
+London, 1870.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2">[2]</a><div class="note"><p> Such is the conversational title of this Saga; many of
+the other Sagas have their longer title abbreviated in a like manner:
+Egil's saga becomes Egla, Njal's saga Nj&aacute;la; Eyrbyggja saga, Laxdaela
+saga, Vatnsdaeela saga, Reykdaela saga, Svarfdaela saga, become
+Eyrbyggja, Laxdaela, Vatnsdaela, Reykdaela, Svarfdaela (gen. plur.
+masc. of daelir, dale-dwellers, is forced into a fem. sing. regularly
+declined, saga being understood); furthermore, Landn&aacute;ma b&oacute;k (landn&aacute;ma,
+gen. pl. neut.) the book of land settlings, becomes Landn&aacute;ma (fem.
+sing. regularly declined, b&oacute;k being understood); lastly, Sturlunga
+saga, the Saga of the mighty family of the Sturlungs, becomes
+Sturlunga in the same manner.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3">[3]</a><div class="note"><p>
+</p><p>
+</p><p>
+Onund Treefoot   brother to   Gudbiorg<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  |</i></span><br />
+Thorgrim Greypate            Gudbrand<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  |</i></span><br />
+Asmund the Greyhaired     Asta (mother of)<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  |</i></span><br />
+Grettir the Strong.       Olaf the Saint.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4">[4]</a><div class="note"><p> &quot;West over the Sea,&quot; means in the Sagas the British
+isles, and the islands about them&mdash;the Hebrides, Orkneys, &amp;c.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5">[5]</a><div class="note"><p> South-isles are the Hebrides, and the other islands down
+to Man.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6">[6]</a><div class="note"><p> &quot;Harald the Unshorn:&quot; he was so called at first because
+he made a vow not to cut his hair till he was sole king of Norway.
+When he had attained to this, and Earl Rognvald had taken him to the
+bath and trimmed his hair, he was called &quot;Fair-hair,&quot; from its length
+and beauty.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7">[7]</a><div class="note"><p> &quot;Godi&quot; is the name for the rulers of the thirty-nine
+districts into which the republic of Iceland was anciently divided.
+While the ancient religion lasted, their office combined in itself the
+highest civil and sacerdotal functions.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8">[8]</a><div class="note"><p> This is about as obscure as the original, which seems to
+allude to some event not mentioned in the Saga.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9">[9]</a><div class="note"><p> The old belief was that by this means only could a ghost
+be laid.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10">[10]</a><div class="note"><p> Biorn is Icelandic for bear.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11">[11]</a><div class="note"><p> The stone of steel-god's bane in Thorstein; Bylest's kin
+is Hel, death. The leopard is Bessi Skald-Torfason; byrni's flame, his
+sword. Thoughts-burg, a warrior's head.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12">[12]</a><div class="note"><p> Who was killed in Norway by the sons of Harek, and whose
+revenge is told of in the Saga of the Heath slayings (existing in
+fragment).</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13">[13]</a><div class="note"><p> In the Landn&aacute;ma he is called 'Hy-nef;' the meaning is
+doubtful, but it seems that the author of this history means to call
+him Hay-nose.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14">[14]</a><div class="note"><p> Ed. 1853 has the &quot;Wide-landed, Vi&eth;lendings,&quot; which here
+is altered agreeably to the correction in ch. 14, p. 29.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15">[15]</a><div class="note"><p> The second month in the year, corresponding to our
+September.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16">[16]</a><div class="note"><p> Boose, a cow-stall.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17">[17]</a><div class="note"><p> Hall, a &quot;stone&quot;: mund, is hand, and by periphrasis &quot;land
+of fist&quot;; so that Hallmund is meant by this couplet, and that was the
+real name of &quot;Air,&quot; who is not a mere man, but a friendly spirit of
+the mountains.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18">[18]</a><div class="note"><p> This song is obviously incomplete, and the second and
+third stanzas speak of matters that do not come into this story.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19">[19]</a><div class="note"><p> 'Pied-belly,' the name of the tame ram told of before.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20">[20]</a><div class="note"><p> <i>Innan eptir</i>, as here rendered, is the reading of
+the MS. from which Bergbua p&aacute;ttr is edited. <i>Innar eptir</i>, as the
+aforesaid edition of the tale has it, is wrong.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21">[21]</a><div class="note"><p> A man of twenty, thirty, forty, &amp;c., is in the Icelandic
+expressed by the adjective <i>tv&iacute;tugr, pr&iacute;tugr, fertugr</i>; a man
+twenty-five, thirty-five, &amp;c., is <i>h&aacute;lf-pr&iacute;tugr, h&aacute;lf-fertugr</i>,
+&amp;c.; the units beyond the tens are expressed by the particle
+<i>um</i>, a man of twenty-one, thirty-seven, or forty-nine, is said
+to have <i>einn</i> (<i>i.e.</i>, vetr. winter) um = beyond, tv&iacute;tugt,
+sj&ouml; um &thorn;r&iacute;tugt, n&iacute;u um fertugt, &amp;c.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22">[22]</a><div class="note"><p> Hilda (Hildr) and Mist, goddesses of fight and
+manslaughter.</p></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Grettir The Strong
+by Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Grettir The Strong
+by Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of Grettir The Strong
+
+Author: Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
+
+Release Date: June 26, 2004 [EBook #12747]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Bill Hershey, and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC
+
+BY
+EIRIKR MAGNUSSON
+AND
+WILLIAM MORRIS
+
+
+1900
+
+
+
+
+
+    A life scarce worth the living, a poor fame 
+    Scarce worth the winning, in a wretched land,
+    Where fear and pain go upon either hand,
+    As toward the end men fare without an aim
+    Unto the dull grey dark from whence they came:
+    Let them alone, the unshadowed sheer rocks stand
+    Over the twilight graves of that poor band,
+    Who count so little in the great world's game!
+
+    Nay, with the dead I deal not; this man lives,
+    And that which carried him through good and ill,
+    Stern against fate while his voice echoed still
+    From rock to rock, now he lies silent, strives
+    With wasting time, and through its long lapse gives
+    Another friend to me, life's void to fill.
+
+    WILLIAM MORRIS.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+We do not feel able to take in hand the wide subject of the Sagas of
+Iceland within the limits of a Preface; therefore we have only to say
+that we put forward this volume as the translation of an old story
+founded on facts, full of dramatic interest, and setting before
+people's eyes pictures of the life and manners of an interesting race
+of men near akin to ourselves.
+
+Those to whom the subject is new, we must refer to the translations
+already made of some other of these works,[1] and to the notes which
+accompany them: a few notes at the end of this volume may be of use to
+students of Saga literature.
+
+[Footnote 1: Such as 'Burnt Njal,' Edinburgh, 1861, 8vo, and 'Gisli
+the Outlaw,' Edinburgh, 1866, 4to, by Dasent; the 'Saga of Viga-Glum,'
+London, 1866, 8vo, by Sir E. Head; the 'Heimskringla,' London, 1844,
+8vo, by S. Laing; the 'Eddas,' Prose by Dasent, Stockholm, 1842;
+Poetic by A.S. Cottle, Bristol, 1797, and Thorpe, London and Halle,
+1866; the 'Three Northern Love Stories,' translated by Magnusson and
+Morris, London, 1875, and 'The Volsunga Saga,' translated by the same,
+London, 1870.]
+
+For the original tale we think little apology is due; that it holds
+a very high place among the Sagas of Iceland no student of that
+literature will deny; of these we think it yields only to the story
+of Njal and his sons, a work in our estimation to be placed beside
+the few great works of the world. Our Saga is fuller and more complete
+than the tale of the other great outlaw Gisli; less frightful than
+the wonderfully characteristic and strange history of Egil, the son
+of Skallagrim; as personal and dramatic as that of Gunnlaug the
+Worm-tongue, if it lack the rare sentiment of that beautiful story;
+with more detail and consistency, if with less variety, than the
+history of Gudrun and her lovers in the Laxdaela; and more a work of
+art than that, or than the unstrung gems of Eyrbyggja, and the great
+compilation of Snorri Sturluson, the History of the Kings of Norway.
+
+At any rate, we repeat, whatever place among the best Sagas may be
+given to Grettla[2] by readers of such things, it must of necessity
+be held to be one of the best in all ways; nor will those, we hope,
+of our readers who have not yet turned their attention to the works
+written in the Icelandic tongue, fail to be moved more or less by the
+dramatic power and eager interest in human character, shown by our
+story-teller; we say, we hope, but we are sure that no one of insight
+will disappoint us in this, when he has once accustomed himself to
+the unusual, and, if he pleases, barbarous atmosphere of these ancient
+stories.
+
+[Footnote 2: Such is the conversational title of this Saga; many of
+the other Sagas have their longer title abbreviated in a like manner:
+Egil's saga becomes Egla, Njal's saga Njala; Eyrbyggja saga, Laxdaela
+saga, Vatnsdaeela saga, Reykdaela saga, Svarfdaela saga, become
+Eyrbyggja, Laxdaela, Vatnsdaela, Reykdaela, Svarfdaela (gen. plur.
+masc. of daelir, dale-dwellers, is forced into a fem. sing. regularly
+declined, saga being understood); furthermore, Landnama bok (landnama,
+gen. pl. neut.) the book of land settlings, becomes Landnama (fem.
+sing. regularly declined, bok being understood); lastly, Sturlunga
+saga, the Saga of the mighty family of the Sturlungs, becomes
+Sturlunga in the same manner.]
+
+As some may like to know what they are going to read about before
+venturing on beginning the book, we will now give a short outline of
+our Saga.
+
+The first thirteen chapters (which sometimes are met with separately
+in the Icelandic as the Saga of Onund Treefoot), we have considered as
+an introduction to the story, and have accordingly distinguished them
+from the main body of the book. They relate the doings of Grettir's
+ancestors in Norway, in the lands West over the Sea and in Iceland,
+and are interesting and in many points necessary for the understanding
+of the subsequent story; one of these we note here for the reader's
+convenience, viz. the consanguinity of Grettir and King Olaf the
+Saint;[3] for it adds strongly to the significance of the King's
+refusal to entertain Grettir at his court, or to go further into the
+case of the murder he was falsely accused of.
+
+[Footnote 3:
+
+
+Onund Treefoot   brother to   Gudbiorg
+       |                         |
+Thorgrim Greypate            Gudbrand
+       |                         |
+Asmund the Greyhaired     Asta (mother of)
+       |                         |
+Grettir the Strong.       Olaf the Saint.]
+
+The genealogies of this part of the work agree closely with those of
+the Landnama-bok, and of the other most reliable Sagas.
+
+After this comes the birth of Grettir, and anecdotes (one at least
+sufficiently monstrous) of his unruly childhood; then our hero kills
+his first man by misadventure, and must leave Iceland; wrecked on
+an isle off Norway, he is taken in there by a lord of that land, and
+there works the deed that makes him a famous man; the slaying of the
+villainous bearserks, namely, who would else have made wreck of the
+honour and goods of Grettir's host in his absence; this great deed,
+we should say, is prefaced by Grettir's first dealings with the
+supernatural, which characterise this Saga, and throw a strange light
+on the more ordinary matters throughout. The slaying of the bearserks
+is followed by a feud which Grettir has on his hands for the slaying
+of a braggart who insulted him past bearing, and so great the feud
+grows that Grettir at last finds himself at enmity with Earl Svein,
+the ruler of Norway, and, delivered from death by his friends, yet
+has to leave the land and betake himself to Iceland again. Coming back
+there, and finding himself a man of great fame, and hungry, for more
+still, he tries to measure himself against the greatest men in the
+land, but nothing comes of these trials, for he is being reserved for
+a greater deed than the dealing with mere men; his enemy is Glam
+the thrall; the revenant of a strange, unearthly man who was himself
+killed by an evil spirit; Grettir contends with, and slays, this
+monster, whose dying curse on him is the turning-point of the story.
+
+All seems fair for our hero, his last deed has made him the foremost
+man in Iceland, and news now coming out of Olaf the Saint, his
+relative, being King of Norway, he goes thither to get honour at
+his hands; but Glam's curse works; Grettir gains a powerful enemy by
+slaying an insulting braggart just as he was going on ship-board; and
+on the voyage it falls out that in striving to save the life of his
+shipmates by a desperate action, he gets the reputation of having
+destroyed the sons of a powerful Icelander, Thorir of Garth, with
+their fellows. This evil report clings to him when he lands in Norway;
+and all people, including the King from whom he hoped so much, look
+coldly on him. Now he offers to free himself from the false charge by
+the ordeal of bearing hot iron; the King assents, and all is ready;
+but Glam is busy, and some strange appearance in the church, where
+the ordeal is to be, brings all to nothing; and the foreseeing Olaf
+refuses to take Grettir into his court, because of his ill-luck. So
+he goes to his brother, Thorstein Dromund, for a while, and then goes
+back to Iceland. But there, too, his ill-luck had been at work, and
+when he lands he hears three pieces of bad news at once; his father is
+dead; his eldest brother, Atli, is slain and unatoned; and he himself
+has been made an outlaw, by Thorir of Garth, for a deed he has never
+done.
+
+He avenges his brother, and seeks here and there harbour from his
+friends, but his foes are too strong for him, or some unlucky turn of
+fate always pushes him off the help of men, and he has to take to the
+wilderness with a price upon his head; and now the other part of the
+curse falls on him heavier, for ever after the struggle with the ghost
+he sees horrible things in the dark, and cannot bear to be alone, and
+runs all kinds of risks to avoid it; and so the years of his outlawry
+pass on. From time to time, driven by need, and rage at his unmerited
+ill-fortune, he takes to plundering those who cannot hold their own;
+at other times he lives alone, and supports himself by fishing, and
+is twice nearly brought to his end by hired assassins the while.
+Sometimes he dwells with the friendly spirits of the land, and chiefly
+with Hallmund, his friend, who saves his life in one of the desperate
+fights he is forced into. But little by little all fall off from him;
+his friends durst harbour him no more, or are slain. Hallmund comes
+to a tragic end; Grettir is driven from his lairs one after the other,
+and makes up his mind to try, as a last resource, to set himself
+down on the island of Drangey, which rises up sheer from the midst
+of Skagafirth like a castle; he goes to his father's house, and bids
+farewell to his mother, and sets off for Drangey in the company of his
+youngest brother, Illugi, who will not leave him in this pinch, and
+a losel called "Noise," a good joker (we are told), but a slothful,
+untrustworthy poltroon. The three get out to Drangey, and possess
+themselves of the live-stock on it, and for a while all goes well;
+the land-owners who held the island in shares, despairing of ridding
+themselves of the outlaw, give their shares or sell them to one
+Thorbiorn Angle, a man of good house, but violent, unpopular, and
+unscrupulous. This man, after trying the obvious ways of persuasion,
+cajolery, and assassination, for getting the island into his hands, at
+last, with the help of a certain hag, his foster-mother, has recourse
+to sorcery. By means of her spells (as the story goes) Grettir wounds
+himself in the leg in the third year of his sojourn at Drangey,
+and though the wound speedily closes, in a week or two gangrene
+supervenes, and Grettir, at last, lies nearly helpless, watched
+continually by his brother Illugi. The losel, "Noise," now that the
+brothers can no more stir abroad, will not take the trouble to pull
+up the ladders that lead from the top of the island down to the
+beach; and, amidst all this, helped by a magic storm the sorceress
+has raised, Thorbiorn Angle, with a band of men, surprises the island,
+unroofs the hut of the brothers, and gains ingress there, and after
+a short struggle (for Grettir is already a dying man) slays the great
+outlaw and captures Illugi in spite of a gallant defence; he, too,
+disdaining to make any terms with the murderers of his brother, is
+slain, and Angle goes away exulting, after he had mutilated the body
+of Grettir, with the head on which so great a price had been put, and
+the sword which the dead man had borne.
+
+But now that the mighty man was dead, and people were relieved
+of their fear of him, the minds of men turned against him who had
+overcome him in a way, according to their notions, so base and
+unworthy, and Angle has no easy time of it; he fails to get the
+head-money, and is himself brought to trial for sorcery and practising
+heathen rites, and the 'nithings-deed' of slaying a man already dying,
+and is banished from the land.
+
+Now comes the part so necessary to the Icelandic tale of a hero, the
+revenging of his death; Angle goes to Norway, and is thought highly of
+for his deed by people who did not know the whole tale; but Thorstein
+Dromund, an elder half-brother of Grettir, is a lord in that land, and
+Angle, knowing of this, feels uneasy in Norway, and at last goes away
+to Micklegarth (Constantinople), to take service with the Varangians:
+Thorstein hears of this and follows him, and both are together at last
+in Micklegarth, but neither knows the other: at last Angle betrays
+himself by showing Grettir's sword, at a 'weapon-show' of the
+Varangians, and Thorstein slays him then and there with the same
+weapon. Thorstein alone in a strange land, with none to speak for him,
+is obliged to submit to the laws of the country, and is thrown into a
+dungeon to perish of hunger and wretchedness there. From this fate he
+is delivered by a great lady of the city, called Spes, who afterwards
+falls in love with him; and the two meet often in spite of the
+watchful jealousy of the lady's husband, who is at last so completely
+conquered by a plot of hers (the sagaman here has taken an incident
+with little or no change from the Romance of Tristram and Iseult),
+that he is obliged to submit to a divorce and the loss of his wife's
+dower, and thereafter the lovers go away together to Norway, and live
+there happily till old age reminds them of their misdeeds, and they
+then set off together for Rome and pass the rest of their lives in
+penitence and apart from one another. And so the story ends, summing
+up the worth of Grettir the Strong by reminding people of his huge
+strength, his long endurance in outlawry, his gift for dealing
+with ghosts and evil spirits, the famous vengeance taken for him in
+Micklegarth; and, lastly, the fortunate life and good end of Thorstein
+Dromund, his brother and avenger.
+
+Such is the outline of this tale of a man far above his fellows in all
+matters valued among his times and people, but also far above them
+all in ill-luck, for that is the conception that the story-teller has
+formed of the great outlaw. To us moderns the real interest in these
+records of a past state of life lies principally in seeing events true
+in the main treated vividly and dramatically by people who completely
+understood the manners, life, and, above all, the turn of mind of the
+actors in them. Amidst many drawbacks, perhaps, to the modern reader,
+this interest is seldom or ever wanting in the historical sagas, and
+least of all in our present story; the sagaman never relaxes his grasp
+of Grettir's character, and he is the same man from beginning to end;
+thrust this way and that by circumstances, but little altered by them;
+unlucky in all things, yet made strong to bear all ill-luck; scornful
+of the world, yet capable of enjoyment, and determined to make the
+most of it; not deceived by men's specious ways, but disdaining to cry
+out because he must needs bear with them; scorning men, yet helping
+them when called on, and desirous of fame: prudent in theory, and wise
+in foreseeing the inevitable sequence of events, but reckless beyond
+the recklessness even of that time and people, and finally capable of
+inspiring in others strong affection and devotion to him in spite of
+his rugged self-sufficing temper--all these traits which we find in
+our sagaman's Grettir seem always the most suited to the story of
+the deeds that surround him, and to our mind most skilfully and
+dramatically are they suggested to the reader.
+
+As is fitting, the other characters are very much subordinate to the
+principal figure, but in their way they are no less life-like; the
+braggart--that inevitable foil to the hero in a saga--was never better
+represented than in the Gisli of our tale; the thrall Noise, with his
+carelessness, and thriftless, untrustworthy mirth, is the very pattern
+of a slave; Snorri the Godi, little though there is of him, fully
+sustains the prudent and crafty character which follows him in all the
+Sagas; Thorbiorn Oxmain is a good specimen of the overbearing and sour
+chief, as is Atli, on the other hand, of the kindly and high-minded,
+if prudent, rich man; and no one, in short, plays his part like
+a puppet, but acts as one expects him to act, always allowing the
+peculiar atmosphere of these tales; and to crown all, as the story
+comes to its end, the high-souled and poetically conceived Illugi
+throws a tenderness on the dreadful story of the end of the hero,
+contrasted as it is with that of the gloomy, superstitious Angle.
+
+Something of a blot, from some points of view, the story of Spes and
+Thorstein Dromund (of which more anon) must be considered; yet
+whoever added it to the tale did so with some skill considering its
+incongruous and superfluous nature, for he takes care that Grettir
+shall not be forgotten amidst all the plots and success of the lovers;
+and, whether it be accidental or not, there is to our minds something
+touching in the contrast between the rude life and tragic end of the
+hero, and the long, drawn out, worldly good hap and quiet hopes for
+another life which fall to the lot of his happier brother.
+
+As to the authorship of our story, it has no doubt gone through the
+stages which mark the growth of the Sagas in general, that is, it was
+for long handed about from mouth to mouth until it took a definite
+shape in men's minds; and after it had held that position for a
+certain time, and had received all the necessary polish for an
+enjoyable saga, was committed to writing as it flowed ready made from
+the tongue of the people. Its style, in common with that of all the
+sagas, shows evidences enough of this: for the rest, the only name
+connected with it is that of Sturla Thordson the Lawman, a man of good
+position and family, and a prolific author, who was born in 1214 and
+died 1284; there is, however, no proof that he wrote the present work,
+though we think the passages in it that mention his name show clearly
+enough that he had something to do with the story of Grettir: on the
+whole, we are inclined to think that a story of Grettir was either
+written by him or under his auspices, but that the present tale is the
+work of a later hand, nor do we think so complete a saga-teller,
+as his other undoubted works show him to have been, would ever have
+finished his story with the epilogue of Spes and Thorstein Dromund,
+steeped as that latter part is with the spirit of the mediaeval
+romances, even to the distinct appropriation of a marked and
+well-known episode of the Tristram; though it must be admitted that he
+had probably plenty of opportunity for being versed in that romance,
+as Tristram was first translated into the tongue of Norway in the year
+1226, by Brother Robert, at the instance of King Hakon Hakonson, whose
+great favourite Sturla Thordson was, and whose history was written by
+him.
+
+For our translation of this work we have no more to say than to
+apologise for its shortcomings, and to hope, that in spite of them, it
+will give some portion of the pleasure to our readers which we felt in
+accomplishing it ourselves.
+
+EIRIKR MAGNUSSON, WILLIAM MORRIS.
+
+LONDON, <i>April</i> 1869.
+
+
+
+
+CHRONOLOGY OF THE STORY.
+
+     872. The battle of Hafrsfirth.
+     874. Begins the settlement of Iceland.
+cca. 897. Thrand and Ufeigh Grettir settle Gnup-Wardsrape.
+cca. 900. Onund Treefoot comes to Iceland.
+cca. 920. Death of Onund Treefoot.
+     929. The Althing established.
+ 997 (?). Grettir born.
+    1000. Christianity sanctioned by law.
+    1004. Skapti Thorodson made lawman.
+    1011. Grettir slays Skeggi; goes abroad, banished for three years.
+    1012. Slaying of Thorir Paunch and his fellows in Haramsey.
+          Earl Eric goes to Denmark.
+    1013. Slaying of Biorn at the Island of Gartar.
+          Slaying of Thorgils Makson. Illugi Asmundson
+          born. Death of Thorkel Krafla.
+    1014. Slaying of Gunnar in Tunsberg. Grettir goes
+          back to Iceland; fights with the men of Meal
+          on Ramfirth-neck. Heath-slayings. Thorgeir
+          Havarson outlawed. Fight with Glam
+          the ghost.
+    1015. Fight of Nesjar in Norway. Slaying of Thorbiorn
+          Tardy. Grettir fares abroad. Burning
+          of the sons of Thorir of Garth. Death of
+          Asmund the Greyhaired.
+    1016. Grettir meets King Olaf; fails to bear iron; goes
+          east to Tunsberg to Thorstein Dromund.
+          Slaying of Atli of Biarg. Grettir outlawed
+          at the Thing for the burning of the sons of
+          Thorir; his return to Iceland. Slaying of
+          Thorbiorn Oxmain and his son Arnor.
+    1017. Grettir at Reek-knolls. Lawsuit for the slaying
+          of Thorbiorn Oxmain. Grettir taken by
+          the Icefirth churls.
+    1018. Grettir at Liarskogar with Thorstein Kuggson;
+          his travels to the East to Skapti the lawman
+          and Thorhall of Tongue, and thence to the
+          Keel-mountain, where he met Hallmund
+          (Air) for the first time.
+    1019-1021. Grettir on Ernewaterheath.
+    1021. Grettir goes to the Marshes.
+    1022-1024. Grettir in Fairwoodfell.
+    1024. Grettir visits Hallmund again.
+    1025. Grettir discovers Thorirs-dale.
+    1025-1026. Grettir travels round by the East; haunts
+          Madderdale-heath and Reek-heath.
+    1026. Thorstein Kuggson slain.
+    1027. Grettir at Sand-heaps in Bard-dale.
+    1028. Grettir haunts the west by Broadfirth-dales,
+          meets Thorod Snorrison.
+    1028-1031. Grettir in Drangey.
+    1029. Grettir visits Heron-ness-thing.
+    1030. Grettir fetches fire from Reeks. Skapti the law
+          man dies.
+    1031. Death of Snorri Godi and Grettir Asmundson.
+    1033. Thorbiorn Angle slain.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+<i>Preface</i>
+
+<i>Chronology of the Story</i>
+
+
+
+
+CHAP.
+
+
+I. XIII. <i>The Forefathers of Grettir</i>
+
+    XIV. <i>Of Grettir as a Child, and his froward ways
+         with his father</i>
+
+     XV. <i>Of the Ball-play on Midfirth Water</i>
+
+    XVI. <i>Of the Slaying of Skeggi</i>
+
+   XVII. <i>Of Grettir's Voyage out</i>
+
+  XVIII. <i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with
+         Karr the Old</i>
+
+    XIX. <i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt
+         with the Bearserks</i>
+
+     XX. <i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i>
+
+    XXI. <i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i>
+
+   XXII. <i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i>
+
+  XXIII. <i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i>
+
+   XXIV. <i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife
+         with Earl Svein</i>
+
+    XXV. <i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>
+
+   XXVI. <i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for
+         the Bloodsuit for the Slaying of Thorgils
+         Makson</i>
+
+  XXVII. <i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>
+
+ XXVIII. <i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>
+
+   XXIX. <i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit</i>
+
+    XXX. <i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy,
+         and of Grettir's meeting with Kormak on
+         Ramfirth-neck</i>
+
+   XXXI. <i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund,
+         as he came back from the Heath-slayings</i>
+
+  XXXII. <i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how
+         Thorhall took a Shepherd by the rede of
+         Skapti the Lawman, and what befell thereafter</i>
+
+ XXXIII. <i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead</i>
+
+  XXXIV. <i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i>
+
+   XXXV. <i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do
+         with Glam</i>
+
+  XXXVI. <i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's Autumn-feast, and the
+         mocks of Thorbiorn Tardy</i>
+
+ XXXVII. <i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying
+         of Thorbiorn Tardy; Grettir goes to
+         Norway</i>
+
+XXXVIII. <i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how
+         Grettir fetched fire for his shipmates</i>
+
+  XXXIX. <i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the
+         King</i>
+
+     XL. <i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i>
+
+    XLI. <i>Of Thorstein Dromund's Arms, and what he
+         deemed they might do</i>
+
+   XLII. <i>Of the Death of Asmund the Greyhaired</i>
+
+  XLIII. <i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying
+         of Gunnar and Thorgeir</i>
+
+   XLIV. <i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir
+         of the Pass</i>
+
+    XLV. <i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i>
+
+   XLVI. <i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of
+         Thorir of Garth</i>
+
+  XLVII. <i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>
+
+ XLVIII. <i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>
+
+   XLIX. <i>The Gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>
+
+      L. <i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i>
+
+     LI. <i>Of the Suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn
+         Oxmain, and how Thorir of Garth would
+         not that Grettir should be made sackless</i>
+
+    LII. <i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i>
+
+   LIII. <i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i>
+
+    LIV. <i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i>
+
+     LV. <i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings
+         with Grim there</i>
+
+    LVI. <i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i>
+
+   LVII. <i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i>
+
+  LVIII. <i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i>
+
+    LIX. <i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i>
+
+     LX. <i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i>
+
+    LXI. <i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding
+         in Thorir's-dale</i>
+
+   LXII. <i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend</i>
+
+  LXIII. <i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he
+         was nigh taking him</i>
+
+   LXIV. <i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest
+         came to the Goodwife there</i>
+
+    LXV. <i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife</i>
+
+   LXVI. <i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i>
+
+  LXVII. <i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i>
+
+ LXVIII. <i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went
+         against Grettir</i>
+
+   LXIX. <i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg,
+         and fared with Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i>
+
+    LXX. <i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i>
+
+   LXXI. <i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i>
+
+  LXXII. <i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i>
+
+ LXXIII. <i>The Handselling of Peace</i>
+
+  LXXIV. <i>Of Grettir's Wrestling; and how Thorbiorn
+         Angle now bought the more part of Drangey</i>
+
+   LXXV. <i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i>
+
+  LXXVI. <i>How Noise let the Fire out on Drangey,
+          and how Grettir must needs go aland for more</i>
+
+  LXXVII. <i>Grettir at the Home-stead of Reeks</i>
+
+ LXXVIII. <i>Of Haering at Drangey, and the end of him</i>
+
+   LXXIX. <i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i>
+
+    LXXX. <i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother
+          out to Drangey</i>
+
+   LXXXI. <i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i>
+
+  LXXXII. <i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i>
+
+ LXXXIII. <i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and
+          set Sail for Drangey</i>
+
+  LXXXIV. <i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i>
+
+   LXXXV. <i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money</i>
+
+  LXXXVI. <i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's
+          Head to Biarg</i>
+
+ LXXXVII. <i>Affairs at the Althing</i>
+
+LXXXVIII. <i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence
+          to Micklegarth</i>
+
+  LXXXIX. <i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known
+          when sought for by reason of the notch in
+          the blade</i>
+
+      XC. <i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from
+          the Dungeon</i>
+
+     XCI. <i>Of the Doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i>
+
+    XCII. <i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i>
+
+   XCIII. <i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i>
+
+    XCIV. <i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway
+          again</i>
+
+     XCV. <i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to
+          Rome and died there</i>
+
+
+<i>Notes and Corrections</i>
+
+<i>Index of Persons</i>
+
+<i>Index of Places</i>
+
+<i>Index of Things</i>
+
+<i>Periphrastic Expressions in the Songs</i>
+
+<i>Proverbial Sayings</i>
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG.
+
+
+<i>This First Part tells of the forefathers of Grettir in Norway, and
+how they fled away before Harald Fairhair, and settled in Iceland; and
+of their deeds in Iceland before Grettir was born</i>.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. I.
+
+
+There was a man named Onund, who was the son of Ufeigh Clubfoot, the
+son of Ivar the Smiter; Onund was brother of Gudbiorg, the mother of
+Gudbrand Ball, the father of Asta, the mother of King Olaf the Saint.
+Onund was an Uplander by the kin of his mother; but the kin of his
+father dwelt chiefly about Rogaland and Hordaland. He was a great
+viking, and went harrying west over the Sea.[4] Balk of Sotanes, the
+son of Blaeng, was with him herein, and Orm the Wealthy withal, and
+Hallvard was the name of the third of them. They had five ships, all
+well manned, and therewith they harried in the South-isles;[5] and
+when they came to Barra, they found there a king, called Kiarval, and
+he, too, had five ships. They gave him battle, and a hard fray there
+was. The men of Onund were of the eagerest, and on either side many
+fell; but the end of it was that the king fled with only one ship.
+So there the men of Onund took both ships and much wealth, and abode
+there through the winter. For three summers they harried throughout
+Ireland and Scotland, and thereafter went to Norway.
+
+[Footnote 4: "West over the Sea," means in the Sagas the British
+isles, and the islands about them--the Hebrides, Orkneys, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 5: South-isles are the Hebrides, and the other islands down
+to Man.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II.
+
+
+In those days were there great troubles in Norway. Harald the
+Unshorn,[6] son of Halfdan the Black, was pushing forth for the
+kingdom. Before that he was King of the Uplands; then he went north
+through the land, and had many battles there, and ever won the day.
+Thereafter he harried south in the land, and wheresoever he came,
+laid all under him; but when he came to Hordaland, swarms of folk came
+thronging against him; and their captains were Kiotvi the Wealthy, and
+Thorir Longchin, and those of South Rogaland, and King Sulki. Geirmund
+Helskin was then in the west over the Sea; nor was he in that battle,
+though he had a kingdom in Hordaland.
+
+[Footnote 6: "Harald the Unshorn:" he was so called at first because
+he made a vow not to cut his hair till he was sole king of Norway.
+When he had attained to this, and Earl Rognvald had taken him to the
+bath and trimmed his hair, he was called "Fair-hair," from its length
+and beauty.]
+
+Now that autumn Onund and his fellows came from the west over the Sea;
+and when Thorir Longchin and King Kiotvi heard thereof, they sent men
+to meet them, and prayed them for help, and promised them honours.
+Then they entered into fellowship with Thorir and his men; for they
+were exceeding fain to try their strength, and said that there would
+they be whereas the fight was hottest.
+
+Now was the meeting with Harald the King in Rogaland, in that firth
+which is called Hafrsfirth; and both sides had many men. This was the
+greatest battle that has ever been fought in Norway, and hereof most
+Sagas tell; for of those is ever most told, of whom the Sagas are
+made; and thereto came folk from all the land, and many from other
+lands and swarms of vikings.
+
+Now Onund laid his ship alongside one board of the ship of Thorir
+Longchin, about the midst of the fleet, but King Harald laid his on
+the other board, because Thorir was the greatest bearserk, and the
+stoutest of men; so the fight was of the fiercest on either side. Then
+the king cried on his bearserks for an onslaught, and they were called
+the Wolf-coats, for on them would no steel bite, and when they set
+on nought might withstand them. Thorir defended him very stoutly, and
+fell in all hardihood on board his ship; then was it cleared from stem
+to stern, and cut from the grapplings, and let drift astern betwixt
+the other ships. Thereafter the king's men laid their ship alongside
+Onund's, and he was in the forepart thereof and fought manly; then the
+king's folk said, "Lo, a forward man in the forecastle there, let him
+have somewhat to mind him how that he was in this battle." Now Onund
+put one foot out over the bulwark and dealt a blow at a man, and even
+therewith a spear was aimed at him, and as he put the blow from him
+he bent backward withal, and one of the king's forecastle men smote
+at him, and the stroke took his leg below the knee and sheared it off,
+and forthwith made him unmeet for fight. Then fell the more part of
+the folk on board his ship; but Onund was brought to the ship of him
+who is called Thrand; he was the son of Biorn, and brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman; he was in the fight against King Harald and lay on the
+other board of Onund's ship.
+
+But now, after these things, the more part of the fleet scattered in
+flight; Thrand and his men, with the other vikings, got them away each
+as he might, and sailed west over the Sea; Onund went with him, and
+Balk and Hallvard Sweeping; Onund was healed, but went with a wooden
+leg all his life after; therefore as long as he lived was he called
+Onund Treefoot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+
+At that time were many great men west over the Sea, such as had fled
+from their lands in Norway before King Harald, because he had made
+all those outlaws, who had met him in battle, and taken to him their
+possessions. So, when Onund was healed of his wounds, he and Thrand
+went to meet Geirmund Helskin, because he was the most famed of
+vikings west there over the Sea, and they asked him whether he had any
+mind to seek after that kingdom which he had in Hordaland, and offered
+him their fellowship herein; for they deemed they had a sore loss of
+their lands there, since Onund was both mighty and of great kin.
+
+Geirmund said that so great had grown the strength of King Harald,
+that he deemed there was little hope that they would win honour in
+their war with him when men had been worsted, even when all the folk
+of the land had been drawn together; and yet withal that he was loth
+to become a king's thrall and pray for that which was his own; that
+he would find somewhat better to do than that; and now, too, he was no
+longer young. So Onund and his fellows went back to the South-isles,
+and there met many of their friends.
+
+There was a man, Ufeigh by name, who was bynamed Grettir; he was the
+son of Einar, the son of Olvir Bairn-Carle; he was brother to Oleif
+the Broad, the father of Thormod Shaft; Steinulf was the name of
+Olvir Bairn-Carle's son, he was the father of Una whom Thorbiorn
+Salmon-Carle had to wife. Another son of Olvir Bairn-Carle was
+Steinmod, the father of Konal, who was the father of Aldis of Barra.
+The son of Konal was Steinmod, the father of Haldora, the wife of
+Eilif, the son of Ketil the Onehanded. Ufeigh Grettir had to wife
+Asny, the daughter of Vestar Haengson; and Asmund the Beardless and
+Asbiorn were the sons of Ufeigh Grettir, but his daughters were these,
+Aldis, and Asa, and Asvor. Ufeigh had fled away west over the Sea
+before Harald the king, and so had Thormod Shaft his kinsman, and had
+with them their kith and kin; and they harried in Scotland, and far
+and wide west beyond the sea.
+
+Now Thrand and Onund Treefoot made west for Ireland to find Eyvind
+the Eastman, Thrand's brother, who was Land-ward along the coasts of
+Ireland; the mother of Eyvind was Hlif, the daughter of Rolf, son of
+Ingiald, the son of King Frodi; but Thrand's mother was Helga, the
+daughter of Ondott the Crow; Biorn was the name of the father of
+Eyvind and Thrand, he was the son of Rolf from Am; he had had to
+flee from Gothland, for that he had burned in his house Sigfast, the
+son-in-law of King Solver; and thereafter had he gone to Norway, and
+was the next winter with Grim the hersir, the son of Kolbiorn the
+Abasher. Now Grim had a mind to murder Biorn for his money, so he
+fled thence to Ondott the Crow, who dwelt in Hvinisfirth in Agdir; he
+received Biorn well, and Biorn was with him in the winter, but was
+in warfare in summer-tide, until Hlif his wife died; and after that
+Ondott gave Biorn Helga his daughter, and then Biorn left off warring.
+
+Now thereon Eyvind took to him the war-ships of his father, and
+was become a great chief west over the Sea; he wedded Rafarta, the
+daughter of Kiarval, King of Ireland; their sons were Helgi the Lean
+and Snaebiorn.
+
+So when Thrand and Onund came to the South-isles, there they met
+Ufeigh Grettir and Thormod Shaft, and great friendship grew up betwixt
+them, for each thought he had gained from hell the last who had been
+left behind in Norway while the troubles there were at the highest.
+But Onund was exceeding moody, and when Thrand marked it, he asked
+what he was brooding over in his mind. Onund answered, and sang this
+stave--
+
+  "What joy since that day can I get
+  When shield-fire's thunder last I met;
+  Ah, too soon clutch the claws of ill;
+  For that axe-edge shall grieve me still.
+  In eyes of fighting man and thane,
+  My strength and manhood are but vain,
+  This is the thing that makes me grow
+  A joyless man; is it enow?"
+
+Thrand answered that whereso he was, he would still be deemed a brave
+man, "And now it is meet for thee to settle down and get married,
+and I would put forth my word and help, if I but knew whereto thou
+lookest."
+
+Onund said he did in manly wise, but that his good hope for matches of
+any gain was gone by now.
+
+Thrand answered, "Ufeigh has a daughter who is called Asa, thitherward
+will we turn if it seem good to thee." Onund showed that he was
+willing enough hereto; so afterwards they talked the matter over with
+Ufeigh; he answered well, and said that he knew how that Onund was a
+man of great kin and rich of chattels; "but his lands," said he, "I
+put at low worth, nor do I deem him to be a hale man, and withal my
+daughter is but a child."
+
+Thrand said, that Onund was a brisker man yet than many who were hale
+of both legs, and so by Thrand's help was this bargain struck; Ufeigh
+was to give his daughter but chattels for dowry, because those lands
+that were in Norway neither would lay down any money for.
+
+A little after Thrand wooed the daughter of Thormod Shaft, and both
+were to sit in troth for three winters.
+
+So thereafter they went a harrying in the summer, but were in Barra in
+the winter-tide.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+
+There were two vikings called Vigbiod and Vestmar; they were
+South-islanders, and lay out both winter and summer; they had thirteen
+ships, and harried mostly in Ireland, and did many an ill deed there
+till Eyvind the Eastman took the land-wardship; thereafter they got
+them gone to the South-isles, and harried there and all about the
+firths of Scotland: against these went Thrand and Onund, and heard
+that they had sailed to that island, which is called Bute. Now Onund
+and his folk came there with five ships; and when the vikings see
+their ships and know how many they are, they deem they have enough
+strength gathered there, and take their weapons and lay their ships in
+the midst betwixt two cliffs, where was a great and deep sound; only
+on one side could they be set on, and that with but five ships at
+once. Now Onund was the wisest of men, and bade lay five ships up into
+the sound, so that he and his might have back way when they would, for
+there was plenty of sea-room astern. On one board of them too was a
+certain island, and under the lee thereof he let one ship lie, and his
+men brought many great stones forth on to the sheer cliffs above, yet
+might not be seen withal from the ships.
+
+Now the vikings laid their ships boldly enough for the attack, and
+thought that the others quailed; and Vigbiod asked who they were that
+were in such jeopardy. Thrand said that he was the brother of Eyvind
+the Eastman, "and here beside me is Onund Treefoot my fellow."
+
+Then laughed the vikings, and shouted--
+
+  "Treefoot, Treefoot, foot of tree,
+  Trolls take thee and thy company."
+
+"Yea, a sight it is seldom seen of us, that such men should go into
+battle as have no might over themselves."
+
+Onund said that they could know nought thereof ere it were tried; and
+withal they laid their ships alongside one of the other, and there
+began a great fight, and either side did boldly. But when they came
+to handy blows, Onund gave back toward the cliff, and when the vikings
+saw this, they deemed he was minded to flee, and made towards his
+ship, and came as nigh to the cliff as they might. But in that very
+point of time those came forth on to the edge of the cliff who were
+appointed so to do, and sent at the vikings so great a flight of
+stones that they might not withstand it.
+
+Then fell many of the viking-folk, and others were hurt so that they
+might not bear weapon; and withal they were fain to draw back, and
+might not, because their ships were even then come into the narrowest
+of the sound, and they were huddled together both by the ships and the
+stream; but Onund and his men set on fiercely, whereas Vigbiod was,
+but Thrand set on Vestmar, and won little thereby; so, when the folk
+were thinned on Vigbiod's ship, Onund's men and Onund himself got
+ready to board her: that Vigbiod saw, and cheered on his men without
+stint: then he turned to meet Onund, and the more part fled before
+him; but Onund bade his men mark how it went between them; for he was
+of huge strength. Now they set a log of wood under Onund's knee, so
+that he stood firmly enow; the viking fought his way forward along the
+ship till he reached Onund, and he smote at him with his sword, and
+the stroke took the shield, and sheared off all it met; and then the
+sword drove into the log that Onund had under his knee, and stuck fast
+therein; and Vigbiod stooped in drawing it out, and even therewith
+Onund smote at his shoulder in such wise, that he cut the arm from off
+him, and then was the viking unmeet for battle.
+
+But when Vestmar knew that his fellow was fallen, he leaped into
+the furthermost ship and fled with all those who might reach her.
+Thereafter they ransacked the fallen men; and by then was Vigbiod nigh
+to his death: Onund went up to him, and sang--
+
+  "Yea, seest thou thy wide wounds bleed?
+  What of shrinking didst thou heed
+  In the one-foot sling of gold?
+  What scratch here dost thou behold?
+  And in e'en such wise as this
+  Many an axe-breaker there is
+  Strong of tongue and weak of hand:
+  Tried thou wert, and might'st not stand."
+
+So there they took much spoil and sailed back to Barra in the autumn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. V.
+
+
+The summer after this they made ready to fare west to Ireland. But at
+that time Balk and Hallvard betook themselves from the lands west over
+the sea, and went out to Iceland, for from thence came tales of land
+good to choose. Balk settled land in Ramfirth and dwelt at either
+Balkstead; Hallvard settled Sweepingsfirth, and Hallwick out to the
+Stair, and dwelt there.
+
+Now Thrand and Onund met Eyvind the Eastman, and he received his
+brother well; but when he knew that Onund was come with him, then he
+waxed wroth, and would fain set on him. Thrand bade him do it not, and
+said that it was not for him to wage war against Northmen, and
+least of all such men as fared peaceably. Eyvind said that he fared
+otherwise before, and had broken the peace of Kiarval the King, and
+that he should now pay for all. Many words the brothers had over this,
+till Thrand said at last that one fate should befall both him and
+Onund; and then Eyvind let himself be appeased.
+
+So they dwelt there long that summer, and went on warfare with Eyvind,
+who found Onund to be the bravest of men. In the autumn they fared to
+the South-isles, and Eyvind gave to Thrand to take all the heritage of
+their father, if Biorn should die before Thrand.
+
+Now were the twain in the South-isles until they wedded their wives,
+and some winters after withal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VI.
+
+
+And now it came to pass that Biorn, the father of Thrand, died; and
+when Grim the hersir hears thereof he went to meet Ondott Crow, and
+claimed the goods left by Biorn; but Ondott said that Thrand had the
+heritage after his father; Grim said that Thrand was west over seas,
+and that Biorn was a Gothlander of kin, and that the king took the
+heritage of all outland men. Ondott said that he should keep the goods
+for the hands of Thrand, his daughter's son; and therewith Grim gat
+him gone, and had nought for his claiming the goods.
+
+Now Thrand had news of his father's death, and straightway got ready
+to go from the South-isles, and Onund Treefoot with him; but Ufeigh
+Grettir and Thormod Shaft went out to Iceland with their kith and kin,
+and came out to the Eres in the south country, and dwelt the first
+winter with Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle.
+
+Thereafter they settled Gnup-Wards'-rape, Ufeigh, the outward part,
+between Thwart-river and Kalf-river, and he dwelt at Ufeigh's-stead
+by Stone-holt; but Thormod settled the eastward part, and abode at
+Shaft-holt.
+
+The daughters of Thormod were these: Thorvor, mother of Thorod the
+Godi[7] of Hailti, and Thora, mother of Thorstein, the Godi, the
+father of Biarni the Sage.
+
+[Footnote 7: "Godi" is the name for the rulers of the thirty-nine
+districts into which the republic of Iceland was anciently divided.
+While the ancient religion lasted, their office combined in itself the
+highest civil and sacerdotal functions.]
+
+Now it is to be said of Thrand and Onund that they sailed from the
+lands west over the Sea toward Norway, and had fair wind, and such
+speed, that no rumour of their voyage was abroad till they came to
+Ondott Crow.
+
+He gave Thrand good welcome, and told him how Grim the hersir had
+claimed the heritage left by Biorn. "Meeter it seems to me,
+kinsman," said he, "that thou take the heritage of thy father and not
+king's-thralls; good luck has befallen thee, in that none knows of thy
+coming, but it misdoubts me that Grim will come upon one or other
+of us if he may; therefore I would that thou shouldst take the
+inheritance to thee, and get thee gone to other lands."
+
+Thrand said that so he would do, he took to him the chattels and got
+away from Norway at his speediest; but before he sailed into the sea,
+he asked Onund Treefoot whether he would not make for Iceland with
+him; Onund said he would first go see his kin and friends in the south
+country.
+
+Thrand said, "Then must we part now, but I would that thou shouldst
+aid my kin, for on them will vengeance fall if I get off clear; but
+to Iceland shall I go, and I would that thou withal shouldst make that
+journey."
+
+Onund gave his word to all, and they parted in good love. So Thrand
+went to Iceland, and Ufeigh and Thormod Shaft received him well.
+Thrand dwelt at Thrand's-holt, which is west of Steer's-river.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VII.
+
+
+Onund went south to Rogaland, and met there many of his kin and
+friends; he dwelt there in secret at a man's called Kolbein. Now he
+heard that the king had taken his lands to him and set a man thereover
+who was called Harek, who was a farmer of the king's; so on a night
+Onund went to him, and took him in his house; there Harek was led out
+and cut down, and Onund took all the chattels they found and burnt the
+homestead; and thereafter he abode in many places that winter.
+
+But that autumn Grim the hersir slew Ondott Crow, because he might
+not get the heritage-money for the king; and that same night of his
+slaying, Signy, his wife, brought aboard ship all her chattels, and
+fared with her sons, Asmund and Asgrim, to Sighvat her father; but a
+little after sent her sons to Soknadale to Hedin her foster-father;
+but that seemed good to them but for a little while, and they would
+fain go back again to their mother; so they departed and came at
+Yule-tide to Ingiald the Trusty at Hvin; he took them in because of
+the urgency of Gyda his wife, and they were there the winter through.
+But in spring came Onund north to Agdir, because he had heard of the
+slaying of Ondott Crow; but when he found Signy he asked her what help
+she would have of him.
+
+She said that she would fain have vengeance on Grim the hersir for
+the slaying of Ondott. Then were the sons of Ondott sent for, and when
+they met Onund Treefoot, they made up one fellowship together, and
+had spies abroad on the doings of Grim. Now in the summer was a great
+ale-drinking held at Grim's, because he had bidden to him Earl Audun;
+and when Onund and the sons of Ondott knew thereof they went to
+Grim's homestead and laid fire to the house, for they were come there
+unawares, and burnt Grim the hersir therein, and nigh thirty men, and
+many good things they took there withal. Then went Onund to the
+woods, but the sons of Ondott took a boat of Ingiald's, their
+foster-father's, and rowed away therein, and lay hid a little way off
+the homestead. Earl Audun came to the feast, even as had been settled
+afore, and there "missed friend from stead." Then he gathered men to
+him, and dwelt there some nights, but nought was heard of Onund and
+his fellows; and the Earl slept in a loft with two men.
+
+Onund had full tidings from the homestead, and sent after those
+brothers; and, when they met, Onund asked them whether they would
+watch the farm or fall on the Earl; but they chose to set on the Earl.
+So they drove beams at the loft-doors and broke them in; then Asmund
+caught hold of the two who were with the Earl, and cast them down so
+hard that they were well-nigh slain; but Asgrim ran at the Earl, and
+bade him render up weregild for his father, since he had been in
+the plot and the onslaught with Grim the hersir when Ondott Crow was
+slain. The Earl said he had no money with him there, and prayed for
+delay of that payment. Then Asgrim set his spear-point to the Earl's
+breast and bade him pay there and then; so the Earl took a chain from
+his neck, and three gold rings, and a cloak of rich web, and gave them
+up. Asgrim took the goods and gave the Earl a name, and called him
+Audun Goaty.
+
+But when the bonders and neighbouring folk were ware that war was come
+among them, they went abroad and would bring help to the Earl, and a
+hard fight there was, for Onund had many men, and there fell many good
+bonders and courtmen of the Earl. Now came the brothers, and told how
+they had fared with the Earl, and Onund said that it was ill that he
+was not slain, "that would have been somewhat of a revenge on the King
+for our loss at his hands of fee and friends." They said that this
+was a greater shame to the Earl; and therewith they went away up to
+Sorreldale to Eric Alefain, a king's lord, and he took them in for all
+the winter.
+
+Now at Yule they drank turn and turn about with a man called
+Hallstein, who was bynamed Horse; Eric gave the first feast, well and
+truly, and then Hallstein gave his, but thereat was there bickering
+between them, and Hallstein smote Eric with a deer-horn; Eric gat no
+revenge therefor, but went home straightway. This sore misliked
+the sons of Ondott, and a little after Asgrim fared to Hallstein's
+homestead, and went in alone, and gave him a great wound, but those
+who were therein sprang up and set on Asgrim. Asgrim defended himself
+well and got out of their hands in the dark; but they deemed they had
+slain him.
+
+Onund and Asmund heard thereof and supposed him dead, but deemed they
+might do nought. Eric counselled them to make for Iceland, and said
+that would be of no avail to abide there in the land (i.e. in Norway),
+as soon as the king should bring matters about to his liking. So
+this they did, and made them ready for Iceland and had each one ship.
+Hallstein lay wounded, and died before Onund and his folk sailed.
+Kolbein withal, who is afore mentioned, went abroad with Onund.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VIII.
+
+
+Now Onund and Asmund sailed into the sea when they were ready, and
+held company together; then sang Onund this stave--
+
+  "Meet was I in days agone
+  For storm, wherein the Sweeping One,
+  Midst rain of swords, and the darts' breath,
+  Blew o'er all a gale of death.
+  Now a maimed, one-footed man
+  On rollers' steed through waters wan
+  Out to Iceland must I go;
+  Ah, the skald is sinking low."
+
+They had a hard voyage of it and much of baffling gales from the
+south, and drove north into the main; but they made Iceland, and were
+by then come to the north off Longness when they found where they
+were: so little space there was betwixt them that they spake together;
+and Asmund said that they had best sail to Islefirth, and thereto they
+both agreed; then they beat up toward the land, and a south-east wind
+sprang up; but when Onund and his folk laid the ship close to the
+wind, the yard was sprung; then they took in sail, and therewith were
+driven off to sea; but Asmund got under the lee of Brakeisle, and
+there lay till a fair wind brought him into Islefirth; Helgi the Lean
+gave him all Kraeklings' lithe, and he dwelt at South Glass-river;
+Asgrim his brother came out some winters later and abode at North
+Glass-river; he was the father of Ellida-Grim, the father of Asgrim
+Ellida-Grimson.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IX.
+
+
+Now it is to be told of Onund Treefoot that he drave out to sea for
+certain days, but at last the wind got round to the north, and they
+sailed for land: then those knew who had been there before that they
+had come west off the Skagi; then they sailed into Strand-Bay, and
+near to the South-Strands, and there rowed toward them six men in
+a ten-oared boat, who hailed the big ship, and asked who was their
+captain; Onund named himself, and asked whence they came; they said
+they were house-carles of Thorvald, from Drangar; Onund asked if all
+land through the Strands had been settled; they said there was little
+unsettled in the inner Strands, and none north thereof. Then Onund
+asked his shipmates, whether they would make for the west country, or
+take such as they had been told of; they chose to view the land first.
+So they sailed in up the bay, and brought to in a creek off Arness,
+then put forth a boat and rowed to land. There dwelt a rich man,
+Eric Snare, who had taken land betwixt Ingolfs-firth, and Ufoera in
+Fishless; but when Eric knew that Onund was come there, he bade him
+take of his hands whatso he would, but said that there was little that
+had not been settled before. Onund said he would first see what there
+was, so they went landward south past some firths, till they came to
+Ufoera; then said Eric, "Here is what there is to look to; all from
+here is unsettled, and right in to the settlements of Biorn." Now a
+great mountain went down the eastern side of the firth, and snow had
+fallen thereon, Onund looked on that mountain, and sang--
+
+  "Brand-whetter's life awry doth go.
+  Fair lands and wide full well I know;
+  Past house, and field, and fold of man,
+  The swift steed of the rollers ran:
+  My lands, and kin, I left behind,
+  That I this latter day might find,
+  Coldback for sunny meads to have;
+  Hard fate a bitter bargain drave."
+
+Eric answered, "Many have lost so much in Norway, that it may not be
+bettered: and I think withal that most lands in the main-settlements
+are already settled, and therefore I urge thee not to go from hence;
+but I shall hold to what I spake, that thou mayst have whatso of my
+lands seems meet to thee." Onund said, that he would take that offer,
+and so he settled land out from Ufoera over the three creeks, Byrgis
+Creek, Kolbein's Creek, and Coldback Creek, up to Coldback Cleft.
+Thereafter Eric gave him all Fishless, and Reekfirth, and all
+Reekness, out on that side of the firth; but as to drifts there was
+nought set forth, for they were then so plentiful that every man had
+of them what he would. Now Onund set up a household at Coldback, and
+had many men about him; but when his goods began to grow great he had
+another stead in Reekfirth. Kolbein dwelt at Kolbein's Creek. So Onund
+abode in peace for certain winters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. X.
+
+
+Now Onund was so brisk a man, that few, even of whole men, could cope
+with him; and his name withal was well known throughout the land,
+because of his forefathers. After these things, befell that strife
+betwixt Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn Earl's-champion, which had such
+ending, that Ufeigh fell before Thorbiorn in Grettir's-Gill, near
+Heel. There were many drawn together to the sons of Ufeigh concerning
+the blood-suit, and Onund Treefoot was sent for, and rode south in
+the spring, and guested at Hvamm, with Aud the Deeply-wealthy, and
+she gave him exceeding good welcome, because he had been with her west
+over the Sea. In those days, Olaf Feilan, her son's son, was a man
+full grown, and Aud was by then worn with great eld; she bade Onund
+know that she would have Olaf, her kinsman, married, and was fain that
+he should woo Aldis of Barra, who was cousin to Asa, whom Onund had to
+wife. Onund deemed the matter hopeful, and Olaf rode south with him.
+So when Onund met his friends and kin-in-law they bade him abide with
+them: then was the suit talked over, and was laid to Kialarnes Thing,
+for as then the Althing was not yet set up. So the case was settled
+by umpiredom, and heavy weregild came for the slayings, and Thorbiorn
+Earl's-champion was outlawed. His son was Solmund, the father of Kari
+the Singed; father and son dwelt abroad a long time afterwards.
+
+Thrand bade Onund and Olaf to his house, and so did Thormod Shaft, and
+they backed Olaf's wooing, which was settled with ease, because men
+knew how mighty a woman Aud was. So the bargain was made, and, so much
+being done, Onund rode home, and Aud thanked him well for his help to
+Olaf. That autumn Olaf Feilan wedded Aldis of Barra; and then died Aud
+the Deeply-wealthy, as is told in the story of the Laxdale men.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XI.
+
+
+Onund and Asa had two sons; the elder was called Thorgeir, the younger
+Ufeigh Grettir; but Asa soon died. Thereafter Onund got to wife a
+woman called Thordis, the daughter of Thorgrim, from Gnup in Midfirth,
+and akin to Midfirth Skeggi. Of her Onund had a son called Thorgrim;
+he was early a big man, and a strong, wise, and good withal in matters
+of husbandry. Onund dwelt on at Coldback till he was old, then he died
+in his bed, and is buried in Treefoot's barrow; he was the briskest
+and lithest of one-footed men who have ever lived in Iceland.
+
+Now Thorgrim took the lead among the sons of Onund, though others of
+them were older than he; but when he was twenty-five years old he
+grew grey-haired, and therefore was he bynamed Greypate; Thordis, his
+mother, was afterwards wedded north in Willowdale, to Audun Skokul,
+and their son was Asgeir, of Asgeir's-River. Thorgrim Greypate and
+his brothers had great possessions in common, nor did they divide the
+goods between them. Now Eric, who farmed at Arness, as is aforesaid,
+had to wife Alof, daughter of Ingolf, of Ingolfs-firth; and Flosi was
+the name of their son, a hopeful man, and of many friends. In those
+days three brothers came out hither, Ingolf, Ufeigh, and Eyvind, and
+settled those three firths that are known by their names, and there
+dwelt afterwards. Olaf was the name of Eyvind's son, he first dwelt
+at Eyvind's-firth, and after at Drangar, and was a man to hold his own
+well.
+
+Now there was no strife betwixt these men while their elders were
+alive; but when Eric died, it seemed to Flosi, that those of Coldback
+had no lawful title to the lands which Eric had given to Onund; and
+from this befell much ill-blood betwixt them; but Thorgrim and his
+kin still held their lands as before, but they might not risk having
+sports together. Now Thorgeir was head-man of the household of those
+brothers in Reekfirth, and would ever be rowing out a-fishing, because
+in those days were the firths full of fish; so those in the Creek
+made up their plot; a man there was, a house-carle of Flosi in Arness,
+called Thorfin, him Flosi sent for Thorgeir's head, and he went and
+hid himself in the boat-stand; that morning, Thorgeir got ready to row
+out to sea, and two men with him, one called Hamund, the other Brand.
+Thorgeir went first, and had on his back a leather bottle and drink
+therein. It was very dark, and as he walked down from the boat-stand
+Thorfin ran at him, and smote him with an axe betwixt the shoulders,
+and the axe sank in, and the bottle squeaked, but he let go the axe,
+for he deemed that there would be little need of binding up, and would
+save himself as swiftly as might be; and it is to be told of him that
+he ran off to Arness, and came there before broad day, and told of
+Thorgeir's slaying, and said that he should have need of Flosi's
+shelter, and that the only thing to be done was to offer atonement,
+"for that of all things," said he, "is like to better our strait,
+great as it has now grown."
+
+Flosi said that he would first hear tidings; "and I am minded to think
+that thou art afraid after thy big deed."
+
+Now it is to be said of Thorgeir, that he turned from the blow as the
+axe smote the bottle, nor had he any wound; they made no search
+for the man because of the dark, so they rowed over the firths to
+Coldback, and told tidings of what had happed; thereat folk made much
+mocking, and called Thorgeir, Bottleback, and that was his by-name
+ever after.
+
+And this was sung withal--
+
+  "The brave men of days of old,
+  Whereof many a tale is told,
+  Bathed the whiting of the shield,
+  In wounds' house on battle-field;
+  But the honour-missing fool,
+  Both sides of his slaying tool,
+  Since faint heart his hand made vain.
+  With but curdled milk must stain."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XII.
+
+
+In those days befell such hard times in Iceland, that nought like them
+has been known there; well-nigh all gettings from the sea, and all
+drifts, came to an end; and this went on for many seasons. One autumn
+certain chapmen in a big ship were drifted thither, and were wrecked
+there in the Creek, and Flosi took to him four or five of them; Stein
+was the name of their captain; they were housed here and there about
+the Creek, and were minded to build them a new ship from the wreck;
+but they were unhandy herein, and the ship was over small stem and
+stern, but over big amidships.
+
+That spring befell a great storm from the north, which lasted near a
+week, and after the storm men looked after their drifts. Now there was
+a man called Thorstein, who dwelt at Reekness; he found a whale driven
+up on the firthward side of the ness, at a place called Rib-Skerries,
+and the whale was a big whale.
+
+Thorstein sent forthwith a messenger to Wick to Flosi, and so to the
+nighest farm-steads. Now Einar was the name of the farmer at Combe,
+and he was a tenant of those of Coldback, and had the ward of their
+drifts on that side of the firths; and now withal he was ware of the
+stranding of the whale: and he took boat and rowed past the firths to
+Byrgis Creek, whence he sent a man to Coldback; and when Thorgrim and
+his brothers heard that, they got ready at their swiftest, and were
+twelve in a ten-oared boat, and Kolbein's sons fared with them, Ivar
+and Leif, and were six altogether; and all farmers who could bring it
+about went to the whale.
+
+Now it is to be told of Flosi that he sent to his kin in Ingolfs-firth
+and Ufeigh's-firth, and for Olaf Eyvindson, who then dwelt at Drangar;
+and Flosi came first to the whale, with the men of Wick, then they
+fell to cutting up the whale, and what was cut was forthwith sent
+ashore; near twenty men were thereat at first, but soon folk came
+thronging thither.
+
+Therewith came those of Coldback in four boats, and Thorgrim laid
+claim to the whale and forbade the men of Wick to shear, allot, or
+carry off aught thereof: Flosi bade him show if Eric had given Onund
+Treefoot the drift in clear terms, or else he said he should defend
+himself with arms. Thorgrim thought he and his too few, and would not
+risk an onset; but therewithal came a boat rowing up the firth, and
+the rowers therein pulled smartly. Soon they came up, and there was
+Swan, from Knoll in Biornfirth, and his house-carles; and straightway,
+when he came, he bade Thorgrim not to let himself be robbed; and great
+friends they had been heretofore, and now Swan offered his aid. The
+brothers said they would take it, and therewith set on fiercely;
+Thorgeir Bottleback first mounted the whale against Flosi's
+house-carles; there the aforenamed Thorfin was cutting the whale, he
+was in front nigh the head, and stood in a foot-hold he had cut for
+himself; then Thorgeir said, "Herewith I bring thee back thy axe," and
+smote him on the neck, and struck off his head.
+
+Flosi was up on the foreshore when he saw that, and he egged on his
+men to meet them hardily; now they fought long together, but those of
+Coldback had the best of it: few men there had weapons except the axes
+wherewith they were cutting up the whale, and some choppers. So the
+men of Wick gave back to the foreshores; the Eastmen had weapons,
+and many a wound they gave; Stein, the captain, smote a foot off
+Ivar Kolbeinson, but Leif, Ivar's brother, beat to death a fellow of
+Stein's with a whale-rib; blows were dealt there with whatever could
+be caught at, and men fell on either side. But now came up Olaf and
+his men from Drangar in many boats, and gave help to Flosi, and then
+those of Coldback were borne back overpowered; but they had loaded
+their boats already, and Swan bade get aboard and thitherward they
+gave back, and the men of Wick came on after them; and when Swan was
+come down to the sea, he smote at Stein, the sea-captain, and gave him
+a great wound, and then leapt aboard his boat; Thorgrim wounded Flosi
+with a great wound and therewith got away; Olaf cut at Ufeigh Grettir,
+and wounded him to death; but Thorgeir caught Ufeigh up and leapt
+aboard with him. Now those of Coldback row east by the firths, and
+thus they parted; and this was sung of their meeting--
+
+  At Rib-skerries, I hear folk tell,
+  A hard and dreadful fray befell,
+  For men unarmed upon that day
+  With strips of whale-fat made good play.
+  Fierce steel-gods these in turn did meet
+  With blubber-slices nowise sweet;
+  Certes a wretched thing it is
+  To tell of squabbles such as this.
+
+After these things was peace settled between them, and these suits
+were laid to the Althing; there Thorod the Godi and Midfirth-Skeggi,
+with many of the south-country folk, aided those of Coldback; Flosi
+was outlawed, and many of those who had been with him; and his moneys
+were greatly drained because he chose to pay up all weregild himself.
+Thorgrim and his folk could not show that they had paid money for the
+lands and drifts which Flosi claimed. Thorkel Moon was lawman then,
+and he was bidden to give his decision; he said that to him it seemed
+law, that something had been paid for those lands, though mayhap
+not their full worth; "For so did Steinvor the Old to Ingolf, my
+grandfather, that she had from him all Rosmwhale-ness and gave
+therefor a spotted cloak, nor has that gift been voided, though certes
+greater flaws be therein: but here I lay down my rede," said he, "that
+the land be shared, and that both sides have equal part therein; and
+henceforth be it made law, that each man have the drifts before
+his own lands." Now this was done, and the land was so divided that
+Thorgrim and his folk had to give up Reekfirth and all the lands by
+the firth-side, but Combe they were to keep still. Ufeigh was atoned
+with a great sum; Thorfin was unatoned, and boot was given to Thorgeir
+for the attack on his life; and thereafter were they set at one
+together. Flosi took ship for Norway with Stein, the ship-master, and
+sold his lands in the Wick to Geirmund Hiuka-timber, who dwelt there
+afterwards. Now that ship which the chapmen had made was very broad of
+beam, so that men called it the Treetub, and by that name is the
+creek known: but in that keel did Flosi go out, but was driven back to
+Axefirth, whereof came the tale of Bodmod, and Grimulf, and Gerpir.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIII.
+
+
+Now after this the brothers Thorgrim and Thorgeir shared their
+possessions. Thorgrim took the chattels and Thorgeir the land;
+Thorgrim betook himself to Midfirth and bought land at Biarg by the
+counsel of Skeggi; he had to wife Thordis, daughter of Asmund of
+Asmund's-peak, who had settled the Thingere lands: Thorgrim and
+Thordis had a son who was called Asmund; he was a big man and a
+strong, wise withal, and the fairest-haired of men, but his head grew
+grey early, wherefore he was called Asmund the Greyhaired. Thorgrim
+grew to be a man very busy about his household, and kept all his men
+well to their work. Asmund would do but little work, so the father and
+son had small fellowship together; and so things fared till Asmund had
+grown of age; then he asked his father for travelling money;
+Thorgrim said he should have little enough, but gave him somewhat of
+huckstering wares.
+
+Then Asmund went abroad, and his goods soon grew great; he sailed to
+sundry lands, and became the greatest of merchants, and very rich; he
+was a man well beloved and trusty, and many kinsmen he had in Norway
+of great birth.
+
+One autumn he guested east in the Wick with a great man who was called
+Thorstein; he was an Uplander of kin, and had a sister called Ranveig,
+one to be chosen before all women; her Asmund wooed, and gained her by
+the help of Thorstein her brother; and there Asmund dwelt a while
+and was held in good esteem: he had of Ranveig a son hight Thorstein,
+strong, and the fairest of men, and great of voice; a man tall of
+growth he was, but somewhat slow in his mien, and therefore was he
+called Dromund. Now when Thorstein was nigh grown up, his mother fell
+sick and died, and thereafter Asmund had no joy in Norway; the kin
+of Thorstein's mother took his goods, and him withal to foster; but
+Asmund betook himself once more to seafaring, and became a man of
+great renown. Now he brought his ship into Hunawater, and in those
+days was Thorkel Krafla chief over the Waterdale folk; and he heard
+of Asmund's coming out, and rode to the ship and bade Asmund to his
+house; and he dwelt at Marstead in Waterdale; so Asmund went to
+be guest there. This Thorkel was the son of Thorgrim the Godi of
+Cornriver, and was a very wise man.
+
+Now this was after the coming out of Bishop Frederick, and Thorvald
+Kodran's son, and they dwelt at the Brooks-meet, when these things
+came to pass: they were the first to preach the law of Christ in the
+north country; Thorkel let himself be signed with the cross and
+many men with him, and things enow betid betwixt the bishop and the
+north-country folk which come not into this tale.
+
+Now at Thorkel's was a woman brought up, Asdis by name, who was the
+daughter of Bard, the son of Jokul, the son of Ingimund the Old, the
+son of Thorstein, the son of Ketil the Huge: the mother of Asdis was
+Aldis the daughter of Ufeigh Grettir, as is aforesaid; Asdis was as
+yet unwedded, and was deemed the best match among women, both for her
+kin and her possessions; Asmund was grown weary of seafaring, and
+was fain to take up his abode in Iceland; so he took up the word, and
+wooed this woman. Thorkel knew well all his ways, that he was a rich
+man and of good counsel to hold his wealth; so that came about, that
+Asmund got Asdis to wife; he became a bosom friend of Thorkel, and
+a great dealer in matters of farming, cunning in the law, and
+far-reaching. And now a little after this Thorgrim Greypate died at
+Biarg, and Asmund took the heritage after him and dwelt there.
+
+
+
+
+HERE BEGINS THE STORY OF THE LIFE
+OF GRETTIR THE STRONG
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIV.
+
+<i>Of Grettir as a child, and his froward ways with his father</i>.
+
+
+Asmund the Greyhaired kept house at Biarg; great and proud was his
+household, and many men he had about him, and was a man much beloved.
+These were the children of him and Asdis. Atli was the eldest son;
+a man yielding and soft-natured, easy, and meek withal, and all men
+liked him well: another son they had called Grettir; he was very
+froward in his childhood; of few words, and rough; worrying both in
+word and deed. Little fondness he got from his father Asmund, but his
+mother loved him right well.
+
+Grettir Asmundson was fair to look on, broad-faced, short-faced,
+red-haired, and much freckled; not of quick growth in his childhood.
+
+Thordis was a daughter of Asmund, whom Glum, the son of Uspak, the
+son of Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, afterwards had to wife. Ranveig was
+another daughter of Asmund; she was the wife of Gamli, the son of
+Thorhal, the son of the Vendlander; they kept house at Meals in
+Ramfirth; their son was Grim. The son of Glum and Thordis, the
+daughter of Asmund, was Uspak, who quarrelled with Odd, the son of
+Ufeigh, as is told in the Bandamanna Saga.
+
+Grettir grew up at Biarg till he was ten years old; then he began to
+get on a little; but Asmund bade him do some work; Grettir answered
+that work was not right meet for him, but asked what he should do.
+
+Says Asmund, "Thou shalt watch my home-geese."
+
+Grettir answered and said, "A mean work, a milksop's work."
+
+Asmund said, "Turn it well out of hand, and then matters shall get
+better between us."
+
+Then Grettir betook himself to watching the home-geese; fifty of them
+there were, with many goslings; but no long time went by before he
+found them a troublesome drove, and the goslings slow-paced withal.
+Thereat he got sore worried, for little did he keep his temper in
+hand. So some time after this, wayfaring men found the goslings strewn
+about dead, and the home-geese broken-winged; and this was in autumn.
+Asmund was mightily vexed hereat, and asked if Grettir had killed the
+fowl: he sneered mockingly, and answered--
+
+  "Surely as winter comes, shall I
+  Twist the goslings' necks awry.
+  If in like case are the geese,
+  I have finished each of these."
+
+"Thou shalt kill them no more," said Asmund.
+
+"Well, <i>a friend should warn a friend of ill</i>," said Grettir.
+
+"Another work shall be found for thee then," said Asmund.
+
+"<i>More one knows the more one tries</i>," said Grettir; "and what
+shall I do now?"
+
+Asmund answered, "Thou shalt rub my back at the fire, as I have been
+wont to have it done."
+
+"Hot for the hand, truly," said Grettir; "but still a milksop's work."
+
+Now Grettir went on with this work for a while; but autumn came on,
+and Asmund became very fain of heat, and he spurs Grettir on to rub
+his back briskly. Now, in those times there were wont to be large
+fire-halls at the homesteads, wherein men sat at long fires in the
+evenings; boards were set before the men there, and afterwards folk
+slept out sideways from the fires; there also women worked at the wool
+in the daytime. Now, one evening, when Grettir had to rub Asmund's
+back, the old carle said,--
+
+"Now thou wilt have to put away thy sloth, thou milk-sop."
+
+Says Grettir, "<i>Ill is it to goad the foolhardy</i>."
+
+Asmund answers, "Thou wilt ever be a good-for-nought."
+
+Now Grettir sees where, in one of the seats stood wool-combs: one of
+these he caught up, and let it go all down Asmund's back. He sprang
+up, and was mad wroth thereat; and was going to smite Grettir with
+his staff, but he ran off. Then came the housewife, and asked what was
+this to-do betwixt them. Then Grettir answered by this ditty--
+
+  "This jewel-strewer, O ground of gold,
+  (His counsels I deem over bold),
+  On both these hands that trouble sow,
+  (Ah bitter pain) will burn me now;
+
+  Therefore with wool-comb's nails unshorn
+  Somewhat ring-strewer's back is torn:
+  The hook-clawed bird that wrought his wound,--
+  Lo, now I see it on the ground."
+
+Hereupon was his mother sore vexed, that he should have taken to a
+trick like this; she said he would never fail to be the most reckless
+of men. All this nowise bettered matters between Asmund and Grettir.
+
+Now, some time after this, Asmund had a talk with Grettir, that he
+should watch his horses. Grettir said this was more to his mind than
+the back-rubbing.
+
+"Then shalt thou do as I bid thee," said Asmund. "I have a dun mare,
+which I call Keingala; she is so wise as to shifts of weather, thaws,
+and the like, that rough weather will never fail to follow, when she
+will not go out on grazing. At such times thou shalt lock the horses
+up under cover; but keep them to grazing on the mountain neck yonder,
+when winter comes on. Now I shall deem it needful that thou turn this
+work out of hand better than the two I have set thee to already."
+
+Grettir answered, "This is a cold work and a manly, but I deem it ill
+to trust in the mare, for I know none who has done it yet."
+
+Now Grettir took to the horse-watching, and so the time went on till
+past Yule-time; then came on much cold weather with snow, that made
+grazing hard to come at. Now Grettir was ill clad, and as yet little
+hardened, and he began to be starved by the cold; but Keingala grazed
+away in the windiest place she could find, let the weather be as rough
+as it would. Early as she might go to the pasture, never would she go
+back to stable before nightfall. Now Grettir deemed that he must think
+of some scurvy trick or other, that Keingala might be paid in full
+for her way of grazing: so, one morning early, he comes to the
+horse-stable, opens it, and finds Keingala standing all along before
+the crib; for, whatever food was given to the horses with her, it was
+her way to get it all to herself. Grettir got on her back, and had a
+sharp knife in his hand, and drew it right across Keingala's shoulder,
+and then all along both sides of the back. Thereat the mare, being
+both fat and shy, gave a mad bound, and kicked so fiercely, that her
+hooves clattered against the wall. Grettir fell off; but, getting
+on his legs, strove to mount her again. Now their struggle is of the
+sharpest, but the end of it is, that he flays off the whole of the
+strip along the back to the loins. Thereafter he drove the horses out
+on grazing; Keingala would bite but at her back, and when noon was
+barely past, she started off, and ran back to the house. Grettir now
+locks the stable and goes home. Asmund asked Grettir where the horses
+were. He said that he had stabled them as he was wont. Asmund said
+that rough weather was like to be at hand, as the horses would not
+keep at their grazing in such good weather as now it was.
+
+Grettir said, "<i>Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust</i>."
+
+Now the night goes by, but no rough weather came on. Grettir drove off
+the horses, but Keingala cannot bear the grazing. This seemed strange
+to Asmund, as the weather changed in nowise from what it had been
+theretofore. The third morning Asmund went to the horses, and, coming
+to Keingala, said,--
+
+"I must needs deem these horses to be in sorry case, good as the
+winter has been, but thy sides will scarce lack flesh, my dun."
+
+"<i>Things boded will happen</i>," said Grettir, "<i>but so will
+things unboded</i>."
+
+Asmund stroked the back of the mare, and, lo, the hide came off
+beneath his hand; he wondered how this could have happened, and said
+it was likely to be Grettir's doing. Grettir sneered mockingly, but
+said nought. Now goodman Asmund went home talking as one mad; he went
+straight to the fire-hall, and as he came heard the good wife say,
+"It were good indeed if the horse-keeping of my kinsman had gone off
+well."
+
+Then Asmund sang this stave--
+
+  "Grettir has in such wise played,
+  That Keingala has he flayed,
+  Whose trustiness would be my boast
+  (Proudest women talk the most);
+  So the cunning lad has wrought,
+  Thinking thereby to do nought
+  Of my biddings any more.
+  In thy mind turn these words o'er."
+
+The housewife answered, "I know not which is least to my mind, that
+thou shouldst ever be bidding him work, or that he should turn out all
+his work in one wise."
+
+"That too we will make an end of," said Asmund, "but he shall fare the
+worse therefor."
+
+Then Grettir said, "Well, let neither make words about it to the
+other."
+
+So things went on awhile, and Asmund had Keingala killed; and many
+other scurvy tricks did Grettir in his childhood whereof the story
+says nought. But he grew great of body, though his strength was not
+well known, for he was unskilled in wrestling; he would make ditties
+and rhymes, but was somewhat scurrilous therein. He had no will to lie
+anight in the fire-hall and was mostly of few words.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XV.
+
+<i>Of the ball-play on Midfirth Water</i>.
+
+
+At this time there were many growing up to be men in Midfirth;
+Skald-Torfa dwelt at Torfa's-stead in those days; her son was called
+Bessi, he was the shapeliest of men and a good skald.
+
+At Meal lived two brothers, Kormak and Thorgils, with them a man
+called Odd was fostered, and was called the Foundling-skald.
+
+One called Audun was growing up at Audunstead in Willowdale, he was
+a kind and good man to deal with, and the strongest in those north
+parts, of all who were of an age with him. Kalf Asgeirson dwelt
+at Asgeir's-river, and his brother Thorvald with him. Atli also,
+Grettir's brother, was growing into a ripe man at that time; the
+gentlest of men he was, and well beloved of all. Now these men
+settled to have ball-play together on Midfirth Water; thither came the
+Midfirthers, and Willowdale men, and men from Westhope, and Waterness,
+and Ramfirth, but those who came from far abode at the play-stead.
+
+Now those who were most even in strength were paired together, and
+thereat was always the greatest sport in autumn-tide. But when he was
+fourteen years old Grettir went to the plays, because he was prayed
+thereto by his brother Atli.
+
+Now were all paired off for the plays, and Grettir was allotted to
+play against Audun, the aforenamed, who was some winters the eldest of
+the two; Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head, so that he could
+not catch it, and it bounded far away along the ice; Grettir got angry
+thereat, deeming that Audun would outplay him; but he fetches the ball
+and brings it back, and, when he was within reach of Audun, hurls
+it right against his forehead, and smites him so that the skin was
+broken; then Audun struck at Grettir with the bat he held in his hand,
+but smote him no hard blow, for Grettir ran in under the stroke; and
+thereat they seized one another with arms clasped, and wrestled. Then
+all saw that Grettir was stronger than he had been taken to be, for
+Audun was a man full of strength.
+
+A long tug they had of it, but the end was that Grettir fell, and
+Audun thrust his knees against his belly and breast, and dealt hardly
+with him.
+
+Then Atli and Bessi and many others ran up and parted them; but
+Grettir said there was no need to hold him like a mad dog, "For," said
+he, "<i>thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never</i>."
+
+This men suffered not to grow into open strife, for the brothers, Kalf
+and Thorvald, were fain that all should be at one again, and Audun and
+Grettir were somewhat akin withal; so the play went on as before, nor
+did anything else befall to bring about strife.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XVI.
+
+<i>Of the slaying of Skeggi</i>.
+
+
+Now Thorkel Krafla got very old; he had the rule of Waterdale and
+was a great man. He was bosom friend of Asmund the Greyhaired, as was
+beseeming for the sake of their kinship; he was wont to ride to Biarg
+every year and see his kin there, nor did he fail herein the spring
+following these matters just told. Asmund and Asdis welcomed him most
+heartily, he was there three nights, and many things did the kinsmen
+speak of between them. Now Thorkel asked Asmund what his mind
+foreboded him about his sons, as to what kind of craft they would be
+likely to take to. Asmund said that he thought Atli would be a great
+man at farming, foreseeing, and money-making. Thorkel answered, "A
+useful man and like unto thyself: but what dost thou say of Grettir?"
+
+Asmund said, "Of him I say, that he will be a strong man and an
+unruly, and, certes, of wrathful mood, and heavy enough he has been to
+me."
+
+Thorkel answered, "That bodes no good, friend; but how shall we settle
+about our riding to the Thing next summer?"
+
+Asmund answered, "I am growing heavy for wayfaring, and would fain sit
+at home."
+
+"Wouldst thou that Atli go in thy stead?" said Thorkel.
+
+"I do not see how I could spare him," says Asmund, "because of the
+farm-work and ingathering of household stores; but now Grettir will
+not work, yet he bears about that wit with him that I deem he will
+know how to keep up the showing forth of the law for me through thy
+aid."
+
+"Well, thou shall have thy will," said Thorkel, and withal he rode
+home when he was ready, and Asmund let him go with good gifts.
+
+Some time after this Thorkel made him ready to ride to the Thing, he
+rode with sixty men, for all went with him who were in his rule: thus
+he came to Biarg, and therefrom rode Grettir with him.
+
+Now they rode south over the heath that is called Two-days'-ride; but
+on this mountain the baiting grounds were poor, therefore they rode
+fast across it down to the settled lands, and when they came down
+to Fleet-tongue they thought it was time to sleep, so they took the
+bridles off their horses and let them graze with the saddles on. They
+lay sleeping till far on in the day, and when they woke, the men went
+about looking for their horses; but they had gone each his own way,
+and some of them had been rolling; but Grettir was the last to find
+his horse.
+
+Now it was the wont in those days that men should carry their own
+victuals when they rode to the Althing, and most bore meal-bags
+athwart their saddles; and the saddle was turned under the belly of
+Grettir's horse, and the meal-bag was gone, so he goes and searches,
+and finds nought.
+
+Just then he sees a man running fast, Grettir asks who it is who is
+running there; the man answered that his name was Skeggi, and that
+he was a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale. "I am one of the
+following of goodman Thorkel," he says, "but, faring heedlessly, I
+have lost my meal-bag."
+
+Grettir said, "<i>Odd haps are worst haps</i>, for I, also, have lost
+the meal-sack which I owned, and now let us search both together."
+
+This Skeggi liked well, and a while they go thus together; but all
+of a sudden Skeggi bounded off up along the moors and caught up a
+meal-sack. Grettir saw him stoop, and asked what he took up there.
+
+"My meal-sack," says Skeggi.
+
+"Who speaks to that besides thyself?" says Grettir; "let me see it,
+for many a thing has its like."
+
+Skeggi said that no man should take from him what was his own; but
+Grettir caught at the meal-bag, and now they tug one another along
+with the meal-sack between them, both trying hard to get the best of
+it.
+
+"It is to be wondered at," says the house-carle, "that ye Waterdale
+men should deem, that because other men are not as wealthy as ye,
+that they should not therefore dare to hold aught of their own in your
+despite."
+
+Grettir said, that it had nought to do with the worth of men that each
+should have his own.
+
+Skeggi answers, "Too far off is Audun now to throttle thee as at that
+ball-play."
+
+"Good," said Grettir; "but, howsoever that went, thou at least shall
+never throttle me."
+
+Then Skeggi got at his axe and hewed at Grettir; when Grettir saw
+that, he caught the axe-handle with the left hand bladeward of
+Skeggi's hand, so hard that straightway was the axe loosed from his
+hold. Then Grettir drave that same axe into his head so that it stood
+in the brain, and the house-carle fell dead to earth. Then Grettir
+seized the meal-bag and threw it across his saddle, and thereon rode
+after his fellows.
+
+Now Thorkel rode ahead of all, for he had no misgiving of such things
+befalling: but men missed Skeggi from the company, and when Grettir
+came up they asked him what he knew of Skeggi; then he sang--
+
+  "A rock-troll her weight did throw
+  At Skeggi's throat a while ago:
+  Over the battle ogress ran
+  The red blood of the serving-man;
+  Her deadly iron mouth did gape
+  Above him, till clean out of shape
+  She tore his head and let out life:
+  And certainly I saw their strife."
+
+Then Thorkel's men sprung up and said that surely trolls had not taken
+the man in broad daylight. Thorkel grew silent, but said presently,
+"The matter is likely to be quite other than this; methinks Grettir
+has in all likelihood killed him, or what could befall?"
+
+Then Grettir told all their strife. Thorkel says, "This has come to
+pass most unluckily, for Skeggi was given to my following, and was,
+nathless, a man of good kin; but I shall deal thus with the matter: I
+shall give boot for the man as the doom goes, but the outlawry I may
+not settle. Now, two things thou hast to choose between, Grettir;
+whether thou wilt rather go to the Thing and risk the turn of matters,
+or go back home."
+
+Grettir chose to go to the Thing, and thither he went. But a lawsuit
+was set on foot by the heirs of the slain man: Thorkel gave handsel,
+and paid up all fines, but Grettir must needs be outlawed, and keep
+abroad three winters.
+
+Now when the chiefs rode from the Thing, they baited under Sledgehill
+before they parted: then Grettir lifted a stone which now lies there
+in the grass and is called Grettir's-heave; but many men came up to
+see the stone, and found it a great wonder that so young a man should
+heave aloft such a huge rock.
+
+Now Grettir rode home to Biarg and tells the tale of his journey;
+Asmund let out little thereon, but said that he would turn out an
+unruly man.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XVII.
+
+<i>Of Grettir's voyage out</i>.
+
+
+There was a man called Haflidi, who dwelt at Reydarfell in
+Whiteriverside, he was a seafaring man and had a sailing ship, which
+lay up Whiteriver: there was a man on board his ship, hight Bard,
+who had a wife with him young and fair. Asmund sent a man to Haflidi,
+praying him to take Grettir and look after him; Haflidi said that he
+had heard that the man was ill ruled of mood; yet for the sake of the
+friendship between him and Asmund he took Grettir to himself, and made
+ready for sailing abroad.
+
+Asmund would give to his son no faring-goods but victuals for the
+voyage and a little wadmall. Grettir prayed him for some weapon, but
+Asmund answered, "Thou hast not been obedient to me, nor do I know
+how far thou art likely to work with weapons things that may be of any
+gain; and no weapon shalt thou have of me."
+
+"<i>No deed no reward</i>," says Grettir. Then father and son parted
+with little love. Many there were who bade Grettir farewell, but few
+bade him come back.
+
+But his mother brought him on his road, and before they parted she
+spoke thus, "Thou art not fitted out from home, son, as I fain would
+thou wert, a man so well born as thou; but, meseems, the greatest
+shortcoming herein is that thou hast no weapons of any avail, and my
+mind misgives me that thou wilt perchance need them sorely."
+
+With that she took out from under her cloak a sword well wrought,
+and a fair thing it was, and then she said, "This sword was owned
+by Jokul, my father's father, and the earlier Waterdale men, and it
+gained them many a day; now I give thee the sword, and may it stand
+thee in good stead."
+
+Grettir thanked her well for this gift, and said he deemed it better
+than things of more worth; then he went on his way, and Asdis wished
+him all good hap.
+
+Now Grettir rode south over the heath, and made no stay till he came
+to the ship. Haflidi gave him a good welcome and asked him for his
+faring-goods, then Grettir sang--
+
+  "Rider of wind-driven steed,
+  Little gat I to my need,
+  When I left my fair birth-stead,
+  From the snatchers of worm's bed;
+  But this man's-bane hanging here,
+  Gift of woman good of cheer,
+  Proves the old saw said not ill,
+  <i>Best to bairn is mother still</i>."
+
+Haflidi said it was easily seen that she thought the most of him. But
+now they put to sea when they were ready, and had wind at will; but
+when they had got out over all shallows they hoisted sail.
+
+Now Grettir made a den for himself under the boat, from whence he
+would move for nought, neither for baling, nor to do aught at the
+sail, nor to work at what he was bound to work at in the ship in even
+shares with the other men, neither would he buy himself off from the
+work.
+
+Now they sailed south by Reekness and then south from the land; and
+when they lost land they got much heavy sea; the ship was somewhat
+leaky, and scarce seaworthy in heavy weather, therefore they had it
+wet enough. Now Grettir let fly his biting rhymes, whereat the men
+got sore wroth. One day, when it so happened that the weather was both
+squally and cold, the men called out to Grettir, and bade him now do
+manfully, "For," said they, "now our claws grow right cold." Grettir
+looked up and said--
+
+  "Good luck, scurvy starvelings, if I should behold
+  Each finger ye have doubled up with the cold."
+
+And no work they got out of him, and now it misliked them of their
+lot as much again as before, and they said that he should pay with his
+skin for his rhymes and the lawlessness which he did. "Thou art more
+fain," said they, "of playing with Bard the mate's wife than doing thy
+duty on board ship, and this is a thing not to be borne at all."
+
+The gale grew greater steadily, and now they stood baling for days and
+nights together, and all swore to kill Grettir. But when Haflidi heard
+this, he went up to where Grettir lay, and said, "Methinks the bargain
+between thee and the chapmen is scarcely fair; first thou dost by them
+unlawfully, and thereafter thou castest thy rhymes at them; and now
+they swear that they will throw thee overboard, and this is unseemly
+work to go on."
+
+"Why should they not be free to do as they will?" says Grettir; "but I
+well would that one or two of them tarry here behind with me, or ever
+I go overboard."
+
+Haflidi says, "Such deeds are not to be done, and we shall never
+thrive if ye rush into such madness; but I shall give thee good rede."
+
+"What is that?" says Grettir.
+
+"They blame thee for singing ill things of them; now, therefore, I
+would that thou sing some scurvy rhyme to me, for then it might be
+that they would bear with thee the easier."
+
+"To thee I never sing but good," says Grettir: "I am not going to make
+thee like these starvelings."
+
+"One may sing so," says Haflidi, "that the lampoon be not so foul when
+it is searched into, though at first sight it be not over fair."
+
+"I have ever plenty of that skill in me," says Grettir.
+
+Then Haflidi went to the men where they were baling, and said, "Great
+is your toil, and no wonder that ye have taken ill liking to Grettir."
+
+"But his lampoons we deem worse than all the rest together," they
+said.
+
+Haflidi said in a loud voice, "He will surely fare ill for it in the
+end."
+
+But when Grettir heard Haflidi speak blamefully of him, he sang--
+
+  "Otherwise would matters be,
+  When this shouting Haflidi
+  Ate in house at Reydarfell
+  Curdled milk, and deemed it well;
+  He who decks the reindeer's side
+  That 'twixt ness and ness doth glide,
+  Twice in one day had his fill
+  Of the feast of dart shower shrill."[8]
+
+[Footnote 8: This is about as obscure as the original, which seems to
+allude to some event not mentioned in the Saga.]
+
+The shipmen thought this foul enough, and said he should not put shame
+on Skipper Haflidi for nought.
+
+Then said Haflidi, "Grettir is plentifully worthy that ye should
+do him some shame, but I will not have my honour staked against his
+ill-will and recklessness; nor is it good for us to wreak vengeance
+for this forthwith while we have this danger hanging over us; but be
+ye mindful of it when ye land, if so it seem good to you."
+
+"Well," they said, "why should we not fare even as thou farest? for
+why should his vile word bite us more than thee?"
+
+And in that mind Haflidi bade them abide; and thence-forward the
+chapmen made far less noise about Grettir's rhymes than before.
+
+Now a long and a hard voyage they had, and the leak gained on the
+ship, and men began to be exceeding worn with toil. The young wife of
+the mate was wont to sew from Grettir's hands, and much would the crew
+mock him therefor; but Haflidi went up to where Grettir lay and sang--
+
+  "Grettir, stand up from thy grave,
+  In the trough of the grey wave
+  The keel labours, tell my say
+  Now unto thy merry may;
+  From thy hands the linen-clad
+  Fill of sewing now has had,
+  Till we make the land will she
+  Deem that labour fitteth thee."
+
+Then Grettir stood up and sang--
+
+  "Stand we up, for neath us now
+  Rides the black ship high enow;
+  This fair wife will like it ill
+  If my limbs are laid here still;
+  Certes, the white trothful one
+  Will not deem the deed well done,
+  If the work that I should share
+  Other folk must ever bear."
+
+Then he ran aft to where they were baling, and asked what they would
+he should do; they said he would do mighty little good.
+
+"Well," said he, "<i>ye may yet be apaid of a man's aid</i>."
+
+Haflidi bade them not set aside his help, "For it may be he shall deem
+his hands freed if he offers his aid."
+
+At that time pumping was not used in ships that fared over the main;
+the manner of baling they used men called tub or cask baling, and a
+wet work it was and a wearisome; two balers were used, and one went
+down while the other came up. Now the chapmen bade Grettir have the
+job of sinking the balers, and said that now it should be tried what
+he could do; he said that the less it was tried the better it would
+be. But he goes down and sinks the balers, and now two were got to
+bale against him; they held out but a little while before they were
+overcome with weariness, and then four came forward and soon fared in
+likewise, and, so say some, that eight baled against him before the
+baling was done and the ship was made dry. Thenceforth the manner of
+the chapmen's words to Grettir was much changed, for they saw what
+strength he had to fall back upon; and from that time he was the
+stoutest and readiest to help, wheresoever need was.
+
+Now they bore off east into the main, and much thick weather they had,
+and one night unawares they ran suddenly on a rock, so that the nether
+part of the ship went from under her; then the boat was run down, and
+women and all the loose goods were brought off: nearby was a little
+holm whither they brought their matters as they best could in the
+night; but when it began to dawn they had a talk as to where they were
+come; then they who had fared between lands before knew the land for
+Southmere in Norway; there was an island hardby called Haramsey; many
+folk dwelt there, and therein too was the manor of a lord.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XVIII.
+
+<i>Of Grettir at Haramsey and his dealings with Karr the Old</i>.
+
+
+Now the lord who dwelt in the island was called Thorfinn; he was the
+son of Karr the Old, who had dwelt there long; and Thorfinn was a
+great chief.
+
+But when day was fully come men saw from the island that the chapmen
+were brought to great straits. This was made known to Thorfinn, and he
+quickly bestirred himself, and had a large bark of his launched, rowed
+by sixteen men, on this bark were nigh thirty men in all; they came up
+speedily and saved the chapmen's wares; but the ship settled down,
+and much goods were lost there. Thorfinn brought all men from the ship
+home to himself, and they abode there a week and dried their wares.
+Then the chapmen went south into the land, and are now out of the
+tale.
+
+Grettir was left behind with Thorfinn, and little he stirred, and was
+at most times mighty short of speech. Thorfinn bade give him meals,
+but otherwise paid small heed to him; Grettir was loth to follow him,
+and would not go out with him in the day; this Thorfinn took ill, but
+had not the heart to have food withheld from him.
+
+Now Thorfinn was fond of stately house-keeping, and was a man of great
+joyance, and would fain have other men merry too: but Grettir would
+walk about from house to house, and often went into other farms about
+the island.
+
+There was a man called Audun who dwelt at Windham; thither Grettir
+went every day, and he made friends with Audun, and there he was wont
+to sit till far on in the day. Now one night very late, as Grettir
+made ready to go home, he saw a great fire burst out on a ness to the
+north of Audun's farm. Grettir asked what new thing this might be.
+Audun said that he need be in no haste to know that.
+
+"It would be said," quoth Grettir, "if that were seen in our land,
+that the flame burned above hid treasure."
+
+The farmer said, "That fire I deem to be ruled over by one into whose
+matters it avails little to pry."
+
+"Yet fain would I know thereof," said Grettir.
+
+"On that ness," said Audun, "stands a barrow, great and strong,
+wherein was laid Karr the Old, Thorfinn's father; at first father
+and son had but one farm in the island; but since Karr died he has so
+haunted this place that he has swept away all farmers who owned lands
+here, so that now Thorfinn holds the whole island; but whatsoever man
+Thorfinn holds his hand over, gets no scathe."
+
+Grettir said that he had told his tale well: "And," says he, "I shall
+come here to-morrow, and then thou shalt have digging-tools ready."
+
+"Now, I pray thee," says Audun, "to do nought herein, for I know that
+Thorfinn will cast his hatred on thee therefor."
+
+Grettir said he would risk that.
+
+So the night went by, and Grettir came early on the morrow and the
+digging-tools were ready; the farmer goes with him to the barrow, and
+Grettir brake it open, and was rough-handed enough thereat, and did
+not leave off till he came to the rafters, and by then the day was
+spent; then he tore away the rafters, and now Audun prayed him hard
+not to go into the barrow; Grettir bade him guard the rope, "but I
+shall espy what dwells within here."
+
+Then Grettir entered into the barrow, and right dark it was, and a
+smell there was therein none of the sweetest. Now he groped about to
+see how things were below; first he found horse-bones, and then he
+stumbled against the arm of a high-chair, and in that chair found a
+man sitting; great treasures of gold and silver were heaped together
+there, and a small chest was set under the feet of him full of silver;
+all these riches Grettir carried together to the rope; but as he went
+out through the barrow he was griped at right strongly; thereon he let
+go the treasure and rushed against the barrow-dweller, and now they
+set on one another unsparingly enough.
+
+Everything in their way was kicked out of place, the barrow-wight
+setting on with hideous eagerness; Grettir gave back before him for a
+long time, till at last it came to this, that he saw it would not do
+to hoard his strength any more; now neither spared the other, and
+they were brought to where the horse-bones were, and thereabout they
+wrestled long. And now one, now the other, fell on his knee; but the
+end of the strife was, that the barrow-dweller fell over on his back
+with huge din. Then ran Audun from the holding of the rope, and deemed
+Grettir dead. But Grettir drew the sword, 'Jokul's gift,' and drave
+it at the neck of the barrow-bider so that it took off his head, and
+Grettir laid it at the thigh of him.[9] Then he went to the rope with
+the treasure, and lo, Audun was clean gone, so he had to get up the
+rope by his hands; he had tied a line to the treasure, and therewith
+he now haled it up.
+
+[Footnote 9: The old belief was that by this means only could a ghost
+be laid.]
+
+Grettir had got very stiff with his dealings with Karr, and now he
+went back to Thorfinn's house with the treasures, whenas all folk had
+set them down to table. Thorfinn gave Grettir a sharp look when he
+came into the drinking-hall, and asked him what work he had on hand
+so needful to do that he might not keep times of meals with other
+men. Grettir answers, "Many little matters will hap on late eves," and
+therewith he cast down on the table all the treasure he had taken in
+the barrow; but one matter there was thereof, on which he must needs
+keep his eyes; this was a short-sword, so good a weapon, that a
+better, he said, he had never seen; and this he gave up the last of
+all. Thorfinn was blithe to see that sword, for it was an heirloom of
+his house, and had never yet gone out of his kin.
+
+"Whence came these treasures to thine hand?" said Thorfinn.
+
+Grettir sang--
+
+  "Lessener of the flame of sea,
+  My strong hope was true to me,
+  When I deemed that treasure lay
+  In the barrow; from to-day
+  Folk shall know that I was right;
+  The begetters of the fight
+  Small joy now shall have therein,
+  Seeking dragon's-lair to win."
+
+Thorfinn answered, "Blood will seldom seem blood to thine eyes; no man
+before thee has had will to break open the barrow; but, because I
+know that what wealth soever is hid in earth or borne into barrow is
+wrongly placed, I shall not hold thee blameworthy for thy deed as
+thou hast brought it all to me; yea, or whence didst thou get the good
+sword?"
+
+Grettir answered and sang--
+
+  "Lessener of waves flashing flame,
+  To my lucky hand this came
+  In the barrow where that thing
+  Through the dark fell clattering;
+  If that helm-fire I should gain,
+  Made so fair to be the bane
+  Of the breakers of the bow,
+  Ne'er from my hand should it go."
+
+Thorfinn said, "Well hast thou prayed for it, but thou must show some
+deed of fame before I give thee that sword, for never could I get it
+of my father while he lived."
+
+Said Grettir, "Who knows to whom most gain will come of it in the
+end?"
+
+So Thorfinn took the treasures and kept the sword at his bed-head,
+and the winter wore on toward Yule, so that little else fell out to be
+told of.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XIX.
+
+<i>Of Yule at Haramsey, and how Grettir dealt with the Bearserks</i>.
+
+
+Now the summer before these things Earl Eric Hakonson made ready to
+go from his land west to England, to see King Knut the Mighty, his
+brother-in-law, but left behind him in the rule of Norway Hakon, his
+son, and gave him into the hands of Earl Svein, his brother, for the
+watching and warding of his realm, for Hakon was a child in years.
+
+But before Earl Eric went away from the land, he called together lords
+and rich bonders, and many things they spoke on laws and the rule of
+the land, for Earl Eric was a man good at rule. Now men thought it an
+exceeding ill fashion in the land that runagates or bearserks called
+to holm high-born men for their fee or womankind, in such wise, that
+whosoever should fall before the other should lie unatoned; hereof
+many got both shame and loss of goods, and some lost their lives
+withal; and therefore Earl Eric did away with all holm-gangs and
+outlawed all bearserks who fared with raids and riots.
+
+In the making of this law, the chief of all, with Earl Eric, was
+Thorfinn Karrson, from Haramsey, for he was a wise man, and a dear
+friend of the Earls.
+
+Two brothers are named as being of the worst in these matters,
+one hight Thorir Paunch, the other Ogmund the Evil; they were of
+Halogaland kin, bigger and stronger than other men. They wrought the
+bearserks'-gang and spared nothing in their fury; they would take away
+the wives of men and hold them for a week or a half-month, and then
+bring them back to their husbands; they robbed wheresoever they came,
+or did some other ill deeds. Now Earl Eric made them outlaws through
+the length and breadth of Norway, and Thorfinn was the eagerest of men
+in bringing about their outlawry, therefore they deemed that they owed
+him ill-will enow.
+
+So the Earl went away from the land, as is said in his Saga; but Earl
+Svein bore sway over Norway. Thorfinn went home to his house, and sat
+at home till just up to Yule, as is aforesaid; but at Yule he made
+ready to go to his farm called Slysfirth, which is on the mainland,
+and thither he had bidden many of his friends. Thorfinn's wife could
+not go with her husband, for her daughter of ripe years lay ill
+a-bed, so they both abode at home. Grettir was at home too, and
+eight house-carles. Now Thorfinn went with thirty freedmen to the
+Yule-feast, whereat there was the greatest mirth and joyance among
+men.
+
+Now Yule-eve comes on, and the weather was bright and calm; Grettir
+was mostly abroad this day, and saw how ships fared north and south
+along the land, for each one sought the other's home where the Yule
+drinking was settled to come off. By this time the goodman's daughter
+was so much better that she could walk about with her mother, and thus
+the day wore on.
+
+Now Grettir sees how a ship rows up toward the island; it was not
+right big, but shield-hung it was from stem to stern, and stained all
+above the sea: these folk rowed smartly, and made for the boat-stands
+of goodman Thorfinn, and when the keel took land, those who were
+therein sprang overboard. Grettir cast up the number of the men, and
+they were twelve altogether; he deemed their guise to be far from
+peaceful. They took up their ship and bore it up from the sea;
+thereafter they ran up to the boat-stand, and therein was that big
+boat of Thorfinn, which was never launched to sea by less than thirty
+men, but these twelve shot it in one haul down to the shingle of the
+foreshore; and thereon they took up their own bark and bore it into
+the boat-stand.
+
+Now Grettir thought that he could see clear enough that they would
+make themselves at home. But he goes down to meet them, and welcomes
+them merrily, and asks who they were and what their leader was hight;
+he to whom these words were spoken answered quickly, and said that his
+name was Thorir, and that he was called Paunch, and that his brother
+was Ogmund, and that the others were fellows of theirs.
+
+"I deem," said Thorir, "that thy master Thorfinn has heard tell of us;
+is he perchance at home?"
+
+Grettir answered, "Lucky men are ye, and hither have come in a good
+hour, if ye are the men I take you to be; the goodman is gone away
+with all his home-folk who are freemen, and will not be home again
+till after Yule; but the mistress is at home, and so is the goodman's
+daughter; and if I thought that I had some ill-will to pay back, I
+should have chosen above all things to have come just thus; for here
+are all matters in plenty whereof ye stand in need both beer, and all
+other good things."
+
+Thorir held his peace, while Grettir let this tale run on, then he
+said to Ogmund--
+
+"How far have things come to pass other than as I guessed? and now am
+I well enough minded to take revenge on Thorfinn for having made us
+outlaws; and this man is ready enough of tidings, and no need have we
+to drag the words out of him."
+
+"Words all may use freely," said Grettir, "and I shall give you such
+cheer as I may; and now come home with me."
+
+They bade him have thanks therefor, and said they would take his
+offer.
+
+But when they came home to the farm, Grettir took Thorir by the hand
+and led him into the hall; and now was Grettir mightily full of words.
+The mistress was in the hall, and had had it decked with hangings, and
+made all fair and seemly; but when she heard Grettir's talk, she stood
+still on the floor, and asked whom he welcomed in that earnest wise.
+
+He answered, "Now, mistress, is it right meet to welcome these guests
+merrily, for here is come goodman Thorir Paunch and the whole twelve
+of them, and are minded to sit here Yule over, and a right good hap it
+is, for we were few enough before."
+
+She answered, "Am I to number these among bonders and goodmen, who are
+the worst of robbers and ill-doers? a large share of my goods had I
+given that they had not come here as at this time; and ill dost thou
+reward Thorfinn, for that he took thee a needy man from shipwreck and
+has held thee through the winter as a free man."
+
+Grettir said, "It would be better to take the wet clothes off these
+guests than to scold at me; since for that thou mayst have time long
+enough."
+
+Then said Thorir, "Be not cross-grained, mistress; nought shall thou
+miss thy husband's being away, for a man shall be got in his place
+for thee, yea, and for thy daughter a man, and for each of the
+home-women."
+
+"That is spoken like a man," said Grettir, "nor will they thus have
+any cause to bewail their lot."
+
+Now all the women rushed forth from the hall smitten with huge dread
+and weeping; then said Grettir to the bearserks, "Give into my hands
+what it pleases you to lay aside of weapons and wet clothes, for the
+folk will not be yielding to us while they are scared."
+
+Thorir said he heeded not how women might squeal; "But," said he,
+"thee indeed we may set apart from the other home-folk, and methinks
+we may well make thee our man of trust."
+
+"See to that yourselves," said Grettir, "but certes I do not take to
+all men alike."
+
+Thereupon they laid aside the more part of their weapons, and
+thereafter Grettir said--
+
+"Methinks it is a good rede now that ye sit down to table and drink
+somewhat, for it is right likely that ye are thirsty after the
+rowing."
+
+They said they were ready enough for that, but knew not where to find
+out the cellar; Grettir asked if they would that he should see for
+things and go about for them. The bearserks said they would be right
+fain of that; so Grettir fetched beer and gave them to drink; they
+were mightily weary, and drank in huge draughts, and still he let them
+have the strongest beer that there was, and this went on for a long
+time, and meanwhile he told them many merry tales. From all this there
+was din enough to be heard among them, and the home-folk were nowise
+fain to come to them.
+
+Now Thorir said, "Never yet did I meet a man unknown to me, who would
+do us such good deeds as this man; now, what reward wilt thou take of
+us for thy work?"
+
+Grettir answered, "As yet I look to no reward for this; but if we be
+even such friends when ye go away, as it looks like we shall be, I am
+minded to join fellowship with you; and though I be of less might than
+some of you, yet shall I not let any man of big redes."
+
+Hereat they were well pleased, and would settle the fellowship with
+vows.
+
+Grettir said that this they should not do, "For true is the old saw,
+<i>Ale is another man</i>, nor shall ye settle this in haste any
+further than as I have said, for on both sides are we men little meet
+to rule our tempers."
+
+They said that they would not undo what they had said.
+
+Withal the evening wore on till it grew quite dark; then sees Grettir
+that they were getting very heavy with drink, so he said--
+
+"Do ye not find it time to go to sleep?"
+
+Thorir said, "Time enough forsooth, and sure shall I be to keep to
+what I have promised the mistress."
+
+Then Grettir went forth from the hall, and cried out loudly--
+
+"Go ye to your beds, women all, for so is goodman Thorir pleased to
+bid."
+
+They cursed him for this, and to hear them was like hearkening to the
+noise of many wolves. Now the bearserks came forth from the hall, and
+Grettir said--
+
+"Let us go out, and I will show you Thorfinn's cloth bower."
+
+They were willing to be led there; so they came to an out-bower
+exceeding great; a door there was to it, and a strong lock thereon,
+and the storehouse was very strong withal; there too was a closet good
+and great, and a shield panelling between the chambers; both chambers
+stood high, and men went up by steps to them. Now the bearserks got
+riotous and pushed Grettir about, and he kept tumbling away from them,
+and when they least thought thereof, he slipped quickly out of the
+bower, seized the latch, slammed the door to, and put the bolt on.
+Thorir and his fellows thought at first that the door must have got
+locked of itself, and paid no heed thereto; they had light with them,
+for Grettir had showed them many choice things which Thorfinn owned,
+and these they now noted awhile. Meantime Grettir made all speed home
+to the farm, and when he came in at the door he called out loudly, and
+asked where the goodwife was; she held her peace, for she did not dare
+to answer.
+
+He said, "Here is somewhat of a chance of a good catch; but are there
+any weapons of avail here?"
+
+She answers, "Weapons there are, but how they may avail thee I know
+not."
+
+"Let us talk thereof anon," says he, "but now let every man do his
+best, for later on no better chance shall there be."
+
+The good wife said, "Now God were in garth if our lot might better:
+over Thorfinn's bed hangs the barbed spear, the big one that was
+owned by Karr the Old; there, too, is a helmet and a byrni, and the
+short-sword, the good one; and the arms will not fail if thine heart
+does well."
+
+Grettir seizes the helmet and spear, girds himself with the
+short-sword, and rushed out swiftly; and the mistress called upon the
+house-carles, bidding them follow such a dauntless man, four of them
+rushed forth and seized their weapons, but the other four durst come
+nowhere nigh. Now it is to be said of the bearserks that they thought
+Grettir delayed his coming back strangely; and now they began to doubt
+if there were not some guile in the matter. They rushed against the
+door and found it was locked, and now they try the timber walls so
+that every beam creaked again; at last they brought things so far that
+they broke down the shield-panelling, got into the passage, and thence
+out to the steps. Now bearserks'-gang seized them, and they howled
+like dogs. In that very nick of time Grettir came up and with both
+hands thrust his spear at the midst of Thorir, as he was about to
+get down the steps, so that it went through him at once. Now the
+spear-head was both long and broad, and Ogmund the Evil ran on to
+Thorir and pushed him on to Grettir's thrust, so that all went up to
+the barb-ends; then the spear stood out through Thorir's back and into
+Ogmund's breast, and they both tumbled dead off the spear; then of
+the others each rushed down the steps as he came forth; Grettir set on
+each one of them, and in turn hewed with the sword, or thrust with the
+spear; but they defended themselves with logs that lay on the green,
+and whatso thing they could lay hands on, therefore the greatest
+danger it was to deal with them, because of their strength, even
+though they were weaponless.
+
+Two of the Halogalanders Grettir slew on the green, and then came up
+the house-carles; they could not come to one mind as to what weapons
+each should have; now they set on whenever the bearserks gave back,
+but when they turned about on them, then the house-carles slunk away
+up to the houses. Six vikings fell there, and of all of them was
+Grettir the bane. Then the six others got off and came down to the
+boat-stand, and so into it, and thence they defended themselves with
+oars. Grettir now got great blows from them, so that at all times he
+ran the risk of much hurt; but the house-carles went home, and had
+much to say of their stout onset; the mistress bade them espy what
+became of Grettir, but that was not to be got out of them. Two more of
+the bearserks Grettir slew in the boat-stand, but four slipped out
+by him; and by this, dark night had come on; two of them ran into
+a corn-barn, at the farm of Windham, which is aforenamed: here they
+fought for a long time, but at last Grettir killed them both; then
+was he beyond measure weary and stiff, the night was far gone, and the
+weather got very cold with the drift of the snow. He was fain to leave
+the search of the two vikings who were left now, so he walked home to
+the farm. The mistress had lights lighted in the highest lofts at the
+windows that they might guide him on his way; and so it was that he
+found his road home whereas he saw the light.
+
+But when he was come into the door, the mistress went up to him, and
+bade him welcome.
+
+"Now," she said, "thou hast reaped great glory, and freed me and my
+house from a shame of which we should never have been healed, but if
+thou hadst saved us."
+
+Grettir answered, "Methinks I am much the same as I was this evening,
+when thou didst cast ill words on me."
+
+The mistress answered, "We wotted not that thou wert a man of such
+prowess as we have now proved thee; now shall all things in the house
+be at thy will which I may bestow on thee, and which it may be seeming
+for thee to take; but methinks that Thorfinn will reward thee better
+still when he comes home."
+
+Grettir answered, "Little of reward will be needed now, but I keep
+thine offer till the coming of the master; and I have some hope now
+that ye will sleep in peace as for the bearserks."
+
+Grettir drank little that evening, and lay with his weapons about him
+through the night. In the morning, when it began to dawn, people were
+summoned together throughout the island, and a search was set on foot
+for the bearserks who had escaped the night before; they were found
+far on in the day under a rock, and were by then dead from cold and
+wounds; then they were brought unto a tidewashed heap of stones and
+buried thereunder.
+
+After that folk went home, and the men of that island deemed
+themselves brought unto fair peace.
+
+Now when Grettir came back to the mistress, he sang this stave--
+
+  "By the sea's wash have we made
+  Graves, where twelve spear-groves are laid;
+  I alone such speedy end,
+  Unto all these folk did send.
+  O fair giver forth of gold,
+  Whereof can great words be told,
+  'Midst the deeds one man has wrought,
+  If this deed should come to nought?"
+
+The good wife said, "Surely thou art like unto very few men who are
+now living on the earth."
+
+So she set him in the high seat, and all things she did well to him,
+and now time wore on till Thorfinn's coming home was looked for.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XX.
+
+<i>How Thorfinn met Grettir at Haramsey again</i>.
+
+
+After Yule Thorfinn made ready for coming home, and he let those folk
+go with good gifts whom he had bidden to his feast. Now he fares with
+his following till he comes hard by his boat-stands; they saw a ship
+lying on the strand, and soon knew it for Thorfinn's bark, the big
+one. Now Thorfinn had as yet had no news of the vikings, he bade his
+men hasten landward, "For I fear," said he, "that friends have not
+been at work here."
+
+Thorfinn was the first to step ashore before his men, and forthwith he
+went up to the boat-stand; he saw a keel standing there, and knew it
+for the bearserks' ship. Then he said to his men, "My mind misgives
+me much that here things have come to pass, even such as I would have
+given the whole island, yea, every whit of what I have herein, that
+they might never have happed."
+
+They asked why he spake thus. Then he said, "Here have come the
+vikings, whom I know to be the worst of all Norway, Thorir Paunch
+and Ogmund the Evil; in good sooth they will hardly have kept house
+happily for us, and in an Icelander I have but little trust."
+
+Withal he spoke many things hereabout to his fellows.
+
+Now Grettir was at home, and so brought it about, that folk were slow
+to go down to the shore; and said he did not care much if the goodman
+Thorfinn had somewhat of a shake at what he saw before him; but when
+the mistress asked him leave to go, he said she should have her will
+as to where she went, but that he himself should stir nowhither. She
+ran swiftly to meet Thorfinn, and welcomed him cheerily. He was glad
+thereof, and said, "Praise be to God that I see thee whole and merry,
+and my daughter in likewise. But how have ye fared since I went from
+home?"
+
+She answered, "Things have turned out well, but we were near being
+overtaken by such a shame as we should never have had healing of, if
+thy winter-guest had not holpen us."
+
+Then Thorfinn spake, "Now shall we sit down, but do thou tell us these
+tidings."
+
+Then she told all things plainly even as they had come to pass,
+and praised greatly Grettir's stoutness and great daring; meanwhile
+Thorfinn held his peace, but when she had made an end of her tale,
+he said, "How true is the saw, <i>Long it takes to try a man</i>. But
+where is Grettir now?"
+
+The goodwife said, "He is at home in the hall."
+
+Thereupon they went home to the farm.
+
+Thorfinn went up to Grettir and kissed him, and thanked him with many
+fair words for the great heart which he had shown to him; "And I will
+say to thee what few say to their friends, that I would thou shouldst
+be in need of men, that then thou mightest know if I were to thee in
+a man's stead or not; but for thy good deed I can never reward thee
+unless thou comest to be in some troublous need; but as to thy abiding
+with me, that shall ever stand open to thee when thou willest it; and
+thou shalt be held the first of all my men."
+
+Grettir bade him have much thank therefor. "And," quoth he, "this
+should I have taken even if thou hadst made me proffer thereof
+before."
+
+Now Grettir sat there the winter over, and was in the closest
+friendship with Thorfinn; and for this deed he was now well renowned
+all over Norway, and there the most, where the bearserks had erst
+wrought the greatest ill deeds.
+
+This spring Thorfinn asked Grettir what he was about to busy himself
+with: he said he would go north to Vogar while the fair was. Thorfinn
+said there was ready for him money as much as he would. Grettir said
+that he needed no more money at that time than faring-silver: this,
+Thorfinn said, was full-well due to him, and thereupon went with him
+to ship.
+
+Now he gave him the short-sword, the good one, which Grettir bore as
+long as he lived, and the choicest of choice things it was. Withal
+Thorfinn bade Grettir come to him whenever he might need aid.
+
+But Grettir went north to Vogar, and a many folk were there; many men
+welcomed him there right heartily who had not seen him before, for the
+sake of that great deed of prowess which he had done when he saw the
+vikings; many high-born men prayed him to come and abide with them,
+but he would fain go back to his friend Thorfinn. Now he took ship in
+a bark that was owned of a man hight Thorkel, who dwelt in Salft in
+Halogaland, and was a high-born man. But when Grettir came to Thorkel
+he welcomed him right heartily, and bade Grettir abide with him that
+winter, and laid many words thereto.
+
+This offer Grettir took, and was with Thorkel that winter in great
+joyance and fame.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXI.
+
+<i>Of Grettir and Biorn and the Bear</i>.
+
+
+There was a man, hight Biorn, who was dwelling with Thorkel; he was
+a man of rash temper, of good birth, and somewhat akin to Thorkel; he
+was not well loved of men, for he would slander much those who were
+with Thorkel, and in this wise he sent many away. Grettir and he
+had little to do together; Biorn thought him of little worth weighed
+against himself, but Grettir was unyielding, so that things fell
+athwart between them. Biorn was a mightily boisterous man, and made
+himself very big; many young men gat into fellowship with him in these
+things, and would stray abroad by night. Now it befell, that early in
+winter a savage bear ran abroad from his winter lair, and got so grim
+that he spared neither man nor beast. Men thought he had been roused
+by the noise that Biorn and his fellows had made. The brute got so
+hard to deal with that he tore down the herds of men, and Thorkel
+had the greatest hurt thereof, for he was the richest man in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+Now one day Thorkel bade his men to follow him, and search for the
+lair of the bear. They found it in sheer sea-rocks; there was a high
+rock and a cave before it down below, but only one track to go up to
+it: under the cave were scarped rocks, and a heap of stones down by
+the sea, and sure death it was to all who might fall down there. The
+bear lay in his lair by day, but went abroad as soon as night fell; no
+fold could keep sheep safe from him, nor could any dogs be set on
+him: and all this men thought the heaviest trouble. Biorn, Thorkel's
+kinsman, said that the greatest part had been done, as the lair had
+been found. "And now I shall try," said he, "what sort of play we[10]
+namesakes shall have together." Grettir made as if he knew not what
+Biorn said on this matter.
+
+[Footnote 10: Biorn is Icelandic for bear.]
+
+Now it happened always when men went to sleep anights that Biorn
+disappeared: and one night when Biorn went to the lair, he was aware
+that the beast was there before him, and roaring savagely. Biorn lay
+down in the track, and had over him his shield, and was going to wait
+till the beast should stir abroad as his manner was. Now the bear had
+an inkling of the man, and got somewhat slow to move off. Biorn waxed
+very sleepy where he lay, and cannot wake up, and just at this time
+the beast betakes himself from his lair; now he sees where the man
+lies, and, hooking at him with his claw, he tears from him the shield
+and throws it down over the rocks. Biorn started up suddenly awake,
+takes to his legs and runs home, and it was a near thing that the
+beast gat him not. This his fellows knew, for they had spies about
+Biorn's ways; in the morning they found the shield, and made the
+greatest jeering at all this.
+
+At Yule Thorkel went himself, and eight of them altogether, and there
+was Grettir and Biorn and other followers of Thorkel. Grettir had on
+a fur-cloak, which he laid aside while they set on the beast. It was
+awkward for an onslaught there, for thereat could folk come but by
+spear-thrusts, and all the spear-points the bear turned off him with
+his teeth. Now Biorn urged them on much to the onset, yet he himself
+went not so nigh as to run the risk of any hurt. Amid this, when men
+looked least for it, Biorn suddenly seized Grettir's coat, and cast it
+into the beast's lair. Now nought they could wreak on him, and had
+to go back when the day was far spent. But when Grettir was going, he
+misses his coat, and he could see that the bear has it cast under him.
+Then he said, "What man of you has wrought the jest of throwing my
+cloak into the lair?"
+
+Biorn says, "He who is like to dare to own to it."
+
+Grettir answers, "I set no great store on such matters."
+
+Now they went on their way home, and when they had walked awhile, the
+thong of Grettir's leggings brake. Thorkel bid them wait for him; but
+Grettir said there was no need of that. Then said Biorn, "Ye need
+not think that Grettir will run away from his coat; he will have the
+honour all to himself, and will slay that beast all alone, wherefrom
+we have gone back all eight of us; thus would he be such as he is said
+to be: but sluggishly enow has he fared forth to-day."
+
+"I know not," said Thorkel, "how thou wilt fare in the end, but men of
+equal prowess I deem you not: lay as few burdens on him as thou mayst,
+Biorn."
+
+Biorn said, that neither of them should pick and choose words from out
+his mouth.
+
+Now, when a hill's brow was between them, Grettir went back to the
+pass, for now there was no striving with others for the onset. He
+drew the sword, Jokul's gift, but had a loop over the handle of the
+short-sword, and slipped it up over his hand, and this he did in that
+he thought he could easier have it at his will if his hand were loose.
+He went up into the pass forthwith, and when the beast saw a man, it
+rushed against Grettir exceeding fiercely, and smote at him with that
+paw which was furthest off from the rock; Grettir hewed against the
+blow with the sword, and therewith smote the paw above the claws, and
+took it off; then the beast was fain to smite at Grettir with the paw
+that was whole, and dropped down therewith on to the docked one, but
+it was shorter than he wotted of, and withal he tumbled into Grettir's
+arms. Now he griped at the beast between the ears and held him off,
+so that he got not at him to bite. And, so Grettir himself says, that
+herein he deemed he had had the hardest trial of his strength, thus
+to hold the brute. But now as it struggled fiercely, and the space
+was narrow, they both tumbled down over the rock; the beast was the
+heaviest of the two, and came down first upon the stone heap below,
+Grettir being the uppermost, and the beast was much mangled on its
+nether side. Now Grettir seized the short-sword and thrust it into
+the heart of the bear, and that was his bane. Thereafter he went home,
+taking with him his cloak all tattered, and withal what he had cut
+from the paw of the bear. Thorkel sat a-drinking when he came into the
+hall, and much men laughed at the rags of the cloak Grettir had cast
+over him. Now he threw on to the table what he had chopped off the
+paw.
+
+Then said Thorkel, "Where is now Biorn my kinsman? never did I see thy
+irons bite the like of this, Biorn, and my will it is, that thou make
+Grettir a seemly offer for this shame thou hast wrought on him."
+
+Biorn said that was like to be long about, "and never shall I care
+whether he likes it well or ill."
+
+Then Grettir sang--
+
+  "Oft that war-god came to hall
+  Frighted, when no blood did fall,
+  In the dusk; who ever cried
+  On the bear last autumn-tide;
+  No man saw me sitting there
+  Late at eve before the lair;
+  Yet the shaggy one to-day
+  From his den I drew away."
+
+"Sure enough," said Biorn, "thou hast fared forth well to-day, and
+two tales thou tellest of us twain therefor; and well I know that thou
+hast had a good hit at me."
+
+Thorkel said, "I would, Grettir, that thou wouldst not avenge thee on
+Biorn, but for him I will give a full man-gild if thereby ye may be
+friends."
+
+Biorn said he might well turn his money to better account, than to
+boot for this; "And, methinks it is wisest that in my dealings with
+Grettir <i>one oak should have what from the other it shaves</i>."
+
+Grettir said that he should like that very well. But Thorkel said,
+"Yet I hope, Grettir, that thou wilt do this for my sake, not to do
+aught against Biorn while ye are with me."
+
+"That shall be," said Grettir.
+
+Biorn said he would walk fearless of Grettir wheresoever they might
+meet.
+
+Grettir smiled mockingly, but would not take boot for Biorn. So they
+were here that winter through.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXII.
+
+<i>Of the Slaying of Biorn</i>.
+
+
+In the spring Grettir went north to Vogar with chapmen. He and Thorkel
+parted in friendship; but Biorn went west to England, and was the
+master of Thorkel's ship that went thither. Biorn dwelt thereabout
+that summer and bought such things for Thorkel as he had given him
+word to get; but as the autumn wore on he sailed from the west.
+Grettir was at Vogar till the fleet broke up; then he sailed from
+the north with some chapmen until they came to a harbour at an island
+before the mouth of Drontheimfirth, called Gartar, where they pitched
+their tents. Now when they were housed, a ship came sailing havenward
+from the south along the land; they soon saw that it was an England
+farer; she took the strand further out, and her crew went ashore;
+Grettir and his fellows went to meet them. But when they met, Grettir
+saw that Biorn was among those men, and spake--
+
+"It is well that we have met here; now we may well take up our ancient
+quarrel, and now I will try which of us twain may do the most."
+
+Biorn said that was an old tale to him, "but if there has been aught
+of such things between us, I will boot for it, so that thou mayst
+think thyself well holden thereof."
+
+Then Grettir sang--
+
+  "In hard strife I slew the bear,
+  Thereof many a man doth hear;
+  Then the cloak I oft had worn,
+  By the beast to rags was torn;
+  Thou, O braggart ring-bearer,
+  Wrought that jest upon me there,
+  Now thou payest for thy jest,
+  Not in words am I the best?"
+
+Biorn said, that oft had greater matters than these been atoned for.
+
+Grettir said, "That few had chosen hitherto to strive to trip him up
+with spite and envy, nor ever had he taken fee for such, and still
+must matters fare in likewise. Know thou that we shall not both of us
+go hence whole men if I may have my will, and a coward's name will I
+lay on thy back, if thou darest not to fight."
+
+Now Biorn saw that it would avail nought to try to talk himself free;
+so he took his weapons and went aland.
+
+Then they ran one at the other and fought, but not long before Biorn
+got sore wounded, and presently fell dead to earth. But when Biorn's
+fellows saw that, they went to their ship, and made off north along
+the land to meet Thorkel and told him of this hap: he said it had not
+come to pass ere it might have been looked for.
+
+Soon after this Thorkel went south to Drontheim, and met there Earl
+Svein. Grettir went south to Mere after the slaying of Biorn, and
+found his friend Thorfinn, and told him what had befallen. Thorfinn
+gave him good welcome, and said--
+
+"It is well now that thou art in need of a friend; with me shalt thou
+abide until these matters have come to an end."
+
+Grettir thanked him for his offer, and said he would take it now.
+
+Earl Svein was dwelling in Drontheim, at Steinker, when he heard of
+Biorn's slaying; at that time there was with him Hiarandi, the brother
+of Biorn, and he was the Earl's man; he was exceeding wroth when
+he heard of the slaying of Biorn, and begged the Earl's aid in the
+matter, and the Earl gave his word thereto.
+
+Then he sent men to Thorfinn and summoned to him both him and Grettir.
+Thorfinn and Grettir made ready at once at the Earl's bidding to go
+north to Drontheim to meet him. Now the Earl held a council on the
+matter, and bade Hiarandi to be thereat; Hiarandi said he would not
+bring his brother to purse; "and I shall either fare in a like wise
+with him, or else wreak vengeance for him." Now when the matter was
+looked into, the Earl found that Biorn had been guilty towards Grettir
+in many ways; and Thorfinn offered weregild, such as the Earl deemed
+might be befitting for Biorn's kin to take; and thereon he had much
+to say on the freedom which Grettir had wrought for men north there in
+the land, when he slew the bearserks, as has been aforesaid.
+
+The Earl answered, "With much truth thou sayest this, Thorfinn,
+that was the greatest land-ridding, and good it seems to us to take
+weregild because of thy words; and withal Grettir is a man well
+renowned because of his strength and prowess."
+
+Hiarandi would not take the settlement, and they broke up the meeting.
+Thorfinn got his kinsman Arnbiorn to go about with Grettir day by day,
+for he knew that Hiarandi lay in wait for his life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXIII.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Hiarandi</i>.
+
+
+It happened one day that Grettir and Arnbiorn were walking through
+some streets for their sport, that as they came past a certain court
+gate, a man bounded forth therefrom with axe borne aloft, and drave it
+at Grettir with both hands; he was all unawares of this, and walked on
+slowly; Arnbiorn caught timely sight of the man, and seized Grettir,
+and thrust him on so hard that he fell on his knee; the axe smote the
+shoulder-blade, and cut sideways out under the arm-pit, and a great
+wound it was. Grettir turned about nimbly, and drew the short-sword,
+and saw that there was Hiarandi. Now the axe stuck fast in the road,
+and it was slow work for Hiarandi to draw it to him again, and in this
+very nick of time Grettir hewed at him, and the blow fell on the upper
+arm, near the shoulder, and cut it off; then the fellows of Hiarandi
+rushed forth, five of them, and a fight forthwith befell, and speedy
+change happed there, for Grettir and Arnbiorn slew those who were with
+Hiarandi, all but one, who got off, and forthwith went to the Earl to
+tell him these tidings.
+
+The Earl was exceeding wroth when he heard of this, and the second day
+thereafter he had a Thing summoned. Then they, Thorfinn and Grettir,
+came both to the Thing. The Earl put forth against Grettir the guilt
+for these manslaughters; he owned them all, and said he had had to
+defend his hands.
+
+"Whereof methinks I bear some marks on me," says Grettir, "and surely
+I had found death if Arnbiorn had not saved me."
+
+The Earl answered that it was ill hap that Grettir was not slain.
+
+"For many a man's bane wilt thou be if thou livest, Grettir."
+
+Then came to the Earl, Bessi, son of Skald-Torfa, a fellow and a
+friend to Grettir; he and Thorfinn went before the Earl had prayed him
+respite for Grettir, and offered, that the Earl alone should doom in
+this matter, but that Grettir might have peace and leave to dwell in
+the land.
+
+The Earl was slow to come to any settlement, but suffered himself to
+be led thereto because of their prayers. There respite was granted
+to Grettir till the next spring; still the Earl would not settle the
+peace till Gunnar, the brother of Biorn and Hiarandi, was thereat; now
+Gunnar was a court-owner in Tunsberg.
+
+In the spring, the Earl summoned Grettir and Thorfinn east to
+Tunsberg, for he would dwell there east while the most sail was
+thereat. Now they went east thither, and the Earl was before them in
+the town when they came. Here Grettir found his brother, Thorstein
+Dromond, who was fain of him and bade him abide with him: Thorstein
+was a court-owner in the town. Grettir told him all about his matters,
+and Thorstein gave a good hearing thereto, but bade him beware of
+Gunnar. And so the spring wore on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXIV.
+
+<i>Of the Slaying of Gunnar, and Grettir's strife with Earl Svein</i>.
+
+
+Now Gunnar was in the town, and lay in wait for Grettir always
+and everywhere. It happened on a day that Grettir sat in a booth
+a-drinking, for he would not throw himself in Gunnar's way. But, when
+he wotted of it the least, the door was driven at so that it brake
+asunder, four men all-armed burst in, and there was Gunnar and his
+fellows.
+
+They set on Grettir; but he caught up his weapons which hung over
+him, and then drew aback into the corner, whence he defended himself,
+having before him the shield, but dealing blows with the short-sword,
+nor did they have speedy luck with him. Now he smote at one of
+Gunnar's fellows, and more he needed not; then he advanced forth on
+the floor, and therewith they were driven doorward through the booth,
+and there fell another man of Gunnar's; then were Gunnar and his
+fellows fain of flight; one of them got to the door, struck his foot
+against the threshold and lay there grovelling and was slow in getting
+to his feet. Gunnar had his shield before him, and gave back before
+Grettir, but he set on him fiercely and leaped up on the cross-beam by
+the door. Now the hands of Gunnar and the shield were within the door,
+but Grettir dealt a blow down amidst Gunnar and the shield and cut off
+both his hands by the wrist, and he fell aback out of the door; then
+Grettir dealt him his death-blow.
+
+But in this nick of time got to his feet Gunnar's man, who had lain
+fallen awhile, and he ran straightway to see the Earl, and to tell him
+these tidings.
+
+Earl Svein was wondrous wroth at this tale, and forthwith summoned a
+Thing in the town. But when Thorfinn and Thorstein Dromond knew this,
+they brought together their kin and friends and came thronging to the
+Thing. Very cross-grained was the Earl, and it was no easy matter to
+come to speech with him. Thorfinn went up first before the Earl and
+said, "For this cause am I come hither, to offer thee peace and honour
+for these man-slayings that Grettir has wrought; thou alone shall
+shape and settle all, if the man hath respite of his life."
+
+The Earl answered sore wroth: "Late wilt thou be loth to ask respite
+for Grettir; but in my mind it is that thou hast no good cause in
+court; he has now slain three brothers, one at the heels of the other,
+who were men so brave that they would none bear the other to purse.
+Now it will not avail thee, Thorfinn, to pray for Grettir, for I
+will not thus bring wrongs into the land so as to take boot for such
+unmeasured misdeeds."
+
+Then came forward Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, and prayed the Earl to
+take the offered settlement. "Thereto," he said, "I will give up my
+goods, for Grettir is a man of great kin and a good friend of mine;
+thou mayst well see, Lord, that it is better to respite one man's life
+and to have therefor the thanks of many, thyself alone dooming the
+fines, than to break down thine own honour, and risk whether thou
+canst seize the man or not."
+
+The Earl answered, "Thou farest well herein, Bessi, and showest at all
+times that thou art a high-minded man; still I am loth thus to break
+the laws of the land, giving respite to men of foredoomed lives."
+
+Then stepped forth Thorstein Dromond and greeted the Earl, and made
+offers on Grettir's behalf, and laid thereto many fair words. The Earl
+asked for what cause he made offers for this man. Thorstein said that
+they were brothers. The Earl said that he had not known it before:
+"Now it is but the part of a man for thee to help him, but because
+we have made up our mind not to take money for these man-slayings,
+we shall make all men of equal worth here, and Grettir's life will we
+have, whatsoever it shall cost and whensoever chance shall serve."
+
+Thereat the Earl sprang up, and would listen in nowise to the offered
+atonements.
+
+Now Thorfinn and his folk went home to Thorstein's court and made
+ready. But when the Earl saw this he bade all his men take weapons,
+and then he went thither with his folk in array. But before he came up
+Thorfinn and his men ordered themselves for defence before the gate of
+the court. Foremost stood Thorfinn and Thorstein and Grettir, and then
+Bessi, and each of them had a large following of men with him.
+
+The Earl bade them to give up Grettir, nor to bring themselves into an
+evil strait; they made the very same offer as before. The Earl would
+not hearken thereto. Then Thorfinn and Thorstein said that the Earl
+should have more ado yet for the getting of Grettir's life, "For one
+fate shall befall us all, and it will be said thou workest hard for
+one man's life, if all we have to be laid on earth therefor."
+
+The Earl said he should spare none of them, and now they were at the
+very point to fight.
+
+Then went to the Earl many men of goodwill, and prayed him not to
+push matters on to such great evils, and said they would have to pay
+heavily before all these were slain. The Earl found this rede to be
+wholesome, and became somewhat softened thereat.
+
+Thereafter they drew up an agreement to which Thorstein and Thorfinn
+were willing enough, now that Grettir should have respite of his life.
+The Earl spake: "Know ye," quoth he, "that though I deal by way of
+mean words with these man-slayings at this time, yet I call this no
+settlement, but I am loth to fight against my own folk; though I see
+that ye make little of me in this matter."
+
+Then said Thorfinn, "This is a greater honour for thee, Lord, for that
+thou alone wilt doom the weregild."
+
+Then the Earl said that Grettir should go in peace, as for him, out to
+Iceland, when ships fared out, if so they would; they said that they
+would take this. They paid the Earl fines to his mind, and parted from
+him with little friendship. Grettir went with Thorfinn; he and his
+brother Thorstein parted fondly.
+
+Thorfinn got great fame for the aid he had given Grettir against such
+overwhelming power as he had to deal with: none of the men who had
+helped Grettir were ever after well loved of the Earl, save Bessi.
+
+So quoth Grettir--
+
+  "To our helping came
+  The great of name;
+  Thorfinn was there
+  Born rule to bear;
+  When all bolts fell
+  Into locks, and hell
+  Cried out for my life
+  In the Tunsberg strife.
+  The Dromund fair[11]
+  Of red seas was there,
+  The stone of the bane
+  Of steel-gods vain:
+  From Bylest's kin
+  My life to win,
+  Above all men
+  He laboured then.
+
+  Then the king's folk
+  Would strike no stroke
+  To win my head;
+  So great grew dread;
+  For the leopard came
+  With byrni's flame,
+  And on thoughts-burg wall
+  Should that bright fire fall."
+
+Grettir went back north with Thorfinn, and was with him till he gat
+him to ship with chapmen who were bound out to Iceland: he gave him
+many fair gifts of raiment, and a fair-stained saddle and a bridle
+withal. They parted in friendship, and Thorfinn bade him come to him
+whensoever he should come back to Norway.
+
+[Footnote 11: The stone of steel-god's bane in Thorstein; Bylest's kin
+is Hel, death. The leopard is Bessi Skald-Torfason; byrni's flame, his
+sword. Thoughts-burg, a warrior's head.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXV.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.
+
+
+Asmund the Greyhaired lived on at Biarg, while Grettir was abroad, and
+by that time he was thought to be the greatest of bonders in Midfirth.
+Thorkel Krafla died during those seasons that Grettir was out of
+Iceland. Thorvald Asgeirson farmed then at the Ridge in Waterdale,
+and waxed a great chief. He was the father of Dalla whom Isleif had to
+wife, he who afterwards was bishop at Skalholt.
+
+Asmund had in Thorvald the greatest help in suits and in many other
+matters. At Asmund's grew up a man, hight Thorgils, called Thorgils
+Makson, near akin to Asmund. Thorgils was a man of great strength and
+gained much money by Asmund's foresight.
+
+Asmund bought for Thorgils the land at Brookmeet, and there he farmed.
+Thorgils was a great store-gatherer, and went a-searching to the
+Strands every year, and there he gat for himself whales and other
+gettings; and a stout-hearted man he was.
+
+In those days was at its height the waxing of the foster-brothers,
+Thorgeir Havarson and Thormod Coalbrowskald; they had a boat and went
+therein far and wide, and were not thought men of much even-dealing.
+It chanced one summer that Thorgils Makson found a whale on the common
+drift-lands, and forthwith he and his folk set about cutting it up.
+
+But when the foster-brothers heard thereof they went thither, and at
+first their talk had a likely look out. Thorgils offered that they
+should have the half of the uncut whale; but they would have for
+themselves all the uncut, or else divide all into halves, both the cut
+and the uncut. Thorgils flatly refused to give up what was cut of the
+whale; and thereat things grew hot between them, and forthwithal both
+sides caught up their weapons and fought. Thorgeir and Thorgils fought
+long together without either losing or gaining, and both were of the
+eagerest. Their strife was both fierce and long, but the end of it
+was, that Thorgils fell dead to earth before Thorgeir; but Thormod and
+the men of Thorgils fought in another place; Thormod had the best of
+that strife, and three of Thorgils' men fell before him. After the
+slaying of Thorgils, his folk went back east to Midfirth, and brought
+his dead body with them. Men thought that they had the greatest loss
+in him. But the foster-brothers took all the whale to themselves.
+
+This meeting Thormod tells of in that drapa that he made on Thorgeir
+dead. Asmund the Greyhaired heard of the slaying of Thorgils his
+kinsman; he was suitor in the case for Thorgils' slaying, he went
+and took witnesses to the wounds, and summoned the case before the
+Althing, for then this seemed to be law, as the case had happened in
+another quarter. And so time wears on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXVI.
+
+<i>Of Thorstein Kuggson, and the gathering for the Bloodsuit for the
+Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.
+
+
+There was a man called Thorstein, he was the son of Thorkel Kugg, the
+son of Thord the Yeller, the son of Olaf Feilan, the son of Thorstein
+the Red, the son of Aud the Deeply-wealthy. The mother of Thorstein
+Kuggson was Thurid the daughter of Asgeir Madpate, Asgeir was father's
+brother of Asmund the Greyhaired.
+
+Thorstein Kuggson was suitor in the case about Thorgils Makson's
+slaying along with Asmund the Greyhaired, who now sent word to
+Thorstein that he should come to meet him. Thorstein was a great
+champion, and the wildest-tempered of men; he went at once to meet
+his kinsman Asmund, and they talked the blood-suit over together.
+Thorstein was mightily wroth and said that no atonement should be for
+this, and said they had strength of kin enough to bring about for the
+slaying either outlawry or vengeance on men. Asmund said that he
+would follow him in whatsoever he would have done. They rode north to
+Thorvald their kinsman to pray his aid, and he quickly gave his word
+and said yea thereto. So they settled the suit against Thorgeir and
+Thormod; then Thorstein rode home to his farmstead, he then farmed at
+Liarskogar in Hvamsveit. Skeggi farmed at Hvam, he also joined in the
+suit with Thorstein. Skeggi was the son of Thorarinn Fylsenni, the son
+of Thord the Yeller; the mother of Skeggi was Fridgerd, daughter of
+Thord of Head.
+
+These had a many men with them at the Thing, and pushed their suit
+with great eagerness.
+
+Asmund and Thorvald rode from the north with six tens of men, and sat
+at Liarskogar many nights.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXVII.
+
+<i>The Suit for the Slaying of Thorgils Makson</i>.
+
+
+A man hight Thorgils abode at Reek-knolls in those days, he was the
+son of Ari, the son of Mar, the son of Atli the Red, the son of Ulf
+the Squinter, who settled at Reekness; the mother of Thorgils Arisen
+was Thorgerd, the daughter of Alf a-Dales; another daughter of Alf was
+Thorelf, mother of Thorgeir Havarson. There had Thorgeir good kinship
+to trust in, for Thorgils was the greatest chief in the Westfirthers'
+quarter. He was a man of such bountifulness, that he gave food to any
+free-born man as long as he would have it, and therefore there was at
+all times a throng of people at Reek-knolls; thus had Thorgils much
+renown of his house-keeping. He was a man withal of good will and
+foreknowledge. Thorgeir was with Thorgils in winter, but went to the
+Strands in summer.
+
+After the slaying of Thorgils Makson, Thorgeir went to Reek-knolls and
+told Thorgils Arisen these tidings; Thorgils said that he was ready to
+give him harbour with him, "But, methinks," he says, "that they will
+be heavy in the suit, and I am loth to eke out the troubles. Now I
+shall send a man to Thorstein and bid weregild for the slaying of
+Thorgils; but if he will not take atonement I shall not defend the
+case stiffly."
+
+Thorgeir said he would trust to his foresight. In autumn Thorgils
+sent a man to Thorstein Kuggson to try settling the case, but he was
+cross-grained to deal with as to the taking money for the blood-suit
+of Thorgils Makson; but about the other man-slayings, he said he
+would do as wise men should urge him. Now when Thorgils heard this, he
+called Thorgeir to him for a talk, and asked him what kind of aid he
+now deemed meetest for him; Thorgeir said that it was most to his mind
+to go abroad if he should be outlawed. Thorgils said that should be
+tried. A ship lay up Northriver in Burgfirth; in that keel Thorgils
+secretly paid faring for the foster-brothers, and thus the winter
+passed. Thorgils heard that Asmund and Thorstein drew together many
+men to the Althing, and sat in Liarskogar. He drew out the time of
+riding from home, for he would that Asmund and Thorstein should have
+ridden by before him to the south, when he came from the west; and
+so it fell out. Thorgils rode south, and with him rode the
+foster-brothers. In this ride Thorgeir killed Bundle-Torfi of
+Marswell, and Skuf withal, and Biarni in Dog-dale; thus says Thormod
+in Thorgeir's-Drapa--
+
+  "Mighty strife the warrior made,
+  When to earth was Makson laid,
+  Well the sword-shower wrought he there,
+  Flesh the ravens got to tear;
+  Then when Skuf and Biarni fell,
+  He was there the tale to tell;
+  Sea-steed's rider took his way
+  Through the thickest of the fray."
+
+Thorgils settled the peace for the slaying of Skuf and Biarni then
+and there in the Dale, and delayed no longer than his will was before;
+Thorgeir went to ship, but Thorgils to the Althing, and came not
+thither until men were going to the courts.
+
+Then Asmund the Greyhaired challenged the defence for the blood-suit
+on the slaying of Thorgils Makson. Thorgils went to the court and
+offered weregild for the slaying, if thereby Thorgeir might become
+free of guilt; he put forth for defence in the suit whether they had
+not free catch on all common foreshores. The lawman was asked if this
+was a lawful defence. Skapti was the lawman, and backed Asmund for the
+sake of their kinship. He said this was law if they were equal men,
+but said that bonders had a right to take before batchelors. Asmund
+said that Thorgils had offered an even sharing to the foster-brothers
+in so much of the whale as was uncut when they came thereto; and
+therewith that way of defence was closed against them. Now Thorstein
+and his kin followed up the suit with much eagerness, and nought was
+good to them but that Thorgeir should be made guilty.
+
+Thorgils saw that one of two things was to be done, either to set on
+with many men, not knowing what might be gained thereby, or to suffer
+them to go on as they would; and, whereas Thorgeir had been got on
+board ship, Thorgils let the suit go on unheeded.
+
+Thorgeir was outlawed, but for Thormod was taken weregild, and he to
+be quit. By this blood-suit Thorstein and Asmund were deemed to have
+waxed much. And now men ride home from the Thing.
+
+Some men would hold talk that Thorgils had lightly backed the case,
+but he heeded their talk little, and let any one say thereon what he
+would.
+
+But when Thorgeir heard of this outlawry, he said--
+
+"Fain am I that those who have made me an outlaw should have full pay
+for this, ere all be over."
+
+There was a man called Gaut Sleitason, who was akin to Thorgils
+Makson. Gaut had made ready to go in this same ship wherein Thorgeir
+was to sail. He bristled up against Thorgeir, and showed mighty
+ill-will against him and went about scowling; when the chapmen found
+this out, they thought it far from safe that both should sail in one
+ship. Thorgeir said he heeded not how much soever Gaut would bend his
+brows on him; still it was agreed that Gaut should take himself off
+from the ship, whereupon he went north into the upper settlements,
+and that time nought happed between him and Thorgeir, but out of this
+sprang up between them ill blood, as matters showed after.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXVIII.
+
+<i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.
+
+
+This summer Grettir Asmundson came out to Skagafirth: he was in those
+days so famed a man for strength and prowess, that none was deemed
+his like among young men. He rode home to Biarg forthwith, and Asmund
+welcomed him meetly. At that time Atli managed the farming matters,
+and well things befell betwixt the brothers.
+
+But now Grettir waxed so overbearing, that he deemed that nought was
+too much for him to do. At that time had many men grown into full
+manhood who were young in the days when Grettir was wont to play with
+them on Midfirth-water before he went abroad; one of these was Audun,
+who then dwelt at Audunstead, in Willowdale; he was the son of Asgeir,
+the son of Audun, the son of Asgeir Madpate; of all men he was the
+strongest north there; but he was thought to be the gentlest of
+neighbours. Now it came into Grettir's mind that he had had the worst
+of Audun in that ball-play whereof is told before; and now he would
+fain try which of the twain had ripened the most since then. For this
+cause Grettir took his way from home, and fared unto Audunstead.
+This was in early mowing tide; Grettir was well dight, and rode in a
+fair-stained saddle of very excellent workmanship, which Thorfinn had
+given him; a good horse he had withal, and all weapons of the best.
+Grettir came early in the day to Audunstead, and knocked at the door.
+Few folk were within; Grettir asked if Audun was at home. Men said
+that he had gone to fetch victuals from the hill-dairy. Then Grettir
+took the bridle off his horse; the field was unmowed, and the horse
+went whereas the grass was the highest. Grettir went into the hall,
+sat down on the seat-beam, and thereon fell asleep. Soon after Audun
+came home, and sees a horse grazing in the field with a fair-stained
+saddle on; Audun was bringing victuals on two horses, and carried
+curds on one of them, in drawn-up hides, tied round about: this
+fashion men called curd-bags. Audun took the loads off the horses and
+carried the curd-bags in his arms into the house.
+
+Now it was dark before his eyes, and Grettir stretched his foot from
+out the beam so that Audun fell flat down head-foremost on to the
+curd-bag, whereby the bonds of the bag brake; Audun leaped up and
+asked who was that rascal in the way. Grettir named himself.
+
+Then said Audun, "Rashly hast thou done herein; what is thine errand
+then?"
+
+Grettir said, "I will fight with thee."
+
+"First I will see about my victuals," said Audun.
+
+"That thou mayst well do," said Grettir, "if thou canst not charge
+other folk therewith."
+
+Then Audun stooped down and caught up the curd-bag and dashed it
+against Grettir's bosom, and bade him first take what was sent him;
+and therewith was Grettir all smothered in the curds; and a greater
+shame he deemed that than if Audun had given him a great wound.
+
+Now thereon they rushed at one another and wrestled fiercely; Grettir
+set on with great eagerness, but Audun gave back before him. Yet he
+feels that Grettir has outgrown him in strength. Now all things in
+their way were kicked out of place, and they were borne on wrestling
+to and fro throughout all the hall; neither spared his might, but
+still Grettir was the toughest of the twain, and at last Audun fell,
+having torn all weapons from Grettir.
+
+Now they grapple hard with one another, and huge cracking was all
+around them. Withal a great din was heard coming through the earth
+underneath the farmstead, and Grettir heard some one ride up to the
+houses, get off his horse, and stride in with great strides; he sees
+a man come up, of goodly growth, in a red kirtle and with a helmet on
+his head. He took his way into the hall, for he had heard clamorous
+doings there as they were struggling together; he asked what was in
+the hall.
+
+Grettir named himself, "But who asks thereof?" quoth he.
+
+"Bardi am I hight," said the new comer.
+
+"Art thou Bardi, the son of Gudmund, from Asbiornsness?"
+
+"That very man am I," said Bardi; "but what art thou doing?"
+
+Grettir said, "We, Audun and I, are playing here in sport."
+
+"I know not as to the sport thereof," said Bardi, "nor are ye even men
+either; thou art full of unfairness and overbearing, and he is easy
+and good to deal with; so let him stand up forthwith."
+
+Grettir said, "<i>Many a man stretches round the door to the lock</i>;
+and meseems it lies more in thy way to avenge thy brother Hall[12]
+than to meddle in the dealings betwixt me and Audun."
+
+[Footnote 12: Who was killed in Norway by the sons of Harek, and whose
+revenge is told of in the Saga of the Heath slayings (existing in
+fragment).]
+
+"At all times I hear this," said Bardi, "nor know I if that will be
+avenged, but none the less I will that thou let Audun be at peace, for
+he is a quiet man."
+
+Grettir did so at Bardi's bidding, nathless, little did it please him.
+Bardi asked for what cause they strove.
+
+Grettir sang--
+
+  "Prithee, Audun, who can tell,
+  But that now thy throat shall swell;
+  That from rough hands thou shalt gain
+  By our strife a certain pain.
+  E'en such wrong as I have done,
+  I of yore from Audun won,
+  When the young, fell-creeping lad
+  At his hands a choking had."
+
+Bardi said that certes it was a matter to be borne with, if he had had
+to avenge himself.
+
+"Now I will settle matters between you," quoth Bardi; "I will that ye
+part, leaving things as they are, that thereby there may be an end of
+all between you."
+
+This they let hold good, but Grettir took ill liking to Bardi and his
+brothers.
+
+Now they all rode off, and when they were somewhat on their way,
+Grettir spake--
+
+"I have heard that thou hast will to go to Burgfirth this summer, and
+I now offer to go south with thee; and methinks that herein I do for
+thee more than thou art worthy of."
+
+Hereat was Bardi glad, and speedily said yea thereto, and bade him
+have thanks for this; and thereupon they parted. But a little after
+Bardi came back and said--
+
+"I will have it known that thou goest not unless my foster-father
+Thorarin will have it so, for he shall have all the rule of the
+faring."
+
+"Well mightest thou, methinks, have full freedom as to thine own
+redes," said Grettir, "and my faring I will not have laid under the
+choice of other folk; and I shall mislike it if thou easiest me aside
+from thy fellowship."
+
+Now either went their way, and Bardi said he should let Grettir know
+for sure if Thorarin would that he should fare with him, but that
+otherwise he might sit quiet at home. Grettir rode home to Biarg, but
+Bardi to his own house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXIX.
+
+<i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit</i>.
+
+
+That summer was settled to be a great horse-fight at Longfit, below
+Reeks. Thither came many men. Atli of Biarg had a good horse, a
+black-maned roan of Keingala's kin, and father and son had great love
+for that horse. The brothers, Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, had a brown
+horse, trusty in fight. These were to fight their horse against Atli
+of Biarg. And many other good horses were there.
+
+Odd, the Foundling-skald, of Kormak's kin, was to follow the horse
+of his kinsman through the day. Odd was then growing a big man, and
+bragged much of himself, and was untameable and reckless. Grettir
+asked of Atli his brother, who should follow his horse.
+
+"I am not so clear about that," said he.
+
+"Wilt thou that I stand by it?" said Grettir.
+
+"Be thou then very peaceable, kinsman," said Atli, "for here have we
+to deal with overbearing men."
+
+"Well, let them pay for their own insolence," said Grettir, "if they
+know not how to hold it back."
+
+Now are the horses led out, but all stood forth on the river-bank tied
+together. There was a deep hollow in the river down below the bank.
+The horses bit well at each other, and the greatest sport it was.
+
+Odd drave on his horse with all his might, but Grettir held back, and
+seized the tail with one hand, and the staff wherewith he goaded the
+horse he held in the other. Odd stood far before his horse, nor was it
+so sure that he did not goad Atli's horse from his hold. Grettir made
+as if he saw it not. Now the horses bore forth towards the river. Then
+Odd drave his staff at Grettir, and smote the shoulder-blade, for that
+Grettir turned the shoulder towards him: that was so mighty a stroke,
+that the flesh shrank from under it, but Grettir was little scratched.
+
+Now in that nick of time the horses reared up high, and Grettir ran
+under his horse's hocks, and thrust his staff so hard at the side
+of Odd that three ribs brake in him, but he was hurled out into deep
+water, together with his horse and all the horses that were tied
+together. Then men swam out to him and dragged him out of the river;
+then was a great hooting made thereat; Kormak's folk ran to their
+weapons, as did the men of Biarg in another place. But when the
+Ramfirthers and the men of Waterness saw that, they went betwixt them,
+and they were parted and went home, but both sides had ill-will one
+with the other, though they sat peacefully at home for a while.
+
+Atli was sparing of speech over this, but Grettir was right unsparing,
+and said that they would meet another time if his will came to pass.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXX.
+
+<i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain and Thorbiorn Tardy, and of Grettir's meeting
+with Kormak on Ramfirth-neck</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Thorodstead in Ramfirth;
+he was the son of Arnor Hay-nose,[13] the son of Thorod, who had
+settled Ramfirth on that side out as far as Bank was on the other.
+
+[Footnote 13: In the Landnama he is called 'Hy-nef;' the meaning is
+doubtful, but it seems that the author of this history means to call
+him Hay-nose.]
+
+Thorbiorn was the strongest of all men; he was called Oxmain. Thorod
+was the name of his brother, he was called Drapa-Stump; their mother
+was Gerd, daughter of Bodvar, from Bodvars-knolls. Thorbiorn was a
+great and hardy warrior, and had many men with him; he was noted as
+being worse at getting servants than other men, and barely gave he
+wages to any man, nor was he thought a good man to deal with. There
+was a kinsman of his hight Thorbiorn, and bynamed Tardy; he was a
+sailor, and the namesakes were partners. He was ever at Thorodstead,
+and was thought to better Thorbiorn but little. He was a fault-finding
+fellow, and went about jeering at most men.
+
+There was a man hight Thorir, the son of Thorkel of Boardere. He
+farmed first at Meals in Ramfirth; his daughter was Helga, whom
+Sleita-Helgi had to wife, but after the man-slaying in Fairslope
+Thorir set up for himself his abode south in Hawkdale, and farmed at
+the Pass, and sold the land at Meals to Thorhall, son of Gamli the
+Vendlander.[14] His son was Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, daughter
+of Asmund the Greyhaired, and Grettir's sister. They dwelt at that
+time at Meals, and had good hap. Thorir of the Pass had two sons, one
+hight Gunnar, the other Thorgeir; they were both hopeful men, and
+had then taken the farm after their father, yet were for ever with
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, and were growing exceeding unruly.
+
+[Footnote 14: Ed. 1853 has the "Wide-landed, Viethlendings," which here
+is altered agreeably to the correction in ch. 14, p. 29.]
+
+The summer after that just told, Kormak and Thorgils and Narfi their
+kinsman rode south to Northriverdale, on some errand of theirs. Odd
+the Foundling-skald fared also with them, and by then was gotten
+healed of the stiffness he gained at the horse-fight. But while they
+were south of the heath, Grettir fared from Biarg, and with him two
+house-carles of Atli's. They rode over to Bowerfell, and thence over
+the mountain neck to Ramfirth, and came to Meals in the evening.
+
+They were there three nights; Ranveig and Gamli welcomed Grettir well,
+and bade him abide with them, but he had will to ride home.
+
+Then Grettir heard that Kormak and his fellows were come from the
+south, and had guested at Tongue through the night. Grettir got ready
+early to leave Meals; Gamli offered him men to go with him. Now Grim
+was the name of Gamli's brother; he was of all men the swiftest; he
+rode with Grettir with another man; they were five in all. Thus they
+rode on till they came to Ramfirth-neck, west of Bowerfell. There
+stands a huge stone that is called Grettir's heave; for he tried long
+that day to lift that stone, and thus they delayed till Kormak and his
+fellows were come. Grettir rode to meet them, and both sides jumped
+off their horses. Grettir said it was more like free men now to
+deal blows of the biggest, than to fight with staves like wandering
+churles. Then Kormak bade them take the challenge in manly wise, and
+do their best. Thereafter they ran at one another and fought. Grettir
+went before his men, and bade them take heed, that none came at his
+back. Thus they fought a while, and men were wounded on both sides.
+
+Now Thorbiorn Oxmain had ridden that day over the neck to Bowerfell,
+and when he rode back he saw their meeting. There were with him then
+Thorbiorn the Tardy, and Gunnar and Thorgeir, Thorir's sons, and
+Thorod Drapa-Stump. Now when they came thereto, Thorbiorn called on
+his men to go between them. But the others were by then so eager that
+they could do nought. Grettir broke forth fiercely, and before him
+were the sons of Thorir, and they both fell as he thrust them from
+him; they waxed exceeding furious thereat, insomuch that Gunnar dealt
+a death-blow at a house-carle of Atli; and when Thorbiorn saw that,
+he bade them part, saying withal that he would aid which side soever
+should pay heed to his words. By then were fallen two house-carles of
+Kormak, but Grettir saw, that it would hardly do if Thorbiorn should
+bring aid to them against him, wherefore now he gave up the battle,
+and all were wounded who had been at that meeting. But much it
+misliked Grettir that they had been parted.
+
+Thereafter either side rode home, nor did they settle peace after
+these slayings. Thorbiorn the Tardy made much mocking at all this,
+therefore things began to worsen betwixt the men of Biarg and
+Thorbiorn Oxmain, so that therefrom fell much ill-will as came to be
+known after. No boot was bidden to Atli for his house-carle, but
+he made as if he knew it not. Grettir sat at home at Biarg until
+Twainmonth.[15] Nor is it said in story that he and Kormak met ever
+again after these things betid.
+
+[Footnote 15: The second month in the year, corresponding to our
+September.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXI.
+
+<i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund, as he came back from the
+Heath-slayings</i>.
+
+
+Bardi, the son of Gudmund, and his brothers, rode home to Asbiornsness
+after their parting with Grettir.
+
+They were the sons of Gudmund, the son of Solmund. The mother of
+Solmund was Thorlaug, the daughter of Saemund, the South-Island man,
+the foster-brother of Ingimund the Old, and Bardi was a very noble
+man.
+
+Now soon he rode to find Thorarin the Wise, his foster-father. He
+welcomed Bardi well, and asked what gain he had got of followers and
+aid, for they had before taken counsel over Bardi's journey. Bardi
+answered that he had got the aid of that man to his fellow, whose aid
+he deemed better than that of any other twain. Thorarin got silent
+thereat, and then said,
+
+"That man will be Grettir Asmundson."
+
+"<i>Sooth is the sage's guess</i>," said Bardi; "that is the very man,
+foster-father."
+
+Thorarin answered, "True it is, that Grettir is much before any other
+man of those who are to choose in our land, and late will he be won
+with weapons, if he be hale, yet it misdoubts me how far he will bring
+thee luck; but of thy following all must not be luckless, and enough
+ye will do, though he fare not with thee: nowise shall he go if I may
+have my will."
+
+"This I could not have deemed, foster-father," said he, "that thou
+wouldst grudge me the aid of the bravest of men, if my need should be
+hard. A man cannot foresee all things when he is driven on as methinks
+I am."
+
+"Thou wilt do well," said Thorarin; "though thou abidest by my
+foresight."
+
+Now thus must things be, even as Thorarin would, that no word more was
+sent to Grettir, but Bardi fared south to Burgfirth, and then befell
+the Heath-slayings.
+
+Grettir was at Biarg when he heard that Bardi had ridden south; he
+started up in anger for that no word had been sent to him, and said
+that not thus should they part. He had news of them when they
+were looked for coming from the south, and thereat he rode down to
+Thorey's-peak, for the waylaying of Bardi's folk as they came back
+from the south: he fared from the homestead up on to the hill-side,
+and abode there. That same day rode Bardi and his men north over
+Twodaysway, from the Heath-slayings; they were six in all, and every
+man sore wounded; and when they came forth by the homestead, then said
+Bardi--
+
+"A man there is up on the hill-side; a big man, armed. What man do ye
+take him to be?"
+
+They said that they wotted not who he was.
+
+Bardi said, "Methinks there," quoth he, "is Grettir Asmundson; and if
+so it is, there will he meet us. I deem that it has misliked him that
+he fared not with us, but methinks we are not in good case, if he be
+bent on doing us harm. I now shall send after men to Thorey's-peak,
+and stake nought on the chance of his ill-will."
+
+They said this was a good rede, and so was it done.
+
+Thereafter Bardi and his folk rode on their way. Grettir saw where
+they fared, and went in the way before them, and when they met, either
+greeted other.
+
+Grettir asked for tidings, but Bardi told them fearlessly, even as
+they were. Grettir asked what men were in that journey with him. Bardi
+said that there were his brothers, and Eyulf his brother-in-law.
+
+"Thou hast now cleared thyself from all blame," said Grettir; "but now
+is it best that we try between us who is of most might here."
+
+Said Bardi, "Too nigh to my garth have deeds of hard need been, than
+that I should fight with thee without a cause, and well methinks have
+I thrust these from me."
+
+"Thou growest soft, methinks, Bardi," said Grettir, "since thou durst
+not fight with me."
+
+"Call that what thou wilt," said Bardi; "but in some other stead would
+I that thou wreak thine high-handedness than here on me; and that is
+like enough, for now does thy rashness pass all bounds."
+
+Grettir thought ill of his spaedom, and now doubted within himself
+whether he should set on one or other of them; but it seemed rash to
+him, as they were six and he one: and in that nick of time came up the
+men from Thorey's-peak to the aid of Bardi and his folk; then Grettir
+drew off from them, and turned aside to his horse. But Bardi and his
+fellows went on their way, nor were there farewells between them at
+parting.
+
+No further dealings between Bardi and Grettir are told of after these
+things betid.
+
+Now so has Grettir said that he deemed himself well matched to fight
+with most men, though they were three together, but he would have no
+mind to flee before four, without trying it; but against more would
+he fight only if he must needs defend his hand, as is said in this
+stave--
+
+  "My life trust I 'gainst three
+  Skilled in Mist's mystery;
+  Whatso in Hilda's weather
+  Shall bring the swords together;
+  If over four they are
+  My wayfaring that bar
+  No gale of swords will I
+  Wake with them willingly."
+
+After his parting with Bardi, Grettir fared to Biarg, and very ill he
+it thought that he might nowhere try his strength, and searched all
+about if anywhere might be somewhat wherewith he might contend.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXII.
+
+<i>Of the Haunting at Thorhall-stead; and how Thorhall took a Shepherd
+by the rede of Skapti the Lawman, and of what befell thereafter</i>.
+
+
+There was a man hight Thorhall, who dwelt at Thorhall-stead, in
+Shady-vale, which runs up from Waterdale. Thorhall was the son of
+Grim, son of Thorhall, the son of Fridmund, who settled Shady-vale.
+Thorhall had a wife hight Gudrun. Grim was their son, and Thurid their
+daughter; they were well-nigh grown up.
+
+Thorhall was a rich man, but mostly in cattle, so that no man had so
+much of live-stock as he. He was no chief, but an honest bonder he
+was. Much was that place haunted, and hardly could he get a shepherd
+that he deemed should serve his turn. He sought counsel of many men
+as to what he might do therewith, but none gave him a rede that might
+serve him. Thorhall rode each summer to the Thing, and good horses
+he had. But one summer at the Althing, Thorhall went to the booth
+of Skapti Thorodson the Lawman. Skapti was the wisest of men, and
+wholesome were his redes when folk prayed him for them. But he and his
+father differed thus much, that Thorod was foretelling, and yet was
+called under-handed of some folk; but Skapti showed forth to every
+man what he deemed would avail most, if it were not departed from,
+therefore was he called "Father-betterer."
+
+Now Thorhall went into Skapti's booth, and Skapti greeted him well,
+for he knew that he was a man rich in cattle, and he asked him what
+were the tidings.
+
+Thorhall answered, "A wholesome counsel would I have from thee."
+
+"Little am I meet for that," said Skapti; "but what dost thou stand in
+need of?"
+
+Thorhall said, "So is the matter grown to be, that but a little while
+do my shepherds avail me; for ever will they get badly hurt; but
+others will not serve to the end, and now no one will take the job
+when he knows what bides in the way."
+
+Skapti answered, "Some evil things shall be there then, since men
+are more unwilling to watch thy sheep than those of other men. Now,
+therefore, as thou hast sought rede of me, I shall get thee a shepherd
+who is hight Glam, a Swede, from Sylgsdale, who came out last summer,
+a big man and a strong, though he is not much to the mind of most
+folk."
+
+Thorhall said he heeded that little if he watched the sheep well.
+
+Skapti said that little would be the look out for others, if he could
+not watch them, despite his strength and daring.
+
+Then Thorhall went out from him, and this was towards the breaking
+up of the Thing. Thorhall missed two dun horses, and fared himself to
+seek for them; wherefore folk deem that he was no great man. He went
+up to Sledgehill, and south along the fell which is called Armansfell;
+then he saw how a man fared down from Godi's-wood, and bore faggots on
+a horse. Soon they met together, and Thorhall asked him of his name.
+He said that he was called Glam. This man was great of growth,
+uncouth to look on; his eyes were grey and glaring, and his hair was
+wolf-grey.
+
+Thorhall stared at him somewhat when he saw this man, till he saw that
+this was he to whom he had been sent.
+
+"What work hast thou best will to do?" said Thorhall.
+
+Glam said, "That he was of good mind to watch sheep in winter."
+
+"Wilt thou watch my sheep?" said Thorhall. "Skapti has given thee to
+my will."
+
+"So only shall my service avail thee, if I go of my own will, for I am
+evil of mood if matters mislike me," quoth Glam.
+
+"I fear no hurt thereof," said Thorhall, "and I will that thou fare to
+my house."
+
+"That may I do," said Glam, "perchance there are some troubles there?"
+
+"Folk deem the place haunted," said Thorhall.
+
+"Such bugs will not scare me," quoth Glam; "life seems to me less
+irksome thereby."
+
+"It must needs seem so," said Thorhall, "and truly it is better that a
+mannikin be not there."
+
+Thereafter they struck bargain together, and Glam is to come at winter
+nights: then they parted, and Thorhall found his horses even where he
+had just been searching. Thorhall rode home, and thanked Skapti for
+his good deed.
+
+Summer slipped away, and Thorhall heard nought of his shepherd, nor
+did any man know aught about him; but at the appointed time he came
+to Thorhall-stead. The bonder greeted him well, but none of the other
+folk could abide him, and the good wife least of all.
+
+Now he took to the sheep-watching, and little trouble it seemed to
+give him; he was big-voiced and husky, and all the beasts would run
+together when he whooped. There was a church at Thorhall-stead, but
+nowise would Glam come therein; he was a loather of church-song, and
+godless, foul-tempered, and surly, and no man might abide him.
+
+Now passed the time till it came to Yule-eve; then Glam got up and
+straightway called for his meat. The good wife said--
+
+"No Christian man is wont to eat meat this day, be-. cause that on the
+morrow is the first day of Yule," says she, "wherefore must men first
+fast to-day."
+
+He answers, "Many follies have ye, whereof I see no good come, nor
+know I that men fare better now than when they paid no heed to such
+things; and methinks the ways of men were better when they were called
+heathens; and now will I have my meat, and none of this fooling."
+
+Then said the housewife, "I know for sure that thou shall fare ill
+to-day, if thou takest up this evil turn."
+
+Glam bade her bring food straightway, and said that she should fare
+the worse else. She durst do but as he would, and so when he was full,
+he went out, growling and grumbling.
+
+Now the weather was such, that mirk was over all, and the snow-flakes
+drave down, and great din there was, and still all grew much the
+worse, as the day slipped away.
+
+Men heard the shepherd through the early morning, but less of him
+as the day wore; then it took to snowing, and by evening there was
+a great storm; then men went to church, and thus time drew on to
+nightfall; and Glam came not home; then folk held talk, as to whether
+search should not be made for him, but, because of the snow-storm and
+pitch darkness, that came to nought.
+
+Now he came not home on the night of Yule-eve; and thus men abide till
+after the time of worship; but further on in the day men fared out to
+the search, and found the sheep scattered wide about in fens, beaten
+down by the storm, or strayed up into the mountains. Thereafter they
+came on a great beaten place high up in the valley, and they thought
+it was as if strong wrestling had gone on there; for that all about
+the stones had been uptorn and the earth withal; now they looked
+closely and saw where Glam lay a little way therefrom; he was dead,
+and as blue as hell, and as great as a neat.
+
+Huge loathing took them, at the sight of him, and they shuddered in
+their souls at him, yet they strove to bring him to church, but could
+get him only as far as a certain gil-edge a little way below.
+
+Then they fared home to the farm, and told the bonder what had happed.
+He asked what was like to have been Glam's bane. They said they had
+tracked steps as great as if a cask-bottom had been stamped down, from
+there where the beaten place was, up to beneath sheer rocks which were
+high up the valley, and there along went great stains of blood. Now
+men drew from this, that the evil wight which had been there before
+had killed Glam, but had got such wounds as had been full enough for
+him, for of him none has since been ware.
+
+The second day of Yule men went afresh to try to bring Glam to church;
+drag horses were put to him, but could move him nowhere where they
+had to go on even ground and not down hill; then folk had to go away
+therefrom leaving things done so far.
+
+The third day the priest fared with them, and they sought all day, but
+found not Glam. The priest would go no more on such search, but the
+herdsman was found whenso the priest was not in their company. Then
+they let alone striving to bring him to church, and buried him there
+whereto he had been brought.
+
+A little time after men were ware that Glam lay not quiet. Folk got
+great hurt therefrom, so that many fell into swoons when they saw him,
+but others lost their wits thereby. But just after Yule men thought
+they saw him home at the farm. Folk became exceeding afeard thereat,
+and many fled there and then. Next Glam took to riding the house-roofs
+at night, so that he went nigh to breaking them in. Now he walked
+well-nigh night and day. Hardly durst men fare up into the dale,
+though they had errands enough there. And much scathe the men of the
+country-side deemed all this.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXIII.
+
+<i>Of the doings of Glam at Thorhall-stead</i>.
+
+
+In the spring Thorhall got serving-men, and set up house at his farm;
+then the hauntings began to go off while the sun was at its height;
+and so things went on to midsummer. That summer a ship came out to
+Hunawater, wherein was a man named Thorgaut. He was an outlander of
+kin, big and stout, and two men's strength he had. He was unhired
+and single, and would fain do some work, for he was moneyless. Now
+Thorhall rode to the ship, and asked Thorgaut if he would work for
+him. Thorgaut said that might be, and moreover that he was not nice
+about work.
+
+"Be sure in thy mind," said Thorhall, "that mannikins are of small
+avail there because of the hauntings that have been going on there for
+one while now; for I will not draw thee on by wiles."
+
+Thorgaut answers, "I deem not myself given up, though I should see
+some wraithlings; matters will not be light when I am scared, nor will
+I give up my service for that."
+
+Now they come speedily to a bargain, and Thorgaut is to watch the
+sheep when winter comes. So the summer wore on, and Thorgaut betook
+himself to the shepherding at winter nights, and all liked him well.
+But ever came Glam home and rode the house-roofs; this Thorgaut deemed
+sport enough, and quoth he--
+
+"The thrall must come nigher to scare me."
+
+Thorhall bade him keep silence over that. "Better will it be that ye
+have no trial together."
+
+Thorgaut said, "Surely all might is shaken out of you, nor shall I
+drop down betwixt morn and eve at such talk."
+
+Now so things go through the winter till Yule-tide. On Yule eve the
+shepherd would fare out to his sheep. Then said the good wife--
+
+"Need is it that things go not the old way."
+
+He answered, "Have no fear thereof, goodwife; something worth telling
+of will betide if I come not back."
+
+And thereafter he went to his sheep; and the weather was somewhat
+cold, and there was much snow. Thorgaut was wont to come home when
+twilight had set in, and now he came not at that time. Folk went to
+church as they were wont. Men now thought things looked not unlike
+what they did before; the bonder would have search made for the
+shepherd, but the church-goers begged off, and said that they would
+not give themselves into the hands of trolls by night; so the bonder
+durst not go, and the search came to nought.
+
+Yule-day, when men were full, they fared out and searched for the
+shepherd; they first went to Glam's cairn, because men thought that
+from his deeds came the loss of the herdsman. But when they came nigh
+to the cairn, there they saw great tidings, for there they found the
+shepherd, and his neck was broken, and every bone in him smashed.
+Then they brought him to church, and no harm came to men from Thorgaut
+afterwards.
+
+But Glam began afresh to wax mighty; and such deeds he wrought, that
+all men fled away from Thorhall-stead, except the good man and his
+goodwife. Now the same neatherd had long been there, and Thorhall
+would not let him go, because of his good will and safe ward; he was
+well on in years, and was very loth to fare away, for he saw that all
+things the bonder had went to nought from not being watched.
+
+Now after midwinter one morning the housewife fared to the byre to
+milk the cows after the wonted time; by then was it broad daylight,
+for none other than the neatherd would trust themselves out before
+day; but he went out at dawn. She heard great cracking in the byre,
+with bellowing and roaring; she ran back crying out, and said she knew
+not what uncouth things were going on in the byre.
+
+The bonder went out and came to the cows, which were goring one
+another; so he thought it not good to go in there, but went in to the
+hay-barn. There he saw where lay the neatherd, and had his head in one
+boose[16] and his feet in the other; and he lay cast on his back. The
+bonder went up to him, and felt him all over with his hand, and finds
+soon that he was dead, and the spine of him broken asunder; it had
+been broken over the raised stone-edge of a boose.
+
+[Footnote 16: Boose, a cow-stall.]
+
+Now the goodman thought there was no abiding there longer; so he fled
+away from the farm with all that he might take away; but all such live
+stock as was left behind Glam killed, and then he fared all over the
+valley and destroyed farms up from Tongue. But Thorhall was with his
+friends the rest of the winter.
+
+No man might fare up the dale with horse or hound, because straightway
+it was slain. But when spring came, and the sun-light was the
+greatest, somewhat the hauntings abated; and now would Thorhall
+go back to his own land; he had no easy task in getting servants,
+nathless he set up house again at Thorhall-stead; but all went the
+same way as before; for when autumn came, the hauntings began to wax
+again; the bonder's daughter was most set on, and fared so that she
+died thereof. Many redes were sought, but nought could be done; men
+thought it like that all Waterdale would be laid waste if nought were
+found to better this.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXIV.
+
+<i>Grettir hears of the Hauntings</i>.
+
+
+Now we take up the story where Grettir Asmundson sat at Biarg through
+the autumn after they parted, he and Slaying-Bardi at Thoreys-peak;
+and when the time of winter-nights had well-nigh come, Grettir
+rode from home north over the neck to Willowdale, and guested at
+Audunstead; he and Audun made a full peace, and Grettir gave Audun a
+good axe, and they talked of friendship between them. Audun dwelt
+long at Audunstead, and was a man of many and hopeful kin; his son was
+Egil, who married Ulfheid, daughter of Eyulf Gudmundson, and their son
+was Eyulf, who was slain at the Althing, he was the father of Orm, who
+was the chaplain of Bishop Thorlak.
+
+Grettir rode north to Waterdale, and came to see his kin at Tongue. In
+those days dwelt there Jokull, the son of Bard, the mother's brother
+of Grettir: Jokull was a big man and a strong, and the most violent
+of men; he was a seafaring man, very wild, and yet a man of great
+account.
+
+He greeted Grettir well, and he was there three nights. There were so
+many words about Glam's hauntings, that nought was so much spoken of
+as of that. Grettir asked closely about all things that had happed.
+Jokull said that thereof was told no more than the very truth; "And,
+perchance, thou art wishful to go there, kinsman?"
+
+Grettir said that so it was.
+
+Jokull bade him do it not, "Because it is a great risk for thy good
+luck, and thy kinsmen have much to hazard where thou art," said he,
+"for of young men we think there is none such as thou; but <i>from ill
+cometh ill</i> whereas Glam is; and far better it is to deal with men
+than with such evil wights."
+
+Grettir said, "That he had a mind to go to Thorhall-stead and see how
+things went there."
+
+Said Jokull, "Now I see it is of no avail to let thee; but so it is,
+as men say, <i>Good luck and goodliness are twain</i>."
+
+"<i>Woe is before one's own door when it is inside one's
+neighbour's</i>; think how it may fare with thyself ere things are
+ended," said Grettir.
+
+Jokull answered, "Maybe we may both see somewhat of things to come,
+but neither may help aught herein."
+
+They parted thereafter, and neither thought well of the other's
+foretelling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXV.
+
+<i>Grettir goes to Thorhall-stead, and has to do with Glam</i>.
+
+
+Grettir rode to Thorhall-stead, and the bonder gave him good welcome;
+he asked whither Grettir was minded to fare, but Grettir said he would
+be there that night if the bonder would have it so.
+
+Thorhall said that he thanked him therefor, "But few have thought it
+a treat to guest here for any time; thou must needs have heard what
+is going on here, and I fain would that thou shouldest have no trouble
+from me: but though thou shouldest come off whole thyself, that know
+I for sure, that thou wilt lose thy horse, for none keeps his horse
+whole who comes here."
+
+Grettir said that horses were to be had in plenty whatsoever might hap
+to this. Then Thorhall was glad that Grettir was to be there, and gave
+him a hearty welcome.
+
+Now Grettir's horse was locked up in a strong house, and they went to
+sleep; and so the night slipped by, and Glam came not home.
+
+Then said Thorhall, "Things have gone well at thy coming, for every
+night is Glam wont to ride the house-roofs, or break open doors, as
+thou mayest well see."
+
+Grettir said, "Then shall one of two things be, either he shall not
+hold himself back for long, or the hauntings will abate for more than
+one night; I will bide here another night and see how things fare."
+
+Thereafter they went to Grettir's horse, and nought had been tried
+against it; then all seemed to the bonder to go one way.
+
+Now is Grettir there another night, and neither came the thrall home;
+that the farmer deemed very hopeful; withal he fared to see after
+Grettir's horse. When the farmer came there, he found the house broken
+into, but the horse was dragged out to the door, and every bone in
+him broken to pieces. Thorhall told Grettir what had happed there, and
+bade him save himself, "For sure is thy death if thou abidest Glam."
+
+Grettir answered, "I must not have less for my horse than a sight of
+the thrall."
+
+The bonder said it was no boon to see him, for he was unlike any shape
+of man; "but good methinks is every hour that thou art here."
+
+Now the day goes by, and when men should go to sleep Grettir would
+not put off his clothes, but lay down on the seat over against the
+bonder's lock-bed. He had a drugget cloak over him, and wrapped one
+skirt of it under his feet, and twined the other under his head, and
+looked out through the head-opening; a seat-beam was before the seat,
+a very strong one, and against this he set his feet. The door-fittings
+were all broken from the outer door, but a wrecked door was now bound
+thereby, and all was fitted up in the wretchedest wise. The panelling
+which had been before the seat athwart the hall, was all broken away
+both above and below the cross-beam; all beds had been torn out of
+place, and an uncouth place it was.
+
+Light burned in the hall through the night; and when the third part
+of the night was passed, Grettir heard huge din without, and then one
+went up upon the houses and rode the hall, and drave his heels against
+the thatch so that every rafter cracked again.
+
+That went on long, and then he came down from the house and went
+to the door; and as the door opened, Grettir saw that the thrall
+stretched in his head, which seemed to him monstrously big, and
+wondrous thick cut.
+
+Glam fared slowly when he came into the door and stretched himself
+high up under the roof, and turned looking along the hall, and laid
+his arms on the tie-beam, and glared inwards over the place. The
+farmer would not let himself be heard, for he deemed he had had enough
+in hearing himself what had gone on outside. Grettir lay quiet, and
+moved no whit; then Glam saw that some bundle lay on the seat, and
+therewith he stalked up the hall and griped at the wrapper wondrous
+hard; but Grettir set his foot against the beam, and moved in no wise;
+Glam pulled again much harder, but still the wrapper moved not at all;
+the third time he pulled with both hands so hard, that he drew Grettir
+upright from the seat; and now they tore the wrapper asunder between
+them.
+
+Glam gazed at the rag he held in his hand, and wondered much who might
+pull so hard against him; and therewithal Grettir ran under his hands
+and gripped him round the middle, and bent back his spine as hard as
+he might, and his mind it was that Glam should shrink thereat; but the
+thrall lay so hard on Grettir's arms, that he shrank all aback because
+of Glam's strength.
+
+Then Grettir bore back before him into sundry seats; but the
+seat-beams were driven out of place, and all was broken that was
+before them. Glam was fain to get out, but Grettir set his feet
+against all things that he might; nathless Glam got him dragged from
+out the hall; there had they a wondrous hard wrestling, because the
+thrall had a mind to bring him out of the house; but Grettir saw that
+ill as it was to deal with Glam within doors, yet worse would it be
+without; therefore he struggled with all his might and main against
+going out-a-doors.
+
+Now Glam gathered up his strength and knit Grettir towards him when
+they came to the outer door; but when Grettir saw that he might not
+set his feet against that, all of a sudden in one rush he drave his
+hardest against the thrall's breast, and spurned both feet against the
+half-sunken stone that stood in the threshold of the door; for this
+the thrall was not ready, for he had been tugging to draw Grettir to
+him, therefore he reeled aback and spun out against the door, so that
+his shoulders caught the upper door-case, and the roof burst asunder,
+both rafters and frozen thatch, and therewith he fell open-armed aback
+out of the house, and Grettir over him.
+
+Bright moonlight was there without, and the drift was broken, now
+drawn over the moon, now driven from off her; and, even as Glam fell,
+a cloud was driven from the moon, and Glam glared up against her. And
+Grettir himself says that by that sight only was he dismayed amidst
+all that he ever saw.
+
+Then his soul sank within him so, from all these things both from
+weariness, and because he had seen Glam turn his eyes so horribly,
+that he might not draw the short-sword, and lay well-nigh 'twixt home
+and hell.
+
+But herein was there more fiendish craft in Glam than in most other
+ghosts, that he spake now in this wise--
+
+"Exceeding eagerly hast thou wrought to meet me, Grettir, but no
+wonder will it be deemed, though thou gettest no good hap of me; and
+this must I tell thee, that thou now hast got half the strength and
+manhood, which was thy lot if thou hadst not met me: now I may not
+take from thee the strength which thou hast got before this; but that
+may I rule, that thou shalt never be mightier than now thou art;
+and nathless art thou mighty enow, and that shall many an one learn.
+Hitherto hast thou earned fame by thy deeds, but henceforth will
+wrongs and man-slayings fall on thee, and the most part of thy doings
+will turn to thy woe and ill-hap; an outlaw shalt thou be made, and
+ever shall it be thy lot to dwell alone abroad; therefore this weird I
+lay on thee, ever in those days to see these eyes with thine eyes,
+and thou wilt find it hard to be alone--and that shall drag thee unto
+death."
+
+Now when the thrall had thus said, the astonishment fell from Grettir
+that had lain on him, and therewith he drew the short-sword and hewed
+the head from Glam, and laid it at his thigh.
+
+Then came the farmer out; he had clad himself while Glam had his spell
+going, but he durst come nowhere nigh till Glam had fallen.
+
+Thorhall praised God therefor, and thanked Grettir well for that he
+had won this unclean spirit. Then they set to work and burned Glam
+to cold coals, thereafter they gathered his ashes into the skin of a
+beast, and dug it down whereas sheep-pastures were fewest, or the ways
+of men. They walked home thereafter, and by then it had got far
+on towards day; Grettir laid him down, for he was very stiff: but
+Thorhall sent to the nearest farm for men, and both showed them and
+told them how all things had fared.
+
+All men who heard thereof deemed this a deed of great worth, and in
+those days it was said by all that none in all the land was like to
+Grettir Asmundson for great heart and prowess.
+
+Thorhall saw off Grettir handsomely, and gave him a good horse and
+seemly clothes, for those were all torn to pieces that he had worn
+before; so they parted in friendly wise. Grettir rode thence to the
+Ridge in Waterdale, and Thorvald received him well, and asked closely
+about the struggle with Glam. Grettir told him all, and said thereto
+that he had never had such a trial of strength, so long was their
+struggle.
+
+Thorvald bade him keep quiet, "Then all will go well with thee, else
+wilt thou be a man of many troubles."
+
+Grettir said that his temper had been nowise bettered by this, that he
+was worse to quiet than before, and that he deemed all trouble worse
+than it was; but that herein he found the greatest change, in that he
+was become so fearsome a man in the dark, that he durst go nowhither
+alone after nightfall, for then he seemed to see all kinds of horrors.
+
+And that has fallen since into a proverb, that Glam lends eyes, or
+gives Glamsight to those who see things nowise as they are.
+
+But Grettir rode home to Biarg when he had done his errands, and sat
+at home through the winter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXVI.
+
+<i>Of Thorbiorn Oxmain's autumn-feast, and the mocks of Thorbiorn
+Tardy</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain held a great autumn feast, and many men came thither
+to him, and that was while Grettir fared north to Waterdale in the
+autumn; Thorbiorn the Tardy was there at the feast, and many things
+were spoken of there. There the Ramfirthers asked of those dealings of
+Grettir on the neck the summer before.
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain told the story right fairly as towards Grettir, and
+said that Kormak would have got the worst of it, if none had come
+there to part them.
+
+Then spake Thorbiorn the Tardy, "Both these things are true," said he:
+"I saw Grettir win no great honour, and I deem withal that fear shot
+through his heart when we came thereto, and right blithe was he to
+part, nor did I see him seek for vengeance when Atli's house-carle was
+slain; therefore do I deem that there is no heart in him if he is not
+holpen enow."
+
+And thereat Thorbiorn went on gabbling at his most; but many put in a
+word, and said that this was worthless fooling, and that Grettir would
+not leave things thus, if he heard that talk.
+
+Nought else befell worth telling of at the feast, and men went home;
+but much ill-will there was betwixt them that winter, though neither
+set on other; nor were there other tidings through the winter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXVII.
+
+<i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying of Thorbiorn Tardy;
+Grettir goes to Norway</i>.
+
+
+Early the spring after came out a ship from Norway; and that was
+before the Thing; these folk knew many things to tell, and first that
+there was change of rulers in Norway, for Olaf Haraldson was come to
+be king, and Earl Svein had fled the country in the spring after the
+fight at Ness. Many noteworthy matters were told of King Olaf, and
+this withal, that he received such men in the best of ways who were of
+prowess in any deeds, and that he made such his men.
+
+Thereat were many young men glad, and listed to go abroad, and when
+Grettir heard the tidings he became much minded to sail out; for he,
+like others, hoped for honour at the king's hands.
+
+A ship lay in Goose-ere in Eyjafirth, therein Grettir got him a berth
+and made ready for the voyage, nor had he yet much of faring-goods.
+
+Now Asmund was growing very feeble with eld, and was well-nigh
+bedridden; he and Asdis had a young son who was called Illugi, and was
+the hopefullest of men; and, by this time, Atli tended all farming and
+money-keeping, and this was deemed to better matters, because he was a
+peaceable and foreseeing man.
+
+Now Grettir went shipward, but in that same ship had Thorbiorn the
+Tardy taken passage, before folk knew that Grettir would sail therein.
+Now men would hinder Thorbiorn from sailing in the same ship with
+Grettir, but Thorbiorn said that he would go for all that. He gat him
+ready for the voyage out, and was somewhat late thereat, nor did he
+come to the north to Goose-ere before the ship was ready for sea; and
+before Thorbiorn fared from the west, Asmund the Greyhaired fell sick
+and was bedridden.
+
+Now Thorbiorn the Tardy came late one day down to the sand; men were
+getting ready to go to table, and were washing their hands outside the
+booths; but when Thorbiorn rode up the lane betwixt the booths, he
+was greeted, and asked for tidings. He made as if there was nought
+to tell, "Save that I deem that Asmund, the champion of Biarg, is now
+dead."
+
+Many men said that there where he went, departed a worthy goodman from
+the world.
+
+"But what brought it about?" said they.
+
+He answered, "Little went to the death of that champion, for in the
+chamber smoke was he smothered like a dog; nor is there loss therein,
+for he was grown a dotard."
+
+"Thou speakest marvellously of such a man," said they, "nor would
+Grettir like thy words well, if he heard them."
+
+"That must I bear," said Thorbiorn, "and higher must Grettir bear the
+sword than he did last summer at Ramfirth-neck, if I am to tremble at
+him."
+
+Now Grettir heard full well what Thorbiorn said, and paid no heed
+thereto while he let his tale run on; but when he had made an end,
+then spake Grettir--
+
+"That fate I foretell for thee, Tardy," said he, "that thou wilt not
+die in chamber smoke, yet may be withal thou wilt not die of eld; but
+it is strangely done to speak scorn of sackless men."
+
+Thorbiorn said, "I have no will to hold in about these things, and
+methinks thou didst not bear thyself so briskly when we got thee off
+that time when the men of Meals beat thee like a neat's head."
+
+Then sang Grettir--
+
+  "Day by day full over long,
+  Arrow-dealer, grows thy tongue;
+  Such a man there is, that thou
+  Mayst be paid for all words now;
+  Many a man, who has been fain,
+  Wound-worm's tower with hands to gain,
+  With less deeds his death has bought,
+  Than thou, Tardy-one, hast wrought."
+
+Said Thorbiorn, "About as feign do I deem myself as before, despite
+thy squealing."
+
+Grettir answered, "Heretofore my spaedom has not been long-lived, and
+so shall things go still; now beware if thou wilt, hereafter will no
+out-look be left."
+
+Therewith Grettir hewed at Thorbiorn, but he swung up his hand, with
+the mind to ward the stroke from him, but that stroke came on his arm
+about the wrist, and withal the short-sword drave into his neck so
+that the head was smitten off.
+
+Then said the chapmen that he was a man of mighty strokes, and
+that such should king's men be; and no scathe they deemed it though
+Thorbiorn were slain, in that he had been both quarrelsome and
+spiteful.
+
+A little after they sailed into the sea, and came in late summer to
+Norway, south at Hordaland, and then they heard that King Olaf was
+north at Drontheim; then Grettir took ship in a trading keel to go
+north therefrom, because he would fain see the king.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXVIII.
+
+<i>Of Thorir of Garth and his sons; and how Grettir fetched fire for
+his shipmates</i>.
+
+
+There was a man named Thorir, who lived at Garth, in Maindale, he was
+the son of Skeggi, the son of Botulf. Skeggi had settled Well-wharf up
+to Well-ness; he had to wife Helga, daughter of Thorkel, of Fishbrook;
+Thorir, his son, was a great chief, and a seafaring man. He had two
+sons, one called Thorgeir and one Skeggi, they were both hopeful men,
+and fully grown in those days. Thorir had been in Norway that summer,
+when King Olaf came east from England, and got into great friendship
+with the king, and with Bishop Sigurd as well; and this is a token
+thereof, that Thorir had had a large ship built in the wood, and
+prayed Bishop Sigurd to hallow it, and so he did. Thereafter Thorir
+fared out to Iceland and caused the ship to be broken up, when he grew
+weary of sailing, but the beaks of the ship, he had set up over his
+outer door, and they were there long afterwards, and were so full of
+weather wisdom, that the one whistled before a south wind, and the
+other before a north wind.
+
+But when Thorir knew that King Olaf had got the sole rule over all
+Norway, he deemed that he had some friendship there to fall back on;
+then he sent his sons to Norway to meet the king, and was minded that
+they should become his men. They came there south, late in autumn, and
+got to themselves a row-barge, and fared north along the land, with
+the mind to go and meet the king.
+
+They came to a haven south of Stead, and lay there some nights, and
+kept themselves in good case as to meat and drink, and were not much
+abroad when the weather was foul.
+
+Now it is to be told that Grettir and his fellows fared north
+along the land, and often had hard weather, because it was then the
+beginning of winter; and when they bore down north on Stead, they had
+much foul weather, with snow and frost, and with exceeding trouble
+they make land one evening all much worn with wet; so they lay to by
+a certain dyke, and could thus save their money and goods; the chapmen
+were hard put to it for the cold, because they could not light any
+fire, though thereon they deemed well-nigh their life and health lay.
+
+Thus they lay that evening in evil plight; but as the night wore on
+they saw that a great fire sprang up in the midst of the sound over
+against there whereas they had come. But when Grettir's shipmates saw
+the fire, they said one to the other that he would be a happy man who
+might get it, and they doubted whether they should unmoor the ship,
+but to all of them there seemed danger in that. Then they had a long
+talk over it, whether any man was of might enow to fetch that fire.
+
+Grettir gave little heed thereto, but said, that such men had been as
+would not have feared the task. The chapmen said that they were not
+bettered by what had been, if now there was nought to take to.
+
+"Perchance thou deemest thyself man enough thereto, Grettir," said
+they, "since thou art called the man of most prowess among the men of
+Iceland, and thou wottest well enough what our need is."
+
+Grettir answered, "It seems to me no great deed to fetch the fire, but
+I wot not if ye will reward it according to the prayer of him who does
+it."
+
+They said, "Why deemest thou us such shameful men as that we should
+reward that deed but with good?"
+
+Quoth he, "I may try this if so be that ye think much lies on it, but
+my mind bids me hope to get nought of good thereby."
+
+They said that that should never be, and bade all hail to his words;
+and thereafter Grettir made ready for swimming, and cast his clothes
+from off him; of clothes he had on but a cape and sail-cloth breeches;
+he girt up the cape and tied a bast-rope strongly round his middle,
+and had with him a cask; then he leaped overboard; he stretched across
+the sound, and got aland.
+
+There he saw a house stand, and heard therefrom the talk of men, and
+much clatter, and therewith he turned toward that house.
+
+Now is it to be said of those that were there before, that here were
+come the sons of Thorir, as is aforesaid; they had lain there many
+nights, and bided there the falling of the gale, that they might
+have wind at will to go north, beyond Stead. They had set them down
+a-drinking, and were twelve men in all; their ship rode in the main
+haven, and they were at a house of refuge for such men to guest in, as
+went along the coast.
+
+Much straw had been borne into the house, and there was a great fire
+on the floor; Grettir burst into the house, and wotted not who was
+there before; his cape was all over ice when he came aland, and he
+himself was wondrous great to behold, even as a troll; now those first
+comers were exceeding amazed at him, and deemed he must be some evil
+wight; they smote at him with all things they might lay hold of, and
+mighty din went on around them; but Grettir put off all blows strongly
+with his arms, then some smote him with fire-brands, and the fire
+burst off over all the house, and therewith he got off with the fire
+and fared back again to his fellows.
+
+They mightily praised his journey and the prowess of it, and said
+that his like would never be. And now the night wore, and they deemed
+themselves happy in that they had got the fire.
+
+The next morning the weather was fair; the chapmen woke early and got
+them ready to depart, and they talked together that now they should
+meet those who had had the rule of that fire, and wot who they were.
+
+Now they unmoored their ship, and crossed over the sound; there they
+found no hall, but saw a great heap of ashes, and found therein many
+bones of men; then they deemed that this house of refuge had been
+utterly burned up, with all those men who had been therein.
+
+Thereat they asked if Grettir had brought about that ill-hap, and said
+that it was the greatest misdeed.
+
+Grettir said, that now had come to pass even as he had misdoubted,
+that they should reward him ill for the fetching of the fire, and that
+it was ill to help unmanly men.
+
+Grettir got such hurt of this, that the chapmen said, wheresoever they
+came, that Grettir had burned those men. The news soon got abroad that
+in that house were lost the aforenamed sons of Thorir of Garth, and
+their fellows; then they drave Grettir from their ship and would not
+have him with them; and now he became so ill looked on that scarce any
+one would do good to him.
+
+Now he deemed that matters were utterly hopeless, but before all
+things would go to meet the king, and so made north to Drontheim. The
+king was there before him, and knew all or ever Grettir came there,
+who had been much slandered to the king. And Grettir was some days in
+the town before he could get to meet the king.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XXXIX.
+
+<i>How Grettir would fain bear Iron before the King</i>.
+
+
+Now on a day when the king sat in council, Grettir went before the
+king and greeted him well. The king looked at him and said, "Art thou
+Grettir the Strong?"
+
+He answered, "So have I been called, and for that cause am I come to
+thee, that I hope from thee deliverance from the evil tale that is
+laid on me, though I deem that I nowise wrought that deed."
+
+King Olaf said, "Thou art great enough, but I know not what luck thou
+mayest bear about to cast off this matter from thee; but it is like,
+indeed, that thou didst not willingly burn the men."
+
+Grettir said he was fain to put from him this slander, if the king
+thought he might do so; the king bade him tell truthfully, how it had
+gone betwixt him and those men: Grettir told him all, even as has been
+said before, and this withal, that they were all alive when he came
+out with the fire--
+
+"And now I will offer to free myself in such wise as ye may deem will
+stand good in law therefor."
+
+Olaf the king said, "We will grant thee to bear iron for this matter
+if thy luck will have it so."
+
+Grettir liked this exceeding well; and now took to fasting for the
+iron; and so the time wore on till the day came whereas the trial
+should come off; then went the king to the church, and the bishop and
+much folk, for many were eager to have a sight of Grettir, so much as
+had been told of him.
+
+Then was Grettir led to the church, and when he came thither, many of
+those who were there before gazed at him and said one to the other,
+that he was little like to most folk, because of his strength and
+greatness of growth.
+
+Now, as Grettir went up the church-floor, there started up a lad of
+ripe growth, wondrous wild of look, and he said to Grettir--
+
+"Marvellous is now the custom in this land, as men are called
+Christians therein, that ill-doers, and folk riotous, and thieves
+shall go their ways in peace and become free by trials; yea, and what
+would the evil man do but save his life while he might? So here now
+is a misdoer, proven clearly a man of misdeeds, and has burnt sackless
+men withal, and yet shall he, too, have a trial to free him; ah, a
+mighty ill custom!"
+
+Therewith he went up to Grettir and pointed finger, and wagged head at
+him, and called him mermaid's son, and many other ill names.
+
+Grettir grew wroth beyond measure hereat, and could not keep himself
+in; he lifted up his fist, and smote the lad under the ear, so that
+forthwith he fell down stunned, but some say that he was slain there
+and then. None seemed to know whence that lad came or what became
+of him, but men are mostly minded to think, that it was some unclean
+spirit, sent thither for Grettir's hurt.
+
+Now a great clamour rose in the church, and it was told the king, "He
+who should bear the iron is smiting all about him;" then King Olaf
+went down the church, and saw what was going on, and spake--
+
+"A most unlucky man art thou," said he, "that now the trial should not
+be, as ready as all things were thereto, nor will it be easy to deal
+with thine ill-luck."
+
+Grettir answered, "I was minded that I should have gained more honour
+from thee, Lord, for the sake of my kin, than now seems like to be;"
+and he told withal how men were faring to King Olaf, as was said
+afore, "and now I am fain," said he, "that thou wouldest take me to
+thee; thou hast here many men with thee, who will not be deemed more
+like men-at-arms than I?"
+
+"That see I well," said the king, "that few men are like unto thee for
+strength and stoutness of heart, but thou art far too luckless a man
+to abide with us: now shall thou go in peace for me, wheresoever thou
+wilt, the winter long, but next summer go thou out to Iceland, for
+there will it be thy fate to leave thy bones."
+
+Grettir answered, "First would I put from me this affair of the
+burning, if I might, for I did not the deed willingly."
+
+"It is most like," said the king; "but yet, because the trial is now
+come to nought for thy heedlessness' sake, thou will not get this
+charge cast from thee more than now it is, <i>For ill-heed still to
+ill doth lead</i>, and if ever man has been cursed, of all men must
+thou have been."
+
+So Grettir dwelt a while in the town thereafter, but dealt no more
+with the king than has been told.
+
+Then he fared into the south country, and was minded east for
+Tunsberg, to find Thorstein Dromond, his brother, and there is nought
+told of his travels till he came east to Jadar.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XL.
+
+<i>Of Grettir and Snoekoll</i>.
+
+
+At yule came Grettir to a bonder who was called Einar, he was a rich
+man, and was married and had one daughter of marriageable age, who was
+called Gyrid; she was a fair woman, and was deemed a right good match;
+Einar bade Grettir abide with him through Yule, and that proffer he
+took.
+
+Then was it the wont far and wide in Norway that woodmen and misdoers
+would break out of the woods and challenge men for their women, or
+they took away men's goods with violence, whereas they had not much
+help of men.
+
+Now it so befell here, that one day in Yule there came to Einar the
+bonder many ill-doers together, and he was called Snoekoll who was the
+head of them, and a great bearserk he was. He challenged goodman Einar
+to give up his daughter, or to defend her, if he thought himself man
+enough thereto; but the bonder was then past his youth, and was no man
+for fighting; he deemed he had a great trouble on his hands, and asked
+Grettir, in a whisper, what rede he would give thereto: "Since thou
+art called a famous man." Grettir bade him say yea to those things
+alone, which he thought of no shame to him.
+
+The bearserk sat on his horse, and had a helm on his head, but the
+cheek-pieces were not made fast; he had an iron-rimmed shield before
+him, and went on in the most monstrous wise.
+
+Now he said to the bonder, "Make one or other choice speedily, or what
+counsel is that big churl giving thee who stands there before thee; is
+it not so that he will play with me?"
+
+Grettir said, "We are about equal herein, the bonder and I, for
+neither of us is skilled in arms."
+
+Snoekoll said, "Ye will both of you be somewhat afraid to deal with
+me, if I grow wroth."
+
+"That is known when it is tried," said Grettir.
+
+Now the bearserk saw that there was some edging out of the matter
+going on, and he began to roar aloud, and bit the rim of his shield,
+and thrust it up into his mouth, and gaped over the corner of the
+shield, and went on very madly. Grettir took a sweep along over the
+field, and when he came alongside of the bearserk's horse, sent up
+his foot under the tail of the shield so hard, that the shield went up
+into the mouth of him, and his throat was riven asunder, and his jaws
+fell down on his breast. Then he wrought so that, all in one rush, he
+caught hold of the helmet with his left hand, and swept the viking off
+his horse; and with the other hand drew the short-sword that he was
+girt withal, and drave it at his neck, so that off the head flew. But
+when Snoekoll's fellows saw that, they fled, each his own way, and
+Grettir had no mind to follow, for he saw there was no heart in them.
+
+The bonder thanked him well for his work and many other men too; and
+that deed was deemed to have been wrought both swiftly and hardily.
+
+Grettir was there through Yule, and the farmer saw him off handsomely:
+then he went east to Tunsberg, and met his brother Thorstein; he
+received Grettir fondly, and asked of his travels and how he won the
+bearserk. Then Grettir sang a stave--
+
+  "There the shield that men doth save
+  Mighty spurn with foot I gave.
+  Snoekoll's throat it smote aright,
+  The fierce follower of the fight,
+  And by mighty dint of it
+  Were the tofts of tooth-hedge split;
+  The strong spear-walk's iron rim,
+  Tore adown the jaws of him."
+
+Thorstein said, "Deft wouldst thou be at many things, kinsman, if
+mishaps went not therewith."
+
+Grettir answered, "<i>Deeds done will be told of</i>."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLI.
+
+<i>Of Thorstein Dromond's Arms, and what he deemed they might do</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir was with Thorstein for the rest of the winter and on into
+the spring; and it befell one morning, as those brothers, Thorstein
+and Grettir, lay in their sleeping-loft, that Grettir had laid his
+arms outside the bed-clothes; and Thorstein was awake and saw it. Now
+Grettir woke up a little after, and then spake Thorstein:
+
+"I have seen thine arms, kinsman," said he, "and I deem it nowise
+wonderful, though thy strokes fall heavy on many, for no man's arms
+have I seen like thine."
+
+"Thou mayst know well enough," said Grettir, "that I should not have
+brought such things to pass as I have wrought, if I were not well
+knit."
+
+"Better should I deem it," said Thorstein, "if they were slenderer and
+somewhat luckier withal."
+
+Grettir said, "True it is, as folk say, <i>No man makes himself</i>;
+but let me see thine arms," said he.
+
+Thorstein did so; he was the longest and gauntest of men; and Grettir
+laughed, and said,
+
+"No need to look at that longer; hooked together are the ribs in thee;
+nor, methinks, have I ever seen such tongs as thou bearest about, and
+I deem thee to be scarce of a woman's strength."
+
+"That may be," said Thorstein; "yet shall thou know that these same
+thin arms shall avenge thee, else shall thou never be avenged; who may
+know what shall be, when all is over and done?"
+
+No more is told of their talk together; the spring wore on, and
+Grettir took ship in the summer. The brothers parted in friendship,
+and saw each other never after.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLII.
+
+<i>Of the Death of Asmund the Grey haired</i>.
+
+
+Now must the tale be taken up where it was left before, for Thorbiorn
+Oxmain heard how Thorbiorn Tardy was slain, as aforesaid, and broke
+out into great wrath, and said it would please him well that <i>now
+this and now that should have strokes in his garth</i>.
+
+Asmund the Greyhaired lay long sick that summer, and when he thought
+his ailings drew closer on him, he called to him his kin, and said
+that it was his will, that Atli should have charge of all his goods
+after his day.
+
+"But my mind misgives me," said Asmund, "that thou mayst scarce sit
+quiet because of the iniquity of men, and I would that all ye of my
+kin should help him to the uttermost but of Grettir nought can I say,
+for methinks overmuch on a whirling wheel his life turns; and though
+he be a mighty man, yet I fear me that he will have to heed his own
+troubles more than the helping of his kin: but Illugi, though he
+be young, yet shall he become a man of prowess, if he keep himself
+whole."
+
+So, when Asmund had settled matters about his sons as he would, his
+sickness lay hard on him, and in a little while he died, and was laid
+in earth at Biarg; for there had he let make a church; but his death
+his neighbours deemed a great loss.
+
+Now Atli became a mighty bonder, and had many with him, and was a
+great gatherer of household-stuff. When the summer was far gone, he
+went out to Snowfellness to get him stockfish. He drave many horses,
+and rode from home to Meals in Ramfirth to Gamli his brother-in-law;
+and on this journey rode with him Grim Thorhallson, Gamli's brother,
+and another man withal. They rode west to Hawkdale Pass, and so on,
+as the road lay west to Ness: there they bought much stockfish, and
+loaded seven horses therewith, and turned homeward when they were
+ready.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLIII.
+
+<i>The Onset on Atli at the Pass and the Slaying of Gunnar and
+Thorgeir</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain heard that Atli and Grim were on a journey from home,
+and there were with him the sons of Thorir from the Pass, Gunnar and
+Thorgeir. Now Thorbiorn envied Atli for his many friendships, and
+therefore he egged on the two brothers, the sons of Thorir, to way-lay
+Atli as he came back from the outer ness. Then they rode home to the
+Pass, and abode there till Atli and his fellows went by with their
+train; but when they came as far as the homestead at the Pass, their
+riding was seen, and those brothers brake out swiftly with their
+house-carles and rode after them; but when Atli and his folk saw their
+faring, Atli bade them take the loads from the horses, "for perchance
+they will give me atonement for my house-carle, whom Gunnar slew last
+summer. Let us not begin the work, but defend ourselves if they be
+first to raise strife with us."
+
+Now the brothers came up and leaped off their horses. Atli welcomed
+them, and asked for tidings: "Perchance, Gunnar, thou wilt give me
+some atonement for my house-carle."
+
+Gunnar answered, "Something else is your due, men of Biarg, than that
+I should lay down aught good therefor; yea, atonement is due withal
+for the slaying of Thorbiorn, whom Grettir slew."
+
+"It is not for me to answer thereto," said Atli; "nor art thou a
+suitor in that case."
+
+Gunnar said he would stand in that stead none-the-less. "Come, let us
+set on them, and make much of it, that Grettir is not nigh them now."
+
+Then they ran at Atli, eight of them altogether, but Atli and his folk
+were six.
+
+Atli went before his men, and drew the sword, Jokul's gift, which
+Grettir had given him.
+
+Then said Thorgeir, "Many like ways have those who deem themselves
+good; high aloft did Grettir bear his short-sword last summer on the
+Ramfirth-neck."
+
+Atli answered, "Yea, he is more wont to deal in great deeds than I."
+
+Thereafter they fought; Gunnar set on Atli exceeding fiercely, and was
+of the maddest; and when they had fought awhile, Atli said,
+
+"No fame there is in thus killing workmen each for the other; more
+seeming it is that we ourselves play together, for never have I fought
+with weapons till now."
+
+Gunnar would not have it so, but Atli bade his house-carles look to
+the burdens; "But I will see what these will do herein."
+
+Then he went forward so mightily that Gunnar and his folk shrunk
+back before him, and he slew two of the men of those brothers, and
+thereafter turned to meet Gunnar, and smote at him, so that the shield
+was cleft asunder almost below the handle, and the stroke fell on his
+leg below the knee, and then he smote at him again, and that was his
+bane.
+
+Now is it to be told of Grim Thorhallson that he went against
+Thorgeir, and they strove together long, for each was a hardy man.
+Thorgeir saw the fall of his brother Gunnar, and was fain to draw off.
+Grim ran after him, and followed him till Thorgeir stumbled, and
+fell face foremost; then Grim smote at him with an axe betwixt the
+shoulders, so that it stood deep sunken therein.
+
+Then they gave peace to three of their followers who were left; and
+thereafter they bound up their wounds, and laid the burdens on the
+horses, and then fared home, and made these man-slayings known.
+
+Atli sat at home with many men through the winter. Thorbiorn Oxmain
+took these doings exceedingly ill, but could do naught therein because
+Atli was a man well befriended. Grim was with him through the winter,
+and Gamli, his brother-in-law; and there was Glum, son of Uspak,
+another kinsman-in-law of his, who at that time dwelt at Ere in Bitra.
+They had many men dwelling at Biarg, and great mirth was thereat
+through the winter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLIV.
+
+<i>The Suit for the Slaying of the Sons of Thorir of the Pass</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Oxmain took on himself the suit for the slaying of the sons
+of Thorir of the Pass. He made ready a suit against Grim and Atli,
+but they set forth for their defence onset and attack, to make those
+brothers fall unatoned. The suit was brought to the Hunawater Thing,
+and men came thronging to both sides. Atli had good help because he
+was exceeding strong of kin.
+
+Now the friends of both stood forth and talked of peace, and all
+said that Atli's ways were good, a peaceful man, but stout in danger
+none-the-less.
+
+Now Thorbiorn deemed that by nought would his honour be served better
+than by taking the peace offered. Atli laid down before-hand that he
+would have neither district outlawry nor banishment.
+
+Then were men chosen for the judges. Thorvald, son of Asgeir, on
+Atli's side, and on Thorbiorn's, Solvi the Proud, who was the son of
+Asbrand, the son of Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring, who had settled
+all Waterness from the Foreland up to Bond-maids River on the west,
+but on the east all up to Cross-river, and there right across to
+Berg-ridge, and all on that side of the Bergs down to the sea:
+this Solvi was a man of great stateliness and a wise man, therefore
+Thorbiorn chose him to be judge on his behoof.
+
+Now they set forth their judgment, that half-fines should be paid for
+the sons of Thorir, but half fell away because of the onslaught and
+attack, and attempt on Atli's life, the slaying of Atli's house-carle,
+who was slain on Ramfirth-neck, and the slaying of those twain who
+fell with the sons of Thorir were set off one against the other. Grim
+Thorhallson should leave dwelling in the district, but Atli alone
+should pay the money atonement.
+
+This peace pleased Atli much, but Thorbiorn misliked it, but they
+parted appeased, as far as words went; howsoever it fell from
+Thorbiorn that their dealings would not be made an end of yet, if
+things went as he would.
+
+But Atli rode home from the Thing, and thanked Thorvald well for his
+aid. Grim Thorhallson went south to Burgfirth, and dwelt at Gilsbank,
+and was a great bonder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLV.
+
+<i>Of the Slaying of Atli Asmundson</i>.
+
+
+There was a man with Thorbiorn Oxmain who was called Ali; he was a
+house-carle, a somewhat lazy and unruly man.
+
+Thorbiorn bade him work better, or he would beat him. Ali said he had
+no list thereto, and was beyond measure worrying. Thorbiorn would not
+abide it, and drave him under him, and handled him hardly. Then Ali
+went off from his service, and fared over the Neck to Midfirth,
+and made no stay till he came to Biarg. Atli was at home, and asked
+whither he went. He said that he sought service.
+
+"Art thou not Thorbiorn's workman?" said Atli.
+
+"That did not go off so pleasantly," said Ali; "I was not there long,
+and evil I deemed it while I was there, and we parted, so that I
+deemed his song about my throat nowise sweet; and I will go to dwell
+there no more, whatso else may hap to me; and true it is that much
+unlike ye are in the luck ye have with servants, and now I would fain
+work with thee if I might have the choice."
+
+Atli answered, "Enough I have of workmen, though I reach not out to
+Thorbiorn's hands for such men as he has hired, and methinks there is
+no gain in thee, so go back to him."
+
+Ali said, "Thither I go not of my own free-will."
+
+And now he dwells there awhile; but one morning he went out to
+work with Atli's house-carles, and worked so that his hands were
+everywhere, and thus he went on till far into summer. Atli said nought
+to him, but bade give him meat, for he liked his working well.
+
+Now Thorbiorn hears that Ali is at Biarg; then he rode to Biarg with
+two men, and called out Atli to talk with him. Atli went out and
+welcomed him.
+
+Thorbiorn said, "Still wilt thou take up afresh ill-will against me,
+and trouble me, Atli. Why hast thou taken my workman? Wrongfully is
+this done."
+
+Atli answered, "It is not proven to me that he is thy workman, nor
+will I withhold him from thee, if thou showest proofs thereof, yet am
+I loth to drag him out of my house."
+
+"Thou must have thy will now," said Thorbiorn; "but I claim the man,
+and forbid him to work here; and I will come again another time, and I
+know not if we shall then part better friends than now."
+
+Atli said, "I shall abide at home, and take what may come to hand."
+
+Then Thorbiorn rode home; but when the workmen come home in the
+evening, Atli tells all the talk betwixt him and Thorbiorn, and bids
+Ali go his way, and said he should not abide there longer.
+
+Ali answered, "True is the old saw, <i>over-praised and first to
+fail</i>. I deemed not that thou wouldst drive me away after I had
+toiled here all the summer enough to break my heart, and I hoped that
+thou wouldst stand up for me somehow; but this is the way of you,
+though ye look as if good might be hoped from you. I shall be beaten
+here before thine eyes if thou givest me not some defence or help."
+
+Atli altered his mind at this talk of his, and had no heart now to
+drive him away from him.
+
+Now the time wore, till men began hay-harvest, and one day, somewhat
+before midsummer, Thorbiorn Oxmain rode to Biarg, he was so attired
+that he had a helm on his head, and was girt with a sword, and had a
+spear in his hand. A barbed spear it was, and the barbs were broad.
+
+It was wet abroad that day. Atli had sent his house-carles to the
+mowing, but some of them were north at Horn a-fishing. Atli was at
+home, and few other men.
+
+Thorbiorn came there about high-noon; alone he was, and rode up to
+the outer door; the door was locked, and no men were abroad. Thorbiorn
+smote on the door, and then drew aback behind the houses, so that none
+might see him from the door. The home-folk heard that the door was
+knocked at, and a woman went out. Thorbiorn had an inkling of the
+woman, and would not let himself be seen, for he had a mind to do
+something else.
+
+Now the woman went into the chamber, and Atli asked who was come
+there. She said, "I have seen nought stirring abroad." And even as
+they spake Thorbiorn let drive a great stroke on the door.
+
+Then said Atli, "This one would see me, and he must have some errand
+with me, whatever may be the gain thereof to me."
+
+Then he went forth and out of the door, and saw no one without.
+Exceeding wet it was, therefore he went not out, but laid a hand on
+either door-post, and so peered about him.
+
+In that point of time Thorbiorn swung round before the door, and
+thrust the spear with both hands amidst of Atli, so that it pierced
+him through.
+
+Then said Atli, when he got the thrust, "<i>Broad spears are about
+now</i>," says he, and fell forward over the threshold.
+
+Then came out women who had been in the chamber, and saw that Atli was
+dead. By then was Thorbiorn on horseback, and he gave out the slaying
+as having been done by his hand, and thereafter rode home.
+
+The goodwife Asdis sent for her men, and Atli's corpse was laid out,
+and he was buried beside his father. Great mourning folk made for his
+death, for he had been a wise man, and of many friends.
+
+No weregild came for the slaying of Atli, nor did any claim atonement
+for him, because Grettir had the blood-suit to take up if he should
+come out; so these matters stood still for that summer. Thorbiorn
+was little thanked for that deed of his; but he sat at peace in his
+homestead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLVI.
+
+<i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of Thorir of Garth</i>.
+
+
+This summer, whereof the tale was telling e'en now, a ship came out
+to Goose-ere before the Thing. Then was the news told of Grettir's
+travels, and therewithal men spake of that house-burning; and at that
+story was Thorir of Garth mad wroth, and deemed that there whereas
+Grettir was he had to look for vengeance for his sons. He rode with
+many men and set forth at the Thing the case for the burning, but
+men deemed they knew nought to say therein, while there was none to
+answer.
+
+Thorir said that he would have nought, but that Grettir should be made
+an outlaw throughout the land for such misdeeds.
+
+Then answered Skapti the Lawman, "Surely an ill deed it is, if things
+are as is said; but a tale is half told if one man tells it, for most
+folk are readiest to bring their stories to the worser side when there
+are two ways of telling them; now, therefore, I shall not give my word
+that Grettir be made guilty for this that has been done."
+
+Now Thorir was a man of might in his district and a great chief, and
+well befriended of many great men; and he pushed on matters so hard
+that nought could avail to acquit Grettir; and so this Thorir made
+Grettir an outlaw throughout all the land, and was ever thenceforth
+the heaviest of all his foes, as things would oft show.
+
+Now he put a price on his head, as was wont to be done with other
+wood-folk, and thereafter rode home.
+
+Many men got saying that this was done rather by the high hand than
+according to law; but so it stood as it was done; and now nought else
+happed to tell of till past midsummer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLVII.
+
+<i>Grettir comes out to Iceland again</i>.
+
+
+When summer was far spent came Grettir Asmundson out to Whiteriver
+in Burgfirth; folk went down to the ship from thereabout, and these
+tidings came all at once to Grettir; the first, that his father was
+dead, the second, that his brother was slain, the third, that he
+himself was made an outlaw throughout all the land. Then sang Grettir
+this stave:--
+
+  "Heavy tidings thick and fast
+  On the singer now are cast;
+  My father dead, my brother dead,
+  A price set upon my head;
+  Yet, O grove of Hedin's maid,
+  May these things one day be paid;
+  Yea upon another morn
+  Others may be more forlorn."
+
+So men say that Grettir changed nowise at these tidings, but was even
+as merry as before.
+
+Now he abode with the ship awhile, because he could get no horse to
+his mind. But there was a man called Svein, who dwelt at Bank up from
+Thingness, he was a good bonder and a merry man, and often sang such
+songs as were gamesome to hear; he had a mare black to behold, the
+swiftest of all horses, and her Svein called Saddle-fair.
+
+Now Grettir went one night away from the wolds, but he would not that
+the chapmen should be ware of his ways; he got a black cape, and threw
+it over his clothes, and so was disguised; he went up past Thingness,
+and so up to Bank, and by then it was daylight. He saw a black horse
+in the homefield and went up to it, and laid bridle on it, leapt on
+the back of it, and rode up along Whiteriver, and below Bye up to
+Flokedale-river, and then up the tracks above Kalfness; the workmen
+at Bank got up now and told the bonder of the man who had got on his
+mare; he got up and laughed, and sang--
+
+  "One that helm-fire well can wield
+  Rode off from my well-fenced field,
+  Helm-stalk stole away from me
+  Saddle-fair, the swift to see;
+  Certes, more great deeds this Frey
+  Yet shall do in such-like way
+  As this was done; I deem him then
+  Most overbold and rash of men."
+
+Then he took horse and rode after him; Grettir rode on till he came
+up to the homestead at Kropp; there he met a man called Hall, who
+said that he was going down to the ship at the Wolds; Grettir sang a
+stave--
+
+  "In broad-peopled lands say thou
+  That thou sawest even now
+  Unto Kropp-farm's gate anigh,
+  Saddle-fair and Elm-stalk high;
+  That thou sawest stiff on steed
+  (Get thee gone at greatest speed),
+  One who loveth game and play
+  Clad in cape of black to-day."
+
+Then they part, and Hall went down the track and all the way down to
+Kalfness, before Svein met him; they greeted one another hastily, then
+sang Svein--
+
+  "Sawest thou him who did me harm
+  On my horse by yonder farm?
+  Even such an one was he,
+  Sluggish yet a thief to see;
+  From the neighbours presently
+  Doom of thief shall he abye
+  And a blue skin shall he wear,
+  If his back I come anear."
+
+"That thou mayst yet do," said Hall, "I saw that man who said that he
+rode on Saddle-fair, and bade me tell it over the peopled lands and
+settlements; great of growth he was, and was clad in a black cape."
+
+"He deems he has something to fall back on," said the bonder, "but I
+shall ride after him and find out who he is."
+
+Now Grettir came to Deildar-Tongue, and there was a woman without the
+door; Grettir went up to talk to her, and sang this stave--
+
+  "Say to guard of deep-sea's flame
+  That here worm-land's haunter came;
+  Well-born goddess of red gold,
+  Thus let gamesome rhyme be told.
+  'Giver forth of Odin's mead
+  Of thy black mare have I need;
+  For to Gilsbank will I ride,
+  Meed of my rash words to bide.'"
+
+The woman learned this song, and thereafter Grettir rode on his way;
+Svein came there a little after, and she was not yet gone in, and as
+he came he sang this--
+
+  "What foreteller of spear-shower
+  E'en within this nigh-passed hour,
+  Swift through the rough weather rode
+  Past the gate of this abode?
+  He, the hound-eyed reckless one,
+  By all good deeds left alone,
+  Surely long upon this day
+  From my hands will flee away."
+
+Then she told him what she had been bidden to; he thought over the
+ditty, and said, "It is not unlike that he will be no man to play
+with; natheless, I will find him out."
+
+Now he rode along the peopled lands, and each man ever saw the other's
+riding; and the weather was both squally and wet.
+
+Grettir came to Gilsbank that day, and when Grim Thorhallson knew
+thereof, he welcomed him with great joy, and bade him abide with him.
+This Grettir agreed to; then he let loose Saddle-fair, and told Grim
+how she had been come by. Therewith came Svein, and leapt from his
+horse, and saw his own mare, and sang this withal--
+
+  "Who rode on my mare away?
+  What is that which thou wilt pay?
+  Who a greater theft has seen?
+  What does the cowl-covered mean?"
+
+Grettir by then had doft his wet clothes, and he heard the stave, and
+answered--
+
+  "I did ride thy mare to Grim
+  (Thou art feeble weighed with him),
+  Little will I pay to thee,
+  Yet good fellows let us be."
+
+"Well, so be it then," said the farmer, "and the ride is well paid
+for."
+
+Then each sang his own songs, and Grettir said he had no fault to
+find, though he failed to hold his own; the bonder was there that
+night, and the twain of them together, and great game they made of
+this: and they called all this Saddle-fair's lays. Next morning the
+bonder rode home, and he and Grettir parted good friends.
+
+Now Grim told Grettir of many things from the north and Midfirth,
+that had befallen while he was abroad, and this withal, that Atli was
+unatoned, and how that Thorbiorn Oxmain waxed so great, and was so
+high-handed, that it was not sure that goodwife Asdis might abide at
+Biarg if matters still went so.
+
+Grettir abode but few nights with Grim, for he was fain that no news
+should go before him north over the Heaths. Grim bade him come thither
+if he should have any need of safeguard.
+
+"Yet shall I shun being made guilty in law for the harbouring of
+thee."
+
+Grettir said he did well. "But it is more like that later on I may
+need thy good deed more."
+
+Now Grettir rode north over Twodaysway, and so to Biarg, and came
+there in the dead of night, when all folk were asleep save his mother.
+He went in by the back of the house and through a door that was there,
+for the ways of the house were well known to him, and came to the
+hall, and got to his mother's bed, and groped about before him.
+
+She asked who was there, and Grettir told her; then she sat up and
+kissed him, and sighed withal, heavily, and spake, "Be welcome; son,"
+she said, "but my joyance in my sons is slipping from me; for he is
+slain who was of most avail, and thou art made an outlaw and a guilty
+man, and the third is so young; that he may do nought for me."
+
+"An old saw it is," said Grettir, "<i>Even so shall bale be bettered,
+by biding greater bale</i>; but there are more things to be thought of
+by men than money atonements alone, and most like it is that Atli will
+be avenged; but as to things that may fall to me, many must even take
+their lot at my hand in dealing with me, and like it as they may."
+
+She said that was not unlike. And now Grettir was there a while with
+the knowledge of few folk; and he had news of the doings of the folk
+of the country-side; and men knew not that Grettir was come into
+Midfirth: but he heard that Thorbiorn Oxmain was at home with few men;
+and that was after the homefield hay-harvest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLVIII.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.
+
+
+On a fair day Grettir rode west over the Necks to Thorodstead, and
+came there about noon, and knocked at the door; women came out and
+welcomed him, but knew him not; he asked for Thorbiorn, but they said
+he was gone to the meadow to bind hay, and with him his son of sixteen
+winters, who was called Arnor; for Thorbiorn was a very busy man, and
+well-nigh never idle.
+
+So when Grettir knew this, he bade them well betide, and went his
+way on the road toward Reeks, there a marsh stretches down from the
+hill-side, and on it was much grass to mow, and much hay had Thorbiorn
+made there, and now it was fully dry, and he was minded to bind it up
+for home, he and the lad with him, but a woman did the raking.
+
+Now Grettir rode from below up into the field, but the father and
+son were higher up, and had bound one load, and were now at another;
+Thorbiorn had set his shield and sword against the load, and the lad
+had a hand-axe beside him.
+
+Now Thorbiorn saw a man coming, and said to the lad, "Yonder is a man
+riding toward us, let us leave binding the hay, and know what he will
+with us."
+
+So did they, and Grettir leapt off his horse; he had a helm on his
+head, and was girt with the short-sword, and bore a great spear in his
+hand, a spear without barbs, and the socket inlaid with silver. Now
+he sat down and knocked out the socket-nail, because he would not that
+Thorbiorn should cast the spear back.
+
+Then said Thorbiorn, "He is a big man, and no man in field know I, if
+that is not Grettir Asmundson, and he must needs think he has enough
+against us; so let us meet him sharply, and let him see no signs of
+failing in us. We shall deal cunningly; for I will go against him in
+front, and take thou heed how matters go betwixt us, for I will trust
+myself against any man if I have one alone to meet; but do thou
+go behind him, and drive the axe at him with both hands atwixt his
+shoulders; thou needest not fear that he will do thee hurt, as his
+back will be turned to thee."
+
+Neither Thorbiorn nor his son had a helm.
+
+Now Grettir got into the mead, and when he came within spear-throw of
+them, he cast his spear at Thorbiorn, but the head was looser on the
+shaft than he deemed it would be, and it swerved in its flight, and
+fell down from the shaft to the earth: then Thorbiorn took his shield,
+and put it before him, but drew his sword and went against Grettir
+when he knew him; then Grettir drew his short-sword, and turned about
+somewhat, so that he saw how the lad stood at his back, wherefore he
+kept himself free to move here or there, till he saw that the lad was
+come within reach of him, and therewith he raised the short-sword
+high aloft, and sent it back against Arnor's head so mightily that the
+skull was shattered, and that was his bane. Then Thorbiorn ran against
+Grettir and smote at him, but he thrust forth his buckler with his
+left hand, and put the blow from him, and smote with the short-sword
+withal, and cleft the shield of Thorbiorn, and the short-sword smote
+so hard into his head that it went even unto the brain, and he fell
+dead to earth beneath that stroke, nor did Grettir give him any other
+wound.
+
+Then he sought for his spear-head, and found it not; so he went to his
+horse and rode out to Reeks, and there told of the slayings. Withal
+the woman who was in the meadow saw the slayings, and ran home full of
+fear, and said that Thorbiorn was slain, and his son both; this took
+those of the house utterly unawares, for they knew nought of Grettir's
+travelling. So were men sent for to the next homestead, and soon came
+many folk, and brought the bodies to church. Thorod Drapa-Stump took
+up the blood-suit for these slayings and had folk a-field forthwith.
+
+But Grettir rode home to Biarg, and found his mother, and told her
+what had happed; and she was glad thereat, and said that now he got to
+be like unto the Waterdale kin. "Yet will this be the root and stem of
+thine outlawry, and I know for sooth that thou mayest not abide here
+long because of the kin of Thorbiorn; but now may they know that thou
+mayest be angered."
+
+Grettir sang this stave thereupon--
+
+  "Giant's friend fell dead to earth
+  On the grass of Wetherfirth,
+  No fierce fighting would avail,
+  Oxmain in the Odin's gale.
+  So, and in no other wise,
+  Has been paid a fitting price
+  For that Atli, who of yore,
+  Lay dead-slain anigh his door."
+
+Goodwife Asdis said that was true; "But I know not what rede thou art
+minded to take?"
+
+Grettir said that he would seek help of his friends and kin in the
+west; "But on thee shall no trouble fall for my sake," said he.
+
+So he made ready to go, and mother and son parted in love; but first
+he went to Meals in Ramfirth, and told Gamli his brother-in-law all,
+even as it had happed, concerning the slaying of Thorbiorn.
+
+Gamli told him he must needs depart from Ramfirth while Thorbiorn's
+kin had their folk about; "But our aid in the suit for Atli's slaying
+we shall yield thee as we may."
+
+So thereafter Grettir rode west over Laxdale-heath, and stayed not
+till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, where he dwelt long
+that autumn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XLIX.
+
+<i>The gathering to avenge Thorbiorn Oxmain</i>.
+
+
+Thorod Drapa-Stump sought tidings of this who might have slain
+Thorbiorn and his son, and when he came to Reeks, it was told him that
+Grettir had been there and given out the slayings as from his hand.
+Now, Thorod deemed he saw how things had come to pass; so he went to
+Biarg, and there found many folk, but he asked if Grettir were there.
+
+The goodwife said he had ridden away, and that she would not slip him
+into hiding-places if he were there.
+
+"Now ye will be well pleased that matters have so been wrought; nor
+was the slaying of Atli over-avenged, though this was paid for it.
+Ye asked not then what grief of heart I had; and now, too, it is well
+that things are even so."
+
+Therewith they rode home, and found it not easy to do aught therein.
+
+Now that spear-head which Grettir lost was not found till within the
+memory of men living now; it was found in the latter days of Sturla
+Thordson the lawman, and in that marsh where Thorbiorn fell, which is
+now called Spear-mead; and that sign men have to show that Thorbiorn
+was slain there, though in some places it is said that he was slain on
+Midfit.
+
+Thorod and his kin heard that Grettir abode at Liarskogar; then they
+gathered men, and were minded to go thither; but when Gamli of Meals
+was ware thereof, he made Thorstein and Grettir sure of the farings
+of the Ramfirthers; and when Thorstein knew it, he sent Grettir in to
+Tongue to Snorri Godi, for then there was no strife between them, and
+Thorstein gave that counsel to Grettir that he should pray Snorri the
+Godi for his watch and ward; but if he would not grant it, he made
+Grettir go west to Reek-knolls to Thorgils Arisen, "and he will take
+thee to him through this winter, and keep within the Westfirths till
+these matters are settled."
+
+Grettir said he would take good heed to his counsels; then he rode
+into Tongue, and found Snorri the Godi, and talked with him, and
+prayed him to take him in.
+
+Snorri answered, "I grow an old man now, and loth am I to harbour
+outlawed men if no need drive me thereto. What has come to pass that
+the elder put thee off from him?"
+
+Grettir said that Thorstein had often done well to him; "But more
+shall I need than him alone, if things are to go well."
+
+Said Snorri, "My good word I shall put in for thee if that may avail
+thee aught, but in some other place than with me must thou seek a
+dwelling."
+
+With these words they parted, and Grettir turned west to Reekness;
+the Ramfirthers with their band got as far as Samstead, and there they
+heard that Grettir had departed from Liarskogar, and thereat they went
+back home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. L.
+
+<i>Grettir and the Foster-brothers at Reek-knolls</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir came to Reek-knolls about winter-nights, and prayed
+Thorgils for winter abode; Thorgils said, that for him as for other
+free men meat was ready; "but the fare of guests here is nowise
+choice." Grettir said he was not nice about that.
+
+"There is yet another thing here for thy trouble," said Thorgils:
+"Men are minded to harbour here, who are deemed somewhat hard to keep
+quiet, even as those foster-brothers, Thorgeir and Thormod; I wot not
+how meet it may be for you to be together; but their dwelling shall
+ever be here if they will it so: now mayst thou abide here if thou
+wilt, but I will not have it that either of you make strife with the
+other."
+
+Grettir said he would not be the first to raise strife with any man,
+and so much the less as the bonder's will was such.
+
+A little after came those foster-brothers home; things went not
+merrily betwixt Thorgeir and Grettir, but Thormod bore himself well.
+Goodman Thorgils said to the foster-brothers even as he had said
+to Grettir; and of such worth they held him, that neither cast an
+untoward word at the other although their minds went nowise the same
+way: and so wore the early winter.
+
+Now men say that Thorgils owned those isles, which are called
+Olaf's-isles, and lie out in the firth a sea-mile and a half off
+Reekness; there had bonder Thorgils a good ox that he might not fetch
+home in the autumn; and he was ever saying that he would fain have him
+against Yule. Now, one day those foster-brothers got ready to seek the
+ox, if a third man could be gotten to their aid: Grettir offered to go
+with them, and they were well pleased thereat; they went, the three of
+them, in a ten-oared boat: the weather was cold, and the wind shifting
+from the north, and the craft lay up on Whaleshead-holm.
+
+Now they sail out, and somewhat the wind got up, but they came to the
+isle and got hold of the ox; then asked Grettir which they would do,
+bear the ox aboard or keep hold of the craft, because the surf at
+the isle was great; then they bade him hold the boat; so he stood
+amidships on that side which looked from shore, and the sea took him
+up to the shoulder-blades, yet he held her so that she moved nowise:
+but Thorgeir took the ox behind and Thormod before, and so hove it
+down to the boat; then they sat down to row, and Thormod rowed in the
+bows, Thorgeir amidships, and Grettir aft, and therewith they made out
+into the open bay; but when they came off Goat-rock, a squall caught
+them, then said Thorgeir, "The stern is fain to lag behind."
+
+Then said Grettir, "The stern will not be left if the rowing afore be
+good."
+
+Thereat Thorgeir fell to rowing so hard that both the tholes were
+broken: then said he, "Row on, Grettir, while I mend the thole-pins."
+
+Then Grettir pulled mightily while Thorgeir did his mending, but when
+Thorgeir took to rowing again, the oars had got so worn that Grettir
+shook them asunder on the gunwale.
+
+"Better," quoth Thormod, "to row less and break nought."
+
+Then Grettir caught up two unshapen oar beams that lay in the boat and
+bored large holes in the gunwales, and rowed withal so mightily
+that every beam creaked, but whereas the craft was good, and the men
+somewhat of the brisker sort, they reached Whaleshead-holm.
+
+Then Grettir asked whether they would rather go home with the ox or
+haul up the boat; they chose to haul up the boat, and hauled it up
+with all the sea that was in it, and all the ice, for it was much
+covered with icicles: but Grettir led home the ox, and exceeding stiff
+in tow he was, and very fat, and he grew very weary, and when they
+came up below Titling-stead could go no more.
+
+The foster-brothers went up to the house, for neither would help the
+other in his allotted work; Thorgils asked after Grettir, but they
+told him where they had parted; then he sent men to meet him, and when
+they came down to Cave-knolls they saw how there came towards them a
+man with a neat on his back, and lo, there was Grettir come, bearing
+the ox: then all men wondered at his great might.
+
+Now Thorgeir got very envious of Grettir's strength, and one day
+somewhat after Yule, Grettir went alone to bathe; Thorgeir knew
+thereof, and said to Thormod, "Let us go on now, and try how Grettir
+will start if I set on him as he comes from his bathing."
+
+"That is not my mind," said Thormod, "and no good wilt thou get from
+him."
+
+"I will go though," says Thorgeir; and therewith he went down to the
+slope, and bore aloft an axe.
+
+By then was Grettir walking up from the bath, and when they met,
+Thorgeir said; "Is it true, Grettir," says he, "that thou hast said so
+much as that thou wouldst never run before one man?"
+
+"That I know not for sure," said Grettir, "yet but a little way have I
+run before thee."
+
+Thorgeir raised aloft the axe, but therewith Grettir ran in under
+Thorgeir and gave him an exceeding great fall: then said Thorgeir to
+Thormod, "Wilt thou stand by and see this fiend drive me down under
+him?"
+
+Thormod caught hold of Grettir's feet, and was minded to pull him
+from off Thorgeir, but could do nought thereat: he was girt with a
+short-sword and was going to draw it, when goodman Thorgils came up
+and bade them be quiet and have nought to do with Grettir.
+
+So did they and turned it all to game, and no more is told of their
+dealings; and men thought Thorgils had great luck in that he kept such
+reckless men in good peace.
+
+But when spring came they all went away; Grettir went round to
+Codfirth, and he was asked, how he liked the fare of the winter abode
+at Reek-knolls; he answered, "There have I ever been as fain as might
+be of my meals when I got at them."
+
+Thereafter he went west over the heaths.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LI.
+
+<i>Of the suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, and how Thorir of
+Garth would not that Grettir should be made sackless</i>.
+
+
+Thorgils Arison rode to the Thing with many men; and thither came all
+the great men of the land. Now Thorgils and Skapti the Lawman soon
+met, and fell to talking.
+
+Then said Skapti, "Is it true, Thorgils, that thou hast harboured
+those three men through the winter who are deemed to be the wildest of
+all men; yea, and all of them outlawed withal, and yet hast kept them
+so quiet, that no one of them has done hurt to the other?"
+
+Thorgils said it was true enough.
+
+Skapti said that great might over men it showed forth in him; "But how
+goes it, thinkest thou, with the temper of each of them; and which of
+them thinkest thou the bravest man?"
+
+Thorgils said, "I deem they are all of them full stout of heart; but
+two of them I deem know what fear is, and yet in unlike ways; for
+Thormod is a great believer and fears God much; but Grettir is so
+fearsome in the dark, that he dares go nowhither after dusk has set
+in, if he may do after his own mind. But my kinsman Thorgeir I deem
+knows not how to fear."
+
+"Yea, so it is with their minds as thou sayest," said Skapti; and with
+that they left talking.
+
+Now, at this Althing Thorod Drapa-Stump brought forward a suit for the
+slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, which he had not brought to a hearing at
+the Hunawater Thing, because of the kin of Atli, and he deemed that
+here his case would be less like to be thrown over. The kinsmen of
+Atli sought counsel of Skapti about the case; and he said he saw in
+it a lawful defence, so that full atonement would be forthcoming
+therefor. Then were these matters laid unto umpiredom, and most men
+were minded that the slayings of Atli and Thorbiorn should be set one
+against the other.
+
+But when Skapti knew that, he went to the judges, and asked whence
+they had that? They said that they deemed the slain men were bonders
+of equal worth.
+
+Then Skapti asked, which was the first, the outlawry of Grettir or
+the slaying of Atli? So, when that was reckoned up, there was a week's
+space betwixt Grettir's outlawry at the Althing and the slaying of
+Atli, which befell just after it.
+
+Then said Skapti, "Thereof my mind misgave me, that ye had made an
+oversight in setting on foot the suit in that ye made him a suitor,
+who was outlawed already, and could neither defend nor prosecute his
+own case. Now I say that Grettir has nought to do with the case of the
+slaying, but let him take up the blood-suit, who is nighest of kin by
+law."
+
+Then said Thorod Drapa-Stump, "And who shall answer for the slaying of
+Thorbiorn my brother?"
+
+"See ye to that for yourselves," said Skapti; "but the kin of Grettir
+will never pour out fee for him or his works, if no peace is to be
+bought for him."
+
+Now when Thorvald Asgeirson was aware that Grettir was set aside from
+following the blood-suit, he and his sought concerning who was the
+next of kin; and that turned out to be Skeggi, son of Gamli of
+Meals, and Uspak, son of Glum of Ere in Bitra; they were both of them
+exceeding zealous and pushing.
+
+Now must Thorod give atonement for Atli's slaying, and two hundreds in
+silver he had to pay.
+
+Then spake Snorri the Godi, "Will ye now, Ramfirthers," says he, "that
+this money-fine should fall away, and that Grettir be made sackless
+withal, for in my mind it is that as a guilty man he will be sorely
+felt?"
+
+Grettir's kin took up his word well, and said that they heeded the
+fee nought if he might have peace and freedom. Thorod said that he saw
+Grettir's lot would be full of heavy trouble, and made as if he would
+take the offer, for his part. Then Snorri bade them first know if
+Thorir of Garth would give his leave to Grettir being made free; but
+when Thorir heard thereof he turned away exceeding wroth, and said
+that Grettir should never either get out of his outlawry or be brought
+out of it: "And the more to bring that about," said he, "a greater
+price shall be put on his head than on the head of any outlaw or
+wood-man yet."
+
+So, when he took the thing so ill, the freeing of Grettir came to
+nought, and Gamli and his fellows took the money to them, and kept it
+in their ward; but Thorod Drapa-Stump had no atonement for his brother
+Thorbiorn.
+
+Now Thorir and Thorod set each of them on Grettir's head three marks
+of silver, and that folk deemed a new thing, for never had any greater
+price been laid down to such an end before than three marks in all.
+
+Snorri said it was unwisely done to make a sport of keeping a man in
+outlawry who might work so much ill, and that many a man would have to
+pay for it.
+
+But now men part and ride home from the Thing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LII.
+
+<i>How Grettir was taken by the Icefirth Carles</i>.
+
+
+When Grettir came over Codfirth-heath down into Longdale, he swept up
+unsparingly the goods of the petty bonders, and had of every man what
+he would; from some he took weapons, from some clothes; and these folk
+gave up in very unlike ways; but as soon as he was gone, all said they
+gave them unwillingly.
+
+In those days dwelt in Waterfirth Vermund the Slender, the brother of
+Slaying-Styr; he had to wife Thorbiorg, the daughter of Olaf Peacock,
+son of Hoskuld. She was called Thorbiorg the Big; but at the time that
+Grettir was in Longdale had Vermund ridden to the Thing.
+
+Now Grettir went over the neck to Bathstead. There dwelt a man called
+Helgi, who was the biggest of bonders thereabout: from there had
+Grettir a good horse, which the bonder owned, and thence he went to
+Giorvidale, where farmed a man named Thorkel. He was well stored with
+victuals, yet a mannikin withal: therefrom took Grettir what he would,
+nor durst Thorkel blame him or withhold aught from him.
+
+Thence went Grettir to Ere, and out along the side of the firth, and
+had from every farm victuals and clothes, and dealt hardly with many;
+so that most men deemed him a heavy trouble to live under.
+
+Now he fared fearlessly withal, and took no keep of himself, and
+so went on till he came to Waterfirth-dale, and went to the
+mountain-dairy, and there he dwelt a many nights, and lay in the woods
+there, and took no heed to himself; but when the herdsmen knew that,
+they went to the farm, and said that to that stead was a fiend come
+whom they deemed nowise easy to deal with; then the farmers gathered
+together, and were thirty men in all: they lurked in the wood, so that
+Grettir was unaware of them, and let a shepherd spy on Grettir till
+they might get at him, yet they wotted not clearly who the man was.
+
+Now so it befell that on a day as Grettir lay sleeping, the bonders
+came upon him, and when they saw him they took counsel how they should
+take him at the least cost of life, and settled so that ten men should
+leap on him, while some laid bonds on his feet; and this they did, and
+threw themselves on him, but Grettir broke forth so mightily that they
+fell from off him, and he got to his knees, yet thereby they might
+cast the bonds over him, and round about his feet; then Grettir
+spurned two of them so hard about the ears that they lay stunned on
+the earth. Now one after the other rushed at him, and he struggled
+hard and long, yet had they might to overcome him at the last, and so
+bound him.
+
+Thereafter they talked over what they should do with him, and they
+bade Helgi of Bathstead take him and keep him in ward till Vermund
+came home from the Thing. He answered--
+
+"Other things I deem more helpful to me than to let my house-carles
+sit over him, for my lands are hard to work, nor shall he ever come
+across me."
+
+Then they bade Thorkel of Giorvidale take and keep him, and said that
+he was a man who had enow.
+
+But Thorkel spake against it, and said that for nought would he do
+that: "Whereas I live alone in my house with my Carline, far from
+other men; nor shall ye lay that box on me," said he.
+
+"Then, Thoralf of Ere," said they, "do thou take Grettir and do well
+to him till after the Thing; or else bring him on to the next farm,
+and be answerable that he get not loose, but deliver him bound as now
+thou hast him."
+
+He answers, "Nay, I will not take Grettir, for I have neither victuals
+nor money to keep him withal, nor has he been taken on my land, and I
+deem it more trouble than honour to take him, or to have aught to do
+with him, nor shall he ever come into my house."
+
+Thereafter they tried it with every bonder, but one and all spake
+against it; and after this talk have merry men made that lay which is
+hight Grettir's-faring, and added many words of good game thereto for
+the sport of men.
+
+So when they had talked it over long, they said, with one assent, that
+they would not make ill hap of their good-hap; so they went about and
+straightway reared up a gallows there in the wood, with the mind to
+hang Grettir, and made great clatter thereover.
+
+Even therewith they see six folk riding down below in the dale, and
+one in coloured clothes, and they guessed that there would goodwife
+Thorbiorg be going from Waterfirth; and so it was, and she was
+going to the mountain-dairy. Now she was a very stirring woman, and
+exceeding wise; she had the ruling of the neighbourhood, and settled
+all matters, when Vermund was from home. Now she turned to where the
+men were gathered, and was helped off her horse, and the bonders gave
+her good welcome.
+
+Then said she, "What have ye here? or who is the big-necked one who
+sits in bonds yonder?"
+
+Grettir named himself, and greeted her.
+
+She spake again, "What drove thee to this, Grettir," says she, "that
+thou must needs do riotously among my Thing-men?"
+
+"I may not look to everything; I must needs be somewhere," said he.
+
+"Great ill luck it is," says she, "that these milksops should take
+thee in such wise that none should fall before thee. What are ye
+minded to do with him?"
+
+The bonders told her that they were going to tie him up to the gallows
+for his lawlessness.
+
+She answers, "Maybe Grettir is guilty enough therefor, but it is
+too great a deed for you, Icefirthers, to take his life, for he is a
+famous man, and of mighty kin, albeit he is no lucky man; but now what
+wilt thou do for thy life, Grettir, if I give it thee?"
+
+He answered, "What sayest thou thereto?"
+
+She said, "Thou shalt make oath to work no evil riots here in
+Icefirth, and take no revenge on whomsoever has been at the taking of
+thee."
+
+Grettir said that she should have her will, and so he was loosed; and
+he says of himself that at that time of all times did he most rule his
+temper, when he smote them not as they made themselves great before
+him.
+
+Now Thorbiorg bade him go home with her, and gave him a horse for his
+riding; so he went to Waterfirth and abode there till Vermund came
+home, and the housewife did well to him, and for this deed was she
+much renowned far and wide in the district.
+
+But Vermund took this ill at his coming home, and asked what made
+Grettir there? Then Thorbiorg told him how all had gone betwixt
+Grettir and the Icefirthers.
+
+"What reward was due to him," said Vermund, "that thou gavest him his
+life?"
+
+"Many grounds there were thereto," said Thorbiorg; "and this, first of
+all, that thou wilt be deemed a greater chief than before in that thou
+hast a wife who has dared to do such a deed; and then withal surely
+would Hrefna his kinswoman say that I should not let men slay him;
+and, thirdly, he is a man of the greatest prowess in many wise."
+
+"A wise wife thou art withal," said Vermund, "and have thou thanks
+therefor."
+
+Then he said to Grettir, "Stout as thou art, but little was to be paid
+for thee, when thou must needs be taken of mannikins; but so ever it
+fares with men riotous."
+
+Then Grettir sang this stave--
+
+  "Ill luck-to me
+  That I should be
+  On sea-roof-firth
+  Borne unto earth;
+  Ill luck enow
+  To lie alow,
+  This head of mine
+  Griped fast by swine."
+
+"What were they minded to do to thee," said Vermund, "when they took
+thee there?"
+
+Quoth Grettir--
+
+  "There many men
+  Bade give me then
+  E'en Sigar's meed
+  For lovesome deed;
+  Till found me there
+  That willow fair,
+  Whose leaves are praise,
+  Her stems good days."
+
+Vermund asked, "Would they have hanged thee then, if they alone had
+had to meddle with matters?"
+
+Said Grettir--
+
+  "Yea, to the snare
+  That dangled there
+  My head must I
+  Soon bring anigh;
+  But Thorbiorg came
+  The brightest dame,
+  And from that need
+  The singer freed."
+
+Then said Vermund, "Did she bid thee to her?"
+
+Grettir answered--
+
+  "Sif's lord's good aid,
+  My saviour, bade
+  To take my way
+  With her that day;
+  So did it fall;
+  And therewithal
+  A horse she gave;
+  Good peace I have."
+
+"Mighty will thy life be and troublous," said Vermund; "but now thou
+hast learned to beware of thy foes; but I have no will to harbour
+thee, and gain therefor the ill-will of many rich men; but best is it
+for thee to seek thy kinsmen, though few men will be willing to take
+thee in if they may do aught else; nor to most men art thou an easy
+fellow withal."
+
+Now Grettir was in Waterfirth a certain space, and then fared thence
+to the Westfirths, and sought shelter of many great men; but something
+ever came to pass whereby none of them would harbour him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LIII.
+
+<i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i>.
+
+
+When the autumn was somewhat spent, Grettir turned back by the south,
+and made no stay till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, his
+kinsman, and there had he good welcome, for Thorstein bade him abide
+there through the winter, and that bidding he agreed to. Thorstein
+was a busy man and a good smith, and kept men close to their work;
+but Grettir had little mind to work, wherefore their tempers went but
+little together.
+
+Thorstein had let make a church at his homestead; and a bridge he had
+made out from his house, wrought with great craft; for in the outside
+bridge, under the beams that held it up, were rings wrought all about,
+and din-bells, so that one might hear over to Scarf-stead, half a
+sea-mile off, if aught went over the bridge, because of the shaking of
+the rings. Thorstein had much to do over this work, for he was a great
+worker of iron; but Grettir went fiercely at the iron-smiting, yet was
+in many minds thereover; but he was quiet through the winter, so
+that nought befell worthy telling. But when the Ramfirthers knew
+that Grettir was with Thorstein, they had their band afoot as soon as
+spring came. So when Thorstein knew that, he bade Grettir seek some
+other shelter than his house, "For I see thou wilt not work, and men
+who will do nought are not meet men for me."
+
+"Where wouldst thou have me go, then?" said Grettir.
+
+Thorstein bade him fare to the south country, and find his kin, "But
+come to me if they avail thee not."
+
+Now so Grettir wrought that he went south to Burgfirth, to Grim
+Thorhallson, and dwelt there till over the Thing. Then Grim sent him
+on to Skapti the Lawman at Hjalli, and he went south by the lower
+heaths and stayed not till he came to Thorhall, son of Asgrim, son
+of Ellida-grim, and went little in the peopled lands. Thorhall knew
+Grettir because of his father and mother, and, indeed, by then was
+the name of Grettir well renowned through all the land because of his
+great deeds.
+
+Thorhall was a wise man, and he did well to Grettir, but would not let
+him abide there long.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LIV.
+
+<i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir fared from Tongue up to Hawkdale, and thence north upon
+the Keel, and kept about there long that summer; nor was there trust
+of him that he would not take men's goods from them, as they went from
+or to the north over the Keel, because he was hard put to it to get
+wares.
+
+Now on a day, when as Grettir would keep about the north at
+Doveness-path, he saw a man riding from the north over the Keel; he
+was huge to behold on horseback, and had a good horse, and an embossed
+bridle well wrought; another horse he had in tow and bags thereon;
+this man had withal a slouched hat on his head, nor could his face be
+clearly seen.
+
+Now Grettir looked hard at the horse and the goods thereon, and went
+to meet the man, and greeting him asked his name, but he said he was
+called Air. "I wot well what thou art called," said he, "for thou
+shalt be Grettir the Strong, the son of Asmund. Whither art thou
+bound?"
+
+"As to the place I have not named it yet," said Grettir; "but as to
+my errand, it is to know if thou wilt lay down some of the goods thou
+farest with."
+
+Said Air, "Why should I give thee mine own, or what wilt thou give me
+therefor?"
+
+Grettir answers, "Hast thou not heard that I take, and give no money
+again? and yet it seems to most men that I get what I will."
+
+Said Air, "Give such choice as this to those who deem it good, but not
+thus will I give up what I have; let each of us go his own way."
+
+And therewithal he rode forth past Grettir and spurred his horse.
+
+"Nay, we part not so hastily," said Grettir, and laid hold of the
+reins of Air's horse in front of his hands, and held on with both
+hands.
+
+Said Air, "Go thy ways, nought thou hast of me if I may hold mine
+own."
+
+"That will now be proven," said Grettir.
+
+Now Air stretched his hands down the head-gear and laid hold of the
+reins betwixt Grettir's hands and the snaffle-rings and dragged at
+them so hard that Grettir's hands were drawn down along the reins,
+till Air dragged all the bridle from him.
+
+Grettir looked into the hollow of his hands, and saw that this man
+must have strength in claws rather than not, and he looked after him,
+and said, "Whither art thou minded to fare?"
+
+Air answered and sang--
+
+  "To the Kettle's side
+  Now will I ride,
+  Where the waters fall
+  From the great ice-wall;
+  If thou hast mind
+  There mayest thou find
+  With little stone[17]
+  Fist's land alone."
+
+[Footnote 17: Hall, a "stone": mund, is hand, and by periphrasis "land
+of fist"; so that Hallmund is meant by this couplet, and that was the
+real name of "Air," who is not a mere man, but a friendly spirit of
+the mountains.]
+
+Grettir said, "It is of no avail to seek after thine abode if thou
+tellest of it no clearer than this."
+
+Then Air spake and sang--
+
+  "I would not hide
+  Where I abide,
+  If thou art fain
+  To see me again;
+  From that lone weald,
+  Over Burgfirth field,
+  That ye men name
+  Balljokul, I came."
+
+Thereat they parted, and Grettir sees that he has no strength against
+this man; and therewithal he sang a stave--
+
+  "Too far on this luckless day,
+  Atli, good at weapon-play,
+  Brisk Illugi were from me;
+  Such-like oft I shall not be
+  As I was, when I must stand
+  With the reins drawn through my hand
+  By the unflinching losel Air.
+  Maids weep when they know I fear."
+
+Thereafter Grettir went to the south from the Keel; and rode to Hjalli
+and found Skapti, and prayed for watch and ward from him.
+
+Skapti said, "It is told me that thou farest somewhat lawlessly, and
+layest hand on other men's goods; and this beseems thee ill, great of
+kin as thou art. Now all would make a better tale, if thou didst not
+rob and reive; but whereas I have to bear the name of lawman in the
+land, folk would not abide that I should take outlawed men to me, and
+break the laws thereby. I will that thou seek some place wherein thou
+wilt not have need to take men's goods from them."
+
+Grettir said he would do even so, yet withal that he might scarcely be
+alone because he so feared the dark.
+
+Skapti said that of that one thing then, which he deemed the best, he
+might not avail himself; "But put not such trust in any as to fare as
+thou didst in the Westfirths; it has been many a man's bane that he
+has been too trustful."
+
+Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and so turned back to
+Burgfirth in the autumn, and found Grim Thorhallson, his friend,
+and told him of Skapti's counsels; so Grim bade him fare north to
+Fishwater lakes on Ernewaterheath; and thus did he.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LV.
+
+<i>Of Grettir on Ernewaterheath, and his dealings with Grim there</i>.
+
+
+Grettir went up to Ernewaterheath and made there a hut for himself
+(whereof are yet signs left) and dwelt there, for now was he fain to
+do anything rather than rob and reive; he got him nets and a boat
+and caught fish for his food; exceeding dreary he deemed it in the
+mountains, because he was so fearsome of the dark.
+
+But when other outlaws heard this, that Grettir was come down there,
+many of them had a mind to see him, because they thought there was
+much avail of him. There was a man called Grim, a Northlander, who
+was an outlaw; with him the Northlanders made a bargain that he should
+slay Grettir, and promised him freedom and gifts of money, if he
+should bring it to pass; so he went to meet Grettir, and prayed him to
+take him in.
+
+Grettir answers, "I see not how thou art the more holpen for being
+with me, and troublous to heed are ye wood-folk; but ill I deem it to
+be alone, if other choice there were; but I will that such an one only
+be with me as shall do whatso work may befall."
+
+Grim said he was of no other mind, and prayed hard that he might dwell
+there; then Grettir let himself be talked round, and took him in; and
+he was there on into the winter, and watched Grettir, but deemed it
+no little matter to set on him. Grettir misdoubted him, and had his
+weapons by his side night and day, nor durst Grim attack him while he
+was awake.
+
+But one morning whenas Grim came in from fishing, he went into the hut
+and stamped with his foot, and would know whether Grettir slept, but
+he started in nowise, but lay still; and the short-sword hung up over
+Grettir's head.
+
+Now Grim thought that no better chance would happen, so he made a
+great noise, that Grettir might chide him, therefore, if he were
+awake, but that befell not. Now he thought that Grettir must surely
+be asleep, so he went stealthily up to the bed and reached out for the
+short-sword, and took it down, and unsheathed it. But even therewith
+Grettir sprang up on to the floor, and caught the short-sword just as
+the other raised it aloft, and laid the other hand on Grim betwixt the
+shoulders, and cast him down with such a fall, that he was well-nigh
+stunned; "Ah, such hast thou shown thyself," said he, "though thou
+wouldest give me good hope of thee." Then he had a true story from
+him, and thereafter slew him.
+
+And now Grettir deemed he saw what it was to take in wood-folk, and
+so the winter wore; and nothing Grettir thought to be of more trouble
+than his dread of the dark.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LVI.
+
+<i>Of Grettir and Thorir Redbeard</i>.
+
+
+Now Thorir of Garth heard where Grettir had set himself down, and was
+fain to set afoot some plot whereby he might be slain. There was a
+man called Thorir Redbeard; he was the biggest of men, and a great
+man-slayer, and therefore was he made outlaw throughout the land.
+Thorir of Garth sent word to him, and when they met he bade him go on
+an errand of his, and slay Grettir the Strong. Redbeard said that was
+no easy task, and that Grettir was a wise man and a wary.
+
+Thorir bade him make up his mind to this; "A manly task it is for so
+brisk a fellow as thou; but I shall bring thee out of thine outlawry,
+and therewithal give thee money enough."
+
+So by that counsel Redbeard abode, and Thorir told him how he should
+go about the winning of Grettir. So thereafter he went round the
+land by the east, for thus he deemed his faring would be the less
+misdoubted; so he came to Ernewaterheath when Grettir had been there a
+winter. But when he met Grettir, he prayed for winter dwelling at his
+hands.
+
+Grettir answered, "I cannot suffer you often to play the like play
+with me that he did who came here last autumn, who bepraised me
+cunningly, and when he had been here a little while lay in wait for my
+life; now, therefore, I have no mind to run the risk any more of the
+taking in of wood-folk."
+
+Thorir answered, "My mind goes fully with thine in that thou deemest
+ill of outlawed men: and thou wilt have heard tell of me as of a
+man-slayer and a misdoer, but not as of a doer of such foul deeds as
+to betray my master. Now, <i>ill it is ill to be</i>, for many deem
+others to do after their own ways; nor should I have been minded to
+come hither, if I might have had a choice of better things; withal I
+deem we shall not easily be won while we stand together; thou mightest
+risk trying at first how thou likest me, and let me go my ways whenso
+thou markest ill faith in me."
+
+Grettir answered, "Once more then will I risk it, even with thee; but
+wot thou well, that if I misdoubt me of thee, that will be thy bane."
+
+Thorir bade him do even so, and thereafter Grettir received him, and
+found this, that he must have the strength of twain, what work soever
+he took in hand: he was ready for anything that Grettir might set him
+to, and Grettir need turn to nothing, nor had he found his life so
+good since he had been outlawed, yet was he ever so wary of himself
+that Thorir never got a chance against him.
+
+Thorir Redbeard was with Grettir on the heath for two winters, and now
+he began to loathe his life on the heath, and falls to thinking what
+deed he shall do that Grettir will not see through; so one night
+in spring a great storm arose while they were asleep; Grettir awoke
+therewith, and asked where was their boat. Thorir sprang up, and ran
+down to the boat, and brake it all to pieces, and threw the broken
+pieces about here and there, so that it seemed as though the storm had
+driven them along. Then he went into the hut, and called out aloud,
+
+"Good things have not befallen us, my friend," said he; "for our
+boat is all broken to pieces, and the nets lie a long way out in the
+water."
+
+"Go and bring them in then," said Grettir, "for methinks it is with
+thy goodwill that the boat is broken."
+
+Thorir answered, "Among manly deeds swimming is the least handy to
+me, but most other deeds, I think, I may do against men who are not
+marvellous; thou mayest wot well enough that I was minded that thou
+shouldst not have to work while I abode here, and this I would not bid
+if it were in me to do it."
+
+Then Grettir arose and took his weapons, and went to the water-side.
+Now the land was so wrought there that a ness ran into the water, and
+a great creek was on the other side, and the water was deep right up
+to the shore.
+
+Now Grettir spake: "Swim off to the nets, and let me see how skilled a
+man thou art."
+
+"I told thee before," said Thorir, "that I might not swim; and now I
+know not what is gone with thy manliness and daring."
+
+"Well, the nets I may get in," said Grettir, "but betray thou me not,
+since I trust in thee."
+
+Said Thorir, "Deem me not to be so shamed and worthless."
+
+"Thou wilt thyself prove thyself, what thou art," said Grettir, and
+therewith he put off his clothes and weapons, and swam off for the
+nets. He swept them up together, and brought them to land, and cast
+them on to the bank; but when he was minded to come aland, then Thorir
+caught up the short-sword and drew it hastily, and ran therewith
+swiftly on Grettir, and smote at him as he set foot on the bank; but
+Grettir fell on his back down into the water, and sank like a stone;
+and Thorir stood gazing out on to the water, to keep him off from
+the shore if he came up again; but Grettir dived and groped along the
+bottom as near as he might to the bank, so that Thorir might not see
+him till he came into the creek at his back, and got aland; and Thorir
+heeded him not, and felt nought till Grettir heaved him up over his
+head, and cast him down so hard that the short-sword flew out of his
+hand; then Grettir got hold of it and had no words with him, but smote
+off his head straightway, and this was the end of his life.
+
+But after this would Grettir never take outlaws to him, yet hardly
+might he bear to be alone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LVII.
+
+<i>How Thorir of Garth set on Grettir on Ernewaterheath</i>.
+
+
+At the Althing Thorir of Garth heard of the slaying of Thorir
+Redbeard, and now he thought he saw that he had no light task to
+deal with; but such rede he took that he rode west over the lower
+heathlands from the Thing with well-nigh eighty men, and was minded to
+go and take Grettir's life: but when Grim Thorhallson knew thereof he
+sent Grettir word and bade him beware of himself, so Grettir ever took
+heed to the goings of men. But one day he saw many men riding who took
+the way to his abode; so he ran into a rift in the rocks, nor would he
+flee because he had not seen all the strength of those folk.
+
+Then up came Thorir and all his men, and bade them smite Grettir's
+head from his body, and said that the ill-doer's life would be had
+cheaply now.
+
+Grettir answered, "<i>Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth
+has had no sup</i>. From afar have ye come, and marks of the game
+shall some have ere we part."
+
+Then Thorir egged on his men busily to set on him; but the pass was
+narrow, and he could defend it well from one side; yet hereat he
+marvelled, that howsoever they went round to the back of him, yet
+no hurt he got thereby; some fell of Thorir's company, and some were
+wounded, but nothing might they do.
+
+Then said Thorir, "Oft have I heard that Grettir is a man of marvel
+before all others for prowess and good heart, but never knew I that he
+was so wise a wizard as now I behold him; for half as many again fall
+at his back as fall before him; lo, now we have to do with trolls and
+no men."
+
+So he bid them turn away and they did so. Grettir marvelled how that
+might be, for withal he was utterly foredone.
+
+Thorir and his men turn away and ride toward the north country, and
+men deemed their journey to be of the shame fullest; eighteen men had
+they left there and many were wounded withal.
+
+Now Grettir went up into the pass, and found there one great of
+growth, who sat leaning against the rock and was sore wounded. Grettir
+asked him of his name, and he said he was hight Hallmund.
+
+"And this I will tell thee to know me by, that thou didst deem me to
+have a good hold of the reins that summer when we met on the Keel;
+now, methinks, I have paid thee back therefor."
+
+"Yea, in sooth," said Grettir, "I deem that thou hast shown great
+manliness toward me; whenso I may, I will reward thee."
+
+Hallmund said, "But now I will that thou come to my abode, for thou
+must e'en think time drags heavily here on the heaths."
+
+Grettir said he was fain thereof; and now they fare both together
+south under Balljokul, and there had Hallmund a huge cave, and a
+daughter great of growth and of high mind; there they did well to
+Grettir, and the woman healed the wounds of both of them, and Grettir
+dwelt long there that summer, and a lay he made on Hallmund, wherein
+is this--
+
+  "Wide and high doth Hallmund stride
+  In the hollow mountain side."
+
+And this stave also is therein--
+
+  "At Ernewater, one by one,
+  Stole the swords forth in the sun,
+  Eager for the road of death
+  Swept athwart by sharp spears' breath;
+  Many a dead Wellwharfer's lands
+  That day gave to other hands.
+  Hallmund, dweller in the cave,
+  Grettir's life that day did save."
+
+Men say that Grettir slew six men in that meeting, but Hallmund
+twelve.
+
+Now as the summer wore Grettir yearned for the peopled country, to see
+his friends and kin; Hallmund bade him visit him when he came to the
+south country again, and Grettir promised him so to do; then he went
+west to Burgfirth, and thence to the Broadfirth Dales, and sought
+counsel of Thorstein Kuggson as to where he should now seek for
+protection, but Thorstein said that his foes were now so many that few
+would harbour him; "But thou mightest fare south to the Marshes and
+see what fate abides thee there."
+
+So in the autumn Grettir went south to the Marshes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LVIII.
+
+<i>Grettir in Fairwoodfell</i>.
+
+
+In those days dwelt at Holm Biorn the Hitdale-Champion, who was the
+son of Arngeir, the son of Berse the Godless, the son of Balk, who
+settled Ramfirth as is aforesaid; Biorn was a great chief and a hardy
+man, and would ever harbour outlawed men.
+
+Now Grettir came to Holm, and Biorn gave him good cheer, for there had
+been friendship between the earlier kin of both of them; so Grettir
+asked if he would give him harbourage; but Biorn said that he had
+got to himself so many feuds through all the land that men would shun
+harbouring him so long as to be made outlaws therefor: "But some gain
+will I be to thee, if thou lettest those men dwell in peace who are
+under my ward, whatsoever thou dost by other men in the country-side."
+
+Grettir said yea thereto. Then said Biorn, "Well, I have thought over
+it, and in that mountain, which stretches forth outside of Hitriver,
+is a stead good for defence, and a good hiding-place withal, if it be
+cunningly dealt with; for there is a hollow through the mountain, that
+is seen from the way below; for the highway lies beneath it, but above
+is a slip of sand and stones so exceeding steep, that few men may come
+up there if one hardy man stand on his defence above in the lair.
+Now this seems to me the best rede for thee, and the one thing worth
+talking of for thine abode, because, withal, it is easy to go thence
+and get goods from the Marshes, and right away to the sea."
+
+Grettir said that he would trust in his foresight if he would give him
+any help. Then he went up to Fairwoodfell and made his abode there;
+he hung grey wadmal before the hole in the mountain, and from the way
+below it was like to behold as if one saw through. Now he was wont
+to ride for things needful through the country-side, and men deemed a
+woful guest had come among them whereas he went.
+
+Thord Kolbeinson dwelt at Hitness in those days, and a good skald he
+was; at that time was there great enmity betwixt him and Biorn; and
+Biorn was but half loth, though Grettir wrought some ill on Thord's
+men or his goods.
+
+Grettir was ever with Biorn, and they tried their skill in many
+sports, and it is shown in the story of Biorn that they were deemed
+equal in prowess, but it is the mind of most that Grettir was the
+strongest man ever known in the land, since Orm the son of Storolf,
+and Thoralf the son of Skolm, left off their trials of strength.
+Grettir and Biorn swam in one spell all down Hitriver, from the lake
+right away to the sea: they brought those stepping-stones into the
+river that have never since been washed away either by floods, or the
+drift of ice, or glacier slips.
+
+So Grettir abode in Fairwoodfell for one winter, in such wise, that
+none set on him, though many lost their goods at his hands and could
+do nought therefor, for a good place for defence he had, and was ever
+good friend to those nighest to him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LIX.
+
+<i>Gisli's meeting with Grettir</i>.
+
+
+There was a man hight Gisli, the son of that Thorstein whom Snorri
+Godi had slain. Gisli was a big man and strong, a man showy in
+weapons and clothes, who made much of himself, and was somewhat of
+a self-praiser; he was a seafaring man, and came one summer out to
+Whiteriver, whenas Grettir had been a winter on the fell. Thord, son
+of Kolbein, rode to his ship, and Gisli gave him good welcome, and
+bade him take of his wares whatso he would; thereto Thord agreed, and
+then they fell to talk one with the other, and Gisli said:
+
+"Is that true which is told me, that ye have no counsel that avails to
+rid you of a certain outlaw who is doing you great ill?"
+
+Thord said, "We have not tried aught on him yet, but to many he seems
+a man hard to deal with, and that has been proven on many a man."
+
+"It is like, methinks, that you should find Biorn a heavy trouble, if
+ye may not drive away this man: luckless it is for you withal, that I
+shall be too far off this winter to better matters for you."
+
+"Thou wilt be better pleased to deal with him by hearsay."
+
+"Nay, no need to tell me of Grettir," said Gisli; "I have borne harder
+brunts when I was in warfare along with King Knut the Mighty, and west
+over the Sea, and I was ever thought to hold my own; and if I should
+have a chance at him I would trust myself and my weapons well enough."
+
+Thord said he would not work for nought if he prevailed against
+Grettir; "For there is more put upon his head than on the head of any
+other of wood-folk; six marks of silver it was; but last summer Thorir
+of Garth laid thereto yet three marks; and men deem he will have
+enough to do therefor whose lot it is to win it."
+
+"All things soever will men do for money," says Gisli, "and we chapmen
+not the least; but now shall we keep this talk hushed up, for mayhap
+he will be the warier," says he, "if he come to know that I am with
+you against him: now I am minded to abide this winter at Snowfellsness
+at Wave-ridge. Is his lair on my way at all? for he will not foresee
+this, nor shall I draw together many men against him."
+
+Thord liked the plot well, he rode home therewith and held his peace
+about this; but now things went according to the saw, <i>a listening
+ear in the holt is anear</i>; men had been by at the talk betwixt
+Thord and Gisli, who were friends to Biorn of Hitdale, and they told
+him all from end to end; so when Biorn and Grettir met, Biorn showed
+forth the whole matter to him, and said that now he might prove how he
+could meet a foe.
+
+"It would not be bad sport," said he, "if thou wert to handle him
+roughly, but to slay him not, if thou mightest do otherwise."
+
+Grettir smiled thereat, but spake little.
+
+Now at the folding time in the autumn Grettir went down to
+Flysia-wharf and got sheep for himself; he had laid hold on four
+wethers; but the bonders became ware of his ways and went after him;
+and these two things befell at the same time, that he got up under the
+fell-side, and that they came upon him, and would drive the sheep from
+him, yet bare they no weapon against him; they were six altogether,
+and stood thick in his path. Now the sheep troubled him and he waxed
+wroth, and caught up two of those men, and cast them down over the
+hill-side, so that they lay stunned; and when the others saw that,
+they came on less eagerly; then Grettir took up the sheep and locked
+them together by the horns, and threw them over his shoulders, two on
+each side, and went up into his lair.
+
+So the bonders turned back, and deemed they had got but ill from him,
+and their lot misliked them now worse than before.
+
+Now Gisli abode at his ship through the autumn till it was rolled
+ashore. Many things made him abide there, so he was ready late, and
+rode away but a little before winter-nights. Then he went from the
+south, and guested under Raun on the south side of Hitriver. In the
+morning, before he rode thence, he began a talk with his fellows:
+
+"Now shall we ride in coloured clothes to-day, and let the outlaw see
+that we are not like other wayfarers who are drifted about here day by
+day."
+
+So this they did, and they were three in all: but when they came west
+over the river, he spake again to them:
+
+"Here in these bents, I am told, lurks the outlaw, and no easy way is
+there up to him; but may it not perchance seem good to him to come and
+meet us and behold our array?"
+
+They said that it was ever his wont so to do. Now that morning Grettir
+had risen early in his lair; the weather was cold and frosty, and snow
+had fallen, but not much of it. He saw how three men rode from the
+south over Hitriver, and their state raiment glittered and their
+inlaid shields. Then it came into his mind who these should be, and he
+deems it would be good for him to get some rag of their array; and he
+was right wishful withal to meet such braggarts: so he catches up his
+weapons and runs down the slip-side. And when Gisli heard the clatter
+of the stones, he spake thus:
+
+"There goes a man down the hill-side, and somewhat big he is, and he
+is coming to meet us: now, therefore, let us go against him briskly,
+for here is good getting come to hand."
+
+His fellows said that this one would scarce run into their very
+hands, if he knew not his might; "And good it is that <i>he bewail who
+brought the woe</i>."
+
+So they leapt off their horses, and therewith Grettir came up to them,
+and laid hands on a clothes-bag that Gisli had tied to his saddle
+behind him, and said--
+
+"This will I have, for oft I lowt for little things."
+
+Gisli answers, "Nay, it shall not be; dost thou know with whom thou
+hast to do?"
+
+Says Grettir, "I am not very clear about that; nor will I have much
+respect for persons, since I am lowly now, and ask for little."
+
+"Mayhap thou thinkest it little," says he, "but I had rather pay down
+thirty hundreds; but robbery and wrong are ever uppermost in thy mind
+methinks; so on him, good fellows, and let see what he may do."
+
+So did they, and Grettir gave back before them to a stone which stands
+by the way and is called Grettir's-Heave, and thence defended himself;
+and Gisli egged on his fellows eagerly; but Grettir saw now that he
+was no such a hardy heart as he had made believe, for he was ever
+behind his fellows' backs; and withal he grew aweary of this fulling
+business, and swept round the short-sword, and smote one of Gisli's
+fellows to the death, and leaped down from the stone, and set on so
+fiercely, that Gisli shrank aback before him all along the hill-side:
+there Gisli's other fellow was slain, and then Grettir spake:
+
+"Little is it seen in thee that thou hast done well wide in the world,
+and in ill wise dost thou part from thy fellows."
+
+Gisli answers, "<i>Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself--with
+hell's-man are dealings ill</i>."
+
+Then they gave and took but a little, before Gisli cast away his
+weapons, and took to his heels out along the mountain. Grettir gave
+him time to cast off whatso he would, and every time Gisli saw a
+chance for it he threw off somewhat of his clothes; and Grettir never
+followed him so close but that there was still some space
+betwixt them. Gisli ran right past that mountain and then across
+Coldriver-dale, and then through Aslaug's-lithe and above by
+Kolbeinstead, and then out into Burgh-lava; and by then was he in
+shirt and breech alone, and was now exceeding weary. Grettir still
+followed after him, and there was ever a stone's throw between them;
+and now he pulled up a great bush. But Gisli made no stay till he came
+out at Haf-firth-river, and it was swollen with ice and ill to ford;
+Gisli made straightway for the river, but Grettir ran in on him and
+seized him, and then the strength of either was soon known: Grettir
+drave him down under him, and said,
+
+"Art thou that Gisli who would fain meet Grettir Asmundson?"
+
+Gisli answers, "I have found him now, in good sooth, nor do I know in
+what wise we shall part: keep that which thou hast got, and let me go
+free."
+
+Grettir said, "Nay, thou art scarce deft enow to learn what I have to
+teach thee, so needs must I give thee somewhat to remember it by."
+
+Therewith he pulls the shirt up over his head and let the twigs go all
+down his back, and along both sides of him, and Gisli strove all he
+might to wriggle away from him; but Grettir flogged him through and
+through, and then let him go; and Gisli thought he would learn no
+more of Grettir and have such another flogging withal; nor did he ever
+again earn the like skin-rubbing.
+
+But when he got his legs under him again, he ran off unto a great
+pool in the river, and swam it, and came by night to a farm called
+Horseholt, and utterly foredone he was by then. There he lay a week
+with his body all swollen, and then fared to his abode.
+
+Grettir turned back, and took up the things Gisli had cast down, and
+brought them to his place, nor from that time forth gat Gisli aught
+thereof.
+
+Many men thought Gisli had his due herein for the noise and swagger
+he had made about himself; and Grettir sang this about their dealings
+together--
+
+  "In fighting ring where steed meets steed,
+  The sluggish brute of mongrel breed,
+  Certes will shrink back nothing less
+  Before the stallion's dauntlessness,
+  Than Gisli before me to-day;
+  As, casting shame and clothes away,
+  And sweating o'er the marsh with fear,
+  He helped the wind from mouth and rear."
+
+The next spring Gisli got ready to go to his ship, and bade men above
+all things beware of carrying aught of his goods south along the
+mountain, and said that the very fiend dwelt there.
+
+Gisli rode south along the sea all the way to his ship, and never met
+Grettir again; and now he is out of the story.
+
+But things grew worse between Thord Kolbeinson and Grettir, and Thord
+set on foot many a plot to get Grettir driven away or slain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LX.
+
+<i>Of the Fight at Hitriver</i>.
+
+
+When Grettir had been two winters at Fairwoodfell, and the third was
+now come, he fared south to the Marshes, to the farm called Brook-bow,
+and had thence six wethers against the will of him who owned them.
+Then he went to Acres and took away two neat for slaughtering, and
+many sheep, and then went up south of Hitriver.
+
+But when the bonders were ware of his ways, they sent word to Thord at
+Hitness, and bade him take in hand the slaying of Grettir; but he hung
+back, yet for the prayers of men got his son Arnor, who was afterwards
+called Earls' Skald, to go with them, and bade them withal to take
+heed that Grettir escaped not.
+
+Then were men sent throughout all the country-side. There was a man
+called Biarni, who dwelt at Jorvi in Flysia-wharf, and he gathered
+men together from without Hitriver; and their purpose was that a band
+should be on either bank of the river.
+
+Now Grettir had two men with him; a man called Eyolf, the son of the
+bonder at Fairwood, and a stout man; and another he had besides.
+
+First came up Thorarin of Acres and Thorfinn of Brook-bow, and there
+were nigh twenty men in their company. Then was Grettir fain to make
+westward across the river, but therewith came up on the west side
+thereof Arnor and Biarni. A narrow ness ran into the water on the side
+whereas Grettir stood; so he drave the beasts into the furthermost
+parts of the ness, when he saw the men coming up, for never would he
+give up what he had once laid his hands on.
+
+Now the Marsh-men straightway made ready for an onslaught, and made
+themselves very big; Grettir bade his fellows take heed that none came
+at his back; and not many men could come on at once.
+
+Now a hard fight there was betwixt them, Grettir smote with the
+short-sword with both hands, and no easy matter it was to get at him;
+some of the Marsh-men fell, and some were wounded; those on the other
+side of the river were slow in coming up, because the ford was not
+very near, nor did the fight go on long before they fell off; Thorarin
+of Acres was a very old man, so that he was not at this onslaught. But
+when this fight was over, then came up Thrand, son of Thorarin, and
+Thorgils Ingialdson, the brother's son of Thorarin, and Finnbogi,
+son of Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, and Steinulf Thorleifson from
+Lavadale; these egged on their men eagerly to set on, and yet another
+fierce onslaught they made. Now Grettir saw that he must either flee
+or spare himself nought; and now he went forth so fiercely that none
+might withstand him; because they were so many that he saw not how
+he might escape, but that he did his best before he fell; he was fain
+withal that the life of such an one as he deemed of some worth might
+be paid for his life; so he ran at Steinulf of Lavadale, and smote him
+on the head and clave him down to the shoulders, and straightway with
+another blow smote Thorgils Ingialdson in the midst and well-nigh cut
+him asunder; then would Thrand run forth to revenge his kinsman, but
+Grettir smote him on the right thigh, so that the blow took off all
+the muscle, and straightway was he unmeet for fight; and thereafter
+withal a great wound Grettir gave to Finnbogi.
+
+Then Thorarin cried out and bade them fall back, "For the longer ye
+fight the worse ye will get of him, and he picks out men even as he
+willeth from your company."
+
+So did they, and turned away; and there had ten men fallen, and five
+were wounded to death, or crippled, but most of those who had been at
+that meeting had some hurt or other; Grettir was marvellously wearied
+and yet but a little wounded.
+
+And now the Marsh-men made off with great loss of men, for many stout
+fellows had fallen there.
+
+But those on the other side of the river fared slowly, and came not up
+till the meeting was all done; and when they saw how ill their men
+had fared, then Arnor would not risk himself, and much rebuke he got
+therefor from his father and many others; and men are minded to think
+that he was no man of prowess.
+
+Now that place where they fought is called Grettir's-point to-day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXI.
+
+<i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding in
+Thorir's-dale</i>.
+
+
+But Grettir and his men took horse and rode up to the fell, for they
+were all wounded, and when they came to Fairwood there was Eyolf left;
+the farmer's daughter was out of doors, and asked for tidings; Grettir
+told all as clearly as might be, and sang a stave withal--
+
+  "O thou warder of horn's wave,
+  Not on this side of the grave
+  Will Steinulf s head be whole again;
+  Many more there gat their bane;
+  Little hope of Thorgils now
+  After that bone-breaking blow:
+  Eight Gold-scatterers more they say,
+  Dead along the river lay."
+
+Thereafter Grettir went to his lair and sat there through the winter;
+but when he and Biorn met, Biorn said to him, that he deemed that much
+had been done; "and no peace thou wilt have here in the long run: now
+hast thou slain both kin and friends of mine, yet shall I not cast
+aside what I have promised thee whiles thou art here."
+
+Grettir said he must needs defend his hands and life, "but ill it is
+if thou mislikest it."
+
+Biorn said that things must needs be as they were.
+
+A little after came men to Biorn who had lost kinsmen at Grettir's
+hands, and bade him not to suffer that riotous man to abide there
+longer in their despite; and Biorn said that it should be as they
+would as soon as the winter was over.
+
+Now Thrand, the son of Thorarin of Acres, was healed; a stout man he
+was, and had to wife Steinun, daughter of Rut of Combeness; Thorleif
+of Lavadale, the father of Steinulf, was a very mighty man, and from
+him are come the men of Lavadale.
+
+Now nought more is told of the dealings of Grettir with the Marsh-men
+while he was on the mountain; Biorn still kept up his friendship
+with him, though his friends grew somewhat the fewer for that he let
+Grettir abide there, because men took it ill that their kin should
+fall unatoned.
+
+At the time of the Thing, Grettir departed from the Marsh-country, and
+went to Burgfirth and found Grim Thorhallson, and sought counsel of
+him, as to what to do now. Grim said he had no strength to keep him,
+therefore fared Grettir to find Hallmund his friend, and dwelt there
+that summer till it wore to its latter end.
+
+In the autumn Grettir went to Goatland, and waited there till bright
+weather came on; then he went up to Goatland Jokul, and made for
+the south-east, and had with him a kettle, and tools to strike fire
+withal. But men deem that he went there by the counsel of Hallmund,
+for far and wide was the land known of him.
+
+So Grettir went on till he found a dale in the jokul, long and
+somewhat narrow, locked up by jokuls all about, in such wise that
+they overhung the dale. He came down somehow, and then he saw fair
+hill-sides grass-grown and set with bushes. Hot springs there were
+therein, and it seemed to him that it was by reason of earth-fires
+that the ice-cliffs did not close up over the vale.
+
+A little river ran along down the dale, with level shores on either
+side thereof. There the sun came but seldom; but he deemed he might
+scarcely tell over the sheep that were in that valley, so many they
+were; and far better and fatter than any he had ever seen.
+
+Now Grettir abode there, and made himself a hut of such wood as he
+could come by. He took of the sheep for his meat, and there was more
+on one of them than on two elsewhere: one ewe there was, brown with a
+polled head, with her lamb, that he deemed the greatest beauty for
+her goodly growth. He was fain to take the lamb, and so he did, and
+thereafter slaughtered it: three stone of suet there was in it, but
+the whole carcase was even better. But when Brownhead missed her lamb,
+she went up on Grettir's hut every night, and bleated in suchwise that
+he might not sleep anight, so that it misliked him above all things
+that he had slaughtered the lamb, because of her troubling.
+
+But every evening at twilight he heard some one hoot up in the valley,
+and then all the sheep ran together to one fold every evening.
+
+So Grettir says, that a half-troll ruled over the valley, a giant
+hight Thorir, and in trust of his keeping did Grettir abide there;
+by him did Grettir name the valley, calling it Thorir's-dale. He said
+withal that Thorir had daughters, with whom he himself had good game,
+and that they took it well, for not many were the new-comers thereto;
+but when fasting time was, Grettir made this change therein, that fat
+and livers should be eaten in Lent.
+
+Now nought happed to be told of through the winter. At last Grettir
+found it so dreary there, that he might abide there no longer: then
+he gat him gone from the valley, and went south across the jokul, and
+came from the north, right against the midst of Shieldbroadfell.
+
+He raised up a flat stone and bored a hole therein, and said that
+whoso put his eye to the hole in that stone should straightway behold
+the gulf of the pass that leads from Thorir's-vale.
+
+So he fared south through the land, and thence to the Eastfirths; and
+in this journey he was that summer long, and the winter, and met all
+the great men there, but somewhat ever thrust him aside that nowhere
+got he harbouring or abode; then he went back by the north, and dwelt
+at sundry places.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXII.
+
+<i>Of the Death of Hallmund, Grettir's Friend</i>.
+
+
+A little after Grettir had gone from Ernewaterheath, there came a man
+thither, Grim by name, the son of the widow at Kropp. He had slain the
+son of Eid Skeggison of the Ridge, and had been outlawed therefor;
+he abode whereas Grettir had dwelt afore, and got much fish from the
+water. Hallmund took it ill that he had come in Grettir's stead, and
+was minded that he should have little good hap how much fish soever he
+caught.
+
+So it chanced on a day that Grim had caught a hundred fish, and he
+bore them to his hut and hung them up outside, but the next morning
+when he came thereto they were all gone; that he deemed marvellous,
+and went to the water; and now he caught two hundred fish, went home
+and stored them up; and all went the same way, for they were all gone
+in the morning; and now he thought it hard to trace all to one spring.
+But the third day he caught three hundred fish, brought them home and
+watched over them from his shed, looking out through a hole in the
+door to see if aught might come anigh. Thus wore the night somewhat,
+and when the third part of the night was gone by, he heard one going
+along outside with heavy footfalls; and when he was ware thereof, he
+took an axe that he had, the sharpest of weapons, for he was fain
+to know what this one was about; and he saw that the new-comer had a
+great basket on his back. Now he set it down, and peered about, and
+saw no man abroad; he gropes about to the fishes, and deems he has got
+a good handful, and into the basket he scoops them one and all; then
+is the basket full, but the fishes were so big that Grim thought that
+no horse might bear more. Now he takes them up and puts himself under
+the load, and at that very point of time, when he was about to stand
+upright, Grim ran out, and with both hands smote at his neck, so that
+the axe sank into the shoulder; thereat he turned off sharp, and set
+off running with the basket south over the mountain.
+
+Grim turned off after him, and was fain to know if he had got enough.
+They went south all the way to Balljokul, and there this man went
+into a cave; a bright fire burnt in the cave, and thereby sat a woman,
+great of growth, but shapely withal. Grim heard how she welcomed her
+father, and called him Hallmund. He cast down his burden heavily, and
+groaned aloud; she asked him why he was all covered with blood, but he
+answered and sang--
+
+  "Now know I aright,
+  That in man's might,
+  And in man's bliss,
+  No trust there is;
+  On the day of bale
+  Shall all things fail;
+  Courage is o'er,
+  Luck mocks no more."
+
+She asked him closely of their dealings, but he told her all even as
+it had befallen.
+
+"Now shall thou hearken," said he, "for I shall tell of my deeds and
+sing a song thereon, and thou shall cut it on a staff as I give it
+out."
+
+So she did, and he sung Hallmund's song withal, wherein is this--
+
+  "When I drew adown
+  The bridle brown
+  Grettir's hard hold,
+  Men deemed me bold;
+  Long while looked then
+  The brave of men
+  In his hollow hands,
+  The harm of lands.
+
+  "Then came the day
+  Of Thorir's play
+  On Ernelakeheath,
+  When we from death
+  Our life must gain;
+  Alone we twain
+  With eighty men
+  Must needs play then.
+
+  "Good craft enow
+  Did Grettir show
+  On many a shield
+  In that same field;
+  Natheless I hear
+  That my marks were
+  The deepest still;
+  The worst to fill.
+
+  "Those who were fain
+  His back to gain
+  Lost head and hand,
+  Till of the band,
+  From the Well-wharf-side,
+  Must there abide
+  Eighteen behind
+  That none can find.
+
+  "With the giant's kin
+  Have I oft raised din;
+  To the rock folk
+  Have I dealt out stroke;
+  Ill things could tell
+  That I smote full well;
+  The half-trolls know
+  My baneful blow.
+
+  "Small gain in me
+  Did the elf-folk see,
+  Or the evil wights
+  Who ride anights."
+
+Many other deeds of his did Hallmund sing in that song, for he had
+fared through all the land.
+
+Then spake his daughter, "A man of no slippery hand was that; nor was
+it unlike that this should hap, for in evil wise didst thou begin with
+him: and now what man will avenge thee?"
+
+Hallmund answered, "It is not so sure to know how that may be;
+but, methinks, I know that Grettir would avenge me if he might come
+thereto; but no easy matter will it be to go against the luck of this
+man, for much greatness lies stored up for him."
+
+Thereafter so much did Hallmund's might wane as the song wore, that
+well-nigh at one while it befell that the song was done and Hallmund
+dead; then she grew very sad and wept right sore. Then came Grim forth
+and bade her be of better cheer, "<i>For all must fare when they are
+fetched</i>. This has been brought about by his own deed, for I could
+scarce look on while he robbed me."
+
+She said he had much to say for it, "<i>For ill deed gains ill
+hap</i>."
+
+Now as they talked she grew of better cheer, and Grim abode many
+nights in the cave, and got the song by heart, and things went
+smoothly betwixt them.
+
+Grim abode at Ernewaterheath all the winter after Hallmund's death,
+and thereafter came Thorkel Eyulfson to meet him on the Heath, and
+they fought together; but such was the end of their play that Grim
+might have his will of Thorkel's life, and slew him not. So Thorkel
+took him to him, and got him sent abroad and gave him many goods; and
+therein either was deemed to have done well to the other. Grim betook
+himself to seafaring, and a great tale is told of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXIII.
+
+<i>How Grettir beguiled Thorir of Garth when he was nigh taking
+him</i>.
+
+
+Now the story is to be taken up where Grettir came from the firths of
+the east-country; and now he fared with hidden-head for that he would
+not meet Thorir, and lay out that summer on Madderdale-heath and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.
+
+Thorir heard that Grettir was at Reek-heath, so he gathered men and
+rode to the heath, and was well minded that Grettir should not escape
+this time.
+
+Now Grettir was scarce aware of them before they were on him; he was
+just by a mountain-dairy that stood back a little from the wayside,
+and another man there was with him, and when he saw their band, speedy
+counsel must he take; so he bade that they should fell the horses and
+drag them into the dairy shed, and so it was done.
+
+Then Thorir rode north over the heath by the dairy, and <i>missed
+friend from stead</i>, for he found nought, and so turned back withal.
+
+But when his band had ridden away west, then said Grettir, "They will
+not deem their journey good if we be not found; so now shall thou
+watch our horses while I go meet them, a fair play would be shown them
+if they knew me not."
+
+His fellow strove to let him herein, yet he went none-the-less, and
+did on him other attire, with a slouched hat over his face and a staff
+in his hand, then he went in the way before them. They greeted him and
+asked if he had seen any men riding over the heath.
+
+"Those men that ye seek have I seen; but little was wanting e'ennow
+but that ye found them, for there they were, on the south of yon bogs
+to the left."
+
+Now when they heard that, off they galloped out on to the bogs, but so
+great a mire was there that nohow could they get on, and had to drag
+their horses out, and were wallowing there the more part of the day;
+and they gave to the devil withal the wandering churl who had so
+befooled them.
+
+But Grettir turned back speedily to meet his fellow, and when they met
+he sang this stave--
+
+  "Now make I no battle-field
+  With the searching stems of shield.
+  Rife with danger is my day,
+  And alone I go my way:
+  Nor shall I go meet, this tide,
+  Odin's storm, but rather bide
+  Whatso fate I next may have;
+  Scarce, then, shall thou deem me brave.
+
+  "Thence where Thorir's company
+  Thronging ride, I needs must flee;
+  If with them I raised the din,
+  Little thereby should I win;
+  Brave men's clashing swords I shun,
+  Woods must hide the hunted one;
+  For through all things, good and ill,
+  Unto life shall I hold still."
+
+Now they ride at their swiftest west over the heath and forth by the
+homestead at Garth, before ever Thorir came from the wilderness with
+his band; and when they drew nigh to the homestead a man fell in with
+them who knew them not.
+
+Then saw they how a woman, young and grand of attire, stood without,
+so Grettir asked who that woman would be. The new-comer said that she
+was Thorir's daughter. Then Grettir sang this stave--
+
+  "O wise sun of golden stall,
+  When thy sire comes back to hall,
+  Thou mayst tell him without sin
+  This, though little lies therein,
+  That thou saw'st me ride hereby,
+  With but two in company,
+  Past the door of Skeggi's son,
+  Nigh his hearth, O glittering one."
+
+Hereby the new-comer thought he knew who this would be, and he rode to
+peopled parts and told how Grettir had ridden by.
+
+So when Thorir came home, many deemed that Grettir had done the bed
+well over their heads. But Thorir set spies on Grettir's ways, whereso
+he might be. Grettir fell on such rede that he sent his fellow to the
+west country with his horses; but he went up to the mountains and was
+in disguised attire, and fared about north there in the early winter,
+so that he was not known.
+
+But all men deemed that Thorir had got a worse part than before in
+their dealings together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXIV.
+
+<i>Of the ill haps at Sand-heaps, and how Guest came to the Goodwife
+there</i>.
+
+
+There was a priest called Stein, who dwelt at Isledale-river, in
+Bard-dale; he was good at husbandry and rich in beasts; his son was
+Kiartan, a brisk man and a well grown. Thorstein the White was the
+name of him who dwelt at Sand-heaps, south of Isledale-river; his wife
+was called Steinvor, a young woman and merry-hearted, and children
+they had, who were young in those days. But that place men deemed much
+haunted by the goings of trolls.
+
+Now it befell two winters before Grettir came into the north country
+that Steinvor the goodwife of Sand-heaps fared at Yule-tide to the
+stead of Isledale-river according to her wont, but the goodman abode
+at home. Men lay down to sleep in the evening, but in the night they
+heard a huge crashing about the bonder's bed; none durst arise and
+see thereto, for very few folk were there. In the morning the goodwife
+came home, but the goodman was gone, and none knew what had become of
+him.
+
+Now the next year wears through its seasons, but the winter after
+the goodwife would fain go to worship, and bade her house-carle abide
+behind at home; thereto was he loth, but said nathless that she must
+rule; so all went the same way and the house-carle vanished; and
+marvellous men deemed it; but folk saw certain stains of blood about
+the outer door; therefore they deemed it sure that an evil wight had
+taken them both.
+
+Now that was heard of wide through the country-side, and Grettir
+withal was told thereof; so he took his way to Bard-dale, and came to
+Sand-heaps at Yule-eve, and made stay there, and called himself Guest.
+The goodwife saw that he was marvellous great of growth, but the
+home-folk were exceeding afeard of him; he prayed for guesting there;
+the mistress said that there was meat ready for him, "but as to thy
+safety see to that thyself."
+
+He said that so he should do: "Here will I abide, but thou shalt go to
+worship if thou wilt."
+
+She answered, "Meseems thou art a brave man if thou durst abide at
+home here."
+
+"<i>For one thing alone will I not be known</i>," said he.
+
+She said, "I have no will to abide at home, but I may not cross the
+river."
+
+"I will go with thee," says Guest.
+
+Then she made her ready for worship, and her little daughter with her.
+It thawed fast abroad, and the river was in flood, and therein was the
+drift of ice great: then said the goodwife,
+
+"No way across is there either for man or horse."
+
+"Nay, there will be fords there," said Guest, "be not afeard."
+
+"Carry over the little maiden first," said the goodwife; "she is the
+lightest."
+
+"I am loth to make two journeys of it," said Guest, "I will bear thee
+in my arms."
+
+She crossed herself, and said, "This will not serve; what wilt thou do
+with the maiden?"
+
+"A rede I see for that," said he, and therewith caught them both up,
+and laid the little one in her mother's lap, and set both of them
+thus on his left arm, but had his right free; and so he took the ford
+withal, nor durst they cry out, so afeard were they.
+
+Now the river took him up to his breast forthwith, and a great
+ice-floe drave against him, but he put forth the hand that was free
+and thrust it from him; then it grew so deep, that the stream broke
+on his shoulder; but he waded through it stoutly, till he came to the
+further shore, and there cast them aland: then he turned back, and it
+was twilight already by then he came home to Sand-heaps, and called
+for his meat.
+
+So when he was fulfilled, he bade the home-folk go into the chamber;
+then he took boards and loose timber, and dragged it athwart the
+chamber, and made a great bar, so that none of the home-folk might
+come thereover: none durst say aught against him, nor would any of
+them make the least sound. The entrance to the hall was through the
+side wall by the gable, and dais was there within; there Guest lay
+down, but did not put off his clothes, and light burned in the chamber
+over against the door: and thus Guest lay till far on in the night.
+
+The goodwife came to Isledale-river at church-time, and men marvelled
+how she had crossed the river; and she said she knew not whether a man
+or a troll had brought her over.
+
+The priest said he was surely a man, though a match for few; "But
+let us hold our peace hereon," he said; "maybe he is chosen for the
+bettering of thy troubles." So the goodwife was there through the
+night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXV.
+
+<i>Of Guest and the Troll-wife</i>.
+
+
+Now it is to be told of Guest, that when it drew towards midnight,
+he heard great din without, and thereafter into the hall came a huge
+troll-wife, with a trough in one hand and a chopper wondrous great in
+the other; she peered about when she came in, and saw where Guest
+lay, and ran at him; but he sprang up to meet her, and they fell
+a-wrestling terribly, and struggled together for long in the hall. She
+was the stronger, but he gave back with craft, and all that was before
+them was broken, yea, the cross-panelling withal of the chamber. She
+dragged him out through the door, and so into the outer doorway, and
+then he betook himself to struggling hard against her. She was fain to
+drag him from the house, but might not until they had broken away all
+the fittings of the outer door, and borne them out on their shoulders:
+then she laboured away with him down towards the river, and right down
+to the deep gulfs.
+
+By then was Guest exceeding weary, yet must he either gather his might
+together, or be cast by her into the gulf. All night did they contend
+in such wise; never, he deemed, had he fought with such a horror for
+her strength's sake; she held him to her so hard that he might turn
+his arms to no account save to keep fast hold on the middle of the
+witch.
+
+But now when they came on to the gulf of the river, he gives the hag a
+swing round, and therewith got his right hand free, and swiftly seized
+the short-sword that he was girt withal, and smote the troll therewith
+on the shoulder, and struck off her arm; and therewithal was he free,
+but she fell into the gulf and was carried down the force.
+
+Then was Guest both stiff and weary, and lay there long on the rocks,
+then he went home, as it began to grow light, and lay down in bed, and
+all swollen and blue he was.
+
+But when the goodwife came from church, she thought her house had
+been somewhat roughly handled: so she went to Guest and asked what had
+happed that all was broken and down-trodden. He told her all as it had
+befallen: she deemed these things imported much, and asked him what
+man he was in good sooth. So he told her the truth, and prayed that
+the priest might be fetched, for that he would fain see him: and so it
+was done.
+
+But when Stein the priest came to Sand-heaps, he knew forthwith, that
+thither was come Grettir Asmundson, under the name of Guest.
+
+So the priest asked what he deemed had become of those men who had
+vanished; and Grettir said that he thought they would have gone into
+the gulf: the priest said that he might not trow that, if no signs
+could be seen thereof: then said Grettir that later on that should be
+known more thoroughly. So the priest went home.
+
+Grettir lay many nights a-bed, and the mistress did well to him, and
+so Yule-tide wore.
+
+Now Grettir's story is that the troll-wife cast herself into the gulf
+when she got her wound; but the men of Bard-dale say that day dawned
+on her, while they wrestled, and that she burst, when he cut the arm
+from her; and that there she stands yet on the cliff, a rock in the
+likeness of a woman.
+
+Now the dale-dwellers kept Grettir in hiding there; but in the winter
+after Yule, Grettir fared to Isledale-river, and when he met the
+priest, he said, "Well, priest, I see that thou hadst little faith in
+my tale; now will I, that thou go with me to the river, and see what
+likelihood there is of that tale being true."
+
+So the priest did; and when they came to the force-side, they saw a
+cave up under the cliff; a sheer rock that cliff was, so great that in
+no place might man come up thereby, and well-nigh fifty fathoms was it
+down to the water. Now they had a rope with them, but the priest said:
+
+"A risk beyond all measure, I deem it to go down here."
+
+"Nay," said Grettir, "it is to be done, truly, but men of the greatest
+prowess are meetest therefor: now will I know what is in the force,
+but thou shall watch the rope."
+
+The priest bade him follow his own rede, and drave a peg down into the
+sward on the cliff, and heaped stones up over it, and sat thereby.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXVI.
+
+<i>Of the Dweller in the Cave under the Force</i>.
+
+
+Now it is to be told of Grettir that he set a stone in a bight of the
+rope and let it sink down into the water.
+
+"In what wise hast thou mind to go?" said the priest.
+
+"I will not go bound into the force," said Grettir; "such things doth
+my heart forebode."
+
+With that he got ready for his journey, and was lightly clad, and girt
+with the short-sword, and had no weapon more.
+
+Then he leapt off the cliff into the force; the priest saw the soles
+of his feet, and knew not afterwards what was become of him. But
+Grettir dived under the force, and hard work it was, because the
+whirlpool was strong, and he had to dive down to the bottom, before he
+might come up under the force. But thereby was a rock jutting out, and
+thereon he gat; a great cave was under the force, and the river fell
+over it from the sheer rocks. He went up into the cave, and there was
+a great fire flaming from amidst of brands; and there he saw a giant
+sitting withal, marvellously great and dreadful to look on. But when
+Grettir came anigh, the giant leapt up and caught up a glaive and
+smote at the new-comer, for with that glaive might a man both cut and
+thrust; a wooden shaft it had, and that fashion of weapon men called
+then, heft-sax. Grettir hewed back against him with the short-sword,
+and smote the shaft so that he struck it asunder; then was the giant
+fain to stretch aback for a sword that hung up there in the cave; but
+therewithal Grettir smote him afore into the breast, and smote off
+well-nigh all the breast bone and the belly, so that the bowels
+tumbled out of him and fell into the river, and were driven down along
+the stream; and as the priest sat by the rope, he saw certain fibres
+all covered with blood swept down the swirls of the stream; then he
+grew unsteady in his place, and thought for sure that Grettir was
+dead, so he ran from the holding of the rope, and gat him home.
+Thither he came in the evening and said, as one who knew it well, that
+Grettir was dead, and that great scathe was it of such a man.
+
+Now of Grettir must it be told that he let little space go betwixt
+his blows or ever the giant was dead; then he went up the cave, and
+kindled a light and espied the cave. The story tells not how much he
+got therein, but men deem that it must have been something great. But
+there he abode on into the night; and he found there the bones of two
+men, and bore them together in a bag; then he made off from the cave
+and swam to the rope and shook it, and thought that the priest would
+be there yet; but when he knew that the priest had gone home, then
+must he draw himself up by strength of hand, and thus he came up out
+on to the cliff.
+
+Then he fared home to Isledale-river, and brought into the church
+porch the bag with the bones, and therewithal a rune-staff whereon
+this song was marvellous well cut--
+
+  "There into gloomy gulf I passed,
+  O'er which from the rock's throat is cast
+  The swirling rush of waters wan,
+  To meet the sword-player feared of man.
+  By giant's hall the strong stream pressed
+  Cold hands against the singer's breast;
+  Huge weight upon him there did hurl
+  The swallower of the changing whirl."
+
+And this other one withal--
+
+  "The dreadful dweller of the cave
+  Great strokes and many 'gainst me drave;
+  Full hard he had to strive for it,
+  But toiling long he wan no whit;
+  For from its mighty shaft of tree
+  The heft-sax smote I speedily;
+  And dulled the flashing war-flame fair
+  In the black breast that met me there."
+
+Herein was it said how that Grettir had brought those bones from the
+cave; but when the priest came to the church in the morning he found
+the staff and that which went with it, but Grettir was gone home to
+Sand-heaps.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXVII.
+
+<i>Grettir driven from Sand-heaps to the West</i>.
+
+
+But when the priest met Grettir he asked him closely about what had
+happed; so he told him all the tale of his doings, and said withal
+that the priest had been unfaithful to him in the matter of the
+rope-holding; and the priest must needs say that so it was.
+
+Now men deemed they could see that these evil wights had wrought the
+loss of the men there in the dale; nor had folk hurt ever after from
+aught haunting the valley, and Grettir was thought to have done great
+deeds for the cleansing of the land. So the priest laid those bones in
+earth in the churchyard.
+
+But Grettir abode at Sand-heaps the winter long, and was hidden there
+from all the world.
+
+But when Thorir of Garth heard certain rumours of Grettir being in
+Bard-dale, he sent men for his head; then men gave him counsel to get
+him gone therefrom, so he took his way to the west.
+
+Now when he came to Maddervales to Gudmund the Rich, he prayed Gudmund
+for watch and ward; but Gudmund said he might not well keep him. "But
+that only is good for thee," said he, "to set thee down there, whereas
+thou shouldst have no fear of thy life."
+
+Grettir said he wotted not where such a place might be.
+
+Gudmund said, "An isle there lies in Skagafirth called Drangey; so
+good a place for defence it is, that no man may come thereon unless
+ladders be set thereto. If thou mightest get there, I know for sure
+that no man who might come against thee, could have good hope while
+thou wert on the top thereof, of overcoming thee, either by weapons or
+craft, if so be thou shouldst watch the ladders well."
+
+"That shall be tried," said Grettir, "but so fearsome of the dark am I
+grown, that not even for the keeping of my life may I be alone."
+
+Gudmund said, "Well, that may be; but trust no man whatsoever so much
+as not to trust thyself better; for many men are hard to see through."
+
+Grettir thanked him for his wholesome redes, and then fared away from
+Maddervales, nor made stay before he came to Biarg; there his mother
+and Illugi his brother welcomed him joyfully, and he abode there
+certain nights.
+
+There he heard of the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, which had befallen
+the autumn before Grettir went to Bard-dale; and he deemed therewithal
+that felling went on fast enough.
+
+Then Grettir rode south to Holtbeacon-heath, and was minded to avenge
+Hallmund if he might meet Grim; but when he came to Northriverdale,
+he heard that Grim had been gone two winters ago, as is aforesaid; but
+Grettir had heard so late of these tidings because he had gone about
+disguised those two winters, and the third winter he had been in
+Thorirs-dale, and had seen no man who might tell him any news. Then
+he betook himself to the Broadfirth-dales, and dwelt in Eastriverdale,
+and lay in wait for folk who fared over Steep-brent; and once more he
+swept away with the strong hand the goods of the small bonders. This
+was about the height of summer-tide.
+
+Now when the summer was well worn, Steinvor of Sand-heaps bore a
+man-child, who was named Skeggi; he was first fathered on Kiartan, the
+son of Stein, the priest of Isle-dale-river. Skeggi was unlike unto
+his kin because of his strength and growth, but when he was fifteen
+winters old he was the strongest man in the north-country, and was
+then known as Grettir's son; men deemed he would be a marvel among
+men, but he died when he was seventeen years of age, and no tale there
+is of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXVIII.
+
+<i>How Thorod, the Son of Snorri Godi, went against Grettir</i>.
+
+
+After the slaying of Thorstein Kuggson, Snorri Godi would have little
+to do with his son Thorod, or with Sam, the son of Bork the Fat; it is
+not said what they had done therefor, unless it might be that they had
+had no will to do some great deed that Snorri set them to; but withal
+Snorri drave his son Thorod away, and said he should not come back
+till he had slain some wood-dweller; and so must matters stand.
+
+So Thorod went over to the Dales; and at that time dwelt at
+Broadlair-stead in Sokkolfsdale a widow called Geirlaug; a herdsman
+she kept, who had been outlawed for some onslaught; and he was a
+growing lad. Now Thorod Snorrison heard thereof, and rode in to
+Broadlair-stead, and asked where was the herdsman; the goodwife said
+that he was with the sheep.
+
+"What wilt thou have to do with him?"
+
+"His life will I have," says Thorod, "because he is an outlaw, and a
+wood-wight."
+
+She answers, "No glory is it for such a great warrior as thou deemest
+thyself, to slay a mannikin like that; I will show thee a greater
+deed, if thine heart is so great that thou must needs try thyself."
+
+"Well, and what deed?" says he.
+
+She answers, "Up in the fell here, lies Grettir Asmundson; play thou
+with him, for such a game is more meet for thee."
+
+Thorod took her talk well; "So shall it be," says he, and therewith he
+smote his horse with his spurs, and rode along the valley; and when he
+came to the hill below Eastriver, he saw where was a dun horse, with
+his saddle on, and thereby a big man armed, so he turned thence to
+meet him.
+
+Grettir greeted him, and asked who he was. Thorod named himself, and
+said,
+
+"Why askest thou not of my errand rather than of my name?"
+
+"Why, because," said Grettir, "it is like to be such as is of little
+weight: art thou son to Snorri Godi?"
+
+"Yea, yea," says Thorod; "but now shall we try which of us may do the
+most."
+
+"A matter easy to be known," says Grettir; "hast thou not heard that
+I have ever been a treasure-hill that most men grope in with little
+luck?"
+
+"Yea, I know it," said Thorod; "yet must somewhat be risked."
+
+And now he drew his sword therewith and set on Grettir eagerly; but
+Grettir warded himself with his shield, but bore no weapon against
+Thorod; and so things went awhile, nor was Grettir wounded.
+
+At last he said, "Let us leave this play, for thou wilt not have
+victory in our strife."
+
+But Thorod went on dealing blows at his maddest. Now Grettir got
+aweary of dealing with him, and caught him and set him down by his
+side, and said--
+
+"I may do with thee even as I will, nor do I fear that thou wilt ever
+be my bane; but the grey old carle, thy father, Snorri, I fear in good
+sooth, and his counsels that have brought most men to their knees:
+and for thee, thou shouldst turn thy mind to such things alone as thou
+mayst get done, nor is it child's play to fight with me."
+
+But when Thorod saw that he might bring nought to pass, he grew
+somewhat appeased, and therewithal they parted. Thorod rode home to
+Tongue and told his father of his dealings with Grettir. Snorri Godi
+smiled thereat, and said,
+
+"<i>Many a man lies hid within himself</i>, and far unlike were your
+doings; for thou must needs rush at him to slay him, and he might have
+done with thee even as he would. Yet wisely has Grettir done herein,
+that he slew thee not; for I should scarce have had a mind to let thee
+lie unavenged; but now indeed shall I give him aid, if I have aught to
+do with any of his matters."
+
+It was well seen of Snorri, that he deemed Grettir had done well to
+Thorod, and he ever after gave his good word for Grettir.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXIX.
+
+<i>How Grettir took leave of his Mother at Biarg, and fared with
+Illugi his Brother to Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Grettir rode north to Biarg a little after he parted with Thorod, and
+lay hid there yet awhile; then so great grew his fear in the dark,
+that he durst go nowhere as soon as dusk set in. His mother bade him
+abide there, but said withal, that she saw that it would scarce avail
+him aught, since he had so many cases against him throughout all the
+land. Grettir said that she should never have trouble brought on her
+for his sake.
+
+"But I shall no longer do so much for the keeping of my life," says
+he, "as to be alone."
+
+Now Illugi his brother was by that time about fifteen winters old,
+and the goodliest to look on of all men; and he overheard their talk
+together. Grettir was telling his mother what rede Gudmund the Rich
+had given him, and now that he should try, if he had a chance, to get
+out to Drangey, but he said withal, that he might not abide there,
+unless he might get some trusty man to be with him. Then said Illugi,
+
+"I will go with thee, brother, though I know not that I shall be of
+any help to thee, unless it be that I shall be ever true to thee, nor
+run from thee whiles thou standest up; and moreover I shall know more
+surely how thou farest if I am still in thy fellowship."
+
+Grettir answered, "Such a man thou art, that I am gladder in thee than
+in any other; and if it cross not my mother's mind, fain were I that
+thou shouldst fare with me."
+
+Then said Asdis, "Now can I see that it has come to this, that two
+troubles lie before us: for meseems I may ill spare Illugi, yet I know
+that so hard is thy lot, Grettir, that thou must in somewise find rede
+therefor: and howsoever it grieves me, O my sons, to see you both turn
+your backs on me, yet thus much will I do, if Grettir might thereby be
+somewhat more holpen than heretofore."
+
+Hereat was Illugi glad, for that he deemed it good to go with Grettir.
+
+So she gave them much of her chattels, and they made them ready for
+their journey. Asdis led them from out the garth, and before they
+parted she spake thus:
+
+"Ah, my sons twain, there ye depart from me, and one death ye shall
+have together; for no man may flee from that which is wrought for him:
+on no day now shall I see either of you once again; let one fate
+be over you both, then; for I know not what weal ye go to get for
+yourselves in Drangey, but there shall ye both lay your bones, and
+many will begrudge you that abiding place. Keep ye heedfully from
+wiles, yet none the less there shall ye be bitten of the edge of the
+sword, for marvellously have my dreams gone: be well ware of sorcery,
+for <i>little can cope with the cunning of eld</i>."
+
+And when she had thus spoken she wept right sore.
+
+Then said Grettir, "Weep not, mother, for if we be set on with
+weapons, it shall be said of thee, that thou hast had sons, and not
+daughters: live on, well and hale."
+
+Therewithal they parted. They fared north through the country side and
+saw their kin; and thus they lingered out the autumn into winter; then
+they turned toward Skagafirth and went north through Waterpass and
+thence to Reekpass, and down Saemunds-lithe and so unto Longholt, and
+came to Dinby late in the day.
+
+Grettir had cast his hood back on to his shoulders, for in that wise
+he went ever abroad whether the day were better or worse. So they went
+thence, and when they had gone but a little way, there met them a man,
+big-headed, tall, and gaunt, and ill clad; he greeted them, and either
+asked other for their names; they said who they were, but he called
+himself Thorbiorn: he was a land-louper, a man too lazy to work, and
+a great swaggerer, and much game and fooling was made with him by some
+folk: he thrust himself into their company, and told them much from
+the upper country about the folk there. Grettir had great game and
+merriment of him; so he asked if they had no need of a man who should
+work for them, "for I would fain fare with you," says he; and withal
+he got so much from their talk that they suffered him to follow them.
+
+Much snow there was that day, and it was cold; but whereas that man
+swaggered exceedingly, and was the greatest of tomfools, he had a
+by-name, and was called Noise.
+
+"Great wonder had those of Dinby when thou wentest by e'en now
+unhooded, in the foul weather," said Noise, "as to whether thou
+wouldst have as little fear of men as of the cold: there were two
+bonders' sons, both men of great strength, and the shepherd called
+them forth to go to the sheep-watching with him, and scarcely could
+they clothe themselves for the cold."
+
+Grettir said, "I saw within doors there a young man who pulled on his
+mittens, and another going betwixt byre and midden, and of neither of
+them should I be afeared."
+
+Thereafter they went down to Sorbness, and were there through the
+night; then they fared out along the strand to a farm called Reeks,
+where dwelt a man, Thorwald by name, a good bonder. Him Grettir prayed
+for watch and ward, and told him how he was minded to get out to
+Drangey: the bonder said that those of Skagafirth would think him no
+god-send, and excused himself therewithal.
+
+Then Grettir took a purse his mother had given to him, and gave it
+to the bonder; his brows lightened over the money, and he got three
+house-carles of his to bring them out in the night time by the light
+of the moon. It is but a little way from Reeks out to the island, one
+sea-mile only. So when they came to the isle, Grettir deemed it good
+to behold, because it was grass-grown, and rose up sheer from the sea,
+so that no man might come up thereon save there where the ladders were
+let down, and if the uppermost ladder were drawn up, it was no man's
+deed to get upon the island. There also were the cliffs full of fowl
+in the summer-tide, and there were eighty sheep upon the island which
+the bonders owned, and they were mostly rams and ewes which they had
+mind to slaughter.
+
+There Grettir set himself down in peace; and by then had he been
+fifteen or sixteen winters in outlawry, as Sturla Thordson has said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXX.
+
+<i>Of the Bonders who owned Drangey between them</i>.
+
+
+In the days when Grettir came to Drangey, these were chief men of the
+country side of Skagafirth. Hialti dwelt at Hof in Hialtidale, he
+was the son of Thord, the son of Hialti, the son of Thord the Scalp:
+Hialti was a great chief, a right noble man, and much befriended.
+Thorbiorn Angle was the name of his brother, a big man and a strong,
+hardy and wild withal. Thord, the father of these twain, had married
+again in his old age, and that wife was not the mother of the
+brothers; and she did ill to her step-children, but served Thorbiorn
+the worst, for that he was hard to deal with and reckless. And on a
+day Thorbiorn Angle sat playing at tables, and his stepmother passed
+by and saw that he was playing at the knave-game, and the fashion of
+the game was the large tail-game. Now she deemed him thriftless, and
+cast some word at him, but he gave an evil answer; so she caught up
+one of the men, and drave the tail thereof into Thorbiorn's cheek-bone
+wherefrom it glanced into his eye, so that it hung out on his cheek.
+He sprang up, caught hold of her, and handled her roughly, insomuch
+that she took to her bed, and died thereof afterwards, and folk say
+that she was then big with child.
+
+Thereafter Thorbiorn became of all men the most riotous; he took his
+heritage, and dwelt at first in Woodwick.
+
+Haldor the son of Thorgeir, who was the son of Head-Thord, dwelt at
+Hof on Head-strand, he had to wife Thordis, the daughter of Thord
+Hialtison, and sister to those brothers Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle.
+Haldor was a great bonder, and rich in goods.
+
+Biorn was the name of a man who dwelt at Meadness in the Fleets; he
+was a friend to Haldor of Hof. These men held to each other in all
+cases.
+
+Tongue-Stein dwelt at Stonestead; he was the son of Biorn, the son of
+Ufeigh Thinbeard, son of that Crow-Hreidar to whom Eric of God-dales
+gave the tongue of land down from Hall-marsh. Stein was a man of great
+renown.
+
+One named Eric was the son of Holmgang-Starri, the son of Eric of
+God-dales, the son of Hroald, the son of Geirmund Thick-beard; Eric
+dwelt at Hof in God-dales.
+
+Now all these were men of great account.
+
+Two brothers there were who dwelt at a place called Broad-river
+in Flat-lithe, and they were both called Thord; they were wondrous
+strong, and yet withal peaceable men both of them.
+
+All these men had share in Drangey, and it is said that no less than
+twenty in all had some part in the island, nor would any sell his
+share to another; but the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle,
+had the largest share, because they were the richest men.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXI.
+
+<i>How those of Skagafirth found Grettir on Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Now time wears on towards the winter solstice; then the bonders get
+ready to go fetch the fat beasts for slaughter from the island; so
+they manned a great barge, and every owner had one to go in his stead,
+and some two.
+
+But when these came anigh the island they saw men going about there;
+they deemed that strange, but guessed that men had been shipwrecked,
+and got aland there: so they row up to where the ladders were, when
+lo, the first-comers drew up the ladders.
+
+Then the bonders deemed that things were taking a strange turn, and
+hailed those men and asked them who they were: Grettir named himself
+and his fellows withal: but the bonders asked who had brought him
+there.
+
+Grettir answered, "He who owned the keel and had the hands, and who
+was more my friend than yours."
+
+The bonders answered and said, "Let us now get our sheep, but come
+thou aland with us, keeping freely whatso of our sheep thou hast
+slaughtered."
+
+"A good offer," said Grettir, "but this time let each keep what he
+has got; and I tell you, once for all, that hence I go not, till I am
+dragged away dead; for it is not my way to let that go loose which I
+have once laid hand on."
+
+Thereat the bonders held their peace, and deemed that a woeful guest
+had come to Drangey; then they gave him choice of many things, both
+moneys and fair words, but Grettir said nay to one and all, and they
+gat them gone with things in such a stead, and were ill content with
+their fate; and told the men of the country-side what a wolf had got
+on to the island.
+
+This took them all unawares, but they could think of nought to do
+herein; plentifully they talked over it that winter, but could see no
+rede whereby to get Grettir from the island.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXII.
+
+<i>Of the Sports at Heron-ness Thing</i>.
+
+
+Now the days wore till such time as men went to the Heron-ness Thing
+in spring-tide, and many came thronging there from that part of the
+country, wherefrom men had to go to that Thing for their suits. Men
+sat there long time both over the suits and over sports, for there
+were many blithe men in that country-side. But when Grettir heard that
+all men fared to the Thing, he made a plot with his friends; for he
+was in goodwill with those who dwelt nighest to him, and for them
+he spared nought that he could get. But now he said that he would
+go aland, and gather victuals, but that Illugi and Noise should stay
+behind. Illugi thought this ill counselled, but let things go as
+Grettir would.
+
+So Grettir bade them watch the ladders well, for that all things
+lay thereon; and thereafter he went to the mainland, and got what he
+deemed needful: he hid himself from men whereso he came, nor did
+any one know that he was on the land. Withal he heard concerning the
+Thing, that there was much sport there, and was fain to go thither;
+so he did on old gear and evil, and thus came to the Thing, whenas men
+went from the courts home to their booths. Then fell certain young men
+to talking how that the day was fair and good, and that it were well,
+belike, for the young men to betake them to wrestling and merrymaking.
+Folk said it was well counselled; and so men went and sat them down
+out from the booths.
+
+Now the sons of Thord, Hialti and Thorbiorn Angle, were the chief
+men in this sport; Thorbiorn Angle was boisterous beyond measure, and
+drove men hard and fast to the place of the sports, and every man must
+needs go whereas his will was; and he would take this man and that by
+the hands and drag him forth unto the playing-ground.
+
+Now first those wrestled who were weakest, and then each man in his
+turn, and therewith the game and glee waxed great; but when most men
+had wrestled but those who were the strongest, the bonders fell to
+talking as to who would be like to lay hand to either of the Thords,
+who have been aforenamed; but there was no man ready for that. Then
+the Thords went up to sundry men, and put themselves forward for
+wrestling, but <i>the nigher the call the further the man</i>. Then
+Thorbiorn Angle looks about, and sees where a man sits, great of
+growth, and his face hidden somewhat. Thorbiorn laid hold of him,
+and tugged hard at him, but he sat quiet and moved no whit. Then said
+Thorbiorn,
+
+"No one has kept his place before me to-day like thou hast; what man
+art thou?"
+
+He answers, "Guest am I hight."
+
+Said Thorbiorn, "Belike thou wilt do somewhat for our merriment; a
+wished-for guest wilt thou be."
+
+He answered, "About and about, methinks, will things change speedily;
+nor shall I cast myself into play with you here, where all is unknown
+to me."
+
+Then many men said he were worthy of good at their hands, if he, an
+unknown man, gave sport to the people. Then he asked what they would
+of him; so they prayed him to wrestle with some one.
+
+He said he had left wrestling, "though time agone it was somewhat of a
+sport to me."
+
+So, when he did not deny them utterly, they prayed him thereto yet the
+more.
+
+He said, "Well, if ye are so fain that I be dragged about here, ye
+must do so much therefor, as to handsel me peace, here at the Thing,
+and until such time as I come back to my home."
+
+Then they all sprang up and said that so they would do indeed; but
+Hafr was the name of him who urged most that peace should be given to
+the man. This Hafr was the son of Thorarin, the son of Hafr, the son
+of Thord Knob, who had settled land up from the Weir in the Fleets to
+Tongue-river, and who dwelt at Knobstead; and a wordy man was Hafr.
+
+So now he gave forth the handselling grandly with open mouth, and this
+is the beginning thereof.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXIII.
+
+<i>The Handselling of Peace</i>.
+
+
+Says he, "<i>Herewith I establish peace betwixt all men, but most
+of all betwixt all men and this same Guest who sits here, and so is
+named; that is to say, all men of rule, and goodly bonders, and all
+men young, and fit to bear arms, and all other men of the country-side
+of Heron-ness Thing, whencesoever any may have come here, of men
+named or unnamed. Let us handsel safety and full peace to that unknown
+new-comer, yclept Guest by name, for game, wrestling, and all glee,
+for abiding here, and going home, whether he has need to fare over
+water, or over land, or over ferry; safety shall he have, in all
+steads named and unnamed, even so long as needs be for his coming home
+whole, under faith holden. This peace I establish on behoof of us,
+and of our kin, friends, and men of affinity, women even as men,
+bondswomen, even as bonds-men, swains and men of estate. Let him be
+a shamed peace-breaker, who breaks the peace, or spills the troth
+settled; turned away and driven forth from God, and good men of the
+kingdom of Heaven, and all Holy ones. A man not to be borne of any
+man, but cast out from all, as wide as wolves stray, or Christian men
+make for Churches, or heathen in God's-houses do sacrifice, or fire
+burns, or earth brings forth, or a child, new-come to speech, calls
+mother, or mother bears son, or the sons of men kindle fire, or ships
+sweep on, or shields glitter, or the sun shines, or the snow falls,
+or a Finn sweeps on skates, or a fir-tree waxes, or a falcon flies
+the spring-long day with a fair wind under either wing, or the
+Heavens dwindle far away, or the world is built, or the wind turns</i>
+<i>waters seaward, or carles sow corn. Let him shun churches, and
+Christian folk, and heathen men, houses and caves, and every home but
+the home of Hell. Now shall we be at peace and of one mind each with
+the other, and of goodwill, whether we meet on fell or foreshore, ship
+or snow-shoes, earth or ice-mount, sea or swift steed, even as each
+found his friend on water, or his brother on broad ways; in just such
+peace one with other, as father with son, or son with father in all
+dealings together. Now we lay hands together, each and all of us,
+to hold well this say of peace, and all words spoken in our settled
+troth: As witness God and good men, and all those who hear my words,
+and nigh this stead chance to stand</i>."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXIV.
+
+<i>Of Grettir's Wrestling: and how Thorbiorn Angle now bought the more
+part of Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Then many fell to saying that many and great words had been spoken
+hereon; but now Guest said,
+
+"Good is thy say and well hast thou spoken it; if ye spill not things
+hereafter, I shall not withhold that which I have to show forth."
+
+So he cast off his hood, and therewith all his outer clothes.
+
+Then they gazed one on the other, and awe spread over their faces, for
+they deemed they knew surely that this was Grettir Asmundson, for
+that he was unlike other men for his growth and prowess' sake: and all
+stood silent, but Hafr deemed he had made himself a fool. Now the
+men of the country-side fell into twos and twos together, and one
+upbraided the other, but him the most of all, who had given forth the
+words of peace.
+
+Then said Grettir; "Make clear to me what ye have in your minds,
+because for no long time will I sit thus unclad; it is more your
+matter than mine, whether ye will hold the peace, or hold it not."
+
+They answered few words and then sat down: and now the sons of Thord,
+and Halldor their brother-in-law, talked the matter over together;
+and some would hold the peace, and some not; so as they elbowed one
+another, and laid their heads together. Grettir sang a stave--
+
+  "I, well known to men, have been
+  On this morn both hid and seen;
+  Double face my fortune wears,
+  Evil now, now good it bears;
+  Doubtful play-board have I shown
+  Unto these men, who have grown
+  Doubtful of their given word;
+  Hafr's big noise goes overboard."
+
+Then said Tongue-stein, "Thinkest thou that, Grettir? Knowest thou
+then what the chiefs will make their minds up to? but true it is thou
+art a man above all others for thy great heart's sake: yea, but dost
+thou not see how they rub their noses one against the other?"
+
+Then Grettir sang a stave--
+
+  "Raisers-up of roof of war,
+  Nose to nose in counsel are;
+  Wakeners of the shield-rain sit
+  Wagging beard to talk of it:
+  Scatterers of the serpent's bed
+  Round about lay head to head.
+  For belike they heard my name;
+  And must balance peace and shame."
+
+Then spake Hialti the son of Thord; "So shall it not be," says he; "we
+shall hold to our peace and troth given, though we have been beguiled,
+for I will not that men should have such a deed to follow after, if we
+depart from that peace, that we ourselves have settled and handselled:
+Grettir shall go whither he will, and have peace until such time as
+he comes back from this journey; and then and not till then shall this
+word of truce be void, whatsoever may befall betwixt us meanwhile."
+
+All thanked him therefor, and deemed that he had done as a great
+chief, such blood-guilt as there was on the other side: but the speech
+of Thorbiorn Angle was little and low thereupon.
+
+Now men said that both the Thords should lay hand to Grettir, and he
+bade them have it as they would: so one of the brothers stood forth;
+and Grettir stood up stiff before him, and he ran at Grettir at his
+briskest, but Grettir moved no whit from his place: then Grettir
+stretched out his hand down Thord's back, over the head of him, and
+caught hold of him by the breeches, and tripped up his feet, and cast
+him backward over his head in such wise that he fell on his shoulder,
+and a mighty fall was that.
+
+Then men said that both those brothers should go against Grettir at
+once; and thus was it done, and great swinging and pulling about there
+was, now one side, now the other getting the best of it, though one
+or other of the brothers Grettir ever had under him; but each in turn
+must fall on his knee, or have some slip one of the other; and so hard
+they griped each at each, that they were all blue and bruised.
+
+All men thought this the best of sport, and when they had made an end
+of it, thanked them for the wrestling; and it was the deeming of those
+who sat thereby, that the two brothers together were no stronger than
+Grettir alone, though each of them had the strength of two men of the
+strongest: so evenly matched they were withal, that neither might get
+the better of the other if they tried it between them.
+
+Grettir abode no long time at the Thing; the bonders bade him give up
+the island, but he said nay to this, nor might they do aught herein.
+
+So Grettir fared back to Drangey, and Illugi was as fain of him as
+might be; and there they abode peacefully, and Grettir told them the
+story of his doings and his journeys; and thus the summer wore away.
+
+All men deemed that those of Skagafirth had shown great manliness
+herein, that they held to their peace given; and folk may well mark
+how trusty men were in those days, whereas Grettir had done such deeds
+against them.
+
+Now the less rich men of the bonders spake together, that there
+was little gain to them in holding small shares in Drangey; so they
+offered to sell their part to the sons of Thord; Hialti said that he
+would not deal with them herein, for the bonders made it part of the
+bargain, that he who bought of them should either slay Grettir or get
+him away. But Thorbiorn Angle said, that he would not spare to take
+the lead of an onset against Grettir if they would give him wealth
+therefor. So his brother Hialti gave up to him his share in the
+island, for that he was the hardest man, and the least befriended of
+the twain; and in likewise too did other bonders; so Thorbiorn Angle
+got the more part of the island for little worth, but bound himself
+withal to get Grettir away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXV.
+
+<i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Drangey to speak with Grettir</i>.
+
+
+Whenas summer was far spent, Thorbiorn Angle went with a well-manned
+barge out to Drangey, and Grettir and his fellows stood forth on the
+cliff's edge; so there they talked together. Thorbiorn prayed Grettir
+to do so much for his word, as to depart from the island; Grettir said
+there was no hope of such an end.
+
+Then said Thorbiorn, "Belike I may give thee meet aid if thou dost
+this, for now have many bonders given up to me their shares in the
+island."
+
+Grettir answered, "Now hast thou shown forth that which brings me to
+settle in my mind that I will never go hence, whereas thou sayest
+that thou now hast the more part of the island; and good is it that we
+twain alone share the kale: for in sooth, hard I found it to have all
+the men of Skagafirth against me; but now let neither spare the
+other, for not such are we twain, as are like to be smothered in the
+friendship of men; and thou mayst leave coming hither, for on my side
+is all over and done."
+
+"<i>All things bide their day</i>," said Thorbiorn, "and an ill day
+thou bidest."
+
+"I am content to risk it," said Grettir; and in such wise they parted,
+and Thorbiorn went home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXVI.
+
+<i>How Noise let the fire out on Drangey, and how Grettir must needs
+go aland for more</i>.
+
+
+So the tale tells, that by then they had been two winters on Drangey,
+they had slaughtered well-nigh all the sheep that were there, but one
+ram, as men say, they let live; he was piebald of belly and head, and
+exceeding big-horned; great game they had of him, for he was so wise
+that he would stand waiting without, and run after them whereso they
+went; and he would come home to the hut anights and rub his horns
+against the door.
+
+Now they deemed it good to abide on the island, for food was plenty,
+because of the fowl and their eggs; but firewood was right hard to
+come by; and ever Grettir would let the thrall go watch for drift, and
+logs were often drifted there, and he would bear them to the fire;
+but no need had the brothers to do any work beyond climbing into the
+cliffs when it liked them. But the thrall took to loathing his work,
+and got more grumbling and heedless than he was wont heretofore: his
+part it was to watch the fire night by night, and Grettir gave him
+good warning thereon, for no boat they had with them.
+
+Now so it befell that on a certain night their fire went out; Grettir
+was wroth thereat, and said it was but his due if Noise were beaten
+for that deed; but the thrall said that his life was an evil life,
+if he must lie there in outlawry, and be shaken and beaten withal if
+aught went amiss.
+
+Grettir asked Illugi what rede there was for the matter, but he said
+he could see none, but that they should abide there till some keel
+should be brought thither: Grettir said it was but blindness to hope
+for that. "Rather will I risk whether I may not come aland."
+
+"Much my mind misgives me thereof," said Illugi, "for we are all lost
+if thou comest to any ill."
+
+"I shall not be swallowed up swimming," said Grettir; "but
+henceforward I shall trust the thrall the worse for this, so much as
+lies hereon."
+
+Now the shortest way to the mainland from the island, was a sea-mile
+long.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXVII.
+
+<i>Grettir at the home-stead of Reeks</i>.
+
+
+Now Grettir got all ready for swimming, and had on a cowl of
+market-wadmal, and his breeches girt about him, and he got his fingers
+webbed together, and the weather was fair. So he went from the island
+late in the day, and desperate Illugi deemed his journey. Grettir made
+out into the bay, and the stream was with him, and a calm was over
+all. He swam on fast, and came aland at Reekness by then the sun had
+set: he went up to the homestead at Reeks, and into a bath that night,
+and then went into the chamber; it was very warm there, for there had
+been a fire therein that evening, and the heat was not yet out of the
+place; but he was exceeding weary, and there fell into a deep sleep,
+and so lay till far on into the next day.
+
+Now as the morning wore the home folk arose, and two women came
+into the chamber, a handmaid and the goodman's daughter. Grettir was
+asleep, and the bed-clothes had been cast off him on to the floor; so
+they saw that a man lay there, and knew him.
+
+Then said the handmaiden: "So may I thrive, sister! here is Grettir
+Asmundson lying bare, and I call him right well ribbed about the
+chest, but few might think he would be so small of growth below; and
+so then that does not go along with other kinds of bigness."
+
+The goodman's daughter answered: "Why wilt thou have everything on thy
+tongue's end? Thou art a measure-less fool; be still."
+
+"Dear sister, how can I be still about it?" says the handmaid. "I
+would not have believed it, though one had told me."
+
+And now she would whiles run up to him and look, and whiles run back
+again to the goodman's daughter, screaming and laughing; but Grettir
+heard what she said, and as she ran in over the floor by him he caught
+hold of her, and sang this stave--
+
+  "Stay a little, foolish one!
+  When the shield-shower is all done,
+  With the conquered carles and lords,
+  Men bide not to measure swords:
+  Many a man had there been glad,
+  Lesser war-gear to have had.
+  With a heart more void of fear;
+  Such I am not, sweet and dear."
+
+Therewithal he swept her up into the bed, but the bonder's daughter
+ran out of the place; then sang Grettir this other stave--
+
+  "Sweet amender of the seam,
+  Weak and worn thou dost me deem:
+  O light-handed dear delight,
+  Certes thou must say aright.
+  Weak I am, and certainly
+  Long in white arms must I lie:
+  Hast thou heart to leave me then,
+  Fair-limbed gladdener of great men?"
+
+The handmaid shrieked out, but in such wise did they part that she
+laid no blame on Grettir when all was over.
+
+A little after, Grettir arose, and went to Thorvald the goodman, and
+told him of his trouble, and prayed bring him out; so did he, and lent
+him a boat, and brought him out, and Grettir thanked him well for his
+manliness.
+
+But when it was heard that Grettir had swam a sea-mile, all deemed his
+prowess both on sea and land to be marvellous.
+
+Those of Skagafirth had many words to say against Thorbiorn Angle, in
+that he drave not Grettir away from Drangey, and said they would take
+back each his own share; but he said he found the task no easy one,
+and prayed them be good to him, and abide awhile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXVIII.
+
+<i>Of Haring at Drangey, and the end of him</i>.
+
+
+That same summer a ship came to the Gangpass-mouth, and therein was a
+man called Haering--a young man he was, and so lithe that there was no
+cliff that he might not climb. He went to dwell with Thorbiorn Angle,
+and was there on into the autumn; and he was ever urging Thorbiorn to
+go to Drangey, saying that he would fain see whether the cliffs were
+so high that none might come up them. Thorbiorn said that he should
+not work for nought if he got up into the island, and slew Grettir, or
+gave him some wound; and withal he made it worth coveting to Haering.
+So they fared to Drangey, and set the eastman ashore in a certain
+place, and he was to set on them unawares if he might come up on
+to the island, but they laid their keel by the ladders, and fell to
+talking with Grettir; and Thorbiorn asked him if he were minded now to
+leave the place; but he said that to nought was his mind so made up as
+to stay there.
+
+"A great game hast thou played with us," said Thorbiorn; "but thou
+seemest not much afeard for thyself."
+
+Thus a long while they gave and took in words, and came nowise
+together hereon.
+
+But of Haering it is to be told that he climbed the cliffs, going on
+the right hand and the left, and got up by such a road as no man has
+gone by before or since; but when he came to the top of the cliff, he
+saw where the brothers stood, with their backs turned toward him, and
+thought in a little space to win both goods and great fame; nor were
+they at all aware of his ways, for they deemed that no man might
+come up, but there whereas the ladders were. Grettir was talking with
+Thorbiorn, nor lacked there words of the biggest on either side; but
+withal Illugi chanced to look aside, and saw a man drawing anigh them.
+
+Then he said, "Here comes a man at us, with axe raised aloft, and in
+right warlike wise he seems to fare."
+
+"Turn thou to meet him," says Grettir, "but I will watch the ladders."
+
+So Illugi turned to meet Haering, and when the eastman saw him, he
+turned and fled here and there over the island. Illugi chased him
+while the island lasted, but when he came forth on to the cliff's edge
+Haering leapt down thence, and every bone in him was broken, and
+so ended his life; but the place where he was lost has been called
+Haering's-leap ever since.
+
+Illugi came back, and Grettir asked how he had parted from this one
+who had doomed them to die.
+
+"He would have nought to do," says Illugi, "with my seeing after
+his affairs, but must needs break his neck over the rock; so let the
+bonders pray for him as one dead."
+
+So when Angle heard that, he bade his folk make off. "Twice have I
+fared to meet Grettir, but no third time will I go, if I am nought the
+wiser first; and now belike they may sit in Drangey as for me; but
+in my mind it is, that Grettir will abide here but a lesser time than
+heretofore."
+
+With that they went home, and men deemed this journey of theirs worser
+than the first, and Grettir abode that winter in Drangey, nor in that
+season did he and Thorbiorn meet again.
+
+In those days died Skapti Thorodson the Lawman, and great scathe
+was that to Grettir, for he had promised to busy himself about his
+acquittal as soon as he had been twenty winters in outlawry, and this
+year, of which the tale was told e'en now, was the nineteenth year
+thereof.
+
+In the spring died Snorri the Godi, and many matters befell in that
+season that come not into this story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXIX.
+
+<i>Of the Talk at the Thing about Grettir's Outlawry</i>.
+
+
+That summer, at the Althing, the kin of Grettir spake many things
+concerning his outlawry, and some deemed he had outworn the years
+thereof, if he had come at all into the twentieth year; but they who
+had blood-suits against him would not have it so, and said, that he
+had done many an outlaw's deed since he was first outlawed, and deemed
+his time ought to last longer therefor.
+
+At that time was a new lawman made, Stein, the son of Thorgest, the
+son of Stein the Far-sailing, the son of Thorir Autumn-mirk; the
+mother of Stein was Arnora, the daughter of Thord the Yeller; and
+Stein was a wise man.
+
+Now was he prayed for the word of decision; and he bade them search
+and see whether this were the twentieth summer since Grettir was made
+an outlaw, and thus it seemed to be.
+
+But then stood forth Thorir of Garth, and brought all into dispute
+again, for he found that Grettir had been one winter out here a
+sackless man, amidst the times of his outlawry, and then nineteen were
+the winters of his outlawry found to be. Then said the lawman that no
+one should be longer in outlawry than twenty winters in all, though he
+had done outlaw's deeds in that time.
+
+"But before that, I declare no man sackless."
+
+Now because of this was the acquittal delayed for this time, but
+it was thought a sure thing that he would be made sackless the next
+summer. But that misliked the Skagafirthers exceeding ill, if Grettir
+were to come out of his outlawry, and they bade Thorbiorn Angle do
+one of two things, either give back the island or slay Grettir; but
+he deemed well that he had a work on his hands, for he saw no rede for
+the winning of Grettir, and yet was he fain to hold the island; and
+so all manner of craft he sought for the overcoming of Grettir, if he
+might prevail either by guile or hardihood, or in any wise soever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXX.
+
+<i>Thorbiorn Angle goes with his Foster-mother out to Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Angle had a foster-mother, Thurid by name, exceeding old,
+and meet for little, as folk deemed, very cunning she had been in
+many and great matters of lore, when she was young, and men were yet
+heathen; but men thought of her as of one, who had lost all that. But
+now, though Christ's law were established in the land, yet abode still
+many sparks of heathendom. It had been law in the land, that men were
+not forbidden to sacrifice secretly, or deal with other lore of eld,
+but it was lesser outlawry if such doings oozed out. Now in such wise
+it fared with many, that <i>hand for wont did yearn</i>, and things
+grew handiest by time that had been learned in youth.
+
+So now, whenas Thorbiorn Angle was empty of all plots, he sought for
+help there, whereas most folk deemed it most unlike that help was--at
+the hands of his foster-mother, in sooth, and asked, what counsel was
+in her therefor.
+
+She answered, "Now belike matters have come to this, even as the saw
+says--<i>To the goat-house for wool</i>: but what could I do less than
+this, to think myself before folk of the country-side, but be a man
+of nought, whenso anything came to be tried? nor see I how I may fare
+worse than thou, though I may scarce rise from my bed. But if thou art
+to have my rede, then shall I have my will as to how and what things
+are done."
+
+He gave his assent thereto, and said that she had long been of
+wholesome counsel to him.
+
+Now the time wore on to Twainmonth of summer; and one fair-weather day
+the carline spake to Angle,
+
+"Now is the weather calm and bright, and I will now that thou fare
+to Drangey and pick a quarrel with Grettir; I shall go with thee, and
+watch how heedful he may be of his words; and if I see them, I shall
+have some sure token as to how far they are befriended of fortune, and
+then shall I speak over them such words as seem good to me."
+
+Angle answered, "Loth am I to be faring to Drangey, for ever am I of
+worser mind when I depart thence than when I come thereto."
+
+Then said the carline, "Nought will I do for thee if thou sufferest me
+to rule in no wise."
+
+"Nay, so shall it not be, foster-mother," said he; "but so much have
+I said, as that I would so come thither the third time that somewhat
+should be made of the matter betwixt us."
+
+"The chance of that must be taken," said the carline "and many a heavy
+labour must thou have, or ever Grettir be laid to earth; and oft will
+it be doubtful to thee what fortune thine shall be, and heavy troubles
+wilt thou get therefrom when that is done; yet art thou so bounden
+here-under, that to somewhat must thou make up thy mind."
+
+Thereafter Thorbiorn Angle let put forth a ten-oared boat, and he went
+thereon with eleven men, and the carline was in their company.
+
+So they fell to rowing as the weather went, out to Drangey; and when
+the brothers saw that, they stood forth at the ladders, and they began
+to talk the matter over yet once more; and Thorbiorn said, that he was
+come yet again, to talk anew of their leaving the island, and that
+he would deal lightly with his loss of money and Grettir's dwelling
+there, if so be they might part without harm. But Grettir said that he
+had no words to make atwixt and atween of his going thence.
+
+"Oft have I so said," says he, "and no need there is for thee to talk
+to me thereon; ye must even do as ye will, but here will I abide,
+whatso may come to hand."
+
+Now Thorbiorn deemed, that this time also his errand was come to
+nought, and he said,
+
+"Yea, I deemed I knew with what men of hell I had to do; and most like
+it is that a day or two will pass away ere I come hither again."
+
+"I account that not in the number of my griefs, though thou never
+comest back," said Grettir.
+
+Now the carline lay in the stern, with clothes heaped up about and
+over her, and with that she moved, and said,
+
+"Brave will these men be, and luckless withal; far hast thou outdone
+them in manliness; thou biddest them choice of many goodly things,
+but they say nay to all, and few things lead surer to ill, than not to
+know how to take good. Now this I cast over thee, Grettir, that thou
+be left of all health, wealth, and good-hap, all good heed and wisdom:
+yea, and that the more, the longer thou livest; good hope I have,
+Grettir, that thy days of gladness shall be fewer here in time to come
+than in the time gone by."
+
+Now when Grettir heard these words, he was astonied withal, and said,
+
+"What fiend is there in the boat with them?" Illugi answers, "I deem
+that it will be the carline, Thorbiorn's foster-mother."
+
+"Curses on the witch-wight!" says Grettir, "nought worse could have
+been looked for; at no words have I shuddered like as I shuddered
+at those words she spake; and well I wot that from her, and her foul
+cunning, some evil will be brought on us; yet shall she have some
+token to mind her that she has sought us here."
+
+Therewithal he caught up a marvellous great stone, and cast it down on
+to the boat, and it smote that clothes-heap; and a longer stone-throw
+was that than Thorbiorn deemed any man might make; but therewithal a
+great shriek arose, for the stone had smitten the carline's thigh, and
+broken it.
+
+Then said Illugi, "I would thou hadst not done that!"
+
+"Blame me not therefor," said Grettir, "I fear me the stroke has been
+too little, for certes not overmuch weregild were paid for the twain
+of us, though the price should be one carline's life."
+
+"Must she alone be paid?" said Illugi, "little enough then will be
+laid down for us twain."
+
+Now Thorbiorn got him gone homeward, with no greetings at parting. But
+he said to the carline,
+
+"Now have matters gone as I thought, that a journey of little glory
+thou shouldst make to the island; thou hast got maimed, and honour
+is no nigher to us than before, yea, we must have bootless shame on
+bootless shame."
+
+She answered, "This will be the springing of ill-hap to them; and
+I deem that henceforth they are on the wane; neither do I fear if I
+live, but that I shall have revenge for this deed they have thus done
+me."
+
+"Stiff is thine heart, meseems, foster-mother," said Thorbiorn. With
+that they came home, but the carline was laid in her bed, and abode
+there nigh a month; by then was the hurt thigh-bone grown together
+again, and she began to be afoot once more.
+
+Great laughter men made at that journey of Thorbiorn and the carline,
+and deemed he had been often enow out-played in his dealings with
+Grettir: first, at the Spring-Thing in the peace handselling; next,
+when Haering was lost, and now again, this third time, when the
+carline's thigh-bone was broken, and no stroke had been played against
+these from his part. But great shame and grief had Thorbiorn Angle
+from all these words.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXI.
+
+<i>Of the Carline's evil Gift to Grettir</i>.
+
+
+Now wore away the time of autumn till it wanted but three weeks of
+winter; then the carline bade bear her to the sea-shore. Thorbiorn
+asked what she would there.
+
+"Little is my errand, yet maybe," she says, "it is a foreboding of
+greater tidings."
+
+Now was it done as she bade, and when she came down to the strand,
+she went limping along by the sea, as if she were led thereto, unto
+a place where lay before her an uprooted tree, as big as a man might
+bear on his shoulder. She looked at the tree and bade them turn it
+over before her eyes, and on one side it was as if singed and rubbed;
+so there whereas it was rubbed she let cut a little flat space; and
+then she took her knife and cut runes on the root, and made them
+red with her blood, and sang witch-words over them; then she went
+backwards and widdershins round about the tree, and cast over it many
+a strong spell; thereafter she let thrust the tree forth into the sea,
+and spake in such wise over it, that it should drive out to Drangey,
+and that Grettir should have all hurt therefrom that might be.
+Thereafter she went back home to Woodwick; and Thorbiorn said that he
+knew not if that would come to aught; but the carline answered that he
+should wot better anon.
+
+Now the wind blew landward up the firth, yet the carline's root went
+in the teeth of the wind, and belike it sailed swifter than might have
+been looked for of it.
+
+Grettir abode in Drangey with his fellows as is aforesaid, and in
+good case they were; but the day after the carline had wrought her
+witch-craft on the tree the brothers went down below the cliffs
+searching for firewood, so when they came to the west of the island,
+there they found that tree drifted ashore.
+
+Then said Illugi, "A big log of firewood, kinsman, let us bear it
+home."
+
+Grettir kicked it with his foot and said, "An evil tree from evil
+sent; other firewood than this shall we have."
+
+Therewithal he cast it out into the sea, and bade Illugi beware of
+bearing it home, "For it is sent us for our ill-hap." And therewith
+they went unto their abode, and said nought about it to the thrall.
+But the next day they found the tree again, and it was nigher to the
+ladders than heretofore; Grettir drave it out to sea, and said that it
+should never be borne home.
+
+Now the days wore on into summer, and a gale came on with much wet,
+and the brothers were loth to be abroad, and bade Noise go search for
+firewood.
+
+He took it ill, and said he was ill served in that he had to drudge
+and labour abroad in all the foulest weather; but withal he went down
+to the beach before the ladders and found the carline's tree there,
+and deemed things had gone well because of it; so he took it up and
+bore it to the hut, and cast it down thereby with a mighty thump.
+
+Grettir heard it and said, "Noise has got something, so I shall go out
+and see what it is."
+
+Therewithal he took up a wood-axe, and went out, and straightway Noise
+said,
+
+"Split it up in as good wise as I have brought it home, then."
+
+Grettir grew short of temper with the thrall, and smote the axe with
+both hands at the log, nor heeded what tree it was; but as soon as
+ever the axe touched the wood, it turned flatlings and glanced off
+therefrom into Grettir's right leg above the knee, in such wise that
+it stood in the bone, and a great wound was that. Then he looked at
+the tree and said,
+
+"Now has evil heart prevailed, nor will this hap go alone, since that
+same tree has now come back to us that I have cast out to sea on these
+two days. But for thee, Noise, two slips hast thou had, first, when
+thou must needs let the fire be slaked, and now this bearing home of
+that tree of ill-hap; but if a third thou hast, thy bane will it be,
+and the bane of us all."
+
+With that came Illugi and bound up Grettir's hurt, and it bled little,
+and Grettir slept well that night; and so three nights slipped by in
+such wise that no pain came of the wound, and when they loosed the
+swathings, the lips of the wound were come together so that it was
+well-nigh grown over again. Then said Illugi,
+
+"Belike thou wilt have no long hurt of this wound."
+
+"Well were it then," said Grettir, "but marvellously has this
+befallen, whatso may come of it; and my mind misgives me of the way
+things will take."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXII.
+
+<i>Grettir sings of his Great Deeds</i>.
+
+
+Now they lay them down that evening, but at midnight Grettir began to
+tumble about exceedingly. Illugi asked why he was so unquiet. Grettir
+said that his leg had taken to paining him, "And methinks it is like
+that some change of hue there be therein."
+
+Then they kindled a light, and when the swathings were undone, the leg
+showed all swollen and coal-blue, and the wound had broken open,
+and was far more evil of aspect than at first; much pain there went
+therewith so that he might not abide at rest in any wise, and never
+came sleep on his eyes.
+
+Then spake Grettir, "Let us make up our minds to it, that this
+sickness which I have gotten is not done for nought, for it is of
+sorcery, and the carline is minded to avenge her of that stone."
+
+Illugi said, "Yea, I told thee that thou wouldst get no good from that
+hag."
+
+"<i>All will come to one end</i>," said Grettir, and sang this song
+withal--
+
+  "Doubtful played the foredoomed fate
+  Round the sword in that debate,
+  When the bearserks' outlawed crew,
+  In the days of yore I slew.
+  Screamed the worm of clashing lands
+  When Hiarandi dropped his hands
+  Biorn and Gunnar cast away,
+  Hope of dwelling in the day.
+
+  "Home again then travelled I;
+  The broad-boarded ship must lie,
+  Under Door-holm, as I went,
+  Still with weapon play content,
+  Through the land; and there the thane
+  Called me to the iron rain,
+  Bade me make the spear-storm rise,
+  Torfi Vebrandson the wise.
+
+  "To such plight the Skald was brought,
+  Wounder of the walls of thought,
+  Howsoever many men
+  Stood, all armed, about us then,
+  That his hand that knew the oar,
+  Grip of sword might touch no more;
+  Yet to me the wound who gave
+  Did he give a horse to have.
+
+  "Thorbiorn Arnor's son, men said,
+  Of no great deed was afraid,
+  Folk spake of him far and wide;
+  He forbade me to abide
+  Longer on the lovely earth;
+  Yet his heart was little worth,
+  Not more safe alone was I,
+  Than when armed he drew anigh.
+
+  "From the sword's edge and the spears
+  From my many waylayers,
+  While might was, and my good day,
+  Often did I snatch away;
+  Now a hag, whose life outworn
+  Wicked craft and ill hath borne,
+  Meet for death lives long enow,
+  Grettir's might to overthrow."[18]
+
+[Footnote 18: This song is obviously incomplete, and the second and
+third stanzas speak of matters that do not come into this story.]
+
+"Now must we take good heed to ourselves," said Grettir, "for
+Thorbiorn Angle must be minded that this hap shall not go alone; and
+I will, Noise, that thou watch the ladders every day from this time
+forth, but pull them up in the evening, and see thou do it well and
+truly, even as though much lay thereon, but if thou bewrayest us,
+short will be thy road to ill."
+
+So Noise promised great things concerning this. Now the weather grew
+harder, and a north-east wind came on with great cold: every night
+Grettir asked if the ladders were drawn up.
+
+Then said Noise, "Yea, certainly! men are above all things to be
+looked for now. Can any man have such a mind to take thy life, that
+he will do so much as to slay himself therefor? for this gale is far
+other than fair; lo now, methinks thy so great bravery and hardihood
+has come utterly to an end, if thou must needs think that all things
+soever will be thy bane."
+
+"Worse wilt thou bear thyself than either of us," said Grettir, "when
+the need is on us; but now go watch the ladders, whatsoever will thou
+hast thereto."
+
+So every morning they drave him out, and ill he bore it.
+
+But Grettir's hurt waxed in such wise that all the leg swelled up, and
+the thigh began to gather matter both above and below, and the lips of
+the wound were all turned out, so that Grettir's death was looked for.
+
+Illugi sat over him night and day, and took heed to nought else, and
+by then it was the second week since Grettir hurt himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXIII.
+
+<i>How Thorbiorn Angle gathered Force and set Sail for Drangey</i>.
+
+
+Thorbiorn Angle sat this while at home at Woodwick, and was
+ill-content in that he might not win Grettir; but when a certain space
+had passed since the carline had put the sorcery into the root, she
+comes to talk with Thorbiorn, and asks if he were not minded to go see
+Grettir. He answers, that to nought was his mind so made up as that he
+would not go; "perchance thou wilt go meet him, foster-mother," says
+Thorbiorn.
+
+"Nay, I shall not go meet-him," says the carline; "but I have sent my
+greeting to him, and some hope I have that it has come home to him;
+and good it seems to me that thou go speedily to meet him, or else
+shalt thou never have such good hap as to overcome him."
+
+Thorbiorn answered: "So many shameful journeys have I made thither,
+that there I go not ever again; moreover that alone is full enough
+to stay me, that such foul weather it is, that it is safe to go
+nowhither, whatso the need may be."
+
+She answered: "Ill counselled thou art, not to see how to overcome
+herein. Now yet once again will I lay down a rede for this; go thou
+first and get thee strength of men, and ride to Hof to Halldor thy
+brother-in-law, and take counsel of him. But if I may rule in some way
+how Grettir's health goes, how shall it be said that it is past hope
+that I may also deal with the gale that has been veering about this
+while?"
+
+Thorbiorn deemed it might well be that the carline saw further than he
+had thought she might, and straightway sent up into the country-side
+for men; but speedy answer there came that none of those who had given
+up their shares would do aught to ease his task, and they said that
+Thorbiorn should have to himself both the owning of the island and the
+onset on Grettir. But Tongue-Stein gave him two of his followers, and
+Hialti, his brother, sent him three men, and Eric of God-dales one,
+and from his own homestead he had six. So the twelve of them ride from
+Woodwick out to Hof. Halldor bade them abide there, and asked their
+errand; then Thorbiorn told it as clearly as might be. Halldor asked
+whose rede this might be, and Thorbiorn said that his foster-mother
+urged him much thereto.
+
+"That will bear no good," said Halldor, "because she is cunning in
+sorcery, and such-like things are now forbidden."
+
+"I may not look closely into all these matters before-hand," said
+Thorbiorn, "but in somewise or other shall this thing have an end if I
+may have my will. Now, how shall I go about it, so that I may come to
+the island?"
+
+"Meseems," says Halldor, "that thou trustest in somewhat, though I wot
+not how good that may be. But now if thou wilt go forward with it, go
+thou out to Meadness in the Fleets to Biorn my friend; a good keel
+he has, so tell him of my word, that I would he should lend you the
+craft, and thence ye may sail out to Drangey. But the end of your
+journey I see not, if Grettir is sound and hale: yea, and be thou sure
+that if ye win him not in manly wise, he leaves enough of folk behind
+to take up the blood-suit after him. And slay not Illugi if ye may do
+otherwise. But methinks I see that all is not according to Christ's
+law in these redes."
+
+Then Halldor gave them six men withal for their journey; one was
+called Karr, another Thorleif, and a third Brand, but the rest are not
+named.
+
+So they fared thence, eighteen in company, out to the Fleets, and came
+to Meadness and gave Biorn Halldor's message, he said that it was but
+due for Halldor's sake, but that he owed nought to Thorbiorn; withal
+it seemed to him that they went on a mad journey, and he let them from
+it all he might.
+
+They said they might not turn back, and so went down to the sea, and
+put forth the craft, and all its gear was in the boat-stand hard by;
+so they made them ready for sailing, and foul enow the weather seemed
+to all who stood on land. But they hoisted sail, and the craft shot
+swiftly far into the firth, but when they came out into the main part
+thereof into deep water, the wind abated in such wise that they deemed
+it blew none too hard.
+
+So in the evening at dusk they came to Drangey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXIV.
+
+<i>The Slaying of Grettir Asmundson</i>.
+
+
+Now it is to be told, that Grettir was so sick, that he might not
+stand on his feet, but Illugi sat beside him, and Noise was to keep
+watch and ward; and many words he had against that, and said that they
+would still think that life was falling from them, though nought
+had happed to bring it about; so he went out from their abode right
+unwillingly, and when he came to the ladders he spake to himself and
+said that now he would not draw them up; withal he grew exceeding
+sleepy, and lay down and slept all day long, and right on till
+Thorbiorn came to the island.
+
+So now they see that the ladders are not drawn up; then spake
+Thorbiorn, "Now are things changed from what the wont was, in that
+there are none afoot, and their ladder stands in its place withal;
+maybe more things will betide in this our journey than we had thought
+of in the beginning: but now let us hasten to the hut, and let no man
+lack courage; for, wot this well, that if these men are hale, each one
+of us must needs do his best."
+
+Then they went up on to the island, and looked round about, and saw
+where a man lay a little space off the landing-place, and snored hard
+and fast. Therewith Thorbiorn knew Noise, and went up to him and drave
+the hilt of his sword against the ear of him, and bade him, "Wake up,
+beast! certes in evil stead is he who trusts his life to thy faith and
+troth."
+
+Noise looked up thereat and said, "Ah! now are they minded to go
+on according to their wont; do ye, may-happen, think my freedom too
+great, though I lie out here in the cold?"
+
+"Art thou witless," said Angle, "that thou seest not that thy foes are
+come upon thee, and will slay you all?"
+
+Then Noise answered nought, but yelled out all he might, when he knew
+the men who they were.
+
+"Do one thing or other," says Angle, "either hold thy peace forthwith,
+and tell us of your abode, or else be slain of us."
+
+Thereat was Noise as silent as if he had been thrust under water; but
+Thorbiorn said, "Are they at their hut, those brothers? Why are they
+not afoot?"
+
+"Scarce might that be," said Noise, "for Grettir is sick and come nigh
+to his death, and Illugi sits over him."
+
+Then Angle asked how it was with their health, and what things had
+befallen. So Noise told him in what wise Grettir's hurt had come
+about.
+
+Then Angle laughed and said, "Yea, sooth is the old saw, <i>Old
+friends are the last to sever</i>; and this withal, <i>Ill if a thrall
+is thine only friend</i>, whereso thou art, Noise; for shamefully hast
+thou bewrayed thy master, albeit he was nought good."
+
+Then many laid evil things to his charge for his ill faith, and beat
+him till he was well-nigh past booting for, and let him lie there; but
+they went up to the hut and smote mightily on the door.
+
+"Pied-belly[19] is knocking hard at the door, brother," says Illugi.
+
+[Footnote 19: 'Pied-belly,' the name of the tame ram told of before.]
+
+"Yea, yea, hard, and over hard," says Grettir; and therewithal the
+door brake asunder.
+
+Then sprang Illugi to his weapons and guarded the door, in such wise
+that there was no getting in for them. Long time they set on him
+there, and could bring nought against him save spear-thrusts, and
+still Illugi smote all the spear-heads from the shafts. But when they
+saw that they might thus bring nought to pass, they leapt up on to the
+roof of the hut, and tore off the thatch; then Grettir got to his feet
+and caught up a spear, and thrust out betwixt the rafters; but before
+that stroke was Karr, a home-man of Halldor of Hof, and forthwithal it
+pierced him through.
+
+Then spoke Angle, and bade men fare warily and guard themselves well,
+"for we may prevail against them if we follow wary redes."
+
+So they tore away the thatch from the ends of the ridge-beam, and bore
+on the beam till it brake asunder.
+
+Now Grettir might not rise from his knee, but he caught up the
+short-sword, Karr's-loom, and even therewith down leapt those men in
+betwixt the walls, and a hard fray befell betwixt them. Grettir
+smote with the short-sword at Vikar, one of the followers of Hialti
+Thordson, and caught him on the left shoulder, even as he leapt in
+betwixt the walls, and cleft him athwart the shoulder down unto the
+right side, so that the man fell asunder, and the body so smitten
+atwain tumbled over on to Grettir, and for that cause he might not
+heave aloft the short-sword as speedily as he would, and therewith
+Thorbiorn Angle thrust him betwixt the shoulders, and great was that
+wound he gave.
+
+Then cried Grettir, "<i>Bare is the back of the brotherless</i>." And
+Illugi threw his shield over Grettir, and warded him in so stout a
+wise that all men praised his defence.
+
+Then said Grettir to Angle, "Who then showed thee the way here to the
+island?"
+
+Said Angle, "The Lord Christ showed it us."
+
+"Nay," said Grettir, "but I guess that the accursed hag, thy
+foster-mother, showed it thee, for in her redes must thou needs have
+trusted."
+
+"All shall be one to thee now," said Angle, "in whomsoever I have put
+my trust."
+
+Then they set on them fiercely, and Illugi made defence for both in
+most manly wise; but Grettir was utterly unmeet for fight, both for
+his wounds' sake and for his sickness. So Angle bade bear down Illugi
+with shields, "For never have I met his like, amongst men of such
+age."
+
+Now thus they did, besetting him with beams and weapons till he might
+ward himself no longer; and then they laid hands on him, and so held
+him fast. But he had given some wound or other to the more part of
+those who had been at the onset, and had slain outright three of
+Angle's fellows.
+
+Thereafter they went up to Grettir, but he was fallen forward on to
+his face, and no defence there was of him, for that he was already
+come to death's door by reason of the hurt in his leg, for all the
+thigh was one sore, even up to the small guts; but there they gave him
+many a wound, yet little or nought he bled.
+
+So when they thought he was dead, Angle laid hold of the short-sword,
+and said that he had carried it long enough; but Grettir's fingers
+yet kept fast hold of the grip thereof, nor could the short-sword be
+loosened; many went up and tried at it, but could get nothing done
+therewith; eight of them were about it before the end, but none the
+more might bring it to pass.
+
+Then said Angle, "Why should we spare this wood-man here? lay his hand
+on the block."
+
+So when that was done they smote off his hand at the wrist, and the
+fingers straightened, and were loosed from the handle. Then Angle took
+the short-sword in both hands and smote at Grettir's head, and a right
+great stroke that was, so that the short-sword might not abide it, and
+a shard was broken from the midst of the edge thereof; and when men
+saw that, they asked why he must needs spoil a fair thing in such
+wise.
+
+But Angle answered, "More easy is it to know that weapon now if it
+should be asked for."
+
+They said it needed not such a deed since the man was dead already.
+
+"Ah! but yet more shall be done," said Angle, and hewed therewith
+twice or thrice at Grettir's neck, or ever the head came off; and then
+he spake,
+
+"Now know I for sure that Grettir is dead."
+
+In such wise Grettir lost his life, the bravest man of all who have
+dwelt in Iceland; he lacked but one winter of forty-five years whenas
+he was slain; but he was fourteen winters old when he slew Skeggi, his
+first man-slaying; and from thenceforth all things turned to his fame,
+till the time when he dealt with Glam, the Thrall; and in those days
+was he of twenty winters-; but when he fell into outlawry, he was
+twenty-five years old; but in outlawry was he nigh nineteen winters,
+and full oft was he the while in great trials of men; and such as his
+life was, and his needs, he held well to his faith and troth, and most
+haps did he foresee, though he might do nought to meet them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXV.
+
+<i>How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money</i>.
+
+
+"A great champion have we laid to earth here," said Thorbiorn; "now
+shall we bring the head aland with us, for I will not lose the money
+which has been laid thereon; nor may they then feign that they know
+not if I have slain Grettir."
+
+They bade him do his will, but had few words to say hereon, for to all
+the deed seemed a deed of little prowess.
+
+Then Angle fell to speaking with Illugi,
+
+"Great scathe it is of such a brave man as thou art, that thou hast
+fallen to such folly, as to betake thee to ill deeds with this outlaw
+here, and must needs lie slain and unatoned therefore."
+
+Illugi answered, "Then first when the Althing is over this summer,
+wilt thou know who are outlaws; but neither thou nor the carline, thy
+foster-mother, will judge in this matter, because that your sorcery
+and craft of old days have slain Grettir, though thou didst, indeed,
+bear steel against him, as he lay at death's door, and wrought that so
+great coward's deed there, over and above thy sorcery."
+
+Then said Angle, "In manly wise speakest thou, but not thus will it
+be; and I will show thee that I think great scathe in thy death, for
+thy life will I give thee if thou wilt swear an oath for us here, to
+avenge thyself on none of those who have been in this journey."
+
+Illugi said, "That might I have deemed a thing to talk about, if
+Grettir had been suffered to defend himself, and ye had won him with
+manliness and hardihood; but now nowise is it to be thought, that I
+will do so much for the keeping of my life, as to become base, even as
+thou art: and here I tell thee, once for all, that no one of men shall
+be of less gain to thee than I, if I live; for long will it be or ever
+I forget how ye have prevailed against Grettir.--Yea, much rather do I
+choose to die."
+
+Then Thorbiorn Angle held talk with his fellows, whether they should
+let Illugi live or not; they said that, whereas he had ruled the
+journey, so should he rule the deeds; so Angle said that he knew not
+how to have that man hanging over his head, who would neither give
+troth, nor promise aught.
+
+But when Illugi knew that they were fully minded to slay him, he
+laughed, and spake thus,
+
+"Yea, now have your counsels sped, even as my heart would."
+
+So at the dawning of the day they brought him to the eastern end of
+the island, and there slaughtered him; but all men praised his great
+heart, and deemed him unlike to any of his age.
+
+They laid both the brothers in cairn on the island there; and
+thereafter took Grettir's head, and bore it away with them, and whatso
+goods there were in weapons or clothes; but the good short-sword Angle
+would not put into the things to be shared, and he bare it himself
+long afterwards. Noise they took with them, and he bore himself as ill
+as might be.
+
+At nightfall the gale abated, and they rowed aland in the morning.
+Angle took land at the handiest place, and sent the craft out to
+Biorn; but by then they were come hard by Oyce-land, Noise began to
+bear himself so ill, that they were loth to fare any longer with him,
+so there they slew him, and long and loud he greeted or ever he was
+cut down.
+
+Thorbiorn Angle went home to Woodwick, and deemed he had done in manly
+wise in this journey; but Grettir's head they laid in salt in the
+out-bower at Woodwick, which was called therefrom Grettir's-bower; and
+there it lay the winter long. But Angle was exceeding ill thought
+of for this work of his, as soon as folk knew that Grettir had been
+overcome by sorcery.
+
+Thorbiorn Angle sat quiet till past Yule; then he rode to meet Thorir
+of Garth, and told him of these slayings; and this withal, that he
+deemed that money his due which had been put on Grettir's head.
+Thorir said that he might not hide that he had brought about Grettir's
+outlawry,
+
+"Yea, and oft have I dealt hardly with him, yet so much for the taking
+of his life I would not have done, as to make me a misdoer, a man of
+evil craft, even as thou hast done; and the less shall I lay down that
+money for thee, in that I deem thee surely to be a man of forfeit life
+because of thy sorcery and wizard-craft."
+
+Thorbiorn Angle answers, "Meseems thou art urged hereto more by
+closefistedness and a poor mind, than by any heed of how Grettir was
+won."
+
+Thorir said that a short way they might make of it, in that they
+should abide the Althing, and take whatso the Lawman might deem
+most rightful: and in such wise they parted that there was no little
+ill-will betwixt Thorir and Thorbiorn Angle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXVI.
+
+<i>How Thorbiorn Angle brought Grettir's Head to Biarg</i>.
+
+
+The kin of Grettir and Illugi were exceeding ill-content when they
+heard of these slayings, and they so looked on matters as deeming that
+Angle had wrought a shameful deed in slaying a man at death's door;
+and that, besides that, he had become guilty of sorcery. They sought
+the counsel of the wisest men, and everywhere was Angle's work ill
+spoken of. As for him, he rode to Midfirth, when it lacked four weeks
+of summer; and when his ways were heard of, Asdis gathered men to
+her, and there came many of her friends: Gamli and Glum, her
+brothers-in-law, and their sons, Skeggi, who was called the
+Short-handed, and Uspak, who is aforesaid. Asdis was so well
+befriended, that all the Midfirthers came to aid her; yea, even those
+who were aforetime foes to Grettir; and the first man there was Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and the more part of the Ramfirthers.
+
+Now Angle came to Biarg with twenty men, and had Grettir's head with
+him; but not all those had come yet who had promised aid to Asdis;
+so Angle and his folk went into the chamber with the head, and set it
+down on the floor; the goodwife was there in the chamber, and many men
+with her; nor did it come to greetings on either side; but Angle sang
+this stave--
+
+  "A greedy head I bring with me
+  Up from the borders of the sea;
+  Now may the needle-pliers weep,
+  The red-haired outlaw lies asleep;
+  Gold-bearer, cast adown thine eyes,
+  And see how on the pavement lies,
+  The peace-destroying head brought low,
+  That but for salt had gone ere now."
+
+The goodwife sat silent when he gave forth the stave, and thereafter
+she sang--
+
+  "O thou poor wretch, as sheep that flee
+  To treacherous ice when wolves they see,
+  So in the waves would ye have drowned
+  Your shame and fear, had ye but found
+  That steel-god hale upon the isle:
+  Now heavy shame, woe worth the while!
+  Hangs over the north country-side,
+  Nor I my loathing care to hide."
+
+Then many said that it was nought wonderful, though she had brave
+sons, so brave as she herself was, amid such grief of heart as was
+brought on her.
+
+Uspak was without, and held talk with such of Angle's folk as had
+not gone in, and asked concerning the slayings; and all men praised
+Illugi's defence; and they told withal how fast Grettir had held the
+short-sword after he was dead, and marvellous that seemed to men.
+
+Amidst these things were seen many men riding from the west, and
+thither were coming many friends of the goodwife, with Gamli and
+Skeggi west from Meals.
+
+Now Angle had been minded to take out execution after Illugi, for he
+and his men claimed all his goods; but when that crowd of men came up,
+Angle saw that he might do nought therein, but Gamli and Uspak were of
+the eagerest, and were fain to set on Angle; but those who were wisest
+bade them take the rede of Thorwald their kinsman, and the other chief
+men, and said that worse would be deemed of Angle's case the more wise
+men sat in judgment over it; then such truce there was that Angle rode
+away, having Grettir's head with him, because he was minded to bear it
+to the Althing.
+
+So he rode home, and thought matters looked heavy enough, because
+well-nigh all the chief men of the land were either akin to Grettir
+and Illugi, or tied to them and theirs by marriage: that summer,
+moreover, Skeggi the Short-handed took to wife the daughter of Thorod
+Drapa-Stump, and therewithal Thorod joined Grettir's kin in these
+matters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXVII.
+
+<i>Affairs at the Althing</i>.
+
+
+Now men rode to the Althing, and Angle's helpers were fewer than he
+had looked for, because that his case was spoken ill of far and wide.
+
+Then asked Halldor whether they were to carry Grettir's head with them
+to the Althing.
+
+Angle said that he would bear it with him.
+
+"Ill-counselled is that," said Halldor; "for many enough will thy foes
+be, though thou doest nought to jog the memories of folk, or wake up
+their grief."
+
+By then were they come on their way, and were minded to ride south
+over the Sand; so Angle let take the head, and bury it in a hillock of
+sand, which is called Grettir's Hillock.
+
+Thronged was the Althing, and Angle put forth his case, and praised
+his own deeds mightily, in that he had slain the greatest outlaw in
+all the land, and claimed the money as his, which had been put on
+Grettir's head. But Thorir had the same answer for him as was told
+afore.
+
+Then was the Lawman prayed for a decision, and he said that he would
+fain hear if any charges came against this, whereby Angle should
+forfeit his blood-money, or else he said he must have whatsoever had
+been put on Grettir's head.
+
+Then Thorvald Asgeirson called on Skeggi the Short-handed to put forth
+his case, and he summoned Thorbiorn Angle with a first summons for the
+witch-craft and sorcery, whereby Grettir must have got his bane, and
+then with another summons withal, for that they had borne weapons
+against a half-dead man, and hereon he claimed an award of outlawry.
+
+Now folk drew much together on this side and on that, but few they
+were that gave aid to Thorbiorn; and things turned out otherwise
+than he had looked for, because Thorvald, and Isleif, his son-in-law,
+deemed it a deed worthy of death to bring men to their end by evil
+sorcery; but through the words of wise men these cases had such end,
+that Thorbiorn should sail away that same summer, and never come
+back to Iceland while any such were alive, as had the blood-suit for
+Grettir and Illugi.
+
+And then, moreover, was it made law that all workers of olden craft
+should be made outlaws.
+
+So when Angle saw what his lot would be, he gat him gone from the
+Thing, because it might well hap that Grettir's kin would set on him;
+nor did he get aught of the fee that was put on Grettir's head, for
+that Stein the Lawman would not that it should be paid for a deed
+of shame. None of those men of Thorbiorn's company who had fallen in
+Drangey were atoned, for they were to be made equal to the slaying of
+Illugi, but their kin were exceeding ill content therewith.
+
+So men rode home from the Thing, and all blood-suits that men had
+against Grettir fell away.
+
+Skeggi, the son of Gamli, who was son-in-law of Thorod Drapa-Stump,
+and sister's son of Grettir, went north to Skagafirth at the instance
+of Thorvald Asgeirson, and Isleif his son-in-law, who was afterwards
+Bishop of Skalholt, and by the consent of all the people got to him a
+keel, and went to Drangey to seek the corpses of the brothers, Grettir
+and Illugi; and he brought them back to Reeks, in Reek-strand, and
+buried them there at the church; and it is for a token that Grettir
+lies there, that in the days of the Sturlungs, when the church of the
+Reeks was moved, Grettir's bones were dug up, nor were they deemed
+so wondrous great, great enough though they were. The bones of Illugi
+were buried afterwards north of the church, but Grettir's head at home
+in the church at Biarg.
+
+Goodwife Asdis abode at home at Biarg, and so well beloved she was,
+that no trouble was ever brought against her, no, not even while
+Grettir was in outlawry.
+
+Skeggi the Short-handed took the household at Biarg after Asdis, and
+a mighty man he was; his son was Gamli, the father of Skeggi of
+Scarf-stead, and Asdis the mother of Odd the Monk. Many men are come
+from him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXVIII.
+
+<i>Thorbiorn Angle goes to Norway, and thence to Micklegarth</i>.
+
+
+Thornbiorn Angle took ship at Goose-ere, with whatso of his goods he
+might take with him; but Hialti his brother took to him his lands,
+and Angle gave him Drangey withal. Hialti became a great chief in
+aftertimes, but he has nought more to do with this tale.
+
+So Angle fared out to Norway; he yet made much of himself, for he
+deemed he had wrought a great deed in the slaying of Grettir, and so
+thought many others, who knew not how all had come to pass, for many
+knew how renowned a man Grettir had been; withal Angle told just so
+much of their dealings together as might do him honour, and let such
+of the tale lie quiet as was of lesser glory.
+
+Now this tale came in the autumn-tide east to Tunsberg, and when
+Thorstein Dromund heard of the slayings he grew all silent, because it
+was told him that Angle was a mighty man and a hardy; and he called
+to mind the words which he had spoken when he and Grettir talked
+together, long time agone, concerning the fashion of their arms.
+
+So Thorstein put out spies on Angle's goings; they were both in
+Norway through the winter, but Thorbiorn was in the north-country, and
+Thorstein in Tunsberg, nor had either seen other; yet was Angle ware
+that Grettir had a brother in Norway, and thought it hard to keep
+guard of himself in an unknown land, wherefore he sought counsel as to
+where he should betake himself. Now in those days many Northmen went
+out to Micklegarth, and took war-pay there; so Thorbiorn deemed it
+would be good to go thither and get to him thereby both fee and fame,
+nor to abide in the North-lands because of the kin of Grettir. So he
+made ready to go from Norway, and get him gone from out the land, and
+made no stay till he came to Micklegarth, and there took war-hire.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. LXXXIX.
+
+<i>How the Short-Sword was the easier known when sought for by reason
+of the notch in the blade</i>.
+
+
+Thorstein Dromund was a mighty man, and of the greatest account; and
+now he heard that Thorbiorn Angle had got him gone from the land out
+to Micklegarth; speedy were his doings thereon, he gave over his lands
+into his kinsmen's hands, and betook himself to journeying and to
+search for Angle; and ever he followed after whereas Angle had gone
+afore, nor was Angle ware of his goings.
+
+So Thorstein Dromund came out to Micklegarth a little after Angle, and
+was fain above all things to slay him, but neither knew the other. Now
+had they will to be taken into the company of the Varangians, and
+the matter went well as soon as the Varangians knew that they were
+Northmen; and in those days was Michael Katalak king over Micklegarth.
+
+Thorstein Dromund watched for Angle, if in some wise he might know
+him, but won not the game because of the many people there; and ever
+would he lie awake, ill-content with his lot, and thinking how great
+was his loss.
+
+Now hereupon it befell that the Varangians were to go on certain
+warfare, and free the land from harrying; and their manner and law it
+was before they went from home to hold a weapon-show, and so it was
+now done; and when the weapon-show was established, then were all
+Varangians to come there, and those withal who were minded to fall
+into their company, and they were to show forth their weapons.
+
+Thither came both Thorstein and Angle; but Thorbiorn Angle showed
+forth his weapons first; and he had the short-sword, Grettir's-loom;
+but when he showed it many praised it and said that it was an
+exceeding good weapon, but that it was a great blemish, that notch in
+the edge thereof; and asked him withal what had brought that to pass.
+
+Angle said it was a thing worthy to be told of, "For this is the next
+thing to be said," says he, "that out in Iceland I slew that champion
+who was called Grettir the Strong, and who was the greatest warrior
+and the stoutest-hearted of all men of that land, for him could no man
+vanquish till I came forth for that end; and whereas I had the good
+hap to win him, I took his life; though indeed he had my strength many
+times over; then I drave this short-sword into his head, and thereby
+was a shard broken from out its edge."
+
+So those who stood nigh said, that he must have been hard of head
+then, and each showed the short-sword to the other; but hereby
+Thorstein deemed he knew now who this man was, and he prayed withal
+to see the short-sword even as the others; then Angle gave it up with
+good will, for all were praising his bravery and that daring onset,
+and even in such wise did he think this one would do; and in no wise
+did he misdoubt him that Thorstein was there, or that the man was akin
+to Grettir.
+
+Then Dromund took the short-sword, and raised it aloft, and hewed at
+Angle and smote him on the head, and so great was the stroke that it
+stayed but at the jaw-teeth, and Thorbiorn Angle fell to earth dead
+and dishonoured.
+
+Thereat all men became hushed; but the Chancellor of the town seized
+Thorstein straightway, and asked for what cause he did such an
+ill-deed there at the hallowed Thing.
+
+Thorstein said that he was the brother of Grettir the Strong, and that
+withal he had never been able to bring vengeance to pass till then;
+so thereupon many put in their word, and said that the strong man must
+needs have been of great might and nobleness, in that Thorstein had
+fared so far forth into the world to avenge him: the rulers of the
+city deemed that like enough; but whereas there was none there to bear
+witness in aught to Thorstein's word, that law of theirs prevailed,
+that whosoever slew a man should lose nought but his life.
+
+So then speedy doom and hard enow did Thorstein get; for in a dark
+chamber of a dungeon should he be cast and there abide his death, if
+none redeemed him therefrom with money. But when Thorstein came into
+the dungeon, there was a man there already, who had come to death's
+door from misery; and both foul and cold was that abode; Thorstein
+spake to that man and said,
+
+"How deemest thou of thy life?"
+
+He answered, "As of a right evil life, for of nought can I be holpen,
+nor have I kinsmen to redeem me."
+
+Thorstein said, "Nought is of less avail in such matters than lack of
+good rede; let us be merry then, and do somewhat that will be glee and
+game to us."
+
+The man said that he might have no glee of aught.
+
+"Nay, then, but let us try it," said Thorstein. And therewithal he
+fell to singing; and he was a man of such goodly voice that scarcely
+might his like be found therefor, nor did he now spare himself.
+
+Now the highway was but a little way from the dungeon, and Thorstein
+sang so loud and clear that the walls resounded therewith, and great
+game this seemed to him who had been half-dead erst; and in such wise
+did Thorstein keep it going till the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XC.
+
+<i>How the Lady Spes redeemed Thorstein from the Dungeon</i>.
+
+
+There was a great lady of a castle in that town called Spes, exceeding
+rich and of great kin; Sigurd was the name of her husband, a rich man
+too, but of lesser kin than she was, and for money had she been wedded
+to him; no great love there was betwixt them, for she thought she had
+been wedded far beneath her; high-minded she was and a very stirring
+woman.
+
+Now so it befell, that, as Thorstein made him merry that night, Spes
+walked in the street hard by the dungeon, and heard thence so fair a
+voice, that she said she had never yet heard its like. She went with
+many folk, and so now she bade them go learn who had that noble voice.
+So they called out and asked who lay there in such evil plight; and
+Thorstein named himself.
+
+Then said Spes, "Art thou a man as much skilled in other matters as in
+singing?"
+
+He said there was but little to show for that.
+
+"What ill-deed hast thou done," said she, "that thou must needs be
+tormented here to the death?"
+
+He said that he had slain a man, and avenged his brother thereby, "But
+I could not show that by witnesses," said Thorstein, "and therefore
+have I been cast into ward here, unless some man should redeem me, nor
+do I hope therefor, for no man have I here akin to me."
+
+"Great loss of thee if thou art slain! and that brother of thine whom
+thou didst avenge, was he a man so famed, then?"
+
+He said that he was more mighty than he by the half; and so she asked
+what token there was thereof. Then sang Thorstein this stave--
+
+  "Field of rings, eight men, who raise
+  Din of sword in clattering ways,
+  Strove the good short-sword in vain
+  From the strong dead hand to gain;
+  So they ever strained and strove,
+  Till at last it did behove,
+  The feared quickener of the fight,
+  From the glorious man to smite."
+
+"Great prowess such a thing shows of the man," said those who
+understood the stave; and when she knew thereof, she spake thus,
+
+"Wilt thou take thy life from me, if such a choice is given thee?"
+
+"That will I," said Thorstein, "if this fellow of mine, who sits
+hereby, is redeemed along with me; or else will we both abide here
+together."
+
+She answers, "More of a prize do I deem thee than him."
+
+"Howsoever that may be," said Thorstein, "we shall go away in company
+both of us together, or else shall neither go."
+
+Then she went there, whereas were the Varangians, and prayed for
+freedom for Thorstein, and offered money to that end; and to this were
+they right willing; and so she brought about by her mighty friendships
+and her wealth that they were both set free. But as soon as Thorstein
+came out of the dungeon he went to see goodwife Spes, and she took him
+to her and kept him privily; but whiles was he with the Varangians in
+warfare, and in all onsets showed himself the stoutest of hearts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCI.
+
+<i>Of the doings of Thorstein and the Lady Spes</i>.
+
+
+In those days was Harald Sigurdson at Micklegarth, and Thorstein fell
+into friendship with him. Of much account was Thorstein held, for Spes
+let him lack no money; and greatly they turned their hearts one to
+the other, Thorstein and Spes; and many folk beside her deemed great
+things of his prowess.
+
+Now her money was much squandered, because she ever gave herself to
+the getting of great friends; and her husband deemed that he could see
+that she was much changed, both in temper and many other of her ways,
+but most of all in the spending of money; both gold and good things he
+missed, which were gone from her keeping.
+
+So on a time Sigurd her husband talks with her, and says that she has
+taken to strange ways. "Thou givest no heed to our goods," says he,
+"but squanderest them in many wise; and, moreover, it is even as if
+I saw thee ever in a dream, nor ever wilt thou be there whereas I am;
+and I know for sure that something must bring this about."
+
+She answered, "I told thee, and my kinsfolk told thee, whenas we came
+together, that I would have my full will and freedom over all such
+things as it was beseeming for me to bestow, and for that cause I
+spare not thy goods. Hast thou perchance aught to say to me concerning
+other matters which may be to my shame?"
+
+He answers, "Somewhat do I misdoubt me that thou holdest some man or
+other whom thou deemest better than I be."
+
+"I wot not," says she, "what ground there may be thereto; but meseems
+thou mayest speak with little truth; and yet, none-the-less, we two
+alone shall not speak on this matter if thou layest this slander on
+me."
+
+So he let the talk drop for that time; she and Thorstein went on in
+the same way, nor were they wary of the words of evil folk, for
+she ever trusted in her many and wise friends. Oft they sat talking
+together and making merry; and on an evening as they sat in a certain
+loft, wherein were goodly things of hers, she bade Thorstein sing
+somewhat, for she thought the goodman was sitting at the drink, as
+his wont was, so she bolted the door. But, when he had sung a certain
+while, the door was driven at, and one called from outside to open;
+and there was come the husband with many of his folk.
+
+The goodwife had unlocked a great chest to show Thorstein her dainty
+things; so when she knew who was there, she would not unlock the door,
+but speaks to Thorstein, "Quick is my rede, jump into the chest and
+keep silent."
+
+So he did, and she shot the bolt of the chest and sat thereon herself;
+and even therewith in came the husband into the loft, for he and his
+had broken open the door thereof.
+
+Then said the lady, "Why do ye fare with all this uproar? are your
+foes after you then?"
+
+The goodman answered, "Now it is well that thou thyself givest proof
+of thyself what thou art; where is the man who trolled out that song
+so well e'en now? I wot thou deemest him of far fairer voice than I
+be."
+
+She said: "Not altogether a fool is he who can be silent; but so it
+fares not with thee: thou deemest thyself cunning, and art minded to
+bind thy lie on my back. Well, then, let proof be made thereof! If
+there be truth in thy words, take the man; he will scarce have leapt
+out through the walls or the roof."
+
+So he searched through the place, and found him not, and she said,
+"Why dost thou not take him then, since thou deemest the thing so
+sure?"
+
+He was silent, nor knew in sooth amid what wiles he was come; then
+he asked his fellows if they had not heard him even as he had. But
+whereas they saw that the mistress misliked the matter, their witness
+came to nought, for they said that oft folk heard not things as they
+were in very sooth. So the husband went out, and deemed he knew that
+sooth well enough, though they had not found the man; and now for a
+long time he left spying on his wife and her ways.
+
+Another time, long after, Thorstein and Spes sat in a certain
+cloth-bower, and therein were clothes, both cut and uncut, which the
+wedded folk owned; there she showed to Thorstein many kinds of cloth,
+and they unfolded them; but when they were least ware of it the
+husband came on them with many men, and brake into the loft; but while
+they were about that she heaped up clothes over Thorstein, and leaned
+against the clothes-stack when they came into the chamber.
+
+"Wilt thou still deny," said the goodman, "that there was a man with
+thee, when such men there are as saw you both?"
+
+She bade them not to go on so madly. "This time ye will not fail,
+belike; but let me be at peace, and worry me not."
+
+So they searched through the place and found nought, and at last gave
+it up.
+
+Then the goodwife answered and said, "It is ever good to give better
+proof than the guesses of certain folk; nor was it to be looked for
+that ye should find that which was not. Wilt thou now confess thy
+folly, husband, and free me from this slander?"
+
+He said, "The less will I free thee from it in that I trow thou art
+in very sooth guilty of that which I have laid to thy charge; and thou
+wilt have to put forth all thy might in this case, if thou art to get
+this thrust from thee."
+
+She said that that was in nowise against her mind, and therewithal
+they parted.
+
+Thereafter was Thorstein ever with the Varangians, and men say that
+he sought counsel of Harald Sigurdson, and their mind it is that
+Thorstein and Spes would not have taken to those redes but for the
+trust they had in him and his wisdom.
+
+Now as time wore on, goodman Sigurd gave out that he would fare
+from home on certain errands of his own. The goodwife nowise let him
+herein; and when he was gone, Thorstein came to Spes, and the twain
+were ever together. Now such was the fashion of her castle that it
+was built forth over the sea, and there were certain chambers therein
+whereunder the sea flowed; in such a chamber Thorstein and Spes ever
+sat; and a little trap-door there was in the floor of it, whereof none
+knew but those twain, and it might be opened if there were hasty need
+thereof.
+
+Now it is to be told of the husband that he went nowhither, save into
+hiding, that he might spy the ways of the housewife; so it befell
+that, one night as they sat alone in the sea-loft and were glad
+together, the husband came on them unawares with a crowd of folk, for
+he had brought certain men to a window of the chamber, and bade them
+see if things were not even according to his word: and all said that
+he spake but the sooth, and that so belike he had done aforetime.
+
+So they ran into the loft, but when Spes heard the crash, she said to
+Thorstein,
+
+"Needs must thou go down hereby, whatsoever be the cost, but give me
+some token if thou comest safe from the place."
+
+He said yea thereto, and plunged down through the floor, and the
+housewife spurned her foot at the lid, and it fell back again into its
+place, and no new work was to be seen on the floor.
+
+Now the husband and his men came into the loft, and went about
+searching, and found nought, as was likely; the loft was empty, so
+that there was nought therein save the floor and the cross-benches,
+and there sat the goodwife, and played with the gold on her fingers;
+she heeded them little, and made as if there was nought to do.
+
+All this the goodman thought the strangest of all, and asked his folk
+if they had not seen the man, and they said that they had in good
+sooth seen him.
+
+Then said the goodwife, "Hereto shall things come as is said;
+<i>thrice of yore have all things happed</i>, and in likewise hast
+thou fared, Sigurd," says she, "for three times hadst thou undone my
+peace, meseems, and are ye any wiser than in the beginning?"
+
+"This time I was not alone in my tale," said the goodman; "and now to
+make an end, shall thou go through the freeing by law, for in nowise
+will I have this shame unbooted."
+
+"Meseems," says the goodwife, "thou biddest me what I would bid of
+thee, for good above all things I deem it to free myself from this
+slander, which has spread so wide and high, that it would be great
+dishonour if I thrust it not from off me."
+
+"In likewise," said the goodman, "shalt thou prove that thou hast not
+given away or taken to thyself my goods."
+
+She answers, "At that time when I free myself shall I in one wise
+thrust off from me all charges that thou hast to bring against me; but
+take thou heed whereto all shall come; I will at once free myself
+from all words that have been spoken here on this charge that thou now
+makest."
+
+The goodman was well content therewith, and got him gone with his men.
+
+Now it is to be told of Thorstein that he swam forth from under the
+chamber, and went aland where he would, and took a burning log, and
+held it up in such wise that it might be seen from the goodwife's
+castle, and she was abroad for long that evening, and right into the
+night, for that she would fain know if Thorstein had come aland; and
+so when she saw the fire, she deemed that she knew that Thorstein had
+taken land, for even such a token had they agreed on betwixt them.
+
+The next morning Spes bade her husband speak of their matters to
+the bishop, and thereto was he fully ready. Now they come before the
+bishop, and the goodman put forward all the aforesaid charges against
+her.
+
+The bishop asked if she had been known for such an one aforetime,
+but none said that they had heard thereof. Then he asked with what
+likelihood he brought those things against her. So the goodman brought
+forward men who had seen her sit in a locked room with a man beside
+her, and they twain alone: and therewith the goodman said that he
+misdoubted him of that man beguiling her.
+
+The bishop said that she might well free herself lawfully from this
+charge if so she would. She said that it liked her well so to do, "and
+good hope I have," said Spes, "that I shall have great plenty of women
+to purge me by oath in this case."
+
+Now was an oath set forward in words for her, and a day settled
+whereon the case should come about; and thereafter she went home, and
+was glad at heart, and Thorstein and Spes met, and settled fully what
+they should do.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCII.
+
+<i>Of the Oath that Spes made before the Bishop</i>.
+
+
+Now that day past, and time wore on to the day when Spes should
+make oath, and she bade thereto all her friends and kin, and arrayed
+herself in the best attire she had, and many noble ladies went with
+her.
+
+Wet was the weather about that time, and the ways were miry, and a
+certain slough there was to go over or ever they might come to the
+church; and whenas Spes and her company came forth anigh this slough,
+a great crowd was there before them, and a multitude of poor folk who
+prayed them of alms, for this was in the common highway, and all who
+knew her deemed it was their part to welcome her, and prayed for good
+things for her as for one who had oft holpen them well.
+
+A certain staff-propped carle there was amidst those poor folk, great
+of growth and long-bearded. Now the women made stay at the slough,
+because that the great people deemed the passage across over miry, and
+therewith when that staff-carle saw the goodwife, that she was better
+arrayed than the other women, he spake to her on this wise,
+
+"Good mistress," said he, "be so lowly as to suffer me to bear thee
+over this slough, for it is the bounden duty of us staff-carles to
+serve thee all we may."
+
+"What then," says she, "wilt thou bear me well, when thou mayst not
+bear thyself?"
+
+"Yet would it show forth thy lowliness," says he, "nor may I offer
+better than I have withal; and in all things wilt thou fare the
+better, if thou hast no pride against poor folk."
+
+"Wot thou well, then," says she, "that if thou bearest me not well it
+shall be for a beating to thee, or some other shame greater yet."
+
+"Well, I would fain risk it," said he; and therewithal he got on to
+his feet and stood in the slough. She made as if she were sore afeard
+of his carrying her, yet nathless she went on, borne on his back; and
+he staggered along exceeding slowly, going on two crutches, and when
+he got midmost of the slough he began to reel from side to side. She
+bade him gather up his strength.
+
+"Never shalt thou have made a worse journey than this if thou easiest
+me down here."
+
+Then the poor wretch staggers on, and gathers up all his courage and
+strength, and gets close to the dry land, but stumbles withal, and
+falls head-foremost in such wise, that he cast her on to the bank, but
+fell into the ditch up to his armpits, and therewithal as he lay there
+caught at the goodwife, and gat no firm hold of her clothes, but set
+his miry hand on her knee right up to the bare thigh.
+
+She sprang up and cursed him, and said that ever would evil come from
+wretched gangrel churles: "and thy full due it were to be beaten, if I
+thought it not a shame, because of thy misery."
+
+Then said he, "Meted in unlike ways is man's bliss; me-thought I had
+done well to thee, and I looked for an alms at thy hands, and lo,
+in place thereof, I get but threats and ill-usage and no good again
+withal;" and he made as if he were exceeding angry.
+
+Many deemed that he looked right poor and wretched, but she said that
+he was the wiliest of old churles; but whereas many prayed for him,
+she took her purse to her, and therein was many a penny of gold; then
+she shook down the money and said,
+
+"Take thou this, carle; nowise good were it, if thou hadst not full
+pay for the hard words thou hadst of me; now have I parted with thee,
+even according to thy worth."
+
+Then he picked up the gold, and thanked her for her good deed. Spes
+went to the church, and a great crowd was there before her. Sigurd
+pushed the case forward eagerly, and bade her free herself from those
+charges he had brought against her.
+
+She said, "I heed not thy charges; what man dost thou say thou hast
+seen in my chamber with me? Lo now oft it befalls that some worthy man
+will be with me, and that do I deem void of any shame; but hereby will
+I swear that to no man have I given gold, and of no man have I had
+fleshly defilement save of my husband, and that wretched staff-carle
+who laid his miry hand on my thigh when I was borne over the slough
+this same day."
+
+Now many deemed that this was a full oath, and that no shame it was to
+her, though the carle had laid hand on her unwittingly; but she said
+that all things must be told even as they were.
+
+Thereafter she swore the oath in such form as is said afore, and many
+said thereon that she showed the old saw to be true, <i>swear loud and
+say little</i>. But for her, she said that wise men would think that
+this was not done by guile.
+
+Then her kin fell to saying that great shame and grief it was for
+high-born women to have such lying charges brought against them
+bootless, whereas it was a crime worthy of death if it were openly
+known of any woman that she had done whoredoms against her husband.
+Therewithal Spes prayed the bishop to make out a divorce betwixt her
+and her husband Sigurd, because she said she might nowise bear his
+slanderous lying charges. Her kinsfolk pushed the matter forward for
+her, and so brought it about by their urgency that they were divorced,
+and Sigurd got little of the goods, and was driven away from the land
+withal, for here matters went as is oft shown that they will, and
+<i>the lower must lowt</i>; nor could he bring aught about to avail
+him, though he had but said the very sooth.
+
+Now Spes took to her all their money, and was deemed the greatest of
+stirring women; but when folk looked into her oath, it seemed to them
+that there was some guile in it, and were of a mind that wise men must
+have taught her that way of swearing; and men dug out this withal,
+that the staff-carle who had carried her was even Thorstein Dromund.
+Yet for all that Sigurd got no righting of the matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCIII.
+
+<i>Thorstein and Spes come out to Norway</i>.
+
+
+Thorstein Dromund was with the Varangians while the talk ran highest
+about these matters; so famed did he become that it was deemed that
+scarce had any man of the like prowess come thither; the greatest
+honours he gat from Harald Sigurdson, for he was of his kin; and after
+his counsels did Thorstein do, as men are minded to think.
+
+But a little after Sigurd was driven from the land, Thorstein fell to
+wooing Spes to wife, and she took it meetly, but went to her kinsmen
+for rede; then they held meetings thereon, and were of one accord that
+she herself must rule the matter; then was the bargain struck, and
+good was their wedded life, and they were rich in money, and all men
+deemed Thorstein to be a man of exceeding good luck, since he had
+delivered himself from all his troubles.
+
+The twain were together for two winters in Micklegarth, and then
+Thorstein said to his goodwife that he would fain go back to see his
+possessions in Norway. She said he should have his will, so they sold
+the lands they had there, and gat them great wealth of chattels, and
+then betook them from that land, with a fair company, and went all the
+way till they came to Norway. Thorstein's kin welcomed them both right
+heartily, and soon saw that Spes was bountiful and high-minded, and
+she speedily became exceeding well befriended. Some children they had
+between them, and they abode on their lands, and were well content
+with their life.
+
+In those days was Magnus the Good king over Norway. Thorstein soon
+went to meet him, and had good welcome of him, for he had grown famous
+for the avenging of Grettir the Strong (for men scarce know of its
+happening that any other Icelander, save Grettir Asmundson, was
+avenged in Micklegarth); and folk say that Thorstein became a man of
+King Magnus, and for nine winters after he had come to Norway he abode
+in peace, and folk of the greatest honour were they deemed, he and his
+wife.
+
+Then came home from Micklegarth king Harald Sigurdson, and King Magnus
+gave him half Norway, and they were both kings therein for a while;
+but after the death of King Magnus many of those who had been his
+friends were ill-content, for all men loved him; but folk might not
+abide the temper of King Harald, for that he was hard and was wont to
+punish men heavily.
+
+But Thorstein Dromund was fallen into eld, though he was still the
+halest of men; and now was the slaying of Grettir Asmundson sixteen
+winters agone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCIV.
+
+<i>Thorstein Dromund and Spes leave Norway again</i>.
+
+
+At that time many urged Thorstein to go meet King Harald, and become
+his man; but he took not kindly to it.
+
+Then Spes spake, "I will, Thorstein," says she, "that thou go not to
+meet Harald the king, for to another king have we much more to pay,
+and need there is that we turn our minds to that; for now we both
+grow old and our youth is long departed, and far more have we followed
+after worldly devices, than the teaching of Christ, or the ways of
+justice and uprightness; now wot I well that this debt can be paid for
+us neither by our kindred or our goods, and I will that we ourselves
+should pay it: now will I therefore that we change our way of life
+and fare away from this land and unto the abode of the Pope, because I
+well believe that so only may my case be made easy to me."
+
+Thorstein said, "As well known to me as to thee are the things thou
+talkest of; and it is meet that thou have thy will herein, since thou
+didst ever give me my will, in a matter of far less hope; and in all
+things will we do as thou biddest."
+
+This took men utterly unawares; Thorstein was by then sixty-seven
+years of age, yet hale in all wise.
+
+So now he bid to him all his kindred and folk allied to him, and laid
+before them the things he had determined on. Wise men gave good words
+thereto, though they deemed of their departing as of the greatest
+loss.
+
+But Thorstein said that there was nought sure about his coming back:
+"Now do I give thanks to all of you," says he, "for the heed ye paid
+to my goods when I was last away from the land; now I will offer you,
+and pray you to take to you my children's havings, and my children,
+and bring them up according to the manliness that is in you; for I am
+fallen so far into eld that there is little to say as to whether I may
+return or not, though I may live; but ye shall in such wise look after
+all that I leave behind me here, even as if I should never come back
+to Norway."
+
+Then men answered, that good redes would be plenteous if the housewife
+should abide behind to look after his affairs; but she said--
+
+"For that cause did I come hither from the out-lands, and from
+Micklegarth, with Thorstein, leaving behind both kin and goods,
+for that I was fain that one fate might be over us both; now have I
+thought it good to be here; but I have no will to abide long in Norway
+or the North-lands if he goes away; ever has there been great love
+betwixt us withal, and nought has happed to divide us; now therefore
+will we depart together, for to both of us is known the truth about
+many things that befell since we first met."
+
+So, when they had settled their affairs in this wise, Thorstein bade
+chosen folk divide his goods into halves; and his kin took the half
+which his children were to own, and they were brought up by their
+father's kin, and were in aftertimes the mightiest of men, and great
+kin in the Wick has come from them. But Thorstein and Spes divided
+their share of the goods, and some they gave to churches for their
+souls' health, and some they took with them. Then they betook
+themselves Romeward, and many folk prayed well for them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XCV.
+
+<i>How Thorstein Dromund and Spes fared to Rome and died there</i>.
+
+
+Now they went their ways till they came to Rome-town; and so when they
+came before him, who was appointed to hear the shrifts of men, they
+told him well and truly all things even as they had happed, and
+with what cunning and craft they had joined together in wedlock;
+therewithal they gave themselves up with great humility to such
+penance for the amending of their lives as he should lay on them; but
+because that they themselves had turned their minds to the atoning
+of their faults, without any urging or anger from the rulers of the
+church, they were eased of all fines as much as might be, but were
+bidden gently that they should now and henceforth concern themselves
+reasonably for their souls' health, and from this time forward live in
+chastity, since they had gotten them release from all their guilt; and
+herewith they were deemed to have fared well and wisely.
+
+Then said Spes, "Now, meseems, our matters have gone well and are come
+to an end, and no unlucky life have we had together; yet maybe fools
+will do after the pattern of our former life; now therefore let us
+make such an end to all, that good men also may follow after us and do
+the like: so let us go bargain with those who are deft in stone-craft;
+that they make for each of us a cell of stone, that we may thereby
+atone for what we have done against God."
+
+So Thorstein laid down money for the making of a stone cell for each
+of them, and for such-like other things as they might need, and might
+not be without for the keeping of their lives; and then, when the
+stone work was done, and the time was meet therefor and all things
+were ready, they departed their worldly fellowship of their own free
+will, that they might the more enjoy a holy fellowship in another
+world. And there they abode both in their stone cells, and lived as
+long as God would have it, and so ended their lives. And most men say
+that Thorstein Dromund and Spes his wife may be deemed to be folk of
+the greatest good luck, all things being accounted of; but neither
+his children or any of his issue have come to Iceland for a tale to be
+made of them.
+
+Now Sturla the Lawman says so much as that he deems no outlawed man
+ever to have been so mighty as Grettir the Strong; and thereto he puts
+forth three reasons--
+
+And first in that he was the wisest of them all; for the longest in
+outlawry he was of any man, and was never won whiles he was hale.
+
+And again, in that he was the strongest in all the land among men of
+a like age; and more fitted to lay ghosts and do away with hauntings
+than any other.
+
+And thirdly, in that he was avenged out in Micklegarth, even as
+no other man of Iceland has been; and this withal, that Thorstein
+Dromund, who avenged him, was so lucky a man in his last days.
+
+So here ends the story of Grettir Asmundson, our fellow-countryman.
+Thank have they who listened thereto; but thank little enow to him who
+scribbled out the tale.
+
+  GOOD PEOPLE, HERE THE WORK HATH END:
+  MAY ALL FOLK TO THE GOOD GOD WEND!
+
+
+
+
+NOTES AND CORRECTIONS.
+
+
+P. 29. The genealogy of Gamli of Meals, as here recorded, seems to be
+peculiar to Grettir's saga. Yet its statements are inconsistent in
+the matter, for it gives this twofold genealogy of the man. See Ed.
+Kaupmannahoefn: 1853.
+
+P. 22. Ranveig was the wife of Gamli, the son of <i>Thorald</i>, the
+son of the <i>Vendlander</i>.
+
+P. 70. And (Thorir of the Pass) sold the land at Meals to
+<i>Thorhalli</i>, son of Gamli the <i>Widelander</i>. His son was
+Gamli, who had to wife Ranveig, the daughter of Asmund Greyhaired.
+
+According to 'Landnama,' this Gamli of Meals, Asmund's son-in-law,
+was son of Thord, and great-great-grandson of Thorhrolf or Thorolf
+Fasthaldi (Fastholding), who settled lands on the north coast of
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjartethardjup), and farmed at Snowfells (Snaefjoell).
+We have given Thorhall in our translation in both places as the
+man's name. Perhaps Thoraldr is nothing but a corruption of Thorolfr
+fasthaldi; and Thorhalli again a corruption of the first. But Gamli
+the Vendlander or Widelander, we have no means of identifying.
+
+P. 30. 'Now in those times there were wont to be large fire-halls
+at the homesteads.' The hall, <i>holl, skali, stofa</i>, was the
+principal room in every home. <i>Elda-skali</i>, or fire-hall, as
+the one alluded to at Biarg, was so called from its serving as a
+cooking-hall and a sitting-hall at once. The main features in the
+construction of a hall were the following: it was generally built from
+east to west, in an oblong form, having doors either at one or both
+ends through the south-side wall, where it met the gable end. These
+two entrances were called carles'-door and queens'-door (<i>karldyrr,
+kvenndyrr</i>), being respectively for the ingress and egress of
+men and women. Sometimes the men's-door was adorned with the beaks
+(<i>brandar</i>) of a hewn-up ship, as was the case with the hall of
+Thorir of Garth, standing as door-posts on either side. The door led
+to a front-hall (<i>forkali, fortofa, and-dyri, framhus</i>), which,
+sometimes at least, seems to have been portioned off into an inner
+room (<i>klefi</i>), or bay, and the vestibule proper. In the bay were
+kept victuals, such as dried fish, flour, and sometimes, no doubt,
+beer. Within, the hall fell into three main portions: the main hall,
+or the nave, and the aisles on either side thereof (<i>skot</i>):
+The plan of the hall was much like that of one of our regular-built
+churches without chancel, say like a Suffolk church of the fifteenth
+century, the nave being lighted by a clerestory, and the aisles
+running the whole way along the nave, and communicating behind the
+dais. These aisles were used for sleeping-places; so that along the
+whole length of the hall, and behind the dais, all was partitioned
+into bedsteads, open or locked,--open, that is to say, communicating
+with the nave by a doorless aperture,--locked, that is, shut out of
+view from the nave (<i>lok-rekkja, lok-hvila</i>).
+
+On the wall between nave and aisles, which was covered with a
+panelling on its inside at least, were hung the shields and weapons
+of the chief and his retainers, or home-men. Sometimes it was painted
+with mythic subjects, and adorned with fantastic carvings; on great
+occasions it was covered with hangings. Along both side-walls ran a
+row of seats, called benches (<i>bekkr</i>), the north-most of which,
+or the one which faced the sun, was called the nobler bench (<i>aeethri
+bekkr</i>), the south-most one, the less noble bench, (<i>uoeethri
+bekkr</i>). In the middle of either bench was a seat, called the high
+seat (<i>oendvegi</i>); that of the nobler bench being occupied by the
+chief or head of the house, unless he had for his guest a man nobler
+than himself, in which case the latter took it; that of the less noble
+bench being allotted to the noblest among the guests. The nobler bench
+was on ordinary occasions the bench for the chief and the household.
+The less noble for the guests. In front of the chiefs high-seat were
+the high-seat-poles which in the early ages of Paganism in the North
+were objects of much veneration, and must always accompany the chief
+if he moved his abode, and point out his new homestead, if he fared
+for it over sea, by the spot where they drifted ashore, as, when land
+was sighted, they were thrown overboard. In front of the seat-rows
+just described were placed the tables whereon the meals were put
+forth. And when the number of people exceeded the capacity of the
+ordinary benches, a new row of benches was placed in front of the
+tables, so that there were two rows of benches down along either
+side of the hall with the tables between them. The last-named rows of
+benches were called <i>forsoeti</i>; and their occupiers, when seated
+at table, faced those of the upper and lower bench. In the centre of
+the hall, if of the fashion, as it probably was in early times, of a
+fire-hall, was a narrow oblong stone-pavement, probably as long as the
+rows of the benches, whereon fires were lit for heating of the room,
+for cooking of food in some cases, and for the purpose of lighting up
+the hall. The smoke that rose from the burning fuel found its way out
+through the luffer or louvre, in the middle of the ridge of the roof
+(<i>ljori</i>); the <i>reyk-beri</i>, reek-bearer, seems to have been
+a contrivance for creating draught to carry the smoke out through
+the <i>ljori</i>. In that end of the hall which was opposite to the
+entrance was the cross-bench, dais (<i>pallr</i>), occupied by the
+women. Here was also a high seat (<i>oendvegi a palli</i>), which was
+generally taken by the mistress of the house. In our saga it seems
+that the hall of Sand-heaps made an exception to this general rule, as
+it apparently had the dais immediately within the doorway.
+
+P. 77 (cpr. 110). It is worth observing here, that Thorvald, son of
+Asgeir Madpate the younger, dwells at As in Waterdale, about 1013,
+when Thorgils Makson was slain. When Grettir played, as a youth, on
+Midfirth-water (or <i>cca</i>. 1010), he dwelt at Asgeirsriver. We
+mention this because there has been some confusion about the matter.
+On the slight authority of the �attr af Isleifi biskupi', Biskupa
+Soegur I. 54, it has been maintained that he dwelt at Asgeirsriver
+even as late as <i>cca</i>. 1035, when his daughter Dalla was wooed by
+Isleif the Bishop. G. Vigfusson, Safn til Soegu Islands, I. 337. On
+the other hand, the statement of Hungrvaka that he farmed at As
+(<i>i.e.</i>, at the Ridge), at the time aforesaid, has given rise
+to the conjecture that thereby must be meant Valdar-As, a farm in
+Willowdale, near Asgeirsriver, the manor of the Madpate family. G.
+Vigfusson, in Biskupa Soegur, I. 61, note 2. It seems there is no need
+of setting aside the clear statement of our saga, that the As was As
+in Waterdale (<i>see</i> Index), and not Valdaras in Willowdale at
+all, or that Thorvald had, by 1013, moved up to the neighbouring
+country-side of Waterdale, and settled among the kin of his
+great-grandmother.
+
+P. 114, 1. 1. 'The men of Meals,' is a close translation of the
+original, which, however, is incorrect; for the men of Meals were
+Grettir's kin-in-law, and natural allies. The saga means the men of
+Meal, Kormak and his followers, and the original should be either,
+�eir Mel-menn, or Mels-menn, or �eir Kormakr fra Mel.
+
+P. 129, 1. 10, 11. We have purposely altered the text from: en �u
+oeruggr i einangri, <i>i.e.</i>, 'but thou stout in danger,' into:
+en <i>�o, i.e.</i>, 'but stout in danger none-the-less.' The former
+reading seems barely to give any sense, the last a natural and the
+required one.
+
+P. 169. Hallmund. Our saga is one among the historic sagas of Iceland
+which deals with traditions of ancient belief in the spirits of the
+unknown regions of the land that are interested in the well-being of
+the mere men who dwell near them. Hallmund and the giant Thorir are
+the representatives of these powers in our saga. Of these Hallmund is
+the more interesting of the two, both for his human sympathies, his
+tragic end, and the poetry ascribed to him. At one time or other he
+has had a great name in the Icelandic folk-lore among the spirits of
+the land, the so-called land wights <i>(land-voetir)</i>, and there is
+still existing a poem of ancient type, the refrain of which is closely
+similar to that of Grettir's song on Hallmund, but which is stated to
+be by some cave-wight that lived in a deep and gloomy cavern somewhere
+in Deepfirth, on the north side of Broadfirth. In the so-called
+Bergbua�attr or cave-dweller's tale (Edited by G. Vigfusson in
+Nordiske Old-skrifter, xxvii., pp. 123-128, and 140-143, Copenhagen,
+1860), this song is said to have been heard by two men, who, on their
+way to church, had lost their road, and were overtaken by the darkness
+of night, and, in order to escape straying too far out of their way,
+sought shelter under the lee of a sheer rock which chanced to be on
+their way. They soon found a mouth of a cave where they knew not that
+any cave was to be looked for, whereupon one of the wayfarers set up a
+cross-mark in the door of the cave, and then with his fellow-traveller
+sat down on two stones at the mouth of the cave, as they did not dare
+to risk themselves too far in the gloomy abode away from the cross.
+When the first third part of the night was spent they heard something
+come along from within the cave doorwards out to them.[20] They signed
+themselves with the sign of the cross, and prayed God's mercy to be
+on them, for they thought the doings within the deep of the cavern now
+grew big enough. On looking into the darkness they saw a sight like
+unto two full-moons, or huge targets, with some monstrous figure
+(unreadable in the MS.) between them. They thought this was nothing
+but two eyes, and that nowise narrow of face might he be who bore such
+torches. Next they heard a chanting of a monstrous kind and in a big
+voice. A lay there was sung of twelve staves, with the final refrain
+of each twice repeated.
+
+[Footnote 20: <i>Innan eptir</i>, as here rendered, is the reading of
+the MS. from which Bergbua pattr is edited. <i>Innar eptir</i>, as the
+aforesaid edition of the tale has it, is wrong.]
+
+The poem seems to be a death-song over the cave-kin of the country by
+the new change of thought brought in by Christianity.
+
+P. 189. 'Grettir lay out that summer on Madderdale-heath, and in
+sundry places, and at whiles he was at Reek-heath.' A corroboration
+of the saga has been clearly set forth by the discovery of a
+Grettir's-lair, in Axefirth-peak, in 1862. True the saga passes over
+Grettir's doings on these vast eastern wildernesses, but tradition has
+preserved the name for the place, and it shows by its construction and
+position that it must have been constructed by one skilled in choosing
+a good fighting stand, and a good and wide view at the same time. An
+Icelandic farmer has thus given an accurate and reliable description
+of Grettir's lair:
+
+'In the summer of 1850, when I came north to Axefirth, I heard talk
+of a Grettir's lair upon Axefirth-peak.... Many who had seen it made
+a slight matter of it, which brought me to think it must have few
+peculiarities of antiquarian interest to show. But on the 7th of
+September, this summer (1862), I went with the rape-ruler Arni Jonsson
+of Wood-stead to inspect the lair. Walking up to it from the level
+ground below took us three minutes. The lair stands in the lower part
+of a slip of stones beneath some sheer rocks between a sandstone rock,
+called the carline, and the stone slip from the peak. It is built
+up of stones, straight as a line, and runs, 4-3/4 ells in length, 10
+inches broad, and is, within walls, 7/8 of an ell deep. The half of it
+is deftly covered in with flat stones, the longest of which are 2 ells
+9 inches long, and about half an ell in thickness, and a little more
+in breadth. Small thin fragments of stone are wedged in between these
+where their junctures do not close tight, and so firmly are they
+fixed, that without instruments they may not be removed. One stone in
+the south wall is so large that we deemed it fully the task of
+from four to six men to move it when loose. The north side wall is
+beginning to give way, where the room is covered in. On the outside
+it is overgrown with black scurf and grey moss. The head end we deemed
+was the one which is turned to the rock and is not covered in,
+and evidently has been open from the beginning. Here the floor
+is overgrown with moss, grass, thyme, ferns, crow-foot, and
+lady's-mantle. In all likelihood the inmate has closed that part of
+the room in with hides, when needful. On sitting up, all who went to
+and fro on the road below, must have been within view; not only those
+who came from the north of Foxplain (Melrakkasletta) and Nupa-sveit,
+but also far toward the north he had a view even unto the open sea,
+nay, even unto Budluga-haven. Looking southwards, he must have seen
+all who came up from the outer firth; for from the lair there is a
+clear view even unto Burn-river, past which the high-road goes. A
+popular tradition says, too, that all who must needs pass this way,
+when Grettir was in the Peak, had taken at last to going over the
+top of the Peak, where there was no road, but the sheep-wilds of the
+Axefirthers. The lair-bider, even if he was set on by an overwhelming
+force, was not easily won, and least of all a man of such prowess as
+Grettir, except by shot; for he might at a moment's notice take his
+stand in the rock above his head, where one side only gives the chance
+of an onset, and where there is an ample supply of loose stones, large
+and small, on the Peak side of the rock to defend oneself; on three
+sides sheer rocks hem in the position, and those overhead are many
+times the height of a man's.'
+
+P. 208. Knave-game. Perhaps the truer rendering would have been
+'nut-game,' if indeed 'hnet tafl' here stands not for 'hnef-tafl,'
+as we at first supposed. It is undoubtedly true that among the early
+games of Iceland the 'hettafl,' 'hnottafl,' was a distinct kind of
+game, as was also the 'hneftafl,' 'hnefatafl,' knave-game. If we
+follow the text as it stands, the game that Thorbiorn played is
+supposed to have borne some resemblance to what is now called in
+Iceland 'refskak,' fox-play, anglice 'fox and geese,' the aim of
+which is, by twelve pieces, called lambs, to bring the fox into such a
+position as to leave him no place to move, whichso way he turns.
+
+P. 240. Pied-belly we call the Ram, although the saga seems to mean
+that he was called Autumn-belly, which is a name of little, if of
+any, sense at all. We suppose that <i>haus-moegottr</i>, p. 169, and
+<i>haust-magi</i>, p. 184, is one and the same thing, the <i>t</i>
+having spuriously crept into the text from a scribe's inadvertence.
+
+P. 243 (cpr. 207, 225, 272). 'In such wise Grettir lost his life, &c.'
+The hardest thing to account for, or to bring to an intelligible issue
+in Grettir's saga, is the incongruity between the statements as to his
+age at his death and the number of years of his outlawry, as compared
+with the truthful account of the events told in the saga itself. From
+the time when Grettir slew his first man, all the events of the
+saga may be traced clearly year for year up to his death, and their
+truthfulness is borne out whensoever they chance to run parallel to
+events mentioned in other trustworthy sagas, and they fall in with the
+right time nearly without an exception. But the statement on the page
+referred to above, that he was fourteen years old when he slew Skeggi,
+that he was twenty when he dealt with Glam; twenty-five when he fell
+into outlawry, and forty-four when he was slain, is utterly confuted
+by the chronology of the saga itself.
+
+These numbers given above are obviously made to fall in with the story
+in page 225 about the talk of the time of his outlawry at the Thing.
+The question is stated to have been this: whether he had been a
+fraction of the twentieth year an outlaw, his friends hoping that in
+such case a part might count <i>pro toto</i>. But the truth of the
+matter was that he had neither been an outlaw for a fraction of the
+twentieth year, nor even for anything like nineteen years. He was
+outlawed at the Thing held in 1016, his year of outlawry dated from
+Thing to Thing; this talk befell in 1031, consequently he had been
+full fifteen years and no fraction of a year in outlawry. The story,
+therefore, of the twenty years, or nineteen years and a fraction, of
+outlawry falls utterly to the ground when brought to the test of the
+actual facts as recorded in the saga.
+
+But, despite of this, it is not to be supposed that this episode at
+the Thing in 1031 is brought in at random and without any cause. There
+are two obvious reasons for assigning twenty years to the length of
+Grettir's outlawry, and for bringing into the tale a discussion on
+that subject just where it is done. The one we may call the reason of
+traditional belief, the other the reason of dramatic effect. Grettir
+was indisputably for all reasons the greatest of Icelandic outlaws,
+and the fond imagination of his biographers at all times urged them
+to give the longest endurance to the time of his outlawry above all
+outlaws, without inquiring closely as to whether it agreed with
+the saga itself or not. The other, or the dramatic motive, lies
+in bringing in the discussion on this long outlawry just at this
+particular Thing of 1031; for it was obviously the teller's object to
+suggest to the reader the hope of the great outlaw's legal restoration
+to the cherished society of man just before the falling of the
+crushing blow, in order to give an enhanced tragic interest to his
+end, and he undoubtedly succeeds in doing this. To these reasons,
+besides others less obvious, we imagine this main inconsistency in
+Grettir's saga is to be ascribed.
+
+Nevertheless, it is worth observing that blunders of scribes may have
+in a measure been at work here. If we are not mistaken most of the
+existing MSS. of our saga state that when he fell (p. 243) 'he was one
+winter short of--<i>var hanum vetri fatt a</i>'--whatever number
+of years they give as his age. And we venture the suggestion
+that originally the passage ran thus: var hanum vetri fatt a half
+iv{tugum},[21] <i>i.e.</i>, he lacked one winter of thirty-five years,
+when he was slain. If a subsequent scribe committed the easy blunder
+of dropping I before V, the reading of our original (Edition, 53)
+would be the natural result, and an offspring of that same blunder
+would also as easily be the other reading, common to one class of the
+Grettir MSS.: var hanum vetri fatt i v{tugum} or i hinum v. tug, by
+dropping the syllable 'half.'
+
+[Footnote 21: A man of twenty, thirty, forty, &c., is in the Icelandic
+expressed by the adjective <i>tvitugr, pritugr, fertugr</i>; a man
+twenty-five, thirty-five, &c., is <i>half-pritugr, half-fertugr</i>,
+&c.; the units beyond the tens are expressed by the particle
+<i>um</i>, a man of twenty-one, thirty-seven, or forty-nine, is said
+to have <i>einn</i> (<i>i.e.</i>, vetr. winter) um = beyond, tvitugt,
+sjoe um �ritugt, niu um fertugt, &c.]
+
+If the whole passage on page 243, beginning with the words quoted in
+the commencement of this note, be not indeed a later interpolation, we
+believe that all that follows the words, 'till the time when he dealt
+with Glam, the Thrall,' must, indeed, be taken as an interpolation of
+later commentators.
+
+Our suggestion recommends itself in this at least, that it brings
+about full harmony between the statements, here treated of, and the
+saga itself, for when Grettir left the land in 1011 he was fourteen
+years of age, and twenty years later, or 1031, he fell. How far his
+age thus given agrees or not with the decrepitude of his father, who
+died in 1015, having been apparently already a bedridden man for some
+time, is a matter of itself, and need not affect the accuracy of our
+suggestion, which, however, we only put forth as a conjecture, not
+having within reach the MSS. of Grettir's saga. A critical examination
+of these might, perhaps, allow of a more positive discourse on
+this vexed point, which to all commentators on Grettir has hitherto
+remained an insoluble riddle.
+
+P. 251, 1. 12. The original makes Asdis daughter of Skeggi the
+Short-handed. This is here corrected agreeably to Landnama, and other
+records of her family.
+
+
+
+
+INDICES.
+
+
+
+
+INDEX I.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+PERSONAL NAMES.
+
+Air (Loptr), <i>alias</i> Hallmund, the mountain sprite, 160, 161, 162
+Aldis Konal's-daughter, called A. from Barra, 5, 18, 19
+Aldis, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, 5, 27
+Alf a-Dales, 5, 27
+Ali, an house-carle of Thorbiorn Oxmain's, 130, 131, 132
+Alof Ingolf's-daughter, wife of Eric Snare, 20
+Angle. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Angle.
+Ari Marson, 80
+Arinbiorn. <i>See</i> Arnbiorn.
+Arnbiorn, kinsman of Thorfinn of Haramsey, Grettir's companion, 70, 71
+Arngeir Berseson, father of Biorn Hitdale-champion, 170
+Arni Jonsson, 277
+Arnor Thorbiornson, 140-143
+Arnor Thordson, called Earls' skald (Jarlaskald), 178, 179, 180
+Arnor Thorodson, called Hay-nose (heynef, or hynef, Landnama), 89
+Arnora, Thord Yeller's daughter, 225
+Asa, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, first wife of Onund Treefoot, 5, 6,
+  18, 19
+Asbiorn, Ufeigh Grettir's son, 5
+Asbrand Thorbrandson, 129
+Asdis, Bard Jokulson's daughter, the mother of Grettir Asmundson,27,
+   28, 30, 33, 36, 40, 112, 133, 139, 142, 143, 204, 205, 246,
+   247, 251
+Asdis Gamli's-daughter, 251
+Asgeir Audunson the older, called Madpate (son of Audun Skokul,
+  al. Onund Treefoot), 20, 79, 83
+Asgeir Audunson the younger, grandson of the preceding, called Madpate
+  34, 77, 83, 151
+Asgrim Ellida-Grimson, 16, 159
+Asgrim Ondottson, 13, 14, 15, 16
+Asmund from Asmund's-peak, 25
+Asmund Ondottson, 13, 14, 15, 16
+Asmund Thorgrimson, called the Greyhaired (haerulangr), the father of
+  Grettir the Strong, 25-27, 28-33, 35-36, 39, 40, 77-79, 81, 82,
+  90, 112, 113, 125, 126, 273
+Asmund Ufeigh's-son, called the Beardless (skegglauss), 5
+Asny Vestar's-daughter, wife of Ufeigh Grettir, 5
+Asta Gudbrand's-daughter, mother of Olaf the Saint, King of Norway, 1
+Asvor, Ufeigh Grettir's daughter, 5
+Atli Asmundson, Grettir's brother, 28, 29, 30, 36, 83, 87, 88, 89, 90,
+  91, 92, 111, 112, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130-133, 135, 139, 140, 143,
+  144, 150, 162
+Atli Ulfson, called the Red (hinn rauethi), 80
+Aud (<i>alias</i> Unnr) the Deeply Wealthy,18, 19, 79
+Audun, Asgeir Madpate's son, 83
+Audun Asgeir's-son, of Audunstead, 34, 35, 38, 83, 84, 85, 86, 104
+Audun Goaty (geit), an Earl in Norway, 13, 14
+Audun Skokul (skoekull), 20
+Audun, goodman of Windham in Haramsey, 46, 47, 48
+
+Balk Blaengson of Sotaness, 1, 4, 10, 170
+Bard Jokulson,27, 104
+Bard, the mate of Haflidi's ship, 40
+Bardi (al. Slaying-Bardi) Gudmundson, of Asbiornsness, 85, 86, 87, 92,
+  93, 94, 95, 104
+Bessi Balkson, called the Godless (goethlauss), 170
+Bessi Skald-Torfa's-son, 34, 71, 73, 74, 75
+Biarni, <i>See</i> Biorn, the settler of Biornfirth.
+Biarni of Dog-dale, 81
+Biarni of Jorvi in Flysia-Wharf, 179, 277
+Biarni Thorsteinson, the Sage (hinn spaki), 11
+Biorn Arngeirson, called Hitdale-Champion, 170, 171, 172, 173, 181, 182
+Biorn, settler of Biornfirth, 17, 273
+Biorn, kinsman of Thorkel in Salft, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69
+Biorn of Meadness, 208, 237, 238, 245
+Biorn Rolfson, father of Eyvind the Eastman, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12
+Biorn Ufeigh's-son, 208
+Bloeng of Sotaness, 1
+Bodmod, 25
+Bodvar of Bodvar's-knolls, 89
+Bork the Fat, 201
+Botulf, grandfather of Thorir of Garth, 115
+Brand, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's house-carles, 20
+Brand, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, 238
+Bundle-Torfi, 81
+
+Crow-Hreidar. <i>See</i> Hreida.
+
+Dalla Thorvald's-daughter, wife of Bishop Isleif, 77
+Dromund. <i>See</i> Thorstein Dromund.
+
+Egil Audunson, 104
+Eid Skeggison, from the Ridge,184
+Eilif Ketilson, 5
+Einar, a bonder in Jadar, 122
+Einar of Combe, 22
+Einar Olvirson, 5
+Ellida-Grim Asgrimson, 16, 159
+Eric Alefain (oelfuss), of Sorreldale, 14, 15
+Eric Hakonson, Earl of Norway, 50, 51
+Eric Hroaldson, of God-dales, 208, 237
+Eric Snare (snara), 17, 20, 23
+Eric Starrison, 208
+Eyulf, brother-in-law of Slaying-Bardi, 94
+Eyolf of Fairwood, 179, 181
+Eyulf Egilson, 104
+Eyulf Gudmundson, 104
+Eyvind Biornson, called the Eastman (austmaethr), 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10
+Eyvind (Herraudson), settler of Eyvind's-firth, 20
+
+Finnbogi Thorgeirson, 179, 180
+Flosi Ericson, of Arnes, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
+Frederick the Bishop, 26
+Fridgerd Thord's-daughter, 79
+Fridmund of Shady-vale, 95
+Frodi, the King, 5
+
+Gamli Skeggison, 251
+Gamli, the Vendlander or Widelander (Viethlendingr, Vindlendingr)
+  29, 90, 273
+Gamli Thorhallson, of Meals, 29, 90, 126, 128, 143, 144, 151, 246,
+  248, 250, 273
+Gaut Sleitason, 82, 83
+Geirlaug, goodwife of Broadlair-stead, 202
+Geirmund Helskin (heljarskinn), king of Hordaland, 2, 4
+Geirmund Hiuka-timber, 25
+Gerd Bodvar's-daughter, 89
+Gerpir, 25
+Gisli Thorsteinson, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177
+Glam from Sylgsdales, afterwards a ghost, 96-110, 243
+Glum Uspakson, 29, 128, 246
+Grettir Asmundson, called the Strong, 28-33, 34-35, 36-39, 40-45,
+  46-59, 60-62, 63-76, 83-87, 88-89, 90-91, 92-94, 95, 104-110,
+  112-114, 116-121, 122-123, 124-125, 133-134, 135-140, 141-143,
+  144, 145-148, 149, 150, 151, 152-157, 158-159, 159-162, 163-164,
+  165-167, 168-170, 171, 173-178, 179-180, 181-183, 187, 189-191,
+  192-199, 200, 201, 202-203, 204-207, 209-210, 210-212, 213-217,
+  218, 219-220, 220-222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 228-229, 230, 231, 232,
+  233-235, 238-243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253,
+  254, 272
+Grim Gamlison, 29
+Grim Kolbiornson, a hersir in Norway, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14
+Grim the Northlander, an outlaw and hired assassin, 163, 164
+Grim Thorhallson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, 95
+Grim Thorhallson, grandson of the preceding, 95
+Grim Thorhallson of Meals, afterwards of Gilsbank, 90, 126, 128, 129,
+  130, 138, 139, 159, 162, 163, 168, 182
+Grim, son of the Widow of Kropp, 184, 185, 188, 200, 201
+Grimulf, 25
+Gudbiorg Ufeigh's-daughter, 1
+Gudbrand Ball (kula), 1
+Gudbrandr Vigfusson, 275, 276
+Gudmund the Rich (hinn riki), of Maddervales, 200, 204
+Gudmund Solmundson, 85, 92
+Gudrun, wife of Thorhall Grimson of Shady-vale, 95
+Guest (= Grettir Asmundson), 192, 193, 194, 212-214
+Gunnar, Court-owner in Tunsberg, 71, 72, 73
+Gunnar Thorirson, of the Pass, 90, 91, 126, 127, 128
+Gyda, wife of Ingiald the Trusty, 13
+Gyrid Einar's-daughter, 122
+
+Haeng, father of Vestar, 5
+Haering, 222, 223, 224, 230
+Haflidi of Reydarfell, a skipper, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45
+Hafr Thorarinson, 212, 214, 215
+Hafr Thordson, 212
+Hakon, Earl of Norway, 50
+Hakon Ericson, an Earl of Norway, 50
+Haldor Thorgeirson of Hof in Head-strand, 208, 215, 236, 237, 238,
+  240, 249, 278
+Haldora Steinmod's-daughter, 5
+Halfdan the Black (hinn svarti), 2
+Hall Gudmundson of Asbiornsness, 86
+Hall of Kropp, 136, 137
+Hallmund, a mountain sprite, 169, 170, 182, 184, 185-188, 200, 276
+Hallstein Horse (hestr), 14, 15
+Hallvard Sweeping (sugandi), 1, 4, 10, 15
+Hamund, a fisherman, one of Thorgeir Bottleback's household, 20
+Harald Halfdanson, called the Unshorn (lufa) and the Fair-hair
+  (harfagri), King of Norway, 2, 3, 4, 5
+Harald Ring, 129
+Harald Sigurdson, Varangian chief, afterwards King of Norway, 257,
+  260, 267, 268, 269
+Harek, a king's farmer in Norway, 12, 13
+Head-Thord = Thord of Hofdi, 79, 208
+Hedin, a Skald.
+Hedin of Soknadale, 13
+Helga Ondott's-daughter, second wife of Biorn Rolfson, and mother of
+  Thrand, 5
+Helga Thorkel's-daughter, of Fishbrook, 115
+Helga Thorir's-daughter, from Boardere, 90
+Helgi of Bathstead, 152, 153
+Helgi Eyvindson, called the Lean (hinn magri), 6, 16
+Hjalti Thord Scalp's-son, 207
+Hialti Thordson, of Hof, 207, 209, 211, 215, 216, 217, 237, 241, 251
+Hiarandi, Earl Svein's man, 69, 70, 71
+Hlif Rolfs-daughter, the first wife of Biorn Rolfson, 5
+Holmgang-Starri. <i>See</i> Starri Ericson.
+Hoskuld, father of Olaf Peacock, 152
+Hrefna Asgeir's-daughter (d. of Asgeir Madpate the Younger), 156
+Hreiethar, called Crow-Hreiethar (Kraku-H.), 208
+Hroald Geirmundson, 208
+
+Illugi Asmundson, 112, 126, 162, 200, 204, 205, 211, 217, 219, 220,
+  223, 224, 229, 231, 232, 233, 238, 240, 241, 243, 244, 245, 246,
+  248, 250, 251
+Ingiald the Trusty (tryggvi) of Hvin, 13
+Ingiald Frodison, an Earl, 5
+Ingimund Thorsteinson, called the Old (hinn gamli), 27, 92
+Ingolf (Herraudson), of Ingolf's-firth, 20
+Ingolf Ornsorn, 24
+Jokul Bardson, 104, 105
+Jokul Ingimundson, 27
+Isleif Gissurson, first Bishop of Skalholt, 77, 250, 275
+Ivar Kolbeinson, 22, 23
+Ivar Smiter (beytill), 1
+
+Kalf Asgeirson, of Asgeir's-river, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger,
+  34, 35
+Kari Solmundson, called Singed-(sviethu)-Kari, 19
+Karr, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers in the slaying of Grettir,
+  238, 240
+Karr the Old, a ghost, 46, 47, 48, 56
+Ketil the Huge (raumr), 27
+Ketil the Onehanded (hinn ein-hendi), 57
+Kiarlak of Skridinsenni, 29
+Kiartan Steinson, of Isledale-river, 191, 201
+Kiarval, a sea-king, 1
+Kiarval, king of Ireland, 6, 10
+Kiotvi the Wealthy (hinn auethgi), 2
+Knut the Mighty, king of England, 50, 173
+Kolbein (of Rogaland), 12, 15
+Kolbiorn the Abasher (sneypir), 5
+Konal Steinmodson, 5
+Kormak of Meal in Midfirth, 34, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 111
+
+Leif Kolbeinson, 22, 23
+
+Magnus the Good, king of Norway, 268
+Mar Atlison, 80
+Michael Katalak, 'king' of Constantinople, 253
+Midfirth-Skeggi, 19, 24, 25
+
+Narfi, kinsman of Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, 90
+Noise. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Noise.
+
+Odd Foundling-Skald (umaga-skald), 34, 87, 88, 90
+Odd, the Monk, 251
+Odd Ufeigh's son, 29
+Ogmund the Evil (illi), 51-57, 60
+Olaf Eyvindson of Drangar, 20, 22, 23, 24
+Olaf Haraldson, Saint, king of Norway, 1, 112, 114, 115, 118, 119,
+  120, 121
+Olaf Hoskuldson, called Peacock (pa), 152
+Olaf Thorsteinson, called Feilan, 18, 19, 79
+Oleif Einarson, called the Broad (breiethr), 5
+Olvir Bairn-Carle (barnakarl), 5
+Ondott Crow (kraka), 5, 11, 12, 13, 14
+Onund Ufeigh's son, called Treefoot (trefotr), 1, 2-4, 5-9, 10, 11,
+  12-15, 16-18, 19, 20, 23
+Orm Eyolfson, chaplain of Bishop Thorlak, 104
+Orm Storolfson, 172, 277
+Orm the Wealthy (hinn audgi), 1
+
+Rafarta Kiarval's-daughter, 5
+Ranveig Asmund's-daughter, 29, 90, 273
+Ranveig, first wife of Asmund Gray-hair, 26
+Redbeard. <i>See</i> Thorir Redbeard.
+Rognvald, an earl, 2
+Rolf of Am, father of Biorn, 5
+Rolf Ingialdson, father of Hlif, 5
+Rut of Combeness, 182
+
+Saemund, the South-Island man, 92, 276
+Sam Borkson, 201
+Sigfast, son-in-law of King Solver, 5
+Sighvat, father-in-law of Ondott Crow, 13
+Signy Sighvat's-daughter, 13
+Sigurd, Bishop, 115
+Sigurd, the husband of Spes, 255, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 266,
+  267
+Skald-Torfa, 34, 71, 73
+Skapti Thorodson of Hjalli, lawman, 82, 95, 96, 97, 134, 149, 150,
+  159, 162, 163, 224
+Skeggi. <i>See</i> Midfirth Skeggi.
+Skeggi Botulfson, 115
+Skeggi Gamlison, of Scarf-stead, 251
+Skeggi, a house-carle from the Ridge in Waterdale, 37, 38, 243, 250
+Skeggi of the Ridge, 184
+Skeggi, son of Steinvor, fathered on Kiartan, 201
+Skeggi Thorarinson, 79
+Skeggi Thorirson, from Garth, 115
+Skeggi Gamlison (from Meals), called the Short-handed (Skammhoendungr),
+  151, 246, 248, 249, 250, 251
+Skeggi Gamlison, grandson of the preceding, 251
+Skuf of Dog-dale, 81
+Slaying-Styr, 152
+Sleita-Helgi, 90
+Snaebiorn Eyvindson, 6
+Snaeskoll, a bearserk, 122, 123
+Snorri Thorgrimson, called S. Godi, 144, 145, 151, 152, 201, 202, 203,
+  224
+Solmund (Eilifson), 92
+Solmund Thorbiornson, 19
+Solver, King of Gothland, 5
+Solvi Asbrandson, called the Proud (pruethi), 129
+Sons of Thord = Hjalti of Hof and Thorbiorn Angle, 215
+Sons of Thorir = Gunnar and Thorgeir from the Pass, 91, 126, 129
+Sons of Thorir = Thorgeir and Skeggi, from Garth, 117, 118, 134
+Spes, the wife of Sigurd, afterwards wife of Thorstein Dromund, 255
+Starri Ericson, called Holmgang-Starri (Holmgaungu-S.), 208
+Stein Biornson, called Tongue-Stein (Tungu-S.), 208, 237
+Stein, priest of Isledale-river, 191, 195, 201
+Stein, a shipwrecked Skipper, 22, 23, 24, 25
+Stein Thorgestson, lawman, 225, 250
+Stein Thorirson, called the Far-sailing (mjoeksiglandi), 225
+Steinmod Konalson, 5
+Steinmod Olvirson, 5
+Steinulf Olvirson, 5
+Steinulf Thorleifson, from Lavadale, 179, 180, 182
+Steinun Rut's-daughter, 182
+Steinvor the Old (gamla), 24
+Steinvor of Sand-heaps, 191, 192, 201
+Sturla Thordson, lawman, 144, 207, 272
+Sulki, a king in Norway, 2
+Swan of Knoll, 23, 24
+Svein of Bank, 135-139
+Svein, Earl of Norway, 50, 51, 69, 70, 71, 73. 74. 75, 112
+
+Tardy. <i>See</i> Thorbiorn Tardy.
+Thora Thormod's-daughter, 11
+Thoralf of Ere in Icefirth, 154
+Thoralf Skolmson, 172, 277
+Thorarin Hafrson, 212
+Thorarin Ingialdson of Acres, 179, 180, 182
+Thorarin Thordson, called Fylsenni, 79
+Thorarin the Wise (hinn spaki), 87, 92, 93
+Thorbiorg Olaf's-daughter, called the Big (digra), 152, 154, 155,
+  156, 157
+Thorbiorn Arnorson, called Oxmain (oexnamegin), 89, 90, 91, 92, 111,
+  125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133. 139. 140, 141, 142,143, 144,
+  150, 151, 234
+Thorbiorn Earls' champion (Jarlakappi), 18, 19
+Thorbiorn Noise (glaumr), Grettir's servant-man, 206, 211, 219, 231,
+  232, 235, 239, 240, 245
+Thorbiorn Salmon-Carle, 5, 11
+Thorbiorn Thordson, called Angle, 208, 209, 211, 212, 215, 216, 217,
+  218, 222, 223, 224, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 234, 235, 236,
+  237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249,
+  250, 251, 252, 253, 254
+Thorbiorn Tardy (ferethalangr), 89, 91, 111, 112-114, 125, 126, 128
+Thorbrand Haraldson, 129
+Thord Hialtison, 207, 208
+Thord of Hofdi (==Head-Thord), 79
+Thord Knob, 212
+Thord Kolbeinson, of Hitness, 171, 172, 173, 178
+Thord Scalp, 207
+Thord Olafson, called the Yeller (gellir), 78, 79, 225
+Thord Thordson (son of Head-Thord). <i>See</i> Thorgeir.
+Thordis Asmund's-daughter, wife of Thorgrim Greypate, 25
+Thordis Asmund's daughter, wife of Glum Uspakson, 29
+Thordis Thord's-daughter, 208
+Thordis Thorgrim's-daughter, second wife of Onund Treefoot, 19, 20
+Thords, two brothers of Broad-river in Flat-lithe in Skagafirth, 209,
+  211, 216
+Thorelf Alf a-Dales'-daughter, 80
+Thorfinn of Brook-bow, 179
+Thorfinn, house-carle of Flosi in Arnes, 20, 23, 25
+Thorfinn Karrson of Haramsey, 46-50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 59, 60, 62, 69,
+  70,71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 84
+Thorgaut, a herdsman of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, 101, 102
+Thorgeir Havarson, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 145, 146, 147, 148,
+  149
+Thorgeir Onundson, called Bottleback (floeskubak), 19, 20, 21, 23,
+  24, 25
+Thorgeir Thordson (s. of Head-Thord), 208, 278
+Thorgeir Thorhaddson of Hitdale, 179
+Thorgeir Thorirson from Garth, 115
+Thorgeir Thorirson, from the Pass, 90, 91, 126, 127, 128
+Thorgerd Alf a-Dales'-daughter, 80
+Thorgest Steinson, 225
+Thorgils Arison, of Reek-knolls, 80, 81, 82, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148,
+  149
+Thorgils Ingialdson, 179, 180, 289
+Thorgils Makson, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,82
+Thorgils of Meal in Midfirth, 34, 87, 90
+Thorgrim of Gnup in Midfirth, 19
+Thorgrim (Hallormson), the Godi of Cornriver, 26
+Thorgrim Onundson, called Greypate (haerukollr), 19, 20, 22, 23, 24,
+  25, 26, 27
+Thorhadd Steinson, 179
+Thorhall Asgrimson, of Tongue, 159
+Thorhall Fridmundson, 95
+Thorhall Gamlison, 29, 90, 273
+Thorhall Grimson, of Thorhall-stead in Shady-vale, 95-102, 105,
+  106-110
+Thorir Autumn-mirk (haustmyrkr), 225
+Thorir Longchin (haklangr), 2, 3
+Thorir Thorkelson, of the Pass, 89, 90, 273
+Thorir Redbeard (rauethskeggr), an outlaw and hired assassin, 164-168
+Thorir Skeggison, of Garth, 115, 117, 118, 129, 133, 134, 151, 164,
+  165, 168, 169, 173, 186, 188, 190, 191, 200, 225, 245, 246
+Thorir Paunch (�oemb), 51-57, 60
+Thorir in Thorirs-dale, a mountain-sprite, 183, 276
+Thorkel of Boardere, 89
+Thorkel Eyulfson, 188
+Thorkel of Fishbrook, 115
+Thorkel of Giorvidale, 152, 153, 154
+Thorkel Moon (Mani), 24
+Thorkel Thordson, called Kugg, 78
+Thorkel Thorgrimson, called Krafla, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 77
+Thorkel of Salft, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,69
+Thorlak (Thorhallson, Saint), Bishop of Skalholt, 104
+Thorlaug Saemund's daughter, 92
+Thorleif, one of Thorbiorn Angle's followers at the slaying of
+  Grettir, 238
+Thorleif of Lavadale, 182
+Thormod Coalbrowskald (kolbrunarskald), 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 145, 146,
+  147, 148, 149
+Thormod Oleifson, called Shaft (skapti), 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19
+Thorod, who settled Ramfirth, 89
+Thorod Arnorson, called Drapa-Stump (drapustufr), 89, 91, 142, 143,
+  144, 150, 151, 246, 248, 250
+Thorod Eyvindson, the Godi, of Hjalli, 11, 24,96
+Thorod Snorrison, 201, 202, 203,204
+Thorolf of Ere, 154
+Thorolf, called the Fastholding (fasthaldi), 273
+Thorolf Skolmson. <i>See</i> Thoralf.
+Thorstein Asmundson, called Dromund, 26, 71, 74, 75, 121-125, 252,
+  253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264-272
+Thorstein, whom Snorri Godi had slain, 172
+Thorstein Godi, 11
+Thorstein Ketilson, 27
+Thorstein the Red (rauethr), 79
+Thorstein of Reekness, 22
+Thorstein, Thorkel Kugg's son, called Kuggson, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82,
+  143, 144, 145, 158, 159, 170, 200, 201
+Thorstein the Uplander, 26
+Thorstein the White (hviti), of Sand-heaps, 191
+Thorvald Asgeirson, son of Asgeir Madpate the younger, 34, 35, 77,
+  79, 110, 129, 130, 151, 248, 249, 250
+Thorvald of Drangar, 16
+Thorvald Kodranson, 27
+Thorvald of Reeks in Skagafirth, 207, 222
+Thorvor, Thormod's daughter, 11
+Thrand Biornson, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19
+Thrand Thorarinson, 179, 180, 182
+Thurid Asgeir's-daughter, d. of Asgeir Madpate the older, 79
+Thurid Thorhall's-daughter, 95, 104
+Thurid, Thorbiorn Angle's stepmother, 208, 226-231
+Tongue-Stein. <i>See</i> Stein Biornson.
+Torfi Vebrandson, 234
+Ufeigh, the father of Odd, 29
+Ufeigh Ivarson, called Clubfoot (burlufotr), 1
+Ufeigh Einarson, called Grettir, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 18
+Ufeigh (Herraudson), the Settler of Ufeigh's-firth, 20
+Ufeigh Hreietharson (Crow-Hr.), called Thinbeard (�unnskeggr), 208
+Ufeigh Onundson, called Grettir, 19, 24, 25
+Ulf the Squinter (skjalgi), 80
+Ulfheid Eyulf's-daughter, 104
+Una Steinulf's-daughter, 5
+Uspak Glumson, of Ere in Bitra, 29, 151, 246, 247, 248
+Uspak Kiarlakson of Skridinsenni, 29
+Vermund the Slender, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157
+Vestar Haengson, 5
+Vestmar, a viking, 7, 9
+Vigbiod, a viking, 7, 8, 9
+Vikar, one of Thord Angle's followers at the slaying of Grettir, 241
+
+
+
+
+INDEX II.
+
+LOCAL NAMES.
+
+Acres (Akrar), 178, 179, 182
+Agdir, now Nedenes-Lister-og Mandals-Fogderi, in Norway, 5, 13
+Armansfell, 97
+Arness in the Strands, 17, 20, 21
+Asbiornsness (Asbjarnarnes) in Willowdale, 85, 92
+Asgeir's-River (Asgeirsa), a farm in Willowdale, 20, 34, 275
+Aslaugs-lithe (Aslaugarhlieth), 176
+Audunstead in Willowdale (Auethunarstaethir), 34, 83, 84, 104
+Axefirth (Axarfjoerethr), 25, 277
+Axefirth-peak (Axarfjardar-nupr), 277
+
+Balkstead (Balkastaethir), two farm-steads in Ramfirth, 10
+Ball-jokull, 161, 169
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead in Ramfirth, 89
+Bank (Bakki), a farmstead above Thingness, in Bugfirth, 135, 136
+Bard-dale (Barethardalr), north of Islefirth, 191, 192, 196, 200
+Barra (Barrey), one of the Hebrides, 1, 5, 7, 9
+Bathstead (Laugabol), a farmhouse in Icefirth, 152, 153
+Berg-Ridge (Bjarga-as), in Waterness, in Hunawater Thing, 129
+Bergs (Bjoerg), ibid. 129
+Biarg, a farmstead in Midfirth, Grettir's birthplace, 25, 27, 28, 29,
+  35, 39-77, 83, 87, 88, 90, 92, 93, 95, 104, 111, 113, 126, 127, 128,
+  130, 131, 132, 139, 142, 144, 200, 204, 246, 247, 251
+Bitra, 128, 151
+Biornfirth (Bjarnarfjoerethr), in the Strands, 23
+Boardere (Boretheyri), a farmstead in Ramfirth, 90
+Bodvar's-knolls (Boeethvarsholar), in Westhope, in Hunawaterthing, 89
+Bondmaid's-River (Ambattara), 129
+Bowerfell (Burfell), a farmstead on Ramfirth-neck, 90, 91
+Brakeisle (Hrisey), in Islefirth, 16
+Brakelithe, <i>see</i> Kraeklingslithe.
+Broadfirth (Breiethifjoerethr),276
+Broadfirth-dales (Breiethafjarethardalir), 170, 201
+Broadlair-stead (Breiethibolstaethr), in Sokkolfsdale, 202
+Broad-river (Breietha), a farmstead in Flat-lithe, in Skagafirth, 209
+Brooks-meet (Laekjamot), a farmstead in Willowdale, 27, 77
+Brook-bow (Laekjarbugr), a farmstead in the Marshes, 178, 179
+Burgfirth (Borgarfjoerethr), 81, 93, 130, 135, 159, 161, 162, 170, 182
+Burglava (Borgarhraun), 176
+Burn-river (Brunna), 278
+Bute (Botz, or Bot), isle of, 7
+Byrgirs-Creek (Byrgisvik), 18, 22
+Bye (Baer), a farmstead in Burgfirth, 136
+
+Cave-Knolls (Hellisholar), on Reekness, 147
+Codfirth (�orskafjoerethr) in Bardastrandsylla, 148
+Codfirth-heath (�orskafjaretharheiethi), 152
+Coldback (Kaldbak), a fell in the Strands, 17, 18
+Coldback, the farmstead of Onund Treefoot, in the Strands, 18, 19, 20,
+  21, 22, 23
+Coldback-cleft (Kaldbakskleif), 18
+Coldback-Creek (Kaldbaksvik), 18, 23, 24
+Coldriver-dale (Kaldardalr), 176
+Combe (Gjoegr), a farmstead in the Strands, 22
+Combe (Kambr), in Reekness in the Strands, 25
+Combeness (Kambnes), 182
+Cornriver (Kornsa), a farm in Waterdale, 26
+Creek, 20, 22. = Treetub-creek.
+Cross-river (�vera), a stream in Waterness, 129
+
+Dales = Broadfirth-dales, 202
+Deepfirth (Djupifjoerdr), 276
+Deildar-Tongue (D-Tunga), 137
+Dinby (Glaumbaerr), a farmstead in Skagafirth, 206
+Dog-dale (Hundadalr), 81
+Door-holm (Dyrholmr), the southeastmost point of Iceland, 234
+Doveness-path (Dufuness-skeiethi), a portion of the way over the Keel, 160
+Drangar, a farmstead in the Strands, 16, 20, 22
+Drangey, an island in Skagafirth, 200, 204, 207, 209, 210, 217, 218,
+  219, 222, 223, 224, 227, 228, 231, 237, 238, 250, 251
+Drontheim (�randheimr), now Trondhiem, in Norway, 69, 114, 118
+Drontheimfirth (�randheimsfjoerethr), 67
+
+Eastfirths (Austfirethir), 184
+Eastriver (Austra), 202
+Eastriverdale (Austrardalr), one of the Broadfirth-dales, 201
+England, 50, 115
+Ere (Eyri, al. Uspakseyri), in Bitra, 128, 151
+Ere (Eyri), in Icefirth, 152, 154
+Eres (Eyrar, now Eyrabakki), on the south coast of Iceland, 11
+Eyjafirth, 112 = Islefirth.
+Eyvindsfirth (Eyvindarfjoerethr), 20
+Ernelakeheath, 186 = Ernewaterheath.
+Ernewaterheath (Arnarvatnsheitethi), 163, 165, 184, 188
+
+Fairslope (Fagrabrekka), 90
+Fairwood (Foegruskogar), a farm near Fairwoodfell, 179, 181, 277
+Fairwoodfell (Fagraskogarfjall), north of the Marsh country and
+  west side of Hitdale, 171, 172, 178, 277
+Fishbrook (Fiskilaekr), 115
+Fishwaterlakes (Fiskivoetn), 163
+Fishless (Veiethilausa), in the Strands, 17, 18
+Flat-lithe (Slettahlieth), in Skagafirth, 209
+Fleets (Fljot), on the north side of the mouth of Skagafirth, 208,
+  212, 237, 238
+Fleet-tongue (Fljotstunga), 37
+Flokedale-river (Flokadalsa), in Burgfirth, 136
+Flysja-wharf (Flysju-hverfi or Flysu-hverfi), 174, 179
+Foxplain (Melrakkasletta), 278
+
+Gangpass-mouth (Gaunguskarethsos, better Gaunguskarethsaros), 222
+Gartar, now Garten, an island in the mouth of Drontheimfirth, 67
+Garth (Garethr), in Maindale, 115, 118, 133, 134, 151, 190, 200
+Gilsbank (Gilsbakki), 130, 137, 138
+Gjorvidale, 152
+Gnup-Wards'-rape (Gnupverjahreppr), 11
+Gnup, a farmstead in Midfirth, 19
+Goatland (Geitland), 182
+Goatland's-jokul (Geitland's-joekull), 182
+Goat-rock (Hafraklettr), 147
+God-dales (Goethdalir), 208, 237
+Godis-wood (Goethaskogr), 97
+Goosere (Gaseyri, Gasir, prop. Geese, or perhaps Creeks), a
+  market-place in Islefirth, 112, 113, 133, 251
+Gothland (Gautland), 5
+Grettirs-point (G-Oddi), 180
+Grettirs-hillock (G-�ufa), 249
+Grettirs-Gill, 18
+
+
+Hafrsfirth (Hafrsfjorethr), now Hafsfjord, in Jadar in Norway, 3
+Haffirth-river (Hafsfjarethrara), in the Marshes, 176
+Hall-marsh (Skalamyrr), in Skagafirth, 208
+Hallwick (Skalavik), in Sweeping's firth 10
+Halogaland, now Nordlandene, in Norway, 62
+Haramsey, properly Harhamars-ey, now Haramsoe, in South-Mere, in
+  Norway, 45, 50, 51
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a valley in the Broadfirth-dales, 90
+Hawkdale (Haukadalr), a farmstead in Biskupstungr in Arnesthing, 159
+Hawkdale-pass (Haukadals-skareth), a mountain road between Hawkdale
+  and Ramfirth, 126
+Head, a farm on Head-strand, 79, 276
+Head-strand (Hoefethastrond), in Skagafirth, 208
+Heel (Haell), 18
+Heron-ness (Hegranes), in Skagafirth, 210, 213
+Hjalli in Olfus, 11, 159, 162
+Hjaltidale (Hjaltadalr), in Skagafirth, 207
+Hitdale (Hitardalr), north of the Marshes, 173, 179
+Hitness (Hitarnes), in the Marshes, 171, 178
+Hitriver (Hitara), in the Marshes, 171, 172, 174, 175, 178, 179
+Hof in Hjaltidale, 207
+Hof on Head-strand, 208, 237
+Hofethi (Hofethi), 79, 276
+Holm (Holmr), the homestead of Biorn the Hitdale-champion in
+  the Marshes, 170
+Holtbeacon-heath (Holtavoerethuheiethi), a mountain over which lay the
+  main road between Northriverdale and Ramfirth, 200
+Hordaland, a province of Norway, now Soendre Bergenhus Amt, 1, 2, 4, 114
+Horn, 132
+Horseholt (Hrossholt), in the Marshes, 177
+Hunawater (Hunavatn), 26, 101,
+Hvamm, a farmstead in Hvamsveit by Hvamsfirth 18, 79
+Hvamsveit, 79
+Hvin, now Kvinen, in Norway, 13
+Hvinisfirth, now Fedde-Fjorden, in Norway, 5
+Haeringsleap, in Drangey, 224
+
+Jadar, now Jaederen, in Norway, 121
+
+Icefirth (Isafjoerethar), 155
+Icefirth-deep (Isafjarethar-djup), 273
+Iceland (Island), 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 27, 75,77, 115, 116, 121,
+243, 250, 253, 272
+Ingolfs-firth (Ingoilfafjoerdr), 17, 20, 22
+
+Jorvi (Jorvi) in Flysia-wharf, 179
+
+Ireland (Irland), 2, 5, 6, 7, 10
+Islefirth (Eyjafirth, Eyjafjoerethr), 16
+Isledale-river (Eyjardalsa), a farmstead in Bard-dale, 191, 192, 194,
+  196, 198, 201
+
+Kalf-river (Kaifa), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, 18
+Kalfness (Kalfanes), 136, 137
+
+Keel (Kjoelr), a mountain between the North and South quarter of,
+  Iceland, over which a main road led from Biskupstungur to Islefirth,
+  159, 162, 169
+Kialarnes, 19
+Knobstead (Knappstaethir), a farmstead in the Fleets, 212
+Knoll (Holl), in the Strands, the farm of Swan, 23
+Kolbeins-Creek (Kolbeinsvik) in the Strands, 18
+Kolbeinstead (Kolbeinsstaethir), a farmstead in the Marshes, 176
+Kraeklings-lithe, a country side in Islefirth, 16, 277
+Kropp, 137
+
+Lavadale (Hraundalr), in the Marshlands, 179, 180, 182
+Laxdale-heath (Laxardalsheiethi), a mountain road between Laxardale
+  and Ramfirth, 143
+Liarskogar (Ljarskogar), a farmstead in Hvamsveit, 79, 81, 143, 144,
+  145, 158
+Longdale (Langidalr), in Icefirth, 152
+Longfit (Langafit), below Reeks in Midfirth, 87
+Longholt (Langholt), in Skagafirth, 206
+Longness (Langanes), the north-eastmost promontory of Iceland, 16
+
+Madderdale-heath (Moeethrudalsheiethi), in the north-east of Iceland, 189,
+  277
+Maddervales (Moeethruvellir) in Islefirth, 200
+Maindale (Aethaldalr), in the north-east of Iceland, 115
+Marshes (Myrar; Marsh-country), 170, 171, 178
+Marstead (Marstaethir) in Waterdale, 26
+Marswell (Marskelda), 81
+Meadness (Haganes), a farmstead in the Fleets, 208, 237, 238
+Meal (Melr, now Melstaethr) in Midfirth, 34, 87, 114
+Meals (Melar) in Ramfirth, 29, 90, 126, 143, 144, 151, 248, 275
+Mere (Moeri) = South-Mere, 69
+Micklegarth (Constantinople), 252, 253, 268, 270, 272
+Midfirth (Miethfjoerethr) in Hunawaterthing, 19, 25, 34, 77, 78, 130,
+  139, 140, 246
+Midfirth-Water (Miethfjoeretharvatn), 34, 83
+Midfit (Miethfitjar) in Ramfirth, 144
+
+Neck (= Ramfirth-neck), 130
+Necks (= Ramfirth--and--Midfirth-neck), 140
+Nes (Nesjar) in Norway, 112
+Ness = Snowfellsness, 126
+North-Glass-river (Glera en nyrethri), in Islefirth, 16
+Northriver (Norethra), a stream in Burgfirth, 81
+Northriverdale (Norethrardalr), ibid. 90, 201,
+Norway (Noregr), 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 11, 12, 17, 26, 45, 50, 60, 61, 76,
+  112, 114, 115, 122, 251, 252, 268, 270
+Nupasveit in Axefirth, 278
+
+Olaf's-isles (Olafseyjar) in Broadfirth, 146
+Oyce-land (Osland) in Skagafirth, 245
+
+Pass (Skareth) the, a farm in Hawkdale, 90, 126, 127, 129, 273
+
+Ramfirth (Hrutafjoeethr), in Hunawaterthing, 10, 29, 89, 90, 126
+Ramfirth-neck (Hrutafjaretharhals), 91, 113, 127, 130, 143
+Raun (Hraun), a farmstead in the Marshes, 174
+Reekfirth (Reykjafjoerethr), a bay in the Strands, 18, 25
+Reekfirth, a farmstead in the last-named bay, 18, 20
+Reek-heath (Reykjaheiethi), in the North-East of Iceland, 189
+Reek-knolls (Reykholar), a farmstead on Reekness in Broadfirth, 80,
+  144, 145
+Reekness (Reykjanes), a promontory in the Strands, 18, 22
+Reekness, a farmstead on the last-named ness, 22
+Reekness, south-westmost point of Iceland, 40
+Reekness, east side of Codfirth, in Broadfirth, 80, 145, 146
+Reekpass (Reykjaskareth) in Skagafirth, 205
+Reeks (Reykir), a farmstead in Midfirth below Biarg, 87
+Reeks, a farmstead nigh to Thorodstead in Ramfirth, 140, 142, 143
+Reeks, a farmstead in Reek-strand in Skagafirth, 207, 220, 250, 251
+Reek-strand (Reykjastroend), in Skagafirth, 250
+Reydarfell in Whiteriverside, in Burgfirth, 39
+Rib-skerries (Rifsker) in Reekfirth, 22, 24
+Ridge, the, (As, al. Oddsas) in Waterdale, the farm of Thorvald Asgeirson,
+  37, 77, 110
+Ridge, the, (As, al. Storias), in Burgfirth, 184
+Ridge (As, al. Valdaras), in Willowdale, 275
+Rogaland, now Stavanger Amt, in Norvay, 1, 2, 3, 12
+Rome, 271
+Rosmwhale-ness (Rosmhvalanes), 24
+
+Saemund's-lithe (Saemundarhlieth) in Skagafirth, 206
+Salft (prop. Salpti or Salfti), now
+Salten in Salten-Fjord, in Halogafand, 62
+Samstead (Samsstaethir), 145
+Sand, a wilderness between the North and the South Country,
+  crossed by a road from Skagafirth south to Burgfirth and
+  Thingvellir, 249
+Sand-heaps (Sandhaugar), 191, 192, 195, 199. 201, 273
+Scarf-stead (Skarfsstaethir), 158, 251
+Scotland, 2, 5, 7
+Shady-vale (Forsaeludalr), inland of Waterdale, 95
+Slaftholt (Skaptaholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, 11
+Shieldbroadfell (Skjaldbreieth), a volcano north-east of Thingvellir, 183
+Skagafirth, 83, 200, 205, 207, 217, 250
+Skagi, a mountain promontory between Strandbay and Skagafirth, 16
+Skalholt (Skalaholt), in Biskupstungur, 77, 250
+Skridinsenni, a farmstead in Bitra, 29
+Sledgehill (Sleethaas), north of Thingvellir, 39, 97
+Slysfirth (Slysfjoerethr, prop. Slygsfjoerethr), now Storfjorden in Soendmoeres
+  Fogderi, in Norway, 51
+Snowfells (Snaefjoell), 275
+Snowfellsness (Snaefellsnes), the West-most promontory of Iceland,
+  126, 173
+Sokkolfsdale (Soekkolfsdalr), in the Broadfirth-dales, 202
+Soknadale (Soknadalr, or Soknardalr), now Sognedalen, in Norway, 13
+Sorbness (Reynines), in Skagafirth, 206
+Sorreldale (Surnadalr), now Surendalen, in Norway, 14
+Sotanes, in Norway, 1
+South-Glass-river (Glera en syethri), a farmstead in Islefirth, 16
+South-Mere (Summaeri), now Soendmoeres Fogderi, in Norway, 45, cpr. 69
+South-Isles (Suethr-eyjar), the Hebrides, 1, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11
+South-Strands (Suethr-strandir), 16
+Spear-mead (Spjotsmyrr), in Ramfirth, 144
+Stair (Stigi), a foreland peak east of Sweepingsfirth, 10
+Stead (Staethr), now Stadtland, promontory in Norway, 115, 116, 117
+Steep-brent (Brattabrekka), 201
+Steersriver (�iorsa), 12
+Steinker, an Earl's seat in Drontheim, 69
+Stone-holt (Steinsholt), in Gnup-Wards'-rape, 11
+Stonestead (Steinstaethir), in Skagafirth, 208
+Strandbay (Strandafloi), 16
+Strands (Strandir), north-westmost part of Iceland, 16, 77, 80
+Sweepingsfirth (Sugandafjoerethr), 10
+Sylgdale (Sylgsdalir), in Sweden, 96
+Thingere-lands (�ingeyrasveit), in Hunawaterthing, 25
+Thingness (�ingnes), in Burghfirth, 135, 136
+Thoreys-peak (�oreyjar-nupr) a farm in Willowdale, 93, 94, 104
+Thorhall-stead (�orhallsstaethir) in Shady-vale, 95, 97, 98, 102, 103, 105
+Thorodstead (�oroddsstadir) in Ramfirth, 89, 140
+Thorir's-dale (�orir's-vale, 184, Thorisdalr), 183, 184, 201
+Thrandsholt (�randarholt), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, 11
+Thwart-river (�vera), a stream in Gnup-Ward's-rape, 11
+Titling-stead (Titlingastaethir), on Reekness, 147
+Tongue (Tunga, Saelingsdalstunga), Snorri Godi's home, 144, 145, 203
+Tongue (Tunga), a farmstead in Waterdale, 90
+Tongue (Tunga, now Nupsdalstunga(?)), a farmstead in Midfirth, 90
+Tongue (Tunga), the home of Asgrim Ellida Grimson, in Arnesthing, 159
+Tongue-river (Tungua), a stream in the Fleets, 212
+Torfa's-stead (Torfusta�ir), a homestead in Midfirth, 34
+Treetub-creek, the Creek, the Wick, (Trekyllisvik), in the Strands,
+  20, 22, 23, 24, 25
+Tunsberg, a market-place in Norway, now Toensberg, 71, 75, 121, 123,
+  251, 252
+Twodays-way (Twodays-ride, Tvidaegra), a mountain-road from
+  Northriverdale to the Midfirth-dales and Willowdale, 93, 139
+
+Ufeigh's-firth (Ufeigsfjoerethr), in the Strands, 22
+Ufeigh's-stead (Ufeigsstaethir), in Gnup-Ward's-rape, 11
+Ufaera, in the Strands, 17
+Uplands (Upploend), Oplandene in Norway, 2
+
+Vogar a fish-fair in Halogaland, in Norway, now Vaagen, 62, 67
+
+Waterdale (Vatnsdalr), in Euna-waterthing, 26, 38, 40, 77, 104, 110,
+  111, 275, 276
+Waterfirth (Vatnsfjoerethr), home-stead of Vermund the Slender,
+  152, 154, 155, 158
+Waterfirth-dale (Vatnsfjarethandalr), in Icefirth, 153
+Waterness (Vatnsnes), pron. between Hunafirth and Midfirth, 129
+Waterpass (Vatnsskareth), between Hunawaterthing and Skagafirth, 205
+Wave-ridge (Oelduhryggr), in Staetharsveit, 173
+Weir (Styfla), in the Fleets, 212
+Well-ness (Keldunes), 115
+Well-wharf (Kelduhverfi), 115
+Well-wharfside, id. 187
+Westfirths (Vestfirethir), 144, 158, 162
+Westhope, (Vestrhop), in Hunawaterthing, 34
+Wetherfirth=Ramfirth, 143
+Whalesheadholme, (Hvalshausholmr), 146,147
+Whiteriver (Hvita), in Burgfirth, 135, 136, 172
+Whiteriverside (Hvitarsida), in Burgfirth, 39
+Wick (Vikin), in Norway, 26
+Wick=Treetub-Creek.
+Willowdale (Viethdalr), west of Waterdale, 20,34,83, 104, 275
+Windham (Vindheimr), a farmstead of Haramsey, 46, 47
+Wolds (Vellir), a harbour on the Whiteriver, 135,136
+Woods-tead (Skogar), a farm in Axefirth, 277
+Woodwick (Viethvik), a farmstead in Skagafirth, 208, 231, 236, 237, 245
+
+
+
+
+INDEX III.
+
+THINGS.
+
+A nithing's deed, setting on a dying man with weapons, 250
+Arson, 2, 5, 13
+Assassins (hired), 163, 167
+
+Barrow of Karr the Old of Haramsey, 47, 49
+  of Onund Treefoot, called "Treefoot's-barrow," 19
+<i>Battles and Fights</i>.
+  Battle of Barra, between Onund Treefoot, and King Kiarval, 1, 2
+  of Bute, between Onund Treefoot and the Vikings, Vigbiod
+    and Vestmar, 7, 9
+  of Ernewaterheath, between Grettir and Hallmund on one
+    side, and Thorir of Garth with eighty men on the other, 168, 170
+  of Grettirsoddi by Hitriver, between Grettir and the Marshmen,
+    179, 180
+  of Hafrsfirth, between Harald Fairhair and several Norwegian petty
+    kings, 3, 4
+  of Nesjar, between St. Olaf and Earl Svein, 112
+  of the Pass, between Ath Asmundson and the Sons of Thorir of the
+    Pass, 127, 128
+  at Bowerfell, between Grettir and the men of Meal, 91
+
+  Fight in Drangey, between the Brothers Grettir and Illugi, on one
+    side, and Thorbiorn Angle and his band on the other, 240, 241
+
+  Fight on Ernewaterheath, with the Assassins Grim and Thorir
+    Redbeard, 163, 164
+  at Fairwoodfell with Gish, 176,177
+  at Fleet-tongue with Skeggi, 38
+  in Gartar, with Biorn, 68
+  at Goosere, with Thorbiorn Tardy, 144
+  in Grettir's-Gill, between Ufeigh Grettir and Thorbiorn
+    Earls' Champion, 18, 19
+  in Haramsey, with Karr the Old, in his harrow, 48, 49
+  in Haramsey, with twelve Bearserks, 56, 58
+  on Midfit, with Thorbiorn Oxmain, 141
+  on Reekness, between the men of the Creek and those
+    of Coldback, over a whale, 23
+  on a common driftland in the Strands over a whale, between
+    the foster-brothers �orgeir Havarson and Thormod
+    Coalbrowskald on one side, and Thorgils Makson on the other, 77,78
+  at Sand-heaps, with a troll-wife, 194, 195
+  nigh to Sand-heaps, in a cave, with a giant, 197
+  at Steinker, with Hiarandi, 70, 71
+Fight at Thorhall-stead with Glam the Thrall, 107, 109
+  in Tunsberg, with Gunnar, the brother of Hiarandi, 72, 73
+  with Snaekoll the bearserk, 122, 123
+
+Bridge of Liarskogar, a work of great art, hung with rings and
+  'din-bells,' 158
+
+<i>Domestic Implements</i>.
+  Bottles of leather, for keeping drink in, 20
+  Chopper, 23, 194
+  Clothes-bag, 175
+  Curd-bags, hides drawn up to fetch curds in from mountain dairies, 84
+  Deer-horn, for drinking at feasts, 15
+  Digging-tools, 47
+  Kettle, 182
+  Meal-bags, wherein victuals were kept for the thing-ride, 38
+  Tools to strike fire, 182
+  Trough, 194
+  Wool-combs. 30
+
+Dowry, 7
+
+<i>Dress and Ornamental Apparel</i>.
+  Breeches (of sail-cloth, 117), 176, 220
+  Cape, 117, 136, 137
+  Chain, round the neck, 14
+  Cloak of rich web, 14
+  Coloured clothes (over--clothes), 154, 174
+  Cowl, 220 Drugget-cloak, 107
+  Fur-cloak, 64
+  Hat (slouched), 169, 189
+  Hood, 206
+  Kirtle (red), 85
+  Leggings (hose), 65
+  Mittens, 206
+  Rings of gold, 14
+  Shirt, 176
+  Spurs, 202
+  State-raiment, 175
+  Thongs (hose-thongs), 65
+Fair in Vagar in Halogaland, 62
+Famine, 21
+
+<i>Feasts</i>.
+  (There were three principal festals in the year: at Winter-nights,
+   Yule, and Midsummer.)
+
+  Autumn-feast (= winter nights' feast, Oct. 14), at Thorbiorn
+  Oxmain's, III "Drinking turn and turn about," is probably the same
+  that elsewhere is called "SamburethSarol," an ale-club or rotation
+  drinking by common subscription, 14 Yule-ale, 51 Yule-biddings,
+  51, 52
+
+<i>Fights, see</i> Battles and Fights.
+
+<i>Food and Drink</i>.
+  (The Saga mentions no imported articles of food.)
+  Beer, 53, 56
+  Curds, 84
+  Fish (stockfish), 131, 132
+  Lent-fare, fat and livers, 183
+  Mutton, <i>passim</i>.
+Fire above hid treasure, 47
+Foster-brothers (sworn brothers), 78, 81, 92, 93
+Godi's-wood, a wood said to have belonged to six Godar, 97
+Grettir's-heave, 39, 91, 176
+<i>Horse-Outfit</i>.
+  Bridle (embossed, 160), 76, 136
+  Head-gear, 160 Saddle (fair-stained, 84), 38
+  Snaffle-rings, 160 Hospitality, 54,
+Hospitality, 54, 80
+<i>Houses and their Outfit</i>.
+Beaks of vessels put over the door, 115
+Bed, 107
+Boards (= tables), 30
+Bolt, 56
+Boose (= cow-stall in a byre), 103
+Booth at the thing, 96
+--for drinking assemblages, 72
+--for trade-purposes, 113
+Bower, serving as a ward-robe, cloth-bower, 56
+--a storehouse apart from other houses, out-bower, 56, 245
+Closet, 56
+Corn-barn, 58
+Cross-beam (= tie-beam), 107, 108
+Cross-bench (= dais), 193
+Door, 56 and <i>passim</i>.
+Doorcase, 108
+Doorpost, 133
+Dungeon, 254
+Gable, 193
+Hall, fire-hall, <i>passim</i>, see also note on hall pp. 273-275
+Hangings, 53
+High-chair, 48
+Hill-dairy, 84, 153, 154
+Horse-stable, 106
+House of refuge (saluhus), 117
+Latch, 56
+Lock-bed, 107
+Loft (sleeping-loft), 14, 124
+Long-fires, 30
+Rafters, 108
+Roof, 107, 240
+Seat-beam, 84, 107
+Side-wall, 193
+Thatch, 108, 240
+Threshold, 108, 133
+Tie-beam, 107
+
+<i>Landwights</i>.
+
+Amongst these are to be numbered Hallmund and Thorir the half-troll
+of Thorir's-dale, and the wights told of in Hallmund's Song, 187
+
+Atonement. <i>See</i> Weregild.
+
+<i>Law, Suits, Penalties</i>.
+
+Boot for insulting language, 66
+Banishment, 129
+Declaring manslaughter as having been done by one's own hand, 133, 142
+District-outlawry, 129
+Execution (feransdomr), 247-248
+Fine, 39, and <i>passim</i>.
+Handselling of a lawsuit, 39
+Handselling of lawful truce, 212, 214
+
+Law-provisions:
+  For drift-right, 25
+  For bearserks challenging men to holm, 51
+  For heritage of outlawed men in Norway in the days of
+    Harold Fairhair, 11
+  For the utmost limit of outlawry, 225
+  For heathen sacrifices in the earliest days of Christianity
+    in Iceland, 226
+  For a rightful suitor in a blood-suit, 150
+
+Lawsuits, 18, 19, 24, 39, 79, 129, 130, 149, 151, 238, 249, 250
+
+<i>Manners and Customs, Civil and Religious</i>.
+
+Bathing, 148, 220
+Burial of misdoers in cairns and tidewashed heap of stones, 59, 241
+Burial in barrows. <i>See</i> Barrows.
+--at churches, 126, 142
+
+Fasting on Yule-eve, 98
+--to iron birth, 119
+
+Hallowing of a vessel by a bishop, 115
+
+Iron-birth, 119
+
+Meal-times, 49
+
+Riding, to the Althing, 36, 79
+Rubbing of one's back by the fire, 30
+
+Sailors' duties have to be per-formed on board ship by the
+  passengers, 41, <i>sqq</i>.
+Sitting at table in the evening, 48
+Sleeping in fire-halls, 30
+
+Thing-men have to provide themselves,
+each one with fare at
+his own cost, 38
+
+Varangian weapon-show, 253
+
+Washing of hands ere going to
+table, 113
+
+<i>Money</i>.
+
+Hundred in silver, 151
+
+Mark in silver, 151, 173
+
+<i>Names of folk derived from their</i>
+   <i>country or dwelling-stead</i>.
+
+  Axefirthers, 278
+  Gothlander, 11
+  Halogalander, 57
+  Icefirthers, 155, 156
+  Lavadale-men, 182
+  Marshmen, 182
+  Northlanders, 163
+  Northmen, 10, 253
+  Ramfirthers, 34, and <i>passim</i>.
+  South-Islander, 7, 92
+  The men of Biarg, 88, 92
+  The men of Coldback, 20, <i>sqq.</i>
+  The men of the Creek, 20, <i>sqq.
+</i> Varangians, 253, <i>sqq.</i>
+  Waterdale-folk, 26, 38
+  Waterdale-kin, 142
+  Waterness-men, 34, 88
+  Well-wharfers, 170
+  Westfirthers, 80
+  Westhope-men, 34
+  Willowdale-men, 34
+
+<i>Occupations</i>.
+
+  Binding of hay into horseloads for being conveyed into rick-yard
+    or barn, 140, 141
+  Catching of fowl, 219
+  Drift-watching, 22
+  Fetching home victuals from mountain dairies, 84
+  Fetching home stockfish on horses, 126, 128
+  Fishing in sea and fresh water, 163, 166, 184
+  Folding, gathering sheep in autumn up from the wilds
+    and mountains, to be sorted for their owners according to
+    the marks in the ears of each sheep, 174
+  Gathering of eggs, 214
+  Hay-harvest, falls into two parts, the first, the haymaking in the
+    manured homefield, the second, in unmanured meads and mountains,
+    132, 140
+  Iron-smithying, 158
+  Mowing-tide, the whole season of the summer while grass can be
+    mown, 84, 132
+  Watching of home-geese, 29
+           of horses in winter, 31
+           of neat, 102
+           of sheep, 98, 101, 206
+  Whale-getting, 21, 77
+  Whale-cutting, 23
+
+<i>Pet Animals</i>.
+
+  Keingala, a mare, 31
+  Pied-belly, a ram, 240
+  Saddle-fair, a mare, 135
+
+<i>Runes</i>.
+
+  Songs cut on staffs, in runes, 186, 198
+  Baneful runes cut on a bewitched log of wood, 230, 231
+
+<i>Sagas Quoted</i>.
+
+  The saga of the Bandamenn, 29
+    of Bodmod, Grimulf, and Gerpir, 25
+    of Eric the Earl, 51
+    of Grim who slew Hallmund, 188
+    of the heath-slayings, 86
+The saga of the Laxdale-men, 19
+
+Settlings of land in Iceland, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17
+
+<i>Ships and their outfit</i>.
+
+  Boat, ten oars aboard, 22, 227
+  Boat-stand, 20, <i>and passim</i>
+  Beaks, 115
+  Bark (karfi), of sixteen oars aboard, 46, 52, 62
+  Bulwark, 3
+  Forecastle, 3
+  Grapplings, 3
+  Gunwale, 147
+  Row-barge, 115
+  Sail, 16, 41
+  Ship shield-hung from stem to stern, 52
+    stained above sea, 52
+    cleared from stem to stern, 3
+    stem, stern, 3, 52
+  Viking-ship, I
+  War-ship, 6
+  Work in connection with ship:
+    baling, 41, 42, 45
+    pumping, 44
+    rolling ship ashore, 174
+    launching of, 46
+    building of, 25
+  Yard, 16
+
+<i>Skalds named in the Saga</i>.
+
+  Arnor Earls'-skald, 179
+  Bessi, Skald-Torfa's son, 34, 71
+  Grettir Asmundson.
+  Hallmund, 161, 186-187
+  Odd the Foundling-Skald, 34, 87-88
+  Skald-Torfa, 34
+  Svein of Bank, 135
+  Thormod Coalbrowskald, 77
+
+<i>Social Stations</i>.
+
+  Bonder, 14, and <i>passim</i>
+  Chapmen, <i>passim</i>
+  Court-owner, an owner of all such houses in a town as form the
+    surrounding of a court, 71
+  Earl, a man next after the king in dignity, 14, 50 <i>sqq</i>.,
+     69 <i>sqq</i>., 112
+  Free-men, 53
+  Godi, a chief combining in his person the religious and administrative
+    authority of the district over which he ruled, 11, 26
+  Hand-maid, 220, 221
+  Herdsman. <i>See</i> Occupations.
+  Hersir, a man next to an earl in dignity, 14
+  Home-folk, 54
+  Home-women, 54
+  House-carle, <i>passim</i>.
+
+<i>Sports and Games</i>.
+
+  Ball-play, 34
+  Ball, 35
+  Bat, 35
+  Horse-fight, 87, 88
+  Knave-game (note), 208
+  Sports at Heron-ness thing, 210, 212
+  Swimming, 117, 167, 220
+  Tale-game, 208
+  Wrestling, 211, 212, 216
+
+<i>Things, or Public Law-assemblages</i>.
+
+  The Althing, <i>passim</i>
+  The Thing of Kialarness, 19
+    Heron-ness, 210
+    Hunawater, 129, 150
+  Trade on England, 67
+
+<i>Trolls and Evil Wights</i>.
+
+  See Hallmund's song, 187
+  Troll-carle, 197
+  Troll-wife, 194-195
+  The wight that slew Glam, 96, 99, 100
+Troth, to sit in troth for three winters, 7
+  Twainmonth, the second month in the year, corresponding to our
+    September (Aug. 24--Sept. 22).
+  Wadmall as an article of trade, 40, 220
+
+<i>Weapons and War-gear</i>.
+
+  Axe, <i>passim</i>.
+  Barb-end, 57
+  Barb, 57, 132
+  Buckler, 142
+  Byrni, 57
+  Chopper, 194
+  Cheek-pieces of a helmet, 122
+  Glaive (heft-sax), 197
+  Grigs of the sword, 241
+  Hand-axe, 141
+  Helmet, 57, 85, 122, 132
+  Shield (iron-rimmed, inlaid), 72, 122, 128, 175, 203, 241
+  Socket inlaid with silver, 141
+  Socket-nail, 141
+  Short-sword, Karrs-loom, 49, and <i>passim</i>
+  Spear, great without barbs, 141
+    with broad barbs, 56, 132
+  Stones used for missiles, 8
+  Spear-head, 57
+  Sword, girt with a sword, 132, 241
+    Jokul's gift, the heirloom of the kinsmen of Ingimund the
+    Old, 40, and <i>passim</i>.
+  Weird of a ghost, 109
+    of a sorceress, 229
+  Winter-nights, the first days in winter about Oct. 14, 145
+
+<i>Witchcraft and Sorcery</i>.
+
+  Gale of wind brought on by evil craft, 236-237
+  Witchcraft, an illegal means for overcoming an enemy, 244, 250
+  Witchcraft wrought into a log of wood, the manner thereof, 230, 231
+  Wound growing deadly through the effect of evil and witchcrafty
+    runes, 244, 250
+  Wooing, 6, 7, 19
+
+
+
+
+PERIPHRASTIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE SONGS.
+
+An Axe: Battle ogress, rock-troll, 38
+Blood: Rain of swords, 15
+Cave (Hallmund's): Kettle, where waters fall from great
+    ice-wall, 160
+Fight: Dart's breath, 15
+    Dart-shower, 43
+    Gale of death, 15
+    Gale of swords, 95
+    Hilda's[22] weather, 95
+    Iron-rain, 234
+    Mist's[22] mystery, 95
+    Odin's gale; Odin's storm, 143, 190
+    Shield-fire's thunder, 6
+    Shield-rain, 215
+    Spears' breath, 170
+    Spear-shower, 138
+    Spear-storm, 234
+    Sword-shower, 81
+
+Gallows: Sigar's meed for lovesome deed, (Sigarr hung Hag-bard
+    the Viking for having befooled his daughter), 157
+Gold: Deep sea's flame, 137
+    Dragon's lair, 49
+    Serpent's bed, 215
+    The flame of sea, 49
+    Wave's flashing flame, 49
+    Worm's bed, 41
+    Worm-land, 131
+Grettir (an Eddaic name for a serpent): Fell-creeping lad, 86
+Head: Thoughts' burg, 76
+Man: Elm-stalk, 136
+    Gold-scatterer, 181
+    Helm-stalk, 136
+    Jewel-strewer, 30
+    Lessener of the flame of sea, 49
+    Lessener of waves' flashing flame, 49
+    Ring-bearer, 68
+    Ring-strewer, 30
+    Scatterer of serpent's bed, 215
+    Wormland's haunter, 137
+    Snatcher of worm's bed, 41
+Mouth: Tofts of tooth-hedge, 124
+Sailor: He who decks the reindeer's side that 'twixt ness and
+    ness doth glide, 43
+Rider of wind-driven steed, 41
+Sea-steeds' rider, 81; Shield: Roof of war, 215
+Spear-walk, 12
+Ship: Reindeer that 'twixt ness and ness doth glide, 43
+    Sea-steed, 81
+    Steed of the rollers, 17
+    Wind-driven steed, 41
+Skald: Giver forth of Odin's mead (Svein of Bank), 137
+Sword: Byrni's flame, 76
+
+[Footnote 22: Hilda (Hildr) and Mist, goddesses of fight and
+manslaughter.]
+
+Sword: Helmfire, 50, 136
+    Man's-bane, 41
+    War-flame, 199
+    Whiting of the shield, 21
+    Wound-worm, 114
+Thor: Sifs lord, 157
+Warrior: Arrow-dealer, 114
+    Axe-breaker, 2
+    Begetter of fight, 49
+    Brand-whetter, 17
+    Breaker of the bow, 50
+    Foreteller of spear-shower, 138
+Warrior: Grove of Hedin's maid, 125
+    Raiser-up of roof of war, 215
+    Spear-grove, 59
+    Stem of shield, 190
+    Sword-player, 199
+    War-god, 66
+    Wound-worm's tower, 114
+Wool-combe: Hook-clawed bird, 31
+Woman: Giver forth of gold, 59
+    Goddess of red gold, 137
+    Ground of gold, 30
+    Son of golden stall, 190
+    Warder of horns' wave, 181
+
+
+
+
+PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL SAYINGS THAT OCCUR IN THE STORY.
+
+PAGE
+
+A friend should warn a friend of ill ............................. 30
+Ale is another man ............................................... 55
+All must fare when they are fetched............................... 188
+All things bide their day......................................... 218
+All will come to an end .......................................... 233
+Bare is the back of the brotherless .............................. 241
+Best to bairn is mother still .................................... 41
+Bewail he, who brought the woe ................................... 175
+Broad spears are about now ....................................... 133
+Deeds done will be told of ....................................... 224
+Even so shall bale be bettered by biding greater bale ............ 140
+For one thing alone will I not be known .......................... 192
+From ill cometh ill .............................................. 105
+Good luck and goodliness are twain ............................... 105
+Hand for wont doth yearn ......................................... 226
+Hottest is the fire that lies on oneself ......................... 176
+Ill deed gains ill hap ..........................................  188
+Ill heed still to ill doth lead .................................  121
+Ill if a thrall is thine only friend ............................. 240
+Ill it is ill to be .............................................. 165
+Ill it is to goad the foolhardy .................................. 30
+Let one oak have what from the other it shaves ................... 67
+Little can cope with cunning of eld .............................. 205
+Long it takes to try a man ....................................... 61
+Many a man lies hid within himself ............................... 203
+Many a man stretches round the door to the lock .................. 86
+More one knows the more one tries ................................ 30
+No man makes himself ............................................. 125
+Now this, now that has strokes in his garth ...................... 125
+Odd haps are worst haps .......................................... 37
+Oft a listening ear in the holt is anear ......................... 173
+Oft fail in wisdom folk of better trust .......................... 32
+Old friends are the last to sever ................................ 240
+One may be apaid of a man's aid .................................. 44
+Overpraised, and first to fail ................................... 132
+Sooth is the sage's guess ........................................ 92
+Swear loud and say little ........................................ 266
+The lower must lowt .............................................. 267
+The nigher the call, the further the man ......................... 211
+Things boded will happen, so will things unboded ................. 32
+Though the spoon has taken it up, yet the mouth has had no sup ... 168
+Thralls wreak themselves at once, dastards never ................. 35
+Thrice of yore have all things happed ............................ 262
+To the goat-house for wool ....................................... 226
+With hell's man are dealings ill ................................. 176
+Woe is before one's own door when it is inside
+one's neighbour's ................................................ 105
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Grettir The Strong
+by Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris
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