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Page 35
On the same day Thorbjorn Oxmain had ridden across the neck to
Burfell, and as he returned with Thorbjorn Slowcoach, Gunnar and
Thorgeir, the sons of Thorir, and Thorodd Drapustuf, he saw the
fight going on. On coming up, Thorbjorn called upon his men to
go between them, but they were struggling so furiously that
nobody could get at them. Grettir was making a clean sweep of
everything round him. Before him were the sons of Thorir. He
pushed them back and they both fell over. This made them
furious, and the consequence was that Gunnar gave a blow to one
of Atli's men which killed him. Thorbjorn on seeing that ordered
them to separate, saying that he would give his support to
whichever side obeyed him. By then two of Kormak's men had
fallen. Grettir saw that it would scarcely do if Thorbjorn
joined the opposite side, so he gave up the battle. All those
who had fought were wounded. Grettir was much disgusted at their
being separated, but both parties rode home and were not
reconciled on this occasion.
Thorbjorn Slowcoach made great game of all this, and the
relations between the men of Bjarg and Thorbjorn Oxmain became
strained in consequence, until at last there was a regular feud,
which however broke out later. No compensation was offered to
Atli for his man, and he went on as if he knew nothing of it.
Grettir stayed at Bjarg till the Tvi-month. It is not known that
he and Kormak ever met again; at least it is not mentioned
anywhere.
CHAPTER XXXI
GRETTIR'S VAIN ENDEAVOUR TO PROVOKE BARDI
Bardi the son of Gudmund and his brothers rode home to
Asbjarnarnes when they left Grettir. They were the sons of
Gudmund the son of Solmund. Solmund's mother was Thorlaug,
daughter of Saemund the Southerner, the foster-brother of
Ingimund the Old. Bardi was a man of great distinction. Soon he
went to see his foster-father Thorarin the Wise, who welcomed him
and asked what help he had been able to obtain, for Bardi's
journey had been arranged beforehand by them both. Bardi
answered that he had engaged a man whose help he thought worth
more than that of two others. Thorarin was silent for a moment
and then said: "That must be Grettir the son of Asmund."
"The guess of the wise is truth," said Bardi. "That is the very
man, my foster-father."
Thorarin answered: "It is true that Grettir is beyond all other
men of whom there is now choice in the country; nor will he be
easily subdued by arms so long as he is sound. But great
arrogance is in him now, and I have misgivings as to his luck.
It is important for you that all your men on your expedition are
not men of an evil star. It is enough if he does not fare with
you. He shall not come if my counsel is followed."
"I did not expect, my foster-father," said he, "that you would
deny me the man who is bravest in all that he undertakes. A man
in such straits as I seem to be in cannot provide against
everything."
"It will be better for you," he replied, "to let me provide."
So it came about that as Thorarin desired, word was not sent to
Grettir. Bardi went to the South and the battle of the Heath was
fought.
Grettir was at Bjarg when he received the news that Bardi had
started on his expedition. He was very angry that word had not
been sent to him, and said it should not end there. He found out
when they were expected back from the South, and rode off to
Thoreyjargnup, where he meant to lie in wait for Bardi and his
men as they rode back. He left the homestead behind and remained
at the cliffs. On that day rode Bardi back from the battle of
the Heath from Tvidaegra; there were six of them in his party,
all sorely wounded. When they came to the homestead Bardi said:
"There is a man up there on the cliff, very tall and armed. Whom
do you take him for?"
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