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Page 48
Atli became a great bondi and kept a large establishment. He was
a great dealer in household provisions. Towards the end of the
summer he went to Snaefellsnes to get dried fish. He drove
several horses with him and rode from home to Melar in Hrutafjord
to his brother-in-law, Gamli. Then Grim, the son of Thorhall,
Gamli's brother, made ready to accompany him along with another
man. They rode West by way of Haukadalsskard and the road which
leads out to the Ness, where they bought much fish and carried it
away on seven horses; when all was ready they turned homewards.
CHAPTER XLIII
THE SONS OF THORIR OF SKARD ARE SLAIN BY ATLI AND GRIM
Thorbjorn Oxmain heard of Atli and Grim having left home just
when Gunnar and Thorgeir, the sons of Thorir of Skard, were with
him. Thorbjorn was jealous of Atli's popularity and egged on the
two brothers, the sons of Thorir, to lie in wait for him as he
returned from Snaefellsnes. They rode home to Skard and waited
there for Atli returning with his loads. They could see the
party from their house as they passed Skard, and made ready
quickly to pursue them with their servants. Atli on seeing them
ordered his horses to be unloaded.
"Perhaps," he said, "they want to offer me compensation for my
man whom Gunnar slew last summer. We will not be the first to
attack, but if they begin fighting us we will defend ourselves."
Then they came up and at once sprang off their horses. Atli
greeted them and asked what news there was, and whether Gunnar
desired to offer him some compensation for his servant. Gunnar
answered:
"You men of Bjarg, you deserve something else than that I should
pay compensation for him with my goods. Thorbjorn whom Grettir
slew is worth a higher atonement than he."
"I have not to answer for that," said Atli, "nor are you the
representative of Thorbjorn."
Gunnar said it would have to be so nevertheless. "And now," he
cried, "let us go for them and profit by Grettir being away."
There were eight of them, and they set upon Atli's six. Atli led
on his men and drew the sword Jokulsnaut which Grettir had given
him. Thorgeir cried: "Good men are alike in many things. High
did Grettir bear his sword last summer on Hrutafjardarhals."
Atli answered: "He is more accustomed to deeds of strength than I
am."
Then they fought. Gunnar made a resolute attack on Atli, and
fought fiercely. After they had battled for a time Atli said:
"There is nothing to be gained by each of us killing the other's
followers. The simplest course would be for us to play together,
for I have never fought with weapons before."
Gunnar, however, would not have it. Atli bade his servants look
to the packs, and he would see what the others would do. He made
such a vigorous onslaught that Gunnar's men fell back, and he
killed two of them. Then he turned upon Gunnar himself and
struck a blow that severed his shield right across below the
handle, and the sword struck his leg below the knee. Then with
another rapid blow he killed him.
In the meantime Grim, the son of Thorhall, was engaging Thorgeir,
and a long tussle there was, both of them being men of great
valour. When Thorgeir saw his brother Gunnar fall he wanted to
get away, but Grim pressed upon him and pursued him until at last
his foot tripped and he fell forward. Then Grim struck him with
an axe between the shoulders, inflicting a deep wound. To the
three followers who were left they gave quarter. Then they bound
up their wounds, reloaded the packs on to the horses and went
home, giving information of the battle. Atli stayed at home with
a strong guard of men that autumn. Thorbjorn Oxmain was not at
all pleased, but could do nothing, because Atli was very wary.
Grim was with him for the winter, and his brother-in-law Gamli.
Another brother-in-law, Glum the son of Ospak from Eyr in Bitra,
was with them too. They had a goodly array of men settled at
Bjarg, and there was much merriment there during the winter.
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