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Page 49
CHAPTER XLIV
SETTLEMENT OF THE FEUD AT THE HUNAVATN THING
Thorbfron Oxmain took up the suit arising from the death of
Thorir's sons. He prepared his case against Grim and Atli, and
they prepared their defence on the grounds that the brothers had
attacked them wrongfully and were, therefore, "ohelgir." The
case was brought before the Hunavatn Thing and both sides
appeared in force. Atli had many connections, and was,
therefore, strongly supported. Then those who were friends of
both came forward and tried to effect a reconciliation; they
urged that Atli was a man of good position and peacefully
disposed, though fearless enough when driven into a strait.
Thorbjorn felt that no other honourable course was open to him
but to agree to a reconciliation. Atli made it a condition that
there should be no sentence of banishment either from the
district or the country. Then men were appointed to arbitrate:
Thorvald Asgeirsson on behalf of Atli, and Solvi the Proud on
behalf of Thorbjorn. This Solvi was a son of Asbrand, the son of
Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring who had settled in Vatnsnes,
taking land as far as Ambattara to the West, and to the East up
to the Thvera and across to Bjargaoss and the whole side of
Bjorg as far as the sea. Solvi was a person of much display, but
a man of sense, and therefore Thorbjorn chose him as his
arbitrator.
The decree of the arbitrators was that half penalties should be
paid for Thorir's sons and half should be remitted on account of
the wrongful attack which they made and their designs on Atli's
life. The slaying of Atli's man at Hrutafjardarhals should be
set off against the two of theirs who had been killed. Grim the
son of Thorhall was banished from his district and the penalties
were to be paid by Atli. Atli was satisfied with this award, but
Thorbjorn was not; they parted nominally reconciled, but
Thorbjorn let drop some words to the effect that it was not over
yet if all happened as he desired.
Atli rode home from the Thing after thanking Thorvald for his
assistance. Grim the son of Thorhall betook himself to the South
to Borgarfjord and dwelt at Gilsbakki, where he was known as a
worthy bondi.
CHAPTER XLV
ATLI MURDERED BY THORBJORN OXMAIN
There was dwelling with Thorbjorn Oxmain a man whose name was
Ali, a servant, rather stubborn and lazy. Thorbjorn told him he
must work better or he would be beaten. Ali said he had no mind
for work and became abusive. Thorbjorn was not going to endure
that, and got him down and handled him roughly. After that Ali
ran away and went to the North across the neck to Midfjord; he
did not stop till he reached Bjarg. Atli was at home and asked
whither he was going. He said he was seeking an engagement.
"Are you not a servant of Thorbjorn?" Atli asked.
"We did not get on with our bargain. I was not there long, but
it seemed to me a bad place while I was there. Our parting was
in such a way that his song on my throat did not please me. I
will never go back there, whatever becomes of me. And it is true
that there is a great difference between you two in the way you
treat your servants. I would be glad to take service with you if
there is a place, for me."
Atli said: "I have servants enough without stretching forth my
hands for those whom Thorbjorn has hired. You seem an impatient
man and had better go back to him."
"I am not going there of my own free will," said Ali.
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