s also a man named Thorir of Garth who had been in Norway, and
was a friend of the King; this man was anxious to send out his sons to
become the King's men. The sons accordingly sailed, and came to a
haven at Stead, where they remained some days, during stormy weather.

Grettir also had sailed after them, and the crew bore down on Stead,
being hard put to it by reason of foul weather, snow and frost; and
they were all worn, weary and wet. To save expense they did not put
into the harbour, but lay to beside a dyke, where, though perished with
cold, they could not light a fire.

As the night wore on they saw that a great fire was burning on the
opposite side of the sound up which they had sailed, and fell to
talking and wondering whether any man might fetch that fire.

Grettir said little, but made ready for swimming; he had on but a cape
and sail-cloth breeches. He girt up the cape and tied a rope strongly
round his middle, and had with him a cask; then he leaped overboard and
swam across. There he saw a house, and heard much talking and noise,
so he turned towards it, and found it to be a house of refuge for
coasting sailors; twelve men were inside sitting round a great fire on
the floor, drinking, and these were the sons of Thorir.

When Grettir burst in he knew not who was there; he himself seemed huge
of bulk, for his cape was frozen all over into ice; therefore the men
took him to be some evil troll, and smote at him with anything that lay
to hand; but Grettir put all blows aside, snatched up some firebrands,
and swam therewith back to the ship. Grettir's comrades were mightily
pleased, and bepraised him and his journey and his prowess.

Next morning they crossed the sound, but found no house, only a great
heap of ashes, and therein many bones of men. They asked if Grettir
had done this misdeed; but he said it had happened even as he had
expected.

The men said wherever they came that Grettir had burnt those people;
and the news soon spread that the victims were the sons of Thorir of
Garth.

Grettir therefore now grew into such bad repute that he was driven from
the ship, and scarcely any one would say a good word for him. As
matters were so hopeless he determined to explain all to the King, and
offer to free himself from the slander by handling hot iron without
being burned.

His ill-luck still pursued him, for when all was ready in the Church
where the ceremony was about to take place, a wild-looki