ny 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