f the door, and saw no one without.
Exceeding wet it was, therefore he went not out, but laid a hand on
either door-post, and so peered about him.

In that point of time Thorbiorn swung round before the door, and
thrust the spear with both hands amidst of Atli, so that it pierced
him through.

Then said Atli, when he got the thrust, "<i>Broad spears are about
now</i>," says he, and fell forward over the threshold.

Then came out women who had been in the chamber, and saw that Atli was
dead. By then was Thorbiorn on horseback, and he gave out the slaying
as having been done by his hand, and thereafter rode home.

The goodwife Asdis sent for her men, and Atli's corpse was laid out,
and he was buried beside his father. Great mourning folk made for his
death, for he had been a wise man, and of many friends.

No weregild came for the slaying of Atli, nor did any claim atonement
for him, because Grettir had the blood-suit to take up if he should
come out; so these matters stood still for that summer. Thorbiorn
was little thanked for that deed of his; but he sat at peace in his
homestead.

CHAP. XLVI.

<i>Grettir outlawed at the Thing at the Suit of Thorir of Garth</i>.

This summer, whereof the tale was telling e'en now, a ship came out
to Goose-ere before the Thing. Then was the news told of Grettir's
travels, and therewithal men spake of that house-burning; and at that
story was Thorir of Garth mad wroth, and deemed that there whereas
Grettir was he had to look for vengeance for his sons. He rode with
many men and set forth at the Thing the case for the burning, but
men deemed they knew nought to say therein, while there was none to
answer.

Thorir said that he would have nought, but that Grettir should be made
an outlaw throughout the land for such misdeeds.

Then answered Skapti the Lawman, "Surely an ill deed it is, if things
are as is said; but a tale is half told if one man tells it, for most
folk are readiest to bring their stories to the worser side when there
are two ways of telling them; now, therefore, I shall not give my word
that Grettir be made guilty for this that has been done."

Now Thorir was a man of might in his district and a great chief, and
well befriended of many great men; and he pushed on matters so hard
that nought could avail to acquit Grettir; and so this Thorir made
Grettir an outlaw throughout all the land, and was ever thenceforth
the heaviest of all his foes, as things w