tir got into the mead, and when he came within spear-throw of
them, he cast his spear at Thorbiorn, but the head was looser on the
shaft than he deemed it would be, and it swerved in its flight, and
fell down from the shaft to the earth: then Thorbiorn took his shield,
and put it before him, but drew his sword and went against Grettir
when he knew him; then Grettir drew his short-sword, and turned about
somewhat, so that he saw how the lad stood at his back, wherefore he
kept himself free to move here or there, till he saw that the lad was
come within reach of him, and therewith he raised the short-sword
high aloft, and sent it back against Arnor's head so mightily that the
skull was shattered, and that was his bane. Then Thorbiorn ran against
Grettir and smote at him, but he thrust forth his buckler with his
left hand, and put the blow from him, and smote with the short-sword
withal, and cleft the shield of Thorbiorn, and the short-sword smote
so hard into his head that it went even unto the brain, and he fell
dead to earth beneath that stroke, nor did Grettir give him any other
wound.

Then he sought for his spear-head, and found it not; so he went to his
horse and rode out to Reeks, and there told of the slayings. Withal
the woman who was in the meadow saw the slayings, and ran home full of
fear, and said that Thorbiorn was slain, and his son both; this took
those of the house utterly unawares, for they knew nought of Grettir's
travelling. So were men sent for to the next homestead, and soon came
many folk, and brought the bodies to church. Thorod Drapa-Stump took
up the blood-suit for these slayings and had folk a-field forthwith.

But Grettir rode home to Biarg, and found his mother, and told her
what had happed; and she was glad thereat, and said that now he got to
be like unto the Waterdale kin. "Yet will this be the root and stem of
thine outlawry, and I know for sooth that thou mayest not abide here
long because of the kin of Thorbiorn; but now may they know that thou
mayest be angered."

Grettir sang this stave thereupon--

"Giant's friend fell dead to earth
On the grass of Wetherfirth,
No fierce fighting would avail,
Oxmain in the Odin's gale.
So, and in no other wise,
Has been paid a fitting price
For that Atli, who of yore,
Lay dead-slain anigh his door."

Goodwife Asdis said that was true; "But I know not what rede thou art
minded to take?"

Grettir said that he would seek help o