o that the blow took off all
the muscle, and straightway was he unmeet for fight; and thereafter
withal a great wound Grettir gave to Finnbogi.

Then Thorarin cried out and bade them fall back, "For the longer ye
fight the worse ye will get of him, and he picks out men even as he
willeth from your company."

So did they, and turned away; and there had ten men fallen, and five
were wounded to death, or crippled, but most of those who had been at
that meeting had some hurt or other; Grettir was marvellously wearied
and yet but a little wounded.

And now the Marsh-men made off with great loss of men, for many stout
fellows had fallen there.

But those on the other side of the river fared slowly, and came not up
till the meeting was all done; and when they saw how ill their men
had fared, then Arnor would not risk himself, and much rebuke he got
therefor from his father and many others; and men are minded to think
that he was no man of prowess.

Now that place where they fought is called Grettir's-point to-day.

CHAP. LXI.

<i>How Grettir left Fairwoodfell, and of his abiding in
Thorir's-dale</i>.

But Grettir and his men took horse and rode up to the fell, for they
were all wounded, and when they came to Fairwood there was Eyolf left;
the farmer's daughter was out of doors, and asked for tidings; Grettir
told all as clearly as might be, and sang a stave withal--

"O thou warder of horn's wave,
Not on this side of the grave
Will Steinulf s head be whole again;
Many more there gat their bane;
Little hope of Thorgils now
After that bone-breaking blow:
Eight Gold-scatterers more they say,
Dead along the river lay."

Thereafter Grettir went to his lair and sat there through the winter;
but when he and Biorn met, Biorn said to him, that he deemed that much
had been done; "and no peace thou wilt have here in the long run: now
hast thou slain both kin and friends of mine, yet shall I not cast
aside what I have promised thee whiles thou art here."

Grettir said he must needs defend his hands and life, "but ill it is
if thou mislikest it."

Biorn said that things must needs be as they were.

A little after came men to Biorn who had lost kinsmen at Grettir's
hands, and bade him not to suffer that riotous man to abide there
longer in their despite; and Biorn said that it should be as they
would as soon as the winter was over.

Now Thrand, the son of Thorarin of Acres, was healed; a stout m