ared thereat. The jarl brought a charge
of manslaughter against Grettir, who admitted it and said that he had
been obliged to defend himself. "I bear the marks of it," he said. "I
should have been killed if Arnbjorn had not defended me."

The jarl said it was a pity he had not been killed, for this affair
would lead to many a man being slain if he lived.

There had come to the jarl's court Bersi the son of Skaldtorfa,
Grettir's comrade and friend. He and Thorfinn stepped before the jarl
and begged for pardon for Grettir. They asked that the jarl should
decide the matter himself as he thought best, only that Grettir should
have his life and the freedom of the country. The jarl was averse to any
terms being granted to him, but gave way to their entreaties. He granted
immunity to Grettir until the spring, but not absolutely until Gunnar
the brother of Bjorn and Hjarrandi should be present. Gunnar was a
landed proprietor in Tunsberg.

In the spring the jarl ordered Grettir and Thorfinn to appear at
Tunsberg, where he himself intended to be while the shipping was
assembled. So thither they went, and found the jarl was already in the
town. There Grettir met his brother Thorsteinn Dromund, who greeted
him joyfully and invited him to be his guest. He was a landowner in the
town. Grettir told him all about his case, and Thorsteinn took his view
of it, but told him to beware of Gunnar. So the spring passed.

CHAPTER XXIV. GRETTIR KILLS GUNNAR. HIS FRIENDS RALLY ROUND HIM AND SAVE
HIM FROM THE VENGEANCE OF THE JARL

Gunnar was in the town and was plotting against Grettir's life. Wherever
he went Gunnar dogged his steps wherever he found a chance of getting
near him. One day Grettir was sitting in a booth and drinking, because
he wanted to keep out of Gunnar's way. Suddenly there was a bang at the
door, so hard that it broke in pieces, and in rushed four men armed and
attacked Grettir. They were Gunnar with his followers. Grettir seized
his arms which were hanging above his head and ran into a corner, where
he defended himself, holding his shield before him, and hewing with
his sword. They made little way against him. One blow he succeeded in
delivering upon one of Gunnar's followers, who needed nothing more. Then
Grettir advanced, driving them before him out of the booth, and killing
another of them. Gunnar would fain have got away with his men, but on
reaching the door he caught his foot on the doorstep, fell over and