cost, directly I can get him."

Then the jarl rose quickly up and refused to hear any more about
atonement. They all went home with Thorsteinn and made their
preparations, whereupon the jarl ordered all the men of his guard under
arms and went forth with a large force. Before they came up, Grettir's
friends had made ready to defend the house. Thorfinn, Thorsteinn,
Grettir himself, and Bersi were in the forefront, each with a large
force of followers behind him. The jarl summoned them to give up
Grettir, and not to bring trouble on themselves. They repeated their
former offers, but the jarl would not listen to them. Thorfinn and
Thorsteinn said that more was at stake for the jarl than the taking of
Grettir's life. "One fate shall fall upon us all," they cried, "and men
shall say that you have given much for the life of one man when we are
all laid low with the ground."

The jarl said he would spare none of them, and they were on the very
verge of a battle when many of the well-disposed men came up to him and
begged him not to land himself in such a difficulty. He should bear
in mind that these men would work great havoc among his own followers
before they fell. The jarl thought this counsel was wise and let himself
be somewhat appeased. Then the terms of atonement were settled. Thorfinn
and Thorsteinn were ready to pay so long as Grettir's life was spared.
The jarl said: "You must know that although I agree to this compromise,
I do not consider it a full amnesty. Only I have no mind to fight
against my own men, although they appear to hold me of little account in
the matter."

Thorfinn said: "Yours is all the greater honour, my lord, that you will
have the fixing of the penalty yourself."

The jarl said that Grettir should have leave from him to depart from the
country in peace for Iceland, directly there was a ship leaving, if so
it seemed good to them. They agreed and paid the money to the jarl to
his satisfaction. They parted with little friendship. Grettir went
with Thorfinn after bidding an affectionate farewell to his brother
Thorsteinn.

Thorfinn earned great honour for the support which he had given Grettir
against such odds as he had to deal with. Not one of the men who had
helped Grettir was ever received into favour again with the jarl,
excepting Bersi.

Grettir then spoke:

"Comrade of Odin, Thorfinn was born
to rescue my life from the fangs of Hel.
No less was Thorsteinn Dromund's ai