e to the Thing and laid a complaint in respect of the
burning, but men thought nothing could be done as long as there was no
one to answer the charge. Thorir insisted that he would be content with
nothing short of banishment for Grettir from the whole country after
such a crime.

Then Skapti the Lawman said: "It certainly was an evil deed if all
really happened as has been told. But One man's tale is but half a tale.
Most people try and manage not to improve a story if there is more
than one version of it. I hold that no judgment should be passed for
Grettir's banishment without further proceedings."

Thorir was a notable person and possessed great influence in the
district; many powerful men were his friends. He pressed his suit so
strongly that nothing could be done to save Grettir. Thorir had him
proclaimed an outlaw throughout the country, and was ever afterwards the
most bitter of his opponents, as he often found. Having put a price upon
his head, as it was usual to do with other outlaws, he rode home. Many
said that the decree was carried more by violence than by law, but it
remained in force. Nothing more happened until after midsummer.

CHAPTER XLVII. GRETTIR RETURNS TO BJARG--SVEINN AND HIS HORSE
SADDLE-HEAD

Later in the summer Grettir the son of Asmund came back to Iceland,
landing in the Hvita in Borgarfjord. People about the district went down
to the ship and all the news came at once upon Grettir, first that his
father was dead, then that his brother was slain, and third that he was
declared outlaw throughout the land. Then he spoke this verse:

"All fell at once upon the bard,
exile, father dead and brother.
Oh man of battle! Many an one
who breaks the swords shall smart for this."

It is told that Grettir changed his manner no whit for these tidings,
but was just as merry as before. He remained on board his ship for a
time because he could not get a horse to suit him.

There was a man named Sveinn who dwelt at Bakki up from Thingnes.

He was a good bondi and a merry companion; he often composed verses
which it was a delight to listen to. He had a brown mare, the swiftest
of horses, which he called Saddle-head. Once Grettir left Vellir in the
night because he did not wish the traders to know of it. He got a black
cape and put it over his clothes to conceal himself. He went up past
Thingnes to Bakki, by which time it was light. Seeing a brown horse in
the meadow he we