r Steinolf of Hraundal and cleft his skull down to his shoulders; then
he struck at Thorgils the son of Ingjald and almost cut him in two. Then
Thrand tried to spring forward and avenge his kinsmen, and Grettir hewed
at his right thigh, cutting out all the muscles so that he could fight
no more. Next he gave Finnbogi a severe wound. Then Thorarin ordered
them off. "The longer you fight," he said, "the worse you will get from
him and the more will he choose out the men from your company."

They obeyed and fell back. Ten had fallen; five were wounded to death or
crippled, and nearly all who had been in the battle were hurt. Grettir
was terribly fatigued but little wounded. The Myramen drew off, having
suffered heavy losses, for many a good man had fallen. Those who were
beyond the river came over slowly and did not arrive till the fight was
over, and when they saw the plight of their men Arnor would not risk
himself any further, for which he was much blamed by his father and by
others. Men thought he was not much of a warrior. The place where they
fought is now called Grettisoddi.

Grettir and his companions were all wounded; they took their horses and
rode back along the foot of the mountain. When they reached Fagraskogar
Eyjolf was behind. There was a bondi's daughter there and she asked for
their tidings, which Grettir told her fully and spoke a verse:

"Goddess of horn-floods! Steinolf's wounds
are such that scarcely may be healed.
Of Thorgils' life is little hope;
his bones are smashed; eight more are dead."

Then Grettir went to his retreat and spent the winter there.

CHAPTER LXI. GRETTIR WINTERS UNDER THE GEITLAND GLACIER

The next time that Bjorn met Grettir he told him that this was a very
serious affair, and that he would not be able to stay there in peace
much longer. "You have killed kinsmen and friends of mine, but I will
not depart from my promise to you so long as you are here."

Grettir said he was sorry to have given him offence, but that he had to
defend his hands and his life. Bjorn said it would have to remain
so. Soon there came to him some of the men who had lost their kinsmen
through Grettir and petitioned him not to allow such a ruffian as he was
to stay there any longer and molest them. Bjorn said he would do as they
desired directly the winter was over.

Thrand the son of Thorarin of Akrar had now recovered from his wound. He
was a man of much worth, and had