just as before; this time the
servant disappeared. People thought it very strange and found some drops
of blood upon the outer door, so they supposed that some evil spirit
must have carried off both the men. The story spread all through the
district and came to the ears of Grettir, who being well accustomed to
deal with ghosts and spectres turned his steps to Bardardal and arrived
at Yule-eve at Sandhaugar. He retained his disguise and called himself
Gest. The lady of the house saw that he was enormously tall, and the
servants were terribly afraid of him. He asked for hospitality; the
mistress told him that food was ready for him but that he must see after
himself. He said he would, and added: "I will stay in the house while
you go to mass if you would like it."

She said: "You must be a brave man to venture to stay in the house."

"I do not care for a monotonous life," he said.

Then she said: "I do not want to remain at home, but I cannot get across
the river."

"I will come with you," said Gest. Then she made ready to go to mass
with her little daughter. It was thawing outside; the river was flooded
and was covered with ice. She said: "It is impossible for either man or
horse to cross the river."

"There must be fords," said Gest; "do not be afraid."

"First carry the maiden over," she said; "she is lighter."

"I don't want to make two journeys of it," said he; "I will carry you in
my arms."

She crossed herself and said: "That is impossible; what will you do with
the girl?"

"I will find a way," he said, taking them both up and setting the girl
on her mother's knee as he bore them both on his left arm, keeping his
right arm free. So he carried them across. They were too frightened to
cry out. The river came up to his breast, and a great piece of ice drove
against him, which he pushed off with the hand that was free. Then the
stream became so deep that it broke over his shoulder, but he waded on
vigorously till he reached the other bank and put them on shore. It was
nearly dark by the time he got home to Sandhaugar and called for some
food. When he had eaten something he told the servants to go to the
other end of the hall. Then he got some boards and loose logs and laid
them across the hall to make a great barricade so that none of the
servants could get across. No one dared to oppose him or to object to
anything. The entrance was in the side wall of the hall under the back
gable, and near it was a cross