arly all the sheep. One ram, it is told, they allowed to
live; it was grey below and had large horns. They had much sport
with it, for it was very tame and would stand outside and follow them
wherever they went. It came to the hut in the evening and rubbed its
horns against the door. They lived very comfortably, having plenty
to eat from the birds on the island and their eggs, nor had they much
trouble in gathering wood for fire. Grettir always employed the man to
collect the drift, and there were often logs cast ashore there which he
brought home for fuel. The brothers had no need to work beyond going to
the cliffs, which they did whenever they chose. The thrall began to
get very slack at his work; he grumbled much and was less careful than
before. It was his duty to mind the fire every night, and Grettir bade
him be very careful of it as they had no boat with them. One night it
came to pass that the fire went out. Grettir was very angry and said it
would only be right that Glaum should have a hiding. The thrall said
he had a very poor life of it to have to lie there in exile and be
ill-treated and beaten if anything went wrong. Grettir asked Illugi what
was to be done, and he said he could think of nothing else but to wait
until a ship brought them some fire.

Grettir said that would be a very doubtful chance to wait for. "I will
venture it," he said, "and see whether I can reach the land."

"That is a desperate measure," said Illugi. "We shall be done for if you
miscarry."

"I shall not drown in the channel," he said. "I shall trust the thrall
less in future since he has failed in a matter of such moment to us."

The shortest passage from the island to the mainland is one sea-mile.

CHAPTER LXXV. GRETTIR SWIMS TO THE MAINLAND FOR FIRE

Grettir then prepared for his swim. He wore a cloak of coarse material
with breeches and had his fingers webbed. The weather was fine; he left
the island towards the evening. Illugi thought his journey was hopeless.
Grettir had the current with him and it was calm as he swam towards the
fjord. He smote the water bravely and reached Reykjanes after sunset.
He went into the settlement at Reykir, bathed in the night in a warm
spring, and then entered the hall, where it was very hot and a little
smoky from the fire which had been burning there all day. He was very
tired and slept soundly, lying on right into the day. When it was a
little way on in the morning the servants rose