orne it long enough, but Grettir's fingers were so tightly
locked around the hilt that he could not loosen them. Many tried before
they gave it up, eight of them in turn, but all failed. Angle then said:
"Why should we spare a forest-man? Lay his hand upon the log."

They did so, and he hewed off the hand at the wrist. Then the fingers
straightened and were loosed from the hilt. Angle took his sword in both
hands and hewed at Grettir's head. So mighty was the blow that the sword
could not hold against it, and a piece was broken out of the edge. When
asked why he spoilt a good weapon, he replied: "It will be more easily
known if there be any question."

They said this was unnecessary, as the man was dead before. "I will do
more," he said, and struck two or three blows at Grettir's neck before
he took off his head. Then he said:

"Now I know for certain that Grettir is dead; a great man of war have we
laid even with the earth. We will take his head with us, for I have no
wish to lose the money which was put upon it. There shall not be any
doubt that it was I who slew Grettir."

They said he might do as he pleased, but they felt much disgusted, and
thought his conduct contemptible.

Then Angle said to Illugi: "It is a great pity that a man so valiant as
you should have committed such a folly as to cast in your lot with this
outlaw and follow his evil ways, at last to die unatoned."

Illugi answered: "When the All-Thing is over next summer you shall know
who are outlawed. Neither you nor the woman, your foster-mother, shall
judge this case, for it is your spells and sorcery that have killed
Grettir, though you bore your iron weapons against him when he was
at the door of death. Many a base deed did you do over and above your
witchcraft."

Angle said: "You speak bravely, but it shall not be so. I will show how
I value you by sparing your life if you will swear by your honour
to take no vengeance upon any person who has been with us on this
occasion."

"I might have thought of it," he said, "if Grettir had been able to
defend himself or if you had killed him in honourable battle. But now
you need not hope that I will try to save my life by becoming a poltroon
like you. I tell you at once that if I live no man shall be more
burdensome to you than I. Long will it be before I forget how you have
dealt with Grettir; far sooner will I choose to die."

Then Thorbjorn consulted with his companions whether they should allow