liant. He
remembered the talk which he had had with Grettir in days long past
about his arms, and obtained news of Angle's movements. They were both
in Norway that winter, but Thorbjorn was in the North and Thorsteinn in
Tunsberg, so that they did not see each other. Angle knew, however,
that Grettir had a brother in Norway, and did not feel very secure in
a strange country; so he asked advice as to what he had better do. In
those days many of the Norsemen used to go to Mikligard [2] to take
service. Thorbjorn thought it would suit him very well to go there and
earn wealth and glory instead of staying in the northern parts where
there were relations of Grettir. So he made ready to leave Norway,
embarked, and did not stop until he reached Constantinople, and obtained
service there.

ENDNOTES:

[Footnote 2: Constantinople.]

CHAPTER LXXXVI. GRETTIR'S DEATH AVENGED BY HIS BROTHER THORSTEINN
DROMUND

Thorsteinn Dromund was a wealthy man and highly thought of. On hearing
of Angle's departure to Constantinople he handed over his property to
his kinsmen and followed him, dogging his movements as he went,
without Angle knowing. He reached Constantinople very soon after Angle,
intending at all costs to kill him. Neither knew of the other.

Both wanted to be received into the Varangian Guards, and their offer
was well received directly it was known that they were Norsemen. At that
time Michael Catalactus was king over Constantinople. Thorsteinn Dromund
watched for an opportunity of meeting Angle where he might recognise
him, but failed amidst the crowd, so he kept on the watch, caring little
for his own well-being and ever thinking how much he had lost.

The next thing that happened was that the Varangians were ordered on
field service for the defence of the country. The custom and the law
were that before they marched a review was held for the inspection
of their weapons; this was done on the present occasion. On the day
appointed for the review all the Varangians and all who were marching
with them had to appear and show their arms. Thorsteinn and Angle both
presented themselves. Thorbjorn was the first to show his weapons and
he presented the sword Grettisnaut. As he showed it all marvelled and
declared that it was indeed a noble weapon, but said it was a bad fault
that a piece was out of the middle of the edge, and they asked how that
had come about. Angle said that was a tale worth telling.

"The first thi