d the
bondi, who had got all the tools for digging ready, went with Grettir to
the howe. Grettir broke open the grave, and worked with all his might,
never stopping until he came to wood, by which time the day was already
spent. He tore away the woodwork; Audun implored him not to go down, but
Grettir bade him attend to the rope, saying that he meant to find out
what it was that dwelt there. Then he descended into the howe. It was
very dark and the odour was not pleasant. He began to explore how it was
arranged, and found the bones of a horse. Then he knocked against a sort
of throne in which he was aware of a man seated. There was much treasure
of gold and silver collected together, and a casket under his feet, full
of silver. Grettir took all the treasure and went back towards the rope,
but on his way he felt himself seized by a strong hand. He left the
treasure to close with his aggressor and the two engaged in a merciless
struggle. Everything about them was smashed. The howedweller made a
ferocious onslaught. Grettir for some time gave way, but found that no
holding back was possible. They did not spare each other. Soon they came
to the place where the horse's bones were lying, and here they struggled
for long, each in turn being brought to his knees. At last it ended in
the howedweller falling backwards with a horrible crash, whereupon Audun
above bolted from the rope, thinking that Grettir was killed. Grettir
then drew his sword Jokulsnaut, cut off the head of the howedweller and
laid it between his thighs. Then he went with the treasure to the rope,
but finding Audun gone he had to swarm up the rope with his hands. First
he tied the treasure to the lower end of the rope, so that he could haul
it up after him. He was very stiff from his struggle with Kar, but he
turned his steps towards Thorfinn's house, carrying the treasure along
with him. He found them all at supper. Thorfinn cast a severe glance at
him and asked what he had found so pressing to do that he could not keep
proper hours like other men.

"Many a trifle happens at eve," he replied.

Then he brought out all the treasure which he had taken from the howe
and laid it on the table. One thing there was upon which more than
anything else Grettir cast his eyes, a short sword, which he declared to
be finer than any weapon which he had ever seen. It was the last thing
that he showed. Thorfinn opened his eyes when he saw the sword, for it
was an heirloom of h