CHAPTER LXXI

THE BONDIS CLAIM THEIR PROPERTY IN DRANGEY

Midwinter was passed, and the bondis prepared to bring in their animals from the island for slaughter.  They manned a boat and each had a man of his own on board, some two.

When they reached the island they saw men on it moving about.  They thought it very strange, but supposed that some one had been wrecked and had gone on shore there.  So they rowed to where the ladders were.  The people on the shore pulled the ladders up.  This seemed very strange behaviour and they hailed the men and asked who they were.  Grettir told his name and those of his companions.  The bondis asked who had taken them out to the island.

Grettir answered:  “He brought me out who took me here, and had hands, and was more my friend than yours.”

The bondis said:  “Let us take our animals and come to the land with us.  You shall have freely whatever you have taken of our property.”

Grettir said:  “That is a good offer; but each of us shall have that which he has got.  I may tell you at once that hence I go not, unless I am dead or dragged away; nor will I let go that which my hands have taken.”

The bondis said no more, but thought that most unhappy visitors had come to Drangey.  They offered money and made many fair promises, but Grettir refused them all, and so they had to return home much disgusted, having accomplished nothing.  They told all the people of the district of the wolves who had come into the island.  This had come upon them unawares and nothing could be done.  They talked it over that winter but could think of no way of getting Grettir out of the island.

CHAPTER LXXII

GRETTIR VISITS THE THING AT HEGRANES

The time passed on until the spring, when men assembled at the Hegranes Thing.  They came in great numbers from all the districts under its jurisdiction, and stayed there a long time, both palavering and merry-making, for there were many who loved merriment in the country round.

When Grettir heard that everybody had gone to the Thing he laid a plan with his friends, for he was always on good terms with those who were nearest to him, and for them he spared nothing which he was able to get.  He said he would go to the land to get supplies and that Illugi and Glaum should remain behind.  Illugi thought it very imprudent but he let Grettir have his way.  He told them to guard the ladder well since everything depended upon that.  Then he went to the land and obtained what he wanted.  He kept his disguise wherever he went and no one knew that he had come.  He heard of the festivities that were going on at the Thing and was curious to see them, so he put on some old clothes that were rather shabby and arrived just as they were going from the Logretta home to their booths.  Some of the