Asmund had Keingala killed.  Many more childish pranks did Grettir play which are not told in the saga.  He now began to grow very big, but men did not clearly know what strength he had because he had never been tried in wrestling.  He kept making verses and ditties which were always a little ironical.  He did not sleep in the common room and was generally very silent.

CHAPTER XV

GAMES AT MIDFJORDVATN

There were then a good many youths growing up in Midfjord.  A certain Skaldtorfa, whose home was in Torfustadir, had a son named Bersi, an accomplished young man and a clever poet.  Two brothers named Kormak and Thorgils lived at Mel and had with them a youth named Odd, who was dependent upon them, and was nicknamed Odd the Needy-Skald.  Another was named Audun; he grew up in Audunarstad in Vididal, a pleasant good-natured youth and the strongest of his age in the North.  Kalf the son of Asgeir and his brother Thorvald lived at Asgeirsa.  Grettir’s brother Atli was then growing to a man; he was most gracious in manners and universally liked.

These youths used to play at ball together at Midfjord Water.  Those from Midfjord and from Vididal used to meet there, and there came many from Vestrhop and Vatnsnes with some from Hrutafjord.  Those who came from afar used to lodge there.  Those who were about equal in the ball-game were matched together, and generally they had much fun in the autumn.  Grettir went to the sports when he was fourteen years old at the request of his brother Atli.  The parties were made up.  Grettir was matched against Audun, the youth already mentioned, who was a few years the elder.  Audun struck the ball over Grettir’s head so that he could not reach it, and it bounded far away over the ice.  Grettir lost his temper, thinking he had done it out of mischief, but he fetched the ball, brought it back and going up to Audun drove it straight into his forehead, so that the skin was broken.

Audun then struck at Grettir with the bat that he was holding, but Grettir ducked and the blow missed him.  Then they seized each other with their arms and wrestled.  It was evident to the people around that Grettir was stronger than they had supposed, for Audun was very strong indeed of body.  They struggled long together until at last Grettir was thrown.  Audun then set his knees on his stomach and dealt unmercifully with him.  Atli and Bersi and a number of the others ran up and separated them.  Grettir said they need not hold him like a mad dog, and added:  “The thrall alone takes instant vengeance, the coward never.”

The rest had no mind to let the affair create discord among them, and the brothers Kalf and Thorvald tried to reconcile them.  Audun and Grettir were distantly related to each other.  The games went on and there was no further disturbance.

CHAPTER XVI