CHAPTER XXXVI

THORBJORN SLOWCOACH AT HOME

Thorbjorn Oxmain gave a great feast in the autumn at which many were assembled, whilst Grettir was in the North in Vatnsdal.  Thorbjorn Slowcoach was there and many things were talked about.  The Hrutafjord people inquired about Grettir’s adventure on the ridge in the summer.  Thorbjorn Oxmain praised Grettir’s conduct, and said that Kormak would have had the worst of it if no one had come to part them.  Then Thorbjorn Slowcoach said:  “What I saw of Grettir’s fighting was not famous; and he seemed inclined to shirk when we came up.  He was very ready to leave off, nor did I see him make any attempt to avenge the death of Atli’s man.  I do not believe there is much heart in him, except when he has a sufficient force behind him.”

Thorbjorn went on jeering at him in this way.  Many of the others had something to say about it, and they thought that Grettir would not leave it to rest if he heard what Thorbjorn was saying.

Nothing more happened at the festivities; they all went home, and there was a good deal of ill-will between them all that winter, though no one took any action.  Nothing more happened that winter.

CHAPTER XXXVII

GRETTIR SAILS FOR NORWAY AND KILLS THORBJORN SLOWCOACH

Early in the spring, before the meeting of the Thing, there arrived a ship from Norway.  There was much news to tell, above all of the change of government.  Olaf the son of Harald was now king, having driven away jarl Sveinn from the country in the spring which followed the battle of Nesjar.  Many noteworthy things were told of King Olaf.  Men said that he took into favour all men who were skilled in any way and made them his followers.  This pleased many of the younger men in Iceland and made them all want to leave home.  When Grettir heard of it he longed to go too, deeming that he merited the king’s favour quite as much as any of the others.  A ship came up to Gasar in Eyjafjord; Grettir engaged a passage in her and prepared to go abroad.  He had not much outfit as yet.

Asmund was now becoming very infirm and scarcely left his bed.  He and Asdis had a young son named Illugi, a youth of much promise.  Atli had taken over all the management of the farm and the goods, and things went much better, for he was both obliging and provident.

Grettir embarked on his ship.  Thorbjorn Slowcoach had arranged to travel in the same vessel without knowing that Grettir would be in her.  Some of his friends tried to dissuade him from travelling in Grettir’s company, but he insisted upon going.  He was rather a long time over his preparations and did not get to Gasar before the ship was ready to sail.  Before he left home Asmund Longhair was taken ill and was quite confined to his bed.  Thorbjorn Slowcoach arrived on the beach late in the day, when the men were going on board and were washing their hands outside near their booths.  When he rode up to the rows of booths they greeted him and asked what news there was.