Gunnar said it would have to be so nevertheless.  “And now,” he cried, “let us go for them and profit by Grettir being away.”

There were eight of them, and they set upon Atli’s six.  Atli led on his men and drew the sword Jokulsnaut which Grettir had given him.  Thorgeir cried:  “Good men are alike in many things.  High did Grettir bear his sword last summer on Hrutafjardarhals.”

Atli answered:  “He is more accustomed to deeds of strength than I am.”

Then they fought.  Gunnar made a resolute attack on Atli, and fought fiercely.  After they had battled for a time Atli said: 

“There is nothing to be gained by each of us killing the other’s followers.  The simplest course would be for us to play together, for I have never fought with weapons before.”

Gunnar, however, would not have it.  Atli bade his servants look to the packs, and he would see what the others would do.  He made such a vigorous onslaught that Gunnar’s men fell back, and he killed two of them.  Then he turned upon Gunnar himself and struck a blow that severed his shield right across below the handle, and the sword struck his leg below the knee.  Then with another rapid blow he killed him.

In the meantime Grim, the son of Thorhall, was engaging Thorgeir, and a long tussle there was, both of them being men of great valour.  When Thorgeir saw his brother Gunnar fall he wanted to get away, but Grim pressed upon him and pursued him until at last his foot tripped and he fell forward.  Then Grim struck him with an axe between the shoulders, inflicting a deep wound.  To the three followers who were left they gave quarter.  Then they bound up their wounds, reloaded the packs on to the horses and went home, giving information of the battle.  Atli stayed at home with a strong guard of men that autumn.  Thorbjorn Oxmain was not at all pleased, but could do nothing, because Atli was very wary.  Grim was with him for the winter, and his brother-in-law Gamli.  Another brother-in-law, Glum the son of Ospak from Eyr in Bitra, was with them too.  They had a goodly array of men settled at Bjarg, and there was much merriment there during the winter.

CHAPTER XLIV

SETTLEMENT OF THE FEUD AT THE HUNAVATN THING

Thorbfron Oxmain took up the suit arising from the death of Thorir’s sons.  He prepared his case against Grim and Atli, and they prepared their defence on the grounds that the brothers had attacked them wrongfully and were, therefore, “ohelgir.”  The case was brought before the Hunavatn Thing and both sides appeared in force.  Atli had many connections, and was, therefore, strongly supported.  Then those who were friends of both came forward and tried to effect a reconciliation; they urged that Atli was a man of good position and peacefully disposed, though fearless enough when driven into a strait.  Thorbjorn felt that no other honourable course was