open to him but to agree to a reconciliation.  Atli made it a condition that there should be no sentence of banishment either from the district or the country.  Then men were appointed to arbitrate:  Thorvald Asgeirsson on behalf of Atli, and Solvi the Proud on behalf of Thorbjorn.  This Solvi was a son of Asbrand, the son of Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring who had settled in Vatnsnes, taking land as far as Ambattara to the West, and to the East up to the Thvera and across to Bjargaoss and the whole side of Bjorg as far as the sea.  Solvi was a person of much display, but a man of sense, and therefore Thorbjorn chose him as his arbitrator.

The decree of the arbitrators was that half penalties should be paid for Thorir’s sons and half should be remitted on account of the wrongful attack which they made and their designs on Atli’s life.  The slaying of Atli’s man at Hrutafjardarhals should be set off against the two of theirs who had been killed.  Grim the son of Thorhall was banished from his district and the penalties were to be paid by Atli.  Atli was satisfied with this award, but Thorbjorn was not; they parted nominally reconciled, but Thorbjorn let drop some words to the effect that it was not over yet if all happened as he desired.

Atli rode home from the Thing after thanking Thorvald for his assistance.  Grim the son of Thorhall betook himself to the South to Borgarfjord and dwelt at Gilsbakki, where he was known as a worthy bondi.

CHAPTER XLV

ATLI MURDERED BY THORBJORN OXMAIN

There was dwelling with Thorbjorn Oxmain a man whose name was Ali, a servant, rather stubborn and lazy.  Thorbjorn told him he must work better or he would be beaten.  Ali said he had no mind for work and became abusive.  Thorbjorn was not going to endure that, and got him down and handled him roughly.  After that Ali ran away and went to the North across the neck to Midfjord; he did not stop till he reached Bjarg.  Atli was at home and asked whither he was going.  He said he was seeking an engagement.

“Are you not a servant of Thorbjorn?” Atli asked.

“We did not get on with our bargain.  I was not there long, but it seemed to me a bad place while I was there.  Our parting was in such a way that his song on my throat did not please me.  I will never go back there, whatever becomes of me.  And it is true that there is a great difference between you two in the way you treat your servants.  I would be glad to take service with you if there is a place, for me.”

Atli said:  “I have servants enough without stretching forth my hands for those whom Thorbjorn has hired.  You seem an impatient man and had better go back to him.”

“I am not going there of my own free will,” said Ali.

He stayed there for the night, and in the morning went out to work with Atli’s men, and toiled as if he had hands everywhere.  So he continued all the summer; Atli took no notice of him, but allowed him his food, for he was pleased with the man’s work.  Soon Thorbjorn learned that Ali was at Bjarg.  He rode thither with two others and called to Atli to come out and speak with him.  Atli went out and greeted him.