Then he fell forward on the threshold.  The women who were inside came out and saw that he was dead.  Thorbjorn had then mounted his horse; he proclaimed the slaying and rode home.  Asdis, the mistress of the house, sent for men; Atli’s body was laid out and he was buried beside his father.  There was much lamentation over his death, for he was both wise and beloved.  No blood-money was paid for his death, nor was any demanded, for his representative was Grettir, if he should ever return to Iceland.  The matter rested there during the summer.  Thorbjorn gained little credit by this deed, but remained quietly at home.

CHAPTER XLVI

SENTENCE OF OUTLAWRY PASSED UPON GRETTIR AT THE ALL-THING

In that same summer before the assembly of the Thing there came a ship out to Gasar bringing news of Grettir and of his house-burning adventure.  Thorir of Gard was very angry when he heard of it and bethought himself of vengeance for his sons upon Grettir.  Thorir rode with a large retinue to the Thing and laid a complaint in respect of the burning, but men thought nothing could be done as long as there was no one to answer the charge.  Thorir insisted that he would be content with nothing short of banishment for Grettir from the whole country after such a crime.

Then Skapti the Lawman said:  “It certainly was an evil deed if all really happened as has been told.  But One man’s tale is but half a tale.  Most people try and manage not to improve a story if there is more than one version of it.  I hold that no judgment should be passed for Grettir’s banishment without further proceedings.”

Thorir was a notable person and possessed great influence in the district; many powerful men were his friends.  He pressed his suit so strongly that nothing could be done to save Grettir.  Thorir had him proclaimed an outlaw throughout the country, and was ever afterwards the most bitter of his opponents, as he often found.  Having put a price upon his head, as it was usual to do with other outlaws, he rode home.  Many said that the decree was carried more by violence than by law, but it remained in force.  Nothing more happened until after midsummer.

CHAPTER XLVII

GRETTIR RETURNS TO BJARG—­SVEINN AND HIS HORSE SADDLE-HEAD

Later in the summer Grettir the son of Asmund came back to Iceland, landing in the Hvita in Borgarfjord.  People about the district went down to the ship and all the news came at once upon Grettir, first that his father was dead, then that his brother was slain, and third that he was declared outlaw throughout the land.  Then he spoke this verse: 

“All fell at once upon the bard, exile, father dead and brother.  Oh man of battle!  Many an one who breaks the swords shall smart for this.”

It is told that Grettir changed his manner no whit for these tidings, but was just as merry as before.  He remained on board his ship for a time because he could not get a horse to suit him.