Thord the son of Kolbeinn was an excellent poet who dwelt in Hitarnes.  There was a great feud between him and Bjorn at that time, and Bjorn thought it would be more than half useful to him if Grettir were to busy himself with Thord’s men or his cattle.  Grettir was a great deal with Bjorn and they had many games of strength.  It is related in Bjorn’s saga that they were considered equal in strength, but the opinion of most people is that Grettir was the strongest man that had been in the land since the days when Orin Storolfsson and Thoralf Skolmsson ceased their trials of strength.  Grettir and Bjorn swam in one course the whole length of the Hitara from the lake at its head down to the sea.  They brought the stepping-stones into the river which neither floods nor freezing nor icedrifts have since moved from their places.  Grettir stayed a year in Fagraskogafjall without any attack being made upon him, and yet many lost their property through his means and got nothing for it, because his position was strong for defence and he was always in good friendship with those who were nearest to him.

CHAPTER LIX

THE CHASTISEMENT OF GISLI

There was a man named Gisli; he was the son of that Thorsteinn whom Snorri the Godi had caused to be slain.  He was a big strong man, very ostentatious in his dress and in his armour, a man with a high opinion of himself and very boastful.  He was a mariner, and landed at the Hvita river in the summer after Grettir had spent a winter in the mountains.  Thord the son of Kolbeinn rode to his ship and was welcomed by Gisli, who offered him of his wares whatever he cared to have.  Thord accepted his offer and they began to have some talk together.  Gisli asked:  “Is it true what I hear that you are in difficulty how to rid yourself of a forest-man who is doing you much hurt?”

“We have made no attempt yet,” said Thord, “because a great many think he is difficult to reach, and have found it so.”

“It seems likely that you will have trouble with Bjorn, unless you drive him away.  All the worse it is that I must be too far away next winter to give you any help.”

“It is better for you to know of him only by hearsay.”

“Don’t talk to me about Grettir,” said Gisli.  “I have been in much greater straits in my campaigns with King Knut the Mighty and in the western seas, where I was always considered to have held my own.  Only let me come within reach of him and I will trust myself and my armour.”

Thord answered that he should not do it for nothing if he killed Grettir:  “There is more money on his head than on that of any other outlaw.  First there were six marks of silver, this summer Thorir of Gard added three more, and men think that he who wins it will have had enough trouble.”

“Everything will be attempted for money,” said Gisli:  “especially with us traders.  But we must keep quiet about what we have been saying, for Grettir will be more on his guard if he hears that you have taken me into your counsels.  I intend next winter to be at Olduhrygg; is there any hiding-place of his on my way there?  He will not be prepared for this, and I shall not take many men with me to attack him.”