Grettir saw that there was no choice left but either to flee or else to do his utmost and not spare himself.  He pressed on hard and nothing could hold against him, for his foes were so numerous that there was no chance of escaping except by fighting to the last before he fell.  He tried always to engage those who seemed most courageous; first he went for Steinolf of Hraundal and cleft his skull down to his shoulders; then he struck at Thorgils the son of Ingjald and almost cut him in two.  Then Thrand tried to spring forward and avenge his kinsmen, and Grettir hewed at his right thigh, cutting out all the muscles so that he could fight no more.  Next he gave Finnbogi a severe wound.  Then Thorarin ordered them off.  “The longer you fight,” he said, “the worse you will get from him and the more will he choose out the men from your company.”

They obeyed and fell back.  Ten had fallen; five were wounded to death or crippled, and nearly all who had been in the battle were hurt.  Grettir was terribly fatigued but little wounded.  The Myramen drew off, having suffered heavy losses, for many a good man had fallen.  Those who were beyond the river came over slowly and did not arrive till the fight was over, and when they saw the plight of their men Arnor would not risk himself any further, for which he was much blamed by his father and by others.  Men thought he was not much of a warrior.  The place where they fought is now called Grettisoddi.

Grettir and his companions were all wounded; they took their horses and rode back along the foot of the mountain.  When they reached Fagraskogar Eyjolf was behind.  There was a bondi’s daughter there and she asked for their tidings, which Grettir told her fully and spoke a verse: 

“Goddess of horn-floods!  Steinolf’s wounds are such that scarcely may be healed.  Of Thorgils’ life is little hope; his bones are smashed; eight more are dead.”

Then Grettir went to his retreat and spent the winter there.

CHAPTER LXI

GRETTIR WINTERS UNDER THE GEITLAND GLACIER

The next time that Bjorn met Grettir he told him that this was a very serious affair, and that he would not be able to stay there in peace much longer.  “You have killed kinsmen and friends of mine, but I will not depart from my promise to you so long as you are here.”

Grettir said he was sorry to have given him offence, but that he had to defend his hands and his life.  Bjorn said it would have to remain so.  Soon there came to him some of the men who had lost their kinsmen through Grettir and petitioned him not to allow such a ruffian as he was to stay there any longer and molest them.  Bjorn said he would do as they desired directly the winter was over.

Thrand the son of Thorarin of Akrar had now recovered from his wound.  He was a man of much worth, and had married Steinunn the daughter of Hrut of Kambsnes.  Steinolf’s father Thorleif of Hraundal was a great man; from him are sprung the Hraundal men.