They were there three nights; Ranveig and Gamli welcomed Grettir well, and bade him abide with them, but he had will to ride home.

Then Grettir heard that Kormak and his fellows were come from the south, and had guested at Tongue through the night.  Grettir got ready early to leave Meals; Gamli offered him men to go with him.  Now Grim was the name of Gamli’s brother; he was of all men the swiftest; he rode with Grettir with another man; they were five in all.  Thus they rode on till they came to Ramfirth-neck, west of Bowerfell.  There stands a huge stone that is called Grettir’s heave; for he tried long that day to lift that stone, and thus they delayed till Kormak and his fellows were come.  Grettir rode to meet them, and both sides jumped off their horses.  Grettir said it was more like free men now to deal blows of the biggest, than to fight with staves like wandering churles.  Then Kormak bade them take the challenge in manly wise, and do their best.  Thereafter they ran at one another and fought.  Grettir went before his men, and bade them take heed, that none came at his back.  Thus they fought a while, and men were wounded on both sides.

Now Thorbiorn Oxmain had ridden that day over the neck to Bowerfell, and when he rode back he saw their meeting.  There were with him then Thorbiorn the Tardy, and Gunnar and Thorgeir, Thorir’s sons, and Thorod Drapa-Stump.  Now when they came thereto, Thorbiorn called on his men to go between them.  But the others were by then so eager that they could do nought.  Grettir broke forth fiercely, and before him were the sons of Thorir, and they both fell as he thrust them from him; they waxed exceeding furious thereat, insomuch that Gunnar dealt a death-blow at a house-carle of Atli; and when Thorbiorn saw that, he bade them part, saying withal that he would aid which side soever should pay heed to his words.  By then were fallen two house-carles of Kormak, but Grettir saw, that it would hardly do if Thorbiorn should bring aid to them against him, wherefore now he gave up the battle, and all were wounded who had been at that meeting.  But much it misliked Grettir that they had been parted.

Thereafter either side rode home, nor did they settle peace after these slayings.  Thorbiorn the Tardy made much mocking at all this, therefore things began to worsen betwixt the men of Biarg and Thorbiorn Oxmain, so that therefrom fell much ill-will as came to be known after.  No boot was bidden to Atli for his house-carle, but he made as if he knew it not.  Grettir sat at home at Biarg until Twainmonth.[15] Nor is it said in story that he and Kormak met ever again after these things betid.

[Footnote 15:  The second month in the year, corresponding to our September.]

CHAP.  XXXI.

How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of Gudmund, as he came back from the Heath-slayings.

Bardi, the son of Gudmund, and his brothers, rode home to Asbiornsness after their parting with Grettir.