Ali answered, “True is the old saw, over-praised and first to fail.  I deemed not that thou wouldst drive me away after I had toiled here all the summer enough to break my heart, and I hoped that thou wouldst stand up for me somehow; but this is the way of you, though ye look as if good might be hoped from you.  I shall be beaten here before thine eyes if thou givest me not some defence or help.”

Atli altered his mind at this talk of his, and had no heart now to drive him away from him.

Now the time wore, till men began hay-harvest, and one day, somewhat before midsummer, Thorbiorn Oxmain rode to Biarg, he was so attired that he had a helm on his head, and was girt with a sword, and had a spear in his hand.  A barbed spear it was, and the barbs were broad.

It was wet abroad that day.  Atli had sent his house-carles to the mowing, but some of them were north at Horn a-fishing.  Atli was at home, and few other men.

Thorbiorn came there about high-noon; alone he was, and rode up to the outer door; the door was locked, and no men were abroad.  Thorbiorn smote on the door, and then drew aback behind the houses, so that none might see him from the door.  The home-folk heard that the door was knocked at, and a woman went out.  Thorbiorn had an inkling of the woman, and would not let himself be seen, for he had a mind to do something else.

Now the woman went into the chamber, and Atli asked who was come there.  She said, “I have seen nought stirring abroad.”  And even as they spake Thorbiorn let drive a great stroke on the door.

Then said Atli, “This one would see me, and he must have some errand with me, whatever may be the gain thereof to me.”

Then he went forth and out of the door, and saw no one without.  Exceeding wet it was, therefore he went not out, but laid a hand on either door-post, and so peered about him.

In that point of time Thorbiorn swung round before the door, and thrust the spear with both hands amidst of Atli, so that it pierced him through.

Then said Atli, when he got the thrust, “Broad spears are about now,” says he, and fell forward over the threshold.

Then came out women who had been in the chamber, and saw that Atli was dead.  By then was Thorbiorn on horseback, and he gave out the slaying as having been done by his hand, and thereafter rode home.

The goodwife Asdis sent for her men, and Atli’s corpse was laid out, and he was buried beside his father.  Great mourning folk made for his death, for he had been a wise man, and of many friends.

No weregild came for the slaying of Atli, nor did any claim atonement for him, because Grettir had the blood-suit to take up if he should come out; so these matters stood still for that summer.  Thorbiorn was little thanked for that deed of his; but he sat at peace in his homestead.

CHAP.  XLVI.