The foster-brothers went up to the house, for neither would help the other in his allotted work; Thorgils asked after Grettir, but they told him where they had parted; then he sent men to meet him, and when they came down to Cave-knolls they saw how there came towards them a man with a neat on his back, and lo, there was Grettir come, bearing the ox:  then all men wondered at his great might.

Now Thorgeir got very envious of Grettir’s strength, and one day somewhat after Yule, Grettir went alone to bathe; Thorgeir knew thereof, and said to Thormod, “Let us go on now, and try how Grettir will start if I set on him as he comes from his bathing.”

“That is not my mind,” said Thormod, “and no good wilt thou get from him.”

“I will go though,” says Thorgeir; and therewith he went down to the slope, and bore aloft an axe.

By then was Grettir walking up from the bath, and when they met, Thorgeir said; “Is it true, Grettir,” says he, “that thou hast said so much as that thou wouldst never run before one man?”

“That I know not for sure,” said Grettir, “yet but a little way have I run before thee.”

Thorgeir raised aloft the axe, but therewith Grettir ran in under Thorgeir and gave him an exceeding great fall:  then said Thorgeir to Thormod, “Wilt thou stand by and see this fiend drive me down under him?”

Thormod caught hold of Grettir’s feet, and was minded to pull him from off Thorgeir, but could do nought thereat:  he was girt with a short-sword and was going to draw it, when goodman Thorgils came up and bade them be quiet and have nought to do with Grettir.

So did they and turned it all to game, and no more is told of their dealings; and men thought Thorgils had great luck in that he kept such reckless men in good peace.

But when spring came they all went away; Grettir went round to Codfirth, and he was asked, how he liked the fare of the winter abode at Reek-knolls; he answered, “There have I ever been as fain as might be of my meals when I got at them.”

Thereafter he went west over the heaths.

CHAP.  LI.

Of the suit for the Slaying of Thorbiorn Oxmain, and how Thorir of Garth would not that Grettir should be made sackless.

Thorgils Arison rode to the Thing with many men; and thither came all the great men of the land.  Now Thorgils and Skapti the Lawman soon met, and fell to talking.

Then said Skapti, “Is it true, Thorgils, that thou hast harboured those three men through the winter who are deemed to be the wildest of all men; yea, and all of them outlawed withal, and yet hast kept them so quiet, that no one of them has done hurt to the other?”

Thorgils said it was true enough.

Skapti said that great might over men it showed forth in him; “But how goes it, thinkest thou, with the temper of each of them; and which of them thinkest thou the bravest man?”