He answered, “What sayest thou thereto?”

She said, “Thou shalt make oath to work no evil riots here in Icefirth, and take no revenge on whomsoever has been at the taking of thee.”

Grettir said that she should have her will, and so he was loosed; and he says of himself that at that time of all times did he most rule his temper, when he smote them not as they made themselves great before him.

Now Thorbiorg bade him go home with her, and gave him a horse for his riding; so he went to Waterfirth and abode there till Vermund came home, and the housewife did well to him, and for this deed was she much renowned far and wide in the district.

But Vermund took this ill at his coming home, and asked what made Grettir there?  Then Thorbiorg told him how all had gone betwixt Grettir and the Icefirthers.

“What reward was due to him,” said Vermund, “that thou gavest him his life?”

“Many grounds there were thereto,” said Thorbiorg; “and this, first of all, that thou wilt be deemed a greater chief than before in that thou hast a wife who has dared to do such a deed; and then withal surely would Hrefna his kinswoman say that I should not let men slay him; and, thirdly, he is a man of the greatest prowess in many wise.”

“A wise wife thou art withal,” said Vermund, “and have thou thanks therefor.”

Then he said to Grettir, “Stout as thou art, but little was to be paid for thee, when thou must needs be taken of mannikins; but so ever it fares with men riotous.”

Then Grettir sang this stave—­

  “Ill luck-to me
  That I should be
  On sea-roof-firth
  Borne unto earth;
  Ill luck enow
  To lie alow,
  This head of mine
  Griped fast by swine.”

“What were they minded to do to thee,” said Vermund, “when they took thee there?”

Quoth Grettir—­

  “There many men
  Bade give me then
  E’en Sigar’s meed
  For lovesome deed;
  Till found me there
  That willow fair,
  Whose leaves are praise,
  Her stems good days.”

Vermund asked, “Would they have hanged thee then, if they alone had had to meddle with matters?”

Said Grettir—­

  “Yea, to the snare
  That dangled there
  My head must I
  Soon bring anigh;
  But Thorbiorg came
  The brightest dame,
  And from that need
  The singer freed.”

Then said Vermund, “Did she bid thee to her?”

Grettir answered—­

  “Sif’s lord’s good aid,
  My saviour, bade
  To take my way
  With her that day;
  So did it fall;
  And therewithal
  A horse she gave;
  Good peace I have.”

“Mighty will thy life be and troublous,” said Vermund; “but now thou hast learned to beware of thy foes; but I have no will to harbour thee, and gain therefor the ill-will of many rich men; but best is it for thee to seek thy kinsmen, though few men will be willing to take thee in if they may do aught else; nor to most men art thou an easy fellow withal.”