We have now to return to where we broke off before.  Thorbjorn Oxmain when he heard of the death of Thorbjorn Slowcoach flew into a violent passion and said he wished that more men might deal blows in other people’s houses.  Asmund Longhair lay sick for some time in the summer.  When he thought his end was nigh he called his kinsmen round him and said his will was that Atli should take over all the property after his day.  “I fear,” he said, “that the wicked will scarce leave you in peace.  And I wish all my kinsmen to support him to the best of their power.  Of Grettir I can say nothing, for his condition seems to me like a rolling wheel.  Strong though he is, I fear he will have more dealing with trouble than with kinsmen’s support.  And Illugi, though young now, shall become a man of valiant deeds if he remain unscathed.”

When Asmund had settled everything with his sons according to his wish his sickness grew upon him.  He died soon after and was buried at Bjarg, where he had had a church built.  All felt his loss deeply.

Atli became a great bondi and kept a large establishment.  He was a great dealer in household provisions.  Towards the end of the summer he went to Snaefellsnes to get dried fish.  He drove several horses with him and rode from home to Melar in Hrutafjord to his brother-in-law, Gamli.  Then Grim, the son of Thorhall, Gamli’s brother, made ready to accompany him along with another man.  They rode West by way of Haukadalsskard and the road which leads out to the Ness, where they bought much fish and carried it away on seven horses; when all was ready they turned homewards.

CHAPTER XLIII

THE SONS OF THORIR OF SKARD ARE SLAIN BY ATLI AND GRIM

Thorbjorn Oxmain heard of Atli and Grim having left home just when Gunnar and Thorgeir, the sons of Thorir of Skard, were with him.  Thorbjorn was jealous of Atli’s popularity and egged on the two brothers, the sons of Thorir, to lie in wait for him as he returned from Snaefellsnes.  They rode home to Skard and waited there for Atli returning with his loads.  They could see the party from their house as they passed Skard, and made ready quickly to pursue them with their servants.  Atli on seeing them ordered his horses to be unloaded.

“Perhaps,” he said, “they want to offer me compensation for my man whom Gunnar slew last summer.  We will not be the first to attack, but if they begin fighting us we will defend ourselves.”

Then they came up and at once sprang off their horses.  Atli greeted them and asked what news there was, and whether Gunnar desired to offer him some compensation for his servant.  Gunnar answered: 

“You men of Bjarg, you deserve something else than that I should pay compensation for him with my goods.  Thorbjorn whom Grettir slew is worth a higher atonement than he.”

“I have not to answer for that,” said Atli, “nor are you the representative of Thorbjorn.”