retched his foot from
out the beam so that Audun fell flat down head-foremost on to the
curd-bag, whereby the bonds of the bag brake; Audun leaped up and
asked who was that rascal in the way. Grettir named himself.

Then said Audun, "Rashly hast thou done herein; what is thine errand
then?"

Grettir said, "I will fight with thee."

"First I will see about my victuals," said Audun.

"That thou mayst well do," said Grettir, "if thou canst not charge
other folk therewith."

Then Audun stooped down and caught up the curd-bag and dashed it
against Grettir's bosom, and bade him first take what was sent him;
and therewith was Grettir all smothered in the curds; and a greater
shame he deemed that than if Audun had given him a great wound.

Now thereon they rushed at one another and wrestled fiercely; Grettir
set on with great eagerness, but Audun gave back before him. Yet he
feels that Grettir has outgrown him in strength. Now all things in
their way were kicked out of place, and they were borne on wrestling
to and fro throughout all the hall; neither spared his might, but
still Grettir was the toughest of the twain, and at last Audun fell,
having torn all weapons from Grettir.

Now they grapple hard with one another, and huge cracking was all
around them. Withal a great din was heard coming through the earth
underneath the farmstead, and Grettir heard some one ride up to the
houses, get off his horse, and stride in with great strides; he sees
a man come up, of goodly growth, in a red kirtle and with a helmet on
his head. He took his way into the hall, for he had heard clamorous
doings there as they were struggling together; he asked what was in
the hall.

Grettir named himself, "But who asks thereof?" quoth he.

"Bardi am I hight," said the new comer.

"Art thou Bardi, the son of Gudmund, from Asbiornsness?"

"That very man am I," said Bardi; "but what art thou doing?"

Grettir said, "We, Audun and I, are playing here in sport."

"I know not as to the sport thereof," said Bardi, "nor are ye even men
either; thou art full of unfairness and overbearing, and he is easy
and good to deal with; so let him stand up forthwith."

Grettir said, "<i>Many a man stretches round the door to the lock</i>;
and meseems it lies more in thy way to avenge thy brother Hall[12]
than to meddle in the dealings betwixt me and Audun."

[Footnote 12: Who was killed in Norway by the sons of Harek, and whose
revenge is told of in the Sa