Now Grim
was the name of Gamli's brother; he was of all men the swiftest; he
rode with Grettir with another man; they were five in all. Thus they
rode on till they came to Ramfirth-neck, west of Bowerfell. There
stands a huge stone that is called Grettir's heave; for he tried long
that day to lift that stone, and thus they delayed till Kormak and his
fellows were come. Grettir rode to meet them, and both sides jumped
off their horses. Grettir said it was more like free men now to
deal blows of the biggest, than to fight with staves like wandering
churles. Then Kormak bade them take the challenge in manly wise, and
do their best. Thereafter they ran at one another and fought. Grettir
went before his men, and bade them take heed, that none came at his
back. Thus they fought a while, and men were wounded on both sides.

Now Thorbiorn Oxmain had ridden that day over the neck to Bowerfell,
and when he rode back he saw their meeting. There were with him then
Thorbiorn the Tardy, and Gunnar and Thorgeir, Thorir's sons, and
Thorod Drapa-Stump. Now when they came thereto, Thorbiorn called on
his men to go between them. But the others were by then so eager that
they could do nought. Grettir broke forth fiercely, and before him
were the sons of Thorir, and they both fell as he thrust them from
him; they waxed exceeding furious thereat, insomuch that Gunnar dealt
a death-blow at a house-carle of Atli; and when Thorbiorn saw that,
he bade them part, saying withal that he would aid which side soever
should pay heed to his words. By then were fallen two house-carles of
Kormak, but Grettir saw, that it would hardly do if Thorbiorn should
bring aid to them against him, wherefore now he gave up the battle,
and all were wounded who had been at that meeting. But much it
misliked Grettir that they had been parted.

Thereafter either side rode home, nor did they settle peace after
these slayings. Thorbiorn the Tardy made much mocking at all this,
therefore things began to worsen betwixt the men of Biarg and
Thorbiorn Oxmain, so that therefrom fell much ill-will as came to be
known after. No boot was bidden to Atli for his house-carle, but
he made as if he knew it not. Grettir sat at home at Biarg until
Twainmonth.[15] Nor is it said in story that he and Kormak met ever
again after these things betid.

[Footnote 15: The second month in the year, corresponding to our
September.]

CHAP. XXXI.

<i>How Grettir met Bardi, the Son of G