to the Westfirths, and sought shelter of many great men; but something
ever came to pass whereby none of them would harbour him.

CHAP. LIII.

<i>Grettir with Thorstein Kuggson</i>.

When the autumn was somewhat spent, Grettir turned back by the south,
and made no stay till he came to Liarskogar to Thorstein Kuggson, his
kinsman, and there had he good welcome, for Thorstein bade him abide
there through the winter, and that bidding he agreed to. Thorstein
was a busy man and a good smith, and kept men close to their work;
but Grettir had little mind to work, wherefore their tempers went but
little together.

Thorstein had let make a church at his homestead; and a bridge he had
made out from his house, wrought with great craft; for in the outside
bridge, under the beams that held it up, were rings wrought all about,
and din-bells, so that one might hear over to Scarf-stead, half a
sea-mile off, if aught went over the bridge, because of the shaking of
the rings. Thorstein had much to do over this work, for he was a great
worker of iron; but Grettir went fiercely at the iron-smiting, yet was
in many minds thereover; but he was quiet through the winter, so
that nought befell worthy telling. But when the Ramfirthers knew
that Grettir was with Thorstein, they had their band afoot as soon as
spring came. So when Thorstein knew that, he bade Grettir seek some
other shelter than his house, "For I see thou wilt not work, and men
who will do nought are not meet men for me."

"Where wouldst thou have me go, then?" said Grettir.

Thorstein bade him fare to the south country, and find his kin, "But
come to me if they avail thee not."

Now so Grettir wrought that he went south to Burgfirth, to Grim
Thorhallson, and dwelt there till over the Thing. Then Grim sent him
on to Skapti the Lawman at Hjalli, and he went south by the lower
heaths and stayed not till he came to Thorhall, son of Asgrim, son
of Ellida-grim, and went little in the peopled lands. Thorhall knew
Grettir because of his father and mother, and, indeed, by then was
the name of Grettir well renowned through all the land because of his
great deeds.

Thorhall was a wise man, and he did well to Grettir, but would not let
him abide there long.

CHAP. LIV.

<i>Grettir meets Hallmund on the Keel</i>.

Now Grettir fared from Tongue up to Hawkdale, and thence north upon
the Keel, and kept about there long that summer; nor was there trust
of him that h