t to make
peace between them.

Next, Grettir was sent to tend the horses, amongst which was a
favourite mare called Keingala, who always preferred the coldest and
windiest spots to graze in; the boy was ill-clad and half-starved with
cold, so, by way of paying Keingala out for her uncomfortable choice
of pasture, he drew a sharp knife right across her shoulder and along
both sides of her back. When Asmund next saw the mare and stroked her
back, the hide came off beneath his hand. He taxed Grettir with the
deed, but the boy sneered mockingly and said nothing. Keingala had to
be killed. Such and many other scurvy tricks did Grettir play in his
childhood, but meanwhile he grew in body and strength, though none as
yet knew him to be strong beyond his years.

This first came to be known shortly afterwards at Midfirth Water,
where some ball games were being held on the ice. Grettir was now
fourteen; and was matched to play with one Audun, several years older
than himself. Audun struck the ball over Grettir's head, so that he
could not catch it, and it bounded far away along the ice; Grettir
brought it back, and in a rage threw it at Audun's forehead; Audun
struck at him with his bat, but Grettir closed with him and wrestled,
for a long time holding his own; but Audun was a man of full strength,
and at last prevailed. Grettir's next performance brought him into
more trouble. Asmund had a bosom friend named Thorkel Krafla, who paid
him a visit at Biarg on his way to the Thing, or Icelandic parliament,
with a retinue of sixty followers, for Thorkel was a great chief, and
a man of substance. Each traveller had to carry his own provisions for
the journey, including Grettir, who joined Thorkel's company.
Grettir's saddle turned over, however, and his meal bag was lost, nor
could he find it, notwithstanding a long search. Just then he saw a
man who was in like plight with himself, having also lost his meal
sack: his name was Skeggi, one of Thorkel's followers. All of a sudden
Skeggi darted off, and Grettir saw him stoop and pick up a mealsack,
which Skeggi claimed as his own. Grettir was not satisfied, and they
fought for it; Skeggi cut at Grettir with his axe, but he wrenched it
out of his hand, and clove his head in twain. Thorkel then allowed
Grettir his choice: whether to go on to the Thing, or return home. He
chose the first alternative; but a lawsuit was set on foot by the
heirs of the dead man. Thorkel paid the necessary fi