was offered to Atli for his man, and he
went on as if he knew nothing of it. Grettir stayed at Bjarg till the
Tvi-month. It is not known that he and Kormak ever met again; at least
it is not mentioned anywhere.

CHAPTER XXXI. GRETTIR'S VAIN ENDEAVOUR TO PROVOKE BARDI

Bardi the son of Gudmund and his brothers rode home to Asbjarnarnes when
they left Grettir. They were the sons of Gudmund the son of Solmund.
Solmund's mother was Thorlaug, daughter of Saemund the Southerner,
the foster-brother of Ingimund the Old. Bardi was a man of great
distinction. Soon he went to see his foster-father Thorarin the Wise,
who welcomed him and asked what help he had been able to obtain,
for Bardi's journey had been arranged beforehand by them both. Bardi
answered that he had engaged a man whose help he thought worth more
than that of two others. Thorarin was silent for a moment and then said:
"That must be Grettir the son of Asmund."

"The guess of the wise is truth," said Bardi. "That is the very man, my
foster-father."

Thorarin answered: "It is true that Grettir is beyond all other men of
whom there is now choice in the country; nor will he be easily subdued
by arms so long as he is sound. But great arrogance is in him now, and
I have misgivings as to his luck. It is important for you that all your
men on your expedition are not men of an evil star. It is enough if he
does not fare with you. He shall not come if my counsel is followed."

"I did not expect, my foster-father," said he, "that you would deny me
the man who is bravest in all that he undertakes. A man in such straits
as I seem to be in cannot provide against everything."

"It will be better for you," he replied, "to let me provide."

So it came about that as Thorarin desired, word was not sent to Grettir.
Bardi went to the South and the battle of the Heath was fought.

Grettir was at Bjarg when he received the news that Bardi had started
on his expedition. He was very angry that word had not been sent to him,
and said it should not end there. He found out when they were expected
back from the South, and rode off to Thoreyjargnup, where he meant
to lie in wait for Bardi and his men as they rode back. He left the
homestead behind and remained at the cliffs. On that day rode Bardi back
from the battle of the Heath from Tvidaegra; there were six of them in
his party, all sorely wounded. When they came to the homestead Bardi
said: "There is a man up there on the