nnoyance in consequence, for
wherever the traders went they told that Grettir had burned the men in
the house. Soon it became known that it was the sons of Thorir of Gard
and their followers who had been burned. The traders refused to have
Grettir on board their ship any longer and drove him away. He was so
abhorred that scarcely any one would do him a service. His case seemed
hopeless, and his only desire was at any cost to appear before the king.
So he went North to Thrandheim where the king was, and had heard the
whole story before Grettir came, for many had been busy in slandering
him. Grettir waited several days in the town before he was able to
appear before the king.

CHAPTER XXXIX. GRETTIR APPEARS BEFORE THE KING AND FAILS TO UNDERGO THE
ORDEAL

One day when the king was sitting in judgment Grettir came before him
and saluted him respectfully. The king looked at him and said:

"Are you Grettir the Strong?"

"So I have been called," he replied, "and I have come here in the hope
of obtaining deliverance from the slanders which are being spread about
me, and to say that I did not do this deed."

The king said: "You are worthy enough; but I know not what fortune you
will have in defending yourself. It is quite possible that you did not
intend to burn the men in the house."

Grettir said that he was most anxious to prove his innocence if the king
would permit him. Then the king bade him relate faithfully all that had
happened. Grettir told him everything exactly as it was, and declared
that they were all alive when he escaped with his fire; he was ready to
undergo any ordeal which the king considered that the law required.

King Olaf said: "I decree that you shall bear iron, if your fate so
wills it."

Grettir was quite content with that, and began his fast for the ordeal.
When the day for the ceremony arrived the king and the bishop went to
the church together with a multitude of people who came out of curiosity
to see a man so much talked about as Grettir. At last Grettir himself
was led to the church. When he entered many looked at him and remarked
that he excelled most men in strength and stature. As he passed down the
aisle there started up a very ill-favoured, overgrown boy and cried to
him:

"Wondrous are now the ways in a land where men should call themselves
Christians, when evil-doers and robbers and thieves walk in peace to
purge themselves. What should a wicked man find better to do tha