fence on the grounds that the brothers had attacked them
wrongfully and were, therefore, "ohelgir." The case was brought before
the Hunavatn Thing and both sides appeared in force. Atli had many
connections, and was, therefore, strongly supported. Then those who were
friends of both came forward and tried to effect a reconciliation; they
urged that Atli was a man of good position and peacefully disposed,
though fearless enough when driven into a strait. Thorbjorn felt that
no other honourable course was open to him but to agree to a
reconciliation. Atli made it a condition that there should be no
sentence of banishment either from the district or the country. Then men
were appointed to arbitrate: Thorvald Asgeirsson on behalf of Atli, and
Solvi the Proud on behalf of Thorbjorn. This Solvi was a son of
Asbrand, the son of Thorbrand, the son of Harald Ring who had settled in
Vatnsnes, taking land as far as Ambattara to the West, and to the East
up to the Thvera and across to Bjargaoss and the whole side of Bjorg as
far as the sea. Solvi was a person of much display, but a man of sense,
and therefore Thorbjorn chose him as his arbitrator.

The decree of the arbitrators was that half penalties should be paid
for Thorir's sons and half should be remitted on account of the wrongful
attack which they made and their designs on Atli's life. The slaying
of Atli's man at Hrutafjardarhals should be set off against the two of
theirs who had been killed. Grim the son of Thorhall was banished
from his district and the penalties were to be paid by Atli. Atli was
satisfied with this award, but Thorbjorn was not; they parted nominally
reconciled, but Thorbjorn let drop some words to the effect that it was
not over yet if all happened as he desired.

Atli rode home from the Thing after thanking Thorvald for his
assistance. Grim the son of Thorhall betook himself to the South to
Borgarfjord and dwelt at Gilsbakki, where he was known as a worthy
bondi.

CHAPTER XLV. ATLI MURDERED BY THORBJORN OXMAIN

There was dwelling with Thorbjorn Oxmain a man whose name was Ali,
a servant, rather stubborn and lazy. Thorbjorn told him he must work
better or he would be beaten. Ali said he had no mind for work and
became abusive. Thorbjorn was not going to endure that, and got him down
and handled him roughly. After that Ali ran away and went to the North
across the neck to Midfjord; he did not stop till he reached Bjarg. Atli
was at home and