em on what grounds their
decision rested; they said that the two slain bondis were of equal rank.

Skapti asked: "Which happened first, the outlawing of Grettir or the
death of Atli?"

They reckoned up and found that a week had elapsed between the two
events. Grettir was outlawed at the All-Thing and Atli was killed just
after it.

"That was what I expected," Skapti said. "You have overlooked the facts;
you have treated as a party to the suit a man who was an outlaw, a
man who was stopped from appearing either as plaintiff or defendant. I
maintain that Grettir has no standing in the case, and that it must be
brought by the kinsmen of the deceased who are nearest at law."

Thorodd Drapustuf said: "Who then is to answer for the slaying of my
brother Thorbjorn?"

"See to that yourself," said Skapti. "Grettir's kinsmen are not liable
to pay for his deeds unless his sentence be removed."

When Thorvald the son of Asgeir learned of Grettir's status in court
having been disallowed, inquiry was made for Atli's nearest of kin, and
these were found to be Skeggi the son of Gamli at Melar and Ospak
the son of Glum of Eyr in Bitra. Both were valiant and strenuous men.
Thorodd was then mulcted in blood-money for the slaying of Atli and had
to pay two hundreds of silver.

Then Snorri the Godi spoke:

"Men of Hrutafjord! Are you willing now to agree to the remission of
the fine in consideration of Grettir's sentence being commuted? I expect
that as an outlaw he will bite you sorely."

Grettir's kinsmen welcomed this proposal, and said they did not care
about the money if Grettir could have peace and freedom. Thorodd said he
saw that his case was beset with difficulties, and that for his part he
was willing to accept the proposal. Snorri said that inquiry must first
be made whether Thorir of Gard would agree to Grettir being freed. When
Thorir heard of it he was furious, and said that never should Grettir
either go or come out of his outlawry. So far from consenting to his
being amnestied, he would put a higher price upon his head than was put
upon any other outlaw.

When they knew that he would take it so ill, nothing more was said about
the amnesty. Ospak and Skeggi took the money that was paid and kept it,
while Thorodd Drapustuf got no compensation for his brother Thorbjorn.
He and Thorir each offered a reward of three marks of silver for
Grettir's head; this seemed to men to be an innovation, for never before
had more