ople is that Grettir was the strongest man that had been in the land
since the days when Orin Storolfsson and Thoralf Skolmsson ceased their
trials of strength. Grettir and Bjorn swam in one course the whole
length of the Hitara from the lake at its head down to the sea. They
brought the stepping-stones into the river which neither floods nor
freezing nor icedrifts have since moved from their places. Grettir
stayed a year in Fagraskogafjall without any attack being made upon him,
and yet many lost their property through his means and got nothing for
it, because his position was strong for defence and he was always in
good friendship with those who were nearest to him.

CHAPTER LIX. THE CHASTISEMENT OF GISLI

There was a man named Gisli; he was the son of that Thorsteinn whom
Snorri the Godi had caused to be slain. He was a big strong man, very
ostentatious in his dress and in his armour, a man with a high opinion
of himself and very boastful. He was a mariner, and landed at the Hvita
river in the summer after Grettir had spent a winter in the mountains.
Thord the son of Kolbeinn rode to his ship and was welcomed by Gisli,
who offered him of his wares whatever he cared to have. Thord accepted
his offer and they began to have some talk together. Gisli asked: "Is
it true what I hear that you are in difficulty how to rid yourself of a
forest-man who is doing you much hurt?"

"We have made no attempt yet," said Thord, "because a great many think
he is difficult to reach, and have found it so."

"It seems likely that you will have trouble with Bjorn, unless you drive
him away. All the worse it is that I must be too far away next winter to
give you any help."

"It is better for you to know of him only by hearsay."

"Don't talk to me about Grettir," said Gisli. "I have been in much
greater straits in my campaigns with King Knut the Mighty and in the
western seas, where I was always considered to have held my own. Only
let me come within reach of him and I will trust myself and my armour."

Thord answered that he should not do it for nothing if he killed
Grettir: "There is more money on his head than on that of any other
outlaw. First there were six marks of silver, this summer Thorir of Gard
added three more, and men think that he who wins it will have had enough
trouble."

"Everything will be attempted for money," said Gisli: "especially with
us traders. But we must keep quiet about what we have been saying, fo