houlderblades and entered the breast
of Ogmund. They both fell dead, pierced by the spear. Then all the
others dashed down as they reached the steps. Grettir tackled them each
in turn, now thrusting with the spear, now hewing with the sword, while
they defended themselves with logs lying on the ground or with anything
else which they could get. It was a terrible trial of a man's prowess to
deal with men of their strength, even unarmed.

Grettir slew two of the Halogaland men there in the enclosure. Four of
the serving-men then came up. They had not been able to agree upon which
arms each should take, but they came out to the attack directly the
berserks were running away; when these turned against them they fell
back on the house. Six of the ruffians fell, all slain by Grettir's own
hand; the other six then fled towards the landing place and took refuge
in the boat-house, where they defended themselves with oars. Grettir
received a severe blow from one of them and narrowly escaped a serious
hurt.

The serving-men all went home and told great stories of their own
exploits. The lady wanted to know what had become of Grettir, but they
could not tell her. Grettir slew two men in the boat-house, but the
other four got away, two in one direction, two in another. He pursued
those who were nearest to him. The night was very dark. They ran to
Vindheim, the place spoken of before, and took refuge in a barn, where
they fought for a long time until at last Grettir killed them. By this
time he was terribly stiff and exhausted. The night was far spent;
it was very cold and there were driving snow-storms. He felt little
inclination to go after the two who yet remained, so he went back home.
The goodwife kindled a light and put it in a window in the loft at the
top of the house, where it served him as a guide, and he was able to
find his way home by the light. When he came to the door the mistress
came to meet him and bade him welcome.

"You have earned great glory," she said, "and have saved me and my
household from a disgrace never to be redeemed if you had not delivered
us."

"I think I am much the same person as I was last evening when you spoke
so roughly to me," said Grettir.

"We knew not then the might that was in you," she said, "as we know it
now. Everything in the house shall be yours, so far as it is fitting
for me to bestow and right for you to receive. I doubt not that Thorfinn
will reward you in a better way when h