The Story of Burnt Njal: The Great Icelandic Tribune, Jurist, and Counsellor

was Atli, an able and accomplished man, tactful and easy to deal with; he was much liked by all. His second son was called Grettir. He was very hard to manage in his bringi

o afterwards married Glum the son of Ospak, Kjallak's son from Skridinsenni. Another daughter was named Rannveig; she married Gamli the son of Thorhall of Vineland, and they dwelt at M

develop a little. Asmund told him that he must do some work. Grettir

d the geese,"

k, only fit for an id

s father said, "and we sha

come on quickly enough. This put him out, for he could never control his temper. Soon afterwards some wanderers found the goslings lying outside dead, and the ge

en winter

ing the gosl

them ther

creatures

any more of their

ns his friend of il

e you other

hath tried. But what am I

m sitting by the fire, as I am

s." he answered. "It is

his back hard. It was the custom in those days for people to have large rooms with long fires in them in their houses, where men sat

ack his father said to him: "Now you will have to

"`Tis ill to rou

r nothing at al

along Asmund's back. Asmund sprang up and was going to thrash him with his stick, but he esc

giver of tre

tent to bur

cut I was str

ee the bird

ne and said he would not grow up very prudent. The affair

old him to look after his horses. Grettir sai

ather and about rain coming. When she refuses to graze it never fails that a storm will follow. You are then to keep the horses under shelter in the sta

to do; but it seems to me rash to trust to the mar

morning early he came to the stables, opened the door and found Keingala standing in front of the manger. She had taken the whole of the fodder which had been given to all the horses for herself. Grettir jumped upon her back, with a sharp knife in his hand which he drew across her shoulder and along her back on both sides. The horse was fat and fresh; she shied back very frightened and kicked out till her hoofs rattled against the walls. Grettir fell off, but picked himself up and tried to mo

y seem wise who ar

hought it very strange that no change came in the weather. On the third morning he went himself to the horses and on seein

ppen-also the unli

ad got into that state and thought Grettir must have done it. Grettir grinned and said nothing. Asmund went h

spoke

me sorely, and

f a woman that u

ds my command

erses, oh wif

he more perverse, for you to make him work, or

d Asmund. "He must have something wors

to the other," said Gre

w very big, but men did not clearly know what strength he had because he had never been tried in wrestling. He kept making