II
HOW GRETTIR AND ILLUGI HIS BROTHER KEPT THE ISLAND
On top of the cliff (to be reached only by climbing the rope-ladder) were sheep-walks, where the shepherds from the mainland kept their flocks. Grettir and Illugi took over these, for food and for the sake of their pelts which were to make them coverings. They built themselves a house out of the driftwood that came ashore at the foot of the cliff with every tide, and throughout the rest of the winter days lived in peace.
But in the early spring a fisherman carried the news to the mainland that he had seen men on the top of Drangey, and that the ladder was up.
Forthwith came the farmers and shepherds in their boats to know if such were the truth. They found, indeed, the ladder up, and after calling and shouting a long time time, brought the hero and his brother to the cliff's edge.
"What now?" they cried. "Give a reckoning of our sheep. Is it peace or war between you and us? Why have you come to our island? Answer, Grettir—outlaw."
"What I have, I hold," called Grettir. "Outlawed I am, indeed, and no man is there in all Iceland that dare help me to home or hiding. Mine is the Island of Drangey, and mine are the sheep and the goats."
"Robber!" shouted the shepherds, "since when have you bought the island? Show the title."
For answer Grettir drew his sword from its sheath, and held it high.
"That is my title," he cried. "When that you shall take from me, the Island of Drangey is yours again."