Grettir thus attired sauntered between the booths erected on the headland, till he reached the spot where games were going on.
Now, Hialti and Thorbiorn Hook were the chief men in these sports. Hook was specially noisy and boisterous, and drove men together to the sports, and whether men liked it or not, he insisted on their attendance. He would take this man and that by the hands and drag him forth to the field, where the wrestling and other games went on.
Now, first wrestled those who were weakest, and then each man in turn, and great fun there was. But when most men had tried their strength except the very strongest, it was asked who would be a match for Hialti and The Hook. These two being the strongest and the roughest of all, went round inviting each man in turn to wrestle with them, but all declined.
Then Thorbiorn Hook, looking round, spied a tall fellow in the shabbiest and quaintest of suits, sitting by himself, speaking to no one. Thorbiorn walked up to him, laid his hands on his shoulders and asked him to wrestle.
The man sat still, and The Hook could not drag him from his seat.
"Well!" exclaimed The Hook, "no one else has kept his place before me to-day. Who are you?"
"Guest," answered Grettir shortly.
"A wished-for guest thou wilt be, if thou furnish some entertainment to the company," said Thorbiorn Hook.
Grettir answered, "I am indisposed to make a fool of myself before strangers. How am I to know, supposing that I give you a fall, that I shall not be set upon by you or your kindred, and be unfairly treated?"
Then many exclaimed that there should be fair play.