Now they hold on after Njal's sons, and seek for them, and find them under an island.
Grim first saw the Earl's ships and said to Helgi—
"Here are war ships sailing up, and I see that here is the Earl, and he can mean to offer us no peace."
"It is said," said Helgi, "that he is the boldest man who holds his own against all comers, and so we will defend ourselves."
They all bade him take the course he thought best, and then they took to their arms.
Now the Earl comes up and called out to them, And bade them give themselves up.
Helgi said that they would defend themselves so long as they could.
Then the Earl offered peace and quarter to all who would neither defend themselves nor Helgi; but Helgi was so much beloved that all said they would rather die with him.
Then the Earl and his men fall on them, but they defended themselves well, and Njal's sons were ever where there was most need. The Earl often offered peace, but they all made the same answer, and said they would never yield.
Then Aslak of Longisle pressed them hard, and came on board their ship thrice. Then Grim said—