So this they did, and they were three in all: but when they came west over the river, he spake again to them:
"Here in these bents, I am told, lurks the outlaw, and no easy way is there up to him; but may it not perchance seem good to him to come and meet us and behold our array?"
They said that it was ever his wont so to do. Now that morning Grettir had risen early in his lair; the weather was cold and frosty, and snow had fallen, but not much of it. He saw how three men rode from the south over Hitriver, and their state raiment glittered and their inlaid shields. Then it came into his mind who these should be, and he deems it would be good for him to get some rag of their array; and he was right wishful withal to meet such braggarts: so he catches up his weapons and runs down the slip-side. And when Gisli heard the clatter of the stones, he spake thus:
"There goes a man down the hill-side, and somewhat big he is, and he is coming to meet us: now, therefore, let us go against him briskly, for here is good getting come to hand."
His fellows said that this one would scarce run into their very hands, if he knew not his might; "And good it is that he bewail who brought the woe."
So they leapt off their horses, and therewith Grettir came up to them, and laid hands on a clothes-bag that Gisli had tied to his saddle behind him, and said—
"This will I have, for oft I lowt for little things."
Gisli answers, "Nay, it shall not be; dost thou know with whom thou hast to do?"
Says Grettir, "I am not very clear about that; nor will I have much respect for persons, since I am lowly now, and ask for little."