CHAP. LXXXV.
How Thorbiorn Angle claimed Grettir's Head-money.
"A great champion have we laid to earth here," said Thorbiorn; "now shall we bring the head aland with us, for I will not lose the money which has been laid thereon; nor may they then feign that they know not if I have slain Grettir."
They bade him do his will, but had few words to say hereon, for to all the deed seemed a deed of little prowess.
Then Angle fell to speaking with Illugi,
"Great scathe it is of such a brave man as thou art, that thou hast fallen to such folly, as to betake thee to ill deeds[242] with this outlaw here, and must needs lie slain and unatoned therefore."
Illugi answered, "Then first when the Althing is over this summer, wilt thou know who are outlaws; but neither thou nor the carline, thy foster-mother, will judge in this matter, because that your sorcery and craft of old days have slain Grettir, though thou didst, indeed, bear steel against him, as he lay at death's door, and wrought that so great coward's deed there, over and above thy sorcery."
Then said Angle, "In manly wise speakest thou, but not thus will it be; and I will show thee that I think great scathe in thy death, for thy life will I give thee if thou wilt swear an oath for us here, to avenge thyself on none of those who have been in this journey."