by Allen French
CHAPTER XVI
THE ACT OF DISTRESS
Rolf told Grettir all that had happened, and much was the outlawdisappointed thereat. For he had counted upon going again among men,and had hoped to win glory from the shooting, so he was sorry on hisown account. But also he consoled the boy. For he spoke of the greatworld over the sea, how there were places and peoples to be seen, andfame to be won. This is clearly seen by those who read the story ofGrettir, that all his life he sought fame, and his fate was lighter tohim because he knew men would sing of him after his death. But no suchthoughts uplifted Rolf, since he grieved for his mother and for theloss of the farm, and it seemed no pleasure to go abroad.
"Now," said he, "far rather would I stay here in this island, untilthe time of outlawry is past. Why may I not stay with thee?"
"Knowest thou not," asked Grettir, "that if one fares abroad theoutlawry is for three years, but if one stays it is twenty? And thatis a third of most men's lifetime."
"Yet," said Rolf, "I am minded to do it." For he cared not whathappened to him.
"Now," said Grettir, "listen to me, and learn what it means to be anoutlaw. No man will take thee within his house, so soon as he knowswho thou art. So must thou live in the open, like a beast, or elsemake hiding-places for thyself. And a miserable life it becomes aftera while. No man mayest thou trust, lest he take thy head. Well do Iknow that Gisli thy ancestor lived an outlaw, fourteen years; yet helived in holes and caves, and was slain at the end. He was thegreatest outlaw of Iceland before me, save only Gunnar of Lithend, whotried to stay in his home and was slain. But I have maintained myselfsixteen years, and miserable have they been. Too tender art thou ofyears and frame to bear the life. Moreover, I know my mother mourns meat home. Think then of thine, and put this idea from thee!"
Then Rolf was ashamed that he had ever thought of such a thing. So hespent a night with Grettir, there among the geysirs, and wonderfulwere the things that he saw. And in the morning they cooked again atthe boiling spring. Then, as they sat eating, Grettir said by chance:
"Thou saidst thou art poor. Did Snorri give the money for the priest'sdues, and the court's?"
"What are those dues?" asked Rolf.
Grettir cried: "Has no money been paid for thine outlawry?"
"None by me," answered Rolf.
"And thy neighbor Einar," asked Grettir. "What was he doing when thouearnest away?"
"They were preparing for departure, so that I heard a groom say theywould start before sunrise in the morning."
Then Grettir sprang up, and went and caught Rolf's pony; he saddledit, and brought it to the lad. "Go home!" he cried. "Too little dostthou know of the law. For if those dues were paid, then thou hadst ayear in which to take ship. But they are not paid, so thy enemy canmake thee full outlaw ten days after the rising of the Althing, byexecuting the act of distress at thy house. Three days are gonealready, and thou art far from home. For this was Einar hasteningaway. Now take my advice, and go south, and ship thence."
"Nay," answered Rolf, "first I must see my mother, and perhaps I canreach home in time. Now fare thee well, Grettir. When thy outlawry isfinished, then thou shalt gain me my property again."
But Grettir said nay to that. "Well do I know," said he, "that we twoshall never meet again. For from here I go to the island of Drangey,to keep myself if I may until my outlawry is over. No stronger placeis there in Iceland for defence. But Hallmund the Air-sprite, myfriend, foretold I should never come out of my outlawry. Thus I shallnever again mix in this affair of thine."
Rolf could answer nothing.
"And in my turn," said Grettir, "thus I foretell thy fate. No manshall help thee here. With thine own strength and craft must thouregain thine own, or never more be master of thy fathers hall!"
Then Rolf was heavy-hearted as he bade Grettir farewell. And Grettirdid as he had said: he went to his home at Biarg, and went thence withhis brother Illugi to Drangey. How he fared there may be read in theGrettir's Saga. But Rolf fared west to his home. He had lost muchtime, as Grettir had feared; yet as he neared Cragness on the eleventhday after the rising of the Althing he saw no one, and it was justnoon. And only at high noon might the act be executed which would makehim full outlaw. So he rode into the yard.
Then there stepped out to meet him from the house Ondott Crafty, whocame forward with a greeting. He spoke well to the boy, and bade himalight, yet seemed to wish to get very near. Rolf dismounted on thefurther side of his horse. "What doest thou here?" he asked.
"Einar hath sent me," said Ondott, still coming closer. "He biddeththee come to his house, where somewhat can be said concerning thisoutlawry of thine, to make it easier for thee."
But then Asdis came running from the house. "Flee!" she cried. "Einarand his men are at the crags, and there they make thee outlaw. Flee!"
Then Ondott snatched at Rolf with his lean arms, but the lad felledhim with a buffet. Rolf would have mounted his horse again to getaway, but men appeared at the gate of the yard, so that there was noway out. Then Rolf passed quickly into the hall, and kissed his motherfarewell, and leaped from a window at the other side, meaning to gainthe cliffs. His way was all but clear; for spies had seen Rolf'scoming and reported it to Einar, who sent his men to seize the lad.They had gone to right and left around the hall, while Einar alonecompleted the act of distress at the crags; for thus the law said: itmust be done at a barren spot where no shade fell, not far from thehouse of the outlaw. And Einar completed the act, and started towardthe house. He alone stood between Rolf and his escape. So Rolf ran athim, drawing his sword.
But Einar fled when he saw the lad's steel. Then Rolf ran up behind,put his sword between Einar's legs, and tripped him. Einar rolled overon his back.
"Mercy!" cried he, and made no attempt to ward himself.
Rolf laid the flat of his sword against Einar's forehead; he shrankfrom the cold steel, but still did not struggle.
"Now," quoth Rolf, "I go across the sea, yet thou shalt hear from meagain. And if I meet in the outlands thy son, of whom thou boastest, Ipromise thee to put this sword to his forehead, but with the edge, andto draw his blood."
By that, the men of Einar were close at hand. Rolf ran to the cragsand let himself down at a place which he knew well. When men withspears came to the edge and looked after him, nothing of him was seen.
