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Audun then struck at Grettir with the bat that he was holding, but Grettir ducked and the blow missed him. Then they seized each other with their arms and wrestled. It was evident to the people around that Grettir was stronger than they had supposed, for Audun was very strong indeed of body. They struggled long together until at last Grettir was thrown.
"I won't allow you to have anything to do with it," said Audun, "because I know that it will bring Thorfinn's wrath down upon you." Grettir said he would risk that. The night passed; Grettir appeared early the next morning, and the bondi, who had got all the tools for digging ready, went with Grettir to the howe.
Grettir said it had nothing to do with a man's degree, and that each should have that which was his own. Skeggi replied: "Audun is now too far away to strangle you as he did at the ball-play." "That is well," said Grettir; "but however that may have been you shall not strangle me."
He was a good bondi and a kindly man, and was the strongest of all the men in the northern parts, as well as the most modest. Grettir had not forgotten how he had seemingly been worsted by Audun at the ball-play, as related above, and he was anxious to try which of them had gained most since. With this object he went at the beginning of the hay-harvest to Audunarstad.
Grettir said, "<i>Many a man stretches round the door to the lock</i>; and meseems it lies more in thy way to avenge thy brother Hall than to meddle in the dealings betwixt me and Audun." "At all times I hear this," said Bardi, "nor know I if that will be avenged, but none the less I will that thou let Audun be at peace, for he is a quiet man."
Grettir broke open the grave, and worked with all his might, never stopping until he came to wood, by which time the day was already spent. He tore away the woodwork; Audun implored him not to go down, but Grettir bade him attend to the rope, saying that he meant to find out what it was that dwelt there. Then he descended into the howe. It was very dark and the odour was not pleasant.
Audun told him he had better not inquire too closely into the matter, which, however, as one might expect, only whetted his curiosity the more. He was told accordingly that on that headland Karr the Old was buried; that at first father and son had but one farm on the island, but since Karr died he had so haunted the place that all the farmers who owned land were driven away.
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