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It is told that Grettir changed his manner no whit for these tidings, but was just as merry as before. He remained on board his ship for a time because he could not get a horse to suit him. There was a man named Sveinn who dwelt at Bakki up from Thingnes. He was a good bondi and a merry companion; he often composed verses which it was a delight to listen to.
The man who had been most active in getting them outlawed was Thorfinn, and they were determined to pay him out in full for his hostility. The jarl's expedition is told of in his saga, and the government of Norway was left in the hands of jarl Sveinn, with the regency. Thorfinn returned home and remained there until about Yule-tide, as has already been told.
Now, supposing you are wrecked, and lose your ship and your goods, there will be little to show that you have visited King Sveinn and brought him a precious gift. Then the King handed him a leather purse full of silver: You will not be altogether penniless, said he, even if you wreck your ship, so long as you can hold on to this.
Olaf the son of Harald was now king, having driven away jarl Sveinn from the country in the spring which followed the battle of Nesjar. Many noteworthy things were told of King Olaf. Men said that he took into favour all men who were skilled in any way and made them his followers. This pleased many of the younger men in Iceland and made them all want to leave home.
Sit down, said the King, and drink with us, and so Audunn did. Then King Haraldr asked: What reward did King Sveinn give you for the bear? Audunn answered: This, my Lord, that he accepted him from me. I would have given you that, said the King, but what else did he give you?
The following summer jarl Eirik the son of Hakon was preparing to leave his country and sail to the West to join his brother-in-law King Knut the Great in England, leaving the government of Norway in the hands of Hakon his son, who, being an infant, was placed under the government and regency of Eirik's brother, jarl Sveinn.
That would be fairer if you gave all you had for him. I would not care to do that, my Lord, answered Audunn, but the King said: Will you give him to me then? No, my Lord, answered Audunn. The King asked: What do you mean to do with him then? and Audunn answered: I mean to go south to Denmark and give him to King Sveinn.
Grettir then spoke a verse: "Tell, oh tell in the dwellings abroad tell thou hast met with Saddle-head. The handler of dice in sable cowl sat on his back; hasten, oh Halli!" Then they parted. Halli went along the road as far as Kalfanes before he met Sveinn. They greeted each other hurriedly and Sveinn said: "Saw you that loafer ride from the dwellings? Sorely he means my patience to try.
The summer after that, they sailed out to Greenland, where they stayed for the winter. It is told that in Greenland, Audunn bought a white bear, a magnificent beast, and paid for him all he had. Next summer they returned to Norway, and their voyage was without mishap. Audunn brought his bear with him, intending to go south to Denmark to visit King Sveinn, and to present the beast to him.
After a time, when the ship was quite ready to sail, King Sveinn said to Audunn: If you wish to go now, I shall not hinder you, but I have heard that you are badly off for harbours in your country, and that there are many shelterless coasts, dangerous to shipping.
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