That summer there was a great horse-fight at Langafit below Reykir,
whither a great many people came together. Atli of Bjarg had a good
stallion of Keingala's race; grey with a dark stripe down his back.
Both father and son valued the horse highly. The two brothers Kormak and
Thorgils in Mel had a very mettlesome brown stallion, and they arranged
to match it against that of Atli from Bjarg. Many other excellent
stallions were brought. Odd the Needy-Skald, Kormak's kinsman, had the
charge of their horse on the day. He had grown into a strong man and had
a high opinion of himself; he was surly and reckless. Grettir asked Atli
who should have charge of his stallion.
"That is not so clear to me," said Atli.
"Would you like me to back him?"
"Then you must keep very cool, kinsman," he said. "We have men to deal
with who are rather overbearing."
"Let them pay for their bluster," he said, "if they cannot control it."
The stallions were led out and the mares tethered together in the front
on the bank of the river. There was a large pool just beyond the bank.
The horses fought vigorously and there was excellent sport. Odd managed
his horse pluckily and Grettir gave way before him, holding the tail
of his horse with one hand and with the other the stick with which he
pricked it on. Odd stood in the front by his horse, and one could not
be sure that he was not pricking off Atli's horse from his own. Grettir
pretended not to notice it. The horses then came near the river. Then
Odd thrust with his pointed stick at Grettir and caught him in the
shoulder-blade which Grettir was turning towards him. He struck pretty
hard, and the flesh swelled up, but Grettir was little hurt. At the same
moment the horses reared. Grettir ducked beneath the flank of his horse
and drove his stick into Odd's side with such violence that three of his
ribs were broken and Odd fell into the pool with his horse and all the
mares that were tethered there by the bank. Some people swam out and
rescued them. There was great excitement about it. Kormak's men on one
side and those of Bjarg on the other seized their arms, but the men of
Hrutafjord and Vatnsnes came between them and parted them.
They all went home in great wrath, but kept quiet for a time. Atli said
very little, but Grettir rather swaggered and said that they should meet
again if he had his way.