The Story of Grettir the Strong by Unknown
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page 30 of 388 (07%)
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men brought many great stones forth on to the sheer cliffs above, yet
might not be seen withal from the ships. Now the vikings laid their ships boldly enough for the attack, and thought that the others quailed; and Vigbiod asked who they were that were in such jeopardy. Thrand said that he was the brother of Eyvind the Eastman, "and here beside me is Onund Treefoot my fellow." Then laughed the vikings, and shouted-- "Treefoot, Treefoot, foot of tree, Trolls take thee and thy company." "Yea, a sight it is seldom seen of us, that such men should go into battle as have no might over themselves." Onund said that they could know nought thereof ere it were tried; and withal they laid their ships alongside one of the other, and there began a great fight, and either side did boldly. But when they came to handy blows, Onund gave back toward the cliff, and when the vikings saw this, they deemed he was minded to flee, and made towards his ship, and came as nigh to the cliff as they might. But in that very point of time those came forth on to the edge of the cliff who were appointed so to do, and sent at the vikings so great a flight of stones that they might not withstand it. Then fell many of the viking-folk, and others were hurt so that they might not bear weapon; and withal they were fain to draw back, and might not, because their ships were even then come into the narrowest of the sound, and they were huddled together both by the ships and the |
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