Grettir - Bear fight

Early in the winter a wild cave-bear suddenly came out of its den. It was so savage that neither man nor livestock was spared.

(...)

The bear attacked Grettir, striking him with the paw that was farthest from the cliff. Grettir defended himself with his sword, landing a blow on the paw just above the claws, slicing them off. Then the bear tried to strike him with the other front paw, which was still whole. To do so, it shifted its weight onto the stump, but because the stump was shorter the animal lost its balance and fell into Grettir's arms. Grettir grabbed the bear and held it away from him by its ears, so that it could not bite him. Later Grettir said that holding the bear off was the greatest test of his strength.

***

21. The Bear