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--^^^^;-~^A4e-T^^ * y Y / ^

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

H. RIDER HAGGARD

a: Tlluli i)K

*KINO SOLOMON'S MIN£S' *SUB' 'ALLAN QUATEBMAIN *

no.

6
>f

d
s
f

WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS
BY LANCELOT SPEED

B
3
B

TORONTO:

WILLIAM BRYCE, PUBLISHER.

Atl righti

^-^l

t«"^ f

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>• . :i.'^

Bntared aooordlng to Aol of Parliament of Canada, In tho Offlee of the MinlBter
of Agricnlture, by WzUiIAX Brtoi, In the year one thousand eight hundred
and ninety-one.

/.••v <

1) -!»:

INTEODUGTION

-•«»•

*E7iio BBiOBTirnBS* is a romance founded on {he Icelandio
Sagas. ' What is a saga V ' ' Is it a fable or a true story ? ' The
answer is not altogether simple. For such sagas as those of
Burnt Njal and Grdttir the Strong partake both of truth and
fiction: historians dispute as to the proportions. This
was the manner of the saga's growth : In the early days of
the Iceland community — that repubho of aristocrats — say, be-
tween the dates 900 and 1100 of our era, a quarrel would arise
between two great families. As in the case of the Njal Saga, its
cause, probably, was the ill doings of some noble woman. This
quarrel would lead to manslaughter. Then blood called for
blood, and a vendetta was sc on foot that ended only with
tlie death by violence of a majority of the actors in the drama
and of large n^mibers of their adherents. In the course of
the feud, men of heroic strength and mould would come to the
front and perform deeds worthy of the iron age which bore
them. Women also would help to fashion the tale, for good or
ill, according to their natural gifts and characters. At last the
tragedy was covered up by death and time, leaving only a few
dinted shields and haimted calms to tell of those who had
played its leading parts.

But its fame lived on in the minds of men. From genera-
tion to generation skalds wandered through the winter snows,
tiuch as Homer may have wandered in his day across the
Chrecian vales and mountains, to find a welcome at every stead,

viii

Elf/C BRIGHTEYES

because of the old-time story they had to tell. Here, night
after night, they would sit in the ingle and while away the
weariness of the dayles^ dark with histories of tho times
when men carried their lives in their hands, and thought
them well lost if there might be a song in the ears of
folk to come. To alter the tale was one of the greatest of
crimes : the skald must repeat it as it came to him ; but l>y
degrees undoubtedly the sagas did suffer alteration. The facts
remained the same indeed, but around them gathered a mist of
miraculous occurrences and legends. To take a single instance :
the account of the burning of Bergthorsknoll in the Njal Saga
is not only a piece of descriptive writing that for vivid, simple
force and insight is scarcely to be matched out of Homer and
the Bible, it is also obviously true. We feel as we read, that
no man could have invented that story, though some great
skald threw it into shape. That the tale is true, the writer of
' Eric ' can testify, for, saga in hand, he has followed every act
of the drama on its very site. There he who digs beneath the
surface of the lonely mound that looks across plain and sea to
Westman Isles may still find traces of the burning, and see
what appears to '^c the black sand with which the hands of
Bergthora and her women strewed the earthen floor some nine
hundred years ago, and even the greasy and clotted remains
of the whey that they threw upon the flame to quensh it.
He may discover the places where Plosi drew up his men,
where Skarphedinn died, singing while his legs were burnt
from off him, where Kari leapt from the flaming ruin, and
the dell in which he laid down to rest — at every step, in
short, the truth of the narrative becomes more obvious. And
yet the tale has been added to, for, unless we may belif'^e that
some human beings are gifted with second sight, we cannot
accept as true the proplietic vision that came io Bunolf,
Thorstein's son ; or that of Njal who, on the evening of the
onslaught, like Theoclymenus in the Odyssey, saw the whole
board and the meats upon it ' one gore of blood.'

Thus, in the Norse rDmance now offered to the reader, the
tale of Eric and his deeds would be true ; but the dream of
Asmund, the witchcraft of Swanhild, the incident of the

0, niglil

way the

G times

thought
ears of

3atest of

; but Ijy

Ehe facts

a mist of

instance :

^jal Saga

id, simple

omer and

read, that

Dme great

3 writer of

I every act

}neath the

and sea to

[g, and see
hands of
ome nine
remains

quensh it.
his men,
vere burnt
ruin, and
step, in
ous. And
eli^^^'^e that
we cannot
,0 Bunolf,
tg of the
the whole

Reader, the

dream of

Int of the

INTRODUCTION Si

speaking head, and the visions of Eric and SkftUagrim, would
owe their origin to the imagination of successive generations of
skalds ; and, finally, in the fifteenth or sixteenth century, the
story would have been written down with all its supernatural
additions.

The tendency of the human mind — and more especially of
the Norse mind — is to supply uncommon and extraordinary
reasons for actions and facts that are to be amply accounted for
by the working of natural forces. Swanhild would have needed
no ' familiar ' to instruct her in her evil schemes ; Eric would
have wanted no love-draught to bring about his overthrow.
Ou^ common experience of mankind as it is, in opposition to
mankind as we fable it to be, is sufficient to f each us that the
passion of the one and the human weakness of the other would
suffice to these ends. The natural magic, the beauty and
inherent power of such a woman as Swanhild, are things more
forceful than any spell magicians have invented, or any
demon they are supposed to have summoned to their aid. But
no saga would be complete without the intervention of such
extraneous forces : the need of them was always felt, in
order to throw up the acts of heroes and heroines, and to invest
their persons with an added importance. Even Homer felt
this need, and did not scruple to introduce not only second
sight, but gods and goddesses, and to bring their supernatural
agency to bear directly on the personages of his chant, and
that far more freely than any Norse sagaman. A word may
be added in explanation of the appearances of ' familiars ' in
the shapes of animals, an instance ci' which will be found in
this story. It was believed in Iceland, as now by the Finns and
Eskimo, that the passions and desires of sorcerers took visible
form in such creatures as wolves or rats. These were called
' sendings,' and there are many allusions to them in the Sagas.

Another peculiarity that may be briefly alluded to as em-
inently characteristic of the Sagas is their fatefulness. As we
read we seem to hear the voice of Doom speaking continually.
' Things will happen as they are fated : ' that is the keynote
of them all. The Norse mind had little belief in free will, less
even than we have to-day. Men and women were born with

S E/l/C BRIG HTE YES

eniain oharaotera and tendenoies, given to them in order that
their lives should run in appointed ohannelB, and their aoti
bring about an appointed end. They do not these things of
their own desire, though their desires prompt them to the deeds :
they do them because they must. The Noms, as they name
Fate, have mapped out their path long and long ago ; their feot
are set therein, and they must tread it to the end. Suc^ was
the conclusion of our ScandinaviaL ancestors— a belief forced
upon them by their intense realisation of the futility of human
hopes and schemings, of the terror and the tragedy of life, the
vanity of its desires, and the untravelled gloom or sleep,
dreamless or dreamful, which lies beyond its end.

Though the Sagas are entrancing, both as examples of
literature of which there is but little in the world and because
of their living interest, they are scarcely known to the English-
speaking public. This is earty to account for : it is hard to
persuade the nineteenth century world to interest itself in
people who lived and events that happened a thousand years
ago. Moreover, the Sagas are undoubtedly difficult reading.
The archaic nature of the work, even in a translation ; the
multitude of its actors ; the Norse sagaman's habit of inter-
weaving endless side-plots, and the persistence with which he
introduces the genealogy and adventures of the ancestors of
every unimportant character, are none of them to the taste
of the modern reader.

* Eric Brighteyes ' therefore, is clipped oi these peculiarities,
and, to some extent, is cast in the form of the romance of our
own day, archaisms being avoided as much as possible. The
author will be gratified should he succeed in exciting interest
in the troubled lives of our Norse forefathers, and still more
so if his difficult experiment brings readers to the Sagas — to
the prose epics of our own race. Too ample, too prolix, too
crowded with detail, they cannot indeed vie in art with the
epics of Greece ; but in their pictures of life, simple and heroic,
they fall beneath no Uterature in the world, save the Iliad and
the Odyssey alonet

er ihfti
ail aots
Lings of
e deeds:
ij name
heir fe^t
,uc' WftB
ef forced
»f human
[ Ufe, the
or sleep,

imples of

d because

) Englisb-

,8 hard to

it itself in

sand years

It reading.

ation ; the
t of inter-
1 which he
ttcestors of
the taste

iculiarities,
mce of our
jible. The
,ng interest
still more
Sagas— to
prolix, too
with the
land heroic,
te Iliad and

CONTENTS

-•o*

QEArm

I. How ASMTTND THX PriEST rOUMD OrOA TBI WlTOR .

II. How Ehic told his Love to Oudruda in thr Snow

OK COLDBACK

UI. How AsMUKO BADK Ehic to his Ydle-Fbabt . .

IV. How EltIC CAUE DOWN GoLDKN FAUiS . . •

V. How Eric won the Sword Whitefirb .

VI. How ASMUND THE P iEST WAS BETROTHED fO VVAK

VU. How Erio went ve Mosfell against Skajj^oriu

THE BaUESARK

How OSPAKAR BlACKTOOTU FOUND FiRIC BrIOHTEYES

28
38
51

vm.

AND Skallaorim Lambstail ON Horsk-Head

Hkiqhts 72

IX. How Swanhild dealt with Gudruda . . . . 82

X. How AsMUND SPOKE WITH SWANHILD .... 91

XI. How Swanhild bid Farewell to Eric . . . . 100

XII. How Eric was Outlawed and bailed a-Vikinq . .112

XIU. How Hall the Mate cut the Grapnel-Chain . . 124

XIV. How Eric dreamed a Dream 132

XV. How Eric dwelt in London Town 146

XVI. How Swanhild walked the Seas .... 155
XVII. How AsMUND the Priest wedded Unna, Tborod's

Daughter 165

XVIII. How Earl Atli found Eric and Skallaorim on the

Southern Boci£S of Straumey Isle . . . . 173
XIX. How EoLL THE Half-witted brought Tidinos rkOM

lOJtLUXD • • . 18S

?■

^ "

ifl

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

XXV.

XXVI.

XXVII.

xxvni.

XXIX.
XXX.

XXXI.

XXXII.

XXXIII.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

How Ebio was Nahxd Anxw ..... 191

How Hxiili or LlTHDALE TOOK TiBINOH TO IcRIAND . 200

How Erio oams Home aoain 208

How Ebio was a Ocbst at thi Wkduinu-Fkabt or

GUDRUDA TBS FaZB 917

How THS FXABT WXNT 225

How THI Feast ended .• 288

How Erio tentubxd down to MiDDALBor akd what

HE rouND • 241

How QUDRUDA WENT UP TO MosrELL .... 260

How SwANHZLD WON TiDiNos or Ebzc . . . . 260

How WENT THE Bbidal Nioht 271

How the Dawn came * 384

How Eric bent awat hib Men from MosrELL . . 298

How Eric and Skallaorim grew rET . . . . 801
How Erio and Skallaobim iouoht theib Last Obbax

^xoBZ •••••••«• 809

■■(^.

t »•/— • • ••

MST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

rBlt

Qbbax

-•o»<

FULL'PAQE ILLUSTRATIONS

' At BIB FiBT — nr a Pooxr— was a dvad Mam ' . • • • • 9

* A MSBTT LXVT ' . ,60

Euo moouNTBBS Skallaobdc 68

* ThZRB SH> HUMQ, ebb FbBT BB8TIM0 OM TBB BBELVIKO BanK * . 88

'Erio and SwanhiziD saw hbb mot' 107

EbIO AMD SEALLAOBIlf BoABDXMO TBB BaTBM . • • • . ISO

Swamhild walbb TBB Sbas ...«••.. 162

'BlOHT TBBOnOB BBB HbABT XT SVBD * 172

' SWAMBXLD 8B0BB TBBOUOB IT WXTB WBITXnRB'a BaZOB-BDOB ' . 190

Erio finds bis Motbbb dbad 216

'MbN TUBNBD AMD LOOKBD * 22'J

'All Niobt lomq Qudbuda sav m tbb Bbxdb's Seat' • • . 24")

' Drbw vobtb BBB Sebabs ' 2CB

' Shb took bib Haxd ' ...••••.. 280

' " Look upon tbt Wobx, Deumkabd I ** ' 286

' Hbb wbxtb Bobb was bbd wixb Blood ; a or.EAT Sword was

SBT nr BBB Hbabs 806

Tbb Dbaxb ov Ebio • • • 817

WOODCUTS IN TEXT

Imitxal Lbrbb 1

Tbb Obbat Haia at Hxddalbov 9

OSPAXAB • 19

(}qu>bm Falls • . 99

Ebio ob Rw»w - fl*«^***-" Boos ••■•••••if

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

9xn
Tbs WBiRLnro-BHou .88

Thb Babuubk Pbopbssim 60

* FaiiLb ▲ HiiMDBXD Fathoms down * « 67

Imituii Littxb 82

SWANHILD WHISPESINa TO HIB GbsY WoLF 88

Inxtul Littxb 91

ft 91 • • ft • • • • • • ••XX«

The Westman Isias 124

LaDT EliFBIDA 146

Hall tee Liab bows ashobb 147

The Ship Gudbuda in the Thames 155

Gboa bbews a Love-potion 167

Ebio and Ssallaorim wabbbd ashore 173

The bboxen Love-token 182

Initial Lettsb 191

» » 200

n n 208

217

SxALLAOBOf OBOUND HIS AZE 220

Initial Letteb 225

„ „ 233

Ospaxab's Caibr 241

BlDINO OVEB THB SnOWS 255

Jon BOUND . . • • 270

Initxal Letteb • • . . . 271

The Ajls cbabhkd thbouoh the Pakkllino 284

Initial Letteb .....*••••. 293

The Ghost ot thb Babksabk 301

InxxAL Lixsn • • • • • • • • • • 809

. »

-^» •■».•# ■ *•

91
112

124

146

147

155

167

173

182

191
, 200
. 208
. 217
. 220
. 225
. 233
. 241

. 255

. 270

. 271

. 284

. 293

. 301

• 809

Eeio Beighteyes

-•o*-

CHAPTER I

HOW ASMUND THB PBIB6T FOUND GIK)A TBB WITCH

HEBE lived a man in the south, before

Thangbrand, Wihbald's son, preached

the White Christ in Iceland. He waa

named Eric Brighteyes, Thorgrimor's

son, and in those days there was no

man like him for strength, beauty and

daring, for in all these things he was the first.

«C(flBfl|^ But he was not the first in good-luck.

WAr T^Q ^omen lived in the south, not far from

where the Westman Islands stand above the sea.

Gudruda the Fair was the name of the one, and Swanhild,

called the Fatherless, Groa's daughter, was the other. They

were half-sisters, and there were none like them in those days,

for they were the fairest of all women, though they had nothing

in common except- iheir blood and hate.

Now of Eric Brighteyes, of Gudruda the Fair, and of
Swanhild the Fatherless, there is a tale to tell.

These two fair women saw the light in the self-same hour.
But Eric Brighteyes was their elder by five years. The
father of Eric was Thorgrimur Iron-Toe. He had been a
mighty man ; but in fightiuj^: with a Baresark,* who fell upon

' The Baresarks were men on whom a pasting fury of battle oame ;
they were usually outlawed.

9 ERIC SRIGHTEYES

him as he came np from sowing his wheat, his foot was hewn
from him, so that afterwards he went upon a wooden leg
shod with iron. Still, he slew the Baresark, standing on one
leg and leaning against a rock, and for that deed people
honoured him much. Thorgrimur was a wealthy yeoman,
slow to wrath, just, and rich in friends. Somewhat late in life
he took to wife Saevuna, Thoix)d's daughter. She was the best
of women, strong in mind and second-sighted, and she could
cover herself in her hair. But these two never loved each
other overmuch, and they had but one child, Eric, who was bom
when Saevuna was well on in years.

The father of Gudruda was Asmund Asmundson, the
Priest of Middalhof. He was the wisest and the wealthiest
of all men who lived in the south of Iceland in those days,
owning many farms and, also, two ships of merchandise and
one long ship of war, and having much money out at interest.
He had won his wealth by viking's work, robbing the Enghsh
coasts, and black tales were told of his doings in his youth on
the sea, for he was a 'red-hand ' viking. Asmund was a hand-
some man, with blue eyes and a large beard, and, moreover, was
very skilled in matters of law. He loved money much, and
was feared of all. Still, he had many friends, for as he aged
he grew more kindly. He had in marriage Gudruda,
the daughter of Bjom, who was very sweet and kindly of
nature, so that they called her Gudruda the Gentle. Of this
marriage there were two children, Bjom and Gudruda the
Fair ; but Bjom grew up like his father in his youth, strong
and hard, and greedy of gain, while, except for her wonderful
beauty, Gudnida was her mother's child alone.

The mother of Swanhild the Fatherless was Groa the
Witch. She was a Finn, and it is told of her thai; the ship
on which she sailed, trying to run under the lee of the West-
man Isles in a great gale from the north-east, was dashed to
pieces on a rock, and all those on board of her were caught in
the net of Ban * and drowned, except Groa herself, who was saved
by her magic art. This at the least is true, that, as Asmund
the Priest rode down by the sea-shore on the morning after

^ Tilt- Moisc goddess of the sea.

'At her feet— iu a pool — wae a dead man

3 SRIC BRIG HTE YES

the gale, seeking for some strayed horses, hefonnd a beauti^
woxnan, who wore a porpjie oloak and a great girdle of gold,
seated on a rock, oombing her blaok hair and singing the
while ; and, at her feet, washing to apd fro in a pool, Tvas a
dead man. He asked whence she came, and she answered :

<Out of the Swan's Bath.'

Next he asked her where were her kin. But, pointing to
the dead man, she said that this alone was left of them.

' Who was the man, then ? ' said Asmuud the Pno^t.

She laughed again and sang this song : —

Qroa sails up from the Swt^'s BaUlt
, Death Gods grip the Dei^ MftQ's luuid.

Look where lies her luokless hatband.

Bolder sea-ldng ne'er swung sword I
Asmond, keep the kirtle-wearer,

For last night the Noms were oryiqg^
And Oroa thought they told of thee :

Yea, told of thee and babes unborn.

* How knowest thou my name ? ' asked Asmund.

' The sea-mews cried it as the ship sank, thine and othovs
~-ftnd they shall be heard in story.'

'Then that is the best of luck,' quoth Asmund; 'but
X think that thou art fey.' *

' Ay,' she answered, *■ fey and fair.'

* Tru9 enough thou art fair. What shall we do with this
dead man?'

' Leave him in the arms of Ban. So may all husbands lie.'

They spoke no more with her at that time, seeing that

she was a witchwoman. But Asmund took her up to Mid-

dalhof, and gave her a farm, and she lived there iJone, and

he profited much by her wisdom.

Kow it dhanoed that Gudruda th^ Gentle was with child,
imd when her time came she gave a daughter birth — a very
1^ girl, with dark eyes. On the same day, Groa the witch-
^pman brought forth a girl-child, and men wondered who

1 lit. snbjeot to sapematural presentiments, generally connected with
approaching doom.

• I

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

▼as its father, for Groa was no man's wife. It was women's
talk that Asmund the Priest was the father of this child
also; but when he heard it he was angry, and said that
no witohwoman should bear a bairn of his, howsoever fair
she was. Nevertheless, aC was still said that the child was
his, and it is certain that ho loved it as a man loves his
own ; but of all things, this is the hardest to know. When
Groa was questioned she laughed darkly, as was her fashion,
and said that she knew nothing of it, never having seen
the £&ce of the child's father, who rose out of the sea at
night. And for this cause some thought him to have been a
wizard or the wraith of her dead husband ; but others said
that Groa lied, as many women have done on such matters.
But of all this talk the child alone remained and she was
named Swanhild.

Now, but an hour before the child of Gudruda the Gentle
was bom, Asmund went up from his house to the Temple, to
tend the holy fire that burned night and day upon the altar.
When he had tended the fire he sat down upon the cross-
benches before the shrine, and, gazing on the image of the
Goddess Freya, he fell asleep and dreamed a very evil dream.

He dreamed that Gudruda the Gentle bore a dove most
beautiful to see, for all its feathers were of silver ; but that
Groa the Witch bore a golden snake. And the snake and
the dove dwelt together, and ever the snake sought to slay
the dove. At length there came a great white swan flying
over Ooldback Fell, and its tongue was a sharp sword. Now
the swan saw the dove and loved it, and the dove loved the
swan ; but the snake reared itself, and hissed, and sought to
kill the dove. But the swan covered her with his wings, and
beat the snake away. Then he, Asmund, came out and
drove away the swan, as the swan had driven the snake, and
it wneeled high into the air and flew south, and the snake swam
away also through the sea. But the dove drooped and now
it was blind. Then an eagle came from the north, and would
have taken the dove, but it fled round and round, crying, and
always the eagle drew iiearer to it. At length, from the
pouth the tf^fm Qftii^o back, flying heavily, and about its neek

ERIC BRIGHT EYES

was twined the golden snake, and with it came a raven. And
it saw the eagle and loud it trun){)eted, and shook the snako
from it so that it fell like a gleam of gold into the sea. Then
the eagle and the swan met in battle, and the swan drove
the eagle down and broke it with his wings, ard, flying to the
dove, comforted it. But those in the house ran out and shot
at the swan with bows and drove it away, but now he,
Asmund, was not with them. And once more the dove drooped.
Again the swan came back, and with it the raven, and a great
host were gathered against them, and, among them, all
Asmund's kith and kin, and the men of his quarter and some of
his priesthood, and many whom he did not know by face.
And the swan flew at Bjom his son, and shot out the sword
of its tongue and slew him, and many a man it slew thus.
And the raven, v/ith a beak and claws of steel, slew a^so many
a man, so that Asmund's kindred fled and the swan slept by
the dove. But as it slept the golden snake crawled out of
the sea, and hissed in the ears of men, and they rose up to
follow it. It came to the swan and twined itself about its
neck. It struck at the dove and slew it. Then the swan
awoke and the raven awoke, and they did battle till all
who remained of Asmund's kindred and people were dead.
But ?>till the snake clung about the swan's neck, and presently
snake and swan fell into the sea, and far out on the sea there
burned a flame of fire. And Asmund awoke trembling and
left the Temple.

Now as he wont, a woman came running, and weeping as
she ran.

' Haste, haste 1 ' she cried ; ' a daughter is bom to thee, and
Gudruda thy wife is dying ! '

' Is it so ? ' said Asmund ; ' after ill dreams ill tidings.'

Now in the bed-closet off the great hall of Middalhof lay
Gudruda the Gentle and she was dying.

* Art thou there, husband ? ' she said.

' Even so, wife.*

' Thou comest in an evil hour, for it is my last. Now
hearken. Take thou the new-bom babe within thine arms and
](iss it^ and jpour water over it, and name it with m^ name.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

as
Id

llay

This Asmund did.

' Hearken, my husband. I have been a good wife to thee,
though thou hast not been all good to me. But thus sbalt
thou atone : thou shalt swear that, though she is a girl, thou
wilt not cast this bairn forth to perish, but wilt cherish and
nurture her.'

* I swear it,' he said.

* And thou shalt swear that thou wilt not take the witch-
woman Groa to wife, nor have anything to do with her, and this
for thine own sake : for, if thou dost, she will be thy death.
Dost thou swear ? '

* I swear it,' he said.

*• It is well ; but, husband, if thou dost break thine oath,
either in the words or in the spirit of the words, evil shall over-
take thee and all thy house. Now bid me farewell, for I die.'

He bent over her and kissed her, and it is said that Asmund
wept in that hour, for after his fashion he loved his wife.

* Give me the babe,' she said, * that it may lie once upon
my breast.'

They gave her the babe and she looked upon its dark eyes
and said :

' Fairest of women shalt thou be, Gudruda — fair as no
woman in Iceland ever was before thee ; and thou shalt love
with a mighty love — and thou shalt lose — and, losing, thou
shalt find again.'

Now, it is said that, as she spoke these words, her fSEtce grew
bright as a spirit's, and, having spoken them, she fell back
dead. And they laid her in earth, but Asmund mourned her
mnch.

But, when all was over and done, the dream that he had
dreamed lay heavy on him. Now of all diviners of dreams
Groa was the most skilled, and when Gudruda had been in
earth seven fall days, Asmund went to Groa, though doubtfully,
because of his oath.

He came to the house and entered. On a couch in the
chamber lay Groa, and her babe was on her breast and she
^as very fair to see.

' greeting, lord 1 ' she said. ' Wl^^t wpuld^st thou here 7

7 ERJC BRIGHTEYES

* I have dreamed a dream, and thou alone canst read it.*

' That is as it may he/ she answered. ' It is tnie that I
have some skill in dreams. At the least I will hear it.*

Then he unfolded it to her every word.

' What wilt thou give me if I read thy dream ? ' she said.

' What dost thou ask ? Methinks I have given thee much.'

' Yea, lord,' and she looked at the babe upon her breast.
' I ask but a little thing : that thou shalt take this bairn in thy
arms, pour water over it and name it.'

' Men will talk if I do this, for it is the father's part.*

' It is a little thing what men say : talk goes by as the wind.
Moreover, thou shalt give them the he in the child's name, for
it shall be Swanhild the Fatherless. Nevertheless that is my
price. Pay it if thou wilt.'

*■ Bead me the dream and I will name the child.*

' Nay, first name thou the babe : for then no harm shall
come to her at thy hands.

Ro Asmund took the child, poured water over her, and
named her.

Then Groa spoke : ' This, lord, is the reading of thy dream,
else my wisdom is at fault : The silver dove is thy daughter
Gudruda, the golden snake is my daughter Swanhild, and
these two '^hall hate one the other and strive against each
other. But the swan is a mighty man whom both shall love,
and, if he love not both, yet he shall belong to both. And thon
shalt send him away ; but he shall return and bring bad luck
to thee and thy house, and thy daughter shall be blind with
love of him. And in the end he shall slay the eagle, a gteat
lord from the north who shall seek to wed thy daughter, and
many another shall he slay, by the help of that raven with
the bill of steel who shall be with him. But Swanhild shall
triuDiph over thy daughter Gudruda, and this man, and the
two of them, shall die at her hands, and, for the rest, who can
say ? But this is true — that the mighty man shall bring idl
thy race to an end. Sec now, I have read thy rede.'

Then Asmund was very wroth. ' Thou wast wise to be-
guile me to name thy bastard brat,' he said; 'else had I
been its death witbio this hour,*

ERtC BRIG HTE YES

* This thou canst not do, lord, seeing that thou hast heid it
in thy arms,' Groa answered, laughing. ' Go rather and
lay out Gudruda the Fair on Coldback Hill ; so shalt thou make
an end of the evil, for Gudruda shall be its very root. Learn
this, moreover : that thy dream does not tell all, seeing that
thou thyself must play a part in the fate. Go, send forth the
babe Gudruda, and be at rest.'

' That cannot be, for I hr ^3 sworn to cherish it, and with
an oath that may not be broken.'

' It is well,' laughed Groa. ' Things will befall as they
are fated ; let them befall in their season. There is space for
oaims on Ooldbaok and the sea can shroud its dead I

And Asmund went thence, angered at heart.

,^.^
/

1^,. ... ,f. ■ ... .^

ERIC BRIGHT EYES

CHAPTER II

now EBIO TOLD HI3 LOVE TO QUDBUDA IN THE SNOW

ON C0LD13ACK

NOW, it must
"be told that,
live years be-
fore the day
of the death
of Gudruda the Gentle,
Saevuna, the wife of
Thorgrimur Iron-Toe,
gave birth to a son, at
Coldback in the Marsh,
on Ran River, and when
his father came to look
upon the child he called
out aloud :

* Here we have a
wondrous bairn, for his
hair is yellow like gold
and his eyes shine

EHrC BRIGHTEYES

bright as stars.' And Thorgrimur named liiiii \unc Bright-
eyes.

Now, Coldback is but an hoar's ride from Middalhof, and
it chanced, in after yea.*s, that Thorgrimur went up to Mid-
dalof, to keep the Yule feast and worship in the Temple, for he
was in the priesthood of Asmund Asmundson, bringing the
boy Eric with him. There also was Groa with Swanhild, for
now she dwelt at Middalhof ; and the three fair children were
set together in the hall to play, and men thought it great
sport to see them. Now, Gudruda had a horse of wood and
would ride it while Eric pushed the horse along. But Swan-
hild smote her from the horse and called to Eric to make it
move ; but he comforted Gudruda and would not, and at that
Swanhild was angry and lisped out :

* Push thou must, if I will it, Eric'

Then he pushed sideways and with such good will thftt
Swanhild fell almost into the fire of the hearth, and, leaping
up, she snatched a brand and threw it at Gudruda, firing
her clothes. Men laughed at this ; but Groa, standing apart,
frowned and muttered witch-words.

* Why lookest thou ^o darkly, housekeeper ? ' said Asmund ;
' the boy is bonny and high of heart.'

' Ah, he is bonny as no child is, and he shall be bonny all ^
his life-days. Nevertheless, he shall not stand against his ill
luck. This I prophesy of him : that women shall bring him
to his end, and he shall die a hero's death, but not at the
hand of his foes.'

And now the years went by peacefully. Groa dwelt with
her daughter Swanhild up at Middalhof and was the love
of Asmund Asmundson. But, though he forgot his oath thus
far, yet he would never take her to ^fe. The witchwife
was angered at this, and she schemed and plotted much to
bring it about that Asmund should wed her. But still he
would not, though in all things else she led him as it were by
a halter.

Twenty fall years had gone by since Gudrada the Gentle

■/

ERIC BRIGHTEY^S

WM laid in earth ; and now Gudruda the Fair and Swanhild the
Fatherless were women grown. Eric, too, was a man of five-
and- twenty years, and no such man had lived in Iceland. For
he was strong and great of stature, his hair was yellow as
gold, and his grey eyes shone with the hght of swords. He
was gentle and loving as a woman, and even as a lad his
strength was the strength of two men ; and there were none
in all the quarter who could leap or swim or wrestle against
Eric Brighteyes. Men held him in honour and apoke well of
him, though as yet he had done no deeds, but Uved at home
on Goldback, managing the farm, for now Thorgrimur Iron-
Toe, his father, was dead. But women loved him much, and that
was his bane— for of all women he loved but one, Gudruda the
Fair, Asmund's daughter. He loved her from a child, and
her alone till his day of death, and she, too, loved him and
him only. For now Gudruda was a maid of maids, most
beautiful to see and sweet to hear. Her hair, like the hair
of Eric, was golden, and she was white as the snow on
Hecla; but her eyes were large and dark, and black lashes
drooped above them. For the rest she was tall and strong
and comely, merry of face, yet tender, and the most witty of
women.

Swanhild also was very fiedr; she was slender, small of

limb, and dark of hue, having eyes blue as the deep sea, and

thrown curling hair, enough to veil her to the knees, and a

I mind of which none knew the end, for, though she was open

I in her talk, her thoughts were dark and secret. This was her

jjoy : to draw the hearts of men to her and then to mock them.

\8he beguiled many in this fashion, for she was the cunningest

1^1 in matters of love, and she knew well the arts of women,

\ tvith which they bring men to nothing. Nevertheless she

^Vas cold at heart, and desired power and wealth greatly, and

jhe studied magic much, of which her mother Groa also had

\ store. But Swanhild, too, loved a man, and that was the joint

^ her harness by which the shaft of Fate entered her heart, for

^t man was Eric Brighteyes, who loved her not. But she

iesired him so sorely that, without him, aU the world was dark

|Q, her, and her soul but as a ship driven rudderless upon a

ERIC BRIG HTE YES ft

winter night. Therefore she put oat all her strength lo wki
him, and bent her witoheries upon him, and they were not few
nor small. Nevertheless they went by him like the wind, for
ho dreamed ever of Gudruda alone, and he saw no eyes but
hers, though as yet they spoke no word of love one to the
other.

But Swanhild in her wrath took counsel with her mother
Groa, though there was little liking between them ; and, when
she had heard the maiden's tale, Groa laughed aloud :

' Dost think me blind, girl ? ' she said ; * all of this I have
seen, yea and foreseen, and I tell thee thou art mad. Let
this yeoman Erie go and I will find thee finer fowl to fly at.'

* Nay, that I will not,' quoth Swanhild : ' for I love this man
alone, and I would win him ; and GuJruda I hate, and I would
overthrow her. Give me of thy counsel.'

Groa laughed again. ' Things must be as they are fated.
This now is my rede : Asmund would turn Gudruda's beauty
to account, and that man must be rich in friends and money
who gets her to wife, and in this matter the mind of Bjom is
as the mind of his father. Now we will watch, and, when a
good time chances, we will bear tales of Gudruda to Asmund
and to her brother Bjorn, and swear that she oversteps her
modesty with Eric. Then shall Asmund be wroth and 4rive
Eric from Gudruda's side. Meanwhile, I will do this : In the
north there dwells a man mighty in all things and blown np
with pride. He is named Ospakar Blacktooth. His wife is
but lately dead, and he has given out tht^t he will wed the fairest
maid in Iceland. Now, it is in my mind to send Eoll the Half-
witted, my thrall, whom Asmund gave to me, to Ospakar as
though by chance. He is a great talker and very clever, for
in his half-wits is more cunning than in the brains of most ;
and he sha^ll so bepraise Gudruda's beauty that Ospakar will
come hither to ask her in marriage ; and in this fashion, if
things go well, thou shalt be ric* cf thj rival, and I of one who
looks scornfully upon me. But, if this fail, then there are two
roads left on which strong feet may travel to their end ; and
of these, one is that thou shouldest win Eric away with thine
own beauty, and that is not little. AU men we &ail» uldv D

\ \

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

hATO a draught that will make the heart as wax ; but yet the
other path is surer.'

* And what is that path, my mother ? *

* It runs through blood to blackness. By thy side is a
knife and in Gudruda's bosom beats a heart. Dead women
are unmeet for love I '

Swanhild tossed her head and looked upon the dark face
of Groa her mother.

' Methinks, with such an end to win, I should not fear to
tread that path, if there be need, my mother.'

* Now I see thou art indeed my daughter. Happiness is to
the bold. To each it comes in uncertain shape. Some love
power, some wealth, and some— a man. Take that which thou
lovest— I say, cut thy path to it and take it ; else shall thy life
be but a weariness : for what does it serve to win the wealth and
power when thou lovest a man alone, or the man when thou
dost desire gold and the pride of place ? This is wisdom : to
satisfy the longing of thy youth ; for age creeps on apace and
beyond is darkness. Therefore, if thou seekest this man, and
Gudruda blocks thy path, slay her, girl — by witchcraft or by
steel — and take him, and in his arms forget that thine own are
red. But first let us try the easier plan. Daughter, I too hate
this proud girl, who scorn j me as her father's light-of-love.
I too long to see that bright head of hers dull with the dust of
death, or, at the least, those proud eyes weeping tears of shame
as the man she hates leads her hence a bride. Were it not for
her I should be Asmund's wife, and, when she is gone, with
thy help — for he loves thee much and has cause to love thee —
this I may be yet. So in this matter, if in no other, let us go
hand in hand and match our wit against her innocence.'

* So be it,' said Swanhild ; ' fail me not and fear not that I
shall fail thee.'

Now, Eoll the Half-witted went upon his errand, and the
time passed till it lacked but a month to Yule, and men sat
indoors, for the season was dark and much snow fell. At
length came frost, and with it a clear sky, and Gudruda, ceas-
ip^ from b^ spinning in the hall, wf.nt to the women's porcht

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

«4

and, looking out, saw that the snow was hard; and a great
longing came upon her to breathe the fresh air, for there was
still an hour of daylight. So she threw a cloak about her and
walked forth, taking the road towards Coldback in the Marsh
that is by Ban Biver. But Swanhild watched her till she was
over the hill. Then she also took a cloak and followed on
that path, for she always watched Gudruda. ' *

Gudruda walked on for the half of &^ hour or so, when she
became aware that clouds gathered in the sky, and that the
air was heavy with snow to come. Seeing this she turned
homewards, and Swanhild hid herself to let her pass. Now
flakes floated down as big and soft as fifa flowers. Quicker and
more quick they came till all the plain was one white maze of
mist, but through it Gudruda walked on, and after her crept
Swanhild, like a shadow. And now the darkness gathered
and the snow fell thick and fast, covering up the track of her
footsteps and she wandered from the path, and a:cter her
wandered Swanhild, being loath to show herself. For an hour
or more Gudruda wandered and then she called aloud and her
voice fell heavily against the cloak of snow. At the last she
grew weary and frightened, and sat down upon a shelving rock
whence the snow had slipped away. Now, a little way behind
was another rock and there Sw nhild sat, for she wished to
be unseen of Gudruda. So some time passed, and Swanhild
grew heavy as though with sleep, when of a sudden a moving
thing loomed upon the snowy darkness. Then Gudruda leapt
to her feet and called. A man's voice answered :

' Who passes there ? *

' I, Gudruda, Asmund's daughter.'

The form came nearer; now Swanhild could hear the
snorting of a horse, and now a man leapt from it, and that
man was Eric Brighteyes.

* Is it thou indeed, Gudruda ! * he said with a laugh, and
his great shape showed darkly on the snow mist.

* Oh, is it thou, Eric ? ' she answered. * I was never more
joyed to see thee ; for of a truth thou dost come in a good
hour. A little while and I had seen thee no more, for my
eyes grow heavy with the death-sleep.'

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

* Nay, say not bo. Art lost, then ? Why, so am I. I
came out to seek three horses that are strayed, and was over-
taken by the snow. May they dwell in Odin's stables, for
tbey have led me to thee. Art thou cold, Gudruda ? '

' But a little, Erie. Yea, there is place for thee here on
ibe rock.'

So he sat down by her on the stone, and Swanhild crept
nearer; for now all weariness had left her. But still the
mow fell thick.

* It comes into my mind that we two shall die here,' said
Oudruda presently,

* Thinkest thou so ? ' he answered. * Well, I will say this,
that I ask no better end.'

' It is a bad end for thee, Eric : to be choked in snow, and
with all thy deeds to do.'

' It is a good end, Gudruda, to die at thy side, for so I shall
die happy ; but I grieve for thee.'

* Grieve not for me, Brighteyes, worse things might befall.'
He drew nearer to her, and now he put his arm about her

and clasped her to his bosom ; nor did she say him nay.
Swanhild saw and lifted herself up behind them, but for a
while she heard nothing but the beating of her heart.'

* Listen, Gudruda,' Eric said at last. ' Death draws near to
us, and before it comes I would speak to thee, if speak I may.'

' Speak on,' she whispers from his breast.
' This I would say, then : that I love thee, and that I ask
no better fate than to die in thy arms.'

* First shalt thou see me die in thine, Eric'

' Be sure, if that is so, I shall not tarry for long. Oh !
Gudruda, since I was a child I have loved thee with a mighty
love, and now thou art all to me. Better to die thus than to
live without thee. Speak, then, while there is time.'

* I will not hldo from thee, Eric, that thy words are sweet
in my ears.'

And now Gudruda sobs and the tears fiall fast from her dark
eyes.

' Nay, weep not. Dost thou, then, love me ? '
' Ay, sure enough, Erie.'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

'Then kiss me before we pass. A man should not did
thus, and yet men have died worse.'

And so these two kissed, for the first time, out in the snow
on Goldback, and that first kiss was long and sweet.

Swanhild heard and her blood seethed within her as water
seethes in a boiling spring when the fires wake beneath. She
put her hand to her kirtle and gripped the knife at her side.
She half drew it, then drove it back.

*■ Cold kills as sure as steel,' she said in her heart. ' If I
slay her I cannot save myself or him. Let us die in peace, and let
the snow cover up our troubling.' And once more she hstened.

* Ah, sweet,' said Eric, * even in the midst of death there
is hope of life. Swear to me, then, that if by chance we Uve
thou wilt love me always as thou loveSt me now.'

* Ay, Eric, I swear that and readily.'

* And swear, come what may, that thou wilt wed no man
but me.'

*■ I swear, if thou dost remain true to me, that I will wed
none but thee, Eric'

* Then I am sure of thee.'

* Boast not overmuch, Eric : if thou dost live thy days are
all before thee, and with times come trials.'

Now the snow whirled down faster and more thick, till these
two, clasped heart to heart, were but a heap of white, and all
white was the horse, and Swanhild was nearly buried.

* V/here go we when we die, Eric ? ' said Gudruda ; * in
Odin's house there is no place for maids, and how shall my
feet fare without thee ? '

*Nay, sweet, my May, Valhalla shuts its gates to me, a
deedless man ; up Bifrost's rainbow bridge I may not travel,
for I do not die with byr:iie on breast and sword aloft. To
Hela shall we go, and hand in hand.'

* Art thou sure, Eric, that men find th^se abodes ? To say
sooth, at times I misdoubt me of them.'

* I am not so sure but that I also doubt. Still, I know this :
that where thou goest there I shall be, Gudruda.'

< Then things are well, and well work the Noms.^ Still,

1 The Northern Fates.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

Erie, of a sudden I grow fey : for it comes upon me that I shall
not die to-night, but that, nevertheless, I shall die with thy
arms about me, and at thy side. There, I see it on the
snow! I lie by thee, bleeping, and one comes with hands
outstretched and sleep falls from them hke a mist — by Freya,
it is Swanhild's self ! Oh I it is gone.'

* It was nothing, Gudruda, but a vision of the snow — an un-
timely dream that comes before the sleep. I grow cold and
my eyes are heavy ; kiss me once again.'

*■ It was no dream, Eric, and ever I doubt me of Swanhild,
for I think she loves thee also, and she is fair and my enemy,'
flays Gudruda, laying her snow-cold lips on his lips. * Oh, ErJc,
awake ! awake ! See, the snow is done.'

He stumbled to his feet and looked forth. Lo ! out artoss
the sky flared the wild Northern fires, throwing light upon the
darkness.

* Now it seems that I know the land,' said Eric. * Look :
yonder are Golden Falls, though we did not hear them because
of the snow ; and there, out at sea, loom the Westmans ; and
that dark thing is the Temple Hof, and behind it stands the
stead. We are saved, Gudruda, and thus far indeed thou
wast fey. Now rise, ere thy limbs stiffen, and I will set thee
on the horse, if he still can run, and lead thee down to Mid-
dalhof before the witchlights fail us.'

* So it shall be, Eric'

Now he led Gudruda to the horse — that, seeing its master,
snorted and shook the snow from its coat, for it was not
frozen — and set her on the saddle, and put his arm about
her waist, and they passed slowly through the deep snow.
And Swanhild, too, crept from her place, for her burning
rage had kept the life in her, and followed after them. Many
times she fell, and once she was nearly swallowed in a drift of
snow and cried out in her fear.

* Who called aloud ? ' said Eric, turning ; ' I tLcu^Vt I
heard a voice.'

'Nay,' answers Gudruda, 'it was but a night-hawk
jicreaminor.'

^0 w Swanhild lay ^uiet in the drift, but she said in her heart :

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

' Ay, a night-hawk that shall tear out those dark eyes of
thine, my enemy I '

The two go on and at length they oome to the hanked
roadway that runs past the Temple to Asmund's hall. Here
Swanhild leaves them, and, climbing over the turf- wall into
the home meadow, passes round the hall by the outbuildings
and so comes to the west end of the house, and enters by the
men's door unnoticed of any. For all the people, seeing a
horse coming and a woman seated on it, were gathered in
front of the hall. But Swanhild ran to that shut bed where
she slept, and, closing the curtain, threw off her garments, shook
the snow from her hair, and put on a linen kirtle. Then she
rested a while, for she was weary, and, going to the kitchen,
warmed herself at the fire.

Meanwhile Eric and Gudruda came to the house and
there Asmund greeted them well, for he was troubled in his
heart about his daughter, and very glad to know her living,
seeing that men had but now begun to search for her, because
of the snow and the darkness.

Now Gudruda told her tale, but not all of it, and Asmund
bade Eric to the house. Then one asked about Swanhild, and
Eric said that he had seen nothing of her, and Asmund was
sad at this, for he loved Swanhild. But as he told all men to
go and search, an old wife came and said that Swanhild was
in the kitchen, and while the carline spoke she came into the
hall, dressed in white, very pale and with shining eyes and
fair to see.

'Where hast thou been, Swanhild?' said Asmund. *I
thought certainly thou wast perishing with Gudruda in the
snow, and now all men go to seek thee while the witchlights
bum.'

* Nay, foster-father, I have been to the Temple,' she an-
swered, lying. ' So Gudruda has but narrowly escaped the
snow, thanks be to Brighteyes yonder! Surely I am glad
of it, for we could ill spare our sweet sister,' and, going up
to her, she kissed her. But Gudruda saw that her eyes
burned like fire and felt that her hps were cold as ice, and
ehrajak back wondering.

^'liil

•9

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

CHAPTER III

HOW ASMUND BADE EBIC TO HIB TULB-FEAST

|0W it was supper-time and men
sat at meat while the women
waited upon them. But as
she went to and fro, Gudruda
always looked at Eric, and
Swanhild watched them both.
Supper being over, people
gathered round the hearth,
and, having finished her ser-
vice, Gudruda came and sat by
Eric, so that her sleeve might
touch his arm. They spoke no
word, but there they sat and
were happy. Swanhild saw
and bit her lip. Now, she was
■ seated by Asmund and Bjorn
his son.

* Look, foster-father,' she said ; * yonder sit a pretty pair ! '

* That cannot be denied,' answered Asmund. * One may
ride many days to see such another man as Eric Brighteyes,
and no such maid as Gudruda flowers between Middalhof and
London town, unless it be thou, Swanhild. Well, so her
mother said that it should be, and without doubt she was
foresighted at her death.'

' Nay, name me not with Gudruda, foster-father ; I am
but a grey goose by thy white swan. But these shall be well
wed and that will be a good match for Eric'

OAPAKAB.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

' Let not thy tongue run on so fast/ said Asmund sharply.
' Who told thee that Eric should have Gudruda ? '

' None told me, but in truth, having eyes and ears, I grew
certain of it,' said Swanhild. * Look at them now : sorely
lovers wear such faces.'

Now it chanced that Gudruda had rested her chin on her
hand, and was gazing into Eric's eyes beneath the shadow of
her hair.

< Methinks my sister will look higher than to wed a simple
yeoman, though he is large as two other men,' said Bjorn
with a sneer. Now Bjorn was jealous of Eric's strength and
beauty, and did not love him.

< Trust nothing that thou seest and little that thou hearest,
girl,' said Asmund, raising himself from thought : ' so shall
thy guesses be good. Eric, come here and tell us how thou
didpt chance on Gudruda in the snow.'

' I was not so ill seated but that I could bear to stay,'
gnunbled Eric beneath his breath ; but Gudruda said *■ Go.'

So he went and told his tale ; but not all of it, for he in-
tended to ask Gudruda in marriage on the morrow, though
his heart prophesied no luck in the matter, and therefore he
was not overswift with it.

' Li this thing thou hast done me and mine good service,'
said Asmund coldly, searching Eric's face with his blue eyes.
' It had been sad if my fair daughter had perished in the snow,
for, know this : I would set her high in marriage, for her honour
and the honour of my house, and so some rich and noble man
had lost great joy. But take thou this gift in memory
of the deed, and Gudruda's husband shall give thee another
such upon the day that he makes her wife,' and he drew a
gold ring off his arm.

Now Eric's knees trembled as he heard, and his heart
grew fSednt as though with fear. But he answered clear and
straight :

* Thy gift had been better without thy words, ring-giver ;
but I pray thee to take it back, for I have done nothing to win
it, though perhaps the time will como when I shall ask thee
for a richer.'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

•Jfy giftfl have never been pit away before,' said Asmuncl,
growing angry.

• This wealthy farmer holds the good gold of little worth.
It is foolish to take fish to the sea, my father,' sneered
Bjom.

• Nay, Bjom, not so,' Eric answered : ' but, as thou sayest,
I am but a farmer, and since my father, Thorgrimur Iron-Toe,
died things have not gone too well on Ran River. But at
the least I am a free man, and I will take no gifts that I
cannot repay worth for worth. Therefore I will not have the
ring.'

* As thou wilt,' said Asmund. ' Pride is a good horse if
thou ridest wisely,' and he thrust the ring back upon his
arm.

Then people go to rest ; but Swanhild seeks her mother, and
tells her all that has befallen her, nor does Groa fail to
listen.

• Now I will make a plan,' she says, * for these things have
chanced well and Asmund is in a ripe humour. Eric shall
come no more to Middalhof till Gudruda is gone hence, led
by Ospakar Blacktooth.'

*■ And if Eric does not come here, how shall I see his face ?
for, mother, I long for the sight of it.'

* That is thy matter, thou lovesick fool. Know this : that
if Eric comes hither and gets speech with Gudruda, there is
an end of thy hopes ; for, fair as thou art, she is too fair for
thee, and, strong as thou art, in a way she is too strong. Thou
hast heard how these two love, and such loves mock at the
will of fathers. Eric will win his desire or die beneath the
swords of Asmund and Bjom, if such men can prevail against his
might. Nay, the wolf Eric must be fenced xrom the lamb till
he grows hungry. Then let him search the fold and make
spoil of thee, for, when the best is gone, he will desire the
good.'

♦ So be it, mother. As I sat crouched behind Gudmda in
the snow at Coldback I had half a mind to end her love-
words with this knife, for so I should have been free of
her.'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

' Yea, and fact in the doom-ring, thou wildcat. The godfl
help this Eric, if thou wizmest him. Nay, choose thy time and,
if thou must strike, strike secretly and home. Remember also
that cunning is mightier than strength, that lies pierce further
than swords, and that witchcraft wins where honesty must
fail. Now I will go to Asmund, and he shall be an angry man
before to-morrow comes.*

Then Groa went to the shut bed where Asmund the
Priest slept He was sitting on the bed and asked her why
she came.

' For love of thee, Asmund, and thy house, though thoi:
dost treat me ill, who hast profited so much by me and my
foresight. Say now : wilt thou that this daughter of thine,
Gudruda the Fair, should be the light May of yonder long-
legged yeoman ? *

'That is not in my mind,' said Asmund, stroking his
beard.

' Enowest thou, then, that this very day your white
Gudruda sat on Eric's lap in the snow, while he fondled her
to his heart's content ? '

' Most likely it was for warmth. Men do not dream on love
in the hour of death. Who saw this ? '

* Swanhild, who wa3 behind, and hid herself for shame,
and therefore she held that these two must soon be wed I
Ah, thou art foolish now, Asmund. Young blood makes
light of cold or death. Art thou blind, or dost thou not see
that these two turn to each other like birds at nesting-time ? '

' They might do worse,' said Asmund, ' for they are a
proper pair, and it seems to me that each was bom for
each.*

* Then all goes well. Still, it is a pity to see so fair a maid
cast like rotten bait upon the waters to hook this troutlet
of a yeoman. Thou hast enemies, Asmund ; thou art too
prosperous, and there are many who hate thee for thy state
and wealth. Were it not wise to use this girl of thine to build
a wall about thee against the evil day ? '

'I have been more wont, housekeeper, to trust to my
own arm than to bought friends. But tell me, for at the least

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

thou art far-seeing, how may this be done ? As things are,
though I spoke roughly to him this night, I am inchned to let
Eric Brighteyes take Gudruda. I have always loved the lad,
and he will go far.'

* Listen, Asmund ! Surely thou hast heard of Ospakar
Blacktooth — the priest who dwells in tho north ? '

* Ay, I have heard of liim, and I know him ; there is no
man like him ior ugliness, or strength, or wealth and power.
We sailed together on a viking cruise many years ago, and
he did things at which my blood turned, and in those days I
had no chicken heart.'

* With time men change their temper. Unless I am mis-
taken, this Ospakar wishes above all to have Gudruda in
marriage, for, now that everything is his, this alone is left for
him to ask — the fairest woman in Iceland as a housewife.
Think then, with Ospakar for a son-in-law, who is there that
can stand against thee ? '

* I am not so sure of this matter, nor do I altogether trust
thee, Groa. Of a truth it seems to me that thou hast some
stake upon the r ce. This Ospakar is evil and hideous. It
were a shame to give Gudruda over to him when she looks else-
where. Knowest thou that I swore to love and cherish her,
and how runs this with my oath ? If Eric is not too rich,
yet he is of good birth and kin, and, moreover, a man of men.
If he take her good will come of it.'

*It is Uke thee, Asmund, always to mistrust those who spend
their days in plotting for thy weal. Do as thou wilt : let
Eric take this treasure of thine — for w^hom earls would give
their state — and Uve to rue it. But I say this : if he
have thy leave to roam here with his dove the matter will
soon grov/, for these two sicken each to each, and young
blood is hot and ill at waiting, and it is not always
snow-time. So betroth her or let him go. And now I have
said.'

* Thy tongue runs too fast. The man is quite unproved and
I will try him. To-morrow I will warn him from my door ;
then things shall go as they are fated. And now peace, for J
weary of thy talk, and, moreover, it is false ; for thou lackesl

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

one thing — a little honesty to season all thy craft. What
fee has Ospakar paid tliee, I wonder. Thou at least hadst
never refused the gold ring to-night, for thou wouldst do
much for gold.'

' And more for love, and most of all for hate/ Groa said,
and laughed aloud ; nor did they speak more on this matter
that night.

Now, early in the morning Asmund rose, and, going to the
hall, awoke Eric, who slept by the centre hearth, saying that
he would talk with him without. Then Eric followed him
to the back of the hall.

* Say now, Eric,' he said, when they stood in the grey
light outside the house, ' who was it taught thee that kisses
keep out the cold on snowy days ? '

Now Eric reddened to his yellow hair, but he answered :
* Who was it told thee, lord, that I tried this medicine ? '

* The snow hides much, but there are eyes that can pierce
the snow. Nay, more, thou wast seen, and there's an end.
Now know this — I Uke thee well, but Gudruda is not for thee ;
she is far above thee, who art but a deedless yeoman.'

' Then I love to no end,' said Eric ; * I long for one
thing only, and that is Gudruda. It was in my mind to ask
her in marriage of thee to-day.'

' Then, lad, thou hast thy answer before thou askest.
Be sure of one thing: if but once again I find thee alone
with Gudruda, it is my axe shall kiss thee and not her
lips.'

* That may yet be put to the proof, lord,' said Eric,
and turned to seek his horse, when suddenly Gudruda cpme
and stood between them, and his heart leapt at the sight of
her.

* Listen, Gudruda,' Eric said. * This is thy father's word :
that we two speak together no more.'

' Then it is an ill saying for us,' said Gudruda, laying her
hand upon her breast.

* Saying good or ill, so it surely is, girl,' answered Asmund.
' No more slialt thou go a-kissing, in the wiow or in the
flowers.'

«5

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

'Now I seem to hear Swanhild's voice/ she said. * Well,
flnoh things have happened to better folk, and a father's wish
is to a maid what the wind is to the grass. Still, the sun is
behind the cloud and it will shine again some day. Till then,
Eric, fare thee well I '

' It is not thy will, lord,' said Eric, ' that I should come to
thy Yule -feast as thou hast asked me these ten years gone ? '

Now Asmund grew wroth, and pointed with his hand to-
wards the great Golden Falls that thunder down the mountain
named Stonefell that is behind Middalhof, and there are no
greater water-faUs in Iceland.

'A man may take two roads, Eric, from Ooldback to
Middalhof, one by the bridle-path over Coldback and the other
down Golden Falls ; but I never knew traveller to choose this
way. Now, I bid thee to my feast by the path over Golden Falls ;
and, if thou comest that way, I promise thee this : if thou livest
I will greet thee well, and if I find thee dead in the great pool I
will bind on thy Hell-shoes and lay thee to earth neighbourly
fashion. But if thou comest by any other path, then my thralls
shall cut thee down at my door.' And he stroked his beard
and laughed.

Now Asmund spoke thus mockingly because he did not
think it possible that any man should try the path of the Golden
Falls.

Eric smiled and said, ' I hold thee to thy word, lord ; per-
haps I shall be thy guest ac Yule.'

But Gudruda heard tho thunder of the mighty Falls as the
wind turned, and cried * Nay, nay — it were thy death I *

Then Eric finds his horse and rides away across the

BXIOW*

Now it must be told of Eoll the Half-witted that at length
he came to Swinefell in the north, having journeyed hard across
the snow. Here Ospakar Blacktooth had his great hall, in
which day by day a hundred men sat down to meat. Now
Eoll entered the hall when Ospakar was at supper, and looked
at him with big eyes, for he had never seen so wonderful a
man. He was huge in stature — his hair was black, and black

ERIC BRIGHTKYES

his bcanl, and on liin lower lip there lay a great black fang.
Ilia eyoa were small and narrow, but hia ch(3(kLoiiL'S vvcnj set
vade apart and high, like those of a horse. KoU thouf^ht him
an ill man to deal with and half a troll,' and grew afraid of his
errand, since in KoU's halfwittedness there was much cunning
— for it was a cloak in which he wrapped himself. But
as Ospakar sat in the high seat, clothed in a puride robe, with
his sword Whitefire on his knee, he saw Koli, and called
out ?n a great voice :

* Who is this red fox that creeps into my earth ? '
For, to look at, Koll was very like a fox.

* My name is Koll the Half-witted, Groa's thrall, lord.
Am I welcome here ? ' he answered.

* That is as it may be. Why do they call thee half-witted ?

* Because I love not work overmuch, lord.*

' Then all my thralls are fellow to thee. Say, what brings
thee here ? '

* This, lord. It was told among men down in the south that
thou wouldst give a good gift to hira who should discover to
thee the fairest maid in Iceland. So I asked leave of my
mistress to come on a journey and tell thee of her.'

' Then a lie was told thee. Still, I love to hear of fair
maids, and seek one for a wife if she be but fair enough. So
speak on, Koll the Fox, and lie not to me, I warn thee, else
I will knock what wits are left there from that red head of
thine.'

So Koll took up the tale and greatly bepraised Gudruda's
beauty ; nor in truth, for all his talk, could he praise it too
much. He told of her dark eyes and the whiteness of her skin,
of the nobleness of her shape and the gold of her hair, of her
wit and gentleness, till at length Ospakar grew afire to see
this flower of maids.

' By Thor, thou Koll,' he said, * if the girl be but half of
what thou sayest, her luck is good, for she shall be wife to
OspaJjar. But if thou hast lied to me about her, beware I for
soon there shall be a knave the less in Iceland.'

Now a man rose in the hall and said that Koll spoke trntb|for
i An able-bodied Goblio.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

{ !■

he had seen Gudruda the Fair, Asmund's daughter, and there
was no maid like her in Iceland.

* I will do this now,' said Blacktooth. ' To-morrow I will
send a messenger to Middalhof, saying to Asmund the Priest
that I purpose to visit him at the time of the Yule-feast ; then
I shall see if the girl pleases me. Meanwhile, Eoll, take thou
a seat among the thralls, and here is something for thy pains/
and he took off the purple cloak and threw it to him.

* Thanks to thee, Gold-scatterer,' said Koll. * It is wise to
go soon to Middalhof, for such a bloom as this maid does not
lack a bee. There is a youngling in the south, named Eric
Brighteyes, who loves Gudruda, and she, I think, loves hir?,
though he is but a yeoman of small wealth and is only twenty-
five years old.'

' Ho ! ho ! ' laughed great Ospakar, * and I am forty-five.
But let not this suckling cross my desire, lest men call him
Eric Holloweyes ! '

I !

i !!

Now the messenger of Ospakar came to Middalhof, and his
words pleased Asmund and he made ready a great feast.
And Swanhild smiled, but Gudruda was afraid.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

CHAPTER IV

HOW ERIC CAME DOWN GOLDEN PALLS

NOW Ospakar rode up to Middalhof on the day be-
fore the Yule-feast. He was splendidly apparelled,
and with him came his two sons, Gizur the Law-
man and Mord, young men of promise, and many
armed thralls and servants. Gudruda, watching at
the women's door, saw his face in the moonlight and loathed
him.

* What thinkest thou of him who comes to seek thee
in marriage, foster-sister ? ' asked Swanhild, watching at her
side.

' I think he is like a troll, and that, seek as he will, he
shall not find mo. I had rather lie in the pool beneath
Golden Falls than in Ospakar's hall.'

' That shall be proved,' said Swanhild. * At the least he
is rich and noble, and the greatest of men in size. It would
go hard with Eric were those arms about him.'

' I am not so sure of that, Baid Gudruda ; ' but it is not
likely to be known.'

' Gomes Eric to the feast by the road of Golden Falls,
Gudruda ? '

* Nay, no man may try that path and live.'
'Then he will die, for Eric will risk it.'

Now Gudruda thought, and a great fire burned in her
hear' and shone through her eyes. * If Eric dies,' she said,
' on thee be his blood, Swanhild — on thee and that dark mother
of thine, for ye have plotted to bring this evil on us. How

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

have I harmed thee
that thoushouldst deal
thus with me ? '

Swanhild turned
white and wicked-
looking, for passion
mastered her, and she
gazed into Gudruda's
face and answered :
* How hast thou
harmed me ? Surely
I will tell thee. Thy
beauty has robbed me
of Eric's love.'

* It would be better
to prate of Eric's love
when he had told it
thee, Swanhild.'

* Thou hast robbed
me and therefore I
hate thee, and there-
fore I will dehver thee
to Ospakar, whom
thou dost loath — ay
and yet win Bright-
eyes to myself. Am
I not also fair and can
I not also love, and
shall I see thee snatch
my joy? By the Gods,
never ! I will see thee
dead, and Eric with
thee, ere it shall be so !
but first I will see thee
shamed ! '

* Thy words are ill-
suited to a maiden's

lips, Swanhild ! But of this be sure : I fear thee not, and shall

aOLDBN FALLS.

i:.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

never fear thee. And one thing I know well that, whether thou
or I prevail, in the end thou shalt harvest the greatest shame,
and in times to come men shall speak of thee with hatred and
name thee by ill names. Moreover, Eric shall never love
thee ; from year to year he shall hate thee with a deeper hate,
though it may well be that thou wilt bring ruin on him. And
now I thank thee that thou hast told me all thy mind, show-
ing me what indeed thou art ! ' And Gudruda turned scornfully
upon her heel and walked away.

Now Asniund the Priest went out into the courtyard, and
meeting Ospakar Blacktooth, greeted him heartily, though he
did not like his looks, and took him by the hand and led him
to the hall, that was bravely decked with tapestries, and seated
him by his side on the high seat. And Ospakar's thralls
brought good gifts for Asmund, who thanked the giver well.

Now it was supper time, and Gudruda came in, and after
her walked Swanhild. Ospakar gazed hard at Gudruda and a
great desire entered into him to make ber his wife. But she
passed coldly by, nor looked on him at all.

* This, then, is that maid of thine of whom I have heard
tell, Asmund ? I will say this ; fairer was never born of
woman.'

Then men ate and Ospakar drank much ale, but all the
while he stared at Gudruda and listened for her voice. " But
fis yet he said nothing of what he came to seek, though all
laiew his errand. And his two sons, Gizur and Mord, stared
also at Gudruda, for they thought her most wonderfully fair.
But Gizur found Swanhild also fair.

And so the night wore on till it was time to sleep.

On this same day Eric rode up from his farm on Ran
River and took his road along the brow of Coldback till he
came to Stonefell. Now all along Coldback and Stonefell
is a steep cliff facing to the south, that grows ever higher till
it comes to that point where Golden River falls over it and,
parting its waters below, runs east and west — the branch to
the east being called Ran River and that to the west Laxa —
for these two streams girdle round the rich plain of Middalhof,

'{]'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

till at length they reach the sea. But in the midst of Golden
River, on the edge of the cliff, a mass of rock juts up called
Sheep-saddle, dividing the waters of the fall, and over this the
spray flies, and in winter the ice gathers, but the river does not
cover it. The great fall is thirty fathoms deep, and shaped like a
horseshoe, of which the points he towards Middalhof. Yet if he
could but gain the Sheep-saddle rock that divides the midst of
the waters, a strong and hardy man might climb down some
fifteen fathoms of this depth and scarcely wet his feet.

Now here at the foot of Sheep- saddle rock the double
arches of waters meet, and fall in one torrent into the bottom-
less pool below. But, some three fathoms from this point of
the meeting waters, and beneath it, just where the curve is
deepest, a single crag, as large as a drinking-table and no
larger, juts through the foam, and, if a man could reach
it, he might leap from it some twelve fathoms, sheer into the
spray-hidden pit beneath, there to sink or swim as it might
befall. This crag is called Wolf's Fang.

Now Eric stood for a long while on the edge of the fall
and looked, measuring every thing with his eye. Then he
went up above, where the river swirls down to the precipice,
and looked again, for it is from this bank that the dividing
island-rock Sheep- saddle must be reached.

' A man may hardly do this thing ; yet I will try it,' he said
to himself at last. * My honour shall be great for the feat, if I
chance to live, and if I die — well, there is an end of troubling
after maids and all other things.'

So he went home and sat silent that evening. Now, since
Thorgrimur Iron-Toe's death, his housewife, Saevuna, Eric's
mother, had grown dim of sight, and, though she peered and
peered again from her seat in the ingle nook, she could not see
the face of her son.

' What ails thee, Eric, that thou sittest so silent ? Was
not the meat, then, to thy mind at supper ? '

' Yes, mother, the meat was well enough, though a Httle
under smoked.'

* Now I see that thou art not thyself, son, for thou hadst
no meat, but only stock-fish -and I never knew a man forget

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

his supper on the night of its eating, except he was distraught
or deep in love.'

* Was it so ? ' said Brighteyes.

* What troubles thee, Eric ? — that sweet lass yonder ? •

* Ay, somewhat, mother.'

* What more,> then ? '

' This, that I go down Golden Falls to-morrow, and I do not
know how I may come from Sheep-saddle rock to Wolf's Fang
crag and keep my life whole in me ; and now, I pray thee,
weary me not with words, for my brain is slow, and I must
use it.'

When she heard this Saevuna screamed aloud, and threw
herself before Eric, praying him to forego his mad venture.
But he would not listen to her, for he was slow to make up
his mind, but, that being made up, nothing could change it.
Then, when she learned that it was to get sight of Gudruda
that he purposed thus to throw his hfe away, she was very
angry and cursed her and all her kith and kin.

* It is likely enough that thou wilt have cause to use such
words before all this tale is told,' said Eric; 'nevertheless,
mother, forbear to curse Gudruda, who is in no way to blame
for these matters.'

* Thou art a faithless son,' Saevuna said, * who wilt slay
thyself striving to win speech with thy May, and leave thy
mother childless.'

Eric said that it seemed so indeed, but he was plighted to
it and the feat must be tried. Then he kissed her, and she
sought her bed, weeping.

Now it was the day of the Yule-feast, and there was no sun
till one hour before noon. But Eric, having kissed his mother
and bidden her farewell, called a thrall, Jon by name, and
giving him a sealskin bag full of his best apparel, bade him
ride to Middalhof and tell Asmund the Priest that Eric
Brighteyes would come down Golden Falls an hour after mid-
day, to join his feast ; and thence go to the foot of the Golden
Falls, to await him there. And the man went, wondering, for
he thought his master mad.

ERIC B RIGHTS YES

\-\\

■ I 1'

Then Eric took a good rope and a staff tipped with iron,
and, so soon as the light served, mounted his horse, forded iian
River, and rode along Coldback till he came to the lip of Golden
Falls. Here he stayed a while till at length he saw many
people streaming up the snow from Middalhof far beneath, and,
among them, two women who by their stature should be Gud-
ruda and Swanhild, and, near to them, a great man whom he
did not know. Then he showed himself for a space on the
brink of the gulf and turned his horse up stream. The sun
shone bright upon the edge of the sky, but the frost bit like a
sword. Still, he must strip off his garments, so that nothing
remained on him except his sheepskin shoes, shirt and hose, and
take the water. Now here the river runs mightily, and he
must cross full thirty fathoms of the swirling water before he
can reach Sheep-saddle, and woe to him if his foot shp on the
boulders, for certainly he must be swept over the brink.

Eric rested the staff against the stony bottom and, leaning
his weiglit on it, took the stream, and he was so strong that
it could not prevail against him till at length he was rather
more than half-way across and the r/ater swept above his
shoulders. Now he was lifted from his feet and, letting the
staff float, he swam for his life, and with such mighty strokes
that he felt little of that icy cold. Down he was swept — now
the Hp of the fall was but three fathoms away on his left,
and already the green water boiled beneath him. A fathom
from him was the corner of Sheep -saddle. K he may grasp
it, all is well ; if not, he dies.

Three great strokes and he held it. His feet were swept
out over the brink of the fall, but he clung on grimly, and
by the strength of his arms drew himself on to the rock and
rested a while. Presently he stood up, for the cold began to nip
him, and the people below became aware that he had swum the
river above %e fall and raised a shout, for the deed was great.
Now Eric must begin to clamber down Sheep-saddle, and this
was no easy task, for the rock is almost sheer, and slippery
with ice, and on either side the waters rushed and thundered,
throwing their blinding spray about him as they leapt to
the depths beneath. He looked down, studying the rock;

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

then, feeling that he grew afraid, made an end of doubt and,
grasping a point with both hands, swung himself down his
own length and more. Now for many minutes he climbed
down Sheep-saddle, and the task was hard, for he was be-
wildered with the booming of the waters that bent out on either
side of him Uke the arc of a bow, and the rock was very steep
and slippery. Still, he came down all those fifteen fathoms
and fell not, though twice he was near to falling, and the
watchers below marvelled greatly at his hardihood.

' He will be dashed to pieces where the waters meet,* said
Ospakar, ' he can never gain Wolfs Fang crag beneath ; and,
if so it be that he come there and leaps to the pool, the weight
of water will drive him down and drown him.*

'It is certainly so,' quoth Asmund, 'and it grieves me
much ; for it was my jest that drove him to this perilous
adventure, and we cannot spare such a man as Eric Brighteyes.'

Now Swanhild turned white as death ; but Gudruda said :
' If great heart and strength and sldU may avail at all, then
Eric shall come safely down the waters.'

' Thou fool ! ' whispered Swanhild in her ear, ' how can
these help him? No troll could hve in yonder cauldron.
Dead is Eric, and thou art the bait that lured him to his
death ! '

' Spare thy words,' she answered ; ' as the Noms hsTe
ordered so it shall be.'

Now Eric stood at the foot of Sheep-saddle, and within
an arm's length the mighty waters met, tossing their yellow
waves and seething furiously as they leapt to the mist-hid
gulf beneath. He bent over and looked through the spray.
Three fathoms under him the rock Wolfs Fang split the
waters, and thence, if he can come thither, he may leap sheer
into the pool below. Now he unwound the rope that was
about his middle, and made one end fast to a knob of rock —
and this was difficult, for his hands were stiff vnth cold — and
the other end he passed through his leathern girdle. Then Eric
looked again, and his heart sank within him. How might he
give himself to this boiling flood and not be shattered ? But
as he looked, lo I a rainbow grew upon the face of the water.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

i;:'|

l'i;i

EMC ON BHEKP-SADDLB ROCK.

and one end of it lit upon him, and the other, like a glory from
the Gods, fell full upon Gudruda as she stood a little way
apart, watching at the foot of Golden Falls.

* Seest thou that,' said Asmund to Groa, who was at his

D 2

ERJC BRIGHTEYES

side, ' the Gods build their Bifrost bridge between these two.
Who now shall keep them asunder ? '

* Read the portent thus,' she answered : * they shall be
nnited, but not here. Yon is a Spirit bridge, and, see : the
waters of Death foam and fall between them ! '

Eric, too, saw the omen and it seemed good to him,
and all fear left his heart. Eound about him the waters
thundered, but amidst their roar he dreamed that he heard a
voice calling :

* Be of good cheer, Eric Brighteyes ; for thou shalt live to
do mightier deeds than this, and in guerdon thou shalt win
Gudruda.'

So he paused no longer, but, shortening up the rope, pulled
on it with all his strength, and then leapt out upon the arch
of waters. They struck him and he was dashed out like a
stone from a sling ; again he fell against them and again was
dashed away, so that his girdle burst. Eric felt it go and clung
wildly to the rope and lo ! with the inward swing, he fell on
"Wolfs Fang, where never a man has stood before and never a
man shall stand again. Eric lay a little while on the rock till
his breath came back to him, and he listened to the roar of
the waters. Then, rising on his hands and knees, he crept to
its point, for he could scarcely stand because of the trembling
of the stone beneath the shock of the fall ; and when the
people below saw that he was not dead, they raised a great
shout, and the sound of their voices came to him through the
noise of the waters.

Now, twelve fathoms beneath him was the surface of the
pool ; but he could not see it because of the wreaths of spray.
Nevertheless, he must leap and that swiftly, for he grew cold.
So of a sudden Eric stood up to his full height, and, with a loud
cry and a mighty spring, hounded out from the point of Wolfs
Fang far into the air, beyond the reach of the falling flood, and
rushed headlong towards the gulf beneath. Now all men watch-
ing held their breath as his body travelled, and so great is the
place and so high the leap that through the mist Eric seemed
but as a big white stone hurled down the face of the arching
waters.

ERIC B RIGHTS YES

I I'll!

He was gone, and the watchers rushed down to the foot of
the pool, for there, if he rose at all, he must pass to the
BhallowB. Swanhild could look no more, but sank upon the
ground. The face of Gudruda was set like a stone with doubt
and anguish. Ospakar saw and read the meaning, and he
said to himself: 'Now Odin grant that this youngling rise
not again 1 for the maid loves him dearly, and he is too much
a man to be lightly swept aside.'

Eric struck the pool. Down he sank, and down and down
— for the water falling from so far must almost reach the
bottom of the pool before it can rise again — and he with it.
Now he touched the bottom, but very gently, and slowly began
to rise, and, as he rose, was carried along by the stream. But
it was long before he could breathe, and it seemed to him that
his lungs would burst. Still, he struggled up, striking great
strokes with his legs.

* Farewell to Eric,' said Asmund, * he will rise no more
now.'

But just as he spoke Gudruda pointed to something that
gleamed, white and golden, beneath the surface of the current,
and lo I the bright hair of Eric rose from the water, and he
drew a great breath, shaking his head like a seal, and, though
but feebly, struck out for the shallows that are at the foot of
the pool. Now he found footing, but was swept over by the
fierce current, and cut his forehead, and he carried that scar
till his death. Again he rose, and with a rush gained the
bank unaided and fell upon the snow.

Now people gathered about him in silence and wondering,
for none had known so great a deed. And presently Eric
opened his eyes and looked up, and found the eyes of Gudruda
fixed on his, and there was that in them which made him
glad he had dared the path of Golden Falls.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

CHAPTER V

HOW ERIC WON THE SWORD WHITEFIRB

OW Asmund the priest bent down,
and Eric saw him and spoke :

* Thou badcst me to thy
Yule-feast, lord, by yonder slip-
pery road and I have come. Dost
thou welcome me well ? '

* No man better,' quoth As-
mund. * Thou art a gallant man,
though foolhardy ; and thou hast
done a deed that shall be told of
while skalds sing and men live
in Iceland.'

* Make place, my father,' said
Gudruda, * for Eric bleeds.' And
she loosed the kerchief from her
neck and bound it about his
wounded brow, and, taking the

rich cloak from her body, threw it on Lis shoulders, and no
man said her nay.

Then they led him to the hall, where Eric clothed him-
self and rested, and he sent back the thrall Jon to Cold-
back, bidding him tell Saevuna, Eric's mother, that he was
safe. But he was somewhat weak all that day, and the sound
of waters roared in his ears.

Now Ospakar and Groa vere ill pleased at the turn things
had taken ; but all the others rejoiced much, for Eric was well
Ipved of men and they had grieved if the waters had prevailed

THE WUES1XING .SH0E3.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

'i'i

'I!

'$'
III

against his might. But Swanliild brooded bitterly, for Erio
never turned to look on her.

The hour of the feast drew on and, according to custom,
it was held in the Temple, and thither went nil men. When
they were seated in the nave of the llof, the fat ox that had
been made ready for sacrifice was led in and dragged Ixii'ore the
altar on which the holy fire burned. Now Asiiiiind the Priest
slew it, amid silence, before the figures of the Gods, and, cakhin^'
its blood in the blood-bowl, sprinkled the altar and all tlie
worshippers with the blood-twigs. Then the ox was cut up,
and the figures of the almighty Gods were anointed with its
molten fat and wiped with fair linen. Next the flesh wasi
boiled in the cauldrons that were hung over fires lighted all
down the nave, and the feast began.

Now men ate, and drank much ale and mead, and all were
merry. But Ospakar Blacktooth grew not glad, though he
drank much, for he saw that the eyes of Gudruda ever watched
pjric's face and that they smiled on each other. He was wroth at
this, for he knew that the bait must be good and the line strong
that should win this fair fish to his angle, and as he sat, un-
knowingly his fingers loosed the peace-strings of his sword
\\'hiicrire, and he half drew it, so that its brightness flamed in
the iii-cli^f;ht.

* Thou hast a wondrous blade there, Ospakar! ' said Asmund,
' though this is no place to draw ifc. Whence came it ? Me-
thinks no such swoi-ds are fashioned now.'

• Ay, Asmund, a wondrous blad;» indeed. There is no other
such in the world, for the dwarfs forged it of old, and he shall
be unconquered who holds it aloft. This was King Odin's
sword, and it is named Whitofire. Ralph the Red took it from
King Eric's cairn in Norway, and he strove long with the
Barrow- Dweller' before he wrenched it from his grasp. But
my father won it and slew Ralph, though he had never done
this had "Whitefire been aloft against him. But Ralph the
Red, being in drink when the ships met in battle, fought with an
axe, and was slain by my father, and since then Whitefire hasi

The ghost in the cairn.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

been the last light that many a chief's eyes have seen. Ijook
at it, Asmund.'

Now he drew the great sword, and men were astonished as
it flashed aloft. Its hilt \'' is of gold, and blue stones were
set therein. It measured two ells and a half from cross-
bar to point, and so bright was the broad blade that no
one could look on it for long, and all down its length ran
runes.

* A wondrous weapon, truly I ' said Asmund. * How read the
runes?'

' I know not, nor any man — they are ancient.'

'Let me look at them,' said Groa, *I am skilled in runes.'

Now she took the sword, and heaved it up, and looked at the

runes and said, * A strange writing truly.'

* How runs it, housekeeper ? said Asmund.

* Thus, lord, if my skill is not at fault : —

Whitefire is my name— Dwarf-folk forged me —

Odin's sword was I — Eric's sword was I— Eric's sword shall I be—

And where I fall there he must follow me.'

Now Gudruda looked at Eric Brighteyes wonderingly, and
Ospakar saw it and became very angry.

'Look not so, maiden,' he said, * for it shall be another I'ric
than yon flapper-duck who holds Whitefire aloft, though it
may well chance that he shall feel its edge.'

Now Gudruda bit her lip, and Eric burned red to the brow
and spoke :

* It is ill, lord, to throw taunts like an angry woman.
Thou art great and strong, yet I may dare a deed with thee.'

' Peace, boy I Thou canst climb a waterfall well, I gainsay
it not ; but beware ere thou settest up thyself against my
strength. Say now, what game wilt thou play with Ospakar ? '

' I will go on holmgang with thee, byrnie-clad or bare-
sark,' and fight thee wnth axe or sword, or I will wrestle with
thee, and Whitefire yonder shall be the winner's prize.'

* Nay, I will have no bloodshed here at Middalhof,' said

* To a duel, usually fought, in mail or without it, on an island — ' holm '
—within a circle of hazel-twiga.

ii;

i ;il

^RIC BRIG HTE YES

Asmund sternly. 'Make play with fists, or wrestle if ye
will, for th<at were great spcrt to see ; but weapons shall not
be drawn.'

Now Ospakar grew mad with anger and drink — and he
grinned like a dog, till men saw the red gums beneath hia
lips.

* Thou wilt wrestle with me, youngling — with me whom no
man has ever so much as lifted from my feet ? Good ! I will
lay thee on thy face and whip thee, and Whitefire shall be the
staka — I swear it on the holy altar-ring ; but what hast thou to
set against the precious sword ? Thy poor hovel and its lot of
land shall be all too httle.'

* I set my life on it ; if I lose Whitefire let Whitefire sla f
me,' said Eric.

* Nay, that I will not have, and I am master here in this
Temple,' said Asmund. ' Bsthink thee of some other stake,
Ospakar, or let the game be off.'

Now Ospakar gnav/ed his lip with his black fang and
thought. Then he laughed aloud and spoke :

* Bright is Whitefire and thou ar t named Brighteyes. See
now : I set the great hword against thy right eye, and, if I win
the match, it shall be mine to tear it out. Wilt thou play
this game witn me ? If thy heart fails thee, let it go ; but I
will set no other stake againoi my good sword.'

* Eyes and limbs are a poor man's wealth,' said Eric : * so
be it. I stake my right eye against the sword Whitefire, and
we will try the match to-morrow.'

* And to-morrow night thou shalt be called Eric One-eye,*
sajd Ospakar — at which some few of his thralls laughed.

Lut most of the men did not laugh, for they thought this an
ill game and a worse jest.

Now the feast went on, and Asmund rose from his high
seat in the centre of the nave, on the left hand looking down
from the altar, and gave out the holy toasts. First men drank
a full horn to Odin, praying for triumph on their foes. Then
they drank to Frey, asking for plenty ; to Thor, for strength in
battle ; to Freya, Goddess of Love (and to her Eric drank
heartily) ; to the memory of the dead ; and, last of all, to Bragi»

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

4«

God of all delight. When this cup was drunk, Asmund rose
again, according to custom, and asked if none had an oath to
swear as to some deed that should be done.

For a while there was no answer, but presently Ere Bright-
eyes stood up.

* L.ird,' he said, ' I would swear an oath.'

* Set forth the matter, then,' said Asmund.

* It is this,' quoth Eric. ' On Mostell mountain, over by
Heel a, dwells a Baresark of whom all men have ill knowledge,
for there -T,re few whom he has not harmed. His name is
Skallagrim ; he is a mighty man and he has wrought much
mischief in the south country, and brought many to their
deaths and robbed more of their goods : for none can prevail
against him. Still, I swear this, that, when the days lengthen,
I will go up alone against him and challenge him to battle,
and conquer him or fall.'

' Then, thou yellow-headed puppy-dog, thou shalt go with
one eye against a Baresark with two,' growled Ospakar.

Men took no heed of his words, but shouted aloud, for Skal-
lagrim had plagued them long, and there \v» re none who dared
to fight with him any more. Only Gudruda looked askance,
for it seemed to her that Eric swore too fast. Nevertheless he
went up to the altar, and, takine: hold of the holy ring, he set
his foot on the holy stone and swore his oath, while the feasters
applauded, striking their cups upon the board.

And after that the feast went merrily, till all men were
drunk, except Asmunl and Eric.

Now Eric went to rest, but first he rubbed his limbs with
the fat of seals, for he was still sore with the beating of the
waters, and they must needs be supple on the morrow if he
would keep his eye. Then he slept sound, and rose strong and
well, and going to the stream behind the stead, bathed, and
anointed his limbs afresh. But Ospakar did not sleep well,
because of the ale that he had drunk. Now as Eric came back
from bathing, in the dark of the morning, he met Gudruda,
who watched for his coming, and, there being none to see, he
kissed her often ; but she chided him because of the match
that he had made with Ospakar and the oath that he had sworn.

I Ml

■'i'lil

ER/C BRIGHTEYES

' Surely,' she said, ' thou v/ilt lose thine eye, for this
Ospakar is a giant, and strong as a troll ; also he is merciless.
Still, thou art a mighty man, and I shall love thee as well with
one eye as with tv/o. Oh ! Eric, methonght 1 should have
died yesterday when thou didst leap from \Volf s Fang ! My
heart seemed to stop within me.'

* Yet I came safely to shore, sweetheart, and well does this
kiss pay for all I did. And as for Ospakar, if but once I get
these arms about him, I fear him little, or any man, and I
covet that sword of his greatly. But we tan talk more
certainly of these things to-morrow.'

Now Gudruda clung to him and told him all that had be-
fallen, and of the doings and words of Bwanhild.

' She honours me beyond my worth,' he said, • who am in
no way set on her, but on thee only, Gudruda.'

* Art thou so sure of that, Eric ? Swanhild is fail and wise.*

* Ay and evil. When I love Swanhild, then thou mayat
love Ospakar.'

'It is a bargain,' she said, laughing. * Good luck go with
thee in the wrestling,' and with a kiss she left him, fearing lest
she should be seen.

Eric went back to the hall, and sat down by the centre
hearth, for all men slept, being still heavy with drink, and
presently Swanhild glided up to him, and greeted him.

* Thou art greedy of deeds, Eric,' she said, ' Yesterday
thou camest here by a path that no man has travelled, to-day
thou dost wrestle with a giant for thine eye, and presently
thou goest up against Skailagrim ! '

* It seems that this is true,' said Eric.

' Now all this thou doest for a woman who is the betrothed
of another man.'

'All this I do for fame's sake, Swanhild. ^Moreover,
Gudruda is betrothed to none.'

* Before another Yule-feast is spread, Gudruda shall be
the wife of Ospakar.'

' That is yet to be seen, Swanhild.'
Now Swanhild stood silent for a while and then spoke :
• Thou art a fool, Eric— yes, drunk with folly. Nothing but evil

ERIC B RIGHTS YES

shall come to thee from this madness of thine. Forget it and
pluck that which lies to thine hand,' and she looked sweetly
at him.

* They call thee Swanhild the Fatherlciss,' he answered,
* but I think that Loki, the God of Guile, was thy father, for
there is none to match thee in craft and evil-doing, and in
beauty one only. I know thy plots well and all the sorrow
that thou hast brought upon us. Still, each seeks honour
after his own manner, so seek thou as thou wilt ; but thou
shalt find bitterness and empty days, and thy plots shall come
back on thine own head — yes, even though they bring Gudruda
and me to sorrow and death.'

Swanhild laughed. ' A day shall dawn, Eric, when thou
who dost hate me shalt hold me dear, and this I promise thee.
Another thing I promise thee also : that Gudruda shall never
call thee husband.'

But Eric did not answer, fearing lest in his anger he should
say words that were better unspoken.

Now men rose and sat down to meat, and all talked of the
wrestling that should be. But in tho morning Ospakar re-
pented of the match, for it is truly said that ale is another
man, and men do not like that in the morning which seemed
well enough on yester eve. He remembered that he held
Whitefire dear above all things, and that Eric's eye had no
worth to him, except that the loss of it would spoil his beauty,
so that perhaps Gudruda would turn from him. It would be
very ill if he should chance to lose the play — though of this
he had no fear, for he was held the strongest man in Iceland
and the most skilled in 'i^ll feats of strength— -and, at the
best, no fame is to bp won from the overthrow of a deedlesa
man, and the plucking out of his eye. Thus it came to pass
that when he saw Eric he called to him in a big voice :

' Hearken, thou Eric'

*I hear thee, thou Ospakar,' said Eric, mocking him,
and people laughed ; while Ospakar grinned angrily and
said, ' Thou must learn manners, puppy. Still, I shall find
no honour in teaching thee in this wise. Last night we made a
match in our cups, and I staked my great sword Whitefire and

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

tbou thine eye. It would be bad that either of us should lose
sword or eye ; therefore, what sayest thou, shall we let it pass ? '

' Ay, Blacktooth, if thou fearest ; but first pay thou forfeit
of the sword.'

Now Ospakar grew very mad and shouted, * Thou wilt in-
deed stand against me in the ring ! I will break thy back anon,
youngster, and afterwards tear out thine eye before thou diest.'

* It may so befall,' answered Eric, * but big words do not
make big deeds/

Presently the light came and uiiralls went out with spades
and cleared away the snow in a circle two rods across, and
brought dry sand and sprinkled it on the frozen turf, so that
the wrestlers should not sHp. And they piled the snow in a
wall around the ring.

But Groa came up to Ospakar and spoke to him apart.

* Knowest thou, lord,' she said, * that my heart bodes ill of
this match ? Eric is a mighty man, and, great though thou
art, I think that thou shalt lout low before him.'

* It will be a bad business if I am overthrown by an untried
man,' said Ospakar, and was troubled in his mind, ' and it would
be evil moreover to lose the sword. For no price would I
have it so.'

* "What wilt thou give me, lord, if I bring thee victory ? *
*I will give thee two hundred in silver.'

* Ask no questions and it shall be so,' said Groa.

Now Eric was without, taking note of the ground in the
ring, and presently Groa called to her the thrall Koll the Half-
witted, whom she had sent to Swinefell.

' See,' she said, * yonder by the wall stand the wrestling
shoes of Eric Brighteyes. Haste thee now and take grease, and
rub the soles with it, then hold them in the heat of the fire, so
that the fat sinks in. Do this swiftly and secretly, and I will
give thee twenty pennies.'

Koll grinnod, and did as he was bid, setting back the shoes
just as they were before. Scarcely was the deed done when Eric
came in, and made himself ready for the game, binding the
greased shoes iincni his feet, for he feared no trick.

I^ow everybody went out to the ring, and Ospakar and Erie

ERIC BRIGHTBYES

Btripped for wrestling. They were clad in tight woollen jerkins
and hose, and sheep-skin shoes were on their fuet.

They named Asmund master of the game, and his word
must be law to both of them. Eric claimed that Asmund
should hold the sword Wliitefire that was at stake, but Ospakar
gainsaid him, saying that if he gave Whitefire into Asmund'b
keeping, Eric must also give his eye — and about this they de-
bated hotly. Now the matter was brought before Asmund as
umpire, and he gave judgment for Eric, ' for,' he said, 'if Eric
yield up his eye into my hand, I can return it to his head
no more if he should win ; but if Ospakar gives me the good
sword and conquers, it is easy for me to pass it back to
him unharmed.'

Men sa^d that this was a good judgment.

Thus then was the arm-game set. Ospakar and Eric
must wrestle thrice, and between each bout there would be a
space while men could count a thousand. They might strike
no blow at one another with hand, or head, or elbow, foot
or knee ; and it should be counted no fall if the haunch and
the head of the fallen were not on the ground at the self-same
time. He who suffered two falls should be adjudged con-
quered and lose his stake.

Asmund called these rules aloud in the presence of wit-
nesses, and Ospakar and Eric said that should bind them.

Ospakar drew a small knife and gave it to his son Gizur
to hold. V

* Thou shalt soon know, youngling, how steel tastes in the
eyeball,' he said.

* We shall soon know many things,' Eric answered.

Now they threw off their cloaks and stood in the ring.
Ospakar was great beyond the bif^ness of men and his arms
were clothed with black hair lil:e the limbs of a goat. Be leath
the shoulder joint thoy were almost as thick as a girl's tnigh.
His legs also were mighty, and the muscles stood out upon him
in knotty lumps. He seemed a very giant, and fierce as a Bare-
sark, but still somewhat round about the body and heavy in
\novement.

From him men looked at Erie*

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

* Lo I Baldur and the Troll ! ' said Bwanhild, and every-
body laughed, since so it was indeed; lor, if Ospakar was
black and hideous as a troll, Eric was beautiful as Baldur, the
loveliest of the Gods. He was taller than Ospakar by the half
of a hand and as broad in the chest. Still, he was not yet
come to his greatest strength, and, though his limbs we re well
knit, they seemed but as a child's against the hmbs of Ospakar.
But he was quick as a cat and lithe, his neck and arms were
white as whey, and beneath his golden hair his bright eyes
shone like spears.

Now they stood face to face, with arms outstretched, waiting
the word of Asmund. He gave it and tliey circled round each
other with arms held low. Presently Ospakar made a rush
and, seizing Eric about the middle, tried to lift him, but with no
avail. Thrice he strove and failed, then Eric moved his foot
and lo ! it slipped upon the sanded turf. Again Eric mo\ed
and again he sUpped, a third time and he slipped a third time,
and before he could recover himself he was full on his back
and fairly thrown.

Gudruda saw and was sad at heart, and those around her
said that it was easy to know how the game would end.

* What said I ? ' quoth Swanhild, ' that it would go badly
with Eric were Ospakar's arms about him.'

* All is not done yet,' answered Gudruda. * Methinks Eric's
feet slipped most strangely, as though he stood on ice.'

But Eric was very sore at heart and could make nothing of
this matter — for he was not overthrown by strength.

He sat on the snow and Ospakar and his sons mocked him.
But Gudruda drew near and whispered to him to be of good
cheer, for fortune might yet change.

* I think that I am bewitched,' said Eric sadly : * my feet
have no hold of the ground.'

Gudruda covered her eyes with her hand and thought.
Presently she looked up quickly. * I seem to see guile here,'
she said. * Now look narrowly on thy shoes.'

He heard, and, loosening his shoe-string, drew a shoe from
his foot and looked at the sole. The cold of the snow had
hardened the fat, and there it was, all white upon the leather.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

Now Eric rose in wrath. * Methought,' he cried, * that
I dealt with men of honourable mind, not with cheating trick-
sters. See now ! it is little w onder that I slipped, for grease
has been set upon my shoes — und, by Thor ! I will cleave the
man who did it to the chin,' tnd as he said it his eyes blazed
so dreadfully that folk fell bark from him. Asmund took the
shoes and looked at them. Then he spoke :

* Brighteyes tells the trutli, and we have a sorry knave
among us. Ospakar, canst thou clear thyself of this ill deed ? *

' I will swear on the holy ring that I know nothing of it,
and if any man in my company has had a hand therein he
shall die,' said Ospakar.

* That we will swear also,' cried his sons Gizur and Mord.
' This is more like a woman's work,' said Gudruda, and she

looked at Swanhild.

* It is no work of mine,' quoth Swanhild.

* Then go and ask thy mother of it,' answered Gudruda.
Now all men cried aloud that this was the greatest shame,

and that the match must be set afresh ; only Ospakar bethought
him of that two hundred in silver which he had promised to
Groa, and looked around, but she was not there. Still, he
gainsaid Eric in the matter of the match being set afresh.

Then Eric cried out in his anger that he would let the
game stand as it was, since Ospakar swore himself free of the
shameful deed. Men thought this a mad saying, but Asmund
said it should be so. Still, he swore in his heart that, even if
he were worsted, Eric should not lose his eye — no not if
swords were held aloft to take it. For of all tricks this seemed
to him the very worst.

Now Ospakar and Eric faced each other again in the
ring, but this time the feet of Eric were bare.

Ospakar rushed to get the upper hold, but Erie was too
swift for him and sprang aside. Again he rushed, but Eric
dropped and gripped him round the middle. Now they were
face to face, hugging each other like bears, but moving Uttle.
For a time things went thus, while Ospakar strove to lift
Eric, but in nowise could he stir him. Then of a sudden Eric
put out his strength, and they staggered round the ring, tear-
ing at each other till their jerkins were rent from them, leaving

'fl

ii;'!ji

;ii

ii'lili

EH/C BRIGHTEYES

them almost bare to the waist. Suddenly, Eric seemed to give,
and Ospakar put out his foot to trip him. But Brighteyes
was watching. He caught the loot in the crook of his left leg,
and threw his weight forward on the chest of BlacktootL.
Backward he went, falling with the thud of a tree on snow, and
there he lay on the ground, and Eric over him.

Then men shouted * A fall ! a fair fall ! ' and were very
glad, for the fight seemed most uneven to them, and the
wred'.lcrB roiled asunder, breathing heavily.

Gudruda threw a cloak over Eric's naked shoulders.

* That was well done, Brighteyes,' she said.

* The game is still to play, sweet,' he gasped, * and
Ospakar is a mighty man. I threw him by skill, not by
strength. Next time it must be by strength or not at all.'

Now breathing- time was done, and once more the two
were face to face. Thrice Ospakar rushed, and thrice did
Eric slip away, for he would waste Blacktooth's strength.
Again Ospakar rushed, roaring like a bear, and fire seemed to
come from bin eyes, and the steam went up from him and
hung upon the frosty air Uke the steam of a horse. This
time Eric could not get away, but was swept up into that
great grip, for Ospakar had the lower hold.

* Now there is an end of Eric,' said Swanhild.

* The arrow is yet on the bow,' answered Gudruda.
Blacktooth put out his might and reeled round and round

the ring, dragging Eric with him. This way and that he
twisted, and time on time Eric's leg was lifted from the
ground, but so he might not be thrown. Now they stood
almost still, while men shouted madly, for no such wrestling
had been known in the southlands. Grimly they hugged and
strove : forsooth it was a mighty sight to see. Grimly they
hugged, and their muscles strained and cracked, but they could
stir each other no inch.

Ospakar grew fearful, for he could make no play with this
yoimgling. Black rage swelled in his heart. He ground his
fangs, and thought on guile. By his foot gleamed the naked
foe t of Eric. Suddenly he stamped on it so fiercely that the
e2du burst.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

< 111 done ! ill done t ' folk cried ; but in his pain Erlo
moved his foot.

Lo ! he was down, but not altogether down, for he did but
sit upon his haunches, and still he clung to Blacktooth's
thighs, and twined his legs about his ankles. Now with all
his strength Ospakar strove to force the head of Biighteyes
to the ground, but still he could not, for Eric clung to him
hke a creeper to a tree.

'A losing game for Eric,' said Asuinnd, and as he spoke
Brighteyes was pressed back till his yellow hair almost swept
the sand.

Then the folk of Ospakar shouted in triumph, but Gudruda
cried aloud :

* Be not overthrown, Eric ; loose thee and spring aside.'
Eric heard, and of a sudden loosed all his grip. He fell

on his outspread hand, then, with a swing sideways and a
bound, once more he stood upon his feet. Ospakar came at him
like a bull made mad with goading, but he could no longer
roar aloud. They closed and this time Eric had the better
hold. For a while they struggled round and round till their
feet tore the frozen turf, then once more they stood face to
face. Now the two were almost spent ; yet Blacktooth gathered
up his strength and swung Eric from his feet, but he found
them again. He grew mad with rage, and hugged him till
Brighteyes was nearly pressed to death, and black bruises
sprang upon the whiteness of his flesh. Ospakar grew mad,
and madder yet, till at length in his fury he fixed his fieings in
Eric's shoulder and bit till the blood spurted.

* 111 kissed, thou rat ! ' gasped Eric, and with the pain and
rush of blood, his strength came back to him. He shifted hia
grip swiftly, now his right hand was beneath the fork of Black-
tooth's thigh and his left on the hollow of Blacktooth's back.
Twice he hfted — twice the bulk of Ospakar rose from the ground
— a third mighty lift — so mighty that the wrapping on Eric's
forehead burst, and the blood streamed down his face— and lo I
great Blacktooth flew in air. Up ho flew, and backward he fell
into the bank of snow, and was buried there almost to the kneea

H •!'

A mighty lift.'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

CHAPTER VI

EOW ASMUND THE PBIEST WAS BETROTHED TO UNNA

Fob a moment there was silence, for all that company was
wonderatruek at the greatness of the deed. Then they cheered
and cheered again, and to Eric it seemed that he slept, and
the sound of shouting reached him but faintly, as though he
heard through snow. Suddenly he woke and saw a man rush
at him with axe aloft. It was Mord, Ospakar's son, mad at his
father's overthrow. Eric sprang aside, or the blow had been
his bane, and, as he sprang, smote with his fist, and it struck
heavily on the head of Mord above the ear, so that the axe
flew from his hand, and he fell senseless on his father in the
snow.

Now swords flashed out, and men ringed round Eric to guard
him, and it came near to the spilling of blood, for the people
of Ospakar gnashed their teeth to see so great a hero over-
thrown by a youngling, while the southern folk of Middalhof
and Ran River rejoiced loudly, for Eric was dear to their
hearts.

' Down swords,' cried Asmund the priest, 'and haul yon
carcass from the snow.'

This then they did, and Ospakar sat up, breathing in great
gasps, the blood running from his mouth and ears, and he
was an evil sight to see, for what with blood and snow and rage
his face was Hke the face of the Swinefell Goblin.

But Swanhild spoke in the ear of Gudruda :

* Here,' she said, looking at Eric, * we two have a man
worth loving, foster-sister.'

* Ay,' answered Gudruda, * worth and well worth I *

ERIC BRIGHTRYES

I \\

Now Asrannd drew noar and before all mon kissed Erie
Ijiighlcyes on tliu brow.

' In sooth,' ho said, ' thou art a mighty man, Eric, and
the glory of the south. This I prophesy of thee : that thou
shalt do deeds such as have not been done in Iceland. Thou
hast been ill served, for a knave unknown greased thy
shoes. Yon swarthy Ospakar, the most mighty of all men in
Iceland, could not overthrow thee, though, like a wolf, he
fastened his fangs in thee, and, like a coward, stamped upon
thy naked foot. Take thou the great sword that thou hast won
and wear it worthily.'

Now Eric took snow and wiped the blood from his brow.
Then he grasped Whitefire and drew it from the scabbard,
and high aloft flashed the we: -blade. Thrice he wheeled it
round his head, then sang aloud :

Fast, yestermorn, down Golden Falls,
Fared young Erio to thy feast,
Asmund, father of Gudruda —
Maid whom much he longs to clasp.
But to-day on Giant Blacktooth
Hath he done a needful deed :
Hurling him in heaped-up snowdrift }
Winning Whitefire for his wage.

And again he sang :

Lord, if in very truth thou thinkest
Brightcyes is a man midst men,
Swear to him, the stalwart suitor.
Handsel of thy sweet maid's hand :
Whom, long loved, to win, down Goldfoss
Swift he sped through frost and foam ;
Whoiu to win, to Iroll-likc Ogre,
He, 'gainst Whitefire, waged his eye.

Men thought this well sung, and turned to hear Asmund's
answer, nor must they wait long.

* Eric,' he said, 'I will promise thee this, that if thou goest
on as thou hast begun, I will give Gudruda in marriage to no
other man.'

* That is good tidings, lord,' said Erie.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

' Tliis I say further : in a year I will give thee full answer
according as to how tliou dost bear thyself between now
and then, for this is no light gift thou askest ; also that, if ye
will it, you twain may now plight troth, for the blame shall be
yours if it is broken, and not mine, and I give thee my hand
on it.'

Eric took his hand, and Gudruda heard her father's words
and happiness shone in her dark eyes, and she grew faint for
very joy. And now Eric turned to her, all torn and bloody
from the fray, the great sword in his hand, and he spoke
thus :

* Thou hast heard thy father's words, Gudruda ? Now it
seems that there is no great need of troth-plighting between us
two. Still, here before all men I ask thee, if thou dost love me
and art willing to take me to husband ? '

Gudruda looked up into his face, and answered in a sweet,
clear voice that could be heard by all :

* Eric, I say to thee now, what I have said before, that I
love thee alone of men, and, if it be my father's wish, I will
wed no other whilst thou dost remain true to me and hold
me dear.'

* Those are good words,' said Eric. * Now, in pledge of
them, swear this troth of thine upon my sword that I have
won.'

Gudruda smiled, and, taking great Whitefire in her hand,
she said the words again, and, in pledge of them, kissed the
bright blade.

Then Eric took back the war-sword and spoke thus : * I
swear that I will love thee, and thee only, Gudruda the Fair,
Asmund's daughter, whom I have desired all my days ; and, if
I fail of this my oath, then our troth is at an end, and thou
mayst wed whom thou wilt,' and in turn he put his lips upon
the sword, while Swanhild watched them do the oath.

Now Ospakar was recovered from the fight, and he sat
there upon the snow, with bowed head, for he knew well that
he had won the greatest shame, and had lost both wife and
Bword. Black rage filled his heart as he listened, and ha
sprang to his feet.

ERIC SRIGHTEYES

111

■tM

* I came hither, Asmund/ he said, ' to ask this ma^d of
thine in marriage, and methinks that had heen a good match
for her and thee. But I have been overthrown by witchoraf*"
of this man in a wrestling-bout, and thereby lost my good
word ; and now I must seem to hear him betrothed to the
maid before me.'

^Thou hast heard aright, Ospakar,' said Asmund, 'and
thy wooing is soon sped. Get thee back whence thou camest
and seek a wife in thine own quarter, for thou art unfit in
ago and aspect to have so sweet a maid. Moreover, here in
the south we hold men of small account, however great and
rich they be, who do not shame to seek to overcome a foe
by foul means. With my own eyes I saw thee stamp on the
naked foot of Eric, Thorgrimur's son ; with my own eyes I
saw thee, like a wolf, fasten that black fang of thine upon
him — there is the mark of it ; and, as for the matter of the
greased shoer, thou knowest best what hand thou hadst
in it.'

* I had no hand. If any did this thing, it was Groa the
Witch, thy Finnish bodmate. For the rest, I was mad end
know not what I did. But hearken, Asmund : ill shall
befall thee and thy house, and I will ever be thy foe. More-
over, I will yet wed this maid of thine. And now, thou
Eric, hearken also : I will have another game with thee.
This oufc was but the sport of boys ; when we meet again —
«wid the time shall not be lor^ — swords shall be aloft, and
thou shalt learn the play of men. I tell thee that I will slay
thee, and tear Gudruda, shrieking, from thy arms to be my
wife ! I tell thee that, with yonder good sword Whitefire,
I will yet hew off thy head I ' — and he choked and stopped,

* Thou art much foam and little water,' said Eric. * These
things are easily put to proof. If thou wiliest it, to-morrow
I will come with thee to a holmgang, and there we may
set the twigs and finish what we have begun to-day.'

* I can lot do that, for thou hast my sword ; and, till 1 am
suited \Nnth another weapon, I may fight no holmgang. Still,
fear not : we shall soon meet with weapons aloft aud byrnie oa
breast.'

■ V.(

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

* Never too soon can the hour come, Blacktooth/ said
Eric, and, turning on his heel, he limped to the hall to clothe
himself a&esh. On the threshold of the men's door he met
Groa the Witch.

' Thou didst put grease upon my shoes, corline and witch-
hag that thou art,' he said.

* It is not true, Brighteyes.'

' There thou Uest, and for all this I will repay thee. Thou
art not yet the wife of Asmund, nor shalt he, for a plan
comes into my head about it.'

Groa looked at him strangely. ' If thou speakest so, take
heed to thy meat and drink,' she said. * I was not born among
the Finns for nothing ; and know, I am still minded to wed
Asmund. For tliy shoes, I would to the Gods that they were
Hell-shoon, and that I was now binding them on thy dead feet.'

* Oh ! the cat begins to spit,' said Eric. * But know this :
thou mayest grease my shoes — fit work for a carlinel —
but thou mayest never bind them on. Thou art a witch, and
wilt come to the end of witches ; and what thy daughter is,
that I will not say,' and he pushed past her and entered the
haU.

Presently Asmund came to seek Eric there, and prayed him
to be gone to his stead on Kan River. The horses of Ospakar
had strayed, and he must stop at Middalhof till they were
found; but, if these two should abide under the same rooi,
bloodshed would come of it, and that Asmund knew.

Eric said yea to this, and, when he bad rested a while, he
kissed Gudruda, and, taking a horse, rode away to Coldback,
bearing the sword Whitefire with him, and for a time he saw
no more of Ospakar.

When he came there, his mother SSaevuna greeted him
as one risen from the dead, and hung about his neck. Then
he told her all that had come to pass, and she thought it a
marvellous story, and sorrowed that Thorgrimur, her husband,
was not alive to know it. But Eric mused a while, and spoke.

''Mother,' he said, 'now my uncle Thorod of Greenfell
is dead, and his daughter, my cousin Unna, has no homo.
She is a fair woman and skilled in all things. It comee

' It

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

"ii

ill!'

into my mind that we should bid her here to dwell with
us.'

* Why, I thought thou wast betrothed to Gudruda the
Fair,' said Saevuna. ' Wherefore, then, wouldst thou bring
Unna hither ? '

* For this cause,' said Eric : * because it seems that Asmund
the Priest wearies of Groa the Witch, and would take another
wife, and I wish to draw the bands between us tighter, if it
may befall so.'

* Groa will take it ill,' said Saevuna.

* Things cannot be ^ /orse between us than they are now,
therefore I do not fear Groa,' he answered.

* It shall be as thou wilt, son ; to-morrow we will send to
Unna and bid her here, if it pleases her to como.'

Now Ospakar stayed three more days at Middalhof, till his
horses were found, and he was fit to travel, for Eric had shaken
him sorely. But he had no words with Gudruda and few
with Asmund. Still, he saw Swanhild, and she bid. him to
be of good cheer, for he should yet have Gudruda. For
now that the maid had passed from him the mind of
Ospakar was set on winning her. Bjorn also, Asmund's
son, spoke words of good comfort to him, for he envied Eric
Ids great fame, and he thought the match with Blacktooth
would be good. And so at length Ospakar rode away to
Swinefell with all his company ; but Gizur, his son, left his
heart behind.

For Swanhild had not been idle this while. Her heart was
Bore, but she must follow her ill-nature, and so she had put
out her woman's strength and beguiled Gizur into loving her.
But she did not love him at all, and the temper of Asmund the
Priest was so angry that Gizur dared not ask her in marriage.
So nothing was said of the matter.

Now Unna came to Coldback, to dwell with Saevuna, Eric's
mother, and she was a fair and buxom woman. She had been
once wedded, but within a month of her marriage her husband
was lost at sea, this two years gone. At first Gudruda was
somewhat jualous of this coming of Unna to Coidback ; but

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

Eric showed her what was in his mind, and she fell into the
plan, for she hated and feared Groa greatly, and desired to he
rid of her.

Since this matter of the greasing of Eric's wrestling-shoes
great loathing of Groa had come into Asmund's mind, and
he bethought him often of those words that his wife Gudruda
the Gentle spoke as she lay dying, and grieved that the oath
which he swore then had in part been broken. He would
have no more to do with Groa now, but he could not be rid of
her; and, notwithstanding her evil doings, he still loved
Swanhild. But Groa grew thin with spite and rage, and
wandered about the place glaring with her great black eyes,
and people hated her more and more.

Now Asmund went to visit at Coldback, and there he saw
Unna, and was please J with her, for she was a blithe woman
and a bonny. The end of it was that he asked her in marriage
of Eric ; at which Brighteyes was glad, but said that he must
know Unna's mind. Unna hearkened, and did not say no, for
though Asmund was somewhat gone in years, still he was an
upstanding man, wealthy in lands, goods, and moneys out at
interest, and having many friends. So they plighted troth,
and the wedding-feast was to be in the autumn after hay-
harvest. Now Asmund rode back to Middalhof somewhat
troubled at heart, for these tidings must be told to Groa, and
he feared her and her witchcraft. In the hall he found her,
standing alone.

< Where hast thou been, lord ? ' she asked.

* At Coldback,' he answered.

* To see Unna, Eric's cousin, perchance ? *

* That is so.'

* What is Unna to thee, then, loi.d ? '

* This much, that after hay-harvv9st she will be my wife,
and that is ill news for thee, Groa.'

Now Groa turned and grasped fiercely at the air with her
thin hands. Her eyes started out, foam was on her lips,
and she shook in her fury hke a birch cree in the wind, look-
ing so evil that Asmund drew back a little way, saying :

*l{ow ft veil is lifted from theo and X see thee as thou art.

*rtii

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

I \ 'i'^i

I -:'!

I .,-1

i;i

Thon hast oast a glamour over me these many years, Groat
and it is gone.'

'Mayhap, Asmund Asmundson — mayhap thou knowest
me ; hut I tell thee that thou shalt see me in a worse guise
before thou weddest Unna, What I have I borne the greatest
shame, lying by thy side these many years, and shall I Uve to
see a rival, young and fair, creep into my place with honour ?
That I will not while runes have power and spells can conjure
the evil thing upon thee. I call down ruin on thee and thine
— ^yea and on Brighteyes also, for he has brought this thing to
pass. Death take ye all 1 May thy blood no longer run in mortal
veins anywhere on the earth ! Go down to Hela, Asmund,
and be forgotten ! ' and she began to mutter runes swiftly.

Now Asmund turned white with wrath. * Cease thy evil
talk,' he said, ' or thou shalt be hurled as a witch into Goldfosa
pool.'

* Into Goldfoss pool ? — yea, trfere I may ile. I see it ! — I
seem to see this shape of mine rolling where the waters boil
fiercest— but thine eyes shall never see it ! Thy eyes are shut,
and shut are the eyes of Unna, for ye have gone before ! — I do
but follow after,' and thrice Groa shrieked aloud, throwing up
her arms, then fell foaming on the sanded floor.

* An evil woman and a fey ! ' said Asmund as he called people
to her. * It had been better for me if I had never seen her
dark face.'

Now it is to be told that Groa lay beside herself for ten full
days, and Swanhild nursed her. Then she found her sense
again, and craved to see Asmund, and spoke thus to him :

* It seems to me, lord, if indeed it be aught but a vision of
my dreams, that before this sickness struck me I spoke mad
and angry words against thee, because thou hast phghted troth
to Unna, Thorod's daughter.'

* That is so, in truth,' said Asmund.

* I have to say this, then, lord : that most humbly I crave
thy pardon for my ill words, and ask thee to put them away
from thy mind. Sore heart makes sour speech, and thou
knowest weU that, howsoever great my faults, at least I have
always loved thee and laboured for thee, and methinks that in

ERIC SRIGHTEYES

Bome fashion thy fortunes are the debtor to my wisdom. There-
fore when my ears heard that thou hadst of a truth put me
away, and that another woman comes an honoured wife to rule
in Middalhof, my tongue forgot its courtesy, and I spoke words
that are of all words the farthest from my mind. For I know
well that I grow old, and have put off that beauty with which I
was adorned of yore, and that held thee to me. " Car line" Eric
Brighteyes named me, and "carline" I am — an old hag, no
more ! Now, forgive me, and, in memory of all that has been be-
tween us, let me creep to my place in the in^le and still watch
and serve thee and thine till my service is outworn. Out of
Ban's net I came to thee, and, if thou drivest me hence, I tell
thee that I will lie down and die upon thy threshold, and when
thousinkest into eld surely the memory of it shall grieve thee.'

Thus she spoke and wept much, till Asmund's heart softened
in him, and, though with a doubting mind, he said it should
be as she willed.

So Groa stayed on at Middalhof and was lowly in her
bearing and soft of speech.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

! I -.;;;! I

THK BARESARK PROPHESIES.

CHAPTER Vn

HOW EBIO WENT UP MOSFELL AGAINST SEALnAOBIM THE

BABESABE

OW Atli the Good, earl of the
Orkneys, comes into the story.

It chanced that Ath had sailed
to Iceland in the autumn on a
business about certain lands that
had fallen to him in right of his
mother Helga, who was an Ice-
lander, and he had wintered west
of Reyjanes. Spring being come,
he wished to sail home, and, when
his ship was bound, he put to sea
full early in the year. But it chanced that bad weather came up
from the south-east, with mist and rain, so he must needs beach
his ship in a creek under shelter of the Westman Islands.

Now Atli asked what people dwelt in these parts, and, when
he heard the name of Asmund Asmundson the Priest, he was
glad, for in old days he and Asmund had gone many a viking
cruise together.

' We will leave the ship here,' he said, * till the weather
clears, and go up to Middalhof to stay with Asmund.'

So they made the ship snug, and left men to watch her ;
]but two of the company, with Earl Atli, rode i^p to Middalhof.
It must be told of Atli that he was the best of the earls
who lived in those days, and he ruled the Orkneys so well
that men gave him a by-name and called him Atli the Good.
It was said of him that he had never turned a poor man away
unsuccoured, nor bcv^fed his head before a strong man, noi:

and tj

old

sighc(

bridall
of the!

EPIC BRIGHTEYES

drawn his sword without cause, nor refused peace to him who
prayed it. He was sixty yeai s old, but age had left few marks on
him, except that of his long white beard. He was keen-eyed,
and well fashioned of form and face, a great warrior and the
strongest of men. His wife was dead, leaving him no children,
and this was a sorrow to him ; but as yet he had taken no
other wife, for he would say : * Love makes an old man bUnd,*
and * When age runs with youth, both shall fall,' and again,
* Mix grey locks and .golden and spoil two heads.' For this
earl was a man of many wise sayings.

Now Atli came to Middalhof just as men sat down to meat
and, hearing the clatter of arms, all sprang to their feet, think-
ing that perhaps Ospakar was come again as he had
promised. But when Asmund saw Atli he knew him at once,
though they had not met for nearly thirty years, and he
greeted him lovingly, and put him in the high seat, and gave
place to his men upon the cross-benches. Atli told all his
story, and Asmund bade him rest a while at Middalhof till the
weather grew clearer.

Now the Earl saw Swanhild and thought the maid wondrous
fair, and so indeed she was, as she moved scornfully to and fro
in her kirtle of white. Soft wa« her curling hair and deep were
her dark blue eyes, and bent were her red lips as is a bow
above her dimpled chin, and her teeth shone like pearls.

* Is that fair maid thy daughtei', Asmund ? ' asked Atli.
*She is named Swanhild the Fatherless,' he answered,

turning his face away.

Well,' said Atli, looking sharply on him, * were the maid
sprung fr im me, she would not long be called the " Fatherless,"
for few have such a daughter.'

* She is fair enough,' said Asmund, * m all save in temper,
and that is bad to cross.'

* In every sword a Haw,' answers Atli ; ' but what nas an
old man to do with young maids and their beauty ? ' and he
sighed.

* I have known younger men who would seem less brisk af.
bridals,' said Asmund, and for that time they talked uo more
of the matter.

if,:'lti;;l«>V

ifels., I S

'miA-

ERIC BRTGMIEYES

Now, Swanhild heard something of this speech, and she
guessed more ; and it came into her mind that it would be the
best of sport to make this old man love her, and then to mock
him and say him nay. So she set herself to the task, as it ever
was her wont, and she found it easy. For all day long, with
downcast eyes and gentle looks, she waited upon the Eforl, and
now, at ^.'i bidding, she sing hir; n a voice Foft and low,
and now she talked so wisely WiOJ that AlH thought no such
maid had trod the earth befo. 3. Bii he checked himself with
many learned saws, and on a day v/hen iL weather had grown
fair, and they sat alone, he told her that his ship was bound
for Orkney Isles.

Then, as though by chance, Swanhild laid her white hand
in his, and on a sudden looked deep into his eyes, and said with
trembling lips, * Ah, go not yet, lord !*-I pray thee, go not
yet ! ' — and, turning, she fled away.

But Atli was much moved, and he said to himself : * Now
a strange thing is come to pass : a fair maid loves an old man ;
and yet, methinks, he who looks into those eyes sees deep
waters,' and he beat his brow and thought.

But Swanhild in her chamber laughed till the tears ran
from those same eyes, for she saw that the great fish was
hooked and now the time had come to play him.

For she did not know that it was otherwise fated.

Gudruda, too, saw all these things and knew not how to read
them, for she was of an honest mind, and could not under-
stand how a woman may love a man as Swanhild loved Eric
and yet liiake such play with other men, and that of her free
will. For she guessed little of Swanhild's guilefulness, nor of
the coldness of her heart to all save Eric ; nor of how this was
the only joy left to her : to make a sport of men and put them
to grief and shame Atli said to himself that he would watch
this maid well before he uttered a word to Asmund, and he
deemed himself very cunning, for he was wondrous cautious after
the fashion of those about to fall. So he set himself to watching,
and Swanhild set herself to smihng, and he told her tales of
warfare and of daring, and she clasped her hands and said :

' ^V as there ever such a man since Odin trod the earth ? '

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

«3

And BO it went on, till the serving- women laughed at the old
man in love and the wit of her that mocked him.

No"':v upon a day, Ei-'c having made an end of sowing his
corn, b hcught him of !iis vow to go up alone against Skalla-
grim t'o Baresark in his den on Mosfell over by Hecla. Now,
tb's ^as a heavy task for Skallagrim was held so mighty
among men tnat none went up against him any more ; and at
times Eric thought of Gudruda, and sighed, for it was likely
that she would be a widow before she was made a wife. Still,
his oath must be fulfilled, and, moreover, of late Skallagrim,
having heard that a younghng named Eric Brighteyes had
vowed to slay him single-handed, had made a mock of him i
this fashion. For Skallagrim rode down to Coldback on T"^
River and at night-time took a lamb from the fold. Holdmg
the lamb beneath his arm, he drew near to the house and sn Aq
thrice jn the door with his baUle-axe, and they were thundei.a^
knocks. Then he leapt on to his horse and rode off a space and
waited. Presently Eric came out, but half clad, a shield in
one hand and Whitefire in the other, and, looking, by the bright
moonhght he saw a huge black-bearded man seated on a horse,
having a great axe in one hand and the lamb beneath his arm.

* Who art thou ? ' roared Eric.

* I am called Skallagrim, youngling,' answered th j man on
the horse. * Many men have seen me once, none ha.ve wished
to see me twice, and some few have never seen aught again.
Now, it has been echoed in my ears that thou hast vowed a
vow to go up Mosfell against Skallagrim the Baresark, and I
am come hither to say that I will make thee right welcome.
See,' and with his axe he cut off the lamb's tail on the pommel
of his saddle : * of the flesh of this lamb of thine I will brew
broth and of his skin I will make me a vest. Take thou this
tail and when thou fittest it on to the skin again, Skallagrim
will own a lord,' and he hurled the tail towards him.

'Bide thou there till I can come to thee,' shouted Eric;
' it will spare me a ride to Mosfell.'

* Nay, nay. It is good for lads to take the mountain air/
and Skallagrim turned his horse away, laughing.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

Eric watched Skallagrim vanish over the knoll, and then,
though he was very angry, laughed also and went in. But
first he picked up the tail, and on the morrow he skinned it.

Now the time was come when the matter must be tried, and
Eric bade farewell to Saevuna his mother, and Unna his
cousin, and girt Whitefire round him and set upon his head a
golden helm with wings on it. Then he found the byrnie
which his father Thorgrimur had stripped, together with the
helm, from that Baresark who cut off his leg — and this was a
good piece, forged of the Welshmen — and he put it on his breast,
and taking a stout shield of bull's hide studded with nails,
rode away with one thrall, the strong carle named Jon.

But the women misdoubted them much of this venture ;
nevertheless Eric might not be gainsayed.

Now, the road to Mosfell runs past Middalhof and thither
he came. Atli, standing at the men's door, saw him and cried
aloud : * Ho I a mighty man comes here.'

Swanhild looked out and saw Eric, and he was a goodly
sight in his war-gear. For now, week by week, he seemed to
grow more fair and great, as the full strength of his manhood
rose in him, like sap in the spring grass, and Gudruda was
very proud of her lover. That night Eric stayed at Middalhof,
and sat hand in hand with Gudruda and talked with Earl Atli.
Now the heart of the old viking went out to Eric, and he took
great delight in him and in his strength and deeds, and he
longed much that the Gods had given him such a son.

'I prophesy this of thee, Brighteyes,' he cried: 'that it shall
go ill with this Baresark thou seekest — yes, and with all men
who come within sweep of that great sword of thine. But
remember this, lad : guard thy head with thy buckler, cut low
beneath his shield, if he carries one, and mow the legs from
him : for ever a Baresark r"shes on, shield up.'

Eric thanked him for nis good words and went to rest.
But, before it was light, he rose, and Gudruda rose also and
came into the hall, and buckled his harness on him with her
own hands.

* This is a sad task for me, Eric ! ' she sighed^ * for how do I
know that Baresark's hands shall not loose this helm of thine? '

ERIC DRIGHTEYES

* That is as it may be, sweet,' he said ; ' but I fear not the
Baresark or any man. How goes it with Swanhild now ? '

'I- know not. She makes herself sweet to that old Earl
and he is fain of her, and that is beyond my sight.'

' I have seen as much/ said Eric. ' It will be well for us
if he should wed her.'

*■ Ay, and ill for him ; but it is to be doubted if that is in her
mind.'

Now Eric kissed her soft and sweet, and went away, bidding
her look for his return on the day after the morrow.

Gudruda bore up bravely against her fears till he was gonOi
but then she wept a little.

Now it is to be told that Eric and his thrall Jon rode hard
tip Stonefell and across the mountains and over the black sand,
till, two hours before sunset, they came to the foot of Mosfell,
having Hecla on their right. It is a grim mountain, grey
with moss, standing alone in the desert plain ; but between it
and Hecla there is good grassland.

* Here is the fox's earth. Now to start him,' said Eric.

He knows something of the path by which this fortress can
be climbed from the south, and horses may be ridden up it for a
space. So on they go, till at length they come to a flat place
where water runs down the black rocks, and here Eric drank
of the water, ate food, and washed- his face and hands.
This done, he bid Jon tend the horses — for hereabouts there is
a httle grass — and be watchful till he returned, since he must
go up against Skallagrim alone. And there with a doubtful
heart Jon stayed all that night. For of all that came to pass
he saw but one thing, and that was the light of Whitefire as it
flashed out high above him on the brow of the mountain when
first Brighteyes smote at foe.

Eric went warily up the Baresark path, for he would keep
his breath in him, and the light shone redly on his golden
helm. High he went, till at length he came to a pass narrow
and dark and hedged on either side with sheer clififs, such as
two armed men might hold against a score. He peered down
this path, but he saw no Baresark, though it was worn by

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

Baresark foet. He crept along its length, moving like a sim-
beaiu through the darkness of the pass, for the light gathered
on his helm and sword, till suddenly the path turned and he
was on the brink of a gulf that seemed to have no bottom,
and, looking across and down, he could see Jon and the horses
more than a hundred fathoms beneath. Now Erie must stop,
for this path leads but into the black gulf. Also he was
perplexed to know where Skallagrira had his lair. He crept
to the brink and gazed. Then he saw that a point of rock
jutted from the sheer face of the cliff and that the point was
worn with the mark of feet.

' Where Baresark passes, there may yeoman follow,' said
Eric and, sheathinj,' Whitefire, without more ado, though he
liked the task little, he grasped the overhanging rock and
stepped down on to the point below. Now he was perched Uke
an eagle over the dizzy gulf and his brain swam. Backward
he feared to go, and forward he might not, for there was nothing
but air. Beside him, growing from the face of the cliff, was a
birch-bush. He grasped it to steady himself. It bent beneath
his clutch, and then he saw, behind it, a hole in the rock
through w hich a man could creep, and down this hole ran foot-
marks.

' First through air like a bird ; now through earth Uke a
fox,' said Eric and entered the hole. Doubhng his body till his
helm almost touched his knee he took th?'ee paces and lo ! he
stood on a great platform of rock, so large that a hall might
be built on it, which, curving inwards, cannot be seen from
the narrow pass. This platform, that is backed by the sheer
cUff, looks straight to the south, and from it he could search
the plain and the path that he had travelled, and there once
more he saw Jon and the horses far below him.

*A strong place, truly, and well chosen,' said Eric and
looked around. On the floor of the rock and some paces from
him a turf fire still smouldered, and by it were sheep's bones,
and beyond, in the face of the overhanging precipice, was the
mouth of a cave.

• The wolf is at home, or was but lately,' said Eric ; *now
for his lair \ ' and with that he walked warily to the mouth of

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

the cave and peered in. He coiild see nothing yet a while, but
surely he heard a sound of snorinj^ ?

Then he crept in, and, presently, by the red light of the
burning embers, he saw a great black-bearded man stretched
at length upon a rug of sheepskins, and by his side an axe.

* Now it would be easy to make an end of this cave-dweller,'
thought Eric ; * but that is a deed I will not do — no, not even
to a Baresark — to slay him in his sleep,' and therewith he
stepped hghtly to the side of Rkallagrim, and was about to
prick him with the point of Whitclire, when ! as ho did so,
another man sat up
behind Skallagrim.

' By Thor ! for two
I did not bargain,' said
Eric, and sprang from
the cave.

Then, with a grunt
of rage, that Baresark
who was behind Skal-
lagrim came out like
a she -bear robbed of
her whelps, and ran
straight at Eric, sword
aloft. Eric gives before
him right to the edge
of the cliff. Then the
Baresark smites at him

and Brighteyes catches the blow on his shield, and smites in
turn so well and tn. ly, that the head of the Baresark flies from
his shoulders and si)ins along the ground, but his body, with
outstretched arms yet ^'ripping at the air, falls over the edge of
the gulf sheer into the water, a hundred fathoms down. It
was the flash that Whitefire made as it circled ere it smotts
that Jon saw while he waited in the dell upon the mountaiB
side. But of the Baresark he saw nothing, for he passed d()=?vTj
into the great fire-riven cleft and was never seen more, save
once only, in a strange fashion that shall be told. This was
the first man whom Brighteyes slew.

,4 ■

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1^^-

<- ^^

^,^^

y .^^jom^B^I'^

mr^M^^m

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•I'AXLJi A HU-NDlUiD FATHOMS DOWN.'

f II

EJ^/C BRIGHTEYES

Now the old tale tells that Eric cried aloud : * Little
chance had thiq one,' and that then a :^onderful thing came to
pass. For the head on the rock opened its eyes and answered :

•Little chance indeed against thee, Eric Brighteyes.
Still, I tell thee this : that where my body fell there thou shalt
fall, and where it lies there thou shalt Me also.'

Now Eric was afraid, for he thought it a strange thing
that a severed head should speak to him.

* Here it seems I have to deal with trolls,' he said ; * but
at the least though he speak, this one shall strike no more,'
and he looKed at the head, but it answered nothing.

Now Skallagrim slept through it all and the light grew
so dim that Eric thought it time to make an end this way or
that. Therefore, he took the head of the slain man, though
he feared to touch it, and rolled it swiftly into the cave, sayin j,
'Now, being so glib of speech, go tell thy mate that EriC
Brighteyes knocks at his door.'

Then came sounds as of a man rising, and presently
Skallagrim rushed forth with axe aloft and his fellow's head
in his left hand. He was clothed in nothing but a shirt and
the sMn of Eric's lamb was bound on his chest.

* Where now is my mate ? ' he said. Then he saw Eric
leaning on Whitefire, his golden helm ablaze with the (jiory
of the passing sun.

•It seems that thou holdest somewhat of him in thine
hand, Skallagrim, and for the rest, go seek it in yonder rift.'

* Who art thou ? roared Skallagrim.

* Thou mayest know me bj this token,' said Eric, and he
threw towards him the skin of that lamb's tail v/hich Skalla-
grim had lifted from Coldback.

Now Skallagrim knew him and the Baresark fit came on.
Tlis eyes rolled, foam flew from his lips, his mouth grinned,
and he was awesome to see. He let fall the head, and, sv "-iging
the great axe aloft, rushed at Eric. But Brighteyes is too
swift for him. It would not be well to let that stroke fall, and
it must go hard with aught it struck. He springs forward,
he louts low and sweeps upwards with Whitefire. Skallagrim
sees the sword flare and drops almost to his knee, guarding his

^j^4.jitea,li

■r,,

\ ■ V

: {

;C; '

r .

Eric encounters iSkallagrira

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

head Tnth the axe ; but Whitefire strikes on the iron haft
of the axe and shei-rs it in two, so that the axe-head falls to
earth. Now the Baresark is weaponless but unharmed, and it
would be an easy task to slay him as he rushes by. But it came
into Eric's mind that it is an unwortby deed to slay a swordless
man, and this came into his mind also, that ba desired to match
his naked might against a Baresark in his rage. So, in the
hardihood of his youth and strength, he cast Whitefire aside,
and crying * Come, try a fall with me, Baresark,' rushed on
Skallagrim.

* Thou art mad,' yells the Baresark, and they are at it
hard. Now they grip and rend and tear. Ospakar was strong,
but the Baresark strength of Skallagrim is more than the
strength of Ospakar, and soon Brighteyes thinks longingly on
Whitefire that he has cast aside. Eric is mighty beyond the
might of men, but he can scarcely hold his own against this mad
man, and very soon he knows that only one chance is left to him,
and that is to cling to Skallagrim till the Baresark fit be passed
and he is once more like other men. But this is easier to tell
of than to do, and presently, strive as he will, Eric is on his
back, and Skallagrim on him. But still he holds the Baresark
as with bands of iron, and Skallagrim may not free his arms,
though he strive furiously. Now they roU over and over on the
rock, and the gloom gathers fast nbout them till presently
Eric sees that they draw near to the brink of that mighty rift
down which the severed head of the cave-dweller has foretold
his fall.

* Then we go together,' says Eric but the Baresark does not
heed. Now they are on the very brink, and here as it chanceSj
or as the Noins decree, a little rock juts up and this keeps them
from falling. Eric is uppermost, and, strive as he will, SkaUd-
griii: may not turn him on his back again. Still, Brighteyes*
strength may not endure very long, for he grows famt, and his
legs shp slowly over the side of the rift till now he clings,
as it were, by his ribs and shoulder-blades alone, that rub
against the httle rock. The light dies away, and Eric thinks
on sweet; Gudruda and makes ready to die also, when suddenly
a last ray from the sun falls on the herce £bcc of Skalla-

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

grim*, and lo 1 Brighteyes sees it change, for the madness goes
out of it, and in a moment the Baresark becomes but as a
child in his mighty grip.

' Hold I ' said Skallagrim, ' I crave peace ' and he loosed his
clasp.

* Not too soon, then,' gasped Eric as, drawing his legs from
oyer the brink of the rift, he gained his feet and, staggering to
his sword, grasped it very thankfully.

* I am fordone ! ' said Skallagrim ; ' come, drag me from
this place, for I fall ; or, if thou wilt, hew off my head.'

* I will not serve thee thus,' said Eric. ' Thou art a gallant
foe,' and he put out his hand and drew him into safety.

For a while Skallagrim lay panting, then he gained his
hands and knees and crawled to where Eric leaned against the
rock.

' Lord,' he said, * give me thy hand.*

Eric stretched forth his left hand, wondering and Skalla-
grim took it. He did not stretch out his right, for, fearing guile,
he gripped Whitefire in it.

* Lord,' Skallagrim said again, * of all men who ever were,
thou art the mightiest. Five other men had not stood before
me in my rage, but, scorning thy weapon, thou didst overcome
me in the noblest fashion, and by thy naked strength alone.
Now hearken. Thou hast given me my life, and it is thine from
this hour to the end. Here I swear fealty to thee. Slay me if
thou wilt, or use me if thou wilt, but I think it will be better
for thee to do this rather than that, for th'jre is but one who has
mastered me, and thou art he, and it is borne in upon my mind
that thou, wilt have need of my strength, and thac shortly."

* That may well be, Skallagrim,' said Eric, ' yet I put little
trust in outlaws and cave-dwellers. How do I know, if I take
thee to me, that thou wilt not murder me in my sleep, as it
would have been easy for me to do by thee but now '? '

* What is it that runs from thy arm,' asked Skallagrim.
' Blood,' said Eric.

' Stretch out thine arm, lord.'

Eric did so, and the Baresark put his lips to the scratch
and sucked the blood, then said

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

* In thJH ul;.'Ofl of thine I pledge thee, Eric Brighteyes ! May
Vallialla reiuse me and Hela take me ; may I be hunted likeafox
from earth to earth ; may trolls torment me and wizards sport
with me o' nights ; may i ay Umbs shrivel and my heart turn to
water ; may my foes overtake me, and my bones be crushed
across the doom-stone — if I fail in one jot from this my oath that
I have sworn ! I will guard thy back, I will smite thy enemies,
thy hearthstone shall be my temple, thy lionour my honour.
Thrall am I of thine, and thrt 11 1 will be, and whiles thou wilt
we will live one life, and, in the end, we will die one death."

' It seems that in going to seek a foe I have found a friend,'
said Eric, * and it is likely enough that I shall need one. Skalla-
grim. Baresark and outlaw as thou art, I take thee at thy word.
Henceforth, we are master and man and we will do many a
deed side by side, and in toKen of it I lengthen thy name and
call thee Skallagrim Lambstail. Now, if thou hast it, give
me food and driak, for I am faint from that hug of thine, old
bear.*

::1i- '

BRIC BRIGHT EYES

v„ ! .;!;

CHAPTER Vm

HOW OSPAKAR BLACKTOOTH FOUND ERIC BRIGHTEYEB AND
SKALLAGRIM LAMB ST AIL ON HORSE -HEAD HEIGHTS

Now Skallagrim led Eric to his cave and fed the fire, and gave
him flesh to eat and ale to drink. When he had eaten his
fill Eric looked at the Baresark. He had black hair streaked
with grey that hung down upon his shoulders. His nose was
hooked like an eagle's beak, his beard was wild and his sunken
eyes were keen as a hawk's. He was somewhat bent and not
over tall, but of a mighty make, fcj his shoulders mubii pass
many a door sideways.

' Thou art a great man,' said Erio, * and ii is somet^iing to
have overcome thee. Now tell me what turned thee Baresark.'

* A shameful deed that was done against me, lord. Ten
years ago I was a yeoman of small wealth in the north. I had
but one good thing, and that was the fairest housewife i .hose
parts — Thorunna by name — and I loved her much, bu' e had
no children. Now, not far from my stead is a place called
Swinefell, and there dwells a mighty chief named ipakar
Blacktooth ; he is an evil man and a strong '

Eric started at the name and then bade Skall grim take
up the tale.

'It chanced that Ospakar saw my wife Thorunna and
would take her, but at first she did not listen. Then he pro-
mised her wealth and all good things, and she was weary of
our hard way of life and hearkened. Still, she woulvl! not go
away openly, for that had brought shame on her, bui; plotted
with Ospakar that he should ccme and take her as though by
force. So it came about, as I lay heavily asleep one night

S I) > '-J ff

ill,'

! ! ■ t ■

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

at Thorunna's side, having drunk somewhat too deeply of the
autumn ale, that armed men seized me, bound me, and haled
me from my bed. There were eight of them, and with them
was Ospakar. Then Blacktooth bid Thorunna rise, clothe
herself and come to be his May, and she made pretence to weep
at this, but fell to it readily enough. Now she bound her
girdle round her and to it a knilo hung.

***Kill thyself, sweet," I cried: "death is better than
shame."

* "Not so, husband," she answered. "It is true that I love
but thee ; yet a woman may ilnd another love, but not another
life," and I saw her laugh through her mock tears. Now
Ospakar rode in hot haste away to Swinefell and with him
went Thorunna, but his men stayed a while and drank my ale,
and, as they drank, they mocked me who was bound before
them, and little by little all the truth was told o^ the doings of
Ospakar and Thorunna my housewife, and I learned that it was
she who had planned this sport. Then my eyes grew dark and
I drew near to death from very shame and bitterness. But of
a sudden something leaped up in my heart, fire raged before
my eyes and voices in my ears called on to war and vengeance.
I was Baresark — and hke hay bands I burst my cords. My
axe hung on the wainscot. I snatched it thence, and of what
befell I know this alone, that, when the madness passed, eight
men lay stretched out before me, and all the place was but a
gore of blood.

* Then I drew the dead together and piled drinking-tables
over them, and benches, and turf, and anything else that would
bum, and put cod's oil on the pile, and fired the stead above
them, so that the tale went abroad that all these men were
burned in their cups, and I wHh them.

* But I took the name of Skallagrim and swore an oath
against all men, ay, and women too, and away I went to the
wood-folk and worked much mischief, for I spared few, and so on
to Mosfell. Here I have stayed these five years, awaiting the
time when I shall find Ospakar and Thorunna the harlot,
and I have fought many iik n, but, till thou camcst up against
me, none could stand before my might*

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

* A strange tale, tmly,' said Eric ; * but now hearken thou
to a stranger, for of a truth it seems that we have not come
together by chance,' and he told him of Gudruda and the
wrestling and of the overthrow of Blacktooth, and showed him
Whitefire which he won out of the hand of Ospakar.

Skallagrim hstened and laughed aloud. ' Surely,' he said,
* this is the work of the Ncns. See, lord, thou and I will yet
smite this Ospakar. He has taken my wife and he would take
thy betrothed. Let it be ! Let it be ! Ah, would that I had
been there to see the wrestling — Ospakar had never risen from
his snow-bed. But there is time left to us, and I shall yet see
his head roll along the dust. Thou hast his goodly sword
and with it thou shalt sweep Blacktooth's head from his
shoulders — or perchance that shall be my lot,' and with this
Skallagrim sprang up, gnashing his teeth and clutching at
the air.

'Peace,' said Eric. 'Blacktooth is not L.^ro. Save thy
rage until it can run along thy sword and strike him.'

' Nay, not here, nor yet so far off, lord. Hearken : I know
this Ospakar. If he has set eyes of longing on Gudruda,
Asmund's daughter, he will not rest one hour till he have her or
is slain ; and if he has set eyes of hate on thee — then take
heed to thy going and spy down every path before thy feet
tread it. Soon shall the matter come on for judgment and
even now Odin's Valkyries' choose their own.'
It is well, then,' said Eric.

Yea, lord, it is well, for we two have little to fear from
any six men, if so be that they fall on us in fair fight. But I do
not altogether like thy tale. Too many women are mixed
up in it, and women stab in the back. A man may deal with
swords aloft, but not with tricks, and lies, and false women's
witchery. It was a woman who greased thy wrestling soles ;
mayhap it will be a woman that binds on thy Hell-shoes
when all is done — ay I and who makes them ready for thy
feet.'

' The ' corse-choosing sisters ' who were bidden by Odin to single out
those warriors whose hour had come to die in battle and win Valhalla.

>\ ''. i,

■ .

) 4 #■

ERIC ERIGHTEYES

'Of women, as of men,' answered Eric, ' there is this to be
said, that some are good and some evil.'

' Yes, lord, and this also, that the evil ones plot the ill
of their evil, but the good do it of their blind foolishness.
Forswear women and so shalt thou live happy and die in
honour — cherish them and live in wretchedness and die an
outcast.'

* Thy talk is foolish,' said Eric. * Birds must to the air,
the sea to the shore, and man must to woman. As thiigs are
so let them be, for they will soon seem as though thv^y had
never been. I had rather kiss my dear and die, if so it pleases
me to do, than kiss her not and live, for at the last the end will
be one end, and kisses are sweet ! '

' That is a good saying,' said Skallagrim, and they fell
asl; P Hde by side and Eric had no fear.

Now thev awoke and the light was already full, for thev
were weary an., their sleep had been heavy.

Hard by the mouth of the cave is a little well of water that
gathers there from the rocks above and in this Eric washed
nimself. Then Skallaffrim showed him the cave and the
goodly store of arms thav he had won from those whom he
had slain and robbed.

' A wondrous place, truly,' said Eric, * and well fitted to the
uses of such a chapman * as thou art ; but, say, how didst
thou find it ? '

' I followed him who was here before me and gave him
choice — to go, or to fight for the stronghold. But he needs
must fight and that was his bane, for I slew him.'

* Who was that, then,' asked Eric, ' whose head lies
yonder ?

* A cave-dweller, lord, whom I took to me because of the
lonesomeriC^ss of the winter tide. He was an evil man, for
though it is good to be Baresark from time to time, yet to
dwell with one who is always Baresark is not good, and thou
didst a needful deed in smiting his head from him— and now
let it go to find its trunk,' and ho rolled it over the edge of the
great rift,

' Merchant.

ERTC BRtGHTEYBS

' Knowest thou, Skan<ip;rim, that this head spoke to me
after it had left the Dian'a shoulders, saying that where its
body fell there 1 should fall, and where it lay there I should
lie also ? '

* Then, lord, that is likely to be thy doom, for this man was
forosighted, and, but the night before last, as we rode out to
seek sheep, he felt his head, and said that, before the sun
sank again, a hundred fathoms of air should link it to hia
shoulders.'

' It may be so,' answered Eric. ' I thought as I lay in thy
grip yonder that the fate was near. And now arm thyself,
and take such goods as thou need est, and let us hence, for
that thrall of mine who waits me yonder will think thou hast
been too mighty for me.'

Skallagrim went to the edge of the rift and searched the
plain with his hawk eyes.

' No need to hasten, lord,' he said. * See yonder rides thy
thrall across the black sand, and with him goes thy horse.
Surely he thought thou camest no more down the path by
which thou wentest up, and it is not thrall's work to seek
Skallagrim in his lair and ask for tidings.'

* Wolves take him for a fool ! ' said Eric in anger. * He will
ride to Middalhof and sing my death-song, and that will sound
sadly in some ears.'

* It is pleasant, lord,' said Skallagrim, ' when good tidings
dog the heels of bad, and womenfolk can spare some tears
and be little poorer. I have horses in a secret dell that I will
show thee, and on them we will ride hence to Middalhof — and
there thou must claim peace for me.'

It is well,' said Eric ; * now arm thyself, for if thou goest
with me thou must make an end of thy Baresark ways, or
keep them for the hour of battle.'

' I will do thy bidding, lord,' said Skallagrim. Then he
entered the cave and set a plain black steel helm upon his
black locks, and a lilack chain byrnie about his breast. He
took the great axe-head also and fitted to it the haft of another
axe that lay among the weapons. Then he drew out a purse of
money and a store of golden rings, and set them in a bag of

1 '.U^.J

ERIC BRTGHTEYES

otter skin, and buckled it about him. But the other goods
he wrapped up in skins and hid behind some stones wliich
were at the bottom of the cave — purposing to come another
time and fetch them.

Then they went forth by that same perilous path which
Eric had trod, and Skallagrim showed him how he might pass
the rock in safety.

' A rough road this,' said Eric ap ^<> gained the deep cleft.

* Yea, lord, and, till thou came , one that none but wood-
folk have trodden.'

* I would tread it no more,' said Eric again, * and yet that
feliow chief of thine said that I should die licre,' and for a while
his heart was heavy.

Now Skallagrim Lambstail led him by secret paths to a
dell rich in grass, that is hid in the round of the mountain,
and here three good horses were at feed. Then, going to
a certain rock, he brought out bits and saddles, and they
caught the horses, and mounting them, rode away from
Mosfell.

Now Eric and his henchman Skallagrim the Baresark
rode four hours and saw nobody, till at length they came to
the brow of a hill that is named Horse-Head Heights, and,
crossing it, found themselves almost in the midst of a score of
armed men who were about to mount their horses.

* Now we have company,' said Skallagrim.

' Yes and bad company,' answered Eric, * for yonder I spy
Ospakar Blacktooth, and Gizur and Mord his sons, ay and
others. Down, and back to back, for they will show us httle
gentleness.'

Then they sprang to earth and took their stand upon a
mound of rising ground— and the men rode towards them.

'I shall soon know what thy fellowship Is worth,' said
Eric.

* Fear not, lord,' answered Skallagrim. ' Hold thou thy
head and I will hold thy back. We are met in a good
hour.'

'Good or ill, it is likely to be a short one. Hearken thoa ;

ERTC B RIGHTS YES

if thou must turn Baresark when swords begin to flash, at
the least stand and be Baresark where tliou art, for if thou
rushest on the foe, my back will be naked and I must soon be
sped.'

* It shall be as then sayest, lord.'

Now men rode round them, but at first thoy did not
know Eric, because of the golden helm that hid his face in
shadow.

* Who are ye ? * called Ospakar.

* I think that thou shouldst know me, Blacktooth,*
Eric answered, ' for I set thee heels up in the snow but lately
— or, at the least, thou wilt know this,' and he drew great
"Whitefire.

* Thou mayest know me also, Ospakar,' cried the Baresark.
* Skallagrim men called me, Lambstail, ^jHc Brighteyes calla
me, but once thou didst call me Ounound. Say, lord, what
tidin.rs of Thorunna ? '

Now Ospakar shook his sword, laughing. *I came out
to seek one foe, and I have found two,' he cried. * Hearken,
Eric : when thou art slain I go hence to burn and kill at
Middalhof. Shall I bear thy head as keepsake from thee to
Gudruda ? For thee, Ounound, I thought thee dead ; but,
being yet alive, Thorunna, my sweet love, sends thee this,' and
he hurled a spear at him with all his might.

But Skallagrim catches the spear as it flies anl hurls it
back. It strikes right on the shield of Ospakar and pierces it,
ay and the byrnie, and the shoulder that is ben. ath the bymie,
so that Blacktooth was made unmeet for fight, and howled
with pain and rage.

* Go, bid Thorunna draw that splinter forth,' says Skalla-
grim, * and heal the hole with kisses.'

Now Ospakar, writhing with his hurt, shouts to his men to
slay the two of them, and then the fight begins.

One rushes at Eric and smite s at him with an axe.
The blow falls on his shield, and shears ofif the side of it, then
strikes the byrnie beneath, but Ughtly. In answer Eric sweeps
low at him with Whitefire, and cuts his leg from under him
between knee and thigh, and he falls and dies.

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(716) 872-4503

)

ER/C BRIGHTEYES

Another rushes in. Down flashes Whitefire before he can
smite, and the carle's shield is cloven through. Then he
chooses to draw back and fights no more that day.

Skallagrim slays a man, and wounds another sore. A tall
chief with a red scar on his face comes at Brighteyes. Twice
he feints at the head while Eric watches, then lowers the sword
beneath the cover of his shield, and sweeps suddenly at Eric's
legs. Brighteyes leaps high into the air, smiting downward with
Whitefire as he' leaps, and presently that chief is dead, shorn
through shoulder to breast.

Now Skallagrim slays another man and grows Baresark.
He looks so fierce that men fall back from him.

Two rush on Eric, one from either side. The sword of
him on the right falls on his shield and sinks in, but Bright-
eyes twists the shorn shield so strongly that the sword is
wrenched from the smiter's hand. Now the other sword is aloft
above him, and that had been Eric's bane, but Skallagrim glances
round and sees it about to fall. He has no time to turn, but
he dashes the hammer of his axe backward. It falls full on
the swordsman's heaJ, and the head is shattered.

*■ That was well done,' says Eric as the sword goes down.

*■ Not so ill but it might be worse,* growls Skallagrim.

Presently all men drew back from these two, for they have
had enough of Whitefire and the Baresark's axe.

Ospakar sits on his horse, his shield pinned to his shoulder
ani curses aloud.

' Close in, you cowards I * he yells, ' close in and cut them
down \ ' but no man stirs.

Then Eric mocks them. ' There are but two of us,' he
says, ' will no man try a game with me ? Let it not be sung
that twenty were overcome of two.'

Now Ospakar's son Mord hears, and he grows mad with
rage. He holds his shield aloft and rushes on. But Gizur
the Lawman does not come, for Gizur was a coward.

Skallagrim turns to meet Mord, but Erirj says : —

*■ This one for me, comrade,' and steps forward.

Mord strikes a mighty blow. Eric's shield is all shattered
and cannot stay it. It crashes through and falls full on the

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

golden helm, beating Brighteyes to his knee. Now he is up
again and blows fall thick and fast. Mord is a strong man,
unwearied, and skilled in war, and Eric's arms grow faint and
his strength sinks low. Mord smites again and wounds him
somewhat on the shoulder.

Eric throws aside his cloven shield and, shouting, plies
Whitefire with both arms. Mord gives before him, then
rushes and smites ; Eric leaps aside. Again he rushes and
lo! Brighteyes has diopped his point, and it stands a full
span through the back of Mord, and instantly that was his
bane.

Now men run to their horses, mount in hot haste and ride
away, crying that these are trolls whom they have to do with
here, not men. Skallagrim sees, and the Baresark fit takes
him sore. With axe aloft he charges after them, screaming
as he comes. There is one man, the same whom he had
wounded. He cannot mount easily, and when the Baresark
comes he still Hes on the neck of his horse. The great axe
wheels on high and falls, and it is told of this stroke that it
was so mighty that man and horse sank dead beneath it,
cloven through and through. Then the fit leaves Skallagrim
and he walks back, and they are alone with the dead and
dying.

Eric leans on Whitefire and speaks :

' Get thee gone, Skallagrim Lambstail ! ' he said ; *■ get thee
gone ! '

' It shall be as thou wilt, lord,' answered the Baresark ;
' but I have not befriended thee so ill that thou shouldst fear
for blows to come.'

* I will keep no man with me who puts my word aside,
Skallagrim. What did I bid thee? Was it not that thou
shouldst have done with the Baresark ways, and where thou
stoodest there thou shouldst bide ? and see : thou didst
forget my word swiftly I Now get thee gone I '

' It is true, lord,' he said. * He who serves must serve
wholly,' and Skallagrim turned to seek his horse.

' Stay,' said Eric ; ' thou art a gallant man and I forgive
thee : but cross my will no more. We have slain seven men and

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

Ospakar goes hence wounded. We have pot honour, and they
loss and the greatest «hame. Never i.cicss, ill shall come of
this to me, for Ospakar has many rrionds and will set a law-suit
on foot against me at the Althing,' and thou didst draw the
ijrst blood.'

' Vvoiild that the spear had gone more home,' said Skalla-
crrini.

* Ospykar's time is not yet,' answered Eric ; * still, he ha3
>'^omf'thing by which to bear us in mind.'

' The annual assembly of free men which, in Iceland, performed the
functions of a Parliament and Supreme Court of law.

BRIC BRIGHTEYES

CHAPTER IX

HOW BWANHILD DEALT WITH QUDRUDA

low Jon, Eric's thrall, watched
all night ou Mosfell, hut saw
nothing except the light of
Whitefire as it smote the
Baresark's head from his
shoulders. He stayed there
till dayhght, much afraid ;
then, making sure that Eric
was slain, Jon rode hard and
fast for Middalhof, whither
he came at evening.

Gudruda was watching
hy the women's door. She
strained her eyes towards
Mosfell to catch the light
gleaming on Eric's golden
helm, and presently it
gleamed indeed, white not red.

' See,' said Swanhild at her side, ' Eric comes ! '

* Not Eric, hut his thrall,' answered Gudruda, ' i.> tell as
that Eric is sped.'

They waited in silence while Jon galloped towards them.

* What news of Brighteyes ? * cried Swanhild.
'Little need to ask,' said Gudruda, ' look at his face.'
Now Jon told his tale and Gudruda Hstened, chnging to

the door-post. But Swanhild cursed him for a coward, so
that he shrank before her eyes.

&RIC BRIG HTE YES

:;' \

Guclruda turned and walked into the hall and her face wa9
like the face of death. Men saw her, and Asmiind asked why
she wore so strange a mien. Then Gudruda sang this song :

Up to Mosfell, battle eager,
Bode helmed Brighteyen to the fray.
Back from Mosfell, battle shunning,
Slunk yon coward thrall I ween.
Now shall maid Gudruda never
Enow a husband's dear embrace ;
Widowed is she — sunk in sorrow*
Eric treads Valhalla's halls 1

And with this she walked from the stead, looking neither
to the right nor to the left.

* Let the maid be,' said Atli the Earl. * Grief fares best
alone. But my heart is sore for Eric. It should go ill with
that Baresark if I might get a grip of him.'

* That I will have before summer is gone,' said Asmund,
for the death of Eric seemed to him the worst of sorrows.

Gudruda walked far, and, crossing Lax£k. by the stepping
stones, chmbed btonefell till she came to the head of Golden
Falls, for, like a stricken thing, she desired to be alone
in her grief. But Swanhild saw her and followed, coming
on her as she sat watching the water thunder down the
mighty cleft. Presently Swanhild's shadow fell athwart her,
and Gudruda locked up.

* What wouldst thou with me, Swanhild ? ' she asked. * Art
thou come to mock my grief ? '

' Nay, foster-sister, for then I must mock my own. I
come to mix my tears with thine. See, we loved Eric, thou
and I, and Eric is dead. Let our hate be buried in his grave,
whence neither may draw him back.'

Gudruda looked upon her coldly, for nothing could stir her
now.

* Get thee gone,' she said. * Weep thine own tears and
leave me to weep mine. Not with thee will I mourn Eric'

Swanhild frowned and bit upon her lip. * I will not come to
thee with words of peace a second time, my rival,' she said. '• Erio

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

is dead, but my hate that was bom of Eric's love for thee lives
on and grows, and its flower shall be thy death, Qudruda I '

< Now that Brighteyes is dead, I would fain follow on his
path: so, if thou listest, throw the gates wide,' Godruda
answered, and heeded her no more.

Swanhild went, but not feur. On the farther side of a knoll
of grass she flung herself to earth and grieved as her fierce
heart might. She shed no tears, but sat silently, looking with
empty eyes adown the past, and onward to the future, and
finding no good therein.

But Gudruda wept as the weight of her loss pressed in
upon her — wept heavy silent tears and cried in her heart to
Eric who was gone — cried to death to come upon her and
bring her sleep or Eric. ^

So she sat and so she grieved till, quite outworn with sor-
row, sleep stole upon her and she dreamed. Gudruda dreamed
that she was dead and that she sat nigh to the golden door
that is in Odin's house at Valhalla, by which the warriors pass
and repass for ever. There she sat from age to age, listening
to the thunder of ten thousand thousand tramping feet, and
watching the fierce faces of the chosen as they marched out
in armies to do battle in the meads. And as she sat, at length
a one-eyed man, clad in gleaming garments, drew near and
spoke to hAT. He was glorious to look on, and old, and she
knew him for Odin the Allfather.

< Whom seekest thou, maid Gudruda ? ' he asked, and the
voice he spoke with was the voice of waters.

*I seek Eric Brighteyes,' she answered, 'who passed
hither a thousand years ago, and for love of whom I am
heart-broken.'

* Eric Brighteyes, Thorgrimur's son?* quoth Odin* * I know
him well ; no brisker warrior enters at Valhalla's doors, and
none shall do more service at the comiag of grey wolf Fenrir.*
Pass on and leave him to his glory and his God.'

Then, in her dream, she wept sore, and prayed of Odin by the
name of Freya that he would give Eric to her for a little space.

* What ^t thou pay, then, maid Gudruda ? ' said Odin.

The foe destined io bring destniotion on the Norse gods.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

' My life,* she answered.

* Good,' he said ; ' for a night Erie shall be thine. Then
die, and let thy death be his cause of death.' And Odin sang

this song:

Now, oone-ohoosing Daughters, hearken

To the dread Allfather'a word :

When the gale of spears' breath gathers

Count not Eric midst the slain,

Till Brigbteyen once hath slnmbered,

Wedded, at Gadruda's side —

Then, Maidens, scream your battle call;

Whelmed with foes, let Eric fall 1

And Gudruda awoke, but in her ears the mighty waters
still seemed to speak with Odin's voice, saying :

Then, Maidens, scream your battle call;
Whelmed with foes, let Eric fall 1

She awoke from that fey sleep and looked upwards, and
lo I before her, with shattered shield and all besmeared with
war's red rain, stood <j:old-helmed Eric. There he stood,
great and beautiful to see, and she looked on him trembling
and amazed.

'Is it indeed thou, Erie, or is it yet my dream?' she
said.

' I am no dream, surely,' said Eric ; ' but why lookest thou
thus on me, Gudruda ? '

Bhe rose slowly. ' Methought,' she said, ' methought that
thou wast dead at the hand of Skallagrim.' And with a
great cry she fell into his arms and lay there sobbing.

It was a sweet sight thus to see Gudruda the Fair, h^i
head of gold pillowed on Eric's war-etained bymie, her (lark
eyes afloat with tears of joy ; but not so thought Swanhild,
watching. She shook in jealous rage, then crept away, and
hid herself where she could see no more, lest she should be
smitten with madness.

< Whence earnest thou ? ah ! whence earnest thou ? ' said
Gudruda. *I thought thee dead, my love; but now I
dreamed that I prayed OdiUi and he spared thee to me for a
Uttle.'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

' Well, and that he hath, though hardly,' and Le told hei
all th»t had happened, and how, as he rode with Skallagrim,
who 7t)t sat yonder on his horse, he caught sight of a woman
I >;. 'ed on the grass and knew the colour of the c?cak.

l^hen Gudruda kissed him for very joy, and they were
iappy each with each—for of all things that are 9weet on
earth, there is nothing more sweet than this : to find him
we loved, and thought dead and cold, alive and at our
side.

And so they talked and were very glad with the gladness of
youth and love, till Eric said he must on to Middalhof before
the light failed, for he could not come on horseback the way
that Gudruda took, but must ride round the shoulder of the
hill ; and, moreover, he was spent with toil and hixnger, and
SkaUagrim grew weary of waiting.

* G.M ' said Gudruda ; * I will be there presently ! '

So he kissed her and went, and Swanhild saw the kiss and
saw liim go.

' Well, lord,' said Skallagrim, ' hast thou had thy fill of
kissing ? '

* Not altogether,* answered Eric.
They rode a while in silence.

*I Uiought the maid seemed very febirt' said Skalla-
grim.

' There are women less favoured, Skallagrim.'
' Rich bait for mighty fish I ' said Skallagrim. * This I tell
thee : that, strive as thou mayest against thy fate, that maid
will be thy bane and mine also.'

* Things foredoomed will happen,' said Eric ; * but if
thou fearest a maid, the cure is easy : depart from my
company.*

* Who was the other ? * asked the Baresark — * she who
crept and peered, listened, then crept back again, hid her face
in her hands, and talked with a grey wolf that came to her
like a dog ? *

' That must have been Swanhild,' said Eric, ' but I did not
see her. Ever does she hide like a rat in the thatch, and as for

•':.-.',

;fS

87 ERIC BRIGHTEYES

the wolf, he must be her Familiar ; for, like Groa, her mother,
Swanhild plays much with witchcraft. Now I will away
back to Gudruda, for my heart misdoubts me of this matter.
Stay thou here till I come, Lambstail 1 ' And Eric turns and
gallops back to the head of Goldfoss.

When Eric left her, Gudruda drew yet iicarer to the edge
of the mighty falls, and seated herself on their very brink.
Her breast was full of joy, and there she sat and let the splen-
dour of the sight and the greatness of the rushing sounds
sink into her heart. Yonder shone the setting sun, poised, as
it were, on Westman's distant peaks, and here sped the waters,
and by that path Eric had come back to her. Yea, and there
on Sheep- saddle was the road that he had trod down Gold-
foss ; and but now he had slain one Baresark and won another
to be his thrall, and they two alone had smitten the company
of Ospakar, and come thence with honour and but little harmed.
Surely no such man as Eric had ever hved — none so fair and
strong and tender ; and she was right happy in his love ! She
stretched out her arms towards him whom but an hour gone
she had thought dead, but who had lived to come back to her
with honour, and blessed his beloved name, and lau^'hed aloud
in her joyousness of heart, calling :

* Eric I EricT

But Sv/anhild, creeping behind her, did not laugh. She
heard Gudruda's voice and guessed Gudruda's gladness, and
jealousy arose within her and rent her. Should this fair rival
live to take her joy from her ?

* Grey TFoZ/, Grey Wolf ! what sayest thou ? *

See, now, if Gudruda were gone, if she rolled a corpse in
those boiling waters, Eric might yet be hers ; or, if he was not
hers, yet Gudruda's he could never be.

' Grey Wolf, Grey Wolf ! what is thy counsel ? '
Bight on the brink of the great gulf sat Gudruda. One
stroke and all would be ended. Eric had gone ; there was
no eye to see — none cave the Grey Wolfs; there was no
tongue to tell the deed that might be done. Who could call
her to account ? The Gods ! Who were the Gods ? What

ERIC B RIGHTS YES

were the Gods ? Were they not dreams ? There were no
Gods save the Gods of Evil — the Gods she knew and com-
muned with.

• Grey Wolf, Grey Wolf ! wliut is thy rede ? '

There sat Gudruda, laughing in the triumph of her joy , with
the sunset-glow shining on her heauty, and there, hehind her,
Swanhild crept— crept like a fox upon his sleeping prey.

Now she is there —

* J hear thee. Grey Wolf I Back to my breast, Grey
Wolfr

BWANHH-D TVHKPEniKO TO HER ORET WOLV.

Surely Gudruda heard something ? She half turned her
head, then again fell to calling aloud to the waters :

* Eric ! beloved Eric !— ah ! is there ever a light like the
light of thine ayes— is there ever a joy like the joy of thy kiss ? '

Swanhild heard, and her springs of mercy froze. Hate
and fury entered into her. She rose upon her knees and
gathered up her strength :

* Seek, then, thy joy in Goldfoss,' she cried aloud, and with
all her force she thrust.

Gudruda fell a fathom or more, then, with a cry, ih«

!li

'There she hun^. her feet resting on the shelving bank.'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

clutched wildly at a little ledge of rock, and hung there,
her feet resting on the shelving bank. Thirty fathoms down,
swirled and poured and rolled the waters of the Golden
Falls. A fathom above, red in the red light of evening, lowered
the pitiless face of Swanhild. Gudruda looked beneath her
and saw. Pale with agony she looked up and saw, but she
said naught.

' Let go, my rival ; let go ! * cried Swanhild : ' there is
none to help thee, and none to tell thy tale. Let go, I say, and
seek thy marriage-bed in Goldfoss I '

But Gudruda clung on and gazed upwards with white face
and piteous eyes.

' What I art thou so fain of a moment's hfe ? ' said Swanhild.
'Then I will save thee from thyself, for it must be ill to
suffer thus ! ' and she ran to seek a rock. Now she finds
one and, staggering beneath its weight to the brink of the gulf,
peers over. Still Gudruda hangs. Space yawns beneath her,
the waters roar in her ears, the red sky glows above. She sees
Swanhild come and shrieks aloud.

Eric is there, though Swanhild hears him not, for the sound
of his horse's galloping feet is lost in the roar of waters. But
that cry comes to his ears, he sees the poised rock, and all
grows clear to him. He leaps from his horse, and even as
she looses the stone, clutches Swanhild's kirtle and hurls her
back. The rock bounds sideways and presently is lost in the
waters.

Eric looks over. He sees Gudruda's white face gleaming
in the gloom. Down he leaps upon the ledge, though this is
no easy thing.

* Hold fast ! I come ; hold fast ! ' he cries.

* I can no more,' gasps Gudruda, and one hand slips.
Eric grasps the rock and, stretching downward, grips her

wrist ; just as her hold loosens he grips it, and she swings loose,
her weight hanging on his arm.

Now he must needs lift her up and that with one hand, for
the ledge is narrow and he dare not loose his hold of the rock
above. She swings over the great gulf and she is senseless as
one dead. He gathers all his mighty strength and lifts. Hia

9»

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

iiii

feet slip a little, then catch, and once more Gudruda fwingg.
The sweat bursts out upon his forehead and his blood drums
through him. Now it must be, or not at all. Again he lifts
and his muscles strain and crack, and she lies beside him on
the narrow ledge !

All is not yet done. The brink of the cleft is the height of
a man above him. There he must lay her, for he may not
leave her to find aid, lest she should wake and roll into the
chasm. Loosing his hold of the cHff, he turns, facing the rock,
and, ben Jing over Gudruda, twists his hands in her kirtle below
the breast and above the knee. Then once more Eric puts out
his might and draws her up to the level of his breast, and rests.
Again with all his force he lifts her above the crest of his helm
and throws her forward, so that now she Ues upon the brink
of the great cliflf. He almost fallL' backward at the effort, but,
clutching the rock, he saves himself, and with a struggle gains
her side, and lies there, panting Uke a wearied hound of chase.

Of all trials of strength that ever were put upon his might,
Eric was wont to say, this lifting of Gudruda was the greatest ;
for she was no hght woman, and there was httle to stand on
and almost nothing to cling to.

Presently Brighteyes rose and peered at Gudruda through
the gloom. She still swooned. Then he gazed about him —
but P' ^iihild, the witchgirl, was gone.

Then he took Gudruda in his arms, and, leading the horse,
stumbled through the darkness, calhng on SkaJlagrim. The
Baresark answered, and presently his large form was seen loom-
ing in the gloom.

Eric told his tale in few words.

* The ways of womankind are evil,' said Skallagrim ; *but
of all the deeds that I have known done at thp^'^ hands, this
is the worst. It had been well to hurl the wolf- witch from
the chff.'

* Ay, well,' said Eric ; * but that song must yet be sung.'
Now dimly hghted of the rising moon by turns they bore

Gudruda down the mountain side, till at length, utterly for-
done, they saw the fires of Middalhof.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

CHAPTER X

BOW ASMUND SPOKE WITH SWAKHILD

I ^ OW as the days went, though AtU's ship was bound
for sea, she did not sail, and it came about that
the Earl sank ever deeper in the toils of Swanhild. He called
to mind many wise saws, but these availed him little : for
when Love rises Uke the sun, wisdom melts like the mists.
So at length it came to this, that on the day of Eric's coming
back, Atli went to Asmund the Priest, and asked him for the
hand of Swanhild the Fatherless in marriage. Asmund heard
and was glad, for he knew well that things went badly between
Swanhild and Gudruda, and it seemed good to him that seas
should be set between them. Nevertheless, he thought it honest
to warn the Earl that S^^^anhild was apart from other women.
* Thou dost great honour, earl, to my foster-daughter and
my house,' he said. * Still, it behoves me to move gently in
this matter. Swanhild is fair, and she shall not go hence a
wife undowered. But I must tell thee this : that her ways are
dark and secret, and strange and fiery are her moods, and I
think that she will bring evil on tie man who weds her. Now,
I love theo, Atli, ware it only for our youth'i sake, and thoa

111

E/^IC BRIGHTEYES

art not altogether fit to mate with such a maid, for age
has met thee on thy way. For, as thou wouldst say, youth
dra^ws to youth as the tide to the shore, and falls away from
ela ds the wave from the rock. Think, then : is it well that
thou shouldst take her, Atli ? '

* I have thought much and overmuch,* answered the Earl,
stroking his grey beard ; * but ships old and new drive before
a gale.'

' Ay, Atli, and the new ship rides, where the old one
founders.'

' A true rede, a heavy rede, Asmund ; yet I am minded to
sail this sea, and, if it sink me — well, I have known fair weather I
Great longing has got hold of me, and I think the maid
looks gently on me, and that things may yet go well between
us. I have many things to give such as women love. At the
least, if thou givest me thy good word, I will risk it, Asmund :
for the bold thrower sometimes wins the stake. Only I say
this, that, if Swanhild is unwilling, let there be an end of my
wooing, for I do not wish to take a bride who turns from my
grey hairs.'

Asmund said that it should be so, and they made an end
of talking just as the light failed.

Now Asmund went out seeking Swanhild, and presently
he met her near the stead. He could not see her face, and
that was well, for it was not good to look on, but her mien was
wondrous wild.

' Where hast thou been, Swanhild ? ' he asked.

* Mourning Eric Brighteyes,' she made answer.

*It is meeter for Gudruda to mourn over Eric than for
thee, for her loss is heavy,' Asmund said sternly. * What hast
tho!: to do with Eric ? '

'Little, or much, or all — read it as thou wilt, foster-
father. Still, all wept for are not lost, nor all who are lost
wept for.'

'Little do I know of thy dark redes,' said Asmund.
* Where is Gudruda now ? '

•Righ is she or low, sleeping or perchance awakened:
paught reck I. She also mourned for Eric, and we went nigh

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

end

to mingling tears — near together were brown curls and
golden,' and she laughed aloud.

* Thou art surely fey, thou evil girl I ' said Asmund.

* Ay, foster-father, fey : yet is this but the first of my fey-
dom. Here starts the road that I must travel, and my feet
shall be red ere ever the journey's done.'

* Leave thy dark talk,' said Asmund, * for to me it is as the
wind's song, and listen : a good thing has befallen thee — ay,
good beyond thy deserving.'

* Is it so ? Well, I stand greatly in need of good. What
is thy tidings, foster-father ? '

* This : Atli the Earl asks thee in marriage, and he is a
mighty man, well honoured in his own land, and set higher,
moreover, than I had looked for thee.'

* Ay,' answered Swanhild, ' set like the snow above the
fells, set in the years that long are dead. Nay, foster-father,
this white-bearded dotard is no mate for me. What ! shall I
mix my fire with his frost, my breathing youth with the creep-
ing palsy of his age ? Never ! If Swanhild weds she weds
not so, for it is better to go maiden to the grave than thus
to shrink and wither at the touch of eld. Now is Atli's woo-
ing sped, and there's an end.'

Asmund heard and grew wroth, for the matter seemed
strange to him ; nor are maidens wont thus to put aside the
word of those set over them.

* There is no end,' he said ; * I will not be answered thus by
a girl who lives upon my bounty. It is my rede that thou
weddest Atli, or else thou goest hence. I have loved thee, and
for that love's sake I have borne thy wickedness, thy dark
secret ways, and evil words ; but I will be crossed no more by
thee, Swanhild.'

* Thou wouldst drive me hence with Groa my mother,
though perchance thou hast yet more reason to hold me dear,
foster-father. Fear not : I will go — perhaps further than thou
thinkest,' and once more Swanhild laughed, and passed from
him into the darkness.

But Asmund stood looking after her. * Truly,' he said in
iiis heart, ' ill-deeds are arrows that pierce him who shot them.

I"i!:

:!' 'i

ElilC BRIGHTEYES

I have sowed evilly, and now I reap the harvest. What means
she with her talk of Gudruda and the rest ? '

Now as he thought, he saw men and horses draw near, and
one man, whose helm gleamed in the moonlight, hore some-
thing in his arms.

* Who passes ? ' he called,

'Eric Brighteyes, Sliallagrim Lamhstail, and Gudruda,
Asmund's daughter,' answered a voice ; * who art thou ?

Then Asmund the Priest sprang forward, most glad at
heart, for he never thought to see Eric again.

* Welcome, and thrice welcome art thou, Eric,* he cried ;
• for, know, we deemed thee dead.'

* I have lately gone near to death, lord,' said Eric, for he
knew the voice ; * but I am hale and wholo, though somewhat
weary.'

' What has come to pass, then ? * asked Asmund, * and why
boldest thou Gudruda in thy arms ? Is the maid dead ? '

' Nay, she does but swoon. See, even now she stirs,' and
as he spake Gudruda awoke, shuddering, and with a little cry
threw her arms about the neck of Eric.

He set her down and comforted her, then once more turned
to Asmund :

'Three things have come about,' he said. 'First, I
have slain one Baresark, and won another to he my thrall, and
for him I crave thy peace, for he has served me well. Next,
we two were set on by Ospakar Blacktooth and his fellow-
sliip, and, fighting for our hands, have wounded Ospakar, slain
Mord his son, and six other men of his following.'

' Thtit is good news and bad,' said Asmund, ' since Ospakar
^v'ill ask a great weregild ' for these men, and thou wilt be
outlawed, Eric*

' That may happen, lord. There is time enough to think
of it. Now there are other tidings to tell. Coming to the
head of Goldfoss I found Gudruda, my betrothed, mourning
my death and spoke with her. Afterwards I left her, and
presently returned again, to see her hanging over the gulf, and
Swanhild hurUng rocks upon her to crush her.'

' The penalty for manslaying.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

' These are tidings in truth,' said Asmimd — ' such tidings ai
my heart feared 1 Is this true, Gudruda ? '

' It is true, my father,' answered Gudruda, trembling. ' As
I sat on the brink of Goldfoss, Swanhild crept behind me and
thrust me into the gulf. There T clung above the waters, and
she brought a rock to hurl upon me, when suddenly I saw
Eric's face, and after that my mind left me and lean tell
no more.'

Now Asmund grew as one mad. He plucked at his beard
and stamped on the ground. ' Maid though she be,' he cried,
< yet shall Swanhild's back be broken on the Stone of Doom for
a witch and a murderess, and her bod]i hurled into the pool of
fedthless women, and the earth will be well rid of her 1 '

Now Gudruda looked up and smiled : ' It would be ill to
wreak such a vengeance on her, father,' she said ; ' and this
would also bring the greatest shame on thee, and all our house.
I am saved, by the mercy of the Gods and the might of Eric's
arm, and this is my counsel : that nothing be told of this tale,
but that Swanhild be sent away where she can harm us no
more.'

* She must be sent to the grave, then,' said Asmund, and
fell to thinking. Presently he spoke again : * Bid yon man
fall back, I would speak with you twain,' and Skallagrim went
grumbling.

' Hearken now, Eric and Gudruda : only an hour ago hath
Atli the Good asked Swanhild of me in marriage. But now
I met Swanhild here, and her mien was wild. Still, I spoke
of the matter to her, and she would have none of it. Now,
this is my counsel : that choice be given to Swanhild, either
that she go hence AtU's wife, or take her trial in the Doom-
ring.'

' That will be bad for the Earl then,' said Eric. ' Methinka
he is too good a man to be played on thus.'

* Bairn firsts then friend* answered Asmund.

^Now I will tell thee something that, till this hour, I
have hidden from all, for it is my shame. This Swanhild is
my daughter, and therefore I have loved her and put away
her evil deeds, and she is half-sister to thee, Gudruda. See^

96 ERIC BRIGHTEYBS

ttieiii how sore is my strait, who must ayenge daughter upon
daughter.'

* Knows thy son Bjdm of this ? ' asked Erio.

' None knew it till this hour, except Groa and I.'

* Yet I have feared it long, father,' said Gudruda, ' and
therefore I have also borne with Swanhild, though she
hates me much and has striven hard to draw mj be-
trothed from me. Now thou canst only take one counsel, and
it is : to give choice to Swanhild of these two things, though
it is unworthy thut AtH should be deceived, and at the best
little good can come of it.*

' Yet it must be done, for honour is often slain of heavy
need,' said Asmund. ' But we must first swear this Baresark
thrall of thine, thougl: little faith lives in Baresark's breast.'

Now Eric called to Skallagrim and charged him strictly
that he should tell nothing of Swanhild, and of the wolf that
he saw by her, and of how Gudruda was found hanging over
the gulf.

* Fear not,' growled the Baresark, * my tongue is now my
master's. What is it to me if women do their wickedness one
on another ? Let them work magic, hate and slay by stealth,
so f^hall evil be lessened in the world.'

' Peace i ' said Eric ; * if anything of this passes thy Hps thou
art no longer a thrall of mine, and I give thee up to the men
of thy quarter,*

' And I cleave that wolfs head of thine down to thy hawk's
eyes ; but, otherwise, I give thee peace, and will hold thee from
harm, wood-dweller as thou art,' said Asmund.

The Baresark laughed : ' My hands will hold my head
against ten such mannikins as thou art. Priest. There was
never but one man who might overcome me in fair fight and
there he stands, and his bidding is my law. So waste no
words and make not niddering threats against greater folk '
and he slouched back to his horse.

' A mighty man and a rough,' said Asmund, looking after
him ; ' I like his looks Uttle.'

' Natheless a strong in battle,' quoth Eric ; ' had he not been
at my back some six hours gone, by now the ravAus had torn

:! -il

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

after

out these eyes of mine. Therefore, for my sake, bear with
him.'

Asmund said it should he so, and then they passed on to the
stead.

Here Erie stripped off his harness, washed, and bound
up his wounds. Then, followed by Skallagrim, axe in hand,
he came into the hall as men made ready to sit at meat. Now
the tale of the mighty deeds that he had done, except that of
the saving of Gudruda, had gone abroad, and as Brigbteyes
came all men rose and with one voice shouted till the roof of
the great hall rocked :

' WeUomR^ Eric Brighteyes, thou glory of the south I '

Only Bjom, Asmund's son, bit his hand,' and did not shout,
for he hated Eric because of the fame that he had won.

Brighteyes stood still till the clamour died, then said :

* Much noise for little deeds, brethren. It is true that I
overthrew the Mosfell Baresarks. See, here is one,' and he
turned to Skallagrim ; ' I strangled him in my arms on Mos-
fell' s brink, and that was something of a deed. Then he swore
fealty to me, and we are blood-brethren now, and therefore I
ask peace for him, comrades — even from those whom he has
wronged or whose kin he has slain. I know this, that when
thereafter we stood back to back and met the company of
Ospakar Blacktooth, who came to slay us — ay, and Asmund
also, and bear away Gudruda to be his wife— he warred right
gallantly, till seven of then* band lay stiff on Horse-Head Heights,
overthrown of us, and among them Moid, Blacktooth's son ; and
Ospakar himself went thence sore smitten of this Skallagrim.
Therefore, for my sake, do no harm to this man who was
Baresark, but now is my thrall ; and, moreover, I beg the aid
and friendship of all men of this quarter in those suits that
will be laid against me at the Althing for these slayings,
which I hereby give out as done by my hand, and by the hand
of Skallagrim Lambstail, the Baresark.'

At these words all men shouted again; but Atli the
Earl sprang from the high seat where Asmund had placed'
him, and, coming to Eric, kissed him, and, drawing a gold chaia
from his neok, flung it about the neck of Erici crying :

! i

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

" :i!;i

■i''!!"

Thou art a glorious mau, Eric Brighteyes. I ihouglit the
world had no more of such a breed. Listen to my bidding :
come thou to my earldom in Orkneys and be a son to me, and
I will give thee all good gifts, and, when I die, thou shalt sit
in my seat after me.'

But Eric thought of Swanhild, who must go from Iceland
as wife to Atli, and answered :

< Thou doest me great honour, Earl, but this may not be.
Where the fir is planted, there it must grow and fall. Iceland
I love, and I will stay here among my own people till I am
driven away.*

' That may well happen, then,' said Atli, ' for be sure Os-
pakar and his idn will not let the matter of these slayings rest,
and I think that it will not avail thee much that thou smotest
for thine own hand. Then, come thou and be my man.'

* Where the Noms lead there I nust follow,' said Eric, and
sat down to meat. Skallagrim sat down also at the side-bench ;
but men shi „nk from him, and he glowered on them in answer.

Presently Gudruda entered, and she seemed pale and faint.

When he had done eating, Eric drew Gudruda on to his
knee, and she sat there, resting her golden head upon his
breast. Bat Swanhild did not come into the hall, though ever
Earl Atli sought her dark face and lovely eyes of blue, and he
wondered greatly how his wooing had sped. Still, at this time
he spoke no more of it to Asmund.

Now Skallagrim drank much ale, and glared about him
fiercely ; for he had this fault, that at times he was drunken.
In front of him sat two thralls of Asmund's ; they were brothers,
and large-made men, and they watched Asmund's sheep upon
the fells in winter. These two also grew drunk and jeered at
Skallagrim, asking him what atonement he would make for
those ewes of Asmund's that he had stolen last Yule, and how
it came to pass that he, a B&resark, had been overthrown of
an unarmed man.

Skallagrim bore their gibes for a space as he drank on, but
suddenly he rose and rushed at them, and, seizing a man's
throat in either hand, thrust them to the ground beneath him
and nearly choked them there.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

Then Eric ran down the hall, and, putting out his strength,
tore the Baresark from them.

'This then is thy peacefulness, thou wolfl' Eric cried.
• Thou art drunk ! '

* Ay,' growled Skallagrim, * ale is many a man's doom.*

*■ Have a care that it is not thine and mine, then ! ' said Eric.
' Go, sleep ; and know that, if I see thee thus once more, I see
thee not again.'

But after this men jeered no more at Skallagrim Lambs*
tail, Eric's thralL

«9

100

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

I
I

CHAPTER XI

BOW SWANHILD BID FABBWSLL TO EBIO

Now all this while Asmund sat deep in thought ; but when, at
length, men were sunk in sleep, he took a candle of fat and
passed to the shut bed where Swanhild slept alone. She lay
on her bed, and her curling hair was all about her. She was
awake, for the light gleamed in her blue eyes, and on a naked
knife that was on the bed beside her, half hidden by her hair.
' What wouldst thou, foster-father ? ' she asked, rising in
the couch. Asmund closed the curtains, then looked at her
sternly and spoke in a low voice :

* Thou art fair to be so vile a thing, Swanhild,* he said.
' Who now would liave dreamed that heart of thine could talk
with ,i,'oblin3 anl with were- wolves — that those oyes of thine
could bear to loc^k on murder and those white hands find
strength to do tbo ;■ j.i ? '

She held up her shai)ely anus and, looking on them, laughed.
* Would that they had been fashioned in a stronger mould,'
she said. * May they wither in their woman's weakness f else
had the deed been done outright. Now my crime is as heavy
on me and nothing gained by it. Say what fate for me,
foster-father — the Stone of Doom and the pool where faithless
women lie ? Ah, then might Gudruda laugh indeed, and I will
not Uve to hear that laugh. See,' and she gripped the dagger
at her side : ' along this bright edge runs the path to peace
and freedom, and, if need be, I will tread it.'

* Be silent,' said Asmund. * This Gudruda, my daughter,
whom thou wouldst have foully done to death, is thine own

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

101

lister, and it is she who, pitying thee, hath pleaded for thy
life.'

' I will naught of her pity who have no pity/ she answered ;
* and this I eay to thee who art my father : shame be on thee
who hast not dared to own thy child I '

' Hadst thou not been my child, Swanhild, and had I not
loved thee secretly as my child, be sure of this, I had long since
driven thee hence ; for my eyes have been open to much that
I have not seemed to see. But at length thy wickedness has
overcome my love, and I will see thy face no more. Listen :
none have heard of this shameful deed of thine save those who
saw it| and their tongues are sealed. Now I give thee choice :
wed Atli and go, or stand in the Doom-ring and take thy fate.'

' Have I not said, father, while death may be sought other-
wise, that I will never do this last ? Nor will I do the first.
I am not all of the tame breed of you Iceland folk— other and
quicker blood runs in my veins ; nor will I be sold in marriage
to a dotard as a mare is sold at a market. I have answered.'

* Fool ! think again, for I go not back upon my word. Wed
Atli or die — by thy own hand, if thou wilt — there I will not
gainsay thee ; or, if thou fearest this, then anon in the Doom-
ring.'

Now Swanhild covered her eyes with her hands and shook
the long hair about her face, and she seemed wondrous fair to
Asmund the Priest who watched. And as she sat thus, it came
into her mind that marriage is not the end of a young maid's
life — that old husbands have been known to die, and that she
might rule this Atli and his earldom and become a rich and
honoured woman, setting her sails in such fashion that when
the wind turned it would fill them. Otherwise she must die
— ay, die shamed and leave Gudruda with her love.

Suddenly she slipped from the bed to the floor of the
chamber, and, clasping the knees of Asmund, ^ooked up through
the meshes of her hair, while tears streamed from her beautiful
eyes :

' I have sinned,' she sobbed — ' I have sinned greatly against
thee and my sister. Hearken : I was mad with love of Eric,
whom from a child I have turned tO| and Gudruda is fairer thim

n ■!!

Ib3

^RIC BRIGHTEYSS

I and she took him from me. Most of all was I mad this night
when I wrought the deed of shame, for ill things oounBeUed me
— things that I did not call ; and oh, I thank the Gods — if
there are Gods — that Gudruda died not at my hand. See now,
father, J put this evil from me and tear Erio from my heart,'
and she made as though she rent her bosom — ' I will wed
Atli, and be a good housewife to him, and I crave but this of
Gudruda: that she forgive me her wrong; for it was not
done of my will, but of my madness, and of the driving of
those whom my mother taught me to know.*

Asmund listened and the springs of his love thawed within
him. ' Now thou dost take good counsel,' he said, * and of this
be sure, that so long as thou art in that mood none shall
harm thee ; and for Gudruda, she is the most gentle of women,
and it may well be that she will put away thy sin. So weep
no more, and have no more dealings with thy Finnish witch-
craft, but sleep ; and to-morrow I will bear thy word to Atli, for
bis ship is bound and thou must swiftly be made a wife.'

He went out, bearing the light with him ; but Swanhild
rose from the ground and sat on the edge of the bed, staring
into the darkness and shuddering from time to time.

'I shall soon be made his wife,' she murmured, 'who
would be but one man's wife — and methinks I shall scion be
made a VTidow also. Thou wilt have me, dotard — take me
and thy fate ! Well, well ; better to wed an Earl than to be
shamed and stretched across the Doom-stone. Oh, weak arms
that failed me at my need, no more will I put trust in
you I When next I wound, it shall be with the tongue ; when
next I strive to slay, it shall be by another's hand. Curses
on thee, thou ill counseller of darkness, who didst betray me
at the last I Is it for this that I worshipped thee and awore
the oath?'

The morning oame, and at the first light Asmund sought the
Earl. His heart was heavy because of the guile that his
tongue must practise, and his face was dark as a winter dawn.

' What news, Asmund ? ' asked Atli. * Early tidings (vre
hoi ticUngSf so runs the saw, and thy looks give weight to it.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

103

' Not altogether bad, Earl. Swauhild gives herself to thee.'

* Of her own will, Asmund ? '

' Ay, of her own will. But I have warned thee of her
temper.'

' Her temper ! Little hangs to a maid's temper. Once a
wife and it will melt in softness Uko the snow when summer
comes. These are glad tidings, comrade, and mjthinks I grow
young again beneath the breath of them. Why art thou so
glum then ? *

' There is something that must yet be told of Swanhild,'
said Asmund. ' She is called the Fatherless, but, if thou
wilt have the truth, why here it is for thee — she is my daughter,
bom out of wedlock, and I know not how that will please thee.'

Atli laughed aloud, and his bright eyes shone in his wrinkled
ficuie. ' It pleases me well, Asmund, for then the maid is sprung
from a sound stock. The name of the Priest of Middalhof
is famous far south of Iceland ; and never hath Iceland bred a
comeher girl. Is that all ? '

* One more thing, Earl. This I charge thee : watch thy
wife, and hold her back from witchcraft and 'rom dealings
with evil things and trolls of darkness. She is of Finnish blood
and the women of the Finns are much given to such wicked
work.*

'I set little store by witchwork, goblins and their kin,'
said Atli. *■ I doubt me much of their power, and I shall soon
wean Swanhild from such ways, if indeed she practise them.'

Then they fell to talking of Swanhild' s dower, and that was
not small. Afterwards Asmund sought Eric and Gudruda, and
told them what had come to pass, and they were glad at the
news, though they grieved for Atli the Earl. And when Swanhild
met Gudruda, she came to her humbly, and humbly kissed her
hand, and with tears craved pardon of her evil doing, saying
that she had been mad ; nor did Gudruda withhold it, for of
all women she was the gentlest and the nost forgiving. But to
Eric, Swanhild said nothing.

The wedding-feast must be held on the third day from this,
for Atli would sail on that same day, since his people wearied of
waiting and his Sjiip might lie bound no longer. Blithe waa

I04

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

T' I

Atli the Earl, and Swanhild was all changed, for now she seemed
the gentlest of maids, and, as befitted one about to be made a
wife, moved through the house with soft words and downcast
eyes. But Skallagrim, watching her, bethought him of the
grey wolf that he had seen by Goldfoss, and this seemed not
weU to him.

* It would be bad now,' he said to Eric, as they rode to Cold-
back, * to stand in yon old earl's shoes. This woman's weather
has changed too fast, and after such a calm there'll come a
storm indeed. I am now minded of Thorunna, for she went
just so the day before she gave herself to Ospakar, and me
to shame and bonds.'

* Talk not of the raven till you hear his croak,' said Eric.

* He is on the wing, lord,' answered Skallagrim.

Now Eric came to Coldback in the Marsh, and Saevuna his
mother and Unna, Thorod's daughter, the betrothed of Asmund,
were glad to welcome him ; for the tidings of his mighty deeds
and of the overthrow of Ospakar and the slaying of Mord
were noised far and wide. But at Skallagrim Lambstail they
looked askance. Still, when they heard of those things that he
had TiTought on Horse-Head Heights, they welcomed him for
his deeds' sake.

Eric sat two nights at Coldback, and on the second day
Saevunp, his mother and Unna rode thence with their servants
to the wedding-feast of Swanhild the Fatherless. But Eric
stopped at Coldback that night, saying that he would be at
MiddalLof within two hours of sunrise, for he must talk with
a shepherd who came from the fells.

Saevuna and her company came to Middalhof and was
asked, first by Gudruda, then by Swanhild, why Brighteyes
tarried. She answered that he would be there early on the
morrow. Next morning, before it was light, Eric girded on
Whitefire, took horse and rode from Coldback alone, for he
would not bring Skallagrim, fearing lest he should get
drunk at the feast and shed some man's blood.

It was Swanhlld's wedding-day; but she greeted it with
little lightsomeness of hrrrt, and her eyes knew no sleep that
.night, though they were heavy with tears.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

105

At the first light she rose, and, gliding from the house,
walked through the heavy dew down the path by which
Eric must draw near, for she desired to speak with him.
Gudruda also rose a while after, though she did not know this,
and followed on the same path, for she would greet her lover
at his coming.

Now three furlongs or more from the ste^^d stood a vetch
stack, and Swanhild waited on the further side of this stack.
Presently she heard a sound of singing come from behind the
shoulder of the fell and of the tramp of a horse's hoofs. Then
she saw the golden wings of Eric's helm all ablaze with the
sunlight as he rode merrily along, and great bitterness laid
bold of her that Eric could be of such a joyous mood on
the day when she who loved him must be made the wife of
another man.

Presently he was before her, and Swanhild stepped from
the shadow of the stack and laid her hand upon his horse's
bridle.

* Eric,' she said humbly and with bowed head, 'Gudruda
sleeps yet. Canst thou, then, find time to hearken to my
words ? '

He frowned and said : ' Methinks Swanhild, it would be
better if thou gavest thy words to him who is thy lord.'

She let the bridle-rein drop from her hands. 'I am
answered,' she said ; 'ride on.'

Now pity stirred in Eric's heart, for Swanhild's mien was
most heavy, and he leaped down from his horse. * Nay,' he
said, ' speak on, if thou hast anything to tell me.'

* I have this to tell thee, Eric : that now, before we part for
ever, I am come to ask thy pardon for my ill-doing — ay, and
to wish all joy to thee and thy fair love,' and she sobbed and
choked.

* Speak no more of it, Swanhild,' he said, * but let thy
good deeds cover up the ill, which are not small ; so thou shalt
be happy.'

She looked at him strangely, and her face was white with
pain.

* How then are we so differently fashioned that thou, /

io6

EI^IC BRIGHTEYES

Eric, canst prate to me of happiness when my heart is racked
with grief ? Oh, Eric, I blame thee not, for thou hast not
wrought this evil on me willingly ; but I say this : that my
heart is dead, as I would that I were dead. See those
flowers : they smell sweet — for me they have no odour. Look
on the light leaping from Coldback to the sea, from the
sea to Westman Isles, and from the Westman crown of rocks
far into the wide heavens above. It is beautiful, is it not ?
Yet I tell thee, Eric, that now to my eyes howling winter
darkness is every whit as fair. Joy is dead within me, music's
but a jangled madness in my ears, food hath no savour on
my. tongue, my youth is sped ere my dawn is day. Nothing
is left to me, Eric, save this fair body that thou didst scorn,
and the dreams which I may gather from my hours of scanty
sleep, and such shame as befalls a loveless bride.'

' Speak not so, Swanhild,' he said, and clasped her by the
hand, for, though he loathed her wickedness, being soft-hearted
and but young, it grieved him to hear her words and see the
anguish of her mind. For it is so with men, that they are
easily moved by the pleading of a fair woman who loves them,
even ?;hough they love her not.

* Yea, I will speak out all my mind before I seal it up for
ever. See, Eric, this is my state and thou hast set this crown
of sorrow on my brows : and thou comest singing down the fell,
and I go weeping o'er the sea ! I am not all so ill at heart.
It was love of thee that drove me down to sin, as love of thee
might otherwise have lifted me to holiness. But, loving thee
as thou seest, this day I wed a dotard, and go his chattel and
his bride across the sea, and leave thee singing on the fell,
and by thy side her who is my foe. Thou hast done great
deeds, Brighteyes, and st'U greater shalt thou do ; yet but as
echoes they shall reach my ears. Thou wilt be to me as
one dead, for it is Gudruda's to bind the byrnie on thy
breast when thou goest forth to war, and hers to loose the
winged helm from thy brow when thou returnest, battle-worn
and conquering.'

Now Swanhild ceased, and choked with grief ; then spoka
again :

Eric and Swauhild saw r-jr not/

>Wr

»<'«^

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

105

< So now farewell ; doubtless I weary thee, and — Gndrada
waits. Nay, look not on my foolish tears: they are the
heritage of woman, of naught else is she sure! While I
live, Eric, mom by mom the thought of thee shall come to
wake me as the sun wakes yon snowy peak, and night by night
thy memory shall pass as at eve he passes from the valleys, but
to dawn again in dreams. For, Eric, 'tis thee I wed to-day —
at heart I am thy bride, thine and thine only ; and when shalt
thou find a wife who holds thee so dear as that Swanhild whom
once thou knewest ? So now farewell ! Yes, this time thou
shalt kiss away my tears ; then let them stream for ever. Thus,
Eric ! and thus ! and thus ! do I take farewell of thee.'

And now she clung about his neck, gazing on him with
great dewy eyes till things grew strange and dim, and he must
kiss her if only for her love and tender beauty's sake. And
so he kissed, and it chanced that as they clung thus, Gudruda,
passing by this path to give her betrothed greeting, came upon
them and stood astonished. Then she turned and, putting
her hands to her hoad, fled back swiftly to the stead, and
waited there, great anger burning in her heart ; for Gudruda
had this fault, that she was very jealous.

Now Eric and Swanhild did not see her, and presently they
parted, and Swanhild wiped her eyes and glided thence.

As she drew near the stead she found Gudruda watching.

* Where hast thou been, Swanhild ? * she said.

* To bid farewell to Brighteyes, Gudruda.*

' Then thou art fooUsh, for doubtless he thrust thee from
him.'

'Nay, Gudmda, he drew me to him. Hearken, I say,
thou sister. Vex me not, for I go my ways and thou goest
thine. Thou art strong and fair, and hitherto thou hast
overcome me. But I am also fair, and, if I find space to strike
in, I also have a show of strength. Pray thou that I find not
space, Gudruda. Now is Eric thine. Perchance one day he
may be mine. It lies in the lap of the Norns.'

* Fair words from Atli's bride,' mocked Gudmda.

' Ay, AtU's bride, but never Atli's iove ! ' said Swanhild,
and swept on. }

xxo

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

W. I

.>■, ;li

She came to bid farewell to

and thus ! and thus ! " didst
Ay, " thus and thus," with

A while after Eric rode up. He was shamefaced and
vexed at heart, because he had yielded thus to Swanhild's
beauty, and been melted by her tender words and kissed her.
Then he saw Gudruda, and at the sight of her all thought of
Swanhild passed from him, for he loved Gudruda and her
alone. He leapt down from his horse and ran to her. But,
drawn to her full height, she stood with dark flashing eyes
and fair face set in anger.

Still, he would have greeted her loverwise ; but she lifted
her hand and waved him back, and fear took hold of him.

' What now, Gudruda ? ' he asked, faltering.

* What now, Eric ? ' she answered, faltering not. * Hast
seen Swanhild ? '

* Yea, I have seen Swanhild.
me. What of it ? '

* What of it ? Why " thus !
thou bid farewell to AtU's bride,
clinging lips and twined arms. Warm and soft was thy fare-
well kiss to her who would have slain me, Brighteyes ! '

* Gudruda, thou speakest truth, though how thou sawest I
know not. Think no ill of it, and scourge me not w^th
words, for, sooth to say, I was melted by her grief and the
music of her talk.'

* It is shame to thee so to speak of her whom but now thou
heldest in thine arms. By the grief and the music of the
talk of her who would have murdered me thou wast melted
into kisses, Eric I — for I saw it with these eyes. Knowest
thou what I am minded to say to thee ? It is this : " Go
hence and see me no more ; " for I have little wish to cleave
to such a feather-man, to one so blown about by the first
breath of woman's tempting.'

*Yet, methinks, Gudruda, I have withstood some such
winds. I tell thee that, hadst thou been in my place, thyself
hadst yielded to Swanhild and kissed her in farewell, for she
was more than woman in that hour.'

* Nay, Eric, I arh no weak man to be led astray thus. Yet
she is more than woman — troU is she also, that I know ; but
less than man art thou, Eric, thus to fall before her who

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

I!X

hates me. Time may come when she shall woo thee after a
stronger sort, and what wilt thou say to her then, thou who
art so ready with thy kisses ? '

' I will withstand her, Gudruda, for I love thee only, and
this is well known to thee.'

' Truly I know thou lovest me, Erie ; hut tell me of what
worth is this love of man that eyes of heauty and tongue
of craft may so readily bewray ? I doubt me of thee, Eric! *

* Nay, doubt me not, Gudruda. I love thee alone, but I
grew soft as wax beneath her pleading. My heart consented
not, yet I did consent. I have no more to say.'

Now Gudruda looked on him long and steadfastly. * Thy
plight is sorry, Eric,' she said, * and this once I forgive thee.
Look to it thai; thou givest me no more cause to doubt thee,
for then I shall remember how thou didst bid farewell to
Swanhild.'

* I will give none,* he answered, and would have embraced
her ; but this she would not suffer then, nor for many days after,
for she was angry with him. But with Swanhild she was
still more angry, though she said nothing of it. That Swan-
hild had tried to murder her, Gudruda could forgive, for there
she had failed ; but not that she had won Eric to kiss her, for
in this she had succeeded well.

113

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

CHAPTER XII

HOW EBIO WAS OUTLAWED AND SAILED A-VIKINO

OW the marriage-feast went on, and Swanhild,
draped in white and girt about with gold, sat
by Ath's side upon the high oeat. He was
fain of her and drew her to him, but she looked at him with
cold calm eyes in which hate lurked. The feast was done, and
all the company rode to the sea strand, where the Earl's ship
lay at anchor. They came there, and Swanhild kissed Asmund,
and talked a while with Groa, her mother, and bade farewell to
all men. But she bade no farewell to Eric and to Gudruda.

* Why sayest thou no word to these two ? ' asked Atli, her
hiisband.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

< For this reason, Earl/ she answered, ' because ere long
we three shall meet again; but I shall see Asmund, my
fJEither, and Groa, my mother, no more.'

' That is an ill saying, wife,' said Atli. ' Methinks thou
dost foretell their doom.'

' Mayhap 1 And now I will add to my redes, for I foretell
ihy doom also : it is not yet, but it draws on.'

Then AtU bethouglit him of many wise saws, but spoke no
more, for it seemed to tuim this was a strange bride that he
had wed.

They hauled the anchor home, shook out the great sail,
and passed away into the evening Ught. But while land
could still be seen, Swanhild stood near the helm, gazing with
her blue eyes upon the lessening coast. Then she passed to
the hold, and shut herself in alone, and there she stayed, saying
that she was sick, till at length, after a fair voyage of twenty
days, they made the Orkney Islands.

But all this pleased Atli wondrous ill, yet he dared not
cross her mood.

Now, in Iceland the time drew on when men must ride to
the Althing, and notice was given to Eric Brighteyes of many
suits that were laid against him, in that he had brought
Mord, Ospakar's son, to his death, dealing him a brain or a
body or a marrow wound, and others of that company. But
no suits were laid against Skallagrim, for he was already out-
law. Therefore he must go in hiding, for men were out to
slay him, and this he did unwillingly, at Eric's bidding.
Asmund took up Eric's case, for he was the most famous of
all lawmen in that day, and when thirteen full weeks of summer
were done, they two rode to the Thing, and with them a great
company of men of their quarter.

Now, men go up to the Logberg, and there came Ospakar,
though he was not yet healed of his wound, and all his com-
pany, and laid their suits against Eric by the mouth of Gizur
the Lawman, Ospakar's son. The pleadings were long and
cunning on either side ; but the end of it was that Ospakar
brought it about, by the help of his friends — and of these he h^

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

'!( '

I ' I

many—that Eric must go into outlawry for three years. But
no weregild was to be paid to Ospakar and his men for those
who had been killed, and no atonement for the great wound
that Skallagrim Lambstail gave him, or for the death of
Mord, his son, inasmuch as Eric fought for his own hand to
save his life.

The party of Ospakar were ill pleased at this finding, and
Eric was not over ^*]ad, for it was little to his mind that he
should sail a-warring across the seas, while Gudruda sat at
home in Iceland. Still, there was no help for the matter.

Now Ospakar spoke with his company, and the end of it
was that he called on them to take their weapons and avenge
themselves by their own might. Asmund and Eric, seeing
this, mustered their array of free-men and thralls. There
were one hundred and five of them, all stout men ; but Ospakar
Blacktooth's band numbered a hundred and thirty-three, and
they stood with their backs to the Bavcn's Bift.

'Now I would that Skallagrim was here to guard my
back,' sai 1 Eric, ' for before this fight is done few will be left
standing to tell its uale.'

' It is a sad thing,' said Asmund, * that so many men must
die because some men are now dead.'

'A very sad thing,' said Eric, and took this counsel. He
stalked alone towards the ranks of Ospakar and called in a
loud voice, saying :

* It would be grievous that so many warriors should fall in
such a matter. Now hearken, you company of Ospakar Black-
tooth I If there be any two among you who wiU dare to
match their might against my single sword in holmgang,
here I, Eric Brighteyes, stand and wait them. It is better
that one man, pr perchance three men, should fall, than that
anon so many should roll in the dust. What say ye ? '

Now all those who watched called out that this was a good
offer and a manly one, though it might turn out ill for Eric ;
but Ospakar answered :

' Were I but well of my wound I alone would cut that
golden comb of thine, thou braggart ; as it is, be sure that
two shall be found.'

ERIC BRTGHTEYES

* Who is the braggart ? * answered Eric. * He wko twice
has learned the weight of this arm and yot boasts his strength,
or I who stand craving that two should come against me ?
Get thee hence, Ospakar ; get thee home and bid Thonmna,
thy leman, whom thou didst beguile from that Ounound who
now is named Skallagrim Lambstail the Baresark, nurse thee
whole of the wound her husband gave thee. Be sure we shall
yet stand face to face, and that combs shall be cut then, combs
black or golden. Nurse thee ! nurse thee ! cease thy prating
—get thee home, and bid Thorunna nurse thee ; but first name
thou the two who shall stand against me in holmgang in
Oxar^'s stream.'

Folk laughed aloud while Eric mooked,but Ospakar gnashed
his teeth with rage. Still, he named the two mightiest men
in his company, bidding them take up their swords against
Brighteyes. This, indeed, they were loth to do ; still, because
of the shame that they must get if they hung back, and for
fear of the wrath of Ospakar, they made ready to obey his
bidding.

Then all men passed down to the bank of Oxar^, and, on
the other side, people came from their booths and sat upon
the slope of All Man's Raft, for it was a new thing that one
man should fight two in holmgang.

Now Eric crossed to the island where holmgangs are
fought to this day, and after him came the two chosen,
flourishing their swords bravely, and taking counsel how one
should rush at his face, while the other passed behind his back
and spitted him, as woodfolk spit a lamb. Eric drew White-
fire and leaned on it, waiting for the word, and all the
women held him to be wondrous fair as, clad in his bymie
and his golden helm, he leaned thus on Whitefire. Presently
the word was given, and Eric, standing not to defend him-
self as they deemed he surely would, whirled Whitefire round
his helm and rushed headlong on his foes, shield aloft.

The great carles saw the light that played on Whitefire's
edge and the other light that burned in Erie's eyes, and terror
got hold of them. Now he was almost come, and Whitefire
sprang aloft like a tongue of flame. Then they stt^ed no more,

Ii6

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

^1;

1^1

but, running one this way and one that, cast themselves Into
the flood and swam for the river-edge. Now from either bank
rose up a roar of laughter, chat grew and grew, till it echoed
against the lava rifts and scared the ravens from their nests.

Eric, too, stopped his charge and lau^'hed aloud ; then
walked back to where Osmund stood, unarmed, to second him
in the holmgang.

' I can get Httle honour from such champions as these,' he
said.

Nay,' answered Asmund, ' thou hast got the greatest
honour, and they, and Ospakar, such shame as may not bo
wiped out.'

Now when Blacktooth saw what had come to pass, he well-
nigh choked, and fell from his horse in fury. Still, he could
find no stomach for fighting, but, mustering his company, rode
straightway from the Thing home again to Swinefell. But
he caused those two whom he had put up to do battle with
Eric to be set upon with staves and driven from his following,
and the end of it was that they might stay no more in Ice-
land, but took ship and sailed south, and now they are out of
the story.

On the next day, Asmund, and with him Eric and all their
men, rode back to Middalhof . Gudruda greeted ^-ric well, and
for the first time since Swanhild went away she kissed him.
Moreover, she wept bitterly when she learned that he must
go into outlawry, vhile she must bide at home.

* How shall the days pass by, Eric ? ' she said, * when thou
art far, and I know not where thou art, nor how it goes with
thee, nor if thou livest or art already dead ? '

* In sooth I cannot say, sweet,' he answered ; * but of this
I am sure that, wheresoever I am, yet more weary shall be my
hours.'

* Three years,' she went on — * three long, cold years, and no
sight of thee, and perchance no tidings from thee, tiU mayhap
I learn that thou art in that land whence tidings cannot come.
Oh, it would be better to die than to part thus.'

* Well I wot that it is better to die than to live, and better
never to have been bom than to live and die,' answered Erie

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

117

Badly. ' Here, it would seem, is nothing bat hate and strifoi
weariness and bitter envy to fret away our strength, and at
last, if we come so far, sorrowful age and death, and thereafter
wo know not what. Little of good do we find to our hands,
and much of evil ; nor know I for what ill-doing these burdens
are laid upon us. Yet must we needs breathe such an air as is
blown about us, Gudruda, clasping at that happiness which
is given, though we may not hold it. At the worst, the game
will soon be played, and others will stand where we have
stood, and strive as we have striven, and fail as we have
failed, and so on, till man has worked out his doom, and the
Gods cease from their wrath, or Ragnarrok come upon them,
and they too are lost in the jaws of grey wolf Fenrir.'

< Men may win one good thing, and that is fame, Eric'

' Nay, Gudruda, what is it to win fame ? Is it not to
raise up foes, as it were, from the very soil, who, mad with
secret hate, seek to stab us in the back? Is it not to lose
peace, and toil on from height to height only to be hurled
down at last ? Happy, then, is the man whom fame flies from,
for hers is a deadly gift.'

'Yet there is one thing left that thou hast not num-
bered, Eric, and it is love — for love is to our life what the sun
is to the world, and, though it seems to set in death, yet it
may rise again. We are happy, then, in our love, for there are
many who live their lives and do not find it.'

So these two, Eric Brighteyes and Gudruda the Fair, talked
sadly, for their hearts were heavy, and on them lay the shadow
of sorrows that were to come.

* Say, sweet,' said Eric at length, * wilt thou that I go not
into banishment ? Then I must fall into outlawry, and my life
will be in the hands of him who may take it ; yet I think that
my foes will find it hard to come by while my strength re-
mains, and at the worst I do but turn to meet the fate that
dogs me.'

* Nay, that I will not suffer, Brighteyes. Now we will go to
my father, and he shall give thee his dragon of war — she is a
good vessel — and thou shalt man her with the briskest men of
oar quarter : for there are many who will be glad to fare abroad

■1 . ",.'

i: r''l

1x8

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

with thee, Erio. Soon she shall be bound and thou shalt sail
at once, Erio : for the sooner thou art gone the sooner the
three years will be sped, and thou shalt come back to me.
But, oh I that I might go with thee.'

Now Gudruda and Eric went to Asmund and spoke of this
matter.

*I desired,' he answered, *that thou, Eric, shouldst
bide here in Iceland till after harvest, for it is then that I
would take Unna, Thorod's daughter, to wife, and it was
meet that thou shouldst sit at the wedding-feast and give her
to me.'

* Nay, father, let Eric go,' said Gudruda, * for well begun is,
surely, half done. He must remain three years in outlawry :
add thou no day to them, for, if he stays here for long, I know
this : that I shall find no heart to let him go, and, if go he
must, then I shall go with him.'

* That may never be,' said Asmund ; * thou art too young
and fair to sail a-viking down the sea-path. Hearken, Eric : I
give thee the good ship, and now we will go about to find stout
men to man her.'

* That is a good gift,' said Eric ; and afterwards they rodo
to the seashore and overhauled the vessel as she lay in her
shed. She was a great dragon of war, long and slender, and
standing high at stem and prow. She was fashioned if oak,
all bolted togvjther with iron, and at her prow was a gilded
dragon most wonderfully carved.

Eric looked on her and his eyes brightened.

* Here rests a wave-horse that shall bear a viking well,' he
said.

* Ay,' answered Asmund, * of all the things I own this ship
is the very best. She is so swift that none may catch her, and
she can almost go about m her own length. That gale must
be hea\y that shall fill her, with thee to steer ; yet I give her to
thee freely, Eric, and thou shalt do great deeds «rith this my
gift, P^d, if things go well, she shall come back to this shore at
lasii, and thou in her.'

'Now I will name this war-gift with a new name,'
said Eric. *•* Gudruda," I name her: for, as Gudruda here

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

is the fairest of all women, so is this the fairest of all war-
dragons.'

' So be it,' said Asmund.

Then they rode back to Middalhof, and now Erio Bright-
eyes let it be known that he needed men to sail the seas -«, Ith
him. Nor did he ask in vain, for, when it was told that Eric
went a-yiking, so great was his lame grown, that many a stout
yeoman and many a great-limbed carle reached down sword
and shield and came up to Middalhof to put their hands in
his. For mate, he took a certain man named Hall of Lithdale,
and this because Bjorn asked it, for Hall was a friend to Bjom,
and he had, moreover, great skill in all manner of seamanship,
and had often sailed the Northern Seas — ay, and round England
to the coast of France.

But when Gudruda saw this man, she did not hke him, be-
cause of his sharp face, uncanny eyes, and smooth tongue, and
she prayed Eric to have nothing to do with him.

' It is too late now to talk of that,' said Eric. *■ Hall is a
well-skilled man, anrl, for the rest, fear not : I will watch him.*

* Then evil will come of it,' said Gudruda.

Skallagrim also liked Hall little, nor did Hall love Skalla-
grim and his great axe.

At length aU were gathered ; they were fifty in number
and it is said that no such band of men ever took ship from
Iceland.

Now the great dragon was bound and her faring goods were
aboard of her, for Eric must sail on the morrow, if the wind
should be fair. All day long he stalked to and fro among his
men ; he would trust nothing to others, and there was no sword
or shield in his company but he himself had proved it. All
day long he stalked, and at his back went Skallagrim Lambs-
tail, axe on shoulder, for he would never leave Eric if he had
his will, and they were a mighty pair.

At length all was ready and men sat down to the faring-
feast in the hall at Middalhof, and that was a great feast.
Erie's folk were gathered on the side-benches, and by the high
seau at Asmund's side sat Brighteyes, and near to him were
Bjom, Asmand'8 bod, Gudrudai Uxma, Asmund's betrothedt

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and Saevuna, Eric's mother. For this had been settled
between Asmund and Eric, that his mother Saevuna; who was
now somewhat sunk in age, should flit from Coldback and come
with Unna to dwell at Middalhof. But Eric set a trusty
grieve to dwell at Coldback and mind the farm.

When the faring- toasts had been drunk, Eric spoke to
Asmund and said : * I fear one thing, lord, and it is that when
I am gone Ospakar will trouble thee. Now, I pray you all to
beware of Blacktooth, for, though the hound is whipped, he
can still bite, and it seems that he has not yet put Gudruda
from his mind.'

Now Bjorn had sat silently, thinking much and drinking
more, for he loved Eric less than ever on this day when he
saw how all men did him honour and mourLed his going, and
his father not the least of them.

* Methinks it is thou, Eric,' he said, ' whom Ospakar hates,
and thee on whom he would work his vengeance, and that for
no light cause.'

* When bad fortune sits in thy neighbour's house, she knocks
upon thy door, Bjorn. Gudruda, thy sister, is my betrotliei, and
thou art a party to this feud,' said Eric. * Therefore it becomes
thee better to hold her honour and thy own against this
Northlander, than to gird at me for that in which I have no
blame.'

Bjorn grew wroth at these words. * Prate not to me,' he
said. ' Thou art an upstart who wouldst teach their duty to
thy betters — ay, puffed up with light-won fame, like a feather
on the breeze. But I say this : the breeze shall fail, and thou
shalt fall upon the goose's back once more. And I say this also,
that, had I my will, Gudruda should wed Ospakar : for he is a
mighty chief, and not a long-legged carle, outlawed for
man-slaying.'

Now Eric sprang from his seat and laid hand upon the hilt
of Whitefire, while men murmured in the hall, for they held
this an ill speech of Bjorn's.

*In thee, it seems, I have no friend,' said Eri' , * and hadst
thou been any other man than Gudruda's brother, forsooth
thou shouldat answer for thy mocking words. This I tell

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lit
Id

thee, Bjom, that, wert thou twice her brother, if thou plottest
with Qspakar when I am gone, thou shalt pay dearly for it
when I come back again. I know thy heart well : it is cunning
and greedy of gain, and filled with envy as a cask with ale ;
yet, if thou lovest to feel it beating in thy breast, strive not to
work me mischief and to put Gudruda from me.'

Now Bjom sprang up also and drew his sword, for he was
white with rage ; but Asmujid his father cried, ' Peace ! ' in a
great voice.

* Peace ! ' he said. ' Be seated, Eric, and take no heed of
this foolish talk. And for rhee, Bjorn, art thou the Priest of
Middalhof, and Gudruda's father, or am I ? It has pleased
me to betroth Brighteyes to Gudruda, and it pleased me not
to betroth her to Ospakar, and that is enough for thee. For
the rest, Ospakar would have slain Eric, not he Ospakar,
therefore Eric's hands are clean. Though thou art my son, I
say this, that, if thou workest ill to Eric when he is over sea,
thou shalt rightly leam the weight of Whitefire : it is a nidder-
ing deed to plot against an absent man.'

Eric sat down, but Bjom strode scowling from the hall,
and, taking horse, rode south ; nor did he and Eric meet again
till three years were come and gone, and then they met but
once.

' Maggots shall be bred of that fly, nor shall they lack flesh
to feed on,' said Skallagrim in Eric's ears as he watched Bjom
pass. But Eric bade him be silent, and turned to Gudruda.

* Look not so sad, sweet,' he said, * for hasty words rise
like the foam on mead and pass as soon. It vexes Bjom
that thy father has given me the good ship : but his anger
will soon pass, or, at the very worst, I fear him not while thou
art true to me.'

* Then thou hast little to fear, Eric,' she answered. * Look
now on thy hair : it grows long as a woman's, and that is ill,
for at sea the salt will hang to it. Say, shall I cut it for
thee?'

* Yes, Gudruda.'

So she cut his yellow locks, and one of them lay upon her
lieart iat many a day.

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

' Now thou shalt swear to me/ she whispered m his ear,
' that no other man or woman shall cut thy hair till thou
comest back to me and I clip it again.'

* That I swear, and readily,' he answered. ' I will go
long-haired hke a girl for thy sake, Gudruda.'

He spoke low, but Eoll the Half-witted, Groa's thrall,
heard this oath and kept it in his mind.

Very early on the morrow all men rose, and, taking horse,
rode once more to the seaside, till they came to that shed where
the Gudruda lay.

Then, when the tide was high, Eric's company took hold of
the black ship's thwarts, and at his word dragged her with might
and main. She ran down the greased blocks and sped on
quivering to the sea, and as her dragon-prow dipped in the
water people cheered aloud.

Now Eric must bid farewell to all, and this he did with a
brave heart till at the last he came to Saevuna, his mother,
and Gudruda, his dear love.

'Farewell, son,' said the old dame; 'I have little hope
that these eyes shall look again upon that bonny face of
thine, yet I am weU paid for thy birth-pains, for few have
borne such a man as thou. Think of me at times, for without
me thou hadst never been. Be not led astray of women, nor
lead them astray, or ill shall overtake thee. Be not quarrel-
some because of thy great might, for there is a stronger than
the strongest. Spare a fallen foe, and take not a poor man's
goods or a brave man's sword ; but, when thou smitest, smite
home. So shalt thou win honour, and, at the last, peace, that
is more than honour.

Erio thanked her for her counsel and kissed her, then
turned to Gudruda, who stood, white and still, plucking at her
golden girdle.

< What can I say to thee ? ' he asked.

* Say nothing, but go,* she answered : ' go before I weep.*

* Weep not, Gudruda, or thou wilt unman me. Say, thou
wilt think on me ? '

* Ay, Erio> by day and by night.' .

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

' And thou wilt be true to me ? *

' Ay, till death and after, for so long as thou cleavest to
me I will cleave to thee. I will first die rather than betray
thee. But of thee I am not so sure. Perchance thou mayst
find Swanhild in thy journeyings and crave more kisses of
her?*

* Anger me not, Gudrada I thou knowest well that I hate
Swanhild more than any woman. When I kiss her again, then
thou mayst wed Ospakar.'

' Speak not so rashly, Eric/ she said, and as she spoke
Skallagrim drew near.

* If thou lingerest here, lord, the tide will serve us little
round Westmans,' he said, eyeing Gudruda as it were with
jealousy.

* I come,' said Eric. * Gudruda, fare thee well ! *

She kissed him and clung to him, but did not answer, for
she could not speak.

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ElilC BRIGHTEYES

CHAPTER Xm

BOW HALL THE MATE CUT THE GRAPNEL CHAIN

UDRUDA bent her head hke
a drooping flower, and pre-
sently sank to earth, for her
knees would bear her weight
no more ; but Eric marched to the hp of the
sea, his head held high and laughing merrily
to hide his pain of heart. Here stood Asmund, who gripped
him by both hands, and kissed him on the brow, bidding him
good luck.

* I know not whether we shall meet again,' he said ; * but,
if my hours be sped before thou returnest, this I charge thee :
that thou mindest Gudruda well, for she is the sweetest of
all women that I have known, and I hold her the most deai..'

* Fear not for that, lord,' said Eric ; * and I pray thee this,
that, if I come back no more, as well may happen, do not force
Gudruda into marriage, if she wills it not, and I think she

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ERIC BRIG HTE YES

will have little leaning that way. And I say this also : do not
count overmuch on Bjorn thy son, for he has no loyal heart ;
and beware of Groa, who was thy housekeeper, for she loves not
that Unna should take her place and more. And now I thank
thee for many good things, and farewell.'

'Farewell, my son,' said Asmund, 'for in this hour thou
seemest as a son to me.'

Eric turned to enter the sea and wade to the vessel, but
Skallagrim caught him in his arms as though he were but
a child, and, wading into the surf till the water covered his
waistbelt, bore him to the vessel and Ufted him up so that Eric
reached the bulwarks with his hands.

Then they loosed the cable and got out the oars and soon
were dancing over the sea. Presently the breeze caught them,
and they set the great sail and sped away like a gull towards
the Westman Isles. But Gudruda sat on the shore watching
till, at length, the light faded from Eric's golden helm as he
stood upon the poop, and the world grew dark to her.

Now Ospakar Blacktooth had news of this sailing and
took counsel of Gizur his son, and the end of it was that they
made ready two great ships, dragons of war, and, placing
sixty fighting men in each of them, sailed round the Iceland
coast to the Westmans and waited there to waylay Eric.
They had spies on the land, and from them they learned of
Brighteyes' coming, and sailed out to meet him in the channel
between the greater and the lesser islands, where they knew
that he must pass.

Now it drew towards evening when Eric rowed down this
channel, for the wind had fallen and he desired to be clear at
sea. Presently, as the Gudruda came near to the mouth of
the channel, that had high cliffs on either hand, Eric saw two
long dragons of war — for their bulwarks were shield-hung —
glide from the cover of the island and take their station side by
side between hira and the open sea.

* Now here are vikings,' said Eric to Skallagrim.

* Now here is Ospakar Blacktooth,' answered Skallagrim,
' for well I know that raven banner of his. This is a good

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E/a/C BRIGHTEYES

▼oyage, for we must seek but a little while before we oome to
fighting.'

Eric bade the men lay on their oars, and spoke :
' Before us is Ospakar Blacktooth with two great dragons,
and he is here to cut us off. Now two choices are left to us :
one is to bout ship and run before him, and the other to row on
and give him battle. What say ye, comrades ? '
Hall of Lithdaie, the mate, answered, saying :
' Let us go back, lest we die. The odds are too great,
Brie'

But a man among the crew cried out, * Vvlion thou
didst go on holmgang at Thingvalla, Eric, Ospakar's two
chosen champions stood before thee, yet at Whitefire's flash
they skurried through the water like startled ducks. It was an
omen, for so shall his great ships fly when we swoop on them.'
Then the others shouted :

* Ay, ay 1 Never let it be said that we fled from Ospakar
— ^fie on thy woman's talk, Hall ! '

* Then we are all of one mind, save Hall only,' said Eric.
'Let us put Ospakar to the proof.' And while men shouted
* Yea 1 ' he turned to speak with Skallagrim. The Baresark was
gone, for, wasting no breath in words, already he was fixing
the long shields on the bulwark rail.

The men busked on their harness and made them fit for
fight, and, when all was ready, Eric mounted the poop, and
with him Skallagrim, and bade the rowers give way. The
Gudruda leapt forward and rushed on towards Ospakar's
ships. Now they saw that these were bound together with a
cable and yet they must go betwixt them.

Eric ran forward to the prow, and with him Skallagrim,
and called aloud to a great man who stood upon the ship to
starboard, wearing a black helm with raven's wings :

* Who art thou that bars the seas against me ? '

*I am named Ospakar Blacktooth,' answered the great
man.

* And what must we lose at thy hands, Ospakar ? '
'But one thing — your lives I ' answered Blacktooth.

* Thrice have we stood face to face, Ospakar,' said Erie,

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

127

* and it seems that hitherto thou hast won no great glory.
Now it shall be proved if thy luck has bettered.'

' Art yet healed, lord, of that prick in the shoulder which
thou earnest by on Horse-Head Heights ? ' roared Skallagriin.

For answer, Oskapar seized a spear and hurled it straight
at Eric, and it had been his death had he not caught it in
his hand as it flew. Then he cast it back, and that so mightily
that it sped right through the shield of Ospakar and was the
bane of a man who stood beside him.

* A gift for a gift I ' laughed Eric. On rushed the Gudruda,
but now the cable was strained six fathoms from her bow that
held together the ships of Ospakar and it was too strong for
breaking. Eric looked and saw. Then he drew Whitefire,
and while all men wondered, leaped over the prow of the ship
and, clasping the golden dragon's head with his arm, set his
feet upon its claws and waited. On sped the ship and spears
flew thick and fast about him, but there Brighteyes hung.
Now the Gudruda' 3 bow caught the great rope and strained
it taut and, as it rose beneath her weight, Eric smote swift and
strong with Whiteflre and clove it in two, so that the severed
ends fell with a splash into the quiet water.

Eric sprang back to deck while stones and spears hissed
about him.

* That was well done, lord,* said Skallagrim ; * now we
shall be snugly berthed.'

* In oars and out grappling-irons,' shouted Eric.

Up rose the rowers, and their war-gear rattled as they rose.
They drew in the long oars, and not before it was time, for
now the Gudruda forced her way between the two dragons of
Ospakar and lay with her bow to their stems. Then with a
shout Eric's men cast the irons and soon the ships were locked
fast and the fight began. The spears flew thick, and on either
side some got their death before them. Then the men of that
vessel, named the Eaven, which was to larboard of the Gudruda
made ready to board. On they came with a rush, and were
driven back, though hardly, for they were many, and those
who stood against them few. Again they came, scrambling
over the bulwarks, and this time a score of them leapt aboard*

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ERIC BRIG HTE YES

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Eric turned from the fight against the dragon of Ospakar and
saw it. Then, with Skallagrim, he rushed to meet the boarders
as they swarmed along the hold, and naught might they
withstand the axe and sword.

Through and through them swept the mighty pair, now
Whitefire flashed, and now the great axe fell, and at every
stroke a nan lay dead or wounded. Six of the boarders
turned to fly, but just then the grappling-iron broke, and their
ship drifted out with the tide towards the open sea, and pre-
sently no man of that twenty was left alive.

Now the men of the ship of Ospakar and of the Gudruda
pressed each other hard. Thrice did Ospakar strive to come
aboard and thrice he was pushed back. Eric was ever where
he was most needed, and with him Skallagrim, for these two
threw themselves about from side to side, and were now here
and now there, so that it seemed as though there were not
one golden helm and one black, but rather four on board the
Gudruda.

Eric looked and saw that the other ship was drawing round,
though somewhat slowly, to come alongside of them once more.

* Now we must make an end of Ospakar, else our hands
will be overfull,' he said, and therewith sprang up upon the
bulwarks and after him many men. Once tliey were driven
back, but came on again, and now they thrust all Ospakar's men
before them and passed up his ship on both boards. By the
mast stood Ospakar and with him Gizur his son, and Erie
strove to come at him. But many men were between them,
and he could not do this.

Presently, while the fight yet went on hotly and men fell
fast, Brighteyes felt the dragon of Ospakar strike, and, looking,
saw that they had drifted with the send of the tide on to the
rocks of the island. There was a great hole in the hull amid-
ships and the water rushed in fast.

* Back ! men ; back ! ' he cried, and all his folk that were
unhurt, ran, and leapt on board the Gudruda ; but Ospakar and
his men sprang into the sea and swam for the shore. Then
Skallagrim cut loose the grappling-irons with his axe, and that
not too soon, for, scarcely had they poshed clear with great

EhJC BRIGHTEYES

129

toll when the long warship slipped from the rock and foundered,
taking many dead and wounded men with her.

Now Ospakar and some of his people stood safe upon the
rocks, and Eric called to him in mockery, bidding him come
aboard the Gudruda.

Ospakar made no ansv/er, but stood gnawing his hand,
while the water ran from him. Only Gizur his son cursed
them aloud.

Eric was greatly minded to follow them, and land and fight
them there ; but he might not do this, because of the rocks and
of the other dragon, that hung about them, fearing to come
on and yet not willing to go back.

' We will have her, at the least, said Eric, and bade the
rowers get out their oars.

Now, when the men on board the other ship saw the
Gudruda drawing on, they took to their oars at once and
rowed swiftly for the sea, and at this a great roar of laughter
went down Eric's ship.

* They shall not slip from us so easily,' said Eric ; * give
way, comrades, and after them.'

But the men were much wearied with fighting, and the decks
were all cumbered with dead and wounded, so that by the time
that the Gudruda had put about, and come to the mouth of the
waterway, Ospakar' 3 vessel had shaken out her sails and caught
the wind, that now blew strong off shore, and sped away six
furlongs or more from Eric's prow

* Now we shall see how the Gudruda sails,' said Eric, and
they spread their canvas and gave chase.

Then Eric bade men clear the deck;« of the dead, and tend
the wounded. He had lost seven men slain outright, and three
were wounded, one to death. But on board the ship there lay
of Ospakar's force twenty and three dead men.

When all were cast into the sea, men ate and rested.

* We have not done so badly,' said Eric to Skallagrim.

* We shall do better yet,' said Skallagrim to Eric ; * rather
had I seen Ospakar's head ying in the scuppers than those of
all his carles ; for he may get more meny but never another
headr

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EI^/C BRIGHTEYES

Now the wind freshened till by midnight it blew stronglj.
The mate Hall came to Eric and said :

' The Gudruda dips her nose deep in Ban's cup. Say,
Eric, shall we shorten sail ? '

' Nay,' answered Eric, ' keep her full and bail. Whore yon-
der Raven flies, my Sea-stag must follow,' ard he pointed lo
the warship that rode the waves before them.

After midnight clouds came up, with rain, and hid the face
of the night-sun and the ship they sought. The wind blew
ever harder, till at length, when the rain had passed and the
clouds lifted, there was much water in the hold and the bailers
could hardly stand at their work.

Men murmured, and Hall the mate murmured most of all ;
but still Eric held on, for there, not two furlongs ahead of
them, rode the dragon of Ospakar. But now, being afraid of
the wind and sea, she had lowered her sail somewhat, and
made as though she would put about and run for Iceland.

*That she may not do,' called Eric to Skallagrim, * if once
she rolls side on to those seas Han has her, for she must fill
and sink.'

* So they hold, lord,' answered Skallagrim ; * see, once more
she runs 1 '

* Ay, but we run faster — she is outsailed. Up, men, up : for
presently the fight begins.'

<It is bad to join battle in such a sea,' quoth Hall.

'Good or bad,' growled Skallagrim, *do thou thy lord's
bidding,* and he half lifted up his axe.

The mate said no more, for he misdoubted him of Skalla-
grim Lambstail and his axe.

Then men made ready for the fray as best they might,
and stood, sword in hand and drenched with foam, clinging to
the bulwarks of the Gudruda as she wallowed through the seas.

Eric went aft to the helm and seized it. Now but a length
ahead Ospakar's ship laboured on beneath her small sail, but
the Gudruda rushed towards her with all canvas set and at
every leap plunged her golden dragon beneath the surf and
shook the water from her foredeck.

« Make ready the grapnel 1 ' shouted Erio through the storm*

Eric and iSkalla^njn boarding the ' Raven

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EJilC BRIGHTEYES

Skallagriin seized the iron aTid stood by. Now the Gudruda
rushed alongside the Raven, and Eric steered so skilfully that
there was a fathom space, and no more, between the ships.

Skallagrim cast the iron well and truly, so that it hooked
and held. On sped the Gudruda and the cabla tautened — now
her stern kissed the bow of Ospakar's ship, as though she was
towing her, and thus for a space tney travelled through the seas.

Eric's folk shouted and strove to cast spears ; but they did
this but ill, because of the rocking of the vessel. As for
Ospakar's men, they clung to the bulwarks and did nothing, for
all the heart was out of them between fear of Eric iind terror
of the sea. Eric called to a man to hold the helm, and bkalla-
grim crapt aft to where he stood.

* What counsel shall we take now ? ' said Eric, and a^ he
spoke a sea broke over them — for the gale was strong.

* Board them and make an end,' answered Skallagrim.

' Rough work ; still, we will try it,' said Eric, ' for we may
net lie thus for long, and I am loath to leave them.'

Then Erie called for men to follow him, and many
answered, creeping as best they might to where he stood.

' Thou art mad, Eric,' said Hall the mate ; *cut loose and
let us drive, else we shall both founder, and that is a poor tale
to tell.'

Eric took no heed, but, watching his chance, leapt on to the
bows of the Raver, and axter him leapt Skallagrim. Even as
he did so, a great sea came and swept past and over them, so
that half the ship was hid for foam. Now, Hall the mate
stood near to the grapnel cable, and, fearing lest they should
sink, out of the cowardice of his heart, he let his axe fall upon
the chain, and severed it so swiftly that no man saw him,
except Skallagrim only. Forward sprang the Gudruda, freed
from her burden, and rushed away before the wind, leaving
Eric and Skallagrim alone upon the Raven's prow.

* Now we are in evil plight,' said Eric, * the cable has
parted ! '

* Ay,' answered Skallagrim, * and that losel Hall hath
parted it ! I saw his axe fall.'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

132

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CHAPTER XIV

HOW ERIC DREAMED A DREAM

Now, when the men of Ospakar, who were gathered on the
poop of the Raven, saw what had come about, they shouted
aloud and made ready to slay the pair. But Eric and Skalla-
grim clambered to the mast and got their backs against' it,
and swiftly made themselves fast with a rope, so that they
might not fall with the rolling of the ship. Then the people
of Ospakar came on to cut them down.

But this was no easy task, for they nzJght scarcely stand,
and they could not shoot with the bow. Moreover, Eric and
Skallagrim, being bound to the mast, had the use of both hands
and were minded to die hard. Therefore Ospakar 's folks got
but one thing by their ons!j,ugIit, and that was death, for
three of their number fell beneath the long sweep of Whitefire,
and one bowed before the axe of Skallagrim. Then they drew
back and strove to throw spears at these two, but they flew
wide because of the rolling of the vessel. One spear struck the
mast near the head of Skallagrim. He drew it out, and,
waiting till the ship steadied herself in the trough of the sea,
hurled it at a knot of Ospakar's thralls, and a man got his
death from it. After that they threw no more spears.

Then once more the crew came on with swords and axes,
but faint-heartedly, and the end of it was that they lost some
more men dead and wounded and fell back again.

Skallagrim mocked at them with bitter words, and one of
them, made mad by his scoffing, cast a heavy ballast-stone at
him. It fell upon his shoulder and numbed him.

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BRIC BRIG HTE YES

' Now I am unmeet for fight, lord,' said Skallagriin, * for my
right arm is dead and I can scarcely hold my axe.'

* That is ill, then,' said Eric, * for we have little help, except
from each other, and I, too, am well-nigh spent. Well, we have
done a great deed and now it is time to rest.

' My left arm is yet whole, lord, and I can make shift for
a while with it. Cut loose the cord before they bait us to
death, and let us rush upon these wolves and fall fighting.'

* A good counsel,' said Eric, * and a quick end ; but stay
a while : what plan have they now ? *

Now the men of Ospakar, having little heart left in them
for such work as this, had taken thought together.

* We have got great hurt, and little honour,' said the
mate. * There are but nineteen of us left aUve, and that is
scarcely enough to work the ship, and it seems that we shall
be fewer before Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail he
quiet by yonder mast. They are mighty men, indeed, and it
would be better, methinks, to deal with them by craft, rather
than by force.'

The sailors said that this was a good word, for they were
weary of the sight of Whitefire as he flamed on high and the
sound of the axe of Skallagrim as it crashed through helm
and byrnie ; and as fear crept in valour flee' out.

* This is my rede, then,' said the mate : * tnat we go to them
and give them peace, and lay them in bonds, swearing that we
will put them ashore when we are come back to Iceland. But
when we have them fast, as they sleep at night, we will creep
on them and hurl them into the sea, and afterwards we will say
that we slew them fighting.'

' A shameful deed ! ' said a man.

* Then go thou up against them,' answered the mate. ' If
we slay them not, then shall this tale be told against us through-
out Iceland : that a ship's company were worsted by two men,
and we may not live beneath that dishonour.'

The man held his peace, and the mate, laying down his
arms, crept forward alone, towards the mast, just as Eric and
Skallagrim were about to cut themselves loose and rush on
them.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

134

' What wouldest thou ? * shouted Eric. * Has it gone so
well with you with arms that ye ai'e minded to come up against
us hearing none ? '

* It has gone ill, Eric,' said the mate, *for ye twain are too
mighty for us. We have lost many men, and we shall lose
more ere ye are laid low. Therefore we make you this offer :
thatyoulay down your weapons and suffer yourselves to be bound
till such time as we touch land, where we will set you ashore,
and give you your arms again. Meanwhile, we will deal with
you in friendly fashion, giving you of the best we have ; nor
will we set on foot any suit against you for those of our number
whom ye two have slain.'

* Wherefore then should we be bound ? ' said Eric.

* For this reason only : that we dare not leave you free
within our ship. Now choose, and, if ye will, take peace, which
we swear by all the Gods we will keep towards you, and, if ye
will not, then we will bear you down with beams and sails and
stones, and slay you.' '

' What thinkest thou, Skallagrim ? ' said Eric beneath hia
breath.

* I think that I find Uttle faith in yon carle's face,' answered
Skallagrim. • Still, I am unfit to fight, and thy strength is
spent, so it seems that we must lie low if we would rise
again. They can scarcely be so base as to do murder having
handselled peace to us.'

* I am not so sure of that,' said Eric ; ' still, starving
beggars must eat bones. Hearken thou : we take the terms,
trusting to your honour ; r.nd I say this : that ye shall get
shame and death if ve de'jart from them to harm us.'

90 4.

' Have no fear, lord,' said the mate, * we are true men.*

* That we shall look to your deeds to learn,' said Eric, lay-
ing down his sword and shield.

Skallagrim did likewise, though with no good grace. Then
men came with strong cords and bound tliem fast hand and
foot, handling them fearsomely as men handle a live bear in a
net. Then they led them forward to the prow.

As they went Eric looked up. Yonder, twenty furlongs and
more away, sailed the Gudruda.

?Tlf^

J35

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

i
\

\ i

* This IS good fellowship,' said Skallagrim, ' thus to leave
us in the trap.'

* Nay,' aiiswered Eric. * They cannot put about in such
a sea, and doubtless also they think us dead. Nevertheless,
if e\er it comes about that Hall and I stand face to face again,
there will be need for me to think of gentleness.'

* I shall think Mttle thereon,' growled Skallagrim.

Now they were come to the prow, and tiiere was a half
deck under which they were set, out of reach of the wind and
water. In the deck was a bio at iron ring, and the men made
them fast with ropes to it, so that they might move but httle,
and they set their helms and weapons behind them in such
fashion that they could* not come at them. Then they
flung cloaks about them, and brought them food and drink,
of which they stood much in need, and treated them well in
every way. But for all this Skallagrim trusted them no
more.

* We are new-hooked, lord,' he said, * and they give us line.
Presently they will haul in.'

'Evil comes soon enough,' answered Eric, *no need to
run to greet it,' and he fell to thinking of Gudrida, and of the
day's deeds, till presently he dropped asleep, for he was very
weary.

Now it chanced that as Eric slept he dreamed a dream
so strong and strange that it seemed to live within him. He
dreamed that he slept there beneath the Kaven's deck, and
that a rat came and whispered spells into his ear. Then he
dreamed that Swanhild glided towards him, walking on the
stormy seas. He saw her afar, and she came swiftly, and
ever the sea grew smooth before her feet, nor did the wind so
much as stir her hair. Presently she stood by him in the
jhip, and, bending over him, touched him on the shoulder.
Baying :

* Awake, Eric Brighteyes ! Awake ! awake ! '

It seemed to him that he awoke and said ' What tidmgs,
Swanhild ? ' and that she answered :

*I11 tidings, Eric—so ill that I aan come hither from

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

136

Straumey * to tell of them — ay, come walking on the seas. Had
Gudruda done as much, thinkest thou ? '

* Gudruda is no witch,' he said in his dream.

* Nay, but I am a witch, and it is well for thee, Eric. Ay,
I am a witch. Now do I seem to sleep at Ath's side, and lo !
here I stand by thine, and I must journey back again many a
league before another day be born — ay, many a league, and all
for love of thee, Eric ! Hearken, for not long may the spell
endure. I have seen this by my magic : that these men who
bound thee come even now to take thee, sleeping, and cast thee
and thy thrall into the deep, there to drown.'

* If it is fated it will befall,' he said in his dream.

'Nay, it shall not befall. Put forth all thy might and
burst thy bonds. Then fetch Whiteiire ; cut away the bonds
of Skallagrim, and give him his axe and shield. This done,
cover yourselves with your cloaks, and wait till ye hear the
murderers come. Then rise and rush on them, the two of
you, and they shall melt before your might. I have journeyed
over the great deep to tell thee this, Eric I Had Gudruda done
as much, thinkest thou ? '

And it seemed to him that the wraith of Swanhild kissed
him on the brow, sighed and vanished, bearing the rat in her
bosom.

Eric awoke suddenly, just as though he had never slept,
and looked around. He knew by the lowness of the sun that
it was far into the night, and that he had slept for many
hours. They were alone beneath the deck, and far aft, beyond
the mast, as the vessel rose upon the waves — for the sea was
still rough, though the wind had fallen — Eric saw the mate of
the Raven talking earnestly with some men of his crew.
Skallagrim snored beside him.

* Awake ! ' Eric said in his ear, * awake and listen I '

He yawned and roused himself. * What now, lord ? ' he
said.

' This,' said Eric, and he told him the dream that he had
dreamed.

> Stroma, the southernmost of the Orkneys.

Iflii'ol

j
s

137

^-JP/C BRiGHTEYES

* That was a fey dream,' said Skallagrim, * and now we
must do as the wraith bade thee.'

* Easy to say, but hard to do,' quoth Eric : * this is a great
rope that holds us, and a strong.'

' Yes, it is great and strong ; still, we must burst it.*
Now Eric and Skallagrim were made fast in this fashion :
their hands were bound behind them, and their legs were
lashed above the feet and above the knae. Moreover, a thick
cord was fixed about the waist of each, and this cord was
passed through the iron ring and knotted there. But it
chanced that beneath the hollows of their knees ran an oaken
beam, which held the forepart of the dragon together.

' We may try this,' said Eric: * to set our feet against the
beam, and strain with all our strength upon the rope ; though
I think that no two men can part it.'

* We shall know that presently,' said Skallagrim, gathering
up his legs.

Then they set their feet against the beam and pulled till
it groaned ; but, though the rope gave somewhat, it would not
break. They rested a while, then strained again till the sweat
burst out upon them and the rope cut into their flesh, but
stili it would not part.

* Now we have found our match,' said Eric.

* That is not altogether proved yet,' answered the Baresark.
• Many a shield is riven at the third stroke.'

So once again they set their feet against the beam, and put
out all their strength.

* The ring bends,' gasped Eric. * Now, when the roll of
the ship throws our weight to leeward, in the name of Thor
pull!'

They waited, then put out their might, and lo! though
the rope did not break, the iron ring burst asunder and they
rolled upon the deck.

* Well pulled, truly,' said Skallagrim as he struprgled to
his haunches : ' I am marked about the middle with rope-
twists for many a day to come, that I will swear. What next,
lord ? '

* Whitefire,' answered Eri(j,

ERTC BRICHTEYES

138

Now, their arms were piled a fathom or more from where
they sat, and right in the prow of the ship. Hither, then,
they must crawl upon their mees, and this was weary work,
for ever as the ship rolled vhey fell, and could in no wise
save themselves from hurt. Eric was bleeding at the brow,
and bloody was the hooked nose of Skallagrim, before they
came to where Whitefire was. At length they reached the
sword, and pushed aside the bucklers that were over it with
their heads. The great war-blade was sheathed, and Erie
must needs lie upon his breast and draw the weapon somewhat
with his teeth.

' This is an ill razor to shave with/ he said, rising, for the
keen blade had cut his chin.

* So some have thought and perchance more shall think,*
answered Skallagrim. ' Now set the rope on the edge and
rub.'

This they did, and presently the thick cord that bound
them was in two. Then Eric knelt upon the deck ftiid pressed
the bonds that bound his legs upon the blade, and after him
Skallagrim. They were free now, except for their hands, and
it was no easy thing to cut away the bonds upon their wrists.
It was done thus : Skallagrim sat. upon the deck, and Eric
pushed the sword between his fingers with his feet. Then
the Baresark rose, holding the sword, and Eric, turning back
to back with him, fretted the cords upon his wrists against
the blade. Twice he cut himself, but the third time the
cord parted and he was free. He stretched his arms, for they
were stiff ; then took Whitefire and cut away the bonds of
Skallagrim.

* How goes it with that hurt of thine ? ' he asked.

* Better than I had thought,' answered Skallagrim ; * the
soreness has come out with the bruise.*

* That is good news,' said Eric, * for methinks, unless Swan-
hild walked the seas for nothing, thou wilt soon need thine
arms.'

' They have never failed me yet,' said Skallagrim and took
his axe and shield. ' What counsel now ? '

'This, Skallagnm : that we he down as we were, and put the

»39

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

'm\

i/ I

cloaks about us as though we were yet in bonds. Then, if these
kntives come, we can take them unawares as l"hey think to
take us.'

So they went again to where they had been bound, and
lay down upon their shields and weapons, drawing cloaks over
them. Scarcely had they done this and rested a while, when
they saw the mate and all the crew coming along both boards
towards them. They bore no weapons in their hands.

* None too soon did Swanhild walk,' said Eric ; * now we
shall learn their purpose. Be thou ready to leap forth when
I give the word.'

* Ay, lord,' ansv/ered Skallagrim as he worked his stiff
arm to and fro. * In such matters few have thought mo
backward.'

* What news, friends ? ' cried Eric ae the men drew near.
*Bad news for thee, Brighteyes,' answered the mate,

*and that Baresark thrall of thine, for we must loose yonr
bands.'

* That is good news, then,' said Eric, * for our limbs are
numb and dead because of the nipping of the cords. Is
land in sight ? '

* Nay, nor will be for thee, Eric'

* How now, friend ? how now ? Sure, having hand-
selled peace to us, ye mean no harm towards two unarmed
men?'

' "We swore to do vou no harm, nor will we, Eric ; this only
will we do : deUver you, bound, to Kan, and leave her to deal
with you as deal she may.'

* Bethink you, sirs,' said Eric : * this is a cruel deed and
most unmanly. We yielded to you in faith — will ye broak
your troth ? '

* War has no troth,' he answered, * ye are too great to le^
alip between our fingers. Shall it be said of us that two men
overcame us all ? '

* Mayhap ! ' murmured Skallagrim beneaih his breath.

* Oh, sirs. I beseech you,' said Eric ; ' I am young, and there
is a maid who waits me out in Iceland, and it is hard to die,'
and he U'ado as though he wept, while Skallagrim laughed

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

140

within his sleeve, for it was strange to see Erie feigning
fear.

But the men mocked aloud.

' This is the great man,' they cried, ' this is that Eric of
whose deeds folk sing ! Look ! he weeps hke a child when he
sees the water. Drag him forth and away with him into the
seal '

'Little need for that,' cried Eric, and lo! the cloaks
about him and Skallagrim flew aside. Out they came with a
roar ; they came out as a she-bear from her cave, and high
above Brighteyes' golden curls Whitefire shone in the pale
hght, and nigh to it shone the axe of Skallagrim. Wliitefire
flared aloft, then down he fell and sought the false heart of
the mate. The great ax3 of Skallagrim shone and was lost in
the breast of the carle who stood before him.

* Trolls ! ' shrieked one. ' Here are trolls ! ' and turned to
fly. But again Whitefire was up and that man flow not far —
one pace, no more. Then they fled screaming and after them
came axe and sword. They fled, they fell, they leaped into
the sea, till none were left to fall and leap, for they had no
time or heart to find or draw their weapons, and presently Eric
Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail stood alone upon the
deck — alone with the dead.

* Swanhild is a wise witch,' gasped Eric, * anu, whatever
ill she has done, I will remember this to her honour.

* Little good comes of witchcraft,' answered Skallagrim,
wiping his !)row : * to-day it works for our hands, to-morrow it
shall work against them.'

' To the helm,' said Eric ; * the ship yaws and comes side on
to the seas.'

Skallagrim sprang to the tiller and put his strength on it,
and but just in time, for on i big sea came aboard them and
left much water in the hold.

* We owe this to thy Baresark ways,' said Eric. * Hadst
thou not slain the steersman we had not filled with water.'

* True, lord,' answered Skallagrim ; * but when once my
axe is jiloft, it seems to fly of itself, till nothing is left before
it. What co'4irse now ? '

Ill

.lilt

i ' i

X4X

E/i/C BRIGHTEYES

* The same on which the Gudruda was laid. Perhaps, if
ure may endure till we come to the Farcy Isles, ^ we shall find
her in harbour there.*

* There is not much chance of that,' said Skallagrim ; * still,
the wind is fair and we fiy fast before it.'

Then they lashed the tiller and set to bailing. They
bailed long, and it was heavy work, but they rid the ship of
much water. After that they ate food, for it was now morn-
ing, and it came on to blow yet more strongly

For three days and three nights it blew thus, and the Raven
fled along before the gale. All this time, turn and turn about,
Eric and Skallagrim stood at the helm and tended the sails.
They had httle time to eat, and none to sleep. Thoy were so
hard pressed also, and must harbour their strength so closely,
that the bodies of the dead men yet cumbered the hold. Thus
they grew very weary and like to fall from faintness, but still
they held the Eaven on her course. In the beginning of the
fourth night a great sea struck the good ship so that she
quivered from stem to stern.

* Methinks I hear water bubbling up,' said Skallagrim in
a hoarse voice.

Eric climbed down into the well and lifted the bottom
planks, and there beneath them was a leak through which the
water spouted in a inin stream. He stopped up the rent as
best he might with garments from the dead men, and placed
ballast stones upon them, then clambered on to deck again.

* Our hours are short now,* he said, ' the wate*- rushes in
apace.'

* Well, it is time to rest,' said Skallagrim ; * but see, lord 1 '
and he pointed ahead. ' What land is that ? '

* It must be the Fareys,' answered Eric ; ' now, if we
can but keep afloat for three hours more, we may yet die
ashore.'

After this tks wind began to fall, but still there was enough
to drive the Eaven on swiftly.

And ever the water gained in the hold.

Kow they were not far from land, for ahead of them the

> The Faioetf.

if Tve
it die

ir/?/C BRIGHTEYES

142

bleak hills towered up, shining m the faint midnight light,
and between the hills was a cleft that seemed to be a i^ord.
Another hour passed, and they were no more than ten fur-
longs from the mouth of the fjord, when suddenly the
wind fell, and they were in calm water under shelter of the
land. Thoy went amidships and looked. The hold was
half full of water, and in it floated the bodies of Ospakar's
men.

* She has not long to live,' said Skallagrim, ' but we may
still be saved if the boat is not broken.'

Now aft, near the tiller, a small boat was bound on the
half deck of the Kaven. They went to it and looked ; it was
whole, with oars lashed in it, but half full of water, which they
must bail out. This they did as swiftly as they might ; then
they cut the little boat loose, and, having made it fast with a
rope, lifted it over the side -rail and let it fall into the sea, and
that was no great way, for the Raven had sunk deep. It fell
on an even keel, and Eric let himself down the rope into it
and called to Skallagrim to follow.

* Bide a while, lord,' he answered ; * there is that which I
would bring with me,' and he went.

For a space Eric waited and then called aloud, * Swift !
thou fool ; swift ! the ship sinks ! '

And as he called, Skallagrim came, and his arms were full of
swords and byrnies, and red rings of gold that he had found
time to gather from the dead and out of the cabin.

' Throw all aside and come,' said Eric, laying on to the
oars, for the Raven wallowed before she sank.

* There is yet time, lord, and the gear is good,' answered
Skallagrim, and one by one he threw pieces down into i]\Q
boat. As the last fell the Raven sank to her bulwarks. Then
Skallagrim stepped from the sinking deck into the boat, and
cut the cord, not too soon.

Eric gave way with all his strength, and, as he pulled, when
he was no more than five fathoms from her, the Raven vanished
with a huge swirl.

' Hold still,' ho said, ' or we shall follow.'

Bound spun the boat in the eddy, she was sucked down

ill

143

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

i i

till the water trickled over her gunwale, and for a moment they
knew not if they were lost or saved. Eric held his breath and
watched, then slowly the boat lifted her nose, and they were
safe from the whirlpool of the lost dragon.

* Greed is many a man's bane,' said Eric, * and it was
nearly thine and mine, Skallagrim.'

* I had no heart to leave the good gear,' he answered ;
* and thou seest, lord, it is safe and we with it.'

Then they got the boat's head round slowly into the mouth
of the fjord, pausing now and again to rest, for their strength
was spent. For two houra they rowed down a gulf, as it
were, and on either side of them were barren hills. At length
the water-way opened out '\vl\x) a great basin, and there, on the
'urther side of the basin, they saw green slopes running down
to the water's edge, strewn with white stock-fish set to dry in
the wind and sun, and above the slopes a large hall, and about
it booths. Moreover, they saw a long dragon of war at anchor
near the shore. For a while they rowed on, easing now and
again. Then Eric spoke to Skallagrim.

* What thinkest thou of yonder ship, Lambstail ? '

' I think this, lord : that she is fashioned wondrous like to
the Gudruda.'

* That is in my mind also,' said Eric, * and our fortune is
good if it is she.'

They rowed on again, and presently a ray from the sun
came over the hills — for now it was three hours past midnight
— and, the ship having swung a little with the tide, lit upon
her prow, and lo I there gleamed the golden dragon of the
Gudruda.

* This is a strange thing,' said Eric.

* Ay, lord, a strange and a merry, for now I shall talk with
Hall the mate,' and the Baresark smiled grimly.

* Thou shalt do no hurt to Hall,' said Eric. * I am lord
here, and I must judge.'

* Thy will is my will,' said Skallagrim ; * but if my will were
thine, he should hang on the mast till sea-birds nested amidst
his bones.'

l^ow they were close to the ship, but they could see no

ERTC BRtGHTEYRS

144

man. Skallagrim would have called aloud, but Erie bade bim
hold his peace.

*■ Either they are dead, and thy calling cannot wako them,
or perchance they sleep and will wake of themselves. We will
row under the stern, and, having made fast, climb aboard and
see with our own eyes.'

This, then, they did as silently as might be, and saw that the
Qudruda had not been handled gently by the winds and waves,
for her shield-rail was washed away. This they found also, that
all men lay deep in sleep. Now, amidships a fire still burned,
and by it was food. They came there and ate of the food, of
which they had great need. Then they took two cloaks that
lay on the deck, and, throwing them about them, warmed them-
selves over the fire : for tiiey were cold and wet, ay, and utterly
outworn.

As they sat thus warming themselves, a man of the crew
awoke and saw them, and, being amazed, at once called to his
fellows, saying that two giants were aboard, warming them-
selves at the fire. Now men sprang up, and, seizing their
weapons, ran towards them, and among them was Hall the
mate.

Then suddenly Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail
threw aside the cloaks and stood up. They were gaunt and
grim to see. Their cheeks were hollow and their eyes stared
wide with want of sleep. Thick was their harness with brine,
and open wounds gaped upon their faces and their hands. Men
saw and fell back in fear, for they held them to be wizards
risen from the sea in the shapes of Eric and the Baresark.

Then Eric sang this song :

Swift and sure across the Swan's Baih
Sped Sea-stag on Haven's track,
Heav'd Ban's breast in raging billows,
Stream'd gale-banners through the sky 1
Yet did Eric the war-eager
Leap with Baresark-mate aboard.
Fierce their onset on the foemen I
Wherefore brake the grapnel-chain?

36 no

Hall heard and slunk back, for now he saw that these were

^45

BRIC

BRIGHTEYES

] !

!
I
I

<«■!

indeed Eric and Skallagriin come up alive from the sea, and
that they knew his baseness.

Eric looked at him and sang again :

Swift away sped ship Gudruda,
Left her lord in foeman's ring ;
Brighteyes back to back with Baresark
Held his head 'gainst mighty odds.
Down amidst the ballast tumbling,
Ospakar's shield-carles were rolled.
Holy peace at length they handselled,
Eric must in bonds be laid I

Came the Grey Rat, came the Earl's wife,

Came the witch-word from afar ;

Cag'd wolves roused them, and with struggling

Tore their fetter from its hold.

Now they watch upon their weapons ;

Now they weep and pray for life ;

Now they leap forth like a torrent —

Swept away is foeman's strength I

Then alone upon the Baven
Three long days they steer and sail,
Till the waters, welling upwards,
Wash dead men about their feet.
Fails the gale and sinks the dragon,
Barely may the^ win the boat :
Safe they stand on ship Gudruda—
Say, who cut the giapnel-chain ?

MRJC BRIG HTE YES

146

CHAPTER XV

HOW EKIC DWELT IN LONDON TOWN

LAST ELFliIDA.

EN stood astonished, but
Hall the mate slunk
back.

' Hold, comrade,' said
Eric, *! have something
to say that songs cannot carry.
Hearken, my shield-mates :
we swore to be true to each
other, even to death : is it
not so ? What then shall
be said of that man who cut
loose the Gudruda and left
us two to die at the foeman'a
hand ? '

* Who was the man ? '
asked a voice.

* That man was Hall of Lithdale,' said Eric.

* It is false ! ' said Hall, gatherini^ up his courage ;

the

cable parted beneath the straining of the ship, and afterwards
we could not put about because of the great sea.'

* Thou .rt false ! ' roared Skallagrim. ' With my eyes I
saw thee let thine axe fall upon the cable. Liar art thou
and dastard ! Thou art jealous also of Brighteyes thy lord, and
this was in thy mind : to let him die upon the Raven and
then to bind his shoes upon thy cowardly feet. Though none
else saw, I saw ; and I say this : that if 1 may have my will,

*l'i|

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

I will string thee, living, to the prow in that same ca^ie till
gulls tear out thy fox-heart ! '

Now Hall grew very white and his knees trembled beneath
him. ' It is true,' he said, * that I cut the chain, but not from
any thought of evil. Had I not cut it the vessel must have
sunk and all been lost.'

' Did we not swear. Hall,' said Eric sternly, * together to
fight and together to fall — together to fare and, if need be,
together to cease from faring, and dost thou read the oath
thus? Say, mates, what reward shall be paid to this man

HALL THE LL/IR ROWS ASHORE,

for his good fellowship to us |ind his tenderness for your
lives ? '

As with one voice the men answered ' Death / '

*Thou hearcst, Hall?' said Eric. 'Yet I would deal
more gently with one to whom I swore fellowship so lately.
Get thee gone from our company, ; nd let us see thy cur's
face no more. Get thee gone, I say, before I repent of my
mercy.'

Then amidst a loud hooting, Hall took his weapons and
without a word slunk into the boat of the Raven that lay
astern, and rowed ashore ; nor did Eric see his face for many
months.

* Thou hast done foolishly, lord, to let that weasel go,'
said Skallagrim, * for he will live to nip thy hand.'

mur

tely.

lur's

land
lay
lany

go,'

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

* For good or ill, he is gone,' said Eric,
worn out and desire to sleep.'

148
'and now I am

After this Eric and Skallagrim rested three full days, and
they were so weary that they were awake for Uttle of this time.
But on the third day they rose up, strong and well, except for
their hurts and soreness. Then they told the men of that which
had come to pass, and all wondered at their might and hardi-
hood. To them indeed Eric seemed as a God, for few such
deeds as his had been told of since the God-kind were on earth.

But Brighteyes thought little of his deeds, and much of
Gudruda. At times also he thought of Swanhild, and of that
witch-dream she sent him : for it was wonderful to him that
she should have saved him thus from Ban's net

Eric was heartily welcomed by the Earl of the Farey Isles,
for, when he heard his deeds, he made a feast in his honour,
and set him in the high seat. It was a great feast, but
Skallagrim became drunk at it and ran down the chamber,
axe aloft, roaring for Hall of Lithdale.

This angered Eric much and he would scarcely speak to
Skallagrim for many days, though the great Baresark slunk
about after him like his shadow, or a whipped hound at its
master's heel, and at length humbled his pride so far as to
ask pardon fcr his fault.

* I grant it for thy deeds' sake,' said Eric shortly; 'but this
is upon my mind : that thou wilt err thus again, and it shall
be my cause of death — ay, and that of many more.'

* First may my bones be white,' said Skallagrim.

* They shall be white thereafter,' answered Eric.

At Fareys Eric shipped twelve good men and true, to
take the seats of those who had been .dain by Ospakar's folk.
Afterwards, when the wounded were wc^il of their hurts (except
one man who died), and the (judruda was made fit to take
the sea again, Brighteyes bade farewell to the Earl of thjse
Isles, who gave him a good cloak and a gold ring at parting,
and sailed away.

Now, it were too long to teU 01 all the deeds that Eric and his

r n

'iii'lWI

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'SB

ill

149

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

"■::#

men did. Never, so scalds sing, was there a viking like him
for strength and skill and hardihood, and, in those days,
no such war-dragon as the Gudruda had been known upon the
sea. Wherever Eric joined battle, and that was in many places,
he conquered, for none prevailed against him, till at last foes
would fly before the terror of his name, and earls and kings
would send from far uiaving the aid of his hands. Withal he
was the best and gentlest af men. It is said of Eric that in
all his days he did no base deed, nor hurt the weak, nor
refused peace to him who prayed it, nor lifted sword against
prisoner or wounded foe. From traders he would take a toll
of their merchandise only and let them go, and whatever
gains he won he would share equally, asking no larger part
than the meanest of his band. All men loved Eric, and even
his foes gave him honour and spoke well of him. Now that
Hall of Lithdale was gone, there was no man among his
mates who would not have passed to death for him, for they
held him dearer than their lives. Women, too, loved h:im
much ; but his heart was set upon Gudruda, and he seldom
turned to look on them.

The first summer of his outlawry Eric warred along the
coast of Ireland, but in the winter he came to Dublin, and for
a while served in the body-guard of the king of that town,
who held him in honour, and would have had binn stay
there. But Eric would not bide there, and next spring,
the Gudruda being ready for sea, he sailed for the shores of
England. There he gave battle to two vikings' ships of war,
and took them after a hard fight. It was in this fight that
Skallagrim Lambstail was wounded almost to death. For when,
having taken one ship, Eric boarded the other with but few
men, he was driven back and fell over a beam, and would
have been slain, had not Skallagrim thrown himself across
his body, taking on his own back that blow of a battle-axe
which was aimed at Eric's head. This was a great wound, for
the axe shore through the steel of the bymie and sank into
the flesh. But when Eric's men saw their lord down, and
Skallagrim, as they deemed, dead atliwart him, they made
so fierce a rush that the foomen foil before them hke leaves

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

150

before a winter gale, and the end of it was that the vikings
prayed peace of Eric. Skallagrim lay sick for many days,
but he was hard to kill, and Erie nursed him back to Ufe.
After this these two loved each other as brother loves twin
brother, and they could scarcely bear to be apart. But other
people did not love Skallagrim, nor he them.

Eric sailed on up the Thames to London, bringing the
viking ships with him, and he deUvered their captuins bound
to Edmund, Edward's son, the king who was called Edmund
the Magnificent. These captains the King hung, for they
had wrought damage to his ships.

Eric found much favour with the King, and, indeed, his
fame had gone before him. So when he came into the court,
bravely clad, with Skallagrim at his back, who was now almost
recovered of his wound, the King called out to him to draw
near, saying that he desired to look on the bravest viking and
most beauteous man who sailed the seas, and on that fierce
Baresark whom men called ' Eric's Death-shadow.*

So Eric came forward up the long hall that was adorned
with things more splendid than ever his eyes had seen, and
stood before the King. With him came Skallagrim, driving
the two captive viking chiefs before him with his axe, as a
flesher drives lambs. Now, during these many months
Brighteyes had grown yet more great in girth and glorious to
look on than he was before. Moreover, his hair was now
so long that it flowed Hke a flood of gold down towards his
girdle, for since Gudruda trimmed it no shears had come near
his head, and his locks grew fast as a woman's. The King
looked at him and was astonished.

* Of a truth,' he said, ' men have not lied about thee, Ice-
lander, nor concerning that great wolf-hound of thine,' and
he pointed at Skallagrim with his sword of state. ' Never
saw I such a man ; ' and he bade all the mightiest men of
his body-guard stand forward that he might measure them
against Eric. But Brighteyes was an inch taller than the
tallest, and measured half a span more round the chest than
the biggest.

' What wouldst thou of me, Icelander 1 ' aaked the King.

'ili'i

151

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

\ I

mil

* This, lord,' said Eric : * to serve thee a while, and all my
men with me.'

' That is an offer that few would turn from,' answered the
King. * Thou shalt go into my body-guard, and, if I have my
will, thou shalt be near me in battle, and thy wolf-dog also.'

Eric said that he asked no better, and thereafter he went
up with Edmund the King to make war on the Danes of
Mercia, and he and Skallagrim did great deeds before the eyes
of the Englishmen.

That winter Eric and his company came back to London,
and abode with the King in much state and honour. Now, there
was a certain lady of the court named Elfrida. She was both
fair and wealthy, the sweetest of women, and of roj^al blood
by her mother's side. So soon as her eyes fell on Eric she
loved him, and no one thing did she desire more than to bo
his wife. But Brighteyes kept pJoof from her, fcr he loved
Gudruda alone ; and so the winter wore away, and in the
spring he went away warring, nor did he come back till autumn
was at hand.

The Lady Elfrida sat at a window when Eric rode
through London Town in the King's following, and as he
passed she threw him a wreath of flowers. The King saw it
and laughed.

•My cold kinswoman seems to melt before those bright
eyes of thine, Icelander,' he said, ' as my foes melt before
Whitefire's flame. Well, I could wish her a worse mate,' and
he looked on him strangely.

Eric bowed, but made no answer.

That night, as they sat at meat in the palace, the Lad}
Elfrida, being bidden in jest of Edmund the King to fill the
cup of the bravest, passed down the board, and, before all men,
poured wine into Eric's cup, and, as she did so, welcomed him
back with short sweet words.

Eric grew red as dawn, and thanked her graciously ; but
after the feast he spoke with Skallagrim, asking him of the
Gudruda, and when she could be ready to take the sea.

*In ten days, lord,' said Skallagrim; 'but stay we not
here with the King this winter ? It is late to sail.'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

152

I my

I the
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so.'
went
es of
5 eyes

ndon,
, there
3 both

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ic she

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! loved
in the
,utumn

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not

* Nay,' said Eric, ' we bide not here. I would winter this
year in Fareys, for they are the nighest place to Iceland that
I may reach. Next summer my three years of outlawry are
over, and I would fare back homewards.'

' Now, I see the shadow of a woman's hand,' said Skalla-
grim. * It is very late to face the northern seas, and we may
sail to Iceland from London in the spring.'

* It is my will that we should sail,' answered Eric.

* Past Orkneys runs the road to Fareys,' said Skallagrim,
' and in Orkneys sits a hawk to whom the Lady Elfrida is but
a dove. In faring from ill we may hap on worse.'

* It is my will that we sail,' said Eric stubbornly.

' As thou wilt, and as the King wills,' answered Skalla-
grim.

On the morrow Eric went in before the King and craved
a boon.

' There ifi little that thou canst ask, Brighteyes,' said the
King, * that I will not give thee, for, by my troth, I hold thee
dear.'

* I am come to seek no gTeat thing, lord,' answered Eric,
' but this only : leave to bid thee farewell. I would wend
homeward.'

' Say, Eric,' said the King, ' have I not dealt well with
thee?'

* Well, and overwell, lord.'

* Why, then, wonldst thou leave me ? I have this in my
mind — to bring thee to great honour. See, now, there is a
fair lady in this court, and in her veins runs blood that even
an Ice' and viking might be proud to mate with. She has
great lands, and, mayhap, she shall have more. Canst thou
not find a home on them, thinkest thou, Brighteyes ? '

* In Iceland only I am at home, lord,' said Eric.

Then the King w£ s wroth, and bade him begone when it
pleased him, and Eric bowed before him and went out.

Two days afterwards, while Eric was walking in the Palace
gardens he met the Lady Elfrida face to face. She held
white flowers in her hand, and she was fair to see and pale as
the flowers she bore.

153

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

He greeted her, and, after a while, she spoke to him in a
gentle voice : ' They say that thou goeet from England, Bright-
eyes ? ' she said.

' Yes, lady ; I go,* he answered.

She looked on him once and twice and then burst out-
weeping. * Why goest thou hence to that cold land of thine ? '
she sobbed — *■ that hateful land of mow and ice ! Is not
Englc*id good enoiv.i Toi ■ *^ v

' I am at home therf), ir'Aly^ uA there my mother waits
xne.'

* " There thy mother waits thee," Eric ? — say, does a maid
called Gudruda the Fair wait thee there also ? '

' There is such a maid in Iceland,' said Eric.

* Yes ; I know it — I know it all,' she answered, drying
her tears, and of a sudden growing cold and proud : ' Eric,
thou art betrothed to this Gudruda; and, for thy welfare,
somewhat overfaithful to thy troth. For hearken, Eric
Brighteyes. I know this : that little luck shall come to thee
from the maid Gudruda. It would become me ill to say
moro ; nevertheless, this is true — that here, in England, good
fortune vvaits thy hand, and there in Iceland such fortune as
men mete to their foes. Knowest thou this ? *

Eric looked at her and answered: 'Lady,' he said,
* men are not bom of their own will, they live and do Httle
that they will, they die and go, perchance, whither they v,-ould
not. Yet it may happen to a man that one meets him whose
hand he fain would hold, if it be but for an hour's travel over
icy ways ; and it is better to hold that hand for this short hour
than to wend his life through at a stranger's side.'

* Perhaps there is wisdom in thy folly,' said the Lady Elfrida.
' Still, I tell thee this : that no good luck waits thee there in
Iceland.'

' It well may be,' said Eric : ' my days have been stormy,
and the gale is still brewing. But it is a poor heart that fears
the storm. Better to sink ; for, coward or hero, all must sink
at last.'

' Say, Eric,' said the lady, ' if that hand thou dost desire
to hold is lost to thee, what then ? '

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

154

'If that band is col'^ in deu.tb, then henceforth I wend my
V." ys plone.'

* And if it be lield of ano her > .and than thine ? '

* Then I will journey back to England, lady, and here in
tlJ3 fair garden I may crave speech of thee again.'

They looV\ i Oi*e on another. ' Fare thee well, Eric I ' said
the Lady Ell'rida. ' Here in this garden we may talk again ;
and, if we talk no more — why, fare thee well ! Days come and
go ; the swallow takes flight at winter, and lo ! at spring it
twitters round the eaves. And if it come not again, the. ^ar
well to that swallow. The world is a great house, Ei \ a :-
there is room for many swallows. But alas ! for her wh •> it left
desolate — alas, alas I ' And she turned and went.

It is told of this Lady Elfrida that she became very wealthy
and was much honoured for her gentleness and wise .i , and
k,hat, when she was old, she built a great church and named it
Erioskirk. It is also told that, though many sought her in
marriage, she wedded nond.

11^

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155

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

CHAPTER XVI

HOW SWANUILD WALJLED THE SEAS

THE SHIP GUDRUDA IN THE TUA.MliS.

ITHIN two days afterwards, tlio
Gudruda being bound for sea, Eric
went up to bid farewell to the Kiiicf.
But Edmund was so angry with him
because of his going that he would
not see hira. Thereon Eric took horse
and rode down sadly from the Palace to the river-bank where
the Gudruda lay. But when he was about to give the word to
get out the oars, the King himself rode up, and with him men
bearing costly gifts. Eric went ashore to speak with him.

* I am angry with thee, Brighteyes,' said Edmund, ' yet it
is not in my heart to let thee go without words and gifts of
farewell. This only I ask of thee now, that, if things go
not well with thee there, out iu Iceland, thou wilt come back
tome,'

ERIC DRIGHTEYES

156

< I will — that I promise thee, King/ said Eric, ' for I shall
never find a better lord.'

• Nor I a braver servant,' said the King. Then he gave
him the gifts and kissed him before all men. To Skallagrim
also he gave a good bymie of Welsh steel coloured black.

Then Eric went aboard again and dropped down the river
with the tide.

For five days all went well with them, the sea being calm
and the winds light and favourable. But on the fifth night, as
they sailed slowly along the coasts of East Anglia over against
Yarmouth sands, the moon rose red and ringed and the sea
fell dead calm.

'Yonder hangs a storm-lamp, lord,' said Skallagrim,
pointing to the angry moon. ' We shall soon be bailing, for
the autumn gales draw near.'

* Wait t'.U they come, then speak,' said Eric. ' Thou croak-
est ever like a raven.'

' And ravens croak before foul weather,' answered Skalla-
grim, and just as he spoke a sudden gust of wind came up
from the south east and laid the Gudruda over. After this
it came on to blow, and so fiercely that for whole days and
eights their clothes were scarcely dry. They ran northwards
before the storm and still northward, sighting no land and
seeing no stars. And ever as they scudded on the gale grew
fiercer, till at length the men were worn out with bailing
and starved with wet and cold. Three of their number
also were washed away by the seas, and all were in sorry
plight. •

It was the fourth night of the gale. Eric stood at the helm,
and by him Skallagrim. They were alone, for their comrades
were spent and lay beneath decks, waiting for death. The
ship was half full of water, but they had no more strength to
bail. Eric seemed grim and gaunt in the white light of the
moon, and his long hair streamed about him wildly. Grimmer
yet was Skallagrim as he clung to the shield-rail and stared
across the deep.

' She rolls heavily, lord,' he shouted, ' and the water gains
fast.'

•i

^57

ERIC BRIGHT EYES

' GaD the men bail no more ? ' asked Eric.

* Nay, they are outworn and wait for death.'

* They need not wait long/ said Erio. ' What do they say
of me ? •

* Nothing.'

Then Eric groaned alond. ' It was my stubbornness that
brought us to this pass,' he said ; ' I care little for myself, but
it is ill that all should die for one man's folly.'

' Grieve not, lord,' answered Skallagrim, * that is the world's
way, and there are worse things than to drown. Listen I
methinks I hear the roar of breakers yonder,' and he pointed
to the left.

' Breakers they surely are,' said Eric. ' Now the end is
near. But see, is not that land looming up on the right, or
is it cloud ? '

' It is land,' said Skallagrim, ' and I am sure of this, that
we run into a firth. Look, the seas boil like a hot spring.
Hold on thy course, lord, perchance we may yet steer between
rocks and land. Already the wind falls and the current
lessens the seas

* Ay,' said Eric, * already the fog and rain come up,* and
he pointed ahead where dense clouds gathered in the shape of
a giant, whose head reached to the skies and moved towards
them, hiding the moon.

Skallagrim looked, then spoke: *Now here, it seems, is
witchwork. Say, lord, hast thou ever seen mist travel against
wind as it travels now ? '

' Never before,' said Eric, and as he spoke the light of the
moon went out.

1 1

Swanhild, Atli's wife, sat in beauty in her bower on
Straumey Isle and looked with wide eyes towards the sea.
It was midnight. None stirred in Atli's hall, but still Swan-
hild looked out towards the sea.

Now she turned and spoke into the darkness, for there
was no hght in the bower save the light of her great eyes.

* Art thou there ? ' she said. ' I have summoned thee thrice
in the words thou knowest. Say, Toad, art there ? '

ERIC BRIC.HTEYES

158

LS, 18

i;aiust
)ftbe

\x on

sea.

iwan-

* Ay, Swanhild the Fatherless I Swanhild, Groa's daughter !
Witcli-mother's witch-child 1 I am here. What is thy will
with me ? ' piped a thin voice hke the voice of a dyiug
babe.

Swanhild shuddered a little and her eyes grew brighter—
as bright as the eyes of a cat.

' This first/ she said : ' that thou show thyself. Hideons as
thou art, I had rather see thee, than speak with thee seeing
thee not.*

* Mock not my form, lady,* answered the thin voice, * for it
is as thou dost fashion it in thy thought. To the good I am
fair as day ; to the evil, foul as their heart. Toad thou didst
call me : look, now I come as a toad 1 *

Swanhild looked, and behold ! a ring of the darkness grew
white with light, and in it crouched a thing hideous to see.
It was shaped as a great spotted toad, and on it was set a hag's
face, with white locks hanging down on either side. Its eyes
were blood-red and sunken, black were its fangs, and its skin
was dead yellow. It grinned horribly as Swanhild shrank
from it, then spoke again :

* Qrey Wolf thou didst call me once, Swanhild, when thou
wouldst have thrust Gudruda down Goldfoss gulf, and as a
grey wolf I came, and gave thee counsel that thou tookest
but iU. Bat didst thou call me once, when thou wouldst
save Brighteyes from the carles of Ospakar, and as a rat
I came and in thy shape I walked the seas. Toad thou
callest me now, and as a toad I creep about thy feet. Name
thy will, Swanhi d, and I will name my price. But be swift,
for there are other fair ladies whose wish I must do ere
dawn.*

* Thou art hideous to look on I * said Swanhild, placing h<ir
hand before her eyes.

' Say not so, lady ; say not so. Look at this face of rnJna.
Knowest thou it not ? It is thy mother's — dead Groa lent it
me. I took it from where she lies ; and my toad's skin I drew
from thy spotted heart, Swanhild, and more hideous than i
am shalt thou be in a day to come, as once I was more fiedr
than thou art to-day.'

ifi-»'\ ■

MK"',,'. :

159

ERJC BRIG HTE YES

Swanhild opened her lips to shriek, but no sound came.

* Troll,' she whispered, 'mock me 'lot with lies, but hearken
to my bidding : where sails Eric now ? '

'Look out into the night, lady, and thou shalt see.'
Swanhild looked, and the ways of the darkness opened be-
fore her witch- sight. There at the mouth of Pentland Firth
the Gudruda laboured heavily in the great seas, and by the
tiller stood Eric, and with him Skallagrim.
' Seest thou thy love ? ' asked the Familiar.

* Yea,' fao^ answered, ' full clearly ; he is worn with wind
and sea, bat more glorious than aforetime, and his hair is long.
Say, what shall befall him if thou aidest not ? '

* This, that he shall safely pass the Firth, for the gale frJls,
and come saf'ily to Fareys, and from Fareys isles to Gudruo'a's
arms/

' ,A.nd what canst thou do. Goblin ? '

* This : I can lure Eric's ship to wreck, and give his com-
rades, all save Skallagrim, to Ran's net, and bring him to thy
arms, Swanhild, witch-mother's witch-child ! '

She hearkened. Her breast heaved and her eyes
flashed.

' And thy price, Toad ? '

* TUou art the price, lady,' piped the goblin. ' Thou .^halt
give thyself to mo when thy day is done, and merrily will we
sisters dwell in Hela's halls, and m;?rrily for ever will we fare
about the earth 0' nights, doing such tasks as this task of chine,
Swanhild, and working wicked woe till the last woe is worked
on us. Art thou content ? ' -

Swanhild thought. Twice her breath went from her lips
in great sighs. Then she stood, pale and silent.

' Safely shall he sail the Firth,' piped the thin voice.
* Safely shall he sit in Fareys. Safely shall he lie in white
Gudruda's arms — hcc ! lice ! Think of it, lady ! '

Then Swanhild shook like % birch-tree in the gale, and her
face grew ashen.

' I am content,' she said.

' Hee ! liee ! Brave lady ! She is content. Ah, we sisters
shall be merry. Hearken ; if I aid thee thus I may do no

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

1 60

more. Thrice has the night-owl come at thy call— now it
must wing away. Yet things will be as I have said ; thine
own wisdom shall guide the rest. Ere morn Brighteyes shall
stand in Atli's hall, ere spring he will be thy love, and ere
autumn Gudruda shall sit on the high seat in the hall of T 'id-
dalhof the bride of Ospakar. Draw nigh, give me thine arm,
sister, that blood miy seal our bargain.'

Swanhild drew near lihe toad, and, shuddering, stretched out
her arm, and then and there the red blood ran, and there they
sealed their sisterhood. And as the nameless deed was wrought,
'^ seemed to Swanhild as though fire shot through her veins,
and fire surged before her eyes, and in the fire a shape passed
up weeping.

* It is done, Blood-sister,' piped the voice ; ' now I must
away in thy form to be about tliy tasks. Seat thee here
before me — so. Now lay thy brow upon my brow— fear not.
it was thy mother's — life on death ! curling lockp on corpse
hair ! See, so we change — wo change. Now thou art the
Death- toad and I am Swanhild, Atli's wife, who shall be Eric's
love.'

Then Swanhild knew that her beauty had entered into
the foulness of the toad, and the foulness of tho toad into her
beauty, for there before her stood her own shape and here she
crouched a toad upon the floor.

* Away to work, away ! ' said a soft low voice, her own
voice speaking from her own body that stood before her, and
lo ! it wari gone.

But Swanhild crouchofi, in the shape of a hag-headed toad,
upon the ground in her bower of Atli's hall, and felt wickedness
and evil longings and hate boil and seethe within her heart.
She looked out through ht^r sunken horny eyes and she seemed
to see strange sights. She saw Atli, her lord, dead upon the
grass. She saw a woman asleep, and above her flashed a sword.
She saw the hall of Middalhof red with blood. She saw a great
gulf in a mountain's heart, and men fell ilown it. And, last,
she saw a war- ship saiiini; fast out on the sea, afire, and vanish
there.

i6i

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

Now the witch-hag who wore Swanhild's loveKness stood
upon the cliffp of Straumey and tossed her white arms towards
the north.

'Come, fog! come, sleet!' she cried. 'Come, fog! come,
sleet 1 Put out the moon and blind the eyes of Eric ! ' And
as she called, the fog rose up like a giant and stretched his
arms from shore to shore.

* Move, fog ! beat, rain ! ' she cried. * Move and beat
against the gale, and blind the eyes of Eric ! '

And the fog moved on against the wind, and with it sleet
and rain.

* Now I am af eared,' said Eric to Skallagrim, as they stood
in darkness upon the ship : ' the gale blows from behind us,
and yet the mist drives fast in our faces. What comes now ? '

* This is witch-work, lord,' answered Skallagrim, ' and in
such things no comisel can avail. Hold the tiller straight
and drive on, say I. Methinks the gale lessens more and
more.'

So they did for a little while, and all around them sounded
the roar of breakers. Darker grew the sky and darker yet,
till at the last, though they stood side by side, they could not
see each other s shapes.

* This is strange sailing,' said Eric. * I hear the roar of
breakers as it were beneath the prow.'

' Lash the helm, lord, and let us go forward. If there are
• breakers, perhaps we shall pee their foam through the black-
ness,' said Skallagrim.

Eric did so, and they crept forward on the starboard board
right to the prow of the ship, and there Skallagrim peered
into the fog and sleet.

'Lord,' he whispered presently, and his voice shook
strangely, * what is that yonder on the waters ? Seest thou
aught ? '

Eric stared and said, * By Odin I I see a shape of light
like to the shape of a woman ; it walks upon the waters
towards us and the mist melts beforo it, and the sea grows
calm beneath its feet.'

ERIC BRTGHTEYES

162

' I see that also 1 ' said Skallagrim.

* She comes nigh 1 ' gasped Eric. ' See how swift she
comes 1 By the dead, it is Swanhild's shape ! Look, Skalla-
grim I look how her eyes flame I — look how her hair streams
upon the wind I '

* It is Swanhild and we are fey ! ' quoth Skallagrim, and
they ran back to the helm, where Skallagrim sank upon the
deck in fear.

* See, Skallagrim, she glides before the Gudruda's beak 1
she glides backwards and she points yonder— there to the
right ! Shall I put the helm down and follow her ? '

* Nay, lord, nay ; set no faith in witchcraft or evil will
befall us.'

As he spoke a great gust of wind shook the ship, the
music of the breakers roared in their eyes, and the gleaniin^jj
shape upon the v/aters tossed its arms wildly and pointed to
the right.

* The breakers call ahead,' said Eric. ' The Shape points
yonder, where I hear no sound of sea. Once before, thou
mindest, Swanhild walked the waves to warn us and thereby
saved us from the men of Ospakar. Ever she swore she
loved liie ; now she is surely come in love to save us and all
our comrades. Say, shall I put about ? Look : once more
she waves her arms and points,' and as he spoke he gripped
the helm.

'I have no rede, lord,' said Skalligrim, 'and I love not
witch-work. We can die but once, and death is all around ;
be it as thou wilt.'

Eric put down the helm with all his might. The good
ship answered, and her timbers groaned loudly, as though in
woe, when the strain of the 3ea struck her abeam. Then once
more she flew fast across the waters, and fast before her
glided the ^\raith of Swanhild. Now it pointed here and
now there, and as it pointed so Eric shaped his course.
For a while the noise of breakers lessoned, but now again
camo a thunder, Hke the thunder of waves smiting on a clifF,
and about the sides of the Gudruda the waters hissed lijke
snakes.

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

i6l

Suddenly tlin Shape threw up its arms and scorned to
sink beneath the waves, while a sound hke the sound of a great
laugh went up from sea to sky.

* Now here is the end/ said Skallagrim, ' and \^e are lured
to dopm.'

Ere ever the words had passed his lips the ship struck,
and so fiercely that they were rolled upoii the deck. Suddenly
the sky grew clear, tlie moon shone out, and before them
were chffs and rocks, and behind them a great wave ruslied
on. From the hold of the ship there came a cry, for now
their comrades were awake and they knew that death was
here.

Eric gripped Skallagrim round the middle and looked
aft. On rushed the wave, no such wave had he ever seen.
Now it struck and the Gudruda burst asunder beneath the
blow.

But Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail were lifted
on its crest and knew no more.

Swanhild, crouching in hideous guise upon the ground in
the bower of Atli's hall, looked upon the visions that passed
before her. Suddenly a woman's shape, her own shape, was
there.

'It is done, Blood- sister,' said a voice, her own v ce.
' Merrily I walked the waves, and oh, merry was the f v of
Eric's folk when Ran caught them in her net! Be thvself,
again. Blood-sister — be fair as thou art foul ; then aris' vake
Atli thy lord, and go down to the sea's lip by the r* uihern
cliffs and see what thou shalt find. We shall meet o more
till all this game is played and another game is set,' and the
shape of Swanhild crouched upon the floor before the hag-
headed toad muttering ' Pass ! pass ! '

Then Swanhild felt her flesh come back to her, and as it
grew upon her so the shape of the Death-headed toad faded
away.

* Farewell, Blood-sister ! ' piped a voice ; ' make merry as
thou mayest, but merrier shall be our nights when thou hast
gone a- sailing with Eric on the sea. Farewell! farewell!

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164

EXIC BRIGHTEYES

IFere-wolf thou didst call me once, and as a wolf I came.
Bat thou didst call me once, and as a rat I came. Toad didst
thou call me once, and as a toad I came. Say, at the last,
what wilt thou call me and in what shape shall I come, Blood-
sister ? Till then farewell ! '

And all was gone and all was fltilL

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

i6S

CHAPTER XVn

HOW ASMUND THE PRIEST WEDDED UNNA, fTHOEOD'S

DAUQHTEB

Now the story goes back to Iceland,

When Brighteyes was gone, for a while Gudruda the Fair
moved sadly about the stead, like one new- widowed. Then
came tidings. Men told how Ospakar BlacI loclh had way-
laid Eric on the seas with two long ships, drago; of war, and
how Eric had given him battle and sunk one dragon with
great loss to Ospakar. They told also how Blacktooth's
other dragon, the Kaven, had sailed away before the wind, and
Eric had sailed after it in a rising gale. But of what befell
these ships no news came for many a month, and it was
rumoured that this had befallen them — that both had sunt in
the gale, and that Eric was dead.

But Gudruda would not beheve this. When Asmund the
Priest, her father, asked her why she did not believe it, she
answered that, had Eric been dead, her heart would surely have
spoken to her of it. To this Asmund said that it might be so.

Hay-harvest being done, Asmund made ready for his
wedding with Unna, Thorod's daughter and Eric's cousin.

Now it was agreed that the marriage -feast should be held
at Middalhof ; for Asmund wished to ask a great company
to the wedding, and there was no place at Coldback to hold
so many. Also some of the kin of Thorod, Unna's father,
were bidden to the feast from the east and north. At length
all was prepared and the guests came in great companies,
for no such feast had been made in this quarter for many
year&

i66

ERIC r^RFGHTFA'ES

On the evo of the niarriap:c Asinund spoke with Groa. The
witch-wifi) had horno liei'seh' hujiibly Hince she was recovered
from her Hicknesa. She passed about the stead hke a rat at
night, speaking tew words and with downcast eyes. She was
busy also making all things ready for tlie feasting.

Now as Asmund went up the hall seeing that everything
was in order, Groa drew near to him and touched him gently
on the shoulder.

' Are things to thy mind, lord ? ' she said.

* Yes, Groa,' be answered, * more to my mii'd than to
thine I fear.'

* Fear not, lord ; thy will is my will.*

' Say, Groa, is it thy wish to bide here in Middalhof when
Unna is my housewife ? '

* It is mv wish to serve thee as aforetime,' she answered
S'oniy, * if so be that Unna wills it.'

* Th.?^^ is her desire,' said Asmund and went his ways.
But Gioa sto(jd looking after him and her face was fierce

and evil.

* While bane has virtue, while runes have power, and
while hand has cun .ing, never, Unna, shalt thou take my
place at Asmund' s skI^ ! Out of the water I came to thee,
Asmund ; into the water I go again. Unquiet shall I lie there —
unquiet shall I wend through Hela's halls ; but Unna shall
rest at Asmund's side — in Asmund's cairn ! '

Then again she moved about the hall, making all things
ready for the feast. But at midnight, when the light was
low and folk slept, Groa rose, and, veiled in a black robe, with
a basket in her hand, passed like a shadow through the hall
out upon the meads. Thence she glided into the mists that
hang about the river's edge, and in silence, always looking be-
hind her, like one who fears a hidden foe, culled flowers of the
noisome plants that grow in the marsh. Her basket being
filled, sl.\e passed round the stead to a hiddon dell upon
the mour.tain side. Hero a man stood waiting, and near him
burned a fire of turf. In his hand he held an iron-pot. It
was Koli the Half-witted, Groa's thrall.

* Are all things ready, Koll ? ' she said.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

167

' Yes,' ho answered ; * but I like not these tasks of th.lno,
mistress. Say now, what wouldst thou with the fire and the
pot ?'

* This, then, Koll. I would brew a love-potion for Asraund
the Priest as he has bidden me to do.'

* I have done many an ill deed for thee, mistress, but of all
of them I love this the least,' said the thrall, doubtfully.

' I have done many a good deed for thee, Koll. It was I
who saved thee from
the Doom-stone, seem-
ing to prove thee inno-
cent — ay, even when
thy back was stretched
on it, because thou
hadst slain a man in
his sleep. Is it not so ? '

' Yea, mistress.'

' And yet thou wast
guilty, Koll. And I
have given thee many
good gifts, is it not so ? '

' Yes, ij is so.'

'Listen then: serve
me this once and I will
give thee one last gift —
thy freedom, and with
it two hundred in sil-
ver.'

Koll's eyes glistened. * Whao must I do, mistress ? '

* To-day at the wedding-feast it will be thy part to pour
the cups while Asmund calls the toasts. liast of all, when
men are merry, thou wilt mix that cup in which Asmund shall
pledge Unna his wife and I/nna must pledge Asmund. Now,
when thou hast poured, thou slialt pass the cup to me, as I
stand at the foot of the higli scat, waiting to give the bride
greeting on behalf of the serving-women of the household. Tiiou
shalt hand the cup to me as though in error, and that is but a
little thing to ask of thee.'

GiiOA nui:wH A Lo^^:-po'rlON.

i68

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

* A little thing indeed,' said KoU, staring at her, and pulling
with his hand at his red hair, ' yet I Hke it not. What if I say
no, mistress ? '

' Say no or speak of this and I will promise thee one thing
only, thou knave, and it is, hefore winter comes, that the crows
shall pick thy bones ! Now, brave me, if thou darest,' and
straightway Groa began to mutter witch-words.

* Nay,' said Koll, holding up his hand as though to ward
away a blow. ' Curse me nr ^ will do as thou wilt. But
when shall I touch the two hundred in silver ? '

* I will give thee half before the feast begins, and half when
ft is ended, and with it freedom to go where thou wilt. And
now leave me, and on thy life see that thou fail me not.*

*I have never failed thee yet,' said Koll, and went his
ways.

Now Groa set the pot upon the fire, and, placing in it
the herbs that she had gathered, poured water on them. Pre-
sently they began to boil and as they boiled she stirred them with
a peeled stick and muttered spells over them. For long she
sat in that dim and lonely place stirring the pot and muttering
spells, till at length the brew was done.

She lifted the pot from the fire and smelt at it. Then
drawing a phial from, her robe she poured out the Hquor and
held it to the sky. The witch-water was white as milk, but
presently it grew clear. She looked at it, then smiled evilly.

* Here is a love- draught for a queen — ah, a lovcrdraught
for a queen I * she said, and, still smiling, she placed the phial
in her breast.

Then, having scattered the fire with her foot, Groa took the
pot and threw it into a deep pool of water, where it could not
be found readily, and crept back to the stead before men were
awake.

Now the day wore on and all the company were gathered
at the marriage-feast to the number of nearly two hundred.
Unna sat in the high seat, and men thought her a bonny bride,
and by her side sat Asmund the Priest. He was a hale, strong
man to look on, though he had seen gome three -score winters j

y 1

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

169

but his mien was sad, and his hoart heavy. He drank cup
after cup to cheer him, but. all without avail. For his
thought sped back across the years and once more Lo seemed
to see the face of Gudruda the Gentle as she lay dying,
and to hear her voice when she foretold evil to him if he had
aught to do with Groa the Witch- wife. And now it seemed
to him that the evil was at hand, though whence it should
come he knew not. He looked up. There Groa moved along
the hall, ministering to the guests ; but he saw as she moved
that her eyes were always fixed, now on him and now on
Unna. He remembered that curse also which Groa had called
down upon him when he had told her that he was betrothed
to Unna, and his heart grew cold with fear. 'Now I will
change my counsel,' Asmund said to himself : ' Groa shall not
stay here in this stead, for I will look no longer on that dark
face of hers. She goes hence to-morrow.'

Not far from Asmund sat Bjcim, his son. As Gudruda the
J'air, J is sister, brought him mead he caught her by the sleeve,
whispering in her ear. * Methinks our father is sad. What
weighs upon his heart ? '

' I know not,' said Gudruda, but as she spoke she looked
first on Asmund, then at Groa.

*It is ill that Groa should stop here,' whispered Bjom
again.

' It is ill,' answered Gudruda, and ghded away.
Asmund saw their talk and guessed its purport. Bousing
himself he laughed aloud and called to KoU the Half-witted to
pour the cups that he might name the toasts.

Koll filled, and, as Asmund called the toasts one by one,
Koll handed the cups to him. Asmund drank deep of each,
till at length his sorrow passed from him, and, together with all
who sat there, he grew merry.

Last of all came the toast of the bride's cup. But before
Asmund called it, the women of the household drew near
the high seat to welcome Unna, when she should have drunk.
Gudruda stood foremost, and Groa was next to her.

Now Eoll filled as before, and it was a great cup 6f gold
that he filled.

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Asmund rose to call the toast, and with him all who were
in the hall. Eoll brought up the cup, and handed it, not to
Asmund, but to Groa ; but there were few who noted this, for
all were listening to Asmund 's toast and most of the guests
were somewhat drunken.

' The cup,' cried Asmund — * give me the cup that I may
drink.'

Then Groa started forward, and as she did so she seemed to
stumble, so that for a moment her robe covered up the great
bride-cup. Then sjie gathered herself together slowly, and,
smiling, passed up the cup.

Asmund hfted it to his lips and drank deep. Then he
turned and gave it to Unna his wife, but before she drank he
kissed her on the lips.

Now while all men shouted such a welcome that the hall
shook, and as Unna, smiling, drank from the cup, the eyes of
Asmund fell upon Groa who stood beneath him, and lo ! her
eyes seemed to flame and her face was hideous as the face of
a troll.

Asmund grew white and put his hand to his head, as though
to think, then cried aloud :

' Drink, not, Unna ! the draught is drugged ! ' and he struck
at the vessel with his hand.

He smote it indeed, and so hard that it flew from her hand
far d^wn the hall.

But Unna had already drunk deep.

' The draught is drugged ! ' Asmund cried, and pointed to
Groa, while all men stood silent, not knowing what to do.

* The draught is drugged I ' he cried a third time, * and
that witch has drugged it ! ' And he began to tear at his
breast.

Then Groa laughed so shrilly that men trembled to
hear her.

* Yea, lord,' she screamed, * the '""raught is drugged, and
Groa the Witch-wife hath drugged it ! Ay, tear thy heart out,
Asmund, and, Unna, grow thou white as snow— soon, if my
medicine has virtue, thou shalt be whiter yet ! Hearken all
men. Asmund the Priest is Swanhild's father, and for many

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

171

a year I have been Asmund's mate. What did I tell thee,
lord ? — that I would see the two of you dead ere Unna should
take my place ! — ay, and on Gudruda the Fair, thy daughter, and
Bjorn thy son, and Eric Brighteyes, Gudruda's love, and many
another man— on them too shall my curse fall! Tear thy
heart out, Asmund ! Unna, grow thou white as snow ! The
draught is drugged and Groa, Kan's gift ! Groa the witch-wife !
Groa, Asmund's love ! hath drugged it ! '

And ere ever a man might lift a hand to stay her Groa
glided past the high seat and was gone.

For a space all stood silent. Asmund ceased clutching at
his breast. Rising he spoke heavily :

'Now I learn that sin is a stone to smite him who
hurled it. Gudruda the Gentle spoke sooth when she warned
me against this woman. New wed, new dead ! Unna, fare
thee well ! '

And straightway Asmund fell down and died there by the
high seat in his own hall.

Unna gazed at him with ashen face. Then, plucking at her
bosom she sprang from the dais and rushed along the hall,
screaming. Men made way for her, and at the door she also
fell dead.

«:

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This then was the end of Asmund Asmundson the Priest,
and Unna, Thorod's daughter, Eric's cousin, his new-made
wife.

For a moment there was silence in the hall. But before the
echoes of Unna's screams had died away, Bjorn called aloud :

* The witch ! where is the witch ? '

Then with a yell of rage, men leaped to their feet, seizing
their weapons, and rushed from the stead. Out they ran.
There, on the hill-side far above them, a black shape chmbed
and leapt swiftly. They gave tongue like dogs set upon a
wolf and sped up the hill.

They gained the crest of the hill, and now they were at
Goldfoss brink. Lo ! the witch-wife had crossed the bed of
the torrent} for little rain had fallen and the river was low.

■;m

172

ERIC BRIGHTBYES

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She stood on Sheep-saddle, the water running from her rohes.
On Sheep-saddle she stood and cursed them.

Bjom took a bow and set a shaft upon the string. He drew
it and the arrow sung through the air and smote her, speeding
through her heart. With a cry Groa threw up her arms.

Then down she plunged. She fell on Wolfs Fang, where
Eric once had stood and, bounding thence, rushed to the
boiling deeps below and was no more seen for ever.

Thus, then, did Asmund the Priest wed Unna, Thorod's
daughter, and this was the end of the feasting.

Thereafter Bjom, Asmund's son, ruled at Middalhof, and
was Priest in his place. He sought for Koll the Half-witted
to kill him, but Eoll took to the fells, and after many months
he found passage in a ship that was bound for Scotland.

Now Bjom was a hard man and a greedy. He was no
friend to Eric Brighteyes, and always pressed it on Gudruda
that she should wed Ospakar Blacktoouh. But to this counsel
Gudruda would not listen, for day and night she thought upon
her love. Next summer there came tidings that Eric was safe
in Ireland, and men spoke of his deeds, and of how he and
Skallagrim had swept the ship of Ospakar single-handed.
Now after these tidings, for a while Gudruda walked singing
through the meads, and no flower that grew in them was half
so fair as she.

That summer also Ospakar Blacktooth met Bjorn,
Asmund's son, at the Thing, and they talked much together in
secret.

'Bi^lat through her hatrt it aptd.'

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CHAPTER XVm

HOW EABL ATLI FOUND ERIC AND SKALLAGRIM ON THE
SOUTHERN ROCKS OF STRAUMEY ISLE

-'^^^g^li.

WANHILD, robed in

white, as though new

risenfrom sleep, stood,

candle in hand, by the

bed of Atli the Earl, her

lord, crying * Awake ! '

* What passes now ? *
said Atli, hfting himself
upon his arm, 'What
passes, Swanhild, and why
dost thou ever wander alone at nights, looking so strangely ?
I love not thy dark witch-ways, Swanhild, and I was wed to
thee in an ill hour, wife who art no wife.'

* In an ill hour indeed, Earl Atli,' she answered, ' an ill hour
for thee and me, for, as thou hast said* eld and youth are strange

ERIC AND SEALLAGRIM WASHED
ASHORE.

^1--'7JT1

nRTC BRIG HTE YES

174

yokefellows and pull different paths. Arise now, Earl, for I
have dreamed a dream.'

* Tell it to me on the morrow, then,' quoth Atli ; ' there is
small joyousness in thy dreams, that always point to evil, and
I must bear enough evil of late.'

* Nay, lord, my rede may not be put tiside so. Listen now :
I have dreamed that a gteat dragon of war has been cast away
upon Straumey's south-western rocks. The cries of those who
drowned rang in my ears. But I thought that some came
living to the shore, and lie there senseless, to perish of the
oold. Arise, therefore, take men and go down to the rocks.'

* I will go at daybreak,' said Atli, letting his head fall upon
the pillow. * I have Hide faith in such visions, and It is too
late for long ships of war to try the passage of the Firth.'

* Arise, I say,' answered Swanhild sternly, * and do my
bidding, else I will myself go to search the rocks.*

Then Atli rose grumbling, and shook the heavy sleep from
his eyes : for of all living folk he most feared Swanhild his wife.
He donned his garments, threw a thick cloak about him, and,
going to the hall where men snored around the dying fires, for
the night was bitter, he awoke some of them. Now among
those men whom he called was Hall of Lithdale, Hall the
mate who had cut the grapnel-chain. For this Hall, fearing
to return to Iceland, had come hither saying that he had been
wounded off Fareys, in the great fight between Eric and
Ospakar's men, and left there to grow well of his hurt or die.
Then Atli, not knowing that the carle lied, had bid him wel-
come for Eric's sake, for he still loved Eric above all men.

But Hall loved not labour and nightfarings to search for
shipwrecked men of whom the Lady Swanhild had chanced
to dream. So he turned himself upon his side and slept again.
Still, certain of AtU's folk rose at his bidding, and they went
together down to the aouth- western rocks.

But Swanhild, a cloak thrown over her night-gear, sat her-
self down in the high seat of the hall and fixing her eyes,
now upon the dying fires and now upon the blood-marks in
her arm, waited in silence. The night was cold and windy,
but the moon shone bright, and by its light Atli and his people

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£";?/(: BRIG HTE YES

made their way to the south-western rocks, on which the sea
beat madly.

What lies yonder ? * said Atli, pointing to some black thing
that lay beneath them upon the rock, cast there by the waves.
A man climbed down the cUfTs side that is here as thougli it
were cut in steps, and then cried aloud :

* A ship's mast, new broken, lord.'

'It seems that Swanhild dreams true,' muttered Atli;
' but I am sure of this : that none have come ashore alive in
such a sea.'

Presently the man who searched the rocks below cried
aloud again :

'Here 'he two great men, locked in each other's arms.
They seem to be deaa.'

Now all the men climb down the slippery rocks as best they
may, though the spray wets them, and with them goes Atli. The
Earl is a brisk man, though old in years, and he comes first to
where the two lie. He who was undermost lay upon his back, bat
his face wsfl hid by the thick golden hair that flowed across it.

' Man's body mdeed, but woman's locks/ said Atli as he
put out his hand and drew the hair away, so that the light of
the moon fell on the face beneath.

He looked, then staggered back against the rock.

* By Thor ! ' he cried, * here hes the corpse of Eric Bright-
eyes ! ' and Atli wrung his hands and wept, for he loved Eric
much.

* Be not so sure that the men are dead, Earl,' said one,
* I thought I saw yon great carle move but now.'

* He is Skallagrim Lambstail, Eric's Death-shadow,' said
Atli again. ' Up with them, lads — see, yonder lies a plank— and
away to the hall. I will give twenty in silver to each of you
if Eric lives,' and he unclasped his cloak and threw it over
both of them.

Then with much labour they loosed the grip of the two
men one from the other, and they set Skallagrim on the plank.
But eight men bore Eric up the cliff between them, and the
task was not hght, though the Earl held his head, from which
the golden hair hung like seaweed from a rock.

ERIC BRIGHTF.YES

176

inc

At length they came to the hall and carried them m. Swan-
hild, seeing them come, moved down from the high seat.

* Bring lamps, and pile up the fires,' cried Atli. * A strango
thing has come to pass, Swanhild, and thou dost dream
wisely, indeed, for here we have b? ric Brighteyes and Skallagrim
Lambstail. They were locked Uke lovers in each other's arms,
but I know not if they are dead or living.'

Now Swanhild started and came on swiftly. Had the
Familiar tricked her and had she paid the price for nothing ?
Was Eric taken from Gudruda and given to her indeed — but
given dead ? She bent over him, gazing keenly on his face.
Then she spoke.

*He is not dead but senseless. Bring dry cloths, and
make water hot,' and, kneeling down, she loosed Eric's helm
and harness and ungirded Whitefire from his side.

For long Swanhild and Ath tended Eric at one fire, and the
serving women tended Skallagrim at the other. Presently there
came a cry that Skallagrim stirred, and x\tli with others ran to
see. At this moment also the eyes of Eric were unsealed, and
Swanhild saw them looking at her dimly from beneath. Then,
moved to it by her passion and her joy that he yet lived, Swan-
hild let her face fall till his was hidden in her unbound hair,
and kissed him upon the lips. Eric shut his eyes again, sighing
heavily, and presently he was asleep. They bore him to a bed
and heaped warm wrappings upon him. At daybreak he
woke, and Atli, who sat watching at his side, gave him hot
mead to drirk.

' Do I dream ? ' said Eric, * or is it Earl Atli who tends me,
and did I but now see the face of Swanhild bending over me ? '

* It is no dream, Eric, but the truth. Thou hast been cast
away here on my isle of Straumey.' •

* And Skallagrim— where is Skallagrim ? *

* Skallagiim Uves — fear not ! '

' And my comrades, how went it with them ?*

* But ill, Eric. Ran has them all. Now sleep I'

Eric groaned aloud. ' I had rather died also than live to
hear such heavy tidings,' he said. * Witch- work I witch- work I
and that fair witch-face wrought it.' And once again he slept,

) (

177

ERIC BRIGHTEYBS

nor did he wake till the Bun was high. Bat Atli oonld make
nothing of his words.

When Swanhild left the side of Erie she met Hall of Lith-
dale face to face and his looks were troubled.

' Say, lady/ he asked, < will Brighteyes live ? '

' Grieve not, Ilall/ she answered, 'Eric will surely hye and
he will be glad to find a messmate here to greet him, haying
left so many yonder,' and she pointed to the sea.

' I shall not be glad/ said Hall, letting his eyes fall.

'Why not, Hall? Fearest thou Skallagrim? or hast
thou done ill by Eric ? '

' Ay, lady, I fear Skallagrim, for he swore to slay me, and
that kind of promise he ever keeps. Also, if the truth must
out, I have not dealt alto;?ether well with Eric, and of all men
I least wish to talk with him.'

' Speak on,* she said.

Then, being forced to it. Hall told her something of the tale
of the cutting of the cable, being careful to put another colour
on it.

' Now it seems that thou art a coward. Hall,' Swanhild said
when he had done, ' and I scarcely lookei for that in thee,' for
she had not been deceived by the glozrng of his speech. ' It
will be bad for thee to meet Eric and Skallagrim, and this is
my counsel : that thou goest hence before they wake, for they
will sit this winter here in Atli's hall.'

* And whither shall I go, lady ? '

Swanhild gazed on him, and as she did so a dark thought
came into her heart : here was a knave who might serve her
ends.

' Hall,' she said, ' thou art an Icelander, and I have known
of thee from a child, and therefore I wish to serve thee in
thy strait, though thou deservest it little. See now, Atli
the Earl has a farm on the mainland not two hours' ride from
the sea. Thither thou shalt go, if thou art wise, and thou
shalt sit there this winter and be hidden from Eric and Skalla-
grim. Nay, thank me not, but listen : it may chance that I
shall have a service for thee to do before spring is come.'

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

178

* Lady, I shall wait upon thy word/ said Hall.

' Good. NoWy so soon as it is light, I will find a man to
sail with thee across the Firth, for the sea falls, and bear my
message to the steward at Atli's farm. Also if thou needest
faring-money thou shalt have it. Farewell.'

Thus then did Hall fly before Eiic and Skallagrim.

On the morrow Erio and Skallagrim arose, sick and braised
indeed, but not at all harmed, and went^ down to the shore.
There they found many dead men of their company, but never
a one in whom the breath of life remained.

Skallagrim looked at Eric and spoke : *■ Last night the
mist came up against the wind : last night we saw Swanhild's
wraith upon the waves, and there is the path it showed, and
there ' — and he pointed to the dead men — ' is the witch-seed's
flower. Now to-day we sit in Atli's hall and here we must
stay this winter at Swanhild's side, and in all this lies a riddle
that I cannot read.'

But Eric sb »ok his head, making no answer. Then, leaving
Skallagrim with the dead, he turned, and striding back alone
towards the hall, sat down on a rock in the home meadows
and, covering his face with his hands, wept for his comrades.

As he wept Swanhild came to him, for she had seen him
from afar, and touched him gently on the arm.

* Why weepest thou, Eric ? ' she said.

* I weep for the dead, Swanhild,' he answered.

' Weep not for the dead — they are at peace ; if thou must
weep, weep for the living. Nay, weep not at all ; rejoice rather
that thou art here to mourn. Hast thou no word of greeting
for me who have not heard thy voice these many months ? '

* How shall I greet thee, Swanhild, who would never have
seen thy face again if I might have had my will ? Knowest
thou that yesternight, as we laboured in yonder Firth, we saw
a shape walking the waters to lead us to our doom ? How
shall I greet thee, Swanhild, who art a witch and evil ? '

'And knowest thou, Eric, that yes ernight I woke from
sleep, having dreamed that thou didst lie upon the shore, and
thus I saved thee alive, as perchance I have saved thee afore-

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E/^/C BRIGIITEYES

time? If thou didst see a shape walking the waters it
was that shape which led thee hero. Hadst thou sailed on,
not only those thou mournest, hut Skallagrim and thou thyself
Lad now been numbered with the lost.*

' Better so than thus,' said Brighteyes. ' Knowest thou
also, Swanhild, that when last night my life came back again
in Atli's hall, methought that Atli's wife leaned over me and
kissed me on the lips ? That was an ill dream, Swanhild.'

* Some had found it none so ill, Eric,' she made answer,
looldng on him strangely. ' Still, it was but a dream. Thou
didst dream that Atli's wife breathed back the breath of life
into thy pale lips — be sure of it thou didst but dream. Ah,
Eric, fear me no more ; forget the evil that I have wrought in
the blindness and folly of my youth. Now things are other-
wise with me. Now I am a wedded wife and faithful hearted
to my lord. Now, if I still love thee, it is with a sister's love.
Therefore forget my sins, remember only that as children we
played upon the Iceland fells. Remember that, as boy and girl,
we rode along the marshes, while the sea-mews clamoured
round our heads. The world is cold, Eric, and few are the friends
we find in it ; many are already gone, and soon the friend-
less dark draws near. So put me not away, my brother and
my friend ; but, for a httle space, whilst thou art here in Atli's
hall, let us walk hand in hand as we walked long years ago
in Iceland, gathering the fifa-bloom, and watching the mid
night shadows creep up the icy jokul's crests.'

Thus Swanhild spoke to him most sweetly, in a low voice
of music, while the tears gathered in her eyes, talking ever
of Iceland that he loved, and of days long dead, till Eric's
heart softened in him.

* Almost do I believe thee, Swanhild,' he said, stretching
out his hand ; * but I know this : that thou art never twice in
the same mood, and that is beyond my measuring. Thou
hast done much evil and thou hast striven to do more ; also
I love not those who seem to walk the seas 0' nights. Still,
hold thou to this last saying of thine and there shall be
peace between us while I bide liere.'

She touched his hand humbly and turned to go. But as

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

'8c

ago

mid

she went Eric spoke again : * Say, Swanhild, hast thou tidings
from Iceland yonder ? I have hen vd no word of Asmund or
of Gudruda for two long years and more.'

She stood still, and a dark shadow that he could not see
flitted across her face.

* I have few tidings, Eric,' she said, turning, * and those
few, if I may trust them, bad enough. For this is the rumour
that I have heard : that Asmund the Priest, my father, is dead j
that Groa my mother is dead — how, I know not ; and, lastly,
that Gudruda the Fair, thy love, is betrothed to Ospakar Black-
tooth and weds him in the spring.'

Now Eric sprang up with an oath and grasped the hilt of
Whitefire. Then he sat down again upon the stone and
covered his face with his hands.

* Grieve not, Eric,' she said gently ; * I put no faith in
this news, for rumour, like the black-backed gull, often
changes colour in its flight across the seas. Also I had it
but at flfth hand. I am sure of this, at least, that Gudruda
will never forsake thee without a cause.'

* It shall go ill with Ospakar if this be true,' said Eric,
smiling grimly, * for Whitefire is yet left me and with it one
true friend.'

* Run not to meet the evil, Eric. Thou shalt come to Ice-
land with the summer flowers and find Gudruda faithful and
yet fairer than of yore. Knowest thou that Hall of Lithdale,
who was thy mate, has sat here these two months ? He is
gone but this morning, I know not whither, leaving a message
that he returns no more.'

* He did well to go,' said Eric, and he told her how Hall
had cut the cable.

* Ay, well indeed,' answered Swanhild. * Had Atli known
this he would have scourged Hall hence with rods of seaweed.
And now, Eric, I desire to ask thee one more thing : why
wearest thou thy hair long like a woman's? Indeed, few
women have such hair as thine is now.'

* For this cause, Swanhild : I swore to Gudruda that none
should cut my hair till she cut it once more. It is a great bur-
den to me surely, for never did hair grow so fast and strong as

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

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mine, and once in a fray I was held fast by it and went near
to the losing of my life. Still, I will keep the oath even if it
grows on to my feet,' and he laughed a little and shook back
bis golden locks.

Swanhild smiled also and, turning, went. But when her
face was hidden from him she smiled no more.

' As I hve,' she said in her heart, 'before spring rains fall
again I will cause thee to break ihis oath, Eric. Ay, I Tvdll
cut a lock of that bright hair jf thine and send it for a love-
token to Gudruda.'

But Eric still sat upon the rock thinking. Swanhild had set
an e^dl seed of doubt in his heart, and already it put forth roots.
What if the tale were true? What if Gudruda had given her-
self to Ospakar ? Well, if so— she should soon be a widow, that
he swore.

Then he rose, and stalked grimly towards the halL

ERIC BRJGHTEYES

182

CHAPTER XIX

HOW KOLL THE HALF-WITTED BROUGHT TIDINQB ^

EROM ICELAND

:tESENTLY as Eric
waUied he met Atli the
Earl seeking him. Atli
greeted him.

' I have seen strange
things happen, Eric,' he
?aid, ' but none more
strange than this coming
of thine and the manner
of it. Swanhild is fore-
sighted, and that was a
doom-dream of hers.*
* I think her fore-
Sighted also,' said Eric. * And now, Earl, knowest thou this :
that little good can come to thee at the bands of one whom
thou hast saved from the sea.'

' I set no faith in such old wives' tales,' answered Atli.
* Here thou art come, and it is my will that thou shouldest sit
here. At the least, I will give thee no help to go hence.'

* Then we must bide in Straumey, it seems,' said Eric :
'for of all my goods and gear this alone is left me, and he
looked at Whitefire.

• Thou hast still a gold ring or two upon thy arm,' an-
swered the Earl, laughing. * But surely, Eric, thou wouldst
not begone ? '

«I know not, Earl. Listen : it is well that I should b«

■to

THE BBOEEN LOVE-TOEEN.

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^^/C BRIGHTEYES

plain with thee. Once, before thou didst wed Swanhild, she
had another mind.'

' I have heard something of that, and I have gnessed more,
Brighteyes ; but methinks Swanhild is little given to gadding
now. She is as cold as ice, and no good wife for any man,'
and Atli sighed, * " Snow melts not if sun shines not," so runs
the saw. Thou art an honest man, Eric, and no whisperer
in the ears of others' wives.'

*I am not minded indeed to do thee such harm. Earl,
but this thou knowest : that woman's guile and beauty are
swords few shields can brook. Now I have spoken — and they
are hard words to speak — be it as thou wilt.'

* It is my will that thou shouldest sit here this winter,
Eric. Had I my way, indeed, never wouldest thou sit else-
where. Listen : things have not gone well with me of late.
Age hath a grip of me, and foes rise up against one who has
no sons. That was an ill marriage, too, which I made with
Swanhild yonder : for she loves me not, Jind 1 have found
no luck since first I saw her face. Morsover, it is in my
mind that my days are almost sped. Swanhild has
already foretold my death, and, as uhou knowest well, she is
foresighted. So I pray thee, Eric, bide thou here while
thou mayest, for I would have thee at my side.'

' It shall be as thou wilt, Earl,' said Eric.

So Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail sat that
winter in the hall of Atli the Earl at Straumey. For many
weeks all things went well and Eric forgot his fears. Swanhild
was gentle to him and kindly. She loved much to talk with
him, even of Gudruda her rival ; but no word of love passed
her lips. Nevertheless, she did but bide her time, for when
she struck she determined to strike home. Atli and Eric
were ever side by side, and Eric gave the Earl much good
counsel. He promised to do this also, for now, being simple-
minded, his doubts had passed and he had no more fear of
Swanhild. On the mainland lived a certain chief who had
seized large lands of Atli's, and held them for a year or more.
Now Eric gave his word that, before he sailed for Iceland in

ERIC BRJGHTEYES

184

the early summer, he would go up against this man and
drive him from the lands, if he could. For Brighteyes might
not come to Iceland till hard upon midsuinmer, when his
three years of outlawry were spent.

The winter wore away and the spring came. Then Al!li
gathered his men and went with Eric in boats to whei-e the
chief dwelt who held his lands. There they fell on him and
that was a fierce fight. But in the end the man was slain by
Skallagrim, and Eric did great deeds, as was his wont. Now
in this fray Eric was wounded in the foot by a spear, so that
he must be borne back to Straumey, and he lay there in the
hall for many days. Swanhild nursed him, and most days
he sat talking with her in her bower.

"When Eric was nearly healed of his hurt, the Earl went
with all his people to a certain island of the Orkneys to gather
scat ^ that was unpaid, and Skallagrim went with him. But
Eric did not go, because of his hurt, fearing lest the wound
should open if he walked overmuch. Thus it came to paoi"
that, except for some women, he was left almost alone with
Swanhild.

Now, when Atli had been gone three days, it chanced on an
afternoon that Swanhild heard how a man from Iceland
sought speech with her. She bade them bring him in to
where she was alone in her bower, for Eric was not there,
having gone down to the sea to fish.

The man came and she knew him at once for Koll the
Half-witted, who had been her mother Groa's thrall. On his
shoulders was the cloak that Ospakar Blacktooth had given
him ; it was much torn now, and he had a worn and hungry
look.

* Whence comest thou, Koll ? ' she asked, ' and what are
thy tidings ? '

' From Scotland last, lady, where I sat this winter ; before
that, from Iceland. As for my tidings, they are heavy, if thou
hast not heard them. Asmund the Priest is dead, and dead
is Unna his wife, poisoned by thy mother, Groa, at their mar-
riage-feast. Dead, too, is thy mother, Groa. Bjoru, Asmund'9

• Tribute

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-ff^/C BRIG HTE YES

fion, shot her with an arrow, and she lies in Goldfoss
pool.'

Now Swanhild hid her face for a while in her hands.
Then she Ufted it and it was white to see. ' Speakest thou
truth, fox ? If thou liest, this I swear to thee — thy tongue
shall be dragged from thee by the roots ! '

* I speak the truth, lady,' he answered. But still he spoke
not all the truth, for he said nothing of the part which he had
played in the deaths of Asmund and Unna. Then he told
her of the manner of their end.

Swanhild listened silently — then said :

•What news of Gudruda, Asmund's daughter? Is she
wed?'

'Nay, lady. Folk spoko of her and Ospakar, that was
aU.*

* HearkenyEoIl/ said Swanhild, 'bearing such heavy tidings,
canst thou not weight the ship a little more ? Eric Brigliteyes
is here. Oanst thou not swear to him that, when thou didst
leave Iceland it was said without question that Gudruda had
betrothed herself to Ospakar, and that the wedding-feast was
set for this last Yule ? Thou hast a hungry look, Eoll, and
methinks that things have not gone altogether well with thee
of late. Now, if thou canst so charge thy memory, thou shalt
lose little by it. But, if thou canst not, then thou goest hence
from Straumey with never a luck-penny in thy purse, and
never a sup to stay thy stomach with.'

Now of all things Eoll least desired to be sent from
Straumey; for, though Swanhild did not know it, he was
sought for on the mainland as a thief.

* That I may do, lady,' he said, looking at her cunningly.
* Now I remember that Gudruda the Fair charged me with
a certain message for Eric Brighteyes, if I should chance to
see him as I journeyed.'

Then Swanhild, AtH's wife, and Eoll the Half-witted talked
long and earnestly together.

At nightfall Eric came in from his fishing. His heart
was li^ht^ for the time drew near when he should sail for

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

i86

home, and he did not think on evil. For now he feared
Swanhild no longer, and, no fresh tidings having come from
Iceland ahout Ospakar and Gudruda, he had almost put the
matter from his mind. On he walked to the hall, limping
somewhat from his womid, but singing as he came, and bearing
his fish slung upon a pole.

At the men's door of the hall a woman stood waiting.
She told Eric that the lady Swanhild would speak with him
in her bower. Thither he went and knocked. Getting no
answer he knocked again, then entered.

Swanhild sat on a couch. She was weeping, and her hair
fell about her face.

* What now, Swanhild ? ' he said.

She looked up heavily. ' 111 news for thee and me, Eric.
Koll, who was my mother's thrall, has come hithv^r from Ice-
land, and these are his tidings : that Asmund is dead, and
Unna, thy cousin, Thorod of Greenfell's daughter, is dead, and
my mother Groa is dead also.'

* Heavy tidings, truly ! ' said Eric ; * and what of Gudruda,
is she also dead ? '

* Nay, Eric, she is wed — wed to Ospakar.'

Now Eric reeled against the wall, clutching it, and for a
space all things swam round him. • Where is this Koll ? * he
gasped. * Send me Koll hither.'

Presently he came, and Eric questioned him coldly and
calmly. But Koll could lie full well. It is said that in his
day there was no one in Iceland who could lie so well as Koll
the Half-witted. He told Eric how it was said that Gudruda
was plighted to Ospakar, and how the match had been agreed
on at the Althing in the summer that was gone (and indeed
there had been some such talk), and how that the feast was
to be at Middalhof on last Yule Day.

* Is that all thy tidings ? ' said Eric. * If so, I give no
heed to them : for ever, Koll, I have known thee for a liar ! '

* Nay, Eric, it is not all,' answered Koll. * As it chanced,
two days before the ship in which I sailed was bound, I saw
Gudruda the Fair. Then she asked me whither I was going,
and I told her that I would journey to London, where men

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£'^/C BRIG HTE YES

said thoti wert, and asked her if she would send a message.
Then she alighted from her horse, Blackmane, and spoke
with me apart. ' Koll,' she said, * it well may happen that thou
wilt see Eric Brighteyes in London town. Now, if thou seest
him, I charge thee straightly tell him this. Tell him that
my father is dead, and my brother Bjorn, who rules in his
place, is a hard man, and has ever urged me on to wed Ospakar,
till at last, having no choice, I have consented to it. And say
to Eric that I grieve much and sorely, and that, though we
twain should never meet more, yet I shall always hold his
memory dear.'

* It is not like Gudruda to speak thus,' said Eric : * she
had ever a stout heart and these are craven words. Koll, I
hold that thou liest ; and, if indeed I find it so, I'll wring the
head from off thee ! '

* Nay, Eric, I lie not. Wherefore should I lie ? Hearken :
thou hast not heard all my tale. When the lady Gudruda had
made an end of speaking she drew something from her breast
and gave it me, saying : " Give this to Eric, in witness of my
words." '

' Show me the token,' said Eric.

Now, many years ago, when they were yet boy and girl, it
chanced that Eric had given to Gudruda the half of an ancient
gold piece that he had found upon the shore. He had given
her half, and half he had kept, wearing it next his heart.
But he knew not this, for she feared to tell him, that Gudruda
had lost her half. Nor indeed had she lost it, for Swanhild
had taken the love -token and hidden it away. Now she
brought it forth for Koll to build his lies upon.

Then Koll drew out the half piece from a leather purse
and passed it to him. Eric plunged his hand into his breast
and found his half. He placed the two side by side, while
Swanhild watched him. Lo ! they fitted well.

Then Eric laughed aloud, a hard and bitter laugh. * There
will be slaying,' he cried, 'before all this tale is told.
Take thy fee and begone, thou messenger of ill,' and he cast
the broken piece at Koll. * For once thou hast spoken the
truth.*

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

1 88

Koll stooped, found the gold and went, leaving Brighteyes
and Swanhild face to face.

He hid his brow in his arms and groaned aloud. Softly
Swanhild crept up to him— softly she drew his hands away,
holding them between her own.

' Heavy tidings, Eric,' she said, ' heavy tidings for thee
and me ! She is a murderess who gave me birth and she has
slain my own father — my father and thy cousin Unna also.
Gudruda is a traitress, a traitress fair and false. I did ill to
be born of such a woman ; thou didst ill to put thy faith in
such a woman. Together let us weep, for our woe is equal.'

*Ay, let us weep together,' Eric answered. 'Nay, why
should we weep ? Together let us be merry, for we
know the worst. All words are said — all hopes are sped 1 Let
us be merry, then, for now we have no more tidings to fear.'

' Ay,' Swanhild answered, looking on him darkly, * we
will be merry and laugh our sorrows down. Ah ! thou foolish
Eric, under what unlucky star wast thou born that thou
knewest not true from false?' and she called the serving-
women, bidding them bring food and wine.

Now Eric sat alone with Swanhild in her bower and
made pretence to eat. But he could eat little, though he
drank deep of the southern wine. Close beside him sat
Swanhild, filling his cup. She was wondrous fair that
night, and it seemed to Eric that her eyes gleamed like stars.
Sweetly she spoke also and wisely. She told strange tales
and she sang strange songs, and ever her ey3S shone more
and more, and ever she crept closer to him. E. ic's brain was
afire, though his heart was cold and dead. He aughed loud
and mightily, he told great tales of deeds that hb had done,
growing boastful in his folly, and still Swanhild's e^ es shono
more and more, and still she crept closer, wooing him in
many ways.

Now of a sudden Eric thought of his friend. Earl Atli,
and his mind grew clear.

' This may not be, Swanhild,' he said. * Yet I would that
I had loved thee from the first, and not the false Gudruda :
for, with all thy dark ways, at least thou art better than she.*

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MJilC BRIGHTEYES

' Thon speakest wisely, Erie/ Swanhild answered, though
■he meant not that ho should go. ' The Noms haye appointed
us an evil fate, giving me as wife, to an old man whom I do
not love, and thee for a lover to a woman who has betrayed
thee. Ah, Eric Brigbteyes, thou foolish Erie ! why knewest
thou not the false from the true while yet there was time ?
Now are all words said and all things done — nor can they be
undone. Go hence, Eric, ere ill come of it ; but, before thou
goest, drink one cup of parting, and then farewell.'

And she slipped from him and filled the cup, mixing in it
a certain love-potion that she had made ready.

* Give it me that I may swear an oath on it,* said
Eric.

Swanhild gave him the cup and stood before him, watching
him.

* Hearken/ he sa'd : ' I swear this, that before snow falls
again in Iceland I will see Ospakar dead at my feet or He dead
at the feet of Ospakar.'

* Well spoken, Eric,' Swanhild answered. ' Now, before
thou drinkest, grant me one little boon. It is but a woman's
fancy, and thou canst scarce deny me. The years will be
long when thou art gone, for from this night it is best that we
should meet no more, and I would keep something of thee to
call back thy memory and the memories of our youth when
thou hast passed away and I grow old.'

* What wouldst have then, Swanhild ? I have nothing left
to give, except Whitefire alone.'

' I do not ask Whitefire, Eric, though Whitefire shall kiss
the gift. I ask nothing but one tress of that golden hair of
thine.'

* Once I swore that none should touch my hair again ex-
cept Gudruda's self.*

* It will grew long, then, Eric, for now Gudruda tends
black locks and thinks httle on golden. Broken are all
oaths.'

Eric groaned. ' All oaths are broken in sooth,' he said.
' Have then thy will ; ' and, loosing the peace-strings, he drew
Whitefire from its sheath and gave her the great war-sword.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

zgo

Swanhild took it by the hilt, and, Ufting a tress of Brio's
yellow hair, she shore through it deftly with Whitefire's razor-
edge, smiling as she shore. With the same war-blade on
which Erie and Gudruda had pledged their troth, did Swan-
hild out the locks that Erio had sworn no hand should clip
except Gudruda's.

He took back the sword and sheathed it, and, knotting the
long tress, Swanhild hid it in her bosom.

* Now drink the cup, Eric,' she said—* pledge me and go.*

Erio drank to ihe dregs and cast the cup down, and lo 1 all
things changed to him, for his blood was afire, and seas seemed
to roll within his brain. Only before him stood Swanhild hke
a shape of hght and glory, and he thought that she sang softly
over him, always drawing nearer, and that with her came a
scent of flowers like the scent of the Iceland meads in May.

' All oaths are broken, Eric,' she murmured, ' all oaths are
broken indeed, and now must new oaths be sworn. For cut
is thy golden hairi Brighteyes, and not by Gudruda's hand 1 '

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'.S-wanhiid shore through it with Whitefire's razor-edge.*

ERIC LRICHTEYES

191

CHAPTER XX

HOW ERIC WAS NAMED ANEW

\_ RIC dreamed. He dreamed that
Gudruda stood by him looking
at him with soft, sad eyes, wliilj
with her hand she pointed tj
his hair, and spake.

* Thou hast dono ill, Eric,'
she seemed to say. ' Thou hast
done ill to doubt me ; and jiow
thou art for ever shamed, ff.r
thou hast betrajed Atli, tliy
friend. Thou hast broken thy
oath, and therefore hast thou
fallen into this pit ; for when
Swanhild shore that lock of
thine, my watching Spirit
passed, leaving thee to Swan-
hild and thy fate. Now, I tell
thee this : that shame shall lead to shame, and many lives
shall pay forfeit for thy sin, Eric'

Eric awoke, thinking that this was indeed an evil dream
which he had dreamed. He woke, and lo! by him was
Swanhild, Atli's wife. He looked upon her beauty, and fear
and shame crept into his heart, for now he knew that it was no
dream, but he was lost indeed. He looked again at Swanhild,
and hatred and loathing of lier shook him. She had over-
come him by her arts ; that cup was drugged which he had
drunk, and he was mad v.itli grief. Yes, she had played upon

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

hii woe like % harper on a harp, and now he was shamed —
now he had betrayed his friend who loved him I Had White-
fire been to his hand at that moment, Eric had surely slain
himself. But the great sword was not there, for it hung in
Swanbild's bower. Erie groaned aloud, and Swanhild turned
at the sound. But he sprang away and stood over her, cursing
her.

' Thou witoh i ' he cried, ' what hast thou done ? What
didst thou mix in that cup yestre'en ? Thou hast brought me
to this that I have betrayed Atli» my friend — Atli, thy lord,
who left thee in my keeping I '

He seemed so terrible in his woe and rage that Swanhild
shrank from him, and, throwing her hair about her face, peeped
at him through its meshes as once she had peeped at Asmund.

' It is like a man,' she said, gathering up her courage and
her wit ; * 'tis like a man, having won my love, now to turn
npon me and upbraid me. Fie upon thee, Eric I thou hast
dealt ill with me to bring me to this.'

Now Eric ceased his raving, and spoke more calmly.

* Well thou knowest the truth, Swanhild,' he said.

* Hearken, Eric,' she answered. 'Let this te secret between
QS. Atli is old, and methinks that not for long shall he bide
here in Straumey. Soon he will die ; it is upon my mind that
he soon will die, and, being childless, his lands and goods pass
to me. Then, Eric, thou shtUt sit in Atli's hall, and in all
honour shall Atli's wife become thy bride.*

Eric listened coldly. ' I can well believe,' he said, ' that
thou hast it in thy mind to slay thy lord, for all evil is in thy
heart, Swanhild. Now know this : that if in honour or dis-
honour my lips touch that fair face of thine again, may the
limbs rot from my trunk, and may I lie a log for ever in
the halls of Hela ! If ever my eyes of their own will look
again upon thy beauty, may I go blind and beg my meat from
homestead to homestead ! If ever my tongue whisper word of
love into thy ears, may dumbness seize it, and may it wither
to the root 1 '

Swanhild heard and sank upon the ground before him,
her head bowed aUnost to her feet.

ERIC BRICHTEYSS

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*Now, Swanhild, fare thee well,' eaid Erie. * Living or
dead, may I never see thy face again I '

She gazed up through her falling hair ; her face was wild
and white, and her eyes glowed in it as live emhers glow in the
ashes of hurnt wood.

' We are not so easily parted, Eric/ she said. ' Not for
this came I to witchcraft and to sin. Thou fool 1 hast thou
never heard that, of all the foes a man may have, none is so
terrible as the woman he has scorned? Thou shalt learn
this lesson, Eric Brighteyes, Thorgrimur's oon : for here we
have but the beginning of the tale. For its end, I will write
it in runes of blood.'

' Write on,' said Eric. ' Thou canst do no worse than
thou hast done,' and he passed thence.

For a while Swanhild crouched upon the ground, brooding
in silence. Then she rose, and, throwing up her arms, wept aloud.

' Is it for this that I have sold my soul to the Hell-hag ? '
she cried. ' Is it for this that I have become a witch, and
sunk so low as I sank last night — to be scorned, to be hated,
to be betrayed ? Now Eric will go to Atli and tell this tale.
Nay, there I will be beforehand with him, and with another
story — an ancient wile of women truly, but one that never
yet has failed them, nor ever will. And then for vengeance !
I will see thee dead, Eric, and dead will I see Gudruda at
thy side t Afterwards let darkness come— ay, though the
horror rides it 1 Swift ! — I must be swift 1 '

Eric passed into Swanhild's bower, and finding Whitefire
bore it thence. On the table was food. He took it. Then,
going to the place where he was wont to sleep, he armed
himself, girding his bymie on his breast and his golden helm
upon his head, and taking shield and spear in his hand.
Then he passed out. By the men's door he found some
women spreading fish in the sun. Eric greeted them,
saying that when the Ear^ came back, for he was to come on
that morning, he would find him on the south-western rocks
nigh to where the Gudruda sank. This he begged of them
to tell Atli, for he desired speech with him.

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The women wondered that Brighteyes should go forth thus
and fully armed, hut, holding that he had some deed to do,
they said nothing.

Eric came to the rocks, and there he sat all day long
looking on the sea, and grieving so bitterly that he thought
his heart would burst within him. For of all the days of
Eric's life this was the heaviest, except one other only.

But Swanhild, going to her bower, caused Koll the Half-
witted to be summoned. To him she spoke long and
earnestly, and they made a shameful plot together. Then
she bade Koll watch for Atli's coming and, when he saw the
Earl leave his boats, to run to him and say that she would
speak with him.

After this Swanhild sent a man across the firth to the
stead TThere Hall of Lithdale sat, bidding him come to her
at speed.

When the afternoon grew towards the evening, Koll,
watching, saw the boats of AtU draw to the landing-place.
Then he went down, and, going to the Earl, bowed before him :

* What wouldst thou, fellow, and who art thou ? ' asked
Atli.

* I am a man from Iceland ; perchance, lord, thou sawest
me in Asmund's Lall at Middalhof. I am sent here by the
Lady Swanhild to say that she desires speech with thee, and
that at once.' Then, seeing Skallagrim, Koll fled back to the
house, for he feared Skallagrim.

Now Atli was uneasy in his mind, and, saying nothing, he
hurried up to the hall, and through it into Swanhild's bower.

There she sat on a couch, her eyes red with weeping, and
her curling hair unbound.

* What now, Swanhild ? ' he asked. * Why lookest thou
thus?'

* Why look I thus, my lord ? ' she answered heavily.
' Because I have to tell thee that which I cannot find words
to fit,' and she ceased.

* Speak on,' he said. * Is aught wrong with Eric ? *
Then Swanhild drew near and told him a false tale.
When it was done for a moment or so Ath stood still, and

BRIC BRJGHTEYES

105

grew white beneath his ruddy skin, white as his beard. Then
he staggered back against the wainscotting of the bower.

* Woman, thou Uest I ' he said. * Never will I beheve so
vile a thing of Eric Brighteyes, whom I have loved.'

* Would that I could not beheve it ! ' she answered. * Would
that I could think it was but an evil dream ! But alas ! it is
no dream. That which I tell thee, this man has done.
Nay, I will prove it. Suffer that I summon Koll, the Ice-
lander, who was my mother'- thrall — Groa who now is dead,
for I have that tidings also. He saw something of this thing,
and he will bear me witness.*

* Call the man,' said Atli sternly. *

So Koll was summoned, and told his lies with a bold face.
He was so well taught, and so closely did his story tally with
that of Swanhild, that Atli could find no flaw in it.

* Now I am sure, Swanhild, that thou speakest truth,' said
the Earl when Koll had gone. * And now alco I have some-
what to say to this Eric. For thee, rest thyself; that which
cannot be mended must be borne/ and he went out.

Now, when Skallagrim came to the house he asked for
Eric. The women told hira that Brighteyes had gone down to
the sea, fully armed, in the morning, and had not returned.

* Then there mu, j be fighting toward, and that I am loth
to miss,' said Skallagrim, and, axe aloft, he started for the
south-western rocks at a run. Skallagrim came to the rocks.
There he found Eric, sitting in his harness, looking out across
the sea. The evening was wet and windy ; the rain beat
upon him as he sat, but Eric took no heed.

* What seekest thou, lord ? ' asked the Baresark.

* Rest,' said Eric, ' and I find none.

* Thou seekest rest helm on head and sword in hand ?
This is a strange tb'.ng, truly ! '

' Stranger things have been, Skallagrim. Wouldst thou
hear a tale ? ' and he told him all.

* What said I ? ' asked Skallagrim. * We had fared better

in London town. Flying from the dove thou hast found the

falcon.'

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'I have found the falcon, comrade, and she has pecked
out my eyes. Now I would speak with Atli, and then I go
hence.'

' Hence go the twain of us, lord. The Earl will be here
presently and rough words will fly in this rough weather.
Is Whitefire sharp, Brighteyes ? *

* Whitefire was sharp enough to shear my hair, Skalla-
grim ; but if Atli would strike let him lay on. Whitefire
will not be aloft for him.'

* That we shall see,' said Skallagrim. * At least, if thou
art harmed because of this loose quean, my axe will be aloft.'

*■ Keep thou thine axe in its place,' said Eric, and as he
spoke Atli came, and with him many men.

Eric rose and turned to meet the Earl, looking on him
with sad eyes. For Atli, his face was as the face of a trapped
wolf, for he was mad with rage at the shame that had been
put upon him and the ill tale that Swanhild had told of Eric's
dealings with her.

'It seems that the Earl has heard of these tidings,' said
Skallagrim.

' Then I shall be spared the telling of them,' answered
Erie.

Now they stood face to face ; Atli leaned upon his drawn
Bword, and his wrath was so fierce that for a while he could
not speak. At length he found words.

*• See ye that man, comrades ? ' he said, pointing at Eric
with the sword. * He has been my guest these many months.
He has sat in my hall and eaten of my bread, and ' I have
loved him as a son. And wot ye how he has repaid me ?
He has put me to the greatest shame, me and my wife the
Lady Swanhild, whom I left in his guard — to such shame,
indeed, that I cannot speak it.'

* True words, Earl,' said Eric, while folk murmured and
handled their swords.

* True, but not all the truth,' growled Skallagrim. ' Me-
thinks the Earl has heard a garbled tale.'

* True words, thyself thou sayest it,' went on Atli, * thou
hound that I saved ^om the sea 1 " Ban's gift, Mela's gift," so

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

197

nms the saw, and now from Ban to Hela shalt thoa go, thou
mishandler of defenceless women 1 '

* Here is somewhat of which I know nothing,' said
Eric.

* And here is something of which thou shalt know/
answered Atli, and he shook his sword before Eric's eyes.
'Guard thyself!'

* Nay, Earl ; thou art old, and I have done the wrong — ^I
may not fight with thee.'

* Art thou a coward also ? ' said the Earl.

* Some have deemed otherwise,' said Eric, * but it is true
that heavy heart makes weak hand. Nevertheless this is my
rede. With thee are ten men. Stand thou aside and let
them fall on me till I am slain.'

* The odds are too heavy even for thee,' said Skallagrim.
'Back to back, lord, as we have stood aforetime, and let
us play this game together.'

'Not so,' cried Atli, 'this shame is mine, and I have
sworn to Swanhild that I will wipe it out in Eric's blood.
Stand thou before me and draw ! '

Then Eric drew Whitefire and raised his shield. Atli the
Earl rushed at him and smote a great two-handed blow. Eric
caught it on his shield and suffered no harm ; but he would
not smite back.

Atli dropped his point. ' Niddering art thou, and coward
to the last 1 ' he cried. ' See, men, Eric Brighteyes fears to
fight. I am not come to this that I will cut down a man who
is too faint-hearted to give blow for blow. This is my word :
take ye your spear- shafts and push this coward to the shore.
Then put him in a boat and drive him hence.'

Now Eric grew red as the red light of sunset, for his man-
hood might not bear this.

' Take shield,' he said, 'and, Earl, on thine own head be
thy blood, for none shall live to call Eric niddering and
coward.'

Ath laughed in his folly and his rage. He took a shield,
and, once more springing on Brighteyes, struck a great blow.

firic parried, then whirled Whitefire on high and smote-*

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once and once only ! Down rushed the bright blade lilie a
star through the night. Sword and shield did Atli lift to
catch the blow. Through shield it sheared, and arm that
held the shield, through byrnie mail and deep into EarlAtli's
side. He fell prone to earth, while men held their breath,
wondering at the greatness of that stroke.

But Eric leaned on Whitefire and looked at the old Earl
upon the rock.

* Now, AtU, thou hast had thy way,' he said, ' and
methinks things are worse than they were before. But I will
say this : would that I lay there and thou stoodest to wcitcli
me die, for as lief would I have slain my father as thee, Earl
Atli. There lies Swanhild's work ! '

Atli gazed upwards into Eric's sad eyes and, while he
gazed so, his rage left him, and of a sudden a light brake
upon his mind, as even then the light of the setting sun biake
through the driving mist.

* Eric,' he said, ' draw near and speak with me ere I am
sped. Methinks that I have been beguiled and that thou didst
not do this thing that Swanhild said and KoU bore witness
to.'

' What did Swanhild say, then. Earl AtU ? '
The Earl told him.

* It was to be looked for from her,' said Eric, * though I
never thought of it. Now hearken ! ' and he told him all.

Atli groaned aloud. * I know this now, Eric,' he said :
* that thou speakest truth, and once more I have been de-
ceived. Eric, I forgive thee all, for no man may fight against
woman's witchcraft and witch's wine. Swanhild is evil to
the heart. Yet, Eric, I lay this doom upon thee — I do not
lay it of my own will, for I would not harm thee, whom I love,
but because of the words that the Norns put in my mouth,
for now I am fey in this the hour of my de*^^^ Thou hast
sinned, and that thou didst sin against thy will shall avail
thee nothing, for of thy sin fate shall fashion a handle to the
spear which pierces thee. Henceforth thou art accursed. For
I tell thee that this wicked woman Swanhild shall drag thee
^pWDL to death, and worse than death, and with thee those

Earl

URIC BRIG HTE YES

t«

thou lovest. By witchcraft she brought thee to Straumey,
by lies she laid me here before thee. Now by hate and
might and cruel deeds shall she bring thee to lie more low
than I do. For, Eric, thou art bound to her, and thou shalt
never loose the bond ! '

Atli ceased a while, then spoke again more faintly :
' Hearken, comrades,' he cried ; ' my strength is well-nigh
spent. Ye shall swear four things to me — that ye will give
Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail safe passage from
Straumey. That ye will tell Swanhild the Fatherless, Groa's
daughter and Atli's wife, that, at last, I know her for what
she is — a murderess, a harlot, a witch and a liar ; and that
I forgive Eric whom she tricked, but that her I hate and spit
upon. That ye will slay KoU the Half-^vitted, Groa's thrall,
who came hither two days gone, since by his lies he hs^.
set an edge upon this sword of falsehood. That ye will raise
no blood-feud against Eric for this my slaying, for I goaded
bi'm to the deed. Do ye swear ? '

* We swear,' said the men.

* Then, farewell I And to thee farewell, also, Eric Bright-
eyes I Now take my hand and hold it while I die. Behold ! I
give thee a new name, and by that name thou shalt be called
in story. I name thee ^ric the Vnlucky. Of all tales that
are told, thine shall be the greatest. A mighty stroke that
was of thine— a mighty stroke ! Farewell ! '

Then his head fell back upon the rock and Earl Atli died.
And as he died the last rays of light went out of the sky.

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JS/UC BRIGHTEYES

CHAPTER XXI

HOW HALL OP LITHDALE TOOK TIDINGS TO ICELAND

OW on the same
nighi that Ath
died at the hand
of Eric, Swan-
hild spake with
Hall of Lith-
dale, whom she
had summoned
from the main-
land. She bade
him do this:
take passage in
a certain ship
that should sail
for Iceland on
the morrow
from the island
that is called
Westra, and
there tell all
these tidings of
the ill-doings
of Eric and of
the slaying of Atli by his hand
' Thou shalt say this,' she
went on, *that E.'c had been
my love for long, but that at
length the matter came to the

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

sot

ears of Atli, the Earl. Then, holding this the greatest shame,
ha went on holmgang with Eric and was slain by him. This
shalt thou add to thy tale also, that presently Eric and I will
wed, and that Eric shall rule as Earl in Orkneys. Now these
tidings must soon come to the ears of Gudruda the Fair, and
she will send for thee, and question thee straightly concern-
ing them, and thou shalt tell her the tale as thou toldest it
at first. Then thou shalt give Gudruda this packet, which I
send her as a gift, saying, that I bade her remember a certain
oath which Eric took as to the cutting of his hair. And when
she sees that which is within the packet is somewhat stained,
tell her that it is but the blood of AtU that is upon it, as his
blood is upon Eric's hands. Now remember thou this, Hall,
that if thou fail in the errand thy life shall pay forfeit, for
presently I will also come to Iceland and hear how thou hast
sped.'

Then Swanhild gave him faring-money and gifts of wadmal
and gold rings, promising that he should have so much again
when she came to Iceland.

Hall said that he would do all these things, and went at
once ; nor did he fail in his tasks.

Atli being dead, Eric loosed his hand and called to the
men to take up his body and bear it to the hall. This they did.
Eric stood and watched them till they were lost in the darkness.

* Whither now, lord ? ' said Skallagrim.

* It matters little,' said Eric. ' What is thy counsel ? *

' This is my counsel. That we take ship and sail back to
the King in London. There we will tell all this tale. It is
a far cry from Straumey to London town, and there we shall
sit in peace, for the King will think little of the slaying of an
Orkney Earl in a brawl about a woman. Mayhap, too, the
Lady Elfrida will not set great store by it. Therefore, I say,
let us fare back to London.'

' In but one place am I at home, and that is Iceland,'
said Eric. * Thither I will go, Skallagrim, though it be but to
miss friend from stead and bride from bed. At the least I
shall &id Ospakar there.'

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£'J?/C BRIGHTEYES

* Listen, lord ! ' said Skallagrim. * Was it "lot my rede
that WG should bide this winter through in London ? Thou
wouldest none of it, and what came about? Our ship is
sunk, gone are our comrades, thine honour is tarnished, and
dead is thy host at thine own hand. Yet I say all is not lost.
Let us hence south, and see no more of Swanhild, of Gudruda,
of Bjom and Ospakar. So shall we break the spell. But if
thou goest to Iceland, I am sure of this : that the evil fate
which AtU foretold will fall on thee, and the days to come sliall
be even more unlucky than the days that have been.'

* It may be so,' said Eric. • Methinks, indeed, it will be
so. Henceforth I am Eric the Unlucky. Yet I will go back to
Iceland and there play out the game. I care little if I live
or am slain — I have no more joy in my life. I stand alone,
like a fir upon a mountain-top, and every wind from heaven
and every storm of hail and snow beats upon my head. But
I say to thee, Skallagrim : go thy road, and leave a luckless
man to his ill fate. Otherwise it shall be thine also. Good
friend hast thou been to me ; now let us part and wend south
and north. The King will be glad to greet thee yoider in
London, Lambstail.'

* But one severing shall we know, lord,' said Skallagrim,
* and that shall be sword's work, nor will it be for long. It
IB ill to speak such words as these of the parting of lord and
thrall. Bethink thee of the oath I swore on Mosfell. Let us
go north, since it is thy will : in fifty years it will count for
little which way we wended from the Isles.'

So they went together down to the shore, and, finding a
boat and men who as yet knew nothing of whai had chanced
to Atli, they sailed across the lirth at the rising of the moon.

Two days afterwards they found a ship at Wick that was
bound for Fareys, and sailed in her, Eric buying a passage
with the half of a gold ring that the King had given him in
London.

Here at Fareys they sat a month or more ; but not in the
Earl's hall as when Eric came with honour in the Gudruda,
but in a farmer's stead. For the tale of Eric's dealings with
Atli and Atli's wife had reached Fareys, and the Earl there

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

203

had been a friend of Atli's. Moreover, Eric was now a poor
man, having neither ship :.or goods, nor friends. Thtrc-
fore all looked coldly on him, though they wondered at his
beauty and his might. Still, they dared not to speak ill or
make a mock of him ; for, two men having done so, were
nearly slain of Skallagrim, who seized the twain by the
throat, one in either hand, and dashed their heads together.
After that men said little.

They sat there a month, till at length a chapman put in
at Fareys, bound for Iceland, and they took passage with
him, Eric paying the other half of his gold ring for ship-room.
The chapman was not willing to give them place at first, for
he, too, had heard the tale ; but Skallagrim offered him choice,
either to do so or to go on holmgang with him. Then the
chapman gave them passage.

Now it is told that when his thralls and house-carles bore
the corpse of Atli the Earl to his hall in Straumey, Swanhild
met it and wept over it. And when the spokesman among
them stood forward and told her those words that Atli
had bidden them to say to her, sparing none, she spoke
thus :

* My lord was distraught and weak with loss of blood
when he spoke thus. The tale I told him was true, and now
Eric has added to his sin by shedding the blood of him whom
he wronged so sorely.'

And thereafter she spoke so sweetly and with so much
gentleness, craft, and wisdom that, though they still doubted
them, all men held her words weighty. For Swanhild had
this art, that she could make the false sound true in the ears
of men and the true sound false.

Still, being mindful of their oath, they hunted for KoU
and found him. And when the thrall knew that they would
slay him he ran thence screaming. Nor did Swanhild lift a
hand to save his Hfe, for she desired that KoU should die,
lest he should bear witness against her. Away he ran towards
the cUffs, and after him sped Ath's house-carles, till he came
to the great cliffy that edge in the sea. Now they were dose

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apon him and their swords were aloft. Then, sooner than
know the kiss of steel, the liar leapt from the cliffs and was
crushed, dying miserably on the rocks below. This was the
end of Koll the Half-witted, Groa's thrall.

Swanhild sat in Straumey for a while, and took all Atli*s
heritage into her keeping, for he had no male kin ; nor did any
say her nay. Also she called in the moneys that he had
out at interest, and that was a great sum, for Atli was a
careful and a wealthy man. Then Swanhild made ready to
go to Iceland. Atli had a great dragon of war, and she
manned that ship and fiUed it with stores and all things needful.
This done, she set stewards and grieves over the Orkney lands
and farms, and, when the Earl was six weeks dead, she
sailed for Iceland, giving out that she went thither to set a
blood-suit on foot against Eric for the death of Atli, her lord.
There she oame in safety just as folk rode to the Thing.

Now Hall of Lithdale came to Iceland and told his tale of
the doinrts of Eric and the death of Atli. Oft and loud he
told it, and soon people gossiped of it in field and fair and
stead. Bjorn, Asmund's son, heard this talk and sent for
Hall. To him also Hall told the tale.

* Now,' said Bjorn, * we will go to my sister Gndruda the
Fair, and learn how she takes these tidings.'

So they went in to where Gudruda sat spinning in the
hall, singing as she span.

' Greeting, Gudruda,' said Bjorn ; ' say, hast thou tiiVIngs
of Eric Brighteyes, thy betrothed ? *

' I have no tidings,' said Gudruda.

< Then here is one who brings them.'

Now for the first time Gudruda the Fair saw Hall of
Lithdale. Up she sprang. ' Thou hast tidings of Eric, Hall ?
Ah! thou art welcome, for no tidings have come of him
for many a month. Speak on,' and she pressed her hand
against her heart and leaned towards him.

* My tidings are ill, lady.'

* Is Eric dead ? Say not my love is dead I '

* H« if worse than dead/ said Hall. ' He is shamed/

SttIC £ RIGHTS YES

«o$

*Ther« fhoa liest, Hall/ she answered. *Bbame and
Erie are things apart.'

'Mayst thoa think so when thou hast heard my tale,
lady/ said Hall, ' for I am sad at heart to speak it of one who
was my mate.'

* Speak on, I say,* answered Gadmda, in such a voice
that Hall shrank from her. * Speak on ; but of this I warn
thee : that if in one word thou liest, that shall be thy death
when Eric comes.'

Now Hall was afraid, thinking of the axe of Skallagrim.
Still, he might not go back upon his word. So he began at
the beginning, telling the story of how he was wounded in the
fight with Ospakar's ships and left at Farey isles, and how he
came thence to Scotland and sat in Atli's hall on Orkneys.
Then he told how the Gudruda was wrecked on Strauracy,
and, of all aboard, Eric and Skallagrim alone were saved be-
cause of Swanhild's dream.

' Herein I see witch-work,' said Gudruda.

Then Hall told that Eric became Swanhild's love, but of
the other tale which Swanhild had whispered to Atli he said
nothing. For he knew that Gudruda would not believe this,
and, moreover, if it were so, Swanhild had not sent the token
which he should give.

' It well may be,' said Gudruda, proudly ; ' Swanhild is
fair and light of mind. Perchance she led Brighteyes into
this snare.' But, though she spoke thus, bitter jealousy and
anger burned in her breast and she remembered the sight
which she had seen when Eric and Swanhild met on the
mom of Atli's wedding.

Then Hall told of the slaying of Atli the Good by Eric,
but he said nothing of the Earl's dying words, nor of how he
goaded Brighteyes with his bitter words.

' It was an ill deed in sooth,' said Gudruda, ' for Eric to
slay an old man whom he had wronged. Still, it may chance
that he was driven to it for his own life's sake.'

Then Hall said that he had seen Swanhild after Atli's
slaying, and that she had told him that she and Eric should
wed shortly, and that Eric would rule in Orkneys by her side.

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Gudruda askod if that was all his tale.

' yes, lady,' answered Hall, ' that is all my tale, for
after that I sailed and know not what happened. But I
am charged to give something to thee, and that by the Lady
Swanhild. She bade me say this also : that, when thou
lookest on the gift, thou shouldst think on a certain oath which
Eric took as to the cutting of his hair.' And he drew a
linen packet from his breast and gave it to her.

Thrice Gudruda looked on it, fearing to open it. Then,
seeing the smile of mockery on Bjorn's cold face, she took the
shears that hung at her side and cut the thread with them.
And as she cut, a lock of golden hair rose from the packet,
untwisting itself like a living snake. The lock was long, and
its end was caked with gore.

* Whose hair is this ? * said Gudruda, though she knew
the hair well.

* Eric's hair,' said Hall, * that Swanhild cut from his head
with Eric's sword.'

Now Gudruda put her hand to her bosom. She drew out
a satchel, and from the satchel a lock of yellow hair. Side
by side she placed the locks, looking first at one and then
at the other.

* This is Eric's hair in sooth,' she o»id — * Eric's hair that
he swore none but I should cut ! Eric's hair that Swanhild
shore with Whitefire from Eric's head — Whitefire whereon
we plighied troth I Say now, whose blood is this that stains
the hair of Eric ? '

* It is Atli's blood, whom Eric first dishonoured and then
Blew with his own hand,' answered Hall.

Now there burned a fire on the hearth, for the day was
cold. Gudruda the Fair stood over the fire and with either
hand she let the two locks of Eric's hair fall upon the
embers. Slowly they twisted up and burned. She watched
them burn, then she threw up her hands and with a great
cry fled from the hall.

Bjom and Hall of Lithdale looked on each other.

* Thou hadst hest go hence ! ' said Bjorn ; ' and of this I
warn thee, Hall, though I hold thy tidings good, that, if thou

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

207

hast spoken one false word, that will be thy death. For then
it would be better for thee to faoe all the wolves in Iceland
than to stand before Erio in his rage.'

Again Hall bethought him of the axe of Skallagrim, and
he went out heavily.

That day a messenger came from Gudruda to Bjdm,
saying that she would speak with him. He went to where
she sat alone upon her bed. Her face was white as death,
and her dark eyes glowed.

* Erio has dealt badly with thee, sister, to bring thee to this
sorrow,* said Bjom.

* Speak no ill of Erio to me,' Gudruda answered. * The
evil that he has done will be paid back to him ; there is little
need for thee to heap words upon his head. Hearken, Bjom
my brother: is it yet thy will that I should wed Ospakar
Blaoktooth ? '

*That is my will, surely. There is no such match in
Iceland as this Ospakar, and I should win many friends
by it.'

* Do this then, Bjorn. Send messengers to Swinefell and
say to Ospakar that if he would still wed Gudruda the Fair,
Asmund's daughter, let him come to Middalhof when folk
ride from the Thing and he shall not go hence alone. Nay,
I have done. Now, I pray thee speak no more to me of
Eric or of Ospakar. Of the one I have seen and heard
enough, and of the other I shall hear and see enough in the
years that are to come.

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CHAPTER XXn

now EBIO CAME HOME AGAIN

WANHILD made a good
passage from the Ork-
neys, and was in Iceland
thirty-five days before
Eric and Skallagrim set
foot there. But she did
not land by Westman
Isles, for she had no wish
to face Gudruda at that time, but by Eeyjaness. Now she
rode thence with her company to Thingvalla, for here all men
were gathered for the Thing. At first people hung aloof
from her, notwithstanding her wealth and beauty ; but Swan-
hild knew well how to win the hearts if men. For now she
cold the same story of Eric that she had told to Atli, and
there were none to say her nay. So it came to pass that she
was believed, and Eric Brighteyes held to be shamed indeed.
Now, too, she set a suit on foot against Eric for the death of
Atli at his hand, claiming that sentence of the greater
outlawry should be passed against him, and that his lands at
Coldback in the Marsh on Ran River should be given, half
to her in atonement for the Earl's deaths and half to the men
of Eric's quarter.

On the day of the opening o : the Thing Ospakar Black-
tooth came from the north, and with him his son Gi^uc and
a great company of men. Ospakar was blithe, for from the
Thing he should ride to Middalhof, there to w^d Gudruda the
Fair. Then Swanhild clad herself in beautiful attire, and,
taking men with her, went to the booth of Gspakiu:.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

209

Blaoktooth sat in his booth and by him sat Gizur his son
the Lawman. When he saw a beauteous lady, very richly clad,
enter the booth he did not know who it might be. But Gizur
knew her well, for he could never put Swanhild from his mind.

' Lo ! here comes Swanhild the Fatherless, AtU's widow,'
said Gizur, flushing red with joy at the signt of her.

Then Ospakar greeted her heartily, and made place for her
by him at the top of the booth.

* Ospakar Blacktooth,' she said, * I am come to ask this of
thee : that thou shait befriend me in the suit which I have
against Eric Brighteyes for the slaying of Earl Atli, my
husband.'

* Thou couldst have come to no man who is more willing,*
said Ospakar, ' for, if thcu hast something against Eric, I have
yet more.'

'I would ask this, too, Ospakar: that thy son Gizur should
take up my suit and plead it ; for I know well that he is the
most skilful of all lawmen.'

* I will do that,' said Gizur, his eyes yet fixed upon her face.

* i looked for no less from thee.' said Swanhild, ' and be
sure of this, that thou shalt not plead for nothing,' and she
glanced at him meaningly. Then she set out her case with
a lying tongue, and afterwards went back to her booth, glad at
heart. For now she learned that Hall had not failed in his
fcrrand, seeing that Gudruda was about to wed Ospakar.

Giaur gave warning of the blood-suit, and the end of it
was that, though he had no notice and was not there to answer
to the charge, against all right and custom Eric was declared
outlaw and his lands were given, half to Swanhild and half to
the men of his quarter. For now all held that Swanbild's
was a true tale, and Eric the most shameful of men, and
therefore they were willing to stretch the law against him.
Also, being absent, he had few friends, and those men of sjiiall
account ; whereas Ospakar, who backed Swanbild's suit, was
the most powerful of the northern chiefs, as Gizur was the
most skilled lawman in Iceland. Moreover, Bjom the Priest,
Asmund's son, was among the judges, and, though Swan-
bild's tale seemed strange to him after that which he had heard

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from Hall of Lithdale, he loved Eric little. He feared also
that if Eric came a free man to Iceland before Gudruda was
wed to Ospakar, her love would conquer her anger, for he
could see well that she still loved Brighteyes. Therefore he
strove with might and main that Eric should be brought in
guilty, nor did he fail in this.

So the end of it was that Eric Brighteyes was outlawed,
his lands declared forfeit, and his head a wolf's head, to be
taken by him who might, should he set foot in Iceland.

Thereafter, the Althing being ended, Bjom, Gizur, and
Ospakar, with all their company, rode away to Middalhof
to sit at the marriage-feast. But Swanhild and her folk went
by sea in the long war-ship to Westmans. For this was her
plan : to seize on Coldbackani to sit there for a while, till she
saw if Eric came out to Iceland. Also she desired to see the
wedding of Ospakar and Gudruda, for she had been bidden to
it by Bjom, her half-brother.

Now Ospakar came to Middalhof, and found Gudruda
waiting his coming.

She stood in the great hall, pale p,nd cold as April snow,
and greeted him courteously. But when he would have
kissed her, she shrank from him, for now he was more hideous
in her sight than he had ever been, and she loathed him in
her heart.

That night there was feasting in the hall, and at the feast
Gudruda heard that Eric had been made outlaw. Then she
spoke :

' This is an iU deed, thus to judge an absent man.'

* Say, Gudruda,' said Bjom in her ear, ' hast thou not
also judged Eric who is absent ? '

She turned her head and spoke no more of Eric ; but
Bjorn's words fixed themselves in her heart like arrows.
The tale was strange to her, for it seemed that Eric had been
made outlaw at Swanhild's suit, and yet Eric was Swanhild's
love : for Swanhild's self had sent the lock of Brighteyes' hair
by Hall, saying that he was her love and soon would wed her.
How, then, did Swanhild bring n suit against him who should
be her husband ? Moreover, she heard that Swanhild sailed

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

211

down to Coldback, and was bidden to the marriage-feast, that
should be on the third day from now. Could it be, then, when
all was said and done, that Eric was less faithless than she
deemed ? Gudrada's heart stood still and the blood rushed to
her brow when she thought on it. Also, even if it were so, it
was now too late. And surely it was not so, for had not Eric
been made outlaw ? Men were not made outlaw for a little
thing. Nay, she would meet her fate, and ask no more of
Eric and his doings.

On the moi ow, as Gudruda sat in her chamber, it was
toicl her that Saevuna, Thorgrimur's widow and Eric's mother,
had come from Coldback to speak with her. For, after the
death of Asmund and of Unna, Saevuna had moved back to
Coldback in the Marsh.

* Nay, how can this be ? ' said Gudruda astonished, for she
knew well that Saevuna was now both blind and bed-ridden.

' She has been borne here in a chair,' said the woman
who told her, * and that is a strange sight to see.*

At first Gudruda v/as minded to say her nay ; but her heart
softened, and she bade them bring Saevuna in. Presently she
came, being set in a chair upon the shoulders of four men.
She was white to see, for sickness had aged her much, and
she stared about her with sightless eyes. But she was still
tall and straight, and her face was stern to look on. To
Gudruda it seemed like that of Eric when he was angered.

' Am I nigh to Gudruda the Fair, Asmund's daughter ? '
asked Saevuna. * Methinks I hear her breathe.'

' I am here, mother,' said Gudruda. * What is thy will
with me ? '

* Set down, carles, and begone ! ' quoth Saevuna ; ' that
which I have to say I would say alone. When I summon
you, come.'

The carles set down the chair upon the floor and went.

* Gudruda,' said the dame, ' I am risen from my death-
bed, and I have caused myself to be borne on my last
journey here across the meads, that I may speak with thee and
warn thee. I hear that thou nast put away my son, Eric
Brighteyes, to whom thoii wrt 9Worn xa, marriage, and art

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EmC BRIGHTEYES

about to give thyself to Ospakar Blaclitooth. I hear also that
thou hast done this deed because a certain man, Hall of
Lithdale — whom from his youth up I have known for a liar
and a knave, and whom thou thyself didst mistrust in years
gone by — has come hither to Iceland from Orkneys, bearing
a tale of Eric's dealings with thy half-sister Swanhild. This
I hear, further : that Swanhild, Atli's widow, hath come out
to Iceland and laid a suit against Eric for the slaying of Atli
the Earl, her husband, and that Eric has been outlawed and
his lands at Coldback are forfeit. Tell me now, Gudi'uda,
Asmund's daughter, if these tales be true ? '

* The tales are true, mother,' said Gudruda.

* Then hearken to me, girl. Eric sprang from my womb,
who of all living men is the best and first, as he is the bravest
and most strong. I have reared this Eric from a babe and
I know his heart well. Now I tell thee this, that, whatever
Eric has done or left undone, naught of dishonour is on his
hands. Mayhap Swanhild hath deceived him— thou art a
woman, and thou knowest well" the arts which women have,
and the strength that Freya gives them. Well thou knowest,
also, of what breed this Swanhild came ; and perchance thou
canst remember how she dealt with thee, and with what mind
she looked on Eric. Perchance thou canst remember how
she plotted against thee and Eric — ay, how she thrust thee
from Goldfoss brink. Say, then, wilt thou take her word ?
Wilt thou take the word of this witch-daughter of a witch ?
Wilt thou not think on Groa, her mother, and of Groa's deal-
ings with thy father, and with Unna my kinswoman ? As the
mother is, so shall the daughter be. Wilt thou cast Eric aside,
and that unheard ? '

* There is no more room for doubt, mother,' said Gudruda.
*I have proof of this : that Eric has forsaken me.'

* So thou thinkest, child ; but I tell thee that thou art
wrong ! Eric loves thee now as he loved thee aforetime, and
will love thee always.'

* Would that I could believe it ! ' said Gudruda. ' If I could
believe that Eric still loved me — ay, even though he had been
faithless to me — I would die ere I wed Ospakar I '

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

ai5

• Thou art foolish, Gudruda, and thou shalt rue thy folly
bitterly. I am outworn, and death draws near to me — far from
me now are hates and loves, hopes and fears ; but I know
this : that woman is mad who, loving a man, weds where she
loves not. Shame shall be her portion and bitterness her
bread. Unhappy shall she live, and when she comes to die,
but as a wilderness— but as the desolate winter snow, shall
be the record of her days ! '

Now Gudrada wept aloud. * What is done is done,' she
cried : * the bridegroom sits within the hall — the bride awaits
him in the bower. What is done is done — I may hope no
more to be saved from Ospakar.'

• What is done is done, yet it can be brought to nothing ;
but soon that shall be done which may never be undone !
Gudruda, faie thee well ! Never shall I listen to thy voice again.
I hold thee shameless, thou unfaithful woman, who in thy
foolish jealousy art ready to sell thyself to the arms of one
thou hatest ! Ho ! carles ; come hither. Bear me hence ! '

Now the men came in and took up Saevuna's chair.
Gudruda watched them bear her forth. Then suddenly she
sprang from her seat and ran after her into the hall, weeping
bitterly.

Now as Saevuna, Eric's mother, was carried out she was
met by Ospakar and Bjorn.

• Stay,' said Bjorn. * What does this carline here ? — and
why weeps Gudruda, my sister ? '

The men halted. ' Who calls me " carline " ? ' said Saevuna.
' Is the voice I hear the voice of Bjorn, Asmund's son ? '

• It is my voice, truly,' said Bjorn, * and I would know this
— and this would Ospakar, who stands at my side, know also
— ivhy thou comest here, carline ? and why Gudruda weeps ? '

• Gudruda weeps because she has good cause to weep,
Bjorn. She w^eeps because she has betrayed her love, Eric
Brighteyes, my son, and is about to be sold in marriage — to
be sold to thee, Ospakar Blacktooth, like a heifer at a
fair.'

Then Bjorn grew angry and cursed Saevuna, nor did
Ospakar spare to add to his ill words. But the old dame sat

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in her chair, listening silently till all their curses were
spent.

* Ye are evil, the twain of you,' she said, ' and ye have told
lies of Eric, my son ; and ye have taken his hride for lust and
greed, playing on the jealous folly of a maid like harpers on a
harp. Now I tell you this, Bj 6m and Osps,kar! My bhnd
eyes are opened and I see this hall of Middalhof, and lo ! it is
but a gore of blood I Blood flows upon the board — blood
streams along the floor, and ye — ye twain ! — lie dead thereon,
and about your shapes are shrouds, and on your feet are Hell-
shoon ! Eric comes and Whitefire is aloft, and no more shall
ye stand before him whom ye have slandered than stands
the birch before the lightning stroke ! Eric comes ! I see
his angry eyes — I see his helm flash in the door-place ! Red
was that marriage-feast at which sat Unna, my kinswoman,
and Asmund, thy father — redder shall be the feast where sit
Gudruda, thy sister, and Ospakar ! The wolf howls at thy
door, Bjorn ! the grave- worm opens his mouth! trolls run to
and fro upon thy threshold, and the ghosts of men speed
Hellwards 1 111 were the deeds of Groa — worse shall be the
deeds of Groa's daughter \ Eed is thy hall with blood, Bjorn !
— for Whitefire is aloft and — 1 tell thee Eric comes ! ' — and
with one great cry she fell back — dead.

Now they stood amazed, and trembling in their fear.

* Saevuna hath spoken strange words,' said Bjorn.

* Shall we be frightened by a dead hag ? ' quoth Ospakar,
drawing his breath again. * Fellows bear this carricfn forth,
or we fling it to the dogs.'

Then the men tied the body of Saevuna, Thorgrimur's
widow, Eric's mother, fast in the chair and bore it thence.
But when at length they came to Coldback, they found that
Swanhild was there with all her following, and had driven
Eric's grieve and his folk to the fells. But one old cariine,
who had been nurse to Eric, was left there, and she sat
wailing in an outhouse, being too weak to m'^ve.

Then the men set down the corpse of Saevuna in the
outhouse, and, having told all their tale to the cariine, they
fled also*

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

215

That night passed, and passed the morrow ; but on the
next day at diuvn Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail
landed near Westman Isles. They had made a bad passage
from Fareys, having been beat about by contrary winds ; but
at length they came safe and well to land.

Now this was the day of the marriage-feast of Gudruda
the Fair and Ospakar ; but Eric knew nothing of these tidings.

' Where to now, lord ? ' said Skallagrim.

* To Coldback first, to see my mother, if she yet lives, and
to learn tidings of Gudruda. Then as it may chance.'

Near to the beach was a yeoman's house. Thither they
went to hire horses ; but none were in the house, for all
had gone to Gudruda's marriage-feast. In the home meadow
ran two good horses, and in the outhouses were saddles and
bridles. They caught the horses, saddled them and rode for
Coldback. When they had ridden for something over an hour
they came to the crest of a height whence they could see
Coldback in the Marsh.

Eiic drew rein and looked, and his heart swelled within
him at the sight of the place where he was born. But as
he looked he saw a great train of people ride away from
Coldback towards Middalhof — and in the company a woman
wearing a purple cloak.

' Now what may this mean ? ' said Eric.

' Ride on and we shall learn,' answered Skallagrim.

So they rode on, and as they rode Eric's breast grew
heavy with fear. Now they passed up the banked way
through the home meadows of the house, but they could see no
one ; and now they were at the door. Down sprang Eric and
walked into the hall. But none were there to greet him,
though a fire yet burned upon the hearth. Only a gaunt hound
wandered about the hall, and, seeing him, sprang towards liim,
growling. Eric knew him for his old wolf-hound, and called
him by his name. The dog listened, then ran up and smelt
his hands, and straightway howled with joy and leapt upon
him. For a while he leapt thus, while Eric stared around
him wondering and pad at heart. Then the dog ran to the
door and stopped, whining. Eric followed after him. The

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hound passed through the entrance, and across the yard till he
came to an outhouse. Here the dog stopped and scratched at
the door, still winning. Eric thrust it open. Lo ! there before
him sat baevuna, his mother, dead in a chair, and at her feet
crouched the carline — she who had been Eric's nurse.

Now he grasped the door-posts to steady himself, and his
shadow fell upon the white face of his molhcr and the old
cariine at her feet.

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CHAPTER XXm

BOW EBIO WAS A GUEST AT THB WEDDINa-FEAST OF

QUDBUDA THE FAIB

CVi/}

RIC looked, but said nothing.

* Who art thou ? ' whined the
carline, gazing up at him with
tear-blinded eyes. But Eric's
face was in the shadow, and she
only saw the glint of his golden
hair and the flash of the golden
helm. For Eric could not speak
yet a while.

* Art thou one of Swanhild's
folk, come to drive me hence
with the rest? Good sir, I
cannot go to the fells, my limbs
are too weak. Slay me, if thou
wilt, but drive me not from this,'
and she pointed to the corpse.

* Say now, wilt thou not help me to give it burial ? It is
unmeet that she who in her time had husband, and goods,
and son, should lie unburied Uke a dead cow on the fells. I
have still a hundred in silver, if J might but come at it. It
is hidden, sir, and I will pay thee if thou wilt help me to bury
her. These old hands are too feeble to dig a grave, nor could
I bear her there alone if it were dug. Thou wilt not help
me ? — then may thine own mother's bones lie uncovered, and
be picked of gulls and ravens. Oh, that Eric Brighteyes
would come home again ! Oh, that Eric was here I There is
work to do and never a man to do it.'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

2X8

Now Erie gave a great sob and cried, ' Nurse, nurse f
knowest thou me not ? 1 am Erie Brighteyes.'

She uttered a loud ory, and, clasping him by the knees,
looked up into his face.

' Thanks be to Odin ! Thou art Eric — Eric come home
again 1 But alas, thou hast come too late 1 '

' What has happened, then ? ' said Eric.

* What has happened ? All evil things. Thou art outlawed,
Eric, at the suit of Swanhild for the slaying of Atli the Earl.
Swanhild sits here in Coldback, for she hath seized thy lands.
Saevuna, thy mother, died two days ago in the hall of
Middalhof, whither she went to speak with Gadruda.'

' Gudruda I what of Gudruda? ' cried Eric.

' This, Brighteyes : to-day she weds Ospakar Black-
tooth.*

Eric covered his face with his hand. Presently he lifted it.

' Thou art rich in evil tidings, nurse, though, it would seem,
poor in all besides. Tell me at what hour is the wedding-
feast ? '

' An hour after noon, Eric ; but now Swanhild has ridden
thither with her company.'

' Then room must be found at Middalhof for one more guest,'
said Eric, and laughed aloud. ' Go on t — pour out thy evil news
and spare me not 1 — ^for nothing has any more power to harm
me now t Gome hither, Skallagrim, and see and hearken.'

Skallagrim came and looked on the face of dead Saevuna.

' I am outlawed at Swanhil^.'s suit, Lambstail. My life lies
in thy hand, if so be tiiou wouldst take it ! Hew off my head, if
thou wilt, and bear it to Gudruda the Fair — she will thank thee
for the gift. Lay on, Lambstail ; lay on with that axe of thine.'

* Child's talk ! ' said Skallagrim.

* Child's talk, but man's work ! Thou hast not heard the
tale out. Swanhild hath seized my lands and sits here at Cold-
back ! A id — what thinkest thou, Skallagrim ? — but now she
has ridden a-guesting to the marriage-feast of Ospakar
Blacktooth with Gudruda the Fair I Swanhild at Gudruda's
wedding 1 — the eagle in the wild swar'snest! But there will
be another guest,' and again he laughed aloud. /

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* r«;o other guests,' said Skallagrim.

* More of thy tale, old nurse I — more of thy tale ! ' quoth
Eric. * No better didst thou ever tell me wlien, as a lad, I
sat by thee, in the ingle 0' winter nights — and the company is
fitting to the tale ! ' and he pointed to dead Saevuna.

Then the carline told on. Bhe told how Hall of Lithdale
had come out to Iceland, and of the story that he bore to
Gudruda, and of the giving of the lock of hair.

* What did I say, lord ? ' broke in Skallagrim — * that in
Hall thou hadst let a weasel go who would live to nip thee ? '

* Him 1 will surely live to shorten by a head,' quoth Eric.

* Nay, lord, this one for me — Ospakar for thee. Hall for
met'

*As thou wilt, Baresark. Among so many there is room
to pick and choose. Tell on, nurse I '

Then she told how Swanhild came out to Iceland, and,
having won Ospakar Blacktooth and Gizur to her side, had laid
a suit against Eric at the Thing, and there bore false witness
against him, so that Brighteyes was declared outlaw, being
absent. She told, too, how Gudruda had betrothed herself to
Ospakar, and how Swanhild had moved down to Coldback
and seized the lands. Lastly she told of the rising of Saevuna
from her deathbed, of her going to Middalliof, of the words
she spoke to Bjorn and Ospakar, and of her death in the hall
at Middalhof.

When all was told, Eric stooped and kissed the cold brow
of his mother.

* There is little time to bury thee now, my mother,* he
said, * and perchance before six hours are sp«d there will be
one to bury at thy side. Nevertheless, thou shalt sit in a
better place than this.'

Then he cut loose the cords that bound the body of
Saevuna to the chair, and, lifting it in his arms, bore it to
the hall. There he set the corpse in the high seat of the hall.

'We need not start yet a while, Skallagrim,' said Eric, * if
indeed thou wouldst go a-guesting with me to Middalhof-
Therefore let us eat and drink, for there are deeds to do this
^ay.*

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

220

So they found meat and mead and ate and drank. Then
Eric washed himself, combed out his golden locks, and looked
well to his harness and to Whitefire's edge. Bkallagrim also
ground his great axe upon the whetstone in the yard, singing
as he ground. When all was ready, the horses were caught,
and Eric spoke to the carline :

* Hearken, nurse. If it may be that thou canst find any
of our folk — and perchance now that they see that Swanhild
has ridden to Middalhof some one of them will come down

to spy — thou shalt say this to
them. Thou shalt say that, if
Eric Brighteyes yet lives, he
will be at the foot of Mosfell
to-morrow before midday, and
if, for the sake of old days and
fellowship, they are minded to
befriend a friendless man, let
them come thither with food,
for by then food will be needed,
and I will speak with them.
And now farewell,' and Eric
kissed her and went, leaving
her weeping.

As it chanced, before an-
other hour was sped, Jon, Eric's
thrall, who had stayed at home
in Iceland, seeing Coldback
empty, crept down from the
fells and looked in. The carline saw him, and told him
these tidings. Then he went thence to find the other men.
Having found them he told them Eric's words, and a great
gladness came upon them when they learned that Brighteyes
still lived and was in Iceland. Then they gathered food and
gear, and rode away to the foot of Mosfell that is now called
Ericsfell.

Ospakar sat in the hall at Middalhof, near to the high seat.
He was fully armed, and a black helm with a raven's cres^

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EHIC BRIGHTEYES

"was on his head. For, though he said nothing of it» not a little
did he fear th%t Saevuna spoke sooth — that her words would
come true, an i, before this day was done, he and Eric should
once more s^ind face to face. At his side sat Gudruda the
Fair, robed in white, a worked headdress on her head, golden
clasppt upon her breast and golden rings about her arms.
Never had she beon more beautiful to see ; but her face was
whiter than her robes. She looked with loathing on Black-
tooth at her side, rough like a bear, and hideous as a troll.
But he looked on her with longing, and laughed from side to
side of his great mouth when ho thought that at last he had
got her for his own.

* Ah, if Eric would but come, faithlesp though he be ! — if
Eric would but come I * thought Gudruda ; but no Eric came
to save her. The guests gathered fast, and presently Swanhild
swept in with all her company, wrapped about in hei purple
cloak. She came up to ihe high seat where Gudruda sat, and
bent the knee before her, looking on her with lovely mocking
face and hate in her blue eyes.

* Greeting, Gudruda, my sister 1 ' she said. ' When last we
met I sat, Atli's bride, where to-day thou sittcst the bride of
Ospakar. Then Eric Brighteyes held thy hand, and littla
thou didst think of wedding Ospakar. Now Eric is afar — so
strangely do things come about— and Blacktocth, Brighteyes*
foe, holds that fair hand of thine.'

Gudruda looked on her and turned whiter yet in her pain,
but she answered never a word.

' What ! no word for me, sister ? ' said Swanhild. * And
yet it is through me that thou comest to this glad hour. It is
through me that thou art rid of Eric, and it is I who have
given thee to the arms of mighty Ospakar. No word of
thanks for so great a service ! — fie on thee, Gudruda ! fie ! '

Then Gudruda spoke : * Strange tales are told of thee
and Eric, Groa's daughter I I have done with Eric, but I
have done with thee also. Thou hast thrust thyself here
against my will, and, if I may, I would see thy face no more.'

' Wouldst thou see Eric's face, Gudruda ? — say, wouldst
see Eric's face ? I tell thee it is fair I'

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

222

But Gudruda answered nothmg, and Swanhild fell back,
laughing.

Now the feast began, and men waxed merry. But ever
Gudruda's heart grew heavier, for in it echoed those words
that Saevuna had spoken. Her eyes were dim, and slie seemed
to see naught but the face of Eric as it had looked when he
oame back to her that day on the brink of Goldfoss Falls and
she had thought him dead. Oh ! what if he still loved her
and were yet trie atneart? Swanhild mocked her! -what
if this was a plot of Swanhild's? Had not Swanhild
plotted aforetime, and could a wolf cease from ravening or
a witch from witch-work ? Nay, she had seen Eric's hair —
that he had sv/orn none save she should touch ! Perchance
he had been drugged, and the hair shorn from him in his
sleep ? Too late to think I Of what use was thought ?— beside
her sat Ospakar, in one short hour she would be his. Ah I
that she could see him dead— the troll v/ho had trafficked
her to shame, the foe she had summoned in her wrath and
jealousy ! She had done ill— she had fallen into Swanliild's
snare, and now Swanhild came to mock her !

The feast went on— rap followed cup. Now they poured
the bride-cup ! Before her heart beat two hundred times
she would be the wife of Ospakar !

Blackto'^^h took the cup— pledged her in it, and drank
deep. Then he turned and strove to kiss her. But Gudruda
shrank from him with horror in her eyeb, and all men
wondered. Still she must drink the brirTal cup. She took
it. Dimly she saw the upturned faces, fomtly she heard the
murmur of a hundred voices.

What was that voice she caught above them all — there —
without the hall ?

Holding the cup in her hand, Gudruda bent forward, sta' lug
down the skali. Then she cried aloud, pointing to tlie u"or,
and the ciip fell clattering from her hand and rolled along the
ground.

Men turned and looked. They saw this : there on the
threshold stood a man, glorious to look at, and from hia
winged helm of gold the rays of light flashed through the

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ERIC BRIG HTE YES

223

dusky hall. The man was great and beautiful to see. He
had long yellow hair bound in about his girdle, and in his ^eft
hand he held a pointed shield, in his right a spear, and at his
thigh there hung a mighty sword. Nor was he alone, for by
his side, a broad axe on his shoulder and shield in hand, stood
another man, clad in black-hued mail — a man well-nigh as
broad and big, with hawk's eyes, eagle beak, and black hair
streaked with grey.

For a moment there was silence. Then a voice spoke :

' Lo ! here be the Gods Baldur and Thor ! — come from
Valhalla to grace the marriage-feast ! '

Then the man with golden hair cried aloud in a voice that
made the rafters ring :

'Here are Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail,
his thrall, come from over sea to grace the feast, indeed ! '

*I could have looked for no worse guests,' said Bjoin
beneath his breath, and rose to bid men thrust them out.
But before he could speak, lo ! gold-helmed Eric and Mack-
helmed Skallagrim were stalking up the length of that great
hall. Side by side they stalked, with faces fierce and cold ;
nor stayed they till they stood before the high seat. Eric
looked up and round, and the light of his eyes was as the light
of a sword. Men marvelled at his greatness and his wonderful
beauty, and to Gudrnda he seemed like a God.

' Here I see faces that are known to me,' said Eric.
* Greeting, comrades ! '

* Greeting, Brighteyes ! ' shouted the Middalhof folk and
the company of Swanhild ; but the carles of Ospakar laid hand
on swjrd — they too knew Eric. For still all men loved l']ric,
and the people of his quarter were proud of the deeds he had
done oversea.

* Greeting, Bjorn, Asmund's son ! ' quol^h Eric. * Greeting,
Ospakar Blacktooth ! Greeting, Swanhild the Fatherless,
AtH's witch-wife— Groa's v/itch-bairn ! Greeting, Hall of
Lithdale, Hall the liar— Hall who cut the grapnel-chain ! And
to theo, sweet Bride, to thee Gudruda the Fair, greeting ! '

Now Bjorn spoke : * I will take no greeting from a shamed
and outlawed man. Get thee gone, Eric Brighteyes, and

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take tliy wolf-hound with thee, lest thou bidest here stiff and
cold.'

' Squeak not so loud, rat, lest hound's fang worry thee I '
growled Skallagrim.

But Eric laughed aloud and cried —

' Words must be said, and perchance men shall die, ere
ever I leave this hall, Bjom i '

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CHAPTER XXIV

HOW THE FEAST WENT

EARKEN aU meni ' said Eric.
' Thrust him out ! ' quoth
'Bjorn.

' Nay, cut him down ! '
said Ospakar, * he is an out-
lawed man.'

' Words first, then
deeds,' answered SJcalla-
grim. * Thou shalt have thy fill of
both, Blacktooth, before day is done.'
'Let Eric say his say,' said
Gudruda, hfting her head. * He has
been doomed unheard, and it is my
will that he shall say his say.'

* What hast thou to do with Eric ? ' snarled Ospakar.

* The bride-cup is not yet drunk, lord,' she answered.

' To thee, then, I will speak, lady,' quoth Eric. ' How
comes it that, being betrothed to me, thou dost sit there the
bride of Ospakar ? '

* Ask of Swanhild,' said Gudruda in a low voice. * Ask
also of Hall of Lithdale yonder, who brought me Swanhild's
gift from Straumey.'

* I must ask much of Hall and he must answer much,'
said Eric. * What tale, then, did he bring thee from
Straumey ? '

* He said this, Eric,' Gudruda answered : ' that thou wast
Swanhild's love ; that for Swanhild's sake thou hadst basely

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226

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

killed Atli the Good, and that thou wast about to wed Swan-
hild's self and take the Earl's seat in Orkneys.'

* And for what cause was I made outlaw at the Althing ? '

* For this cause, Eric,' said Bjom, ' that thou hadst dealt
evilly with Swanhild, bringing her to shame against her will,
and ftereafter that thou hadst slain the Earl, her husband.'

* Which, then, of these tales is true ? for both cannot be
true,* said Brighteyes. ' Speak, Swanhild.'

* Thou knowest well that the last is true,' said Swanhild
boldly.

' How then comes it that thou didst charge Hall with that
message to Gudruda ? How then comes it that thou didst
send her the lock of hair which thou didst cozen me to
give thee ? '

* I charged Hall with no message, and I sent no lock of
hair/ Swanhild answered.

* Stand thou forward. Hall ! ' said Eric, * and liar and
coward though thou art, dare not to speak other than the
truth ! Nay, look not at the door : for, if thou stirrest, this
spear shall find thee before thou hast gone a pace ! '

Now Hall stood forward, trembling with fear, for he saw
the eye of Skallagrim watching him close, and while
Lambstail watched, his fingers toyed with the handle of his
axe.

*It is true, lord, that Swanhild charged me with that
message which I gave to the Lady Gudruda. Also she bade
me give the lock of hair.'

' And for this service thou didst take money. Hall ? '

* Ay, lord, she gave me money for my faring.'

* And all the while thou knewest the tidings false ? '
Hall made no reply.

' Answer ! thundered Eric — * answer the truth, knave, or
by every God that passes the hundred gates I v*ill not spare
thee twice ! '

It is so, lord,' said Hall.

* Thou liest, fox I ' cried Swanhild, white with wrath and
casting a fierce look upon Hall. But men took no heed of
Swanhild's wo/.ds, for all eyes were bent on Eric.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

VTf

'Is it now your pleasure, comrades, that I should tell
you the truth ? ' said Brighteyes.

The most part of the company shouted ' Yea ! ' but the men
of Ospakar stood silent.

* Speak on, Eric,' quoth Gudruda.

' This \H the truth, then : Swanhild the Fatherless, Atli's
wife, has always sought my love, and she has ever hated
Gudruda wliom I loved. From a child she has striven to
work mischief between us. Ay, and she did this, though till
now it has been hidden : she strove to murder Gudruda ; it
was on the day that Skallagrim and I overcame Ospakar and
his band on Horse-Head Heights. She thrust Gudruda from
the brink of Golden Falls while she sat looking on the waters,
and as she hung there I dragged her back. Is it not so,
Gudruda ? '

* It is so,' said Gudruda.

Now men murmured and looked at Swanhild. But she
shrank back, plucking at her purple cloak.

'It was for this cause,' so-id Eric, 'that Asmund, Swan-
hild's father, gave her choice to wed Atli the Earl and pass
over sea or to take her trial in the Doom-Ring. She wedded
Atli and went away. Afterwards, by witchcraft, she brought
my ship to wreck on Straumey's Isle— ay, she walked the
waters like a shape of light and lured us on to ruin, so that
all were drowned except Skallagrim and myself. Is it not
so, SkaUagrim ? '

* It is so, lord. I saw her with my eyes.*
Again folk murmured.

* Then we must sit in Ath's hall,' said Eric, * an3 there
we dwelt last winter. For a while Swanhild did no harm, till I
feared her no more. But some three months ago, I was left
with her : and a man called Koll, Groa's thrall, of whom ye
know, came out from Iceland, bringing news of the death
of Asmund the priest, of Uuna my cousin, and of Groa the
witch. To these ill- tidings Swanhild bribed him to add some-
thing. She bribed him to add this : that thou, Gudruda, wast
betrothed to Ospakar, tond wouldst wed him on last Yule Day.
Moreover, he gave me a certain message from thee, Gudruda,

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ERIC BRIG HTE YES

and, in token of its truth, the half of that coin which I hroke
with thee long years ago. Say now, lady, didst thou send
the coin ? '

* Nay, never ! ' cried Gudruda ; ' many years ago I lost
the half thou gavest me, though I feared to tell thee.'

* Perchance one stands there who found it,' said Eric,
pointing with his spear at Swanhild. ' At the least I was
deceived by it. Now the tale is short. Swanhild mourned
with me, and in my sorrow I mourned bitterly. Then it
was she asked a boon, that lock of mine, Gvidruda, and,
thinking thee foithless, I gave it, holding all oa*hs broken.
Then too, when I would have left her, she drugged me with a
witch-draught — ay, she drugged me, and I woke to find myself
false to my oath, false to Atli, and false to thee, Gudruda. I
cursed her and I left her, waiting for the Earl, to tell him all.
But Swanhild outwitted me. She told him that other tale of
shame that ye have heard, and brought KoU to him as witness
of the tale. Atli wp'3 deceived by her, and not until I had cut
him down in anger at the bitter words he spoke, calling
me coward and niddering, did he know the truth. But
before he died he knew it ; and he died, holding my hand and
bidding those about him find KoU and slay him. Is it not
so, ye who wore Atli's men ? '

* It is so, Eric ! ' they cried ; * we heard it with our own
ears, and we slew Koll. But afterwards Swanhild brought
us to belicve that Earl AtU was distraught \7hen he spoke
thus, and that things were indeed as she had said.'

Again men murmured, and a strange light shone in
Gudruda's eyes.

* Now, Gudruda, thou hast heard all my story,' said Eric.
* Say, dost thou believe me ? '

* I believe thee, Eric'

* Say then, wilt thou still wed yon Ospakar ? '

Sudruda looked on Blacktooth, ihen she looked at golden
Eric and opened her b'ps to speak. But before a word could pass
them Ospakar rose in wrath, laying his hand upon his sword.

'Thinkest thou thus to lure away my dove, outlaw?
First I will see thee food for crows.'

1 ii ; -' )>

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

939

' Well spoken, Blacktootb,' laughed Eric. ' I waited for such
words from thee. Thrice have we striven together— once out
yonder in the snow, once on Horse-Head Heights, and once by
Westman Isles — and still we live to tell the tale. Come
down, Ospakar ; come down from that soft seat of thine anfl
here and now let us put it to the proof who is the better man.
When we met before, the stake was Whitefire set against
my eye. Now the stake is our lives and fair Gudruda's hand.
Talk no more, Ospakar, but fall to it.'

* Gudruda shall never wed thee, while I live I ' said Bjom ;
' thou art a landless loon, a brawler, and an outlaw. Get
thee gone, Eric, with thy wolf-hound I '

* Squeak not so loud, rat— squeak not so loud, lest he nd 8
fang worry thee ! ' said Skallagrim.

* Whether I wed Gudruda or whether I wed her not is a
matter that shall be known in its season,' said Eric. 'For
thy words, I say this : that it is risky to hurl names at such as
I am, Bjorn, lest perchance I answer them with spear-thrusta.
Thy answer, Ospakar ! What need to wait ? Thy answer I '

Now Ospakar looked at Brighteyes and grew afraid. He was
a mighty man, but he knew the weight of Eric's arm.

* 1 will not fight with thee, carle,' he said, * who hast
naught to lose.*

* Then thou art coward and Diddering ! ' said Eric. * Ospekar
Niddering I name thee here before all men ! What I thou
couldst plot against me— thou couldst waylay me, ten to one
and two ships to one, but face to face with me alone thou dost
not dare to stand ? Comrades, look on your lord ! — look at
Ospakar the Niddering ! '

Now the swarthy brow of Blacktooth grew red with rage,
and his breath came in great gasps. * Ho, men ! ' he cried,
' drive this knave away. Strip his harness off him and whip
him hence with rods.'

' Let but a man stir towards me and this spear flies through
thy heart, Niddering,' cried Eric. * Gudruda, what thinkest
thou of thy lord ? '

' I know this,' said Gudruda, ' that I will not wed a man ^ho
ia named " Niddering " in the face of all and lifts no sword.'

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Gudruda spoke thus, because she was mad with love and
fear and shame, and she desired that Eric should stand face
to face with Ospakar Blacktooth, for thus, alone, she might
perhaps be rid of Ospakar.

' Such words do not come well from gentle lips,' said Bjorn.

* Is it to be borne, brother,' answered Gudruda, ' that the
man who would call me wife should be named Ospakar the
Niddering ? When that shame is washed away, and then only,
can I think on marriage. I will never be Niddering's bride ! '

* Thou hearest, Ospakar Niddering ? ' said Eric. Then he
gave the spear in his hand to Skallagrim, and, gripping
Whitefire's hilt, he burst the peace -strings, and tore it from
the scabbard.

Now the great sword shone on high like Hghtning leaping
from a cloud, and as it shone men shouted, * Ospakai' I Ospa-
kar Niddering I Come, win back Whitefire from Eric's hand,
or be for ever shamed ! '

Blacktooth could endure this no more. He snatched
sword and shield, and, like a bear from a cave, like a wolf from
his lair, rushed roaring from his seat. On he came, and the
ground shook beneath his bulk.

* At last, Niddering ! ' cried Eric, and sprang to meet him.
' Back ! all men, back ! ' shouted Skallagrim, * now we shall

see blows.'

As ne spoke the great swords flashed aloft and clanged
upon the iron shields. So heavy were the blows that fire
leapt out from them. Ospakar reeled back beneath the shock,
and Eric was beaten to his knee. Now he was up, but
as he rushed, Ospakar struck again and swept away half
of Brighteyen's pointed shield so that it fell upon the floor.
Eric smote also, but Ospakar dropped his knee to earth and
the sword hissed over him. Blacktooth cut at Eric's legs ;
but Brighteyes sprang from the ground and took no harm.

Now some cried, ' Eric I Eric ! ' and some cried ' Ospakar !
Ospakar ! ' for no one knew how the fight would go.

Gudruda sat watching in the high seat, and as blows fell
her colour came and went.

Swanhild drew near, watching also, and she desired in

' It

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

331

her fierce heart to see Eric brought to shame and death, for,
should he win, then Gudruda would be rid of Ospakar. Now,
by her side stood Gizur, Ospakar's son, and near to her was
Bjorn. These two held their breath, for, if Eric conquered,
all their plans were brought to nothing.

Even as he sprang into the air, Eric smote down with all
his strength. The blow fell on Ospakar's shield. It shore
through the shield and struck on the shoulder beneath. But
Blacktooth's byrnie was good, nor did the sword bite on it.
Still the stroke was so heavy that Ospakar staggered back four
paces beneath it, then fell upon the ground.

Now folk raised a shout of • Eric ! Eric I ' for it seemed
that Ospakar was sped. Brighteyes, too, cried aloud, then
rushed forward. Now, as he came, Swanhild whispered an
eager word into the ear of Bjorn. By Bjorn 's foot lay that
half of Eric's shield that had been shorn away by the
sword of Ospakar. Gudruda, watching, saw Bjorn push it
with his shoe so that it slid before the feet of Brighteyes.
His right foot caught on it, he stumbled heavily — stumbled
again, then fell prone on his face, and, as he fell, stretched
out his sword-hand to save himself, so that Whitefire flew
from his grasp. The blade struck its hilt against the
ground, then circled in the air and fixed itself, point down-
wards, in the clay of the flooring. The hand of Ospakar
rising from the ground smote against the hilt of Whitefire.
He saw it, with a shout he cast his own sword away and
clasped Whitefire.

Away circled the sword of Ospakar; and of that cast
this strange thing is told, false or true. Far in the comer
of the hall lurked Thorunna, she who had betrayed Skallagrim
when he was named Ounound. She had come with a heavy
heart to Middalhof in the company of Ospakar ; but when she
saw Skallagrim, her husband — whom she had betrayed, and
who had turned Baresark because of her wickedness— shame
smote her, and she crept away and hid herself behind the
hangings of the hall. The sword sped along point first, it
rushed like a spear through the air. It fell on the hangings,
piercing them, piercing the heart of Thorunna, who cowered

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behind them, so that with one orj she sank dead to earth,
slain by her lover's hand.

Now when men saw that Ospakar once more held White-
fire in his hand — Whitefire that Brighteyes had won from
him — they called aloud that it was an omen. The sword of
Blacktooth had come back to Blacktooth and now Eric would
surely be slain of it !

Eric sprang from the ground. He heard the shouts and
saw Whitefire blazing in Ospakar's hand.

* Now thou art weaponless, fly ! Brighteyes ; fly ! ' cried
seme.

Gudruda's cheek grew white with fear, and for a moment
Eric's heart failed him.

* Fly not ! ' roared Skallagrim. ' Bjorn tripped thee.
Yet hast thou naif a shield ! '

Ospakar rushed on, and Whitefire flickered over Eric's
helm. Down it came and shore one wing from the helm.
Again it shone and fell, but Brighteyes caught the blow
on his broken shield.

Then, while men waited to see him slain, Eric gave a great
war-shout and sprang forward.

* Thou art mad ! ' shouted the folk.

* Ye shall see ! Ye shall see ! ' screamed Skallagrim.
Again Ospakar smote, and again Eric caught the blow ;

and behold ! he struck back, thrusting with the point of the
shorn shield straight at the face of Ospakar.

* Peck ! Eagle ; peck I ' cried Skallagrim.

Once more Whitefire shone above him. Eric rushed in
beneath the sword, and with all his mighty strength thrust
the buckler-point at Blacktooth's face. It struck fair and
full, and lo ! the helm of Ospakar burst asunder. He threw
wide his giant arms, then fell as a pine falls upon the
mountain edge. He fell back, and he lay still.

But Eric, stooping over him, took Whitefire from his
band.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

••■/

I ,

CHAPTER XXV

HOW THE FEAST ENDED

I OB a moment there was
silence in the hall, for
men had known no such
fight as this.

'Why, then, do yo
gape?' laughed Skal-
lagrim, pointing with
the spear. * Dead is
Ospakar ! — slain by a
swordless man ! Eric
Brighteyes hath slain Ospakar Blacktooth ! '

Then there went up such a shout as never was heard in
the hall of Middalhof.

Now when Gudruda knew that Ospakar was sped, she
looked at Eric as he rested, leaning on his sword, and her
heart was filled with awe and love. She sprang from her
seat, ajid, coming to where Brighteyes stood, she greeted him.
' Welcome to Iceland, Eric ! ' she said. • Welcome, thou
glory of the south ! '

Now Swanhild grew wild, for she saw that Eric was about
to take Gudruda in his arms and kiss her before all men.

' Say, Bjom,' she cried : ' wilt thou suiFer that this outlaw,
having slain Ospakar, should lead Gudruda hence as wife ? '

*He shall never do so while I live,' cried Bjorn, nearly
mad with rage. * This is my command, sister : that thou dost
pee Eric no more.'

' ^a^} Bjorn,' answered Gudruda^ * did I dream, or did X

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ElilC BRIGHTEYES

indeed see thee thrust the broken buckler before Eric's feet,
so that he stun) bled on it and fell ? '

' That thou savvest, lady,' said Skalla;7rim ; 'for I saw it
also.'

Now Bjorn grew white in his anger. H.. did not answer
Gudruda, but called aloud to his men to slay Eric and
Skallagrim. Gizur called also to the folk of Ospakar, and
Swanhild to those who came with her

Then Gudruda fled back to her seat.

But Eric cried aloud also : ' Ye who love me. cleave to me.
Suffer it not that Brighteyes be cut down of northerners and
outlaud men. Hear me, Atli's folk; hear me, carles of Cold-
back and of Middalhof ! '

And so greatly did many love Eric that half of the thralls of
Bjorn, and almost all of the company of Swanhild who had
been Atli's shield-men and Brighteyes' comrades, drew swords,
shouting ' Eric ! Eric ! ' But t'le carles of Ospakar came on
to make an end of him*

Bjorn saw, and, drawing sword, smote at Brighteyes, taking
him unawares. But Skallagrim caught the blow upon his
axe, and before Bjorn could smite again Whitefire was aloft
and down fell Bjorn, dead !

This was the end of Bjorn, Asmund's son.

* Thou hast squeaked thy last, rat ! What did I tell thee ? '
cried Skallagrim. ' Take Bjorn's shield and back to back, lord,
for here come foes.'

* There goes one,' answered Eric, pointing to the door.
Now Hall of Lithdale slunk through the doorway — Hall,

the Uar, who cut the grapnel-chain — for he wished to see the
last of Skallagrim. But the Baresark still held Eric's spear
in his hand. He whirled it aloft, and r\ hissed through
the air. The aim was good, for, as he crept away, the spear
struck Hall between neck and should 3r, pinning him to the
doorpost, and there the liar died.

' Now the weasel is nailed to the beam,' said Skallagrim.
' Hall of LithdalC; what did I promise thee ? '

'Guard thy head and my back,' quoth Eric ; ' blows fall ! '
Now men smote at Eric and Skallagrim, nor did they

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

^35

spare to smite in turn. And as foes fell befoze him, Eric
stepped one pace forward towards the door, and Skallagrim,
who, back to back with him, held off those who pressed
behind, took one step rearwards. Thus, a foe for every step,
they won their way down the long hall. Fierce raged the
fray aj'ound them, for, mad with hate and drink and the lust
of fight, Swanhild's folk — Eric's friends — remembering the
words of Atli, fell on Ospakar's ; and the people of Bjorn
fell on each other, brother on brother, and father on son —
nor might the fray be stayed. The boards were overthrown,
dead men lay among the meats and mead, and the blood of
freeman, lord and thrall ran adown the floor. Everywhere
through the dusky hall glittered the sheen of flashing swords
and rose the clang of war. Darts clove the air like tongues
of flame, and the clamour of battle beat against the roof.

Blinded of the Norns who brought these things to pass,
men sought no mercy and they gave none, but smote and slew
till few were left to slay.

And still Gudruda sat in her bride- seat, and, with eyes
fixed in horror, watched the waxing of the war. Near to
her stood Swanhild, marking all things with fierce- set face,
and calling down curses on her folk, who one and all cried
* Eric ! Eric ! ' and swept the thralls of Ospakar as com is
swept of the sickle.

And there, nigh to the door, pale of face and beautiful, to
see, golden Eric clove his way, and with him went black
Skallagrim. Terrible was the flare of Whitefire as he flickered
aloft like the levin in the cloud. Terrible was the flare of
Whitefire ; but more terrible was the light of Eric's eyes, for
they seemed to flame in his head, and wherever that fire fell it
lighted men the way to death. Whitefire sung and I^ickered,
and crashed the axe of Skallagrim, and still through the
press of war they won their way. Now Gizur stands before
them, spear aloft, and Whitefire leaps up to meet him. Lo !
he turns and flies. The coward son of Ospakar does not seek
the fate of Ospakar !

The door is won. They stand without but little harmed,
while women wail aloi:d.

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EmC BRIG HTE YES

* To horse 1 ' cried Skallagrim ; * to horse, ere our lack
fail us ! '

' Thnre is no luck in this,' gasped Eric ; * for I have
Blain many men, and among them is Bjom, the brother of her
\vliom I T;»ould make my bride.'

' Better one such fight than many brides,' said Skallagrim,
shaliing his red axe. * We have won great glory this day,
l>ti<.^hteye.i, and Ospakar is dead — slain by a swordless
man ! '

Now Eric and Skallagrim ran to their horses, none hindering
tiioiii, ani, mounting, rode towards Mosfell.

All tiiat evening and all the night they rode, and at
morning they came across the black sand to Mosfell slopes
that are by the Hecla. Here they rested, and, taking off their
armour, washed themselves in the stream : for they were very
weary and foul with blood and wounds. When they had
finished washing and had buckled on their harness again,
Skallagrim, peering across the plain with his hawk's eyes,
saw men riding fast towards them.

' Foes are soon afoot, lord,' he said. ' I thought we had
stayed their hunger for a while.'

' Would that I might stay mine,' quoth Eric. * I am weary,
and unfit for fight.'

*I have still strength for one or two,' said Skallagrim,
' and then good-night ! But these are no foes. They are of
the Coldback folk. The carline has kept her word.'

Then Eric was glad, and presently six men, headed by Jon
his thrall, the same man who had watched on Mosfell when
Eric went up to slay the Baresark, rode to them and greeted
them. ' Beggar women, said Jon, * whom they met at Ran
Eiver, had told them of the death of Ospakar, and of the great
slaying at Middalhof, and they would know if the tidings
were true.'

* It is true, Jon,' said Eric ; ' but first give us food, if ye
have it, for we are hungered and spent. When we have eaten
we will speak.'

So they led up a pack-horse and from it took stc^kfish and

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

837

smoked meat, of which Eric and Skallagrim eat heartily, till
their strength came back to them.

Then Eric spoke. ' Comrades,' he said, ' I am an outlawed
man, and, though I have not sought it, much blood is on my
head. Atli is dead at my hand ; Ospakar is dead at my hand ;
Bjom the Priest, Asmund's son, is dead at my hand, and
with them many another man. Nor may the matter stay
here, for Gizur, Blacktooth's son, yet lives, and Bjom has
kin in the south, and Swanhild will buy friends with gold,
and all of these will set on me to slay me, so that at the last
I die by the sword.'

* No need for that,' said Skallagrim. * Our vengeance is
wrought, and now, as before, the sea is open, and I think
that a welcome awaits us in London.'

* Now Gudruda is widowed before she was fully wed,' said
Eric, * therefore I bide an outlawed man here in Iceland.
I go hence no more, though it be death to stay, unless indeed
Gudruda the Fair goes with me.'

' It will be death, then,' said Skallagrim, ' and the swords
are forged that we shall feel. The odds are too heavy, lord.'

' Mayhap,' answered Eric. ' No man may flee his fate,
and I shall not altogether grieve when mine finds me.
Hearken, comrades : I go up Mosfell height, and there I stay,
till those be found who can drag me from my hole. But this
is my counsel to you : that ye leave me to my doom, for I am
an unlucky man who always chooses the wrong road.'

* That will not I,' said Skallagrim.

' Nor we,' said Eric's folk ; * Swanhild holds Coldback, and
we are driven to the fells. To the fells then we will ^o with
thee, Eric Brighteyes, and become cave-dwellers and outlaws
for thy sake. Fear not, thou shalt still find many friends.*

* I did not look for such a thing at your hands,' said
Eric ; ' but stormy waters shew how the boat is built. May
no bad luck come to you from your good fellowship. And now
let us to our nest.'

Then they caught the horses, and rode with Brighteyes up
the steep side of Mosfell, till at length they came to that secret
dell which Skallagrim had once shown to Eric. Hare they

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turned the horses loose to feed, and, going forward on foot,
reached the dark and narrow pass that Brighteyes had
trod when he sought for the Baresark foe. Skallagrim led the
way along it, then came Eric and the rest. One by one they
stepped on to the giddy point of rock, and, catching at the
birch-bush, entered the hole. So they gained the platform
and the great cave beyond; and they found that no man
had set foot there since the day when Eric had striven with
Skallagrim. For there on the rock, rotten witli the weather,
lay that haft of wood which Brighteyes had hewed from the
axe of Skallagrim, and in the cave were many things beside
as the Baresark had left them.

So they took up their dwelling in the cave, Eric, Skalla-
grim, and the six Coldback men, and there they dwelt many
months. But Eric sent out men, one at a time, and got
together food and a store of sheepskins, and other needful
things. For he knew this well: that Gizur and Swanhild
would before long come np against them, and, if they could
not take them by force, would set themselves to watch the
mountain-path and starve them out.

When Eric and Skallagrim rode away from Middalhof the
Ught still raged fiercely in the hall, and nothing but death
might stay it. The minds of men were mad, and they smote
one another, and slew each other, till at length of all that
marriage company few were left unharmed, except Gizur,
Swanhild, and Gudruda. For the serving thralls and women-
folk had fled the hall, and with them some peaceful men.

Then Gudruda spoke as one in a dream.

*Saevuna's prophecy was true,' she said, 'red was the
marriage-feast of Asmund my father, redder has been the
marriage-feast of Ospakar I She saw the hall of Middalhof
one gore of blood, and lo ! it is so. Look upon thy work,
Swanhild,' and she pointed to the piled-up dead — ' look upon
thy work, witch-sister, and grow fearful : for all this death is
on thy head ! '

Swanhild laughed aloud. * I think it a merry sight,' she
cried. * The marriage-feast of Asmund our father was red.

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

239

and thy marriage-feast, Gudruda, has been redder. Would that
thy blood and the blood of Eric ran with the blood of Bjorn
and Ospakar ! That tale must yet be told, Gudruda. There
shall be binding on of Hell-shoes at Middalhof, but I bind
them not. My task is still to come : for I will live to fasten the
Hell-shoes on the feet of Eric, and on thy feet, Gudruda ! At
the least, I have brought about this much, that then canst
scarcely wed Eric the outlaw : for with his own hand he slew
Bjorn our brother, and because of this I count all that
death as nothing. Thou canst not mate with Brighteyes, lest
the wide wounds of Bjorn thy brother should take tongues
and cry thy shame from sea to sea ! '

Gudruda made no answer, but sat as one carved in stone.
Then Swanhild spoke again : ^

* Let us away to the north, Gizur ; there to gather strength
to make an end of Eric. Say, wilt thou help us, Gudruda ?
The blood-feud for the death of Bjorn is thine.'

* Ye are enough to bring about the fall of one unfriended
man,' Gudruda said. * Go, and leave me with my sorrow and
the dead. Nay ! before thou goest, listen, Swanhild, for there
is that in my heart which tells me I shall never look again
upon thy face. From evil to evil thou hast ever gone, Swan-
hild, and from evil to evil thou wilt go. It well may chance
that thy wickedness will win. It may well chance that tiiou
wilt crown thy crimes with my slaying and the slaying of the
man who loves me. But I tell thee this, traitress — murderess,
as thou art — that here the tale ends not. Not by death,
Swanhild, shalt thou escape the deeds of life ! There they
shall rise up against thee, and there every shame that thou
hast worked, every sin that thou hast sinned, and every soul
that thou hast brought to Hela's halls, shall come to haunt
thee and to drive thee on from age to age! That witch-
craft which thou lovest shall mesh thee. Shadows shall
bewilder thee ; from the bowl of empty longing thou ahalt
drink and drink, and not be satisfied. Yea! lusts shall
it;ock and madden thee. Thou shalt ride the winds, thou
shalt sail the seas, but thou shalt find no harbour, and
never shalt thou set foot upon a shore of peace.

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-e;?/C BRIGHTEYES

* Go on, Swanhild — dye those hands in blood — wade
through the river of shame ! Seek thy desire, and finding, lose !
Work thy evil, and winning, fail ! I yet shall triumph— I yet
shall trample thee ; and, in a place to come, with Eric at
my side, I shall make a mock of Swanhild the murderess !
Swanhild the liar, and the wanton, and the witch I Now get
thee gone 1'

Swanhild heard. She looked up at Gudruda's face and
it was alight as with a fire. She strove to answer, but no
words came. Then Groa's daughter turned and went, and
with her went Gizur,

Now women and thralls came in and drew out the wounded
and those who still breathed from among the dead, taking them
to the temple. They bore away the body of Ospakar also, uut
they left the rest.

All night long Gudruda sat in the bride's seat. There
she sat in the silver summer midnight, looking on the slain
who were strewn about the great hall. All night she sat
alone in the bride's seat thinking — ever thinking.

How, then, would it end ? There her brother Bjorn lay
a-cold — Bjom the justly slain of Brighteyes ; yet how could
she wed the man who slew her brother ? From Ospakar she
was divorced by death ; from Eric she was divorced by the
blood of Bjorn her brother ! How might she unravel this
tangled skein and float to weal upon this sea of death ? All
things went amiss ! The doom was on her ! She had lived to
an ill purpose — her love had wrought evil ! What availed it
to have been born to be fair among women and to have
desired that which might not be ? And she herself had brought
these things to pass — she had loosed the rock which crushed
her ! Why had she hearkened to that false tale ?

Gudruda sat on high in the bride's seat, asking wisdom of
the piled-up dead, while the cold blue shadows of the nightless
night gathered over her and them— gathc red, and waned, and
grew at last to the glare of day.

'AH nij^ht lon^ Gudruda sat in the Brid'

e's bent.'

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ospakab's caibn.

OHATTER XXVI

HOW ERIC VENTURED DOWN TO MID/JALHOP AND
WHAT HE FOUND

CIZUR went north to Swine-
I fell, and Swanhild went with
him. For now that Ospakar
was dead at Eric's hand,
Gizur ruled in his place at
Swinefell, and was the
greatest lord in all the north.
He loved Swanhild, and de-
sired to make her his wife ; but she played with him, talking
darkly of what might be. Swanhild was not minded to be
the wife of any m.an, except of Eric ; to all others she was
cold as the winter earth. Still, she fooled Gizur as she had
fooled Atli the Good, and he grew blind with love of her. For
still the beauty of Swanhild waxed as the moon waxes in the
sky, and her wicked eyes shone as the stars shine when the
moon has set.

Nuvv they came to Swinefell, and there Gizur buried
Ospak ir Blacktooth, his father, with much state. He set him
in a chamber of rock and timbers on a mountain- top, whence
he might see all the lands that once were his, and built up a
great mound of earth above him. To this day people tell that
here on Yule night black Ospakar bursts out, and golden
Eric rides down the blast to meet him. Then come the
clang of swordSt and groans, and the sound of riven helms,

EktC MTGHTEYES

t^l

till presently Brighteyes passes southward on the wind, bearing
in bin hand the half of a cloven shield.

So Gizur bound the Hell-shoes on his father, and swo: o lat
he would neit' or rest nor stay till Eric Brighteyes was md
and dead was Skallagrim Lambstail. Then he gathered a
great force of men and rode south to Coldback, to the slaying
of Eric, and with him went Swanhild.

Gudruda sat alone in the haunted hall of Middalhof and
brooded on her love and on her fate. Eric, too, sat in Mosfell
cave and brooded on his evil chancr I^^s heart was sick with
sorrow, and there was little that Le * ild do except think
about the past. He would not g ; > tcray, after the fashion
of outlaws, and there was no ncou o> this. For the talk of
his mighty deeds spread through 'ihe land, so that people spoke
of little else. And the men of lils quarter were so proud of
these deeds of Eric's that, though some of their kin had fallen
at his hands in the great fight of Middalhof and some at the
hands of Skallagrim, yet they spoke of him as men speak of a
God. Moreover they brought him gifts of food and clothing
and arms, as many as his people could caiTy away, and laid
them in a booth that is on the plain near the foot of Mosfell,
which thenceforth was na^ned Ericsfell. Further, they bade
his thralls tell him that, il he wished it, they would find a good
ship of war to take him from Iceland — ay, and ^an it with
loyal men and true.

Erie thanked them through Jon his thrall, but answered
that he wished to die here in Iceland.

Now, when Eric had sat two months and more in Mosfell
cave and autumn was coming, he learned that Gizur and
Swanhild had moved down to Coldback, and with them a
great company of men who were sworn to slay him. He
asked if Gudruda the Fair had also gathered men for his
slaying. They told him no ; that Gudruda stayed with her
thralls and women at Middalhof, mourning for Bjorn her
brother. From these tidings Eric took some heart of hope : at
the least Gudruda laid no blood-feud against him. For

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he waited, thinlving, if indeed she yet loved him, that Gudruda
would send him some word or token of her love. But no
word came, since between them ran the blood of Bjorn. On
the morrow of these tidings Skallagrim spoke to Eric.

* This is my counsel, lord,' he said, ' that we ride out by
night and fall on the folk of Gizur at Coldback, and burn the
stead over them, putting them to the sword. I am weary of
sitting here like an eagle in a cage.*

* Such is no counsel of mine, Skallagrim,' answered Bright-
eyes. * I am weary of sitting here, indeed ; but I am yet more
weary of bringing men to their death. I will shed no more
blood, unless it is to save my own head. When the people of
Gizur come to seek me on Mosfell, they shall find me here ;
but I will not go to them.'

' Thy heart is out of thee, lord,' said Skallagrim ; ' thou
wast not wont to speak thus.'

* Ay, Skallagrim,' said Erie, * the heart is out of me. Yet
I ride from Mosfell to-day.*

' Whither, lord ? '

* To Middalhof, to have speech with Gudruda the Fair.'

* Like enough, then, thou wilt be silent thereafter.'

*It well may be,' said Eric. 'Yet I will ride. I can
bear this doubt no longer.'

* Then I shall come with thee,' said Skallagrim.

* As thou wilt,' answered Eric.

So at midday Eric and Skallagrim rode away from Mosfell
in a storm of rain. The rain was so heavy that those of
Gizur' s spies who watched the mountain did not see them. All
that day they rode and all the night, till by morning they came
to Middalhof. Eric told Skallagrim to stay with the horses and
let them feed, while he went on foot to see if by chance he
might get speech with Gudruda. This the Baresark did,
though he grumbled at the task, fearing lest Eric should he
done to death and he not there to die with him.

Now Eric walked to within two bowshots of the house, then
sat down in a dell by the river, from the edge of which he
could see those who passed in and out. Presently his heart
gave a leap, for there came out from the women's door

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

244

a lady tall and beautiful to see, and with gokle n hair that
flowed about her breast. It was Gudruda, and he saw that
she boro a napkin in her hand. Then Eric knew, according to
her custom on the warm mornings, that she came alone to
bathe in the river, as she had always done from a child. It
was her liabit to bathe here in this place : for at the bottom of
the dell was a spot where reeds and bushes grew thick, and
the water lay in a basui of rock and was clear and still.
For at this spot a hot spring ran into the river.

Eric went down the doll, hid himself close in the bushes
and waited, for he feared to speak with Gudruda in the open
field. A while passed, and presently the shadow of the lady
crept over the edge of the dell, then she came herself in that
beauty which since her day has not been known in Iceland.
Her face was sad and sweet, her dark and lovely eyes
were sad. On she came, till she stood within a spear's
lengtli of where Eric lay, crouched in the bush, and looking at
iier through the hedge of reeds. Here a flat rock overhung the
water, and Gudruda sat herself on this rock, and, shaking off
her shoes, dipped her white feet in the water. Then suddenly
she threw aside her cloak, baring her arms, and, gazing
upon the shadow of her beauty in the mirror of the water,
sighed and sighed again, while Eric looked at her with a
bursting heart, for as yet he could find no words to say.

Now she spoke aloud. ' Of what use to be so fair ? ' she
said. * Oh, wherefore was I born so fair to bring death to
many and sorrow on myself and him I love ? ' And she shook
her golden hair about her arms of snow, and, holding the
napkin to her eyes, wept softly. But it seemed to Eric that
between her sobs she called upon his name.

Now Eric could no longer bear the sight of Gudruda
weeping. While she wept, hiding her eyes, he rose from be-
liind the screen of reeds and stood beside her in such fashion
i.hat his shadow fell upon her. She felt the sunlight pass and
looked up. Lo ! it was no cloud, but the shape of Erie, and
the sun glittered on his golden helm and hair.

• Eric ! ' Gudruda cried ; ' Eric ! ' Then, remembering how
she was attired, snatching her cloak, she threw it about her

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El^/C BRIGHTEYES

arms and thrust her wet feet into her shoes. ' Out upon
thee 1 ' she said ; ' is it not enough, then, that thou shouldst
break thy troth for Swanhild's sake, that thou shouldst slay
my brother and turn my hall to shambles ? Wouldst now
steal upon me thus ! '

' Methought that thou didst weep and call upon my
name, Gudruda,' he said humbly.

* By what right art thou here to hearken to my words ? '
she answered. * Is it, then, strange that I should speak the
name of him who slew my brother ? Is it strange that I should
weep over that brother whom thou didst slay ? Get thee gone,
Brighteyes, before I call my folk to kill thee 1 '

' Call on, Gudruda. I set little price upon my life. I
laid it in the hands of chance when I came from Mosfell
to speak with thee, and now I will pay it down if so it
pleases thee. Fear not, thy thralls shall have an easy task :
for I shall scarcely care to hold my own. Say, shall I call for
thee ? '

* Hush ! Speak not so loud I Folk may hear thee, Eric,
and then thou wilt be in danger — I would say that, then
shall ill things be told of me, because I am found with him
who slew my brother ? '

* I slew Ospakar also, Gudruda. Surely the death of him
by whose side thou didst sit as wife i ' more to thee than the
death of Bjorn ? '

' The bride-cup was not yet drunk, Eric ; therefore I
have no blood-feud for Ospakar.'

* Is it, then, thy will that I should go, lady ? '

* Yes, go ! — go ! Never let me see thy face again !
Brighteyes turned without a word. He took three paces

and Gudruda watched him as he went.

* Eric ! ' she called. ' Eric ! thou mayest not go yet : for
at this hour the thralls bring down the kine to milk, and they
will see thee. Lie thou hid here. I — I will go. For though,
indeed, thou dost deserve to die, I am not willing to bring
thee to thy end— because of old friendship I am not willing ! '

* If thou goest I will go also,' said Erie* * Thralls or no
^brails, I will ^0, Gudruda*'

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

246

' Thou art cruel to drive me to such a choice, and I have
a mind to give thee to thy fate.'

* As thou wilt,' said Eric ; but she made as though she did
not hear his words.

* Now,' she said, ' if we must stay here, it is better that we
hide where thou didst hide, lest some come upon thee.' And
she passed through the screen of rushes and sat down in
a grassy place beyond, and spoke again.

* Nay, sit not near me ; sit yonder. I would not touch
thee, nor look upon thee, who waat Swanhild's love, and didst
slay Bjorn my brother.'

* Say, Gudruda,' said Eric, • did I not tell thee of the
magic arts of Swanhild? Did I not tell thee before all
men yonder in the hall, and didst thou not say that thou
didst believe my words ? Speak.'

* That is true,' said Gudruda.

* Wherefore, then, dost thou taunt me with being Swan-
hild's love — witD being the love of her whom of all alive I
hate the most — and whose wicked guile has brought these
sorrows on us ? '

But Gudruda did not answer.

* And for this matter of the death of Bjorn at my hands,
think, Gndruda : was I to blame in it ? Did not Bjorn
thrust the cloven shield before my feet, and thus give me
into the hand of Ospakar ? Did he not afterwards smite at
me from behind, and would he not have slain me \i Skalla-
grim had not caught the blow ? Was I, then, to blame if I
smote back and if the sword flew home ? Wilt thou let the
needful deed rise up against our love ? Speak, Gudruda ! '

' Talk no more of love to me, Eric,' she answered ; * the
blood of Bjorn has blotted out our love : it cries to me for
vaiigeance. How may I speak of love wiob him vho slew
my brother? Listen!' she went on, looking on 'aim side-
long, as one who wished to look and yet not soe n to see :
• here thou must hide an hour, and, siiica thou \i, lit not sit in
silence, speak no tender words to me, for it is not fitting ; but
tell me of those deeds thou didst in the south lands over sea,
before thou wentest to woo Swanhild and earnest hither to

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£I^/C BRIGHT EYES

kill my brother. For till then thou wast mine —till then I
loved thee — who now love thee not. TJierefore I would
hear of the deeds " that Eric whom once 1 loved, before he
became as one dead to me.'

' Heavy words, lacly,' said Eric — * words to make death
easy.'

* Speak not so,' she said ; ' it is unmanly thus to work upon
my fears. Tell me those tidings of which I ask.'

So Eric told her all his deeds, though he showed small
boastfulness about tliem. He told her how he had smitten
the war-dragons of Ospakar, how he had boarded the Kaven
and with Skallagrim slain those who sailed in her. He told
her also of his d }cds in Ireland, and of how lie took the viking
ships and came to London town.

And as he told, Gudruda listened as one who hung upon
her lover's dying words, and there was but one light in the
world for her, the light of Eric's eyes, and there was but one
music, the music of his voice. Now she looked upon him
sidelong no longer, but with open eyes and parted lips she
drank in his words, and always, though she knew it not her-
self, she crept closer to his side.

Then he told her how he had been greatly honoured of
the King of England, and of the battles he had fought in at
his side. Lastly, Eric told her ho77 the King would have given
I'-im a certain great lady of royal blood in marriage, and how
Edmund had been angered because he would not stay in
England.

' Tell me of this lady,* said Gudruda, quickly. * Is she
fair, and how is she named ? '

* She is fair, and her name is Elfrida,' said Eric.

' And didst thou have speech with her on this matter ? *

* Somewhat.'

Now Gudruda drew herself ciway from Eric's side.
' What Vv'as the purport of thy speech ? ' she said, looking
down. * Speak truly, Eric'

* it came to little,' he answered. * I told her that there
was one in Iceland to whom I was betrothed, and to Iceland I
must go.'

II ■>

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

248

* And what said this Elfrida, then ? '

* She said that I should get httle luck at the hands of
Gudruda the Fair. Moreover, she asked, should my betrothed
be faithless to me, or put me from her, if I should come again
to England.'

Now Gudruda looked him in the face and spoke. • Say,
Eric, is it in thy mind to sail for England in the spring, if
thou canst escape thy foes so long ? '

Now Eric took counsel with himself, and in his love and
doubt grew guileful as he had never been before. For he
knew well that Gudruda had this weakness — she was a jealous
woman.

* Since thou dost put me from thee, that is in my mind,
lady,' he answered.

Gudruda heard. She thought on the great and beauteous
Lady Elfrida, far away in England, and of Eric walking at
her side, and sorrow took hold of her. Shf^ said no word, but
fixed her dark eyes on Brighteyes' face, and io i ,lhey filled
with tears.

Eric might not bear this sight, for his heart beat within
him as though it would burst the byrnie over it. Suddenly
he stretched out his arms and s vept her to his breast. Soft
and sweet he kissed her, again and yet again, and she struggled
not, though she wept a little.

* It is small blame to me,' she whispered, ' if thou dost
hold me on thy breast and kiss me, for thou art more strong
than I. Bjorn must know this if his dead eyes see aught.
Yet for thee, Eric, it is the greatest shame of all thy shames.'

* Talk not, my sweet ; talk not,' said Eric, * but kiss thou
me : for thou knowest well that thou lovest me yet as I love
thee.'

Now the end of it was that Gudruda yielded and kissed
him whom she had not kissed for many years.

* I<oose me, Eric,* she said ; * I would speak with thee,'
and he loosed her, though unwillingly.

' Eearken,' she went on, hiding her fair fpce in her hands :
* it is true that for life and death I love thee now as ever — how
much thou mayest neve?, know. Though Bjorn be dead at

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ERIC BRIG HTE YES

thy hands, yet I love thee ; but how I may wed thee and not
win the greatest shame, that 1 know not. I am sure of one
thing, that we may not bide here in Iceland. Now if, indeed,
thou lovest me, listen to my rede. Get thee back to Mosfell,
Eric, and sit there in safety through this winter, for they may
not come at thee yonder on Mosfell. Then, if thou art willing,
in the spring I will make ready a ship, for I have no ship now,
and, moreover, it is too late +0 gail. Then, perchance, leav-
ing all my lands and goods, I will take thy hand, Eric, and we
will fare together to England, seeking such fortune as the
Norns may give us. What sayest thou ? '

' I say it is a good rede, and would that the spring were
come.'

' Ay, Eric, would that the spring were come. Our lot has
been hard, and I doubt much if things will go well with us
at the last. And now thou must hence, for presently the
serving- vfomen will come to seek me. Guard thyself, Eric, as
thou lovest me — guard thyself, and beware of Swanhill ! '
Then once more they kissed soft and long, and Eric went.

But Gudruda sat a while behind the screen of reeds, and
was very happy for a space. For it was as though the winter
were past and summer shone upon her heart again.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

250

CHAPTER XXVn

HOW GUDRUDA WENT UP TO MOSFELH

Eric walked warily till he came to the dell where he had left
Skallagrim and the horses. It was the same dell in which
Groa had brewed the poison-draught for Asmund the Priest
and Unna, Thorod's daughter.

' What news, lord ? ' said Skallagrim. * Thou wast gone
so long that I thought of seeking thee. Hast thou seen
Gudruda?'

* Ay,' said Eric, ' and this is the upshot of it, that in the
spring we sail for England and bid farewell to Iceland and
our ill luck.'

* Would, then, that it vrere spring,' said Skallagrim, speak-
ing Brighteyes' own words. * Why not sail now and make an
end?'

' Gudruda has no ship and it is late to take the sea. Also
I think that she would let a time go by because of the blood-
feud which she has ft^ga^nst me for the death of Bjorn.'

* I would rather risk these things than stay the winter
through in Iceland,' said Skallagrim, * it is long from now to
spring, and yon wolf's rJen is cold-lying in the dark months, as
I know wdl.'

* Thert- is light beyond the darkness,' said Eric, and they
rode away. Everything went well with them till late at
night they came to the slopes of Mosfell. They were half
asleep on their horses, beiii^' weary with much riding, and
the horses were weary also. Suddenly Skallagrim, looking up,
caught the faint gleam of light h'om swords hidden behind
some stones.

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-e/?/C BRIGHTEYES

* Awake, lord 1 * he cried, ' here are foes ahead.'
Gizur'B folk behind the stones heard his voice and came

out from their ambush. There were six of them, and they
formed in line before the pair. They wero watching the moun-
tain, for a rumour had reached them that Eric was abroad,
and, seeing him, they had hidden hastily betdnd the stones.

' Now what counsel shall we take ? ' said Eric, drawing
Whitefire.

* We have often stood against more men than six, and
sometimes we have left more men tl an six to mark where we
had stood,' answered Skallagrim. * It is my counsel that we
ride at them 1 *

* So be it,' said Eric, and spurred his weary horse with his
'heels. Now when the six saw Eric and Skallagrim charge

on them boldly, they wavered, and the end of it was that they
broke and fled to either side before a blow was struck. For it
had come to this pass, so great was the terror of the names of
Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail, that no six men
dared to stand before them in open fight.

So the path being clear they rode on up the slope. But
when they had gone a Httle way, Skallagrim turned his horse,
and mocked those who had lain in ambush, saying :

' Ye fight well, ye carles of Gizur, Ospakar's son 1 Ye are
heroes, surely ! Say now, mighty men, will ye stand there if
I come down alone against you ? '

At thbse words the men grew mad with wrath, and flung
their spears. Skallagrim caught one on his shield and it fell
to the earth, but another passed over his head and struck Eric
on the left shoulder, near the neck, making a deep wound.
Feehng the spear fast in him, Eric grasped it with his right
hand, drew it forth and, turning, hurled it so hard, that the
inr.n b^ fore it got his death from the blow, xor his shield did
net uerve to stay it. Then the rest fled.

SliiJlagrim bounr" up Eric's wound as well as he could,
I'. id they y yai on to the cave. But when Eric's folk,
wf»tching above, b > vv the fight they ran down and met him.
No.v \}Vc: liT t was bad and Eric bled much; still, within
lati du>.' it healed up for the time,.

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

»52

But a little while after Eric's wound was slrinned over,
the snows set in on Mosfell, and the days grew short and the
nights long. Once Gizur's men to the number of fifty came
halfway up the mountain to take it; but, when they saw how
strong the place was, they feared, and went back, and alior
that returned no more, though they always watched the fell.

It was very dark and lonesome there upon the fell. For
a while Eric kept in good heart, but as the days went by he
grew troubled. For tince he was wounded this had come upon
him, that he feared the dark, and the death of Atli at his
hand and Atli's words weighed more and more upon his
mind. They had no candles on the fell, ^ et, rather tlian stay in
the blackness of the cave, Eric would v/rap sheepskin,! fibout
him and sit by t}io edge of that gulf down which tlie head of
the Baresark had foretold his fall, and look out at the wide
plains and fells and ice-mountains, gleaming in the silver
shine of the Northero lights or in the white beams of the
stars.

It chanced that Eric had bidden the men who stayed
with him to build a stent hut upor the flat space of rock
before the cave, and to roof it with tuives. He had done this
that work might keep them in heart, also that they might
have a place to store such goods as thrv had gathered. Now
there was one stone lying near tha* no two men of their
number could move, except Skallagi' and one other. One
day, while it was light, Eric watch these two rolling the
stone along to where it must star ' and it was slow work.
Presently they stayed to rest. Th.
his hands beneath the stone, lifte
he rolled the mass alone, to where ^t should be set as the coiner
stone of the hut.

* Ye are all children,' he said, and laughed merrily.

* Ay, when we set our strength ogainst thine, lord,' a <
Skallagrim ; ' but look : the blood runs from thy n(
spear- wound has broken out afresh '

* So itiSj surely,' said Eric. Then he washed the wound
and bound it up, thinking little of the matter.

But that night; according to his custom, Eric sat on the

Eric came and putting
,nd while men wondered,

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EJ^IC BRIG HTE YES

edge of the gulf and looked at the winter lights as they played
over Hecla's snows. He was sad and heavy at heart, for he
thought of Gudruda and wondered much if they should live to
wed. Remembering Atli's words, he had little faith in his good
luck. Now as Eric sat and thought, the bandage on his neck
slipped, so that the hurt bled, and the frost got hold of the
wound and froze it, and froze his long hair to it also, in snch
fashion that when he went to the cave where all men slept,
he could not loose his hair from the sore, but lay dov.n
with it frozen to him. On the morrow the hair was caked so
fast about his neck that it could only be freed by shearing
it. But this Eric would not suffer. None, he said, should
shear his hair, except Gudruda. Thus he had sworn, and
when he broke the oath misfortune had come of it. He would
break that vow no more, if it cost him his life. For sorrow and
his ill luck had taken so great a hold of Eric's mind that in
some ways he was scarcely himself.

So it came to pass that he fell more and more sick, till
at length he could not rise from his bed in the cave, but
lay there all day and night, staring at the little light which
pierced the gloom. Still, he would not suffer that anyone
should touch his hair. And when one stole upon him sleeping,
thinking so to cut it before he woke, and come at the wound,
suddenly he sat up and dealt the man such a buffet on the
head that he went near to death from it.

Then Skallagrim spoke.

* On this matter,' he said, ' it seems that Brighteyes ia
mad. He will not suffer that any touch his hair, except
Gudruda, and yet, if his hair is not shor^ , he must die, for the
wound will fester under it. Nor may we cut it by strength,
for then he will kill himself in struggling. It is come to this
then : either Gudruda must be brought hither or Eric will
shortly die.'

* That may not be,' they answered. * How can the lady
Gudruda come here across the snows, even if she will come ? '

* Come she can, if she has the heart,' said Skallagrim,
* though 1 put little trust in women's hearts. Still, I ride down
to Middalhof, and thou, Jon, shalt go with me. For the rest,

ERIC BRIGHTRYES

254

I charge you watch your lord; for, if I come back and find
anything amiss, that shall be the death of some, and if I do
not come back but perish on the road, yet I will haunt you.'

Now Jon liked not this task ; still, for love of Eric and
fear of Skallagrim he set out with the Baresark. They had
a hard journey through the snow-drifts and the dark, but on
the third day they came to Middalhof, knocked upon the door
and ente ed.

Now it was supper-time, and people, sitting at meat, saw
a great black man, covered with snow and rime, stalk up the
hall, and after him another smaller man, who groaned with
the cold, and they wondered at the sight. Gudruda sat on the
high seat and the firelight beat upon her face.

• Who comes here ? ' she said.

' One who would speak with thee, lady,' answered
Skallagrim.

' Here is Skallagrim th^ Ba^'esark,' said a man. ' He is
an outlaw, let us kill him ! '

* Ay, it is Skallagrim,' he answered, * and if there is kill-
ing to be done, why here's that which shall do it,' and he
drew out his axe and smiled grimly.

Then all held their peace, for they feared the axe of
Skallagrim.

*Lady,' he said, ' I do not come for slaying or such child's
play, I come to speak a word in thine ear — but first I ask a
cup of mead and a morsel of food, for we have spent three
days in the snows.*

So they ate and drank. Then Gudruda bade the Baresark
draw near and tell her his tale.

♦Lady,' said he, *Eric, my lord, lies dying on Mosfell.'

Gudruda turned white as the snow.

'Dying?— Eric lies dying?' she said. 'Why, then, art
then here?'

♦ For this cause, lady : I think that thou canst save him, if
he is not already sped.' And he told her all the tale.

Now Gudruda thought a while.

* This is a hard journey,' she said, 'and it does not become
a maid to visit outlaws in their caves. Yet I am come to this,

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255

ENTC BRICHTEYES

that T will die before I shrink from anything that may save
the hfe of Eric. When uiuat we ride, Skallagrim ? '

* This night,' said the Baresark. 'This night while men
sleep, for now night and day are almost the same. The snow
is deep and we have no time to lose if we would find Bright-
eyes living.'

' Then we will ride to-night,' answered Gudruda.

Afterwards, when people slept, Gudruda the Fair sum-
moned her women, and bade them say to all who asked for
her that she lay sick m bed. Bmt sht called three trusty thralls,
bidding them bring two pack-horsos laden with hay, food,
drugs, candles made of sheep's fat, aAd other goods, and rid*

RIDING OVER THE SNOWS.

with her. Then, all being ready, they rode away secretly up
Stonefell, Gudruda on her horse Blackmane, and the others
on good geldings that had been hay-fed in the yard, and by
dayliglit they passed up Horse-Head Heights. They slept
two nights in the snow, and on the second night almost
perished there, for much soft snow fell. But afterwards
came frost and a bitter northerly wind and they passed on.
Gudruda was a strong woman and great of heart and will,
and so it came about that on the third dav she reached
Mosfell, weary but little harmed, though the fingers of her left
hand were frostbitten. They climbed the mountain, and when
they came to the dell where the horses were kept, certain of
Eric's men met them and their faces were sad.

* How goes it now with Brighteyes ? ' said Skallagrim, for

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

256

Gudrucia could scarcely speak because of doubt and cold. * la
he dead, llion ■* '

' Nay,' tliey answered, ' but like to die, for lie is beside
hinisolf and raves wildly,'

' Push on,' quoth Gudruda ; ' push on, lesi it be too late.'
So they clinibiid the mountain on foot, won thci pass and
came to that giddy point of rock where he must tread who
would reach the platform tliat is before the cave. Now since
she had hung by her liands over Goldfoss gulf, Gudruda
had feared to tread upon a height with nothing to hold
to. Skallagrim went first, then called to her to follow.
Thrice she looked, and turned :iway, trembling, for the place
was awful and the fall bottomless. Then she spoke aloud to
herself :

* Eric did not fear to risk his life to save me when I hung
over Golden Falls; less, then, should I fear to risk mine
to save him,' and she stepped boldly down upon the point.
But when she stood there, over the giddy height, shivers ran
along her body, and her mind grew dark. She clutched at
the rock, gave one low cry and began to fall. Indeed she
would have fallen and been lost, had not Skallagrim, lying on
his breast in the narrow hole, stretched out his arms, caught
her by the cloak and kirtle and dragged \i?:. co him. Presently
her senses came back.

* I am safe ! ' she gasped, ' but by a very little. Methinks
that here in this place I must live and die, for I can never
tread yonder rock again.'

* Thou shalt pass it safe enough, lady, with a rope round
thee,' said Skallagrim, and led the way to the cave.

Gudruda entered, forgetting all things in her love of Eric.
A great fire of turf burned in the mouth of the cave to temper
the bitter wind and frost, and by its light Gudruda saw her
love through the smoke-reek. He lay upon a bed of skins at
the far end of the cave and his bright grey eyes were wild,
his wan face was w^bite, and now of a sudden it grew red with
fever, and then was white again. He had thrown the sheep-
skins from his mighty chest, the bones of which stood out
grimly. His long arms were thrust through the looks of

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EH/C BRIGHTEYES

hifi golden hair, and on one side of his neck the hair ching to
him and it was but a black mass.

He raved loudly in his madness. ' Touch me not, carles,
(touch me not ; ye think me spent and weak, lut, by Thor 1 if ye
touch my hair, I will loosen the knees of some. udruda
alone shall shear my hair : I have sworn and I will keep the
oath that I once broke. Give me snow ! snow ! my throat
burns ! Heap snow on my head, I bid you. Ye will not? Yo
mock me, thinkir '^e weak ! Where, then, is Whitefire? —
I have yet a deou to do ! Who comes yonder ? Is it a woman's
shape or is it but a smoke-wraith ? 'Tis Swanhild the Father-
less who walks the waters. Begone, Swanhild, thou witch !
thou hp3t worked evil enough upon me. Nay, it is not Swan-
hild, it is Elfrida; lady, here in England I may not stay. In
Iceland I am at home. Yea, yea, things go crossly ; perchance
in this garden we may speak again ! '

Now Gudruda could bear his words no longer, but ran to
him and knelt beside him.

' Peace, Eric ! ' she whispered. * Peace ! It is I, thy love.
It is Gudruda, who am come to thee.'

He turned his head and looked upon her strangely.

*No, no,' he said, ' it is not Gudruda the Fair. She will

have little to do with outlaws, and this is too rough a place

for her to come to. It is dark also and Atli speaks in the

darkness. If thou art Gudruda, give me a sign. Why comest

thou here and where is Skallagrim ? Ah ! that was a good

fight-
Down amongst the ballast tumbling

Ospakar's shield-carles were rolled.

But he should never have slain the steersman. The axe
goes first and Skallagrim follows after. Ha, ha! Ay,
Swanhild, we'll mingle tears! Give me the cup. Why,
what is this ? Thou art afire, a glory glows about thee, and
from thee floats a scent like the scent of the Iceland meads

in May.'

* Eric ! Eric ! ' cried Gudruda, * I am come to shear thy
hair, as thou didst swear that I alone should do.'

»Now I know that thou art Gudruda,' said the crazed

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

258

man. * Out, cut ; but let not those knaves touch my head,
lest I should slay them.'

Then Gudruda drew out her shears, and without more
ado shore off Brighteyes' golden locks. It was no easy
task, for they were thick as a horse's mane, and glued
to the wound. Yet when she had cut them, she looRcned
the hair from the flesh with water which she heated upon the
fire. The wound was in a bad state and blue, still Eric never
winced while she dragged the hair from it. Then she washed
the sore clean, and put sweet ointment on it and covered
it with napkins.

This done, she gave Eric broth and he drank. Then,
laying her hand upon his head, she looked into his eyes and
bade him sleep. And presently he slept — which ho had
scarcely done for many days— slept like a little child.

Eric slept for a day an 1 a night. But at that same hour
of the eveninpf, when he had fallen asleep, Gudruda, watching
him by the light of a taper that was set upon a rock, saw
liim smile in his* dreams. Presently he opened his eyes and
stared at the fire which glowed in the mouth of the cave,
and the great shadows that fell upon the rocks.

* Strange ! ' she heard him murmur, it is very strange ! but
I dreamed I slept, and that Gudruda the Fair leaned over me as
I slept. Where, then, is Skallagrim ? Perhaps I am dead
and that is Hela's fire,' and he tried to lift himself upon his
arm, but fell back from faintness, for he was very weak.
Then Gudruda took his hand, and, leaning over him, spoke :

* Hug^, Eric ! ' she said ; * that was no dream, for I am here.
Thou hast been sick to death, Eric ; but now, if thou wilt
rest, things shall go well with thee.'

' Thou art here ? ' said Eric, turning his white face
towards her. * Do I still dream, or how earnest thou here to
Mosfell, Gudruda ? '

* I came through the snows, Eric, to cut thy hair, which
clung to the festering wound, for in thy madness thou wouldst
not suffer anyone to touch it.'

*Thou earnest through the snows— over the snows — to
nurse me, Gudruda ? Thou must love me much then,' an^

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

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lie was so weak that, as he spoke, the tears rolled down
Eric's cheeks.

Then Gudruda kissed him, weeping also, and, laying her
face by his, bade him be at peace, for she was there to watch
him. >

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

^ jl;

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V\-

CHAPTER XXVni

HOW SWANHILD WON TIDINGS OF EBIO

\ ,1

Now Eric's strength came back to him and his heart opened
in the light of Gudruda's eyes hke a flower in the sunshine.
For all day long she sat at his side, holding his hand and
talking to him, and they found much to say.

But on the fifth day from the ^:dt'^ of his awakening she
spoke thus :

' Eric, now I must go back to Middalhof. Thou art safe
and it is not well that I should stay here.'

* Not yet, Gudruda,' he said ; * leave me not yet.*

* Yes, love, I must leave thee. The moon is bright, the
sky has cleared, and the snow is hard with frost and fit for
the hoofs of horses. I must go before more storms come.
Listen now : in the second week of spring, if all is well, I
will send thee a messenger with words of token, then shalt
thou come down secretly to Middalhof, and there, Eric, we
will be wed. Then on the next day, we will sail for England
in a trading-ship that I shall get ready, to seek our fortune
there.'

* It will be a good fortune if thou art by my side,' said
Eric, ' so good that I doubt greatly if I may find it, for I am
Eric the Unlucky. Swanhild must yet be reckoned with,
Gudruda. Yes, thou art right : thou must go hence, Gud-
ruda, and swiftly, though it grieves me much to part with
thee.'

Then Eric called Skallagrim and bade him make things
ready to ride down to Middalhof with the Lady Gudruda.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

261

This Skallagrim did swiftly, and afterwards Eric and Gud-
ruda kissed and parted, and they were sad at heart to part.

Now on the fifth day after the going of Gudruda, Skalla-
grim came back to Mosfell somewhat cold and weary. And
he told Eric, who could now walk and grew strong again,
that he and Jon had ridden with Gudruda the Fair to
Horse-Head Heights, seeing no man, and had left her there
to go on with her thralls. He had come back also seeing no
one, for the weather was too cold for the men of Gizur to
watch the fell in the snows.

Now Gudruda came safely to Middalhof, having been
eleven days gone, and found that few had visited the house,
and that these had been told that she lay sick abed. Her
secret had been well kept, and, though Swanhild had no lack
of spies, many days went by before she learned that Gud-
ruda had gone up to Mosfell to nurse Eric.

After this Gudruda began to make ready for her flight
from Iceland. She called in the moneys that she had out at
interest, and with them bought from a certain chapman a
good trading-ship which lay in its shed under the shelter of
Westman Isles. This ship she began to make ready for sea so
soon as the heart of the winter was broken, putting it about
that she intended to send her on a trading voyage to Scot-
land in the spring. And to give colour to this tale she bought
many pelts and other goods, such as chapmen deal in.

Thus the days passed on — not so badly for Gudruda, who
strove to fill their emptiness in making ready for the full and
happy time ; but for Eric in his cave thej' were very heavy,
for he could find nothing to do except to sleep and eat, and
think of Gudruda, whom he might not see.

For Swanhild also, sitting at Coldback, the days did not
go well. She was weary of the courting of Gizur, whom she
played with as a cat plays with a rat, and her heart was
sick with love, hate, and jealousy. For she well knew that
Gudruda and Eric still clung to each other and found means
of greeting, if not of speech. At that time she wished to
kill Eric if she could, though she would rather kill Gudiuda

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262

iJ/e/C BRIGHTEYES

if she dared. Still, she could not come at Eric, ^or her men
feared to try the narrow way of Mosfell, and when they met
bim in the open they fled before him.

Presently it came to her ears that Gudruda made a ship
ready to sail to Scotland on a trading voyage, and she
was perplexed by this tale, for she knew that Gudruda had
no love of trading and never thought of gain. So she set
spies to watch the ship. Still, the slow days drew on, and at
length the air grew soft with spring, and flowers showed
through the snow.

Eric sat in his mountain nest waiting for tidings, and
watched the nesting eagles wheel about the cliffs. At length
news came. For one morning, as he rose, Skailagrim told
him that a man wished to speak with him. He had come to
the mountain in the darkness, and had lain in a dell till the
breaking of the light, for, now that the snows were melting,
the men of Gizur and Swanhild watched the pathways.

Eric bade them bring the man to him. When he sa^
him he knew that he was a thrall of Gudruda's, and welcomed
him heartily. •

* What tidings ? * he asked.

* This, lord,' said the thrall : * Gudruda the Fair bids me
say that she is well and that the snows melt on the roof of
Middalhof.'

Now this was the signal word that had been agreed upon
between Eric and Gudruda, that she should send him when
all was ready.

* Good,' said Eric, * ride back to Gudruda the Fair and
say that Eric Brighteyes is well, but on Hecla the snows
melt not.'

By this answer he meant that he would be with her pre-
sently, though the thrall could make nothing of it. Then Skal-
lagrim asked tidings of the man, and learned that Swanhild
was still at Middalhof, and with her Gizur, and that they
gave out that they wished to nic.ke an end of waiting and
slay Eric.

* First snare your bird, then wrin^ his neck,' laughe4
gkallagriui.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

263

Then Eric did this : among his men were some who he
knew were not wiUing to sail from Iceland, and Jon, his
thrall, was of them, for Jon did not love the angry sea. He
bade these bide a while on Mosfell and ip/ij.o lires rii:.;litly on
the platform of rock whicli is in front 01 tlic c:;i\c, that the spies
of Gizur and Swanhild miglit he decei\ed by them, wv.A think
that Eric was still on tJio fell. TJien, when they heard tliat he
had sailed, they were to come dov.u and hide tlieniselvea
with frienda till Gizur and his ibllowing rode north. But he
told two of the men who would sail with him to make ready.

That night before the moon rose Eric said farewell
to Jon and the others who stayed on Mosfell, and rode
away with Skallagrim and the two who v>'ent with him.
They passed the plain of black sand in safety, and so on to
Horse-Heac' Heights. Now at length, as the afternoon drew
on to evening, from Stonefell's crest they saw the Hall of
Middalhof before them, and Eric's heart swelled in his breast.
Yet they must wait till darkness fell before they dared enter
the place, lest they should be seen and notice of their
coming should be carried to Gizur and Swanhild. And this
came into the mind of Eric, that of all the hours of his life
that hour of waiting was the longest. Scarcely, indeed, could
Skallagrim hold hiiri back from going down the mountain
side, he was so set on coming to Gudrada whom he should
wed that night.

At length the darkness fell, and they went on. Eric rode
swiftly down the rough mountain path, while Skallagrim and
the two men followed grumbling, for they feared that their
horses would fall. At length they came to the place, and
riding into the yard, Eric sprang from his horse and strode to
the women's door. Now Gudruda stood in the porch, listening;
and while he was yet some way off, she heard the clang of
Brighteyen's harness, and the colour came and went upon
her cheek. Then she turned and fled to the high seat of
the hall, and sat down there. Only two women were left
in Middalhof with her, and some thralls who tended the
kine and horses. But these slept, not in the hall, but in an
outhouse, Gudruda had sent the rest of her people do^ii tQ

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EI?/C BRIGHTEYES

the ship to help in the lading, for it was given out that
the vessel sailed on the morrow. She had done this that
there might he no talk of the coming of Eric to Middalhof.

Now Brighteyes came to the porch, and, finding the door
wide, walked in. But Skallagrim and the men stayed without
a while, and tended the horses. A fire hurned upon the
centre hearth in the hall, and threw shadows on the panel-
ing. Eric walked on by its light, looking to left and right,
but seeing neither man nor woman. Then a great fear took
him lest Gudruda should be gone, or perhaps slain of Swan-
hild, Groa's daughter, and he trembled at the thought.
He stood by the fire, and Gudruda, watching Lum the
shadow of the high seat, saw the dull light glow upon his
golden helm, and a sigh of joy broke from her lips. Eric
heard the sigh and looked, and as he looked a stick of pitchy
drift-wood fell into the fire and flared up fiercely. Then he
saw. There, in the carved high seat, robed all in bridal white,
sat Gudruda the Fair, hid love. Her golden hair flowed about
her breast, her white arms were stretched towards him, and on
her sweet face shone such a look of love as he had never seen.

* Eric ! ' she whispered softly, and the breath of her voice
ran down the empty paneled hall, that from all sides seemed
to answer, * Eric.'

Slowly he drew near to her. He saw nothing but the
glory of Gudruda's face and the light shining on Gudruda's
hair ; he heard nothing save the sighing of her breath ; he
knew nothing except that before him sat his fair bride, won
after many years.

Now he had cUmbed the high seat, and now, wrapped in
each other's arms, they sat and gazed into each other's eyes,
and lo ! the air of the great hall rolled round them a sea of
glory, and sweet voices whispered in their ears. Now Freya
smiled upon them and lod them through her gates of love,
and they were glad that they had been bom.

Thus then they were wed.

Now the story tells that Swanhild spoke with Gizur,
Ospakar's son, in the house at Coldback.

nRIC BRIGHTEYES

36$

•I tire of this slow play,' she Laid. * We have tarried hera
for many weeks, and Atli's blood yet cries out for vengeance,
and cries for vengeance the blood of black Ospakar, thy
father, and the blood of many another, dead at great Eric's
hand.'

* I tire also,' said Gizur, ' ant! I am much needed in the
north. I say this to thee, Swanhild, that, hadst thou not so
strictly laid it on me that Eric must die ere thou weddest me,
I had flitted back to Swinefell before now, and there bided
my time to bring Brighteyes to his end.'

*I will never wed thee, Gizur, till Eric is dead,' said
8wanhild fiercely.

* How shall we come at him then ? ' he answered. ' We
may not go up that mountain path, for two men can hold it
against all our strength, and folk do not love to meet Eric and
Skallagrim in a narrow way.'

* The place has been badly watched,' said Swanhild. * I am
sure of this, that Eric has been down to Middalhof and seen
Gudruda, my half-sister. She is shameless, who still holds
commune with him who slew her brother and my husb?nd.
Death should be her reward, and I am minded to slay
her because of the shame that she has brought upon our
Wood.'

* That is a deed which thou wilt do alone, then,' said Gizur,
' for I will have no hand in the murder of that fair maid — no
nor will any who live in Iceland ! '

Swanhild glanced at him strangely. ' Hearken, Gizur ! '
she said : * Gudruda makes a ship ready to sail with goods to
Scotland and bring a cargo thence before winter comes again.
Now I find this strange, for never before did I know Gudruda
turn her thoughts to trading. I think that she has it in
her mind to sail from Iceland with this outlaw Eric, and seek
a home over seas, and that I will not bear.'

* It may be,' said Gizur, ' and I should not be sorry to
see the last of Brighteyes, for I think that more men will
die at his hand before he stiffens in his barrow.'

* Thou art cowardly-hearted, thou son of Ospakar ! ' Swan-
hild said. ' Thou sayest thou lovest me and wouldest win me to

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wife : I tell thee that there is but one road to my arms, and
it leads over the corpse of Erie. Now this is my counsel :
that we send the most of our men to watch that ship of Gud*
ruda's, and, when she lifts anchor, to board her and search,
for she is already bound for sea. Also among the people here
I have a carle who was bom near Hecla, and he swears
this to me, that, when he was a lad, searching for an eagle's
eyrie, he found a path by which Mosfell might be climbed
from the north, and that in the end he came to a large flat
place, and, looking over, saw that platform where Eric dwells
with his thralls. But he could not see the cave, because of the
overhanging brow of the rock. Now we will do this : thou and
I, and the carle alone — no more, for I do not wish that our
search should be noised abroad — to-morrow at the dawn we
will ride away for Mosfell, end, passing under Hecla, come
round the mountain and &ee if this path may still be scaled.
For, if so, we will return with men and make an end of
Brighteyes.'

This plan pleased Gizur, and he said that it should be so.

So very early on the following morning Swanhild, having
sent many men to watch Gudruda's ship, rode away secretly
with Gizur and the thrall, and before it was again dawn they
were on the northern slopes of Mosfell. !£t was on this same
night that Eric went down from the mo^intain to wed Gud-
ruda.

For a while the climbing was easy, but at length they
came to a great wall of rock, a hundred fathoms high,
on which no fox might find a foothold, nor anything that had
not wings.

* Here now is an end of our journey,* said Gizur, * and I
only pray this, that Erie may not ride round the mountain
before we are down again.* For he did not know that Bright-
eyes already rode hard for Middalhof.

* Not so,' said the thrall, * if only I can find the place
by which, som? thirty summers ago, I won yonder rift, and
through it the crest of the fell,' and he pointed to a narrow
cleft in the face of the rock high above Uieir heads, that was
clothed with grey moss.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

267

Then he moved to the right and searched, peering behind
stones and birch-bushes, till presently he held up his hand
and whistled. They passed along the slope and found him
standing by a little stream of water which welled from beneath
a great rock.

' Here is the place/ the man said.

* I see no place,' answered Swanhild.

' Still, it is there, lady,' and he climbed on to the rock,
drawing her after him. At the back of it was a hole, al-
most overgrown with moss. 'Here is the path,' he said
again.

' Then it is one that I have no mind to follow,' answered
Swanhild. * Gizur, go thou with the man and see if his tale
is true. I will stay here till ye oome back.'

Then the thrall let himself down into the hole and Gizur
went after him. But Swanhild sat there in the shadow of
the rock, her chin resting on her hand, and waited. Presently,
as she sat, she ^aw two men ride round the base of the fell,
and strike off tr the right towards a turf- booth which stood the
half of an hour's ride away. Now Swanhild was the keenest-
sighted of all women of her day in Iceland, and when she
looked at these two men she knew one of them for Jon, Eric's
thrall, and she knew the horse also — it was a white horse with
black patches, that Jon had ridden for many years. She
watched them go till they came to the booth, and it seemed
to her that they left their horses there and entered.

Swanhild waited upon the side of the fell for nearly two
hours in all. Then, hearing a noise above her, she looked up,
and there, black with dirt and wet with water, was Gizur, and
with him was the thrall.

* "What luck, Gizur ? ' she askec!.

* This, Swanhild : Eric may hold Mosfell no more, for we
have found a way to bolt the fox.'

* That is good news, then,' said Swanhild. ' Say on.*

* Yonder hole, Swanhild, leads to the cleft above, having
been cut through the cliff by fire, or perhrps by water. Now up
that cleft a man may climb, though hardly, as by a difficult
stair, till he comes to the fiat crest of the fell. Then, crossing

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368

S7^/C BRIGHTEYES

the crest, on the further side, perhaps six fathoms below
him, he sees that space of rook where is Eric's cave ; but he
cannot see the cave itself, because the brow of the cliif hangs
over. And so it is that, if any come from the cave on to the
spaoe of rock, it will be an easy matter to roll stones upon
them from above and crush them.'

Now when Swanhild heard this she laughed aloud.

' Eric shall mock us no more,' she said, ' and his might
can avail nothing against rocks rolled on him from above.
Let us go back to Ooldback and summon men to make an end
of Brighieyes.'

So they went on down the mountain till they came to the
place where they had hidden their horses. Then Swanhild
remembered Jon and the other man whom she had seen
riding to the booth, and she told Gizur of them.

' Now,' she said, ' we will snare these birds, and perchance
they will twitter tidings when we squeeze them.'

So they turned and rode for the booth, and drawing near,
they saw the two horses grazing without. Now they got off
their horses, and creeping up to the booth, looked in through
the door which was ajar. And they saw this, that one man sat
on the ground with his back to the door, eating stock-fish,
while Jon made bundles of fish and meal ready to tie on the
horses. For it was here that those of his quarter who loved
Eric brought food to be carried by his men to the cave on
Mosfell.

Now Swanhild touched Gizur on the arm, pointing first to
the man who sat eating the fish and then to the spear lq
Gizur's hand. Gizur thought a while, for he shrank from this
deed.

Then Swanhild whispered in his ear, * Slay the man and
seize the other ; I would learn tidings from him.'

So Gizur cast the spear, and it passed through the man's
heart, and he was dead at once. Then he and the thrall
leapt into the booth and tLrew themselves on Jon, hurling
him to the ground, and holding swords over him. Now Jon
was a man of small heart, and when he saw his phght and
his fellow dead he was afraid, and prayed for mercy.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

269

* If I spare thee, knave/ said Swanhild, ' thou shalt do
this : thou shalt lead me up Mosfell to speak with Eric'

' I may not do that, lady/ groaned Jon ; * for Erio is not
on Mosfell/

* Where is he, then ? ' asked Swanhild.

Now Jon saw that he had said an unlucky thing, and
answered :

* Nay, I know not. Last night he rode from Mosfell with
Skallagrim Lamhstail.'

* Thou liest, knave/ said Swanhild. * Speak, or thou
shalt he slain.'

' Slay on/ groaned Jon, glancing at the swords above
him, and shutting his eyes. For, though he feared much to
die, he had no will to makfi known Eric's plans.

* Look not at the swords ; thou shalt not die so easily.
Hearken : speak, and speak trul;, , or thou shalt seek Hela's
lap after this fashion,' and, bending down, she whispered in
his ear, then laughed aloud.

Now Jon grew faint with fear ; his lips turned blue, and
his teeth chattered at the thought of how he should be made
to die. Still, he would say nothing.

Then Swanhild spoke to Gizur and the thrall, and bade
them bind him with a rope, tear the garments from him, and
bring snow. They did this, and pushed the matter to the
drawing of knives. But when he saw the steel Jon cried
aloud that he would tell all.

* Now thou takest good counsel,' said Swanhild.

Then in his fear Jon told how Eric had gone down to
Middalhof to wed Gudruda, and thence to fly with her to
England.

Now Swanhild was mad with wrath, for she had sooner
died than that this should come about.

* Let us away,' she said to Gizur. ' But first kill this
man.'

* Nay,' said Gizur, * I will not do that. He has told
his tidings ; let him go free.'

'TVou art chicken-hearted,' said Swanhild, who, after the
fashion of witches, had no mercy in her, ' At the least, he

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J5'/?/C BRIGHTEYES

shall not go henca to warn Eric and Gudruda of our coming.
If thou wilt not kill him, then bind him and leave him/

So Jon was bound, and there in the booth he sat two
days before anyone came to loose him.

' Whither away ? ' said Gizur to Swanhild.

* To Middalhof first.' Swanhild answered.

JOM BOUND

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

S7I

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CHAPTER XXIX

HOW WENT THE BBIDAL NIGHT

OW Eric and Gud-

ruda sat silent in

the high seat of the

hall at Middalhof

till they heard Skal-

lagrim enter by the

women's door. Then

they came down

from the high seat,

and stood hand in

hand by the fire on

the hearth. Skalla-

grim greeted Gud-

ruda, looking

at her askance,

for Skallagrim

stood in fear of

women alone.

* What counsel now, lord ? ' said the Baresark.

* Tell us thy plans, Gudruda,' said Eric, for as yet no
word had passed between them of what they should do.

* This is my plan, Eric,' she answered. * First, that we
eat ; then that thy men take horse and ride hence through
the night to where the ship lies, bearing word that we will be
there at dawn when the tide serves, and bidding the mate
make everything ready for sailing. But thou and I and
Skalla^riw will stay here till to-mprrpw is three hours old,

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

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and this because I have tidings that Gizur's folk will search
the ship to-night. Now, when they search and do not find us,
they will go away. Then, at the dawning, thou and I and
Skallagrim will row on board the ship as she lies at anchor,
and, slipping the cable, put to sea before they know we are
there, and so bid farewell to Swanhild and our woes.'
' Yet it is a risk for us to sleep here alone,' said Eric.

* There is little danger,* said Gudruda. • Nearly all of
Gizur's men watch the ship ; and I have learned this from a
spy, that, two days ago, Gizur, Swanhild, and one thrall rode
from Coldback towards Mosfell, and they have net come back
yet. Moreover, the place is strong, and thou and Skallagrim
are here to guard it.'

' So be it, then,' answered Eric, for indeed he had little
thought left for anything, except Gudruda.

After this the women came in and set meat on the board,
and all ate.

Now, when they had eaten, Eric bade Skallagrim fill a
cup, and bring it to him as he sat on the high seat with
Gudruda. Skallagrim did so; and then, looking deep into
each other's eyes, Eric Brighteyes and Gudruda the Fair,
Asmund's daughter, drank the bride's cup.

* There are few guestai to grace our marriage-feast,
husband,' said Gudruda.

* Yet shall our vows hold true, wife,' said Eric.

' Ay, Brighteyes,' she answered, * in life and in death, now
and for ever ! ' and they kissed.

* It is time for us to be going, methinks,' growled Skalla-
grim to those about him. * We are not wanted here.'

Then the men who were to go on to the ship rose, fetched
their horses, and rode away. Also they caught the horses of
Skallagrim, Eric, and Gudruda, saddled them, and, slipping
their bridles, made them fast in a shed in the yard, giving
them hay to eat. Afterwards Skallagrim barred the men's
door and the women's door, and, going to Gudruda, asked
where he should stay the night till it was time to ride for the

jsea.

<Xn the store-ohambe]:/ sh9 answered, 'for there is a

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SR/C BRIGHTEVES

shutter of which the latch has gone. See that thou watch it
well, Skallagrim ; though I think none will come to trouble
thee.'

• I know the place. It shall go badly with the head that
looks through yonder hole,' said Skallagrim, glancing at his
axe.

Now Gudruda forgot this, that in the store-chamber were
casks of strong ale.

Then Gudruda told him to wake them when the morrow
was two hours old, for Eric had neither eyes nor words except
for Gudruda alone, and Skallagrim went.

The women went also to their shut bed at the end of the
hall, leaving Brighteyes and Gudruda alone. Eric looked
at her.

* Where do I sleep to-night ? ' he asked.

' Thou sleepest with me, husband,' she answered soft, ' for
nothing, except Death, shall come between us any more.'

Now Skallagrim went to the store-room, and sat down
with his back against a cask. His heart was heavy in him, for
he boded no good of this marriage. Moreover, he wac jealous.
Skallagrim loved but one thing in the world truly, and that
was Eric Brighteyes, his lord. Now he knew that henceforth
he must take a second place, and that for one thought which
Eric gave to him, he would give ten to Gudruda. Therefore
Skallagrim was very sad at heart.

' A pest upoii the women ! ' he said to himself, * for from
them comes all evil. Brighteyes owes his ill luck to Swanhild
and this fair wife of his, and that is scarcely done with
yet. Well, well, 'tis nature ; but would that we were safe
at sea ! Had I my will, we had not slept here to-night.
But they are newly wed, and — well, 'tis nature ! Better
the bride loves to lie abed than to ride the cold wolds and
seek the common deck.'

Now, as Skallagrim grumbled, fear gathered in his heart,
he knew not of what. He began to think on trolls and gobhns.
It was dark in the store-room, except for a Httle line of light
that crept throngh the crack of the shutter. At length he could

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^i?/^ BRtGHtEVES

bear the darkn^ds and his thoughts no longer, hut, rising
threw the shutter wide and let the bright moonlight pour
into th6 chamber, whence he could see the hillside behind,
and W9^ch the shadows of the clouds as they floated across
it. Again Skallagrim sat down against his cask, and
as he sat it moved, and he heard the wash of ale in-
side it.

' That is a good sound,* said Skallagrim, and he turned
and smelt at the cask ; ' aye, and a good smell, too ! We
tasted little ale yonder on Mosfell, and we shall find less at
sea.' Again he looked at the cask. There was a spigot in it,
and lo 1 on the shelf stood horn cups.

' It surely is on draught,' he said ; ' and now it will stand
till it goes sour. *Tis a pity ; but I will not drink. I fear ale-
ale is another man ! No, I will not drink,' and all the while
his hand went up to the cups upon the shelf. * Eric is betier
laid yonder in Gudruda's chamber than I am htre alone with
eyil thoughts and trolls,' he said. ' Why, what fish was that
we ate at supper ? My throat is cracked with thirst ! If there
were water now I'd drink it, but I see none. Well, one cup
to wish them joy ! There is no harm in a cup of ale,' and
he drew the spigot from the cask and watched the brown
drink flow into the cup. Then he Hfted it to his lips and
drank, saying ' Skoll ! skoU I ' * nor did he cease till the
horn was drained. ' This is wondrous good ale,' said Skalla-
grim as he wiped his grizzled beard. ' One more cup, and evil
thoughts shall cease to haunt me.'

Again he filled, drank, sat down, and for a while wan
merry. But presently the black thoughts came back into his
mind. He rose, looked through the shutter-hole to the hill
side. He couid see nothing on it except the shadows of tb(
clouds.

* Trolls walk the winds to-night,' he said. * I feel then
pulling at my beard. One more cup to frighten them.'

He drank another draught of ale and grew merry. Then al(
oaUed for ale, and Skallagrim dramed cup on cup, singing a

• 'Health! hetlthl*

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

275

he drained, till at last heavy sleep overcame him, and he sank
drunken on the ground there by the barrel, while the brown
ale trickled round him.

Now Eric Brighteyes and Gudruda the Fair slept side by
side, locked in each other's arms. Presently Gudruda was
wide awake.

' Bouse thee, Eric,' she said, * I have dreamed an evil
dream.'

He awoke and kissed her.

* What, then, was thy dream, sweet ? ' he said. * This is no
hour for bad dreams.'

* No hour for bad dreams, truly, husband ; yet dreams do not
weigh the hour of their coming. I dreamed this : that I lay
dead beside thee and thou knewest it not, while Swanhild
looked at thee and mocked.'

*An evil dream, truly,* said Eric; *but see, thou art
not dead. Thou hast thought too much on Swanhild of
late.'

Now they slept once more, till presently Eric was wide-
awake.

' Eouse thee, Gudruda,* he said, ' I too have dreamed a
dream, and it is full of evil.'

* What, then, was thy dream, husband ? ' she asked.

* I dreamed that Atli the Earl, whom I slew, stood by the
bed. His face was white, and white as snow was his beard,
and blood from his great wound ran down his byrnie. *' Eric
Brighteyes," he said, " I am he whom thou didst slay, and I
come to tell thee this : that before the moon is young again
thou shalt lie stiff, with Hell-shoon on thy feet. Thou art
Eric the Unlucky ! Take thy joy and say thy say to her who
lies at thy side, for wet and cold is the bed that waits thee
and soon shall thy white lips be dumb." Then he was gone,
and lo I in his place stood Asmund, thy father, and he also
spoke to me, saying, " Thou who dost lie in my bed and at
my daughter's side, know this : the words of Atli are true ;
but I add these to them : ye shall die, yet is death but the
gate of life and love and rest," and he was gone.'

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276 EJ^IC BRIGHTEYES

Now Gudruda shivered with fear, and crept closer to Eric's
side.

* We are surely fey, for the Noms speak with the voices of
Atli and of Asmund/ she said. *■ Oh, Eric ! Eric ! whither
go we when we die ? Will Valhalla take thee, being so
mighty a man, and must I away to Hela's halls, where thou
art not ? Oh ! that would be death indeed ! Say, Eric,
whither do we go ? '

* What said the voice of Asmund ? ' answered Brighteyes.
' That death is but the gate of life and love and rest.
Hearken, Gudruda, my May ! Odin does not reign over all
the world, vor when I sat out yonder in England, a certain
holy man taught me of another God — a God who loves not
slaughter, a God who died that men might live for ever in
peace with those they love.'

* How is this God named, Eric ? '

* They name Him the White Christ, and there are many
who cling to Him.'

Would that I knew this Christ, Eric. I am weary of
death and blood and evil deeds, such as are pleasing to
our Gods. Oh, Eric, if I am taken from thee, swear this to
me : that thou wilt slay no more, save for thyhfe's sake only.'
' I swear that, sweet,' he made answer. • For I too
am weary of death and blood, and desire peace most of all
things. The world is sad, and sad have been our days. Yet
it is well to have lived, for through many heavy days we
have wandered to this happy night.*

* Yea, Eric, it is well to have Hved ; though I think that
death draws on. Now this is my counsel : that we rise, and
that thou dost put on thy harness and summon Skallagrim, so
that, if evil comes, thou mayst meet it armed. Surely I
thought I heard a sound — yonder in the hall ! '

' There is Uttle use in that,' said Eric, * for things will
befall as they are fated. We may do nothing of our own
will, I am sure of this, and it is no good to struggle with
the Norns. Yet I will rise.'

So he kissed her, and made ready to leave the bed, when
suddenly, as he lingered, a great heaviness seized hini.

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£/i/C BRtGHTEYES

27?

* Gudruda,' he said, • I am pressed down with sleep.'

* That 1 am also, Eric,' she said. * My eyes shut of them-
selves and I can scarcely stir my limbs. Ah, Eric, we are fey
indeed, and this is — death that comes ! '

* Perchance ! ' he said, speaking heavily.

* Eric !— wake, Eric ! Thou canst not move ? Yet hearken
to me— ah I this weight of sleep ! Thou lovest me, Eric !— is
it not so ? '

' Yea,' he answered.

' Now and for ever thou lovest me — and wilt cleave to me
always wherever we go ? '

* Surely, sweet. Oh, sweet, farewell 1 ' he said, and his voice
sounded hke the voice of one who speaks across the water.

' Farewell, Eric Brighteyes I —my love — my love, farewell ! *
she answered very slowly, and together they sank into a sleep
that was heavy as death.

Now Gizur, Ospakar's son, and Swanhild, Atli's widow, rode
fast and hard from Mosfell, giving no rest to their horses,
and with them rode that thrall who had showed the secret
path to Gizur. They stayed a while on Horse-Head Heights
till the moon rose. Now one path led hence to the shore that
is against the Westmans, where Gudruda's ship lay bound.
Then Swanhild turned to the thrall. Her beautiful face was
fierce and she had said few words all this while, but in her
heart raged a fire of hate and jealousy which shone through
her blue eyes.

' Listen,' she said to the thrall. * Thou shalt ride hence
to the bay where the ship of Gudruda the Fair lies at anchor.
Thou knowest where our folk are in hiding. Thou shalt
speak thus to them. Before it is dawn they must take boats
and board Gudruda's ship and search her. And, if they find
Eric, the outlaw, aboard, they shall slay him, if they may.'

* That will be no easy task,' said the thrall.

* And if they find Gudruda they shall keep her prisoner.
But, if they find neither the one nor the other, they shall do
this : they shall drive the crew ashore, killing f ,s few as may
be, and burn the ship.'

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'It is an ill deed thus to burn another's ship,' said
Gizur.

* Good or ill, it shall be done,' answered Swanhild fiercely.
* Thou art a lawman, and well canst thou meet the suit ;
moreover Gudruda has wedded an outlaw and shall suffer for
her sin. Now go, and see thou tarry not, or thy back shall
pay the price.*

The man rode away swiftly. Then Gizur turned to
Swanhild, asking : ' Whither, then, go we ? '

* I have said to Middalhof.'

* That is into the wolfs den, if Eric and Skallagrim are
there,' he answered : * I have httle chance against the two of
them.'

* Nay, nor against the one, Gizur. Why, if Eric's right
hand were hewn from him, and he stood unarmed, he would
still slay thee with his left, as, swordless, he slew Ospakar thy
father. Yet I shall find a way to come at him, if he is
there.'

Then they rode on, and Gizur's heart was heavy for fear
of Eric and Skallagrim the Baresark. So fiercely did they
ride that, within one hour after midnight, they were at the
stead of Middalhof.

' We will leave the horses here in the field,* said
Swanhild.

So they leaped to earth and, tying the reins of the horses
together, left them to feed on the growing grass. Then they
crept into the yard and listened. Presently there came a
sound of horses stamping in the far corner of the yard.
They went thither, and there they found a horse and two
geldings saddled, but with the bits slipped, and on the horse
was such a saddle as women use.

'Eric Brighteyes, Skallagrim Lambstail, and Gudruda
the Fair,' whispered Swanhild, naming the horses and
laughing evilly — ' the birds are within I Now to snare
them.'

'Were it not best to meet them by the ship?' asked
Gizur.

' Nay, thou fool ; if once Eric and Skallagrim are back to

((,,(
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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

279

back, and Whitefire is aloft, how many shall be dead before
they are down, thinkest thou ? We shall not find them sleeping
twice.*

* It is shameful to slay sleeping men,* said Gizur.

* They are outlaws,' she answered. * Hearken, Ospakar's
son. Thou sayest thou dost love me and wouldst wed me :
know this, that if +^ou dost fail me now, I will never look
upon thy face again, but will name thee Niddering in all
men's ears.'

Now Gizur loved Swanhild much, for she had thrown her
glamour on him as once she did on Atli, and he thought of
her day and night. For there was this strange thing about
Swanhild, that, though she was a witch and wicked, being
both fair and gentle she could lead all men, except Eric, to love
her.

But of men she loved Eric alone.

Then Gizur held his peace ; but Swanhild spoke again :

* It will be of no use to try the doors, for they are strong.
Yet when I was a child before now I have passed in and out
the house at night by the store-room casement. Follow me,
Gizur.' Then she crept along in the shadow of the wall, for
she knew its every stone, till she came to the store-room, and
lo! the shutter stood open, and through it the moonlight
poured into the chamber. Swanhild hfted her head above
the sill and looked, then started back.

' Hush ! ' she said, ' Skallagrim lies asleep within.'

* Pray the Gods he wake not I * said Gizur beneath his
breath, and turned to go. But Swanhild caught him by the
arm ; then gently raised her head and looked again, long and
steadily. Presently she turned and laughed softly.

' Things go well for us,' she said ; ' the sot lies drunk. We
have nothing to fear from him. He lies drunk in a pool
of ale.*

Then Gizur looked. The moonlight poured into the little
room, and by it he saw the great shape of Skallagrim. His
head was thrown back, his mouth was wide. He snored
loudly in his drunken sleep, and all about him ran the brown
ale, for the spigot of the cask lay upon the floor. In his

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left hand was a horn cup, but in his right he still grasped
his axe.

* Now we must enter,' said Swanhild. Gizur hung back,
but she sprang upon the sill lightly as a fox, and slid thence
into the store-room. Then Gizur must follow, and presently
he stood beside her in the room, and at their feet lay drunken
Skallagrim. Gizur looked first at his sword, then on tlie
Baresark, and lastly ar. Swanhild.

' Nay,' she whispered, * touch him not. Perchance he would
cry out — and we seek higher game. He has that within
him which will hold him fast a while. Follow where I shall
lead.'

She took his hand and, gliding through the doorway,
passed along the passage till she came to the great hall. Swan-
hild could see well in the dark, and moreover she knew the
road. Presently they stood in the empty hall. The fire had
burnt down, but two embers yet glowed upon the hearth, like
red and angry eyes.

For a while Swanhild stood still listening, but there was
nothing to hear. Then she drew near to the shut bed where
Gudruda slept, and, with her ear to the curtain, listened once
more. Gizur came with her, and as he came his foot struck
against a bench and stirred it. Now Swanhild beard mur-
mured words and the sound of kisses. She started back, and
fury filled her heart. Gizur also heard the voice of Eric,
saying : * I will rise.' Then he would have fled, but Swanhild
caught him by the arm.

* Fear not,* she whispered, ' they shall soon sleep
sound.'

He felt her stretch out her arms and presently he saw
this wonderful thing : the eyes of Swanhild glowing in the
darkness as the embers glowed upon the hearth. Now they
glowed brightly, so brightly that he could see the out-
stretched arms and the hard white face beneath them,
and now they grew dim, of a sudden to shine bright again.
And all the while she hissed words through her clenched
teeth.

Thus she hissed, fierce and low :

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281 -£'^/C BRIGHTEYES

Oadrnda, Sister mine, hearken and sleep I
By the bond of blood I bid thee sleep I —
By the strength that is in me I bid theo sleep t —
Sleep I sleep sound 1

Erie Brighteyes, hearken and sleep 1
By the bond of sin I chaige thee sleep I —
By the blood of Atli I charge thee, sleep 1—
Bleep I sleep sound 1

Then thrice she tossed her hands aloft, sayin j s

From love to sleep I

From sleep to death 1

From death to Hela 1

Say, lovers, where shall ye kiss again ?

Then the light went out of her eyes and she laughed low.
And ever as she whispered, the spoken words of the two in
the shut bed grew fainter and more faint, till at length they
died away, and a silence fell upon the place.

* Thou hast no cause to fear the sword of Eric, Gizur,' she
said. * Nothing will wake him now till daylight comes.'

* Thou art awesome I ' answered Gizur, for he shook with
fear. * Look not on me with those flaming eyes, I pray thee ! '

' Fear not,' she said, ' the fire is out. Now to the work.'

* What must we do, then ? ' .

* Thou must do this. Thou must enter and slay Eric*

* That I can not — that I will not ! ' said Gizur.

She turned and looked at him, and lo ! her eyes began to
flame again —upon his eyes they seemed to burn.

* Thou wilt do as I bid thee,' she said. ' With Eric's sword
thou shalt slay Eric, else I will curse thee where thou art, and
bring such evil on thee as thou knowest not of.'

' Look not so, Swanhild,' he said. * Lead on — I come.'
Now they creep into the shut chamber of Gudruda. It is
so dark that they can see nothing, and nothing can they hear
except the heavy breathing of the sleepers.

This is to be told, that at this time SwanL Id had it in her
mind to kill, not Eric but Gudruda, for thus she would smite
the he^trt of Brighteyes. Moreover, she loved Eric, and while he
lived she might yet win him ; but Eric dead must be Erio

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

a83

lost. But on Gudruda she would be bitterly aven.(?pd—
Gudruda, who, for all her scheming, had yet been a wife to
Erie!

Now they stand by the bed. Swanhild puts out her hand,
draws down the clothes, and feels the breast of Gudruda be-
neath, for Gudruda slept on the outside of the bed.

Then she searches by the head of the bed and finds
Whitefire which hung there, and draws the sword.

* Here liea Eric, on the outside,' she says to Gizur, • and
here is Whitefire. Strike and strike home, leaving Whitefire
in the wound.*

Gizur takes the sword and lifts it. He is sore at heart
that he must do such a coward deed ; br.t the spell of
Swanhild is upon him, and he may not flinch from it.
Then a thought takes him and he also puts down his hand to
feel. It lights upon Gudruda's golden hair, that hangs about
her breast and falls from the bed to the ground.

* Here is woman's hair,' he whispers.

* No,' Swanhild answers, * it is Eric's hair. The hair of
Eric is long, as thou hast seen.'

Now neither of them knows that Gudruda cut Eric's
locks when he lay sick on Mosfell., though Swanhild knows well
that it is not Brighteyes whom she bids Gizur slay.

Then Gizur, Ospakar's son, lifts the sword, and the faint
starlight struggling into the chamber gathers and gleams
upon the blade. Thrice he lifts it, and thrice he draws it
back. Then with an oath he strikes — and drives it home with
&11 his strength I

From the bed beneath there comes one long sigh and a sound
as of hmbs trembling against the bed-gear. Then all is still.

* It is done 1 ' he says faintly.

Swanhild puts down her hand once more. Lo f it is wet
and warm. Then she bends herself and looks, and behold ! the
dead eyes of Gudruda glare up into her eyes. She can see
them plainly, but none know what she read there. At the
least it was something that she loved not, for she reels back
against the paneling, then falls upon the floor.

Presently, while Gizur stands as one in a dream, she rises,

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283

E/^/C BRIGHTEYES

saying : ' I am avenged of the death of Atli. Let us hence ! —
ah ! let us hence swiftly ! Give me thy hand, Gizur, for I am
faint ! '

So Gizur gives her his hand and they pass thence. Pre-
sently they stand in the store-room, and there lies Skallagrim,
still plunged in his drunken sleep.

* Must I do more murder ? ' asks Gizur hoarBcIy.

* Nay,' Swanhild says. * I am sick with blood. Leave
the knave.'

They pass out by the casement into the yard and so on till
they find their horses.

* Lift me, Gizur; I can no more,' says Swanhild.
He lifts her to the saddle.

' Whither away ? ' he asks.

' To Coldback, Gizur, and thence to cold Death.*

Thus did Gudruda, Eric's bride and Asmund's daughter, the
fairest woman who ever lived in Iceland, die on her marriage
night by the hand of Gizur, Ospakar's son, and through the
hate and witchcraft of Swanhild the Fatherless, her half-sister.

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MRIC BRIGHTEYES

284

f^'

CHAPTER XXX

HOW THE DAWN CAME

"HE dawn broke over Middalhof.

Slowly the light gathered in the

empty hall, it crept slowly into

the little chamber where Eric

slept, and Gudruda slept also with a

deeper sleep.

Now the two women came from
their chamber at the far end of the
hall, and drew near the hearth, shiver-
ing, for the air was cold. They knelt
by the fire, blowing at the embers till
the sticks they cast upon them crackled
to a blaze.

• It seems that Gudruda is not yet gone,' said one to tlie
other. • I thought she should ride away with Eric before
the dawn.'

' Newly wed lie long abed ! ' laughed the other.

* I am glad to see the blessed light,' said the first woman,
' for last night I dreamed that once again this hall ran red
with blood, as at the marriage -feast of Ospakar.'

' Ah,' answered the other, * it will be well for the south
when Eric Brighteyes and Gudruda are gone over sea, for
their loves have brought much bloodshed upon the land.'

' Well, indeed ! ' sighed the first. * Had Asmund the Priost
never found Groa, Ran's gift, singing by the sea, Valhalla
had not been so full to-day. Mindest thou the day he brought
her here?'

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' I remember it well,' she answered, ' though I was but a
girl at the time. Still, when I saw those dark eyes of hers —
just such eyes as Swanhild's ! — I knew her for a witch, as all
Finn women are. It is an evil world : my husband is dead by
the sword ; dead are both my sons, fighting for Eric ; dead is
Unna, Thorod's daughter ; Asmund, my lord, is dead, and dead
is Bjorn ; and now Gudruda the Fair, whom I have rocked
to sleep, leaves us to go over sea. I may not go with her,
for my daughter's sake ; yet I almost wish that I too were
dead.'

' That will come soon enough,' said the other, who was
young and fair.

Now the witch-sleep began to roll from Eric's heart,
thougli his eyes were not yet open. But the talk oi the women
echoed in his ears, and the words ' dead ! ' * dead I ' * dead ! '
fell heavily on his slumbering sense. At length he opened
his eyes, only to shut them again, because of a bright gleam of
light that ran up and down something at his side. Heavily
he wondered what this might be, that shone so keen and
bright — that shone like a naked sword.

' Now he looked again. Yes, it was a sword which stood
by him upon the bed, and the golden hilt was like the hilt
of Whitefire. He lifted up his hand to touch it, thmkingthat
he dreamed. Lo ! his hand and arm were red !

Then he remembered, and the thought of Gudruda flashed
through his heart. He sat up, gazing down into the shadow at
his side.

Presently the women at the fire heard a sound as of a great
man falling to earth.

' What is that noise ? ' said one.

* Eric leaping from his bed,' answered the other. * He
has slept too long, as we have also.'

As they spoke the curtain of the shut bed was pushed
away, and through it staggered Eric in his night-gear,
and lo ! the left side of it was red. His eyes were wide
with horror, his mouth was open, and his face was white
as ice.

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

2R6

He stopped, looking at them, made as though to speak,
and could not. Then, while they shrank from hlin in
terror, he turned, and, walking like a drunken man, staggered
from the hall down that passage which led to the store -
chamber. The door stood wide, the shutter was wide, and
on the floor, soaked in the dregs of ale, Skallagrim yet lay
snoring, his axe in one hand and a cup in the other.

Eric looked and understood.

* Awake, drunkard 1 ' he cried, in so terrible a voice that
the room shook. ' Awake, and look upon thy work I '

Skallagrim sat up, yawning.

* Forsooth, my head swims,* he said. * Give me ale, I am
thirsty.'

* Never wilt thou look on ale again, Skallagrim, when thou
hast seen that which I have to show ! ' said Eric, in the same
dread voice.

Then Skallagrim rose to his feet and gaped upon him.

* What means this, lord ? Is it time to ride ? and say I
why is thy shirt red with blood ? '

* Follow me, drunkard, and look upon thy work ! ' Eric
said again.

Then Skallagrim grew altogether sober, and grasping his
axe, followed after Brighteyes, sore afraid of what he might
see.

They went down the passage, past the high seat of the
hall, till they came to the curtain of the shut bed ; and after
them followed the women. Eric seized the curtain in his
hand, rent it from its fastenings, and cast it on the ground.
Now the light flowed in and struck upon the bed. It fell
upon the bed, it fell upon Whitefire's hilt and ran along
the blade, it gleamed on a woman's snowy breast and golden
hair, and shone in her staring eyes — a woman who lay
stiff and cold upon the bed, the great sword fixed within
her heart !

* Look upon thy work, drunkard ! ' Eric cried again, while
the women who peeped behind sent their long wail of wo«
echoing down the paneled hall.

* Hearken ! ' said Eric : * while thou didst lie wallowmg in

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'"Look upon thy -work, drunkard!"*

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

287

thy swine's sleep, foes crept in across thy carcase, and this is

their handiwork : — yonder she lies who was my bride !

now is Gudruda the Fair a death-wife who last night was my
bride I This is thy work, drunkard ! and now what meed for
thee ? •

Skallagrim looked. Then he spoke in a hoarse slow voice :

* What meed, lord ? But one — death ! '

Then with one hand he covered his eyes and with the
other held out his axe to Eric Brighteyes.

Eric took the axe, and while the women ran thence
screaming, he whirled it thrice about his head. Then he
smote down towards the skull of Skallagrim, but as he
smote it seemed to him that a voice whispered in his ear :
' T]iy cath ! ' — and he remembered that he had sworn to slay
no more, save for his Ufe's sake.

The mighty blow was falling and he might only do this —
loose the axe before it clove Skallagrim in twain. He loosed
and away the great axe flew. It passed over the head of Skalla-
grim, and sped like light across the wide hall, till it crashed
through the paneling on the further side, and buried itself to
the haft in the wall beyond.

' It is not for me to kill thee, drunkard 1 Go, die in thy
drink ! '

' Then I will kill myself! ' cried the Baresark, and, rushing
across the haU he tore the great axe from its bed.

* Hold ! ' said Eric ; * perhaps there is yet a deed for thee
to do. Then thou mayst die, if it pleases thee.'

* Ay,' said Skallagrim coming back, * perchance there is
still a deed to do ! '

And, flinging down the axe, Skallagrim Lambstail the
Baresark fell upon the floor and wept

But Eric did not weep. Only he drew Whitefire from
the heart of Gudruda and looked at it.

'Thou art a strange sword, Whitefire,' he said, 'who
slayest both friend and foe ! Shame on thee, Whitefire !
We swore our oath on thee, Whitefire, and thou hast cut its
chain! Now I am minded to shatter thee.' And as Eric
Ipoked on the great blade, lo ! it hummed strangely in answer.

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* " First must thou be the death of 3ome," thou sayest ?
Well, maybe, Whitcfire I But never yet didst thou drink
80 sweet a Ufe as hers who now Hes dead, nor ever shalt
again.'

Then he sheathed the sword, but neither then nor after-
wards did he wipe the blood of Gudruda from its blade.

* Last night a-marrying — to-day a-burying,' said Eric, and
he called to the women to bring spades. Then, having
clothed himself, he went to the centre of the hall, and, brushing
away the sand, broke the hard clay-flooring, dealing great
blowa on it with an axe. Now Skallagrim, seeing his purpose,,
came to him and took one of the spades, and together they
laboured in silence till they had dug a grave a fathom,
deep.

'Here,' said Eric, 'here, in thine own hall where thou
wast born and lived, Gudruda the Fair, thou shalt sleep at the
last. And of Middalhof I say this : that none shall live there
henceforth. It shall be haunted and accursed till the rafters
rot and the walls fall in, making thy barrow, Gudruda.'

Now this indeed came to pass, for none 'have lived at Mid-
dalhof since the days of Gudruda the Fair, Asmund's daughter.
It has been ruined these many years, and now it is but a pile
of stones.

When the grave was dug, Eric washed himself and ate
some food. Then he went in to where Gudruda lay dead, and
bade the women make her ready for burial. This they did.
When she was washed and clad in a clean white robe, Eric
came to her, and with his own hand bound the Heli-shoes on
her feet and closed her eyes.

It was just then that a man came who said that the people of
Gizur and of Swimhild had burned Gudruda's ship, driving
the crew^ ashore.

* It is well,' said Eric. * We need the ship no more ; now
hath she whom it should bear wings with which to fly. Then
he went in and sat down on the bed by the body of Gud.'uda,
while Skallagrim crouched on the ground without, tearing at
J^s beard and muttering. For the fierce heart of Skallagrim,

]^mC BRIG HTE YES

aS9

"W^as "brdkeii because of that evil which his drunkenness had
brought about.

All day long Eric sat thus, looking on his dead love's face,
till the hour came round when he and Gudruda had drunk
the bride-cup. Then he rose and kissed dead Gudruda on the
lips, saying :

* I did not look to part with thee thus, sweet ! It is sad
that thou shouldst have gone and left me here. Natheless,
I shall soon follow on thy path.

Then he called aloud :

* Art sober, drunkard ? '

Skallagrim came and stood before him, saying nothing.

* Take thou the feet of her whom thou didst bring to death,
and I will take her head.'

So they lifted up Gudruda and bore her to the grave.
Then Eric stood near the grave, and, taking dead Gudruda in
his arms, looked upon her face by the hght of the fire and of
the candles that were set about.

He looked thrice, then sang aloud :

Long ago, when swept the snow-blast,

Close we clung and plighted troth.

Many a year, through storm and sword-son^

Sore I strove to win thee, sweet !

But last night I held thee, Fairest,

liock'd, a wife, in lover's arms.

Now, Gudruda, in thy death-rest.

Bleep thou soft till Eric come I

Hence I go to wreak thy murder.
Hissing fire of flaming stead.
Groan of spear-carles, wail of women.
Boon shall startle through the night.
Then on Mosfell, Kirtle-Woarer,
Eric waits the face of Death.
Freed from weary life and sorrow,
,Soon we'll kiss in Hela's halls !

Then he laid her in the grave, and, having shrouded a
F^heet over her, they filled it in together, hiding Gudruda the
Fair from the sight of men for ever.

Afterwards Eric armed himself, and this Skallagrim did

III

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j?/?/^ BRIGHTEYES

also. Then he strode from the hall, and Skallagrim followed
him. In the yard those horses were still tied that should have
carried them to the ship, and on one was the saddle of Gudruda.
She had ridden on this horse for many years, and loved it
much, for it would follow her like a dog. Eric looked at him,
then said aloud :

* Gudruda may need thee where she is, Blackmane,' for
so was the horse named. ' At the least, none shall ride thee
more ! ' And he snatched the axe from the hand of Skallagrim
and slew the horse at a blow.

Then they rode away, heading for Coldback. The night was
wild and windy, and the sky dark with scudding clouds,
through which the moon peeped out at times. Eric looked
up, then spoke to Skallagrim :

' A good night for burning, drunkard ! '

* Ay, lord ; the flames will^fly briskly,' answered Skallagrim.
*How many, thinkest thou, walked over thee, drunkard,

when thou didst He yonder in the ale ? '

* I know not,' groaned Skallagrim ; ' but I found this in
(the soft earth without : the print of a man's and a woman's fee*; ;
and this on the hill side : the track of two horses ridden
hard.'

* Gizur and Swanhild, drunkard,' said Eric. * Swanhild
cast us into deep sleep by witchcraft, and Gizur dealt the
blow. Better for him that he had never been born than
that he has lived to deal that coward's blow 1 '

Then they rode on, and when midnight was a httle while
gone they came to the stead at ColdV^ck. Now this house was
roofed with turves, and tne windows were barred so that none
could pass through them. Also in the yard were faggots of
birch and a stack of hay.

Eric and Skallagrim tied their horses in a dell that is to the
north of the stead and crept up to the house. All was still ;
but a fire burnt in the hall, and, looking through a crack,
Eric could see many men sleeping about it. Then he made
signs to Skallagrim and together, very silently, they fetched
hay and faggots, piling them against the north door of the

ERIC BRIG HTE YES

291

lowed
I have
druda.
)ved it
t him,

le,' for
le thee
lagrim

;ht was
clouds,
looked

lagrim.
ankard,

this in

i'sfee»i;

ridden

;vanhild
alt the
rn than

while
luse was
at none
ggots of

is to the
IS still;
crack,
e made
fetched
r of the

house, for the wind blew from the north. Now Eric spoke to
Skallagrim, bidding him stand, axe in hand, by the south
door, and slay those who came out when the reek began to
smart them : but he went himself to fire the pile.

When Brighteyes had made all things ready for the burning,
it came into his mind that, perhapn, Gizur and Swan-
hild were not in the house. But he would not hold his
hand for this, for he was mad with grief and rage. So once
more he prepared for the deed, when again he heard a voice
in his ear — the voice of Gudruda, and it seemed to say :

* Thine oath, Eric t remember thine oath ! '
Then he turned and the rage went out of his heart.

* Let them seek me on Mosfell,' he said, ' I will not slay them
secretly and by reek, the innocent and the guilty together.'
And he strode round the house to where Skallagrim stood at
the south door, axe aloft and watching.

* Does the fire burn, lord ? I see no smoke,' whispered
Skallagrim.

* Nay, I have made none. I will shed no more blood, except
to save my life. I leave vengeance to the Norns.'

Now Skallagrim thought that Brighteyes was mad, but he
dared say nothing. So they went to their horses, and when
they found them, Eric rode back to the house. Presently
they drew near, and Eric told Skallagrim to stay where he was,
and riding on to the house, smote heavy blows upon the
door, just as Skallagrim once had smitten, before Eric went

up to Mosfell.

Now Swanhild lay in her shut bed ; but she could not sleep,
because of what she saw in the eyes of Gudruda. Little may
she sleep ever again, for when she shuts her eyes once more
she sees that which was written in the dead eyes of Gudruda.
So, as she lay, she heard the blows upon the door, and
sprang frightened from her bed. Now there was tumult in
the hall, for every man rose to his feet m fear, searching for
his weapons. Again the loud knocks came.

' It is the ghost of Eric ! ' cried one, for Gizur had given
out that Eric was dead at his hand in fair fight.

* Open ! ' said Gizur, and they opened, and there, a little

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

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way from the door, sat Brighteyes on a horse, great and
shadowy to see, and hehind him was Skallagrim the Baresark.

' It is the ghost of Eric ! ' they cried again.

' I am no ghost,' said Brighteyes. ' I am no ghost, ye
men of Swanhild. Tell me : is Gizur, the son of Ospakar,
among you ? '

* Gizur is here/ said a voice ; ' but he swore he slew thea
last night.*

* Then he lied,' quoth Eric. * Gizur did not slay me—
he murdered Gudruda the Fair as she lay asleep at my side.
See ! ' and he drew Whitefire from its scabbard and held it
in the rays of the moon that now shone out between the cloud
rifts. * Whitefire is red with Gudruda' s blood — Gudruda
slaughtered in her sleep by Gizur' s coward hand ! '

Now men murmured, for this seemed to them the most
shameful of all deeds. But Gizur, hearing, shrank back
aghast.

Listen again 1 ' said Erio. ' I was minded but now
to burn you all as ye slept — ay, the firing is piled against the
door. Still, I held my hand, for I have sworn to slay no
more, except to save my life. Now I ride hence to Mosfell.
Thither let Gizur come, Gizur the murderer, and Swanhild
the witch, and with them all who will. There 1 will give
them greeting, and wipe away the blood of Gudruda from
Whitefire's blade.'

* Fear not, Eric,' cried Swanhild, * I will come, and there
thou mayst kill me, if thou canst.'

* Against thee, Swanhild,' said Eric, * I lift no hand.
Do thy worst, I leave thee to thy fate and the vengeance
of the Noms. I am no woman-slayer. But to Gizur the
murderer I say, come.'

Then he turned and went, and Skallagrim went with him.

* Up, men, and cut Eric down ! ' cried Gizur, seeking to
oover his shame.

But no man stirred.

RRIC BRIGHTEYES

t93

CHAPTER XXXI

HOW ERIC SENT AWAY HIS MEN PROM M08PBLL

OW Y^vic and Skalhigrim came to
Mosfell in safety, and during all
that ride Brigliteyes spoke no
word. He rode in silence, and
in silence Skallagrim rode after
him. The heart of Skallagrim
was broken because of the
sorrow which his drunkenness
had brouglit about, and the heart
of Eric was buried in Gudruda's
grave.

On Mosfell Eric found four
of his own men, two of whom
had been among those that the
people of Gizur and Swanhild
had driven from Gudruda's ship
before they fired her. For no
fight had been made on the ship. There also he found Jon,
who had been loosed from his bands in the booth by one
who heard his cries as he rode past. Now when Jon saw
Brighteyes, he told him all, and fell at Eric's feet and wept
because he had betrayed him in his fear.

But Eric spoke no angry word to him. Stooping down
he raised him, saying, ' Thou wast never overstout of heart,
Jon, and thou art scarcely to be blamed because thou didst
speak rather than die in torment, though perhaps some had
ohosen so to die and not to speak. Now 1 am a luckless mm^

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and all things happen as they are fated, and the words of
Atli come true, as was to be looked for. The Norns, against
whom none may stand, did but work their will through thy
mouth, Jon; so grieve no more for that which cannot be
undone.'

Then he turned away, but Jon wept long and loudly.

That night Eric slept well and dreamed no dreams. But
on the morrow he woke at dawn, and clothed himself and
ate. Then he called his men together, and with them Skalla-
grim. They came and stood before him, and Eric, drawing
Whitefire, leaned upon it and spoke :

• Hearken, mates,' he said : * I know this, that my hours
are short and death draws on. My years have been few
and evil, and I cannot read the purpose of my life. She
whom I loved has been slain by the witchcraft of Swanhild
and the coward hand of Gizut the murderer, and I go to seek
her where she waits. I am very glad to go, for now I
have no more joy in life, being but a luckless man ; it is an
ill world, friends, and all the ways are red with blood. I have
shed much blood, though but one life haunts me now at the
last, and that is the life of Atli the Earl, for he was no match
for my might and he is dead because of my sin. With
my own blood I will wash away the blood oi Atli, and then I
seek another place, leaving nothing but a tale to be told in the
ingle when fall the winter snows. For to this end we all
come at the last, and it matters little if it find us at midday
or at nightfall. We live in sorrow, we die in pain and
darkness : for this is the curse that the Gods have laid upon
men and each must taste it in his season. But I have sworn
that no more men shall die for me. I will fight the last
great fight alone ; for I know this : I shall not easily be over-
come, and with my fallen foes I will ti'ead on Bifrost Bridge.
Therefore, farewell ! When the bones of Eric Brighteyes lie
in their barrow, or are picked by ravens on the mountain-side,
Gizur will not trouble to hunt out those who clung to him, if
indeed Gizur shall live to tell the tale. Nor need ye fear the
ha.te of Swanhild, for she aims her spears at me alone. Go,
therefore, {md, when I am dead, do not forget me, and do not

ERIC BRtGHTEYES

295

seek to avenge me, for Death the avenger of all will find them
also.'

Now Eric's men heard and groaned aloud, saying that they
would die with him, for they loved Eric one and all. Only
Skallagrim said nothing.

Then Brighteyes spoke again : ♦ Hear me, comrades. If
ye will not go, my hlood be on your heads, for I will ride out
alone, and meet the men of Gizur in the plain and fail there
fighting.'

Then one by one they crept away to seek their horses
in the dell. And each man as he went came to Eric and
kissed his hand, then passed thence weeping. Jon was the
last to go, except Skallagrim only, and he was so moved that
he could not speak at all.

It was this Jon who, in after years, when he was grown
very old, wandered from stead to stead telling the deeds of
Eric Brighteyes, and always finding a welcome because of his
tale, till at length, as he journeyed, he was overtaken by a
snowstorm and buried in a drift. For Jon, who lacked much,
had this gift : he had a skald's tongue. Men have always held
that it was to the honour of Jon that he told the tale thus,
hiding nothing, seeing that some of it is against himself.

Now when all had gone, Eric looked at Skallagrim, who
still stood near him, axe in hand.

* Wherefore goest thou not, drunkard ? ' he said. * Surely
thou wilt find ale and mead in the vales or oversea. Here
there is none. Hasten ! I would be alone ! '

Now the great body of Skallagrim shook with grief and
shame, and the red blood poured up beneath his dark skin.
Then he spoke in a thick voice :

* I did not think to live to hear such words from the lips
of Eric Brighteyes. They are well eampd, yet it is unmanly
of thee, lord, thug to taunt one who loves thee. I would
sooner die as Swanhild said yonder thrall should die than
live to listen to such words. I have sinned against thee,
indeed, and because of my sin my heart is broken. Hast
thou, then, never sinned that thou wouldst tear it living from

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i?;?/C BRIG HTE YES

my breast as eagles tear a foundered horse ? Think on thine
own sins, Eric, and pity mine ! Taunt me thus once more
or bid me go once more and I will go indeed! I will go
thus — on the edge of yonder gulf thou didst overcome me by
thy naked might, and there I swore fealty to thee, Erie
Brighteyes. Many a year have we wandered side by side, and,
standing back to back, have struck many a blow. I am minded
to do this : to stand by thee in the last great fight that
draws on and to die there with thee. I have loved no other
man save thee, and I am too old to seek new lords. Yet, if
still thou biddest me, I will go thus. Where I swore my oath
to thee, there I will end it. For I will lay me down on the
brink of yonder gulf, as once I lay when thy hand was at my
throat, and call out that thou art no more my lord and I am
no more thy thrall. Then I will roll into the depths beneath,
and by this death of shame thou shalt be freed of me, Erie
Brighteyes.' *

Eric looked at the great man — he looked long and sadly.
Then he snoke :

'Skallagrim Lambstail, thou hast a true heart. I too
have sinned, and now I put away thy sin, although Gudruda
is de>id through thee and I must die because of thee. Stay by
me if thou wilt and let us fall together.'

Then Skallagrim came to Eric, and, kneeling before him,
took his hands and kissed them.

* Now I am once more a man,' he said, ' and I know
this : we two shall die such a great death that it will
be well to have lived to die it 1' and he arose and
Bhouted :

A ! hai I A 1 hai ! I see foes pass in pride 1
A 1 hai 1 A 1 hai ! Valkyries rirle the wind 1
^, Hear the song of the sword

Whitefire is aloft— aloft I

Bare is the axe of the Baresark !
■•• • Croak, ye nesting ravens ;

- ■ '• Flap your wings, ye eagles,

;,;; „. ; For bright is Mosf ell's cave v/ith blood I

Lap I lap ! thou Grey Wolf,

Lftugh aloud, Odin I

a thine
le more
will go
J me by
je, Ecic
[de, and,
minded
rht that
no other
Yet, if
my oath
m on the
ras at my
and I am
\ beneath,
me, Eric

and sadly.

rt. I too
Gudruda

Stay by

>efore him,

id I know
lat it will
arose and

ER/C BRIGHTEYES 297

Laugh till shake the golden doors ;
Heroes' feet are set on Bifrost,
Open, ye hundred gates !

A ! hai ! A ! hai ! red runs the fray !

A I hai ! A 1 hai 1 Valkyries ride the wind I

Then Skallagrim turned and went to clean hia harness and
the golden helm of Eric.

Now at Coldback Gizur spoke with Swanhild.

* Thou hast brought the greatest shame upon me,' he
said, ' for thou hast caused me to slay a sleeping woman.
Knowest thou that my own men will scarcely speak with me ?
I have come to this evil pass, through love of thee, that I have
slain a sleeping woman ! '

'It was not my fault that thou didst kill Gudruda,*
answered Swanhild ; ' surely I thought it was Eric whom thy
sword pierced ! I have not sought thy love, Gizur, and I say
this to thee : go, if thou wilt, and leave me alone ! '

Now Gizur looked at her, and was minded to go ; but, as
Swanhild knew well, she held him too fast in the net of her
witcheries.

* I would go, if I might go ! ' answered Gizur ; * but I am
bound to thee for good or evil, since it is fated that I shall
wed thee.'

' Thou wilt never wed me while Eric lives,' said Swanhild.

Now she spoke thus truthfully, and by chance, as it were,
not as driving Gizur on to slay Eric — for, now that Gudruda
was dead, she was in two minds as to this matter, since, if she
might, she still desired to take Eric to herself — but meaning
that while Eric lived she would wed no other man. But
Gizur took it oiiherwise.

'Eric shall certainly die if I may bring it about,' he
answered, and went to speak with his men.

Now all were gathered in the yard at Coldback, and that
was a great company. But their looks were heavy because of
the shame that Gizur, Ospakar's son, had brought upon them
by the murder of Gudruda in her sleep.

* Hearken, comrades 1 ' said Gizur : ♦ great shame is come

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SR/C BRIGHTEYES

upon me because of a deed that I have done unwittingly,
for I aimed at the eagle Eric and I have slain the swan
Gudruda.'

Then a certain old viking in the company, named Eetel,
whom Gizur had hired for the slaying of Eric, spoke :

* Man or woman, it is a niddering deed to kill folk in their
sleep, Gizur t It is murder, and no less, and small luck can
be hoped for from the stroke.'

Now Gizur felt that his people looked on him askance and
heavily, and knew that it would be hard to show them that
he was driven to this deed against his will, and by the
witchcraft of Swanhild. So, as 'vas his nature, he turned to
guile for shelter, like a fox to his hole, and spoke to them
with the tongue of a lawman ; for Gizur had great skill in
speech.

* That tale was not all true which Eric Brighteyes told
you,' he said. *He was mad with grief, and moreover it
seems that he slept, and only woke to fiud Gudruda dead.
It came about thus : I stood with the lady Swanhild, and
was about to call aloud on Eric to arm himself and come
forth and meet me face to face '

* Then, lord, methinks thou hadst never met another foe,'
quoth the viking Ketel who had spoken j&rst.

*When of a sudden,' went on Gizur, taking no note of
Ketel's words, * one clothed in white sprang from the bed and
rushed on me. Then I, thinking tha^ it was Eri<3, lifted
sword, not to smite, but to ward him away; but the linen -
wearer met the sword and fell down dead. Then I fled,
fearing lest men should wake and trap us, and that is all
the tale. It was no fault of mine if Gudruda died upon the
sword.'

Thus he spoke, but still men looked doubtfully upon him,
for his eye was the eye of a liar — and Eric, as they knew, did
not lie.

* It is hard to find the truth between lawman's brain and
tongue,' said the old viking Ketel. * Eric is no lawman, but
a true man, and he sang another song. I would slay Eric
indeed, for between him and me there, is a blopd-feud, since

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

1(1 ' .f

299

ittingly,
le Bwan

ad Ketel,

•

£ in their
luck can

tance and
hem that
i by the
turned to
} to them
bt skill in

teyes told
Loreover it
uda dead,
tihild, and
and come

lother foe,'

no note of
the bed and
Eric,^ lifted
i the'linen-
hsn I fled,
. that is all
,d upon the

y upon him,
By knew, did

I's brain aild
lawman, but
lid slay Eric
d-feud, since

my brother died at his hand when, with Whitefire for a crook,
• Brighteyes drove armed men like sheep down the hall of Mid-
dalhof— ay and swordless, slew Ospakar. Yet I say that Eric
is a true man, and, whether or no thou art true, Gizur the Law-
man, that thou knowest best— thou and Swanhild the Father-
less, Groa's daughter. If thou didst slay Gudruda as thou
tellest, say, how tame Gudruda's blood on Whitefire's blade V
How did it chance, Gizur, that thou heldest Whitefire in thy
hand and not thine own sword ? Now I tell thee this : either
thou shalt go up against Eric and clear thyself by blows, or I
leave thee ; and methinks there are others among this company
who will do the same, for we have no wish to be partners with
murderers and their wickedness.'

* Ay, a good word ! ' said many who stood by. * Let Gizur
go up with us to Mosfell, and there stand face to face with
Eric and clear himself by blows.'

* I ask no more,* said Gizur ; * we will ride to-night.'

* But much more shalt thou get, liar,' quoth Ketel to
himself, * for that hour when thou lookest once again on
Whitefire shall be ihy last ! '

So Gizur and Swanhild made ready to go up against Eric.
That day they rode away with a great company, a hundred
and one in all, and this was their plan. They sent six men with
that thrall who had shown them the secret path, bidding
him guide them to the mountain-top. Then, when they were
come thither, and heard the shouts of those who sought to gain
the platform from the south, they were to watch till Eric and
his folk came out from the cave, and shoot them with arrows
from above or crush them with stones. But if perchance Eric
left the platform and came to meet his foes in the narrow pass,
then they must let themselves down with ropes from the
height above, and, creeping after him round the rock, must
smite him in the back. Moreover, in secret, Gizur promised
a great reward of ten hundreds in silver to him who should
kill Eric, for he did not long to stand face to fiico with
him alone. Swanhild also in secret made promise of reward

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£Ii/C BRIGHTEYES

to those who should brmg Eric to her, bound, but living ; and
she bade them do this — to bear him down with shields and tie
him with ropes.

So they rode away, the seven who should climb the moun-
tain from behind going first, and on the morrow morning they
crossed the sand and came to MosfelL

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ERIC BRIG HTE YES

301

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CHAPTER XXXII "

HOW ERIC AND SKALLAGRIM GREW FEY

OW the night came down
upon Mosfell, and oi
all nights this was the
strangest. The air was
quiet and heavy, yet no
rain fell. It was so
silent, moreover, that,
did a stone slip upon
the mountain side or a
horse neigh far off on
the plains, the sound of
it crept up the fell and was
echoed from the crags.

Eric and Skallagrim sat to-
gether on the open space of rock
that is before the cave, and great
heaviness and fear came into
their hearts, so that they had no
desire to sleep,
' Methinks the night is ghost-ridden,' said Eric, * and I am
foy, for I grow cold, and it seems to me that one strokes my
hair.'

' It is ghost-ridden, lord,' answered Skallagrim. * Trolls
are abroad, and the God-kind gather to see Eric die.'

For a while they sat in silence, then suddenly the moun-
tain heaved up gently beneath them. Thrice it seemed to
heave like a woman's breast, and left them frightened.

*Now the dwarf-folk come from their caves/ quoth

THE GHOST OF THE
BAKESABK.

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1, 1 1

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Skallagrim, * and great deeds may be looked for, since they are
not drawn to the upper earth by a httle thing.'

Then once more they sat silent ; and thick darkness came
down upon the mountain, hiding the stars.

* Look,' said Eric of a sudden, and he pointed to Hncla.
Skallagrim looked, and lo ! the snowy dome of Ilocla was

aglow with a rosy flame like the light of dawn.

* Winter lights,' said Lambstail, shuddering.

' Death lights ! ' answered Eric. ' Look again ! '

They looked, and behold ! in the rosy glow there sat three
giant forms of fire, and their shapes were the shapes of women.
Before them was a loom of blackness that stretched from earth
to sky, and they wove at it with threads of flame. They
were splendid and terrible to see. Their hair streamed
behind them like meteor flames, their eyes shone like light-
ning, and their breasts gleamed like the polislied bucklers
of the gods. They wove fiercely at the loom of bLickiiess,
and as they wove they sang. The voice of the one was as
the wind whistling through the pines ; the voice of the other
was as the sound of rain hissing on deep waters ; and the voice
of the third was as the moan of the sea. They wove fearfully
and they sang loudly, but what they sang might not be known.
Now the web grew and the woof grew, and a picture ciime
upon the loom — a great picture written in fire.

Behold ! it was the seni wlance of a storm-awakened sea, and
a giant ship fled before the gale — a dragon of war, and in the
ship were piled the corses of men, and on these lay another
corse, as one lies upon a bed. They looked, and the face of the
corse grew briglit. It was the face of Eric, and his head rested
upon the dead heart of Skallagrim.

Clinging to each other, Eric and Skallagrim saw the siglit
of fear that was written on tlie loom of the Norns. They
saw it for a breath. Then, with a laugli like the wail of wolves,
tlio shapes of fire sprang up and rent the web asunder. Then
the first passed upward to the sky, the second southward
towards Middalhof, but the third swept over Mosfell, so
that the brightness of her flaming form shone on tlie rock
whe they sat by the cave, and the lightning of her eyes was

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ERIC BRIG HTE YES

303

ar©

lame

la.
b was

three
omen.
. earth

They
■earned

light-
wcklers
ckuess,
■was as
e other
[le voice

'earfully
known,
re came

sea, and
id in the
■ another
,ce oi^ the
ad rested

the sigl^t
is. They
of wolves,
,r. Then
southward
losfell, so
the rock
eyes was

mirrored in the byrnie of Skallagrim and on Eric's golden
helm. She swept past, pointing downwards [is she went,
and lo ! she was gone, and once more darkness and silence
lay upon the earth.

Now this sight was seen of Jon the thrall also, and he told
it in his story of the deeds of Eric. For Jon lay hid in a
secret place on Mosfell, waiting for tidings of what came to
pass.

For a while Eric and Skallagrim clung to each other.
Then Skallagrim spoke.

* We have seen the Valkyries,' he said.

' Nay,' answered Eric, * we have seen the Norns— who are
come to warn us of our doom ! We shall die to-morrow.'

* At the least,' said Skallagrim, * we shall not die alone : we
had a goodly bed on yonder goblin ship, and all of our own
slaying methinks. It is not so ill to die thus, lord ! '

* Not so ill ! ' said Eric ; ' and yet I am weary of blood and
war, of glory and of my strength. Now I desire rest alone.
Light fire — I can bear this darkness no longer ; the marrow
freezes in my bones.'

* Fire can be seen of foes,' said Skallagrim.

* It matters little now,' said Eric, * we are feyfolk.'

So Skallagrim lighted the fire, piling much brushwood and
dry turf over it, till presently it burnt up brightly, throwing
light on all the space of rock, and heavy shadows against the clifif
behind. They sat thus a while in the light of the flames,
looking towards the deep gulf, till suddenly there came a sound
as of one who climbed the gulf.

* Who comes now, chmbing where no man may pass ? '
cried Eric, seizing Whitefire and springing to his feet. Pre-
sently he sank down again with white face and staring eyes, and
pointed at the edge of the cliff. And as he pointed, the neck
of a man rose in the shadow above the brink, and the hands of a
man grasped the rock. But there was no head on the neck.
The shape of the headless man drew itself slowly over the
brink, it walked slowly into the light towards the fire, then
sat itself down in the glare of the flames, which shrank away

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from it as from a draught of wind. Pale with terror, Eric and
Bkallagrim looked on the headless thing and knew it. It was
the wraith of the Baresark that Brighteyes had slain — the
first of all the men he slew.

' It is my mate, Eric, whom thou didst kill years ago and
whose severed head spoke with thee I ' gasped Skallagrim.

* It is he, sure enough I ' said Eric ; ' but where may his
head be ? '

* Perchance the head will come,' answered Skallagrim. * He
is an evil sight to see, surely. Say, lord, shall I fall upon
him, though I love not the task ? '

* Nay, Skallagrim, let him bide ; he does but come to warn
us of our fate. Moreover, ghosts can only be laid in one way —
by the hewing off of the head and the laying of it at the
thigh. But this one has no head to hew.'

Now as he spoke the headless man turned his neck as
though to look. Once more there came the sound of feet and
lo ! men marched in from the darkness on either side. Eric and
Skallagrim looked up and knew them. They were those of
Ospakar's folk whom they had slain on Horse-Head Heights ;
all their wounds were on them and in front of them marched
Mord, Ospakar's son. The ghosts gazed upon Eric and
Skallagrim with cold dead eyes, then they too sat down by the
fire. Now once more there came the sound of feet, and from
every side men poured in who had died at the hands of Eric
and of Skallagrim. First came those who fell on that ship
of Ospakar's which Eric sank by Westmans ; then the crew of
the Raven who had perished upon the sea-path. Even as
the man died, so did each ghost come. Some had been drowned
and behold their harness dripped water ! Some had died of
spear-thrusts and the spears were yet fixed in their breasts 1
Some had fallen beneath the flash of Whitefire and the weight
of the axe of Skallagrir'», and there they sat, looking on their
wide wounds!

Then came more and more. There were those whom Eric
and Skallagrim had slain upon the seas, those who had fallen
before them in the EngUsh wars, and all that company who had
been drowned in the waters of the P^ntland Firth when- the

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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

305

witchcraft of Swanhild had brought the Gudruda to her
wreck.

* Now here we have a goodly crew,' said Eric at length. ' Is
it done, thinkest thou, or will Mosfell send forth more dead ? '

As he spoke the wraith of a grey-headed man drew
near. He had but one arm, for the other was hewn from him,
and the byrnie on his left side was red with blood.

* Welcome, Earl Atli ! ' cried Eric. ' Sit thou over agamst
me, who to-morrow shall be with thee.'

The ghost of the Earl seated itself and looked on Eric
with sad eyes, but it spake never a word.

Then came another company, and at their head stalked
black Ospakar.

'These be they who died at Middalhof,' cried Eric.
* Welcome, Ospakar ! that marriage-feast of thine went ill ! '

* Now methinks we are overdone with trolls,' said Skalla-
grim ; ' but see! here come more.' 1

As he spoke, Hall of Lithdale came, and with him KoH
the Half-witted, and others. And so it went on till all the
men whom Eric and Skallagrim had slain, or who had died
because of them, or af their side, were gathered in deep ranks "
before them.

* Now it is surely done,' said Eric.

* There is yet a space,' said Skallagrim, pointing to the
other side of the fire, ' and Hell holds many dead.'

Even as the words left his lips there came a noise of the
galloping of horse's hoofs, and one clad in white rode up.
It was a woman, for her golden hair flowed down about her
white arms. Then she slid from the horse and stood in the
light of the fire, and behold ! lier white robe was red with
blood, a great sword was set in her heart, and the face and
eyes were the face and eyes of Gudruda the Fair, and the
horse she rode was Blackmane, that Eric had slain.

Now when Brighteyes saw her he gave a great cry.

* Greeting, sweet ! ' he said. * I am no longer afraid,
since thou comest to bear me company. Thru art dear to my
sight — ay even in yon death-sheet. Greeting, sweet, my
May 1 I laid thee stiff and cold in the earth at Middalhof,

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red v?itli blood; a great sword was set in her heart*

ERIC BRIGIITEYES

306

but, like a loving wife, thou liast burst thy bonds, and art
come to save me from the grip of trolls. Thou art welcome,
Gudruda, Asmund's daughter ! Come, wife, sit thou at my
side.'

The ghost of Gudruda spake no word. She walked
through the fire towards him, and the flames went out beneath
her feet, to burn up again when she had passed. Then she
sat down over against Eric and looked on him with wide and
tender eyes. Thrice he stretched out his arms to clasp her,
but thrice their strength left them and they fell back to his side.
It was as though they struck a wall of ice and were numbed
by the bitter cold.

* Look, here are more,' groaned Skallagrim.

Then Eric looked, and lo ! the empty space to the left of
the fire was filled with shadowy shapes like shapes of mist.
Amongst them was Gizur, Ospakar's son, and many a man
of his company. There, too, was Swanhild, Groa's daughter,
and a toad nestled in her breast. She looked with wide eyes
upon the eyes of dead Gudruda's ghost, that seemed not to
see her, and a stare of fear was set on her lovely face. Nor
was this all ; for there, before that shadowy throng, stood two
great shapes clad in their harness, and one was the shape of
Eric and one the shape of Skallagrim.

Thus, being yet alive, did these two look upon their own
wraiths !

Then Eric and Skallagrim cried out aloud and their
brains swam and their senses lefo them, so that they swooned.

When they opened their eyes and life came back to them
the fire was dead, and it was day. Nor was there any sign of
that company which had been gathered on the rock before them.

' Skallagrim,' quoth Eric, 'it seems that I have dreamed
a strange dream — a most strange dream of Norns and trolls 1 '

* Tell m ^ thy dream, lord,' said Skallagrim.

So Er.c told all the vision, and the Baresark listened in
silence.

' It was no dream, lord,' said Skallagrim, * for I myself
have seen the same things. Now this is in my mind, that

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ER/C BRIGHTEYES

yonder sun is the last that we sliall aee, for wo have beheld the
death-shadows. All those who were gathered here last night
wait to welcome us on Bifrost Bridge. And the mist- shapes
who sat there, amongst whom our wraiths were numbered,
are the shapes of those who shall die in the great fight to-day.
For days are fled and we are sped 1 '

* I would not have it otherwise,' said Eric. • We have
been greatly honoured of the Gods, and of the ghost-kind that
are around us and above us. Now let us make ready to die
as becomes men who have never turned back to blow, for
the end of the story should fit the beginning, and of us there
is a tale to tell.'

* A good word, lord,' answered Skallagrim : ' I have struck
few strokes to be ashamed of, and I do not fear to tread
Bifrost Bridge in thy company. Now we will wash ourselves
and eat, so that our strength may be whole in us.'

So they washed themselves with water, and ate heartily,
and for the first time for many months Eric was merry. For
now that the end was at hand his heart grew light within
him. And when they had put the desire of food from them,
and buckled on their harness, they looked out from their
mountain height, and saw a cloud of dust rise in the desert
plain of black sand beneath, and through it the sheen of
spears.

* Here come those of. whom, if there is truth in visions,
some few shall never go back again,' said Eric. ' Now, what
counsel hast thou, Skallagrim ? Where shall we meet them ?
Here on the space of rock, or yonder in the deep way of the
cUff?'

* My counsel is that we meet them here,' said Skallagrim,
* and cut them down one by one as they try to turn the
rock. They can scarcely come at us to slay us here so long
as our arms have strength to smite.'

* Yet they will come, though I know not how,' answered
Eric, * for I am sure of this, that our death lies before us.
Here, then, we will meet them.'

Now the cloud of dust drew nearer, and they saw that
this was a great company which came up against them.

ERIC BRJGHTEYES

308

At the foot of the fell the men stayed and rested a while,
and it was not till afternoon that they began to climb the
mountain.

• Night will be at hand before this game is played,'
said Sknllagrim. 'See, they climb slowly, saving their
strength, and yonder among them is Swanhild in a purple
cloak.'

'Ay, night will be at hand, Skallagrim— a last long night I
A hundred to two— the odds are heavy ; yet some shall wish
them heavier. Now let us bind on our helms.'

Meanwhile (Jizur and his folk crept up the paths from
below. Now that thrall who knew the secret way had gone
on with six chosen men, and already they climbed the water-
course and drew near to the flat crest of the fell. But
Eric and Skallagrim knew nothing of this. So they sat
down by the turning place that is over the gulf and
waited, singing of the taking of the Raven and of the slaying
in the stead at Middalhof, and telling tales of deeds that they
had done. And the thrall and his six men climbed on till
at length they gained the crest of the fell, and, looking over,
saw Eric and Skallagrim beneath them.

• The birds are in the snare, and hark ! they sing,' said the
thrall ; * now bring rocks and be silent.'

But Gizur and his people, having learned that Eric and
Skallagrim were alone upon the mountain, pushed on.

• We have not much to fear from two men,' said Gizur.

• That we shall learn presently,' answered Swanhild. * I
tell thee this, that I saw strange sights last night, though I
did not sleep. I may sleep Httle now that Gudruda is dead,
for that which I saw in her eyes haunts me.'

Then they went on, and the face of Gizur grew white
with fear.

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CHAPTER XXXin

HOW EBIC AND SKALLAGRIM FOUGHT THEIR LAST GREAT

FIGHT

OWthe thrall ajid tl ose with him
on the crest of the fell heard the
murmur of the company of Gizar
and Swanhild as they -yon the
mountain side, though they could
not see them because of the
rocks.

' Now it is time to begin and
knock these birds from their
perch ' said the thrall, * for that
is an awkward corner for our folk
to turn with Whitefire and the
axe of Skallagrim waiting on the
further side.'

So he balanced a great stone,
as heavy as three men could lift,
on the brow of the rock, and
aimed it. Then he pushed and let it go. It smote the plat-
form beneath with a crash, two fathoms behind the spot
where Eric and Skallagrim sat. Then it flew into the air,
and, just as Brighteyes turned at the sound, it struck the
wings of his helm, and, bursting the straps, tore the golden
helm-piece from his head and carried it away into the grlf
beneath.

Skallagrim looked up and saw what had come about.

* They have gained the crest of the fell,' he cried. * Now

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

310

we must fly into the cave or dowii the narrow way ""d
hold it.'

' Down the narrow way, then,' said Eric, and while rocks,
spears and arrows rushed between ind around them, they
stepped on to the stone and won tht path beyond. It was
clear, for Gizur's folk had not yet come, and they ran nearly to
the mouth of it, where there was a bend in the way, and
stood there side by side.

* Thou wast at death's door then, lord ! ' said Skallagrim.

* Eead-piece is not head,' answered Eric ; • but I wonder
how they won the crest of the fell. I have never heard
tell of any path by which it might be gained.'

' There they are at the least,' said Skallagrim. * Now this
is my will, that thou shouldst take my helm. I am Baresark
and put little trust in harness, but rather in my axe and
strength alone.'

* I will not do that,' said Eri(i. ' Listen : I hear them
come.'

Presently the tumult of voices and the tramp of feet grew
clearer, and after a while Gizsir, Swanhild, and the men of their
following turned the corner of the narrow way, and lo ! there
before them— ay within three paces of them— stood Eric and
Skallagrim shoulder to shoulder, and the light poured down
upon them frcji above.

They were terrible to see, and the light shont brightly on
Eric's golden hair and Whitefire's flashing blade, and the
shadows lay dark on the black helm of Skallagrim and in the
fierce black eyes beneath.

Back surged Gizur and those with him. Slvallagrim
would have sprung upon them, but Eric cauglit him by the
arm, saying : ' A truce to thy Baresark ways. Rusli not and
move not ! Let us stand here till they overwhelm us.'

Now those behind Gizur cried out to know what ailed
them that they pushed back.

* Only this,' said Gizur, ' that Eric Brighteyes and Skalla-
grim Lambstail stand like two grey wolves and hold the nar-
row way.'

* Now we shall have fighting worth the telling of,' quoth

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EJRIC BRIG HTE YES

Eetel the viking. ' On, Gizur, Ospakar's son, and cut them
down I ' ,' w

' Hold I ' said Swanhild : * I will speak with Eric first/ and,
together with Gizur and Ketel, she passed round the corner
of the path and came face to face with those who stood at
bay there.

* Now yield, Eric,' she cried. * Foes are behind and before
thee. Thou art trapped, and hast Httle chance of hfe. Yield
thee, I say, with thy black wolf-hound, ao perchance thou
mayest find mercy even at the hands of her whose husband
thou didst wrong and slay.'

* It is not my way to yield, lady,' answered Eric, * and still
less perchance is it the way of Skallagrim. Least of all will
we yield to thee who, after working many ills, didst throw me
in a witch-sleep, and to him who slew the wife sleeping at my
side. Hearken, Swanhild: here we ei<and, awaiting death,
nor will we take mercy from thy hand. For know this, we
shall not die alone. Last night as we sat on Mosfell we saw
the Norns weave our web of fate upon their loom of darkness.
They sat on Hecla's dome and wove their pictures in hving
flame, then rent the web and flew upward and southward and
westward, crying our doom to sky a:id earth and sea. Last
night as we sat by the fire on Mosfell ail the company of the
dead were gathered round us — ay ! and all the company of
those who shall die to-day. Thou wast there, Gizur the
murderer, Ospakar's son ! thou wast there, Swanhild the
witch, Groa's daughter! thou wast there, Ketel Viking!
with many another man ; and there were we two also. Val-
kyries have kissed us and death draws near. Therefore, talk
no more, but come and make an end. Greeting, Gizur, thou
woman-murderer ! Draw nigh ! draw nigh ! Out sword !
up shield ! and on, thou son of Ospakar ! '

Swanhild spoke no more, and Gizur had no word.

'On, Gizur! Eric calls thee,' quoth Ketel Viking; but
Gizur slunk back, not f( rward.

Then Ketel grew mad with rage and shame. He cal ed to
the men, and they drew near, as many as might, and looked
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ERIC BRIGHTEYES

312

a plain. Eric laughed aloud and Skallagrim gnawed the
edge of his shield. Eric laughed aloud and the sound of his
laughter rang up the rocks.

* We are but two,' he cried, * and ye are many ! Is there
never a pair among you who wiii stand face to face with a
Baresark and a helmless man ? ' and he tossed Whitefire high
into the air and caught it by the hilt.

Then Ketel and another man of his following sprang for-
ward with an oath, and their axes thundered loud on the
shields of Eric and of Skallagrim. But Whitefire flickered up
and the axe of Skallagrim crashed, and at once their knees
were loosened, so that they sank down dead.

' * More men ! more men ! ' cried Eric. ' These were brave,
but their might was little. More men for the Grey Wolfs
maw I '

Then Swanhild lashed the folk with bitter words, and two
of them sprang on. They sprang on like hounds upon a deer
at bay, and they rolled back as gored houndc roll from the
deer's horns. ...

* More men ! more men ! ' cried Eric. * Here lie but four
and a hundred press behind. Now he shall win great honour
who lays Brighteyes low and brings down the helm of
Skallagrim.'

Again two came on, but they found no luck, for presently
they also were down upon the bodies of those who went
before. Now none could be found to come up against the
pair, for they fought hke Baldur and Thor, and none could
touch them, and no harness might withstand the weight of
their blcTVS that shore through shield and helm and byrnie,
deep to the bone beneath. Then Eric and Skallagrim leaned
upon their weapons and mocked their foes, w!' . . these cursed
and tore their beards with rage and shame.

Now it is to be told that when the thia-U and those with
him saw that Eric and Skallagrim had escaped their rocks
and spears, they took counsel, and the end of it was that
they slid down a rope to the platform that is under the
crest of the fell. Thence, though they could see nothing,
they could hetir the clang of blow0 and the shouts of thoM

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EJ^/C BRIGHTEYES

who fought and fell — ay ! and the mocking of Eric and of

Skallagrim.

* Now it goes thus,' said the thrall, who was a cunning
man : * Eric and Skallagrim hold the narrow way and none
can stand against them. This, then, is my rede : that we
turn the rock and take them in the back.'

His fellows thought this a good saying, and one by one
they stood upon the little rock and won the narrow way.
Tbey crept along thir till they were near to Eric and Skalla-
grim. Now Swanhild, looking up, saw them and started.
Sknlligrim noted this and glanced over his shoulder, and that
not too soon, for, as he looked, the thrall lifted sword to
smite tlie head of Eric.

With a shout of ' Back to back ! ' the Baresark swung round
and ere ever the sword might fall his axe was buried deep in
the thrall's breast.

' Now we must cut our path through them,' said Skalla-
grim, * and, if it may be, win the space that is before the cav^.
Keep them off in front, lord, and I will mind these manui-
kins.'

Now Gizur's folk, seeing what had come about, took
lieart and fell upon Eric with a rush, and those who were
with the dead tbrall rushed at Skallagrim, and tliero began
such a fight as has not been known in Iceland. But the way
was so narrow tbat scarce more than one man could come to
each of them at a time. And so fierce and true were the
blows of Eric and Skallagrim that of those who came on few
WTnt back. Down they fell, and where they fell they died,
and for every man who died Eric and Skallagrim won a pace
toward the point of rock. Whitefire flamed so swift and
swept so wide that it seemed to Swanhild, watching, as
though tlu'ee swords were aloft at once, and the axe of
Skallagrim tlmndered down like the axe of a woodman
against a tree, and those groaned on whom it fell as
groans a falling tree. Now the shields of these twain were
hewn through and through, and cast away, and their blood
ran from many wounds. S'.ill, their life was whole in them
ftud they {.4ed axe and sword with both hands. And ever

ill

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

314

men fell, and ever, fighting hard, they drew nearer to the
point of rock.

Now it was won, and now all the company that came
with the thrall from over the mountain brow were dead or
sorely wounded at the hands of black Skallagrim. Lo ! one
springs on Eric, and Gizur creeps behind him. Whitefire
leaps to meet the man and does not leap in vain ; but Gizur
smites a coward blow at Eric's uncovered head, and wounds
him sorely, so that he falls to his knee.

' Now I am smitten to the death, Skallagrim,' cries Eric.
' Win the rock and leave me.' Yet he rises from his
knee.

Then Skallagrim turns, red with blood and terrible to
see.

' 'Tis but a scratch. Climb thou the rock— I follow,' he
says, and, screaming like a horse, with weapon aloft he leaps
alone upon the foe. They break before the Baresark rush ;
they break, they fall — they are cloven by Baresark axe and
trodden of Baresark feet ! They roll back, leaving the way
clear — save for the dead. Then Skallagrim follows Bright-
eyes to the rock.

Now Eric wipes the gore from his eyes and sees. Then,
slowly and with a reeling brain, he steps down upon the giddy
point. He goes near to faUing, yet does not fall, for now he
lies upon the open space, and creeps on hands and knees to
the rock-wall that is by the cave, and sits resting his back
against it, Whitefire on his knee.

Before he is there, Skallagrim staggers to his side with a
rush.

• Now we have time to breathe, lord,' he gasps. ' See,
here is water,' and he takes a pitcher that stands by, and
gives Eric to drink from the pool, then drinks himself and
pours the rest of the water on Eric's wound. Then new
life comes to them, and they both stand upon their feet and
win back their breath.

' We have not done so badly ! * says Skallagrim, ' and we
are still a match for one or two. See, they come I Say,
where shall we meet them, lord ? '

■ 'I

3?5

ERIC BklGHTEYES

ii '

'Here,' quoth Eric; *I cannot stand well upon my legs
"without the help of the rock. Now I am all unmeetfor fight.'

* Yet shall this last stand ol thine be sung of ! ' says
Skallagrim.

Now finding none to stay them, the men of Gizur cUmb
one by one upon the rock and win the space that is beyond.
Swanhild goes first of all, because she knows well that Eric
will not harm her, and after her come Gizur and the
others. But many do not come, for they will lift sword no
more.

Now Swanhild draws near and looks on Eric and mocks
him in the fierceness of her heart and the rage of her wolf-
love.

' Now,' she says, * now are Brighteyes dim eyes 1 "tVhat !
weepest thou, Eric ? *

' Ay, Swanhild,' he answered, * I weep tears of blood for
those whom thou hast brought to doom.'

She draws nearer and speaks low to him : * Hearken,
Eric. Yield thee ! Thou hast done enough for honour, and
thou art not smitten to the death of yonder cowardly hound.
Yield and I will nurse thee back to health and bear thee
hence, and together we will forget our hate and woes.'

* Not twice may a man lie in a witch's bed,' said Eric,
* and my troth is plighted to other than thee, Swanhild.'

i. * She is dead,' says Swanhild.

' Yes, she is dead, Swanhild ; and I go to seek her amongst
the dead — I go to seek her and to find her ! *

But the face of Swanhild grew fierce as the winter sea.

' Thou hast put me away for the last time, Eric ! Now thoii
fihalt die, as I have promised thee and as I promised Gudruda
the Fair I' ,

' So shall I the more quickly find Gudruda and lose sight
of thy evil face, Swanhild the harlot I Swanhild the murderess !
Swanhild the witch ! For I know this : thou shalt not escape !
—thy doom draws on also I — and haunted and accursed shalt
thou be for ever 1 Fare thee well, Swanhild ; we shall meet
no more, and the hour comes when thou shalt grieve that thou
^ait ever bom P . . . k.^ v^ c : -h

nmc BRIGHTEYRS

316

Now Swanhild turned and called to the folk : ♦ Come, cut
down these outiiw ro3ues and make an end. Come, cut them
down, for night iraws on.'

Then once :nore the men of Gizur closed in upon them.
Eric smote thrira and thrice the blow went home, then he
could smite no more, for his strength was spent with toil and
wounds, and he. sank upon the ground. For a while Skallagrim
stood over him like a she-bear o'er her young and held the
mob at bay. Then Gizur, watching, cast a spear at Eric. It
entered his side through a cleft in his byrnie and pierced him
deep.

* I am sped, Skallagrim Lambstail,' cried Eric in a loud
voice, and all men drew back to see giant Brighteyes die.
Now his head fell against the rock and his eyes closed.

Then Skallagrim, stooping, drew out the spear and kissed
Eric on the forehead.

* Farewell, Eric Brighteyes ! ' he said. * Iceland shall never
see such another man, and few have died so great a death.
Tarry a while, lord ; tarry a while — I come — I come ! *

Then crying * Eric t Eric ! ' the Baresark fit took him, and
once more and for the last time Skallagrim rushed screaming.
upon the foe, and once more they rolled to earth before him..
To and fro he rushed, dealing great blows, and ever as he went;
they stabbed and cut and thrust at his side and back, for they
dared not stand before him, till he bled from a hundred wounds.
Now, having slain three more men, and wounded two others,
Skallagrim might no more. He stood a moment swaying
to and fro, then he let his axe drop, threw his arms high
above him, and with one loud cry of ' Eric I ' fell as a rock
falls — dead upon the dead.

But Eric was not yet gone. He opened his eyes and saw
the death of Skallagrim and smiled.

* Well ended, Lambstail ! ' he said in a faint voice.

* Lo r cried Gizur, • yon outlawed hound still lives ! Now
I will do a needful task and make an end of him, and so shall
Ospakar's sword come back to Ospakar's son.'

' Thou art wondrous brave now that the bear lies dying I *
said Swanhild.

■ii'

, f

i If i

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317

£/^/C BRIGHTEYES

Now it seemed that Eric heard the words, for suddenly
his might came back to him, and he staggered to his knees
and thence to P^" feet. Then, as folk fall from him, with all
his strength he whirls Whitefire round his head till it shines
like a wheel of fire. ' Thy service is done and thou art clean
of Gudruda's blood — go back to those who forged thee ! '
Brighteyes cries, and casts Whitefire from him towards the
gulf.

Away speeds the great blade, dashing like lightning through
the rays of the setting sun, and behold ! as men watch it
is gone — goiie in mid-air!

Since that day no such sword as Whitefire has been known
in Iceland.

*Now slay thou me, Gizur,' says the dying Eric.

Gizur comes on with little eagerness, an4 Eric cries
aloud :

' Swordless I slew thy father ! — swordless, shieldless, and
woundecl to the death I will yet slay thee, Gizur the Mur-
derer ! ' and with a loud cry he staggered toward him.

Gizur smites him with his sword, but Eric does not stay, and
while men wait and wonder Brighteyes sweeps liim into his
great arms — ay, sweeps him up, lifts him from the ground
and reels on.

Erie rer^^s on to the brink of the gulf. Gizur sees his pur-
pose, Fjtruggles and shrieks aloud. But the strength of the
dyng Eric is more than the strength of Gizur. Now Bright-
eyes stands on the dizzy edge and the Hgtit of the poysmg
sun flames about his head. And now, bearing Gizur with
him, he hurls himself out into the gulf, and lol the sun
sinks !

Men stand wondering, but Swanhild cries aloud :

* Nobly done, Eric ! nobly done ! So I would have seen
thee die who of all men wast the first ! '

This then was the end of Eric Brighteyes the Unlucky, who
of all warriors that have lived in Iceland was the mightiest,
the goodliest, and the best beloved of women and of those who
clung to him.

suddenly
his knet'S
., with all
. it shines
art clean
jd thee!'
jvards the

g through
"watch it

)en known

Eric cries

dless, and
the Mur-

)tstay, and

m into his
le ground

es his pur-
gth of the
ow Bright-
he pc'ssm^'
Gizur with
3l the sun

have seen

ilucky, who
} mightiest,
f those who

1 1

TJae d,eatii of Erig.

i* ■

318

£/^IC BRIG HTE YES

Now, on the morrow, Swanhild caused the body of Eric
to be searched for in the cleft, and there they found it,
floating in water and with the dead Gizur yet clasped in
its bear-grip. Then she cleansed it and clothed it again
in its rent armour, and bound on the Hell-shoes, and it
was carried on horses to the sea- side, and with it were borne
the bodies of Skallagrim Lambstail the Baresark, Eric's thrall,
and of all those men whom they had slain in the last great
fight on Mosfell, that is now named Ericsfell.

Then Swanhild drew her long dragon of war, in which she
had come from Orkneys, from its shed over against Westman
Isles, and, in the centre of the ship, she piled the bodies of
the slain in the shape of a bed, and lashed them fast. And
on this bed she laid the corpse of Eric Brighteyes, and the
breast of black Skallagrim the Baresark was his pillow, and
the breast of Gizur, Ospakar's son, was his foot-rest.

Then she caused the sails to be hoisted, and went alone
aboard the long ship, the rails of which were hung with the
shields of the dead men.

And when at evening the breeze frnshened to a gale that
blew from the land, she cut the cable with her own hand, and
the ship leapt forward like a thing alive, and rushed out in
the red light of the sunset towards the open sea.

Now evtu' the gale freshened and folk, standing on West-
tnan Heights, saw the long ship plunge past, dipping her
prow beneath the waves and sending th' water in a rain of
spray over the hving Swanliild, over the dead Eric and those
he lay upon.

And by the head of Eric Brighteyes, her hair streaming
on the wind, stood Swanhild the Witch, clad in her purple
cloak, and with rings of gold about her throat and arms. She
stood by Eric's head, swaying with the rush of the ship,
and singing so sweet and wild a song that men grew weak who
heard it.

Now, as the people watched, two white swans came down
from the clouds and sped on wide wings side by side over the
Tessel's mast.

The ship rushed on through the glow of the sunset into

ERIC BRIGHTEYES

{319

the gathering night. On sped the ship, but still Swanhild
sung, and stiii the swans flew over her.

The gale grew fierce, and fiercer yet. The darkness
gathered deep upon the raging sea.

Now that ship was seen no more, and the death-song of
Swanhild as she passed to doom was never heard again.

For swans and ship, and Swanhild, and dead Eric and his
dead foes, were lost in the wind and the niglit.

Buli far out on the sea a great flame of fire leapt up towards
the sky.

Now this is the tale of Eric Brighteyes, Thorgrimur's son ;
of Gudruda the Fair, Asmund's daughter ; of Swanhild the
Fatherless, Atli's wife, and of Ounound, named Skallagrim
Lambstail, the Baresark, Eric's thrall, all of whom lived and
died before Thangbrand, Wilibald's son, preached the White
Christ in Iceland.

•1}

J-^H.- .'

THB END

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