under. The King bade Kari and Oernulf go up
on the island and look if they could see any warships. They went up on
land and saw six warships under some cliffs, one of them being a most
gorgeous 'Dragon.' Kari called to the men and asked whose ships they
were. One of the scoundrels on the 'Dragon' stood up and declared his
name to be Hroengvith, adding:

"But what may your name be?"

Kari told him his own name and the name of his brother and added:

"You are the worst man I know and I am going to chop you into
fragments."

Hroengvith replied: "For thirty-three years I have harried both summer
and winter. I have fought sixty battles and been victorious every
time with my sword Brynthvari, which has never grown blunt. Come here
to-morrow, Kari, and I will sheathe it in your breast."

Kari said he would not fail to appear.

Hroengvith had it in his power to choose every day who was to perish by
the point of his sword.

II. The brothers went back to the King and told him the news. The King
gave orders to prepare for battle, and his men set to work. The hosts
met and a stiff fight took place. The brothers fought bravely, Kari
slaying eight or twelve men with every blow. When Hroengvith saw that,
he leapt up on the King's ship, attacked Kari and thrust him through
with his sword. As soon as Kari was wounded he called to the King:

"Farewell, Sire. I am going to be Othin's guest!"

Hroengvith spitted Oernulf on his spear, and when both the brothers had
fallen, Hroengvith called out to the rest to surrender. Then a
murmur of discontent arose in the King's host. No blade would wound
Hroengvith. Now it is told that Hromund Greipsson was in the King's
retinue. He took a club in his hand, fastened a long grey goat's beard
on his face, drew a hood over his head, and then rushed to the fight,
where he found the two brothers lying dead. He rescued the King's
standard, and began to deal death among the scoundrels with his club.

Hroengvith asked who he was and if he were the father of that wretched
Kari.

Hromund told him his name and said he was going to avenge the
brothers:--

"Though Kari was no relative of mine, I will slay you all the same."

And thereupon he dealt Hroengvith such a blow with his club that his
head was all awry afterwards.

Hroengvith said: "I have been in many battles, but I never got such a
blow!"

Hromund struck another blow at Hroengvith and broke his skull. At the
third stroke he died. Afte