landed alone, in the evening, on the Island of Sams, where her
father and uncles lay in their sepulchral mounds, and ascending by night
to their tombs, that were enveloped in flame, she, by the force of
entreaty, obtained from the reluctant Angantyr the formidable Tirfing.

Hervor proceeded to the court of King Gudmund, and there one day, as she
was playing at tables with the king, one of the servants chanced to take
up and draw Tirfing, which shone like a sunbeam. But Tirfing was never
to see the light but for the bane of men, and Hervor, by a sudden
impulse, sprang from her seat, snatched the sword, and struck off the
head of the unfortunate man.

After this she returned to the house of her grandfather, Jarl Biartmar,
where she resumed her female attire, and was married to Haufud, the son
of King Gudmund. She bore him two sons, Angantyr and Heidreker; the
former of a mild and gentle disposition, the latter violent and fierce.
Haufud would not permit Heidreker to remain at his court, and as he was
departing, his mother, among other gifts, presented him with Tirfing.

His brother accompanied him out of the castle. Before they parted,
Heidreker drew out his sword to look at and admire it, but scarcely did
the rays of light fall on the magic blade, when the Berserker rage came
on its owner, and he slew his gentle brother.

After this he joined a body of Vikinger, and became so distinguished
that King Harold, for the aid he lent him, gave him his daughter Helga
in marriage. But it was the destiny of Tirfing to commit crime, and
Harold fell by the sword of his son-in-law. Heidreker was afterwards in
Russia, and the son of the king was his foster-son. One day as they were
out hunting, Heidreker and his foster-son happened to be separated from
the rest of the party, when a wild boar appeared before them.

Heidreker ran at him with his spear, but the beast caught it in his
mouth and broke it across. Then he alighted and drew Tirfing, and killed
the boar. On looking round him, he saw no one but his foster-son, and
Tirfing could only be appeased with warm human blood, so Heidreker slew
the poor youth.

In the end Heidreker was murdered in his bed by his Scottish slaves, who
carried off Tirfing. His son Angantyr, who succeeded him, discovered the
thieves and put them to death, and recovered the magic blade. He made
great slaughter in battle against the Huns, but among the slain was
discovered his own brother, Landur.

So