ens 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 his heart, "ill
deeds are arrows that pierce him who shot them. 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, bore something in his arms.

"Who passes?" he called.

"Eric Brighteyes, Skallagrim Lambstail, 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 whole, though somewhat weary."

"What has come to pass, then?" asked Asmund, "and why holdest 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 be my thrall, and for him I crave thy
peace, for he has served me well. Next, we two were set upon by Ospakar
Blacktooth and his fellowship, and, fighting for our hands, have wounded
Ospakar, slain Mord his son, and six other men of his following."

"That is good news and bad," said Asmund, "since Ospakar will ask a
great weregild[*] for these men, and thou wilt be outlawed, Eric."

[*] The penalty for manslaying.

"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 bet