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 Mosfell'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 their band lay stiff on
Horse-Head Heights, overthrown of us, and among them Mord, 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 chain from his neck, flung it about the neck of
Eric, crying:

"Thou art a glorious man, Eric Brighteyes. I thought the world had no
more of such a breed. Listen to my bidding: come thou to the 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 Ospakar and his
kin 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 Norns lead there I must follow," said Eric, and sat down to
meat. Skallagrim sat down also at the side-bench; but men shrank 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 he