ainst my single sword
in holmgang, here I, Eric Brighteyes, stand and wait them. It is better
that one man, or 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."

"Who is the braggart?" answered Eric. "He who twice has learned the
weight of this arm and yet boasts his strength, or I who stand craving
that two should come against me? Get thee hence, Ospakar; get thee home
and bid Thorunna, 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 Oxara's stream."

Folk laughed aloud while Eric mocked, 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 Oxara, 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
Whitefire and leaned on it, waiting for the word, and all the women held
him to be wondrous fair as, clad in his byrnie and his golden helm,
he leaned thus on Whitefire. Presently the word was given, and Eric,
standing not to defend himself 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 E