cannot be mended must be borne," and he
went out.

Now, when Skallagrim came to the house he asked for Eric. The women
told him that Brighteyes had gone down to the sea, fully armed, in the
morning, and had not returned.

"Then there must be fighting toward, and that I am loth to miss," said
Skallagrim, and, axe aloft, he started for the south-western rocks at a
run. Skallagrim came to the rocks. There he found Eric, sitting in his
harness, looking out across the sea. The evening was wet and windy; the
rain beat upon him as he sat, but Eric took no heed.

"What seekest thou, lord?" asked the Baresark.

"Rest," said Eric, "and I find none."

"Thou seekest rest helm on head and sword in hand? This is a strange
thing, truly!"

"Stranger things have been Skallagrim. Wouldst thou hear a tale?" and he
told him all.

"What said I?" asked Skallagrim. "We had fared better in London town.
Flying from the dove thou hast found the falcon."

"I have found the falcon, comrade, and she has pecked out my eyes. Now I
would speak with Atli, and then I go hence."

"Hence go the twain of us, lord. The Earl will be here presently
and rough words will fly in this rough weather. Is Whitefire sharp,
Brighteyes?"

"Whitefire was sharp enough to shear my hair, Skallagrim; but if Atli
would strike let him lay on. Whitefire will not be aloft for him."

"That we shall see," said Skallagrim. "At least, if thou art harmed
because of this loose quean, my axe will be aloft."

"Keep thou thine axe in its place," said Eric, and as he spoke Atli
came, and with him many men.

Eric rose and turned to meet the Earl, looking on him with sad eyes. For
Atli, his face was as the face of a trapped wolf, for he was mad with
rage at the shame that had been put upon him and the ill tale that
Swanhild had told of Eric's dealings with her.

"It seems that the Earl has heard of these tidings," said Skallagrim.

"Then I shall be spared the telling of them," answered Eric.

Now they stood face to face; Atli leaned upon his drawn sword, and his
wrath was so fierce that for a while he could not speak. At length he
found words.

"See ye that man, comrades?" he said, pointing at Eric with the sword.
"He has been my guest these many months. He has sat in my hall and eaten
of my bread, and I have loved him as a son. And wot ye how he has
repaid me? He has put me to the greatest shame, me and my wife the Lady
Swanhild, whom I left in his guard--to suc