h shame, indeed, that I cannot
speak it."

"True words, Earl," said Eric, while folk murmured and handled their
swords.

"True, but not all the truth," growled Skallagrim. "Methinks the Earl
has heard a garbled tale."

"True words, thyself thou sayest it," went on Atli "thou hound that I
saved from the sea! 'Ran's gift, Hela's gift,' so runs the saw, and now
from Ran to Hela thou shalt go, thou mishandler of defenceless women!"

"Here is somewhat of which I know nothing," said Eric.

"And here is something of which thou shalt know," answered Atli, and he
shook his sword before Eric's eyes. "Guard thyself!"

"Nay, Earl; thou art old, and I have done the wrong--I may not fight
with thee."

"Art thou a coward also?" said the Earl.

"Some have deemed otherwise," said Eric, "but it is true that heavy
heart makes weak hand. Nevertheless this is my rede. With thee are ten
men. Stand thou aside and let them fall on me till I am slain."

"The odds are too heavy even for thee," said Skallagrim. "Back to back,
lord, as we have stood aforetime, and let us play this game together."

"Not so," cried Atli, "this shame is mine, and I have sworn to Swanhild
that I will wipe it out in Eric's blood. Stand thou before me and draw!"

Then Eric drew Whitefire and raised his shield. Atli the Earl rushed at
him and smote a great two-handed blow. Eric caught it on his shield and
suffered no harm; but he would not smite back.

Atli dropped his point. "Niddering art thou, and coward to the last!" he
cried. "See, men, Eric Brighteyes fears to fight. I am not come to this
that I will cut down a man who is too faint-hearted to give blow for
blow. This is my word: take ye your spear-shafts and push this coward to
the shore. Then put him in a boat and drive him hence."

Now Eric grew red as the red light of sunset, for his manhood might not
bear this.

"Take shield," he said, "and, Earl, on thine own head be thy blood, for
none shall live to call Eric niddering and coward."

Atli laughed in his folly and his rage. He took a shield, and, once more
springing on Brighteyes, struck a great blow.

Eric parried, then whirled Whitefire on high and smote--once and once
only! Down rushed the bright blade like a star through the night. Sword
and shield did Atli lift to catch the blow. Through shield it sheared,
and arm that held the shield, through byrnie mail and deep into Earl
Atli's side. He fell prone to earth, while men held their breath