d of this
marriage. Moreover, he was jealous. Skallagrim loved but one thing in
the world truly, and that was Eric Brighteyes, his lord. Now he knew
that henceforth he must take a second place, and that for one thought
which Eric gave to him, he would give ten to Gudruda. Therefore
Skallagrim was very sad at heart.

"A pest upon the women!" he said to himself, "for from them comes all
evil. Brighteyes owes his ill luck to Swanhild and this fair wife of
his, and that is scarcely done with yet. Well, well, 'tis nature; but
would that we were safe at sea! Had I my will, we had not slept here
to-night. But they are newly wed, and--well, 'tis nature! Better the
bride loves to lie abed than to ride the cold wolds and seek the common
deck."

Now, as Skallagrim grumbled, fear gathered in his heart, he knew not
of what. He began to think on trolls and goblins. It was dark in the
store-room, except for a little line of light that crept through the
crack of the shutter. At length he could bear the darkness and his
thoughts no longer, but, rising, threw the shutter wide and let the
bright moonlight pour into the chamber, whence he could see the hillside
behind, and watch the shadows of the clouds as they floated across it.
Again Skallagrim sat down against his cask, and as he sat it moved, and
he heard the wash of ale inside it.

"That is a good sound," said Skallagrim, and he turned and smelt at
the cask; "aye, and a good smell, too! We tasted little ale yonder on
Mosfell, and we shall find less at sea." Again he looked at the cask.
There was a spigot in it, and lo! on the shelf stood horn cups.

"It surely is on draught," he said; "and now it will stand till it goes
sour. 'Tis a pity; but I will not drink. I fear ale--ale is another man!
No, I will not drink," and all the while his hand went up to the cups
upon the shelf. "Eric is better lain yonder in Gudruda's chamber than I
am here alone with evil thoughts and trolls," he said. "Why, what fish
was that we ate at supper? My throat is cracked with thirst! If there
were water now I'd drink it, but I see none. Well, one cup to wish them
joy! There is no harm in a cup of ale," and he drew the spigot from the
cask and watched the brown drink flow into the cup. Then he lifted it to
his lips and drank, saying "Skoll! skoll!"[*] nor did he cease till the
horn was drained. "This is wondrous good ale," said Skallagrim as he
wiped his grizzled beard. "One more cup, and evil thoughts s