ride
hence to Mosfell. Thither let Gizur come, Gizur the murderer, and
Swanhild the witch, and with them all who will. There I will give them
greeting, and wipe away the blood of Gudruda from Whitefire's blade."

"Fear not, Eric," cried Swanhild, "I will come, and there thou mayst
kill me, if thou canst."

"Against thee, Swanhild," said Eric, "I lift no hand. Do thy worst,
I leave thee to thy fate and the vengeance of the Norns. I am no
woman-slayer. But to Gizur the murderer I say, come."

Then he turned and went, and Skallagrim went with him.

"Up, men, and cut Eric down!" cried Gizur, seeking to cover his shame.

But no man stirred.

XXXI

HOW ERIC SENT AWAY HIS MEN FROM MOSFELL

Now Eric and Skallagrim came to Mosfell in safety, and during all
that ride Brighteyes spoke no word. He rode in silence, and in silence
Skallagrim rode after him. The heart of Skallagrim was broken because
of the sorrow which his drunkenness had brought about, and the heart of
Eric was buried in Gudruda's grave.

On Mosfell Eric found four of his own men, two of whom had been among
those that the people of Gizur and Swanhild had driven from Gudruda's
ship before they fired her. For no fight had been made on the ship.
There also he found Jon, who had been loosed from his bands in the booth
by one who heard his cries as he rode past. Now when Jon saw Brighteyes,
he told him all, and fell at Eric's feet and wept because he had
betrayed him in his fear.

But Eric spoke no angry word to him. Stooping down he raised him,
saying, "Thou wast never overstout of heart, Jon, and thou art scarcely
to be blamed because thou didst speak rather than die in torment, though
perhaps some had chosen so to die and not to speak. Now I am a luckless
man, and all things happen as they are fated, and the words of Atli come
true, as was to be looked for. The Norns, against whom none may stand,
did but work their will through thy mouth, Jon; so grieve no more for
that which cannot be undone."

Then he turned away, but Jon wept long and loudly.

That night Eric slept well and dreamed no dreams. But on the morrow
he woke at dawn, and clothed himself and ate. Then he called his men
together, and with them Skallagrim. They came and stood before him, and
Eric, drawing Whitefire, leaned upon it and spoke:

"Hearken, mates," he said: "I know this, that my hours are short and
death draws on. My years have been few and evil, and I cannot read the
purpo