untain.

"Night will be at hand before the game is played," said Skallagrim.
"See, they climb slowly, saving their strength, and yonder among them is
Swanhild in a purple cloak."

"Ay, night will be at hand, Skallagrim--a last long night! A hundred to
two--the odds are heavy; yet some shall wish them heavier. Now let us
bind on our helms."

Meanwhile Gizur and his folk crept up the paths from below. Now that
thrall who knew the secret way had gone on with six chosen men, and
already they climbed the watercourse and drew near to the flat crest of
the fell. But Eric and Skallagrim knew nothing of this. So they sat down
by the turning place that is over the gulf and waited, singing of the
taking of the Raven and of the slaying in the stead at Middalhof, and
telling tales of deeds that they had done. And the thrall and his six
men climbed on till at length they gained the crest of the fell, and,
looking over, saw Eric and Skallagrim beneath them.

"The birds are in the snare, and hark! they sing," said the thrall; "now
bring rocks and be silent."

But Gizur and his people, having learned that Eric and Skallagrim were
alone upon the mountain, pushed on.

"We have not much to fear from two men," said Gizur.

"That we shall learn presently," answered Swanhild. "I tell thee this,
that I saw strange sights last night, though I did not sleep. I may
sleep little now that Gudruda is dead, for that which I saw in her eyes
haunts me."

Then they went on, and the face of Gizur grew white with fear.

XXXIII

HOW ERIC AND SKALLAGRIM FOUGHT THEIR LAST GREAT FIGHT

Now the thrall and those with him on the crest of the fell heard the
murmur of the company of Gizur and Swanhild as they won the mountain
side, though they could not see them because of the rocks.

"Now it is time to begin and knock these birds from their perch," said
the thrall, "for that is an awkward corner for our folk to turn with
Whitefire and the axe of Skallagrim waiting on the farther side."

So he balanced a great stone, as heavy as three men could lift, on the
brow of the rock, and aimed it. Then he pushed and let it go. It smote
the platform beneath with a crash, two fathoms behind the spot where
Eric and Skallagrim sat. Then it flew into the air, and, just as
Brighteyes turned at the sound, it struck the wings of his helm, and,
bursting the straps, tore the golden helm-piece from his head and
carried it away into the gulf beneath.

Skall