th it. Now he touched the bottom, but very
gently, and slowly began to rise, and, as he rose, was carried along by
the stream. But it was long before he could breathe, and it seemed to
him that his lungs would burst. Still, he struggled up, striking great
strokes with his legs.

"Farewell to Eric," said Asmund, "he will rise no more now."

But just as he spoke Gudruda pointed to something that gleamed, white
and golden, beneath the surface of the current, and lo! the bright hair
of Eric rose from the water, and he drew a great breath, shaking his
head like a seal, and, though but feebly, struck out for the shallows
that are at the foot of the pool. Now he found footing, but was swept
over by the fierce current, and cut his forehead, and he carried that
scar till his death. Again he rose, and with a rush gained the bank
unaided and fell upon the snow.

Now people gathered about him in silence and wondering, for none had
known so great a deed. And presently Eric opened his eyes and looked up,
and found the eyes of Gudruda fixed on his, and there was that in them
which made him glad he had dared the path of Golden Falls.

V

HOW ERIC WON THE SWORD WHITEFIRE

Now Asmund the priest bent down, and Eric saw him and spoke:

"Thou badest me to thy Yule-feast, lord, by yonder slippery road and I
have come. Dost thou welcome me well?"

"No man better," quoth Asmund. "Thou art a gallant man, though
foolhardy; and thou hast done a deed that shall be told of while skalds
sing and men live in Iceland."

"Make place, my father," said Gudruda, "for Eric bleeds." And she loosed
the kerchief from her neck and bound it about his wounded brow, and,
taking the rich cloak from her body, threw it on his shoulders, and no
man said her nay.

Then they led him to the hall, where Eric clothed himself and rested,
and he sent back the thrall Jon to Coldback, bidding him tell Saevuna,
Eric's mother, that he was safe. But he was somewhat weak all that day,
and the sound of waters roared in his ears.

Now Ospakar and Groa were ill pleased at the turn things had taken; but
all the others rejoiced much, for Eric was well loved of men and they
had grieved if the waters had prevailed against his might. But Swanhild
brooded bitterly, for Eric never turned to look on her.

The hour of the feast drew on and, according to custom, it was held in
the Temple, and thither went all men. When they were seated in the nave
of the Hof, the fat ox t