ept sound, and rose strong and well, and going to the stream behind
the stead, bathed, and anointed his limbs afresh. But Ospakar did not
sleep well, because of the ale that he had drunk. Now as Eric came back
from bathing, in the dark of the morning, he met Gudruda, who watched
for his coming, and, there being none to see, he kissed her often; but
she chided him because of the match that he had made with Ospakar and
the oath that he had sworn.

"Surely," she said, "thou wilt lose thine eye, for this Ospakar is a
giant, and strong as a troll; also he is merciless. Still, thou art a
mighty man, and I shall love thee as well with one eye as with two. Oh!
Eric, methought I should have died yesterday when thou didst leap from
Wolf's Fang! My heart seemed to stop within me."

"Yet I came safely to shore, sweetheart, and well does this kiss pay for
all I did. And as for Ospakar, if but once I get these arms about him, I
fear him little, or any man, and I covet that sword of his greatly. But
we can talk more certainly of these things to-morrow."

Now Gudruda clung to him and told him all that had befallen, and of the
doings and words of Swanhild.

"She honours me beyond my worth," he said, "who am in no way set on her,
but on thee only, Gudruda."

"Art thou so sure of that, Eric? Swanhild is fair and wise."

"Ay and evil. When I love Swanhild, then thou mayest love Ospakar."

"It is a bargain," she said, laughing. "Good luck go with thee in the
wrestling," and with a kiss she left him, fearing lest she should be
seen.

Eric went back to the hall, and sat down by the centre hearth, for all
men slept, being still heavy with drink, and presently Swanhild glided
up to him, and greeted him.

"Thou art greedy of deeds, Eric," she said. "Yesterday thou camest here
by a path that no man has travelled, to-day thou dost wrestle with a
giant for thine eye, and presently thou goest up against Skallagrim!"

"It seems that this is true," said Eric.

"Now all this thou doest for a woman who is the betrothed of another
man."

"All this I do for fame's sake, Swanhild. Moreover, Gudruda is betrothed
to none."

"Before another Yule-feast is spread, Gudruda shall be the wife of
Ospakar."

"That is yet to be seen, Swanhild."

Now Swanhild stood silent for a while and then spoke: "Thou art a fool,
Eric--yes, drunk with folly. Nothing but evil shall come to thee from
this madness of thine. Forget it and pluck that which lies to th