sand. They might strike no blow at one another with hand, or head,
or elbow, foot or knee; and it should be counted no fall if the haunch
and the head of the fallen were not on the ground at the self-same time.
He who suffered two falls should be adjudged conquered and lose his
stake.

Asmund called these rules aloud in the presence of witnesses, and
Ospakar and Eric said that should bind them. Ospakar drew a small knife
and gave it to his son Gizur to hold.

"Thou shalt soon know, youngling, how steel tastes in the eyeball," he
said.

"We shall soon know many things," Eric answered.

Now they drew off their cloaks and stood in the ring. Ospakar was great
beyond the bigness of men and his arms were clothed with black hair
like the limbs of a goat. Beneath the shoulder joint they were almost
as thick as a girl's thigh. His legs also were mighty, and the muscles
stood out upon him in knotty lumps. He seemed a very giant, and fierce
as a Baresark, but still somewhat round about the body and heavy in
movement.

From him men looked at Eric.

"Lo! Baldur and the Troll!" said Swanhild, and everybody laughed, since
so it was indeed; for, if Ospakar was black and hideous as a troll, Eric
was beautiful as Baldur, the loveliest of the Gods. He was taller than
Ospakar by the half of a hand and as broad in the chest. Still, he was
not yet come to his greatest strength, and, though his limbs were well
knit, they seemed but as a child's against the limbs of Ospakar. But he
was quick as a cat and lithe, his neck and arms were white as whey, and
beneath his golden hair his bright eyes shone like spears.

Now they stood face to face, with arms outstretched, waiting the word of
Asmund. He gave it and they circled round each other with arms held low.
Presently Ospakar made a rush and, seizing Eric about the middle, tried
to lift him, but with no avail. Thrice he strove and failed, then Eric
moved his foot and lo! it slipped upon the sanded turf. Again Eric moved
and again he slipped, a third time and he slipped a third time, and
before he could recover himself he was full on his back and fairly
thrown.

Gudruda saw and was sad at heart, and those around her said that it was
easy to know how the game would end.

"What said I?" quoth Swanhild, "that it would go badly with Eric were
Ospakar's arms about him."

"All is not done yet," answered Gudruda. "Methinks Eric's feet slipped
most strangely, as though he stood on ice."

But