as Steingerd,--"And a deal of folk say,
Bersi, that she would suit thee."

"I have heard tell," he answered, "that there will be a rift in the
road, though the match is a good one."

"If it's Cormac men fear," cried Narfi, "there is no need; for he is
clean out of the way."

When Bersi heard that, he opened the matter to Thorkel Toothgnasher, and
asked for Steingerd. Thorkel made a good answer, and pledged his sister
to him.

So they rode north, eighteen in all, for the wedding. There was a man
named Vigi lived at Holm, a big man and strong of his hands, a warlock,
and Bersi's kinsman. He went with them, and they thought he would be
a good helper. Thord Arndisarson too went north with Bersi, and many
others, all picked men.

When they came to Thorkel's, they set about the wedding at once, so that
no news of it might get out through the countryside: but all this was
sore against Steingerd's will.

Now Vigi the warlock knew every man's affairs who came to the steading
or left it. He sat outmost in the chamber, and slept by the hall door.

Steingerd sent for Narfi, and when they met she said,--"I wish thee,
kinsman, to tell Cormac the business they are about: I wish thee to take
this message to him."

So he set out secretly; but when he was a gone a little way Vigi came
after, and bade him creep home and hatch no plots. They went back
together, and so the night passed.

Next morning Narfi started forth again; but before he had gone so far as
on the evening, Vigi beset him, and drove him back without mercy.

When the wedding was ended they made ready for their journey. Steingerd
took her gold and jewels, and they rode towards Hrutafiord, going rather
slowly. When they were off, Narfi set out and came to Mel. Cormac was
building a wall, and hammering it with a mallet. Narfi rode up, with his
shield and sword, and carried on strangely, rolling his eyes about like
a hunted beast. Some men were up on the wall with Cormac when he came,
and his horse shied at them. Said Cormac,--"What news, Narfi? What folk
were with you last night?"

"Small tidings, but we had guests enough," answered he.

"Who were the guests?"

"There was Holmgang Bersi, with seventeen more to sit at his wedding."

"Who was the bride?"

"Bersi wed Steingerd Thorkel's daughter," said Narfi. "When they were
gone she sent me here to tell thee the news."

"Thou hast never a word but ill," said Cormac, and leapt upon him and
struck at the shiel