d: and as it slipped aside he was smitten on the
breast and fell from his horse; and the horse ran away with the shield
(hanging to it).

Cormac's brother Thorgils said this was too much. "It serves him right,"
cried Cormac. And when Narfi woke out of his swoon they got speech of
him.

Thorgils asked, "What manner of men were at the wedding?"

Narfi told him.

"Did Steingerd know this before?"

"Not till the very evening they came," answered he; and then told of his
dealings with Vigi, saying that Cormac would find it easier to whistle
on Steingerd's tracks and go on a fool's errand than to fight Bersi.
Then said Cormac:--

(21)
"Now see to thy safety henceforward,
And stick to thy horse and thy buckler;
Or this mallet of mine, I can tell thee,
Will meet with thine ear of a surety.
Now say no more stories of feasting,
Though seven in a day thou couldst tell of,
Or bumps thou shalt comb on thy brainpan,
Thou that breakest the howes of the dead.

Thorgils asked about the settlements between Bersi and Steingerd. Her
kinsmen, said Narfi, were now quit of all farther trouble about that
business, however it might turn out; but her father and brother would be
answerable for the wedding.

CHAPTER EIGHT. How Cormac Chased Bersi And His Bride.

Cormac took his horse and weapons and saddle-gear.

"What now, brother?" asked Thorgils.

He answered:--

(22)
"My bride, my betrothed has been stolen,
And Bersi the raider has robbed me.
I who offer the song-cup of Odin--
Who else?--should be riding beside her.
She loved me--no lord of them better:
I have lost her--for me she is weeping:
The dear, dainty darling that kissed me,
For day upon day of delight."

Said Thorgils, "A risky errand is this, for Bersi will get home before
you catch him. And yet I will go with thee."

Cormac said he would away and bide for no man. He leapt on his horse
forthwith, and galloped as hard as he could. Thorgils made haste to
gather men,--they were eighteen in all,--and came up with Cormac on the
hause that leads to Hrutafiord, for he had foundered his horse. So they
turned to Thorveig the spaewife's farmsteading, and found that Bersi was
gone aboard her boat.

She had said to Bersi, "I wish thee to take a little gift from me, and
good luck follow it."

This was a target bound with iron; and she said she r