er. Cormac said that Bersi had betrayed
him in carrying off Steingerd, "But now we would take the lady with us,
and make him amends for his honour."

To this said Thord Arndisarson, "We will offer terms to Cormac, but the
lady is in Bersi's hands."

"There is no hope that Steingerd will go with you," said Bersi; "but
I offer my sister to Cormac in marriage, and I reckon he will be well
wedded if take Helga."

"This is a good offer," said Thorgils; "let us think of it, brother."

But Cormac started back like a restive horse.

CHAPTER NINE. Of Another Witch, And Two Magic Swords.

There was a woman called Thordis--and a shrew she was--who lived at
Spakonufell (Spaequean's-fell), in Skagastrand. She, having foresight of
Cormac's goings, came that very day to Muli, and answered this matter on
his behalf, saying, "Never give him yon false woman. She is a fool, and
not fit for any pretty man. Woe will his mother be at such a fate for
her lad!"

"Aroint thee, foul witch!" cried Thord. They should see, said he, that
Helga would turn out fine. But Cormac answered, "Said it may be, for
sooth it may be: I will never think of her."

"Woe to us, then," said Thorgils, "for listening to the words of yon
fiend, and slighting this offer!"

Then spoke Cormac, "I bid thee, Bersi, to the holmgang within half a
month, at Leidholm, in Middal."

Bersi said he would come, but Cormac should be the worse for his choice.

After this Cormac went about the steading to look for Steingerd. When he
found her he said she had betrayed him in marrying another man.

"It was thou that made the first breach, Cormac," said she, "for this
was none of my doing."

Then said he in verse:--

(25)
"Thou sayest my faith has been forfeit,
O fair in thy glittering raiment;
But I wearied my steed and outwore it,
And for what but the love that bare thee?
O fainer by far was I, lady,
To founder my horse in the hunting--
Nay, I spared not the jade when I spurred it--
Than to see thee the bride of my foe."

After this Cormac and his men went home. When he told his mother how
things had gone, "Little good," she said, "will thy luck do us. Ye have
slighted a fine offer, and you have no chance against Bersi, for he is a
great fighter and he has good weapons."

Now, Bersi owned the sword they call Whitting; a sharp sword it was,
with a life-stone to it; and that sword he had carried in ma