e, and then Odd went to see Holmgang Bersi,
and told him what had happened. He asked him for help to get Steinvor
back and to wreak vengeance for that shame. Bersi answered that such
words had been better unsaid, and bade him go home and take no share in
the business. "But yet," added he, "I promise that I will see to it."

No sooner was Odd gone than Bersi made ready to go from home. He rode
fully armed, with Whitting at his belt, and three spears; he came to
Thambardal when the day was far spent and the women were coming out
of the bower. Steinvor saw him and turning to meet him told of her
unhappiness.

"Make ready to go with me," said he; and that she did.

He would not go to Thambardal for nothing, he said; and so he turned to
the door where men were sitting by long fires. He knocked at the door,
and out there came a man--his name was Thorleif. But Thorarin knew
Bersi's voice, and rushed forth with a great carving-knife and laid on
to him. Bersi was aware of it, and drew Whitting, and struck him his
death-blow.

Then he leapt on horseback and set Steinvor on his knee and took his
spears which she had kept for him. He rode some way into the wood, where
in a hidden spot he left his horse and Steinvor, bidding her await him.
Then he went to a narrow gap through which the high-road ran, and there
made ready to stand against his foes.

In Thambardal there was anything but peace. Thorleif ran to tell the
sons of Thorarin that he lay dead in the doorway. They asked who had
done the deed. He told them. Then they went after Bersi and steered the
shortest way to the gap, meaning to get there first; but by that time he
was already first at the gap.

When they came near him, Bersi hurled a spear at Alf, and it went right
through him. Then Loft cast at Bersi, but he caught the spear on his
target and it dropped off. Then Bersi threw at Loft and killed him, and
so he did by Skofti.

When all was over, the house-carles of the brothers came up. Thorleif
turned back to meet them, and they all went home together.

After that Bersi went to find Steinvor, and mounted his horse. He came
home before men were out of bed. They asked him about his journey and
he told them. When Odd met him he asked about the fight and how it had
passed, and Bersi answered in this verse:--

(45)
"There was one fed the wolves has encountered
His weird in the dale of the Bowstring--
Thorarin the Strong, 'neath th