ed out to sea, and at last came to Norway, where at that
time Hakon, the foster-son of Athelstan, was king. He made them welcome,
and so they stayed there the winter long with all honour.

Next summer they set out to the wars, and did many great deeds. Along
with them went a man called Siegfried, a German of good birth; and they
made raids both far and wide. One day as they were gone up the country
eleven men together came against the two brothers, and set upon them;
but this business ended in their overcoming the whole eleven, and so
after a while back to their ship. The vikings had given them up for
lost, and fain were their folk when they came back with victory and
wealth.

In this voyage the brothers got great renown: and late in the summer,
when winter was coming on, they made up their minds to steer for Norway.
They met with cold winds; the sail was behung with icicles, but the
brothers were always to the fore. It was on his voyage that Cormac made
the song:--

(52)
"O shake me yon rime from the awning;
Your singer's a-cold in his berth;
For the hills are all hooded, dear Skardi,
In the hoary white veil of the firth.
There's one they call Wielder of Thunder
I would were as chill and as cold;
But he leaves not the side of his lady
As the lindworm forsakes not its gold."

"Always talking of her now!" said Thorgils; "and yet thou wouldst not
have her when thou couldst."

"That was more the fault of witchcraft," answered Cormac, "that any want
of faith in me."

Not long after they were sailing hard among crags, and shortened sail in
great danger.

"It is a pity Thorvald Tinker is not with us here!" said Cormac.

Said Thorgils with a smile, "Most likely he is better off than we,
to-day!"

But before long they came to land in Norway.

CHAPTER NINETEEN. How Cormac Fought In Ireland, And Went Home To
Iceland; And How He Met Steingerd Again.

While they were abroad there had been a change of kings; Hakon was dead,
and Harald Greyfell reigned in his stead. They offered friendship to the
king, and he took their suit kindly; so they went with him to Ireland,
and fought battles there.

Once upon a time when they had gone ashore with the king, a great host
came against him, and as the armies met, Cormac made this song:--

(53)
"I dread not a death from the foemen,
Though we dash at them, buckler to buckler,