g since; he rode
hence north on Goose-sand, and meant to go to Gudmund the powerful, and
methought if he were here now, he would stand in awe of you, for he
seemed to be left all alone."

Grani Gunnar's son said--

"He shall stand more in awe of us yet before we have done with him, and
he shall learn that as soon as ever he comes within spearthrow of us;
but as for us, we do not fear him at all, now that he is all alone."

Kettle of the Mark bade them be still, and bring out no big words.

Bjorn asked when they would be coming back.

"We shall stay near a week in Fleetlithe," said they; and so they told
him when they should be riding back on the fell.

With that they parted.

Now the sons of Sigfus rode to their homes, and their households were
glad to see them. They were there near a week.

Now Bjorn comes home and sees Kari, and told him all about the doings of
the sons of Sigfus, and their purpose.

Kari said he had shown in this great faithfulness to him, and Bjorn
said--

"I should have thought there was more risk of any other man's failing in
that than of me if I had pledged my help or care to any one."

"Ah," said his mistress, "but you may still be bad and yet not be so bad
as to be a traitor to thy master."

Kari stayed there six nights after that.

CHAPTER CXLIX.

OF KARI AND BJORN.

Now Kari talks to Bjorn and says--

"We shall ride east across the fell and down into Skaptartongue, and
fare stealthily over Flosi's country, for I have it in my mind to get
myself carried abroad east in Alftafirth."

"This is a very riskful journey," said Bjorn, "and few would have the
heart to take it save thou and I."

"If thou backest Kari ill," said his housewife, "know this, that thou
shalt never come afterwards into my bed, and my kinsmen shall share our
goods between us."

"It is likelier, mistress," said he, "that thou wilt have to look out
for something else than this if thou hast a mind to part from me; for I
will bear my own witness to myself what a champion and daredevil I am
when weapons clash."

Now they rode that day east on the fell to the north of the Jokul, but
never on the highway, and so down into Skaptartongue, and above all the
homesteads to Skaptarwater, and led their horses into a dell, but they
themselves were on the look-out, and had so placed themselves that they
could not be seen.

Then Kari said to Bjorn--

"What shall we do now if they ride down upon us here fro