Part 11 (1/2)

”I have known younger men ould seem less brisk at bridals,” said Asmund, and for that time they talked noof this speech, and she guessed more; and it came into her mind that it would be the best of sport to make this old man love her, and then to mock him and say him nay So she set herself to the task, as it ever was her wont, and she found it easy For all day long, with downcast eyes and gentle looks, she waited upon the Earl, and now, at his bidding, she sang to him in a voice soft and low, and now she talked so wisely well that Atli thought no such maid had trod the earth before But he checked himself with rown fair, and they sat alone, he told her that his shi+p was bound for Orkney Isles

Then, as though by chance, Swanhild laid her white hand in his, and on a sudden looked deep into his eyes, and said with treo not yet!”--and, turning, she fled away

But Atli wasis come to pass: a fair maid loves an old man; and yet, methinks, he who looks into those eyes sees deep waters,” and he beat his brow and thought

But Swanhild in her chahed till the tears ran froreat fish was hooked and now the time had come to play him

For she did not know that it was otherwise fated

Gudruda, too, saw all these things and knew not how to read them, for she was of an honest mind, and could not understand hooman may love a man as Swanhild loved Eric and yet make such play with other uessed little of Swanhild's guilefulness, nor of the coldness of her heart to all save Eric; nor of how this was the only joy left to her: to rief and shame Atli said to himself that he would watch this maid well before he uttered a word to As, for he ondrous cautious after the fashi+on of those about to fall So he set hi, and he told her tales of warfare and of daring, and she clasped her hands and said:

”Was there ever such a man since Odin trod the earth?” And so it went on, till the serving-wohed at the old man in love and the wit of her thatht hirim the Baresark in his den on Mosfell over by Hecla Now, this was a heavy task: for Skallagriainst hihed, for it was likely that she would be abefore she was made a wife Still, his oathheard that a youngling nale-handed, had riht-ti the lamb beneath his arm, he drew near to the house and smote thrice on the door with his battle-axe, and they were thundering knocks

Then he leapt on to his horse and rode off a space and waited Presently Eric came out, but half clad, a shi+eld in one hand and Whitefire in the other, and, looking, by the bright e black-bearded reat axe in one hand and the lamb beneath his arm

”Who art thou?” roared Eric

”I a,” answered the man on the horse

”Many men have seen me once, none have wished to see ain Now, it has been echoed in ainst Skallagrim the Baresark, and I aht welcome See,”

and with his axe he cut off the lamb's tail on the pommel of his saddle: ”of the flesh of this lamb of thine I will brew broth and of his skin I will make me a vest Take thou this tail, and when thou fittest it on to the skin again, Skallagrim will own a lord,” and he hurled the tail towards him

”Bide thou there till I can come to thee,” shouted Eric; ”it will spare ood for lads to take the

Eric watched Skallagriry, laughed also and went in But first he picked up the tail, and on the morrow he skinned it

Now the time was come when the matter must be tried, and Eric bade farewell to Saevuna his irt Whitefire round his on it Then he found the byrnie which his father Thorgriether with the helood piece, forged of the Welsh a stout shi+eld of bull's hide studded with nails, rode aith one thrall, the strong carle named Jon

But the women misobed theainsayed

Now, the road to Mosfell runs past Middalhof and thither he ca at the hty man comes here”

Swanhild looked out and saw Eric, and he was a goodly sight in his war-gear For noeek by week, he seeth of his rass, and Gudruda was very proud of her lover That night Eric stayed at Middalhof, and sat hand in hand with Gudruda and talked with Earl Atli Now the heart of the old viking went out to Eric, and he took great delight in hied iven hihteyes,” he cried: ”that it shall go ill with this Baresark thou seekest--yes, and with all reat sword of thine But reuard thy head with thy buckler, cut low beneath his shi+eld, if he carries one, and s from him: for ever a Baresark rushes on, shi+eld up”

Eric thanked hiht, he rose, and Gudruda rose also and came into the hall, and buckled his harness on him with her own hands

”This is a sad task for hed, ”for how do I know that Baresark's hands shall not loose this helm of thine?”

”That is as it may be, sweet,” he said; ”but I fear not the Baresark or any oes it with Swanhild now?”

”I know not She makes herself sweet to that old Earl and he is fain of her, and that is beyond ht”