Part 29 (1/2)
And the fog ainst the wind, and with it sleet and rain
”Now I ariale blows from behind us, and yet the mist drives fast in our faces What coris no counsel can avail Hold the tiller straight and drive on, say I
Methinks the gale lessens more and more”
So they did for a little while, and all around therew the sky and darker yet, till at the last, though they stood side by side, they could not see each other's shapes
”This is strange sailing,” said Eric ”I hear the roar of breakers as it were beneath the prow”
”Lash the helo forward If there are breakers, perhaps we shall see their foarim
Eric did so, and they crept forward on the starboard board right to the prow of the shi+p, and there Skallagri and sleet
”Lord,” he whispered presently, and his voice shook strangely, ”what is that yonder on the waters? Seest thou aught?”
Eric stared and said, ”By Odin! I see a shape of light like to the shape of a woman; it walks upon the waters towards us and the rows calriasped Eric ”See hoift she corim! look how her eyes flame!--look how her hair streams upon the wind!”
”It is Swanhild, and we are fey!” quoth Skallagririlides before the Gudruda's beak! she glides backwards and she points yonder--there to the right! Shall I put the helm down and follow her?”
”Nay, lord, nay; set no faith in witchcraft or evil will befall us”
As he spoke a great gust of wind shook the shi+p, theshape upon the waters tossed its arht
”The breakers call ahead,” said Eric ”The shape points yonder, where I hear no sound of sea Once before, thou mindest, Swanhild walked the waves to warn us and thereby saved us from the men of Ospakar Ever she swore she loved me; now she is surely come in love to save us and all our comrades Say, shall I put about? Look: once ripped the helrim, ”and I love not witch-work We can die but once, and death is all around; be it as thou wilt”
Eric put down the helood shi+p answered, and her tih in hen the strain of the sea struck her abeam Then once lided the wraith of Swanhild Now it pointed here and now there, and as it pointed so Eric shaped his course For a while the noise of breakers lessened, but now again ca on a cliff, and about the sides of the Gudruda the waves hissed like snakes
Suddenly the Shape threw up its arms and seemed to sink beneath the waves, while a sound like the sound of a great laugh went up frorim, ”and we are lured to doom”
Ere ever the words had passed his lips the shi+p struck, and so fiercely that they were rolled upon the deck Suddenly the sky grew clear, the moon shone out, and before thereat wave rushed on From the hold of the shi+p there came a cry, for now their comrades were awake and they knew that death was here
Eric gripped Skallagrim round the middle and looked aft On rushed the wave, no such wave had he ever seen Now it struck and the Gudruda burst asunder beneath the blow
But Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail were lifted on its crest and knew no round in the bower of Atli's hall, looked upon the visions that passed before her Suddenly a woman's shape, her own shape, was there
”It is done, Blood-sister,” said a voice, her own voice ”Merrily I walked the waves, and oh, ht theain, Blood-sister--be fair as thou art foul; then arise, wake Atli thy lord, and go down to the sea's lip by the southern cliffs and see what thou shalt find We shall ame is set,” and the shape of Swanhild crouched upon the floor before the hag-headed toad”Pass! pass!”