Part 33 (1/2)

But Eric still sat upon the rock thinking Swanhild had set an evil seed of doubt in his heart, and already it put forth roots What if the tale were true? What if Gudruda had given herself to Ospakar? Well, if so--she should soon be a , that he swore

Then he rose, and stalked grimly towards the hall

XIX

HOW KOLL THE HALF-WITTED BROUGHT TIDINGS FROM ICELAND

Presently as Eric walked he reeted his, Eric,” he said, ”but noneof thine and the hted, and that was a doohted also,” said Eric ”And now, Earl, knowest thou this: that little good can come to thee at the hands of one whom thou hast saved from the sea”

”I set no faith in such old wives' tales,” answered Atli ”Here thou art come, and it is ive thee no help to go hence”

”Then we oods and gear this alone is left old ring or two upon thy ar ”But surely, Eric, thou wouldst not begone?”

”I know not, Earl Listen: it is well that I should be plain with thee

Once, before thou didst anhild, she had another uessed adding now She is as cold as ice, and no good wife for any hed, ”'Snow melts not if sun shi+nes not,' so runs the saw Thou art an honest man, Eric, and no whisperer in the ears of others' wives”

”I am not minded indeed to do thee such haruile and beauty are swords few shi+elds can brook

Now I have spoken--and they are hard words to speak--be it as thou wilt”

”It is my will that thou shouldest sit here this winter, Eric Had I my way, indeed, never wouldest thou sit elsewhere Listen: things have not gone ith ainst one who has no sons That was an ill e, too, which I made with Swanhild yonder: for she loves me not, and I have found no luck since first I saw her face Moreover, it is in my mind that my days are almost sped Swanhild has already foretold hted So I pray thee, Eric, bide thou here while thou mayest, for I would have thee at my side”

”It shall be as thou wilt, Earl,” said Eric

So Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail sat that winter in the hall of Atli the Earl at Strauot his fears Swanhild was gentle to him and kindly She loved much to talk with him, even of Gudruda her rival; but no word of love passed her lips Nevertheless, she did but bide her time, for when she struck she determined to strike hoave the Earlsimple-minded, his doubts had passed and he had no more fear of Swanhild On the e lands of Atli's, and held theave his word that, before he sailed for Iceland in the early suainst this hteyes ht not come to Iceland till hard upon midsummer, when his three years of outlaere spent

The winter wore away and the spring caathered his men and ith Eric in boats to where the chief dho held his lands

There they fell on hiht But in the end the reat deeds, as was his wont

Now in this fray Eric ounded in the foot by a spear, so that he must be borne back to Straumey, and he lay there in the hall forwith her in her bower

When Eric was nearly healed of his hurt, the Earl ith all his people to a certain island of the Orkneys to gather scat[] that was unpaid, and Skallagrio, because of his hurt, fearing lest the wound should open if he walked overmuch Thus it came to pass that, except for some women, he was left almost alone with Swanhild

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Nohen Atli had been gone three days, it chanced on an afternoon that Swanhild heard how ahim in to where she was alone in her bower, for Eric was not there, having gone down to the sea to fish

The man came and she knew him at once for Koll the Half-witted, who had been her mother Groa's thrall On his shoulders was the cloak that Ospakar Blacktooth had given hiry look

”Whence cos?”