Part 35 (2/2)
”Would that I could not believe it!” she answered ”Would that I could think it was but an evil dream! But alas! Nay, I will prove it Suffer that I summon Koll, the Icelander, as my s also He saw so, and he will bear me witness”
”Call the man,” said Atli sternly
So Koll was sumht, and so closely did his story tally with that of Swanhild, that Atli could find no flaw in it
”Now I am sure, Swanhild, that thou speakest truth,” said the Earl when Koll had gone ”And now also I have somewhat to say to this Eric For thee, rest thyself; that which cannot be mended rim came to the house he asked for Eric The woone down to the sea, fully ar, and had not returned
”Then theretoward, and that I arim, and, axe aloft, he started for the south-western rocks at a run Skallagri in his harness, looking out across the sea The evening et and windy; the rain beat upon him as he sat, but Eric took no heed
”What seekest thou, lord?” asked the Baresark
”Rest,” said Eric, ”and I find none”
”Thou seekest rest hel, truly!”
”Stranger things have been Skallagrim Wouldst thou hear a tale?” and he told hiri from the dove thou hast found the falcon”
”I have found the falcon, comrade, and she has pecked out o hence”
”Hence go the twain of us, lord The Earl will be here presently and rough words will fly in this rough weather Is Whitefire sharp, Brighteyes?”
”Whitefire was sharp enough to shear rim; but if Atli would strike let him lay on Whitefire will not be aloft for hirim ”At least, if thou art harmed because of this loose quean, my axe will be aloft”
”Keep thou thine axe in its place,” said Eric, and as he spoke Atli came, and with himon him with sad eyes For Atli, his face was as the face of a trapped wolf, for he was e at the shame that had been put upon his with her
”It seeri of them,” answered Eric
Now they stood face to face; Atli leaned upon his draord, and his wrath was so fierce that for a while he could not speak At length he found words
”See ye thatat Eric with the sword
”He has been uest these many months He has sat in my hall and eaten of my bread, and I have loved him as a son And wot ye how he has repaid reatest shauard--to such shame, indeed, that I cannot speak it”
”True words, Earl,” said Eric, while folk murmured and handled their swords
”True, but not all the truth,” growled Skallagriarbled tale”
”True words, thyself thou sayest it,” went on Atli ”thou hound that I saved froift,' so runs the saw, and now froo, thou mishandler of defenceless wo,” said Eric