Part 50 (2/2)

”They are outlaws,” she answered ”Hearken, Ospakar's son Thou sayest thou dost love me and wouldst wed me: know this, that if thou dost fail ain, but will na in all men's ears”

Now Gizur loved Swanhild laht of her day and night For there was this strange thing about Swanhild that, though she was a witch and wicked, being both fair and gentle she could lead all men, except Eric, to love her

But of men she loved Eric alone

Then Gizur held his peace; but Swanhild spoke again:

”It will be of no use to try the doors, for they are strong Yet when I was a child before now I have passed in and out the house at night by the store-roo the shadow of the wall, for she knew it every stone, till she came to the store-rooht poured into the chamber Swanhild lifted her head above the sill and looked, then started back

”Hush!+” she said, ”Skallagrim lies asleep within”

”Pray the Gods he wake not!” said Gizur beneath his breath, and turned to go But Swanhild caught hiain, long and steadily Presently she turned and laughed softly

”Things go well for us,” she said; ”the sot lies drunk We have nothing to fear from him He lies drunk in a pool of ale”

Then Gizur looked The reat shape of Skallagrim His head was thrown back, his mouth ide He snored loudly in his drunken sleep, and all about hiot of the cask lay upon the floor In his left hand was a horn cup, but in his right he still grasped his axe

”Noeupon the sill lightly as a fox, and slid thence into the store-room Then Gizur must follow, and presently he stood beside her in the roorim Gizur looked first at his sword, then on the Baresark, and lastly at Swanhild

”Nay,” she whispered, ”touch hiame He has that within him which will hold him fast for a while Follohere I shall lead”

She took his hand and, gliding through the doorway, passed along the passage till she careat hall Swanhild could see well in the dark, and moreover she knew the road Presently they stood in the elowed upon the hearth, like red and angry eyes

For a while Swanhild stood still listening, but there was nothing to hear Then she drew near to the shut bed where Gudruda slept, and, with her ear to the curtain, listened once ainst a bench and stirred it Noanhild heard murmured words and the sound of kisses She started back, and fury filled her heart Gizur also heard the voice of Eric, saying: ”I will rise” Then he would have fled, but Swanhild caught him by the arm

”Fear not,” she whispered, ”they shall soon sleep sound”

He felt her stretch out her ar: the eyes of Swanhild glowing in the darkness as the ehtly, so brightly that he could see the outstretched arrew diain And all the while she hissed words through her clenched teeth

Thus she hissed, fierce and low:

”Gudruda, Sister mine, hearken and sleep!

By the bond of blood I bid thee sleep!-- By the strength that is in hteyes, hearken and sleep!

By the bond of sin I charge thee sleep!-- By the blood of Atli I charge thee, sleep!-- Sleep! sleep sound!”

Then thrice she tossed her hands aloft, saying:

”From love to sleep!

From sleep to death!

From death to Hela!