Part 53 (1/2)

He looked thrice, then sang aloud:

”Long ago, when swept the snow-blast, Close we clung and plighted troth

Many a year, through stor, Sore I strove to win thee, sweet!

But last night I held thee, Fairest, Lock'd, a wife, in lover's arms

Now, Gudruda, in thy death-rest, Sleep thou soft till Eric co fire of fla stead, Groan of spear-carles, wail of woht

Then on Mosfell, Kirtle-Wearer, Eric waits the face of Death

Freed from weary life and sorrow, Soon we'll kiss in Hela's halls!”

Then he laid her in the grave, and, having shrouded a sheet over her, they filled it in together, hiding Gudruda the Fair froht of men for ever

Afterwards Eric arririm followed him In the yard those horses were still tied that should have carried them to the shi+p, and on one was the saddle of Gudruda She had ridden on this horse for many years, and loved itEric looked at him, then said aloud:

”Gudruda may need thee where she is, Blackmane,” for so the horse was named ”At the least, none shall ride thee rim and slew the horse at a blow

Then they rode away, heading for Coldback The night ild and windy, and the sky dark with scudding clouds, through which the moon peeped out at tiood night for burning, drunkard!”

”Ay, lord; the flarim

”How many, thinkest thou, walked over thee, drunkard, when thou didst lie yonder in the ale?”

”I know not,” groaned Skallagrim; ”but I found this in the soft earth without: the print of a man's and a woman's feet; and this on the hill side: the track of two horses ridden hard”

”Gizur and Swanhild, drunkard,” said Eric ”Swanhild cast us into deep sleep by witchcraft, and Gizur dealt the blow Better for him that he had never been born than that he has lived to deal that coward's blow!”

Then they rode on, and when one they came to the stead at Coldback Now this house was roofed with turves, and the ere barred so that none could pass through theots of birch and a stack of hay

Eric and Skallagrim tied their horses in a dell that is to the north of the stead and crept up to the house All was still; but a fire burnt in the hall, and, looking through a crack, Eric could see riots, piling theainst the north door of the house, for the wind blew fro him stand, axe in hand, by the south door, and slay those who caan to smart thehteyes had , it came into his mind that, perhaps, Gizur and Swanhild were not in the house But he would not hold his hand for this, for he was e So once ain he heard a voice in his ear--the voice of Gudruda, and it seemed to say:

”_Thine oath, Eric! ree went out of his heart

”Let them seek me on Mosfell,” he said, ”I will not slay theether” And he strode round the house to where Skallagri

”Does the fire burn, lord? I see no srim

”Nay, I have made none I will shed no eance to the Norns”