The carline babbled the whole summer about the vetch-stack that it should be got indoors, but something always hindered it.

CHAPTER CXXIV.

OF PORTENTS.

At Reykium on Skeid dwelt one Runolf Thorstein’s son.  His son’s name was Hildiglum.  He went out on the night of the Lord’s day, when nine weeks were still to winter; he heard a great crash, so that he thought both heaven and earth shook.  Then he looked into the west “airt,” and he thought he saw thereabouts a ring of fiery hue, and within the ring a man on a gray horse.  He passed quickly by him, and rode hard.  He had a flaming firebrand in his hand, and he rode so close to him that he could see him plainly.  He was as black as pitch, and he sung this song with a mighty voice—­

  Here I ride swift steed,
  His flank flecked with rime,
  Rain from his mane drips,
  Horse mighty for harm;
  Flames flare at each end,
  Gall glows in the midst,
  So fares it with Flosi’s redes
  As this flaming brand flies;
  And so fares it with Flosi’s redes
  As this flaming brand flies.

Then he thought he hurled the firebrand east towards the fells before him, and such a blaze of fire leapt up to meet it that he could not see the fells for the blaze.  It seemed as though that man rode east among the flames and vanished there.

After that he went to his bed, and was senseless a long time, but at last he came to himself.  He bore in mind all that had happened, and told his father, but he bade him tell it to Hjallti Skeggi’s son.  So he went and told Hjallti, but he said he had seen “‘the Wolfs ride,’ and that comes ever before great tidings”.

CHAPTER CXXV.

FLOSI’S JOURNEY FROM HOME.

Flosi busked him from the east when two months were still to winter, and summoned to him all his men who had promised him help and company.  Each of them had two horses and good weapons, and they all came to Swinefell, and were there that night.

Flosi made them say prayers betimes on the Lord’s day, and afterwards they sate down to meat.  He spoke to his household, and told them what work each was to do while he was away.  After that he went to his horses.

Flosi and his men rode first west on the Sand.[69] Flosi bade them not to ride too hard at first; but said they would do well enough at that pace, and he bade all to wait for the others if any of them had need to stop.  They rode west to Woodcombe, and came to Kirkby.  Flosi there bade all men to come into the church, and pray to God, and men did so.

After that they mounted their horses, and rode on the fell, and so to Fishwaters, and rode a little to the west of the lakes, and so struck down west on to the Sand.[70] Then they left Eyjafell Jokul on their left hand, and so came down into Godaland, and so on to Markfleet, and came about nones[71] on the second day of the week to Threecorner ridge, and waited till mid-even.  Then all had came thither save Ingialld of the Springs.