“Then we must bide in Straumey, it seems,” said Eric:  “for of all my goods and gear this alone is left me,” and he looked at Whitefire.

“Thou hast still a gold ring or two upon thy arm,” answered the Earl, laughing.  “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 wed Swanhild, she had another mind.”

“I have heard something of that, and I have guessed more, Brighteyes; but methinks Swanhild is little given to gadding now.  She is as cold as ice, and no good wife for any man,” and Atli sighed, “’Snow melts not if sun shines 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 harm, Earl, but this thou knowest:  that woman’s guile and beauty are swords few shields 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 well with me of late.  Age hath a grip of me, and foes rise up against one who has no sons.  That was an ill marriage, 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 my death, and, as thou knowest well, she is foresighted.  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 Straumey.  For many weeks all things went well and Eric forgot 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 home.  Atli and Eric were ever side by side, and Eric gave the Earl much good counsel.  He promised to do this also, for now, being simple-minded, his doubts had passed and he had no more fear of Swanhild.  On the mainland lived a certain chief who had seized large lands of Atli’s, and held them for a year or more.  Now Eric gave his word that, before he sailed for Iceland in the early summer, he would go up against this man and drive him from the lands, if he could.  For Brighteyes might not come to Iceland till hard upon midsummer, when his three years of outlawry were spent.

The winter wore away and the spring came.  Then Atli gathered his men and went with Eric in boats to where the chief dwelt who held his lands.  There they fell on him and there was a fierce fight.  But in the end the man was slain by Skallagrim, and Eric did great deeds, as was his wont.  Now in this fray Eric was wounded in the foot by a spear, so that he must be borne back to Straumey, and he lay there in the hall for many days.  Swanhild nursed him, and most days he sat talking with her in her bower.