“This is more like a woman’s work,” said Gudruda, and she looked at Swanhild.

“It is no work of mine,” quoth Swanhild.

“Then go and ask thy mother of it,” answered Gudruda.

Now all men cried aloud that this was the greatest shame, and that the match must be set afresh; only Ospakar bethought him of that two hundred in silver which he had promised to Groa, and looked around, but she was not there.  Still, he gainsaid Eric in the matter of the match being set afresh.

Then Eric cried out in his anger that he would let the game stand as it was, since Ospakar swore himself free of the shameful deed.  Men thought this a mad saying, but Asmund said it should be so.  Still, he swore in his heart that, even if he were worsted, Eric should not lose his eye—­no not if swords were held aloft to take it.  For of all tricks this seemed to him the very worst.

Now Ospakar and Eric faced each other again in the ring, but this time the feet of Eric were bare.

Ospakar rushed to get the upper hold, but Eric was too swift for him and sprang aside.  Again he rushed, but Eric dropped and gripped him round the middle.  Now they were face to face, hugging each other like bears, but moving little.  For a time things went thus, while Ospakar strove to lift Eric, but in nowise could he stir him.  Then of a sudden Eric put out his strength, and they staggered round the ring, tearing at each other till their jerkins were rent from them, leaving them almost bare to the waist.  Suddenly, Eric seemed to give, and Ospakar put out his foot to trip him.  But Brighteyes was watching.  He caught the foot in the crook of his left leg, and threw his weight forward on the chest of Blacktooth.  Backward he went, falling with the thud of a tree on snow, and there he lay on the ground, and Eric over him.

Then men shouted “A fall! a fair fall!” and were very glad, for the fight seemed most uneven to them, and the wrestlers rolled asunder, breathing heavily.

Gudruda threw a cloak over Eric’s naked shoulders.

“That was well done, Brighteyes,” she said.

“The game is still to play, sweet,” he gasped, “and Ospakar is a mighty man.  I threw him by skill, not by strength.  Next time it must be by strength or not at all.”

Now breathing-time was done, and once more the two were face to face.  Thrice Ospakar rushed, and thrice did Eric slip away, for he would waste Blacktooth’s strength.  Again Ospakar rushed, roaring like a bear, and fire seemed to come from his eyes, and the steam went up from him and hung upon the frosty air like the steam of a horse.  This time Eric could not get away, but was swept up into that great grip, for Ospakar had the lower hold.

“Now there is an end of Eric,” said Swanhild.

“The arrow is yet on the bow,” answered Gudruda.

Blacktooth put out his might and reeled round and round the ring, dragging Eric with him.  This way and that he twisted, and time on time Eric’s leg was lifted from the ground, but so he might not be thrown.  Now they stood almost still, while men shouted madly, for no such wrestling had been known in the southlands.  Grimly they hugged and strove:  forsooth it was a mighty sight to see.  Grimly they hugged, and their muscles strained and cracked, but they could stir each other no inch.