“Now I would that Skallagrim was here to guard my back,” said Eric, “for before this fight is done few will left standing to tell its tale.”

“It is a sad thing,” said Asmund, “that so many men must die because some men are now dead.”

“A very sad thing,” said Eric, and took this counsel.  He stalked alone towards the ranks of Ospakar and called in a loud voice, saying: 

“It would be grievous that so many warriors should fall in such a matter.  Now hearken, you company of Ospakar Blacktooth!  If there be any two among you who will dare to match their might against my single sword in holmgang, here I, Eric Brighteyes, stand and wait them.  It is better that one man, or perchance three men, should fall, than that anon so many should roll in the dust.  What say ye?”

Now all those who watched called out that this was a good offer and a manly one, though it might turn out ill for Eric; but Ospakar answered: 

“Were I but well of my wound I alone would cut that golden comb of thine, thou braggart; as it is, be sure that two shall be found.”

“Who is the braggart?” answered Eric.  “He who twice has learned the weight of this arm and yet boasts his strength, or I who stand craving that two should come against me?  Get thee hence, Ospakar; get thee home and bid Thorunna, thy leman, whom thou didst beguile from that Ounound who now is named Skallagrim Lambstail the Baresark, nurse thee whole of the wound her husband gave thee.  Be sure we shall yet stand face to face, and that combs shall be cut then, combs black or golden.  Nurse thee! nurse thee! cease thy prating—­get thee home, and bid Thorunna nurse thee; but first name thou the two who shall stand against me in holmgang in Oxara’s stream.”

Folk laughed aloud while Eric mocked, but Ospakar gnashed his teeth with rage.  Still, he named the two mightiest men in his company, bidding them take up their swords against Brighteyes.  This, indeed, they were loth to do; still, because of the shame that they must get if they hung back, and for fear of the wrath of Ospakar, they made ready to obey his bidding.

Then all men passed down to the bank of Oxara, and, on the other side, people came from their booths and sat upon the slope of All Man’s Raft, for it was a new thing that one man should fight two in holmgang.

Now Eric crossed to the island where holmgangs are fought to this day, and after him came the two chosen, flourishing their swords bravely, and taking counsel how one should rush at his face, while the other passed behind his back and spitted him, as woodfolk spit a lamb.  Eric drew Whitefire and leaned on it, waiting for the word, and all the women held him to be wondrous fair as, clad in his byrnie and his golden helm, he leaned thus on Whitefire.  Presently the word was given, and Eric, standing not to defend himself as they deemed he surely would, whirled Whitefire round his helm and rushed headlong on his foes, shield aloft.