could not but thank him for his words, though, indeed, just at this
time I seemed to care little for what became of me.

"You are a generous foe, Egil Thorarinsson," I said.

"You and I shall be good friends some day, as I hope," he said;
"meanwhile we will be fair foes. You slew me not, because I had
fallen more or less by chance. Therefore I will let you go because
you have fallen into my hands by chance. I will only lay this on
you, that you shall bide with Earl Wulfnoth for two months before
you fight against us again."

I was full of wonder at this, for he might well have made me
promise to take up arms against Cnut no more, and I could have done
no less than promise it, seeing that I was in his hands.

"Why, I must tie you down for a while," he said laughing at my face
of doubt.

"Nay, Egil, I do but wonder that you set me free at all," I said.

"Is that so? I have wondered that you slew me not in the heat of
battle. Well, I will add this, that if we fall on Earl Wulfnoth you
may fight for him."

I held out my hand, and Egil took it.

"You have my word, Egil; you are most generous," I said.

Then he glanced at sword Foe's Bane.

"Some day you and I, maybe, will have a good fight for your sword
in all friendliness," he said.

"Surely I thought you would take it back," I cried. "I feared so,
for it was my father's sword."

"Aha! I knew there was somewhat strange about that blade," he said.
"Tell me what story it has."

I told him in a few words about the winning of the sword from the
grave mound by Thorgeir, my grandfather, and asked Egil how he came
by it.

"I bought it from a man after Nacton fight, and I have never had
any luck with it. I was sure it was a magic sword of some sort; for
it let go three men whom I should surely have slain with any other
blade. It seemed to turn in my hand. Such swords as these will not
be used by any other than he who can win them from the owner."

"Ottar, Olaf's scald, said that it would draw the holder to me," I
said; "but I would not believe it."

"You English have forgotten the old sayings," Egil said. "Now you
know that he is right; keep the sword therefore."

Then I said:

"If I must die a bed death, Egil, the sword shall be sent to you,
for I think that you have the most claim to it."

He grew red with pleasure at my saying, and Elfric broke in on our
talk.

"I would that I might see many more meetings of brave foes like
this. Then would peace c