e
head, but it answered nothing.

Now Skallagrim slept through it all and the light grew so dim that Eric
thought it time to make an end this way or that. Therefore, he took
the head of the slain man, though he feared to touch it, and rolled it
swiftly into the cave, saying, "Now, being so glib of speech, go tell
thy mate that Eric Brighteyes knocks at his door."

Then came sounds as of a man rising, and presently Skallagrim rushed
forth with axe aloft and his fellow's head in his left hand. He was
clothed in nothing but a shirt and the skin of Eric's lamb was bound to
his chest.

"Where now is my mate?" he said. Then he saw Eric leaning on Whitefire,
his golden helm ablaze with the glory of the passing sun.

"It seems that thou holdest somewhat of him in thine hand, Skallagrim,
and for the rest, go seek it in yonder rift."

"Who art thou?" roared Skallagrim.

"Thou mayest know me by this token," said Eric, and he threw towards him
the skin of that lamb's tail which Skallagrim had lifted from Coldback.

Now Skallagrim knew him and the Baresark fit came on. His eyes rolled,
foam flew to his lips, his mouth grinned, and he was awesome to see. He
let fall the head, and, swinging the great axe aloft, rushed at Eric.
But Brighteyes is too swift for him. It would not be well to let that
stroke fall, and it must go hard with aught it struck. He springs
forward, he louts low and sweeps upwards with Whitefire. Skallagrim sees
the sword flare and drops almost to his knee, guarding his head with the
axe; but Whitefire strikes on the iron half of the axe and shears it in
two, so that the axe-head falls to earth. Now the Baresark is weaponless
but unharmed, and it would be an easy task to slay him as he rushes
by. But it came into Eric's mind that it is an unworthy deed to slay
a swordless man, and this came into his mind also, that he desired
to match his naked might against a Baresark in his rage. So, in the
hardihood of his youth and strength, he cast Whitefire aside, and crying
"Come, try a fall with me, Baresark," rushed on Skallagrim.

"Thou art mad," yells the Baresark, and they are at it hard. Now they
grip and rend and tear. Ospakar was strong, but the Baresark strength
of Skallagrim is more than the strength of Ospakar, and soon Brighteyes
thinks longingly on Whitefire that he has cast aside. Eric is mighty
beyond the might of men, but he can scarcely hold his own against this
mad man, and very soon he knows that