k from it, then spoke again:

"_Grey Wolf_ thou didst call me once, Swanhild, when thou wouldst have
thrust Gudruda down Goldfoss gulf, and as a grey wolf I came, and gave
thee counsel that thou tookest but ill. _Rat_ didst thou call me once,
when thou wouldst save Brighteyes from the carles of Ospakar, and as a
rat I came and in thy shape I walked the seas. _Toad_ thou callest me
now, and as a toad I creep about thy feet. Name thy will, Swanhild,
and I will name my price. But be swift, for there are other fair ladies
whose wish I must do ere dawn."

"Thou art hideous to look on!" said Swanhild, placing her hand before
her eyes.

"Say not so, lady; say not so. Look at this face of mine. Knowest thou
it not? It is thy mother's--dead Groa lent it me. I took it from where
she lies; and my toad's skin I drew from thy spotted heart, Swanhild,
and more hideous than I am shalt thou be in a day to come, as once I was
more fair than thou art to-day."

Swanhild opened her lips to shriek, but no sound came.

"Troll," she whispered, "mock me not with lies, but hearken to my
bidding: where sails Eric now?"

"Look out into the night, lady, and thou shalt see."

Swanhild looked, and the ways of the darkness opened before her
witch-sight. There at the mouth of Pentland Firth the Gudruda laboured
heavily in the great seas, and by the tiller stood Eric, and with him
Skallagrim.

"Seest thou thy love?" asked the Familiar.

"Yea," she answered, "full clearly; he is worn with wind and sea, but
more glorious than aforetime, and his hair is long. Say, what shall
befall him if thou aidest not?"

"This, that he shall safely pass the Firth, for the gale falls, and come
safely to Fareys, and from Fareys isles to Gudruda's arms."

"And what canst thou do, Goblin?"

"This: I can lure Eric's ship to wreck, and give his comrades, all
save Skallagrim, to Ran's net, and bring him to thy arms, Swanhild,
witch-mother's witch-child!"

She hearkened. Her breast heaved and her eyes flashed.

"And thy price, Toad?"

"_Thou_ art the price, lady," piped the goblin. "Thou shalt give thyself
to me when thy day is done, and merrily will we sisters dwell in Hela's
halls, and merrily for ever will we fare about the earth o' nights,
doing such tasks as this task of thine, Swanhild, and working wicked woe
till the last woe is worked on us. Art thou content?"

Swanhild thought. Twice her breath went from her lips in great sighs.
Then she stood, pa