shouldest sit here this winter, Eric. Had I my
way, indeed, never wouldest thou sit elsewhere. Listen: things have
not gone well with me of late. Age hath a grip of me, and foes rise up
against one who has no sons. That was an ill marriage, too, which I made
with Swanhild yonder: for she loves me not, and I have found no luck
since first I saw her face. Moreover, it is in my mind that my days
are almost sped. Swanhild has already foretold my death, and, as thou
knowest well, she is foresighted. So I pray thee, Eric, bide thou here
while thou mayest, for I would have thee at my side."

"It shall be as thou wilt, Earl," said Eric.

So Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail sat that winter in the hall
of Atli the Earl at Straumey. For many weeks all things went well and
Eric forgot his fears. Swanhild was gentle to him and kindly. She loved
much to talk with him, even of Gudruda her rival; but no word of love
passed her lips. Nevertheless, she did but bide her time, for when she
struck she determined to strike home. Atli and Eric were ever side by
side, and Eric gave the Earl much good counsel. He promised to do this
also, for now, being simple-minded, his doubts had passed and he had
no more fear of Swanhild. On the mainland lived a certain chief who had
seized large lands of Atli's, and held them for a year or more. Now Eric
gave his word that, before he sailed for Iceland in the early summer, he
would go up against this man and drive him from the lands, if he could.
For Brighteyes might not come to Iceland till hard upon midsummer, when
his three years of outlawry were spent.

The winter wore away and the spring came. Then Atli gathered his men
and went with Eric in boats to where the chief dwelt who held his lands.
There they fell on him and there was a fierce fight. But in the end the
man was slain by Skallagrim, and Eric did great deeds, as was his wont.
Now in this fray Eric was wounded in the foot by a spear, so that he
must be borne back to Straumey, and he lay there in the hall for many
days. Swanhild nursed him, and most days he sat talking with her in her
bower.

When Eric was nearly healed of his hurt, the Earl went with all his
people to a certain island of the Orkneys to gather scat[*] that was
unpaid, and Skallagrim went with him. But Eric did not go, because of
his hurt, fearing lest the wound should open if he walked overmuch. Thus
it came to pass that, except for some women, he was left almost a