in Iceland.

Now, when Eric had sat two months and more in Mosfell cave and autumn
was coming, he learned that Gizur and Swanhild had moved down to
Coldback, and with them a great company of men who were sworn to slay
him. He asked if Gudruda the Fair had also gathered men for his slaying.
They told him no; that Gudruda stayed with her thralls and women at
Middalhof, mourning for Bjoern her brother. From these tidings Eric took
some heart of hope: at the least Gudruda laid no blood-feud against him.
For he waited, thinking, if indeed she yet loved him, that Gudruda would
send him some word or token of her love. But no word came, since between
them ran the blood of Bjoern. On the morrow of these tidings Skallagrim
spoke to Eric.

"This is my counsel, lord," he said, "that we ride out by night and fall
on the folk of Gizur at Coldback, and burn the stead over them, putting
them to the sword. I am weary of sitting here like an eagle in a cage."

"Such is no counsel of mine, Skallagrim," answered Brighteyes. "I am
weary of sitting here, indeed; but I am yet more weary of bringing men
to their death. I will shed no more blood, unless it is to save my own
head. When the people of Gizur came to seek me on Mosfell, they shall
find me here; but I will not go to them."

"Thy heart is out of thee, lord," said Skallagrim; "thou wast not wont
to speak thus."

"Ay, Skallagrim," said Eric, "the heart is out of me. Yet I ride from
Mosfell to-day."

"Whither, lord?"

"To Middalhof, to have speech with Gudruda the Fair."

"Like enough, then, thou wilt be silent thereafter."

"It well may be," said Eric. "Yet I will ride. I can bear this doubt no
longer."

"Then I shall come with thee," said Skallagrim.

"As thou wilt," answered Eric.

So at midday Eric and Skallagrim rode away from Mosfell in a storm of
rain. The rain was so heavy that those of Gizur's spies who watched the
mountain did not see them. All that day they rode and all the night,
till by morning they came to Middalhof. Eric told Skallagrim to stay
with the horses and let them feed, while he went on foot to see if by
chance he might get speech with Gudruda. This the Baresark did, though
he grumbled at the task, fearing lest Eric should be done to death, and
he not there to die with him.

Now Eric walked to within two bowshots of the house, then sat down in a
dell by the river, from the edge of which he could see those who passed
in and out. Presently his