hould have carried them to the ship, and
on one was the saddle of Gudruda. She had ridden on this horse for
many years, and loved it much, for it would follow her like a dog. Eric
looked at him, then said aloud:

"Gudruda may need thee where she is, Blackmane," for so the horse was
named. "At the least, none shall ride thee more!" And he snatched the
axe from the hand of Skallagrim and slew the horse at a blow.

Then they rode away, heading for Coldback. The night was wild and windy,
and the sky dark with scudding clouds, through which the moon peeped out
at times. Eric looked up, then spoke to Skallagrim:

"A good night for burning, drunkard!"

"Ay, lord; the flames will fly briskly," answered Skallagrim.

"How many, thinkest thou, walked over thee, drunkard, when thou didst
lie yonder in the ale?"

"I know not," groaned Skallagrim; "but I found this in the soft earth
without: the print of a man's and a woman's feet; and this on the hill
side: the track of two horses ridden hard."

"Gizur and Swanhild, drunkard," said Eric. "Swanhild cast us into deep
sleep by witchcraft, and Gizur dealt the blow. Better for him that he
had never been born than that he has lived to deal that coward's blow!"

Then they rode on, and when midnight was a little while gone they came
to the stead at Coldback. Now this house was roofed with turves, and the
windows were barred so that none could pass through them. Also in the
yard were faggots of birch and a stack of hay.

Eric and Skallagrim tied their horses in a dell that is to the north of
the stead and crept up to the house. All was still; but a fire burnt in
the hall, and, looking through a crack, Eric could see many men sleeping
about it. Then he made signs to Skallagrim and together, very silently,
they fetched hay and faggots, piling them against the north door of the
house, for the wind blew from the north. Now Eric spoke to Skallagrim,
bidding him stand, axe in hand, by the south door, and slay those who
came out when the reek began to smart them: but he went himself to fire
the pile.

When Brighteyes had made all things ready for the burning, it came into
his mind that, perhaps, Gizur and Swanhild were not in the house. But he
would not hold his hand for this, for he was mad with grief and rage. So
once more he prepared for the deed, when again he heard a voice in his
ear--the voice of Gudruda, and it seemed to say:

"_Thine oath, Eric! remember thine oath!_"

The