husband thou didst wrong and slay."

"It is not my way to yield, lady," answered Eric, "and still less
perchance is it the way of Skallagrim. Least of all will we yield to
thee who, after working many ills, didst throw me in a witch-sleep, and
to him who slew the wife sleeping at my side. Hearken, Swanhild: here
we stand, awaiting death, nor will we take mercy from thy hand. For know
this, we shall not die alone. Last night as we sat on Mosfell we saw
the Norns weave our web of fate upon their loom of darkness. They sat on
Helca's dome and wove their pictures in living flame, then rent the web
and flew upward and southward and westward, crying our doom to sky
and earth and sea. Last night as we sat by the fire on Mosfell all the
company of the dead were gathered round us--ay! and all the company
of those who shall die to-day. Thou wast there, Gizur the murderer,
Ospakar's son! thou wast there, Swanhild the witch, Groa's daughter!
thou wast there, Ketel Viking! with many another man; and there were we
two also. Valkyries have kissed us and death draws near. Therefore, talk
no more, but come and make an end. Greeting, Gizur, thou woman-murderer!
Draw nigh! draw nigh! Out sword! up shield! and on, thou son of
Ospakar!"

Swanhild spoke no more, and Gizur had no word.

"On, Gizur! Eric calls thee," quoth Ketel Viking; but Gizur slunk back,
not forward.

Then Ketel grew mad with rage and shame. He called to the men, and they
drew near, as many as might, and looked doubtfully at the pair who stood
before them like rocks upon a plain. Eric laughed aloud and Skallagrim
gnawed the edge of his shield. Eric laughed aloud and the sound of his
laughter ran up the rocks.

"We are but two," he cried, "and ye are many! Is there never a pair
among you will stand face to face with a Baresark and a helmless man?"
and he tossed Whitefire high into the air and caught it by the hilt.

Then Ketel and another man of his following sprang forward with an oath,
and their axes thundered loud on the shields of Eric and of Skallagrim.
But Whitefire flickered up and the axe of Skallagrim crashed, and at
once their knees were loosened, so that they sank down dead.

"More men! more men!" cried Eric. "These were brave, but their might was
little. More men for the Grey Wolf's maw!"

Then Swanhild lashed the folk with bitter words, and two of them sprang
on. They sprang on like hounds upon a deer at bay, and they rolled back
as gored hounds roll f