aside. Again he rushed, but Eric dropped and gripped him round
the middle. Now they were face to face, hugging each other like bears,
but moving little. For a time things went thus, while Ospakar strove to
lift Eric, but in nowise could he stir him. Then of a sudden Eric put
out his strength, and they staggered round the ring, tearing at each
other till their jerkins were rent from them, leaving them almost bare
to the waist. Suddenly, Eric seemed to give, and Ospakar put out his
foot to trip him. But Brighteyes was watching. He caught the foot in
the crook of his left leg, and threw his weight forward on the chest of
Blacktooth. Backward he went, falling with the thud of a tree on snow,
and there he lay on the ground, and Eric over him.

Then men shouted "A fall! a fair fall!" and were very glad, for the
fight seemed most uneven to them, and the wrestlers rolled asunder,
breathing heavily.

Gudruda threw a cloak over Eric's naked shoulders.

"That was well done, Brighteyes," she said.

"The game is still to play, sweet," he gasped, "and Ospakar is a mighty
man. I threw him by skill, not by strength. Next time it must be by
strength or not at all."

Now breathing-time was done, and once more the two were face to face.
Thrice Ospakar rushed, and thrice did Eric slip away, for he would waste
Blacktooth's strength. Again Ospakar rushed, roaring like a bear, and
fire seemed to come from his eyes, and the steam went up from him and
hung upon the frosty air like the steam of a horse. This time Eric could
not get away, but was swept up into that great grip, for Ospakar had the
lower hold.

"Now there is an end of Eric," said Swanhild.

"The arrow is yet on the bow," answered Gudruda.

Blacktooth put out his might and reeled round and round the ring,
dragging Eric with him. This way and that he twisted, and time on time
Eric's leg was lifted from the ground, but so he might not be thrown.
Now they stood almost still, while men shouted madly, for no such
wrestling had been known in the southlands. Grimly they hugged and
strove: forsooth it was a mighty sight to see. Grimly they hugged, and
their muscles strained and cracked, but they could stir each other no
inch.

Ospakar grew fearful, for he could make no play with this youngling.
Black rage swelled in his heart. He ground his fangs, and thought on
guile. By his foot gleamed the naked foot of Eric. Suddenly he stamped
on it so fiercely that the skin burst.

"Ill d