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Then came another company, and at their head stalked black Ospakar. "These be they who died at Middalhof," cried Eric. "Welcome, Ospakar! that marriage-feast of thine went ill!" "Now methinks we are overdone with trolls," said Skallagrim; "but see! here come more." As he spoke, Hall of Lithdale came, and with him Koll the Half-witted, and others.
Then the carline told on. She told how Hall of Lithdale had come out to Iceland, and of the story that he bore to Gudruda, and of the giving of the lock of hair. "What did I say, lord?" broke in Skallagrim "that in Hall thou hadst let a weasel go who would live to nip thee?" "Him I will surely live to shorten by a head," quoth Eric. "Nay, lord, this one for me Ospakar for thee, Hall for me!"
Eric was heartily welcomed by the Earl of the Farey Isles, for, when he heard his deeds, he made a feast in his honour, and set him in the high seat. It was a great feast, but Skallagrim became drunk at it and ran down the chamber, axe aloft, roaring for Hall of Lithdale.
Then Atli rose grumbling, and shook the heavy sleep from his eyes: for of all living folk he most feared Swanhild his wife. He donned his garments, threw a thick cloak about him, and, going to the hall where men snored around the dying fires, for the night was bitter, he awoke some of them. Now among those men whom he called was Hall of Lithdale, Hall the mate who had cut the grapnel-chain.
"What hast thou to do with Eric?" snarled Ospakar. "The bride-cup is not yet drunk, lord," she answered. "To thee, then, I will speak, lady," quoth Eric. "How comes it that, being betrothed to me, thou dost sit there the bride of Ospakar?" "Ask of Swanhild," said Gudruda in a low voice. "Ask also of Hall of Lithdale yonder, who brought me Swanhild's gift from Straumey."
"Now the weasel is nailed to the beam," said Skallagrim. "Hall of Lithdale, what did I promise thee?" "Guard thy head and my back," quoth Eric; "blows fall!" Now men smote at Eric and Skallagrim, nor did they spare to smite in turn.
Hearken, my shield-mates: we swore to be true to each other, even to death: is it not so? What then shall be said of that man who cut loose the Gudruda and left us two to die at the foeman's hand?" "Who was the man?" asked a voice. "That man was Hall of Lithdale," said Eric.
Then she bade Koll watch for Atli's coming and, when he saw the Earl leave his boats, to run to him and say that she would speak with him. After this Swanhild sent a man across the firth to the stead where Hall of Lithdale sat, bidding him to come to her at speed. When the afternoon grew towards the evening, Koll, watching, saw the boats of Atli draw to the landing-place.
Now two choices are left to us: one is to bout ship and run before him, and the other to row on and give him battle. What say ye, comrades?" Hall of Lithdale, the mate, answered, saying: "Let us go back, lest we die. The odds are too great, Eric."
For still all men loved Eric, and the people of his quarter were proud of the deeds he had done oversea. "Greeting, Björn, Asmund's son!" quoth Eric. "Greeting, Ospakar Blacktooth! Greeting, Swanhild the Fatherless, Atli's witch-wife Groa's witch-bairn! Greeting, Hall of Lithdale, Hall the liar Hall who cut the grapnel-chain! And to thee, sweet Bride, to thee Gudruda the Fair, greeting!"
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