"Well I wot, though," said he, "that ye and your gang mean to
make away with me. But I would let you know that I too have
something to say about it -- something that will set down your
swagger, maybe."

"It is not thy death we are seeking," answered Steinar; "all we
want is to teach thee thy true place."

Bersi agreed to fight him, and then went out to a tent apart and
took up his abode there.

Now one day the word went round for bathing in the sea. Said
Steinar to Bersi, "Wilt try a race with me, Bersi?"

"I have given over swimming," said he, "and yet I'll try."

Bersi's manner of swimming was to breast the waves and strike out
with all his might. In so doing he showed a charm he wore round
his neck. Steinar swam at him and tore off the lucky-stone with
the bag it was in, and threw them both into the water, saying in
verse: --

(37)
"Long I've lived,
And I've let the gods guide me;
Brown hose I never wore
To bring the luck beside me.
I've never knit
All to keep me thriving
Round my neck a bag of worts,