tale, then, did he bring thee from Straumey?"

"He said this, Eric," Gudruda answered: "that thou wast Swanhild's love;
that for Swanhild's sake thou hadst basely killed Atli the Good, and
that thou wast about to wed Swanhild's self and take the Earl's seat in
Orkneys."

"And for what cause was I made outlaw at the Althing?"

"For this cause, Eric," said Björn, "that thou hadst dealt evilly with
Swanhild, bringing her to shame against her will, and thereafter that
thou hadst slain the Earl, her husband."

"Which, then, of these tales is true? for both cannot be true," said
Brighteyes. "Speak, Swanhild."

"Thou knowest well that the last is true," said Swanhild boldly.

"How then comes it that thou didst charge Hall with that message to
Gudruda? How then comes it that thou didst send her the lock of hair
which thou didst cozen me to give thee?"

"I charged Hall with no message, and I sent no lock of hair," Swanhild
answered.

"Stand thou forward, Hall!" said Eric, "and liar and coward though thou
art, dare not to speak other than the truth! Nay, look not at the door:
for, if thou stirrest, this spear shall find thee before thou hast gone
a pace!"