rain. The rain was so heavy that those of Gizur's spies who watched the
mountain did not see them. All that day they rode and all the night,
till by morning they came to Middalhof. Eric told Skallagrim to stay
with the horses and let them feed, while he went on foot to see if by
chance he might get speech with Gudruda. This the Baresark did, though
he grumbled at the task, fearing lest Eric should be done to death, and
he not there to die with him.

Now Eric walked to within two bowshots of the house, then sat down in a
dell by the river, from the edge of which he could see those who passed
in and out. Presently his heart gave a leap, for there came out from the
woman's door a lady tall and beautiful to see, and with golden hair
that flowed about her breast. It was Gudruda, and he saw that she bore a
napkin in her hand. Then Eric knew, according to her custom on the warm
mornings, that she came alone to bathe in the river, as she had always
done from a child. It was her habit to bathe here in this place: for at
the bottom of the dell was a spot where reeds and bushes grew thick, and
the water lay in a basin of rock and was clear and still. For at this
spot a hot spring ran into the river.

Eric went down the dell, hid himself close in the bushes and waited, for
he feared to speak with Gudruda in the open field. A while passed, and
presently the shadow of the lady crept over the edge of the dell, then
she came herself in that beauty which since her day has not been known
in Iceland. Her face was sad and sweet, her dark and lovely eyes were
sad. On she came, till she stood within a spear's length of where Eric
lay, crouched in the bush, and looking at her through the hedge of
reeds. Here a flat rock overhung the water, and Gudruda sat herself
on this rock, and, shaking off her shoes, dipped her white feet in the
water. Then suddenly she threw aside her cloak, baring her arms, and,