"I would rather risk these things than stay the winter through in
Iceland," said Skallagrim, "it is long from now to spring, and yon
wolf's den is cold-lying in the dark months, as I know well."

"There is light beyond the darkness," said Eric, and they rode away.
Everything went well with them till late at night they came to the
slopes of Mosfell. They were half asleep on their horses, being weary
with much riding, and the horses were weary also. Suddenly, Skallagrim,
looking up, caught the faint gleam of light from swords hidden behind
some stones.

"Awake, lord!" he cried, "here are foes ahead."

Gizur's folk behind the stones heard his voice and came out from their
ambush. There were six of them, and they formed in line before the pair.
They were watching the mountain, for a rumour had reached them that Eric
was abroad, and, seeing him, they had hidden hastily behind the stones.

"Now what counsel shall we take?" said Eric, drawing Whitefire.

"We have often stood against men more than six, and sometimes we have
left more men than six to mark where we stood," answered Skallagrim. "It
is my counsel that we ride at them!"

"So be it," said Eric, and he spurred his weary horse with his heels.
Now when the six saw Eric and Skallagrim charge on them boldly, they
wavered, and the end of it was that they broke and fled to either side
before a blow was struck. For it had come to this pass, so great was the
terror of the names of Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail, that no
six men dared to stand before them in open fight.