the cave in the background. The cave is large and deep, opening in the
direction of the spectator. Water has been coursing down the vale and
has frozen to knolls of ice here and there. A part of the cave-mouth is
hidden by icicles formed by the water trickling from the rock above the
cave. Snow is falling heavily and drifting. This continues throughout
the act_.)

(BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI, ALF, DEACON SIGURD, HELGI SKAFTASON, EINAR
THE RICH, _and six others enter_.)

_Alf_.--A cursed ill weather this!

_Sigurd_.--The great drift-ice must be near!

_Brand_.--But there is shelter in this cave here, and here we shall stay
awhile.

_Einar_.--A witch-storm this is, and we have lost our way!

_Broddi_.--The weather is cold and fit for men. We would do well to use
our stay here for coming to an agreement about our attack on Thorolf
Bjarnason; because home he journeyed, even if Lady Helga assured us to
the contrary.

_Einar_.--Let us make away with the new chief of the Eyafirthings!

_Brand_.--For me it is not seeming to be in this undertaking, having
sworn an eternal truce to Thorolf.

_Broddi_.--But none of us others have.