Now a man rose in the hall and said that Koll spoke truth, for he had
seen Gudruda the Fair, Asmund's daughter, and there was no maid like her
in Iceland.

"I will do this now," said Blacktooth. "To-morrow I will send a
messenger to Middalhof, saying to Asmund the Priest that I purpose to
visit him at the time of the Yule-feast; then I shall see if the girl
pleases me. Meanwhile, Koll, take thou a seat among the thralls, and
here is something for thy pains," and he took off the purple cloak and
threw it to him.

"Thanks to thee, Gold-scatterer," said Koll. "It is wise to go soon to
Middalhof, for such a bloom as this maid does not lack a bee. There is
a youngling in the south, named Eric Brighteyes, who loves Gudruda, and
she, I think, loves him, though he is but a yeoman of small wealth and
is only twenty-five years old."

"Ho! ho!" laughed great Ospakar, "and I am forty-five. But let not this
suckling cross my desire, lest men call him Eric Holloweyes!"


Now the messenger of Ospakar came to Middalhof, and his words pleased
Asmund and he made ready a great feast. And Swanhild smiled, but Gudruda
was afraid.




IV