570 DUELLING. 



They thanked him, but, nevertheless, thought he risked too 

 much. He added : ' It seems to me as if none of us would go 

 back if he is not avenged, and that it would be worse to fight 

 against the Berserk if your kinsman is first slain.' There- 

 upon he advanced, and Ivar offered to hold the shield before 

 him. Eyulf said: ' That is a generous offer; but I can best 

 take care of it, and the old saying true is, " One's own hand is 

 most faithful " ; ' then he went to the place of the liolmganga. 

 The Berserk said : ' Will this fool fight against me ? ' Eyulf 

 replied : ' Is it not that thou art afraid to fight against me ? 

 It may be that thou art of such a cowardly disposition as to 

 fear a large man, and braggest before a small one.' He 

 answered, ' That is not true ; but I will pronounce for the laws 

 of liolmganga. Six marks will absolve me from the holm if I 

 get wounded.' Eyulf added : ' I do not think it due to 

 observe the laws towards thee when thou puttest a value on 

 thyself, for in our land (Eyulf was an Icelander) such a value 

 as thou settest on thyself would be thought a thrall's value.' 

 Eyiilf had to strike the first blow, and the sword struck the 

 lower part of the shield and cut off it and the foot of the 

 Berserk. Eyiilf got great fame from this deed, and thereupon 

 went home with the brothers. Much property was offered to 

 him, but he said he had not done this for the sake of property 

 nor for the woman, but rather from friendship towards the 

 brothers " (Vigaglum's Saga, c. 4). * 



" It happened on Yule-evening that the men were to make 

 vows there over the horn of Bragi. Then the sons of Arngrim 

 made theirs. Hjorvard vowed that he would marry Ingibjorg, 

 the daughter of Yngvi, 2 king of the Swedes, at Uppsalir, who was 

 famous through all countries for her beauty and accomplish- 

 ments, or else he would never marry. That same spring the 

 brothers (Hjorvard and Angantyr) made the journey to Uppsalir, 

 and went before the table of the king ; his daughter sat at his 

 side. Hjorvard told the king- of his vow and his errand while 

 all listened. Hjorvard asked him to say at once what answer 

 he should receive. The king thought this matter over, know- 

 ing how valiant and high-born they were. At that moment 

 Hjalmar Hugurnstori (high-minded) stepped forward and said 

 to the king : ' Recollect, lord, how much 1 have increased your 

 honour since I came into this land ; I have increased your realm 

 so that it is twice as large ; have defended it, brought into your 

 possession the most costly things, and also placed my services 

 at your free disposal ; now, I beg of you to grant me honour 

 and give me your daughter, on whom my mind has always been 



1 Cf. Svarfdtela Saga. I " Iiisjjald (another text). 



