572 DUELLING. 



them farewell. They sailed to Samsey, and went to Munarvog 

 (a bay). 



" When they came upon the island Berserk-fury came over 

 them ; they wrestled with the trees as they were wont. 



' It is told of Hjalmar that he landed with ships on the 

 other side of Sarnsey, in the harbour Unavog. He had two 

 ships, and both were called ask ; one hundred very valiant men 

 were on each of them. The brothers saw the ships, and knew 

 that Hjalmar and Odd (the far-travelling, called Orvar-Odd) 

 owned them. The sons of Arngrim drew their swords and bit 

 the edges of their shields. They went to the ships, and six of 

 them went on board each ask ; so brave were the men on them 

 that every one took his weapons, and no one fled from his place 

 or spoke a word of fear. The Berserks went along the one side 

 forwards and the other backwards, and slew every man. Then 

 they went ashore howling. Hjorvard said : ' Our father Arngrim 

 has become a fool from old age, as he told us that Hjalmar and 

 Odd were the bravest champions, and now I saw no man right 

 better than the others.' Angantyr said : ' Let us not complain 

 that we did not find our equals ; it may be that Odd and 

 Hjalmar are not yet dead.' Hjalmar and Odd had walked up 

 on the island to see if the Berserks had come ; when they came 

 out of the forest the sons of Arngrim went on land from their 

 ships with bloody weapons and drawn swords; the Berserk-fury 

 was over, and they were less strong after it, as it were after an 

 illness. Odd sang : 



" ' Then was (cause of) fear, And groaning 



Once upon a time, On the island stepped, 



When they howling The inglorious ones, 



Stepped from the asks, Twelve together.' 



" Hjalmar said : ' Thou seest that our men are slain, and it 

 seems to me most likely that we shall all lodge with Odin in 

 Valholl to-night,' This was the only word of fear that Hjalmar 

 ever spoke. Odd answered : ' I never saw such fiends, and 

 it is my advice that we escape into the forest ; we two shall 

 not be able to fight the twelve, who have slain twelve of the 

 bravest men in Svia realm.' Hjalmar said : ' Let us never flee 

 from our foes, let us rather go under their weapons ; I will go 

 and fight the Berserks.' Odd said : ' 1 will not lodge with 

 Odin to-night, and all these men will be dead ere evening 

 comes, and we two shall live.' Hjalmar sang : 



" ' Valiant men To-night will we, 



Go from the warships, The two champions, 



Twelve together, Lodge with Odin, 



Inglorious men ; And the twelve will live.' 



O ' 



