Page:The Story of Egil Skallagrimsson.djvu/20

Rh Meanwhile Egil has been growing up. As a child he shows no common wit and strength, but is wilful, unmanageable, agrees ill with his father, breaks out in acts of violence. He goes out with Thorolf on his next voyage to Norway; he and Arinbjorn, Thorir's son, become friends. But Egil soon provokes the wrath of Eric and Gunnhilda; Gunnhilda attempts his life; Egil retaliates, and the brothers have to quit Norway. They seek England, serve under king Athelstan, win for him a battle in Northumberland, in which Thorolf falls. Egil, though promised great honours with Athelstan, goes to Norway to see after Thorolf's widow; after awhile he marries her and returns to Iceland. On tidings of his wife's father's death he goes to Norway to claim her inheritance, which is unjustly and violently kept from him. Egil narrowly escapes from Eric's ships, slays the man who holds the property, also slays a son of Eric, and after solemnly cursing the king and queen returns to Iceland. He finds his father ageing much; soon Skallagrim dies. And now Hacon, Eric's brother, foster-son of king Athelstan, is recalled to Norway as king, and Eric Bloodaxe is forced to flee. He with Arinbjorn goes to Scotland, then to Northumberland, of which he is made governor for Athelstan. Egil, resolving to revisit Athelstan in England, is wrecked at Humbermouth, within Eric's dominion. At once he rides to York, seeks out Arinbjorn, and they two go before Eric. Gunnhilda urges that Egil be put to death; but for Arinbjorn's sake, after recital of his poem, he is spared. Going on to Athelstan, he is well received, and urged to stay; but first he will go to Norway after his wife's property. From Hacon he wins a hearing, brings a suit against Earl Atli, the holder of the property: the matter is referred to wager of battle; Atli is slain, whereupon Egil returns to Iceland; he is there twelve years: sons and daughters are born to him. Athelstan dies soon after Egil's return to Iceland; some years later Eric is killed in battle. Adnbjorn is again in Norway; so Egil goes thither, is with him; they go harrying in Saxland and Friesland, after which Arinbjorn joins Eric's sons. in Denmark; Egil returns to Thorstein, Arinbjorn's nephew, and he takes Thorstein's place in a winter expedition to