The storm then abated and
they reached land in safety. The sons of Granmar were sitting on a
hill as the ships were sailing towards the land. Gudmund leapt on a
horse, and rode to explore on the hill by the haven. The Volsungs then
lowered their sails, and Gudmund spoke as is before written in the
Helgakvida:--
"Who is the leader that commands the fleet, and an appalling host
leads to our land?"
This said Gudmund, Granmar's son:
17. Who is the warrior that commands the ships, and lets his golden
banner wave o'er his prow? No peace seems to me in that ship's front;
it casts a warlike glow around the vikings.
Sinfiotli, Sigmund's son, answered:
18. Here may Hodbrodd Helgi learn to know, the hard of flight, in
the fleet's midst: he the possession holds of thy race; he the fishes'
heritage has to him subjected.
_Gudmund_.
19. Therefore ought we first, at Frekastein, to settle together, and
decide our quarrels! Hodbrodd! 'tis time vengeance to take, if an
inferior lot we long have borne.
_Sinfiotli_.
20. Rather shalt thou, Gudmund! tend goats, and steep mountain-tops
shalt climb, have in thy hand a hazel staff, that will better please
thee than judgments of the sword.
Gudmund rode home with intelligence of the hostile armament; whereupon
the sons of Granmar collected a host, and many kings came thither.
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