“What ails you Biarni,” said the elder of the two strangers. For a time Biarni answered not a word, but on being pressed to do so, he opened up his heart to them and told all about his sister’s illness.
“My companions are going to return home, but I must stay to watch over Salvör; and who knows how soon she may die in my arms.”
“You are in a hard case Biarni,” said the other, “and I am sorry for you, but won’t you leave your sister with me, and I will take good care of her.”
“No, no,” said Biarni, “that I dare not do, for I know neither who you are, nor where you come from. But will you tell me where your home is?”
“That’s no business of yours,” said the other, rather gruffly, and then, taking from his pocket a silver-gilt box set with precious stones, added, “Won’t you sell me your sister for this box.”
“No,” said Biarni, “nor for a thousand like it. I would not give her to you for any money.”
“Well! well! there is no help for it, you will at all events accept this box, as a token that you have met with men among the mountains.”
Biarni took the offered gift with pleasure, and thanked the giver. The two men then bade him farewell and rode away, while he returned to the tent. Next morning his companions went away home, leaving him alone with his sister. Though she was now a little better, he dared not sleep, for he was afraid lest the strangers should come and steal her away. But, after watching a whole day and night, he felt overcome with fatigue; so he lay down, and folding his arms round her waist to protect her, fell into a sound sleep. But, when he awoke, his sister was gone, and was nowhere to be found. He spent a whole day sorrowfully wandering from spot to spot, looking and calling for her, but it was all in vain. He then turned his back on the mountains, and with a heavy heart went home, and told his parents what had happened.
“Woe is me,” said Sveinn, “what I feared most has come to pass, but God’s will be done!”
There was great grief in Skagafiord when the news spread from farm to farm; for Salvör, with all her way-wardness, was a promising girl, and was every body’s favourite. A party of young men returned to the mountains to look for her, but nowhere was the least trace of her to be found.