The whole roof slides down rumblingly, disappearing with a crash behind the wall of the house. All is dark above. Fine snow sifts down now and then to the end of the play.
Gunnar, handling his bow.
The wind has changed: 'tis coming on to snow.
The harvesters will hurry in to-morrow.
Thorbrand Thorleiksson appears above the wall-top a little past Gunnar, and, reaching noiselessly with a sword, cuts Gunnar's bowstring.
Gunnar, dropping the bow and seizing his bill.
Ay, Thorbrand, is it thou? That 's a rare blade,
To shear through hemp and gut.... Let your wife have it
For snipping needle-yarn; or try it again.
Thorbrand, raising his sword.
I must be getting back ere the snow thickens:
So here's my message to the end—or farther.
Gunnar, this night it is time to start your journey
And get you out of Iceland....
Gunnar, thrusting at Thorbrand with the bill.
I think it is:
So you shall go before me in the dark.
Wait for me when you find a quiet shelter.
Thorbrand sinks backward from the wall and is heard to fall farther. Immediately Asbrand Thorleiksson starts up in his place.
Asbrand, striking repeatedly with a sword.
O, down, down, down!
Gunnar, parrying the blows with the bill.
Ay, Asbrand, thou as well?
Thy brother Thorbrand was up here but now:
He has gone back the other way, maybe—
Be hasty, or you'll not come up with him.
He thrusts with the bill: Asbrand lifts a shield before the blow.
Here's the first shield that I have seen to-night.
The bill pierces the shield: Asbrand disappears and is heard to fall. Gunnar turns from the casement.