It will have to be seen whether thou get the two marks of silver, or whether thou lose them both." Upon which quoth Bersi:-- (36) "They that waken the storm of the spear-points-- For slaughter and strife they are famous-- To the island they bid me for battle, Nor bitter I think it nor woeful; For long in that craft am I learned To loosen the Valkyrie's tempest In the lists, and I fear not to fight them-- Unflinching in battle am I.
"Well I wot, though," said he, "that ye and your gang mean to make away with me.

But I would let you know that I too have something to say about it--something that will set down your swagger, maybe." "It is not thy death we are seeking," answered Steinar; "all we want is to teach thee thy true place." Bersi agreed to fight him, and then went out to a tent apart and took up his abode there.
Now one day the word went round for bathing in the sea.

Said Steinar to Bersi, "Wilt try a race with me, Bersi ?" "I have given over swimming," said he, "and yet I'll try." Bersi's manner of swimming was to breast the waves and strike out with all his might.

In so doing he showed a charm he wore round his neck.
Steinar swam at him and tore off the lucky-stone with the bag it was in, and threw them both into the water, saying in verse:-- (37) "Long I've lived, And I've let the gods guide me; Brown hose I never wore To bring the luck beside me.
I've never knit All to keep me thriving Round my neck a bag of worts, -- And lo! I'm living!" Upon that they struck out to land.
But this turn that Steinar played was Thord's trick to make Bersi lose his luck in the fight.

And Thord went along the shore at low water and found the luck-stone, and hid it away.
Now Steinar had a sword that was called after Skrymir the giant: it was never fouled, and no mishap followed it.