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246 EELIGION 01" THE NOKTHMEN.
Egil Skallagrimsson had at tlie same time an in-
heritance to claim ia Norway, whicli a certain Atli
the Short held in possession by an unjust decree of
King Eirik Blood-axe. As Eirik was now banished
from the country, Egil thought that he might per-
haps be able to establish his claims ; he accordingly
repaired to Ask, the residence of Atli, on Fenring
island near Hor5aland, in order to claim his inherit-
ance. Atli refused to pay up, but accepted Egil's
summons to appear at the Oula Thing to have the
case decided. They both accordingly made their
appearance at the Thing. Egil claimed his inherit^
ance before the Tribunal ; but Atli proflCered Tylft-
ar-ei5, or the Oath of twelve men, that he had no
property whatever in his care, belonging to Egil.
" When Atli came before the court (domr) with the
men who were to take oath for him, Egil appeared
against him and said that he woixld not accept Atli's
oaths for his (Egil's) property. 'I will offer thee
another law, this, namely, that we shall go to holm
here at the TTdng, and he who conquers shall have
this property.' This proposition of Egil's was
according to law and ancient usage, i. e., that every
man had the right to challenge another to a h61mgang,
either in prosecution or defense of his cause.
Atli said he would not object to a holmgang with
Egil. They then took each other by the hand and
came to a mutual agreement that they would fight
(gd.nga i h61m), and that the victor should take pos-
session of the disputed lands. Thereupon they
armed themselves for 'the holmgang. EgU went
forth with helmet upon his head, a shield before him