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252 EELIGION OF THE NOETHMEM.
It may, doulatless, be considered to have been a
departure from the usual custom when sometimes
each of the combatants stood upon his own felld,
beyond which he was not to move so much as a
finger's breadth ; . or
:
when one fought against
several, one after the other, in the same engage-
ment.
Another kind of holmgang, or duel, was the so-
called kergdnga, in which the contending parties
were inclosed in a covered tub or vessel, and there
in the dark exchanged cuts or thrusts,' while they
fended with batons which they held in one hand.
This combat is only found described in a single
place in the Sagas, and may, therefore, be regarded
as having been of rare occurrence. The account is
as follows
" "When the Icelander Thorgils, called Orrabein's
Step-son, came on mercantile business to Upland in
Svi6f)j65 (Sweden), he remained during the winter
with a rich countryman named Thrand, who had a
daughter Sigrid. To her a certain Eandvid, an evil-
disposed fellow, but a great warrior, had paid his
addresses. Thrand refused his consent to the mar-
riage. Thereupon Eandvid challenged Thrand to a
kind of holmgang called kergdnga, in which the
parties shall fight in a covered vessel, having each
a club in his hand. Thrand would rather fight
than give his daughter to so wicked a man.
Then said Thorgils to him, ' Thou hast entertained
me hospitably, I will reward thee accordingly; I
will fight with Eandvid in thy stead.' Thrand
accepted his offer. Thrand had the sword Jar6h&-