The King sent a message to Gestumblindi bidding him come to him on an appointed day; otherwise the King said that he would send to fetch him. Neither alternative pleased Gestumblindi, because he knew himself to be no match for the King in a contest of words; neither did he think he had much to hope from a trial before the judges, for his offences were many. On the other hand, he knew that if the King had to send men to bring him it would cost him his life. Then he proceeded to sacrifice to Othin and to ask his help, promising him great offerings. One evening a stranger visited Gestumblindi, and said that he also was called Gestumblindi. They were so much alike that neither could be distinguished from the other. They exchanged clothes, and the landowner went into hiding, and everyone thought the stranger was the landowner himself. This man went to visit the King and greeted him. The King looked at him and was silent. Gestumblindi said: "I am come, Sire, to make my peace with you." "Will you stand trial by the judges?" asked the King. "Are there no other means of escape?" asked Gestumblindi. "If," replied the King, "you can ask me riddles which I cannot answer, you shall go free." "I am not likely to be able to do that," replied Gestumblindi; "yet the alternative is severe." "Do you prefer the trial?" asked the King. "Nay," said he, "I would rather ask riddles." "That is quite in order," said the King, "and much depends on the issue. If you can get the better of me you shall marry my daughter and none shall gainsay you. Yet I don't imagine you are very clever, and it has never yet happened that I have been unable to solve the riddles that have been put to me." Then a chair was placed for Gestumblindi, and the people began to listen eagerly to the words of wisdom. Gestumblindi began as follows: XI. I would that I had that which I had yesterday. Guess O King, what that was:--Exhauster of men, retarder of words, yet originator of speech. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! Heithrek replied: Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.--Give him some ale. That is what confounds many people's reason. Some are made garrulous by it, but some become confused in their speech. Gestumblindi said: I went from home, I made my way from home, I looked upon a road of roads. A road was beneath me, a road above and a road on every side. King Heithrek, read me this riddle! Heithrek replied: Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. You went over a bridge, and the course of the river was beneath it, and birds were flying over your head and on either side of you; that was their road; you saw a salmon in the river, and that was his road. Gestumblindi said: