tures of the famous legendary hero, Dietrich of Berne,
the historical Theodorich of Ravenna. In as far as it contains the
adventures of the Nibelungs, it is also called the "Niflungasaga". The
"Thidreksaga" was written about 1250 by a Norwegian who, as he himself
tells us, heard the story from Germans in the neighborhood of Bremen
and Munster. Since it is thus based on Saxon traditions, it can be
considered an independent source of the legend, and, in fact, differs
from the earlier Norse versions in many important details. The author
was acquainted, however, with the older versions, and sought to
compromise between them, but mostly followed his German authorities.

The story, as given in the older Norse versions, is in most respects
more original than in the "Nibelungenlied". It relates the history of
the treasure of the Nibelungs, tracing it back to a giant by the name of
"Hreithmar", who received it from the god "Loki" as a compensation for
the killing of the former's son "Otur", whom Loki had slain in the form
of an otter. Loki obtained the ransom from a dwarf named "Andwari",
who in turn had stolen it from the river gods of the Rhine. Andwari
pronounces a terrible curse upon the treasure and its possessors, and
this curse passes from Loki to the Giant Hreithmar, who is murdered when
asleep by his two sons "Fafnir" and "Regin". The latter, however, is
cheated out of the coveted prize by Fafnir, who carries it away to the
"Gnita" heath, where he guards it in the form of a dragon.

This treasure, with its accompanying curse, next passes into the hands
of a human being named Sigurd (the Norse form of Siegfried, as we have
seen), a descendant of the race of the Volsungs, who trace their history
back to Wodan and are especially favored by him. The full story of
Siegfried's ancestry is far too long to relate here, and does not
especially concern us, as it has little or no influence on the later
development of the story. It is sufficient for our purpose to know that
Siegfried was the son of Siegmund, who was slain in battle before the
birth of his son. Sigurd was carefully reared by his mother "Hjordis"
and the wise dwarf Regin, who taught him the knowledge of runes and
of many languages. (2) At the suggestion of Regin, Sigurd asks for and
receives the steed "Grani" from the king, and is then urged by his tutor
to help him obtain the treasure guarded by the latter's brother Fafnir.
Sigurd promises, but first demands a sword