r
huntsman might not have done this deed so lightly. When he had felled
him, they leashed the sleuth-hound; his rich booty was soon well known
to the Burgundian men.

Then spake his huntsman: "Sir Siegfried, if might so be, let us leave a
deal of the beasts alive. Ye'll empty both our hill and woods to-day."

At this the brave knight and a bold gan smile. Then the calls of men and
the baying of hounds were heard on every side; so great was the noise
that both hill and pine woods echoed with the sound. The huntsmen had
let loose full four and twenty packs. Then passing many beasts must
needs lose their lives. Each man weened to bring it to pass that men
should give him the prize of the hunt; that might not be, for the
stalwart Siegfried was already standing by the fire. The chase was over,
and yet not quite. Those who would to the camp-fire brought with them
thither hides of many beasts and game in plenty. Ho, how much the king's
meiny bare then to the kitchen!

Then bade the king announce to the huntsman that he would dismount. A
horn was blown full loud just once, that all might know that one might
find the noble prince in camp. Spake then one of Siegfried's huntsmen:
"My lord, I heard by the blast of a horn that we must now hie us to the
quarters; I'll now give answer."

Thus by many blasts of horns they asked about the hunters. Then spake
Sir Siegfried: "Now let us leave the pine wood!" His steed bare him
smoothly and with him they hasted hence. With their rout they started
up a savage beast; a wild bear it was. Quoth then the knight to those
behind: "I'll give our fellowship a little pastime. Let loose the brach.
Forsooth I spy a bear which shall journey with us to the camp. Flee he
never so fast, he shall not escape us."

The brach was loosed, the bear sprang hence; Kriemhild's husband would
fain overtake him. He reached a thicket, where none could follow. The
mighty beast weened now to escape from the hunter with his life, but the
proud knight and a good leaped from his steed and began to chase him.
The bear was helpless and could not flee away. At once the hero caught
it and bound it quickly with not a wound, so that it might neither
scratch nor bite the men. The doughty knight then tied it to his saddle
and horsed him quickly. Through his overweening mood the bold warrior
and a good brought it to the camp-fire as a pastime. In what lordly wise
he rode to the quarters! Mickle was his boar-spear, strong and b