him without his shield. Ha! what deep wounds he
made in their helmets! Many a bold man staggered before him. Great
honour and praise were Dankwart's. From both sides they sprang at him.
I ween they were too hasty. He fought his way through his foemen like a
wild boar in the forest through the hounds--bolder he could not have
been. His path was ever wet anew with hot blood. When did single knight
withstand foemen better? Proudly Hagen's brother went to court.

The sewers and the cup-bearers heard the clash of swords. Many dropped
the drink and the meats they carried. On the stairs he found stark
enemies enow.

"How now, ye sewers?" cried the weary knight; "see to the guests, and
bear in the good meats to your lords, and let me take my message to my
masters."

They that had the hardihood, and sprang down on him from the stairs, he
smote so fiercely with his sword that they fell back for fear. With his
strength he had done right wonderly.

Thirty-Third Adventure

How Dankwart Brought the News to His Masters

Then bold Dankwart strode in through the door, and bade Etzel's followers
void the way; all his harness was covered with blood. It was a the time
they were carrying Ortlieb to and fro from table to table among the
princes, and through the terrible news the child perished.

Dankwart cried aloud to one of the knights, "Thou sittest here too long,
brother Hagen. To thee, and God in Heaven, I bewail our wrong. Knights
and squires lie dead in our hall."

Hagen called back to him, "Who hath done it?"

"Sir Bloedel and his men. He paid for it bitterly, I can tell thee. I
smote off his head with my hands."

"He hath paid too little," said Hagen, "since it can be said of him that
he hath died by the hand of a hero. His womenfolk have the less cause to
weep. Now tell me, dear brother; wherefore art thou so red? I ween thy
wounds are deep. If he be anywhere near that hath done it, and the Devil
help him not, he is a dead man."

"Unwounded I stand. My harness is wet with the blood of other men,
whereof I have to-day slain so many, that I cannot swear to the number."

Hagen said, "Brother Dankwart, keep the door, and let not a single Hun
out; I will speak with the knights as our wrong constraineth me.
Guiltless, our followers lie dead."

"To such great kings will I gladly be chamberlain," said the bold man; "I
will guard the stairs faithfully."

Kriemhild's men were sore dismayed.

"I ma