told truly of the Valkyrias,"
murmured he. "Strike, then, thou unknown conqueror."

But with this the knight did not comply, neither was it a Valkyria who
had so suddenly appeared, but the beautiful wife of the stranger,
who, having advanced to the high edge of the vessel, had thus met the
upraised look of Sintram.

"Folko," cried she, in the softest tone, "thou knight without reproach!
I know that thou sparest the vanquished."

The knight sprang up, and with courtly grace stretched out his hand to
the conquered youth, saying, "Thank the noble lady of Montfaucon for
your life and liberty. But if you are so totally devoid of all goodness
as to wish to resume the combat, here am I; let it be yours to begin."

Sintram sank, deeply ashamed, on his knees, and wept; for he had often
heard speak of the high renown of the French knight Folko of Montfaucon,
who was related to his father's house, and of the grace and beauty of
his gentle lady Gabrielle.

CHAPTER 6

The Lord of Montfaucon looked with astonishment at his strange foe; and
as he gazed on him more and more, recollections arose in his mind of
that northern race from whom he was descended, and with whom he had
always maintained friendly relations. A golden bear's claw, with which
Sintram's cloak was fastened, at length made all clear to him.

"Have you not," said he, "a valiant and far-famed kinsman, called the
Sea-king Arinbiorn, who carries on his helmet golden vulture-wings? And
is not your father the knight Biorn? For surely the bear's claw on your
mantle must be the cognisance of your house."

Sintram assented to all this, in deep and humble shame.

The Knight of Montfaucon raised him from the ground, and said gravely,
yet gently, "We are, then, of kin the one to the other; but I could
never have believed that any one of our noble house would attack
a peaceful man without provocation, and that, too, without giving
warning."

"Slay me at once," answered Sintram, "if indeed I am worthy to die by so
noble hands. I can no longer endure the light of day."

"Because you have been overcome?" asked Montfaucon. Sintram shook his
head.

"Or is it, rather, because you have committed an unknightly action?"

The glow of shame that overspread the youth's countenance said yes to
this.

"But you should not on that account wish to die," continued Montfaucon.
"You should rather wish to live, that you may prove your repentance, and
make your name illustrio