time there lived in the Netherlands, in Xante, a wonderful
castle on the river Rhine, a mighty king and queen. Siegmund and
Sieglinde were their names, and far and wide were they known. Yet their
son, the glorious hero Siegfried, was still more widely celebrated. Even
as a boy he performed so many daring feats that his bravery was talked
of in all German lands.

The two most remarkable of these feats were the slaying of a frightful
monster known as the "Dragon of the Linden-tree" and the capture of the
rich treasure of the Nibelungs. The hoard was an ancient one and had
this wonderful property--that no matter how much was taken from it the
quantity was never less.

All this happened before Siegfried reached the age of manhood. When it
was time for the youth to be knighted, King Siegmund sent invitations
far and wide throughout the country, and a great celebration took place.
Siegfried was solemnly girded with a sword and permitted to take his
place among the warriors of the kingdom. Then there was a great
tournament, a wonderful occasion for Siegfried, who came off victor in
every encounter, although many tried warriors matched their skill
against his. Altogether the festivities lasted seven whole days.

After the guests had departed, Siegfried asked permission of his parents
to travel into Burgundy to seek as bride for himself Kriemhild, the
maiden of whose great beauty and loveliness he had heard.

Gunther, the king of Burgundy, recognizing the young hero, went out to
meet him and politely inquired the cause of his visit. Imagine his
dismay when Siegfried proposed a single combat, in which the victor
might claim the land and allegiance of the vanquished. Neither Gunther
nor any of his knights would accept the challenge; but Gunther and his
brother hastened forward with proffers of unbounded hospitality.

Siegfried lingered a year in Gunther's palace, and though he never
caught a glimpse of the fair maid Kriemhild, she often admired his
strength and manly beauty from behind the palace windows.

One day a herald arrived from King Ludeger of Saxony and King Ludegast
of Denmark, announcing an invasion. Gunther was dismayed; but the brave
Siegfried came to the rescue, saying that if Gunther would give him only
one thousand brave men he would repel the enemy. This was done and the
little army marched into Saxony and routed the twenty thousand valiant
soldiers of the enemy's force. All the men did brave work, but Siegf