t rose and took his sword from the wall where it had
hung for many days. But the fisherman, watching him, shook his head as
he muttered, 'A sword will be of but little use to-night.'

Undine meanwhile had gone toward the door. She did not open it, but
she called out in a loud voice, 'Remember, whoever you be, spirit of
earth or fire, that if harm befall us my uncle Kuehleborn will punish
you.'

These strange words made the knight marvel. But a voice answered the
maiden, 'I am no wandering spirit, but an old frail man. For the love
of God open your door and give me shelter from the storm.'

At these words Undine, holding a lamp high in one hand, flung the door
wide open with the other. Before her stood an old priest, who looked
upon her with surprise. How came so fair a maiden to be dwelling in so
lonely a home? he wondered, and in his bewilderment he stood still
outside the shelter and warmth which awaited him.

'Will you not enter, holy Father?' said Undine.

The priest roused himself to thank the beautiful maiden, and then
entered the kitchen. Water flowed from his long robe and trickled from
his long white beard and snowy locks.

'Come with me, Father,' said the fisherman, and he drew the priest
into a little room and made him take off all his wet garments. Then,
clad in a suit of dry clothes which belonged to his host, the priest
returned to the kitchen.

The old woman pulled forward her own armchair and made the priest sit
in it, while Undine brought a little stool and put it beneath the feet
of the stranger.

Meanwhile food was placed before the priest. When he had eaten he was
refreshed and able to tell his host how he had reached the island.

'It was but yesterday,' he said, 'that I was sailing across the lake,
when a sudden storm arose. A wave dashed upon my boat, overturning it
and throwing me on to the shore. I lay there stunned for some time.
Then, as I slowly recovered my senses, I saw a footpath before me, and
following it I reached the shelter of your cottage.'

Then the fisherman said to the priest, 'Unless the stream subsides we
shall, I fear, be in need of food. For days I have found it wellnigh
impossible to fish in the lake, and even should I be able to do so I
could not sell my fish. It would be too hard a task to reach the city
beyond the wood until the stream once more runs quietly between its
banks.'

To Huldbrand as he listened it mattered not though the stream rushed
on for ever.