es; only that men did not grow on them, but that two
heathen gods--Hermegisel called them demons--once found an ash and an
alder lying on the sea-shore, and from them they framed a man and a
woman. They still sing an old song about it. Hildebrand knew a few
words of it, but my father could not remember it."

"I would rather believe that. But, at all events, there were very few
people at the beginning?"

"To be sure."

"And at first there was only _one_ family?"

"Certainly."

"And the old ones generally died before the young ones?"

"Of course."

"Then I tell thee what, grandfather. Either the race of men must have
died out, or, as it still exists--and thou seest that is what I am
coming to--brothers and sisters must often have married each other,
until more families were formed."

"Adalgoth, the fairies are riding thee! Thou speakest nonsense!"

"Not at all. And, in short, if it could happen before, it can happen
now; and I will have my sister Gotho for my wife."

The old man ran to stop the boy's mouth by force; but the lad evaded
him and said:

"I know all that thou wouldst say. The priests from Tridentum would
soon get to know of it here, and tell the King's Earl. But I can go
with her to some distant land, where no one knows us. And she will go
with me, I know."

"Indeed! Thou knowest that already?"

"Yes; I am sure."

"But this thou dost not know, Adalgoth," the old man now said, gravely
and decidedly: "that to-night is the last which thou wilt spend upon
the 'Iffinger.' Up, Adalgoth! I command thee--I, thy grandfather and
guardian! Thou hast a sacred duty to perform--the duty of revenge! Thou
wilt fulfil it at the court, and with the army of Totila. A duty
bequeathed to thee by thine uncle Wargs--bequeathed to thee by
thine ancestor. Thou art now old and strong enough to undertake it.
To-morrow, at dawn of day, thou wilt start for the south--for Italia,
where King Totila punishes evil-doers, helps the good cause, and fights
against that wretch, Cethegus. Follow me to my chamber. I have to hand
over to thee a jewel, which was left for thee by thine uncle Wargs, and
to give thee many a word of counsel. But do not speak about it to
Gotho; do not make her heart heavy. If thou obeyest thine uncle's
orders and my counsel, thou wilt become a mighty and joyous hero in
King Totila's court. And then, but only then, thou shalt again see
Gotho!"

Very grave and pale, the youth followed his grandfather in