warned his friends to be very wary when they
should arrive at the hall.

"Let all tell this story," said he: "say that Gunther is the king, and
that I am his faithful vassal. The success of our undertaking depends on
this." And his three comrades promised to do as he advised.

As the vessel neared the shore, the whole castle seemed to be alive.
From every tower and turret-window, from every door and balcony,
lords and ladies, fighting-men and serving-men, looked out to see what
strangers these were who came thus unheralded to Isenland. The heroes
went on shore with their steeds, leaving the vessel moored to the bank;
and then they rode slowly up the beach, and across the narrow plain, and
came to the drawbridge and the great gateway, where they paused.

The matchless Brunhild in her chamber had been told of the coming of the
strangers; and she asked the maidens who stood around,--

"Who, think you, are the unknown warriors who thus come boldly to
Isenstein without asking leave? What is their bearing? Do they seem to
be worthy of our notice? or are they some straggling beggars who have
lost their way?"

And one of the maidens, looking through the casement, answered, "The
first is a king, I know, from his noble mien and the respect which his
fellows pay to him. But the second bears himself with a prouder grace,
and seems the noblest of them all. He reminds me much of the brave young
Siegfried of former days. Indeed, it must be Siegfried; for he rides
a steed with sunbeam mane, which can be none other than Greyfell. The
third is a dark and gloomy man: he wears a sullen frown upon his brow,
and his eyes seem to shoot quick glances around. How nervously he grasps
his sword-hilt, as if ever guarding against surprise! I think his temper
must be grim and fiery, and his heart a heart of flint. The fourth
and last of the company is young and fair, and of gentle port. Little
business has he with rude warriors; and many tears, methinks, would be
shed for him at home should harm overtake him. Never before have I
seen so noble a company of strangers in Isenland. Their garments are
of dazzling lustre; their saddles are covered with gem-stones; their
weapons are of unequalled brightness. Surely they are worthy of your
notice."

When Brunhild heard that Siegfried was one of the company, she was
highly pleased, and she hastened to make ready to meet them in the great
hall. And she sent ten worthy lords to open the gate, and to wel