from his breast,
for now he knew that the hoped-for help was at hand. And, smiling he
answered the queen,--

"Those white-sailed ships are mine. My body-guard--a thousand of my
trustiest fighting-men--are on board, and every man is ready to die for
me."

And as the vessels came into the harbor, and the sailors furled the
sails, and cast the anchors into the sea, Siegfried was seen standing on
the golden prow of his ship, arrayed in princely raiment, with his earls
and chiefs around him. And their bright armor glittered in the sunlight,
and their burnished shields shone like so many golden mirrors. A fairer
sight had the folk of Isenstein never seen.

Long and earnestly Queen Brunhild gazed, and then, turning away, she
burst into tears; for she knew that she had been again outwitted, and
that it was vain for her to struggle against the Norns' decrees. Then,
crushing back the grief and the sore longing that rose in her heart, she
spoke again to Gunther, and her eyes shone stern and strange.

"What now will you have me do?" she asked; "for you have fairly won
me, and my wayward fancies shall no longer vex you. Shall I greet your
friends with kindness, or shall we send them back again over the sea?"

"I pray you give them welcome to the broad halls of Isenstein," he
answered; "for no truer, nobler men live than these my liegemen."

So the queen sent word to Siegfried and his Nibelungen warriors to leave
the ships and come ashore. And she herself, as radiant now as a morning
in May, went down to meet them and welcome them. Then she had a great
feast made in honor of the heroes, and the long, low-raftered feast-hall
rang with the sounds of merriment, instead of with the clash of arms.
The fair-haired, blue-eyed warriors of the queen sat side by side with
the tall strangers from over the sea. And in the high-seat was Brunhild,
her face exceeding pale, yet beauteous to behold; and by her side sat
Gunther, smiling and glad, and clad in his kingly raiments. And around
them were the earls and chieftains, and many a fair lady of Isenland,
and Hagen, smiling through his frowns, and Dankwart, now grown fearless,
and Siegfried sad and thoughtful. Mirth and gladness ruled the hour, and
not until the morning star began to fade in the coming sunlight lid the
guests retire to rest.

Only a few days longer did the heroes tarry in Isenland; for the mild
spring days were growing warmer, and all faces were southward turned,
and the q