"Not so," answered Siegfried gayly. "Think not I would scorn a fee. Had
I a kingdom of thirty realms, I should still be proud of a gift from
you."

"Then, you shall have your herald's fee!" cried Kriemhild; and she sent
her maidens to fetch the gift. And with her own lily hands she gave him
twenty golden bracelets, richly inwrought with every kind of rare and
costly gem-stones. Happy, indeed, was Siegfried to take such priceless
gift from the hand of so peerless a maiden; and his face shone radiant
with sunbeams as he humbly bowed, and thanked her. But he had no need
for the jewels, nor wished he to keep them long: so he gave them, with
gracious wishes, to the fair young maidens at court.

From this time forward, for many days, there was great bustle in
Gunther's dwelling. On every side was heard the noise of busy hands,
making ready for the glad day when the king should be welcomed home.
The broad halls and the tall gray towers were decked with flowers, and
floating banners, and many a gay device; the houses and streets of the
pleasant burgh put on their holiday attire; the shady road which led
through Kriemhild's rose-garden down to the river-banks was dusted and
swept with daily care; and the watchman was cautioned to keep on the
lookout every moment for the coming of the expected fleet. And heralds
had been sent to every burgh and castle, and to every countryside in
Burgundy, announcing the happy home-coming of Gunther and his bride, and
bidding every one, both high and low, to the glad merry-making.

On the morning of the eleventh day, ere the sun had dried the dew from
the springing grass, the keen-eyed watchman, in his perch on the topmost
tower, cried out in happy accents to the waiting folk below,--

"They come at last! I see the white-winged ships still far down the
stream. But a breeze springs up from the northward, and the sailors are
at the oars, and swift speed the hastening vessels, as if borne on the
wings of the wind. Ride forth, O ye brave and fair, to welcome the fair
and the brave!"

Then quickly the king-folk, and the warriors, and fair ladies, mounted
their ready steeds, and gayly through the gates of the castle they rode
out river-wards. And Ute, the noble queen-mother, went first. And the
company moved in glittering array, with flying banners, and music, and
the noisy flourish of drums, adown the rose-covered pathway which led
to the water's side. And the peerless Kriemhild followed, with