y sweet-faced maidens; and
in it, on an ivory throne deep-carved with mystic runes, sat glorious
Brunhild. Behind rode the queen-mother and her kingly sons, and frowning
Hagen, and Dankwart, and Volker, and all the earl-folk and mighty
warriors of Burgundy and of Nibelungen Land. And lastly came Kriemhild
and her hundred damsels, sitting on their snow-white steeds. And they
rode past the blooming gardens, and through the glad streets of the
burgh, and then, like a radiant vision, they entered the castle-halls;
and the lovely pageant was seen no more.

For twelve days after this, a joyful high-tide was held at the castle;
and the broad halls rang with merriment and music and festive mirth.
And games and tournaments were held in honor of the king's return.
Brave horsemen dashed here and there at break-neck speed, or contended
manfully in the lists; lances flew thick in the air; shouts and glad
cries were heard on every hand; and for a time the most boisterous
tumult reigned. But gladness and good-feeling ruled the hour, and no one
thought of aught but merry-making and careless joy. At length, when
the days of feasting were past, the guests bade Gunther and his queen
farewell; and each betook himself to his own home, and to whatsoever
his duty called him. And one would have thought that none but happy days
were henceforth in store for the kingly folk of Burgundy. But alas!
too soon the cruel frost and the cold north winds nipped the buds and
blossoms of the short summer, and the days of gladness gave place to
nights of gloom.

Adventure XVII. How Siegfried Lived in Nibelungen Land.

When the twelve-days' high-tide at King Gunther's home-coming had
been brought to an end, and the guests had all gone to their homes,
Siegfried, too, prepared to bid farewell to the Rhineland kings, and to
wend to his own country. But he was not to go alone; for Kriemhild, the
peerless princess, was to go with him as his bride. They had been wedded
during the merry festivities which had just closed, and that event had
added greatly to the general joy; for never was there a fairer or a
nobler pair than Siegfried the fearless, and Kriemhild the peerless.

"It grieves my heart to part with you," said Gunther, wringing
Siegfried's hand. "It will fare but ill with us, I fear, when we no
longer see your radiant face, or hear your cheery voice."

"Say not so, my brother," answered Siegfried; "for the gods have many
good things in stor