s followers to hide themselves and not to stir
till he signed to them to do so. In another moment Wayland stood in
the doorway, carrying on his shoulders a bear which he had killed with
his spear and was bringing home for supper. He was both tired and
hungry, for he had been hunting all day; but he had first to skin the
animal, and make a bright fire, before he could cut off some steaks
and cook them at the end of the spear. Then he poured some mead into a
cup and drank, as he always did, to the memory of his brothers. After
that he spread out his bear's skin to dry in the wind, and this done
he stretched himself out on his bed and went to sleep.

King Nidud waited till he thought all was safe, then crept forth with
his men, who held heavy chains in their hands wherewith to chain the
sleeping Wayland. But the task was harder than they expected, and he
started up in wrath, asking why he should be treated so. 'If you want
my gold, take it and release me. It is useless fighting against such
odds.'

'I am no robber,' said the King, 'but Nidud your sovereign.'

'You do me much honour,' replied Wayland, 'but what have I done to be
loaded with chains like this?'

'Wayland, I know you well,' said Nidud. 'Poor enough you were when you
came from Finland, and now your jewels are finer and your drinking
cups heavier than mine.'

'If I am indeed a thief,' answered Wayland, 'then you do well to load
me with chains and lead me bound into your dungeons; but if not, I ask
again, Why do you misuse me?'

'Riches do not come of themselves,' said Nidud, 'and if you are not a
thief, then you must be a magician and must be watched.'

'If I were a magician,' answered Wayland, 'it would be easy for me to
burst these bonds. I know not that ever I have wronged any man, but if
he can prove it I will restore it to him tenfold. As to the gifts that
may come from the gods, no man should grudge them to his fellow.
Therefore release me, O King, and I will pay whatever ransom you may
fix.'

But Nidud only bade his guards take him away, and Wayland, seeing that
resistance availed nothing, went with them quietly. By the King's
orders he was thrown into a dark hole fifteen fathoms under ground,
and the soldiers then came and robbed the house of all its treasures,
which they took to the Palace. The ring which Wayland had made for his
wife, Nidud gave to his daughter Banvilda.

One day the Queen was playing the harp in her own room when the King