from the
company so that none else would follow them, said to him as they were
setting out for the spring: "Men say, Siegfried, that none can keep pace
with you when you run. Let us see now."

"That may easily be proved," said Siegfried. "Let us run to the brook
for a wager, and see who wins there first. If I lose I will lay me
before you in the grass. Nay, I will more, for I will carry with me
spear, shield, and hunting gear."

Then did he gird on his weapons, even to his quiver, while the others
stripped, and off they set. But Siegfried easily passed them and arrived
at the lime-tree where was the well. But he would not drink first for
courtesy, even although he was sore athirst.

Gunther came up, bent down to the water, and drank of the pure, cool
well. Siegfried then bent him to drink also. But the false Hagen,
carrying his bow and sword out of reach, sprang back and gripped the
hero's mighty spear. Then looked he for the secret mark on his vesture
that Kriemhild had worked.

As Siegfried drank from the stream Hagen poised the great spear and
plunged it between the hero's shoulders. Deeply did the blade pierce
through the spot where lay the secret mark, so that the blood spurted
out on the traitor's garments. Hagen left the spear deep in Siegfried's
heart and flew in grim haste from the place.

Though wounded to the death, Siegfried rose from the stream like a
maddened lion and cast about him for a weapon. But nothing came to his
hand but his shield. This he picked up from the water's edge and ran
at Hagen, who might not escape him, for, sore wounded as he was, so
mightily did he smite that the shield well-nigh burst and the jewels
which adorned it flew in flinders. The blow rang across the meadow as
Hagen fell beneath the stroke.

It was Siegfried's last blow. His countenance was already that of a dead
man. He could not stand upright. Down he crashed among the flowers;
fast flowed his blood; in his agony he began to upbraid those who had
contrived his death.

"Cowards and caitiffs," he cried, "is this the price you pay me for my
fealty to you? Ill have you done by your friends, for sons of yours as
yet unborn will feel the weight of this deed. You have vented your spite
on my body; but for this dastard crime all good knights shall shun you."

Now all surrounded him, and those that were true among them mourned for
him. Gunther also wept. But the dying man, turning to him, said: "Does
he weep for the evil f