as easy to alight as it is to fly," was the answer, "I
should fly away and you would never see me again."

"I will alter what is wrong," said the smith, making a slight change
in the shirt. Then with Eigil's help he put on the feathers, flapped
his wings and rose into the air. He lighted on a turret of the castle
and called down to Eigil.

"I did not tell you the truth when I said that you should alight
_with_ the wind, for I knew that if you found out how easy it was to
fly you would never give me the shirt back again. You can see for
yourself that all birds rise against the wind and alight in the same
way. I am going home to my own country, but first I must have a few
words with Nidung. And, remember, if he bids you shoot me, shoot under
the left wing, for there I have fastened a bladder filled with blood."

With these words Wayland flew to the highest tower of the king's
castle and called to the king as he passed with his courtiers.

[Illustration: WAYLAND THE SMITH, WEARING THE WINGS HE HAD FASHIONED]

"Are you a bird, Wayland?" asked the king.

"Sometimes I am a bird and sometimes a man," was the reply; "but now I
am going away from here and never again will you have me in your
power. Listen while I speak. You promised once to give me your
daughter and the half of your kingdom, but you made of me instead an
outcast--because I defended myself and killed the wretches who would
have taken my life.

"You surprised me while I slept and stole my arms and my treasures;
and not satisfied with that you laid a net for my feet and made of me
a cripple. But I have had my revenge. Do you know where your sons
are?"

"My sons!" cried Nidung. "Oh, tell me what you know of them."

"I will tell you, but first you must swear to me by the deck of the
ship and the edge of the shield, by the back of the horse and the
blade of the sword that you will do no harm to my wife and child."

Nidung swore and Wayland began his speech:

"Go to my smithy, and there in the cave you will find the remains of
your sons. I killed them, and of their bones made vessels for your
table. Your daughter Badhild is my wife. So have I repaid evil with
evil, and our connection is ended."

With these words he flew away, while Nidung in great anger cried:
"Eigil, shoot at Wayland."

"I cannot harm my own brother," replied Eigil.

"Shoot," cried the king, "or I will kill you."

Then Eigil laid an arrow in his bow and shot Wayland as he had been