water. I could not drive him out into the stormy night."

The chieftain grew dark with anger as he said: "Because it is the sacred
law of my country that none shall be turned from the door who seek
shelter from the night, this intruder may stay until the morning. Then
he shall fight for his life."

Siegmund knew now that he was in the house of the fierce Hunding.

Taking the woman by the arm, Hunding led her from the room, and Siegmund
was left alone to think how he might save himself.

Long he leaned upon the hearth in troubled silence. Then, knowing he
must flee, he turned toward the door.

That moment the last flickering light of the dying fire flashed upon the
hilt of the magic sword in the ash tree.

Siegmund saw it, and, springing forward, he grasped its hilt. Then,
bracing himself against the tree, with one mighty pull, behold! he drew
the bright blade from its sheath.

THE WAR-MAIDENS

Wotan gathered to Valhalla a company of nine war-maidens. They were
called the Walkuere.

They were strong, beautiful young women, who rode through the clouds
upon swift horses.

The horses could not only run on the ground; they could fly through the
air.

The maidens wore wings upon their helmets, and each wore a splendid
silver armor which glittered and flashed in the sunshine.

Wherever there was a battle on the earth, Wotan would send a
battle-maiden for the most valiant hero on the field.

The maiden would fly over the battlefield and watch while the warriors
fought.

When the bravest man was wounded, she would quickly swoop down, and,
snatching him up, would fly with him to Valhalla, where he was revived
by fair Freya.

[Illustration]

Sometimes, when evening came, every one of the war-maidens rode into
Valhalla carrying a noble hero.

This was Wotan's plan for protecting the palace.

After a while he would have at the castle a company of the bravest
heroes of the earth.

He hoped he would then be happier.

The heroes would protect the beautiful Valhalla in time of danger.

WOTAN'S WIFE

Morning dawned.

The king of the giants went forth from his castle and called Brunhilde,
his favorite battle-maiden.

He loved Brunhilde more than any other of the Walkuere.

She was the bravest of them all.

He loved her as a father loves a daughter.

"Brunhilde," said Wotan, "to-day there is to be a fearful battle. The
fierce Hunding is to fight with my dearest friend--the valiant Siegmund.

"Long