d bade him smear it over
Sigmund's face and feet and a little of it in his mouth. And it was
done as she commanded.

And that same night, as Sigmund sat alone in the wild woods, the
she-wolf came up, according to her wont, and would have slain and
eaten him like his brothers. But first she smelt the honey and began
to lick his face all over, and finally thrust her tongue into his
mouth.

Then Sigmund caught the she-wolf's tongue in his strong teeth and held
fast to it; and she, in her pain and terror, set her feet against the
beam and against the oak, and strained so mightily that beam and oak
gave way, and the chain that bound the prince snapped in twain. And
springing up, he killed the murderer of his brothers, that gaunt
she-wolf, and ran through the wild woods a free man.

Now when Signy knew what had happened she was full of joy; and as her
husband thought that all the Volsungs were dead, and so kept watch
over her no longer, she was able to visit her brother where he lay
hiding in secret. Together they built for him a hut underground in the
wild woods, and they covered up the entrance with branches, moss, and
leaves, so that it was quite hidden from sight. To this retreat Signy
brought food and all things that were needed, and together in secret
they made plans to revenge their father and his nine brave sons.

Now to Siggeir and Signy had been born two sons who, both in nature
and in face, were exactly like their father. When the eldest was ten
years of age, his mother sent him to Sigmund, that he might be trained
by a Volsung to avenge the death of his grandfather.

Late at eventide he came to the earth-dwelling, and when Sigmund had
welcomed the boy he bade him make ready the bread for their evening
meal. "For I," said he, "must go seek firewood." And with these words
he gave the meal bag into his hands and left the hut.

But he could see no trace of any bread making when he came back, so he
asked if the food was ready.

"No," said the boy, "I dared not set hand in the meal sack, because I
saw something move in the meal."

Then Sigmund knew that the boy had the heart of a mouse, and he sent
him back to his mother.

The next winter Signy sent her second son to him, and Sigmund tested
him in like manner. But he too showed his coward's heart, and was sent
home again.

As time went on Signy had another son, whom she called Sinfiotli. He
was tall and strong and fair of face, like unto the Volsungs; and