eet is heard; third, a wolf
howling under boughs of ash. But see to it, that none of thy warriors
look at the moon as she sets, nor trip up their feet as they march out
to meet their foe. Let each warrior be well washed, well combed, and
well fed--and if all these things come to pass, then have no fear as
to who shall win the day."

Even as he spoke the wind abated, and the waves were stilled, and the
ships were thenceforth wafted by friendly breezes to the shores of the
realm of the sons of Hunding. But the instant they landed the
mysterious stranger vanished, and by this Sigurd knew that once again
he had been visited by All-Father Odin; and he went on his way
rejoicing.

And as he passed up the strand a raven sitting upon a tree croaked at
him; a short way farther on a wolf crouched howling under an ash; and
as he approached the court of the king, the two sons of Hunding
advanced from the courtyard to see what was meant by the tramp of
armed men.

Now the news of the coming of the strangers soon spread far and wide
over the land, and the people rose with one accord in defence of Lygni
their king.

So he advanced upon Sigurd with a vast host, and an exceedingly fierce
fight began. Skulls were split, helmets shivered, and shields cut in
two, full many times ere that day's work was done. Ever in the front
of the fight rode Sigurd, with his good sword flashing, and
wheresoever he went his foes fell back before him, for his like had
never been seen by any man.

Then came against him the sons of Hunding, and Sigurd smote them down,
one after the other, beginning with Lygni the king, until there were
none left, and very few of their folk.

Then away sailed Sigurd, flushed with victory, to his mother and his
stepfather, by whom he was received with much honour. But when he had
been at home a little while, Regin came to him and said: "Perhaps now
thou wilt have leisure to keep thy word and humble the crest of Fafnir
to the earth, since thou hast avenged thy father and others of the
Volsung kin."

And Sigurd answered: "That will I hold to, for I have pledged my
word."

So it came to pass that Sigurd and Regin rode together to the heath
where Fafnir dwelt; and they passed along the way by which the dragon
was wont to creep down to the water to drink. So long was this
terrible creature that he would lie crouched on a cliff sixty feet
high when he drank of the water below. When Sigurd saw the huge tracks
that he had