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First two horses were placed beside each other, head by head and tail by tail. The leaper drew back, and with a short run sprang over. Almost all were successful in the leap, but with three horses only a few succeeded, and Theodulf alone was able to leap over four, and as he drew back into the crowd behind the horses, he made a gesture with his hand to the attendants. The stranger bowed his head a little, and made the same leap so easily that the field resounded with applause. Then Theodulf called for a fifth horse to be added --- a difficult leap seldom accomplished by the most agile. But the Thuringian was irritated, and determined to do the utmost. He himself disposed the horses differently, that the gray might stand as fifth, then he looked round him, received the acclamations of his friends, and ventured on the mighty leap. He got over, but in coming down he touched the gray with his back. While, however, stepping forward and rejoicing in the hurrahs of the people, a still louder acclamation sounded behind him, and turning round, he saw the stranger, who this time rapidly and easily, without touching, had accomplished the leap. The Thuringian grew pale with rage; he went silently to his place, and endeavored in vain to suppress the jealousy that shone forth from his eyes. The old men, however, went up to the stranger, and praised his agility, and the old Chief said, "I perceive, stranger, if thy bearing does not deceive me, that thou art not ignorant of the leap over six horses also, which is called the King's leap, and in which a hero does not succeed in every generation. I saw it once when I was young, but my people never." And he cried aloud, "Bring the sixth horse thither!"

Then there arose a murmur in the circle, and the more distant pressed nearer, while the youths hastened to place the horse. But the Princess stepped up to Ingo: she was grieved at the discomfiture of her relation, and said in a low tone to the guest: "Consider well, hero; the arrow of the hunter easily hits the mountain cock, when on spreading his wings he raises his voice." But Ingo looked at Irmgard, who was standing in joyful expectation behind her mother, and gave him a friendly smile, and he answered with glowing cheeks:

"Do not be angry with me, Princess. I have been called for; I did not intrude myself into the struggle; unwillingly does a man renounce the offered honor."

He stepped back for the spring, raised himself powerfully in the air, and accomplished the leap, so that all the people shouted; and when he returned, he heeded not the displeased look of the Princess; he rejoiced that he had succeeded, and that Irmgard's face brightened with a rosy tint. The spectators for a long time kept moving about among one another, speaking of the boldness of the stranger, and extolling him, till other objects were placed for the contest of the men. Ingo from thenceforth stood quiet near the chiefs, and no one called him to a new struggle.

The sun was already sinking, when the herald approached the Prince, and invited the company to the repast. The men obeyed the call cheerfully; they returned in procession to the house, and ascended the steps to the hall. The herald and the high steward walked before them, and arranged each one at the tables in the hall according to his rank and position. This was an anxious task, for every one desired the place that suited him --- either at the table of the Chieftain, or near him, and rather on the right side than the left. There was a long row of tables; the seats for the most distinguished had supports for the arms, and those for others of less distinction had high backs; for the younger ones there were good stools. It was difficult to satisfy all with a seat of honor, but the herald understood his office, and knew how to recommend to many their places, on account either of their neighbor, or of being near the ladies, or of having a good view of the hall. Nearest to the door were placed the companions of the master of the house, in a long row; there Theodulf had a place of honor; and on the opposite side, but quite below, sat the stranger. Then, when all were sitting in expectation, the cup-bearer entered with the servants, carrying in beautiful wooden goblets the greeting draft; the host rose, and drank to the good health of the guests, and all stood up and emptied their goblets. Then came the high steward, with his staff, and behind him a long row of servants, who set the first course on the table; then each one took the knife which he carried by his side, and began the meal vigorously.

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