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"They are old friends."

"Are there strangers among them?"

"No one," answered the noble maiden, hesitatingly, "save a poor wanderer."

"Then be without anxiety," concluded the minstrel; "I know the disposition of our people, and how one must mix their evening drink for them."

While the noble maiden went through a side door to the arbor, the minstrel entered the hall. As he stood on the threshold a hurrah and greeting echoed again loud from the roof.

With pride Volkmar perceived that he was a favorite; he passed with agile step into the open space before the table of the Chieftain, and bowed low to him and to the Princess.

"A thousand times welcome to thee, thou beloved of the people!" the Prince called out to him; "the birds of our district which departed in the winter have long been singing their summer song; only for the singer of the heroes have we looked in vain."

"I have not heard the birds in the air announcing the summer. I have only heard the warhounds of the gods howling in the wind, and looked at the colored cloud-bridges on which the heroes in endless hosts have been carried up to the halls of the gods. I saw the Rhine flowing in red waves, covered with bodies of men and horses. I beheld the battlefield, and the bloody valley where heaps of the slain lay as food for the ravens, and I know that Kings with fettered limbs are awaiting execution in the Roman camp."

A loud outcry followed these words. "Give us an account, Volkmar; we listen," said the Prince.

The minstrel passed his fingers over the strings; there was such a stillness in the room that one might have heard the deep breathing of the guests. Then he touched the strings, and began, first relating, then singing with raised voice and melodious cadence, his account of the battle between the Allemanns and the Romans. He gave the name of the Kings and the Kings' children who had gone with the Allemanns over the Rhine against Cæsar, and had in the first instance put the horsemen of Rome to flight, as well as the first rank in the battle. After that he sang:

"Behind the second rank of the Roman host Cæsar rode, giving orders from his horse; over him floated as a banner the picture of a dragon --- the gigantic reptile with spiral body, the holy battle-sign of the Romans; the reptile was red and purple, and out of its widespread jaws proceeded tongues of flame. And Cæsar called the Bavarians and Franks to the front.

"Forward, you German heroes! my Romans can not stand the assault of the enemy.' The herald rode forward, and the Franks, shining brightly, raised themselves from the ground, and arranged their troops. Aimo, son of Arnfried, swung his sword powerfully in front of the battle."

"That is my brother!" called out one from one of the tables. "Health to Aimo!" was called out from another corner of the hall.

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