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The old man sat down again slowly, but round the hearth sounded a loud acclamation, and swords rattled in their sheaths. "All hail to Isanbart! hail to Ingo! We give him the rights of hospitality!"

The Prince arose, and closed the council. "I thank our friends and countrymen; let what has been transacted here be told and done, and let no one bear rancor for past words; for it becomes the chiefs of the people to make a unanimous decision, that in the community of the province there may be no doubt or discord to disturb the peace."

Prince Answald went from man to man, and shook hands with each one; Sintram also shook hands, and smiled confidingly, when the Prince looked at him; but Rothari gave a shake of the hand that resounded, and exclaimed at the same time, "It rejoices me;" and with these words of the excitable man a smile passed over the serious faces. The herald opened the door, and the heroes stepped with dignity out of the house on to the meadow, where the circle of their fellow-countrymen were assembled. Then the people's hospitality was accorded to the stranger amid the acclamations of the multitude; they invited him into their circle, and led him afterward, according to holy custom, to the great hearth-kettle of the Prince. Over the kettle the chiefs of the people and Ingo exchanged vows.

Then the Prince addressed the guest:

"The alliance is sworn, and a place shall be prepared for thee in my court, Hero Ingo, that thou mayest have an apartment therein so long as pleaseth thee. But thou thyself must appoint a chamberlain; choose among my retainers any one whom thou likest, only I should be unwilling to give up Hildebrand, the herald, or Theodulf, who is himself of noble race. The others will every one esteem it an honor to give thee an oath of fidelity, and to follow thy footsteps so long as thou tarriest among us, especially when they learn it is agreeable to me."

Then Ingo approached Wolf, and said:

"Thou wast the first to offer the stranger bread and salt at the boundary of the country, and thou hast shown thyself friendly to me ever since. Wilt thou venture to be the companion of a banished man? I have no other treasury but the forest and the heath, if your Prince permits me to seek booty there, and the battlefield with the armlets of slain enemies; thou wilt have to follow a poor lord, and no other reward can I offer thee than kind feeling and help with spear and shield."

Wolf answered:

"Teach me, oh, my lord, to attain thy skill in the battlefield, then am I sure to gain golden treasure, if the gods will permit that I should endure in the fight; yet if they invite thee to their halls, I know that the path along which I follow thee will be full of fame for me also."

He spoke, and made his vow to the guest upon his hand.

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