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"Forgive us, oh Prince, if in our joy we have forgotten to seek for thy favor. These men are banished, like myself; for my sake they abandoned their beloved home, and they also have neither parents nor friends; but to one another we are blood-brothers for life and death, and our pride is, that we honor one another, and share fortune and misfortune, as long as we remain homeless wanderers on the earth. On their true hearts alone rests the throne of poor Ingo; where they lay their heads down, there must his also repose. Thou hast received me kindly; but now I have become a host, and I am uncertain what thy views may be about me."

"They are all welcome," exclaimed Answald, with warmth of heart; "the manor is large, and the barns are all full: a greeting to you, noble guests."

"But I advise," interposed Bero, cautiously, "that thou, Chieftain of the district, shouldst divide the strangers among the villages. All the neighbors will receive them willingly as guests; then every one will have his share, and none will be burdened. For they lead also with cord horses gained as booty --- among them capital animals; see this gray, my lord! Many a neighbor would be pleased to purchase a horse, and to listen in the winter at the hearth-fire to the warlike adventures of the strangers."

Answald laughed, but he replied eagerly: "Thou thinkest rightly, Bero; but the house must have the first right, and this time, neighbor, it must not be taken from it. You guests will lodge in the sleeping-room with my boys; there you may remain sheltered from the winter storms."

"My intention was good," said Bero. "Lead my brown horse here, Frida." He approached an old warrior among the Vandals, gave him his hand, and said, "Remember our conversation. You stand now on the Prince's land; if any of you should at a future time desire to be under the roof of the peasant, you will be welcome on the free moor." He spoke a few more words to his daughter, then sprang upon his horse, and, giving a last greeting, trotted along the valley.

Ingo now led his comrades one by one up to the master of the house, giving their names. Foremost stood an aged warrior, whose limbs seemed cast in bronze; his features were marked, his looks bold, and his long gray beard hung down --- a hero who one could see was accustomed to battles, and hardened against every danger.

"This is Berthar, a noble man. He led me, when I was a boy, under the protection of his shield, from his burning house, my last place of refuge within the boundary of my country. The Burgundians, who were then in alliance with my uncle, had set fire to it; since then he has been my teacher in all warlike work; as a father he has guarded my youth; I have to thank him if I have not been unworthy of my ancestors."

As Answald offered his hand to the Hero, he answered:

"I remember the day when my father entertained thine at his house; it was an autumn day like today, and there had been good sport on the mountains which we call the 'Giant Mountains.' I killed the first boar, and Hero Irmfried invited me jokingly to hunt in the forest hills of Thuringia. I have journeyed long, and white hairs appeared on my head before I entered thy precincts; but now I am here, oh, my lord, and ready, if thou permit me, to follow thee on the hunting-path."

This speech delighted the Prince; he also named his companions to the stranger, according to their rank, and desired both parties to be good comrades to each other. Then he rode forward with Irmgard, in order that Ingo might have confidential talk with his restored friends. And when the Vandals were again alone, they once more raised their acclamations, and rode together in joyful tumult. Again questions and answers passed to and fro, till Berthar led the troop to the house. It was difficult to keep the rank, for the faithful friends were ever pressing round their lord, and their cries echoed from the mountains. Ingo on the way said to Berthar:

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