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"You would act like the fox with the farmer's wife, when he said to her, 'I will pay thee for the fowl, if thou ask nothing for it!'"

And Isanbart said, warningly:

"How can you lay the duty on the conscience of the guest which lies on you and your children? Who can praise the host who claims the magnanimity of the guest?"

Thus did the forest people dispute together, and opinions remained divided. Meanwhile Hildebrand in the courtyard sang aloud the hunter's call, and, blowing on his great horn, collected the forest comrades, armed with spear and crossbow, and leading hounds in leashes. The Thuringians hastened out of the courtyard gate; the Vandals, who had no dogs, came out with thick iron spears, curved horns, and clubs. Hildebrand divided the hunting party into two troops --- the men belong to the manor, and the guests; the men from the district he also divided into two. The hunters spoke in a low tone the forest blessing; then Berthar addressed the master of the hunt:

"It will be difficult for thy guests to succeed without hounds on the smooth path. Take care, at least, Hero, as thou knowest the paths of the wild cattle, that my troop may not tread the snow in vain, for even the quickest foot can never reach the game where none is to be found. Many a time hast thou sent us astray, far from the course of the forest giants; take care, if it pleaseth thee, that we may not be mortified before the district comrades."

"He who is without good fortune and skill blames the driver," replied Hildebrand. "Thou complainest without cause; I have made a fair division."

The horn gave the call, the hounds pulled at the leashes; the hunters broke out joyfully, and greeted the ladies, who, standing at the gate, looked on at the departure. When the Vandals passed by Irmgard, they suddenly raised a ringing shout, and, lowering their weapons, bent their knees before her. Ingo also came toward her.

"Thou alone, Hero, dost not listen to the hunting-call," said Irmgard.

"Others also remain behind," replied Ingo, pointing to the hall.

"Do not doubt their faithfulness," said Irmgard earnestly. "When thou art with thy heroes, we do not fear much that fresh strife should break out betwixt them and our men." Thus did the woman he loved urge him to the chase which was to be sorrowful to many.

Ingo equipped himself quickly for the hunt, and hastened after his comrades; he reached them before the separation of the parties, and was received by his warriors with acclamation; the country guests also rejoiced in his coming, and they all entered the forest in good fellowship. Hildebrand pointed to the paths, and, led by the youths of the village, one band after another disappeared among the stems of the trees, along the windings of the valley. Soon were heard in the distance the strokes of the drivers on the stems of the trees, the cry of the hounds, and sometimes a loud blast of the horn. This time the Vandals had better success; they roused a herd of cattle --- among them a splendid bull, which had been heard of before at the house --- and they succeeded in driving the herd from the height into a deep valley, where the snowdrifts delayed the progress of the huge animals.

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