Alfaleith.org

This speech was interrupted by a slight whizzing, and a blow; an arrow flew out of the court toward the place where Ingo sat; the iron struck on the sword scabbard, and the arrow sank on the floor. The men remained motionless, but no cry and no attack followed.

"Seek thy bed, thou fool!" exclaimed Berthar, pointing to a dark shadow which disappeared by the houses in the darkness. He raised up the messenger of death. "The arrow is from a hunting quiver."

"It is something Tertullus has left behind for us," replied Ingo; "King Bisino would not send us so weak a greeting."

The heroes sat waiting, but nothing stirred again; the stars retired slowly on their chairs to the celestial vault; the King's castle lay in darkness and deep silence. At last Berthar began: "The drunken boys of the host lie now asleep; it is time that thou also shouldst think of rest." He went to the sleepers, and shook up the chamberlain, Wolf; the young warrior sprang nimbly to his feet, and accompanied his master to his bed; then he seized his shield and spear, and stood by the old man at the door till the first dawn of daylight appeared in the sky.

On the following day a great hunt was announced. The horses pawed the ground in the open space before the King's hall; the packs of wolf-dogs and hounds barked --- with difficulty held in leashes by the strong foresters. The men collected in joyful crowds, awaiting the King. Ingo also stood with a portion of his followers, leaning on his horse, in expectation of the departure. At last came the King, who loved the forest work still more than a good drink by the hearth; he had on a hunting dress, and a heavy hunting spear in his hand. The horns sounded the morning greeting. He approached Ingo in a friendly way, and asked aloud, "How was thy night's rest, cousin? I had not heard before that thou was a blood-friend of the Queen's from the time of your fathers; thou art welcome as a relation also at my court."

The King's men listened to the words, and looked at one another with astonishment. But Ingo answered respectfully, "I thank the King for greeting me so graciously."

"Come on," continued Bisino; "try the strength of thy spear by our side today." He mounted his horse, the gate flew open, the bridge was swung down, and the hounds started out into the open ground --- behind them the horsemen. Ingo's horse also pranced joyfully, rejoicing, like his master, in having the free ground under his feet. He rode by the King, who scrutinized the noble figure and the firm strength with which Ingo restrained his powerful hunting horse. Sometimes he called him to his side, and spoke to him confidentially, as to an old comrade, so that one of the King's boys whispered to another, "Why does the cat announce the mouse as his wife's cousin, when he holds it in his claws?"

But that was not the King's intention. He was pleased with Ingo, and, besides, had heard favorable words concerning him from the Queen, and also from his young son, who was his dearest object on earth. And the King thought, he is truly a cheerful companion, and it makes one glad to see him; why should I not show him kindness, so long as I can keep him among the living? There are others whose death would be more convenient to me. Thus his graciousness came really from his heart, and he listened with amusement to Ingo's account of the strength of a lion which he had seen in a cage of the Allemann king's.

Soon the hunting companions entered into a higher oak wood. Hitherto the eyes of the Queen had looked after them from the battlements of her tower. Now she called to her chamberlain and women, and descended into the empty court. She stopped, to the astonishment of her attendants, at the kitchen, and spoke a few words about the roast for the feast to the cook, who seldom enjoyed such an honor, and gladly promised to employ his best skill in preparing the dishes for the hunting repast. When she came to the hall where the strangers lodged, she heard the strokes of a hammer. Berthar was sitting at the door, sharpening the iron of his spear with a hammer on a stone, and singing, in a low tone, a good incantation for sharp iron. The Queen stopped, made a sign of command to her followers to retire, and stood near the steps, watching the man at his work; till at last the latter looked up, threw away his skin apron and the hammer, and approached the Queen, doing homage. "What game dost thou think of slaying with thy weapons, Hero of King Ingo?" inquired Queen Gisela, "that thou remainest in the castle while the hounds are running outside?"

<< Previous Page | Back | Next Page >>