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"Yet, according to my judgment," replied Berthar, obstinately, "the day will come even to the Romans, in spite of their walled cities, and in spite of their new gods, and in spite of their skill in stone ducks, when they will learn that elsewhere there live stronger men, who build their wooden roofs in the free air."

"But to us the skill of the Romans is useful also," said the King, decisively; "it is an honor for a king to make use of what others have cleverly invented. Yet I am pleased with thy words, Hero Berthar, for he is a sensible man who thinks higher of his own people than of foreigners."

When the repast was ended, and the King sat alone at his glass with Ingo, he began loquaciously, "I see, Hero, that the Weird Sisters have attached to thee much suffering at thy birth, but also many good gifts; for they have ordained that the hearts of men shall open in friendship to thee. I also, when I hear thee speak, and when I observe how thou bearest thyself among my men, would like to be well-disposed toward thee. Only one thing troubles my spirit, that thou hast dwelt among my peasants in the forest huts, whose minds have always been hostile to me; and I fear that thy abode there has been to my injury."

"My King need have no reason for anxiety," answered Ingo, earnestly; "I am not likely again to rest by the hearth of Prince Answald."

"Did oath and comradeship come to so rapid an end?" asked the King, with satisfaction. "Can I believe thee, when thou announcest to me so strange a thing? Tell me, please, what separated thee from him?"

"Unwillingly does a host tolerate foreign lodgers on his property," said Ingo, evasively.

"The mutual confidence of masters compels the men also to keep the peace," answered the King. "Thou dost not tell me all, and therefore I can not trust thee."

"If the King will graciously swear to me on his sword that the reason of my quarrel shall remain secret between us both, I will tell him the truth; for thy suspicions would be injurious to me, and I hope for benefit from thy good-will." The King raised his sword quickly, held the oath-finger over it, and promised. "Well, then, know, oh King, that the noble maiden, Irmgard, is dear to me, and that her father is angry with me on that account, as he has promised her in marriage to the family of the Hero Sintram."

The King laughed with much satisfaction. "Thou wast wrong, Ingo, though thou art an expert warrior, to desire the daughter of the Chieftain. How could the father give the hand of the daughter who is his inheritress to the disinherited stranger? The whole people would reproach him as mad; it would be insufferable that a foreigner should sit as Chieftain of the forest arbor. Nay, if the father himself should promise thee his daughter amid a circle of witnesses, I, the King, could never suffer it, and I should have to send my boys, horse and foot, in order to hinder you."

Ingo looked so fiercely at the King that he laid hold of his weapon. "Thou speakest hostile words to the exile. Much suffering have I borne as guest in the Chieftain's household, but it is difficult for the spirit of man to hear words of contempt, and I think that the noble mind of the King should not would the pride of an unfortunate one."

"I am better disposed toward thee than I ever was before," replied the King, cheerfully. "But dost thou still maintain a hope to overcome the anger of the father?"

"The Prince is bound by his oath, and the family of Sintram is powerful in the forest; the wife of the Prince, also, is of his kindred."

The King thumped upon his wine-mug, as was his wont when anything was in accordance with his wishes. "It would be most agreeable to me to marry the noble maiden to one of my men; it would not be welcome to me for the family of Sintram ever to get the property and treasures of the Prince into his power, for I know his malicious mind. But it would be most repugnant to me for thee, with the good-will of the father, to become his son-in-law; for as the scent of the honey entices the bears to the forest tree, so would the praises of the minstrel collect in thy court all combat-loving fists --- Vandals and other straggling men; and thou wouldst, as a ruler of Thuringians, soon become hostile to me, even if thou didst not wish it. Bethink thee of this," concluded the King, persuasively, filling with his own hand the glass of his guest. "Drink, Hero Ingo, and enjoy thyself. When the wolves banquet on the forest hearths, then let them extol the guest-friendship of thy sword, which prepares for them a rich repast; but do not think any more of befooling my Thuringians in the forest arbor by guest-banqueting."

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