^t; BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME PROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF Henrg HI. Sage 1891 H'T-S'g-e.^^ -^ Vxl^.vt 1357 6tl I he date sh(i Mazeli., Printers, London and Aylesb^y. TO HER IMPERIAL HIGHNESS THE CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA, RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. This work will contain a series of purely ficti- tious tales, in which the fates of an individual race are related. It begins with ancestors from the earliest time, and will, if the powers of the author and his pleasure in the work continue, be gradually carried on up to the last descen- dant — a vigorous fellow who stiE wanders about under the German sun, without caring much about the deeds and sufferings of his forefathers. The book will contain much that is poetic, and not at all a history of civilization. Un- doubtedly it is not exactly for its pleasant shortness that the undertaking will be praised. The author would in the beginning prefer being silent as to how the individual stories may be united into a whole. IV PREFACE. The plan of this work did not displease your Imperial Highness, but now when I have intro- duced my wild men, I begin to reflect how they will bear the unprejudiced judgment of the Princess. For to realize poetically the men of the past, one must show the same skUl as the translater of a foreign language. Also the old ancestors have an uncomfortable gentility; they bestow upon their modem descendants only a certain measure of human feeling ; tbey do not allow one to dwell long in their society will- ingly, and they compel the author frequently to restrain his rising temper in measured terms. This volume carries us into times whicb the poet will understand more easily than the his- torian.. It was a secret pleasure to the author, during his whole labour, to feel that this narra- tive describes a country of which the men, mountains, and forests, are dear to your Imperial Highness. GUSTAV FEEYTAG. Leipzig, \6th Noniewher, 1872. I. INGO CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. A.D. 367. THE WATCHMAN - - - 2 II. THE BANQUET - - - . 29 UI. OPEN HBABTS - - - 67 IT. AT THE king's COUBT - - 91 V. IN THE FOREST ARBOITR - 107 VI. THE DEPABTTJEE - - 159 VII. INQO AT THE KING'b COURT - 183 VIII. THE LAST NIGHT - 211 IX. AT IDISBURG - - 242 X. AT THE SPRING - 266 XI. THE THUNDERSTORM 289 CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. IN THE TEAR 724 . 1 II. A CHRISTIAN AMONG THE HEATHEN 37 III. AT THE SORBE VILLAGE 66 IV. THE RETURN HOME 118 V. THE ASSEMBLAGE IN THE FOREST 153 VI. WAIBURG 188 VII. UNDER THE SHADE - 220 VIII. UNDER THE BELL 258 IX. THE JOURNEY HOME - - 283 I N G O. A.D. 357. On a mountain height, by a barricade of trees which separated the forests of Thuringia from those of the Katten, a young watchman stood and guarded the steep path which led from the low- lands of the Katten to the Thuringian heights. Over his head towered a gigantic beech tree, on both sides of him, along the crest of the hill, ran the boundary fence, and in the thicket bloomed the blackberry and wild rose. The youth held a short spear in his hand, and a long horn hung suspended by a leathern strap round his neck ; leaning listlessly against the tree, he hearkened to the voices of the forest, the tapping of the woodpecker, or the soft rustling of the branches as some wild animal passed through the thicket. From time to time he looked impatiently towards the sun, and cast a glance behind him, where, in VOL. I. 1 A- 2 INGO. the distant opening of the valley, lay blockhouses and enclosures for herds of cattle. Suddenly he bent forward and listened ; on the path before him sounded a light footstep, and through the foliage of the trees the iigure of a man became visible, who with quick steps was approaching him. The watchman pulled round his horn, and grasped his spear ready to throw; and when the man stepped out of the thicket on to the open boundary line, he called to him, directing the point of his spear towards hira, "Standj traveller, and give the password, which will save thee from my weapon." The stranger sprang behind the last tree on his side of the fence, stretched out his open right hand, and replied, " I greet thee peacefully) as a stranger in the land, ignorant of the password." The watcher answered him suspiciously, "Thou comest not like a chieftain, with horses and attendants, .thpu earnest not the buckler of a warrior, neither dost thou appear like a wan^ dering trader, with pack and barrow." The stranger replied, " I come from afar, over mountain and valley; my horse I lost in the whirlpool of the stream, and I seek hospitality among thy people." " If thou art a foreigner, thou must tarry till IN60. 3 my comrades open our country to thee. Mean- while let peace be between us." The men had observed each other with keen eyes; they now leant their spears against the boundary trees, entered into the open space, and proffered hands. In shaking hands each ex- amined the countenance and bearing of the other. The watchman looked with honest admiration at the powerful arm of the stranger, who was but few years older than himself, as well as at his firm deportment and proud mien. " A sword-fight with thee on the greensward would be no trifling matter," he said, frankly ; " I am almost the tallest man on our mead bench, yet I have to look up to thee. Accept a greeting, and rest under my tree, meanwhile I will announce thy arrival." Whilst the stranger fearlessly accepted the invitation, the watchman raised his horn, and blew a loud call into the valley of his people. The wild tones echoed from the mountain. The watchman looked towards the huts in the distant opening, and nodded his head contentedly, for a movement was visible about the houses ; after a short time a horseman hastened towards the heights. " Nothing beats the strong blast of a buffalo horn," he said, laughing, and gliding up to 4 INGO. the stranger in the heather, darted a sharp look along the glade of the wood and into the valley before him. " Speak, wanderer ; there is perhaps a pursuer on thy track, or possibly thou mayest have seen warriors in the wood ? " "Nothing sounded in the forest but what belongs to it," answered the stranger. " No blood- hound of the Kattens has been watching my path for the last six days," " The sons of the Kattens come blind into the worldjlike young puppies," exclaimed the watcher, contemptuously. " Yet I think thou must under- stand well how to conceal thyself in the forest if thou hast escaped their watching," '' Before me was light, behind me was dark- ness," proudly answered the stranger. The watchman looked with interest on the man ; on his brown countenance exhaustion was clearly to be seen; he leant heavily against the tree. For some time the watchman reflected. " If thou hast to fear the vengeance of the Kattens, thou hast for long days been without fire or smoke, and hast found bad travelling fare, for the wood offers now not even berries or wild fruit. See, I am only a retainer of the Chieftain's ; I know not whether he will grant you his bread and salt ; but a hungry man in the woods I may not shun. INGO. 5 Take and eat from my wallet." The -watchman caught up from behind the tree a pouch of badger skin, and offered from it black bread and meat. The stranger looked thankfully at him, but remained silent. Then the watchman held out to him a small horn, and opening the wooden cover, said kindly, " Take also the salt ; under this tree is my home, here I am the host." The stranger seized it. " Blessed be to thee this gift of the Gods ; we are friends." He ate ravenously j the youth looked on contentedly. " When the warm sun sends its rays through the foliage of the trees, then thy bflSoe of watcher is a pleasant service," said ttie stranger, at last renewing the conversation; " but when the wind blusters in the stormy night, then courage is needful for the forest- warden." " The border boundary here is consecrated to the good Gods of the people," answered the watch- man; " from both sides the holy springs run down into the valley, but we forest people are familiar with the night-song of the trees." " Thou art young," continued the stranger ; " thy lord shows great trust in thee, committing to thee singly the care of thy country's boundary." " There are more men at the boundary fence," explained the watchman. " We fear little an 6 INGO. inroad of hostile bands through the mountain forest, for it would be difficult for the foot of the stranger to penetrate over rock and forest stream up to the fence. But report says that a short time since a fierce war has been kindled between the Alemanni and the Csesar whom they call Julian, and ten days ago the wild army of the Gods swept past us through the air at night- time" — ^he looked timidly up to the skies ; " since then we have guarded the boundary." The stranger turned his head, and looked now for the first time towards the native land of his companion. The long waving mountain heights rose in succession one behind the other ; across where the opening widened lay a deep valley, and the white foam of the forest torrents sparkled in the sunlight. " And now let me know, good comrade, whose badge thou wearest, and whither thou art about to conduct me." " In all the valleys on which your eyes rest, and further down into the plain, he whom I serve, Herr Answald, the son of Irmfried, rules as Chieftain." " In a foreign land I heard that a great king ruled over the people of Thuringia ; they called him King Bisino," answered the stranger. INGO. 7 " Thou hast heard right," assented the youth. " But this forest country is free under Its own race of chieftains from the most ancient times, and the great King of the country is contented that we should guard the boundary, and send every year horses to his court. Little do we forest people care about the King, and our Chief- tain seldom goes to court at the King's castle." " And does not King Bisino count your herds of cattle, which I see there among the huts ? " asked the stranger. " Hum — there was once a noise of arms in the viUages, because the King would fatten his boars under our oaks, also the King took pleasure in hunting wild oxen in our woods, but one has heard no more of that." The stranger looked earnestly down into the valley. " And where is the residence of your lord ? " The watchman pointed along the opening of the valley. '' It lies at the outlet of the moun^ tains; for a quick walker it is about three hours down the valley, but a horse from the pasture^? ground would carry us there in shorter time. Dost thou not hear the sound of hoofs ? The horn has announced to my comrades that a stranger needs guidance ; he who relieves nje is coming.'' » INGO. A horseman was trotting up the forest path — a fine-looking youth, like the watchman in coun- tenance and bearing • he flung himself from his horse, and spoke in a low tone to his companion. The watchman delivered over to him his horn, threw his leather pouch over his shoulder, and offered the horse to the stranger. ''I follow your steps," said the latter, declining it; he greeted the new watchman with hand and head, who was regarding him with curiosity, and turned with his leader towards the valley. The small steep path led down by the winding course of the torrent, amongst giant trees whose long mossy beards shone silver-grey in the sun- shine, over roots which lay on the path like huge serpents, and twisted themselves into high arches, where the stones which formerly lay under them had been washed away by the water. The border of the stream was hemmed in by driftwood and heaps of dry rushes; there also the power of the water had in the early spring swept fallen stems against the side, so that they jy^with leafless branches in wild con- fusion; but tii,j knives of the forest people had cut a small path through the tangle of the brushwood. With fleet steps the men hastened down the valley; they sprang with long leaps from stone to INGO. 9 stone, from tree to tree, the young watchman in front. He often swung himself high through the air, as a feather ball sent with a throw bounds merrily along ; and where a wide channel impeded the way he repeated the leap back again in order to give courage to his companion. He had thrown the bridle over the neck of the horse, which, follow- ing like a dog, leapt after the man : to the steed also the inequality of the pathway was play-work. The eyes of the watchman measured with satis- faction a powerful leap which the stranger had taken over the torrent, and examined afterwards the footstep on the soft ground. " Thou hast a powerful stride for a weary man," said he ; " it appears to me that thou hast already before now ventured on broader leaps on bloodier heaths. By thy footstep I see that thou art one of our people, for the point of the foot tends outwards, and the pressure of the ball is strong. Hitherto from thy speech I have considered thee as a foreigner. Hast thou ever beheld a Koman footstep?" " Their feet are small ; they walk.Hth a short step on the whole sole, like weary people." " So say our people who have been in the west. I have hitherto only seen the unarmed traders of the black-haired people," he added apologetically. ]0 INGO. " May the Fates keep far from your soil the Roman foot ! " answered the stranger. "Thou speakest like our old men; but we young ones think, if they do not come to us, we will certainly go to them, for their country must be wonderful, — all the houses of coloured stone, the whole year soft sunshine, and in winter the earth green, sweet wine as commop as thin beer, the vessels and seats of silver ; the maidens dance in gold ornaments and silk dresses, and the warrior is lord of all this splendour." In vain the watchman awaited the answer of the stranger ; they walked together for a time quite silent ; at last the youth took the horse by the bridle. " Here the road through the valley be- comes better ; mount, that we may arrive at our destination before evening." The stranger laid his hand on the horse's withers, and sprang with great strength into the seat ; the leader nodded contentedly, and whistled softly ; the horse bore the rider at a gallop down the valley, and the youth ran on foot beside him, poising his spear, and occasionally shouting to the horse, which then turned its head to him, and neighed in answer. " Who are the women there in light dresses ? " inquired the stranger, as they halted on an INGO. 11 eminence near the open country, and looked into the enclosure. " Oh," exclaimed the watchman, " the maidens from the Chief's house are come; there is Frida's brown cow ; do you hear the pretty beU which hangs round its neck ? and there is the maiden herself." The heightened colour in his face be- trayed that the meeting would be pleasant to him. " Behold the old huts ; in them the herds- men dwell. In summer the cattle of the village go to the forest pastures, and our maidens come and fetch the produce of the milk cellars to the Chieftain's house. Over there in the beech wood the swineherd dwells with his herd; the sun does not shine in any country on finer mast." They entered the clearing, the watchman removed the bars which impeded the entrance to the cattle pen, and the stranger rode into the enclosure, where the cows were running about bellowing, whilst the wife of the herdsman with her maidens carried the milk pails to the cool cellars, which were built of stone and moss, away from the sun, and held long rows of milk vessels. ' "Good lack, stranger!" exclaimed the watcher. " Our Chieftain's daughter, Irmgard, is herself 12 INGO. here looking after tte herds ; if she is gracious to thee, thou mayest be sure of good care." " Which of them dost thou thus name?" asked the stranger. " There she is, giving orders to the maidens ; thou mayest easily know her." The noble maiden stood by the cart which, with two oxen harnessed to it, was to convey' the contents of the milk cellar to the Chiefta,in's house; also, butter fii-mly beat down in casks made of the wood of the wild plum-tree, and cheese seasoned with caraway seeds, packed in green leaves. " Go to her, comrade, and say that a stranger approaches her as a suppliant." " I fear to address the daughter of the Chief- tain, so long as her father has not granted me a seat at his hearth. And as thou art disposed to be friendly, speak well of me as far as thou canst." The stranger sprang from the horse, and from the distance bowed low to the young lady. Her golden tresses, which hung in ringlets about her stately figure, formed a framework to the marked features of the youthful face, and flowed down far below her waist. A girdle ornamented with silver confined her white linen vesture ; over it she wore a short upper dress of INGO. 13 fine wool elegantly embroidered ; her arms were uncovered, and upon her wrists golden circlets. She looked with her large eyes at the stranger, and answered his respectful salutation with a slight inclination of the head. The watchman approached the Chieftain's daughter. " The stranger seeks a place with our people, and a comer at our hearth for his weary head. I have conducted him to the homestead, that the Chief may decide upon bis fate." "We grant rest to the wanderer whom the Gods send us. He, whoever he may be, good or bad, that approaches our hearth begging for hos- pitality, has a room for thi-ee days; then my father will ask whether he is an honest man, and not unworthy of our roof. For thou thyself, Wolf, knowest that many desperate people wander in misery through the country, and carry the curse that cleaves to their footsteps into the house of the honest man." " He looks like one who would act honourably by friend or enemy," said the watchman. The noble maiden cast a rapid glance at the stranger. " If he prove himself to be such as thou sayest, we may rejoice at his arrival. Hand him a cup of milk, Frida." The stranger drank, and as he returned the 14 INGO. cup with thanks, said, " Blessings upon thy kind hand. My first greeting in this country was willingly offered me by a warm-hearted man; may the second be a presage to me that I shall find that peace in the Chiefs house for which I so passionately long." Meanwhile the watchman had caught for him- self one of the horses which were galloping about in the enclosure. Whilst he was preparing to mount, the rosy-cheeked Frida came and said to him mockingly, " Thou hadst good for- tune, Wolf, in thy sleep; a stranger bird was caught on the border thorn-tree, whilst thou wast reposing. How was thy sleep, watchman, on thy thorny bed ? " " The owl would not let me sleep ; it groaned over Frida, who stands at night by the fence and shakes it, in order to learn from whence a hus- band will come to her," "But I saw a thistle-thrush on a dry bush collecting old thistle-wool for a marriage-bed for the rich WoE" "And I know a proud one," answered Wolf, angrily, " who trampled on the violets which she went to seek, and so doing fell among the nettles !" "Not among the nettles of thy fields, thou stupid Wolf," replied Frida, angrilj'-. INGO. 15 " I know one to whom I will not throw the ball at the next dance," answered Wolf. " When the wolf dances, the geese fly up on a tree, and laugh," said Frida, mockingly. "Twine thyself a garland of oat straws, my haughty goose," shouted Wolf from his horse, as he trotted away with the stranger, who with delicate feelings had kept a spear's-Iength away from this bantering talk. "He, is an ill-mannered youth," said Frida complainingly to her mistress. " What thou didst shout into the wood has been echoed back to thee," answered the latter, laughing; and casting a glance after the stranger, she continued, " He looks like one who has ruled over many people." " And yet his sandals were torn, and his jacket travel-worn," said Frida. " Do you think that the rocks cut the feet of the poor wanderer only ? We believe that he who comes from afar has seen and dared much ; we feel sorry if he has become a bad man from avarice or need, and we would gladly give him peace if we could." The sun was setting, and the trees cast long shadows across the road, when the two horsemen reached the end of the valley. On both sides the 16 INGO. hills receded; by the side of the brook the ground was covered with fresh grass and bright meadow flowers. A red-haired fox crossed the path in front of them. "The red-head knows that the dwellings of men are near," said the watchman ; " he likes to lurk where he can hear the crowing of the cocks." Before them in the evening light lay the village, enclosed by a ditch and a bulwark planted with trees; through the intervals of the trees white gables under brown thatched roofs were here and there to be seen, and small clouds of smoke rose from the roofs. Apart from the village, on a small eminence, the dwelling of the Chief reared itself, surrounded by its own spe- cial palings and ditch. Above the numerous buildings and stables of the residence towered high the roof of the great hall, the ridge of which was ornamented with beautifully carved hoi'ns. A troop of boys were practising warlike games in the meadows in front. They had erected a high scaffold, and were each in his turn spring- ing up to the top and down again, shouting with pleasure. As the horsemen approached, the boys ran on to the road and stared defiantly at the tSQO. 17 stmnger. The watchman called one of the boys, And whispered to him;, the boy flew bounding along like a young deer to the Chieftain's house, whilst the horsemen with difficulty restrained their spirited steeds. The little children danced in a circle in the village street — the little boys naked all but their woollen jackets, the little girls wearing white shifts; they were singing and stamping bare-footed in the dust. The ring broke up when the horsemen approached. Women's beads were visible at the apertures of the houses, and out of each door sprang a troop of blue-eyed children; men also came to the doors, scrutinizing with keen looks the appearance of the stranger, and the watchman did not fail to warn his companion to look to the right and left, and greet the inhabitants as he rode along; "For," said he, "a friendly greeting opens the heart, and thou mayest soon need the good-will of the neighbours." Meanwhile the boy had run to the Chief's dwelling. Prince Answald was sitting in a wooden arbour which formed a shady screen in front of his dwelling : he was a tall man, broad- shouldered, with a frank countenance under his grey hairs. He wore over his shirt a woollen jacket trimmed with beaver skin, his leather VOL. I. 2 ,18 INGO. stockings were laced with gay-coloured straps, and only his dignified deportment and the respect with which the others spoke to him showed him to be the master of the house. He sat surrounded by his companions, and looked with satisfaction on the two well-fed oxen that were being driven past him by the farm servant, because they were .selected to be sacrificed for an approaching feast to the principal dwellers of the district. The boy, presented himself adroitly, and made known his message in a whisper to an old man with shrewd countenance, who stood to the left of the Chief, and knew well how to give courteous answers to his master. "The young Wolf brings a stranger here," stated the old man, in answer to the enquiring look of his Chief " The man came without escort by the Kattens, without a horse, or the dress of a warrior ; a solitary and unhappy man, he seeks hospitality." "Prepare him a welcome in the hall," said .Prince Answald, calmly, giving a signal to the men to leave him; and to his trusty friend he said, " I see with anxiety foreign strollers. Since the kindling of the Roman war on the Rhine, hot sparks fly through the land, and many a fellow who is the victim of violence roams from one INGO, 19 country to the other, committiDg outrage from a spirit of bitter hate." " If he comes as a fugitive from the south, he may have intelligence of the Koman war." " He may also bring Roman treachery into the country. Roman manners creep like a pest through our valleys ; they have filled the King's citizens with arrogance. Our nobles also parade themselves in purple dresses, and maintain roguish body-guards, who plant their knives in the back of the free man, when his looks do not please their master. But whoever the stranger may bCj he shall receive whatever is due to a famishing man. Do thou, however, take care that by judicious talk thou discoverest his secret." The Chieftain entered the house, and placed himself on the chair of state, a carved oak chair covered with the skin of a young black bear, that stood opposite the door. The Prince's feet rested on a stool, and in his hand he held his Prince's staflF, Outside the entrance the two horsemen dis- mounted; the stranger leaned his spear against the doorpost, and seated himself silently before the door. The Herald came out and invited him, with solemn greeting, to appear before the Chief- tain. The stranger trod the threshold of the 20 INQO. house with head erect ; he and the Chief for a moment exchanged searching looks, and both were pleased with wiiat they saw. "Hail to thee. Prince Answald, son of Irmfried !" " Hail to thee, also ! " was returned from the seat of state. " Bestow on the way-weary man a drink from thy horn, fruit from thy fields, and the protection of thy roof; I come friendless, homeless, defence- less, to thy hearth; bestow upon me what the hospitality of thy people allows to the wanderer." Hildebrand stepped forward, and said, "The Prince bestows upon thee, according to the custom of the people, three days' rest and three days' food. Then the Prince will enquire of the people their will. Place him a seat at the hearth, boys, a;nd offer him the gifts of the Gods," Three youths brought the things that he ordered,' — one a stool on which the stranger sat down, another bread and salt in two dishes, and the third a wooden mug jBlled with dark beer. This one offered the drink first to the Prince, who touched the mug with his lips, then gave it to the stranger. After this the Herald gave a sign to the attendants, and all left the room. " And now, stranger," began Hildebrand, fami- liarly seating himself at the feet of the Prince, INGO. 21 "as thou hast obtained security for body and limb, give us an account, as far as thou canst, whether thou hast seen or heard aught behind our hills which can be of use to us and not injure thee. For these are anxious times, and the prudent Host endeavours to obtain informa- tion from wandering men. Wilt thou narrate, if the Gods have given thee the power of freely uttering thy words ; or shall I ask what it needs us to know ? " The stranger rose. " I bring information which will move the hearts of men; I know not whether it will occasion you joy or sorrow. A battle has been fought, the greatest in the memory of man. Wolves howl on the battle-field, and ravens fly over the bones of the Alemanni, to whom our God has refused victory. The Franks have won the battl© for the Romans ; the kings of the Alemanni, Huodomar and Athanarich, are prisoners, and many of the king's children with them ; the hosts of Caesar carry fire and sword into the valleys of the; Black Forest, as far as the Main, and drive before them prisoners in crowds. Caesar has become so powerful, they say, over the border- land, that the Kattens have sent an embassy to his cam.p to ofier an alliance," A deep silence followed these exciting words. 22 INGO. Printfe Aiiswald looked down gloomily, and Hildebrand also had difficulty in concealing his emotion. "We are at peace with Romans and Alemanni," he said at last, cautiously ; "and we Thuringians do not fear the might of Caesar. But thou thy- self, as I perceive, wast in the neighbourhood when the battle was fought, and thou hast since then avoided the villages of the Kattens, who, as thou sayest, are inclined towards the Romans. I do not ask thee to whom thou hast wished the victory." "I give information without questions,'' ex- claimed the stranger, proudly. "I have not taken Roman pay." A ray of kindliness shot from the eyes of the Chief. "Thou art not an Alemann," he said; "from thy speech thou art one of the children of our Gods, who dwell far in the east." "A Vandal from the Oder," replied the stranger, hastily. " It is a far way from thy native land to the battle-field on the Rhine, wanderer. Have thy people sent any warriors to the fight ? " "I came to the Rhine without any of my countrymen. A bitter fate has driven me from the halls of my home." INGO. 23 " A bitter fate is the work of God, or of the perversity of man. May thy heart not be op- pressed by what has scared thee from thy home!" The stranger bowed his head gratefully. "The anxiety of the guest is to please his Host ; forgive me if I seek to learn what makes thee so familiar with the stranger, I have heard in my home, from a song of the minstrels, that in my father's time a hero from Thuringia fought among the warriors of my people against the Eomans, far south by the Danube : Irmfried was his name," The Prince drew himself up in his seat, and said, " His hand lay with a blessing on my head ; he was my father." " He became a blood-brother to a warrior of my people. When the Prince departed from my home, he with powerful hand broke in two a Roman gold-piece, and left the half behind, that it might be a token of friendship for later gene- rations. If the half of the gold-piece is thine, the other is mine." He held the bright bit of gold towards the Prince, who rose eagerly from his seat, and ex^ amined the piece at the light. " Keep silence ! " he exclaimed, imploringly. "Let no one speak a word. Go, Hildebrand, and carry to thy mistress this token, that she may 24 INGO. put it to the other half, and tell her to be alone when I bring the stranger to her." Hildebrand hastened out ; the Host drew near to the guest, and regarded him with astonish- ment from head to foot. " Who art thou, man, that bringest so high a greeting to our house ? " then, joyfully continuing;, " There is no need to seek for a token ; ever since thou hast passed the threshold thou hast stirred, my heart. Come with me, thou Hero, that thou, mayest tell me thy name, where both halves of. the secret token will, be joined." He stepped hastily forward ; the stranger followed. In her chamber stood Erau Gundrun, the Princess, holding both halves of the gold-piece together. " Here are two ears from one stalk," she exclaimed to her husband; "what thou sentest. me is King Ingbert's token," " And he who kneels to. thee,. Princess," said the stranger, " is Ingo, son of King Ingbert." A long silence followed this declaration. The lady looked shyly at the proud warrior, and on the noble countenance of the princely form,, and bending low, greeted him, hut the Prince exclaimed anxiously — ■ " Often have I wished to see the countenance of the hospitable friend, the iUustriaos hero of INGO. 25 the race of the Gods ; my father has told me of the costly household and the powerful followers in shining armour. But far otherwise have the higher powers ordained our meeting. In the dress of a wanderer, as a stranger suing for hospitality, I behold the great King, and fear is in my heart. The hour in which I behold thy face portends good. Yet methinks I show thee most honourably my trust." " I do not come to thee and the Princess as a fortunate one," said Ingo, seriously ; " I am a fugitive, and I wiU not by concealing my fate creep under thy protection. I am driven from my father's home by my own uncle, who, after my father's death, took the throne from his boy. Trusty friends carefully concealed me till I grew to man's estate; danger is my lot; the King's messengers have followed me from nation to nation ; they offer presents^ and demand my per- son. With a small body of faithful followers I fought with the Alemanni; their great Kings were gracious to me ; on the day of battle I led a troop of their people. Now Caesar, proud of victory, seeks for him who would not submit bare-footed. His power reaches to the castles of kings. I saw the messengers of thy neighbours the Kattens riding to the Ehine, with tokens of peace, and I 26 INGO. have therefore gone secretly six days and nights along the path of the wolves through their country : it was marvellous that I escaped them. It was fitting that thou shouldst know this before thou sayest, ' Be welcome, Ingo.' " The Host looked uncertain, and sought the eyes of his wife, who sat in her chair looking down. " What is honourable, and what my oath demands of me, that will I do," said Prince Ajiswald at last, and the clouds passed from his brow. " Be welcome, Ingo, son of a king." " Thou displayest a noble mind. Hero," began the Princess, " since thou dreadest to bring dan- ger to the dwelling of thy hospitable friend. But it befits us to consider how we can at the same time show fidelity to thee, and guard our dwellings from danger. Far sounds the name of a king through the country, and many enemies lurk round a hero that is bereft of a crown; thou thyself hast painfully experienced it. Therefore I think that only caution can help thee and us to safety. And if I may venture to give my husband an honest opinion, it appears to me it would be well that thy guest should remain unknown in thy house, and that none should be made aware of his arrival but thou and I alone," " Shall I conceal a worthy guest in my own INGO. 27" house?" exclaimed the Host, displeased; " I am no servant of the Csesars nor of the Kattens." " But the King of Thuringia also likes to eat his repast from the golden dishes which have been prepared by Roman art," continued the wife; "beware of awakening the King's sus- picions." The guest stood immovable, and in vain did the Princess try to ascertain his opinion. "It is difficult to conceal noble blood in a servitor's dress," objected Prince Answald. " The Hero Siegfried also, whom the minstrel made mention of, stood in a hind's dress behind the anvil." " And at last cast the anvil to the ground, and the smith after it," cried the Host. " Speak, Ingo, thyself ; how wouldst thou have us treat thee ? " • " I am a suppliant," answered the guest, with self-restraint, " and it is not for me to contend as to how high or low thou rankest me among the companions of thy bench. I do not boast of my name, but I do not conceal it, and thou will not put me to common work." " He thinks like me," exclaimed the Prince. "Heroes always fear anything touching their honour," said the Princess, laughing. " What I 28; iNGO, ask is easily granted : only be pleased to wear for a short, time the dress which we give to strangers in our house ; in the meantime my husband will gain the good-will of the people far thee. The war will not last for ever on the frontier. Csesar will not fail to have new con- flicts ; in a few months the noise will die away, and meanwhile we may succeed in gaining also the King," "I will think it over tiU. to-night," said the Host, " for my wife is a prudent counsellor, and I have often tried her advice, Till then conceal thyself, Hero, by an humble demeanour ; but believe me, with an oppressed heart do I long for the day when> in. open hall, I can announce what thine and my honour demand." Thus the men left the chamber of the Princess. In the evening, however, when the husband was sitting down on his couch, he exclaimed angiily, " It cuts me to the heart that I shall see him in the lowest place on the bench." But the Princess answered quietly, "First prove whether he is worthy of thy protection, for the manner of the stranger is uncommon, and, his destiny joyless ; his secret we will con- ceal from every one,, even from, our child Irmgard." INGO. II. THE BANQUET. The banquet for the expected guests was be- ing prepared at the house of the Prince. The Hostess went with the maidens through the rooms where the kitchen stores were kept. Long rows of hams were hanging there, round sausages and smoked ox-tongues. She was pleased with the good provisions, directed that they should be taken to the kitchen, and otdered the maidens to make a mark on the best pieces, in order that the carver might place these on the table of the elder guests. Then she went to the cool cellars, arched with stone, which were situated at a corner of the dwelling where little sunlight came, being protected with earth and turf; there she selected the barrels of strong beer and the jugs of mead, and looked doubtfully at some foreign-looking clay vessels which stood in the corner, half buried in the ground. 30 INGO. "I do not think that my lord will require wine, yet if he calls for it, teU the cupbearer to take the small one, for the others may be kept for a greater feast day. And see to it yourself that the awkward fellows do not break the costly vessel ; for what has been brought with great pains, packed with straw, from a foreign land, by horses and men, may, after its long journey, very easily be spoilt by the awkward- ness of boys when they are full of mead.'' She gave another searching look through the large room. " There are stores enough for a Chieftain's house, and may the mead for many a year rejoice the hearts of our men; may the Gods grant that our heroes may all drink cheer- fully and honourably. And listen, Frida: one knows well what is usually required by men, but drink defies calculation, even when abun- dant. Let three bottles of old mead be taken out of the stores, and tell the cup-bearer, if the men are peaceable and conversing respectably, this also may be offered them at the end ; but if they become angry with each other, and get into discordant wi-angle, he must be cautious in helping them, so that no great evil may ensue." The lady then stepped into the kitchen, where INGO. 31 great fires were burning on stone plates. The young men were occupied in front of the house cutting up fat oxen, some large deer, and three wild boars, and attaching the meat to long spits. The maidens sat in a row, plucking many fowls, or kneading with their hands spiced wheaten dough into large balls. The village boys awaited with smiling countenances the time when they should turn the spits, that they also might have a savoury share from the feast of the heroes. Meanwhile the Chieftain's men were occupied in the great hall. The grand building stood in the middle of the court, formed of thick pine- wood beams ; a staircase led to the open door ; in- side two rows of high wooden columns supported the beams of the roof; from the pillars up to the Avail on both sides ran raised benches; in the middle, opposite the door, stood the seats of honour for the Host and the most distinguished guests ; near them a space beautifully adorned like an arbour, for the ladies of the house, that they might look on at the banquet of the men as long as they liked. The younger men decked the wooden arbour with blooming branches which they had brought from the fields. Outside Wolf was driving up a large waggon, with rushes 32 INGO. and reeds to strew on the floor, which he had cut from the banks of the nearest pond. " It is well to be here, guest," began Wolf, greeting Ingo; "the Princess was'^aciousto thee; thou hast now a new dress, woven by our women : how does the cloth of the maidens of Thuringia suit thee?" * What is willingly oflfered sits comfortably on the receiver," answered the stranger, laughing. " I rejoice to hear thy voice again; thou hast been for days away." "We herdsmen have been with the dogs to fetch the animals from the wood to be roasted for the feast," replied the man. "Help me, Theodulf!" he cried out to one of his com- panions ; " am I to clear the waggon alone ? " Theodulf, a proud man of the Prince's retinue, pushed his hand stiffly among the rushes, and said over his shoulder to the stranger, " He who is wont to beg for a stranger's dress should not stand idle when better men are using their hands." Ingo looked frowningly at the speaker, a tall soldier-like figure, broad-chested, with a long scar on his cheek, who returned the look of the stranger with equal defiance. At the eyes of the one was kindled the anger of the other, tUl the INGO. 33 looks of both opponents darted flames at one another. But Ingo, with great self-control, restrained his wrath, and turning his back, answered, " If thou hadst spoken kindly, I should willingly have followed thy suggestion." But the watchman whispered to him, " Take care not to irritate him; he is a cross-grained fellow, who gladly gets into a quarrel; he is related to the Princess, and he does not serve as we do, for he is of noble race, has only engaged himself for a time, and wUl some day succeed to the rich inheritance of his father. No wonder that the rushes prick him when he is obliged to carry them." "He who serves must carry," replied Ingo, moodily. The maidens also took notice of the fete dress of the stranger, " See, my lady, how proudly the stranger steps in the doublet bestowed upon him by the Princess," said Frida to Irmgard. " A gallant spirit ennobles the meanest dress," replied Irmgard, " Mean ! " exclaimed Frida ; " the jacket is of the best cloth from our chest; I must know it, for I myself stitched it. It Is singular that the Princess should have bestowed it upon a tra- veller ! " VOL. I, 3 34 INGO. " But he is truly no every-day man," answered Irmgardj " That I think also," assented Frida inquisitively, " for I observed a little while ago the Princess accosting him in the house when he came in her way; on both sides it was a princely greeting. She smiled on him, and laid her hand on his dress, as if he were an intimate member of her kindred." " When the strangei' yesterday evening, ap- proached the hearth round which the men were assembled," replied Irmgard, "my father, who be- fore had been carelessly joking with the menials, on seeing: the stranger, changed his demeanour, and t-ose from his seat as if to meet him, though he did not, however, do it ; yet from that moment his manner was stately, and the meal as quiet as if a messenger from the King's court were sitting at the Prince's table." " The stranger also," continued Frida, eagerly, " walked with dignity up to the Prince, as though he would take his place by the seat of honour, and one of the boys had to draw him back by the jacket to his place, that he might not be f6r- getful of proper respect" " I saw itj" added Irmgard, with a nod ; " he smiled at it •" and she smiled herself at the recoU lection. INGO. 35- " Yet he sits quite low down on the bench," ex- claimed Frida ; " and now that witty Wolf has begun again to stir his great tongue, he has to listen to all the wisdom of the boys." " If there is a secret," said Irmgard, in a loW tone, "it will certainly be announced to us maidens at last." "But thou thyself, lady," said Frida, "hast shown him little favour lately; We were the first whom he greeted so honourably, and for three long days thou hast avoided speaking to him. The man will blame thee as unfriendly and hard- hearted, and he has not the boldness to ventui-e to accost thee, as he comes in such miserable plight ; therefore do thou offer him a greeting at last." " Let us do what is proper," answered Irmgard. She moved with calm self-possession towards the troop of proud youths who were in the habit of following the Prince when he rode through the villages, or in the front of the battle. But when she came near the stranger, she became shy of speaking to him before others, and stopped, by Theodulf, saying, " I heard your hunting horn late yesterday ; had you good sport, cousin ? " Theodulf coloured with joy because the Prince'^ chUd had greeted him before the others. 36 INGO. He related to her his good fortune in the chase, and led her to a wooden partition, where a two- year-old bear was sitting very discontentedly. " The hounds seized him by the skin, I bound him with thongs, and brought him alive to the house ; he will become a playfellow for the chil- dren in the village," When Irmgard had looked at the brown bear, and gone away with Frida, the latter exclaimed indignantly, " Truly, you have spoken politely to the stranger," " I was near enough to him," answered Irm- gard, ^ and yet he was silent." " He knows better what is due to the Prince's daughter," replied Frida. But Irmgard watched the stranger after that, and when she saw him leaning apart from the others, against the fence of the courtyard, she went over to him alone, stopped, as if acci- dentally, and said, " On the elder tree over thy head a small grey bird dwells— the nightingale. The maidens exorcise every evening the weasel and the screech-owl, that they may not destroy the nest. If he sing to thee, listen to him kindly, that he may delight thy friendly spirit. They say that in liis songs he reminds every one of what is dear to him." INGO. 37 Ingo answered cordially, " All birds — the hawk in the air and the singer in the bush — sing the same song to the ear of the stranger; they re- mind him of home. There the dear mother once scattered winter food for the birds, that they might sing to her son good omens for his life. They have since then kept faith with him. Many a time have the wild feathered messengers warned the restless man, on the heath and in the forest, of dangers ; they have been the com- panions of his destiny; like him they wander homeless over the earth, and like him feeding themselves either upon the prey which they seize, or on the gifts bestowed on them by an hos- pitable friend." " And yet they find everywhere materials from which to buUd their nest," replied Irmgard. "But where can the homeless make his house?" asked the guest, earnestly. " He who stands on his own threshold, and counts the horses on the inheritance of his father, he knows not how poverty gnaws at the heart of the proud man, when he must accept the gifts he himself would like to bestow on others." " Thou complainest of the hospitality of the house at whose hearth thou hast been received," answered Irmgard, reproachfully. S8 INGO. " I call the Host and his lady blessed, who are gracious in their noble house to a stranger in the land," replied the guest. " But the thoughts of the man to "whom a corner on their bench is granted ramble insecurely. For the stranger must ever watch anxiously the aspect of the Host, whether he still keeps his favour. Every one in the house stands secure in his rights ; only to the wandering stranger is the ground on which he treads like a thin sheet of ice, which in the morning, perhaps, may break under him; and whenever a mouth is opened, he knows not whether it signifies honour or shame. Do not be angry with me for this complaint," he begged frankly. " Thine eyes and thy words have drawn out secret cares from my breast, and, too boldly have I ventured on confidential speech. It would be painful to me to displease thee." "I shall think of thy words in the future,'' answered Irmgard, softly, " whenever I see A lonely wanderer at our house. But be assured that thou art welcome here to many. The Thuringians like a cheerful spirit and sociable talk ; shew thyself thus to-day among our neigh- bours ; and if I may venture to give thee good advice, do not turn aside from the young men when they practise their warlike games; for I INGO. 39 think that thou also mayest succeed well in these, If thou gain praise among our countrymen, it will give pleasurp to our house, for it is an honour to the Host when the guest wins fame. And I observe that my father also wishes thee well." She bent her head, blushing, and moved away from the neighbourhood of the stranger ; but he looked joyfully after her. The Prince stood in front of his house to receive the nobles and the free peasants who arrived from all sides on horseback and on foot, and were greeted at the gateway by the Herald Hildebrand. Those who approached on horseback dismounted there, and the young men led their horses into a large enclosure, and fastened them firmly, that the servants might rub the foam off with straw, and scatter old oats in the crib. All were worthily greeted and accosted. The guests stood in a wide circle in the courb — a proud company, distinguished men from twenty villages of the neighbouring country, all in their warlike appa-. rel, with ash spears in their hands, swords and daggers by their sides, in beautiful leather caps which were adorned with the tusks and ears of wild boars ; many towered over the rest in iron helmets, with leather collars or coats of mail over their white shirts, and in high leather 40 ■ INGO. stockings which reached up to the body ; many also who were rich, and esteemed the wares of the Rhenish traders, wore a loose garment of foreign material, that had fine hairs of bright colours, and shone like the delicate fur of a wild beast. The men stood silent, rejoicing in the meeting : only some who stepped aside together, exchanged words in a low tone upon the reports which had flown through the country of the great battle in the west, and of the threatening times. But those who knew the characters of the men, like Hildebrand the Herald, perceived that their minds were unsettled and their opinions dissimilar. The reception lasted long, for single individuals kept still coming, who had loitered, till at last the Herald went up to the Chieftain, and pointed to the sun. Then the Host led his guests in front of the hall, and they solemnly ascended the steps in procession ; at the entrance they were received by the Hostess ; near her stood her daughter and the maidens. The men did homage respectfully to the ladies ; the Princess extended her hand to all, and duly enquired after their wives and the state of their families ; to the men of their kindred she offered her cheek for a kiss. The Chiefs of the people took high places on the seats of the INGO. 41 gallery, and began earnest converse, whilst the cup-bearer and servants entered in long rows, bearing the welcoming draught in wooden cups, and light dainties, such as white spiced cakes, and smoked meat. Meanwhile the youths were impatiently pre- paring, on the lawn in front of the house, the course for the martial games. The village boys began the competition, that they also might win the praise of the warriors ; they ran races, sprang over a horse, and shot at a perch with reed arrows . But soon the youths were seized with emulation ; they threw the spear, and cast the heavy stone, springing after it; and when TheoduLf, with a powerful swing, had thrown the heaviest stone, and ipade the widest leap, a fathom beyond the others, there burst forth a loud shout reaching to the hall, and even the old and the wise heads of the people could not keep their seats any longer, but hastened to the exhibition on the lawn- Great became the circle of spectators ; the women of the village stood there in their festive dresses, separated from the men, and in the surrounding circle the sound of the acclamations and the praises of the victor became ever louder. Among the spectators stood Ingo, watching these feats of agility and strength. Then Isan- 42 INGO. bart, an old Chief of the district, stepped up to him, and looking at him searchingly, began so solemnly that others ceased speaking. " Among thy people also, stranger, from wher- ever thou hast thine origin, the young warriors undoubtedly exercise themselves in leaping and feats of arms ; I see by thine arm and eye that thou art not quite unacquainted with the game ; perhaps it will please thee to show our young men what the practice is in thy home, even though thou mayest not be as well versed in the art as a Chief. If thou art from the east, as I con- ceive, thou must at least know how to swing the wooden club : this throw also shows the strength of the man, although my countrymen practise it little. In the hall I saw such a club over the seat of the Host." Ingo answered the good old man, " If the Prince and the Chiefs of the people will allow me, I will attempt what I have formerly learnt." The Prince nodded. One of the retinue rushed to the house, and brought with him a weapon of oakwood, curved backwards from the handle, with a sharp edge in front. The club was passed from hand to hand, and the men weighed the light tool, laughing. " This weapon is similar to what our swine* INGO. 43 herd carries to destroy wolves," cried Theodulf, contemptuously ; but the old man Isanbart answered reprovingly, "Thou speakest foolishly; I saw a skull broken like a clay jug with a club not so heavy as this." And he laid the club in the hands of the Host. " Any one who has ridden over a field of battle in the eastern marches," said the Prince, " knows well the wounds made by the stroke of this knotted weapon. Yet I have heard from old warriors that a secret lies in the wood, and that it is difficult to master the throw; for it may maliciously strike the incautious one's own head. This wooden club is not unworthy of the hand of a noble, for in former days it was a king's weapon, and my father brought it home from a foreign country." " Then it shall show its powers to the son," cried out Ingo, joyfully catching hold of it. With a smart swing of the arm he threw the club ; it flew in circling curves through the air ; but when all thought that it would strike the ground, it came, as if drawn by a cord, back again to him : he caught hold of it in the air by the handle, and threw it again hither and thither, always quicker, and it always returned obediently to his hand. So easy and frolicsome did the game with the oaken INGO. club appeal-, that the spectators drew near, and loud laughter went through the circle. "That is a juggling trick of the traveller," ex- claimed Theodulf, contemptuously^ " It is a weapon of defence in a man's hand," retorted the stranger; " thy skull can scarcely be harder than this iron cap." He spoke to Wolf, who laid an old iron helmet on a pole at the distance of a spear's throw. The stranger measured the distance of the mark, weighed the weapon in his hand, threw it in a curve at the helmet, and sprang with a power- ful bound after it. Loud cracked the bursting metal, and yet the club came back again, and again Ingo caught it with a strong hand, and held it on high. A cry of astonishment sounded through the circle, and a curious crowd collected round the shattered helmet. " Well then," began Theodulf, condescendingly, " thou hast shown us thy usages, try now our practices. Bring hither the horses for the leapers." First two horses were placed beside each other, head by head aad tail by tail. The leaper drew back, and with a short run sprang over. Almost all were successful in the leap, but with three horses only a few succeeded, and Theodulf INGO. 45 alone "was able to leap over four, and as he drew back into the crowd behind the horses, he gave a look of challenge to the stranger, and made a gesture with his hand to the attendants. The stranger bowed his head a little, and made the same leap so easily that the field resounded with applause. Then Theodulf called for a fifth horse to be added-^a difficult leap seldom accomplished by the most agile. But the Thuringian was irritated, and deterpiined to do the uttermost. He himself disposed the horses differently, that the grey might stand as fifth, then he looked round him, received the acclamations of his friends, . and ventured on the mighty leap. He got over, but in coming down he touched the grey with his back. Whilst, however, stepping forward and rejoicing in the hurrahs of the people, a still louder acclamation sounded behind him, and turning round, he saw the stranger, who this time rapidly and easily, without touch- ing, had accomplished the leap. Tlie Thuringian grew pale with rage ; he went silently to his place, and endeavoured in vain to suppress the jealousy that shone forth from his eyes. The old men, however, went up to the stranger, and praised his agility, and the old Chief said, " I perceive, stranger, if thy bearing does not deceive 46 INGO. me, that thou art not ignorant of the leap over six horses alsOj which is called the King's leap, and in which a hero does not succeed in every generation. I saw it once when I was young, but my people never." And he cried aloud, " Bring the sixth horse hither ! " Then there arose a murmur in the circle, and the more distant pressed nearer, whilst the youths hastened to place the horse. But the Princess stepped up to Ingo : she was grieved at the discomfiture of her relation, and said in a low tone to the guest — " Consider well. Hero ; the arrow of the hunter easily hits the mountain cock, when on spread- ing his wings he raises his voice." But Ingo looked at Irmgard, who was standing in joyful expectation behind her mother, and gave him a friendly smile, and he answered with glowing cheeks — " Do not be angry with me, Princess. I have been called for* I did not intrude myself into the struggle ; unwillingly does a man renounce the offered honour," He stepped back for the spring, raised him^ self powerfully in the air, and accomplished the leap, so that all the people shouted; and when he returned, he heeded not the displeased look INGO. 47 of the Princess; he rejoiced that he had succeeded, and that Irmgard's face brightened with a rosy tint. The spectators for a long time kept moving about among one another, speaking of the boldness of the stranger, and extolling him, till other objects were placed for the contest of the men. Ingo from thenceforth stood quiet near the Chiefs, and no one called him to a new struggle. The sun was already sinking, when the Herald approached the Prince, and invited the company to the repast. The men obeyed the call cheer- fully ; they returned in procession to the house, and ascended the steps to the hall. The Herald and the High Steward walked before them, and arranged each one at the tables in the hall according to his rank and position. This was an anxious task, for every one desired the place that suited him^either at the table of the Chief- tain, or near him, and rather on the right side than the left. There was a long row of tables ; the seats for the most distinguished had supports for the arms, and those for others of less distinc- tion had high backs ; for the younger ones there were good stools. It was difficult to satisfy all with a seat of honour, but the Herald understood his office, and knew how to recommend to many 48 INGO. their places, on account either of their neighbour, or of being near the ladies, or of having a good view of the hall. Nearest to the door were placed the companioDS of the master of the house, in a long row; there Theodulf had a place of honour; and on the opposite side, but quite below, sat the strange;-. Then, when aU were sitting in expectation, the cup-bearer entered with the servants, carrying in beautiful wooden goblets the greeting draught ; the Host rose, and drank to the good health of the guests, and all stood up and emptied their goblets. Then came the High Steward, with his staff, and behind him a long row of servants, who set the first course on the table; then each one took the knife which he carried by his side, and began the meal vigorously. In the beginning there was silence among the benches, for the talking of all was interrupted by their hunger, and they only praised in a low tone the abundant care of the Princess ; yet the older men, near the Prince, entered into serious conversation ; they called to mind the past deeds of heroes, and praised the virtues of their horses. The others listened willingly to their words, while eating. A nobleman by the side of the Prince began in INGO. 49 a loud voice, " Truly the pleasantest thing to me in summer is just such a high feast as this, where fellow-countrymen greet each other in warlike attire in the green meadows, the greyheads remember their old warlike journeys, and the combat-loving youths show in their games that their strength may at some future day add to the honour of their fathers. The sun shines warm, and the face of the Host smiles upon the guests, the herds of cattle frisk about, and the ears of corn ripen in the south wind ; glad is the heart of man at such a time, and he thinks unwillingly of cares. Yet it befits a man, even at his meals, not to lay aside his sword further than his arm can reach, foj? all life is full of change in the valleys of men ; the heavens may soon be covered by a veil of dark grey clouds, and the earth by a garment of white snow ; no happiness is last- ing on this earth, and each day may bring a new fate. Thus even now news has spread among the people from the land of the Romans; many are anxious concerning it, and in their thoughts ask our Host whether he has received intelligence which it would be well for us to know." This speech gave the opinion of all, and there was a sound of assent from every table; then there was a great silence. VOL. I. ■* 50 INGO. But the Prince answered cautiously, "We have all heard of the great battle, and are considering whether it will be for our wel- fare. Yet I do iiot advise that we forest men, now engaged with our drinlsing-homs, should cast our eyes downwards with anxious looks. As yet we only know what iV'anderers bring . from foreign lands, perhaps what they themselves have beheld, perhaps uncertain rumour. There- fore oi;r Bjessengers are riding through the forest southwards for new intelligence. We await their return. Then our w^se men will examine whether the news deserv.es that tbe people should concern themselves about it." As these words announced that the Host would not give any information concerning the Roman war, there arose a suppressed murmur, and Herr Answald remarked that his guests would gladly have leajrjied more, ^nd were not pleased with his sUence. The Pjrin.ce therefore gave a quiet sign to the Herald, who stepped forward, and called out with a loud voice, " The sword-dancers approach, and beg for your favour." Then every one was silent, and arranged themselves for the spectacle, and the women rose from their seats. A piper and bagpiper stepped forward, behind INGO. 51 them twelve dancers, young wamors from the people, and of the Chieftain's household, in white under- dresses, with coloured girdles, and shining swords in their hands ; before them walked Wolf as thirteenth, the sword-king, in a red dress. They stopped at the entrance, and saluted; lower- ing their weapons ; then they began the song of the dance, and glided with slow steps up to the open space before the seat of the Chiefs. The sword-king stood in the middle, his twelve com- rades encircling him solemnly with raised swords. He gave a sign, the pipers blew, the movements became quicker, half of them bounded to the right in an inner circle, the Others placed themselves opposite outside, and each one exchanged with all whom he met sword-strokes according to the rule of the stroke. Then the king dived amongst the shining swords, gliding now to the outer, now to the inner circle; he received and answered with his weapon the strokes of the others. The windings became more skilful, the movements more eager ; one after the other turned himself, as in a fight, through the revolving circles of the others. Then they divided themselves into groups, hastening against each other in measure, and with weapons stretched out, till they at the same time, now three and now four, interlaced 62 iNOO. themselves into a fighting posture. Suddenly they all lowered their swords in a large circle to the ground, and entwined them in a moment in an artistic plait that looked like a shield. The sword-king stood upon it, and his twelve com- rades were able to raise him on the shield of swords from the ground up to their shoulders, where he stood, and with his sword greeted the Prince, the guests, and the ladies. In like manner they let him down slowly to the ground, loosened sword from sword, and began anew to attack one another in a circle, now springing about and exchanging sWord-blows quick as lightning. Scarcely could the eye follow the single strokes in the whirl ; the bright steel sparkled, and the men swung their bodies under the sharp weapons ; the pipes sounded shrill, the bagpipes droned wildly ; and sparks darted forth from the swords. Thus was carried on the game of the heroes in the Prince's hall, until the dancers stopped, as if by magic, in the position of fighters, two against two. Then began again the dance-song of the dancers, and making a solemn salute, they glided with slow steps away, and went in procession out of the haU. From the seats there sounded a storm of applause, the guests sprang up in ecstacy, and called out joyful thanks to the dancers. INGO. 53 A nobleman named Rothari, who was near the Prince, rose up, and began. " I speak as I think ; more skilful sword-play have my eyes never seen among other people, and we Thuringians are the most famous upon the earth for such skill. But lower down there, on the bench of the Prince, sits a stranger, power- ful in warlike performances. And if I value him according to the capacity which he has shown this day, I would place his seat high among the strong. Yet the Gods divide unequally their gifts; even a stranger who does not know his ancestors may become an honourable warrior. People say that the news of the Roman battle came first into our country from the Prince's house ; and when I saw the stranger, I considered him as the messenger ; but the throw of the club showed that he belonged to the East, I give the health of the guest in the hall." Ingo rose and returned thanks. Then Theo- dulf called out aloud — " I have seen many leap and swing on soft turf, who forgot higher leaps in the field of battle." "Thou speakest right," replied Ingo, coldly; "yet jealousy gnaws the soul of many a one because he himself has not sprung highest on the turf." 54 INGO. " The man who bears in front of his body his scars, is esteemed more worthy of honour among us than a leaper/' answered Theodulf "But I have learnt from the old and wise that it is more glorious to give deep wounds than to bear them." " Certainly the dignity becomes thee of a Chief before whom his retinue holds the shield against hostile spears, that his rosy countenance may endure for the pleasure of the people," retorted scornfully the Prince's man. "And I have heard many a one who received a sword-stroke cluck over it like a hen over its egg," replied Ingo, contemptuously; "The shirt conceals also inglorious wounds, the traces of strokes which have fallen on the back," exclaimed Theodulf, with flaming coun- tenance. "But I call the malicious tongue inglorious, which taunts the friendly guest in the hall. Methinks such speech is not honourable; false Roman customs do liot become the Thuringian." "Dost thou know so well the customs of the Romans ? " called out from another table a wild warrior of Theodulf 's kinsfolk ; " then thou must also have felt their strokes." "I have stood in fight against the Roman INGO. 55 warriors," cried out Ingo, forgetting himself. "Ask in their camp after thy kinsman; not every one can give thee an answer who has been near my sword." Loud cries filled the hall when the stranger betrayed that he had stood against the Romans. " Thou hast spoken well, stranger," was exclaimed on all sides ; but again, from another table, " The stranger boasts wrongly of an evil deed; hurrah, hurrah, Theodulf!" The Prince rose and caUed out with a powerful voice, "I bid the war-words cease; I admonish all to peace in the festive hall." Then the loud cries ceased, but the strife of opinions continued noisily about aU the tables ; eyes flamed, and strong hands were raised. During the confusion a youth from the retinue of the Chieftain sprang up the steps, and cried out in the hall, " Volkmar the minstrel rides into the courtyard ! " " He is welcome," exclaimed the Prince. And turning to the seat of the ladies, he continued, "Irmgard, my child, greet thy teacher, and guide him to our table." Thus ordered the prudent Host, to remind the wranglers of the presence of the ladies. His words acted like magic on the boisterous crowd ; gloomy counte- nances became bright, and many a one seized the 56 INGO. mug, and took a deep drink, in order to put an end to his thoughts, and prepare himself for the song of the minstrel. But Irmgard stepped out of the arbour, and walked through the rows of men to the threshold. On the steps of the hall stood crowded together the young men of the village, staring inquisitively into the hall. Irmgard passed through the crowd, and awaited the minstrel in the courtj'^ard, who was preparing himself for the feast, under the verandah. He came up to her with a respectful greeting : he was a man of moderate height and bright eyes ; his curly golden hair was streaked with grey ; he wore graceftilly his overcoat of coloured cloth ; his naked arms were adorned with gold circlets ; he had a chain around his neck, and a stringed instrument in his hand, " Thou comest at a good time, Volkmar,'' the noble maiden exclaijned to hipi- " They are at strife with each other ; it is jiecessary that thy song should raise their hearts. Make use to-day of thy skill, and if thou canst, sing them some- thing joyful." " What has disturbed their spirits ? " asked the minstrel, who was accustomed to employ his art like a clever doctor. " Is it against the wild household of King Biaino that they are INGO. 57 angry ? or do they dispute over the Roman invasion ? " "The young men do not keep the peace," answered the Prince's daughter. " Is it nothing more ? " enquired the minstrel, indiflferently. "It would be useless trouble to try to hinder their passages at arms on the green- sward." But when he perceived the serious coun- tenance of the noble maiden, he added, " If they are the madcaps of the house, lady, I fear that my song will not do away with their jealousy. If I could put thy friendly smile into my song, and whisper it in the ear to each one, they would all follow me like lambs. Yet what I bring to- day," he added, changing his tone, "is so terrible that they will certainly forget their quarrel in listening to it. It is a bad addition to a festive meal ; yet I must go in and tell them the tale. I do not know whether they wUl then still desire a song." "Wilt thou tell them the sorrowful news at the repast ? " asked the noble maiden, anxiously ; " that will make their spirits heavy, and rouse them to anger." " Surely thou knowest me," replied the min- strel; " I shall give them only as much as they can bear. Who has the Prince invited to the hall?" 58 INGO. " They are our old country friends." " Are there strangers among them ? " "No one," answered the noble maiden, hesita- tingly, " save a poor wanderer." "Then be without anxiety," concluded the minstrel;, " I know the disposition of our people, and how one must mis: their evening drink for them." Whilst the noble maiden went through a side- door to the arbour, the minstrel entered the hall. As he stood on the threshold a hurrah and greeting echoed again loud from the roof. With pride Volkmar perceived that he was a favourite; he passed with agile step into the open space before the table of the Chieftain, and bowed low to him and to the Princess. " A thousand times welcome to thee, thou be- loved of the people ! " the Prince called out to him; " the birds of our district which departed in the winter have long been singing their summer song ; only for the singer of the Hefoes have we looked in vain." " I have not heard the birds in the air an- nouncing the summer. I have only heard the war-hounds of the Gods howhng in the wind, and looked at the coloured cloud-bridges on which the Heroes in endless hosts have been carried up INGO. 59 to the Halls of the Gods. I saw the Rhine flowing in red waves, covered with the bodies of men and horses. I beheld the battle-field, and the bloody valley where heaps of the slain lay as food for the ravens, and I know that Kings with fettered limbs are awaiting execution in the Roman camp." A loud outcry followed these words. "Give us an a,ccount, Volkmar ; we listen," said the Prince. The minstrel passed his fingers over the strings ; there was such a stillness in the room that one might have heard the deep breathing of the guests. Then he touched the strings, and began, first relating, then singing with raised voice and melodious cadence, his account of the battle be- tween the Alemanni and the Romans. He gave the name of the Kings and the Kings' children who had gone with the Alemanni over the Rhine against Caesar, and had in the first instance put the horsemen of Rome to flight, as well as the first rank in the battle. After that he sang, "Behind the second rank of the Roman host Caesar rode, giving orders from his horse; over him floated as a banner the picture of a dragon — the gigantic reptile with spiral body, the holy battle-sign of the Romans ; the reptile was red and purple, and out of its wide-spread jaw proceeded 60 INGO. tongues of flame. And Csesar called the Bava- rians and Franks to the front. " ' Forward, you German heroes ! my Komans cannot stand the assault of the enemy.' The Herald rode forward, and the Franks, shining brightly, raised themselves from the ground, and arranged their troops. Aimo, son of Arnfried, swung his sword powerfully in front of the battle." " That is my brother ! " called out one from one of the tables. "Health to Aimo!" was called out from another comer of the hall. " They marched- on in straight line, their white shields adorned with the picture of the bull. Severe was the pressure ; as flames of fire along the heath, so did their swords clear the battle- field from the assault of the Alemanni. Once again with fresh vigour sprang forward the Alemanni, ■the King's foremost, and again the Komans gave way. Then Csesar ordered up his last troops, which in the Roman army are called by the generals the ' Thorn-fence.' " " Archibald ! " was called oijt wildly in the hall ; " Eggo ! " from another side. " There stood as leader over a hundred men a Hunic comrade, the Thuringian Archibald, and Eggo, his mother's son, much experienced in the Roman customs of war. They fixed their knees INGO. 6l firmly on the ground, they covered their bodies with linden shield, and defended themselves with fixed spears as a threefold buckler. Again the Alemanni dashed on; the shields cracked under the strokes of the axe, the spears passed through armour and body, the dead sank in long rows, and over the bodies of the fallen pressed the throng, shield against shield, and breast against breast, like a fight of bulls in an enclosed pen. Then the fortune of war departed from the Alemanni; they were driven backwards, they were dismayed at the heaps of dying comrades. The sun sank, and the chances of the war were gone. The scattered bands fled to the shore of the stream, and behind them stormed the Romans with knife and spear, like a pack of hounds after the deer; the flying people sprang into the Rhine, the conquerors on the bank threw their spears with loud cries into a wild crowd of men and horses, of dead bodies and drowning heroes ; the Nixy of the stream stretched his clawing hands around, and drew the heroes into the depths, down to his own abode." The minstrel stopped. A loud groan passed through the assembly — only a single hurrah sounded in the midst of it ; the Prince listened attentively to the outbreak of sorrow and of joy. 62 INGO. Then Volkmar continued, changing the tones of sorrow to a more stirring melody : " Caesar approached the bank of the river, and looked smiling down on the men in their distress. He caUed out to. his banner-bearer, who carried the dragon, the red monster worked in purple, in which the God of the Romans had placed a vic- tory speU — the death of the enemy, 'Let the dragon float over the stream, that he may show his teeth and flaming tongue to the dying people. High in the air he flies towards the heavenly haJls of the dead ; when they rise on the cloud-bridge, he will show his teeth; the Roman dragon will stop their journey, they will descend the road to the flshes, down in the darkness to Hela's gate.' Then was the insult revenged by the last hero who withstood the Romans in arms — Ingo, the son of Ingbert, from the land of the Vandals, the King's son, of the race of the Gods. He had fought by the side of King Athanarich, foremost in the fight, terror of the Romans. When the fortune of battle turned, he retreated with his retinue, that had followed him on the war-path from country to country; slowly and angrily, like a growling bear, he retreated to the bank, where at the foot of the rocks the boats lay. There he collected together the women of the INGO. 63 army, the fortune-tellers, and the blood-seers, and compelled them to depart, that the holy mothers might escape the swords of the Romans. The minstrel also he forced into the boat, and he himself, noble-hearted spirit, made a rampart with his body and weapons in front of the place of departure. The rope was loosened, the boats floated on the green flood 'midst the whizzing of Roman spears ; the enemy pressed on, and pain- fully did the little band at the foot of the rock fight the last fight. Then the Hero beheld on the stone above his head the dragon of Csesar, the grim reptile, and with a bound he broke through the Roman guard ; he leapt upon the stone, with bear-like grip he laid hold of the giant who bore the banner, and threw him from the rock. Lifeless the Roman sank in the flood; then lifting the banner, and shouting the battle-cry, the Hero sprang with the dragon down into the stream. A cry of rage yelled from the throats of the Romans : to revenge the bitter shame before the eyes of Csesar, to slay the daring one, to save the holy token of Rome, men and horses threw them- selves madly into the stream ; but the victorious Hero dragged the red dragon down into the whirling stream. Yet once more I saw him raise his arm and shake the banner ; then I never 64< INGO. saw him more. Caesar, with troubled mina, caused search to be made along the banks of the stream on both sides. Two days after, a spy on the Alemann bank found far down the broken banner-spear; the enemy's dragon no one brought back. Then did the men return to the banks of the Rhine with resentment in their souls. The victory spell of Caesar was lost in the stream, and retribution threatened the Roman army. Envoys who came up from the Kattens in order to offer an alliance with the Roman people, stopped on their journey when they learnt the bad omen. The insult of the conqueror was re- venged by ,a strong arm, and King Ingo, the hero, had vanished from man's earth." The minstrel ceased, and bent his head over his instrument. All was still in the hall as after a death dirge; the men's eyes glistened, and emo- tion worked in every countenance ; but in none more than in the stranger's. When the minstrel had entered, and in passing by him had touched his dress, he had bent his head down, and, as his neighbour Wolf had observed with displeasure, had taken less interest in the account of the minstrel than was fitting for a warrior, and the bench comrades had pointed to him, and ex- changed jeering words. But when the minstrel INGO. 65 began about the fight for tiie dragon, he raised his face, a rosy light flitted over his features, and so beaming and glorified was the look that he cast upon the singer, that those who saw him could not turn their eyes away ; the bright curly hair formed a kind of halo round the inspired face; and when the minstrel became silent, he sat motionless. "Look there, Volkmar!" called out a deep woman's voice, trembling with emotion ; and all eyes followed the direction to which Irmgard's hand pointed, who was standing erect in the arbour. The minstrel rose, and gazed at the stranger. " The Spirit of the stream has given the Hero back!" he exclaimed with terror, yet immediately after he sprang forward. " Blessed is the day on which I behold thee. Hero Ingo, Ingbert's son, thou my preserver, the last fighter in the battle of the Alemanni ! " The guests rose from their seats, the haU resounded with cries of jubilee. The minstrel rushed up to Ingo, bent over his hand, and ex- claimed, "I hold thee bodily. Never did my song receive so delightful a reward." Then he led the stranger to the table of the Prince, who with moist eyes hastened up to him. VOL. I. 5 66 INGO. " Blessed be thou, heroic man ; to-day a heavy burden falls from my heart; I knew well that the fame of the hero could not be concealed. Be welcome to my house, thou friend from the time of thy father ; remove the chair, boys, that the Prince may join the nobles of my people. Cup- bearer, bring the wine hither; in feast goblets, with Roman drink bought with Roman gold, we would drink the health of the kingly Hero, son of our Gods." INGO, 67 HI. OPEN HEARTS. In the early morning Irmgard walked through the dewy grass to the forest ; a white mist floated over the ground, and hung round the trees like the dress of the water spirits. Out of the mist of the meadows rose the bright figure of the noble maiden ; she was singing and shouting, with rosy cheeks and long floating hair, and with a happy heart; thus she passed through the circling clouds like the goddess of the fields. For she had heard and beheld the heroic, and what raises man from the fear of death into the society of the high Gods; all her countrymen had bowed themselves before the heroic power of one who was secretly pleasing to her, and in whom she had more confidence than in any other. She mounted the hill-path, up to a spot where her father's hall was hidden behind the foliage of the trees; there she stood alone between the 68 INGO. forest and the rock; under her roared the water- fall, over her soared the light clouds of the coming day. She stepped upon a stone, and sang to the rocks and to the rushing water the melody of the minstrel, and the words of the song which she had heard in the hall. She gave forth joyfully what had clung to her memory from the skill 6f Volkmar ; apd when s'he came to the leap into the Rhine, it delighted her so much that she sang with enthusiasm — " Ye wise birds on the trees, messengers of the Gods, and ye little fitchets under the fern bushes, hear it yet again." And she repeated the words ; and as the Hero at last vanished into the stream, his disappearance was so sorrowful to her, that, being fuU of imagination, she poured out her emotions in words of her own, and sang yet again the lament of the minstrel. Her song echoed from the rocks, above the notes of the forest birds and the eoft murmur of the moun- tain stream. Then near her a pebble rolled into the brook. She looked to the side from whence it came, and perceived a figure which, veiled in the airy web of the Nixy, leant against the stem of a tree beneath her; the Hero whose honour she had been proclaiming to the woods was standing INGO. 69 bodily close to her, and as she stepped back frightened, she heard his supplicating voice. " Sing on, noble maiden, that I may hear from thy lips what makes me happy. Dearer to me are the tones from thy throat than aU the skill of Volkmar. For as the minstrel sang, and the hall resounded with the acclamations of the men, I thought ever on thee, and my proudest pleasure was, that thou heardest the news." "In terror at sight of thee, words fail me," answered Irmgard, endeavouring to compose herself as he drew nearer to her. " I had more courage to speak to thee under the elder tree," she continued at last ; " even then, Hero, thou hadst little need of my counsel; and when I think of itj I cannot but wonder at my folly j do not thou, thereforCj deride me. For just in that way we forest people speak out, and our thoughts are very simple. But it grieves me that thou shouldst twice have heard from my mouth what thou already knewest ; had I known thee as thou art, I should have known better how to conceal my good opinion ; and now shame op- presses me, because thou hast listened to me." " Conceal nothing from me, Irmgard," implored the guest 5 "if thou art favourably disposed tO' wards me, then, believe me, seldom has a banished 70 INGO. man heard such hearty words from the lips of a kind woman. Even when the minstrel praised him, and the Host drank to him, stUl he stood shut out from famUy and friendship. Seldom does a chief grant to an outcast his daughter as wife, and the fugitive leaves no son on the earth to extol his deeds." Irmgard looked down seriously. "But do thou," continued Ingo, " suffer me to acknowledge the secret that I hear in my soul. Do not despise my confidence ; sit here on the stone, that I may impart it to thee," Irmgard seated herself obediently; the man stood before her, and began. " Hear from me what happened after the battle of the Alemanni. The stars were shining; I lay deadly weary on the gravelly bank of the stream, the red banner of the Romans wound round my feeble arm. The night wind groaned the death lament, the waves roared, my body was cold, and my brain dizzy. Then a sorrowful face bent over me ; it was the fortune- teller of the Alemanni, a wise woman, the confidant of the Gods. ' I seek thee, Ingo, among the bodies of men, that I may preserve thy life, as thou hast done mine.' She conveyed me away from the bank, spread a warm covering over my limbs, and offered me a strengthening drink ; after that INGO, 71 she tore the long spear from the foreign banner, and with prayers threw the broken stick back into the stream. She concealed the weary man in the thicket of the forest, and sat by his bed like a mother night and day. On my departure she seized the purple token, and said, ' Here I show thee the threads which govern thy fate ; the Gods leave the choice to the Hero. If thou throw from thee the spell spun by the Romans, thou mayest grow old in peaceful quiet, concealed among the people, patient in life, and free from fate. Yet if thou keep the purple figure with malicious eyes and fiery tongue, then, though the minstrel may sing thy praise among the warriors, and thy memory may live long among others, I fear that the dragon will consume thy fortune and body. Choose now, Ingo ; for the Gods grant to man his fate according to his own thoughts, and from his own deeds his lot falls — the heavy and the light ; as he throws, so will be his fate.' Then I said, ' Long ago, dear mother, have the Gods and the deeds of my ancestors cast for me my earthly lot. From the Gods I came upon man's earth ; inglori- ous repose on soft furs I may not choose ; thou knowest it thyself: to tread with my comrades in front of the battle, to lead up the men of the earth to the cloud-haU of Heroes, — that is my duty. If I 72 INGO, am a stranger among foreign races, yet I fear not the directing finger of the Fates ; with a firm heart will I tread among the Heroes, I wiU joyfuUy trust to my man's courage. If the dragon bring me hatred, renown will procure me friends ; never will I conceal my head from the light of the sun.' Then the mother took the purple in her hand ; she divided the heads of the dragon from the spiral body ; the heads she keptj the body she threw into the flames of the hearth. ' Perhaps I may thus redeem thy days from the threatening evil,' she said, standing by the hearth, The flames rose iip high ; discoloured exhalations fllled the room. She rushed out, and dragged me into the open air. Then she bound the heads with flexible willow, tied the knots, whispered a song, and offered me the bundle in a leathern pocket, that I might keep it secret from every one. ' It wiU protect from water, but not from fire ; thy life I commend to the keeping of the Gods.' Then she directed me northwards, with a blessing on my journey. "This, noble lady, is the secret of my life, which I teU you willingly. What the Gods may ordain for me, I know not, but I have confided to thee what none other knows. For since I came into this land, and have beheld thee, my mind is altered, and it appears to me better to INGO. 73 sit near thee, or to ride on horseback over the plain, than to go with the vulture to the tumult of battle. My thoughts are much changed, and my spirit is greatly depressed, because I am an unsettled man, who formerly cared little for my fate, and trusted in my arm and in a propitious God, who might, perhaps, some day recall the banished man to his old home. But now I see that I am driven about like this pine branch, with its clod in the running stream/' He pointed to a young pine tree, which was torn away with its moss and earth from the place where it stood by the mountain stream, and was driven erect through the whirling water. " The clod will become smaller," said Ingo, seriously ; " the earth breaks away, and at last it disappears among the stones." Irmgard rose, and followed with eager look the path of the wild plant; it went down the vaUey, twisted itself in the eddy, and hastened forwards, till what with mist and flood it became almost invisible. " It stops," she exclaimed at last, joyfully, and sprang down to the brook, to the place where the tree had riveted itself into a projecting tongue of landi " See here ! " she called out to her com- panion; "here it bears leaves, on our bank; it is very possible that it may grow firmly on our land." 74 INGO. " But do thou," cried Ingo, transported, " tell me whether that -would be pleasant to thee," Irmgard remained silent. Then the sun broke out above the "wall of clouds ; its rays illuminated the noble figure of the maiden ; her hair shone like gold around her head and shoulders, as she, with downcast eyes and blushing cheeks, stood before the man. His heart bounded with joy and love ; he approached her respectfully ; she remained as if spell-bound, but moved her hand gently, as if to ward him off, and murmured beseechingly, " The dear sun looks down on us." But he kissed her heartily, and called out to the laughing sun — "A greeting to thee, bright lord of the day ! Be gracious to us, and guard confidentially what thou beholdest." He kissed her again, and felt her warm lips against his; but when he wished to embrace her, Irmgard removed his arm. She looked at him with deep love, but her cheeks were pale, and she dismissed him with a movement of her hand towards the mountains, He obeyed, and sprang from her, and as he turned to look back at her, he saw her, enveloped in light, throw herself down upon her knees before the tree, and hold up her arms imploringly to the shining heaven. INGO. 75 On the same morning the nobles and wise men, the leaders of the community, and trusty warriors, assembled in the house of Prince Answald, and sat down on the seats which were arranged for them on both sides of the hearth. The Host took his seat in the middle, and behind his chair stood Theodulf. The Herald closed the door, and the Prince spoke to the assembly. " Ingo, the son of King Ingbert, has come to my house, bound to me by ties of friendly hos- pitality from the time of his father. To-day I desire for him the right of guest of the people, that he may be safe from enemies, either foreign or among our people, not only in my house, but also in your land ; that he may find justice against evil-doers, and protection by the weapons of the neighbours from every one that would injure his honour or life. As a supplicant I stand before you for the worthy man ; with you it rests to grant or refuse." After these words a deep silence ensued. At last Isanbart rose ; his snow-white hair hung about his scarred face, his tall figure supported itself on a stafij but the voice of the old man sounded powerfully, and the men listened to him respectfully. " It becomes thee, Prince, to speak as thou hast 76 INGO. done. We are accustomed to thy gifts to the people ; and when thou beggest something of them, our hearts are ready to grant it. Renowned is t'-ie man ; and that it is himself, and not a lying traveller, we have the warrant of the minstrel's song, the hospitable token that he has exchanged with his Host, and above all else, the dignity of his countenance and figure. But we are placed as guardians over the welfare of many, and the anxious times admonish us to be cautious; therefore it becomes us to take earnest counsel, and to balance the opinions of the heroes of the people, which are somewhat discordantly divided." He seated himself, and the neighbours nodded to him respectfully. But Rothari rose up im- petuously-^a nobleman of the old princely race, a stout man with red face and red hair, a re- nowned drinker, valiant also in the men's war exercises, and brisk in the dance ; the boys called him, in banter, "King Puflf-cheek." "Counsel in the morning should be like an early draught, short and strong. Methinks that there is no need for long consideration here ; we have all lately drank his health, we wiU not to- day pour water into his cup ; he is a hero who has two good warranties — the song of the minstrel, INGO. 77 and our good pleasure ; that is enough for me ; I give him my voice for the rights of a guest." The old men smiled at the zeal of the loyal man, and the younger ones expressed loudly their approbation. Then stood up Siutram, uncle to Theodulf, a man without eyebrows, with pale eyes and thin face, a hard Host, and dan- gerous to his enemies, yet clever in counsel, and in great consideration at the court of the King. " Thou, Prince, art favourably disposed to- wards him, and he himself deserves it, so thou sayest ; this gives a tendency to my wishes, and I would willingly greet him as a guest, as we at times do to foreign wanderers whose praise has not been proclaimed by the voice of the minstrel ; yet a doubt restrains the wishes of my heart, and I ask, does he come as our friend from a foreign land ? AU the young warriors of our province do not stay by their hearths at home. I think also of those who go abroad after fame and fortune. Which of our race has fought with the Alemanni ? I know of none. But in the army of the Romans there are bold swordsmen of our kindred; if these are enemies of the stranger, how can we call ourselves his friends ? Have they fallen in fight? — then the death-lament sounds in our villages. Who has caused their fall ? 78 INGO. Perhaps this man, so bold in battle, who himself boasted of it at the feast. How can we offer the rights of hospitality to an enemy, who as an enemy has spilt our blood ? I know not whether he did it ; but if he did not, it was an accident : it was his object, as he was fighting for King Athanarich. I hear it reported in the Roman army that Caesar has to thank our fellow-country- men, who speak our language, alone for his vic- tory ; like giants stood the red-cheeked sons of our land above the black-eyed foreigners. Csesar rewards them with armlets and honours and the highest oiEces. Ask concerning a powerful war- rior and proud army in Rome: the Roman traders will answer, with an envious look, they are of German blood, Where shall our youths find war- honours and the favours of the Gods, if their weapons rust peacefully in the land? Where should the strength of our province go, enabling their brothers at home to enjoy the inheritance, if Csesar did not open his treasure-house to wan- derers ? Therefore, I say, his kingdom is useful to us, and whoever fights against him is opposed to our advantage ; look to it that the stranger does not bar the path which leads our high- minded heroes to gold treasure and honour." The men sat with gloomy looks; it was a sorrow INGO. 79 to them that he spoke the truth. But Bero, the father of Frida, broke the silence — a raw-boned peasant, who knitted his bushy eyebrows with displeasure. " Thou sentest thy brother into the Koman army"— he spoke with a rough voice, and slowly — " thou sittest comfortably on his inherit- ance ; I am not surprised that thou praisest the foreign brood. But the peasant does not delight in the insolent fellows who return home from their war-travels out of the Roman land, for they become bad companions, despisers of our customs, boasters, and loiterers. Therefore I say that Roman travels are a misfortune to our people. If our young warriors serve in the camp of foreign Generals, they do it at their own risk; the people have not chosen nor dedicated them to it. I can boast of a home of my own, where I can wield my axe freely ; also I am at peace with my neighbours who honour my Gods and my lan- guage. Now we have peace with every one, If an Alemann comes to our hearth, a valiant fellow, we give him a bed by our fire; if on the morrow a Roman warrior comes, who appears to us honour- able, we perhaps do the same. Both must live discreetly, according to our laws ; and should one grudge the other the air and the hearth-fire, let them take their swords and fight out their quarrel 80 INGO. outside the village fence ; the blows are their affair, not ours. Therefore, I say, here is an heroic man ; whether Roman or Vandal, let him be wel- come to our hearths ; we wiU be the Hosts, and restrain him if he should disturb the peace of the land." He spoke, and seated himself defiantly on his stool ; the old men murmured assent. Then rose Albwin, a man of noble nature. It is said that the house-spirit dwells in the rafter-roof of his house, from the times of his fathers, and rocks the children of the family in the night, and that on this account they do not grow up like other men ; for all his family are delicate and small, yet pleasant in disposition, and powerful in good words. And he spoke thus: "Perhaps thou thyself, Prince, mayest be able to reconcile the opinions of the chiefs and neighbours. They aU would grant the best to the Hero who came to thy hearth from the war; they are only fearful lest, per- haps, at some time their dountrymen should be troubled by his fate, For it is characteristic of an illustrious man not to lie idle under the roof of his Host ; he collects followers around him, and creates himself opponents : the greater a man's repute, the more powerfully will he draw his companions in his path. We are not so niggardly INGO. 81 as to count the days during which we should keep a wanderer in the hall, yet we do not know the views of the Hero ; and therefore may it be permitted to me to ask the Host. If it is only a question of giving the stranger a short rest and a chamber, then there is no need of consultation. But if he wishes to pass his future days among our people, to fix his abode on our ground, them we must think cautiously, not only of the advan- tage of the stranger, but also of our own." "Thy admonition is well founded," answerel the Prince, seriously, " and yet I must refuse an answer to thy speech ; thou thyself knowest that it does not become a Host to watch the hour of departure of a guest ; and even if I might, in this case I would never do it, for the noble man came to us from misfortune ; he himself knows not whether his return will be granted to him soon, or perhaps ever." Again Eothari rose, the unyielding man, and spoke in anger. " What ! shall we market about time, we Thuringians? When we open our hearts, we do not make a question of time. Give him the rights of hospitality among the people, and make an end of it ! " Loud cries of applause rose from the men, who sprang from their seats, Then jumped up Sin- VOL. I. 6 ,82 JNGO. cram in the middle of the circle, and cried out with sharp voice to the excited assembly, "Look to it, Prince, that the leaders of our province do not, like a boy following a bright bird, spring down into an unexplored chasm. I demand silence: little has yet been considered which tends to our welfare." The Prince made a sign with his staff; the men seated themselves unwillingly, and a threatening murmur rose against Sintram; but he continued, unmoved : " Powerful art thou, Prince, and sharp is the iron of thy people, but we are Thuringians, and a King rules over us; it is fitting that the King should give hospitality to the foreign king's son, not we." "KingBisino? King Bilberry!" cried angry voices. " Will Sintram have us send a messenger to the King to prescribe the promises that we are to make by our heafth^fires?" exclaimed an indig- nant Thuringian. " The King is our liege . lord," said Herr An- swald, cautiously. " In the council of the people his name should be mentioned with respect." " I know well," the persistent Sintram caUed out to the threatening assembly, " that we do not ask the King when a way-weary man, of whose name no one has heard, sits down on our bench • but he who has now come is a noted warrior ^an JNGO. 83 enemy of the Romans. We know not the King's mind, whether the strtoger might be useful or mischievous to him; and whether he who con- siders the peace of the people, would praise or blame our hospitality." Then rose Turibert, the priest of the sacrifices, who sat on the right hand of the Prince, and began with a loud voice, which sounded power- fully under the raftered roof "Thou askest whether the King would graciously approve, or turn his face angrily away. I do not blame thine anxiety ; many a one asks how the hare runs, and what the owl cries. But I tell you what is known to men without any prognostics. The Gods of mankind have consecrated a law for us, that we should grant air and light, earth and water, to the innocent stranger. If the King is angry because we behave honourably to a sup- pliant, we must bear it ; for heavier is the anger of the Gods than the displeasure of a king. If this man is an enemy to you because he has fought the Romans, then extinguish forthwith the hearth^fire at which he sits down, and lead him away beyond the boundary forest. But to consider whether he may perhaps become dan- gerous, or perhaps not, is not the custom of the country, nor the command of the Gods." 84 INGO. " Listen to his words/' began Isanbart again. " I saw my sons fall in the thick of the battle ; my grandsons also have vanished from man's earth ; I know not why I have remained behind in the struggle betwixt night and day, betwixt summer and winter, and betwixt love and anger in the souls of men. But perhaps the Powers have preserved me here, that I might give to the younger men an account of the fate of their lathers. In the former times, so the old men told me, all Thuringians bjjilt upon their own fields as free men, in a coiifederacy of the pro- vinces. But discord came among the people; those in the northern province struggled unsuc- cessfully against the knives of the Saxons. Then the northern province chose for themselves a King; they placed him on a high seat, and put a diadem round the head of a hero whose fame as a warrior was renowned ; and the race of Princes became powerful. From the quarries of the plain they built a castle of stone, and collected warriors of the people within the walls. But our ances- tors, forest men, sat ipdependent on the inherit- ance of their fathers, impatjept of the King's sway. Long did the strife last between our province and the King's men. When the King's hosts invaded our boundary fence, we drove- INGO. 85 our herds into the woods, and saw indignantly how these valley people set our houses in flames ; we sat behind the barricade, and counted the days, till we could exercise reprisals on the herds and warriors of the King. At last the King offered an amicable compromise. I was a boy when the people of our province first bowed their necks before the King's red diadem. Since then we have sent our young men to his wars, and in return the King's men come into our ranks when our province is at war with the community of the Kattens. Impatiently does the King bear our lukewarm homage ; often have his messengers endeavoured to set a price on our herds, and to count the sheaves on our acres. More than once in our lifetime has the quarrel with the King's people blazed up ; the common advantage has compelled them again to peace, but the counsellors of the King spy jealously from the battlements of the castle at our free forests. Now we still live unscathed ; rings and dresses come from the King's castle for the per- sons of our nobles, and our fellow-countrymen are received with loud greetings in the King's halls. Yet I warn you that we are not pliant, nor accustomed to the princely service; we ask for nothing, therefore King Bisino sends us no answers ; '86 INGO. we do not supplicate him as a master, therefore he. grants us no favours. Every pretext to show power is welcome at the King's court. Whether the King's people like or dislike the stranger, if we ask them, it does us a mischief; if to-day we enquire about our rights of hospitality, and beg for permission, on the morrow we shall have a King's messenger with commands. Therefore it seems to me better that we should remain as we have done, To give content to our guest is our right, not the right of the King. Thus be it ended. When I was a man in my fiiU strength, I was travelling companion to the father of our Host. I stood ia the battle by the sword-hand of that Hero whose son now tarries at our hearth. A mild mao, but ' proud and strong, was the father, and I see the son is of £he same stamp. When lately I found the young Hero at the games, then did my dream of the olden time revive; I saw a friend's eye, not that of a stranger; the hand of the king, which I once touched in a foreign country, I touched anew now ; and there- fore I desire to gain for him the good-will of the people, the seat at our bench," 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 [ INGO. 87 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 rancour 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 amidst the acclamations of the multitude ; they invited him into their circle, and Isd him afterwards, according to holy custom, to the great hearth- kettle of the Prince. Over the kettle the Chiefs of the people and Ingo exchanged vows. 88 INGO. Then the Prince began to the guest, "The alliance is sworn, and a place shall he prepared for thee in my court, Hero Tngo, that thou mayest have an apartment therein so long as pleaseth thee. But thou thyself must appoint a chamber- lain ; 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 honour to give thee an oath of fidelity, and to follow thy footsteps so long as thou tarriest amongst us, especially when they learn it is agreeable to me." Then Ingo approached "Wolf, and said, " Thou wast the first to ofier 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 battle-field with the armlets of slain enemies; thou wilt have to follow a poor lord, and no other reward can I ofier thee than kind feeling and help with spear and shield." Wolf answered, " Teach me, my lord, to attain thy skill in the battle-field, then am I sure to gain golden treasure, if the Gods will permit INGO. 89 that I should endure in the fight; yet if they invite thee to their haJls, I know that the path along which I follow thee will be full of fame to me also." He spoke, and made his vow to the guest upon his hand. Theodulf also sought reconcilation with Ingo. On the evening of the feast, when the Prince had taken the Hero to the seat of honour, Sintram, with other men of Theodulf's kindred had met together. They had secretly "taken counsel how to hinder a fight between the opponents, and Theodulf had, in consequence, followed by his kinsfolk, gone to Ingo, and had said, " The aspect of the country appears different when the sun breaks out from behind the clouds. Thus I did not know thy value when I spoke ungraciously to thee. My speech did not refer to thee, but to an inglorious man who has now vanished; do thou forget, therefore, the wounding words, that I may not be the only one in the hall to whom thou wouldst have a right to bear rancour." And the Prince added, " He speaks rightly ; none of us here now wish thee evil. Hero. I myself desire a reconciliation for him, for it was I who concealed thy name." Then answered Ingo, " The words of contempt 90 INGO. I forgot, Theodulf, during the song of the min- strel ; unwillingly would I think of any fui-ther revenge." In golden splendour rose a new morning for Ingo. But in the mountain forest a hot morning is followed by a stormy day, and even warmth of heart disappears quickly in the storm of angry thoughts. INGO. 9t IV. AT THE king's COURT. At the castle of the King of Thuringia sat Gisela, the Queen, on a high seat ; she supported her head on her white arm, and her long curls fell from under her diadem over her hand, cover- ing her eyes. At her feet a servant-maid was putting back into the chest the gold vessels from the King's table, and counting the pieces before she closed and delivered it into the treasure- room of her royal mistress. She gazed smilingly at her face distorted in the round metal, and looked up to her lady ; brft the Queen concerned herself little about the golden treasure. Some steps off sat King Bisino, a valiant warrior, of bulky figure, with strong limbs and a broad face; he had on his cheek a black mole, which was hereditary in his race ; it had been a cause of derision to one of his ancestors, but was now considered a king's token ; it did not add to his beauty, but he was 92 ISTGO. proud of it. The King was cross-looking ; copious drinking had swollen the veins of his forehead. He was wrangling with the minstrel Volkmar, who was standing before him. "I have sent for thee after the repast," said the King, " that the Queen may question thee, but she appears not to know that we are here." " What does my lord command ? " asked Frau Gisela, raising herself up proudly. "There is good reason," murmured the King, " to open one's eyes, when the Kings wear iron fetters by the Rhine, and lie in damp prisons." " Why did they offer their hands to the fet- ters ? " replied Gisela, coldly. " It ill becomes those who have led thousands of their warriors to the death-halls to allow others the precedence. When I see valiant men with death-wounds on the bloody heath, I concern myself little about the bloodless faces in prison." "Fortune abandons even valiant men," said the King, looking timidly at his wife. "But thou, fellow, hast not told all; one of them escaped and came into my country. There have been loud sounds heard in the house of the Prince ; acclamations to Ingo have shaken the hall. Thou wast there, nimble-tongued musician; why hast INGO. 93 thou changed thy song ? for other were the tones of thy ditty in the forest bower." " Bad would be the repute of the singer if his song sounded uniformly on one string. My duty is to give every man his due, that the heart of the hearer may open itself joyfully. I did not conceal the name of the hero from the King, for deeds of renown live through my mouth. But I did not know that the name of the fugitive would disturb the mind of the great ruler of the people." " I know thee," exclaimed the King, with an outbreak of anger; " thou divest with agility, like the otter in the river. Guard thy smooth skin from the strokes of my boys." " The minstrel is at peace with the wild folk. Thy boys, King — the insolent men whose noise sounds now from the court up to the stone tower — ^have fear also of the minstrel ; for he carries tidings of every misdeed through aU countries ; and were his mouth to be for evei' stopped, then his valiant comrades would revenge his death. Thine anger does not frighten me, yet I should be unwilling to lose thy favour, for thou hast richly rewarded my true service. It is impossible for me to know why my lord hears with such displeasure the name of the stranger ; the fugi- 94 JNGO. tive appears to me a valiant man, faithful to his friends, and not greedy after foreign goods." " Thou speakest as befits thee," said the Queen, kindly, "and the King knows well thy value. Take for thy news, even though it should be un- pleasant, the reward of a king's messenger." She made a sign to her serving-maid, who pushed the heavy chest in front of her feet; she put her hand in, and without making a choice, offered to the minstrel a gold drinking-vessel. The min- strel looked at her startled, but seeing the Queen knit her brows angrily, he took the cup which she reached him, and bowed low upon her hand. " If thy rapid foot can tarry with us yet a while, do thou teach my maidens the new dance melody, which thou broughtest the last time to our hall. And afterwards come where thou wilt be near me.'' She gave him a gracious sign to depart. The King looked after him with a dissatisfied air. "Thou art liberal with the gold out of thy chest," he said, sulkily. " The King makes a good bargaiu when he can by gold repair the injustice that he has done to an inferior. It is little to the honour of my lord to betray his anxieties to the travelling man who INGO. 1)5 sings from hall to hall for pay. Thou hast only the choice of closing the mouth of the man by a cup, or for ever by a stroke of the sword ; there- fore I gave him the cup to propitiate him, that he might be silent ; for he is a far-famed man, and it would be dangerous to kill the witness of thy fear." The King continued dejectedly, terrified, as often happened to him, by the proud spirit of the Queen, " What dost thou advise with respect to the stranger, whom the forest people have re- ceived as a friendly guest as a defiance to me ? Shall I offer him also gold, or iron ? " " Thy favour. King Bisino ; for Ingo, the son of Ingbert, is an illustrious man." " Is it to my advantage that he can make the king's leap ? " asked the King again. Frau Grisela looked at him, and remained silent. "Confidence alone binds a noble mind," she replied at last, and stood before the King. " If my lord would avoid danger, let him invite the stranger himself to his court, and show him the honour due to him, The King's son may be dangerous, perhaps, among the peasants of the forest, but not in thy castle, and in the midst of thy army; here, as thy friendly guest, his oath and thy power will bind him.'^ 96 INGO. The King reflected. "Thou advisest well, Gisela, and thou knowest I respect thy words. I will await what the future brings." He rose ; the Queen made a sign to the maiden to leave her. When she was alone, she paced up and down the room with rapid steps. " I am called Gisela ; I am fettered in a foreign land to the joyless bed of a low-minded man. For years has the daughter of the King of Burgundy sat in misery on the throne, and her thoughts return to the land of her own people, and to the time of her childhood. There I saw him whom once my father destined for my husband, when I was a child and he was a boy. Ingo, the banished man, hard was thy travelling fare, and bitter thy drink in thy ban- ishment, but bitterer yet is my grief in the King's castle ! Whenever a wandering warrior came from foreign lands, I enquired after thy lot. Now thy steps approach the path along which I tread, be thou welcome to me, whether for weal or woe ; for I am weary of my solitude." From without sounded the laughter of many voices, and the song of the maidens; the Queen sat down, her hands clasped upon her knees, and listened to the melody of the dance, which the minstrel sang. Later the serving-maid led the minstrel quietly in. " Thou hast related much at INGO. 97 the King's repast," said she to him.smihng, "which has given my lord heavy thoughts. Now let me know in confidence how thou thyself didst escape the bands of the Romans ; for I was in danger of losing a worthy man, who has often given me pleasure. If thou hast a song con- cerning thine own troubles, I will listen to it." "I thought little of myself at that hour, Princess ; I looked after another who saved me, and put himself in the greatest danger." "I think that was this stranger," said the Queen. " Begin thy song, and lower thy voice if thou canst, that idle people may not throng to the door." Volkmar began in a low voice his account of the escape to the boat, and the leap into the Ehine. The golden rays of the evening sun glanced through the small open window, encir- cling the form of the minstrel, who, in deep excitement, sang softly the emotions of his heart. The Queen sat in the shadow, and again her heavy tresses fell over the hand which supported her bent head; immoveable she sat, absorbed within herself, till the minstrel concluded with his recognition in the hall. " That will be a song glorious for both — ^both for him and thee," said the Queen, graciously, when . the minstrel ceased. "Thou goest with the blessing VOL. I. 7 98 INGO. of the Gods to Lall and hearth, that the news may he spread among the people." The King" sat at the evening carouse among his attendants ; the shouts and langhter of his body- guard sounded round the hearth ; from large glasses and goblets they quaffed the spicy drink. " Play us the dance, minstrel," ctied one of the ■wild fellows, "which thou hast taught to-day to the King's maidens, so that we also may dance skilfully to the melody on the heath." " Let him alone," said Hadubard, mockingly, a scarred warrior who had been a halberdier at the Roman court, and now served the King; "His song is just good enough for the cranes to hop to in the poultry-yard. He who has beheld the dancers, the smili&g maidens from Alexandria, thinks the step of the peasant on the grass like the march of geese." "He has become proud," cried out another, "since he has concealed in his dress the gold cup of the Queen. Be on thy guard, Volkmar ; in- secure is golden treasure with the travelling man who goes over the heath." " Wolfgang is thy name," replied the minstrel, "and like a wolf thou goest lurking over the heath. Ill does thy envious look on the Queen's gift befit the bench of the King." INGO. 99 He took his instrument in his hand,' touched the strings, and sang the melody of the dance. Then the men began to move their limbs ; they beat time with their hands on the table, and stamped the step with their feet ; the King also, elevated with wine, clapped his hand on the cover of the wine bottle, and nodded his head. But at the second verse the boys, excited with mead, rose up ; only the old men kept seated, and clasped firmly in their hands their drinking- horns, while the others, following each other in couples, danced round the bench, so that the noise was great in the hall. The King laughed. " Thou knowest well how to subdue them," he exclaimed to the minstrel. " Come near, Volkmar, thou crafty -tongued man ; sit near me, that I may confide to thee my opinion. I was ill-tempered to-day; I did not intend HI, but thy news lay heavy upon my soul. However, as concerns the golden cup that the Queen has bestowed upoa thee, what my old boy said to thee was not wrong. Gold is a royal metal, and is not fitting for the traveUing-bag of an inferior man; thou thyself singest that it is productive of evil to human beings. Thou wouldst act wisely if thou shouldst quite quietly and with a willing heart give me back this booty, to place in the treasure-house." 100 INGO. Willingly would the minstrel have kept the beautiful cup ; and he answered, " What the eye of the master covets will do no good to the ser- vant ; yet bethink thee, Prince, the piece which has occasioned sorrow and envy to the man who has lost it will bring a curse into the King's treasury." "Have no anxiety about that," replied the King ; " to me it is nothing." " But when the Queen learns that I have so little valued her gift, she will justly be angry with me,'' said the minstrel. " She will scarcely know it, Volkmar, believe me," continued the King, persuasively. " It is all alike to her whether it is gold or copper. When in autumn the forest people send their horses to my court, thou mayest look out for thyself a good one with round hoofs, and my chamberlain shall give thee a beautiful dress out of the chest, which will give thee more dignity among the people ; than the round bit of plate. ,. For I mean well by thee, Volkmar ; I fear for thee the envy of my attendants." " I have heard disorderly words at the hearth of the Kiag," replied the minstrel, vexed. "Do not take it amiss, Volkmar," exclaimed the King, soothingly ; " it is true their speech is INGO. 101 sometimes wild, and I have difficulty in restrain- ing their violence, but the art of a King is to use every one in his own line. For gold and a warm seat at my bench they do quickly, as King's messengers, all that I choose, asking no questions, whether the deed is bloody or not. How can a King govern a people without such servants ? For the minds of men are proud ; every one will do only what pleases him, every one stands on his own rights, and seeks his own revenge, and no one yields to the will of others. Every one desires fighting and wounds for his own reputa- tion, and is in haste to go up to the Gods. I mean some time also, at last, to ask for a seat in the hall of the Gods. But I would rather, while on this earth, rule over pliant men ; and if I must remove men from the light because they are dangerous to me, it is but a few ; but to preserve the others in their inheritance is for my advantage and my glory : think thereon, Volkmar, becauie thou art a sensible man. The people are insolent, and their minds puffed up, but the King's care is to think of evferjHihing that is good for the country. Therefore do not blame my faithful ones. It is better that they should sometimes commit a crime in self-defence than that all the rest should meditate evil against one another, and that the 102 INGO. people of Thiiringla should have to yield bonds- men's service to a foreign race." The minstrel remained silent. The King con- tinued, warily, " The wine has opened my heart, and I will speak to thee as to a friend. Tell me, as one would to a brother; what kind of man is the stranger? I would gladly trust him, but he is of that unyielding race who boast that once a God lay in the marriage-bed of their grandmother. The race is of little use on this earth ; their blood has become dark, like old mead in pitchy jugs ; they make a great blustering among the people, they bear themselves as if they were the cousins of the God of war, and regard the lot of all others like the chaff which they blow before them. Is the stranger such a fellow ? " "It appears to me that his spirit is cheerful and his nature careless, only a heavy fate attends him," replied Volkmar. " How does he behave himself with the wine- cup ? " asked the King. " I like a red-cheeked lad who opens his throat for his drink." "He knows how to give a good account of himself in drinking and in speech/' replied the minstrel. " Then he shall be welcome to me on my hearth," exclaimed the King, tapping his drinking- INGO. 103 cup. " But I have chosen thee as a trusty mes- senger, that thou mayest bring me the stranger from the forest bower to my castle ; bring him before my face." Volkmar rose, and stood reflecting. " I will give thy message to the stranger; yet that he may learn the well-considered intentions of my lord, I beg ray King will first promise him peace and safe conduct, to the court and from the court — my King, and his boys in the hall." " What dost thou imagine, minstrel ? " cried the King, with an outburst of displeasure ; "how can I give a promise to a wild stranger, whose intentions I do not know ? " " Yet thou wishest, my lord, that he should yield himself into thy hands. It is easy to demand an oath from an individual My lord would himself consider the stranger a fool if he ventured here among your boys, without a surety of peace." " Why does my King need a wandeiing min- strel for such a message?" cried out Wolfgang; " let him send us, and we wiU bring the stranger, either on his feet or on his shield ; we have long wished to pay a visit to the villages of these insolent peasants." "Silence," said the King; "I need not your 104 INGO. rude tongue when I have to deal with my forest people. Yolkmar shall be my messenger, for to- day is a day of good words ; when there comes a day for hard deeds, then I will call upon thee. " So thou thinkest he will not be such a fool ?" he asked, scowlingly, and from his moist eyes broke forth a fiery look like a flash of fire from out of a wet cloud ; but he restrained himself, and continued good-humouredly, "Well, I will promise him all. And you, silence there I " he cried out, raising his voice above the noise of his men. " Come in, and promise on my hand peace for Ingo, the son of Ingbert, to the court, at the court, and from the court." The men took the oath. " And now, minstrel," continued the King, threateningly, " 1 lay it on thy conscience to bring him here without delay." " I am only thy messenger, my lord ; I cannot compel him." " Think of thine own safety, Volkmar," cried the King, raising his clenched fist on high. " It would be bad for thee if thou shouldst be obliged in the future to avoid thy native land." "I will behave myself, as a true messenger," replied the minstrel, earnestly. " All right, then, Volkmar," concluded the King, appeased and rising. "Let the drinking be ended ; INGO. 105 break up from your seats; and thou, Volkmar, shalt to-day accompany me instead of my chamberlain." The King supported himself heavily upon Volkmar's shoulder, and walked with him across the court to the apartment of the Queen. On the way he whispered to him, in a jocund way, " Now, rogue, where is the cup ? " Volkmar opened the bag which he carried on his girdle, and offered the gold vessel to the King. " Put it into my dress," said the King ; " I will, for thy sake, take care that Frau Gisela shall not see the thing." On the following morning the minstrel left the castle. The King looked after his messenger dis- trustfully, and thought in his own mind, " My forest fox wiU hardly bring this stranger to my castle ; if they refuse my demand, then they will give me a ground for going against them, to break their peasant pride, and make an* end of their free confederation. But then they will choose Ingo for their leader, and he appears to me a brave hero, and there might be a hard fight among logwood and forest mushroonls. No one knows what would be the end of it ; and I have no wish to make my body a footstool over which another would rise to the throne." Thus, full of anxious care, he drank his mead, concealing his 106 INGO. thoughts even from the Queen, who with her large eyes looked enquiringly at him, and some- times guessed his thoughts without his expressing them. Day after day passed, and Ingo did not come. But one evening Sintram, the uncle of Theodulf, knocked at the door. The King received him with open arms, he, spoke long and secretly with him", and Frau Gisela remarked that the King gave assurance to the nobleman, with a shake of the hand, /' Thy advantage and mine will go to- gether in the forest like two wolves." But as the Herb Sintram departed, the king looked after him also doubtingly, and called him an evil-eyed fox. INGO. 107 IN THE FOEEST AKBOUR. In the Prince's courtyard and in the village the harvest waggons rattled; the Chieftain's men forgot in the pressure of work their warrior pride, and helped the hinds ; the reapers bound the last sheaves for the great God of the people, and brought a garland of ears of corn, dancing in measure, to the Prince's hall. The barefooted village children swarmed like thrushes about the thicket, collecting berries and nuts in long cornets made of wood shavings. Every one was eager to bring home the fruit which the Goddess of the fields bestowed upon the dwellers of the plains. Ingo, by the side of the Master of the house, watched the peaceful work, which he had formerly only beheld from the back of his high war-horse. He heard with annoyance his Host vexing himself like a peasant about the wolves that had killed one of his young bullocks. 108 INGO: but he more often smiled gladly, when he saw Irmgard among the maidens at their work, to whom she was giving orders. The hearts of Ingo and the noble maiden beat with joy when, in the presence of others, in the house and in the field, they exchanged greetings and sometimes a few words. For strict was the rule of the house ; the men Uved separately, and Ingo feared, since he had taken the bath of guest, to wound the peace of the house by too bold approaches. Almost all gave him friendly looks ; only the eyes of the Princess became clouded when she beheld him. She was vexed by the proud feeling that he had, contrary to her advice, conquered one of her kinsfolk in the warlike games, and that her wish to consider him as a foreign traveller had been frustrated by the minstrel. And there was another thing which was annoying to her. She had chosen Theodulf, her blood-relation, to be the husband of her daughter ; Herr Answald and her own kinsfolk had already been in treaty con- cerning it some years before. Now she observed suspiciously her daughter and the guest. One day there came a travelling juggler, with his chest, into the field ; he played in front of the Prince's courtyard on the bagpipe, till the people of the village came running up; the men also and INGO. 109 servants of the Prince came out of the gate of the courtyard. When the circle was closed, the man began in vulgar language his account — that he concealed in his chest a Roman hero, and if the "warriors and beautiful ladies wished to show him their favour, he was ready to exhibit him. He tapped on the chest ; the cover rose, and a small hideous monster, with a face like a man, and a Roman helmet over his ears, raised his head up, and made faces. Many drew back, but the more courageous laughed at the wonder. The man opened the chest, and an ape sprang out, dressed in a coat of mail like a Roman warrior. He moved his lank legs about on the grass, turned a somersault in the air, and danced. At first the country people were alarmed, then there arose loud laughter and cries of approbation, so that Hildebrand ran into the arbour, and exclaimed to the Princess, "A juggler is dancing before the gate of the Court, with a small wild man, whom they call an ape." Thereupon the Prince, with Ingo and the ladies, went out and amused them- selves with the frohcsome jumps of the ape. At last the ape took his helmet ofi) and ran round the circle, while the man cried out — "Bestow, ye heroes, on my Roman warrior what you have of Roman coin in your purses, 110 INGO. small and great ; the nobler the hero, the larger •will be the bit of money. Let those who have none place sausages and eggs in the chest." Then the people laughed, and many put their hands into their belts ; others brought from the house what would serve for travelling fare for the man. The stranger went up also to the Prince, and he and Theodulf took Roman copper out of their pockets, and Frida heard Thpodulf say to the juggler, pointing to Ingo, " The great Hero there will bestow upon thee most bounti- fully." When the man with his ape approached the Hero Ingo, Frida was anxious to see whether the stranger and his chamberlain Wolf, in the jerkin of the Princess, would be able to find anything that they could give ; and in order to save them from shame she quickly pulled off a small silver bell which the Prince's daughter had given her as a neck ornament, and, springing forward, she said — " This Hero, who knows better than thou the dancing of the Romans, will bestow something on thee when thou answerest him one question, What dress does thy monster wear when thou cravest gifts among the Romans ? " The man took the silver, looked with fear at Ingo, and answered the maiden insolently, " I INGO. Ill know that the greeting of the Vandals is dan- gerous and rough ; but 1 tell thee that he who will please the Romans in the dance must dance naked. What my ape does there I counsel to thee also." Frida called out to him, angrily, "I suppose that among foreigners thy dancing cat derides the warriors of my people as he does the foreign ones among us " Then the men nodded, and turned laughing away from the juggler. But Ingo went up to him, and asked, " How knowest thou that I am a Vandal ? " " Thou bearest it clearly enough on thy head," replied the man, pointing to Ingo's cap, in which were placed three wing-feathers of the wild swan. " Scarcely a week has passed since I have suffered among the Burgundians sharp chastise- ment from thy feathers." Ingo's countenance changed ; he seized the man hastily by the arm, and took him aside. " How many were there who wore this token ? " " More than ten, and less than thirty," replied the man. " They gave me hard words because my little one there danced with goose's feathers, and they threatened me with blows." " Was he who chid thee an old warrior, with a grey beard, and a scar upon his forehead ? " 112 INGO. \ " Thou describest him as he was ; he had also rude manners." Irmgard saw that the Hero had difficulty in concealing his emotion; he separated himself from the others, and went alone baclc to the house. Shortly afterwards, Volkmar, as king's messen- ger, entered the house. Ingo received him as a friend, whom he had anxiously expected; he heard his message, and led him to the Prince; then the three held confidential councU. " The King has invited me," said Ingo, " and he has promised me safety. Whatever the thought of his heart may be, it becomes me to accept his invitation. Only one thing restrains me, and with shame I speak it out : I ought not to enter the court of the King as a needy man ; thou knowest, my lord, how I came to thee." The Prince replied, embarrassed, "Horse and dress shall not be wanting to thee, Hero, and Wolf shall accompany thee as chamberlain; yet I do not advise thee to .trust to the words of the King, and venture thyself under the axes of his body-guard, for thou mightest vanish, without a trace, behind the stone walls. This journey would be an inglorious end for a Hero." Volkmar also spoke : " It becomes thee. Hero INGO. 113 Ingo, to regard danger little ; thou knowest/ in- deed, that boldiiess sometimes prospers best with a man. But if thou accept the King's invita- tion, as thou wilt, thou shouldst never go as a single wanderer. To the King and his retinue thou wouldst' be contemptible, and unworthy would be thy treatment, even if the King should not attempt thy life. For at Kings' courts it is the style alone that gives distinction to a hero — his Stately dteases, horses, and retinue. Therefore- before thou goest to the King thou must obtain all these. But if these forest men follow thee,, thou wilt be hateful to the King." " Thou' speakest well, Volkmar, in all respects," replied Ingo. " If thou wilt venture thj^elf back under the eyes of the King, tell him that I am thankful for his royal message, and that I wiU appear before him as soon as I am equipped as his and my honour demand." "I will bear the answer," answered Volkmar; "and I hope to be able to spring nimbly aside when he throws his drinking-cup at me." Herr Answald gave also his assent ; for he was secretly annoyed at the demand of the King, though he manfully concealed his anxiety. When Ingo and Volkmar were alone, Ingo began, "He who has given one piece of good VOL. I. 8 114! INGO. advice, may probably give a second. Thou seest that I am like a chUd that has been caught out of the water, and placed newly in the world. Here the people are kind-hearted, but they seldom make warlike expeditions. Look about, thou faithful comrade, and find out where there is respectable work for a good sword." ""Wait only a little," answered Volkmar, laughing; "and meainwhUe take pleasure in bearing the noble maid, Irmgard, sing my dance before thee, for she is well practised in song and in my instrument. If I hear of any honourable campaign, thou shalt learn it; but thou knowest that in autumn home entices the warrior; the spring is the time for warlike excursions." " And now hear further," continued Ingo, " a thought that has come across me as I lay sleep- less in the night. The leap into the Rhine separated me from my men; the Roman band dispersed in pursuit of me like a rush of water over a country ; the Priestess concealed me with care till she sent me northwards; at my departure she promised to seek my comrades who had stood by me at the boat. Lately I have heard from a travelling juggler, that some warriors of my people have during this month encamped among the Burgundians ; one of them, it seems to INGO. 115 me, is Berthar, whom thou knowest. " If thou hast a kindly feeling for me, Volkmar, enquire, when thou canst, concerning my trusty friend ; for however well disposed towards me many are who here live around me, I cannot be happy tiU I know whether any of my comrades have escaped the weapons of the Romans." The minstrel nodded, and turned to depart. " The Master of this house feels kindly towards thee ; but the minds of men are changeable, and may soon become weary of a man who stands alone. Thou hast honoured me with thy con- fidence, as thou before saidst when thou didst raise me out of the water. Therefore I beg of thee a favour. Once thou gavest me this gold ring ; take it back now, my lord, that I may show thee my truth ; thou wilt bestow far more on me later, if the Gods send thee good fortune.' The ring will procure thee a horse and dress, oi* gain thee a helpful companion." " I would rather borrow from thee than froni any other," replied Ingo ; " but thou knowest a warrior does not go without gold to the battle. What Berthar handed over to me on that day when I lost him, that I still conceal in my dress, in order that my body should not lie lonely on the heath ; for any one finding the gold on me 11 Q IJSTGO, ■woljild ia gratitude esteem me worthy of hoiuour- a,lph.})ymai." " Then, Hei;o, thini: also pruden.tly of the living ; wd. if I DSay venture tp, advise thee, give, of it to. the maiden J'rida,; for they whisper in the house, th^-t she tore off a, silver Ijell for th«e in order tpr please her mistress ;. and bestow something also on "Wolf, thy ohambedain, that he may- n,ot be despised by the others beicause h^i serves a poor master. D,o not be a,ngry that I speak, to thee as a trusty friend ;, but. ho) whQi is accustomed to. receive fayour, knows well how. toi win it," Ij]igo.re,?iched his hawdi tq him, laughing. " It is only to thee, that I; offer- nothing,"' he; said; "for I vnllingly remain in thy debt." "And I iu thinej. soi long; aS: I breathe," said Volkma,r ; then greeting him, respectfully bowed as- he left the threshold. Ingo followed, the advice of his tr,usty friend; As he placed two gold-pieces, on which the pic- ture; of the great i Eoman Emperor Constantine was.tg be seen, in. the hands of his chamberlain; he observed,, by the* happy f^-ce of the man and hi? warm thanks, how valuable such a thing was among t)ie forest people. And after the repast, he, in the presence of all, stepped up to Irmgard, and said — ■iNao. llT "Thy teompaaiiGii, !Frida, has, with the silve"f she gave to the juggler, procured for me good •tidings; gladly would I show my gratitude to her, and I beg of thee, noble maiden, to give back by these coins her gift." Then the foreign gold passed frofn hand to hand among the w«men ; the Prince and all those who had a kindly feeling for him rejoiced thk;t the guest had comported himself as became his dignity, and Ingo remarked, from the sudden zeal of Hm men, that their good-will became more active flince they could hope for something good for themselves. But Ingo sought for a gift for her who was dear to him. As Irmgard Was standing under ^he elder bUsh near the court, he stepped hastily towards her ; she heard his steps, but she did not lurn round, so that no one could perceive the joy on her, countenance. Thus, tuWied away from the others, their eyes met ; and this time neither of them heard the night songstress, who upon a branch was mournfully telling her children of her departure. Ingo began speaking in a low tone. " Once upon a time, Schwanhild, the anceSttess of my family, flew in the feather dress of a SWan over the earth ; since then the last wing-feathfefs 118 INGO. of the swan have been the holy token which the men and women of my race bear on their helmets and frontlets, when they are festively adorned. We endeavour to rob living birds of their feathers ; for to kill a swan is a crime among my people. To-day I have succeeded in gaining this ornament. To thee, friend, I offer it, if thou wilt accept and keep it. On the quill I have scratched the mark whereby I denote what is mine." Irmgard was frightened; she guessed that he offered her through the feathers what he dared not say in words, and she asked uncertainly, " How shall that be mine which is thine ? " The man answered with deep emotion, " I only love life because I know a noble maiden who will at some time bear this token on her head before all the world." And he again held the ornament to her. Then Irmgard took the feather, and concealed it in her dress. His hand just slightly touched hers, but she felt the touch in her inmost heart. " Irmgard ! " cried out the Princess from the house, in a tone of command. The two exchanged one more hearty greeting with their eyes, and the noble maiden then hastened to the house. INGO. 119 " What did the stranger say to thee just now ?" began the mother to her daughter; "his hand touched thine, and I saw a blush on thy cheeks," "He showed me the wing-feather of a bird, which is the mark of recognition of his race when the heroes bear it on their heads," answered Irmgard ; but again a tell-tale blush passed over her cheeks. "I once heard a fool who raised her voice aloud in the haU of the men, so that all remained silent, as the forest songsters are silent when a young cuckoo begins its cooing." "Was it presumptuous in me to point him out ? it was not indecorous ; my heart was full, and my friends will forgive me; do not thou, mother, be angry with me." But the Princess continued, " It gives me no pleasure to see the stranger remaining at our hearth. It becomes the master of the house to be hospitable to suppliants, but the mistress of the house must hold the keys with a firm hand, that the property may not be squandered; and she guards her poultry-yard, that the martens may not make their way in. If the stranger by his leap over the horses thought to leap into the inheritance of my lord, into provision-chamber and kitchen, his bold spirit will little avail hinx. 120 INGO. But thou, as thou art my daughter, shouldst keep at a distance from one who lives as a wild man, homeless, banished, and as poor as the travelling beggar who begs fop alms at our gate." Irmgard raised herself up proudly. " Of whom dost thou speak, Princess ? Dost .thou mean the Hero to whom the master of the house has offered the seat of honour? The innoceftt one, who came to us in confidence upon the oath of my father ? I have heard that the father of my father mixed in a holy drink drops of his blood with the blood of a King's race, that their descendants might keep love and honour to one another. If the sop of that King is a stranger to others, in the house of my grandfather none ought to caU him so ; thou thyself least of all." " As I hear thy insolent speech," exclaimed the mother, "the old sorrow revives in my heart, that thy brother is no longer among the living. On the unhappy d£|,y on which he was slain by one of the King's men, thou becamest the only child of my care, and ill thou rewardest thy mother for her trouble." " Were my brother alive, he also would desire, as the highest honour, to be the companion in war of the Hero whom thou insultest as a beggar." . " Since thy brother has vanished from this INGO. 121 earth, thou hast become the inheritor of this country, and thy mother has to consider to whom thy father should marry thee." " If I am the inheritor in this house, I am also an inheritor of alliance duties and sworn oaths; and I intend to keep them truly. I have never refused honour to thy kindred— neither to uncle Sintram, nor to thy nephew Theodulf, whatever I may think of them in my heart; but thou must not blame me if I also show love to those who are frieuds of my father's family." " Be silent, thou stubborn one," answered the mother, angrily ; " too long has the Prince's will kept thee at home ; it is time that thy haughty spirit should be controlled by marriage." As the Princess left the room, Irmgard stood with looks transfixed, holding her hands clasped closely together. " The Princess speaks harshly to the maidens," hegan Frida, entering ; " in the milk-«eUar the cream is turned." " She is severe also against others," answered Irmgard, with difficulty striving for words. " Be thou true to me, for I have no one whom I can trust but thee, if thou hast courage to bear the displeasure of the Princess." " I am a free woman ; and I have promised to 122 INGO. be a companion to thee, not to the mistress of the house; and for thy sake I remain in the Prince's house, although my father desires to have me at home. Many a time have we over- come the anger of the Princess, as, believe me, we shall also do now, concerning what afflicts thee." " My mother has become angry with our guest, to whom at first she was so kindly disposed, and I fear he will not be properly cared for ; as when the mistress does not give directions the maidens are careless." " Thou mayest be free from anxiety, as young Wolf is his chamberlain. If I gave the boy per- mission, he would tell me more of his master than we wish to hear." " Let me hear everything,'' said Irmgard; " for it is well to know what guests need." " And we shall learn easily from one and ano- ^ther," cried Frida, laughing. " Far better do I like the guest than the water-heron Theodulf, who carries his head so proudly. And this I say to thee, — when Theodulf's wooers come to the house, and assent is given to their coming, then shall they find a broom in front of the door at which they go out, that they may guess what we maidens think of their wooing." After these bold words Irmgard concealed her INGO. 123 face with her hands; tears ran through her fingers; her whole body shook with anguish. Frida embraced the princely girl in her arms, and knelt down before her, giving her kisses and tender words. It did not happen accidentally that, a short time after the conversation between mother and daughter, the Hero Sintram rode up to the house. In the room of the Princess he sat long with the Host in confidential converse j he was conferring once again on the subject of the wooing of his relation, Theodulf ; for so long as this nobleman was bound as a court attendant and by oath of service to the Prince, the formal wooing could not take place. But on the twelfth night of the New Year the Prince was to release him from his oath ; then Theodulf would make his entrance as a free wooer, and the marriage might take place in the spring. All was determined — even the bridal presents and dowry — and the Princess advised that the men should renew to each other their old promise concerning this secret arrangement. Sintram smiled with plea- sure as he again mounted his horse, and when the Host led him out of the door, and there unobservantly took leave with a warm pressure of the hand, the departing guest altogether despised 124 IITGO. the broom which the angry Frida had placed by the side of the door ; Theodulf only, who had come up at the departure, gave the broom a kick with his foot that sent it a long way off, and cast on Frida in the court a look full of bitter hatred. Thus passed, with ardent sun and storms, the glad summer. The fields were cleared, and the country folk were sociable. The more distin- guished houses of the district desired in succes- sion fco entertain the guest ; banquets alternated with hunting expeditions over the forest hills; aiid the Prince and Ingo were now seldom at home. To the Prince the value of the guest became still greater when he saw in what repute he was held by the principal men of the district, and how distinguished and right-minded he showed himself Of the anxieties in the apart- ments of the ladies the master of the house observed nothing ; the prudent Hostess was silent as to what might disturb the thoughts of her lord ; she was contented that the Hero should Toam away for weeks together. But Ingo per- ceived that Irmgard looked serious, and he was angiy that it was so difficult for him to speak to her without witnesses. Once Ingo rode with the Prince to the same spot which he trod when he first came over INGO. 125- the mountain. In. the forest yellow leases flut- tered to the ground; through the openings sounded the hutttiijg calls of the men and the deep, cry of the houndsi The well-fed cattle ran bellowing about ; the herdsmen prepared for the outburst from the wilderness into the villages; and the. maidens from the Prince's house were again occupied' in lifting into, the waggon the last load from the milkr-cellar. Whilst. Herr Answald was watching' the abundance,, Ingo stood next tO' Irmgard. The latter pointed to Frida, who was passing by with a milk-jug. " From this, source, thou didst qjuaffi thy first driuk with us, and there, where thou, standest, I saw thee, for the. first time. Since then the cheerful green has. disappeared, and the wild birds.have flown away." " From thy countenance also joy has vanished," replied Imgo,, tenderly. But Irmgard continued, "Happy once were the exalted women who in feather dresses soared along; wherever their wishes led them. I know, a maiden who stands by the torrent, and longs for the heavenly power. She would like to work two feather garments for the swan and his mate ; but vain is the wish, and she gazes Sorrowfully after them, when the feathered flock soar from their fields into the distance." 126 INGO. " Confide in me," said Ingo in a low tone ; " what disturbs thy mind ? " Irmgard was silent. "The day will come when others will tell thee, not I," she at last answered. "If thou tarry with us during the winter, I do not fear what anxieties it may bring " The conversation was interrupted by wild shouts and a foreign war-cry. Ingo rushed out; as before in the hall, his countenance lighted up with joy, whilst the other men sprang up in a body, and seized their weapons. "They come in peace," exclaimed Bero's daughter; " my father rides among them." She pointed to a troop of horsemen who, rejoicing and swinging their spears, were rushing down from the height. Ingo hastened towards them; the riders sprang down, and surrounded the Hero ; they held his arms, bent over his hands, and clasped his knees. Again and again sounded the wild cry of jubilee. Ingo called each individual by name, and embraced and kissed them, while tears fell from his eyes. His looks wandered from one to the other in vain search ; for all did not stand alive before him whom he had hoped to greet. And yet the happiness of that hour was so great that he and the strangers long forgot the presence INGO. 127 of the others. The Prince's men, who had been drawn out of the forest by the war-cry, gathered round him : tears were in his eyes also, and in those of the noble maiden, and they listened with absorbing interest to the rapid questions and answers, laughings and lamentations, of the strangers. Bero looked upon the troop more calmly, whilst he told the Prince, '' I had ridden southwards over our mountains, down as far as Idisbach, where the small people, the Marvingians, dwell, and as I was dealing with the people there about a herd of cattle, I fell in with this flight of wild geese, who were seeking for their goose leader. I knew about them, and as their active manners pleased me, I brought them here." Ingo approached the Prince. "Forgive, Prince, if we in our joy have forgotten to seek for thy favour. These men are banished, like myself; for my sake they abandoned their loved 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 honour one another, and share fortune and misfortune, as long as we remain homeless wan- derers on the earth. On their true hearts alone rests the throne of the poor Ingo; where they lay their heads down, there must his also repose. 128- INGO. Thou hast received me kindly; but now I have become a host, and I aim uncertain what thy views may be about me." " They are all welcome," exclaimed Herr Answald,. with warmth of heatt : " the manor is large, and: the bacns- are full : a grieeting 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 neighbours will receive them willingly as guests ; then every one will have: his- share,; aUd none will be burdened. For they lead also with cords horses gained' as booty — ataong them capital animals ; see this grey, my lord ! many a neigh- bour would be pleased to purchase a horse, and to listen in the winter at the hearth^fire to the: warlike adventures of the strangers." Herr Answald laughed, but he replied estgerly, ,'Thou thinkest rightly, Bero;, but the House must have the first right, and' this time,, neigh- bour, 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 INGO. .129 old warrior among the Vandals, gave him his hand, and said, "Remember our conversation. You stand now on the Prince's ground ; 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 look bold, and his long grey 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 aU 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 Herr Answald offered his hand to the Hero, he answered : " I remember the day when my father entertained thine at his house ; it was an VOL. I. 130 INGO. autumn day like to-day, 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, my lord, and ready, if thou permit me, to follow thee on the hanting-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 com- rades to each other. Then he rode forward with Irmgard, in order that Ingo might have confi- dential 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 difiicult to keep the rank, for the faithful friends were ever pressing round their lord, and their cries echoed from the moun- tains. Ingo on the way said to Berthar-^ " It is like a miracle to me that I hold thy hand, my father. But thou must again tell me everything — how you were all saved from the battle, and found me." INGO. 'l;3i " The master went along the path of the fishes," began Berthar, laughing ; " his retinue followed him. We struck in our retreat many sword- strokes against the pursuing bands, tiU I spied out a place on the bank for a leap; like frogs thy boys hopped into the Rhine — not aU, my lord ; thou thinkest also of those who are missing to-day. On our linden shields we struggled down in dire distress, the arrows of the enemy buzzing about us. Then a friendly God sent us help. A willow stem— a strong trunk, with roots and branches- — drove slowly along the stream; sheltering the weary ones, and drawing it with us, we directed it downwards from the Roman bank; thus we went on in a thick crowd, mixed with flying warriors of the Alemanni, like a shoal of eels swarming about a dead animal. When we who were saved had climbed up the bank on the opposite side of the river, we concealed ourselves in a thick forest, and enquired every night in the vaUeys for news of thee. We thought to show the last service to our master, and to stand round his last resting-place. But vain was aU our search and enquiry ; none of the fugitives had beheld thy face. Then, pressed by the Roman army, we sorrowfully struck across the Black ■Forest, into the country of the Burgundians. 13S' iNao. When we were led by the Burgundian sentinels into the presence of their king, Gundomar, the fatne of thy leap had already reached hira, and he imagined thee to have been taken up to the hall of the Gods. He had been an enemy to thee, but now he sighed when I mentioned thy name ; he thought of thy virtue, and was averse to deliver us bound to the Romans. He begged us to follow his army in an expedition which he was preparing to make to the East, against the March people on the Danube. We were in great want of horses and dresses, and we were like jackdaws among mice, longing for booty. There- fore we accompanied him, and it succeeded well with us; thy boys obtained good horses, and went stately along with filled bags. Last month we were lying one evening on the banks of the Danube. The Burgjindians collected the booty, drank jovially, and chattered, as they like to do, with Eoman traders and jugglers who had hastened thither for gain and gifts. But thy boys were sad at heart, and looked at the dry leaves driving along in the autumn wind. Then a traveller came to me, and began with a greet- ing. " ' If it please thee. Hero, I will tell thee a riddle, if thou canst find an answer: "Who INGO. 133 swung the minstrel into the boat ? Who ducked under spears like a miraculous swan ? " ' " I was startled, and answered, 'King Ingo swung Volkmar into the boat, and the King vanished into the stream like a miraculous swan ! ' " Then answered the stranger, ' 'Tis thou whom I seek, and I have wandered far for that, as the messenger of my comrade. Now, as I have found thee, hear the second message that Volkmar sends thee : " The guardian of the swans sits in Irmfried's hall ; the fugitive tarries by the hearth of the Thuringian." ' " Then we became more joyfi^ than I can say, for we understood what the name of Irmfried signified. King Gundomar wished to keep us, but I begged him to allow of our return home. But I did not teU. him that the home of thy boys is where the person of their master throws its shadow." "Poor boys! " said Ingo, gloomily. "The shadow has become small; it covers no more than the track of your feet." " But a new sun rises for thee," said the old man, consolingly, "which will cast thy shadow over the breadth of the land. Now it is neces- sary that the weary boys shall find a refuge against the winter storm. As soon as the buds IM INGO. begin to swell on the trees we will accompany thee on some new heroic expedition. Tell me, King, whether the roofs which I see before me will shield us well during the winter." " May the Gods graciously so ^dispose it ! " replied Ingo, earnestly. " I have found more happiness here than I expected, and less security than I hoped." The door of the Prince's house was opened wide ; the Host received the strangers, and accom- panied them to the hall: there the greeting repast was prepared, and the Vandals were dis- tributed amongst the Prince's men on the bench. The following morning there began an active hammering and lifting; from the provisions of planks and rafters, which lay in high piles in the courtyard, a sleeping-room was prepared by Ingo's house, and beside it a provisional enclo- sure for the horses. After a few days the building was erected, for great was the number of helping hands. The neighbours also came, greeted the strangers, and examined the great string of unemployed horses; they bought and exchanged, and took their own to winter fodder instead of. the strangers' horses, which they retained. , Around the quiet Prince's court there was now the jovial crowding of the district INGO. 135 people, and the tumult of men and horses ; the lofty figures of the Vandals walked in their foreign warrior dress amongst the houses, and lay near the Prince's men on the steps of the hall, carelessly laughing and willingly relating what the customs 6{ their race were. They went with the Prince's retainers into the forest, and rode as welcome guests among the villages of the district. But the masters in the house observed after a few weeks that it was difficult to keep the peace among their followers ; for the young men were proud and hasty in their anger, and the old watched jealously the honour of their masters. Thus Radgai the Vandal, and Agino, a wild fellow of the house, quarrelled with one another, because the Vandal had given an ornament to a maiden of the village who smiled upon him. On account of this Agino was displeased, and said, mockingly, "We had thought that the treasure of thy master was little, but now we see that you keep good things in your bags," " He who ventures his life in battle," answered the Vandal, " puts money in his pocket, but horn grows upon the hand of him who, like thee, works on the threshing-floor." This speech was heard by the people of the House, and when the next morning Berthar 136 INGO. came with his men to the granary, in order to fetch oats for the horses for the following days, Hildebrand, who was the distributor in the farm, refused him the threshed oats, and said, " If you have despised the callous hands of our boys, you may stamp out the sheaves with your own feet, or with those of your horses, as suits you best ; my comrades refuse to work for you, as you speak so roughly: to them. Take the oats in sheaves,. and not in sacks." Berthar answered in an appeasing tone, "It was wrong in my comrades to despise the customs of our Host's country. But thou thyself art a travelled man, and knowest that customs differ in Various countries. Elsewhere the master's fol- lowers lift the sheaves in baskets ; they cut and winnow the fodder, and ride about the field mth the harrow ; but it would be considered inglorious for them to hold the plough-tail and the flail. Therefore have a little forbearance with my com- rades, because they, as strangers, are surprised at your customs." But Hildebrand answered ill-temperedly, " Those who eat of our bread should accommodate themselves to our customs; therefore take only the sheaves; from henceforth thou shalt receive nothing else." INGO. 137 Then the Vandals were obliged to take the sheaves to their stalls, and Berthar ordered fiercely, " Throw the sheaves on the chopping-bench, and cut till the iron breaks." After that unwise speech of Eadgai's there were many quarrels among the men, but both parties endeavoured to conceal it from their masters. They had in the first instance stood in the same ranks at the war-games, and imitated each other's style of fight, as the Princes advised them ; now they entered separately into the contests, so that the Prince, before the beginning of the riding-games with shield and staves, said to Theoduif, " Why do the guests keep aloof on their horses ? we should be glad to see who de- serves the most praise." Theoduif answered, " They themselves wish to avoid the contest ; the staves of the Thuringians sound too hard on their shields." Then the Prince rode up to Berthar. "Come, Hero, mix thy ranks with our people." The old man answered, "It is only for the sake of peace that I keep our boys separate, lest in the heat of the struggle an ill-thrown staff should excite a quarrel." So the Prince was obliged to watch silently the separate horsemanship. He could not also help hearing how his retinue laughed scornfully when 138 INGO. the strangers threw their clubs ; then a saucy fellow out of the ranks of the Thuringians cried out a tormenting word of insult — " dog slayer." On the other hand, when the retinue sprang with the throw of the stone, and one of their springs failed, then the Vandals made wry faces, and muttered a mocking word which they had fabricated, because the Thuringians at their meals had highly esteemed roimd balls made of wheaten dough. When, after the games, the circular dances began, one could see that the maidens of the household only associated themselves with their own countrymen ; and when the strangers could not find a village girl who would dance with them, they were obliged to look on. This dis- pleased the Prince, and he called out to the Vandals, " Why do my guests despise my peo- ple ? " Again Berthar answered, " The maidens of the country complain that our springs twist their ankles." Then the fearless Frida stepped forth, bowed low to the old man, and said, " I care little whether I displease others when I take the hand of a stranger. For I know one of the household who threatens the maidens if they dance with the guests. If it pleaseth thee. Hero Berthar, and thou dost not think me too insigni- INGO. 139 ficant, lead me to the dance." Berthar laughed, as did also the Princes; the old man took the hand of the maiden, sprang about like a youth, and swung her actively over the turf, so that all looked at him and made exclamations of approbation. The strangers saw well that the Princess did not hold them in much consideration ; she seldom spoke even to the noblest among them — ^not even to the Hero Berthar, although he was of noble race. But the Princess had also some ground for complaint, for two of the Vandals — ^the brothers Alebrand and Walbrand — had exchanged sharp words with two of the Princess's maidens, and, lying in wait in the evening, had kissed them against their will, and had tumbled their dress. Therefore the Princess went to Ingo, and raised a loud complaint of the profligacy of his men, and Ingo, deeply vexed by the hard words of the Princess and the ill-conduct of his followers, held a court of justice over the guilty ones at his own house. And although it appeared on examina- tion that it was more wantonness than vice, he ptinished them severely, both by words and by social disgrace, putting them down in the lowest place on his bench : sorrowfully did the evil- doers sit after that in the circle of their com- panions. When Ingo once before this was re- 140 INQO. turning to the hearth of the Prince from his own quaxters, he heard in the new building near it the sharp grating of the mill-stone, and, much astonished, he asked Berthar, "Do the maidens turn the mill-stone in the sleeping-house of the men ? " Then answered the old man, " As thou thyself askest, thou shalt know. It is not the servant-maids that are turning it ; thy boys are obliged do do the inglorious work of serving- women, if they would have any bread ; for the maidens refuse any longer to grind the com for us, and the Hostess yields to them. Bitter is such work for the heroes of a King. I would gladly have concealed from thee what is a dis- honour to thy hospitable friend." Ingo stepped behind a pillar, and covered his face with his hands. Outside howled the north-storm round the roof, throwing a grey covering of snow and frozen water over the house. " An unpliant fellow rages above the rafters of the house," continued Berthar ; "he now rules over the rftads and fields, and may prevent the departure of my King from this place. Yet I suspect that thouthinkest thereof; therefore hear something that the Hero Isanbart, my old war-companion, confided to me when I yesterday secretly sought him. The Roman INOO. 141 trader, TertuUus, was with his pack-horses ia the district ; he came from the West, and was going to the Castle of the King. Thou knowest the man ; he is considered by the Alemanni as the most cun- ning spy of Caesar. Now he has avoided the abode in which we dwell, although the property on which we are staying would be the best market for a merchant. But throughout the district he has enquired concerning thee and us, and has held hostile language — that Caesar seeks for thee, and would pay a high price if he could look upon thy body or thy head under his banner, in order that the evil omen may be destroyed which, since thy seizure of the dragon, has hung heavy on the hearts of the Roman warriors. If the Roman trader goes to King Bisino, he conceals in his chest rather presents to the King than wares; for he was in no haste to untie his bundle, as is usually the manner of these people. Therefore the Hero Isanbart is full of anxiety, and sends thee warning, that thou mayest trust a message from the King less than before." Ingo laid his hand on the shoulder of his trusty friend. " But thou also. Hero, wouldst rather ride into the trap which the King pre- pares for us, than endure to hear any longer this grinding of the mill-stone by which a hostile 142 INGO. woman wounds our honour. Yet I am held here fast as by an iron band. For this grievance I will beg for redress from the Prince, but I will not leave the district before I know something which I most eagerly wish and hope for." When Herr Answald on the next morning was sitting at breakfast with his companions, with- out the stranger, the door opened, and Irmgard stood on the threshold ; behind her Frida was carrying a sack of flour. " Forgive me, my lord," began Irmgard, "if I venture to offer thee what the hand of thy daughter has helped to grind at the mill-stone." The noble maiden placed the sack at the feet of the Prince. The Prince looked at it in astonishment. " What does this powdery gift mean ? Is it to be a cake-offering to the Gods, because the hands of a noble maiden have turned the stone ? " " Not as an offering," replied Irmgard, " but as an expiation for wounded duties of hospitality our free hands ground the corn. I beg that thou, my lord, if it seems right to thee, wilt send this flour to thy guests; for I hear that thy household refuse them both the flour for broth and bread, and the noble guests are obliged, under thy roof itself, to do the work themselves, like serving-maids. INGO. 143 Then the veins in the Prince's forehead swelled, and rising, he exclaimed in a loud voice, "Who has done me this dish'onour? Speak, Hildebrand, for thou hast charge of the repasts of the guests." Hildebrand, embarrassed, bowed before the anger of his Prince. " The maidens were embit- tered by the unseemly conduct of the Vandals, and wept over the hard work, and the Princess thought that they had ground of complaint." "How couldst thou retaliate the unseemly con- duct of a few by imposing heavy suffering upon all ? Thou hast dishonoured thy lord before his guests, and caused evU reports among the people. Take the sack at once, and cany it to the lodg- ings of the guests; and I advise thee, old man, to go with it, and make them such excuses as they may be willing to accept. But to the maidens I say, if in future they should ever complain, a hard hand will cause them greater sobbing." " Be not angry with the maidens, my lord," said Irmgard ; " they are usually willing, and would have borne the increased work ; but there is one in thy house who has the audacity to order about the servants like a master : this is thy sword- bearer, Theodulf. Many fear his hard nature, and are anxious, either now or in the future, to gain his favour. He forbids the maidens, at his pleasure, to 144 iTsao. work for the guests, and also to dance with them. No one ventures to complain to thee; but I as thy daughter cannot bear that in my father's house one who is a servant should injure our honour." When the Prince learnt this, he bethought him that his child was right, and yet felt a secret anxiety, because the maiden who now stood so angrily before him, spoke with such contempt of the man whom he secretly had destined for her husband. He therefore became wild with anger against aU, and exclaimed to his daughter, "Not in vain hast thou turned the mill ; with hard stone do thy words grind the character of thy cousin. Yet I do not blame thy gift, for it may perhaps atone for a heavy injury. But thou," he ex- claimed, raising his hand .threateningly against Theodulf, "forget not that I am sole master in this house as long as I live, so that I may hot forget that the mistress of the house wishes thee well. If any of you dare to use hostile language or secret malice against the guests, this house and his skin wiU become too narrow for him." Herr Answald sent all out, and continued to vex himself alone. At last he went to the Princess, and spoke to her also angry words, and little praise of her nephew, Theodulf Frau INGO. 145 Gundren changed colour ; she saw -well that she had ventured too much, and that her husband was with good reason anxious about evil reports, and she spoke to him appeasingly. " What has happened with the maidens ought to be a warn- ing for the strangers, that they also may respect the rights of the house ; it is now arranged, and will ia the future be avoided ; therefore do not thou care further about it. As to what concerns my relation, thou knowest well how truly he has served thee, and that on thy account he bears his scar." When she had succeeded in pacifying her lord a little, she continued — "How free from anxietj' did all appear in house and field a few months ago ; but now peace has disappeared from the house, there is discord in the country, and the anger of the King threatens us with difficulties. A distinguished man is thy guest, but misfortune follows his footsteps. I think of thy daughter, my lord; she prays that her marriage with Theodulf may be given up. The mind of the child raises itself against the will of her parents." " What has Ingo to do with the ill-will of the maiden ?" asked the Prince, angrily. Frau Gundren looked at him with open eyes. " He who rides upon horses heeds little the herbs VOL. I. 10 14G INGO. on the ground. Observe, my lord, her looks and cheeks whenever she speaks to the stranger." " No -wonder that he pleases her," replied the Prince. " But if he should think of marriage ?" "That is impossible," exclaimed the Prince, with a discordant laugh. "He is a banished man, without possessions and property. " " It is warm in the forest arbour, sitting by the hearth," continued the Princess. " Could a stranger venture on anything so mad — a man who does not belong to our people, and has no other right than that of being tolerated in the country? Thou art unnecessarily anxious, Gundren, but the thought of it even excites my spirit." "If thou thinkest so," said the Princess, with em- phasis, "then thou shouldst not rejoice in the day on which he entered our house, nor in the song in the hall, nor in the wandering men who now dwell with us, boasting of the rights of hospitality, and consuming the property of my lord. The King desires to have the stranger ; let him go, before he and his troop occasion sorrow to many among us." " Dost thou know more of the intimacy betwixt him and my child than thou hast told me ? " asked the Prince, standing before her. INGO. 147 " Only what may be discovered by him who chooses to see," answered the Princess, cautiously. " I have received him with great acclamations andajoyfulheart," continued HerrAnswald; "now I cannot send him away as one who is a burden. It is the father's right to choose a husband for his daughter, and there can be no marriage for the child but through the father ; that thy child knows also, for she is not without sense. I be- think me of the oath which I have made to thy friends ; but do thou restrain, if thou canst, the arrogance of thy nephew, and take care that he may make himself more estimable to our child than he now is, lest the stubbornness of the maiden should break out in the approaching spring, when we adorn her for her marriage." After this morning the spirit of Herr Answald was troubled whenever he came across the stranger; gloomily did he ponder on the pre- sumption, and suspiciously did he watch the words and bearing of the guest; and he himself thought sometimes that his dwelling by his hearth through the winter would be a burden. On one of these days of ill-humour, the Hero Sin tram rode up to him, sent as a messenger of bad tidings from the King to the Chieftain and his district; for the King made decided complaints of the concealed 148 INGO. residence of the foreign troop, and demanded ■with threatenings that they should be delivered into his hands. The Prince perceived that danger threatened either the guest, or him and his countrymen. As he was not a mean-spirited man, he soon recovered his composure. He went to Ingo, and told him frankly that he would invite the Chiefs of the district to a secret councU, under the pretence of a hunting expedition. Ingo bowed assentingly to what he said, and replied, " It is the right of the Host to speak first, and then the guest." Messengers rode in aU directions ; and three days after the nobles and wise men of the dis- trict were again assembled by the hearth of the Chieftain, But it was no longer summer air, when the minds of men are joyfiilly disposed, but hard winter time, when anxieties and ill-will arise. This time the countenance of the Prince was sorrowful when he began. " The King has sent a second message about the Hero Ingo and his followers, and this time to my countrymen and me, not by the minstrel, but by the Hero Sintram. The King of t'his nation demands to have the strangers delivered up to him : whether we shall withstand his command, or, thinking of our own safety, do according to his wUl, is what I ask you." INGO. 149 ThenroseSintram/and repeatedthe threatenings of the King. " He will take the strangers by force, if we do not send them ; his men bluster loud, and rejoice in the idea of an expedition against our properties. Once, foreseeing this, I warned you ; now the danger threatens and approaches us. Though we have indeed promised to defend hos- pitably the stranger, now it is not he alone who resides on the land ; a foreign race rides through our valleys, and his wild followers become a burden to the people." A long silence followed this speech, tiU Isan- bart at last raised his voice. " As I am old, I am not surprised to see how easily the minds of men alter ; before now I have seen many a Host who gladly greeted a guest, but gladly also dismissed him. Therefore shouldst thou, Prince, before the representatives of thy people, say whether the foreign Hero has violated the rights of thy house, and wounded thy honour ; or have his followers practised evil deeds among the people ? " Prince Answald replied, with hesitation, " I do not complain of any outrage which the guest has committed, but the nature of his men is unpliant and extraordinary, and they adapt themselves ill to the customs of our country." Then Isanbart nodded his grey head, and spoke. 150 INGO. " I also have experienced the same when I dwelt as a guest with thy father Irmfried in the land of the Vandals. We also, as far as I can remem- ber, were unyielding and strange to the Vandals ; yet our Hosts laughed kindly about it, and accom- modated the quarrels of the men whenever they broke out; they always begged us to stay longer, and dismissed us with rich presents. Therefore I think it becomes a Host to be cautious before he receives foreign guests, and to exercise forbear- ance as long as they dwell under his protection." Then Kothari, whom they called "Puff-cheek," sprang up and exclaimed, " There is among every people of the earth, as far as I understand it, a law that the followers belong to their lord, and he who receives the master cannot deny the peace to his followers, if the strangers themselves do not break the peace by their misdeeds. Well do I understand that the number of comrades under the oath will become a burden to thee, Prince, for the number of men and horses is too great for one property. Butthou didst desire, when they came, to have alone the honour of entertaining them. Had they been distributed among the houses of the nobles and peasants, every one according to his birth, then the guests would have burdened no one, and many by the evening INGO. 151 fire of the hearth would have delighted in their accounts of foreign lands." The Prince, much annoyed, answered, "I did not ask for counsel concerning the residence on my property, but concerniag the command of the King, which presses upon us heavily." Then spoke Bero, the peasant. " Other things press upon us, my lord, more than two-and- twenty strangers. The King seeks only a pre- text in order to obtain the tenth of our herds and sheaves of our fields ; but we are well aware that our herds and fields are too small, even without this, for our necessities. AU our villages are filled with vigorous young men; they demand builduig ground for new houses, arable land, meadows, and forest pastures. Who can give it them? Everything is divided and fenced in; the herdsmen complain that the herds of the lords of the manor are too large, and the mast and acorns too few ; and the clearing of the woods is withstood by the community, and stiU more by the Chiefs. Therefore many think that the time is come when our people must again settle on the other side of the boundary, as ia the time of our fathers and ancestors; and we ask in the villages, Where is there fresh land on man's earth to settle on ? Thus discontent prevails among the 152 INGO. people, and our young men would be pleased with any one who would offer them free acres, even though it were the King. I say this as a warning ; for dangerous is the greed of Princes when they desire for themselves the weapons of the people. Yet I do not advise that we should deliver up the guests to the King ; if the King would take them away by force, let him try. The thought, even, excites anger in me, that the boys of the King should drive away the cattle, and set fire to the 'bams; but I would not be forced from our rights. Every one would consider it unjust if we were to drive out our guests into the snow-storm. And I would rather be destroyed with my house, than break my oath to them from fear.'' Again Kothari sprang up, shook the peasant by the hand, delighted, and cried out, "Thus speaks a gallant neighbour ; listen to his words." At last Albwin began, with winning mien. " What the" freeman says I also agree to. I advise that we should keep our oath, which may perhaps become burdensome to us, if the guests ask it, and desire our protection. But if they willingly depart, let us give them assistance and presents, that they may go safely wherever their wishes lead them. But we will not deliver them INGO. 153 into the hands of the King, except with their own free-will." Then the greater number expressed their assent — the Prince also, and Sintram. But Rothari exclaimed, angrily, " 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 Isanbartsaid, wamingly, "Howcan 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 cross-bow, 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 belonging 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 began to the master of the hunt, " It will be difficult for thy guests to succeed without hounds on the smooth path. 154 INGO. Take care, at least, Hero, as thou know est 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 towards her. " Thou alone, Hero, dost not listen to the hunt- ing-caU," 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 INGO. 155 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 together in good fellow- ship. 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 vaUey, where the snowdrifts delayed the progress of the huge animals. Then the men dashed down from above towards the gigantic buU, with a loud hunting-cry, shooting their arrows, and casting their spears : the com- rades pressed down the valley from the heights, and they killed many of the herd ; only the mighty bull, chief of the herd, broke through to a 156 INGO. more open space. Then Ingo threw a heavy s.pear at him: a stream of blood followed the, b|ow. "He has it ! " cried out Ingo, and was answered by loud hurrahs. But the forest giant escaped to the heights. Ingo bounded after him spearless, swinging his knife. Again the beast broke dowi^ into a deep valley, draggling the spear ; and whilst Ingo.rushed forward along the height, in order to get" before him on the ground free from snow, he heard amidst the cry of the hounds a hunting- call and the sound of the horn ; and when he plunged into the vaUey, he found the bull on the ground, with Theodulf s spear in its body. The man was standing on the animal, and blew the cry of victory. " The game is mine, according to forest right," exclaimed Ingo, and.sprang upon the/bedy of the fallen animal; "my spear gave him' the death-blow." The two men stood over the prize opposite each other, and hot hatred flashed from their eyes. " Mine is the weapon, and mine the bull," cried Theodulf. Then Ingo tore the spear of the other out of the body of the bull, and flung it far away, so that it remained hanging in the branches of a pine-tree. The Thuringian gnashed his teeth with rage; for one moment he appeared as if he would' rush against Ingo, and strike him with his fists, but the haughty bearing of the other daunted* INQO. 157 him ; he sprang back, and incited the hounds against him. The raging beasts rushed howling on the Hero. In vain did Hildebrand cry, " Woe is me ! " Ingo struck down the fiercest with his knife ; the Vandals sprang to their King's side to save him from his danger, and drove their spears into the bodies of the hounds. " The chase is over," cried out Berthar, in a tone of command ; " now another begins : the scoundrel who set the hounds on our King shall not see another sun. To-day we have been hound-slayers, as thou calledst us, and thou art the last hound we shall slay." He raised "Hfe axe for the throw, but Ingo seized his arm with iron grasp. " Let no one dare to touch him ; the man belongs to my sword. But thou, Hildebrand, appoint the judges according to forest laws, and let there be a decision on my rights, on the spot where lies the bloody track and slain beast." Each band chose a man, and these two a third. The judges examined the wound, and followed the death-track up to the place where Ingo's spear had struck the bull ; then they turned back, conferred together, and pronounced their judg- ment : " The game belongs to the Hero Ingo." A triumphant smile passed over the face of the King as he turned his back to the buU. "I advise," began Hildebrand, with sorrowful 168 INGO. countenance, " that the bands shall not return to the house at the same time; if it pleases you, ye heroes, take the precedence." " You are the lightest," replied Berthar ; " my comrades wiU have trouble in carrying their game out of the forest. Yet I think that we must not renounce the honour of the hunt ; for this hunt will long be spoken of in the country." The followers of Herr Answald went in silence to the house ; only Theodulf spoke in his haughty manner, in order to control by these words the rage that was boiling within him. Without hunting- cry they entered the court, and Hildebrand hastened to the Prince. It was dark when the victorious band arrived with their trophy. " Sound the triumphal blast," cried Berthar, " as is befitting so rich a trophy." The hunting-shout resounded, but no one opened the gate of the courtyard, and Wolf was obliged to spring forward and push back the cross-beam. The Vandals laid their spoil down in front of the Prince's house ; they parted, with a greeting, from the country guests, and collected together quietly in their own quarters. The dwellings lay in darkness, and the winter storms howled over the roofs ; but in all the houses, and in the hall, there was a murmur of suppressed talk. INGO. 159 VI. THK DEPARTURE. In the grey of the following morning Ingo rode towards the meadow, with his two sword com- panions, Berthar and Wolf, for the single combat on which the sun might not look. The snow crackled under their feet ; the night wind roared above their heads, and drove the snow-clouds from the mountains into the valley ; the black cover- ing of clouds concealed all the light of heaven ; only the spirits of the dead ruled upon the earth ; they cried from the wind, they rattled among the dry branches of the trees, and gurgled in the icy water the news that of two sworn companions of one hearth, one must depart from the light of the sun, and descend into the cold realm of the mist. Berthar pointed silently to where, in the dim morning twilight, three men stood on the other side of the stream ; they were Theodulf, with Sintram and Agino, his comrades. " Their feet 160 INGO. have been quicker than ours," said Ingo, discon- tentedly ; " glory to those who first turned their backs on the foggy meadow." Before them lay the spot appointed for the fight — a sandy island, sur- rounded on both sides by the eddying water, and covered with a thin coating of snow. The assist- ants greeted one another silently over the stream ; they went to the willows on the bank, cut strong branches, and peeled the rind with their knives. Then Berthar and Sintram waded through the water ; both stepped upon the ground at the same time, and marked out the spot for the fight with white wands. Then each stepped from thence to the ends of the island — the one up the stream, the other down — and made a sign with his hand to his combatant. The combatants bowed them- selves before the preserving Gods, and murmured a prayer ; then they waded through the water to their companions. The assistants drew back over the stream, and the mortal enemies sprang- at one another without shields, in casques and coats of mail, with brandished swords. Steel struck upon steel ; round them the wind groaned and the icy water gurgled. It was a desperate struggle betwixt man and man. Theodulf showed himself not unworthy of the reputation that he had among his comrades. For a time the struggle INGO. 161 endured which leads so quickly to death, and Berthar looked discontentedly on the red in the morning sky, the messenger of day. Then Theodulf staggered under heavy blows, and again Ingo sprang at him, and fractured his skull through the iron helmet by a strong sword-stroke, so that a stream of blood burst, forth, and the Prince's man sank backwards on the snow. Ingo flung himself over him, and raised his sword with intent to plunge the point of it into his throat. At the same moment the first rays of the sun broke over the hUls; the red glow feU on the countenance of the wounded man. Sintram forgot in this danger of death the prescribed silence, and cried out over the stream, " Forbear ! the sun sees it." With the ray of light, and the cry, softer thoughts came across the wrathful soul of the conqueror ; he drew his sword back, and said, " The King of Heaven shall not behold me pierc- ing my sword through the retainer of my hos- pitable friend. Live, if thou canst ! " and he turned away. Theodulf murmured, as he lay on the ground, raising his fist against him, " I do not thank thee." But Ingo sprang through the icy water on to the bank, and turned his back on the island and the fallen man, whilst Berthar said, reproachfully, " For the first time the King VOL. I. 11 162 INGO. has been niggardly in paying the money for the journey of a deadly enemy iato the land of mist." " I do not care about the revenge of a man that is lying under my sword," replied Ingo. His sword-comrades followed him silently, whilst the friends of the other rushed over the water, and tore away the armour of the wounded man. I In front of the guests' dwellings stood the troop of Vandals, all ready equipped; they stopped Berthar with their greetings when they saw the King return in safety from the meadow. In the court the Prince's men were collected, and the country guests, in gloomy expectation, till the loud wailing cry of Sintram resounded, and be- hind him two men carried the fallen Hero on a litter into the courtyard. When the litter was laid down in front of the house of the women, the Princess rushed out, threw herself with loud cries down by her relative, and raised her arms imploringly to her tusband. Wild emotion, cries of revenge, ajid screams, followed the mute silence in the courtyard. The Chiefs of the people hastened with conciliating words frojn; one troop to another ; they felt anxiously that a fire was kindled which could hardly be extinguished by sage counsel. First Wolf was in great affliction. When he INGO. 163 "went to his old bench comrades, who stood in a close crowd before the house of the wounded man, they gave him hostile looks, turning their backs on him. Agino said, " He who has stood in a passage of arms against our comrade is separated from our bench ; and if I may give thee good advice for the last time, it is to avoid our neighbourhood, thiat cold iron may not pay thee for thy treason." " You acted shamefully to our guest," retorted Wolf, vehemently. "I have behaved myself honourably, according to my oath, which you aU then extolled : how could I forsake my master in his danger amidst water and heather ? " " If thou wast his companion in the danger," re- plied the others, "hide thyself in his chamber, and drink among his strangers the mead that he gives thee ; for hated is thy name among us, and thy memory shall be blotted out from our circle." HUdebrand also approached him, and began solemnly, " Since thou wast a boy I have known thee, and would gladly give thee good advice if I could ; but it is an old saying, ' Where the master leads, the man falls to the ground.' Even if our Prince Answald is kindly disposed towards thee, he cannot defend thee against the anger of the household. Perhaps I may persuade him to give 164 INGO. thee freedom from thy household oath ; then thou mayest wander with thy sword, and seek thy safety in foreign countries." Wolf stepped aside against the wall of the court, and concealed his glowing face from the looks of his comrades. " Is thy travelling-baggage so heavy, that thou weepest like a child, fearing to travel ?" said a woman's voice near him. Wolf answered bitterly, " That thou also mockest me, Frida, is worse than all else; for on thy account I was happy in the service of the House." " There are other houses than this, which lie far away on the traveUing-path of the hero, where a warrior wins more easily the favour of the Master, and perhaps also house and land to enable him to marry. I care not for a bench of heroes where a woman commands." " Thou advisest me to go," answered Wolf, in great astonishment, " and thou thyself remaiaest here !" " I am bom for the distaff, and I must tarry tiU a man lifts me on his horse, and carries me to his house. But a household appears to me contemp- tible which first receives a guest with open arms, and is then frightened at his presence. Mount, INGO. 165 and trot courageously over the heather, and seek a truer lord." " Thou hast seldom been friendly to me, Frida ; yet I feel it hard to leave thee behind among the boys of the Manor," replied the honest Wolf. "Perhaps I also may some time escape from the house," answered Frida, boldly. " If I have sometimes been hard with thee, my little Wolf, yet know that I hate the churls here, since they have denied thee comradeship." She looked at him kindly, and disappeared, and Wolf walked back comforted to the residence of the guests. " What do the proud boys there whisper among one another? " asked Berthar, examining him. "They have separated themselves from me," answered Wolf, gloomily, " because I went to the meadow with King Ingo." "And what dost thou mean to do, young Thuringian? " "I have vowed fealty to thy lord," answered Wolf. Berthar clasped him by the hand. "Thou speakest like a gaUant man; thou hast always pleased me, for thou wast faithful in service, and kind-hearted to my comrades. Now I will take care, so far as I can, that thou dost not repen^ 166 INGO. thee of thy choice. Go, at present, away from us to the Hero Isanbart, that he may protect thee, and help thee by his intercession to be released from the oath which binds thee to the Chief; then return to us. The Gods have denied me a son ; I will consider thee as of mine own blood, will share my last drink with thee, and my last sword- stroke shall be by thy side. Welcome amongst us, to wander over the earth, to gain booty, and to make a happy end in battle ! " Irmgard also felt the disturbance of this morn- ing. . " Where is my daughter, that she may help her mother with her medical skill?" exclaimed the Prince, by the bedside of the wounded man. In a low tone, that no one might hear her words, the angry Princess answered, " She has disobediently refused to approach his bed." Herr Aaswald went impetuously to Irmgard's room. The cheeks of the noble maiden were pallid, but her eyes did not shun the angry look of her father. " By the bedside of thy betrothed is thy place, thou cold-hearted one," he exclaimed to her. " I should have hated myself if I had vowed my life to yonder man," answered Irmgard, unmoved. " Thy father has done it for thee ; and had I not done it, yet he is of thy family, and my com- INGO. 167 panion in arms. Dost thou respect so little what our customs require of thee ? " " I think also, my father, of what becomes thy child. He who lies there, struck by a weU- deserved blow, set the hounds upon our friend and guest. Therefore, as a child of this house, he is henceforth to me a stranger and an enemy." " Thou speakest like a mad woman. I know well the bad wish which befools thy heart : too long have I indulgently borne with what is iutolerable." He raised his hand against his daughter. " Kill me, my father," cried out Irmgard ; " thou hast power ; but 1 will never go upon my feet to the bedside of the bad man." " If thou hast so decided," exclaimed the Prince, beside himself, " yet shalt thou bend to com- pulsion. I go to turn off the source which brings this trouble into my house; and thou shalt live apart as a prisoner, till thy insolent spirit become more pliant.'' He left the room, threatening, and walked across the court to his hearth-seat. There his district companions collected, and there also Ingo was conducted by two Chiefs of the people. The countenance of the Prince was red with anger, and his voice trembled when he began 168 INGO. speaking to the assembly by his hearth-fire. " Thou; Ingo, Ingbert's son, hast given a death- blow to my sword-bearer, Theodulf, one of the nobles of the people, the relative of my wife, the son to whom I had promised my daughter as a wife ; thou hast injured him in body and life in secret fight, which the sun hates. Thou hast wounded mine honour, violated thy duty as guest, and broken thine oath ; therefore I refuse thee, henceforth, the peace of my house and manor ; I dissolve the covenant which once bound our fathers; I extinguish the flame on the hearth which now still warms thee, and I pour water over that by which we had sworn to one another hospitable peace." He raised up the hearth- kettle, and poured the water into the flames, so that the steam spread itself hissing thoughout the house. But Ingo cried out, in reply, "Wounded to death in my honour, I have done a necessary deed, such as every one must do who would not live dishonoured among the people. I thought of thy hospitable hearth when the bad man lay under my sword, and I drew back its point. For the kindness that I have enjoyed under thy roof I thank thee now, on parting ; from the evil that thou and thy kindred may henceforth intend INGO. 169 towards me I will guard myself. As thou hast extinguished the flames that • lighted me hos- pitably, so do I throw the guest-token that thy father gave to my father, into the cold ashes of thy hearth. I renounce also the duties of guest which have bound me here ; as a stranger I came, and as a stranger I go. To the Gods, the eye- witnesses of my oath, I complain of the injustice that thou doest to me and my race ; and I beg their blessing for every one who wishes me well in this house and country. He turned roimd to depart. Then rose Isanbart, and said, "Though thou art in hostility to our Chieftain, by a necessary deed which we honour, yet thou art not in hosti- lity with the people who through our mouth have promised thee peace. If thou wilt tarry till the community decide upon thy quarrel with Herr Answald, thou art welcome, with thy followers, to the house and hearth of an old man who once stood in battle by the side of thy father." Ingo stepped up to the old man, and bent low before him. '' Lay thy blessing on my head, father, before I depart. It would be inglorious for me any longer to linger in the district, and excite discord in the villages. But I shall think of thy faithfulness so long as I breathe." 170 INGO. The old man laid his hand silently on his head, and then Ingo passed on to the threshold. The Prince saw with anger and anxiety that a portion of his country associates rose to accompany him on his departure. Isanbart offered him his hand, and led him, with the others, through the host of armed retainers who thronged about the door with threatening demeanour; opposite to these were the Vandals, on their horses, ready for departure, and if necessary, for a fight ; but the dignity of the Chiefs of the people restrained the wrath of the younger men. Ingo leaped upon his horse, which Berthar brought to him, cast one lin- gering look back at the house, then put his horse into a gallop through the gate of the court, and was followed by his men. When the retaiuers called after him threatening words, the angry voice of Isanbart commanded silence. But the Priuce sat mute, with heavy thoughts, by his cold hearth. Behind the travellers a horse's hoofs clattered on the frozen ground. Bero drew his horse up to Ingo's side, and after he had ridden by him for a a while, began, " It was I who brought thy com- rades to thee ; to-day I would like to show thee good-will : the village in which I dwell lies on thy road ; may it please thee. Hero, to turn in with me, and try peasant fare ?" INGO. 171 "I advise thee, my lord," said Berthar, "to accept the invitation of the freeman ; for I have found him well-disposed, and a prudent coun- sellor." " Thou art not the only one of thy race who has been weU-disposed towards us since we were in the Prince's territory," replied Ingo, with a sorrowful smUe. The Hero agreed to the visit, whereupon Bero, pleased, turned his nag along a side path. Rothari followed them with a loud call. " Your first resting-place must be my house," exclaimed the burly man, stretching out his hand from his horse, and shaking many by the hand. " Cast thy cares behind thee. Hero, and do not be angry with all because thou hast parted with one in displeasure ; " and riding by Ingo, he continued, confidentially, "In our district also many are astonished that thy sword did not give the last honours to a wrangler ; for the man and his family have enemies among the people, because they are unjust ; and I am one of those enemies." Thus he trotted on among the guests, with comforting words, sometimes whirling his spear in the air, and relating jovial accounts of travels, till the strangers listening to him laughed. When on the following morning the first dawn 172 INGO. of day shone in the dark room, Irmgard rose gently from her bed, that she might not awake her sleeping guardian, and she said to herself, " I dreamt that one was standing by the torrent above, expecting me. The bank of the running flood has been travelled over ; loosened is the pine- tree which clung to our ground ; down the valley it drives with the water, betwixt ice and stones, and never shall I see it again. I know not what I care for in life, since he has gone from us." She threw a dark covering round her dress, opened softly the door, and stepped into the empty court. "Who will unlock the gate for me ? " she said, standing before it ; but when she touched it, she found the wooden bolt of the barrier drawn out. She went through the gate, and hastened over the snow up the mountain to the place where she had formerly found her loved one. But when she came near, she perceived by the torrent, in the twilight, a tall figure ; she was frightened, and stopped. Then Ingo hastened towards her. "I thought I should find you in this place, and that feeling brought me on my speedy horse through the night. " The King rides among enemies," answered Irmgard, " because my family have broken faith with him. Bitter is the thought, and hateful is INGO. 173 life to me ; for thou wilt be angry with us when thou thinkestj in the hour of danger, on the hall of my father." " I think of thee wheresoever I tarry,'' exclaimed Ingo ; " from thee I hope for all the welfare of my days. Thou art most dear to me, and strong is thy courage ; therefore I place to-day in thy hand the threads on which, as the Priestess said, my fate hangs." He presented to her a little pouch of otter skin, with strong straps upon it. Irmgard looked timidly at the gift. " It contains the magic dragon," continued Ingo, softly, " the vic- torious talisman of the Romans, as our warriors imagine, and also my fate. In the King's Castle the Romans have been distributing gold; it is possible that the King's men may work me evil. If they kill me and my followers, the Romans shall not gain again what, as they say, ensures them the victory. Therefore keep the purple for me tiU I ask for it ; but if my enemies accomplish their work, then carry the talisman to the death- mound they raise over me, and bury it there deep in the earth." Irmgard took the pouch, held it with both hands, and her tears rolled down on it. "A stranger wilt thou be to the hearth of my father, but thou remainest my guest-friend, Ingo, and 174 INGO. thou shalt dwell near my heart. Here I keep what thou givest me, and I pray to the Gods of fate that this pledge may win me a share in thy lot. Had I been born a boy, as my parents wish, I could follow thee on thy path; but lonely shall I sit, with closed lips, in a joyless house, and I will think of thee whom only the hawks behold, the wild birds, when th.ey fly betwixt heaven and man's earth. For restlessly dost thou wander, noble man, to hostile walls,,under wailing winds and falling rime.'' " Do not sorrow, friend," said Ingo, imploringly, " for I do not fear that the enemy will succeed in killing me ; if the cold snow whirls about me, my heart is glad, for I have confidence in thee whom I care for. By night and by day it will be my thought how I can win thee." " He whom the father is angry with, and whom the mother hates, loves the child : can there be greater sorrow on earth ?" said Irmgard, sadly. He embraced her, and said tenderly, " Conceal thy love before others, as the tree conceals its strength in the earth when the summer passes away. Now the wild power of the winter-giant rages around us; the riches of the fields are covered with a white hearse-cloth. Do thou, friend, also bear quietly the icy burden. When INGO. 175 the buds burst, and the young green sprouts from the earth, then look out at the spring sun, and listen for the song of the -wild swans as they pass through the air." " I will conceal and wait," answered Irmgard, solemnly ; " but do thou think, when the storm rages about thy head, that I am lamenting and calling to thee ; and when the soft sun laughs upon thee, that I weep for thee." She tore a ribbon from her dress, and tied it round his arm. " Thus I bind thee to me, that thou mayest know that thou belongest to me, as I do to thee ; " and she threw her arms round his neck, and held him in a firm embrace. Near them sounded the discordant cry of a bird of prey. "The watchman warns us that thou must depart from me," exclaimed Ingo : "bless me, Irmgard, that my journey may be prosperous for thee and me." He bent his head under her hands, but she held her arms around him, moved her fingers, and whispered the bless- ing." Then he embraced her once more, with the deep sorrow of parting, and sprang upwards into the pine-forest. Irmgard stood again alone betwixt rock and forest, and around • her blew the winter snow. Late in the morning the Vandals rode from 176 INGO. Rothari's house; among them was Ingo, in an elevated state of mind, although silent, for his thoughts flew back to the lady in the Prince's house. About mid-day they came to the village that is called in the country "the free moor," where stood Bero's residence. The sun shone brightly on the white covering of the earth, and the rime glit- tered on the heads of the willows. The bridge over the village ditch was adorned with green pine- branches, and near the watchman's house stood the country people, in festive attire, and in front of them Bero and his six sons, strong young men, with powerful limbs and large hands. Bero exclaimed, "We are the last of the district comrades who dwell along your road, and we hope to keep you warm under our thatched roofs till you ride into a foreign country." The horse- men dismounted joyfully, and walked amongst the country people in the village. "We divide the hospitality amongst us," continued Bero, " that every one of the neighbours may have the honour of a guest-friend; and if it please the young fellows, we will, after the repast, have a dance with our boys and maidens in a spacious room, or on a weU. swept barn-floor, as is our custom." Then he himself took the bridle of Ingo's horse, and led his noble guest through the ijsrao. 177 open gate of the courtyard. Whilst his sons unsaddled the horses, and provided them with corn, the heroes stepped in front of the house, on whose threshold Frida's mother, with her ma^idens, awaited the stranger, and offered her sunburnt hand. Upon the firm clay floor of the broad hall stood a table, ready laid, with wooden chairs round it; from the raised gallery in the backgroujnd, blue-eyed, flaxen-headed children peeped out, aiud when the guests smiled at th^m, concealed their heads shyly behind the balustrade. " Call the guests to the repast," said the peasant tp his wife, " and bring the best that you can, for they are accustomed to princely fare." Ingo invited the Hostess tp sit by him, but she declined, and carried the dishes up and down herself. " That appears to me a gopd custom," declared Bero, "for the eyes of the Hostess see quickest what is wanting to the guests, and besides, it would sometimes be troublesome to the Host for the servants to hear the conversation." The Hostess offered many dishes ; she carried them about incessantly, and urged every one to take of them. At last the Host took the King and Berthar to his room ; there the three sat down by a small table, and he gave them mugs of VOL. I. 12 178 INGO. strong mead, black with age, and thick as honey just dropped from the comb. " This drink was brewed by my mother when she came to this house," he said, in commendation of it. He raised his mug, drank the health of his guests, and began solemnly, " Our ancients tell us that once upon a time a God created the nobles, the free peasants, and the serfs, when he was wander- ing over the garden of the earth. To each he gave special gifts : to you nobles to lead the people in battle, where we follow you ; to us, on the other hand, to manage the fields in summer and winter ; to the serfs to work carefully with bent backs. Neither the noble nor the free peasant can do, the one without the other. You heroes could not gain fame if we did not follow you on the battle-heath, and we could not cultivate securely if you did not preserve us, by counsel and arms, from hostile neighbours. You have the most honour in battle — for seldom does the minstrel celebrate the warlike deeds of the peasant; but your life is without repose, and restlessly do the families of the nobles move about, while we dwell lastingly on our acres; and if the Host is slain, and his house burnt, yet his sons walk in the shoes of their fathers, and build and establish themselves again upon the land." INGO. 179 The guests were pleased with this excellent speech, and nodded their approbation. Bero continued cautiously, " Now, ye heroes, I have during many weeks watched you, and have perceived and learnt that you think rightly, and live with good discipline ; therefore I think we might well be useful to one another. Hope nothing from our nobles; many among them know not how to assist themselves ; and expect nothing from the King, for he suspects and envies every one who does not serve him. Seek therefore your safety with the peasants. When I led thee. Hero Berthar, from the South, I spoke to thee a little of my secret, as one speaks to a stranger ; but to-day I will fuUy confide in thee. I have been guest-friend, as were my ancestors, with the freemen at Idisbach. They belong to an honest people called the Marvingians. They are blood-relations to us Thuringians, but for a long time they have dwelt by themselves in the valleys by the stream of Idis — one of the mighty Weird Sisters. They have for years lost their race of Princes and their best warriors, because these became hostile to them, and went westward, among the Franks, for game and booty. " Since then, those that remained behind have been oppressed by our settlers on the other side of 180 INGO> the mountains, and southward, towards the Main, by the Burgundians. The double oppression has become insupportable to them, and a portion are preparing secretly, when the trees become green again, also to travel away, and follow the Prince. Therefore in the autumn I rode over the moun- tains, in order to exchange horses and draught- oxen for their swine, which they could not slaughter themselves. There I saw delightful meadow land to be bought cheap, and I thought of the boys on my manor. But my guest-friends complained to me — such of them as wished to remain in the land of their fathers — that their small swarm of bees were in want of a queen bee ; for they are without a race of Princes who could maintain friendship for them with the neighbours, or lead them in glorious struggles against the rapacious nobles on the boundary. But the peasants of Idisthal wiU not become Thuringiana nor Burgundians, but keep their own customs; and would rather ally themselves to a foreign race than to our nobles ; but least of aU with our King. Therefore I think of thee. Hero Ingo ; for there are few of you, and more of them ; and you could not oppress them. There I advise you to go in the spring. Whether it will be for your welfare you must judge yourself ; but to those who INGO. 181 "would cultivate the land it would be an advan- tage, and therefore I counsel it to you." "Pay attention to his speech, my King," exclaimed Berthar ; " this is the best news that thou hast heard for a long time, and every word is true. I myself saw the land, and spoke with the men. We had ridden northwards from the Main, over the frontiers of Burgundy, through barren pine-woods and sandy heather : there we looked from the heights upon a wide valley, through which was a running stream, which they call the brook of the Weird Sister, the holy Idis ; steep wooded hUls, and on the meadows such high grass that our horses had difficulty in pass- ing through it. There I know is a hiU-siope, well suited for a King's Castle, as from a watch- tower one looks over the Idisthal, and over the forest far beyond the Main." Ingo laughed. " Dost thou also, grey wanderer, hope for carpenter's work, and a warm seat by thine own hearth? Strange is the fate of the wanderer: the Prince sends me from his house, and the peasant offers me a country just when we are again wandering without a hold on the earth, like the clouds which drive about under the sun. Only one thing I fear, thou wise Host : I must ride through the walls of King Bisino to the Idisbach." 182 INGO. "Avoid the King," said Bero, wamingly ; "make thy -way over the boundary; thus wilt thou be clear of him." "Be not angry," answered Ingo, " if I this time rush into danger like a wandering hero, and do not go round about like a settler. I have given an answer to the King's invitation that I would come, and I will keep my word, although he is ill-disposed towards me. Even thou wUt not blame my expedition. For if I now avoid the King, he will learn my hostile feeling ; and when our boys, as thou wishest, desire in the spring to form an enclosure not far from his boundary, his wrath will speedily prepare a dark fate for the settlers at Idisbach." He seized the hand of the peasant, and continued, "In everything else I will follow thy advice; and therefore tell me now how I ought to deal with thy guest-friends about the possession of the land, that we may enter into an alliance for our spring journey." The heroes bent their heads, and sat long in conversation; whilst outside the shawms and bag- pipes sounded, and the shouting couples went to- the dance. INGO. 183 VII. INGO AT THE KINQ's COURT. Wolf, who led the vanguard, stopped upon a height, and pointed with his hand to the distance. In front of the travelling band rose from the snow-covered landscape the mighty stone build- ing, the King's Castle, with high walls, solid towers with battlements, and amidst them the red-brown tiled roof of the King's house — a fear- ful sight for the roving comrades. " It may be easy for birds to enter into such a cage, but it is not every one that will succeed in flying out of it," muttered Berthar. The tones of a short horn sounded from the distant battlement. " The warders are stirring themselves; now trot, that they may perceive our eagerness." The strangers rode through a hollow path betwixt two rocks, up to the stone outwork which was built in front of the bridge, the top of which was garrisoned with armed men. " The 184 INGO. boys have closed the gates, in order to prepare themselves for ovir visit," exclaimed the old man, striking at the iron knocker of the door. The watchman from the top enquired their names, and what they wanted. Ingo answered. But long did the troop wait, and impatiently did the horses stamp, before the heavy creaking door opened, and the drawbridge fell to the ground. The horsemen gallopped into the court of the Castle ■; armed men thronged at all the doors ; the King's Herald met the guests ; once more there were qUestioHs and 'answers ; then the man, with clouded brow, advised them to dismount, and guided the heroes, wh-b led their horses by the bridlte, in front of the King's haU. " Where does the Host tarry ?" cried out Berthar, with much displeasure, to the Herald. " My lord is not accustomed to enter the threshold of a house before the Mastet of it stands there." But at the same moment the door of the hall opened, and King Bisino stood in a circle of his nobles at the entrance; Qaeen Gisela by his side. Ingo ascended the steps, iand bowed. " Long have we expected thee in vain, Granger, and tardy have been the steps of thy horse from the forest to my dwelling," began the King, with a gloomy look. But immediately INGOi 185 Queen Gisela stepped forward; she offered her white hand to the Hero in welcome, and nodded a greeting to his followers. "When I was a child, not taller than my son here, I saw thee, my lord, in the haU of the Burgundians; but we remember past times and old friendships. Eeach thy hand to thy cousin," she commanded the boy, " and take care to become a hero famous among the people, as he is." The child held out his hand to the guest. Ingo raised up the little one, and kifised him ; and the boy clung confidingly round the neck of the man. Now also the King approached him. Between the royal pair Ingo walked into the hall, and exchanged words of greeting with them both, tiU the King commanded the Herald to take the foreign guests to their quarters. Ingo returned to his followers ; the countenances of the Thurin- ^ans became more friendly; one warrior after another went up to the strangers, greeted them, ajad accompanied them to the apartment which was destined for the dwelling of the guests. The servants carried them food and drink, cushions and coverlets ; and again the Herald came to invite Ingo to the King's repast. It was late in the evening when Ingo, accom- ^nied by one of the King's chamberlains and 186 INGO. the torch-bearer, returned to the apartment of his men. Berthar was sitting alone at the door of the apartment ; he held his battle-sword between his legs ; his shield was propped up against the post ; his grey beard and the breastplate under the woollen coat glistened in the torchUght. Ingo dismissed the King's servants with a greet- ing, and Berthar placed the torch in the large socket of an iron candlestick, which towered up to the height of a man in the middle of the room. The light shone on the rows of men who were sleeping on the cushions on the floor, their swords by their sides, and their helmets on their heads, and with their coats-of-mail on. '" Thou keepest true watch, father," said Ingo ; how dost thou like our new Hosts ? " " They squint, " said the old man, laughing. " There is a proverb that the greater the King the more savage are the fleas in the sleeping coverlet which he has prepared for the wandering guest. Meagre was the evening fare ordered by the Host, but the Queen sent wine and dainties, and thy boys lie satisfied and travel-weary by their shields. It is a roomy building," he continued, spying into the dark corners ; " there, in a com- partment of the gallery, the Prince's bed has been put up. Observe, my King, under the stone walls INGO. 187 of this gigantic Castle, this is the only wooden structure ; it stands apart, against the wall which towers ahove it at the back ; and if one of the King's men should at night put a torch to the wood-work, and close the door, then the hall will blaze up in flames without noise, and the crackling will not disturb the repose of the Castle gentlemen.'" Ingo exchanged a significant look with the old man, and asked in a low tone, "How was the greeting of the King's men ? " " They sneak like foxes about the nest ; they are Httle accustomed to Court manners; they boasted of the power of their ruler, and ex- amined closely our weapons. I observe, my lord, they all hope to exchange sharp sword-blows with us. My King has at times been surrounded by enemies, but never was the enclosure so fast." "King Bisino does not yet kaow what he intends to do," replied Ingo, " but the Queen is weU-disposed towards us." " None of the Court retinue boasted to me that the Queen was beautiful," replied the old man, " therefore I perceive that they are afraid of their mistress. Perhaps fear of my King will give us to-night quiet sleep. I will extinguish the torch, that its light may not betray to any spear the 188 INGKX sleeping-places. Tbe first night in a dwelling is always the most full of anxiety to a guest." " Perhaps also the last/' replied lingo. " It becomes me to watch, father; I send thee to thy bed." "Dost thou think that the old man would sleep when thine eyes are not closed?" He brought a seat for Ingo close to the entrance, where the shadow concealed him ; then he seated himself again on his stool, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, listened to the noise in the court, and gazed some time at the starry heaven of the fresh winter night. "The stars also are sitting above there, as they say, on their silver chairs, and ward off evil from the oppressed man who looks up to them in jprayer/' began Berthar, piously. " I am an old trunk, and it is time that I should be fell ed : for thee also, my King, I have sometimes longed for a fight with noble enemies as a glorious end of thy troubles. But now I be- hold in the forest a good woman, who is faithfully minded towards thee ; and yet I fear for thee the dark night-clouds which divide us from the star- light, and I fear the inight-storm driving about this wooden roof; for in the darkness I think the King may do what his bad spirit suggests to him." INGO. 189 " Thou knowest, father, that we have many a time overcome cold hospitality," answered Ingo. The old man smiled at the remembrance, and continued, " I am always pleased when the iron flies in the air, and there is a free field, and better light than from flickering wood. Yet thou speakest well, King, for there is much that is insecure on the ea.rth; .but nothing deceives so much as anticipation before the combat. The longer one has wandered about with spear and sword, the less one cherishes thoughts concerning the end. An,d, in fact, 1 suspect that the Weird Sisters cast our lots before the fight with smiling faces. They hurl us intp the greatest danger, asi if in jest, and pull us out again merrily by the hairs of our head; and another time they intoxicate our minds with dreams of victory, and lay us dead on the heath. But as they try the hearts of men, at la^t they rejoice over us fighting boys on earth now, and later elsewhere." This speech was iaterrupted by a slight whiz- zing, and a blow ; an arrow flew out of the court towards the place where Ingo sat ; the iron struck on the sword scabbard, and the arrow sank on the floor. The men remained immovable, but no cry and no attack followed the assault. " Seek thy bed, thou fool !" exclaimed Berthar, 190 INGO. pointing to a dark shado-w which disappeared by the houses in the darkness. He raised up the messenger of death. " The arrow is from a hunting quiver." " It is a ware 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 dark- ness 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 tiU the first dawn of daylight appeared in the sky. On the following day a great hunt was an- nounced. The horses pawed the ground in the open space before the King's' haU ; 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 INGO. 191 the departure. At last the King came, 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 ap- proached Ingo in a friendly way, and asked aloud, " How was thy night's rest, cousin ? I had not heard before that thou wast 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 with astonishment at one another. 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 to-day." 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 1)92 INGiO. tha^t ome 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 favourable words concerning him from the Queen, and also, from his young son, who was his dearest object on earths 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 reaUy from his heart, and he listened with amusement to Tngo's account of the strength of a lion which he had seen in a cage of the Alemann 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 attend- ants, at the kitchen, and spoke a few words about the roast for the feast to the cook, who seldom enjoyed such an honour, and gladly promised to employ his best skill in preparing INGO. 193 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 sing- ing, in a low tone, a good incantation for sharp iron. The Queen stopped, made a sign of com- mand to her followers to retire, and stood near the steps, watching the man at his work ; tiU 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 iron. Hero of King Ingo?" inquired Queen Gisela, "that thou re- mainest in the Castle whilst the hounds are running outside ? " " I am sharpening my store for another hunting cry,"jeplied Berthar ; " reports of the King's plea- sure in hunting are far spread in the land." " Unwillingly wiU thy lord do without his old companion in the forest." "My master can easily slay the game which springs in the light of the sun, with only his hoys ; I will not fail him at the wolf-chase in the night." The Queen fixed her eyes upon him, and went some steps nearer. " 'Tis not for the first time that VOL. I. 13 194 INGO. I see thee, Berthar; since then the white hairs have come upon thy head, but I know thee again." " Uncertain is the memory of the old : I have seen many people since my lord has wandered homeless. The sparks flew into mine eyes when my house in my native land was burned, so that I do not recognize the beautiful face before me." " Thou hast reason to be angry, old man, with my family. The father of thy King and mine once formed an aUiance, but my brother Gundomar forgot his old oath ; he fought as an ally of yovir enemies on the Oder, and I, whilst stiU a child, was sent to be wife to the King of Thuringia. Dost thou know me now, Berthar ? " " The twig grows to be a proud tree ; other birds sing now in its foliage than did in former times." "Yet the tree bears every year the same blossoms ; and the old battle-hero finds a friend in the Queen. Art thou contented with thy dwelling in the'Castle ? and have the King's boys offered thee a courteous greeting ? " " At Court the servants greet like their master; thy favour, Queen, is surety for the good-will of thy people." The countenance of the Queen became clouded. INGO. 195 " That is the speech of a proud guest," she con- tinued, with a constrained smile ; " I think thy life was more merry in the forest huts." " We are wanderers, lady. A flexible mind helps him who wanders homeless among the people ; a house and wife are denied him, and he takes what the day offers him, — ^booty, drink, and women ; he has no choice, and no griefs ; and without anxiety he thinks in the evening of the work of the following day.'' The old man saw that the Queen again smiled. She approached nearer to him, and said, " There in the tower is the Queen's chamber; if thou shouldst ever look up at that window, from thy spear, a light will perhaps burn there which will warn thee beforehand of the wolf-chase." She nodded to him, and turned to her followers ; but the old man looked at her with astonishment ; then seizing his hammer, recommenced knocking. On the following night no arrow and no barking of the King's wolves disturbed the sleep of the foreign guests. Every day the King became more friendly to them, and extolled before his men their Court manners and their art of managing their horses in the war-games. Hermin, the King's young son, came often to the dwelling of his cousin Ingo, exercised himself before Mm with 196 INGO. his child-weapons, stroked the grey beard of the Hero Berthar, and begged for a merry tale. One hunting morning Ingo became still more agreeable to the Host than he had been before. The King, in his hunting eagerness, had ridden far before the others, and had fallen from his horse on a steep mountain ; from thence he slid down on to the ice, and lay for a moment defenceless before the horns of a wild ox. Then sprang Ingo, at the risk of his own life, over the body of the King, and killed the raging beast. The King rose, and limping from his fall, said, "Now that we are alone, and none of my men near, I perceive thy good disposition; for if thou hadst not sprung like a hound, the furious beast would have hurled himself on me, to the damage of my ribs, and no one could have reproached thee. What I know, no one else need know." That day the King sat joyfully on his royal seat at the repast, next his wife Gisela, and Ingo on the other side. "To-day I rejoice in the good fortune of the chase ; I rejoice in my power and the gold treasures that you all see before your eyes ; and I drink to the health of the Hero Ingo, because he was a good comrade in fight with the mountain ox. Rejoice, all of you, to-day with me, when you see the gold and silver cups INGO. 197 which are placed before your eyes, to my honour and yours. Thou, Ingo, hast visited many Courts of powerful rulers : tell me. Hero, whether thou hast seen better vessels from any of their treasure- houses." " Gladly do I praise thy wealth, King ; for when the treasure-house is filled, we think the ruler governs in security, feared by hostile neigh- bours and bad men among the people. There are two virtues which I have always heard ex- tolled in a powerful sovereign : understanding to collect treasure at the right time, and to distribute it at the right time to his faithful servants, that they may follow him in danger." These words were quite in accordance with the opinion of the heroes who sat at the King's table, and they nodded, and murmured approba- tion. " The Alemanni also were a wealthy people, till Caesar devastated their land," continued Ingo ; " but I think they will regain much, for they are active after booty, and understand how to deal with traders. Therefore they live more like Romans than other country people ; the peasants also dwell in stone houses ; the women embroider coloured pictures on their dresses ; and round them hang sweet grapes in vine arbours." 198 INGO. " Dost thou know the Roman women also ? " asked the Queen ; " the King's men relate many wonderful things of their beauty, although they have brown skins and black hair." " They are nimble in speech, and in the move- ments of their limbs, and the greeting of their eyes is pleasing ; only I heard that they could not boast of the propriety of their conduct," replied Ingo. " Hast thou been in Roman land?" asked the King, inquisitively. " It is two years," said Ingo, " since I rode as companion of the young King Athanarich peace- fully into the walls of the great Imperial city of Treves. I saw high arches and stone walls, as if erected by giants. The people laughed in crowded throngs in the street ; but the warriors who stood there at the gates, with Roman tokens on their shields, have our eyes, and speak our language, although they wrongly boast of being Romans." " The strangers give us their wisdom, they sell us gold and wine, but we lend them power of Kmb; I approve of the exchange," replied Hadubald, to whom it was not pleasant to hear the Roman service despised. " But I, King," began Berthar, " have little INGO. 199 respect for that wisdom of the Romans. I also was formerly in the great stone castle which the Romans have built; first, when my lord Ingo sent me southwards over the Danube to Augsburg, where now the Swabians have established their home. I rode in with difficulty over the broken city walls; there I saw much folly which is annoying even to a wandering man. The Roman houses stood as thickly packed as a flock of sheep in a thunderstorm. I saw none where there was room for a court, nay, even for a dunghill. I asked my Host, and he said, ' They squat, if needs be, shamelessly, like little dogs in the street.' I lay in such a stone hole; the walls and the floors were smooth, and shone with many bright colours. The trusty Swabians had arranged a straw roof as a covering. I assure you it was uncomfortable betwixt the stone walls during the night; and I was glad in the morning when the swallows sang in the straw. It had rained in the night, and in a puddle on the floor I saw by the morning light two ducks, not bodily, but as if painted on the stone of the floor. I went up to it, stuck my axe into the stone floor, and found a ludicrous work put together of many little stones ; every stone was cemented to the floor, and above polished as 200 INGO. fine as a stone axe. From such coloured stones were the birds made which we know as ducks ; and it was a work over which many men must have been occupied many days, only to polish the hard stone. That appeared to me quite foolish, and my Swabian thought so also." "Perhaps the duck is a holy bu-d to them, which is not domestic there ; there are some kinds of birds to be found all over the earth, and others not," said Balda, a sensible man, one of the followers of the Queen. " So I thought also, but my Host knew that they prepare the like things for their pleasure, in order to tread upon them." The men laughed. " Do not our children also make little bears out of clay, and ovens out of sand, and play for days 'together with trifles? The Romans have become like children," ex- claimed Balda. " Thou speakest right. They have polished little stones into birds, whilst in their forest the warriors of Swabia dwell in their block-houses ; also when they eat they lie down like women who are lying-in." " What thou bringest forward concerning the ducks," exclaimed Wolfgang, in an angry tone, "is quite unimportant and foolish; for it is INGO. 201 peculiar to the Romans that they can imitate everything in coloured stone — not only birds, but also lions and fighting warriors. They understand how to form every God and every hero, so that he stands up as if living ; this they do as an honour to themselves, and as a memorial to him." " They rub upon the stones ; and the heroes who fight their battles are of our own blood. If it is their fashion to love journeyman's work, it is ours to rule over journeymen. I do not praise the hero who engages himself in the service of a journeyman," replied the old man. " Dost thou call journeymen those who are lords over almost the whole earth ? Their race is older, and their traditions more glorious than ours," exclaimed Wolfgang again. " If they have prated to thee of that," retorted Berthar, "they have hed: whether the glory is genuine, and the tradition true, may be known to every one by this — if it increases the courage in battle of those men who boast. Therefore I com- pare the fame of the Romans to a waterspout, that first rushes over the land, and then dries up into a puddle ; but the fame of our heroes is like a mountain spring, which rushes over the stones, and carries its floods into the valley." 202 INGO. "Yet the wise men of the Eomans are con- fident/' interposed Ingo, " that they have become more powerful than they were before ; for they boast that in the times of their fathers a new God came into their empire, who has given them victory." " I have long observed," said the King, " that they have a great mystery in their Christ. Their faith also is not entirely frivolous, for they are in truth now more victorious than in former times. One hears much about it, and no one speaks very accurately." " They have very few Gods,'' declared Berthar, mysteriously, "or perhaps only one with three names. One is called the Father, the other the Son, and the other is called the third." "The third is called the Devil," exclaimed Wolfgang. " I know that ; I myself was at one time among the Christians, and I assure thee, King, their magic is more powerful than any other. I learnt their secret sign, and a blessing — they call it Noster Pater — ^that has healing power against every bodily injury ; " and he made respectfully a cross over his wine-cup. "Yet, according to my judgment," replied Berthar, obstinately, " the day wiU come even to the Romans, in spite of their walled cities, and in INGO. 203 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 honour 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 thinkshigher of his own people than of foreigners." When the repast was ended, and the King sat alone at his glass with Ingo, he began loqua- ciously, " 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-dis- posed towards thee. Only one thing troubles my spirit, that thou hast dwelt among my peasants in the forest huts, whose minds have always been hostUe to me ; and I fear that thy abode there has been to my injury." " My King has no reason for anxiety," answered Ingo, earnestly ; " I am not likely again to rest by the hearth of Herr Answald. " 204 INOO. " Did oath and comradeship come to so rapid an end ? " asked the King, with satisfaction. " Can I believe thee, when thou announcest to me a thing so strange ? tell me, if it pleases thee, what has 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 teU me all, afi.d therefore I cannot 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 teU 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. " WeU then, know, 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 INGO. 206 of the daughter who is his iaheritress to the dis- inherited stranger ? The whole people would reproach him as mad ; it would be insufferable that a foreigner should sit as Chieftain of the forest arbour. Nay, if the father himself should promise thee his daughter amidst a circle of witnesses, I, the King, could never suffer it, and I should have to send my boys, both 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 banished man. Much suffering have I borne as guest in the Chieftain's house- hold, 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 wound the pride of an unfortunate one." "I am better disposed towards thee than I ever was before,'' replied the King, cheerfully. " But dost thou stiU 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 206 INGO. 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. Bethiak 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 ban- quet 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 arbour by guest-banqueting." "Then do thou also hear, King, the counsel of the stranger," cried out Ingo, indignantly : " do not thou thiak to marry the noble maiden to another man ; for as long as I can move an arm, no other shall take her to his house. Already has Theodulf once been stretched on the meadow INGO. 207 by my sword ; it was an accident that he escaped death : I har the bridal path to him, and equally to any one of thy people." Now the King laughed so loud that he shook with it. " The longer thou speakest, the more I love to hear thee, even though thou talk est defiantly to me. Thou thinkest after the'fashion of a travelling hero, and I am confident that thou wilt show thyself so in deeds. Constrain the father, lay Theodulf, the bombastic fool, on the bloody heath, and carry off thy wife to thy bridal bed. With all my heart I will give my aid that all this may be successful to thee." Ingo examined suspiciously the demeanour of the King, who sat so joyful before him, think- ing that perhaps the wine had distracted his thoughts, and he said, "The meaning of thy words, my lord, is concealed from me ; thou praisest and blamest me for the same thing. How canst thou be glad to hear what appears to thee insufferable ? and how canst thou help in a wooing which thou thyself wilt hinder, even if the bride's father does not do so ? " But King Bisino replied with dignity, "Sit down again to thy drinking-horn. Much which brings a man to. honour is thine, but the most difficult of all thou canst not gain. Thou hast not 208 INGO. a Bang's skill. Thy thoughts hasten straight forward, as the hound on the track of the deer. But a King cannot be simple-minded, either in his favour or his revenge ; he must think of many things ; he cannot fully trust any one, and he must know how to use every man for his own advantage. Thus I would grant the noble maiden, Irmgard, rather to thee than to many others, — ^the maiden, understand me, but not her inheritance, and not the dominion in the forest arbour after the death of her father." Ingo seated himself beside him, and bent his head obediently to hear further. " Since I have been King,'' continued the other, " my authority has been insecure through the audacity of the forest people, and the power of their Prince, Herr Answald ; and long have I sought an opportunity to become their master. Therefore thou wast insupportable to me in the forest arbour, because thou mightest become a leader of their bands. And if thy Vandal brood were to be established round the Pruice's seat, I should have to destroy thee as mine enemy, even though I were well- disposed towards thee. Bethink thee of that, Hero ! Yet if thou gain the daughter by a deed of violence, as an enemy of the father — as heroeg are wont to do when their desire leads tliemtoit — thechildinheritresswilldisappearfroia the house, and I need not fear that the dominion should pass to another race of Princes. Dost thou now understand what I mean; headstrong Ingo?" " I desire the noble maiden, and not the Prince's seat in thy land. But it would be bitter to me that my wife should lose her birthright because she has married me." " Leave that to me/' replied the King, coldly. " If thou choose to take the woman with' thee into a foreign country, I will be a good comrade on thy side; only thou must not compel me, as King, to maintain the right of the country against thee. Hero Ingo, see that thou gain thy wife by a daring deed, and I will extol thee." "If thou grant me the wife, King, grant me also a castle or house, in which I can conceal her from pursuers," cried out Ingo, laying hold of the King's hand imploringly. King Bisino knitted his brows, but at last there was an honest kindness in his mien as he answered, cautiously : " My King's skill again compels me to deny thee thy request. How can I resist the cry of the whole Gountry, if I conceal thee ? If I could help thee secretly, I would do it willingly, from meaning-well to thee, and because it is useful to me, But do' thou consider hbw I VOL, I. 14 210 INGO. can help thee by counsel and secret deed. Only I cannot open my treasure-house to thee ; for I must keep armlets and Roman coins for myself, that I may obtain warriors in time of need." "The great Host of the people shows his graciousness when he distributes his treasures, or holds his King's shield over the oppressed. How will the King help me, if he deny me both ? " asked Ingo, undeceived. King Bisino screwed up his eyes, and nodded slyly. " The King closes his eyes as I do now : let that satisfy the Hero." Although indignant, Ingo could not help smiling at the broad face of his Host, who squinted at him out of the corners of his eyes ; and the King was pleased with his smile. " It is all right ; and now cast off the cares that trouble thee, and pledge me — for I would rather drink with thee than with any other, since I know that the young bear has no better hole to creep into than my cage. Therefore I will now confide to thee a secret. The Roman Tertullus has lately whispered to me divers things, and made a high offer, if I would deliver thee to Csesar. And when thou camest hither I did not feel very favourably disposed towards thee ; but now that I know thee as thou art, I would rather keep thee for myself." INGO. 211 vm. THE LAST NIGHT. Around the towers of the King's Castle raged the primaeval strife of the winter giants against the good Q-ods who protect the increase on man's earth. The hard powers raised a grey roof of clouds betwixt the light of heaven and the earth; they oppressed also the Hero Ingo with dark thoughts and anxious cares for the welfare of her who was dear to him. The storm-spirits drove the snowflakes through the crevices of the building, upon the bed-coverlet of the guest ; even the warrior, who wore his bearskin, felt the sharp tooth of the frost, and pressed close, during the day,, to the hearth-fire in the haU of the Host, and sang sorrowfully, "The time of snow is suffering to the travelling hero ; then his best friend is the pine log. The ungracious enemies of life separate the stream from the free air by a heavy covering of ice, and angrily does 212 INGO. the Nixy, who makes her home in the deep, strike and hammer from underneath against the crystal burden." But what stirred under the icy covering which concealed the thoughts of the Queen, no one knew ; she alone sat quiet among the quarrelling men; unvaried was her cold friend- liness to the strangers : only the King imagined that Frau Gisela spoke less haughtily than formerly. When the north wind howled its death-song round the King's towers, then Bisino sometimes murmured against his guests; but bis liking, for the. stranger always again overcame his vexation ; and whenever a ray of sun gave a rosy colour to the covering of snow, he exclaimed, "I approve of this winter;, for I hear good, words on my royal bench and in the room." In addition to the hunting excursions, which were arranged by the King for the Hero, there was also a warlike expedition against a district of Saxony. In this the Vandals rode with ths' King's men ;. and when the heroes returned home victorious, and laden with booty, the King loudly extolled Ingo's good sword, and the boys ^at, after that, patiently with the strangers on their benches. The snow melted, under the spring sun ; fresh green sprouted; up on, the earth; the brown isGO. 213 catkins hung on the birch and hazel trees ; in the souls of men also stirred the hopes of a new life, and a wish for a ride out in the country from the winter roof. The first wandering birds flew back from the south, and with them the minstrel Volkmar. He told in the King's hall of the past fights of (Jods and Heroes, and sang low, in Ingo's ear of the sorrow and longing of a forest bird. Then he related that in the forest arbour discord and hard speeches disturbed the minds of the wise men. Theodulf was still ailing in the house of the Prince; Sintram's kindred were powerful there ; and Herr Answald ruled iil-temperedly over his companions, and had asked the minstrel to the marriage of his daughter in the month of May. But also from the King's Castle confidential greetings passed to the forest. Wolf received leave of absence to his home ; before his journey he spoke secretly with his lord and Berthar, rested on the road at the houses of Kothari and Bero, and rode with Bero along little-frequented forest paths southwards to the Main. When he returned, there were glad looks in the dweUing of the guests. At last the ice covering of the stream gave way, and the flood poured with great force over the young green of the meadows ; its rapidly 214 INGO. swollen waters roared, and men observed with fear its ungovernable power. But the east wind rose against it with a strong blast ; it subdued the flood, and dried the ground on the borders of the forest hills.. The falconer had reared for the King's son two young buzzards, for the chase of little birds, and Hermin one morning begged permission of his father to go on a riding excur- sion, in order to try the skill of the feathered hunters. The King's horse was already saddled for the hawking, when suddenly a messenger galloped into the court, bearing tidings which brought a dark shadow over the brow of the King. He ordered his horse to be led back, and sent his son, with the Queen and the Hero Ingo, up to the hills. The sun shone bright and warm, and Ingo rode for the first time next the Queen, without her retinue, in the open country. The falconer loosened the hood of the buzzard; the young King hunted with, the Hero Balda and his attendants, shouting under the bird. The Queen followed more slowly, with glowing cheeks; she made her fiery horse prance, and smiled on her attendant,' who was pleased with the beautiful woman by his side, and watched with anxiety the leaps of her horse. Once, INGO. ,215 when he caught her bridle with a helping hand, the Queen stopped, and said — "I think of the days when thou didst the same service to me as a child, when we rode together, far from here, over the bright flowers ; then I sat in terror, but I would not let thee remark it." "Thy face was rounder that day, my royal cousin," said Ingo, merrily, " and the locks shorter which curled round thy head. But when I met thee here in the hall, and the King reminded me so kindly of old times, then I recognized the proud mien and the face of the little maiden; and I saw weU that I had to thank thee that favour was shown me in the King's Castle." The Queen laughed, and again made her horse prance wildly about, tiU the horsemen in front of her disappeared behind an undulation of the ground; then she stopped again, and said cor- dially, "Thank me always, Ingo, for I like to hear that thou valuest me. We have both been scared away from our homes into foreign coun- tries, since the hatred of my family divided us. But I have never forgotten thee, and have enquired after thee whenever a wanderer came from the south to the Castle. Thou becamest to me like a brother in misfortune, and I learnt 2jL6 IS60. -with pride kow ndbly thou didst bear thys&lf under a hard fate. Since thou hast at last penetrated to us, I have been happier than formerly." She loGlked at him so kindly, that, carried away by the magie of her look, he caught at her hand ; she stretched it out to him, and turning her face towards him, rode thus for a time close to him. Then she haughtily drew her hand back, galloped her horse, wildly bounding over the field, and looked back to see whether he was following her. Again she said, laughing, "Another would think of keeping thee, like a hunting falcon, under the hood, bi).t I well see that the eagle soars freely on high, and takes its own path in the sunlight. For thou, cousin, art not born to be the servant of another ; and he who would hold thee fast should look to it that thy talons do not wound him." When the Queen began her confidential talk, the Hero thought of saying something to her about the forest arbour, which always occupied his heart, but the words and the eyes of the Queen prevented him. At last she said, with a changed tone, " And yet once the noble falcon rested with bound wings in the house of the peasant. I praise the folly of the father for having broken the INGO. 217 ingbrious tie ; for it befits thee to desire what is highest. Only some bold defed of violence can raise thee above the heads of others : think there- of, Ingo. Let us join my son; I rejoice that the child confides in thee; I cannot wish him any better teacher than thee for all hero-work." Again she galloped on before him ; her royal mantle and her locks floated in the wind; she threw the small short spear that she held in her hand up before her iu the air, and caught it ia its course ; but Ingo now remained behind her, tUl both of them joined the hunting party, and shouted to the struggling buzzard, which sank down with a water-hen in its claws. When the hunting party returned to the King's Castle, they found there an unusual disturbance : horsemen came and went; the servants were carrying carpets and cushions into the stone house, which was appointed for distinguished guests ; fi-om the King's hall resounded the clang of weapons and the clattering of the feet of many horses. Ingo sprang from his horse, and went with the young King's son to the sleeping apart- ment of the Vandals ; and Berthar hastened to- wards him. " Whilst thou hast been out looking after the hawk, another bird of prey has descended into the King's Court. Caesar has sent a new 218 INGO. message; and who dost thou think came as messenger ? The wildest fellow out of the Roman army, the Frank Harietto, whom they call the army destroyer — ^he who in one night, in the forest, cut off the heads of the plundering Saxons, and carried them to the town like cabbage-heads. Even before he came the King was pacing gloomily through the court; he answered my greeting with embarrassment, and the King's boys looked with contempt at us, and avoided our companionship. A chamberlain of the King just now came to our dwelling, and stammeringly announced that he was to bring thy repast here, that thou mightest not meet the Roman at the King's table." " If not at the meal, let it be in the court," replied Ingo ; " we do not conceal our faces from the monster; if I am the object of his errand, it is good that we should learn it early. Come, cousin," he exclaimed to the King's son, " let us see how the strangers ride, and how the King greets the Roman messengers." The child went with him through the court into the large space in front of the King's haU. There stood the strangers with their horses, whilst the King presented the most distingished of his retinue to the ambassador, who stepped IN60. 219 from man to man, bestowing upon them a warrior's greeting, and occasional words. The Roman Frank towered almost by a head above the tallest of the King's boys. He stood like a giant there, with broad shoulders and powerful limbs, his arms covered with circlets, and with a gold figure of the Emperor on the front of his coat-of-mail ; his bushy eyebrows bristled from under his helmet, his look was sullen, and his courtly smile was scarcely perceptible. As Bisino. made a turn with his guest, he suddenly met Ingo, who silently greeted the King, and led the boy towards him. The King seized quickly the hand of his son. But the look of the stranger was riveted on Ingo, and involuntarily his hand moved to his sword, as if he were thinking of slaying the enemy of his lord at once. Yet Ingo approached him with a greeting, and began, " When we last saw each other, Hero Harietto, it was on a hot day : thy look was more honourable when thou didst brandish thy sword against me on the bloody battle-field, than here, where the will of a foreign lord restrains thy hand from greeting." " I would gladly say. Hero Ingo, that I would be pleased to meet thee, but I stand here as the messenger of the great Roman Emperor ; and his views towards thee are not friendly." 220 INGO. " I cannot think well of the message," answered Ingo, "which prevents a valiantman frorn greeting, under the King's protection, a war-comrade with whom he once exchanged honourable blows." " The angry Gods have cast thee and me from our homes into hostile battle-ra,nks ; we both follow the oath that binds us,'' said the Frank. " Thou followest the banner of the stranger ; I the call of our countrymen." " In the camp of the Romans the minstrel sings the same song as here in the country," retorted Harietto. "The songs I heard as a boy taught me to avoid the sway of strangers," replied Ingo. " Let all come to Csesax's banner ; then we are all Romans." " Thou callest all who stand here, Harietto ; only one I think thou dost not invite ; and there- fore be not angry if I consider it unsuitable to bend my neck before the tribunal of Caesar." Both inclined their heads proudly, and stepped apart. But the King's men had thronged near, murmuring assent as they interchanged speeches — stronger when Harietto spoke ; yet Ingo's words met also with approbation, and he saw that at his last speech the King himself nodded his head. INGO. 221 The ambassador walked with the King to the hall, where his attendant displayed the presents of Caesar. The King beheld with joy the vases and goblet, with their wonderfiil work of inlaid jewels, and assured the messenger he was a friend of Caesar's, and ready to do him much good service. Then Harietto desired to have secret converse with the King ; and when all listeners had been sent away, the Frank de- manded the delivery of Ingo. Bisino was startled ; he sat long reflecting, and replied at last, that the demand was too hard for him, and he needed time to give an answer ; meanwhile, the ambassador would, he hoped, be pleased to stay as guest at his court. But Harietto pressed for a rapid decision ; he offered still higher presents, and threatened. This roused the King's pride, and he exclaimed angrily, that what he had refused to a friendly request he would certainly not grant to a threat. Thus he left the stranger, who established him- self, with his followers, among the King's boys, drank with them, and distributed presents. But King Bisino continued much disturbed ; at last he went to his treasure-room, seated himself on a stool, inspected once more, with a heavy heart, the new presents; then counted 222 INGO. over his strings of golden armlets, his large dishes and tankards, his golden goblets and drinking-horns. With some trouble he raised a silver dish, and viewed his face in it, and spoke sorrowfully to himself " Morose is the picture that I see. The stranger has brought me rich presents, although the largest vase is only silver- gilt, and no praiseworthy gift to the King of a great nation. Yet I should be unwilling to lose the other gifts of which he speaks; and the Roman will not give them to me if I do not deliver yonder man to him, living, or perhaps dead. But if I bring this ill deed upon my life, and hand him over to his enemies, I shall become an object of horror to all nations, as a hireling of the foreigner, because I gave over a guest-friend to a dishonourable death. Besides, I am also sorry for the fellow ; for he is good- hearted and honourable, and a faithful comrade at the cup and on horseback. On the other hand, if I keep him in spite of the Romans, I am threatened with destructive work on my boun- dary ; the war will perhaps deprive me of my treasures, dimiDish the strength of the people, and shake my throne." His look fell upon a sword, which hung over the shining metal on the wall. " This is the King's weapon of my INGO. 223 race, renowned in song, and feared among the people ; many a heavy deed has it done : according to tradition, a God once hammered at the steel ; I am surprised that now I cannot turn my eyes from it." And sighing, he continued, " I have drunk with him, hunted and fought by his side, and I wish that his end may be glorious, like that of his father, who hastened to receive the death-wound on his breast. If I cannot save him, I will at least show him a King's honour." The King rose, and seized the weapon. Then he felt his arm gently laid hold of; he shrank back, and drew the sword. Before him stood Queen Gisela, and looked at him mockingly. " WUl the King go to the field with his table- vessels, as he reviews them like an army ? " " Where does the King's power lie, if not in his treasures ? " retorted the King, angrily. " How can I hold fast covetous minds, and win their fealty, if I do not distribute the foreign metal amongst them ? There is little enough of it in my country, and aU ask for it : where shall I get it, if I do not obtain it from the foreigner ? " "Does the King wish to bargain with the Romans about this man .? " asked the Queen, her eyes flaming with fire. " Should I hesitate if I meant to do it ? " mur- 224 ENGO. mured the King. " But this stranger sits like an owl upon my trees ; all the birds of the air shout at and scream against him. Not long ago the Kings of the Oder also sent to demand his person." " Thou dost not deceive me," broke forth the Queen, with fierce anger. " See to it, O King ! if thou canst live after such shame) I will not. To the perjured man, who sells his sworn comrade for Koman goldj I refuse all companionship at table and bedi" The King looked askance at her . " Thy thoughts storm violently, I think, Frau Gisela ; they miss the mark." " Who is more zealous for the King's honour than the Queen ? " answered the woman, striving for composure. " If thou dost not venture to keep him from the Romans, let him go from thy court. It is better to show thyself weak than faithless." " In order that after such an in and when they swing their buckets against fire-arrows on the gable roof Lift the skias of cattle and deer which we have collected out of the ditch, and spread the steeped leather over INGO. 299 the wooden roof; for the wet hides serve us as the best protection, next to the foliage of the trees, against fire-throws." "I had thought to stand near my master," replied Wolf, discontentedly. "No one will prevent thee from making thy spring at the right time," said the old man, con- solingly, " but thy work is more glorious than thou imaginest, for I observe that those out there also will fight in women's way, whether the pap shall be burnt by one or the other." " Thou thinkest, father, it will be a hot day for many of us." " For many of them, it becomes us to say," replied Berthar. "Only take care and be smartly dressed, to please the Weird Sisters." " I am not thinking of myself," answered Wolf, looking over his shoulder back towards the house. " Never look backwards, is the law of fighting men; all that is behind thee may take care of itself; thou must see only those who are before thee." As Wolf was drawing the bundle of wet hides by a rope up the roof, Frida placed herself before him, and began, mockingly, "Thou art chosen for glorious service; the carpets smell badly which 300 INGO. thou spreadest over us. If thou art the chamber- lain to protect us women, the enemy will remain ten steps from us, and raise their noses upwards with horror." " If I were the Chieftain," replied "Wolf, angrily, " I would place thee over the door, before all the armies, in order that thou mightest wound the heart of the enemj'-. Help me to raise the ladder inside the haU to the aperture in the roof, and hold the rope that I may loosen the skins above." Fnda willingly followed his orders, and when he had spread all and come down from the top, he found himself with her in the empty room, and gave her quickly a kiss. Frida did not resist, but suddenly took off a ribbon, and said, "Hold thine arm, Wolf, that I may bind thee. If we see another evening, to-morrow I will belong to thee as thy wife ; often have I been cross with thee; to-day I teU thee that thou art dear to me, and no other." She bound his arm ; but he exclaimed, " I will extol the anger of the Queen, which has taken the thorn from the thistle." She kissed him heartily, then tore herself away, and rushed to the maidens. The clouds were driving again under the cres- cent moon ; wild figures, men's bodies, and horses' limbs were now encircled with yellow light, and INGO. 301 now coal-black in the grey twilight. The mist rolled out from the Idisbach, and rose upwards against the circular rampart and the fortress. The cries of animals and the voices of men sounded about the fortress gate; the village people led the horses and cattle, and the brown woolly sheep along the paths from below; the men walked with linden shields, and drove the herds in haste with their spears ; the women and chil- dren hastened, with their household furniture heaped up. Sorrowful was tfee journey up to the height to them ; for he who looked back- wards was fearful whether he should ever return alive to the house which he had just built, or, whether the house itself would not burst into flames. The fugitives thronged up to the closed gate of the lower rampart, and the Vandals, who guarded the entrance there, had to cry out and direct them, that they might not in the darkness miss the path that led to the gate. On the sum- mit the fortress was filled with men and herds ; the cattle bellowed, the horses galloped wildly about, and the women squeezed themselves with their bundles against the wooden rampart. But Berthar desired the men to place the domestic animals in rows, — to enclose the sheep in a pen. In the middle of the space a fire was flaming ; 302 INGO. there the pots steamed for the hungry, and the cellarer tapped the beer for the thirsty, which they abundantly desired. Berthar went from one man to another, greeted them with dignity, as in peaceful times, asked their opinions, and thus sensibly scrutinized their number and their dispositions. "Why do the neighbours delay from the other bank of the stream ? where are the strong armed peasants from Ahornwald and Finkenquell ? " he cried out to the Thuringian Baldhard. " Has .the white fog blinded the senses of the Marvingians, that they have not heard the cry of the watchman, nor seen the light of the fire ? " "Slowly do they bestir themselves," replied Baldhard, troubled; " I saw herds and carts drive to their holy places in the forest ; they wiU not be in haste to leave their horses and children. Yet haste would be advisable for them, for in the last twilight a host was advancing; alongside the stream shields and iron helmets shone. And I suspect they are the wild boys of the Queen, who are seeking a night's quarters in the houses on the other side." On the path from below a horseman galloped wildly, his horse covered with foam, and in going through the gate he nodded to the old man. INGO. 303 " Radgais ! " called out the latter, hastening after him to the hall where Ingo, with the elders of the villages, was receiving intelligence from the warriors. The messenger sprang down greet- ing. " The King's boys press on in glittering troops, across our boundary; it is their whole swarm, and besides them Theodulf's men. With difficulty did I escape over the mountain. But they keep behind the trees in the valley, for there are hardly more than a hundred shields." " Didst thou see the Queen ? " " Besides Theodulf, only the old robber Hadu- bald." "If Frau Gisela can put no larger troop in the saddle," said Berthar, contemptuously, " few of her trusty men will see again the home drinking- cup." " There comes one from the Main, who an- nounces other guests," replied Ingo. Walbrand, the Vandal, rushed in. " As I came, my King, through the pine-wood towards the south, in order to spy over the boundary, I heard on the path the clattering of shields. I concealed my horse, and turned on foot through the thicket; they came in a long train — an army of Burgundians separated into three troops, infantry and horsemen. A foreign 304 INGO. fellow rode beside the leader ; it was a Roman of the body-guard of Caesar, whom they called Protector. I recognized the helmet and the armour, and heard his laugh, and Roman words. Carelessly they waded on through the sand, with- out vanguard or scouts, quite secure of victory. With a few followers I could have excited terror among them. Out of the thicket I screeched at them as the night raven screeches; then they stopped alarmed, and looked through the trees up towards the clouds. But I from behind the stems threw my weapon at the Roman ; the hero fell on the sand groaning, but they screamed out aloud, and I sprang into the darkness. I hope it will be an evil omen to them." " We extol the anxiety of the Queen," said Ingo, " that she has called out a foreign host in armour against my men. Did she trust the good-will-of the Thuringians so little that she invited her own native people to the sword- dance ? Where didst thou scare her heroes by the song of the bird ? " " Half way between here and the Main," answered Walbrand. " I saw, also, how they stopped in astonishment, and encamped for the night. The Burgundians awake late ; but even if they hasten themselves, they will not be in the INGO. 305 valley before the morning is advanced. I ob- served horses' steps in the mist below, on the other side of the stream." Ingo gave him a sign of dismissal, and said to Berthar, "Take care, my father, that all sleep except the watchman ; for to-morrow they will need eyes which will be firm in their heads, and rested limbs. Keep good watch at the gate, that an enemy may not slip in during a brief opening. At morning dawn we will collect the peasants, and count heads. The troop will be small for the surrounding space.; 'but we fight for life, and the others for scanty booty. For the last time before we dedicate ourselves to the anger of fight, I greet thee in peace, my father. That they should esteem us fugitive men worthy of a large national arming, causes us to laugh to- day ; and for that I thank thee, thou trusty one." The morning dawned ; the clouds were edged with a blood-red tinge, and concealed the sun. In the enclosed fortress the sleepers rose fi-om the ground. The men equipped themselves for the service of the war-God — the merciless one ; they anointed and brushed up their hair, so that it bristled red ; they wound round their arms and necks circlets of bronze and gold; they drew their belts close round their bodies, that their VOL. I. 20 306 INGO. steps might be more agile, and the swing of their limbs more powerful. Many a one put on his shirt of deer-skin, covered with iron scales ; many also threw [off their brown woollen jackets, and opened their shirts, that one might see the glorious scars on their breasts. Gloomy was the look of the warriors, wild their spirit, and silent their deed, for it was unbecoming to employ useless speech in the service of the God of battle. Berthar said to Wolf, who was arming himself near him, offering him a thick gold armlet, " Long, have I kept this ornament, which I once received as a King's gift. Take it to-day as a present from thy comrade; not undecorated shalt thou swing thy spear by our side — ^that the enemy may not say :. ' See what niggardly reward the Thuringian gains at the bench of the stranger ! ' " Wolf put the armlet on his arm, looked at the old man gratefully, and answered, " Think also, father, when thou arrangest the combat, that I may not remain as the women's guard ; and be not angry if I say one other thing : the master's enemy is also the man's enemy — but I should prefer to raise my arm against the Burgundians, who are not of my race." The old man laughed gloomily. "Uselessly dost thou bark, like a young hound. The smell of INGO. 337 blood is not yet under thy nose ; when the day advances, and the clouds there above roll blacker, thou wilt think less of these anxieties." The stone of sacrifice was erected before the hall of the King.. The warriors collected around it: Ingo entered, with his men from the hall, in a grey steel shirt, with a hehnet which was orna- mented with the head of a boar; the teeth of the monster were of silver, and his eyes glowed red. The boys led a young horse up ; Berthar pushed forward the sacrificial steel into his body, and cut the deadly wound. The Kiug sang the blood- prayer, each man stepped up, and dipped his right hand into the horse's blood; and all swore to each other to be true till death,, and obedient to their lord. From the top of the tree, a clear woman's voice called out, " Defend thyself, King ! the enemy's shields glisten, and the points of their spears." The horn of the watchman gave warning by a wild cry, and a messenger sprang up to the King. " The troop of King's men ride along the stream — among them the Queen ! " Then there was the sound of a war-cry in the court of the fortress ; the warriors seized shield and spear, and formed themselves into a circle, to sing the battle-prayer in the hollow of the shield.. The wild song 308 INGO. resounded loud thtough the valleys, slowly] and solemnly in the beginning, then swelling out like the storm- wind, till it sounded sharp and pierc- ing, like the howl of the wind's bride. When it ceased, a yelling cry answered from below. Ber- thar gave out the commands, and the warriors in the order of their troops went down the hill, and occupied the surrounding ramparts. " The battle- song sounded discordant," said Berthar, in a low tone, to Ingo, " unlike that of our men and the country people ; thou wilt to-day only trust in home ways." Once more Ifigo mounted with the old man to the top of the tree. " Frau Gisela, in truth, brings no one with her but the merry men of her Castle, and the followers of Sintram. Therefore she has invited the Burgundians, that they may accomplish her work quickly ; and willingly are they come, for they are ten to one of us. See, Hero, they are already drawing the circle of shields round our trench. Bown to the ram- part ! Good manners demand that I should greet the Queen : I hold the side where she commands ; do thou lead the people southwards against the foreign bands." With flying step the heroes hastened to the barricade. All around rose a cry; arrows and INGO. 309 spears flew ; in small bands the besiegers sprang on, carrying stones and gigantic trusses towards the outer wall, in order to fiU the trench. Northwards, where the fight was hottest, Ingo's battle-cry sounded powerfully above all,, and southwards the voice of Berthar answered; and where the King was throwing his spears, there was Theodulf, foremost in the fight; demanding revenge. More than once his spear trembled near to Ingo's head, on the rafter of the rampart ; and the shield of the Thuringian burst clattering by the weapon of the King. But the attack of the besiegers failed ; with hot cheeks they turned backwards, set in order their broken bands, brought together planks from the Thuringian village and from the forest, and worked hard upon them with axe and hammer. "The fists of thy comrades were raised with a powerful swing," cried out Berthar to Bero's sons, approvingly ; " have the Queen's boys turned into work-people ? despicable is the warrior who cowers behind a log shield." To Ingo he said, laughing, "The Burgundians showed little zeal in striking ; the victims that have fallen to the God of war on my side are not numerous ; and we must beg him to be graciously contented with a few, as the cuckoo said to the bear, when 310 INGO. he offered him three dead flies as a guest's repast." The grey thunder-clouds rolled under the hot rays of the mid-day sun, when the horns of the besiegers called to a new fight, and again the howling hattle-cry rose in both hosts. Stronger was the stormy assault, and greater the danger, for the beseigers had not used their axes in vain. From all sides they drove on behind strong log shields, and again they. threw stones and bundles of wood into the trench, and dragged stems of trees and long beams to bridge it over; the Burgundians had also erected a scaffolding, on which hung a beam as a battering-ram; thun- dering did the beam swing against the bulwark, and long hooks tore the planked fence down into the trench. The fiercest fight raged round the wild instrument. When one troop of besiegers retreated, in a moment another sprang on; for behind the fighters was the Queen, urging them with words and raised arms incessantly to the storm. At last the hostile bands succeeded in making a rent here and there in the outer ram- part. Then for a time the fight raged about the open path ; the garrison of the fortress worked hard to stop the gap by their wooden shields and bodies. But as the flood pours through the INGO. 311 broken dam, so did the overpowering number of the enemy storm in, and the small bands of de- fenders were pressed back towards the height. Ingo stood before the gate of the fortress, with a few blood-companions, who had fought by his side, and covered with shield and spear the retreat of their warriors. At last he sprang him- self through the gate, and the bridge was raised behind him. The besiegers gave a cry of victory, and pressed on against the rampart of the fortress, which sur- rounded the mountain. But short was their joy : from the steep height the spears now flew thicker, and great stones were hurled down, and made bloody paths among the storming bands. Small was now the chain of the defenders, and their anger mixed with anxiety, as they were fighting for the last bulwark which protected them from destruction ; all hands bestirred themselves ; the women also stood with petticoats tucked up high, raising the stones, and reaching them to the men. At last it became impossible for the enemy to cling to the steep path; they flew with great leaps back, and the huge pieces of rock hurled down broke the legs of many. Then the Queen rode angrily before her men, and called out, " If you wish any longer to drink 312 lUQO. the Queen's liiead, ye capering heroes, struggle upward to the willows, and throw down the stone trough from which they refresh themselves ; then they may catch the running drops with their lips." Theodulf flew round the hill, and ordered a' general onset from all sides ; again the horns sounded and cries yelled out, and again spears and stones flew from the top of the hill. But whilst the circle of besiegers shot their arrows irom below, whenever a head or an arm projected over the rampart, Hadubald crept, with four com- rades, in the channel of the spring up to the willows, all bending under their shields, and with strong lifting-poles in their hands. They passed behind the trees, where the rock protected them ; but the threatening danger did not escape the attention of the Hero Berthar, who collected to- gether his nearest comrades, and hastened with them down through the gate. "We will catch them from below ; you send your arrows from the rock, that no one may escape." Then, as the old man sprang among the trees, the mighty stone trough groaned as thrown downwards from its bed. Berthar cried angrily to Hadubald, "It brings a curse upon thee to change a wine carouse into a water-spring," and broke his head with his club, before the other could raise his weapon. The INGO. 313 other King's men also were slain by the strokes of the Vandals ; only one sprang upwards, but he sank to the ground on the path with a death- arrow in his back, and his fall was greeted by a loud cry of joy from the height. After that the battle-cries ceased, and both above and below, rapid words buzzed among the bands. "The stone trough is thrown down," said Berthar, returning, in a low voice to Ingo ; " the water now runs wildly downwards, and it will be diflBcult for the comrades around to provide water for their beasts." " The Queen knew the fountain," answered Ingo, with a gloomy smile. " If those below could throw the stone, we may raise it again. Prepare the trees; choose the fighters and the protecting shields round the lifting arms of the country-men." Whilst Ingo spoke, an arrow, whirling over him, struck into the tower scaffold- ing, and a small flame blazed where it caught. " There Frau Grisela tells our people of the devastated spring," cried out Berthar. Bound about the hill single bowmen sprang upwards, and shot fiery arrows into the bulwark, carefully endeavouring by agile movements to avoid the stones which were cast down. Here and there the flames caught the beams and posts; the 314 INGO. besieged struck against the an-ows with poles, and put out the flames, but the fire blazed ever more and more ; wildly sounded the cry of the warning one; the children howled; the horses bounded, when a fiery arrow flew under them, burst their halters, and rushed madly through the thronged multitude. Then the work became painful, and the hope and courage of many of the defenders sank. A horseman with a small retinue, galloping at full speed, approached the Queen's bands. He and his attendants were received with loud acclamations from Theodulf's troop. Herr Ans- wald descended from his horse. "Deceptive news invited me to thy Court, Queen, whilst thou art here dealing out revenge for my cause." " Thou comest here uninvited and unwelcome," replied the Queen ; " I do not intend to place thee betwixt me and revenge ; the uncalled-for me- diator is hit with arrows from both sides. No mortal can avert the fate of those yonder, if they cannot do it themselves." " If the Queen will rule over the people of Thuringia, she must honour the customs of the country. I see there women and children of our blood ; it is horrible that spears and fiery arrows should be hurled against the defenceless of our INGO. 315 own people. Whoever is a free Thuringian, and desires victory in an honourable fight, let him help me to avert this shame, and pray with me to the Queen, that she may give up what will make us aU an abomination in the memory of men." "The Prince speaks well," cried out an old warrior, and the Thuringians cast their spears together, crying out, " Hail to Herr Answald ! " Gloomily did the Queen look upon the troop, but she was silent. " Hear me, Princess," exclaimed the Chieftain, horrified at her hard countenance; "my own child, whom I once promised to Theodulf, is among the fire-arrows, and like her, other women from the forest arbour. It is for me alone to punish my child, and no one, not even thou, shall take her away over my head." He sprang into the path before the troop. " Here I stand, Answald, a Prince of Thuringia. Many a time have I led your armies to battle. Before you venture to slaughter the unwarlike, who lift their arms in the enclosure there, you shall first kill me, that I may not outhve the shame." Again there sounded a loud acclamation of the warriors. " To me, you King's boys ! " cried out Frau Gisela, raising herself up. But Theodulf and 316 INGO. Sintram pushed their horses up to the Queen, and spoke in a low tone to her. "If thou- wert not beside thyself» old man," began the Queen, at last, her voice trembling with anger, " I would punish thee, thou foolhardy man, for exciting these to disobedience. I care little to shed the blood of peasants, even though they have unlawfully settled themselves outside the bound- ary. Let the horn be sounded^ Theodulf, and call into the enclosure. The country people shall have free exit, not only the women and children, but also the men, if they will withdraw weapon- less from the fortress, by the grace of the Queen, without injury to body or property." Again there sounded from the troops a joyful cry of approbation. With long-drawn tones the horn admonished to abstain from fight. Theodulf stepped to within a spear's throw of the gate, and called out into the fortress, with powerful voice, the grace of the Queen. Within there arose a stormy movement. The gate remained closed, but at the ramparts and at the palisades wild figures rushed about in despair, throwing down, poles and beams and rolling down after the woodwork. A flying troop flowed here and there from the entrenchments, with . women and children in tenified throngs, also IKGO. 317 horses and cattle. Some individual men likewise sprang down, whose hands were still blood-red with the oath of the sacrifice, terrified by the danger, and weary of a hopeless struggle. Yet most of the peasants stood on the height crowded together, their shields at their feet ; they looked uncertainly after the women and the rushing herds. Only their oath and shame held them back. Then Ingo stepped up to them, and cried with a loud voice, " Freely did you come, and freely may you also go, as your fellow-country- men caU you. Discontented looks and unwilling service do I not desire. I honour little the warrior who thinks of wife or child during the fight. I willingly release you from your oath ; provide, if you choose, for your own safety." Then many laid their shields on the rampart, and sprang downwards, without looking behind them. But Berthar called out to the remaining band : " All the chafi" does not fall from the wheat on the threshing-floor at one blow. I still see many whom the wind may blow away over the fence; try once again, ye proud comrades! We may gladly do without the companionship of the forest people." Again shields fell to the ground, and the bearers of them disappeared with sulky mien. SVH INGO. "Why does my King tarry to behold their wretchedness ? They would leap better, if shame did not tie their legs. Yours is the choice ; one way leads upwards to the hall of the King ; the other downwards to your disgrace." He followed his lord, who hastened up to the hall. Those that had remained behind stood for some minutes together; when they saw them- selves alone, their warlike anger disappeared. Only a few hastened after the King ; the others, weaponless, passed into the open country. Among the last who left the enclosure were Baldhard and Bruno. From below the bands of the Queen sprang up, shouting. Those who were seeking to depart had made the entrance easy to them; storming up, they forced open the fastening of the gate, and thronged eagerly towards the open space before the hall. But they quickly drew back, for from the sling which Berthar had placed on the entrance to the steps, pointed wooden arrows flew into their ranks. They sought shelter by the ramparts, and again spears flew hither and thither, and from below the fire-arrows went against the roof. White smoke whirled along the roof-rafters of the hall, and a voice sounded through it: INGO. 319 " Water up there ! " A man climbed up the ladder, and called from on high : " It crackles in the roof; the ox-hide swells; a Burgundian arrow has carried the fire to a projection of the roof; it sparkles and flashes; the buckets are empty." " The Queen is cooling herself at our well," cried Berthar ; "if water fails thee, pour our beer on the tongues of fire." A blast of wind passed howling over the roof, carrying a cloud of smoke with a fiery blaze on high. A cry of jubilee from the enemy followed the blast of wind ; tongues of flame broke out here and there through the cover- ing hide. " Come down, Wolf ! " cried out Berthar to the hero on high, who with singed hair and black hands, with difficulty held fast to the ladder; " a spring is running fast from thy body, — it drops red from the ladder." " It was not enough to extinguish the fire," answered Wolf; he came down, shook his bloody hand, and seized shield and spear. "Open the doors, blood-comrades," commanded Berthar, "that the draught of air may drive away the smoke from our Princess. Shall the King alone hold watch ? Throw spears all round the build- ing : as far as they can fiy now reaches the king- dom of the Vandals." 320 INGO. Ingo stood on the steps of the hall, covered with a shield; over him drove thick clouds of smoke, driven by the storm on to the bands of the enemy, covering their armour and faces. " The hall is opened," cried Ingo, to those staring in ; " the Host waits with a welcome ; why do the faint-hearted guests delay ?" A figure sprang towards him out of the smoke — a shieldless man, and a voice cried out, " Irmgard, my child ! thy father calls : save thy- self, unhappy one !" Irmgard heard the cry in the hall ; she rushed wildly up, and laid her son in Frida's arms. And again there was a cry from without, shriller and more full of anguish: "Irmgard! lost child !" Ingo placed his shield on the ground, and looked back over his shoulder. " The hawk cries after his nestling ; obey the call. Princess of Thuringia." The wife rushed past her husband to her father, amidst the hostile spears. A cry of joy and welcome burst from the Thuringian band. She embraced her father, and exclaimed, "It is well for me that my eyes behold thee, and that thou boldest me to thy breast." The heart of the Hero Answald trembled, and INGO. 321 he drew her to him. " Thy mother awaits thee, dear child." " Bless me ! " qried Irmgard ; " hot is the room where a poor child. screams for its mother; bless me, father ! " she cried out to him convulsively, holding him fast. The Prince laid his hand upon her head ; she bent low down before his knees, then rose up quickly, stepped back, and stretching out her hand towards him, exclaimed, " Greet my mother ! " Then she bounded backwards to the burning house. Ingo had stood immovable, directing a sharp look at the enemy. But when his wife returned to him, in his death-peril he stepped towards her, spread out his arms, and embraced her. Then an ash spear, whirled from Theodulf's hand, struck the King on his side, under his arm. Ingo sank quietly down from the arms of his wife towards the hall; Berthar sprang forward, and covered the wounded man with his shield, whom his men, sighing, carried to the raised Prince's seat. Before him knelt Irmgard, but Berthar cried out into the room, " Leave the women to sorrow over the King's wound : on quickly, comrades, to follow the King on his path ! There are four doors in the King's hall; from each there is a path to VOL. I. 21 322 INGO. the halls of Heaven. Take care that you re- venge the King's wound. Walbrand, thou wast the last on thy lord's bench; therefore to-day thou shalt leap forward as first, and I will he the last." The Vandals sprang to the doors and down the steps, one after the other, as the old man called them. And anew there arose round the house the noise and tumult of the fight. Wildly did the storm-wind drive over the flaming roof; high above, the thunder rolled ; the roof of the hall cracked, ashes and burning splinters fell down. Frida, stunned, placed the child on the King's bed. "The boy laughs !" exclaimed Irmgard, throw- ing herself sobbing over the child, which was kicking its little legs about merrily, and stretch- ing out its hands to the flaming pieces on the ground. Irmgard held her child in a fast em- brace, and there was a dead silence in the room; then she tore away the pocket of otter-skin, the gift of the Weird woman, from her dress, hung it round the body of the little child, hid it in the covering, and once more kissing the child, cried out to Frida, "Save him, and sing to him about his parents." But Frida sprang up to Wolf, who stood as INGO. 323 guard by the King's, bed, and beseeehed him — " Come, at the back-door there are men from our arbour ; we will penetrate into the forest." Then the old man cried out with a hoarse voice, "Where does the foremost dancer tarry? The leapers wait." " Farewell, Frida," answered Wolf, " we do not go out of the fire by the same door; farewell, and think of me." Once more his true eyes looked upon her, then with a powerful bound he burst out of the door, sprang over the glow- ing logs of wood before the steps, and thrust his spear into the breast of one of the Queen's boys, so that he fell, and a loud cry sounded among the circle of men. Arrows flew upon the Hero ; he bled from many wounds, but swinging his sword, he threw himself into the band before which Theodulf stood; wounded they reeled back; right and left ; wildly he raised his weapon against his old bench companions, then fell him- self, dying. Again Theodulf's voice was heard, powerfully warning : " The rafters shake ; save the women ! " Prince Answald cried out, springing up to the door, " Irmgard ! Save my child ! " Then the shrunk figure of the old man raised itself before him at the door, his head covered with ashes, his 324 INGO. beard burnt, and a longing for revenge in his countenance. And he called out grimly, " Who is it, who so audaciously makes a noise at the sleeping-chamber of the King, and demands admittance? Is it thou, — the fool who once repented that he had oflFered the rights of guest ? Thou didst dismiss my King with a cold greet- ing ; cold as iron shall be the answer which the Vandal offers thee." Quickly as a beast of prey he sprang from the steps, and thrust his weapon through the coat-of-mail and breast of the Chief- tain of Thuringia. Then he called out ,to the dismayed' band, " All is accomplished, and the end is good. Go home, pale-nosed fools, and turn with the women the miU-stones of your Queen. The great King of the Vandals ascends upwards to his ancestors." Shots flew around him, but he shook off the iron like a wounded bear; he turned himself heavily towards the hall, placed himself with his shield at the foot of the King's bed, and never spoke again. The Queen rode through the broken gate up to the burning hall. The thunder rolled loud, and the lightning flashed ; the gold covering of the coat-of-mail which enclosed her breast glowed like a red fire, from the flames of the house. She descended from her horse to the ground ; the men INGO. 325 drew timidly back, for deadly pale was her coun- tenance, and dark her frowning brow. She stood immovable, looking at the glare. Only once she stirred, and cast her flaming eyes on one side, when she saw a woman with a child, which she held fast in her arms, struggling amongst the men. "It is only a servant-maid," said Theodulf, half aloud, with pale cheeks, "and it is the child." The Queen, with a vehement gesture, commanded the woman to be led on one side. The fire ran along the ledge of the house, high against the clouds; the storm drove on the flames so that they blazed up wildly ; it threw burning splinters against Frau Gisela and the band of men. But the Queen stood immovable, with eyes fixed on the glow. Within the house all was still ; Irmgard knelt by the bed of her husband; her hair covered his wound ; she held him in a fast embrace, and listened to his breathing. The mortally wounded man laid his arm round her, and gazed into her eyes silently. "I thank thee, Ingo," she said; "receive my greeting, beloved ; we shall lie both together on the last bed." The thunder rolled near her. "Dost thou hear those above calling?" mur- 326 INGO. mured the dying man. " Hold me, Ingo ! " cried Irmgard. A flaming flash of lightning filled the hall, a thunder-clap roared, and the rafters of the roof fell down. Outside a shower of hail poured down on the stunned men of the Queen; the pieces of ice struck upon helmets and coats-of-mail. "The Gods invite their son to join them in their hall," cried out the Queen, covering her head with her mantle. But the men threw themselves to the ground under their shields, and concealed their faces from the anger of the thunder-God. When the storm had passed over, and the warriors rose timidly to look about them, the green sur- face of the hiU was covered with grey ice, the house lay in a heap, and little tongues of flame rose from the moist embers. But the Queen, as if turned into stone, still stood before the burn- ing spot, and said in a low tone, " The one lies quiet on a hot bed, the other stands without, struck by the hail; the envy of the Gods has exchanged my lot; it was my right to have been with him there.'' " Where is his child ? " they enquired, search- ing round with wild looks. Frida and the child had disappeared. The warriors sought in the mountain slopes, and in the valley; they spied iNGO. 327 into every hollow tree, aad amid the tangled branches of every thicket. Theodulf rode, with his followers, through the whole district of the forest people, and enquired at every hearth-fire. But the Queen never obtained any intelligence of the son of Ingo and Irmgard. KND OF VOL. I. INGRAM ON THE BODY OF RKTIZ.p Z7B II. INGEABAN. INGEABAN. I. IN THE TEAE 724. Theee horsemen were riding silently, on a hot summer day, along the forest road which led northwards from the Main to the hilly country of Franconia and Thuringia. The first was the guide, a young man of powerful limbs ; his long hair hung wildly round his head, and his blue eyes were id ceaseless motion, spying about on both sides of the road into the forest. He wore a faded leather cap, and a large pocket with travelling provisions over his brown jacket ; he had in his hand a javelin, on his back a bow and quiver, by his side a long deer knife, and on the saddle of his horse a heavy forest axe. Some steps behind him rode a broad-shouldered man, of riper years, with a large head ; his powerful brow and Sparkling eyes gave him the appear- ance of a warrior, but he did not bear himself like VOL. II. ^ , 1 2 INGRABAN. a man of the sword ; a Saxon straw hat covered his short-cut hair, there was no shoulder-belt over his long dress, and no weapon visible, — only the axe, which every traveller carried in the wilderness, was fixed to his saddle; from the large leather bag which was fastened before him, one might perhaps have taken him for a trader. By his side trotted a youth in light dress and equipment, who bore a bundle on his back and in his hand the branch of a tree, with which he sometimes urged on his little horse. It was clear by the demeanour of the guide that he did not consider the travellers as important people, for he raised his head haughtily when giving short answers to any question of the older man, and he only looked back sulkily sometimes, when the road was steep or the two remained far behind, turning his eyes quickly away, as from ill-conditioned fellows. The rough path passed through sand, over blocks of stone and undulating ground, and betwixt old pine stems ; on the brown ground there grew little else but wolf's milk, heather, and dark wood berries. All was still in the forest, — only the crows screamed over the trees ; the hot air was filled with the smell of resin, and no breath of wind cooled the heated cheek. When there was a steep ascent in the INGEABAN. 3 path, the youth sprang forward, plucked from the pathway a bunch of berries, and offered it to the horseman. The latter thanked him with a friendly look, and began in the Latin language : " Dost thou see an end to the forest ? Our horses are weary and the sun is setting." " Stem behind stem, my father, and not a ray of light before us in the wood." " Thou art not accustomed to rough paths, Grottfried, " continued the older man compas- sionately; " unwillingly did I bring thee into this wild country, and I regret that I yielded to thy petition." "But I am happy, my father," repHed the youth, with a glad smile, "that I may accom- pany thee as thy unworthy servant." "Youth always rejoices in wandering," said the horseman. "Look at our guide, he cares little for the heat of the day; he is of a powerful wild stock, that waits for the graft." " He does not treat us in a friendly way, my father." "Though he is cross, why should he not be honourable? He has sworn upon his hand to Frau Hildegard and me, to lead us securely over the mountains, and he does not look like a robber. Yet if he were, there is One stronger than him 4 INGEABAN. in the wilderness." He bowed his head as he spokre. " Observe, he has found something which disturbs his journey." The demeanour of the guide had changed ; he sat erect on his saddle with raised spear, as if ready for an onset. The stranger rode up to him : " Thy name is Ingram, I believe." " I am Ingraban, the Thuringian," replied the horseman proudly, assenting to the words of the other ; " and this is the Raven, my horse ; " he touched the neck of the noble animal, which was black like his feathered namesake, and the horse raised his head neighing under the hand of the rider. " I perceive that the travelling paths are well known to thee, although far from thy home." " I have often ridden as the messenger of my countrymen to the Franks over the Main." " And Frau Hildegard also, the Count's widow, has long been friendly to thee." " I fought in the troop of her husband, when the Wends slew him. Hildegard is a good lady, she nursed my sick servant." " I found thee by the bed of the sick man, and I am glad to have obtained such a safe guide. What stops thy way now ? " INGKABAN. 5 The hand of the guide pointed to a track in the sand. " A herd of wild horses have passed here," said the stranger, looking at the track. "They were horsemen, more than three, and their greeting would be hostile if they met us," answered the guide. "How dost thou know that they are enemies?" " Does a wanderer in thy country hope for an honest greeting in the wilderness ? " retorted the guide ; " those who have been here were warriors, who speak a foreign tongue, of the Wends by the Saale, which we call the Sorbe ; they roam far on horseback after hunting booty and herds of cattle. There lies their sign;" he touched with his spear a short reed arrow with a stone point. "They have crossed our way since the last rain." "And dost thou hope to lead us across the mountains concealed from the strangers ? " " If you have the courage, I have the will. I know many passes by which we can avoid their bands ; yet I advise you to keep silent and near to my horse." The strangers rode cautiously close behind the guide. The border path descended in to a quiet forest 6 INGRABAN. valley, then through swampy ground and the bed of a stream, and ascended on the other side again into the forest. They went along between high beech stems, pleasantly on the green mossy ground which was gilded by the slanting sun- beams. And again the path descended into a wide vaUey. On the border of the forest the guide stopped. "This is Idisthal," he said, bend- ing his head as a greeting ; " and there runs the Idisbach to the Main." He led through high meadow grass to a ford over the stream; from thence they trotted along a range of hills north- wards. Lonely and uninhabited lay the bloom- ing valley. Sometimes the horsemen passed over old arable land; the beet furrows were visible, but the blackthorn and the prickly broom stood upon it thick as a hedge, and the horses had difficulty in penetrating through it. The stranger looked with sjnnpathy on the devastated culti- vation. "Industrious hands have once worked here," he said lamentingly. " Since the memory of man the place has laid waste," answered the leader with indifference. " Farther above," — he pointed to some elevated ground,—" there once stood a house, but the Wends burnt it when I was a boy. Wild herbs have been growing on the height for the last INGKABAN. 7 twenty summers. If thou carest for ruined houses, thou mayest find many here. Over the stream the Avares encamped a long time ago, men with brown skins and squinting eyes ; they wear, as the old people relate, plaited pigtails round the head, and are a mighty Eastern people, but horrible incendiaries. Over there stood, as tradition says, a large number of houses by a sacred forest of those trees that we call maple ; the Avares burnt them down, now only a few of the old stems are standing, and where the houses were, there is now desolation. But that is long ago. It would be diflEicult to count the years' growth of the pine trees which tower over it. Wherever thou seest thorns and burdocks, there once stood a building: many have been destroyed in the time of our fathers, many in the remembrance of living persons, and some in these last years; there remain now only a few here and there." As the stranger was silent, the guide pointed up to the sky, over which the evening red was spreading itself, and rode out of the valley path up a small steep track. The travellers' horses cUmbed laboriously through a thick wood up to a mountain height. The summit was an uneven space without trees, overgrown with low copse INGEABAN. wood and wild flowers. Only a mighty ash-tree rose in the middle out of the low herbage. The horsemen looked from three sides far over the hills: to the southward over the Main, to the north over the blue mountains of Thuringia, and straight on into a wide level valley, which was surrounded by high undulating hills, Behind them stretched a mountain declivity, separated from the foremost summit by mounds of earth and hollows, which looked like an old rampart and trench. The guide sprang from his horse, and bowed himself low towards the ash-tree, then he went to the edge of the summit and looked searchingly into the valley, and then along the border of the forests. Again he turned to the ash, and said reverently : " Here is the Idisburgh, and this is the holy tree of the Weird Sisters. The place is a protection from hurtful powers, and therefore I have brought you here." "Thou hast shown thyself an experienced guide," replied the stranger, surveying the good place of encampment. He descended and loosened himself the leather bag from the saddle of the horse. "Undoubtedly thou knowest also a spring in the neighbourhood." The guide seized the bridle of the horse : " Order thy boy to carry the flasks, and help me to level the hedge," he said, INGRABAN, 9 leading the animals about a hundred steps down the declivity, where a spring ran into the valley out of a moss-covered stone. There he fastened the horses that they might feed, raised his heavy axe, and motioned to the youth to follow him into the forest. When the stranger found himself alone on the summit, he walked round the space in which the ash-tree stood, praying with bowed head. Then he proceeded to examine carefully the spot, as a man who knew how to distinguish the signs of nature, and pushed with his foot under one of the knotty roots of the tree which towered high above the ground ; he found loose earth, struck into it with the steel of his axe, and raised with great exertion a stone out of it, over which the roots had grown. Their shoots had pene- trated into a hole in the stone and had burst it. The man looked with admiration at the regularity with which the hole was bored ; then he took the leather bag reverently and pushed it into the place of the stone, and a smile played over his face. " If a fiend dwells in this tree, this hidden treasure will occasion him danger." Once more he scrutinized the uneven ground round about, and the luxuriant green which had shot out of it, then he took out of the pocket of his dress a 10 INGEABAN. little book, seated himself so that the evening light fell upon it, opened the clasp, and read the parchment. He heard the noise of woodcutting, and observed that the guide was preparing to erect the night fence farther down. " Hither, Ingram," cried out the stranger, in a tone of command. The guide shook his head and went on striking. The stranger approached nearer, and ordered him: "Carry the stakes up here, we will rest by the tree." " That will never do," replied the guide. " And why not, if I choose it ? " " Shall the light of the fire on the height an- nounce thy resting-place to foreign spies ? " " The night is warm, I will gladly do without fire; a warrior like thee also can manage without a cooking-hearth." Ingram stood motionless, and looked gloomily at the stranger. "Whoever thou mayest be," continued the latter, "for this journey thou hast sworn thyself to me for good pay, and I am the master of our movements. If thou wUt not do according to my will, go thy way, I will seek my path with- out thee." " Unwillingly do I serve thee," answered the guide, angrily, " and only because one who has INGEABAN. 11 done me good has hired me ; and if I were free from my word and thou knewesfc how to use a sword, I would rather be thy enemy than thy friend, know that, stranger. But I have nothing to fear from that tree, only thou, for it is well known in the country, and around it float, from primeval times, high powers, which are thy ene- mies and not mine." " Whether they are my enemies I wiU show thee, if thou wilt follow me," answered the stranger, stepping up to the tree. He raised his axe and cried out : " If they are wrathful, let them be angry ; if they have power, let them strike me as I do this stem." With a powerful blow he struck his axe into the tree. The guide stepped back, seized his weapon, and looked fixedly up on high, to see whether or no a token from the Gods would strike the impious man ; but all re- mained still, only a dry branch with some ash seed feU down. " See here," cried the stranger, pointing to the little bundle of seeds, "that is the anger of thy powerful ones. The tree before which thou tremblest was once a little fluttering grain of seed like these ; it has grown out of a contemptible little kernel. Where did the powers whom thou fearest dwell, when the tree was still a grain of seed ? Dost thou think that the tree 12 INGKABAN. has stood from the beguming of man's earth ? Observe, I found this stpne under its roots, cracked and. burst through by the strength of the tree, Examine the stone, it is a milU stone, such as the women turn in order to grind the com. Before the ash-tree existed, a house of living men ha^ stood here. Jiittle honour do the Gods deserve who only became powerful in the ash-tree, when the men were dead who dwelt here before the tree. But the Lord, whom I serve, is the God who made heaven and earth ; He alone is eternal and all-powerful from the primeval times, and v^ll be eternal and all- powerful when the last splinter of this tree will have vanished out of the world." The guide bent down to the broken stone, and looked into the opening at the piece of root, and on the remains of the cha,rcoal which adhered to the sandstone. His hftir hung over his face, and his breast heaved with, heavy respiration. " If a house stood here it has been burnt," he said at last in a low voice to himself. "When I was little, they told m^ that my ancestors were settled on the mountain. Old people knew a . song about it ; a Mipstrel who was slain by the Wends was acquainteid with this song." The stranger touched him on the shoulder. INGRABAN. 13 " Night is drawing on, and the wolves howl in the forest ; fetch the stakes, Ingram." The guide rose. " Hither have T led thee," he said bitterly, "that I might keep my oath to thee, and that thou mightest be secure near a high goddess whom I know to be favourable to me. But thou hast disturbed her peace by thy acts, and thou disturbest me with heavy thoughts which thou hast put into my heart. If thou hast the power to know the past, and to endure without the protection of the super- terrestrial, thou mayest prepare thyself for thy night's rest where thou canst; I do not help thee." The stranger seized silently one of the stakes, which the youth meanwhile had brought up, and raised the maUet. Powerfully feU the strokes on the heads of the stakes; Gottfried begged for the fire- wood, and twined the branches between the stakes, till a fence was constructed around the stem of the tree, which made a narrow enclosure for the horses and men. Gott- fried led the horses of both the travellers within the fence, and the stranger, when all was accom- plished, stepped up to the guide, and said kindly : " There is room also for thee and thy animal in our place of safety." 14 INGRABAN. "I and my horse do not desire thy protection," answered Ingram, turning aside. He raised the millstone from its place, and carried it to the edge of the summit, far from the stranger, then sprang down to the spring and loosened the tetherings of his horse, and led it to the stone, — there he lay down near his beast, and pushed the stone under his head. Within the enclosure Grottfried bound to- gether in the shape of a cross two wooden sticks : he kissed it, and gave it reverentially to the stranger, who stuck it into the root of the tree which held his treasure. Both knelt down, and raised their voices in the Latin evening song ; the elder sang with a powerful voice, and the youth responded. The melodious tones echoed back from the near mountain wall, and struggled with the wild voices of the night, which sounded shrieking and howling from the forest. The guide rose when the song began, but the full touching tones of the men's voices restrained his haste ; turning away from them, he remained sitting, gazing on the golden glow on the horizon, When the song was ended, the stranger seated himself near the root and pushed the wallet to his companion. "Eat," he said, in a tone of INGEABAN. 15 authority, to the youth, who made a gesture of refusal; "thou art unaccustomed to wandering; the Lord requires now the strength of thy body." ' The youth obediently took a few bits, and then laid himself down at the feet of the stranger, who covered him carefully with his mantle. Stillness reigned in the little enclosure. The last rays of the evening vanished into a pale light that passed slowly towards the north, sometimes the night- wind rustled among the leaves, and the owls screamed out to the wanderers their cries of lamentation; but from the forest there sounded far and near the voices of animals, then the weary horses rose from the ground snorting, terrified. The stranger sat immovable, with his hands folded ; when the tree rustled he looked up into the branches as if in expectation, and then towards the heavens, over which a deep darkness had spread itself. Meanwhile the guide gazed down into the depth below, where in the twilight the white mist of the water passed over the stream. " I behold," he murmured in a low tone, "how they float over the flood, veiled in white dresses ; they occupy themselves around the water ; they con- trive help and safety to their faithful one ; they conceal his path from the puBSuer, and they 16 INGRABAN. deliver him from the hands of the enemy ; many a time when I have lain under the ash-tree I have heard their song below. My fathers wan- dered here in days of difficulty, and prayed for help from the white women. I have understood that they have been the protectors of my race from primeval times. Now I am uneasy about the millstone, which the stranger has brought up with his magic under the i tree — ^what does the sign portend to me ? The roots of the tree pass through the stone, primeval is the stone, as the stranger says, and it is older than the tree of the Gods. And before the tree existed and the Gods ruled, my ancestors already lived. What was the God who then graciously protected them ? Long has fortune and Victory been removed from my race ; the brotrn Avares slew my grand- father ; my father was kiUed by a Wend when I was yet little ; and my mother died in sorrow. The joy of the earth has vanished everywhere. Seldom now do the Gods extend good fortune to my people, and a foreign God comes into the valleys. The house is burnt that once stood on the height, and the fortunes of my family are burnt, and my heart is full of grief Those yonder pray in foreign fashion, they have a strong trust in their God. If they are fools, our INGRABAN. 17 Gods may show their power upon them." A flash of lightning quivered at the back of the suppliant, the thunder roUed, and Ingram cried out his war cry. " Happy for me, I hear the roaring of his carriage ; he comes to revenge the impiety of the stranger;" he threw himself on the ground, and covered his head. The storm shook the leaves of the tree, and cast leaves and branches about the travellers. But these raised once more their pious song, amidst the thunder and the rushing rain; it sounded through the stiUness of the night like a song of victory above the raging of nature. After the storm had passed over the mountains the song ceased, and again all was still within the enclosure,, only the drops of rain struck gently on the tree-leaves. Thus the night passed, and in the first morning dawn a dark figure rose before the fence, and the guide looked in at the stranger. " Thy night couch was windy under the open sky," began the stranger; " thine ash gave a shelter from the storm, though not from the water of the clouds. If thou hast the skill to, light a fire on the wet ground, thou wilt do good service to my boy and thyself; if not, let us depart, that warmth may come to the limbs of my companion." VOL. II. 2 18 INGEABAN. " It is a long day's journey to the forest woods of Thuringia," replied the leader; "and loss of time might cause misfortune." He felt with curi- osity the mantle of the stranger. "But thou art wet," he addpd joyously, " the rain has touched thee also." " As God wills," answered the other. The men equipped themselves rapidly for their departure ; the stranger then took out the leather bag from under the tree-root and knotted the straps carefully to the saddle of the horse, to which the youth, meanwhile, was giving food out of the fodder-bag. Then both bent down once more before the wooden cross, and spoke the blessing for the journey. Ingram led them over the ruined rampart and trench into the mountain forest. He now rode quicker than on the last day, but his sharp look again searched every bush and stone. Whenever they came from the forest into the meadow land, he gave a signal to the strangers to remain behind, and after a time raised his hand, as a sign to them to follow him. Laborious was the road, over roots of trees and through swamps which had collected in the deep places in the wood. Then he himself took the horses by the bridle and pointed out to the youth the firmest INGEABAN. 19 places. He was as silent as yesterday, but lie took more care about the travellers. Once when they were riding from a height down into a wide valley, he said : " Here we must go through the open country; if you hear me cry 'tarry,' then turn your horses back as fast as they can carry you into the forest ; perhaps your flight may be successful." The stranger laughed. " Have no anxiety about us, and think only of thy own safety." " Exercise the horse, that it may leap," adArised the guide. When they again rode into the forest the stranger began thankfully : " Thou showest thy- self kind-hearted, and the character of thy people is said to be faithful." " The Thuringian is firm in love and hate," said the guide." " But his hate is not that of a deceitful man," replied the stranger, laughing. " The path which thou leadest us does not go straight out to the north." " He who will avoid a fight must turn like a fox when the hounds give tongue. See there in the distance a bkze of a fire," he pointed with his hand through the stems : " what is burning there is a house." 20 INGRABAN. "Perhaps it was done by the thunderstorm." " The fire rises up in a quiet night." The stranger looked seriously at the faint light which glanced in the twilight over the edge of the horizon. " Dost thou know the master of the house ? " asked the stranger. " He is a Frank," replied the Thuringian, coldly ;. "his grandfather came far from the West into this country.] "Does the Thuringian look quietly on when his countrymen are slain ? " " Ask the great lord of the Franks, and not me, why he allows his country people to be slain by the foreigners," cried out the guide. "Once we Thuringians were a victorious peo- ple, then the Franks broke into the land, and with them the Saxons and Angli ; our warriors fell on the field of battle, and the foreigners divided among them the fields of the country- men. They say that then most of our warriors trod the path of death. Now an envoy of the Frank King rules over us ; he calls us to arms when it pleases him. I saw how the last were slain by the Wends ; since, then, we forest people are defenceless, and our elders have concluded peace with the enemy, — do not ask me at what INGRABAN. 21 price, — every year I see the hoofs of our cattle go into the Sclave country; but few come out of it." "But thou carriest spear and sword," inter- rupted the stranger severely. " Wilt thou try whether they cut ? " burst forth the Thuringian. He tore his jacket open, and pointed to a long red scar. " I think I have given more than I have received. Yet there is little honour," he murmured, " in boasting to a weaponless man." "I speak with good intentions," said the stranger appeasingly. "I think you have slaughtered many horses in honour of those whom you extol as Gods, and whom I caU fiends, and I fear indeed that other blood has flown from the sacrificial stone, still more horrible to the God whom I serve, and yet your Gods were too weak to give you the victory against the arrows of the Wends. I do not consider a man wise who supports himself on a reed-stalk when his knees totter." " The God of battle measures men's lots as he thinks right; he bestows victory on whom he will," replied the guide. " Thy speech is foolish, if I rightly understand thee. For there are other Gods, to whom the 22 INGEABAN. Wends sacrifice, and when they drive homewards the people from your villages, then they sing that their God is stronger than yours." "Does the Christian's God give victory to those who acknowledge him ? I saw many of my country people who make the sign of the Cross slain on the battle-field." " Not every one who bears the stamp of the Cross is a warrior with the eternal God," answered the stranger impressively. " He who prays for victory to the great Lord of Heaven must first by his own life make himself worthy of God's help, live truly according to God's commands, and avoid every mean action. High and severe is the service, but glorious the reward; here victory, and peace and happiness in heaven. And I tell thee that thy people will not obtain mastery over the foreigner till the banner of the Cross is carried before you, and the heart and thoughts of each one of you have been sanctified by the great God of the Christian." " Teach that also to the King of the Franks, or whoever rules them; for we hear that the King has been corrupted by the Christian faith to become a monk, and that one of his heroes rules in the land." The guide turned away, and the stranger spoke INGRABAN. 23 to his companion: "Thou hearest his words. The Thuringian hates the Frank, and both hate the Saxon ; one race destroys the other, and the honour of their heroes is to shed the blood of men, and to drive away a defenceless race, in order that they may satisfy their desires on them, and use their backs as a stool for their feet. Since I was a boy in a distant land I have seen men committing wild outrages ; to rob and kill was the hellish cry which came from a hundred thousand throats. Truly the garden of the earth has become a wilderness, everywhere devastation and the ruined buildings of former races, and those who now live there wander about howling like a troop of wolves. And where a populous nation still inhabit the ground, which they have won by fire and sword, the conquerors lead a disorderly life, always greedy for gold treasure, and the pleasures of the flesh. An evil devil has entirely corrupted this race, which is possessed by him, and yet they stop their ears against the mes- sage of grace, even when they call themselves Christians and use the sign of the Cross. There is no safety for those who walk uprightly accord- ing to the likeness of God, but the one thing: that all bend their stiff necks to the one Lord, of whom it is written, ' My yoke is easy.' " 24 INGBABAN. The country which they were now passing through lay in the valley or on the slopes of the mountains, where a powerful spring ran out of the groundj here and there villages and single farms of Frank settlers, most of the farms were small, the houses crumbling to pieces, and scantily mended, and near them often empty charred homesteads. Every home and every village was surrounded with ramparts, but the ramparts and trenches also were ruined and brokea. They saw few people in the fields ; in the villages the children and women ran to the fences of their houses staring at the travellers ; the guide greeted them proudly, and the respect- ful manner in which it was returned showed that he was considered, by the people, as a distin- guished man. Sometimes on the gable of the house a cross was painted over the sign of the possessor : then the traveller blessed the dwellers at the door with a Christian greeting, who, observing him with surprise, hastened towards him. But the guide pushed onwards, and the calls and questions died away in the trot of the horses. Again they came to a village ; the high straw roofs, which almost came to the ground, stood without fences ; even the elder-tree was wanting which used to INGRABAN. 25 show its black berries in every courtyard. Naked children, brown, and covered with dirt, rolled about with the pigs on the dung-heaps ; the people were small, their faces round and flat, and, instead of the discreet quiet with which the horsemen were greeted elsewhere by the villagers, loud cries, scoldings and curses, in a foreign language, resounded from all sides. " Are these foreigners numerous in your land ?" asked the stranger. " They are Wends from the East ; they inhabit many villages both here and in Thuringia ; they pay rent to the Frank Count, but they continue evil-disposed and quarrelsome." He stopped his horse and listened to the curses which a frightful woman was screaming out to them, then he spurred his horse again and called out, " Forwards ! " They passed rapidly on, the guide often rising in his saddle and turning his eyes right and left. After a time the stranger rode up to his side : "If it pleases thee, tell me why we press our horses so fleetly on ? " " I understand very little of the language of the Wends," answered Ingram; "but the good- for-nothing woman wished us evil if we met the warriors of her people on our way. There is 26 INGRAEAN. disturbance in the air; ever since the morning the hawks and crows fly northwards; I repent me that I have not questioned those who speak our language." He called out to his horse and galloped forward ; the travellers had difficulty in following him ; he rode up at full speed to the next house, which was visible on a height, and signed to the others to remain behind. The travellers saw him stop on the hill, but soon he chased wildly down, and then on before them. When at last they reached a steep ascent, the stranger asked : " Wilt thou not tell us whether danger threatens ? " " The house and the stalls were empty : every head had disappeared ; I wonder that no fugitive comes towards us," replied the guide gloomily. "Forwards," he exclaimed, "if I am not to abandon you." "Dost thou think to avoid danger if we tire our horses before the evening ? " " I will see," replied Ingram shortly ; and rode forward again. Thus they went on for an hour through under- wood and over meadow land ; at last they saw in the distance, on one side of the road, a large house among lime-trees; the guide's horse flew like an arrow up to the house; they perceived INGRABAN. 27 that the guide sometimes stopped, then with wide leaps disappeared behind the trees. The travellers followed him slowly. When they came up they found the roof torn off, the door broken in, and charcoal from the fire in front of the house. The guide was bending over something that lay in the grass. It was a dead man, his head fractured by the stroke of a club. "This was the Host of the house," said the guide, with quivering lips. '' He was by race a Frank, but a hospitable man ; and he has faUen as a warrior. Look in there." The earth was heaped up and divided into two round mounds. " The robbers have buried their dead." "When did it happen?" asked the stranger sorrowfully. " Yesterday before the day was warm," replied the guide, pointing to the body of a Sclave horse, which lay near them, struck by the spear of the possessor of the house. The stranger sprang down and hastened to the house : " Come, that we may bring help, if any one stiU breathes there." "Thou takest useless trouble," replied the guide ; " his daughter Walburg and his little boy have been carried off. The cow with the white spot has been slaughtered, and a Sclave sits on 28 INGEABAN. his horse G-oldfeather ; the Wends know how to clear away ; they do not love half work." The stranger seized a spade, and began to dig a grave. " It would be advisable for thee to escape from -this place," exclaimed the guide, dis- quieted. The other pointed to a cross that was drawn with blue woad on the naked arm of the dead : " He is of my faith, and I must not go before I have secured his body from the wolves and vultures." The guide stepped back and murmured: " Many a man who has the stamp of the Cross lies to- day still on the bloody ground." The travellers hollowed out the grave, laid the dead man within, knelt in prayer, covered the grave with earth, and placed a wooden cross uppn it. Then the stranger made a sign to the youth to go away, and remained alone lying before the earth- mound. Meanwhile the guide hastened forwards on the track of the enemy : he sprang like a hunting- hound over the grass ; the strangers were already waiting for him when he returned with a glowing countenance. " I have discovered their course, and the footsteps of the women and chil- dren ; only one of the horses was shod — I think that is a horse of Ratiz, the Sorbe Chieftain. I INGRABAN. 29 shall strike him well in a few days," he cried out threatening. "Answer me one question, stranger : wouldst thou rejoice to see Ratiz slain with his band ? " " No," replied the stranger. "He has killed men of thy faith, and leads their children into miserable servitude." " I tell thee, no," repeated the stranger. The guide muttered a curse ; suddenly he went up to the horse of the stranger : " Confess to me what thou dost carry in the leather bag that thou guardest so carefully." " Such a question does not befit thee," answered the traveller coldly, "and I refuse to answer thee." "I think that thou hast armlets and silver therein; such as foreign traders bring into the country," said the guide, staring covetously at the leather bag. " Perhaps what thou namest is therein," said the stranger, "but perhaps not; what does it signify to thee ? It can never become thine." The guide gave him a hostile look; then his countenance became convulsed, he threw himself on the ground, covering his face with his hands. The stranger took his axe, and placed it in the recumbent man's hand, which he had withdrawn 30 INGEABAN. from before his face, and laid the axe on it. " Here is the weapon, my sen, and here is the head of a defenceless man: if thou wilt strike, then try the blow. But if thou wouldst rather listen, attend to the words of an older man." Ingram let the weapon fall into the grass, and sat with head bowed down to the ground. " I know what disturbs thee," continued the stranger; "the robbers have carried off a young woman into their mountains ; thou thinkest to deliver her by thy weapons, or by purchase, and thou thinkest that the stranger should help thee to this. Do I speak the truth, teU me ? " " She spoke proudly to me," he answered in a low voice, "because I stood under the oak, by the horse sacrifice, according to the custom of my fathers. But it is horrible to me that she should remain in the hands of Katiz ; and it fell on my soul like a flash out of the clouds that I must hasten to ransom her. Then I will lead her as a prisoner home ; she will become my own, and I her lord." " And she must do according to thy will," said the stranger coldly; "but how, if thy enemy Ratiz thinks the same ? " The guide gnashed his teeth, and threw himself again on the grass. INGEABAN. 31 "They are like the brute beasts," said the stranger in the Latin language. "Stand up, guide," he commanded in a quiet tone, "and accomplish first of all what thou hast sworn. Now thine honour demands that thou shouldst bring us safely to thy home, even though we may be strange and unwelcome to thee. When thou art free from this duty, then weigh well what will be the next thing for thee to do. But do not forget that the woman whom thou desirest, foUows a thorny path under powerful protection. For she will be guided by the winged messengers of my God, the angels, that she may be preserved for this world or carried up to the heavenly hall of Christ. Even though she has been carried off by a band of Sorbes, yet she is in the hand of a kind Father, who hears all who call upon Him in time of need. If it is His will that she should be delivered by thee, it will come to pass. But do thou what is now thy duty." The guide stood up, shook himself, and sprang silently into his saddle. Then the wanderers passed on farther to the north, each one oc- cupied with himself; the stranger spoke occa- sionally some Latin words to his companion. When the sun set they entered the dark forest 32 INGEABAN. of the mountains which divide Thuringia from Franconia. They heard behind the trees barking of hounds, and amidst it a deep discordant growl. " Art thou taking us into a bear's den ? " asked the stranger. " Here dwells Bubbo, the vagrant," replied the leader ; " he catches bears, knows how to restrain their anger, and sells them far southwards in the land of the Franks to manor-houses, and some- times to travellers. His house is feared through- out the whole country ; he has peace with friend and foe, and understands many secret arts." " Is he of thy faith ?" asked the stranger. '' Few know to what Gods he prays," said the guide. " Then let us avoid the inhospitable house." " Look at the sky, the night will bring rain ; thy boy and our horses need a night's rest, for to- morrow we ascend over the forest on a "\vild path, where no host will receive us." The man looked at the youth by his side,, and gave a silent sign of assent. When they came nearer, the yelling of the hounds became wilder, mixed with the, grunting voices of a bear family, and when Ingram knocked at the door the noise raged so loudly that the stranger clasped INGRABAN. 33 his cross. Long did the leader knock at the door. At last there was the sound of a man's step and a rough call to the animals; Ingram called out his name through the door, the fastening bar was pushed back, and the gigantic figure of a man stepped into the opening of the door. The guide spoke in a low tone with the Host. The latter by a short movement of the hand invited them to enter; he laid hold of the trembling horses by the bridle and drew them into the court-yard, closing the door behind them. The travellers unloaded their beasts in the dark, then Ing- ram and the Host led the horses to a stable. When the men stepped on to the firm clay floor of the haU, the Host held a pine torch to the flam- ing charcoal of the wooden logs which lay on the hearth, and lighted the faces of his guests with the sooty flame. When he perceived the face of the stranger he stepped back, the torch slipped out of his hand, and sparkled on the ground till the guide laid hold of it and put it iato the iron ring by the hearth. "Never could I have thought to find thy face in my hut. Ungracious was the greeting that 'thou gavest me the first time that I saw thee; thou didst cause me to be hunted away with my bears from the house of thy guest friend." VOL. II. 3 34 INGRABAN. " And the second time that I saw thee," an- swered the stranger quietly, " I delivered thy neck from the withe that was wound for thee. And when I saw thee the third time thou didst stand to be baptized by me in a white shirt, and the holy water ran over thy head." " The baptismal shirt has long been torn ; the last time it was less valuable, truly, than in earlier years, when I consented to be ducked in your water ; and unwillingly does a man think on the hour of danger in which he bends his head before foreign magic," replied the Host timidly. " Thou hast caused me woe and thou hast caused me weal. Yet I think thou art a man learned in great secrets, and I also am reputed by people as one who knows much. And if I give thee peace under my roof, thou mayest as a mark of gratitude still teach me many secrets." "I will teach thee," said the stranger, "if thou hast ears to hear." " Well, what has passed before shall be com- pensated and forgotten, and I will provide thee as my guest, thee and thy companions, with even- ing fare and lodging, and I greet thee at my hearth, thee, Herr Winfried, before whom people kneel, and whom they call Boniface and a Bishop." When the travellers, on the evening of the INGRABAN. 35 following day, rode out of the dark pine forest, from the mountain height they beheld low hills, and in the distance open country. Before them lay at the foot of the mountain' a village : the roofs and rafters were grey, and round it was a wooden fence, and a broad ditch. The houses in the village aUeys stood thickly packed, in order that defence from a hostile attack might be easier. Outside the fence, on the mountain slope, rose two single houses, removed a few bow-shots from one another. A footpath led to each from the village road. At the spot where these paths separated Ingram stopped and said shortly: "I have guided you into the land of the Thuringians ; this is the village, and there is the house of the Frank, whom they call a Major Domus of the Count, and there he stands himself I have accom- plished what I promised ; ride on there." Whilst the strangers bowed their heads in thankfulness to their Grod, and prayed for a blessing on their entrance, Ingram galloped off, and had already disappeared behind a projection of the wood before Winfried looked after him. But from the other side the Frank steward came towards them, a man with grey hair and serious countenance. Winfried gave him the Christian greeting, and the face of the man coloured with 36 INGBABAN. joy as he answered, "To all eternity." And when Winfried held out to him a segmeiit of parchment leaf, the token of recognition which was sent by the steward's lord, then he reverently took his hat off his head, seized himself the bridle of the horse, and led the strangers to his house. INGRABAN. ^7 II. A CHBISTIAN AMONG THE HEATHEN. Below the village on the plain stood a decayed house, surrounded by a wooden fence, on which the dusty burdock spread its grey leaves ; the fence was full of holes and carelessly mended, and the fowls and pigs of the court- yard without difficulty found an entrance into it all the year round. Behind the gate a wooden cross was erected on two poles, as a sign that Meginhard, whom they called Memmo, the Chris- tian Priest, dwelt there. Reluctantly had the village people, years ago, given him permission to dwell in the empty hut on the application of the Count. Yet within it was not entirely defi- cient in comfort. Through the crevices of the closed shutters one saw a bright fire shining on the hearth. Beside it sat Memmo, a little plump man ; before him stood on a bad wooden table a mug of beer ; on the hearth was a pot with a fowl 38 INGliABAN. in it, which was being cooked, and a strong maid-servant was moving about with a wooden spoon. " The fowl is long in steaming, Gode- lind," said the little man, looking longingly at the pot ; " hang up the spoon and lay on wood, for that is the only thing that one has in abundance in this country." But GodeUnd cared little about the sighs of her master ; she moved crossly about the hearth, and looked sometimes angrily down upon the Priest. " Certainly my master might have obtained a better present from the sick neighbour than the thing there," — she pointed with the spoon to a corner of the hut, where on a truss of straw squatted a Sclave maiden, who, with sunk head, was staring before her. "For many weeks you have charmed away the bad spirits which lay in the diseased leg of the man ; for all this trouble this is miser- able thanks, — a captive, a poor sick thing, good for nothing. Why has he not given you a calf for your housekeeping? Often have I advised i you to give him a hint of your opinion about it. We have hardly sufficient to feed two mouths; now there comes a third, and besides, a wild thing with tangled hair, who cannot speak a word, and gives me fresh cares in ad- dition to those I have about you." INGRABAN. 39 Memmo looked slyly into the corner. " And yet I took her for thy sake, Godelind," he said appeasingly; "for the meadow and the field, which I wish to spare thee." "Have I ever complained of my work?" said the ruler of the hearth sulkily, only a little softened. "Now I must keep watch over the foreign beast." She put the cooked fowl into an earthen platter, and placed the hot dish with a spoon before her master. A fragrant odour rose up; Memmo sat waiting for the cooling, and rattled impatiently with a wooden spoon on the edge of the platter. Then there was a creaking outside at the fence, and immediately afterwards a stick knocked at the door four times, with short pauses. The spoon fell from the hand of the Priest ; he started up frightened, stared at the door as if he feared a spirit, and, after the third knock, murmured half unconsciously, "In no- mine spiritus sancti. Aynen." The last knock resounded, and immediately afterwards the door was flung open by a strong hand, a man entered in a dark dress, and a deep voice spoke on the threshold : "I greet thee in the name of the Lord." Memmo stood dumb ; all the colour faded from his face. Winfried examined for a moment the dweller of the hut; then he approached the 40 INGEABAN. window, opened the window shutters, took the dish and the fowl and threw them out, so that the pot cracked, and called out in a tone of com- mand : " Away with the women." Godelind had set her arms a-kimbo, not at all intending to obey the command of the stranger ; but when she saw that her master signed to her with eager move- ments of the hand to go away, she remarked that the flaming look of the stranger was directed to her, and her courage forsook her ; she dragged away the captured slave, and hastened to the door. " Seek another dwelling for the night, woman," cried Winfried after her, " for thy foot will scarcely tread this man's cell again." He closed the door behind the woman, bolted it, and approached the speechless Memmo. " Thou hast come into misfortune, my companion," he said sorrowfully, '' and I find thee in evil society. I come to warn thy soul ; on thy knees, Meginhard, my poor brother, and confess thy evil deed, for the day of penitence is come ; see to it, that thou may est gain the favour of the Judge." The monk, confounded, fell on his knees before the bishop, and began to murmur a Latin prayer. The hearth flame blazed brightly around, and cast the shadows of the men hither and thither. The water in the cooking- pot raised the cover, INGRABAN. 41 and hissed upon the hearth ; but no one cared about it, and the flame sank, and the water was silent. It became dark in the room, the glowing coals threw a weak twilight, and on the other side a pale light of the stars was visible through the window opening, but still the Priest continued to lie on the ground; only- heavy sighs and the humming of solemn prayer were heard. Then the sharp strokes of a scourge and a low groaning : thus it continued through the night. And when the starlight passed away, in the dawn of a new day, Memmo still lay with his face to the ground, his arms stretched out in the form of a cross, and by him knelt the stranger, the deep tones of whose voice sounded solemnly above the sobbing of the prostrate man. Winfried opened the door ; the early morning light penetrated into the dusky room. At the gate of the fence stood young Gottfried, who bent himself silently before the teacher, for the hour had not come when a brother might speak. " I imagined thee well sheltered, on the bed of the guest friend," said the stranger, signing to him permission to speak. " Forgive me, my father ; anxiety about thee brought me here." 42 INGEABAN. " Within there lies one who has fallen ; tarry by him, that he may behold thy face when he raises his head, and support his tottering steps ; " then he added in a low tone : " as a linnet that has escaped from the farmer I have caught him, and his soul will flutter unquietly. Help him, although he is older than thou, that he may accustom himself again to discipline, and yield to him what thou thinkest right. For it would not be wise to take away all consolation from the erring one." The stranger went to the village, where people were beginning to stir in the houses; the young monk placed himself softly near the penitent : it was not long before the latter, shuddering, jfaised his head cautiously, and saw with astonishment instead of the fearful bishop a youth sitting near him, in whose bright counte- nance shone warm compassion. " Visio Venit, a peace messenger appears," he murmured in alarm, and fell back on his face, in order to raise it again after a time. "I feel warm breath over my head ; if thou art one of us, speak." "I am called Gottfried, my father, and I am thy brother and servant." " Has he gone forth ? " sighed Memmo, looking round him with terror, and feeling his wounded INGRABAN. 43 back with his hand. With difficulty he sat up and laid hold of his head with both hands. " I am entirely changed ; he threw the platter with the fowl out of, the window, and sent Frau Godelind," — ^he crossed himself — "away to the devil. I have been tempted, my son, among the heathen ; I have sat amongst horses' heads and horses' flesh, and when in May they danced the round dance they required that I with Frau" — he crossed himself again. " Undoubtedly the Bishop is a holy man, entirely raised above human weakness. Thou also knowest the rules, my brother, although thou art young." Gottfried gave a friendly nod. " Then thou knowest also, my son, that it is allowed to the faithful after penance to moisten their hot lips, aqua cum aceto, by water with vinegar. There is no vinegar in this country, but," he continued persuasively, " there stands in its place the remains of some small beer, — there is water enough in it; I pray you reach me the mug." Gottfried fetched willingly the drink ; the exhausted man took a deep draught, then held the mug in his folded hands and began dolefully his morning prayer. Gottfried spoke the words with him, then he shook the straw in the corner straight for a bed, led the wounded man to the 44 INGEABAN. place of rest, and prayed by him in a low tone till the father slept. When Winfried later in the day returned to the monk, he found him sitting on his chair in better spirits. Gottfried had cleaned the cell and erected a little altar, and hung it with fig branches and sweet-smelling thyme. When the bishop entered Memmo made an attempt to rise, but Winfried placed him gently back in the chair. " I do not come now as a physician, who finds it necessary to give remedies to his invalid; I place myself by thee as an old companion, and if it is not too troublesome to thee, I pray thee, my brother, inform me truly what difliculties thou hast had to contend with amongst this people, for verily the office was not easy that was com- mitted to thee, and I do not find thee amidst pleasant ■v^ork." " I can tell thee nothing favourable, revered father," began Memmo dejectedly; "five years have I dwelt among this race, like Daniel in the lions' den ; their hearts are hardened and their spirits defiant, and the best among them have hours when they bear themselves like evil devils from hell. There are few who believe, and they only believe when they have a dislocated leg, or are shaken by the evil spirit of fever : then they INGEABAN. 45 send to me that I may pray beside them, and they eagerly make the sign of the cross ; but on the following day they send for the heathen woman, who practices magic arts, and then make the sign of the hammer over their bodies. They often ask whether our God will procure them victoiy over the Sclaves and Saxons : if so, they would gladly try Him. He must vow Himself to be their servant, but they wiU not do the same by Him." "Dost thou know the Christians of this country ? " asked Winfried impatiently. " As it is for this thou hast been sent here, as the swallows send beforehand their messengers.'' " I think that I know them weU, as far as the land reaches from the Saale to the Werra," replied Memmo. " And I wi'ote to thee accord- ing to thy order the names of those who are of some consideration, and are the most faithful. But of Priests I am the only lamb among howlino- wolves. For there are others who are called Christian Priests, but they are of pure devil's brood; they keep more than one wife, they sit with the heathen at the sacrificial feasts, and hang horses' heads next their crosses ; also they will have nothing to do with our great Father in Rome. In olden times these came into the land ; they paint coloured signs on their skin." 46 INGEABAN. " Scotch wild cats," cried Winfried angrily. " I have suffered much here by blows and by words of contumely,'' continued Meginhard. " But the worst happened to me last year, when the Wends fell upon the country. The Thuringians opposed them not far from the Saale; and they threatened me, and called upon me to be their guest and enjoy their protection, that I might go with them, and, as an unwarlike man, stand on the hill near their troop, and from thence pray for victory for them. They carried me forth and placed me on high ; but the Wends overpowered them, slew a heap of them, broke into and set fire to the villages, and led the women and children away into servitude. They also caught me, bound me with withes, and drove us like a herd of sheep eastwards into slavery. Miserable was the journey, among heathen women and weeping children ; he who sank down, and could no longer walk, received the stroke of a club, and was left on the road. Scanty also was the travelling fare : they offered one broth in troughs like boars. Two days and nights we wandered thus along the path of anguish, till we beheld the villages of the Wends and the poles on which hung the banners of their Chieftain. There they divided us among INGEABAN. 47 the villages, and I, with a number of otliers, became the portion of the Sorbe Ratiz, the hor- rible man who has entrenched his circular fortress on this side of the Saale. The heathen held a grea£ feast, and they destined me to a miserable death, because they saw my shaven head, and the devils spat upon the crown of my head. I lay bound and helpless ; then Herr Ratiz entered the stall, and asked me through another man who accompanied him of what lineage and race of men I was. But I told him that I was a monk, and thou the venerable Father, to whom I had vowed myself for a journey among the Thuringians. Then the Lord softened his heart, so that he loosed me from my bonds, and through his attendant disclosed to me in great secrecy that he wished to send a messenger to the ruler of the Franks in the West, and he knew that thou wast a powerful peacemaker, and could easUy make intercession for what he desired. And the crafty wolf, who was satiated with murder in our sheepfolds, maintained that he also loved peace ; but that the border Counts of the Franks were plunderers and bloodthirsty. I was obliged to promise to bring thee this message as quickly as I could. So I was released, fed and clothed, and taken 48 INGEABAN. into the neighbourhood of our villages. As I forthwith announced to thee, in my letter, Hunibald, the Frank, took me with him on his journey to the West." " I have read what thou hast written," replied Winfried. "Meanwhile the wolf has become hungry and has broken again into the land of the Franks. Hast thou learnt what he desires from Prince Karl, who rules over the Franks ? for the Franks and the Sclaves can keep the peace as little as two moles in one hole." "It appears to me that he desires presents, and perhaps the land that he has possessed him- self of" "Will he confess and renounce the works of the devil ? " asked Winfried. " Sooner would a fox in a trap bite its own tail off; there is no more piety in him than in a hollow nut." "Many who bear the stamp of the cross are equally empty," replied Winfried. " If he is a cold heathen, his children may become warm Christians. But now tell me about another man ; thou knowest Ingram, whom the heathen call Ingraban ? " " I have not learnt much good of him ; he is one of the enemies of the Cross ; he dwells up INGRABAN. 49 there on the place which they call 'Eaven House/ for the black heathen birds make their nests in the trees there, and croak their fiendish songs. But he is forward in all fights, and holds the hearts of the youths in his hand. During that battle, I saw his comrades carry him wounded out of the fight, and they think that if he had ridden in front to the end, the Sclaves would not have conquered." Winfried rose,' and looked enquiringly into the corner of the hut. " The law commands that brothers shall dwell together under one roof ; it does not befit me to lodge with strangers, where a brother has a house. Take care to prepare a bed for me here." Memmo heard with fear this decision. " The hut is small, venerable Father, the roof is da- maged, the rain runs in, and bad is the fare ; yet I do not think if it were better that thou wouldst care for it. Also, venerable Father, forgive me ; the little birds which I have hitherto kept here, siug loud, and they deposit eggs sometimes shamelessly. My lord, dost thou command me to cause the little birds to fiy away ? They flew to me in the cold wrater ; many of them flitted into the air in the spring, but some have built their nests between the rafters ; they have brought up two VOL. II. ^ 50 INGBABAN. broods ; and many a time, when I was dejected, their chirp has rejoiced me. ' Peccavi,' " he con- tinued, almost -weeping ; " it is a sin to cling with one's heart to a ©reature^ but, Father, they will come again, unless I wring their necks ; above all, the goldfinch, it is the most beautiful bird in this country.'' Winfried listened gloomily to the lament of the undisciplined monk. "Do not give thy brother less willingly a night's rest than thy playfellows in feathered dress." " Eruitless was my work on the hearts of men," continued Memmo, sorrowfully ; " sooner would the birds retain the holy word. Every year I catch young ravens and jays, teach them the Kyrie Eleison, and let them, fly away again. In the clearing of the woods iiiou canst some- times hear their voices when they sing the holy words. On Ingram, also, I thought to revenge myself for mftny injuries that he has occasioned me, and I placed my young ravens on his tree, that they might call upon the name of the Lord among the heathen birds ; but the other ravens flew furiously against them, and plucked their feathers, because their song was repugnant to the wild creatures ; and they came back ±0 me. But even these which I have INGRABAN. 51 tamed do not leave oif their tricks ; they eat my little companions ; and since the last hard winter the little ones alone remain with me. Forgive me, reverend Father." " I am not angry with thee, my brother," replied Winfried. " When I sent thee out, I knew that thou wast no sower for stony land, but of kindly heart ; and I thought that the heathen here would perhaps bear with thee, because thou art well meaning. Thou wast to me as a spy who has gone ini/p the promised land. Now I am come myself to subdue these people to my Lord.'' Gottfried led through the open gate into the court a horse loaded with baggage ; he fastened the animal to the post, lifted down the leather sack, and carried it into the hut. A warm ray of love and care feU from Winfried's eyes upon him. " What did the guide say who parted from us in so unfriendly a way ? " " I had difficulty in getting to him," replied the weak voice of the monk ; " the servants turned me rouD-hly away : at last the heart of one was moved ; at my request he led me to the enclosure where the man was coupling his horses, like one who would remove them. I told him thy message, but he listened impatiently: 'Never would I have guided thy lord, if I had known 52 INGEABAN. his office. Pay for my convoy I do not desire> neither an armlet, nor Frank sUver; nor does his gratitude rejoice me, and he must expect no good- will from me, if in the future he should require it.' Thus he spoke, and stood before me like Tumus, the dark hero, of whom the Roman Virgil tells us that he rose against King iEneas." " Thy King .^Eneas, my son," replied Winfried, laughing, " has no other weapons against the wild man, than an upright intention to be of use to him and others. But do thou pray that we may succeed in this." Winfried approached the table^ loosened the strap of the leather bag, took a wooden box out, and gave the bag solemnly to the Priest. " Guard it like the light of thine eyes, Meginhard; it contains holy bones, also dresses and vessels' for the Church which we intend to build here." Whilst Memmo was looking with open eyes at the Bishop, and then at the recep- tacle of the treasures, Winfried gave a sign to the youth, and left the hut with him. With powerful strides the Bishop hastened up the hUl which rose above the forest, followed by Gottfried, who led the horse. On the height Winfried stopped. " Quicker than I thought," he began, with agitated voice, "has the hour come in which I must send thee on a rough path to the INGRiBAN. 53 heathen, thou child of my sister. I must expose to the dangers of the wilderness what is dearest to me : may the Lord forgive me, if I tremble with anguish for a messenger in His service ! " " Trust me, my Father," begged Gottfried. " Thou must give the Sorbe Ratiz an answer to the request he made me ; thou knowest the request, and thou knowest the answer." " I know them. Father." " Thou must help to deliver the prisoners for the heathen Ingram. For I vowed thee to the Lord of Heaven to venture on this mission, when I knelt by the grave of the Frank ; but pas- sionate and ungracious is the man whom I wish to gain for thee as companion." Winfried strode onwards ; again he stopped. " I was a youth like thee when, in the land of the Angli, our home, I first entered a ruined stone building which had been erected by the Romans centuries before. For in ancient times, before the message of the Lord came to the country-people, the nations were kept in subjection by the great empire of the Romans, who had almost everywhere entrenched themselves in solid fortresses. Then I saw how warriors of my race had driven together, into the stone building, a crowd of women and children, whom they had carried off from the neighbouring 54 INGRABAN. villages. I heard the lashes of the whip and the wailing, and I saw the sword-strokes by which the defenceless ones were slaughtered ; I lay only one hellish night on the Roman stones. "For the murderers and the murdered both boasted of being Christians ; and I perceived, with horror, that God's teaching on earth had lost its saving power. Everywhere the Bishops were quarrelling with one another ; one abused the other' as a teacher of error, struck him in the face, or shook his knife against him, so that scarcely any one did according to the command of the Lord ; and as the shepherds, so also were the flocks — entirely corrupted. I saw all sin and wantonness in rich luxuriance, and the heathen often more righteous than the Christians. I thought that I should become mad at such misery on earth, and I prayed to the Lord of Heaven, to whom' I had vowed myself, for deliverance for mankind from such misery. Then came to me a message of salvation ; like a fiery flame it coursed through my limbs, so that I sprang up in terror and bliss. Then was revealed to me what would bring salvation to mankind — a new discipline for the undisciplined, and new union for those who were enemies. Yanished is the dominion of the Romans : but at INGRABAN. 55 Rome there dwells now the pious follower of the Apostle. He will become a high Judge of all hearts and consciencesj and shall govern upon earth as the great Chieftain of Heaven's King, We all must serve him in faith, as we do Bongs and Chieftains in worldly things. It is my office to lead the nations of the earth to his service, Frieslanders, Saxons, Hessians, and Thuringians ; and if the Lord is gracious, also the wild hordes who call themselves Wends : I will brinsr the peace of my God to all. In order that faith may become a saving power for the nations of the earth, I wiU teach them that one only God rules over them, a great Host in Heaven's Castle ; and here on earth, the Bishop of Rome is to be revered and powerful over all, as His envoy. There shall be unity of teaching on the earth, and unity in obedience, in order that there may be also unity in love. Therefore have I preached among the Frieslanders and Hessians ; therefore have I travelled to Rome, and on my knees have vowed myself, on the hand of the Pope, to be the servant of my God ; and therefore I wander now here, through the weeds of the wild valleys.,, alone with thee, boy ; for I will extinguish the sorrow of the world, and proclaim salvation to all who are now in misery. Such was the 56 INGRABAN. command of our Lord to me on that night of anguish." The youth kissed his hand reverently; Winfried held it fast, and spoke more quietly. " Thou, my loved one, who hast the years of a boy and the mind of a wise man, thou art true to me, and there are few thoughts which I conceal from thee. It is not the heathen that cause me the greatest trouble ; greater is the work that I have where I might expect help. The Franks, who call themselves Christians — their Bishops, the disorderly offenders, who are always striving against each other — ^these appear to me the worst wolves. When I came before the Bishop of Rome to acknowledge that he must be the highest lord over the faith of men on earth, in order to save us all ; it appeared to me, that though he was a worthy man, he was also a foolish one. There is much selfishness there, and greed after worldly power; but the Lord, to whom I have vowed myself, will help me to overcome the foolishness of the great, as well as the obstinacy of these long-haired wild men. Therefore do thou, my son, also follow me to the heathen ; open thine ears, and learn the way which it is necessary for thee to know," When they reached the height on which the INGRABAN. 57 Raven House lay, a string of wild horses galloped towards them ; on one of them sat Ingram, on another his servant. Winfried stepped on to the road, so that Ingram's horse reared, and the heated rider, as he powerfully restrained it, stopped straight before the Bishop. " Why dost thou come thyself to detain me ? " cried Ingram, angrily ; " unhappy was the hour when I vowed myself to thy service." " He who goes out on a journey like thine," answered Winfried, " does not do wisely to begin the journey with a curse." " I do not desire thy blessing, Christian ; I know how to obtain better defence than is given by thy token." "And yet many in the Sorbe village, whose hands are tied together with withy -bands, trust in the holy sign which thou foolishly disdainest. If thou dost insult the God of Heaven, to whom the Christians pray, before thy journey, beware lest thine expedition should be fruitless." The horseman had wished to push his horse on, but now he kept stUl, and looked gloomily down before him. "Restrain thy hot blood," continued Winfried, with dignity; "well-con- sidered counsel is useful before rapid deeds. Though I may be unwelcome to thee, yet do not 58 INGRABAN. despise my words : descend, Ingram, if thou in truth wishest to deliver the woman." So impressive was the admonition that the Thuringian sprang from his horse, and threw the bridle to his servant. " Let what thou hast to say to me be short, stranger, for the ground bums under my feet." Winfried led the impatient man some steps aside. " Answer me one question, if thou wilt, which I make with good intentions, and with great anxiety about the prisoner. Dost thou carry what will serve thee with Ratiz for the ransom ? Or dost thou hope to succeed by carrying off the wives and children of the Sorbes from their homes ? " Ingram answered, with quivering countenance, " He who approaches the lair of the robber must seize the spoil as he can. If I could penetrate unknown, I would endeavour secretly to carry her away." " Thou didst tell me that you Thuringians had vowed peace with the Sorbes." " Not I ; I lay on my bed with bloody body." " But the Elders have vowed it for thee also." " The oath was broken by him, when he slew my guest-friend. Who can blame me, if I revenge the friendly man ? " INGEABAN. 59 "Thy people will ask whether thou art of the kindred of the dead man, — thou from the land of Thuringia, he a Frank." Ingram was silent. "And when the boundary watchers of the Sorbes discover thee, they are sure to know the custom of the boundary, and are preparing now for a revenge expedition of the Franks. There- fore I think — and it cannot be concealed from thee — that thou canst only deliver the prisoner in peace." " Know then," replied Ingram, gloomily, " what I confess unwillingly, that I am seeking ransom- money by the sale of the horses which thou seest here ; some of them are well worthy to bear the saddle of a King. It is uncertain whether Ratiz himself will take the horses ; for the encampment of thieves, since their last expedition, is, I fear, full of hoofs. Therefore I will take the horses now to Erfurt, where the great market of my people is, to see whether I can barter them for armlets or Frank silver. But sale is difficult in time of need. That is the care which troubles me." " And is there no other purchase-price which would have power over the will of the Sclave ? " " The red gold of the dwarf, and silver which 60 INGRABAN. the smith has skilfully stamped," replied Ingram, quickly. " That, the mean man cannot withstand. But such King's treasure the Thuringian has not." Winfried drew forth the case, and opened it. He took from it a large goblet, the outside of silver, but gold inside, with a wreath of vine- leaves, and raised human figures in relief upon it — a wonderful piece of workmanship. " It comes from the treasury of a King, and was laid in my hands by a kingly man. Dost thou think that this piece will release the children for us ? " " Never did I see such a work by the hand of man," cried out the Thuringian, with sparkling eyes ; " the children are silver, and naked ; they walk about th« goblet as if they lived." Com- posing himself as if ashamed of his curiosity, he added, " So great a treasure would deliver many." " Then blessed is the day," exclaimed Winfried, " when I received the goblet ! " But again a dark shadow passed over the face of the young warrior, and proudly returning the vessel, he cried out, " Go away with thy goblet, thou crafty stranger," and turned himself to the horses. But Winfried held his arm. " Do not think. INGRABAN. 61 Ingram, that I wish to buy thy favour by silver and gold ; for thou hast thyself refused to receive the pay of guide. If thou wert one of the children of the great God, then I might give thee the goldsmith's work for a Christian deed. But thou hast betrayed to me thj'' wild desire. Not as thy slave must thou bring the Frank woman home to thy house : to her and her kindred I give the goblet ; and if it saves her from imprisonment, she must return again as a free woman — she and others whom thou mayest release : that is my intention. But I beg of thee, for the sake of the prisoners, that thou shouldst accomplish the bargain for them aU, and bring them hither, under the protection that they themselves desire." " Then thine will be the honour, and not mine," exclaimed Ingram, vehemently. " Not thou nor I will bestow the purchase- price. I myself possess less than the poorest of thy countrymen ; I am only a messenger of the Christian God, and this silver belongs to His treasure." The warrior looked shyly at the shining metal. " Conceal it in its wooden case, for I much fear that there may be evil magic in such a gift." " I also do not advise that thou shouldst carry 62 INGBABAN. this purchase-price," continued Winfried; "I have to send a messenger to Ratiz on business from the King of the Franks — my young brother Gottfried. But thou wilt be the spokesman about the ransom ; and I beg of thee to allow the youth to ride with thee, and that thou thyself wilt promise me to care for him truly." "Rough is the way to the village of Eatiz; the journey must be quick ; and the course of a rapid messenger among the mountains is not without danger: how can I preserve the boy from it ? " " Thou hast tried his strength, and thou hast not found him weak." The warrior looked across at Gottfried, who was holding the bridle of the Bishop's horse, and his countenance became more friendly- He reflected. " I perceive," he said at last, " that thou rulest over my will like a master, I do not know whether it wUl be for my welfare, if I do according to thy desires ; and if it were on my own account, I would not do it. But I see a woman sitting wringing her hands in slavery." He sprang up hastily, and exclaimed : " I vow to preserve the boy as one of my own kindred," and he laid his hand upon that of the Bishop ; then he hastened to his string of horses. INGRABAN. 63 and gave his men orders, and caused them to be led back to the court-yard. Meanwhile, Win- fried spoke in a low tone to the youth, folding his hands over his head: deep sorrow agitated his face, as he spoke the journey-blessing over him. " Come on, youth '! " cried Ingram, swinging his javelin ; " much time has been lost in the strife of words; let thy horse's hoofs ring on the journey to Sclaveland." He examined once more the horse and the peaceful rider ; it pleased him that the youth sat firmly in the saddle, and he nodded to him graciously. He called aloud his "Gee Ho," and horses and riders started away on the forest road. Winfried looked after them, and raised his hands to heaven. In the hut Memmo stood a long time before the leather bag ; he crossed himself, and bending down, carried it into a comer. He laid straw <;arefully upon it, and seated himself in deep thought before it. Sometimes he shook his head. " Who shall build the Church ? He and L And who will hew the baptismal stone out of the rock ? Again I. Many strokes of the hammer will this arm have to make, and this back will be bent under the burden of the beams. But who wiU go into the house of the 64 INGBABAN. baptized ? None but the swallows of the air and the mice of the field ; till on some wild day the heathen people will spring on us, and with their swords make the sign of the cross on our skulls. From to-day I am a stranger in my own house; but it is written, ' Your rest is not here below, and man is like grass.' " Then the door of the house rattled, and a red face looked in at the window. " By all the good spirits ! that is Frau Godelind. Away with thee, woman ! " he cried vehemently, without moving from his place ; " I do not know thee ! " "Thou art changed for the worse," cried the woman, angrily : " what magic has, befooled thy mind ?" " Away with thee,, Godelind ! " cried Memmo, sharply ; " if the Bishop sees thee, thou art lost ; thou standest under the cross, and he has power over thee." "I don't care a straw for your Bishop," ex- claimed Godelind, throwing a straw to, the priest, "and the same for you, who are nothing but a coward. Is this my reward for my faithful care, and all the service I have done you day and night, that you allow me to be turned out of the house by a stranger ? " " It is of little use to lament over the past," INGEABAN. 65 replied Memmo, in a hollow voice ; " I release myself from thee for the whole future. Seek a shelter with thy aunt, and keep the Sclave maiden : only mind not to iU-treat the poor thing ; take for my sake the pig from the sty ; it must go with everything else, but be silent, and with- draw thyself, for I am in deep contemplation, and thy chattering is troublesome to me. This night has changed me, and I repent me that thy foot has ever trod over my threshold." "Thou cowardly man! " cried Godelind, in sharp anger, " many a time yet wilt thou repent that thou hast driven thy servants from thee, and I will laugh when I think of the fool, who beside a cold hearth drinks water from the brook and chews uncooked beans." Her face disappeared from the opening, and immediately afterwards a discordant squeak sounded from the sty. " There she is, carrying away," sighed Memmo, "what was the treasure of my house;" and he bowed his head submissively, tiU the goldfinch seated itself upon it, and warbled its song joy- fully from the bald pate. Memmo raised his hand gently ; the bird fluttered down, and the monk kissed his red head. VOL. II. 66 INGEABAN. IIL AT THE SOKBE VILLAGE. On fheir road to the Sorbe village, the horse- men took an evening rest ; the horses stood in a firm enclosure ; Ingram and Gottfried lay under a tree, and Wolfram, the servant, was preparing the night repast by a large fire ; he carried thither a leather flask, which was like a bottle. "The beer has been cooled by the water from the spring ; I hope you may relish it." When Gott- fried put the flask aside with thanks, Ingram said kindly, " Thou hast shown thyself hitherto a gallant riding-companion; do not despise our fare, though we are not of thy faith. For I observe that men quarrel together about many things, but they all do justice to food and drink." " Do not be angry, my companion ; I am un- accustomed to strong drink and the flesh of the springing deer. Yet, if it is agreeable to thee, I INGBABAK. 67 will share thy repast; " and he laid aside his cake, ate a little of the meat, and drank of the beer. " Tell me, if it does not annoy thee," continued Ingram, " art thou one of those who consider it wrong to embrace a woman ? " "It is as thou sayest," answered Gottfried, colouring. " By my sword, you have wonderful customs," said Ingram, mockingly. " I keep two slaves, and when it pleases me they embrace me in their arms, but I would give both away, and every other woman on the earth, if I could gain the maiden on whose account we are riding. Man willingly enjoys his life : we are like the birds, who sing gaily and build their nests ; but thou art like a grey screech-owl, who sits in the hole of a tree, and all the birds scream at him." " My life also is not wanting in pleasures," replied Gottfried, laughing ; " I am glad to travel with thee, even though thou thinkest meanly of me ; for I like to help thee in a good work." " What good win it do thee, if we succeed in ransoming the prisoners ? " " I fulfil the command of God, the Omnipotent Lord of Heaven." "If thy Lord is omnipotent, as thou sayest, and gives thee a command to deliver the prisoners. 68 INGRABAIT- I am surprised that He does not rather prevent the others from carrying away prisoners." " God has created men free, that they may dis- pose of their own fate. But as thou surveyest the pearls which are threaded in a row on a string, so does the great Ruler survey all the deeds that are done, nay, also all the thoughts of every earth-born man ; and He prizes the qualifi- cations of a man according to whether in this life he raises himself up among his fellow-men, or plunges down into the death-realm of the evil dragon. Therefore is it necessary for man to take care unceasingly, that he acts after the, commands of his God." " Truly," exclaimed Ingram, " that is hard ser- vice; and like servants you live under constraint; but I applaud the man who gives to the super- terrestrials the honour due to them, yet when he has to venture npon anything, asks, above all, whether it will bring him distinction and ad- vantage." " Is it not also an honour to thee, when the wives of thy country-people thank thee for having released them from the mills of the Sorbes, and when thou releasest the innocent children from blows, from hunger, and from ignominious service under the dirty people ? " INGEABAN. 69 Ingram considered. " They are the children of our neighbours on the other side of the moun- tain, and many of them I have perhaps held in my arms, but they are strangers to thee. No year passes in which herds of them are not driven to market into all countries." " Had I gold and silver," exclaimed Gottfried, " I would ransom aU ; and were I a great hero I would save aU." " I well know that you Christians hold to one another like neighbours and friends." " My Father has commanded me to bring back also the heathen women and their children, if we can do so," replied Gottfried. " Then others would become prisoners," inter- posed Ingram. "We are sent into the world that we may announce the commands of the heavenly King, who is so full of mercy that He wishes to give happiness and salvation to every one on man's earth. If ever the time should come when all foUow His commandments, then will no one treat the other like a calf or an ox, but wUl con- sider him as is written : ' After the image of God was man created, and he shall walk upright among the beasts, who with bent heads shall do him service.' " 70 INGRABAN. Ingram was silent for a time. " All the red gold of the dwarf, of which they say that it can never he measured, would not suffice to free all who are ia slavery ; and thou, who art not war- like, and of delicate body — wouldst thou under- take such a work ? " " I am a warrior, only thou dost not observe it," replied Gottfried ; " humble before my Lord, but stronger than thou believest. Forgive me. Lord, if I boast of myself before thee," he added. Ingram measured him with his eyes ; the deli- cate figure of the youth, and the mild expression of the enthusiastic countenance moved his heart, and he said gently, "Much secret knowledge, as Bubbo, the bear-leader, also thinks, has be- come thy portion. I fear thou mightest use it for the advantage or for the injury of others." "To be friendly to every one, and hurtful to no one, is the command of my Lord," replied Gottfried, solemnly. " Such a command may well suit an all-seeing God," interposed Wolfram, who till then had done his best with the deer's flesh and beer, and was stretching himself now contentedly before the fire ; " but on this man's earth it is difficult to travel through the forest with such teaching. INGRABAN. 71 Believe me, stranger, in the country here we hav& also superhuman beings, who have just the same mind of which thou boastest in thy God. Dost thou see the projecting stone on the declivity of the hill ? " he asked, in a low tone : " there dwells a race of good dwarfs, friendly little people ; they have never been known to do evil to any one. But he who on his journey through the forest lays down for them some of his travelling pro- vision has good luck on the road ; and they have nodded at many a one, and offered him dry leaves and nuts ; and these have become at night gold in his travelling-bag. If he whom thou servest is a dwarf, he may possibly be a good one, but there are also bad ones." " There is much that is improper mixed in thy speech, Wolfram," replied the monk; "the Christian God does not bestow leaves and nuts, and he gives no gifts which preserve good fortune in the homes of men." " Yet such protection is given on earth," said Ingram; "I know a man who bestowed upon his family a gift from the Weird Sisters; I know the place where it lies concealed, and I know that it has preserved a blessing to them through many generations." "Oh, do not trust in magic!" admonished 72 INGRABAN. Gottfried, eagerly. "Deceitful is every gift of the evil ones ; they make man proud and insati- able, tiU the day comes when his hopes are shown to be all vaia, and the Lord humbles him in his pride." Ingram laughed. " Every one conceals in his secret heart what gives him courage. We will both, as good companions, refrain from asking where the other conceals his treasure. Dew is falling, and in the morning we ride on a wild path. Take this covering, and wrap it over thy limbs, that they may not become stiff in the night-air of the mountain. Awake me. Wolfram, after midnight." On the following afternoon, the riders saw before them a portion of country without a tree. The stems had lately been cut down, and arranged on the border of the wood as a barricade, for the stumps were yet standing on the green ground, each one surrounded by young shoots and wild shrubs, and all over the ground rose low bushes. When the travellers, one after the other, had penetrated through a small gap in the barricade, they perceived before them several horsemen, who first kindled the alarm signal, from which a high cloud of smoke arose, and then, crying and swinging their weapons, came down upon them INGBABAN. 73 from a gentle eminence — men in long grey coats, woven of hemp, and trimmed with fur, although it was summer-time ; thick fur caps on their heads ; and armed with clubs and curved horns • they had small active bodies, and broad faces with large mustachios, and brown smooth hair. They threatened, and called out wildly. Wolf- ram rode forward, and explained to them in their own tongue : " We are from Thuringia ; we come in peace, — Ingram, the hero, and I, his man ; and the third is Gottfried, a messenger of Herr Winfried." The horsemen then collected together, speak- ing with vehement gestures, till one of them, who wore on his fur cap a bunch of eagle's feathers, — it was Slavnik, called the nightin- gale, because he sang before Ratiz at his drink- ing feasts, — rode up to Ingram, and greeted him politely in the Sorbe language. As the Thurin- gian answered the greeting in the same way, the Sorbe bowed himself in a still more friendly manner, and said, in as high and soft a tone as a maiden, the servant interpreting it, " That he was much rejoiced, but that the travellers must, according to boundary custom, wait for their escort." So they stopped, and the Sorbes closed the barricade behind them. 74 INGRABAN. "They are like children," exclaimed Ingram, " and their rampart is like child's play : a horse would easily go over it." But the Sorbe had understood him, and an- swered in the German tongue, only awkwardly : "I remember a day when the Kaven from the land of Thuringia did not fly over the fence which the iron of the Sorbes closed round him." " Thou art right," answered Ingram, laughing ; "I fell into the fence, and the thorns scratched my body." Both men greeted one another again with the hand. The travellers waited a whole hour ; then there came, as a dark cloud from the height, a great troop of horsemen whirling pell- meU^ on small and fiery horses, on which the riders sat with knees drawn up. On all sides they surrounded the strangers ; the Nightingale gave a signal, and forward they went, trotting quickly along the short grass, — the strangers in the, middle. A wide valley spread before them, studded with single old trees, under which the Sorbe warriors and their horses sought shade in the summer : in the valley there was erected a circular rampart of earth and turf; within it was the round village of straw huts, the roofs of which descended almost to the ground ; it lay there like the encampment of an army host. INGKABAN. 75 Quite in the middle of the village towered a round hill, again crowned by a circular rampart, which enclosed the hall of Eatiz and the huts of his household. His banner floated from a high pole, and waved towards the strangers. With heated face Ingram rode up to Gottfried. " By my head, if I do not bring out uninjured those whom we seek, I will not rest or repose till I see the burning tow on my arrow, and till the arrow is fixed on this mouse's nest." " Do not be angry in this hour, my travelling companion,, but pray that the Lord may be gracious to us." The gate of the village was opened ; the riders galloped through the lanes of the encampment, and over the open space at the foot of the hill. There, by the side of the village pond, squatted a heap of half-naked women and children, with pale faces and tangled hair. Ingram gave spurs to his horse, and galloped out of the troop to the water, but the Sorbe horsemen impeded him with angry mien, seizing their weapons. " Bethink thee, my lord : he who seizes the wares before he has bought them, pays a dear price," said "Wolfram, wamingly, in a low voice. They went on farther, at a quick pace, up the bin. Again the bars of a gate were pushed 76 INGEABAN. back, the horses clattered into the courtyard, and the strangers were led into the haU before Ratiz. The Sclave sat in the midst of his trusty- friends, on a chair with a high back and side- arms, like a Prince ; around him, on stools by the table, were the leaders of his bands ; there were wild faces among them, with deep scars. The Chieftain was a powerful warrior, robust, with a short neck ; his eyes were aslant in his broad face, his beard thin and bristly. The strangers bowed themselves, but Ratiz remained sitting with his retinue, and he moved his head almost imperceptibly. " Ask the Cat," cried out Ingram, angrily, " whether it is the custom of his race to greet strangers thus." The Sorbe signed to a man with long white beard, who was sitting in the circle. He ap- proached the strangers, and began in the German tongue : " My master Ratiz greets the power- ful lords, and makes this enquiry of them. He has been informed that one of them comes from the distant country where the great lord of the Franks sits on a golden chair: if one of these is from this land, let him name himself." The monk, answered: "It is I, Gottfried, the messenger of Wiofried, the Bishop." INGEABAN. 77 The Sclave looked astonished at the youth in unadorned dress. Ratiz, with frowning brow, spoke to his interpreter, who explained, "It appears to my lord that the powers of the Franks have shown him little respect in sending to him a messenger who is so young and so poorly clad." " I am a Christian, vowed to the great God of Heaven ; it would be a sin in me to wear any- thing but this hair dress. I come, although I am young, because my lord confides in me." Again the Sclave spoke eagerly to one of his companions, who disappeared out of the hall. " My lord asks thee," continued the interpreter, "whether thou art one of the wise men, who possess the secret of discovering the thoughts of others by the skin of an animal, and whether thou art one of those who understand the foreign language which they call Latin ? " " It is so," answered Gottfried. On the explanation of the interpreter, the look of anger in the face of the Sorbe changed into one of great astonishment. The messenger came back, bringing a rumpled brown parch- ment. " My master Ratiz finds it difiicult to believe that a youth like thee can have the mastery of such great things; he wishes that 78 INGBABAN. thou shouldst give him a proof of thy skill, and proclaim the thoughts of men which, by those who have the knowledge, are to be discovered on this skin." Gottfried unfolded the parchment. " First, tell us why that which is recorded there is unintelligible to us." " It is Latin," replied Gottfried, " and one must be able to read it." Ratiz thumped his hand on the table, and nodded his head vehemently in confirmation. " Thou hast said right," repeated the man ; " if it pleases thee, explain to us the Latin." Gottfried looked over the scroll of parchment ; it was a torn record of an old King of the Franks, which the Sclaves had perhaps stolen in some plundering expedition. The monk be- gan : " In nomvne Domini sanctos et i/ndividucB trinitatis, Aifnen!' When he bowed himself at the holy words, Ratiz thumped again on the table, and spoke solemnly to his companions, whereupon the old man explained : " My master is contented that thou hast confirmed what he already knows; it is a letter which the great lord of the Franks has written to my lord, one Prince to another, that he disapproves, and will make up for the injustice of his boundary Counts, and that thy lord ofiers friendship to INGEABAN. 79 mine: we knew that this was contained in it, and therefore we rejoice at thy words." Thus did the sly robber brag, in order to deceive his companions. Before Gottfried could recover from his astonishment, Eatiz rose, stepped up to him, stroked him on both cheeks, as if he would kiss him, and ordered the servants to place a chair near his, that the monk might sit down. " My lord greets thee as the envoy of thy lord, and he begs that thou wouldst announce to him the message of the great lord of the Franks." "I have little to say on the errand of my master, Winfried, the Bishop, and this Kttle is perhaps only for the ear of my lord Katiz," replied the monk, cautiously. "Thou speakest wisely, Herr Gottfried; the secrets of thy lord are not for every one's ear ; be satisfied to wait till the time comes." "When the old man ofiered a chair to the monk, Ingram approached the table, muttering, raised an empty stool, and placed it on the ground near to Ratiz, and seated himself Uke- wise. The Sorbes bore this wilfulness silently ; but now Ratiz turned to him, and the inter- preter explained these proud words: "It sur- prises me, Ingraban, that thou placest thyself at my table, uninvited and unbefriended among 80 INGRABAN. my people. Is a seat necessary to thee, because the wounds which have been made by the knives of my warriors are still painful ? " " The scratches are healed, and no one speaks any more of them," replied Ingram. "People do not extol a Host who compels a stranger to bring his own stool." " Thou wast long the enemy of my people ; no one knows what leads thee into our hall, for thou bringest no herds, as I hear, which the Sorbes have enjoined upon thy people as pay- ' ment." " In vain dost thou endeavour to wound me with thy words. Peace is sworn betwixt the Thuringians and thy people, and I come in peace, as the traders come, to barter for the prisoners which thou drovest here after thy last expedition." "Does the man send thee whom they call Winfried the Bishop ? and hast thou bowed thy head, in the hour of need, under the play of their fingers, when they sign the cross ? " "I have not renounced the faith of my fathers ; as travelling companion I led the envoy of the foreign Bishop to thee." The Sorbe made a sign to his companions, who all had it at heart to conclude the bargain INGEABAN. 81 soon, preferring to surrender the prisoners to the Franks, whose hatred and revenge they ■would have less reason to fear, if the spoil was ransomed. "My warriors are not in haste to sell the gains of their chase ; the camp is filled with com and cattle from the Frank villages, and we can easily feed the prisoners till traders come from the south." Then turning to Gott- fried, he continued, "Does the Bishop wish to buy a congregation out of the herds of women and children 1 " " My Father begs of thee as a favour to allow me to see the prisoners, and to greet those who are of our faith." " Do you carry with you what will ransom the prisoners ? It appears to me that your travelling equipage is small." " We think of offering thee what will release the prisoners, according to the custom of the boundary," replied Ingram. " But he who will biiy must first behold the wares ; show us, if it pleases thee, the imprisoned band." The Sorbe reflected and spoke with his table- companions. Then he turned to Gottfried : " Gladly will I give thy master a proof that his message is valuable to me. You shall have liberty to see the prisoners. Go, strangers ; my VOL. IT. 6 82 INGEABAN. old man will conduct you." The envoys bowed, and left the hall ; they heard behind them the noise and laughter of the bench- companions. When out of the door, Weissbart became con- fidential, like one who is free from constraint; he took his fur cap off, bowed himself low, and said persuasively, " When the ravens hunt, the crows also get their portion,; when you, my lords, succeed in delivering the prisoners, I trust you will also bestow something on the little father ; for difficult is my office to speak in two languages, and I may yet do you good service." Gottfried looked uncertainly at his companion. " Is this your custom ? " asked the latter. He loosened from his jacket the silver clasp, the only ornament that he wore. " Take this, father, as a token of good- will, and when Bubbo, the bear- dealer, visits you the next time, then I will send thee a piece of red cloth from the western country." ' The old man held out his hand humbly. '■ Will Herr Ingram assure me of this ? " And when Ingram laid his two fingers on the hilt of his sword, saying, " I swear it to thee," the old man laughed contentedly. "Your word, my lord, passes on the frontier like wares." They walked across the court; at the entrance the old man INGRABAN. 83 called out to some loitering warriors, who im- mediately sprang up and followed the strangers on foot: but he, in order to show his zeal to serve them, commanded them to keep some paces back. They descended from the hill to the village ; there by the pond stood a long house, like a barn — the council-hall of the community. The old man opened the door, and Ingram sprang forward into the dusky room. " Walburg ! " he cried out. Two piteous voices said from a corner, "Here !" There was a movement on the hay, with which the ground was covered, and two blonde boys embraced Ingram's feet, sobbing piteously. " Where is your sister ? " asked Ingram, in a hollow voice. " She has been carried away to Eatiz's house, on the hiU." The man gnashed his teeth, and clenched his fist, but immediately afterwards threw himself on his knees by the children ; he embraced them, and hot tears rolled down on the curly heads of the sobbing ones. But in the middle of the room, the solemn words sounded, "'Come unto me, ye who are weary and heavy-laden,' saith the Lord." Through the open door the rays of light fell on the sweet countenance of the youth, 84 INGEABAN. which shone radiant with sympathy and enthu- siasm, like that of an angel. The women and children who acknowledged the sign of the cross thronged about him ; many fell on their faces sobbing at his feet, others raised the little children up on high, that he might bless theni. The heathen women also listened to his words with bowed heads and folded hands. He spoke the holy words of the Gospel, and prayed with a loud voice ; aU was still in the room, nothing was heard but the sighing of women and the low weeping of children. Then he stepped up to each individual with a greeting, blessed each mother with the Christian blessing, and spoke in a low tone the petition for that which lay most at their hearts. At last the old man came, and with bis hat drawn off, begged urgently, "If it please thee, my lord, follow me, that Herr Ratiz may not be angry with us." Gottfried went to Ingram, and touched him gently on the shoulder. " Where is the woman whom thou seekest ? " "In the hut of the robber," was the almost soundless answer. '' Then let us go, that she also may have the greeting of my God." INGBABAN. 85 With a great effort Ingram rose, and shook oQ" the -weeping boys. Gottfried led these up to- a Christian woman, -^ho was kneeling alone, and said to her, "What thou doest to these thou doest to the Lord ; care for their welfare," But- when he turned to go out, the despairing crowd pressed about him ; they stretched their arms out towards him, laid hold of his dross convulsively, and wished to hold him fast. In vain did the old man order the poor creatures away j he had at last to drive them back with the whip. With rapid steps the men hastened up the hilL " I must speak to the Christian maiden in the house of Ratiz," said Gottfried, firmly, and when the old man shook his head, " Do not hinder me, father ; I am commanded to do it." '' I should risk the anger of my lord," replied the white-headed Sorbe. " I will double thy pay," cried out Ingram hoarsely. "Dost thou think we will steal the woman out of the hut ? " The old man smiled and nodded, and led them along the border of the hill, to where, protected by a rampart, a number of low straw houses stood. "Herr Ratiz has twenty women, and with one of them the foreign woman dwells ; it is possible that in a short time he may build her a 86 INGEABAN. new hut, if she does not make herself disagreeable to him. " Ingram pushed the door open, but his foot hesitated to enter. " Go forward ! " he whispered to the monk. But out of the chamber a deep woman's voice called out to him, " Ingram !" A young woman stepped towards him, and passing the priest, seized the hand of the hesitating one. " My heart told me that I should see thee, for thy heart has been ever true to our house." And when she ob- served his fixed looks, and the sorrow in his face, she exclaimed, " Thou fool ! would I in that case have spoken to thee ? " Then he wished to clasp her in his arms, but she eluded him. " If thou hadst stood beside my father, the willow swathes would not have bound us. And now I see thee before me otherwise than I expected. Where are the spears of thy countrymen, which the wives and children of thy kindred call for? Not me, I mean, for I fear my days are counted ; but I mean the brothers, the crowd of weeping ones who abide on the straw, till the slave traders carry them into foreign countries." " I come with this man to treat about the ran- som," answered Ingram, pointing to the monk. The woman looked with astonishment at the INGRABAN. 87 face of the foreign youth, and when Gottfried raised his hand to make the holy sign, she bent herself slowly down till she knelt on the ground, and spoke the confession of the Christian faith. " Bless me, holy man, and pray for me. Yes, pray for me!" she cried, with a sudden outburst of bitter sorrow, " that I may find mercy, if I do what displeases the Lord. I have prayed and prepared myself, as my brother has taught me.'' Gottfried blessed her. " ' I alone am the Judge,' saith the Lord, 'and vengeance is Mine,'" he said, gently admonishing her. She rose sQently, and turned to Ingram. "Seldom does my keeper leave me; already I hear her quarrelling without with Weissbart. Farewell, Ingram J we both hope for deliverance through thee or me. Thou hast been an honour- able friend ; think of me in the future, and know, that if I have sometimes concealed it, 1 would rather see thee come than go. Wilt thou do me one more service of friendship ? It is toilsome to cleave firewood for the hearth, if there is no knife, the women here have taken everything from me. It is said, that a friend should not give a friend anything that cuts. But do thou give me what thou wilt." Ingram tore his knife out of his girdle, and 88 INGRABAN. gave it her; she concealed it in her dress, and kissed him on the brow, as one kisses a beloved child at parting. He sprang out where the monk was waiting for, himj pushed against Ratiz's woman, whom he did not see, nor heard the abuse which she called out after him. All human speech was to him now like the chirping of birds. Whilst they were going to the hall in the middle of the court, Gottfried touched his arm. " Thou art beside thyself, and dost not hear my words J and yet it is necessary that we should prepare for the purchase. Think thereon, how I may offer the ransom." " By my head," exclaimed Ingram, " all ransom is hateful to me without one thing ; and that is, that I may fight the robber iron against iron." " Yet I hold for 'thee the friendly ransom, the goblet." "Better will the magic of the Christian God work in thy hand than mine," answered Ingram, gloomily ; "for it appears to me that it opens all hearts to thee — that all honour thee more than a warrior." They entered into the hall, and Eatiz called out to them impatiently, "It seems to have been difiieult for you to count the prisoners ; the pole- INGRA.BAN. 89 cat is troublesome in the poultry-yard, now it is necessary for you to buy, if you come in trutb as dealers, and not as spies." "I come as a messenger to thee," replied Gottfried, "as thou knowest; for thou thyself didst beg for a message from my lord, the Bishop, through Meginhard, the priest. And Herr Win- fried said, as I departed : It does not become me to bargain for the ransom as a trader with the Hero Eatiz. But I will offer him a King's gift in exchange fRr the prisoners of his last expedition, and my -good will, if he desires it, in return for his — gift and counter-gift in friendly exchange. And Hero Ingram shall be the mes- senger of the gift." Gottfried drew the case out of his white dress, and loosened the cover. Ingram had gradually taken an interest in the conversation ; now he approached the monk, and said quickly, " Do not give it out of thy hand : he who sells the bird must hold him fast, that he may not fly away." He seized the goblet, and held it up to the Sorbe. " See how this splendid piece from a King's treasury will look by thy mead-cup." The Sorbe could not restrain a loud expression of pleasure, when he saw the shining metal and the figures; his companions also thronged round the goblet, head to head. 90 ' INGEABAN. humming in one another's ears and laughing at the little figures upon it. "Worthy of honour is Winfried, the Bishop, for sending me such a gift!" exclaimed Katiz ; "allow me, Herr Ingram, to try how heavy it is." "My hand remains upon it, Sorhe," said Ingram ; " the goblet is still mine." " It is still thine," repeated Katiz, reflectively, waving his hand. He called the interpreter with the white beard. The latter took off his hat respectfully before the goblet, inspected it under Ingram's hand, and touched it with his moist tongue inside and out, took his knife out, made an incision on the edge and examined the scratch ; then he spoke in a low tone to his master. " And this is the condition for the gift of the Bishop," continued Ingram: "thou must give into our hands, uninjured, Walburg, the daughter of Willihalm, the Frank whom thou didst slay, with her two brothers ; also, the other prisoners of your last raid, from the eldest to the youngest ; besides, Goldfeder, Willihalm's horse, and two oxen as travelling food for the released." At the name of Walburg the Sorbe started, yet he controlled his displeasure, looked search- ingly at his companions, and said, " Very rare is the silver from the King's treasury which you INGRABAN. 91 have shown us, but it is only gold inside. If it pleases you, ye Franks, leave the hall for a short time, that we may take counsel quietly." Gottfried remarked that he looked coldly on the goblet, which Ingram held up high in the sight of the Sorbe. The Thuringians replaced the goblet in the case, and the messengers went out. " Now they are devising some fraud," said Ingram. "They are afraid of my lord Wiofried," replied the monk, quietly. "I applaud thee for having asked for the cattle, for it would be diffi- cult to feed thirty-one persons among the moun- tains ; but why didst thou demand the horse ? " "Thou askest, truly, as an unwarlike man. Dost thou hope that "Willihalm will find rest in the grave that thou hast scooped out for him, if a Sorbe rides on his own horse : must he wander on foot over the cloud-path, and when the heroes ride in the night, run behind them like a soldier's boy?" Gottfried crossed himself. " In the Christian's heaven there is no need of a horse's spirit." " He was a warrior, if he was also a Christian," replied "Ingram, proudly. "But what does the Sclave want from the favour of the Bishop ? " " Perhaps he wishes to become the boundary 92 INGEABAN. Count of Franconia, and to build his castle over the Sorbe village," replied Gottfried, laughing. Ingram uttered a curse. "And thou wouldst like to help him to that ? " " Thou knowest that he has slain and plundered Christians," answ^ered Gottfried. In the haU there was a long consultation, and vehement quarrelling among the men. At last Weissbart iuvited the strangers to re-enter. Again Ingram raised the goblet, but the Sorbe turned his looks avray. Ratiz began : " Dispro- portionate are the gifts which you demand for your Bishop ; but my nobles will return gift for gift, without valuing them much. You shall take the prisoners who are not yet apportioned, and besides, a three-year-old px from good pasture. Only two things we refuse you — Walburg, and Goldfeder, the cream-coloured horse. The maiden is a gift of honour of my people to me ; and the horse is in the stall of the Hero Slavnik, who is next to me in honours and battle fame. You have chosen your present, and we offer ours as we choose." " Herr Winfried has buried with his own hands the body of the Frank Willihalm, and vowed upon his grave to take care of the children," answered Gottfried : " bethink thee, my lord ; thou wouldst INGRABAN. 93 noi sliow him a friendly feeling, if thou didst keep back a Christian woman." " It was only on account of the woman that I took the goblet from the stranger, and consented to conduct the messenger ; and above all I seek the woman from. thee," exclaimed Ingram, angrily. "Therefore thou hast penetrated into the house of my women," replied the Sorbe, suspiciously. "Listen to my last words: the boys I will send to the Bishop ; the woman remains mine. If thou opposest the exchange, then take thyself away with the goblet; too long hast thou tarried in our encampment ; and take care that thou carriest it homewards in good preservation. Thou art come without escort, and without escort thou must depart." "Dost thou think of a secret attack in the forest ? Do the Sorbes fear a fight on the open field ? " cried out Ingram. " Here I stand, thou crafty man, and offer to fight for the woman against each of thy warriors — nay, against two. Place against Ingraban and the Raven two of the best warriors on the strongest Sorbe horses, and the Gods will decide the victory." On this challenge the Sorbe warriors sprang from their benches, and their cries sounded through the hall, but the Chieftain compelled 94 INGKABAN. them, by a movement of his hand, to return to their seats, and replied, " Many extol the strength of thine arm, but I cannot quite applaud the sense of thy speech. Foolish were I to send my warriors on to the iighting-field, in order to gain what I have already won by spear and horse. And little honour would it be to my heroes to fight in the ring for a cowering slave. Another fight I ofier thee, which is better suited to peace. I hear that thou art well versed in the drinking- cup, as beseems a man ; to me also it is not easy to find an opponent with the drinking-mug. Come, let us try our strength : thou pledgest thy horse the Raven, and I the Frank woman ; the conqueror shall receive both. That appears to me good counsel." Loud cries of approbation sounded round the table ; only Ingram stood confounded. " The horse belongs to the man like the sword, and unfriendly would some day be the greeting of my ancestors if I delivered the care of my horse into a Sorbe village. That I much fear; yet I will pledge to thee two steeds of the race_ of the Raven, of five and four years old, nobler than any of thy horses. Only my battle-horse, which has been my best friend, when no arm of man helped me, do I keep back from thee," INGRABAN. 95 " Unknown are the prizes which thou ofFerest me, and far is the way to thy stalls. The Raven and the prisoner are both here in the courtyard ; that is a just wager." Ingram stood in vehement struggle. " Come on ; by the Weird Sisters of my race, bring hither the cups, and the struggle shall begin." Again the joyful noise of the Sorbes resounded ; it sounded in Gottfried's ear like the cry of devils. " Wicked is the game of the cups for a human life," he cried out, interposing. Ratiz nodded politely, waving him away. But Ingram replied, ill-temperedly, " Little luck has the silver of thy Bishop brought me ; away from me, that I may pray to my God whether he wiU help me." The old man brought a large jug of mead, and two cups, both alike, made of maple wood. He showed the filled jug and the empty cups to the antagonists ; who looked earnestly in, and ex- amined the vessels. After that, Weissbart filled one cup up to the line which marked the brim, poured the mead from the first into the second, in order to show the size, and placed two similar stools without backs at the table. The Heroes seized the cups, and turned themselves back 96 INGRABAN. towards the region of the heavens, before which they prayed to the Gods, and murmured in a low voice the fortuine-bringing song. Then they loosened their weapons from their hips ; the Sclave gave his curved sword to a comrade, but Ingram exclaimed, "I am alone in a foreign country; ask, old man, whether there is one among the Sorbe warriors who would be a trusty sword-bearer to me till the end of the struggle." Gottfried made a movement, but Ingram mo- tioned him away with his hand ; and the monk drew back, with heightened colour. Then a young Sorbe warrior of proud aspect rose. Ingram looked in his face, and said, "We have seen each other truly on bloody fields. Hero Miros." The warrior vowed to be a true sword- guardian, and placed himself on one side, behind Ingram, holding the sword. The antagonists set themselves down upon their chairs ; quiet were their movements, and measured their bearing ; for any one who had his mind excited was in danger in this game. Weissbart cried aloud, "Except those who sit on the fighting-chairs, let every one be silent, that his speech may not confuse the minds of the drinkers. But it befits the Chiefs in their fighting- talk to remember that every INORAJiAN. 97 wound which their tongue makes must be borne with patience the following morning. After that the interpreter seated himself on a low stool between the two, and repeated what each one said skilfully in the language of the other. So soft and dexterous was the interpreted talk, that it sounded like a song betwixt the hard words of the antagonists. Ratiz first took his cup, raised it, and said : " I, Ratiz, son of Kadun, a Chief among the Sorbes, raise my cup of mead in equal combat." From the other side there sounded back : " I, Ingram, son of Ingbert, a free Thuringian, pledge myself" Both emptied the cups, and then placed them down forcibly on the table. The old man filled them again, bowing low before each of the Chiefs. Again Ratiz began : " Black is the bird, after which, as I hear, thou art called ; but white is the eagle which soars over the tents of my warriois, I saw a roe lying by the spring in the wood, and an eagle was feeding on it with strong claws ; but in the circle around a host of ravens croaked and watched for the remains." Ingram answered: "The Hero's name v/aa devised for him by his dear parents, and un- willingly does he hear it reviled. I know not VOL. II. 7 98 INGEABAN, how to indicate thine, for I have seldom enquired about thy family, yet I advise thee to avoid the use of it among my people, for it sounds to us like a rat, the thievish animal behind the flour-sack." "You do not understand the words of the Sorbe warriors, but their blows you have often felt." " Five coats- of-mail with linen, and five curved swords, the booty of the battle-field, I count on the walls of my hall : dost thou think that thy warriors would willingly offer them without a blow?" "Many a one sneaks, spying by moonlight, over the field of battle ; coming behind wolves, he seeks for booty, and, pale and trembling, can-ies off to his chimney-side the possessions of slain heroes," replied Katiz. " If it is painful to thee to count the fallen whom my sword has left on the turf, yet thou mayest count the wounds of those who live. More than one of thy warriors boasts of the scars for which he has to thank me." " They have aU reason to praise thy sword," said Ratiz, mockingly, "for the scratches are easily healed, and they laugh at the scars." " Speedy runners are lightly hit by the stroke of the sword ; only he who himself gives strong INGRABAN. 99 blows receives the like guest-present," replied Ingram. " Thou speakest well, Hero," cried Ratiz, " for thou thyself concealest near thy heart the guest- present with which Sorbe swords have struck thee." He made a sign; they drank, and cast down the cups. Again the old man refilled them, and Ratiz began more politely, "It is in vain to irritate thee. Hero, by hard words. The mead-cup is now filled, and it is time for friendly speech. Let us declare what to each is dearest on earth. What pleases me above all is a Chieftain's seat on the hiU, the huts of warriors round me, and before me, as far as my eyes can reach, cattle- pastures which my sword has won." "What the sword has won the sword may lose; farther than the herds of cattle wander and the boundary-marks project, reaches the fame of a valiant man," replied Ingram. "He gains fame who gains land," exclaimed Eatiz. "He gains fame also who defends his home against foreign invaders," answered Ingram. "Unequal is our lot. I stand on the inheri- tance of my fathers, but thou occupiest thyself with stolen land." 100 INGRABAlir. "Higher do I esteem the wild bull, which roams with his herd over the earth, than the yoked cow in the pen," cried out Ratiz. "Long as the memory of the wise have my race sat on a free inheritance. But thou earnest from the East, from a foreign land, and no one knows from whence." "My people know it," replied the Sorbe, proudly ; " yet I do not blame thy pride, for thy name is weU known to friend and foe. If it pleases thee, Hero, tell us the adventures which thou hast gone through." He begged this in order to awaken in the other the desire to talk. But Ingram avoided the temptation, and re- plied, "What I have passed through thou knowest as well as I ; for my young life was fixed always in my home, and if I have gained fame amongst my people, it was only in fight with thee, because I stood firm by my friends, and against thee as an honourable enemy." Again the old man filled the cups. "Often have my warriors extolled," began Ratiz, mockingly, " thy first booty expedition in the forest, when thou, like a fox, didst sneak in the wood after honeycombs. Thou didst hear the bears, and didst creep up into the branches ; the bears feasted below on the honey, but the bees INGRABAN. 101 stung thee where thou didst sit ; and still wouldst thou be hanging, stung by the spears of the bees, on the branches, if Bubbo, the forest-man, had not released thee." " On that account the skins of the bears lie now on my hearth/' replied Ingram, laughing. "How did thy hero expedition prosper with thee, Ratiz, when thou didst go out wooing, in order to gain a woman of Thuringia ? The village boys fell upon the place in which thou didst encamp, and when they searched through the huts with their swords, thy troop fled, but thou didst conceal thyself, pressed into the knead- ing-trough which the woman cast over thee, and the dough hung in thy beard, as thou didst run away without thy sword. Gladly do our maidens tell by our hearth of thy hard bed under the hoUow wood." Eatiz laid hold of his cup gloomily, and stamped it on the table. "More useful to me was the successful escape than the fruitless search to thy companions." In silence for a time he repressed his anger, then called out scorn- fully, " Hear, then, what Wila, the Weird Sister of the Sorbes, once sang to me." And he began to sing : " ' All will be prosperous with thee on the field and at the drinking-cup, but thou shalt 102 INGEABAN. have the greatest pleasure when a foreign un- armed giant shall come into thy encampment. Rude will be his words and demeanour ; he will come as a poor starving wretch, uninvited, and he will beg of thee a woman for his hearth-seat- Yet thou shalt receive him well, and invite him politely to the drinking-cup ; but small is his skuU — he cannot carry anything strong. When thou hast intoxicated him with mead, bind his legs cleverly with ropes, shave the hair from his head, and place him before the door of the hall, that the women may laugh at him and the children throw dirt upon him. ' " Ingram replied angrily, "But I heard a tradition related of Tom Thumb, the famous Hero, whom they called Cockscomb. He hollowed with his own hands his Castle in the sand-heaps, and covered the strong place with straw which he pilfered from the threshing-floor. He looked from his halls over the molehills, and boasted, 'All is mine, as far as my eye reaches ; no more stately Hero do I know upon earth ; only one thing is wanting for my happiness : I will send a messenger to the Court of the King, that I may become Duke over the moles and mice of the fields.' Then came a peasant, and with a hard foot inadvertently crushed the Castle and INGR.VBAN. 103 Hero. Tom Thumb fled into a rat-hole, wringing his hands with sorrow." The Sorbe put his hand to his sword side, and groped eagerly about, but he could not find the weapon ; and~ Ingram laughed aloud at the vain search. Again and again the old man filled the cups. The eyes of Ratiz began to swim, and his hand became unsteady when he laid hold of the cup. He observed his danger, and thought slyly of something that would annoy his opponent. " We sit merrily here in a fight of tongues, but the mead will be more pleasantly sipped if we behold with our eyes the woman who wiU be the prize of the conqueror. Bring the Frank woman here, that we may enjoy the sight of her." Two of his comrades sprang up, and hastened to the door. Ineram struck his hand on the table. " XJn- fairly dost thou disturb the game ; for it will be sorrowful to me to behold the daughter of a worthy man as a slave among strangers." " But if thou wUt deliver her, thou powerful drinker, and hast strength, show it now. Do not put the willow swathes round her hands, that the guest may see her without vexation of soul." Ingram looked gloomily down, and his head became heavy. The men came up, leading the 104 INGEABAN. maiden into the silent hall. Walburg remained standing at the door, and her countenance clouded when she looked upon Ingram — on the drinkers, and the two cups. " Draw near, child of the Frank,'' began Ratiz, " for the quarrel is about thee ; the Gods are to decide, without the sword-fight of the Heroes. In maple wood will we decide thy lot, whether thou goest home with the Hero Ingram, or whether I build a hut for thee, and spread a bed for thee and me, as I hope." The maiden turned agitated to the Thuringian. "] have chosen a better helper for myself; deliverance through the drinking-cup would be disgraceful to me. Do not think, Ingram, of gaining a wife through mead: practise thy heathen customs for the Sorbe maidens, not for me." She turned her back to him, stepped into the corner in which Gottfried sat, knelt down by his side, and concealed her face in her hands. A hot flush rose in the face of Ingram, when the woman turned contemptuously from him; he observed indistinctly the mocking laugh of the Sclaves; he rose from his chair, and cried out with an outbreak of anger, "False was the game, and cursed be the cup with which I have been drinking ! " He hurled the cup on to the ground. INGRABA.N. 105 and at the same moment he himself fell heavily down. A wild cry of jubilee resounded through the hall from the Sorbes ; his seconder, who held his sword, approached him, and exclaimed, " Caixy him under my roof, that I may show him my faithfulness, and guard him with his weapon." But Ratiz rose victorious, in drunken mood, and stepped up to the maiden. " Thou art mine ; thy round cheeks are doubly won, and mine thou shalt remain; do not think of delaying our marriage. Lead her to the huts, and invite the minstrel, that he may play the bridal song." Straight before him rose the maiden from her knees ; pale was her countenance, and hard the look which she cast upon the Chieftain. " No one could save thee from my hand," she exclaimed. " Thou monster ! thou hast killed the father, and now wilt bring dishonour on the daughter. Thank thy good fortune that a holy man is standing near me. Thou praisest my smooth cheeks ; see here whether they will please thee." Quick as lightning she drew the knife out of her dress, held it towards him, so that he drew back, cut herself with the steel— a gaping wound on her cheek, so that her blood streamed down, and again raised the steel against herself Then Gottfried sprang forward, and tore the weapon 106 INGRABAN. from her. Eatiz gave vent to a loud oath, and caught hold of the mead-cup to throw it against the woman ; but he also tottered and fell to the ground, overpowered with drink and rage. The Sorbes collected round their Chieftain, and Gott- fried led, with the help of Weissbart, the wounded maiden to her hut : there he endeavoured to stop the flowing blood, and with the assistance of the Sorbe women, to bind the gaping wound. Late on the following morning Ingram was sitting in the hut of Miros, his head resting on his hand, and his thoughts in wild confusion. On his lap he held the sword which his guest- friend had put back again into his hand. Miros stood before him, telling him of the last result of the drinking-bout, and of the wound of the woman. " She would have cut the threads of her life, for her mind was excited, when the foreign mes- senger dragged the knife from her. Useless was the trouble : the knife would have been more glorious for her than the club of Ratiz." Ingram started, and grasped his sword. " What wouldst Ihou do, if an imprisoned woman threatened thee with a knife ? " asked Miros. Ingram nodded his head, assentingly. " If she were dead by a glorious deed, accomplished INGEABAN. 107 by herself, and if Ratiz were slain by my sword, then I should become free, and laugh," he mur- mured. " But now I am oppressed by the magic which the impious Christian men, by their song and by their silver, have thrown upon my path. Therefore did the God, who rules powerfully over the drinking-horn, refuse me his help. He also was defied by the miracles of the giants, and he had to fight an inglorious fight. My life is in- sufferable to me, and I care little to return home." "Remain with us," advised the Sorbe, sympa- thizingly, " and accustom thyself to our practices ; then Herr Ratiz will build thee a hut, and if thou still desirest the woman with the torn cheek, it is possible that he may give her to thee, that she may turn thy millstone." Ingram laughed. " Could you forget that I have slain your warriors ? and would my sword spring out of its scabbard, if it hung next to a Sorbe club ? How can there be peace betwixt thee and me ? No, Miros ; the Weird Sisters advise me otherwise. And dost thou think that he wUl kiU her ? " " How can he do otherwise ? " " Then tell him that I challenge him to a fight on the heath betwixt your boundary and ours, in six days from now." 108 INGEABAN. "Give him such a message thyself, if thou desirest to depart from the light of day ; thou also art in his hands, and if he releases thee, he knows that a deadly enemy rides ,free from him. Think above all of thine own safety !" " Thou speakest sensibly. I wiU go peaceably from you, or not at all. The Gods may cast for me. In the art of drinking thy lord is powerful, as I see ; let him try whether he understands the game of the dice — his fate against mine. Go, my Host, and carry him a message, which he must accept or not as he pleases. Once more let us measure ourselves in peaceful fight, for all or nothing — as the dice fall guided by our hands ; let him stake on the game, the woman and my horse that he yesterday won, and I " "And thou?" " Myself, whether I ride freely away, or remain here his prisoner till good treasure may be col- lected, which will deliver me according to the custom of the boundary." The Sorbe stepped back ; he opened his shirt and pointed to a scar. " Thou knowest who gave me this blow; think of it. Hero; it would be inglorious to me to say that a servant gave the wound." Ingram held out his hand to him. " Yet go, INGEABAN. 109 foreigner ; I am deeply ensnared, and mine hour is come, when I must ask the high powers whether they will preserve or destroy me." The Sorbe went out' reluctantly ; Ingram laid his head on the table. " Since the stranger dragged up the miUstone from under the tree, good fortune has left me, and the blessing which my ancestors left behind has lost its power. She has turned angrily away from me; but I will try whether I have still the power to win her by my conjuration, or I will partake her lot." Outside sounded the tread of armed men. Ratiz entered, accompanied by a portion of his warriors.. His eyes were still sunk in his head, and his voice was hoarse, as he said, "Thou comest as an eager gambler. The first fight I proposed ; the second thou ofiFerest. Truly thou esteemest thyself highly : I would rather have the woman and the horse than thee, and unwil- lingly do I consent to thy wishes. But my warriors demand that I shall not reject thy game. Thy stake is the horse and woman for thee, or thou for me, one die and one throw." " The woman and horse, both uninjured, on the spot for me, or my ransom for thee, as thy warriors may honourably value it," replied Ingram. 110 INGEABAN. " We shall honour thee as a warrior, when thou art valued for me," assented the Chieftain. " We will both of us make the vow." The men laid hold of their swords, and spoke the oath. " Hast thou a man,'' continued Ratiz, " whose dice thou canst trust, as I trust him ? if so, name him." " My Host Miros," answered Ingram. Miros stepped into a corner of the hut, fetched a die out of a chest, and placed it on the table, and a wooden cup beside it. " Honourable is the die, and honourable is the game," said Miros, "and let every one who stands here swear to the conqueror that it shall be faithfully fulfilled." The men took the oath ; the contending parties stepped on one side, and spoke in a low tone their charm. " Let him who has demanded the game have the first throw," commanded Miros. He laid the die in the cup, and offered it to Ingram. The countenance of the Thuringian was pale, and equally so that of Ratiz. There was stillness in the hut, and all fixed their eyes on the table. Ingram shook the cup, and threw. "Five," called out Miros. " A good throw ! " said Ratiz. He took the cup, shook it, and threw. " Six," called out Miros. A yelling cry of victory resounded in INGEABAN. Ill the hut, and far over the valley; all stepped back from Ingram. He stood for a moment with bent head, then he loosened his sword, and threw it on the ground. Eatiz laid his hand on him. "Thou art my servant. Fetch the willow swathes, and bind his hands." Before the hut of Ratiz in which Walburg was lying, sat the monk; in front of him wild fellows bustled about with horses which they had brought from the stalls, and distinguished Sorbe warriors hastened singly or in small bands to the hall of the Chieftain. But the monk looked indifferently on the strange proceeding of these warriors ; he had watched during the night before the hut; sometimes he had entered, and had awoke the Sclave woman who lay beside the bed of the wounded one, that she might clean the wounds with cold water; or he had handed drink to the feverish one, and prayed in a low tone by her head. Now his exhausted body trembled in the warm morning sun, but his thoughts flew incessantly to the Christian maiden in the hut. For the first time in his life he had to take care of a woman ; and he felt a rapturous joy, smiled to himself, and then again looked seriously and humbly up on high. Close by he heard the clang of iron, and rapid 112 ingraban. footsteps. Ratiz stood before him, with his followers in arms, prepared for an expedit.on; among the warriors, was Ingram, without weapons and with bent head, his arms bound by strong swathes to his back. Ratiz pointed up to the sun. " Far is thy way, young messenger, and thy appearance is repugnant to my people. The game which began in my hall is ended. The Gods have granted me victory and glory. Yet wiU I adhere to what I offered thee yesterday, if thou wilt report well of me to thy Bishop. Give me the silver, and take the prisoners." " Wilt thou now hear the answer of the Bishop to thy question ? " " Speak," answered Ratiz ; " I and my nobles listen to thee." "Thou desirest to send envoys to the West country, to the court of the Hero Karl, and thou desirest that my lord, the Bishop, should obtain for them a safe conduct and a becoming reception by the Frank ruler. If I have told thy wishes correctly, confirm it to me before these." "Every day has its own cares," replied the Sorbe ; " for many months I have not thought on the mission ; my warriors do not fear the power of the Franks.^ Where are their armies ? — we do not see them." INGBABAN. 113 "If thou hast changed thy mind, I am dis- pensed from further speech." He stepped aside, but Ratiz began, again return- ing to the subject, " Thou -weighest thy words in a sharp balance, stranger ; it is still possible that it may please me to send messengers, but perhaps not." Gottfried was silent. "Will the man whom they call Winfried be surety to me that my warriors shall find a friendly reception at the court of the Frank Ruler, and the performance of their demands ? " " No," replied Gottfried, emphatically. " My master does not know thy demands, how then can he be intercessor ? To grant and to refuse rests alone with Prince Karl ; he can only help thy messengers to obtain the ear of the Prince, and whether he can help to do this rests with thee. On his way he saw burning houses and slain Christians." " Thou art a stranger, and unacquainted with border customs," answered the Sorbe, with a look askance ; "we only exercise necessary self-defence and reprisals. Some of our warriors also lie slain, and the outrages of the Franks are insup- portable." ^ "Thou complainest of the injuries of the VOL. II. 8 114 INGEABAN. Franks ; the Franks also complain of thine : the great God of heaven alone knows which has committed the greatest outrages- But now thou seekest the ear of the Frank Prince. How can Herr Karl judge other\nse than his people ? And thou seekest the good opinion of a Bishop of Christ, but Christ sees the injury that is done to the confessors of His faith. I cannot go, Chieftain, without the woman in the hut, and without my companion, whom I see swordless and bound," " He was thy companion ; now he is my own servant. It was his own doing : the madman played away his horse and his sword, and in bonds he now awaits the fate that we destine for him." A low sigh was heard from Ingram — the sound passed trembling into the morning air ; but from the hut was heard the loud cry of a woman. Ratiz said commandingly to the bound man, " Speak, servant, that the man who sent thee may not on thy account go from our agreement.'' Ingram turned away, but he bent his head assentingly. " Care for him and the woman lies on my soul," exclaimed Gottfried : " how shall I appear before the face of him who sent me to thee, if I do not bring them to him ? " " Have I not before this released one of INGRABAN. 115 thy Bishop's men without ransom ? " retorted Ratiz, angrily, " and thou also standest uninjured before me. Dost thou not know, thou fool, if I raise my hand, my warriors will spring upon thee and peel thy shorn head with their knives ?" " My fate does not rest in thy hand, but in the hand of my God," replied Gottfried, boldly. "Do what thou darest ; bind me, kill me, if thy savage mind incites thee to do so ; but I do not leave this height willingly without the prisoners." Ratiz gave vent to a curse, and stamped his foot. " Then my warriors shall take thee to my boundary fence and throw thee over, thou stiff- necked fool," " Let them go free, and keep me back as thy servant or thy victim, as thou wilt." "Foolish would be the exchange, — a young woman and a warrior for thee, who art neither man nor woman." Gottfried turned pale, but accustomed by strong discipline to control himself, he answered, " Dost thou despise the messenger ? yet hear for thine own sake the message. The victorious Frank Prince, with a great army of his people, is drawing near against his enemies ; he is already encamped not far from the Werra; he has sent a new Count into the land of Thuringia to guard 116 INGRABAN. the frontier. If in truth thou seekest reconcili- ation and peace with the Frank Prince, thou must hastien to send thy envoys to his camp." Ratiz stood confounded, and spoke eagerly to Weissfoart, "who had interpreted the quick ques- tions of the Sorbe and the answers of the monk. As Ratiz stepped aside, and communed with his warriors in a low tone, Gottfried approached Ingram. "Why art thou angry with me, poor man ? Turn not thyself away from me, for my intentions are faithful." Ingram looked gloomily at him, but his voice sounded soft as he answered, "Thou hast brought me misfortune ; thou hast excited an angry spirit in me. I do not desire thy help ; and all that thou endeavourest to do for me is fruitless. Re- lease the woman, and tell her, if thou wilt, that I would rather have released her myself. Never canst thou alter my fate. I have, like a madman, delivered myself to a faithless people; for the look of the Sorbe and the joy of his followers foretells evil to me. See to it that thou send me my man, WoMram, for they are preparing to value me ; that I may instruct him, before your departure, if they deal honestly by me. And if they behave as miscreants^ still tell the woman and my Mends at home that the swathes of the INGEABAN. 117 Sorbes will only bind me as long as I choose. Before they compel me to servants' work, I will win a bloody token on head or breast, in order that I may soar upwards and my ancestors may acknowledge me. But do thou wander on thy path away from me; I can well seek mine alone." The monk stepped back ; tears flowed from his eyes, as he said within himself, "Forgive him. Lord, and have mercy on him ! " The council of the Sorbes came to an end. Ratiz spoke with dark mien to Gottfried. " In order that thy master may know that my warriors are high-minded, take the woman with the torn cheek with thee on thy way. Thou hast great reason, youth, to praise my good disposition; ride away with the prisoners, and leave the Bishop's cup behind. Speak no further word!" he continued, with an outbreak of anger; "I pay a dear gift for thy j ourney. Go away, and tell thy Bishop I expect like faith from him when my messengers come to him. He turned away with a proud greeting, and gave a sign to his followers. Weissbart and Miros remained behind, the others collected round Ingram. Without looking round him, the latter turned his back to the hut, and the monk looked after him, till his tall figure dis- appeared into the hall among the Sorbe warriors. 118 . INGEABAN. IV. THE RETURN HOME. A WEAPONLESS host moved slowly along the border-path which led to the forest mountains. Foremost went a slender boy, carrying a wooden cross, which he had put together with two sticks ; behind him Gottfried led the troops of children. The golden hair of the little ones fluttered in the morning air; barefooted they stepped forward, with rosy cheeks, and eyes blue as the sky. The larks flew over them, and by their side the bees and butterflies flitted; all the wayside flowers and grasses of the valley rose and bent their heads in the. wind, incessantly greeting them. Behind the children came the women, followers of the cross, half-naked flgures, with heads bowed down and worn faces; many of them bore on their shoul- ders a little child. In the middle of them was Wal- burg, sitting on the Priest's horse, her countenance thickly veiled. The monk began a Latin hymn. INGRABAN. 119 the song sounded solemnly in the wild country, the women and children pressed on closer, and sang every strophe, at the end bowing deeply at the holy Kyrie Eleison, for they could not do more > but it came from moved hearts, and they often wrung their folded hands. Behind the Christians came unwillingly the cow, the treasure of the band, which Miros had compassionately given to them on their departure. The animal sepa- rated the Christians from the heathens, and with it ran the heathen women and children ; one of them, Gertrude — a maiden with high tucked- up skirt, — held the cord on the left side of the cow, and carried the stick. But the heathen children did not remain on the path, but ran wildly about, seeking for roots in the meadows, and berries and mushrooms in the woods. Last of all came Wol- fram, riding, who had left the encampment of Ratiz later than the others; he frightened the loiterers onward, and trotted by the side of the train up to the heights, in order to make a survey. " I praise thy skill in keeping these barefooted people together," he began to the monk; "thou wilt still have need of it. Three days thou wilt have to travel at children's pace through the mountain wilderness, and when thou eomest to 120 INGRABAK. the first houses of the country people, thou wilt fimd a cold reception." " I trust in thy help," replied Gottfried, look- ing at the good-humoured face. Wolfram cleared his throat. " There is one left behind me ; and the skin is nearer to me than the shirt." " WUt thou go back to the Sorbes, and leave these behind in the forest ? " asked Gottfried, terrified. The man did not answer the question. " He was always rash and incautious," he said, "and yet there was no one that could conquer him at the mead-jug ; he fell unsuspiciously to a deceiver. The cup of Ratiz has a secret ; the Sorbes were telling it by the fireside, and laughing. When the juggler presses his finger on the cup, the mead runs into a hollow, and when the cup-bearer presses it again, the concealed drink runs back into the cup. The one drinks only the half, the other the whole. These dirty dwarfs are ftill of tricks, and by tricks they have overpowered him. Lost by the cup, lost by the dice, and bound with swathes, — that is too much for him. He must strike many a blow before he can recover his pride ; therefore I will go to him. As he played, I will play also,, to deliver him or to follow him ; INGBABAJT. 121 for it is a saying with us — ' As with the master so with the servant.' " Gottfried exchanged a look of understanding with him. " Solve for me one doubt : if thou succeedest in delivering the unfortunate one from his bonds, art thou sure that he will willingly take to flight? He himself by his own free-will renounced his freedom ; he spoke of a valuation which was to deliver him, and yet I saw he looked like one who despairs of his fate." " My master keeps his faith like few in the country," answered Wolfram, " but when he can escape he will not delay. Dost thou not know ? — have the Sorbes concealed it from thee ? When they held council in the hall, they passed a shameful judgment upon him; for it is said that at their approaching high feast they are to place him on the sacrificial stone as an offering in honour of their God. Miserable hounds ! " he exclaimed, angrily; "' whoever heard that one who had played himself into servitude should be destroyed by the knife of the sacrificer ?" " What thou teUest me is horrible," exclaimed Gottfried, shuddering. "Thou speakest of it as it deserves," said Wolfram, approvingly, and pleased with the , 122 INGEABAN. anger of the monk. "He who gives himself up because he has lost his game, redeems himself from the man who has power over him by cattle 'and horses, when he can procure them ; and it is an honour to the victor to value him low. My master is no prisoner of war; it is only to such that the stroke of the sacrificial knife is befitting, when the Gods demand the sacrifice of a man." As Gottfried, speechless, wrung his hands, Wolfram continued, appeasingly : " Be calm ; my master will frustrate their hopes; he himself shall receive his knife again, to use against whom- soever he will. And therefore, stranger, I wUl leave you, for I observe the Sorbe spies no longer follow in our track. If thou art ignorant of the way, as I fear, the cow-driver Gertrude will advise thee ; she is from our side of the forest, and knows her way about the mountains, if I point out to her the next few hours' journey." "Tell me one thing, Wolfram. The Sorbes keep good watch; no one who is larger than a weasel can climb up the hiH without their spying him. How dost thou think of penetrat- ing alone through the entrenchment ? " "Thou askest too much at a time," replied Wolfram, slyly ; " ask cautiously, that I may INGRABAN. 123 answer thee. I am not without assistance. The place where Ratiz is encamped was once an enclosure of my people, which they call the village of the wild boar. The robbers have slain many of the settlers, others are still there in servitude ; to more than one it is insufferable to have to currycomb the horses of a Sorbe master ; and I have acquaintance with them. Thou praisest the watch of the Sorbes : I fear only their dogs, the rough barkers ; but I carry with me what will stop their howling." " But Ratiz and his warriors on the height ? " Wolfram pressed his horse nearer to the monk. " Hast thou not observed, what a chUd might see, that the Sorbes are preparing for a new booty expedition ? He has sold thee the prisoners before the dealers have come up, although these have the scent of a robbery, as the vulture has of the battle-field. That they may not come use- lessly, he is going to make a new capture from the Frank villages in the south, or wherever else his spies may advise." Gottfried called out indignantly, " And at the same time he desires peace with the Frank Prince ! " "Perhaps he thinks that the peace will be more valuable, the more he makes himself dreaded. 124 INGKABAN. Canst thou compel the cat to avoid the mouse ?" replied Wolfram. "But thou," began Gottfried, after a time, " hast not bethought thee of what thou art pre- paring here for these. If, as is incredible, thou succeedest in delivering thy lord, then the fierce Sorbe will fetch back the women ; broad is our track, and slow our passage." " Thou also, the Christian man, wouldst not be too small for the feast of their Gods," answered Wolfram, reflectively, casting a look of compas- sion on the children. " Undoubtedly haste can save ; if danger threatens you from behind, it will not be before sunset to-morrow." He looked at Gottfried suspiciously. " Our elders say that the Christian Priests understand many secret arts ; perhaps it wiU please thee to take away the strength of the Sorbe horses, or to raise a delusive appearance to confuse the track to the spies." " No man on earth can do that — only the Chris- tian's God," said Gottfried; "I will commend ourselves to His protection." Wolfram nodded assent. " I have always believed that your God can do much ; I do not belong to those, who despise the Christian faith. The Christian's prayer and the heathen's prayer INGRABAN. 125 may be powerful to stop the blood, when one has cut oneself, or to bring down rain from the heavens when the seed is dried up. But I observe that those do not live in happiaess who most zealously call upon the Invisible. Therefore I prefer trusting to myself. And here I must sepa- rate myself from you. Do not let the women or any one else observe whither I turn from you. And listen: that I may show you my good inten- tions, I leave this horse behind; it is possible that I may repent it; it is possible, also, that an animal might hinder me ; for it is not on horseback that I think of passing through the wooden fence of the Sorbes. Trude carries a hatchet, and may kill the cow. Farewell, stranger ! if we see each other again, it will, I hope, be in the land ol Thuringia.'' The man looked once more upon the fugitive band — on the curly locks of the children and the pale faces of the women; then he dismounted from his horse, and waited till the driver of the cow came up to him. " Hear a confidential word. Trade," he said, in a low tone ; " 1 am going for hunting booty over the hill. I leave the horse behind for you; the brown will be friendly towards you and the children ; put the weak upon him — thus he may be usefiil to you, for haste is advis- 126 INGRABAN. able. K I am not back by night, do thou keep watch, and keep up the fire, that you may guard yourselves from the noxious beasts of the forest." The woman looked at him displeased. " ' Teach this spring to thy young ones,' said the fox, as he sprang upon the hare, and bit off its head. If thou, the forest rover, dost abandon the defence- less, how shall these save themselves, with sticks in their hands and children on their backs ? " " I know many a warrior who fears thy tongue more than the blow of a sword ; try it for once against the bears," replied the man, appeasingly, and went in a fit of uncertainty some steps on with her. " But I must depart, Gertrude," he said at last, confidentially. " Take heed to the path, that I may find you again ; for he who leads you is only a stranger. This is the racing path of the Sorbes, on which they ride northwards for their plundering; it leads over hill and valley; on both sides the springs run downwards ; you need not ford them nor bridge them over. If you make haste, you may come before sunset to-day into the large oak forest on the Saale, where the Sorbe stream falls into it, which is the boundary water of Ratiz from us. Across the Sorbe stream there is a ford; see to it that you pass through it before evening, and go an hour's journey west- INGRABAN. 127 ward to the thicket of yew trees, from which a holy spring rises'; there on a height stands an old walled tower of wood and stone — ^a border watch- tower from the time of our fathers, but the Sclaves have broken it : there I advise you to rest, within the wall. But to-morrow take your course by the Saale river, northwards — the stream on your right, the forest on your left. Across your road run smaU. rivulets, which are easily waded, through ; and the path is smooth, but thievish Sclaves dwell on the banks. If you succeed in avoiding them, you will come at last to the large stream which they call the Black- water, where it runs into the Saale : over that you must float on the stems of trees, for the water is deep. Beyond the crossing you must in no case struggle upwards along the black stream, for there are wUd cliffs and a haunted wood, dedicated to the night-Gods ; and every one fears the valley on account of the spirits. But do you wander farther northwards by the Saale, up to a hill with an old ruined tower ; make this your second night's rest. From there the road leads direct away where the sun sets, two days' journey." " Eepeat the story, that I may retain firm hold of it," answered the maiden, attentively. Wolf- ram gave his account again, laid the bridle of 128 INGEABAN. the horse in the hand of the woman, and over- looked the placing of three children upon it, shouting. Then he sought a hard path, and sprang with wide leaps into the thicket. In a great assembly of the Sorbes the sacri- ficial Priest imparted to the bound Ingram the fate which had been determined for him. Solemn was the mien of the Sorbe warriors when the Priest spoke, and Weissbart interpreted the speech; they watched the countenance of the bound man, to see how he would take the news, and saw with discontent that his eyes were not dilated, but they were lighted up with anger, as he called out to Ratiz, "Thy sentence is malicious and dishonourable ; not as a warrior, but as an old woman, thou seekest a bloody revenge on the weaponless man." " The insulting words of a bound man are like the chirping of the cricket," replied Ratiz, step- ping proudly past him. " Bridle the Raven for me, that I may ride him; lead the sacrificial animal to the stall." Miros and some of the retinue led the prisoner to an empty block-house on the right. " If it pleases thee, Ingram," said the Sorbe, "to promise me that thou wilt not leave the place, I will leave thy feet free, that thou mayest move them." INGEABAN. 129 Ingram thanked him by a look, but he said, " I take no favour from one of Ratiz's men, with however friendly a feeling it may be offered me. ' "Then bind his legs, and force him down upon the ground." In a moment Ingram was bound, and laid on the ground, and fastened by the body to a heavy wooden log. The Sorbe left the place ; a young warrior kept watch. Ingram lay on the ground a resigned man, and sluggish was the course of his thoughts. Only once he raised himself, as he heard the hoof of a horse : he called out a loud hurrah ! which was answered by the neighing of a horse ; and he heard the blow of the rider. Then all was stilT again. The sunlight glanced into the room through a small hole in the wooden wall; the golden square advanced constantly nearer to the opposite wall ; he looked upon it with indiffer- ence ; the hours were tedious to him. Near the hole through which the light came, a swallow had built its nest. The birds flew in and out; the young ones fluttered in the opening, and were fed by the old one. He thought, as he looked, that in his house also the swallows were building under the roof, and he quivered as if cut by a knife ; but the thought passed away again. The evening came; the watcher brought bread VOL. 11. 9 130 INGEABAN. and water ; he was thankful when the man put the mug to his mouth ; but he refused the bread. The golden sunshine became more fiery, then it disappeared in a wild red; the last time the swallows came in, they twittered and quarrelled in the narrow nest, and he saw through the hole that the evening red covered the sky till it faded away into dull grey. Darkness filled the place ; the man who was lying by the door placed a bundle of hay under his head, and slept. Ingram also laid his weary head back on the log, as weU as his bound arms permitted ; his eyes closed, and everything about him became indistinct. There was a gentle rustling on the ground outside ; something crept along the undermost beam, like the hedgehog when it crawls away along the hedge. Ingram raised his body up and his soul was on the stretch, both in his eyes and ears, and a humming sound came from his lips. For the second time the hedgehog rattled along the wall, and for the second time he gave an answer ; and fixing his eyes on the air-hole near him, he saw that something had been pushed in through the opening ; it passed up and down as on a string, and sounded gently on the wall. He INGRABAN. 131 knew it was a knife. His arms were bound and his feet bound, but perhaps he might be able to reach it with his feet and hold it fast, if he could succeed in removing the heavy log to which he was fettered. He pushed and bore up against it ; then he seized the knife betwixt his bound feet, and struggled tiU he raised the handle to his mouth. He held the knife with his teeth, and gradually cut the cord which fastened his body to the log. Then he fixed the point of the knife into the ground, and rubbed the withes which bound his arms against the edge ; with his freed hands he easily released his feet. It was tedious, anxious work. He still remained lying down, moving his arms and legs, till power came again to the swollen limbs. Then he knocked gently against the wall, as a woodworm ticks, and listened. A long time passed ; at last he heard a well-known voice call gently : " Now to me ! " The, watcher moved, but quick as lightning Ingram drew his jacket off, threw himself upon the Sorbe at the door, tied the jacket over his head and the rope round his hands and feet, and whispered to him, " Thou hast to thank the mug of water for thy life;" and he sprang out of the open door. Outside nothing moved ; he crept round the house, a friend's hand seized 132 INGEABAN. him, and helped him to spring over the fence. Two men rolled down the hill, then sprang along the village lanes. The dogs barked furiously, and the men gave forth a curse. " The curs are their best help ; we are in want of a hole to creep into." Then it became suddenly light as day; from the opposite side of the encampment a fire broke out ; both sprang forwards as if driven by the winds. One of the watchmen, by the side of the fence, called to them. Wolfram answered in the Sorbe language, and pointed to the fire. Through a hole in the -village fence they glided down into the ditch ; the next moment they stood out in the open. Now for rapid steps and good fortune. Behind them sounded confused cries and calls. In front of the runners a high birch-tree rose up in a field ; under its leafy roof a horseman held two spare horses. The fugitives threw themselves upon the horses, and rode into the darkness, whilst behind them the flames rose up to the sky, and the noise from the wakened Village resounded. The wild ride drove the blood quicker through Ingram's veins; he reached his hand from his horse to his trusty servant. " Who is the third ? " he asked. " Godes, one of us, a groom to Miros ; he has INGRABAN. 133 vowed himself to me. His master struck him with a whip, therefore he has struck him with a torch. The flames may be our preservation ; as they rise on the other side of Ratiz's castle, their thoughts will be drawn thither from our course." The horseman before them raised his arm warningly. " Be cautious, my lord ; we approach the ring fence of the village boundary. No Sorbe watchman is so sleepy that he wiU dis- regard the red Ught in the sky, and the tread of three horses who ai'e breaking out from their meadows." They were galloping down a hill, covered by the foliage of the trees ; now they went out on to the open field betwixt the stems of trees ; behind them the light of the fire shone. It fell on the white Sclave coats which two of the horsemen wore. " In the village there the hot fire helped us, but here it has burnt our night-mantle," muttered Wolfram. On one side of them sounded calls and cries, and the clattering of hoofs. "Now it is a question of life or death," cried out the man, and the fugitives rushed on like the storm- wind, behind them the pursuers. An arrow struck upon Ingram's saddle, another hit his waving hair. "Here is the wooden circle of the boundary," said Wolfram. They drove 134 INGRABAN. their horses at the leap, and flew over ; still a few more leaps, and over them spread the branches of a pine forest. The horsemen rode along a small, path up the mountain ; the horses stumbled and groaned. " If a horse breaks its foot, a Sorbe maiden will weep," cried Ingram. But the calls of the pursuers became weaker, and more dis- tant. " They think the night-chase in the dark wood dangerous. Gently, Godes ; horses' bodies and men's bones are not of iron; the branches drag one's hair, and the stems break one's knees." They turned up the height through the thicket, and rode amongst low brushwood, over a long mountain ridge. The road had turned ; on their right the fires flamed higher and redder, and dark clouds of smoke whirled about. In the midst of the fiery blaze rose the hill of Ratiz — the hall and straw roofs lighted up by it. Suddenly a bright light shone upon the top of the haU ; a white light flickered over the roof; immediately afterwards all the roofs on the hill stood in bright flames,, and the red spread over half the night sky. " There the robber's nest is burning," exclaimed Ingram's man, with wild delight; "not in vain didst thou, my lord, threaten it with fire-flakes on thy entrance.'' INGEABAN. 135 Ingram laughed, but he looked with fear on the flames, and a cold shudder passed over his body. Since his chUdhood the burning of a house had been a horror to him, and his companions had often on that account scoffed at him ; now he tried to turn away from it, but his eyes always returned to the fire; he felt exactly like one who was placed in the midst of it, hopeless; and with oppressed breathing he thought of the words of the youth, who had begged of him to wish nothing evU, and suddenly he remembered the watcher whom he had fettered under the straw roof, and involuntarily he turned his horse back to the distant Sorbe village. But Wolfram dragged the animal forward by the bridle, drove it on with a blow, and then cried out, laughing, " The animal observes that his stall is burning." " Many a Sorbe woman wiU groan in a hot oven," exclaimed the leader in return. " That is poor compensation for the fires they have lighted up in our villages," replied Wolfram ; " I think that Ratiz will lose his pleasure in burning Frank villages ; to-morrow the tapers will light him home." Ingram remained silent. After another hour's ride the red glow died away on the horizon, and the pale light of a new day arose. Ingram saw with a light heart 136 INGKABAN. the red fire disappear in the morning light. ' The morning mist settled on the hair and dress of the horsemen, and the horses went on their track in the misty dew that lay on the turf of their path. In front of their road gushed out a rivulet ; they gave a drink to the horses, and the leader rode along the course of the water up to a place where many steps were visible on the wet ground ; then they drove their horses behind an elder- bush not far from the other bank. The leader stopped. " I perceive what thou thinkest of, Godes," said Wolfram. " Choose your way, my lord ; the Frank women whom the Christian released have passed through the ford ; one sees each footstep — the horse of the Priest with the foreign hoofs, the children, the cow, and here the heavy tread which Gertrude has imprinted on the ground. Shall we follow on their path ? A blind man might feel it." Ingi-am looked gloomily on the meadow ground. " In a few hours we shall reach them, if the weary Sorbe horses can still carry us, although thou hast chosen well among the horses of Miros." "The women rested this night in the stone tower by the Saale, which the Sclaves have broken down," remembered Wolfram. INGRABAN. 137 Ingram looked down before them. "How 5an the bird fly when his wings have been plucked ? I am weaponless." " Yet I have seen thee formerly strike with the knotty branch of a tree, when other weapons failed," replied Wolfram, with astonishment. " If we follow the track of the Frank women, we shall entice Ratiz on their path, and bring danger on their way." " A hungry bear lays hold of the game that he first reaches. Dost thoij imagine that the Sorbes think of anything now but revenge ? One-and- thirty heads may pay for the red flame. Ratiz could hardly restrain his warriors, even if he wished it, when these, on their return home, raise up their wives and children from the ashes." Again a cold shudder passed over Ingram. " A dear price wiU be paid for the head of one man." " If he had but the Raven, and his sword," thought Wolfram, uneasily — "for the man is quite changed. If thou likest, we will ask Godes ; he knows the Sorbes." He called to the leader, and put the question. Godes answered, " Some will follow us men, to see whether they can catch us ; but the Sorbe 138 INGEABAN. people will, I think, go after the released women." " And when do you imagine Katiz will return to his destroyed fortress ? " asked Ingram. The man looked up to the sky, and reflected. " If he has seen the night fire — and he has seen it — he can before mid-day prepare his repast on the charcoal of his hall." " Then in the evening he will wring the neck of the Priest," exclaimed Wolfram. " Enough ! " cried out Ingram, pushing his heel on his horse's flanks. They rode farther over hill and valley, till they saw before them the ruined tower, to which the track clearly led. They pressed on to the summit, rode round the deso- late circle of beams, and discovered the resting- place, the skin of the slaughtered cow, the spot where there had been a fire, and in the corner plucked branches and collected grass. "Here was the bed of Walburg," said Wolfram. His lord cast a look upon it, then urged his horse again out of the rafters into the open. " Now we have them certainly," said Wolfram consol- ingly ; " the track points northwards, just as I had instructed the woman." The horsemen followed the track cautiously ; they passed over the stream, turned sometimes into the forest in INGRABAN. 139 order to avoid the Sclave houses on the road, and came in the afternoon to the black stream. Joy- fully did they discover the place where the fugitives had passed through the water, and trotted on northwards after a short rest. The ground was here firmer, and the track was lost to them. They stopped and searched ; at last they found the track of the hoofs of two horses, which they followed, till Ingram came to a spot where the ground was soft again. " Full speed the animals have galloped which have left the troop; the steps of the little feet I do not see." He dismounted, hastened with rapid steps back, searched the whole surrounding country, but he perceived nothing of men's steps. " Has the Christian God taken them up from the earth ? " he exclaimed sorrowfully. The horse- men trotted on uncertainly. " The horses had no riders," said Wolfram ; " my brown led ; we may perhaps find them at the door of thy house, if they have not disappeared in the jaws of the wolves. Truly the stranger understands many secrets ; the children are gone to the dwarf in the rocks, or flown away as birds. If the Sorbes follow them, then they wiU see each other again under the earth or in the clouds." 140 INGEABAN. Ingram heard little of his man's comforting words ; with anxious looks he sought along the Saale and on the other side of the thicket. But fruitless was the search. They stopped again, then rode cautiously back on the broader path, till Wolfram seized the bridle of his master. " Here they have gone to the rock, and here we lose their track. But we ride uselessly into the arms of Ratiz." Ingram turned his horse, and again they went full gallop homewards up to the height, which was to be the second night's rest of the women. There the riders sprang from their horses, and examined by the evening light the hill and surrounding country. But they found neither men nor their footsteps; at last, however, the hoof-tracks of two horses. " I do not intend to rest here," began Ingram, breaking a gloomy silence ; " follow me upwards among the mountains ; perhaps we may see from the height their fire." Again they rode on farther; ascending the great mountain forest, they were obliged to dismount and lead their weary horses. It became dark under the trees ; they kept constantly listening for the sound of men's voices, or for other noises, but only the old rulers of the mountain forest — the giant trees — spoke to INGEABAN. I4I them in their mysterious tones. At last Wolfram stopped, when they had ascended a dark woody valley. " Flesh and blood will not keep together any longer ; if it pleases you, my lord, we will rest, otherwise we shall lose the horses." Ingram sprang down, and spoke with a hoarse voice : " Unblessed will be the bed on which I rest this night ; if rest is necessary to you, await me ; I go back through the wilderness to seek the fire of the helpless. Do not hope to per- suade me, Wolfram," he said, in a tone of com- mand ; " anxiety makes me angry. If I am not back by morning, go homewards, and expect me at the house." " What one must do the other cannot hinder," replied Wolfram, sorrowfully, looking after his master. "I cannot think well of the understanding of a man who goes at night after the cry of the beasts of prey. Let us secure the horses from noxious animals, Godes, and fasten our girdles tighter, for small is the night repast. One sleeps after the other ; he who draws the longest straw will have the first watch." They drew; Godes placed himself with his back against the stem of a tree, and laid his club near him. Wolfram stretched himself full length on the moss. " If a bear carries me away, give him the pay of a 142 INGEABAN. bearer," he said sleepily, and was asleep after a few minutes. Through the night Ingram struggled up the mountain ; his mind was disturbed ; wild was the flight of his thoughis, and around him was the darkness of death. He stretched out his hands before him in the darkness ; he touched the stems, and sank to the ground betwixt stones and knotted roots, but he ever rose up again and pressed on higher ; and ever did he see before his hot eyes, the burning viUage and the fiery flames which flickered over the straw roofs of Katiz. He thought of the revenge of the Sorbes ; new fires would rise up iu the border villages of his home, and on him the guilt would fall. Amidst these thoughts of anguish he heard the gentle words of the monk : " Revenge not, for vengeance is Mine." Foolish words for the ear of a warrior ! How can such an inactive man leave to his God the care of destroying his enemy ? Nay, his Gods have not been able to guard himself from the skill and artifices of Ratiz. Through the mist of the forest he turned himself away as a runaway servant ; his face was glowing hot, and his fists were clenched ; he stormed away, and struck with his body against the stems of trees and rocks, till he came panting up to the height where the INGEABAN. 143 storm-wind had felled the old steins, and the grey night-heaven was visible above him. He climbed toilsomely over the entangled branches and roots, and sought a point of view from the height over the vaUey in front, to see whether sparks of fire shone through the darkness, or whether the sound of voices was to be heard. He knew that it was a childish hope. All around him was a dark desolate horrible wilderness. Only the super-earthly ones spoke here, when the heads of the trees rustled ; and in the depths below the warriors of the forest, the wild beasts, howled. Here the Gods even were hostile to the unarmed man : would they be merciful to the band who were going along with the cross of the stranger ; and would they preserve the women from the claws of the bears and bite of the wolves — from the precipitous abj-ss and the falling trees? None could say whether the Gods were powerful and weU-dis- posed, and whether they themselves had entered into existence, and had created the race of men upon earth, and whether they must have become old and morose, as was stated by the wise ; and, whether the Gods and the races of men should again be destroyed in a bitter mortal fight, before the burning of the world. But the 144 INGRABAN. Christian God was, as the stranger boasted, eternal, and He would reign eternally here on earth, and in the halls of heaven. Therefore was the Christian man so steadfast ; for he trusted on the duration and on the protection of his God. . . . She had wounded her face, because she would not take the life of an enemy. Dearer to her than the pleasure of man was the command of her God. Her God had made her steadfast, because she was true to Him. Ingram gave a deep sigh, and the howl of the grey wolves from below answered to his groans. He knew this song of the Gods' dogs ; thus they cried out when they were preparing themselves for the repast of bodies on the battle-field or round the cattle-fold. There below they were roaming after their prey. And he thought of the> weak palings which a woman's hands had struck — the women and the children, and around them the glowing eyes and the wide-spread jaws of the wolves. With a wild cry he swung his club, and sprang down like a madman ; he fell and he sprang again, and feU again. As he raised himself up, he heard straight before him a stone slipping, and a little while afterwards cracking in the depth below. He threw himself back, and his hair stood on end, for he perceived that before INGEABAN. 145 him yawned a precipice. For a while he lay, powerless, bathed in cold sweat ; but again the beasts of prey howled, they quarrelled with one another, and their howl sounded like a hoarse laugh. He cUmbed backwards, and dragged himself along the height, till he heard the ripple of a spring ; he felt his way to the water, collected some in the hollow of his hand, and carried it to his burning lips ; then he cautiously descended along its course to the valley below, into which flowed a stream from the Saale. In the dawn of early twilight he saw on the other side of the stream the grey shadows of wolves at their greedy repast, their noses in the blood of the hunted deer, packed together like sheep round a water-trough. Drawing a deep breath, he turned back, and ran downwards along the stream of the Saale. It carried him to the spot which his man had chosen for the encampment of the women. Might they perhaps be resting there near him ? There, where the woody hills descended to the banks of the Saale, he stopped. He beheld before him a glimmering fire; he heard the stamping of hoofe, and saw a grey- coated figure standing near a horse — the watcher of the encampment. The pursuers were on the road. He threw himself on the ground, and VOL. II. 10 146 INGEABAN. drew himself into tlie shadow of the thicket ; fearfully did he gaze through the twilight at the women and children among the sleeping enemy. Thus he lay awaiting the early dawn. He who was lying with red eyes in the beech foliage, and the Sorbe, who was watching a hundred steps from him, both night-travellers, did not know how near to them was the resting- place on which stood the cross. On a far- stretching height, about an hour's journey to the west, the monk had encamped his flock. Their journey had been quite peaceful — two sunny days amidst foliage and blooming grass, two quiet nights under the starlight. No wild beast had howled round them, and no night-spirits had haunted the forests ; they had passed by Sorbe huts, and there the Sorbes had brought them water from the wells, and stroked the cheeks of the children. A Sclave woman had compassion- ately given a pot to Gertrude, as a valuable gift, that she might cook the roots and mushrooms in it for the children ; and little Sorbe children had run with them, to listen to their song, and had endeavoured to cry after them the Kyrie. Of the firelight at their back the travellers knew nothing, and when a Sorbe man inquired of them ' concerning it, they had been able to say so truly ; INGEABAN. 1 17 and the man had believed them, and wondered much at the fiery sign in the heavens. On the last afternoon, when they arrived at the Black water, Walburg had for the first time, whilst the monk was passing by her, raised her veil, and said to him with an effort, " Do not rest where Ingram's man commanded thee ; do not go along the path that he has chosen for thee ; it would be in vain by a hasty journey to preserve the children from the pursuers. Let me dismount ; I can go on foot very well ; then drive the horses away northwards ; for they draw after us the wolves and the Sorbes. I would rather trust our lives to the haunted forest and the cliffs of the black stream. There let us conceal the chil- dren." This advice was approved of by Gertrude, although she was afraid of monsters, for she had her own thoughts about the firelight, and about the fortune of Wolfram's chase. When they had passed over the Black water, Gertrude called some of the women and the children, and led them and the horses on to a soft ground along a strip of road on the same path which Wolfram had told her of, till they came to where the ground was hard and the steps imperceptible; then she drove the loose horses with heavy blows northwards, and taught the children to 148 ' INGABAN. step backwards, till they arrived at the spot from whence they had come. " It is a child's trick," she, said, " but perhaps it may help to deceive the clever ones." After that they proceeded along the Black valley, with the water on their left, till their way was stopped by a stream that ran from the direction of their home into the Black water. By the side of this stream they went up the valley; at last they ascended slowly and with weary limbs the mountain declivity, and went along the ridge some way farther, whilst the sky was becoming red. There they found an old barricade of trees, that formerly had been thrown up by hunters or fugitive valley people. They thronged into it, sought the spring, and lit a fire in the evening light among the trees. The women arranged a bed of heather for Walburg, and prepared a wild night's repast. But the children seated themselves in a circle round Gottfried, who related to them the history of a King's son of the Eastern country, whose name was Joseph, and whom his brothers had thrown into a deep pit— the whole story, up to where Joseph had found his old father again, and kissed him. The children sat round him; the smallest pressed into his arms, and hung round his neck. They looked INGRABAN. 149 at him with their blue child-eyes so wide open and so joyful, that it appeared to him as if he were a saint among the angels. And when he had ended, and all around him were silent, a small heathen boy, whose name was Bezzo, called out, whilst he climbed up him and embraced him: " I am Joseph, and I want to eat." All laughed, and looked at Gertrude, who was stirring the pot with a wooden stick. Then the children collected in groups round the fire, and the women divided the bits among them on little plates of bark, after which they also thought of their own meal. Gottfried sang to the children the night- prayer, and a grey forest bird sounded his rough trill to the "Amen" of the community, just as once old Humbert had done in the cell among the brothers who were hard of hearing. Then Gottfried laid the children to rest for the night, clinging to one another, with their heads pressed upon the moss. Thus they all slept. Near him sat a young heathen woman ; her hair hung dishevelled about her pale face, and her eyes stared vacantly around. She had tot- tered on silently among the others during the two days, and the women had served her with shy sympathy, though so unhappy themselves. Now she opened her lips for the first time: 150 INGEABAN. " Thou carest well for the living, stranger ; but of little use is thy trouble to the dead child who lies worn out on the road ; small were his legs, and he wept as he ran. Now his shadow whisks in the night along the wild path, and seeks its mother, or it sits deep down in the well where the white woman guards poor children's souls. Cold is the water ; mute cowers the child ; the mother longs after it, and life is hateful to her." Gottfried knelt down by her on the moss, the tears running over his face. " The white woman I know who guards thy dead child, and I know the way that leads to it ; for something is known to us of the little one, and it is written in the Holy Scriptures : ' Of such little ones is the kingdom of heaven.' Thy darling does not cower in a cold well ; it is the Virgin Mary, who, as I think, rules high in heaven over the children. They dwell in bliss, and wave their wings, and are called by men, high angels. They shout blessings to the p'ious ones who rise up from earth into the halls of heaven. Wait, woman, and trust ; thine angel also will fly to thee in thy last hour, and carry thee up to the halls of eternal bliss." The woman wept aloud ; then she laid her hands over his, and kneeling down to him, prayed INGKABAN. 151 to him in her anguish : " Repeat thy song, that I may echo it." Gottfried again said the pious prayer, and she repeated the words, groaning. At last he went to Walburg, looked whether her wound was dressed, and blessed her. The sick woman endeavoured to raise herself up, and pressed his hand thankfully. The monk drew his hand back, but it trembled. " Do not show me thy faithful feeling, maiden," he said, " as in caring for thee, it is not in order to please thee, but because I act according to the commands of the great God of heaven. Think of Him : I am only like the breath of wind, which conveys His voice to thee, that it may sound in thy ear. I have left father and mother, and torn myself from the heart of my sister ; I cannot indulge in love to any human being, only to Him whom I serve ; and what He commands me, that I do, be it hard or easy." Thus he strengthened himself, sighing. Walburg sank back on her bed, and Gottfried stepped with bowed head to the entrance of the enclosure. The night passed on, the women leant their heads against the stems of the trees, and Gottfried sat long alone with his thoughts, tiU his eyes also were closed in slumber. And in 152 INaRABAN. his sleep he made the sign of the cross, when the howling of the forest animals sounded from below, and the owls screamed. Wolfram looked wearily towards the morning sky, when branches crackled on the height, and Ingram sprang down. With disturbed counten- ance the Hero cried out : " Only one sign have I seen — the fire of the Sorbes ; they lie with twenty horses by the Saale ; two troops of hunters are envying each other the game ; the search begins anew ; on to our horses, and into the forest !" INGEAEAN. 153 V. THE ASSEMBLAGE IN THE FOREST. As a wild boar rushes snorting into its lair, when it has with difficulty avoided the bite of the hounds, thus did Ingram spring into the Raven House. He shook off from him MunihUd, the slave, when she stretched out her arms to him ; and to his servant also, who called out a joyful greeting, he gave a short answer. With burning eyes, longing for sleep, he threw himself on his bed, but sorrowful thoughts tore him hither and thither. As a fugitive servant, without sword or horse, he returned to the house of his fathers. He saw everything once more before him : the scoffing mien of the Sorbes, the burning village, a woman who turned angrily from him, and the foreign boy before whom she knelt. He clenched his fists, and cast off from him the fur covering of his bed. "Are they in the village ? " he cried to Wolfram, as he entered. 154 INGRABAN. "Only a few are watching below, and none were able to say anything of them. About the Priest's hut, also, all was empty and still," replied his man. " If they have flown, who knows where they have stopped ? and if they have been carried away to the mountain, _who knows when they will return ? " Ingram hastened to the door. " Whither, my lord ? " exclaimed the man, hold- ing him powerfully fast. "After such a wild chase, and four sleepless nights, thy senses are distracted. I will not suffer thee to mount thy horse again yet. We have done all that is possible in the powers of man, and still more. We have allured the Sorbes on along our track ; if the vanished ones still tread upou the earth, we have thus, perhaps, delivered them from the enemy. What the wild beasts of the forest may have done to them, that we cannot help. Foolhardy should we be to go after the Sorbes, who are returning home ; and without, a track would the fugitives remain to us during the second ride. It it had been for the heads of our brothers, we could not have ridden a madder chase. Now thy strength is gone ; take care of thyself," By such words he forced his master back on the bed, and seated himself by him. He told him again of the forest paths INGEABAN. 155 which they had searched in all directions^ and how probable it was that the magic prayer of the Priest had delivered the wanderers from danger, till at last Ingram's head sank back on his pillow, and an unquiet sleep bereft him of consciousness. Then for the first time Wolfram slipped away to his own room. When Ingram awoke, late in the morning, from a confused dream, Wolfram stood again by his bed. " It was wrong to awaken thee, my lord ; but thine eyes will see what is incredible, if it pleases thee to step in front of the door. The valley is changed ; I see many men collected out of the country; on aU the roads warriors are coming in festive dresses, and women also amongst them, which was formerly unheard of at a council of the people. Heathen and Christians throng about the house of Memmo. Herr Gerold him- self is come — the new Count whom the ruler of the Franks has sent as Border Watcher, and with him the plump woman, Frau Berswind, his wife. I see many spears of chieftains and men from all the forest villages. In thy court-yard also the horses of good comrades are stamping. Thy com- panion Bruno awaits thee — Kunibert also, and others, with their kindred ; for a great mes- sage is announced from the Frank ruler, and 156 INGBABAN. the stranger is the centre of the whole move- ment." Ingram sprang from his bed, and went out in front of the door, where a number of honourable country people received him with dignified greeting, and remarked with curiosity his dis' turbed appearance. But his looks, and those of others, were turned away to the pasture ground and meadows which spread round the house of the Christian man Memmo. Ingram looked with perplexity on the festive crowd of stamping horses, armed travellers, and numerous troops of countrymen, who were spread wide over the fields, as at a great popular market, and were constantly increasing. He recognised the banners of many nobles, who had come thither with their retinue ; above all, such as were inclined to the Christian faith, like Asulf, one of the first in the land. Gundhari also, son of Rothari, a wealthy man, moved quietly among the throng. Godolav was there — a large man, one of the Thuringians, who were called Angli, because in ancient times their fathers had come from a northern people into the land ; and also the Chieftain Albold, son of Albhart, whose property bordered on the village fields. But heathen nobles also walked among the multitude ; among them IKGBABAN. 157 many who were bitter enemies to the new faith. "Truly," exclaimed Wolfram, in fresh astonish- ment, " much honour is shown by our lords to the wandering stranger, that they seek him here in the bad hut, under a roof the shingles of which have flown away in the wind." " Never could I have thought that so many in our country would bend their knees before the cross,'' began Bruno, the son of Bernhard, a distinguished man from the free moor, whose race from olden times had been friendly to the house of Ingram. " The stranger has moved the whole country with his staff like a heap of ants • his messengers have ridden over all paths ; he himself wandered to the market at Erfurt, to the Count, who holds a tribunal there, and Herr Gerold forthwith sent two of his horses over to the bailiff's house, that they might ride with the stranger and protect him. See, there the stranger steps out of the house ; he is quite altered in dress and bearing, and moves about like a great lord." Winfried stepped out of the house in Bishop's robes ; his dress shone with silk and gold ; in his hand he held a crooked staff; behind him came Memmo and another Priest. "There is also 158 INGEABAN. I Bardo, with a grey coat, who sits at the Count's table ; he was a good drinker formerly, and many a bit of horse's flesh have I seen him destroy at the sacrificial feast; to-day the strife -loving man wanders about humbly behind the stranger. Truly this man knows bow to bow down many necks." " Not ours," replied Ingram, gloomily turning his back on the valley. Kunibert, an old man of Ingram's kiadred, came from the plain up to his countryman. " I see all the people are gone mad," he began ; " thou also, Ingram, hast, as I hear, ridden in the service of the foreign Bishop." " I went on mine own business to the Sorbes," replied Ingram, gloomily. " But you, I see, have all assembled, to bow down before the stranger." "Thou dost not know what honour is given him before the people ; he has brought a Latin message into the country ; a letter was written on his account from the Frank ruler to our Chieftains and the whole people. Gerold, the Count, caused the letter to be read by his priests. The man was to remain uninjured amongst us ; the Frank ruler has declared him to be his ward: if we seek for judgment against him, we must send our complaints to the Frank Count ; INGRABA.N. 159 the stranger is not amenable to our tribunals. All this was conveyed in the letter which the Priest interpreted and which the Count con- firmed. The whole circle were astonished when they heard from the beast's skin the words of the great Frank ; it is difficult to raise one's head against it." " When we hear what offends us/' exclaimed Ingram, " we use angry words ; and when words are of no effect, we use our swords." " How shall a man struggle against invisible powers, which speak to us from a distance ? " cried out Kunibert ; " truly the Christians understand many arts against which we are weak. They have the magic of the Latin tongue, which few of us know. In their letter-writing they converse with one another like fellow-countrymen ; even when at home they speak in different tongues. When I was young I fought in the Frank army on the^Rhine, and afterwards on the Danube ; and at all the places I found the Latin language and the same secret in their writing characters. They send their words to one another on the skins of animals, over land and sea. With a reed they write orders, and their words remain fast to the end of time ; and if our will revolts against them, they point to their parchment, and 160 INGRABAN. no one can contradict it. What some one has spok&n many jj^ears before, they can testify to by dark characters; according to them they give and make presents, and decide what is thine and mine." " Truly," exclaimed Ingram, " I hope that the oath of an honourable man stands higher than their black writing, and before I give up what belongs to me on account of any letter that they send forth, I will fight with each of them in the circle of my countrymen." " The new prophets seldom take the sword, for they are opposed to it in their unwarlike way. If they were heroes, who were stronger on the fighting-heath than their opponents, a valiant man might easily accommodate himself to them, although unwillingly. But to give such honour to unarmed strangers as the Frank ruler appor- tions to this Winfried, is a shame to us all, and I left the assembly because my anger about it oppressed my head." " Yet I advise," began Wolfram, who had just then approached, " that my lord should descend from the height. For I perceive that down there they are about to read new letters. Never yet have so many strange things been discussed in the circle of the forest people." In spite of their XNQRABAN, 1-61 anger the men descended into the open country — Ingram with a heavy heart ; for the meeting with Winfried was uncomfortable to him, and he concealed himself amidst the crowd. By the linden tree, where the large Frank banner waved. Count Gerold held a parchment up on high, and called out over the crowd : " This is a letter from Rome, which the venerable Pope Gregory, who sits there on the golden chair, has written down, and sent to the Chieftains of the people. Let him who would hear his words draw near." Then all pressed round the linden tree ; a Priest read the Latin letter, and the crier gave forth with a far -sounding voice the interpretation, in the language of the country, of what the Priest said, sentence by sentence. The com- munity heard the words : " To the powerful men, his sons, Afulf, Godolav, Milari, Gund- hari, Albold, and all God-loving Thuringians, who are true Christians, Pope Gregory sends this." "With heads erect, and glowing cheeks, the Chieftains whose names were called advanced in front of the others ; and the burly Gundhari cried aloud in his joy : "I am Gundhari, and here I stand." The whole assembly looked timidly at the renowned people who were VOL. II. 11 162 INGEABAN. spoken to from a distant land through the white parchment. Their kinsmen pressed round them, and many stretched out their necks, in order to obtain a sight of the writing. The crier continued, proclaiming the words of the Pope's letter : " Wie are informed of your noble faithfulness to Christ. For when the heathen have pressed you to the service of idols, you have with firm faith answered, that you would rather die blessed than in any way violate the fidelity to Christ which you had once taken upon you. We are filled with great joy on this account, and have returned befitting thanks to our God and Saviour, the Giver of all good. His grace will procure you greater pros- perity, if with pious minds you seek your safety at the holy seat of the Apostle, as it becomes King's sons and inheritors of the kingdom to seek salvation from the kingly Father. Therefore we have sent to your assistance our beloved brother Boniface ; we have consecrated him a Bishop, and appointed hita to be your preacher, that he may direct you in the faith. We desire and admonish you to agree with him in every- thing, that your salvation in the Lord may be complete." A reverential silence followed this announce- INGRABAN. 163 ment. At last Afulf began, -who was by race and property one of the most distinguished — a dioni- fied man, whose grey locks hung over his broad shoulders : " If it please thee, my lord, let me see the place on which the reverend Father in Rome has written my name." Winfried took the parchment, and pointed to the name ; all pressed near. " Great is the honour which thou hast accorded to us through the letter," began Godolav ; " we beg of thee, my lord, to read to us and the people once more the wonderful message. For it is dearer to me than a good battle-horse, or a whole .herd that feeds on acorns in my forest." Once more Winfried read ; the men listened with folded hands, and nodded their assent at every paragraph. "I have always thought," began Afulf, afresh, "that the great God of the Christians, to whom we have vowed ourselves, observes very well whether His men keep their oath to Him faith- fully, and avoid horse's flesh ; but now I see that His powerful eye reaches over distant lands — that even the Bishop who sits as messenger of the Apostle at Rome knows accurately how I have behaved under my oaks. What other God can come up to so great a knowledge ? For He who 164 INGEABAN. knows this, knows also other things that I do ; and if I show love to Him, I am sure that He will reward me in this or another life as pleases Him.\ Therefore I desire to give thee, reverend father, a sign that I am thankful to the great Lord of heaven. We hear that thou eomest hither to build a holy place for our God, whom the heathen call the new one. There is a property belonging to my inheritance — a late elearing; ttiere are thirty morgens of arable land, also forest meadows, and a little wood ; thou canst see the land there below in the valley : take it, I pray thee, from me as a gift for the Lord of heaven, that thou mayest found a church, and place a priest there, who may raise intercessions to the great King of heaven for me and all of my race, that He may henceforth think graciously towards us." " Herr Afulf has spoken like a prudent man, who cares for his own welfare," called out Albold; "and we all know that be is of noble race. But I do not think that he has a right of precedence over all our countryrflen, and that he- alone should have, before others, a church and a shaven man to pray for him. I also offer arable land here, quite in thy neighbourhood; for my possession is not less than his ; and I hope that INGRABAK. 165 the gift which we others bring will also appear valuable to the Holy One in heaven." "I wish the same," cried out two or three voices; and the offers of church land followed each other rapidly. " What you ofier to the Lord/' said Winfried, on the steps of the altar, "like King's children who would gain the favour of the kingly Father, that I receive in the name of the Lord of heaven, that it iaa,y be for the honour and salvation of you and your families. Step near, and confirm your gifts on my hand, kneeling before His face, in the presence of the Count and the community, that all may be secured by your vow." The men knelt before the altar, and made their vows. Hitherto the heathen had stood apai-t, and laughed scoffingly at the willing gifts of good land. But when a third letter from Rome was read aloud to the whole people of Thuringia, which concerned them also, they felt it an honour that the great Bishop in Rome spoke so confidingly to them as to good acquaintances; and the kindly-meant address restrained the out- break of their anger. The Christians walked from the Count's banner, led by Winfried and the Priests, in a long pro- 166 INGBABAN. cession to the altar, which was raised under the shadow of the trees. The service of God began. The heathen drew back, and listened to the distant prayer and solemn song of the Priests. Then Winfried mounted the steps of the altar, and spote to the community of the message of salvation; that the great King of heaven had sent His Son upon man's earth, in order to deliver all from evil and sin ; and to bind them, by holy baptism and their vows, in a great society, that they might find happiness and salvation here, and after this life dwell in Christ's heaven as holy companions of the Lord of heaven. And he proclaimed the high com- mands, according to which every Christian should live, that the Lord might esteem him a faithful servant. The voice of the preacher sounded powerfully, and penetrated deeply into their souls; the heathen also listened with favourable ears. Never had the men heard so sagacious a speech about heaven and earth, sounding from a deep human breast ; the power of the words they felt to be heart-stirring. When he had ended, and the Christians all knelt down that he might bless them, all was still among the heathen, and no laughter or scornful words sounded repugnantly during the solemn INGEABAN. 167 action. Even the wildest -were awed by the presence of the nobles, and perhaps still more by the horsemen of the Count, who with their spears kept a wide circle round the tree. After the holy service the Christian Chieftain and the people pressed reverentially close to Winfiied. They sought to gain a friendly word from him, to seize his hand, or to touch the corner of his dress ; but he spoke to each individual as a Prince to his trusty followers, listened to their petitions, and knew how to benefit each one by talk and comforting sayings. Herr Gerold wished him happiness. " All has prospered well with thee to-day. I hope much good from thy arrival, for more willingly will they now pay me the tribute, when thou dost admonish them, and I trust now, as thou hast blessed their weapons, thej' will give stronger blows against the Sclaves than before." Then the people saw with astonishment that even proud Frau Bers- wind bent down to the hand of the Bishop, as she said to him in a low tone : " Reverent Father, if I am rightly instructed, it is written in the holy book that all men vowed to the Lord shall keep far from their bed all Wend women, whom they have won by their spears or have bought. But many in this country and else- 168 INGRABAN. where do not act thus, for they caress the women- prisoners, and even bestow gifts on them — silver needles a,nd riogs. This is a great grief and vexation, and I beg thee urgently to admonish Gerold concerning it." This Winfried promised faithfully to do. Again a Chieftain began : " We would gladly know thy opinion, my lord, concerning the sacrificial feasts of the heathen, that we may conduct ourselves as becomes Christians; for jovial is the sacrificial feast on green turf, and unwillingly would many miss it. But I never eat the horse's flesh, unless I have first signed the cross over the plate, that the heathen food may not be repugnant to the Christian God ; I hope that will please thee also." Then the Chieftain Milari, who had been named in the Roman letter, touched the Bishop and spoke to him confi- dentially: "I am not a man who am jealous of another's honour, especially when he himself also enjoys it ; but as concerns the Hero Gundhari, we were all surprised that he was named in the letter of the Roman Pope. For formerly he stood .often at the sacrificial stone, and has danced with the others in the Eastern dance. But then, when he resisted, he was cross in consequence of the strong mead which he had drunk ; and when the INGEABAN. 169 neighbours laid hold of him to lead him away, he became angry, drew his sword, and swore that he would be an enemy to every one who drew him from his seat. Whether he did that out of fidelity to the Christian faith, thou thyself mayest judge, for he began immediately afterwards to sing angrily, knocked bis hand violently on the table, and fell asleep." "If he resisted once in drunkenness, in the future he will do it also in temperance," said Winfried consolingly. He then turned to the Count. " In the distance I perceive the Thurin- gian Ingram of Raven House. Some days ago I sent him to the Sorbe Eatiz to deliver, by means of the property of the Lord, women and children who had been carried off. It is terrible to me, that he has returned and keeps in the distance : if it pleases thee, I will have him called, that he may give a report." " I understand that the man has a good reputa- tion," answered the Count. " If he comes from the Sorbes, others besides you Christians will desire to hear his message." He commanded the crier : " Invite the Chieftains and old men to a circle in the house of Frau Hildegard, and caU upon Ingram to appear before the Bishop." The Chiefs conducted the Bishop in precession 170 INGEABAN. to the steward's house ; shortly after Ingram was led into the compact circle, which was collected round the hearth. His cheeks were pale and his aspect gloomy, as he stepped among the Chiefs of his people ; he greeted the assembly silently, and avoided the eyes of the Bishop, but the Count pointed silently with his hand to Winfried. " Where is Gottfried : where are the children, Ingram ? " cried out the latter, with an emotion which he could not master. " I do not know," replied Ingram, shortly. " And thou standest uninjured before me !" ex- claimed the Bishop. " Thy messenger has delivered the women and children by thy silver; all prospered with him with Ratiz. Five days ago they went in the early morning from the camp of Ratiz ; my man Wolfram accompanied them as far as the neigh- bourhood of the Sorbe's stream ; I found their track the day after, on this side of the Black water, but themselves I have not found." Winfried turned away, struggling violently to restrain his anger and sorrow, with humble resignation. But his countenance was severe, when he turned again to Ingram. " I have often heard that it becomes a warrior to stay by the side of his travelling companions in danger." INGEABAN. 171 " It was not I who chose thy messenger as a companion ; thou didst impose him upon me. He is led by his God, I by the fate that is ordained for me, by the God of my people." " Yet from what we are informed of thy cha- racter," began the Count again, "thou wouldst not leave a companion without necessity in the wilderness ; if it please thee, tell us what has separated thee from him." Ingram looked gloomily down. "I need not conceal anything, for it will be well known among the people. I lay bound with Rati?. The dice were adverse to me ; I had lost my free- dom in the game.'' The assembly were much disquieted, and many rose from their seats. " It was ill-considered to venture a good sword of Thuringia upon a throw of Sorbe dice," re- plied the Count ; " I hope that thou hast found a moderate ransom.'' " The hounds broke faith with me," exclaimed Ingram; "they refused the ransom, and vowed me to their sacrificial stone and the knife of their priest. But I broke away the following night ; behind me the fire rose to the sky : the encamp- ment of Ratiz is burnt down." A loud cy of astonishment and approbation 172 INGRABAN. sounded tlirougb the assemWy ; Herr Gerold rose up quickly, and approached iDgram, "Truly, man," he exclaimed, "thou announcest in cold words what may cause hot work for thy people the whole summer. But I am not sent by my ex- alted sovereign Karl into this country to allow the hoofs and horns of your herds to be driven east- wards. And thou hast brought a good message to my sword; whether to thyself thy countrymen may decide. Didst thou set fire to the robber's nest ? " " Godes did it,— a servant of the Sorbes, who gave us the horses for flight. I sent him to-day on one of my animals northwards, into the land of Saxony, that he might escape the vengeance of the Sorbes." "Thou hast acted as a wild boy," said the Count, "and in thine own business hast brought a war upon thy people. But I am surprised that Ratiz still keeps the peace, and even begs for safe conduct for envoys. For his messengers wait already on the frontier. Canst thou inform me, Ingram, of what may concern us ? " "Only of what concerns myself, my lord. I stand in the circle of nobles and old men ; I cannot live disgraced. Yonder Christian has reproached me with having broken faith with his companion, INGEABAN. 173 you have learnt that his complaint was unjust. But I will bear testimony to his messenger whom they call Gottfried, that he acted towards me as a faithful travelling companion, although I did not desire his good will. For he offered his own head to the Sorbes for mine, and would have remained in my place, if the Sorbes and I myself would have accepted his proposal. And there- fore I was sorry that I did not find him in the wilderness, although I and my companions sought him during three days. This I tell to you, that you may know it,— not to the Bishop, who is hostile to me." When Ingram spoke so daringly against the Bishop, a murmur arose among the Christians, and a noise of weapons among the heathen. But Ingram continued : " Yet one great anxiety oppresses me, and concerning that I will ask you. I escaped from Ratiz, because he chose to act against me contrary to our agreement ; but I escaped from my bond without ransom. And the Sorbes will henceforth blame me as a runa- way servant ; that gnaws me to the heart." He stamped with his foot on the ground. " I wish to know whether my country -people will consider me as such, and whether they will openly or in secret agree with him, when an enemy in the 174 INGRABAN. country ventures to speak so ignominiously of me. And if you think so lowly of me, I will at once saddle my horse and ride out of the country till I find Ratiz and his bands, and then seek an honourable delivery from the clothing of my body." A deep stillness followed his words. At last Afulf began — the eldest among the assembled nobles : " If it is as thou sayest; if the Sorbes pro- mised thee a valuation, and afterwards destined thee for the sacridcial knife, no upright man can blame thee for having cut their withes as soon as thou couldst. But if thou hast played away with the foreign robber thy horse and sword and freedom, such a wild deed will lie henceforth upon thy life ; thou must bear it, and no one can take away the burden from thee. Many will consider it as a jovial venture, because thou hast again released thyself, but many also as a wound which thou hast inflicted on the memory of thy fore-, fathers. Take care. Hero, that thy country companions may in the future be able to give thee better praise for any famous deed thou mayest do." The Christians agreed with the Chieftain, and the heathen were silent, but none spoke against it. Again there was a deep silence, then Win- INGRABAN. 175 fried began : " It is not my office to decide upon the worldly praise of a warrior ; tliat is alone for the Chieftains of the people. Only one thing I must say to you : loving and merciful is the God whom I serve, and He judges not only the deeds, but also the thoughts. Much wild work is judged by the Lord of heaven more favourably, because He sees into the hearts of men. If it please you, nobles and wise men, ask the warrior why he gambled so presumptuously with the Sorbe." " Thou hearest this question, Ingram," said the Count ; " if thou wilt give an answer, speak." Vehement pride and dislike to the priest struggled in Ingram with the wish to say that which would have justified him in the eyes of his country-people, but his pride kept the mastery ; the sweat came upon his brow, as he answered, " I wiU not." Then rose Kunibert, and cried out, " As Hero Ingram is silent, I will tell you what I have heard from his servant Wolfram. It was about Walburg, the Frank maiden, the daughter of his guest friend, whom the Sorbes slew, that he entered upon the game, because the Sorbe had destined the woman for his bed, and would not otherwise give her freedom." 176 INGEABAX. A low buzz passed through the assembly, and the clouded' countenances cleared up. '' If it was for a woman, Ingram," began the Count, laugh- ing, " and for the child of thy guest friend, thy young companions and the maidens will not think the worse of thee for that. But I advise thee not to saddle thy horse like a desperate man. Wait till the day comes when as one of my host thou canst make thy reckoning with Ratiz." He made a sign of dismissal to Ingram, who left the steward's house silently; behind him sounded the noise of lively talk. The evening came, and the assembled people encamped themselves for a night's rept ; round about the village in the plain and on the mountains, the fires blazed; the men were separated according to villages and families ; they spoke of the events of the day, and on the great change which the new Bishop would effect in the country. Winfried walked amongst the fires, ac- companied by the Priest ; when he approached a band of Christians, a loud acclamation resounded, he stepped up to them with a greetings and spoke to the men. Then one heard the sound of a little beU, carried by Memmo ; the Christians knelt round the flames ; Winfried said the even- ing prayer, and gave the blessing. But where a INGRABAN. 177 heathen troop were sitting he went past like a Chieftain, with a dignified greeting ; he received a cold greeting in return, and gloomy looks, yet none ventured to say a word to wound him ; it was only when his back was turned that some low curses sounded. No fire burnt round the Eaven House ; only the last evening light gilded the linden- tree which stood in the middle of the court-yard. There a number of distinguished heathen men were sitting and lying ; their countenances were full of care, and their speech was concerning im- portant things. " I rejoice, Ingram, that thou didst so boldly withstand the stranger in the assembly," began Bruno, the son of Bemhard, to the comrade who lay by him on the ground with his eyes turned downwards. " Yet I must honour the stranger on account of the words which he spoke at last about the dice. For weighty was the admoni- tion, that one should consider the intentions of ■ a man." "His speech is crafty and his thoughts reserved," cried Ingram angrily from the ground; "the Franks on the Main did wisely to conceal his office from me." " No one will deny," continued Bruno, " that VOL. IL 12 178 INGEABAN. he is an able man; he spoke powerfully to-day before all ; he cried out as the storm wind cries, It has been unheard of in the world, that any one should in the light of day proclaim before aU people so great a message, and testify by letters and writings that his God is more powerful than the Gods to whom we pray." " A liar also may have a loud voice," replied Kunibert. " But he is no vagrant," continued Bruno ; " he moves about like a King in a distinguished dress ; he appears quite a different man to the little Meginhard, and if I judge right he does not at all look like a deceiver." " How canst thou compare him to a King," exclaimed Kunibert, "as he carries no weapons, and is quite unwarlike ? " "Have not many people who pray to our Gods the like custom ? Among our neighbours the Saxons, the Sacrificer is not permitted to throw a spear or to fight among the bands. Tell us, Ingram, as thou hast been his guide, whether thou hast found him fainthearted." With an inward struggle Ingram answered. " I have found him fearless in danger, but, imlike a man, he refused to revenge himself on an enemy." His companions looked astonished at one INGRABAN. 179 another, and the* younger ones laughed contemp- tuously. Only Bruno spoke, shaking his head : " But I have perceived that their God commands them to love their enemies ; yet I do not laugh at such teaching, though to any man capable of bearing arms it may appear inglorious and foolish. For I remark that there is a secret meaning in it which I do not understand. But Count Gerold is a Christian, and many others who will be glad of his sword. Whatever may in other respects be the spirit of the Franks, no one can say of them that they are afraid of blood. And just in this teaching of love, we may perceive that the Christians support themselves on a writing, which is delivered . to them from a God ; for it is more possible for a God than for a man to command something superhuman; and all Christians teach and say the same, even when it is annoying to them to act up to it. Observe well, exactly the same words spoken by yonder Bishop, were formerly used by little Memmo and the priests of the Count, although they were not so strict against horse-flesh, and lying with foreign women, as the stranger. Fearful for all of us is a doctrine which comes down from God Himself, and the truth of which is testified by His writing." 180 rNGBABAN. "Distinctly do our Gods speaik to us," ex- claimed Ingram, raising his head ; " the song of the minstrel, and the proverbs of the wise are taught by them. I hear their voices in the rustling trees, in the melodious spring, and in the clap of the thunder. Every spring the storm- wind drives over the valleys ; and when the God- hounds bark, and the spirit-horses snort, the gteat God of battle passes therein over our heads. Who can desire a stronger testimony than this, which we every day reverentially hear and see?" " Thou speakest sensibly," said Bruno, looking up to the ravens, who were flying round the tree, screaming their wild song; "everywhere they float around us, and. their messengers proclaim, that thfey are near. Yet I am fearful that they will be powerless against the stranger. If they dwell on the tops of the trees, if they soar through the air^ why do they not punish him ? He has erected a tent for the service of his God under the fruit tree, from which we cut our fate staves ; by the tree runs a spring, to whose Goddess we pray; I looked at the tree, and I looked at the spring whilst he spoke ; the foliage rustled just as formerly,, and when he was silent, the spring continued to sing. I looked in the face of the sun, our dear lord, as his rays fell INGRABAN, 181 upon his head, till my look was darkened by my audacity ; hut it appeared to me that he looked out as joyfully as he ever did before, and was no enemy to him. Nay, I fear that even the thunder can do nothing against him." Ingram sighed, he knew that the thunder God had not struck the audacious one. "Therefore I say," continued Brimo, soitow- fully, " it is a great announcement that we hear in the light of the day, in clear words and through new thoughts. Whoever listens to his speech among the assembled people finds it diflScult to withstand him. For the thoughts which he ex- cites are far more powerful than the voices of the super-terrestrials, whom we honour. But, when the man stands alone in the dark mist, by the forest stream, by the waving corn, or by the herds in the twilight, then the announcement of the Christian becomes weak again, and our Gods become powerful. There is discord, I suspect, in the dominion of the Gods ; the new God of the Christians, whom they call the Trinity, rules like a King of day where men collect together, and powerful speech resounds, yet the Gods of our land hover near, they rule and create, but I fear they cannot overcome him. It is a fearful time for every true-hearted man. Whether it por-' 182 INGEABAN. tends a fight of the Gods and the destruction of man's earth, or a new dominion, who can say ? " He bowed his head sorrowfully, the others also continued silent, till Kunibert began: "Each of us has heavy thoughts. But I withstand the foreign practice and the new teaching, for the old Gods have given honour and blessing to my life, it would be unwise and wicked, if I were to aban- don the gracious ones. Therefore I think that if a struggle has arisen betwixt our Gods and the Christian God, let us await respectfully, to see which may prove the stronger. For that will become clear to us men ; as he who shows him- self the most powerful as bestower of fortune and giver of victory, him we must follow if we are not fools. If the Christian God is as power- ful as thou sayest, he may soon give victory to our weapons against the Sclaves, if we again fight against them. That, I think, will be the great trial of the Gods, in which our people wiU cast their lots and those of the Gods at the same time." "If thou foUowest the conqueror pliantly," burst out Ingram angrily, " I shall remain true to the powers, to whom my Fathers have vowed themselves, and who have been honourable to me, by day and night, ever since I was a child. Long INGEABAN. 183 have "we» known that there is strife on man's earth, and strife ini the realms of the Gods. Every winter the dark death-powers strive against the good preservers of our happiness ; toilsome is the struggle betwixt the warmth of day, and the night's rime ; also behind the sun and moon there run, as tradition tells us, gigantic wolves, incessantly seeking to devour them. But I wUl, though I should be the only man, stand by the good spirits of my Fathers in the struggle of the Gods, whether they conquer or are subdued. If their world blazes with flames, I will be destroyed with the loved ones whom I have hitherto served ; for I feel a hatred against the new cunning, and the smooth speeches, and the glad victorious smile of the Priest.'' He rose vehemently, hastened out of his court iato the open ground. Bruno looked after him anxiously. "His mind has been disturbed by the Sorbe bonds, and I fear he thinks of some deed of violence." The glowing evening red vanished into dark grey, only a pale red glow lay still on the mountain forest and the heights. Then was heard a solemn song on the valley road which leads from the Saale to the village. Out of the twi- light a wandering train approached — ^the boy with 184 rNGEABAN. the ■wooden cross, behind him Gottfried and the whole band of women and children, Walbufg in a cart drawn by two oxen. The rescued ones were received with cries of joy and loud accla- mations by the people, when they approached the burning fires. The travellers looked with as- tonishment at the flames and the crowds of people, and received the congratulations of the thronging multitude. The Bishop himself hastened with open arms to meet the train. Surrounded by the people Gottfried related to him the first account of his mission, — -how the released ones had gone away, and had penetrated by the Black stream, along the water channel, upwards into the forest; there they had experienced day and night the terrors of the wilderness. But when at last they came to a lonely house, the Host, although he was more of a heathen than a Christian, had harnessed the oxen to a cart, and, from fear of the Sorbe warriors, had placed in it, besides the wounded woman, his household furni- ture, and had accompanied the wanderers, with his house companions and cattle. Ingram broke through the crowd, who were listening to the account. In happy joy he called out already from afar the name of the maiden. At this moment all bitter anger was forgotten, and INGRABAN. 185 his manly face shone with a glorified brightness. Walburg recognised him. The veil before her face was moved, and she stretched out her hand towards him. Then Gottfried stepped forward, seized her hand, raised her, with the help of the driver, from the cart, and led her to Winfried. Walburg sank down on her knees, and Ingram moved back. With rapid words Gottfried mentioned her name and her story, and Winfried spoke to her lovingly: "Before a distant grave I vowed to take care of thee as a father. The heavenly Father has heard the first prayer that I have made to him for a human soul in this country : I receive thee as a pledge that the Lord wiU continue graciously to help my work." He looked towards the steward's house, where already numerous layers of trees were lying for the new building, and exclaimed joyfully : " In this corner of the forest a dwelling wiU I hope arise, in which many who are bound will be released from their fetters. Thanks to thee, my son, for the good journey; thy return delivers another also from heavy responsibility." The little brothers of Walburg were clinging to the hands of Ingram. " Come to me, boys," cried Ingram eagerly, and drew them away with him. 186 INGRABAN. But Winfried himself stopped his path. " The boys are mine, and mine is every head in this train." " They are the sons of my guest friend, and I take upon me the care of their welfare," ex- claimed Ingram, with flaming anger. "By the goodness of the Lord the children have been delivered, and not by thine," answered the Bishop. " They shall become warriors, and not knee- bending Christians," cried out Ingram, holding the boys fast. " But I fear, Ingram, that thy wild household will not be for their welfare, and it is my duty to guard them from it, for they are of my faith. Let the hands free which thou boldest so fast." Ingram put his hand towards his sword in an outbreak of anger. The Bishop seized the hands of the boys, and stood with erect head opposite to the furious man. "It is not the first time that I have stood before thy weapon," he ex- claimed, reminding him. The Count stepped quickly before Ingram, and held his sword hand fast. "Thou art mad, Ingram, to stir thyself against a shaven head. Be well advised, man ; if thou raisest thy sword thou wilt lose thy hand." INGEABAN. 187 But Ingram tore himself away, everything whirled before his eyes — ^blood-red were the faces which gazed on him mockingly, and quite beside himself he exclaimed : " He separates me from my Gods, and takes away from me those I love. I will be revenged for the injury or not live." With a spring he swung his sword against the Bishop. Then he saw suddenly before him, not the hated face of the priest, but a woman's face, pale as marble, her eyes full of terror, and on her cheek a blood-red wound, and he drew back horrified at the change. " Seize , the peace-breaker ! " cried out Herr Gerold. Wild cries arose and swords glittered, but Ingram ran with raised weapon up the height ; his friends and companions pressed out of the heathen host betwixt him and the angry throng, till the cries of the pursuers sounded in the distance, and the protecting darkness of the forest enclosed the hunted man. 188 INGKABAN. VL WALBURG. After three days ofteaeliing and solemn feast the assembled multitude had gone home, the Chris- tians with heads erect, the heathen dejectedly. But through the whole country of Thuringia a ■movement was working, which was excited by the magic of one powerful man : the gust of wind from the forest valley had become a mighty storm, it drove through the whole country, and cast down the old heathen trees. Winfried no longer dwelt in the hut of Memmo. By the advice of the Count a haU had been erected for him near the steward's house, where he might receive the people with more dignity. Yet he was seldom at home. Accompanied by horsemen, and a retinue of distinguished men, he roamed restlessly through the country; and where he appeared men disputed about sacrificial feasts and their future salvation in the Castle of INGRABAN. 189 Heaven. Many put on the white dress of the baptised ; still more, stood uncertainly aside, de- fenceless against the clear word from the man's breast, and against the demeanour of the man, who, like a God, gave his information with such certainty, where others were tormented with doubt. He found also everywhere bitter enemies, though against the first pressure of his teach- ing few only could guard themselves, for he spoke kindly, forbearingly, and indulgently to indivi- duals, and treated everyone with honour ; he was friendly to the women, his countenance changed into bright joyfulness when he spoke to the chil- dren, and when he found anyone who was needy or afflicted, he gave all that he had, and begged so solemnly and impressively, that he often persuaded the hard-hearted to good deeds. Throughout the whole country, people said that he was an amiable and distinguished man, and therefore they listened to him willingly. But also in the village, which he had first entered, a change appeared after a few weeks. In the steward's courtyard, which Frau HUde- gard had ofiered as a gift to the Christian God, there arose by the hall a wooden tower, and on it a lar^e square enclosed space, which was dedicated to the service of God. Outside were 190 INGEAEAN. many new block houses, a skeping house for the ransomed women and children, near it a house for work, in which every day they turned their spindles and rattled their looms ; and opposite to it a second house with a large cross over the gable, the first school in the country. There sat the boys, who had become the Bishop's wards, on low wooden benches ; they learnt in their own lan- guage the Lord's Prayer and the Belief, and in Latin the Church prayers and songs; besides that, they learnt to understand a little, the Latin words. For Memmo invented for them import- ant sentences with German and Latin words, in this manner: mens avus — that is, my ancestor; pater is the father, vir is I, the man, filius is the son. Memmo laughed proudly each time that he gave the boys a new sentence, he stroked the yellow durly heads of those who learnt well, as tenderly as he did the red hood of his goldfinch ; but to the indocile he counted their scores inexorably with a large birch rod, which the naughtiest had, to deliver afresh into his hands every Saturday evening, in order that he himself might receive the first stroke. He also prepared writing materials to reveal to the boys the secret of writing. He brewed the black magic juice ink, whilst the boys were standing round him in INGEABAN. 191 terror ; he sought long in vain for a dark stone which he could split into writing tables, tUl at last the bear-catcher, Bubbo, brought him a piece out of the deep forest. Meanwhile he taught the children to cut for themselves small wooden tables, to poHsh them with glue, or to overlay them with white birch bark. If Gott- fried was in the village, he instructed them in church song. The women and maidens also be- longed to his school. Whenever the measure of the evening song sounded from the height over the village, the country people ceased from their work and looked fearfully up to the house, where the night greeting was offered to the new God. And when Memmo with his scholars passed through the meadows and wood, explaining to them the virtues of the trees and herbs, then the village boys screamed out at his Httle compan- ions, as wild birds do to tame ones, and he had sometimes difficulty in separating with his stick the heads of the brawlers. Wide through the land spread the report of the new school, and of the strange Christian discipline. Although the unwarlike conduct displeased the people of distinction, yet many a one thought it advantageous to venture a younger son there ; but the poor people pleaded 192 INGRABAN. urgently for reception, and Winfried began to think already of removing the school to the great market of the Thuringians. Some of the women and children -were taken away by their friends, but the greater number continued under the protection of the Bishop, and desired no better good fortune, for the house- hold was well conducted, and all the necessaries of life were prepared in fixed order. The Chris- tians had, after the great, assembly, on the admonition of the Bishop, brought voluntary contributions ; provisions, flax, and even heads of cattle; and the dwellers in the house won other things by their industry. What the forest and fields bore of fruit that was good for food was collected, the harvest of the property brought in by zealous hands. The priests knew how to give each individual, according to his power, an office which would be useful to the household. Besides the steward and his wife, Walburg and Gertrude assisted in the household, the one in the women's house, the other in the stalls and in the fields. Whenever Winfried returned from- his journey, he received, like a landed proprietor, the reports of his trusty ones; he stood joyously among the children, rejoicing in the good ones whom Memmo praised, and admonishing the INQEABAN. 193 caxeless. And each time he had a special greet- ing for "Walburg and her brothers. Walburg had recovered. Memmo had given good proof of his medical skill on her ; for many weeks he had forbidden her to work in the open air; now her complete recovery was announced,, and she stood for the first time in the court, her countenance half covered by the veil, which, by the command of the Father, was to protect her scarred cheek sometime longer from the air. She held a web of linen cloth to the light, examined the threads, and measured the length by a stick, whilst two little maidens received the rolUng folds into their lap. "It is not yet master's linen," she said in glad zeal to Gottfried, answer- ing his silent greeting with a nod of her head, "for the venerable Bishop wished us first to work for the children. Only think, my brother, each of the boys is to receive, besides his wooHen jacket, two shirts, and a pair of leather shoes. They will go about like the sons of Chieftains, and every one will esteem them, which is good, because they are now thy scholars. And then there are the beds to be stufied for great and small, and bed ticks and coverlets to sew, and we have all hands full of work, that the house may be in order when the cold winter comes. Many VOL. II, 13 194! INGEABAN. little beds are necessary; for Herr Winfried again "wishes that every little one should have his own bed, which is unheard of in this country. But brown woollen cloth is aiready in hand, and I should like to make thee a house dress before the others ; for, forgive me, brother Gottfried, when I say, that the one which thou wearest is thread- bare, and we are distressed about that." "Only take care of the others," repUed Gottfried; " ifmy coat is bad, I will weave and sew one for myself, or receive another which a brother has sewed; as it is not the custom for a monk to wear women's work." He spoke this more eagerly than was necessary, and at the same time stroked the little Bezzo on his head, who was clinging to Walburg's feet, and, as she would not attend to him, impatiently climbed up her side. "They pinch me again," cried Bezzo. "He means his shoes," explained Walburg, taking him into her arms ; " he had bare legs, like the heathen which the Bishop will not allow, and a wild heathens, head, and the scamp knows that he is a favourite, because he was dear to thee on the journey. Be good, Bezzo, and beg the pious brother to sign the Cross over thee, against thy wild thoughts." With this Bezzo agreed ; he struggled eagerly INGEABAN. 195 to get from the neck of the maiden to that of the monk, and said, " I wish for a cross on the head, for then Aunt Walburg gives us some of the honey- comb." Walburg excused herself: "One must make the little ones love the Cross." But Gottfried colouring released the boy from the neck and arms of the maiden, placed him on the ground, speak- ing to him kindly. " We women see thee seldom now in our neigh- bourhood," continued Walburg heartily, " and yet all hearts cling to thee ; during the journey from the Sorbes thou didst take care of us more zealously." " The monk is an unskilful adviser for women's work," answered Gottfried; " but I must tell thee, that in the next spring my sister Kunitrude is coming hither from the land of the Angle's ; she will dwell with you. She has vowed herself to the Lord, goes about veiled, and is to be the mistress of a woman's community ; she is wiser than I." " Does a veiled woman understand Latin also ?" asked Walburg, astonished. " She whom I have named speaks it better than I ; the reverend Father boasts of her skill in verses, she has read many holy books." "How shall we be able to live with such a woman ? " cried out Walburg, alarmed. 496 INGEABAir. " She is as young as thou, and if I am not mistaken she resembles thee in countenance and demeanour," replied Gottfried with embarrass- ment. " I hope she, "roill be a. good companion to " She is young and has vowed herself to the Lord ! " continued Walburg reflectively ; " has the maiden taken upon herself so great a thing ? For I know well that if she has taken, the veil, she must never more go with the maidens into the meadows in May, she must never give a kindly greeting to any man, nor think of a husband or children in the house. That is a high and heavy duty for a young heart.. Forgive me, venerable brother," she broke, short, as she saw the colour in the face of the monk," I forgot that she is thy sister ; thou also hast dedicated thy young life to the Lord, and we others see it with astonish- ment." Gottfried bowed his head, greeted her silently, and went quickly to the school. But Walburg stepped up to the water-trough of the running spring, raised her veil, and gazed on the red scar on her cheek ; with a sigh, she let the veil fall' down. "A scar in the face ill becomes a maiden,'' she said lamentingly to herself, "and hardly will any one now praise; my cheeks. Per- haps the sister from the land of the Angles has INGKABAN. 197 speckles on her face which causes her to renounce all earthly pleasure." She felt a blow on her shoulder, and turning herself round quickly, saw Gertrude laughing at her, who placed a crown of ash leaves and red berries on her head, such as the naaidens wear at the dance in autumn. " Better fortune for the future ! " she cried out ; " the wreath becomes thee right well, even though one only sees half thy mouth smile." " The pious Fathers understand every thing," replied Walburg, " they know even how to make a maiden's face whole." " The long coats are good men," «xclaimed Gertrude; "but dost thou think one of them strong enough to swing a maiden over his hips in the dance ? " " Do not speak so wildly," begged Walburg, hanging the wreath against the spring. Gertrude crossed her strong arms and spoke mockingly to her companion. " I think that thou art secretly like minded; for all here is verj- clean, but I have heard no one rejoicing but the little boys, and these also were admonished to bow their heads. It has never gone so well with me in my life as under the cross, and I have learnt quite willingly the hyrie, and to cry out the 198 INGBABAII. Amen. But, maiden, there is many an hour in which I would give up the whole of the grandeur, if I could only once dance with a brisk boy by the night fires." "Be silent about the heathen customs, that the children may not hear thee," admonished Walburg. " Art thou so devoted that thy thoughts can- not go beyond the Christian court ? " asked Ger- trude. But when she saw the sorrowful look of the other, she regretted the question, and con- tinued : " How is it that thou never speakest to me of the man, who, on thy account, came to thy father's hearth?" " I fear to ask others about him," replied Wal- burg sorrowfully, " as I do not know how he is disposed towards me. The women tell me that he rides far from here in the army of the Franks. His disposition was ever for a great war expe- dition, and when he was the last time by the Main he wished to obtain intelligence for that object. Why dost thou look at me so, Gertrude ? " she exclaimed eagerly, " thou knowest something of him which thou wilt not say : be merciful, and speak." " Didst thou not hear what many know ? " ' answered Gertrude. " The Count's court has sat INGRABAN. 199 over him. If they have given judgment against him, others can inform thee, not I." " Where is Wolfram ? " cried out Walburg, " I have daily looked out for him, but the Raven house is abandoned." " Every thing is quiet about there," answered Gertrude. " The men-servants and maidens have ■withdrawn." "Who feeds his cattle?" asked Walburg quickly. " Perhaps Wolfram still dwells there secretly. If thou wishest seriously to see the servant of the vanished man," she continued in a low tone, " I can help thee to it." "Bring him here," begged Walburg, full of anguish. " He will scarcely venture himself into the court, because the Count's horsemen linger about the gate. As thou now canst go into the open, come with me in front of the gate, but do not betray me, if I help thee ; for what do the Priests understand about two caring for one another? they would be prudent not to concern themselves at all about it," and she swung her large cream spoon, without any respect, against the school, in which Gottfried taught. As the maidens stepped in front of the gate. 200 INGBABAN. they saw a crowd of people such as always col- lected themselves when the Bishop was expected back from a journey. Near the horsemen stood poor and sick people, who desired alms and healing, and Christians from the surrounding ^country, who sought for a blessing or good advice. But on one side stood some warriors in forei^ Sclave dress. With horror Walburg perceived the caps and the hc«rse gear of the Sorbes, among them Weissbart from the retinue of Ratiz, grandly attired in a long cloth coat with shining sword belt. The old man approached the women with a deep obeisance, and began twisting his fur cap in his hand: "I perceive that the jouruey of the women over the Sorbe stream was quite successful." Walburg controlled her repug- nance as she answered : " Your journey also to the great Frank Sovereagn has prospered in peace as far as I see." " The safe conduct of thy lord, the Bishop, was powerful, we have returned hitherto in safety. But much of mine was burnt when you left us, and the old man has need of help." " We saw the red glow on our journey, when we turned to look back." "Straw burns as easily as shingles," replied the old man kindly, looking over the wooden JNGKABAN. 201 roofs of the house. "But my country people build quickly : the next time that thou comest to us thou wilt find new straw roofs." "Never more do I desire to 'behold your village!" exclaimed Walburg, with honest disgust. "May aU happen to thee as thou desirest," answered Weissbart humbly; "it would also be agreeable to me, if the maiden would help the little father to his right. Hero Ingram, who escaped from our band, had, while he was yet free, with good intentions promised me a piece of red cloth, in order that I might permit him to speak to thee. I did permit it ; and now I desire to have the cloth. Since that, evil has befallen the man even here, but I do not like that his promise to me should remain unfulfilled. If the maiden could help me to my rights it would be agreeable to me." " If Ingram is indebted to thee on my account, I will take care that thou shalt receive thy due^ if he cannot do it himself," answered Walburg, escaping from the eloquent thanks of the Sorbe. The maidens went to a projection of the forest, which stretched near to the separation of the roads. There Gertrude desired her companion to sit down ; she herself spread a white cloth on the edge of the thicket, and wandered along as if she 202 INGEABAN. "were seeking for herbs in the wood, and then slowly returned to her companion. " If he is in the house, he will come ; wait, in case he should see the sign." The maidens, who were concealed from the view of their house, did not sit long before Wolfram stepped out of the Raven house into the wood, and turned towards them, behind the trees. Walburg hastened towards him. " Where is Ingram ? " "He is no longer called Ingram, people now name him the Wolf's companion; they have outlawed him as a wild beast of the forest." Walburg wrung her hands. " I am glad that thou thinkest of him, for in the house from whence thou comest, they are not well disposed towards him. On his account the old men sat under the three linden trees round the Count's chair. I stood by their enclosure, and it was a bitter day to me. The Count's head man entered the circle and raised the accusation ; loudly did they call out the name of my master, turning towards the house, arable land, and meadows. He himself answered notliing, but Bruno as his nearest friend, entered into the circle for him. Three times he answered the accusations, and three times the country council consulted. After INGRABAN. 203 the third consultation the sentence was given : as my lord had broken the peace of the Frank ruler, and the people, by raising his sword hand, he was henceforth to have only peace like the wolf, where no eye should see him and no ear hear him. And with the wolves does the outlaw now dwell." Walburg cried aloud, but Wolfram continued sorrowfully : " They say that the sentence was quite mild, for they have not burnt his house — Bruno has meanwhile laid his hand upon it — and they have not taken away his honour ; so it is possible that the wild beasts may choose him for their king." " Where does he d well himself ? " cried Walburg. Wolfram looked at her significantly : " Perhaps in the wild forest, perhaps under a hard rock, he has vanished from the light of the sun." Walburg made a vehement sign to her com- panion to withdraw, and said in a low tone : " I hope he is riding without a name in the Frank army." " I hope not," replied Wolfram. " Thou concealest him in his house ? " " His roof no longer protects him from foreign spies." " Then confess to me where he is, Wolfram, I 204 INGEABAN. •conjure thee by thy soail and happiness I' " sTie ex- claimed solemnly. " I wish for good to my soul, and happiness," replied Wolfram, " but I know not whether they would prosper if I were to betray my master. Yet I acknowledge that I alone cannot help him. If thou wilt promise me to keep secret what I tell thee, thou shalt learn what I myself know." Walburg made the sign of the cross, and reached out her hand to him. " Under the ancient stems in the wild forest, my master and I know of a hollow tree, in which we have been in the habit of concealing hunting implements, and whatever else was' necessary for forest travelling, as is the custom of hunters. Hither I carried him, the morning after he had disappeared, his hunting accoutrements, weapons, and clothes; and sang in the neighbourhood as loud as I could, my hunt- ing cry, which he knows. When I came a,gain the second day, the tree was emptied; since that I frequently call forth my song there, and when his judgment was announced, I tarried in the neighbourhood till he came. But joyless was our meeting, his cheeks were pale, and his words were few; and when I oifered to accompany him, he refused it shortly, and said : ' I dwell in the halls of the Gods, for one who walks in the INaEA3AN. 205 sunliglit there is no room. Do not return again, Wolfram, for without peace wUl every one be who attaches himself to the outcast.' " " Did he mention my name ? " interposed Walburg. " He did not even ask after his horses^" replied. Wolfram. The maiden bent her head sorrowfully. '' It was only about the Sorbes, that he said any- thing to me, by which I know that he is quite distracted. He requires a red cloth for Weissbart, and I am to take one of his horses to market to' obtain it. It is a debt he has promised." " Hast thou obeyed his command ? " asked Walburg. " I have made the exchange of the cloth, but it appears to me quite foolish and inconsiderate to grant the gift to the old thief, for his spear comrades have treated my master faithlessly, and he lives in deadly feud with, them." "Nevertheless do thou obey his command, for my sake also," begged Walburg. " The hounds encamp now in the village like Chieftains," replied Wolfram, " I saw the old man ; he lurks about as a spy, and his arrival portends no good. May this be the last game that he. carries home in his sack. — Since that day I have seen my master no more, yet what I still con- 206 INGEABAN. ceal in the tree is almost always fetched. But yesterday I found a piece of bark in the hollo-w, and a picture of a horse scratched on the inner side. To-morrow I think of taking to him his best horse, and besides, one for another, that he may not ride alone." "And what are his intentions ? tell me that, Wolfram, if thou knowest." "Where should he go except against the Sorbes. For it is the withes which lie most at his heart. As a wild wolf he will bite there, till he is struck by the stroke of a club. I would rather go elsewhere, but a foreboding drives me, as I also am called Wolf-raven. I perceive that my name indicates to me that I should accompany him on the Wolf-leap." "Do not take the horses to the forest, on which he is to ride with thee to death," said Wal- burg solemnly, " for I will help him to live, if I can. Promise to await me to-morrow at this place before thou wanderest to the tree, that I may bring to thee what may be useful to thy lord." Wolfram considered. " I know that thou ai-t well disposed towards him, and thou wilt never betray him to his enemies." " Never ! " exclaimed Walburg. INGBABAN. 207 " Well, then, I will expect thee here early to- morrow morning, when the sun rises over the border of the forest." The maidens hastened to the house, for on the village road a troop of horsemen was approaching, the Bishop in the middle of them. He was received by an acclamation from the waiting crowd and the house companions. He trod like a Chieftain througl^ the people into the hall, which had been erected for him, and he received there in succession the envoys and petitioners. At last Herr Gerold himself sprang from his war horse- into the court. The Bishop met him on the threshold, offered him the peace greeting, and conducted him to the hearth seat. " I have frightened away the Raven from up there," began the Count; "thou art revenged on him." "I do not thank thee for it, Gerold; thou knowest how I have entreated for him." " It was not for my advantage," replied the Frank, displeased, "to cmsh the best sword in Thuringia. I only demanded the judgment, because thy safety has been laid on my soul, by my lord. For thou couldst not continue among the people, if the first man who raised his sword acainst thy head remained unpunished. Thou 20S INGBAJ3AK. wouldst be despised by every one, and Leaihen knives would penetrate to thee on all sides. If thou wilt further proclaim thy message to the Thuringians thou must show them that thy enemies will be destroyed." "If thou hast destroyed that man," said Winfried, " because he recklessly broke the peace of the people, I cannot oppose thee. But if thou didst desire revenge for me, thou hast caused me sorrow. Thou knowest the holy command which is written, — that we must do good to our enemies." " Though it is written, yet see whether the men here will believe thee ! " exclaimed Gerold discontentedly. " But I hope that thou art not' come to take away the courage of these people;, but to strengthen it; for here patience and a lamb-like feeling are of no use, but war and sharp fighting ; for that I am sent into this country, and I perceive that the will of the exalted Hero Karl is, that thou shouldst help me in it. When we departed together out of the presence of the Frank suler, we placed our hands in one another's, and promised to be true comrades among the people of Thuringia, I for my lord, thou for the Christian God; for this frontier country is gone to ruin, and firm leaders are necessary for it." "Faithfully hast thou hitherto fulfilled our INGRABAN. 209 contract," replied Winfried heartily; "and wil- lingly do I bear testimony that I am thankful to thee above all other men, if I succeed in bowing hard necks to the baptismal font. For the fear of thy armed men is my only earthly protection ; and believe me, no day passes on which prayers are not put up for thy welfare in the house of my faithful people." Herr Gerold bowed his head a little. " It is quite welcome to me, that thou shouldst prepare a good chamber for me in heaven, for I have little -aptitude for it myself But it would be not less agreeable to me if thou wouldst keep thy faith to me in other ways also ; and that I tell thee plainly. It did not please me that thou didst obtain a safe conduct for the envoys of Ratiz to the Hero Karl, and that thou didst send a shorn envoy over the border into the Wend country ; for thus thou actest against my advantage, and also against thine own." " Consider also," replied Winfried quietly, " that I have done nothing without thy knowledge. My office is to proclaim the peace of God on man's earth ; how then could I refuse to announce the peaceful wish of Eatiz to the Hero Karl ? We discovered that the robber was in hostility with many of his own people, and that it would VOL. II. 14 210 INGEABAN. be -welcome to the great Frank ruler himself to spread his dominion over the Sclaves on the frontier." "If it -was welcome to him," replied Gerold angrily, " it was hateful and insufferable to me and others who command on the frontier. Dost thou think that we, as border Counts, could suffer Ratiz near us to our damage in land and in tithes ? And now I tell you I rejoice that I and my advocates have stood in his way with Prince Karl. The Sorbes return without a favourable answer, and Eatiz is commanded to move back over the Saale." " And if he does not do it ? " asked Winfried. "Then he will be the first whom we wiU attack, that fear may restrain the Sclave people." • " But if his country people help him ? " "That is just what I wish," cried Gerold. " Dost thou think I have a mind to carry my sword idly in my scabbard this summer ? " " And so murder and fire and the horrors of border war will rise again," cried Winfried sorrow- fully; "I. see destroyed houses, slain men, and defenceless women and children driven like cattle, and the hearts of the victors made more savage." " I have hitherto found thee wise in worldly INGRABAN. 211 things also," replied Gerold, "but this speech appears to me foolish. Whether the Thuringians will be subdued to thy teaching, now depends not alone on the prayers which thou promisest them, but upon the blows which I and my army dis- tribute to the Wends. For the heathen will only bend their necks to thee, when they gain victory under the Christian banner. And if thou shouldst ever wish to convert the Eastern people, these also will only hear thy words, when they perceive that their Gods no longer give them victory." " It is my work to proclaim to the people of the earth the peace of God's kingdom," answered Winfried; "thine office is to overthrow the enemies of the Frank ruler. For many years I have learnt, that the holy teaching does not suddenly change the minds and thoughts of men, and many generations may pass before Chris- tians themselves may comprehend the words of love and mercy. I know also that only a people who withstand the heathen victoriously, keep the Christian faith, therefore I wish the rule of the Franks to spread, so far as I can succeed in gaining followers for my heavenly Lord. I have made the agreement with the high Prince Karl, that he shall be the only earthly lord over all converted heathen lands, aa 212: INGEABAN. the Bishop of Rome is the only envoy of the Lord of heaven. So far I wish thee victory, and I must pray to the Almighty, that He may preserve for Himself thy hero strength. But when thou desirest war from a craving for war, renown, and booty, then take care that thou dost not meet with punishment, when thou leavest this short Me for the eternal one." " My care about the kingdom of Heaven I have placed in thy hands, Bishop," replied the Covmt, with secret fear, " and I trust that thou wUt look after my advantage there, as I will fight for thine here, although thou sometimes withstandest me. And so let us again be good companions. I ride to the frontier, and thy intercessions may soon be useful to me." He stepped clattering out of the door, and Winfried remaining behind said to himself quietly, " I shall find greater pleasure with my little wards." He turned into the working house, greeted the women and children, stepped with Walburg through aU the rooms, received an account of all that had been done in his absence, examined the work of the looms, and the treasures of the store chamber; he touched smiling the maiden's veil which covered one half of her face, " I must praiae the skill of the doctor, for he has INGEABAN. 213 well healed thy wound, and time will repair the injur}'. Soon some one will come and diesite thee for their housewife. But we shall lose thee un- willingly, for thy mind is firm, and whatever thy hand touches succeeds. Thou art half veiled, perhaps God will give thee grace to dedicate thy whole life to His service." Then Walburg coloured, but she looked open- heartedly into the Bishop's face as she answered, " The thought has often come across me to remain here for my life, as I sat with my wound ; for happy is the peace in thy neighbourhood, and I have experienced much sorrow ; but, my father, without a vow I am bound to the fate of another. Do ndt be angry when I name to thee the man who wickedly raised his iron against thy head." The brow of the Bishop became clouded, — was it anger against Ingram, or displeasure because some one withstood his wishes ? — the next moment he again looked kindly on the woman, who folded her hands beseechingly. " They have outlawed him, Walburg, because he himself had transgressed the law." " Therefore I will go to him, reverend father." " Thou, maiden ? " asked Winfried, astonished, " into the wilderness, — into a foreign land, — to a despised man ? " 214 INGBABAN. "Wherever lie breathes, however he lives, in the wild forest, under the rock with beasts of prey and robber companions, I will go to him ; for, my lord, I owe it to him." " Thou dost owe it to thy Father in Heaven to do nothing which is contrary to His commands. Modesty and decorum are commanded to women, and foolhardy self-abandonment is wrong in His sight." " I understand thy teaching, reverend father," replied Walburg humbly. "I have hitherto borne myself with modesty and pride towards wooers and also towards him. But he wagered his freedom and his life for me. Wicked was the wager, I know it, my father, and too severely have I said it to himself, of which I now repent me. He has come into danger and misery on my account ; I will go to save him." " Canst thou do that, maiden ? " "The dear Grod will be gracious to me," answered Walburg. " Dost thou know," inquired Winfried search- ingly, "whether he will desire thy presence? Dost thou build upon the desire that he once had to possess thee ? Walburg, my poor child, thou hast spoilt the face which he thought so charming." INGBABAN. 215 Walburg looked down before her, and her lips quivered with sorrow. " By day and night I have thought of it, and I fear much that my face is disagreeable to him. But my dead father was his guest friend, and he wiU accept the daughter as a good acquaintance, if he should henceforth desire no other wife." " Where does the Godless one conceal himself?" "Above, in the mountain forest; his servant. Wolfram, will lead me to him." " And if I forbid thee to expose thy life and soul in the wilderness, what wouldst thou then do?" Walburg sank down on her knees before him ; wringing her hands and raising them up to him, she answered softly : " I must go, nevertheless, reverend father." " Walburg ! " exclaimed the Bishop, threaten- ingly, his eyes sparkling with anger. Walburg rose quickly. " What urged thee, my lord, when thou camest hither among the heathen ? Thou venturest thy holy head daily to the hatred and wickedness of thine enemies. Without anxiety, and with a joyful heart; thou ridest through the villages of the heathen, and never askest whether an arrow out of the thicket may hit thee. Such great confidence thou hast 216 INGEABAN. in the gracious protection of thy God ; and thou art angry with the maiden, because she also ventures her life to the dangers of the wilderness. Great is thy office, reverend father; thou wilt bring many thousands from destruction to salva- tion. I am only a poor woman, I have only one life about which I pray and weep, but I have courage like thine, and a will like thine, and as long as I can move freely on my feet I will direct my steps to where his restless head is concealed. For I know that evil spirits hover around him, and oppress his soul, and therefore I must hasten to save him." "As a sworn servant of the kingdom of Heaven I travel over the heather and through the forest," replied Winfried earnestly, " I ven- ture and suffer much in my office ; but thou, if thou wilt associate thyself with an unholy one, followest the passion which on earth binds the woman to the man. It is not my office to praise or to condemn thy actions. If I were in truth thy father, and had to choose thy husband, I would prevent or accompany thee myself. As thy spiritual adviser, I tell thee, I cannot blame thy object, but I cannot praise thy wild expedi- tion." He turned froni her, but as he saw the maiden standing motionless with bent head, he INGEABAN. 217 approached her again and took her hand kindly. " Thus I have to speak to thee as Bishop, but if thou still venturest to defy the evil spirit which rules him, I -will not on that account think ill of thee; I wiU also during the expedition pray to the Lord on thy hehalf, trusting that He will graciously hear me, and if thou returnest to me, as thou hast gone, I will receive thee again as my child." Walburg bowed her head, and the Bishop prayed over her. Winfried returned to his chamber, and spoke reflectingly to himself: " My companion, Gerold, is the most upright that I know among the Franks ; the maiden also, who is willing to devote her life for a wild fellow, may perhaps be one of the best in this country ; and yet neither of them are true inheritors of the kingdom of Heaven. It is fearful to think how small is the number of those, who consider life on the garden of earth only as a preparation for the halls of glory. Come, my son," he cried out to Gottfried, as he was entering, " I struggle with heavy thoughts, and thy approach is a refreshment to me. Yet I see with anxiety that thy face is pale, and thy mein careworn; what others practise too little thou doest with over measure. I do not approve 218 INGEABAN. of thy refraining from food, nor of thy nightly watches, nor of the scourging, the strokes of which on thy back, I hear through the wall. Do not rack thy soul about dreams, nor terrify thy- self lest fluttering thoughts should spoil the pure garment of thy soul. The Lord has destined thee to be a working helper at hard work, and I desire to have thee strong, for there is much to do. War is impending on the frontier, it has arisen out of our seed of peace ; and we have to take care that the young community may not be destroyed by the unholy. Thy travelling com- panion, Ingram, has been condemned, and we wish therefore to consider how we can prepare for the return of the outlawed one to his home, for he belongs to the children of our, domain. Pray also henceforth for Walburg the maiden. She has wilfully separated from us, and goes to the outlaw in the wilderness." Gottfried was silent, but a shudder passed over him, and he supported himself against the wall. The Bishop looked alarmed at the broken-down figure. "Gottfried, my son!" he exclaimed, "what is the matter with thee ? " The monk then went softly to the chest, in which the holy garments lay, took the stole out, and gave it to the Bishop with an imploring look. INGEABAN. 219 Winfried seated himself in the chair, the monk knelt at his side, and folded his hands over the knees of the Bishop ; the words which he spoke were almost inaudible, but they sounded in the ear of the strong man like a battle cry, and when the youth had ended, and lay with his head on the knees of the Bishop, the latter sat bending over him, holding his hot brow, and as full of sorrow as himself. 220 INGBABAN. VII. UNDER THE SHADE. On the following morning Walburg walked with her guide to the forest. Gertrude called out sorrowfully after her in the "field : " Bend thyself down, foliage, and bend thyself down, grass ; for the free maiden has separated herself from the light of the sun ! " In the cleared thicket above the village, herds of cattle were feeding. The cows ran curiously out of the underwood, staring at the maiden ; the herdsman also stepped on to the path, offered her a greeting, and asked her whither she was wandering in the early dawn. " To the moun- tains," answered Walburg softly, and the man shook his head. An inquisitive calf trotted behind her and smelt at her basket. "Away from me, little brown one," said she admonish - ingly, "for the path which I go would be dangerous to thee. Thou art at peace with INGEABAN. 221 people : all must take notice of thee, though thou art only a yearling; and if a stranger should injure thee, he must atone heavily for it to thy master. But he whom I seek is poorer than thou, for every one may cool their hot spirits on him unpunished, and he wanders defenceless without law." She clasped the basket in her hand firmer, and hastened after the guide. On the summit of the hill she turned round and stretched out her hand with a greeting to the sunny plain; she looked over the treasures of the arable fields, on the grey roofs of the village, and on the steward's house, in which she had found a refuge ; she thought of the children : who would distribute to them their morning bread ? and she saw her brothers sitting with hot cheeks by their wooden tables in the school, and the little Bezzo who would run cryjng and seeking for her through the house. " If he cries he wiU disturb the school, and I fear they will punish him, because he weeps about me. " Before her eyes also appeared the serious face of Win- fried, as if he said to her : " Thou foUowest an earthly love and hast set thy treasure on this world, but I on yonder," Then she sighed : "Whether he was at heart angry with me is what I would like to know. But he has blessed 222 INGKABAN. me,'' she said to herself consolingly. " Perhaps he is just now praying to the Lord of Heaven for me, as he promised, and under his prayer I go securely on : for I think he must be very dear to the great God, and to please him the mes- sengers of heaven will protect me. Yet on my own account they would hardly fly over me, because the outlawed one raised his hand so grievously against the Bishop." She went a fuU hour's journey beside the rushing stream, till she came to where the last boundary signs were cut on the border trees, and the track of the wood waggons ceased. There the wilder- ness began, which was only trod by the hunter, by a timid wanderer, or by the lawless robber passing over the mountains, and who strayed homeless over the earth. Before her rose the wild forest — primeval stems, with long twisting creepers hanging down, shining silver grey, like gigantic pillars supporting, high above, a leafy roof Thick shadows covered the ground, a green covering of moss lay over the twisted roots, and fallen stems and large fern fans spread themselves in the twilight. Wolfram took oflF his cap, as becomes a hunter when he enters among the wild trees, and Walburg bowed a respectful greeting to the high forest: "Ye INGRABAN. 223 powers who grow freely up to the heavens, ye feel sunshine and rain on your heads, and the spring from the rock wets your feet. Grant me the favour, to bestow upon us strangers, when we approach you in fear, the forest fruit as food, white moss as a bed, j'our branches as a covering, and your stems as a fortress against the enemy." Once more she turned back into the light, then she stepped on cheerfully into the shade. For a whole hour Wolfram guided her betwixt the stems, over mountain and valley. At last he stopped on a height before a gigantic beech, and said with suppressed voice : " This is the tree." He cautiously bent the fern back, raised a piece of beech bark which covered the hollow, and pointed within. Then he spied all round from the border of the height. Nothing was to be seen. " It is not yet the time at which he comes, but thou mayst be sure that he will not remain away to-day, for he is hoping for his horse." The heart of the maiden beat as she saw around her one gigantic pillar behind another, till the farthest seemed to shut her closely in like a monstrous wall. " We must part. Wolfram ; go back to the house and leave me here, that I may meet him alone." "How can I leave a defenceless woman in 224 INGEABAN. the wild forest ? " replied Wolfram, with dis- pleasure. " Go, nevertheless, thou faithful one : what I have to say to him must rest with us alone, and no other should hear it. If thou wilt be friendly to me, return again to-morrow about mid-day, and ask the tree how it goes with me. I wish it, Wolfram, and thou wilt vex me if thou doest otherwise." Wolfram stretched out his hand to her. " Farewell, Walburg ; I do not go far, but I know that the other will not long delay." He walked back tUl the maiden could no longer see him, then he threw himself on the ground. " I will wait till I perceive his form, that no one may come near her, who knows the forest customs." Walburg sat alone under the tree. She put her hands together and looked upwards on high,, where she could no longer see the blue sky, only branches and leaves. A deep silence reigned under the grey stems, and the cry of a bird seldom sounded from above. Then something moved softly down the nearest tree : a squirrel placed itself opposite to her on the branch, bent its little head down, occasionally looking at her with its round eyes, whilst it was holding and nibbling an acorn. Walburg also greeted the INGBABAN. 225 forest animal, and spoke approvingly : " Thy tufty and proud tail suits thee well ; be friendly to me,red-hair,for I intend no evil to thee, and could I help thee with acorns and beech-mast in thy house- hold, I would do so willingly. Yet thou art richer than I, for thou passest thine existence high in the tree halls, but we children of men walk with difficulty over the roots. I am anxious about one whom thou canst easily spy when thou ramblest through the tops of the trees ; if thou seest him on thy way, run before him and lead him to me." The squirrel nodded its head, threw the fruit on the ground, and hastened up the stem. " He is doing according to my will," said Walburg, laughing. Then she perceived a rapid step, she heard her name called, and saw the out- law, who sprang towards her among the stems, threw himself down by her on the moss, and seized her hand. " Dost thou indeed come ? " he cried out, and in the joyful excitement his voice failed him. "I see thee once more ! I have secretly hoped, and daily wandered over the moss as if spell-bound to the tree." Walburg stroked his cheeks and hair lovingly. " So pale thy counte- nance, thy hair so disordered, and thy body so thin, thou poor shadow, who avoidest the light of the sun ! The forest has been hostile to thee, for thy VOL. II. 15 226 INGBABAN. appearance is ■worn, and thine eyes' stare wildly on the child of thy guest friend." " It is pitiless in the forest, and fearful is solitude for the outcast : the roots of the trees hurt his feet, the branches tear his hair, and the crows on high discuss discordantly with each other whether he may become food for them." He rose up. "I know not yet whether I should rejoice in seeing thee; thou comestfrom the Priests, and thou goest back to them, in order to announce to them the good news that thou hast found me in misery and sorrow." " T was with the Priests, and I come to thee," answered Walburg solemnly; "I have left the house of the Christians in order to take care of thee, if I may; I have abandoned men, and have chosen the wild forest, if thou wilt have me." " Walburg !" cried the outlaw, throwing himself again down on the ground by her, he embraced her, pressed his head against her bosom, and sobbed like a child. Walburg held his head, kissed him on his hair, and spoke comforting words to him like a mother : " Be calm, thou wild one ; if thy fate is hard, thou hast one who will help thee to bear it. I also have grown up near i^he wilderness, and near the robbers of the boundary ; patient courage is sure INGRABAN. 227 to save the opprest. Seat thyself there opposite to me, Ingram, and let us talk discreetly, as formerly, when we spoke to one another by my father's hearth." Ingram seated himself obediently, but he held her hand firm. "Do not press my hand so familiarly," ad- monished Walburg, " for I have hard things to say to thee, what a maiden's lips do not willingly speak." But Ingram interrupted her: "Before thou speakest, hear also my intention." He picked a bit of gravel out of the moss, and threw it behind him. " Thus I do with what divides us, and do thou forget, Walburg, what has vexed thee and me ; do not think of the Sorbe fetters, nor of the ransom by the stranger ; and, I pray thee, do not disturb me by austere talk, for I feel myself so happy, now that I behold thee before me, and perceive thy faithfulness, that I care little for banishment and peace. Thou art very dear to my heart, and this day when thou comest to me, I cannot think of anything but thee, and of re- joicing myself in thee." The veil which covered the half face of the maiden moved. " See first, Ingram, whom it is thou lovest : we praise the wooer who has first beheld what he will woo." She threw the veil 228 INGEABAN. back. A red scar crossed her left chefek, one half of the face was unlike the other. " That is not the Walburg whose cheeks thou didst once, stroke." He saw the face before him which had frightened him when he raised his sword against the Bishop. She looked searchingly at him, and when she saw his astonishment, she veiled the cheek again, and turned away to conceal her tears. Ingram drew nearer to her and touched the other cheek lightly. "Let me kiss this," he said true-heartedly. "I am shocked, for the scar on thy face is strange ; but I know that thou hast it because I was a fool; and no man or woman will respect thee less on account of it." " Thou speakest honourably, Ingram, but I fear that my appearance will sometime become pain- ful to thee, when thou comparest me with others. I am proud, and if I become thy wife, I will have thee to myself for life and death, that is my right. I will also tell thee what is in my heart. When I still looked like other maidens I had hoped for thee as a husband, and if thou didst not become that, I would hardly have had any other man on earth, even though they might desire it. But lately I have heard a voice, which spoke to me as from my inmost soul, that I should vow myself INGRABAN. 229 to another Lord, the God of Heaven, who Him- self bore the mark of wounds. They placed a half veil over me. Whether I should at some future time entirely veil my head or not, has been asourceof anxiety tome.in bitter hours of anguish.'' Ingram sprang up. " Much evil do I wish the Priests, for they have turned thy thoughts from me. " That they have not done," replied Walburg eagerly, " thou dost not know those whom thou revilest. Seat thyself again and listen quietly, for between us there should be confidence. If thou stoodest happy before me, I should perhaps conceal my heart, even though thou shouldst woo me through my nearest relations ; the wooing would be so wearisome to thee, on account of the scar, that I could with difficulty trust thy constancy. But now I see that a friend is necessary to thee, and that thy life is in great danger ; the anguish about thee becomes over- powering, and I have come to thee, that thou mayest not become savage among beasts of prey, and, if I can help, thou shalt not die in the forest. For I know, and thou knowest also, that I belong to thee in trouble." She took her veil off: "Thou shalt see me henceforth as I am, I wUl not conceal my face from thee." 230 INGEABAN. Again Ingram threw himself down by her side and embraced her. "Do not care about my preservation nor about my happiness, as I care little for either, if thou dost not tell me what I wish to hear, — that thou comest to me because thou dost love me." " I will betroth myself to thee," said Walburg softly, " if thou wilt do the same to me." Exultingly he raised her up : " Come where the bright sun shines, that we may speak the holy words." But when he looked at her eyes, which rested with love and tenderness on his face, he changed his demeanour, bitter anxiety fell on his heart, and he turned away. "Truly," he exclaimed, '' I am worthy to dwell with wolves, if I aUow the daughter of my guest friend to undergo the horrors of the wilderness ! I have forgotten who I am : now I see around me the grey wood and the wild herbs, and I hear over me the cry of the eagle. I have been ill advised in my own life, but I am not a mean man, and I must not abuse the faithfulness of a woman, to her own destruction. Go, Walburg, it was only a joyful dream!" He leant against a tree and groaned. Walburg held his arm fast. " I stand safe by thy side, and I trust to the mighty protection of Him whom we call Father, INGEAR4.N. 231 and also to the spear and sword of my Hero, on ■which I take firm hold." " I was a warrior, now I am a worthless shadow. It is hard, Walburg, to avoid fire and smoke, and still harder to fear every wanderer, and to shun the range of his eyes, or to be expecting a fight without enmity and anger, only because the other strikes at the outlaw as at a mad dog. But it is harder than bodily need and murder in the forest darkness, to conceal the head like a coward, and to live without fame, as the vermin under the trees. Insupportable is such lingering, and the only help will be a speedy end in a sword fight. Go, Walburg; and if thou wishest to show me thy love, tell him who once was my man to bring to me a bridled horse, that I may seek my last revenge." He threw himself on the ground, and concealed his face in the moss. "Walburg felt deep anguish for the prostrate man, but she forced herself to speak courageously. Sitting by him, she smoothed his tangled locks. " But thou actest as if there were none in the land who cared for thy weal. There are many who have been outlawed and recovered their position when the anger against them has passed away. It grieves many that the sentence was 232 INGRABAK. ' passed against thee. Herr Winfried himself has implored the Count for thee." " Do not tell me that as comfort," broke forth Ingram angrily, " such petitions are quite repug- nant to me, and every good deed of the Priest is hateful. From the first day that I saw him he has wished to direct and dispose of me as a servant ; he desires cunningly to use thee and me for his purposes. When I received my sentence I thought better of him than before, even though I hated him, for I thought he had the feeling of a man to be revenged on his enemies. His com- passion is the most unbearable of all to me, for I wish to be hateful to him." Walburg sighed. "How canst thou blame him? He practises only what his faith com- mands, to do good to his enemies." "Perhaps thou also comest to me. Christian maiden, in order to do good according to thy faith, — ^and inwardly despisest me ! " Walburg struck him gently on the head. " Thy head is hard, and thy thoughts are unjust." And she kissed him again on the brow. " Not only the Bishop is well disposed to thee, but the new Frank Count has lamented about thee to Bruno; he has extoUed thy sword, and unwillingly loses thee on his next sword journey against the INGRABAN. 233 Sclaves. For observe, thou Hero of Thuringia, they say that this very autumn after the harvest, an army is ordered against the Wends." Ingram started up. "Ha! that is good news, Walburg, even though they have excluded me, unfortunate one ! " " Hear still more," continued Walburg : " The great Frank Prince, as they say, goes himself into the field against the Saxons, and everywhere the heroes are arming themselves for a new strife." " Thou makest me mad : dost thou think I could survive being separated from my sword companions, when they are gaining honour ? " " I am thinking, therefore, that thou shalt fight in their ranks, and it is for that I am here." Ingram looked astonished at her, but a ray of hope fell upon his soul, and he asked : " How canst thou help me in this ? " " I do not yet know," answered Walburg, with spirit, " but I hope good things for thee. I go to the Count, and if he cannot do it, then to the Frank Prince himself, in the foreign country, and I shall petition our own country people. From court to court I will wander and beg, and per- haps they will be favourable to me because they now need thy sword." 234! INGEABAN. "Thou faithful maiden!" exclaimed Ingram, transported. " And yet thou wilt prevent me from helping thee, thou foolish man," gently admonished Wal- burg, "for thou refusest to accept my vow. How can the maiden speak for thee before the stran- ger, if she is not betrothed to thee ? " Ingram raised his hand, and exclaimed, " If I should live, and if I should ever again wander with a light heart over the open plain, then I will try if I can thank thee according to thy wishes." " Now thou" speakest as I like to hear thee," said Walburg joyfully, "and I will talk over with thee as with my future husband everything, that we may find better fortune for ourselves. Thou shalt keep me here with thee in the forest, or wherever else it ma}'' be, so long as I am a comfort to thee, and when thou thinkest right, thou shalt send me into the country, that I may, as thy future wife, concern myself about thy affairs. The people will believe me, when I tell them that I come as thy bride. It will be well for the Haven house when a woman has the ordering of it. Thy maid-servants have run away, and they need not come again, for I intend to remain alone mistress in the house." Ingram nodded assent. "The cattle also require care, as I INGEABAN. 235 observe, and I will hire a maid for thee ; this I will settle with Bruno, who is a discreet man. I will take his advice also as to how we are to procure peace for thee.. Thou canst not gain it without a heavy penalty, if thou succeed est in getting it ; the penalty thou must pay, even if it costs thee a portion of thy land, either near thy house, or on the inheritance of thy dear mother, in the valley." Ingram sighed. " It was a severe sentence which they pronounced against thee, that thou shouldst have peace where no one sees and hears thee. But they may interpret the hard words mildly. The Christians also will not watch nor hear thee, till thou art again visible and in repute among the people, even though thou shouldst at once dwell in the Eaven house, or in the empty house of my dear father, to which I woald willingly return. These are my thoughts, — and now tell me thine." " My thought," exclaimed Ingram, " is, that I shall have a good wife, when fate permits me to dwell in the light, and a housekeeper who will set all to rights more sensibly than her Host." "Then I applaud thee, Ingram," continued Walburg victoriously. " How we shall come out of our difficulties the dear God alone knows ; but I trust Him and thank Him that I have found 236 INGRABAN. thee in the forest, and have discerned how thy heart is disposed." She bowed her head and said the "Pater Noster;" Ingram sat still by her side and listened to the prayer she was murmur- ing. Afterwards, when she was sitting by him with folded hands and a smile on her lips, he touched her arm gently and begged : " Come, Walburg, let me lead thee out of the shade into the sun." The maiden, turaing to him, said : " Does the scar make me very ugly ? " "I no longer observe it," replied Ingram honestly. Walburg sighed. "Perhaps thou art accus- tomed to it. But thou, my Hero, must still wait a little. The sun must not see thee as thou art now, for he shines unwillingly through holes in the dress, and on the bare head; and also the tangled hair is not becoming to a bridegroom. First, take off the jacket, that I may sew it for thee, and meanwhile seek the spring that thou mayest adorn thy head as is j&tting. She opened her basket and industriously took out needle and thread. "I have brought everything with me which a man could not find under the trees, and which every one needs who wishes to please others. Here is thy bridegroom's shirt, if thou wilt wear it for my sake ; I made it in sorrow as INGEABAN. 237 I was sitting in my illness. For thou no longer livest for thyself alone ; thou hast also to take care of me, and, above all, thou hast to think how thou canst always please me." She drove him away, and assiduously mended the tears in the brown woollen dress. As he returned again to her from below, she broke off the last thread, and helped him to put on the jacket and to clean it from the moss. " Thus thou pleasest me, for thou art quite changed under the trees. And now, Ingram, I am ready to follow thee wherever it may be." She put up her little working materials ; and when he wished to raise the basket for her, she prevented it. " That does not become a warrior ; thou shouldst only carry me, if my strength abandons me. Give me thy hand that I may support myself with it." They walked silently together over the mossy ground, up to a head of rock, that rose amongst the trees. The stem which had once stood upon it had fallen, and waving grasses, sweet-briar, and bluebells bloomed on this spot in the sun- light. Then she pressed his arm and endeavoured to conceal her emotion with a smile : " Stop, Ingram, and receive the last I have to say. Thy betrothed I will become from this hour ; but the 238 INGKABAN. daughter of thy guest-friend will first become thy wife in the circle of her relations, when her uncle asks her the marriage question. For we must think of what is proper, even when we are alone. Till then a polished knife lies betwixt us which thou once gavest me." She searched in her dress and drew out the blade, which she had used against herself in the hall of Ratiz. " Think of the knife, Ingram, when thou dost not see my cheek." "Evil is the knife," cried out Ingram, annoyed _ "It is a good warning," exclaimed Walburg, and seized his hand beseechingly. "It shall remind thee that thou mayest all thy life long honour thy wife." Ingram sighed, but immediately afterwards he spoke with head erect : " Thou thinkest as be- comes my wife." Both entered into the light, and spoke before heaven's sun their names, and the words by which they betrothed themselves to each other for life and death. When Ingram wished, accord- ing to custom, to bind a token on the woman, and looked back to break off a twig to wind round her arm, she said in a low tone : " I have concealed in thy pocket the firm band which will bind thee to me." He laid hold of the hard INGEABAN. 239 girdle leather of the knife, which he had handed to her -when in peril of death. And when he embraced, her after the betrothal, she felt how his powerful body trembled with excitement; and saw that the sun shone upon a pale and sorrowful face. She long held him fast, and her lips moved. But immediately afterwards she began cheerfully : " Now sit down. Hero, that I may prepare the betrothal meal for thee, for it is the privilege of the betrothed, and she will not allow it to be taken away from her. If other guests fail to-day, we wiU invite the little forest birds, if these up above are ready to sing us something friendly." She pressed the food upon him which she had brought with her, and put the good bits before him, as with an iavalid. During the repast she related to him calmly the account of her Sorbe journey, and of the industry at the steward's house ; and also of the garland of the wild Gertrude, till he smiled upon her again cheerfully. The sun descended from its mid-day height, and Ingram looked towards the sky. " I per- ceive that my lord is thinking of departure," said Walburg. " Lead thy forest bride wherever thou wilt ; assuredly thou, as a renovmed hunter, hast a tree hut, which I will make grand for thee." 240 INGEABAN. " The dwelling of the wild beast after which thou askestis among the rocks," answered Ingrain seriously. " I found it accidentally, and, except me, there is only one living who knows it. It is far from here, and unwillingly would I lead thee there; yet it is well for thee to know the refuge." "Come," exclaimed Walburg, "it makes me uneasy to see thine eyes wandering about so unquietly when I am speaking to thee." Again they went on under the shady roof, along an untrodden path, out of the leafy forest among the pines, over hill and valley, through earth fissures and running brooks. Once Ingram stopped, threw himself on the ground, and pulled Walburg after him. "Near to us runs a border path over the mountains," he whispered. Immediately afterwards Walburg heard men's voices, and saw at some distance two armed men riding across. When the clatter of hoofs and voices died away, Ingram rose ; he vras pale as a dying man, and a cold sweat lay upon his brow. " They were horsemen of the Count," he said hoarsely. She passed her handkerchief over his brow : " Only have patience, the day will come when these will bow before thee greeting ; " but •she felt deep in her heart the bitter shame of the INGRABAN. 241 outlaw. They -went on silently; Ingram often stopped, listened, and looked anxiously about him ; at last they moved downwards through thick underwood, amidst which towered only single high stems. As Walburg toiled on foot down a steep declivity, thickly enclosed with bushes, Ingram stopped : " Here is the place ; do not fear, Walburg, and trust me." She nodded to him : he bent the branches asunder, and rolled a stone slab aside ; before him yawned a dark opening. " The path is narrow which leads to the deep ground below ; here is henceforth thy dwelling, ' Wolf's bride.' " Walburg stepped back shuddering, and made the sign of the Cross. " When thou art accustomed to it, then thou wilt laugh as I do,'' said Ingram consolingly ; but he himself did not laugh. " I will go before and hold thee by the hand ; bend thy head that the rock may not hurt thee." He pressed in, and she followed. Into the dark night at their feet they went for a certain distance downwards^ she feeling with foot and hand. " Fearful is the way to the hall of the dead," sighed she ; but he drew her on. " Now stand firm, that I may light thee." He let go her hand ; she stood on uneven ground ; by her side the rock had receded, and with terror she felt around her VOL. II. 16 242 INGEABAN. in the empty darkness. Then a spark glimmered, the light went up and laid hold of a. heap of branches ; by the red flames she saw around her a vaulted cave; the sharp points of the rock glittered like silver and red gold. Before her the ground descended obliquely to a black expanse of water, which covered the background of the cave. The smoke whirled upwards, tiU. it disappeared in the: grey twiHght, round the shining rock, on which, through a cleft in the vault, a. pale glimmer of day- light fell. Amidst the glittering stone, the black water, and the glowing flame, Walburg sank down on her knees and closed her eyes with folded hands. ' Fear not, "Walburg ! " said Ingram consolingly;, "if the stone is cold and the water deep, yet the rock building is a good protection." " Here is the dwelhng of the heathen Gods," murmured Walburg, trembling ; " in such caves, people say, they slumber in the winter storms. And now perhaps they tarry here in order to conceal themselves from the Christian God, and it would be wicked for thee and me to penetrate into their night." Ingram looked unquietly about him, but he- shook his head. " If they dwell here I have not yet found them, although I trembled quite like thee, when I first penetrated here. And again at other INGRABAN. 243 hours and in black darkness I have lain here by the flaming fire, and I have called to them in a wild spirit by all the names of the holy Gods to help me. But, Walburg," he whispered, "none heard me. The holy Goddess of men, Frija, belongs, I believe, to the stone halls, for the wise people say she gra- ciously rules in- the mountains, and sometimes takes up mortal men to herself. And when I was cast away and despairing, I imagined that she had granted me the favour of her cave, and although my hair stood on end, yet I called her, I prayed, , and cried out, and vowed myself to her service ; but she did not come. The flames glowed as now, only something whirled in the black water, and I perceived a large water-serpent, which was moving about, I beheld in it the Goddess, threw myself on the ground, and heard the rusthng of the ser- pent, just as now," — he pointed to the water, and Walburg gave a yelling cry, for a large serpent turned itself in the stream, and raised its head over the border of the water on to the upper surface. " Fly, Ingram ! " implored Walburg. ""I know, and it is written in the holy book, that such a creature intends aU evil to men." " It brings treasures, they say," replied Ingram in a low tone ; " but I have not discovered any 244 INGEABAN. gold here yet. Once the serpent came out and rolled itself on to the warm embers; then I thought certainly that it was the ruler of the cave. But, maiden, I no longer believe that it is. For I saw once a mouse moving along the water, and the reptUe quickly hastened out and swal- lowed the mouse, and then lay on the bank with swoUen body." " Dost thou know who the mouse was ? " asked Walburg in terror, "Many devilish creatures wander in the bodies of mice." But Ingram replied, shaking his head : '' I think it was a forest mouse, like many others ; since that I have not feared the serpent. If it has much power, yet it is not a bad creature, for we dwell peaceably near one another. And that I may confide aU to thee, Walburg," he continued de- jectedly, " I no longer believe that the Gods of men care greatly about me. I was not successful with Hilla, the wise woman, when I ventured into her hut — " " Unhappy one ! " cried out Walburg, " hast thou gone to the sorceress, whom they call a witch ? She sacrifices to the night-spirits, and every one becomes wicked who has to do with her." " That you Christians say ; yet I do not deny INGRABAN. 245 that her existence is sad, and her work devilish. She required, for the night work that she wished to begin for me, a living child." "But thou didst withstand ?" cried out Walburg. " I thought on thee," replied Ingram, hesitating, " and that I had gone to- the Sorbes, in order to deliver children. And I did not go again to her ; since that I live Mke one whom the super- terrestrials no longer protect, for they also esteem little the outlaw. I only confide in one high ruler," he continued mysteriously, — " the Weird Sister who floats with her Sisters on the water, and I think it would be better for me if I were to pray in the vaUey over which she rules." "Dost thou speak of the water-nymph by Idisbach ? " asked Walburg shyly. Ingram nodded. " She has been gracious to my race since ancient times, and there is a tradition of how she became gracious to us. If thou wilt hear it, then learn it now, for this is the hour in which I can confide to thee my secret." He threw a new bundle of wood into the flame, which blazed up crackling, drew the frightened Walburg near him on a mossy seat, and began solemnly : " Ingo is .the name of the ancestor from whom I descend, a Hero of Thuringia. He was in love with the daughter of his Chieftain, 246 INGRABAN. who had betrothed her to another. And when the Hero had felled his enemy on the battle meadow, they made him an outcast, and he wan- dered as a travelling Hero. Once he rode along by the water, they say it was the Idisbach; there he saw a wild otter fighting with a swan. He slew the otter, and as, afterwards, he was sitting under the ash-tree on the height, the ruler of the stream rose out of the swan-skin ; she sang over him fortune-bringing Runic characters, and en- dowed him with a charm which would give him victory and iavisibility against his enemies; with this charm the Hero penetrated by night into the house of the Chieftain, and carried away the maiden whom he loved. He erected his house by the stream of the Goddess ; there he dwelt in great power, and none of his enemies could conquer him. But once the little son of the Hero fetched the charm out of the chest, hung it about him, and wandered into the forest. Then the enemies of my ancestor became power- ful and burnt him and his companions with the house. Only the boy escaped. From him I descend." "Boat thou inaw, Ingram, whether in truth the gift brought happiness ? " asked Walburg. " How canst thou doubt ? " cried Ingram, INGEABAN. 247 vexed ; " it ia the secret knowledge of my race, and I myself preserve the charm, the inheritance of my ancestors." "Dost thou bear about thee what descends from fiends ? " cried out Walburg, full of an- guish. "Let me see it, that I may know, for this also is my right." " Thou standest under the Cross," replied In- gram anxiously, " and I know not whether thou wouldst be favourable to the charm, and it to thee. Yet I wiU not conceal it from thee now," He tore open his dress and showed a little pocket of wom-out skin, which hung round his neck. " This token is as genuine and holy .as anything on the earth ; see here thou mayest still perceive that it is in truth made of otter skin. My father wore it sometimes, and my mother delivered it to me. When I rode after the children I did not conceal it in my dress, and therefore I fear the Sorbe became my master. After my return home I bound it round me." " And on the same evening thou didst break the peace," Walburg reminded him. "I broke it," replied Ingram gloomily ; "per- haps the charm does not preserve the peace, for my ancestor was also an outcast when he re- ceived it." 248 INGEABAN. Walburg discovered with secret horror that the man whom she loved was under the influence of unholy powers. The flames blazed and threw red sparks about, the jagged rock shone and glittered, and in the depth below the devilish reptile whirled about. " Who is warming here so boldly his limbs ? " exclaimed a wild voice from the entrance ; " the smoke smells over the whole mountain." Out of the cleft of the rock a gigantic figure, in a dark skin dress, stepped heavily; his face was sprinkled with blood, and blood trickled from his arms as the monster approached the fire. Walburg rose up terrified. "I see two. Art thou mad. Wolf companion, that thou bringest a woman with thee under the earth ? " "Thou hast chosen a bad time to penetrate here, Bubbo," retorted Ingram crossly; "and it goes ill with thee, when thou thyself needest the help of another ; for I see that thou hast escaped from a hard struggle." "I slew the bear; then the she-bear attacked me, and we rolled together from the rock. My good fortune was, that she lay beneath me and bore the shock for me. I trailed myself with difficulty here, where I hoped to find thee," replied Bubbo, seating himself heavily on the moss. INGBABAN. 249 " Do thou look where his -wound is, that I may bandage it for him," said Walburg, to whom the danger of the other had given back courage, and she took out the helpful basket. "Art thou Walburg?" murmured Bubbo. " The bone of the arm is broken ; my body full of gashes ; put bark splints to the arm, and speak thy blessing, if thou canst, for I fear my brown ones will rejoice over this fall." Whilst Ingram drew some water and hastened from the cave to fetch the bark of a tree and some moss, Walburg prepared the bandage. "Never should I have thought that my veil would be bound round thy wound, Bubbo," she said kindly. " It is not the first time that thou hast ban- daged me," replied the forest man as politely as he could. " And if any one was to share our secret it is satisfactory to me that it is thou, although I consider it very incautious of thee to have come from the steward's house among these cold rocks." When Ingram returned, Walburg, with his help, put the splints to Bubbo's arm. " If thou couldst hand me a drink I should like it," begged the forest man ; " the water un- derneath there is pure and cold." The maiden 250 INGEABAIT. feared to descend; she took a flask out of the basket and filled a small wooden cup. " This is a drink that Herr Winfried taught us; it is healing for sharp pain. It will first soothe thee, and then make thee drowsy; that is the best for thee." " I would praise the drink of thy Bishop ; but from its scaaitiness it disappears on its way downwards/' sighed Bubbo, giving back the cup. "Yet I do not deny that it is better to get a drink from his store than a curse." " Thou, knowest him ? " exclaimed Walburg. A long grumble was the answer. " How should I not know him, as he himself has reported well of me. For last month, when he was riding over the mountains with the horsemen of the Count to the Frank villages, the spearmen held up their cross as they passed by my house ; but he said : ' Here we wiU stop.'" Bubbo laughed aloud, "The horsemen opened their eyes, and spoke in a low tone to him ; but he replied : ' Here dwells my guest-friend.' They knocked long at the door," he continued, loquaciously, " although I stood in the inside. When I at last opened it, the Bishop said to me : ' We do not wish to incommode you by our stay ; I only beg for a drink of water, and that thou shouldst tell me whether I can be use- ful to thee.' Then, as we sat alone by the hearth. INGRABAN. 251 I reminded him of an old promise, that he would show me somewhat of his skill. And he said : 'I am ever ready ; what dost thou desire ? ' I said : 'Gold; I wish to find or gain it.' He answered : ' "Well, I wiU show thee how.' And he fetched out of his leather bag a parchmant in a wooden case, which they call a book, and opened it. I was more astonished than I ever was in my life, for the Runic characters which were on the white leather were of gold. They shone in my eyes, so that I was frightened ; then he said : ' Thou doest weU to take off thy cap, for the words which are written are holy; and here is the announcement which is given for thee.' He showed me the place and explained it : ' There was once a man, so poor, sickly and despised, that no one would have converse with him; yet he was the man whom the messengers of the super- terrestrial carried up to the heavenly city, and placed him on a seat of honour ; but the rich and distinguished man who walked in purple they pushed down into the darkness of the realm of night.' And the Bishop said : ' Now mark, there is a good chamber prepared in the Christian heaven for the poor, the persecuted, and the outcast, though they may be homeless people and bear-leaders, if they repent of their sins. 252 INGBABAN, More difficult will be the path of the rich to the heavenly hall than that of the poor. Therefore, when it prospers ill with thee and thy bears, think of a better life and come to me, in order that this happiness may be prepared for thee above, which is here announced to thee.' Imme- diately afterwards he rode off; but I sat by my hearth and observed that he had not advised me ill. For I, also, desire after this life a better fortune than I have here in the winter storm, with my long-haired companions. And it occurred to me how I once, in the kingdom of the Franks, had seen more than one hermit who prayed in solitude by his cross,, for the favour of the Lord of heaven. If the Christian God would appor- tion a seat of honour to the ill-fated forest man, I would gladly serve Him as He desires. And this cave in which I now lie mauled might become my dwelling." Ingram laughed aloud. " Wilt thou, Bubbo, pray amongst the Christians ? " " Perhaps I shall do it," replied the forest man defiantly. " If the Christian teaching is so mild towards the poor and the serfs, then let aU who carry their heads high be on their guard hence- forth, for aU poor people, must join the Bishop, and they are more in number than the rich." INGRABAN. 253 "But thou knowest how to carry a sword," cried Ingram. " I have killed with that weapon men and animals, when necessity drove me to it," replied the giant gloomily; "what good have I had from it ? That people look shyly upon me, that I dwell alone in the snow and winter stoi-m, and that no God and no man cares for me. He who for thirty summers and winters has howled in the forest desert with the beasts of prey no longer cares about the men-Gods of the heathen. I have heard greybeards chatter, and travelling minstrels sing, much about the halls of the Gods, to which heroes ascend, but I have never heard that any one there would give a friendly greeting to the bear-catcher. Thou hast scarcely been one summer a companion of wolves, and hast learnt to pray at the sacrificial stone, and to hope for good. But I have sometimes lurked near the cleft in the rock, from which the owl flies when it screeches out its woo-hoo, that the men in the vaUey may conceal their heads, and expect the blustering army of the Gods, and I have struck off the head of the screamer, and cut off his talons, without being hindered by his Gods. And I tell you, I seldom hear the Gods, and do not at aU trust to their good-will. The 254 INGRABAN. powers of the forest are merciless, and always hostile to men ; those who travel in the storm, and soar round the tops of the trees, dispense only suffering and hardship; whatever I have enjoyed of good I have painfully gained myself." A crash interrupted his speech, so powerful that the rock trembled. Ingram and Walburg started up ; Bubbo listened, and then he laughed : " A tree has fallen down ; the worm and moul- dering decay have eaten into the wood. Do you think that it is a warning of the men-Gods ? Many of them fall down where no one hears them." And he continued : " I fear the bears when I am without weapon ; I fear the poisonous serpent ; I fear the spiteful polecats when they run over my limbs and make me powerless ; and I fear sometimes the bite of the cold, and the lightning from, the clouds. For the rest I know that the super-terrestrials only rage amongst one another in grim fight. Therefore I think that there lies a secret in the golden characters of the Bishop which may help me out of this forest desert. And in a short time I will know it for a certainty." " Go to him, Bubbo," exclaimed Walburg, " that thou mayest once more hear his teaching." " That is just what I will not do," replied INGRABAN. 255 Bubbo cunningly ; " it might bring evil upon me now. I know a better trial. If the Christian God is strong enough to defend His Chieftain himself from danger, He may some time or another do good for me. Therefore my fate shall depend on the fate of the Bishop. Just at this time, I think, his enemies are going against him. If they strangle him, then the Christian God is not stronger than the others, and I continue to hunt my brown ones, till once more I lose the use of my arm, as to-day. But if my guest-friend overpowers his enemies, then I will be a servant of his God." The maiden's heart was wrung with anguish, and she endeavoured to say calmly : " Wonderful is thy hope :, how can danger threaten Herr Winfried ? the land is at peace, and the Count's horsemen surround him.'' Bubbo laughed gloomily. "As you wolfs children are in the same case as I, you may hear it; perhaps Ratiz is coming against him." Ingram started up. "How canst thou know that ? " " The leaves of the field have told me, and the crows have brought it to me,'' replied Bubbo. "I was with Ratiz shortly after thy departure ; he was going about like a mad cat amongst the 256 INGRABAN. burnt huts. And at first I had so bad a recep- tion that I was anxious to be on my way back- But he quickly changed his mien, and ofiered me Frank money if I ■would allow a horseman to creep secretly into my hut, and would go myself to the Werra in order to receive a message from his envoys, as soon as these returned from the Frank King. For they could only go slowly under safe conduct through the land of Thuringia, and would everywhere be delayed. I did accordimig to his will ; took the man with me into my house, and rode westwards to the Werra, to wait for the envoys. These, with troubled mien, gave me a token for the man, and pressed me to ride home. When I gave the token to the man, he sprang at once upon his horse, and rushed off, as if driven by the wind, in the direction of the Sorbe river." " From thy house to the Sorbe village no rider can gallop in straight direction, for the country towards the east is pathless," cried out Ingram. " He rode over the racing path, thou fool. If the high path over the mountains is holy to the Thuringians, and forbidden to your horses, why should it be so to the Sorbes ? The strangers fear other Gods ; and they ask little about yours when they are thinking of booty. Therefore I say that Ratiz will break into the valleys of INGRABAN. 257 Thuringia before tlie army of the people can be led against him. If he catches the Bishop he would compel the Frank to do much. Perhaps he knows also of a house on which he would gladly be revenged for his burnt encampment. For the messenger threatened it in my hut." Ingram felt for his weapon silently. "When did the Sorbe rider start for the camp of Ratiz ?" "This is the fourth day," replied Bubbo sleepily. "Why dost thou seize thy spear, thou fool? They have cast thee out, and if thou retumest home any one may slay thee." Ingram did not answer, but gave a sign to Walburg to follow him. " Faithless wight ! " cried out Bubbo, raising himself with difBculty, " wilt thou abandon thy companion in need ? " Walburg placed the flask and the eating pro- vision by the bed. " Here thou mayest rsmain tiU we return," she exclaimed; "and if thou hopest for good for thy future, endeavour to pray to the Christian God, that He may forgive thee the snare which thou hast laid for the Bishop." 17 258 IN6EABAN. VIII. UNDER THE BELL. As tte outlaw stepped from the cleft of the rock into the open air the sun had set, and dim moon- light lay over the foliage. Hastily did Ingram break through the thick underwood, and the maiden had difficulty in following him. At last they reached the border of the wood ; the open country lay before them, and the night sky spread over their heads. Walburg remarked that her companion earned his head high, and that his speech sounded commanding, as became a warrior. "The wood runs eastwards along the road to. the Raven-house; thither we go, for at home I shall find my enemies and revenge." " Confide in me what thou intendest." " To blot out the shame of the withes, I desire the blood of Eatiz," he replied gloomily. "Other- wise than as thou thinkest, Walburg, will my fate be fulfilled. Thou didst wish in thy faithful INGEABAN. 259 heart to prepare for me a peaceful return home, but the invisible ones resist it. What the wounded man in the cave said would appear to a stranger as distracted speech, or as only un- certain suspicion, but I know that every word is truth; I know the Sorbe, I saw his camp burning, and I think that he has' made a vow of revenge against me, as I have against him^ I know," he cried, out with wild demeanour, " that the Sorbes are now carrying brands in order to bum the roof of my house. When did Weissbart ride homeward from the steward's house ? " " Yesterday about mid-day." Ingram nodded. "Then the envoys are in security on the other side of the Saale, and the Sorbe is free to do what pleases him." He walked again hastily forward, and said : " I perceive the Sorbes clearly before me." The maiden pressed close up to him. " Not. here," he explained ; " they rest far from us on the racing path. I see Eatiz lying, and my Raven tethered pear the miscreant ; I perceive the Hero Miros and aU the companions of the hall. In the holy forest they encamp, near to the summit which bears the sacrificial stone of the God of thunder; for there is a good mountain spot for the travel- ling repast which they will need on their return. 260 INGEABAN. and they have laid the food under the rock. Their fires are low, that they may not be betrayed by the light, and the oaks tower above. The Sorbe has brought with him only a portion of his people; hardly more than a hundred of the fleetest horses, for he dared not bring the whole swarm over the mountains, and he knows that only a rapid ride can avail him. He intends at morning dawn to press on along the holy road to our village, for he cannot in the dark night travel with horsemen through the foreign wilderness; and after midnight the moon also will fail him. I see aU that distinctly, maiden, and I can call no one, and no one will believe" my words." "But I wUl speak for thee, that we may preserve others," replied Walburg. " Art thou anxious about the priests ? " asked Ingram dryly. "Couldst thou honour me if I were not?" asked Walburg ; " my brothers sleep under their roof." They heard the barking of dogs. " There lies the house of the Chief Afulf," said Walburg, pointing to the roofs, which shone in the moon- light a few bowshots from the way. " Truly all my endeavours have turned to INGEABAN. 261 evil," cried out Ingram. " First, all my thoughts rose as if I were on horse's hoofs, my wiU was compact and firm ; but now I go lowly on boar's feet, for love and hatred are in discord ; I must consider as friends many whom I hate, and those who inflict sufiering on me I warn from danger. Such a position appears to me sorrowful. If the new God walks over our fields with cloven feet, then the warriors will soon become women." Nevertheless he walked up to the house, amidst the furious barking of dogs, knocked at the door and called out in the court three times the battle-cry of the Thuringians. The rough voice of the watchman asked from within : " Who knocks so wildly, and calls out the war- cry in the peace of the night ? " Ingram cried out in reply : " The Sorbes ride along the mountains. Awake thy lord, that he may hasten, if he wishes to preserve the Bishop." " Say first who sings so rough a night song ? " Then the maiden answered him : "It is Walburg, who was in the Bishop's house." And they hastened speedily away before the watchman could look at the night figures. They called out the same in all the houses that lay on their way, and when they came to the 262 INGEABAN. home village, Ingram in like manner warned the sleeping watchman at the doors of the huts. It was after midnight when they came up over the village ; the last rays of the setting moon fell on the new buildings of the steward's house ; In- gram's house lay dark in the shadow of the trees. Where the road separated from the village street Ingram stopped : " There lies the house of my fathers, and there dwell thy brothers and the Priest. Perhaps they will take thee back again, although thou hast been an outcast. Choose, Walburg." " I have chosen thee," answered Walburg ; "'but do thou think of the boys." Ingram moved his head contentedly, and turned to the steward's house. " Where is the sleeping house of the Priest ? " Walburg led him in front of the new hall. " Be on thy guard," she whispered, " the horsemen of the Count lie in the court." But Ingram did not attend. He knocked at the shutter. "If the youth is here, whom they call Gottfried, let him listen." Something moved within. "Is it thy voice, Ingram, which calls me? I hear my riding companion." " I am called the wolfs companion," returned Ingram, "and I wiU -not be thy riding com- INGEABAN. 263 panion, but thine enemy; but thou didst oflfer thy hand to the withes that another might be free, therefore I bring thee a warning from him who dwells amidst the wild rocks. It is reported in the forest that Ratiz is riding over the moun- tains to catch the Bishop, and to exterminate you. See to it, whether thou canst save thy head, and that of others who are dear to thee, for you are near destruction." The door opened, and Wiufried stepped upon the threshold. The spear trembled in Ingram's hand, but he turned his face away as the Bishop spoke : " The warning announces what occasions anxiety, yet tells too little to save others. Didst thou or another see the approach of the Sorbes ?" " Only their approach was betrayed," returned Ingram. " And when dost thou expect the attack ? " " Perhaps early this morning, perhaps not till the following day." " To-day is the day of the Lord ; in the early morning the faithful servants of the God of heaven wiU be assembled at His sanctuary; there He wiU graciously guard the supplicants. There is a free place provided also fot the outlaw; if thou seekest peace, enter." " I do not desire thy peace," exclaimed Ingram 264 INGEABAN. over his shoulder; "the wolf and the she-wolf spring aside from thy fold." He went away with rapid steps, and immediately afterwards Winfried saw two shadows glide along the road and disappear in the direction of the Eaven- house. Ingram opened a small gate, imperceptible from without, which led through the palings of the fence of his court, and helped the maiden over the trench and fence, to the Raven-house. "Inglorious for the bride is such an entrance into the house of the betrothed ; my own hounds will faU upon me ; " but at the next moment the dogs sprang about him with joyful barking. " Be silent, you wild creatures ; your welcome sounds too distinctly in the valley." He knocked at the stable in which was Wolfram's room. "I understand the greeting of the hounds, and the knock of the master's hand," cried a joy- ful voice, and Wolfram stepped out. Under the linden stood the three in hasty consultation. " It was for that reason that the rascally Weiss- bart laughed when I gave him the cloth," ex- claimed the astonished Wolfram, " and it was for that he cast such friendly looks over our roofs. If all is as thou sayest, my lord, the Sorbes threaten us either to-day or on the morrow. INGRABAN, 265 They are not here yet; and we must think of the defence of the house." " The roof of the banished man is exposed to all," replied Ingram ; " the spears of the country comrades will not defend it even if they could. But whatever may happen to the house, yet I think of spoihng the pleasure of those horse thieves. If they have the Eaven, the remainder of the noble blood of my stalls I will never leave behind to them. The breed of mares which has been famous from the time of my ancestors shall be saved, and also the Sorbe booty which I keep by my hearth. I will saddle here what I need ; and do thou race off with the spare horses and the fighting booty down the valley to the deer forest, and conceal them there in the hollow, where our hiding-place is." "Wolfram pointed to Walburg. " Thou speakest wisely, yet the maiden knows right well about horses ; I could easily show her the way to the hollow, for unwillingly would I be away from thee at this hour." "I remain, Ingram," said Walburg, beseech- ingly, " "where I shall be near thee." " Then I must make the night ride," concluded Wolfram, discontentedly ; "yet I know one in the cleft who will not submit. On the road I will 266 INGEABAN. knock at the house of the Chieftain Albold, and invite him to the Sorbe chase. All hands stirred themselves hastily, and after a short time Wolfram plunged down the valley with the horses. Before he departed he said to Walburg : " I fasten for thee our cream-coloured . to the gate, if thou needest him ; he belongs to thee, for he is descended from the breed of thy father." Ingram took his horse by the bridle, approached the maiden, and clasped her hand! " Come out of the house into the starlight. I stand here to keep the last watch in front of the house of my ancestors, and I fear that none of the Gods and no man cares about the outcast ; when spears are thrown here, I shall not know whether I am first struck by the weapon of an old fighting comrade or of the stranger. I am abandoned to the iron, and my house is abandoned to the flames ; friend- less, and without companions, I stand upon man's earth before my last fight. For I intend to await the Sorbes here. But do thou say, when any one later asks thee concerning me, that I did not await my last wound in an unmanly way. Only about thee do I feel bitter grief; thou hast become out- cast for my sake ; thou art despised as I am, and alone. My heaviest anxiety is, that thou shouldst INGRABAN. 267 not fall again into the hands of the Sorbes. Therefore attend to my prayer : remain with me as long as night covers us, that I may hold a human hand ; and whan the grey light falls on the way, do thou ride downwards to my old com- panion, Bruno; he is an honourable man, and if thou earliest him my last greeting, he will for my sake take care of thee. When once I have vanished away, then will they honour thee again among the people.'' He held her hand fast, and the sorrowful one felt the trembhnor pressure. " Thou thinkest of dying, Ingram, as one who is hopeless ; but I wish thee to live, for the whole happiness of my life is in thy future. For this I came to thee in the forest, and for this I admonish thee now, though I am only a woman. I expect better things of thee than that thou shouldst tarry here with thy spear, keeping watch in the empty house. If thy country comrades have treated thee harshly, yet many live in the neighbourhood, and far below in the valley, who have thy welfare at heart. Thou art high- minded, and oughtest not to remain inactive till thou art sought by the robbers. No one knows the forest like thee, and there is no one on the spot to gain intelligence, therefore, I beg thee, 268 INGEABAN. Hero, to examine for thyself whether the warn- ing has deceived thee. If thou gainest intelli- gence when the enemy approach, the defenceless may shelter themselves, and the warriors more easily ward oiF the enemy." " Dost thou send me from thee in the hour of danger?" asked Ingram gloomily. "Dost thou wish to fly to the Christians ? They themselves are as defenceless as thou." " Thou speakest harshly, and thy words give me pain," exclaimed Walburg. 'Tis not for my- self that I care. But on thy account I think of the holy teaching; if others have done evil to thee, it becomes thee to do good to them." " Thou sayest it," replied Ingram. " Thou who didst come to me in the wild forest shalt not ask me in vain to go back thither : farewell, Walburg! I ride away." But Walburg held him fast. "Not yet, be- loved one ; now that thou wilt go, I fear that I myself am sending thee into danger. Thou must not ride if thou wUt fight, for thou must give warning that others may be saved. Here I tarry, in thy place I keep watch in the empty house, till thou returnest to me. Bethink thee of that. But if thou wilt go there to fight the Sorbes, I hold thee fast beseechingly, that thou INGEABAN. 269 mayest not pass away from me in the forest." She clasped him passionately in her arms. In- gram kissed her on the head. " Be calm, maiden ; the Sorbes can hardly beset me if I do not choose it, and I will return and bring the message back to thee and thy friends. Release me, beloved ; for the dawn is approaching." He pressed her once more to him, sprang upon his horse, and rode off to the forest. Walburg stood alone. She was accustomed to know that the men about whom she cared were in danger, but now she wrung her hands help- lessly, in anguish for all who were dear to her. Near her was the house, dismal as the dwelling of the dead ; before her a black border of wood, in which the murderers were lurking, and she herself alone under the night sky, waiting for the moment of flight. She seized the mane of the horse, in order to hold herself firm, and looked over towards the steward's house, from which she had voluntarily excluded herself. There lights were moving, men were watching and hastening to and fro, as if preparing for an attack. The gate was opened, and riders galloped rapidly downwards. She knew that they were the horse- men whom the Bishop had sent with a message into the country. And again her thoughts flew 270 INGEABAN. back to the wild warrior whom she had sent out towards the revenging enemy. Thus she stood, her hands folded on the neck of the horse, and her look wandering betwixt the forest and houses, and up to the stars, whose light was paling in the first grey of thfe approaching day. Then there arose in the quiet of the morning a clear sound such as had never been heard in the country before. Slowly and solemnly did the strokes resound, as from the brasa shield of a God, warning, threatening and lamenting, far away through the air. The call sounded into the valleys in which men dwelt, and over the shady roof .of the wild forest. The fleeing women who were driving the cattle downwards, and the warriors who were equipping themselves for a fight, stood still and looked terrified up to the sky, and on to the tops of the trees, as if the sound must awaken a counter-call. But no rolling thunder, and no howling storm-cry answered; the heaven was cloudless, and glowed joyfully in the east to greet the rising sun. The singing birds in the wood refrained from their morning ciy, and fluttered on the branches ; the ravens which soared about the high pines swept by, croaking a loud warning cry to their companions, and flew to the dark forest. " See how the ravens of the INGEABAN. 271 old Gods fly away!" cried out the village people. Above, over the mountain, rode an army of wild fellows along the racing path down into the forest ground, in order to carry brand and death into the valleys of Thuringia. But these also stopped in astonishment. Their Chieftain rode back to the height, his wai-riors thronging round him ; they sought for an opening to take a survey over the country, but they could perceive nothing; only the mysterious sound trembled from the distance incessantly in their ears, as if it were an announcement that an invisible enemy threatened them with destruc- tion. They could not distinguish from whence the resounding cry came ; it seemed to rise out of the earth, and it floated out of the clouds. Was it the voice of the Christian God, which was warn- ing His faithful servants of the lurking enemy ? They whispered low to one another, and the hearts of the boldest became heavy. But below in the country, as far as the caUing voice floated in the morning air, men seized their weapons, covered themselves in their warlike attire, and hastened along all paths to the spot from whence the warning struck upon their ear. Not the Christians alone came out of their houses, 272 INGBABAN. but the heathens also, to ■whom the outlaw and the spearmen of the Count had called out the message. On the tower, which the Christians had built on the hall of the Bishop, the bell was swinging, and the maidens sang at the heathen house with a clear voice : " Come hither." Walburg listened with folded hands to the new sound of her faith. She thought, praying, whether the spy also, who was now riding in the forest darkness, would reverently accept the warning. As she looked up, she perceived in the morning dawn the troops of approaching countrymen; she saw over the mist which lay upon the village fields the banners of Chieftains, the bustle of horsemen, and the trains of armed country-people which were ascending to the steward's court, and to the great boarded partition- wall which surrounded the sacred space for the service of God ; and she heard from out of the holy place, amidst the sounding of the bell, the morniag song of the priests, the women and children of the court. Then she thought, that now her brothers were standing singing by the altar, and that she also was bound by her vows to the God of heaven, to go into the community of Christians. She looked once more back at the empty house, took IBTGRABAN. 273 the horse by the bridle, and walked whither she was invited; she fastened the horse to one of the wooden hooks which were fixed on the outside of the boarded fence ; she herself entered the sacred space, and knelt down quite behind the women. Before the altar stood Winfried, in Bishop's attire, and administered his holy office. His voice resounded powerful and victorious under the sound of the bell, which continued ever inviting the faithful and warning the enemy. Meanwhile Ingram turned cautiously upwards through the forest night. Only along the holy way which led to the sacrificial stone, could a troop of foreign horsemen venture, when morning came, to descend into the valley. The solitary man often listened and looked impatiently at the smaU strip of night sky that was visible over him. When the first glimmer of day rose over the top, when the grey twilight sank upon the rough path, he also heard the distant sound of the bell, and stopped in astonishment. He had already once before heard the greeting of the Christian Grod among the Franks ; now he felt a wild pleasure that the foreign ruler of men had wakened up his fellow-countrymen at the right time. Around him he observed only the night sounds of the forest, yet he knew that the Sorbes VOL, II. 18 274 INGEAEAN. ■were near,. for his hot hatred painted indelibly before him the figure of the Sorbe Chieftain, his wild look and mocking la;ugh. Then, quite near to the racing path, where the steep descent from the height to the valley became more practicable, he heard' the rattling of weapons and stamping of hoofs, and perceived a vanguard of the Sorbes : among the first was Ratiz, on the black horse. When Ingram saw his mortal enemy riding on the Raven, the blood rose to his head, and in wild rage, forgetting all caution, he called his horse by name, and turning round, urged the one he rode to flight. Wild sounded the war-cry of the Sorbes through the wood, when they found themselves .discovered, and perceived their enemy before them, and a mad chase began amongst ih& treeSi But Ingram, who was better acquainted with the. way, came far beforehand ; only the noble horse- of Ratiz, remembering the old cry of his master, and the neighbourhood of his stall- companions,, carried the Chief in a wild- gallop be- hind Ingram, far ahead of all the Sorbe warriors. Thus did the chase go on down the valley out of the wild forest, and along the cart tracks of the cleared wood up to the forest border, near the houses. Here Ingram rose in his saddle, . and- GTiedout the war-cry over the clearing. The cry. interrupted the office of the Priest ; the watch placed outside repeated the cry ; the men sprang out of the wooden circle, and sought their horses ; the women and children thronged about the altar, before which the Bishop stood, holding the cross on high. When Ingram saw the open space before him, and heard the revenge cry of the Sorbe behind him, he turned his horse, and as Ratiz came on, threw his spear against the enemy. But the shield of the Sorbe received the weapon, and while Ingram was urging his horse round, the spear of Ratiz flew into the hip of the animal. He bounded up high, sank, and threw his rider to the ground by the boarded fence,- so that he lay there helpless. From*^ the wooden- circle sounded the cry of anguish of a woman. Gottfried knew the voice well ; the same cry had already once before cut him as with a knife to the heart. The youth cast a flashing look upon Walburg, threw him- self nimbly over the barricade, and hastened to the outlaw. Ratiz, who was defending himself with his club against the- attack of armed country-people, stormed onwards, and swung the deadly weapon against the prostrate Ingram. Then rose Gottfried before him, with outspread arms. The elub whirled and struck the head of 276 INGEABAN. the monk ; he sank silently to the ground near Ingram. At this moment of danger, Meginhard pulled at the rope of the bell ; and over the head of the Sorbe resounded again the war-cry of the Christian God, with strong hammering strokes. The savage stared around him, and drove his horse back. On all sides rose the war-cry; the Sorbe warriors broke forth out of the wood ; the Thu- ringians collected round the baptismal circle, and rode against them;-in confused tumult did friend and enemy drive about on the downward-sloping plain. When Ingram rose, he saw before him the bleeding head of Gottfried, and above, a pillar of smoke which rose from his house. For one moment he bent over the prostrate one, then seized the club of the Sorbe, sprang on to a spare horse, which stood on one side, fastened to a peg, and threw himself into the tumult. Amidst the coats-of-mail of the Sorbe warriors, and the grey iron coats of the Thuringians, he drove madly on, seeking the wing of the white eagle, which towered over the cap of the Chieftain. He indistinctly perceived that Miros was endeavouring to collect his warriors round the banner of the Sorbe ; that Wolfram was riding, with the troop of the Chieftain INGRABAN. 277 Albold, against Miros ; and that the Sorbes were gradually being pressed back into the forest. At last, he perceived the Chieftain surrounded by pursuers, endeavouring to escape by the turnings of his horse, and striving to reach the ■wood. Ingram rushed in straight course through the Thuringians up to his enemy; -whilst, by cries and movements of his hand, he directed his country people betwixt the Chieftain and the Sorbe troop. Ratiz saw the glowing eyes and the floating hair of his grim opponent before him, and in his hand the swinging club ; and he heard above him the ringing voice of the Chris- tian God. Then he uttered a curse, and sprang into the forest; Ingram followed him. Soon he chased alone behind the Chieftain, over roots of trees, water-courses, and blocks of stone, along the small space which led to the racing path. More than once the Sorbe tried to turn, in order to cast his curved sword upon his opponent, but nowhere did the narrow path offer a firm approach, and ever did the terrible battle-cry sound above him in the air. During the mad chase, joy pierced like lightning through the soul of Ingram, that the Raven galloped so nobly ; and he observed with astonishment that he was also again on a good horse of his own 278 INGEABAN. breed, which kept .pace -with the Raven, although it could not come nearer to it. He uttered a sharp, hissing cry, and the Raven stopped and reared. Furiously did the Sorbe urge and flog, and the noble horse obeyed his rider, groaning ; but the pursuer came on nearer. For the second time Ingram cried out, and for the second time the horse of the Sorbe -reared ; once more the latter succeeded in urging on- wards the bleeding, foaming animal. But when for the third time the Raven .reared up straight, in order to throw his rider, the Sorbe glided down, and, quick as lightning, passed his steel into the body of the horse. Loudly did Ingram cry, and was answered by a ringing laugh ; and the Sorbe sprang up the steep height. The next ^moment the club -flew, and Ratiz sank to the ground. Ingram threw himself from his horse, and gave a second stroke to the prostrate one, who no longer required such a repetition of it. The conqueror loosed the curved sword from the side of the dead man, and tore away the eagle's feather from the crushed helmet. Then he threw him- self on the ground, and embraced the neck of the dying Raven, who looked at him with faithful eyes. INGEABAN. 279 When Ingram rose, he cast another wild look on his enemy, who, although slain, lay there like a lord of man's earth, — his fists clenched, his limbs drawn together as if for a spring ; and he looked yet again on the dead animal, which once so nobly moved its limbs, but was mow nothing but a shapeless piece of earth. Then he caught his horse, and rode slowly home. The bitter wrath which had hitherto driven him wildly about, had suddenly vanished, and he thought quite quietly of his journey to the Sorbes, as of an old tradition. Then in fancy he heard a low tone, and the words of a soft voice, " I am a warrior, only thou dost not perceive it;'' and before him appeared the countenance of ttie youth, as he had once parted from him with the sorrowful words, " Thou poor man ! " Evermore did these words sound in the soul of the horse- man, and hot tears ran from his eyes ; evermore did the bell of the Christian God sound from the distance, warning and lamenting. Then was re- vealed in these soft tones, to him who was return- ing from his deed of vengeance, all the secret of the new faith. As- a Hero of the Christian God, the youth had sacrificed his life for one who was not his friend ; and even so had the great Chief- tain of Christianity made a sacrifice to death, in 280 INGRABAN. order to prepare a happy life in the heavenly- city for the outcasts of the earth. And Ingram heard in the song of the bell the voice of the dead man calling to him, "Come thou also." Then he spurred his horse, for he considered that God no"w invited him, because He had gained him by the death of His warrior. Near him sounded the war-cry of the pursuing Thuringians, but Ingram looked at the morning light which gilded the tops of the trees, and rode towards the spot from which the invitation struck clearer and clearer into his soul. On the steps of the altar sat Winfried, the veiled head of the dead monk in his lap ; his lips only moved slightly. Around him knelt the sobbing Christian women, and behind stood, with bowed heads, the warriors who had remained behind as watchmen of the sanctuary. Then a horseman rode up to the wooden fence, one of the women rose from the circle of kneelers, and walked to the entrance. Immediately after- wards, a man entered the space, without his sword, and with the excitement of fight on his countenance. All turned their faces from him, and moved shyly out of his way, but he heeded it not ; he stepped up to the altar, and seated himself at the feet of the dead on the steps, not INGRABAN. 281 far from the Bishop, so that the body of the youth lay between them. The Bishop roused himself as he saw the man sit down so hear him, who was hostile to him, and for whom the youth had given himself up to death. But Ingram laid the adornment of the helmet of the Sorbe, on the dress of the dead man, and said softly, "He is revenged, — the Sorbe Ratiz lies slain ; " and he looked searchingly into the face of the Bishop. The blood of his race surged up in Herr Winfried when he heard that the murderer of his sister's son was slain ; he raised his head erect, and a gloomy light flamed in his eyes ; but in the next moment the holy doctrine mastered his revengeful feelings ; he removed with his hand the eagle wing from the dress of the monk, lifted the veil which covered the head, and pointing to the broken forehead, said in a faint voice, " The Lord says, '^Love your enemies ; do good to those who injure you.' " Then Ingram called out aloud, " Now I perceive that thou in truth followest the command of a great God, even though it is bitter and hard to thee. I also believe in the God of this youth, who by his own will has died for me, although I was his enemy; for such love is the greatest heroism on earth." 282 INGKABAN. He raised the veil from the face of the dead, and kissed him on the mouth.. After that he sat quiet "by him, and covered his face with his hands. " The words of the outlaw ought not to sound where the country comrades tarry," began Afulf, in a smothered voice, who was standing behind Ingram. "Let the man who is here, conceal his head till his people give him back peace." " Above burns the house of my fathers, Afulf; if the Thuringians choose, they can throw the wolf into the flames," retorted Ingram, bending again over the dead. " The altar of the Lord is the refuge of the outlaw," said Winfried, looking up; "hold the cross over him, Meginhard, and lead him to thy hut." " Leave me .here," implored Ingram, " so long as his body lies amongst us. For I have at found again my travelling companion." INGRABAN. 283 IX. THE JOURNEY HOME. Some weeks later, Ingram stood in the Priest's hut, on the wooden steps of the altar, which had once been erected by Gottfried. Memmo entered, laid down before him a basket, and admonished him: "Take pleasure in the repast; for the women of the steward's house have aU been occupied with the basket." "Thou takest friendly care of thy prisoner," answered Ingram, dejectedly; "but all food is bitter for the encaged one, who is deprived of freedom." " I know many house companions who think otherwise," replied Memmo, looking at his birds. As Ingram was silent, he continued loquaciously, " I have been with Walburg in the cave, with the bear, Bubbo ; he drank the whole drink of the Bishop, and overslept himself, during the attack of .the heathen ; the man's mind is dis- 284 INGEABAN. turbed ; he spoke as if thoroughly confused, and as if he would become a hermit." Ingram nodded, but remained silent. And Memmo continued to himself, " Never have I seen so great a change as the faith has produced in this heathen ; when I placed a bundle of hay under his head, he thanked me as nicely as a maiden. He has learnt the Pater Noster as few do. Perhaps he will even become a monk, then I must teach him Latin. Once his ravens could not bear the ' Kyrie,' now I press him, himself, with ' mensa ' and 'filius,'" and Memmo laughed over this great hope, as he sat upon his stool. Weapons rattled in front of the house, the door opened, and Count Ceroid stepped upon the threshold. " I call thee, Ingram," he said to him as he was rising up; "thou mayest again raise thy head free among the people. Under the linden- trees they have given thee back peace, if thou wilt pay compensation, either in heads of cattle or in land ; and the valuation is moderate. If thou dost not know it yet, hear this also : on the riding-path behind the hill of the thunderer, thy countrymen have reached the flying bands of the robber ; only a few Sorbes have escaped ; this news will be comforting to thee. But I INGRABAN. 285 come myself to win thee for a war companion. On horseback, Hero ! In a few days wq will ride over the Saale." With a -short greeting he left the hut. When Ingram stepped behind him into the open air, and raised his head under the light of the sun, he felt himself gently laid hold of. " Now thou art entirely mine," cried out Wal- burg, in his embrace. Then her fingers touched the leather band which he wore round his neck. She stepped fearfully back. " Ingram, thou still bearest on thee what comes from the unholy one." " Dost thou mean the gift of my ancestors ? " replied the man, startled; "how can I despise it?" "Bethink thee, loved one; the charm has brought thee much misfortune : who knows how much it may still disturb thy mind, if thou keepest it ? " " Just as thou dost, did another warn me once," replied Ingram, " and I fear I have trusted too much to the inheritance. I will take it off, that thou mayest keep it." "Not I, and no other," exclaimed Walburg. "Only one shall decide about it, that is, Herr Winfried himself." 286 INGEABAN. " Wilt thou take me before the Bishop 1" asked Ingram, disquieted. ' " Observe -well, Ingram," said Walburg, in a tone of warning, "how the magic piece still keeps thee far from the Bishop." He loosened the strap, and offered her the pocket ; she threw a cloth over it, blessed herself, and then seized it. " And now, away from here to him ! Bend thy will, Ingram," she implored, as he lingered, " for thou must sue for grace to one who is stronger than thee." She looked at him full of compassion and tenderness, forgot for a moment the devil's work in her hand, and kissed him ; then she drew him away with her hastily. The Bishop was sitting alone in his room when Walburg entered, drawing her loved one after her. " Dost thou come at last, Ingram ? " said Winfried, looking up ; " long have I expected thee, and a dear price have we both paid, before thou didst find thy way to me." "A charm which was bound up by the heathen Weird Sister is part of the inherit- ance of his ancestors, an'd warps the upright- ness of his mind," lamented Walburg. "Do thou deliver him from the power of the unholy one!" INGEABANi 287 " The grace of the Lord of Heaven shall free thee, Ingram, and also the fight which thou thy- self shalt fight so long as thou tarriest upon earth. Where is the charm- that frightens you ? " " Here lies the horrible work, under a white cloth," said Walburg, laying' the bundle timidly on the wooden pile by the hearth. Winfried turned and said his prayer, then he took some of the consecrated water that stood in a basin near the door of the room, sprinkled the cloth and his table with it, and drew forth the inherited piece of the devil. On the table lay a small pocket of worn-out woolly skin, wound round with many knotted threads. Winfried opened wide the window shutters and the door, then he made the sign of the cross over his knife, cut strongly through the threads and leather, and sought the contents. Dust and dried herbs fell into his hand, and amongst- them a new bundle of a red colour ;. he rolled it out, and stepped back. On the table lay a silk material, worked thick as felt,, with a picture embroidered with gold threads, like the head of the reptile which one calls the dragon. The eyes shone with bright gold ; round ' the open jaws stood the golden teeth, and his red tongue projected like an arrow. 288 INGEABAN. " It would be difficult for human art to create such a devilish picture," exclaimed Winfried, astonished, holding the wooden cross over the dragon's head. " Throw wood on the hearth-fire, maiden; we will conceal the heathen picture in the flames of the Christian hearth, for its eyes shine, and its tongue licks as if it were alive." The wood on the hearth crackled ; the flames rose high ; Winfried took cautiously the pocket, the broken herbs, and finally the dragon's head to the fire, and pushed them strongly in with the poker. A thick yellow and white smoke whirled up ; it rose high to the hearth-hole of the roof, and twisted itself about the rafters. Ingram was by the door, on his knees. " It is bitter to me to separate from my ancestors," he sighed. But Walburg held her hands folded over his head, and gave a glorified look at Winfried, who was standing by the hearth, raising the cross on high, tiU the last whirl of the smoke floated through the roof. After that he stepped up to Ingram. "Prepare thy soul to become a true servant of the Christian God, and to win thy seat in the high castle of heaven. As a gift, which the Lord of heaven ofiers thee through me, , receive this consecrated dress, that thou must INGRABAN. 289 "wear when thou approachest the baptismal stone, and vowest thyself to the eternal God." Upon the burnt remains of the house in which once the ravens had croaked, arose a church, and from the tower the Christian bell sounded. A few hours' distance from these, near the great market of the Thuringians, stood Ingram's new house, and the hall which he had built. Soon a considerable village rose round the house, which in later generations was stUl called the inheritance of Ingram. Throughout the whole country people extolled his good fortune, and his wife, who had filled his house with a troop of curly blonde children; also the hospitable hall, and the training of his war-horses, the offspring of the Eaven. He was celebrated as a war-hero, far to the east of the Saale ; a terror in the border wars, a terror to the enemy, and a powerful supporter of the Frank Count. More than once he was sent to the Court of the great Frank ruler,; where he ever found favour, and he observed that he had a quiet advocate .there. When, at last, King Pepin, the son of the -illustrious sovereign Karl, came himself to Thuringia, in order to lead an army against the Saxons and Wends, then Ingram rode among his j-etinue, and the King honoured his valiant VOL. TI. ^^ 290 INGRABAlf. sword witii praise and giftsi Whenever Win- fried travelled from his Archbishop's seat at Mayence to Thuringia; Ingram went to the boundary of the country to greet the great Church Prince ; the Archbishop baptized all his boys himself, and received every year from his wife linen of the finest texture, which was made on the looms at the house. He was always more gentle and more friendly to Ingram than twany other, and he endeavoured to show before all people how highly he esteemed, the Her&. But he never crossed the threshold of the faithful ones, in order to rest there as a guest, although Frau Walburg sometimes begged him with tears to do so; but he caressed her boys, and never forgot to bring her a present when he arrived in the country. Thirty years bad passed since the first journey, which Winfried had ventured upoUj into the land of Thuringia. Beside Ingram .stood three sons and three daughters, in blooming youth ; the eldest son, the image of his father, was already an experienced warrior and master of a separate house ; the second also could manage the wildest horses, and waited impatiently for his first warlike expedition ; the youngest, Gottfried, was destined' by the will of his parents for the: INGEABAN, 291 Church ; and gladly did his young child's voice sing the Latin hymns, which pious fathers, guests of his parents, had taught him. Wolfram, the steward of the household, who ruled kindly the vassals of his lord, said to his wife, Gertrude, " Very powerful is the magic which works in the new Christian name;" then he crossed himself vigorously. " Our God demands the youngest of my lord's sons for His service, and it is useless to withstand Him. In vain have I sewed wolf's hair in the boy's jacket, and stuck three raven feathers in' his pillow ; in vain have I taught him also to shoot with the bow, and to throw the club ; the unwarlike name of Gottfried constrains him over- poweringly. I hope that he will at least become a Bishop, who rules over the others with shaven heads, and will have a seat of honour at the table." For many years the great Archbishop had not come to Thuringia, and his faithful ones received news from Mayence, that he sometimes felt the infirmities of old age, and that they would never behold him again; then Walburg begged her husband, when next he journeyed to the King's Court, to conduct her and her sons to Mayence, that they might all once more receive the blessing of the holy one; and that young 292 INGRABAN. Gottfried might be consecrated by him to the Church. Just then, the heathen on the northern border had broken into Christendom, had destroyed thirty churches, slain the men, and carried away the women and children. Then the grey-headed old Archbishop had hastened to the frontier ; he had taken with him what he could afford of the treasure of the Bishopric, in order to ransom the prisoners, and to build up the destroyed houses of God. He had been absent half a year from Mayence, to repair damages, and to strengthen the border people in faith and concord. Now he had returned. Whilst his followers were rejoicing in his return home, Bishop Lullus, a confidential scholar, sought the chamber of the Axchbishop. He gently pushed back the curtain of the door, and entered with a pious greeting. Winfried was sitting in his arm-chair. On his lap lay an unrolled lettej:, but he gazed fixedly through the arched window at the morn- ing light, and only nodded with his head an an- swer to the greeting. Long did Lullus stand in respectful silence ; he observed with dismay, that the old man spoke hajf. aloud to himself, and at last he caught the low words : " It is time for me to prepare for my journey to the haUs of my INGRABAN. 293 Lord ; much do I long for the bloody wounds on my breast, which are to open to me the cloud- gates." Terrified at this strange manner of speech, the Priest began : " What distracts the mind of my revered father, that he speaks like a world-weary man of the sword ? " " I also am weary of the world," replied the Archbishop, "for, like a seafarer, I steer through the waves which roll endlessly ; my keel strikes on the rocks, the- icy frost fetters my feet with tough bands, and the winter storm strikes my brow with hard wings. Endless is the struggle, and joyless is what I behold around me, and I heartily long for the haven in which I may lay my head down." " Dost thou call thy Hfe joyless, revered father, thou to whom the Lord has given victory and honour, such as has never been given to any man ? " replied the Priest. " Let the eyes of thy mind measure the countries over which thou rulest. Forty years hast thou striven as the warrior of God against the (ievil ; many hundred thousand souls hast thou won to the faith, and raised many hundred chufches and brothers' cells in the country which thou didst enter as a wilder- ness. The trees of the heathen are everywhere 294 INGKABA3Sr. rooted up, their insolent necks obey one Lord ; the gracious God gives them prosperity, better discipline in their houses, and obedience to the law. On the borders the murdering enemy are restrained by valiant Christian warriors; and in the land of the Hessians, Thuringians, and Bavarians, the boys learn to read the Holy Scrip- tures. Thou hast done as it is written : ' A sower went out to sow ; ' and glorious is thy harvest. Firmly grounded is the unity of true faith on man's earth through thee. As thou hast achieved such great success, wherefore dost thou sorrow, my lord ? " Winfried rose and paced through the room. '' I have vowed myself to three followers of the Apostle who have governed over the Church of Eome. To thee I may boast, that I have been faithful to them ; I have made them rulers in Catholic Christendom. I have bowed down for them the refractory necks of the laity and the pride and selfishness of unfaithful Bishops ; I have enjoined unity in doctrine and obedience among aU people, that they may find willing obedience where they rule in the name of the Lord. I have subjected the souls of men to them, but they themselves I have not been able to con- strain, to be good servants of the Lord of heaven INGRABAN. 295 in everything. They are not zealous to found the kingdom of the Lord in poverty and humility. They lust after landed possessions, after gold treasure, and after earthly dominion. Ill do they distribute favours, and wickedly do they show indulgence where it is useful to them ; they are cleverer than we are, but greater also is their pride. I have served three Popes ; now comes a fourth, a stranger, and he will, I fear, distribute his favour in new ways for his own advantage. My ofSce is to convert the heathen. I have been sent by the Lord as an envoy to them, and by this right I stand firm against the Pontiff in Eome as against the devil. When I was young, I made my first journey for the cross, in the Lord, to the wild people of Friesland. Incessantly have I cared about the obstinate ones, and held the cross over their heads. The Bishops of the Franks lived indolently in miserable fleshly pleasures, unsound in their faith, and unlawfully dissipating their church property; and no one cared about the conversion of unbelievers. Now when, by hard labour and with anguish of heart, I have there founded a Bishopric, they wish to take Friesland from me, and to place another Archbishop there, that our work may be spoilt, and our seed drowned amidst the new pressure 296; INGRABAN. of heathen waves. Thou knowest vre]I,-my true son and companion, that I desire not my own honour, Ibut the salvation, of the miserable. Humbly have I prayed, to my new master,, itephen, to leave me Friesland, the eldest child of my care. I do not know what the cunning of the Komish Priest intends. But I think of re- lievitg him of the choice. I myself will go inta- Friesland,„ whether it pleases or displeases him.. I will put the question to the great Lord of Heaven, whether I am -to continue any longer a servant of a servant, or whether He wiU vouch- safe henceforth to the weary old man, to seat himself at His feet., I mean to make my last waf expedition." On a sunny May morning, the people of the- city and the country thronged to the court of the Archbishop. First oU the steps of the palace stood the Spiritual brothers — on one side the' priests and deacons, on the other the monks of the cloister, and beside them the bearded and emaciated faces of hermits, who had left their tree-ceUs in order to receive the blessing of, the Archbishop. Head to head stood the people, but there was a solemn stillness ; all countenances were sorrowful; tears were in many eyes, as at the last death-journey of a Prince. From the INGRABAN. 2 97 steps of the palace the boatmen were carrying the travelling utensils ; four Levites carried the chest of the Bishop, with bis books, and the trea- sure of reliquaries to the Rhine boat, the pennon of which fluttered gaily in the morning wind under the sign of the cross ; and at every piece which the men conveyed to the Rhine, there passed a timid humming and sighing amongst the multitude. In the haU of the palace stood Win- fried, in the circle of those whom he loved, the Bishops, his scholars, and his countrymen from the land of the Angles, who like himself had come over the sea to teach the heathen. Women also had. assembled — many of them his blood- relations,, most of them veiled.. Winfried towered erect amidst the kneeling host. His eyes shone kindly as he stepped from one to the other, giving gentle words of teaching and of comfoi-t. When he also greeted Walburg amongst the throng of women, she led ker boy forth by the hand, and threw herself down at his feet, praying. "I bring my son, the young Gottfried, to my lord: lay thy hands on him,, father, that his life may be blessed." Winfried smiled as he beheld the fine boy, and his hand touched the light hair. Then he took him, led him to a confidential friend, the Abbot Sturmi, of Fulda,. and turned to the door. 298 INGBABAN. All present sank down on their knees, and, blessing them, he passed to the entrance. Then his looks' fell on the tall figure of Ingram, who, in his warrior's dress, knelt near the threshold. He stopped, and said solemnly, " Thee, Ingram, I . invite to go with me to-day : wilt thou once more be the guide of my journey ? " " I will, my lord," answered Ingram, rising up with sparkling eyes. " Then take leave of thy wife and child, for thou must go with thy shield, for -the Lord." In the court below the people surged about like the waves of the sea. When the Archbishop stepped out, all fell on their knees, and raising his arms over them -he went slowly towards the boat. There he turned once more, gave greetings and blessings, and smiled kindly on the children, who were raised by their weeping mothers, that they might behold the man of God. But Ingram held with one hand his wife, who walked proudly by him without tears, her eyes firmly fixed upon him, and with the other he held the hands of his three sons. And when -on the bank he released himself from them, he took the oath- hand of his eldest son, laid it within that of Wolfram, and said to the latter : " Be thou true to him, as thou wast to the father." INGEABAN. 299 The boatmen loosened the sail, and the vessel floated down the Rhine; along the bank the people were on their knees, looking after the passage boat till it disappeared behind a bend of the stream. It was a sunny journey, like a long festive expedition. Wherever a chapel stood on a height, or a little church below by the stream, there the people thronged and the bell sounded when the ship came and passed by. Every even- ing the travellers lay-to w'here pious Christians dwelt. Herr Winfried went on shore, greeted the congregation, and rested under the roof of any one who was intimate with him, whilst Ingram lay by the mast, under the banner of the cross, keeping ship's watch. Thus did the travellers pass down the Rhine to where it fell into the sea ; they lay-to before Utrecht, and took into the vessel the Bishop of Friesland, who had replaced "Winfried. Then they went eastward as far as the border of the heathen Frieslanders. There Herr Winfried had beforehand invited the newly converted people, that he might lay his hands on the baptized, and confirm them in the faith ; his messengers had gone through all Fries- land, and had announced his arrival. At the mouth of the little river Borne, which divided the Christian from the heathen Friesland, the travel- 300 INGEA-BAN. lers landed, shortly before the appointed time, at a creek where the flood had heaped up a rampart of tree-stems. The Archbishop landed, chose the place of encampment, and stepped round it, con- secrating the place. Ingram caused the tents to be pitched, the trenches to be filled with water, and the drift-wood to be laid in layers, as a rampart. As he stood by the rampart measuring the ground, and himself striking the stakes' down, Herr Winfried passed by him, and said, " Thou art industriously working in fencing us in with wood and earth ; hast thou also taken care to ask of One His will concerning us ? For He brings armed defenders, and overthrows them, according to His pleasure." " Do not be angry, my lord, if I use my hammer till after evening prayer, for warning has come to me from people on the bank, that much whispering and wild tumult disturbs the villages of the heathen; and the number of shields is small which defends thy head." But Winfried did not attend, but continued looking up to heaven. " Thicker stood the trees in the land of Thuringia. There thou wast the first who raised for me a night-fence on the journey. Then the ash-seed feU down on the ground, and the seed of saving doctrine sank into IN6RABAN. 301 thy heart. See, a new tree has grown up under the protection of God. The unholy Weird Sisters do not hover over it, but high angels, the winged messengers of God ; perhaps they also may pre- pare for thee now, or soon, a gracious passage on high." He blessed him, and stepped back into his tent, which rose up stately in the midst of the others. Ingram put the hammer away ; he armed, and placed himself with shield and spear as night- watch by the entrance of the encampment. He cast his eyes over the wide plain: like Herr Winfried, he looked at the night glbw which shone so bright from the north, as he had never yet seen it. He thought of his wife and blooming children who were now sleeping at home in peace, and whom he so heartily loved ; he reflected on the whole happy life which he had led with his wife, his renowned warhke expeditions, the praise of his fighting comrades ; and Wolfram also, and his Raven horses came into his mind, and he laughed, and blessed in thought all that belonged to him, and prayed for each ; light was his heart, and ever did his looks return to the horizon of the heavens, where the glow slowly passed towards the east, tiU the brightness in the east ascended, and the little douds had a rosy Hght 302 INaRABAN. like a gate of the rising sun. Then he perceived how the gate would be opened through which he himself was to rise up to the Castle of the Lord of heaven, as one of His warriors ; and he knelt down and said the prayer which Walburg had taught him. As he looked up he perceived in the distance, in the mist, a dark mass, which was moving onwards ; spears and white shields glit- tered. He closed the entrance, called out his war- cry, and hastened to the tent of the Bishop, and to the huts of the warriors. The bell sounded from the tent ; Winfried stepped forth, the word of the Lord in his hand, and surrounded by priests. Outside the trench rose a discordant howling, — the heathen ran against the barricade, and tore up the woodwork. Ingram sprang, swinging his spear, at them, and led his comrades to the fight. But powerfully sounded the voice of Winfried : " Hear the command of the Lord. Do not recompense evil with evil, but evil with good. Have done with war and struggle, for the day is come which we have long desired ; this day the great God of heaven rewards His faithful servants. Prepared for us is a high seat in the heavenly halls ; the hosts of holy ones conduct us before the throne of the Lord of heaven." Then Ingram threw his sword amidst the INGEABAN. 303 invading heathens, stepped with outspread arms before Winfried, calling aloud the name of the youth who had once been his riding companion, and received his death-wound, — after him the Archbishop, and then the other priests and laity : only a few of the followers saved themselves over the water, and related the end of the pious heroes. With a great retinue, the Chieftain of the Christian God rose up to the hall of his heavenly King. The remains of Winfried were carried by pious Fathers to the Rhine; but Christian Frieslanders erected a death-mound for the Thuringian, Ingram, by the shore, and paced round the spot with prayer. It was not the ravens of the forest that flew over it, but white- winged sea-guUs ; and instead of the tops of the trees, the waves of the sea roared round him, as the storm-wind has driven them one century after another. Yet from his house under the beech- trees and pines of the forest his race grew, and spread themselves joyfully. The waves and the forest roar, from- one century to another, the same secret song. But men come and disappear, and their thoughts change incessantly. The longer the chain of ancestors which binds each indivi- dual to the past, the greater is his inheritance 304 INGRABAN. from the olden times, and the stronger are the lights and shadows which fall on his life, from the deeds of his forefathers. But together with the pressure that the olden time lays upon the descendant, the sense of his own freedom and creative power has grown wonderfully. THE END. >-i^\''^,h.}^mmm