"There are glass openings in their helmets, and they can look through these. They go out in boats. The crew generally consists of six men. Two of them are divers, and four men have charge of the air-pumps. These pumps force fresh air down through tubes fastened to the helmet of each diver. Besides these men there is an overseer who has charge of everything. "Sometimes the divers stay for hours on the bed of the sea, and work away at the amber tangles." "But suppose anything happens to the air-tubes and the men fail to get as much air as they need?" said Hans. "Is there any way of letting those in the boat know they are in trouble? And, besides that, how do the others know when it is time to raise the divers with their precious loads?" "There is a safety-rope reaching from the boat to the men. When they pull this rope it is a sign that they wish to be drawn up. But I have told you as much about amber now as you will be able to remember." "Are you very tired, father dear?" said Bertha, in her most coaxing tone. "Why should I be tired? What do you wish to ask me? Come, speak out plainly, little one." "You tell such lovely fairy-tales, papa, I was just wishing for one. See! The moon is just rising above the tree-tops. It is the very time for stories of the wonderful beings." Her father smiled. "It shall be as you wish, Bertha. It is hard to refuse you when you look at me that way. Come, children, let us sit in the doorway. Goodwife, put down your work and join us while I tell the story of Siegfried, the old hero of Germany." CHAPTER IX. THE MAGIC SWORD Far away in the long ago there lived a mighty king with his goodwife and his brave son, Siegfried. Their home was at Xanten, where the river Rhine flows lazily along. The young prince was carefully taught. But when his education was nearly finished, his father said: "Siegfried, there is a mighty smith named Mimer. It will be well for you to learn all you can of him in regard to the making of arms." So Siegfried went to work at the trade of a smith. It was not long before he excelled his teacher. This pleased Mimer, who spent many spare hours with his pupil, telling him stories of the olden times. After awhile, he took Siegfried into his confidence. He said: "There is a powerful knight in Burgundy who has challenged every smith of my country to make a weapon strong enough to pierce his coat of mail. "I long to try," Mimer went on, "but I am now old and have not strength enough to use the heavy hammer." At these words Siegfried jumped up in great excitement. "I will make the sword, dear master," he cried. "Be of good cheer. It shall be strong enough to cut the knight's armour in two." Early the next morning, Siegfried began his work. For seven days and seven nights the constant ringing of his hammer could be heard. At the end of that time Siegfried came to his master with a sword of the finest steel in his right hand.