unsheathed her sword, and made him a sign that he was to keep at a distance. Then she stepped solemnly on to the water’s brink, took her place in a boat which was there waiting for her, and with the strength and rapidity of a practised rower, made her way out among the waves, soon afterwards disappearing behind a wooded promontory. The brother and sister looked after her with astonishment; and as, after a pause, they were about to express their thoughts, Bertha suddenly started up, and cried out, “Look yonder, dearest brother! What objects are those that wave and rock over the woods? Methinks they are like the masts of a great fleet.” Looking in the direction to which she had pointed, Sir Heerdegen perceived not indeed ship-masts, but the heads of enormous halberts, which rose above the copsewood, and were moving towards him. In a short time many of the warriors, by whom these weapons were carried, stepped out of the thickets. These were gigantic figures cased in iron cuirasses, which rung and rattled at every step, and bearing great shields covered with brass on their left shoulders. Sir Heerdegen started up, and laid his hand on his sword; but, lo! from the other side, there came out of the wood an equal number of armed men! A handsome youth, in a hauberk that shone like gold, with a high towering helmet, surmounted strangely by vulture’s wings, stepped forwards from the troop, pointed with his spear at the brother and sister, and said, “Take them prisoners, and bear them on shipboard!” “What right hast thou over us, who are freeborn?” said Sir Heerdegen, drawing his sword, and wielding it with desperate resolution. “Walk behind me, Bertha,” said he, “and whoever dares first attack us, shall with his life pay the forfeit of his insolence!” Then all around there was a quivering of javelins ready to be sent against the unfortunate young people; but the leader in the golden armour called out, “Down with your arms! I will have them living!” Whereupon the javelins were laid aside; but the broad shields were ranked together like a wall of brass, and an impenetrable circle was always drawn closer and closer round the helpless victims. “Fy on this abuse of over-strength!” cried Sir Heerdegen; “if thou in the golden harness hadst courage in thy heart, and wert a knight as I am, this contest might be decided in another way!” “Halt!” cried the young leader, and the giants with their brazen shields stood as if motionless. Thereafter he came alone within the circle, placed himself opposite to Sir Heerdegen, leaned on the hilt of his long sword, and said, “Darest thou then maintain that thou art a knight, and yet wearest no armour?” “Did I then come forth prepared for battle?” inquired Sir Heerdegen. “I was this evening engaged in peaceable conversation with my sister, and for what reason could I suppose that we should be thus attacked?” “That should have been provided for,” said the stranger; “if you have withheld from me