“From the first moment, however, I had clearly recognised you,” said the man in the bear-skin. “Was it possible, indeed, that I should have forgotten the vulture’s wings, or your heavy battle-axe, of which you may yet perceive the wound by your arm inflicted?” With these words he parted his long disordered locks, so that the sea-monarch might behold a deep scar on his head. Then he resumed, “I had not thought it needful to tell you who I was; but from him who comes in quest of me I shall never conceal myself. What then is your pleasure, Sir King of the Sea? I am ready to meet you either here in peace, or on the battle-field in wrath.” “You look at me, indeed, as if you were ready for another combat, young hero,” answered the sea-monarch; “but this is not my purpose; for Gerda has already confessed to me, that the drink which she had secretly prepared, was the cause of all the evils which befell you. Therefore I have enjoined her never more to come into my presence, nor to follow me as heretofore, by land or sea.” “Thou should’st at least have doomed her to death,” cried Sir Otto vehemently, “lest, by her accursed witchcraft, some other unsuspecting mortal should be deluded and led astray as I have been! Could she not even then have afforded me some warning, after I had drank from that abominable cup, so that I might not trust to its illusions?” “Nay, Sir Otto,” said the sea-king, “that was not within her power. Knowing the evils that were to come, she had been anxious for my safety. She had pronounced many powerful spells over the battle-axe which I yet wield, in order that, by their influence, I might be enabled to resist you in combat; and whosoever has in one day so often invoked the supernatural and invisible powers, falls for a space under their dominion, and must act according to their will. Moreover, after she had uttered those incantations, the spirits, who were then beside her, forced her away with them into the wild autumnal woods, where they howled like wolves and screamed like owls around her. Not till two days thereafter, when I was on the sea-shore, far from the castle of the Knight of Montfaucon, she came after me, and revealed the direful mysteries which I have now unfolded to you.” “Ay, she revealed these mysteries,” said Sir Otto angrily; “but what avails this to me? My fair fame and my well-earned happiness are lost, and her confessions will not again restore them.”