“Much--very much!” answered Sir Otto, “especially how this man was always attracted by misfortune, and for many a long mile over lakes and rivers, hills and dales, was forced to travel when some horrible adventure was at hand. Then, in the hour of danger, he always came to the assistance of the distressed; but, as he was always the forerunner of evil, every one looked on the giant’s appearance with fear and trembling. Above all, if any one had a weight of guilt on his own heart, he was horrified at the tall man’s approach; for vengeance seemed the special duty of the knight with the winged helmet; and never did he fail in its fulfilment, except on one occasion only, and of that event my father never would relate to me the story; for it was, as he said, too fearful a legend for one so young and inexperienced.” “Your father has told but the truth,” answered the sea-monarch with a sigh; “there was indeed a man such as you have described in our family, but he is long since dead.” “I believe, that I have myself fought with his skeleton in the chapel of Trautwangen,” said Sir Otto, shuddering at the recollection, though Sir Arinbiorn understood him not. Then he resumed--“It is from terror of that ghostly combat that I now feel reluctant to go with you. Who knows what frightful spectres may start forth against us from that melancholy gloom which time and distance have thrown over your house and mine!” “Such spectres belong to darkness everywhere and in all hours,” answered Sir Arinbiorn; “and, methinks, it should be so. A new light is now to be shed on the gloom by which our northern climes are over-shadowed. The darker that the night is, the pleasanter that morning will be.” “Ay,” replied Sir Otto cheerfully; “there you are indeed in the right, and our minstrel, Walter, has also truly sung-- “Dark night precedes the morn, So grief may joyance bring; And death leads through the wintry grave To life’s eternal spring.” “Now, then, are you satisfied?” said Sir Arinbiorn. “Truly, if there have been darkness and fearful mysteries lowering over us in former ages, the time has doubtless come when our efforts are to change these into light and happiness. Courage, then, my noble friend!--Let us now join hands in token of your consent to travel with me through East Friesland, then across the seas to Norway, and from thence to the Finland frontier.” “Be it so, in God’s name!” said Sir Otto; and the two brave knights, rejoicing over the friendly bargain they had made, resolved to set out on the following day. Meanwhile they laid themselves to sleep on the soft fragrant moss with which the cave was covered. CHAPTER IV. How the Knights mounted their horses, and set out upon their way.