While the troops, all shouting and rejoicing, drew again into the camp, the Knight of Trautwangen said to the sea-monarch, “How thankful am I to Heaven that I am thus again sent to the land of those mysteries wherewith I have already so often contended; for otherwise they would evermore have lingered in my heart, casting their dark shadows over my future life! Now, perchance, if I boldly look upon them, their gloom will change into light, and I shall no more be perplexed as heretofore.” “Truly my thoughts are like unto yours,” answered Sir Arinbiorn. “Now would I discover the true history of that magic mirror; I shall either break the spells which are locked up therein, or forfeit mine own life in the attempt; so that I shall then, at least, know what mysteries lurk behind those delusive charms, which in this world we call our senses.” Before his tent Sir Otto now found the brave Swerker, of whom he had made a prisoner in the battle of the preceding day. The youth fixed his eyes on the ground with an aspect of deep melancholy; but, hearing the approach of Sir Otto’s prancing steed, he looked up, and contemplated his victor, not, as it seemed, without satisfaction and confidence. “Mark you, Swerker,” said the Knight of Trautwangen, “for we must now make a bargain with each other.” “That depends on what sort of bargain you have to propose,” said the Swede. “In the first place,” said Sir Otto, “you must allow yourself to be taught the Christian faith.” “You may teach as much as you please,” answered the Swede, “and if your doctrines be worth learning, I am willing to believe in them; if not, your trouble will be thrown away.”--“’Tis well,” answered Sir Otto; “although you are a prisoner, and should properly be detained among us, yet I shall send you, on your parole of honour, into Germany. There you will go into the blooming land of Swabia, and on the shores of the Danube you will inquire for an old knight, who is named Sir Hugh von Trautwangen, and for a castle of the same name, which is situated on the banks of that river. To Sir Hugh you will offer many courteous greetings from his loving son; you will deliver to him the banner which I took from your comrades, and give him a faithful account of all that has happened here. Then you shall return to me; for meanwhile I am to remain among your mountains of the north, and you shall afterwards be instructed in the faith of the Christians. Are you now willing to make this contract?”--“So may the gods of Valhalla help or renounce me!” answered the Swede.--“You shall one day learn better oaths to swear by,” said Sir Otto; “but for this time it shall suffice. Take the banner, and set out in God’s name.”--So, when the Swede had found a swift horse among those which had been taken from the Finlanders, and Sir Otto had given him a bag of silver money, they shook hands, and the messenger departed.