The brimming goblets yet circled round the board of the old Swedish hero, and the minstrels had not sung half their ballads, when Sir Otto and the sea-monarch requested leave to depart. The prince would have gladly detained them, but he well knew the danger of delays in time of war; so he stretched out his arms over the youths as they bowed before him, and, with a voice that faltered with emotion, and gleaming eyes, gave them his blessing. Thereafter their bands of horse and foot were soon collected together, and, shouting and singing songs of triumph, they proceeded on their way towards the mountains. The best positions both on the hills and in the valleys were soon surveyed and manned; watchers were appointed for the safety of all, and for the ready communication of intelligence between the parties. While the foot-soldiers were making arrangements for their own comforts, and the cavalrymen attending, in the first place, to the safety of their horses,--all being well aware that they were to winter in this desolate region,--Sir Otto looked at the sea-monarch, and said, “methinks our duties are already done, being anticipated by others, and yet it is not near sunset; we might therefore ride out now on our campaign of discovery, since the places of which we should be in search lead us certainly in a forward rather than a retrograde direction.” “I had myself thought so,” said Sir Arinbiorn; “before us, and on the left hand, must be the old moss-grown watch-tower. A brave knight cannot well rest, until he has forced out into the clear light of day all the dark mysteries by which he has been so perplexed;--and so, good friend,” added he, raising his voice, and turning to Sir Kolbein, who then stood near him,--“take for a space the command of our troops here, and see that your duty be performed faithfully. Sir Otto and I must now ride hence to explore the mountains.”--Thereupon Sir Kolbein bowed gracefully and like a true knight, and the two friends trotted rapidly away through the shadowy valleys. After no long space they came to a narrow path of the mountains, by which they were led, under the covert of the densely entwined branches, up a steep height, while ever and anon they espied the old battlements of the watch-tower. They rode silently and slowly forwards; and when at last they marked the building more clearly, and at no great distance through the trees, the red light of the evening sun beamed brightly and cheerfully on its windows. “It is very strange,” said Sir Otto to his friend, “that now, when the setting sun thus glitters on the tower, the whole building seems changed. I no longer look on it as frightful and mysterious; but, on the contrary, methinks, I am now riding towards my own home; for never have I felt a more cordial and deep longing to reach the old castle of Trautwangen than that which attracts me at this moment.”