“Do thou make a show of performing the feats,” he whispered to the King, “while I will bear the shield and cast the javelin.” At these words Günther’s spirits rose. Now the signal was given and Brunhild hurled her spear. Fire flew from the King’s shield as the spear drove clean through it, striking sparks from the mail beneath, and bearing both heroes to the earth. Blood poured from Siegfried’s mouth but they quickly sprang to their feet again, and now was it Siegfried’s turn to cast the javelin, albeit Günther seemed to make the throw. Siegfried had turned the spear about lest the sharp point should wound the Queen. Away it sped, whizzing through the air, and struck her shield with such force that it rang again. Down fell Brunhild, but she rose undaunted and smilingly praised Günther for his throw, for still was she confident the victory would be hers. Then she called for the stone, whereupon was brought a round stone so huge and massive that twelve men could scarce raise it from the ground. This she lifted, poised a moment, and then flung from her with so powerful an arm that it flew twelve fathoms length; nor was this amazing feat all, for with a mighty bound she sprang after the stone, overleaping it ere it touched the ground. Again Günther lost heart, but when it came to his turn, Siegfried not only cast the stone far beyond Brunhild’s mark, but, taking Günther with him, he bounded so quickly after it that he caught it again before it fell. Brunhild grew red with wrath, but was forced to own herself vanquished; wherefore turning to her courtiers, and with a gesture of the hand toward Günther, she said: “Now are ye henceforth true lieges to King Günther, one and all!” Then came all the chiefs to lay their arms at the feet of the King; and after he had saluted Brunhild with courtly words, she bade him repair with her to the marble palace, while Hagen and Dankwart followed to share in the honors of their lord. But Siegfried had made all speed to the ship to lay aside the cap and now returning, sought the Queen and asked her if the contest would not soon begin. Brunhild confessed that she had lost the wager; whereupon Siegfried said: “Right joyful news is this, fair Queen! Now of a truth must thou fare with us to the Rhine!” To this Brunhild made no reply, but she forthwith summoned all her kinsmen and followers to the castle. Then from all quarters there began to assemble so vast a number of knights and warriors that Hagen grew uneasy, and said: “Methinks this bodeth us no good. Albeit Brunhild’s court hath sworn fealty to our King, yet may her people look upon him as a foe and evil befall us thereby.” “Thy words are wise,” replied Siegfried. “Now will I go hence and summon to our aid such warriors as never yet hast thou beholden. A thousand mighty champions will I fetch hither; but should any mark my absence, do thou, King Günther, say that thou hast despatched me hence.”