And thereto the King gladly agreed, but bade him return as speedily as might be. _Chapter X_ _Siegfried Visits the Nibelungs_ Hastening to the ship, Siegfried once more donned the cap and put out to sea. The ship seemed to be moving of itself, for Siegfried was invisible, but urged on by his strong arm and a favoring wind that filled the sails, it sped along so fast that the end of a day and night found him an hundred miles from Iceland. On the second day he came to the shores of the land of the Nibelungs, which he had once conquered and made subject to him. Before the King’s castle he landed, and wishing to discover first of all if the treasure was well guarded, knocked at the gate. The porter, who was a giant, asked: “Who knocks?” And Siegfried, disguising his voice, replied: “One who would fain exchange blows with thee!” [Illustration: _SIEGFRIED vanquishes Alberich_] Thereupon the giant, seizing his iron staff, rushed forth and attacked Siegfried, who defended himself stoutly, till a mighty blow split his shield Goldrand. Then was he in great peril, yet it pleased him well to find such zeal in his service. At last Siegfried smote the giant so that he stumbled and fell; whereupon he quickly seized and bound him. The clash of arms, however, had reached the ears of Alberich the dwarf, who was guardian of the treasure; and now, clad in helm and shirt of mail, his terrible whip in hand, he sprang upon Siegfried. Thereupon Siegfried grasped him by his long gray beard and soon overpowered him. Then Alberich besought him to spare his life, saying: “I would gladly own thee master, but I have already sworn faith to another--the mighty Siegfried.” At this Siegfried made himself known, and releasing the dwarf, said: “In sooth, good Alberich, I did but try thee, to prove thy faith.” Overjoyed, the dwarf cried: “Now is it indeed meet that such a master should be lord of all the land!” The giant was set free and well praised for his valor; and thereafter Siegfried bade the dwarf awaken the Nibelungs, for that he had need of a thousand men. Alberich obeyed; and when they heard that Siegfried was come again, they sprang up joyfully and hastened to the lighted hall to greet him. By the next day full thirty thousand had assembled, but of these Siegfried chose but a thousand of the strongest and bravest, and with them sailed away. Oft, meantime, did Günther watch anxiously across the sea, when one day, having mounted with Brunhild and all her court to the battlements of the castle, he saw the ships of Siegfried and his Nibelungs approaching. Marvelling greatly, Brunhild asked who might be these strangers whose sails gleamed so white, and whose armor shone so dazzlingly in the sunlight; and Günther answered joyously: “Now, forsooth, are these my own bold warriors, come to fetch me home!” Soon Siegfried strode to shore with the Nibelungs and the Queen gave them gracious welcome. * * * * *