So Ecke hastened after on the road which Dietrich had taken. But ere he had gone far he encountered a huge monster, half horse, half man, which he slew after a fierce struggle. At last one day he came upon a horse tied to a linden tree, while on the ground near by lay a knight with wounds upon him so fearful it seemed to Ecke naught but a lightning stroke could have dealt them. But from the dying man he learned that the lightning had been no other than the stout arm of Dietrich of Bern. The knight with his three brethren had attacked Dietrich, whereby he had been wounded unto death and the three brethren slain. Then Ecke asked which way Dietrich had taken, and made off with all speed to overtake him; nor was it long ere he saw the gleam of the hero’s great helm, called Hildegrimm, among the shades of the forest. But Ecke’s armor glittered likewise, and Dietrich becoming aware of it, he halted and waited for Ecke to draw nigh. Then Ecke asked: “Art thou that Dietrich of Bern, the three queens so greatly desire to look upon?” And Dietrich answered: “Many are there of that name in Bern, but an thou seekest the son of Dittmar, of a truth thou hast indeed found him.” Then Ecke challenged him to mortal combat; but it was scarce an hour since Dietrich had fought with the four knights and vanquished them, so that he was nowise desirous for a struggle with Ecke, who in stature, moreover, was like a giant beside him. Then Ecke sought to tempt him, saying: “Seest thou this gold armor of mine? With dragon’s blood have its links been toughened, while this helm is the work of no less cunning hands than Wieland’s, the mightiest smith in all Jutland. It was wrought from a dragon’s skull. Overlaid with gold is it, and lined with steel. They shall be thine an thou overcomest me.” But Dietrich shook his head and made answer that his own helm and harness were good and he asked no better. None the less did Ecke still persist, and drawing his sword, said: “Behold this wondrous blade. It was cunningly forged by dwarfs in the Tyrol. Twelve months was it in the tempering, and many it hath slain, among them the giant Grimm. From a diamond was the fastening wrought, the hilt from a griffin’s horn; inlaid with gold is the sheath, and the tip of it is a ruby. Mighty is it for length and breadth, and Sachs is its name!” At last, seeing his boasting words were of no avail, he grew angry and cried out, scornfully: “Dietrich thou mayst call thyself, forsooth, but never art thou Dietrich of Bern, the son of Dittmar, the world-renowned hero whom I seek. As for thee, before all men, aye and women likewise, I will hold thee up to scorn as a laggard knight!” Then Dietrich warned him, saying: “Fool and braggart! An I deign to fight with thee but one of us shall leave this place alive!” At this Ecke was overjoyed and he shouted: “Draw thy sword, Sir Champion, and of a truth thou shalt have need of the help of thy God!”