Dietrich now rode on to Drachenfels, where he encountered Fasolt, Ecke’s brother, and, after defeating him also, and delivering the captive ladies, went back to Bern, where Fasolt joined his chosen warriors.  Dietrich, moreover, delivered the knight Sintram from the jaws of a dragon, and made him one of his followers.  Then, having appropriated Ecke’s sword, the great Eckesax, Dietrich was about to give Nagelring to Heime; but hearing that the latter had stood idly by while Wittich fought single-handed against twelve robbers, he banished him from his presence, bidding him never return until he had atoned for his dishonorable conduct by some generous deed.

Heime, incensed at this dismissal, sulkily withdrew to the Falster wood on the banks of the Wisara (Weser), where he became chief of a body of brigands, ruthlessly spoiled travelers, and daily increased the hoard he was piling up in one of his strongholds.

But, although Dietrich thus lost one of his bravest warriors, his band was soon reenforced by Hildebrand’s brother Ilsan, who, although a monk, was totally unfitted for a religious life, and greatly preferred fighting to praying.  There also came to Bern Wildeber (Wild Boar), a man noted for his great strength.  He owed this strength to a golden bracelet given him by a mermaid in order to recover her swan plumage, which he had secured.

[Sidenote:  Dietlieb the Dane.] As Dietrich was once on his way to Romaburg (Rome), whither his uncle Ermenrich had invited him, he accepted the proffered service and escort of Dietlieb the Dane.  This warrior, seeing that the emperor had forgotten to provide for the entertainment of Dietrich’s suite, pledged not only his own steed and weapons, but also his master’s and Hildebrand’s, leading a jolly life upon the proceeds.

When the time of departure came, and Dietrich called for his steed, Dietlieb was forced to confess what he had done.  The story came to Ermenrich’s ears, and he felt called upon to pay the required sum to release his guest’s weapons and steeds, but contemptuously inquired whether Dietlieb were good at anything besides eating and drinking, wherein he evidently excelled.  Enraged by this taunt, Dietlieb challenged Ermenrich’s champion warrior, Walther von Wasgenstein (Vosges), and beat him at spear and stone throwing.  He next performed feats hitherto unheard of, and won such applause that Ermenrich not only paid all his debts, but also gave him a large sum of money, which this promising young spendthrift immediately expended in feasting all the men at arms.

Dietlieb’s jests and jollity so amused Isung, the imperial minstrel, that he left court to follow him to the land of the Huns, where the fickle youth next offered his services to Etzel (Attila).  The King of the Huns, afraid to keep such a mercurial person near him, gave him the province of Steiermark (Styria), bidding him work off all surplus energy by defending it against the numerous enemies always trying to enter his realm.