a ferry, but, fearing to make gossip in the vicinity, he paid the ferryman with fishes, which he had previously caught.  The ferryman, as it chanced, sold the fish to the king’s cook, who dressed them and placed them before his royal master.  The monarch declared that there were no such fishes in France, and asked who had brought them to Worms.  The ferryman was summoned, and related how he had ferried over an armed warrior, a fair maiden, and a great war-horse with two chests.  Hagen, who sat at the king’s table, exclaimed full joyfully: 

“Now will I avow that this is none other than my comrade Walthar returning from the Hunnish land.”

“Say ye so?” retorted King Gunther.  “It is clear that by him the Almighty sends me back the treasure of my father Gibicho.”

So ordered he a horse to be brought, and taking with him twelve of his bravest chiefs besides Hagen, who sought in vain to dissuade him, he went in search of Walthar.

The Cave

Journeying from the banks of the Rhine, Walthar and the maiden had by this time reached the forest of the Vosges.  They halted at a spot where between two hills standing close together is situated a pleasant and shady cave, not hollowed out in the earth, but formed by the beetling of the rocks, a fit haunt for bandits, carpeted with green moss.  But little sleep had Walthar known since his escape from the Hunland, so, spying this cool retreat, he crept inside it to rest.  Putting off his heavy armour, he placed his head on Hildegund’s lap, bidding her keep watch and wake him by a touch if she saw aught of danger.  But the covetous Gunther had seen his tracks in the dust, and ever urging on his companions soon came near the cave where Walthar reposed.  Hagen warned him of Walthar’s powers as a champion, and told him that he was too great a warrior to permit himself to be despoiled easily.

Hildegund, noticing their approach, gently aroused Walthar, who put on his armour.  At first she thought the approaching band were Huns pursuing them, and implored him to slay her; but Walthar smilingly bade her be of good cheer, as he had recognized Hagen’s helm.  He was evidently aware, however, of the purpose for which he had been followed, and going to the mouth of the cave, he addressed the assembled warriors, telling them that no Frank should ever return to say that he had taken aught of his treasure unpunished.

Hagen advised a parley in case Walthar should be ready to give up the treasure without bloodshed, and Camillo, the prefect of Metz, was sent to him for this purpose.  Camillo told him that if he would give up his charger, the two chests, and the maiden, Gunther would grant him life; but Walthar laughed in his face.

“Go tell King Gunther,” he said, “that if he will not oppose my passage I will present him with one hundred armlets of red metal.”

Hagen strongly advised the king to accept the offer, for on the night before he had had an evil dream of a bear which tore off one of the king’s legs in conflict, and put out one of his own eyes when he came to Gunther’s aid.  Gunther replied with a sneer, and Hagen, greatly humiliated, declared that he would share neither the fight nor the spoil.