“At last they came to the very place where the rainbow touched the earth.  And the rainbow was a great bridge, built of living colours, so dazzling and wonderful that beyond it the eye could see nothing, only far away a great, blinding, sparkling glory, where the fountain of life sprang up in a shower of diamond fire.  But under the Rainbow Bridge rolled a terrible flood, deep and wide and violent, full of rocks and rapids and whirlpools.

“There was a Warder of the bridge, a god, dark and stern and sorrowful.  And to him Odin gave command that he should open the gate and allow his followers to cross the Rainbow Bridge, that they might drink of the fountain of life beyond.  And the Warder set open the gate.

“‘Pass on and drink of the fountain,’ he said.  ’To all who taste of it shall immortality be given.  But only to that one who shall drink of it first shall be permitted to walk at Odin’s right hand forever.’

“Then the company passed through in great haste, all fired with a desire to be the first to drink of the fountain and win so marvellous a boon.  Last of all came Ving.  He had lingered behind to pluck a thorn from the foot of a beggar child he had met on the highway, and he had not heard the Warder’s words.  But when, eager, joyous, radiant, he set his foot on the rainbow, the stern, sorrowful Warder took him by the arm and drew him back.

“‘Ving, strong, noble, and valiant,’ he said, ’Rainbow Bridge is not for thee.’

“Very dark grew Ving’s face.  Hot rebellion rose in his heart and rushed over his pale lips.

“‘Why dost thou keep back the draught of immortality from me?’ he demanded passionately.

“The Warder pointed to the dark flood that rolled under the bridge.

“‘The path of the rainbow is not for thee,’ he said, ’but yonder way is open.  Ford that flood.  On the furthest bank is the fountain of life.’

“‘Thou mockest me,’ muttered Ving sullenly.  ’No mortal could cross that flood.  Oh, Master,’ he prayed, turning beseechingly to Odin, ’thou didst promise to me eternal life as to the others.  Wilt thou not keep that promise?  Command the Warder to let me pass.  He must obey thee.’

“But Odin stood silent, with his face turned from his beloved, and Ving’s heart was filled with unspeakable bitterness and despair.

“’Thou mayest return to earth if thou fearest to essay the flood,’ said the Warder.

“‘Nay,’ said Ving wildly, ’earthly life without Alin is more dreadful than the death which awaits me in yon dark river.’

“And he plunged fiercely in.  He swam, and struggled, he buffetted the turmoil.  The waves went over his head again and again, the whirlpools caught him and flung him on the cruel rocks.  The wild, cold spray beat on his eyes and blinded him, so that he could see nothing, and the roar of the river deafened him so that he could hear nothing; but he felt keenly the wounds and bruises of the cruel