Part 7 (1/2)
He was faint and needed help.”
”And did you give it?” growled the chieftain.
”I gave him water. I could not drive him out into the stormy night.”
The chieftain grew dark with anger as he said: ”Because it is the sacred law of my country that none shall be turned from the door who seek shelter from the night, this intruder may stay until the morning. Then he shall fight for his life.”
Siegmund knew now that he was in the house of the fierce Hunding.
Taking the woman by the arm, Hunding led her from the room, and Siegmund was left alone to think how he might save himself.
Long he leaned upon the hearth in troubled silence. Then, knowing he must flee, he turned toward the door.
That moment the last flickering light of the dying fire flashed upon the hilt of the magic sword in the ash tree.
Siegmund saw it, and, springing forward, he grasped its hilt. Then, bracing himself against the tree, with one mighty pull, behold! he drew the bright blade from its sheath.
THE WAR-MAIDENS
Wotan gathered to Valhalla a company of nine war-maidens. They were called the Walkuere.
They were strong, beautiful young women, who rode through the clouds upon swift horses.
The horses could not only run on the ground; they could fly through the air.
The maidens wore wings upon their helmets, and each wore a splendid silver armor which glittered and flashed in the suns.h.i.+ne.
Wherever there was a battle on the earth, Wotan would send a battle-maiden for the most valiant hero on the field.
The maiden would fly over the battlefield and watch while the warriors fought.
When the bravest man was wounded, she would quickly swoop down, and, s.n.a.t.c.hing him up, would fly with him to Valhalla, where he was revived by fair Freya.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
Sometimes, when evening came, every one of the war-maidens rode into Valhalla carrying a n.o.ble hero.
This was Wotan's plan for protecting the palace.
After a while he would have at the castle a company of the bravest heroes of the earth.
He hoped he would then be happier.
The heroes would protect the beautiful Valhalla in time of danger.
WOTAN'S WIFE
Morning dawned.