Page:Stories of Norse Gods and Heroes.djvu/97

Rh GUDRUN. time ago, in a land near the ocean, there lived a king called Sigeband. He was a very rich and powerful king and had many knights in his army.

Often he held tournaments, so that his knights might show their skill in the use of sword and spear and battle-ax.

Once he held a tournament that lasted a week. Hagen, the king's little son, who was some day to be king of the land, ran about among the horses and knights.

He looked at the sharp swords and shining armor. He heard the jingling of the golden spurs. He saw the gay plumes on the helmets and wished that he too were a man.

He patted the shining coats of the war-horses and was never tired looking at them.

One day he forgot to follow the men into the palace. There was a feast that day, and no one saw that the little boy had not come in.

The king and queen sat at the middle of the table. On either hand sat long rows of knights. All were jesting and laughing.