Ortwin shall guard the rear."

"I will myself ride forward," said Siegfried, "and spy out the foe, that
I may know rightly who the warriors be."

Fair Sieglind's son did on his armour in haste. He gave his knights in
charge to Hagen and bold Gernot when he set out. He rode into Saxony all
alone, and won honour by his quest. He perceived a great host encamped
on a field, that loomed mightily against him, beyond the strength of one
man: forty thousand or more. And the high heart of Siegfried rejoiced.

One of the enemy's knights kept watch warily, and perceived Siegfried,
and Siegfried him, and they glared fiercely on each other. I will tell
you who he was that kept watch. On his arm he bare a glittering shield
of gold. It was King Ludgast that kept ward over his host.

The noble stranger pricked toward him fiercely. Ludgast dressed him
also. They put spurs to their horses and smote with all their strength
on the shields with their spears, that it was like to go hard with the
king. On their horses, pricked forward with the spur, the princes bare
down on each other like the wind. Then they wheeled round deftly--these
two fierce men--and fell to hacking with their swords. Sir Siegfried
smote, that the field rang therewith; the hero with his mighty blade
struck sparks from Ludgast's helmet. Fiercely fought the prince of the
Netherland, and Ludgast, likewise, dealt many a grim blow. Each drave
with all his might at the other's shield. The combat was spied by thirty
of Ludgast's men, but Siegfried, by means of three deep wounds and grisly
that he dealt Ludgast through his white harness, overcame the king or
these knights came up. His sword drew blood with each stroke, that King
Ludgast came in evil plight, and begged for his life, offering his land
as the price thereof, and said that his name was Ludgast.

His knights hastened to his rescue, for they had seen the encounter at
the ward-post. Siegfried would have led him thence, but thirty of
Ludgast's men rode at him. With mighty blows the stark warrior kept his
rich captive; and soon his hands did even deadlier deeds. He smote the
thirty men dead in his defence, save one that fled and told what
happened, the truth whereof was proven by his bloody helmet.

They of Denmark were aghast when they heard their king was taken captive;
they told it to his brother, who fell in a great fury by reason of the
disaster.

So the mighty Ludgast was taken by Siegfrie