f it were as easy to alight as it is to fly," was the answer, "I
should fly away and you would never see me again."

"I will alter what is wrong," said the smith, making a slight change in
the shirt. Then with Eigil's help he put on the feathers, flapped his
wings and rose into the air. He lighted on a turret of the castle and
called down to Eigil.

"I did not tell you the truth when I said that you should alight _with_
the wind, for I knew that if you found out how easy it was to fly you
would never give me the shirt back again. You can see for yourself that
all birds rise against the wind and alight in the same way. I am going
home to my own country, but first I must have a few words with Nidung.
And, remember, if he bids you shoot me, shoot under the left wing, for
there I have fastened a bladder filled with blood."

With these words Wayland flew to the highest tower of the king's castle
and called to the king as he passed with his courtiers.

"Are you a bird, Wayland?" asked the king.

"Sometimes I am a bird and sometimes a man," was the reply; "but now I
am going away from here and never again will you have me in your power.
Listen while I speak. You promised once to give me your daughter and the
half of your kingdom, but you made of me instead an outcast--because I
defended myself and killed the wretches who would have taken my life.

"You surprised me while I slept and stole my arms and my treasures; and
not satisfied with that you laid a net for my feet and made of me a
cripple. But I have had my revenge. Do you know where your sons are?"

"My sons!" cried Nidung. "Oh, tell me what you know of them."

"I will tell you, but first you must swear to me by the deck of the ship
and the edge of the shield, by the back of the horse and the blade of
the sword that you will do no harm to my wife and child."

Nidung swore and Wayland began his speech:

"Go to my smithy, and there in the cave you will find the remains of
your sons. I killed them, and of their bones made vessels for your
table. Your daughter Badhild is my wife. So have I repaid evil with
evil, and our connection is ended."

With these words he flew away, while Nidung in great anger cried:
"Eigil, shoot at Wayland."

"I cannot harm my own brother," replied Eigil.

"Shoot," cried the king, "or I will kill you."

Then Eigil laid an arrow in his bow and shot Wayland as he had been
instructed, under his left arm, until the blood flowed and everyon