ot know
what fear was; he only laughed and leaped over it, as he plunged; and
when it reared to spring upon him, he drove the immortal blade straight
into its heart.

Now when Siegfried plucked out his sword he smeared his finger with the
blood, and it burned like fire, so that he put it in his mouth to ease
the pain. Then suddenly the most strange thing happened: he understood
all the hum and murmur of the woods; and lo! the bird on the very branch
above was singing of his mother and of him, and of the gold that was his
if he would give up his sword and would love and serve none in the
world. And more, she sang on of one who slept upon a lonely mountain: a
wall of fire burned around, that none could pass but he who knew no
fear.

Siegfried listened to hear more, but the bird fluttered away before
him. He saw it going, and he forgot the gold and the whole world, and
followed it. It led him on and on, to a lonely mountain, where he saw
light burning; and he climbed up and up, and always the light grew
brighter. But when he was nearly at the top, and would have bounded on,
he could not, for Odin stood there with his spear across the way. The
fire glowed and flashed around them, but the sword gleamed brighter than
anything that ever shone, as Siegfried cleft the mighty spear and leaped
into the flame. And there at last, in the great shining, this Siegfried
beheld a mortal like himself. He stood still in wonder. He saw the light
glinting on armor, and he thought, "I have found a knight, a friend!"
And he went over and took the helmet from the head. Long ruddy hair,
like flame, fell down. Then he raised the shield, and behold! in white
glistening robes he saw the maid Brunhilde. And she was so beautiful!
The light glowed into a great shining as he looked, and, hardly
knowing, he leaned and kissed her, and she awoke.

And it seemed to Siegfried that he had found his mother and the whole
world.

Yes! there came floating by
Me, who lay floating too.
Such a strange butterfly!
Creature as dear as new:

* * * * *

I never shall join its flight,
For, naught buoys flesh in air.
If it touch the sea--good night!
Death sure and swift waits there.

--_From Browning's "Amphibian."_

[Illustration:

By Yeend King

"AT THE FARTHEST END OF THE MEADOW"]

A FISH AND A BUTTERFLY.

At the very farthest end of the meadow there is water, blue wi