egan to
believe that a foolish dream had awakened and deceived him. Then the
unseen Siegfried seized him from behind; and though he struggled hard,
and fought with furious strength, our hero threw him upon the ground,
and bound him with cords of sevenfold strength.

The unwonted noise at the gate rang through the castle, and awakened
the sleeping inmates. The dwarf Alberich, who kept the fortress against
Siegfried's return, and who watched the Nibelungen treasure, which was
stored in the hollow hill, arose, and donned his armor, and hurried to
the giant's help. A right stout dwarf was Alberich; and, as we have seen
in a former adventure, he was as bold as stout. Armed in a war-coat of
steel, he ran out to the gate, flourishing a seven-thonged whip, on each
thong of which a heavy golden ball was hung. Great was his amazement
and his wrath when he saw the giant lying bound and helpless upon the
ground; and with sharp, eager eyes he peered warily around to see if,
perchance, he might espy his hidden foe. But, when he could find no
one, his anger grew hotter than before, and he swung his golden scourge
fiercely about his head. Well was it for Siegfried then, that the
Tarnkappe hid him from sight; for the dwarf kept pounding about in air
so sturdily and strong, that, even as it was, he split the hero's shield
from the centre to the rim. Then Siegfried rushed quickly upon the
doughty little fellow, and seized him by his long gray beard, and threw
him so roughly upon the ground, that Alberich shrieked with pain.

"Spare me, I pray you," he cried. "I know that you are no mean knight;
and, if I had not promised to serve my master Siegfried until death, I
fain would acknowledge you as my lord."

But Siegfried bound the writhing dwarf, and placed him, struggling and
helpless, by the side of the giant.

"Tell me, now, your name, I pray," said the dwarf; "for I must give an
account of this adventure to my master when he comes."

"Who is your master?"

"His name is Siegfried; and he is king of the Nibelungens, and lord, by
right, of the great Nibelungen Hoard. To me and to my fellows he long
ago intrusted the keeping of this castle and of the Hoard that lies deep
hidden in the hollow hill; and I have sworn to keep it safe until his
return."

Then Siegfried threw off his Tarnkappe, and stood in his own proper
person before the wonder-stricken dwarf.

"Noble Siegfried," cried the delighted Alberich, "right glad I am that
you