s deep and cold." Then the old king laughed. "A king,"
said he, "is not easily drowned. If any one is afraid let him go
round!"

The scornful laugh of the king angered the bold stranger, and he
frowned. Soon, however, he bound his good skates to his feet. The
servants meantime had brought out the sleigh-horse, strong and free,
and his nostrils flamed as he breathed the bright, cold air.

"On," cried the king; "on, my brave steed and show if you are of famed
Sleipner's brood!"

[Illustration: King Ring's Sleigh]

As swift was his speed as a storm at sea. The queen grew fearful as
the mighty steed flew on, but the king had no fear and paid no heed to
the queen's cries.

The stranger skated, now fast, now slow, passing Ingeborg and the king
whenever he wished. He made letters and figures on the sparkling ice,
writing often the name of the queen. Onward swiftly they glided across
the lake, but the treacherous ice-maidens were hiding below. Suddenly
they made a hole in the silvery ice and caught the sleigh of the king
with its precious load. The queen turned pale and called for help.
Like a whirlwind came the skater, strong and brave.

He buried his skate in the ice and clasped the flowing mane of the
steed with a grasp of iron. With one strong swing of his arm he
brought horse and sleigh to the firm ice.

"Well done!" said King Ring; "that was a noble stroke. Not Frithiof,
the strong, could have done better!"

Then they all returned to the palace, rejoicing in the safety of the
good king and queen.

In the Forest

Through the long winter the stranger remained at the court of the king.
The time passed merrily in skating, sleighing, and in other manly
sports. In the evening all gathered in the great hall and listened to
the songs of the skalds or related the deeds of heroes.

The coming of spring rejoiced all hearts. The songs of the birds, the
new leaves on the trees, the warmer rays of the sun, all gave joy to
those who had passed through the long cold winter. The ice-bound
rivulets melted and ran merrily to the ocean; the buds began to unfold,
and the earth seemed born anew, filled with love and hope and courage.

The king had planned a great hunt for the court. Men and women,
courtiers and servants, awaited the signal to start. The steeds
impatiently pawed the ground; the clanging of bows and the rattling of
quivers were heard on every side. The hooded falcons, eager to escape,
utte